tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48151728951288744212024-03-19T05:36:44.370-07:00 Yoga with Nancy Uma in Central VirginiaMaking Yoga Accessible to All Types of People in All Types of SettingsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-4656015276407129642018-12-05T13:14:00.000-08:002018-12-05T13:14:28.282-08:00The Gift of Yoga and Food! Restorative Yoga and Brunch SeriesYoga and Food for Mind , Body and Soul.. feed both with this wonderful series ..<br />
Check out my Facebook or Website .. Yoga Boutique of Virginia for registration or contact me directly nancyuma1@gmail.com for more details<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsEUdRZL77T0AH3Xl1jLUznCfeLs-ViXQ5ayKIZ_R03nEvKQadclqxNPDALBV3vzQ-YsYYhRsjGO8pvsSDdJt3UbSulIOTP-90dXELNQYK9NXBqwasUrW8MkgLvGeVeYv2o_GVCC74Y2f/s1600/IMG_2851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsEUdRZL77T0AH3Xl1jLUznCfeLs-ViXQ5ayKIZ_R03nEvKQadclqxNPDALBV3vzQ-YsYYhRsjGO8pvsSDdJt3UbSulIOTP-90dXELNQYK9NXBqwasUrW8MkgLvGeVeYv2o_GVCC74Y2f/s640/IMG_2851.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-6669744777270633902018-01-11T10:20:00.001-08:002018-01-11T10:20:45.095-08:00Yoga and Food , cooking with AwarenessI realized while at cooking school how much my years of yoga training and teaching made a difference in my awareness of the food I shop for , prepare , share and eat..<br />
The intensity at chef school put me in a place of having to really examine what role food has in my life and others.<br />
On a basic level food and cooking together as been the bond , in our family for over 32 years. Beyond that bond I now look at food as a way to bring community together. From teaching a "newbie" the joys of cooking a home cooked meal.. to seeing a child light up the first time they stir! The joys ( and sometimes frustrations) of searching out ingredients , finding a new product that I have never worked with and producing a wonderful , memorable meal is very , very rewarding. To me the process of preparing a meal is very similar to yoga ... awareness, focus, physical acuity, all come into play.<br />
Next time you cook or eat, alone or with others.. take some time to stop, breath, smell, taste and enjoy the joy of your meal!<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-49394907195001019532017-10-05T12:04:00.000-07:002017-10-05T12:04:54.146-07:00Life is about Change and GrowthGood friends and sweet yogi's..<br />
<br />
I have enjoyed teaching, sharing yoga, visiting ashrams, making yogi friends at workshops, intensives... teaching all ages young and old, starting with Head Start to mature adults in Nursing homes, at churches, in amazing clients homes, at studios far and wide. I have learned so much from all my yoga peeps over the last 15 years..how to be patient, not put myself first, learning silence is often more powerful then speech, noticing the new sensations after a silent retreat.. the list of how I have evolved from yoga and the practice of yoga is amazing! Nothing I could have planned for , however always internally grateful. As I continue to grow in life I move on to continued education in a new realm. I will be attending Chef School as my love of cooking is as deep as my love of yoga.. there is nothing like the community and togetherness of sitting around a table together and breaking bread.. My yoga classes and privates will be taking a pause after October .. please keep in touch.. I will try to keep up my cooking blog.. Up Front Cooking with Nancy.. Stay Tuned ! Forks up!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-9056046069593560072016-07-02T08:07:00.001-07:002016-07-02T08:07:15.206-07:00Summertime YogaSummertime is a time to slow down. Smell the roses and enjoy the deep blue sky. Take the example nature has given us to slow down your yoga practice. Deep slow breaths.. Notice nature . Take time for yourself to slow down enjoy the moment. Breathing with awareness can help us be present if even for a moment. Notice the after effect. Stop to let go of anything you don't need in your life , loud noises, bad food, unhealthy relationships. Summer time is a good time to reflect on your self and where you want to be in life. A slow physical practice brings your body into sync with your mind and breath. Take your normal practice and slow it down by adding longer , slower breaths, see where it takes you!<br />
