January 24, 2010
New to Yoga?
Join us for a FREE “Intro to Yoga” class at the Highland Creek Sports Club on Tuesday, February 23rd 6:30-7:45pm. Here are some helpful hints to feel better prepared:
What do I wear? Like any class that you might take at the gym, you’ll want to wear comfortable (but not too baggy) workout clothes that you can move in like yoga pants, T-shirts, tank tops, etc. Leave your jeans, belts or excessive jewelry at home, since these will restrict your movement and simply be a distraction. Keep modesty in mind.
What to bring?
You, a Yoga mat, a water bottle if desired. Mostly, we invite you to bring a open mind and an attitude of curiosity! Mats are usually available to borrow or rent.
What to eat?
Simply put, yoga on a full stomach does not feel good! We recommend that you refrain from eating a major meal before class. We know this is sometimes a challenge, particularly for the evening classes that may fall after your typical dinner time. In this case, try to eat a hearty, late lunch, or simply have a light snack before class (like a piece of fruit, yogurt, etc.) to hold you over until after your yoga practice.
What should I do when I arrive?
Please arrive about 10-15 minutes before a class is scheduled to start. This will give you time to register, switch gears mentally and get settled in the space. It’s also helpful to let your teacher know if you have any injuries or