Enjoy !Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-67180552581683167452016-01-12T13:01:00.001-08:002017-04-06T08:53:01.001-07:00Restorative Yoga for All!Restorative, just the word invokes thoughts of relaxation. Add some relaxing deep breathing , quiet soothing music , you have got yourself a recipe to reset the nervous system. The idea of lying in a pose for 5-10 minutes may scare some folks, however Restorative poses done right will allow the body and mind to visit a place deep inside there being , a place that in these hectic times of electronic devices, over scheduling and lack of sleep do we rarely if maybe never get to experience. You can do your own restorative poses very easily at home. All you need is a quiet comfortable place on the floor a few blankets, bolster if you have one or a sturdy pillow. One such easy peaceful pose is child pose.<br />
Find a place where you can be on all fours , knees and hands, place a bolster or pillow between your legs, lie forward with our head and neck either in neutral or lying to one side over the pillow, let your buttocks sink over your heals, allow your breath to become rhythmic and soft . As you notice your breath , allow your breath to move to your back. Visualize a peaceful place or time and allow your self to stay in this position for 5-10 minutes. Voila ! this is restorative yoga. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-51772102107473831802015-10-15T10:51:00.000-07:002015-10-15T10:51:19.584-07:00Fall Yoga- Change of SeasonsIn our yoga practice we set an intention to allow our practice to "feed" our need in that particular moment : feed our spirit, our bodies, our state of mind.. As the season changes our need to change our practice may not be obvious at first. As we notice the change of season we should also be aware of how our body feels as the weather gets colder, maybe last month we did our pose this way with more emphasis on backing off as to not over heat , today we may stay a bit longer in the desired pose to warm up not only the muscles , but the fascia that support the muscle , tendon and or ligament.<br />
As well as being aware of our physical body , our breath practice could be more deliberate or we may just want to take a bit more time to see what the breath is doing .<br />
Another aspect of our daily practice is to notice the food we eat , nurturing ourselves with warm, comfort food , not only because the air is cooler but to honor our bodies as the weather changes.<br />
Take time in your day to notice the light changing, the feel of the air on your skin, take a moment this fall to just "be" Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-67437937231483958822015-07-10T14:06:00.002-07:002015-09-29T07:36:03.539-07:00Do your own Yoga by just breathing!Summertime is a time to take things a bit slower, stop to smell the fresh herbs, tomato's and flowers that abound! A great way to bring yourself into the moment is with the breath, so breath easy, breath in summer and relax! ( following is a re-post from one of my previous blog posts, I feel it is so important to read again)<br />
The real reason we do yoga: To focus and relax the mind. Hmm, sounds so
easy. Focus and Relaxation in our culture is as elusive as winning the
lottery! Being on the roller coaster or merry go round of life;
relaxation alludes the best of us. I have seen children through ninety
something's "stressed out". It is not very mysterious at all how to
relax the mind. We<b> all</b> do it every day. Just breath! Take a
minute and think about your breath. We all have at least one minute in
our busy lives to watch the breath. Listen , feel your own breath. While
standing at line at the bank, post office, airport. While waiting for a
doctor's or dentist's appointment. Right before digging into dinner.
How about first thing in the morning before anyone is awake? Yoga is
just that easy, anyone can do it, anytime , anywhere. Once you make
watching the breath a habit, the practice of breathing becomes second
nature. You will begin to feel calm , peaceful and relaxed. Go ahead ,
do something for yourself. BREATH!
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-75291858231891803172015-03-20T13:20:00.000-07:002015-03-20T13:20:24.533-07:00Breath Slow Live LongIn yoga we believe the you are born with so many breaths. Slowing down the breath has many benefits. It is not has hard as you think. Take a moment, find a place where your head is lightly balanced on your neck. Close your eyes if it is comfortable to you . Start to notice the breath flowing in through the nose and out through the nose. Watching it immediately you feel your shoulders relax down your back. Place your hands now one on your collarbones one on your abdomen, feel the belly rise up with the inhalation and contract on the exhalation... now begin to count next time you inhale one thousand one , two , etc.. See what number you get, you may need to do it a few times , especially if you are new to the breathing practice. Then take a few breaths and count your exhale. Note the number. Once you have two numbers say they are a 3 in and a 4 out. for a basic relaxing breathing practice work on getting the 3 to a 4.. then the 4's to a 5 etc.. this will not happen over night, practice takes time, everyone is different. As you keep up the practice you will notice that you will be practicing the breathing even when you are not aware! You will feel more focused, relaxed and enjoy a life of slow long breaths!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-82532648424847140452014-12-08T16:39:00.000-08:002014-12-08T16:39:00.386-08:00Positive Intentions for 2015Plan on doing good, bring good , saying good. Put out into the universe what you want to happen and the universe will listen. It all starts with meditating on positive intentions during your daily life and or yoga practice. Whenever negative thoughts enter your mind take a moment to replace the thought with an equally positive one. This practice has a way of forcing us to turn daily stress into a positive focus. Try and perform this practice every day , eventually it will become a habit .Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-85997886193012775122014-10-12T12:58:00.000-07:002014-10-27T04:08:57.052-07:00Restorative Yoga -Important and NecessaryThe holidays are just around the corner...... After reading that sentence did your pulse quicken? Did your head start spinning with thoughts of to do lists out of control? No worries...<br />
Restorative yoga has the ability to help us manage holiday stress, daily life and reoccurring stress by resetting our nervous system. Allowing our bodies and minds to take a mini vacation from life, gives us the chance to disengage from all the distractions of life , quiet the body and mind.<br />
Restorative yoga are yoga poses that are assisted with props , the props help us get into a comfortable position that allows the body to gently stretch, release inner physical and mental tension by taking time to just be. A meditative focus during the holding of the pose , focusing on the breath, repeating a mantra or affirmation helps deepen the relaxation affect. Most of us are on over drive 24/7. Even when we sleep we may not be truly "restoring" our bodies and minds. Research as shown and articles have been written about the numerous illnesses in our society related to stress.<br />
Take some time this year to jump start your relaxation response by attending a restorative workshop.<br />
Nancy will be hosting a workshop on November 2, 2014 at 1 pm. <br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-56740680939669261882014-08-04T09:10:00.000-07:002014-08-04T09:24:28.572-07:00Cooling PracticesIn the dog days of summer the last thing we need to do is over heat and exert ourselves with an overly heated practice. Bring balance to your day and life taking your current practice at a slower pace, practicing yin or restorative yoga. Lengthen your breaths to slow down your breathing and practice sitali breath ( form a "straw" with your tongue, by curling it up) to cool the mouth and air flowing in. Take your practice in the early morning hours while the sun is rising and the air is cooler . Be mindful if practicing outdoors to practice in the shade as the sun will drain your energy...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-70389193953604377682014-01-21T06:16:00.000-08:002014-02-01T07:55:41.677-08:00New Year Intention thorough out Your YearStart your day setting a positive intention; creating a positive and uplifting intention for yourself is part of your emotional and spiritual health. When you first become aware of being conscious in the early morning light take a moment to set your self up for a positive day. No... I will , it will, they will instead I am , it is and they are!! See what you want..<br />
Make it a YES! kind of year. Anything, as the old adage goes is possible if you set your mind to it. Your health, your relationships , your financial health ; all aspects of your life can have a positive force behind them if you focus only on the positive and not the negative.<br />
It is as simple as saying to yourself, I am happy, I am fortunate, I am healthy! Start today setting up yourself for a Great NEW Year , all year!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-28873084578974151732013-11-14T09:33:00.000-08:002013-11-14T09:33:26.229-08:00 Thankful and Grateful<b>Thank you to all my students, members, friends and clients</b><br />
<br />
<b> Thank you for being my greatest teachers</b><br />
<br />
<b> Thank you for your smiles</b><br />
<br />
<b> Thank you for your patience </b><br />
<br />
<b>Thank you for your determination</b><br />
<br />
<b> Thank you for your insight and wisdom</b><br />
<br />
<b> Thank you for sharing the sun, moon and mother earth</b><br />
<br />
<b> Thank you most of all for being you! </b><br />
<br />
<b>Grateful for every day that we can share our practice's together</b><br />
<br />
<b> Grateful for every breath we take</b><br />
<br />
<b> Grateful for a healthy body and lively spirit!</b><br />
<br />
<b> Grateful for continued support over the years</b><br />
<br />
<b> Grateful for you!</b><br />
<br />
<b> Enjoy! Be thankful and grateful for your family, loved ones, friends, co-workers!</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-11915318749743562302013-08-28T13:12:00.000-07:002013-08-28T13:12:04.999-07:00Remove the EgoWhen an individual brings ego into their practice whether they are the instructor or the student a certain amount of negative energy and tension are brought into the practice. When ego is brought into the practice by a teacher it can be detrimental not only to the individual student but to the entire group of practitioners. It is easy for a teacher to become overly confident in there ability to instruct students. They may be inexperienced and not realize how to read a individual student and or class. A teachers responsibility is to help the student grow in there body, mind and spirit. If a teacher does not like certain poses they should still be able to teach those poses to there class, if they do not they are allowing there egos to replace what is best for the student(s).
When an individual brings ego to there practice they are likely to exceed normal range of motion in their poses. Leaving them more likely to create injury. They could also leave the practice feeling agitated or out of sorts, instead of feeling calm, balanced and deliciously stretched.
Remember to take the time in the beginning of your practice to set an intention that helps you follow what is truly needed for your mind, body and spirit.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-47134059294018345202013-06-09T16:52:00.000-07:002013-06-09T16:52:33.810-07:00We are all Human/ Loving Kindness to ALL!Having recently traveled abroad, it became very apparent rather quickly how alike we all are. Most humans want to be kind, good and friendly. We seek out human contact and enjoy sharing our life stories, fears and triumphs with anybody that will listen, even if it is in broken English! Traveling in a foreign country, one that has been in a terrible recession, worse then the US, the folks there were hurting, but their anger and frustration (which they wore on there sleeves) was directed at their government not at American tourists. We heard stories of survival and family hardship, very emotional accounts of how much individuals relied on family and friends to get through there tough times. The family unit was exceptionally strong. Another amazing thing we witnessed was unconditional kindness to the thousands of homeless animals, we watched a gentleman get out of his car open his trunk, retrieve cans of dog food, he proceeded to feed at least six dogs on the street. All the dogs we saw were very healthy looking! Kindness was all around us. It was very comforting, especially after being warned on many websites about being careful etc. If we approach everyday and every person with the same innocence, as if they were our family or best friend… our human family, there would be a lot less tension in our lives. The kindness that we share would be “paid forward” and we would have a kinder,gentler world to live in!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-83474971775379677262013-03-28T05:24:00.001-07:002013-03-28T05:24:50.337-07:00 Selfless Thoughts In ActionWith Spring in the air, there is a feeling of hope and renewal. Plant the seed of Karma for your 2013 Spring. In yoga we believe in an aspect of yoga called "Karma Yoga" . Not just the what comes around goes around concept, but to help others with no expectation of reward or payment. Karma yoga is often understood as a yoga of selfless (altruistic) service. Karma yoga can be as easy and rewarding as giving a hug or smile to someone who looks like they just might need that smile to turn there day around. Selfless acts come in all sizes. Do what feels natural and not forced. Helping out a friend during a hard time, bringing them flowers or homemade soup, holding there hand, just being there emotionally and physically could be enough to get that person over there hump. Buying groceries for someone in line that looks like they are struggling..We have all at sometime in our lives had someone who did something totally unexpected, that changed our day, week,life. Take time out of your busy day, life.. take a moment to perform a selfless act. The rewards will be internal and long lasting more then any materiel satisfaction that is temporary and fleeting. Give it a try , now.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-71491783207612170912013-01-31T17:09:00.000-08:002013-01-31T17:09:36.931-08:00Anywhere, AnytimeThe real reason we do yoga: To focus and relax the mind. Hmm, sounds so easy. Focus and Relaxation in our culture is as elusive as winning the lottery! Being on the roller coaster or merry go round of life; relaxation alludes the best of us. I have seen children through ninety something's "stressed out". It is not very mysterious at all how to relax the mind. We<b> all</b> do it every day. Just breath! Take a minute and think about your breath. We all have at least one minute in our busy lives to watch the breath. Listen , feel your own breath. While standing at line at the bank, post office, airport. While waiting for a doctor's or dentist's appointment. Right before digging into dinner. How about first thing in the morning before anyone is awake? Yoga is just that easy, anyone can do it, anytime , anywhere. Once you make watching the breath a habit, the practice of breathing becomes second nature. You will begin to feel calm , peaceful and relaxed. Go ahead , do something for yourself. BREATH!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-52280808552072887082012-12-17T05:39:00.000-08:002012-12-17T05:39:00.897-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegaOxrqzmiyGlUjEYAyhRxi3UmyBfvvWlXyuOMV8qTQpD7KTZ5zhKAwyBOOkKi2TpdO5kc0ofJvvQEupac9qfDHZ9gfPvhwLuOz11zxhZW7qux_QhLw7pQDtZtqlTqw7Ri5FgNyRmyPQv/s1600/Art+and+Yogaville-Flyer.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegaOxrqzmiyGlUjEYAyhRxi3UmyBfvvWlXyuOMV8qTQpD7KTZ5zhKAwyBOOkKi2TpdO5kc0ofJvvQEupac9qfDHZ9gfPvhwLuOz11zxhZW7qux_QhLw7pQDtZtqlTqw7Ri5FgNyRmyPQv/s400/Art+and+Yogaville-Flyer.gif" width="308" /></a></div>
Give yourself or a loved one the gift of Yoga and Art! Email Nancy or Maria for details! <br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-19136243277316885652012-12-01T09:13:00.000-08:002012-12-01T09:13:46.759-08:00Remember to Breath During this Hectic Time of Year!Breathing, we do this every minute of every day without giving it a second thought. When I begin to teach "pranayama" , controlled breathing, it is sometimes very difficult to wrap our minds around the idea of controlling the breath while keeping it natural. While sitting there reading this blog,sit upright, close your eyes for just one minute , notice your breath, notice the sensations of the breath flowing in past the nostrils filling up the abdomen like a balloon, feel the expansion of your "container" and the contraction. If feeling the breath does not speak to you , use visualization. Imagine your breath is like a pitcher of water, the breath fills the pitcher and then it slowly flows or pours out. The more we "practice" this type of controlled breathing the more natural is gets. As you notice the breath and "switch " gears we change the focus of the brain and nervous system from the primitive part of our brain ( medulla oblongata) to the more evolved part of the brain the cerebral cortex. This practice of control of breath and prana have a profound effect on the body, mind and spirit. Watching the breath, calms the mind, calms the nervous system. The nice thing about this limb of yoga is anyone can do it, we all breath. All it takes is a few minutes of your day. Take a moment and notice how you feel after "practicing" your breathing. Do this type of breathing anytime you need to focus, De-stress, relax and center yourself. Enjoy the moment!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-14761972308130053202012-10-30T13:49:00.000-07:002012-10-30T13:49:18.057-07:00Benefits of a Regular Yoga PracticeStudents will ask how often should I do yoga? My stock but rather sometimes blunt answer is "How often do you brush your teeth, wash your hair, take care of your personal needs?" One of Integral Yoga's main philosophies and also a very important yoga sutra is... a practice is most beneficial if it is "steady and consistent" One day a week, 7 days a week, really it is what works best for you to continue a steady and consistent practice. I have often shared with my students that a practice can be as little as 2 minutes of meditation or 2 hours of asana ( physical practice). It could change day to day also. One day you may feel the body is asking for stretching and a long relaxation, the next day it may be just a breathing and meditation practice. In our busy and stressed out environment of daily life having a specific strenuous and or demanding practice may be the last thing you need. Then again if you are sitting at a desk and then in a car for along time a powerful practice can release a lot of inner emotional and physical tension , just make sure you balance the practice with pranayama ( breathing practice ) and yoga nidra ( relaxation). Doing yoga on your own is recommended if you have had proper instruction from a certified yoga teacher and/or yoga therapist. Get a good base of poses that work for you that you enjoy and feel good doing. Ask your teacher questions and never do poses that cause acute pain. Most of all come to your mat with an open mind and enjoy every moment! NamasteUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-56640125580044896872012-09-02T11:48:00.000-07:002012-09-02T11:48:32.957-07:00Review of Etiquette and Class PolicyClass Policy:<br />
1. Please pre-pay or pay for class at time of class.<br />
2. Please arrive at least 10 minutes early , if you have extenuating circumstances and cannot arrive on time please talk to instructor prior. Arriving early gives you sometime to settle in and get in the frame of mind for your practice<br />
3. Please respect others space by not stepping on there mat<br />
4. If you need to leave early always talk to instructor first on the appropriate time that will not disturb others<br />
5. If you come to class with an injury please let instructor know so they can give you appropriate suggestions<br />
6. Please do not come to class if you are ill and contagious<br />
7. If restroom is needed during practice please be as quiet as possible as not to disturb others.<br />
<br />
Most people attending a yoga class use common sense when attending a
yoga class or workshop. However, here are some etiquette and practice
suggestions:<br />
<br />
<div class="entry">
-newcomers, please attend your first session 15 minutes prior to class start time.<br />
- please practice "asteya" (non-stealing) by showing up early for class <br />
-please remove shoes upon entering practice space (and leave the ego at the door!).<br />
-cell phones off<br />
-no strong perfumes or colognes<br />
-water only in practice area </div>
<div class="entry">
-do not eat a large meal at least one to two hours prior</div>
<div class="entry">
- when buying a new mat please "air" it out prior to class as the fumes can be offensive to others<br />
-if you need to leave early please notify the instructor as to when the best time would be as to not interrupt the class<br />
-when on the mat, and the practice begins, please keep your focus upon yourself;<br />
yoga is non-competitive, and the environment is free from intimidation.<br />
-yoga is not only non-competitive with others, but also with self. While in<br />
our postures, we practice "ahimsa" (nonviolence). We don’t push beyond<br />
our stretch-point, stay at your "edge". With physical restrictions or limitations,<br />
we do not use force, we accept our current ability and work through<br />
it, constantly evolving. Most important have fun with yourself!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-11745316306388590492012-05-27T12:11:00.001-07:002012-05-27T12:16:03.409-07:00Time for YourselfI am taking some much needed time off in June to 'recharge" my yoga batteries. For this post I would love to encourage all budding yogis as well as long time yoga practitioners to find time in there busy summer schedules to take time for themselves. Maybe explore a new practice, try a new teacher, delve into an aspect of your current practice that you would like to deepen, such as meditation or deep relaxation ( yoga nidra ) Take a workshop. Add an aspect of yoga to your summertime outdoor activity , such as yoga stretches before taking a hike or swim, do yoga in your pool or lake, go to the beach early watching the sunrise as you meditate on the new day!<br />
Or just taking time to stop and watch your breath as you sit in summertime traffic. Take time to listen to your body, mind and breath this summer and see what it is telling you. Enjoy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-10077452265056104532012-04-29T09:12:00.000-07:002012-04-29T09:16:29.330-07:00Therapeutic Yoga Can be for You<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Therapeutic yoga can be accessed by anyone at anytime.
Therapeutic yoga unlike a regular yoga practice allows the practitioner to zero
in on exactly the poses, breathing, relaxation or meditation practice that
works with their particular health issue. That being said there is no one
practice for all. It is totally individual and will be discovered by the
individual as they learn the particular practice that works for them or if they
decide to seek out an experienced yoga teacher or yoga therapist to guide them
to a fulfilling and effective practice. For example purposes I will present
some scenarios. A client comes to me saying they have ‘sciatica”. First and for
most a yoga teacher does not diagnose, I will ask the client if they have seen
a doctor or self diagnosed. After she shows me where it hurts and tells me the
particulars I will work with her to find some poses that will help her relieve
the pain she is feeling. I will also recommend as we keep working together
other modalities such as massage, chiropractor, acupuncture or allopathic doctor.
Together as a team she will find a place that will help relieve, reduce or even
eliminate the pain she has been experiencing. Another popular health issue I
hear a lot is I have high blood pressure, I am either on medication and its not
helping to lower it or I don’t want to get on medication. We will briefly
review health and eating habits, I will make recommendations. One of the
practices that really seem to help individuals with high or uncontrolled blood
pressure is breathing and or meditation. I will teach her proper breathing
techniques that work for her and give her a few options for meditation. We will
“practice” these together over time and help her integrate them into her daily
life. As I work privately with an
individual the practice will evolve over time. She will check in with me and we
will update, add, and tweak the practices for her needs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are as many practices out there for health issues as
individuals. Seek out an experienced teacher to guide you with whatever health
issue you may be dealing with, it will change your life. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-5191264915495117642012-03-29T16:50:00.000-07:002012-03-29T16:50:19.401-07:00Living "Our Yoga"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Regular practitioners of yoga asana (poses), pranayama
(breathing practice) and dhrana (meditation), yoga nidra ( deep
relaxation) find aspects of these practices seeping into their daily life over
time of consistent practice. A sense of calmness, centering, peace within,
focus, flexibility in mind and body are some of the "side-effects"
that regular practitioners notice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
not so obvious. I have had students share with me that while they were sitting
in a dentist chair or facing a scary medical procedure that almost
automatically /instinctively they began there breathing practice, calmness and
relaxation soon followed. In my own life I have noticed a huge difference in
how I handled PMS years ago and now Peri-menopause symptoms. I have seen for my
own eyes students lower their blood pressure significantly and reduce or
eliminate their blood pressure medication. The benefits of a regular practice,
be it breathing alone, asana on its own, just meditation or relaxation any
combination of these practices becomes part of our daily lives in a positive
and reinforcing way. The other way a yoga practice affects us is with our
interactions with others. We also find an inner peace and acceptance of
ourselves.<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> We may be aware or not that we are more patient with
others, more excepting of others differences because of this inner peace we
know as “ Our Yoga”</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4815172895128874421.post-61315276851750584172012-02-25T11:30:00.000-08:002012-02-25T11:30:34.936-08:00Yoga VS PilatesI am often asked what is the difference between yoga and Pilates. As a yoga teacher I can share my experience as a yoga teacher. As for Pilates I have participated in Pilates classes and can only lend my opinion of the differences based on that experience. Yoga is a total mind body experience. A complete practice of yoga involves meditation and focus, breathing, poses and relaxation. Yoga and the philosophy of yoga for many becomes a "lifestyle" Yoga philosophy has been around for thousands of years while Pilates has been around for less then a 100 years.<br />
My experience in a Pilates mat class was one of exacting poses that are executed with concentration, control and precision. There was "breathing" involved in the exercises but the "practice of breathing" as in yoga was not taught. In yoga there are many different types of breathing depending on the needed benefit. <br />
Both Pilates and yoga offer poses that help with strength, flexibility and core stability. It is then up to the participant to decide which modality "speaks" to them. If you have not tried either I would suggest looking up certified instructors for yoga and Pilates, trying both to see which form suits you best.<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilates#Principles"><span class="toctext"></span></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1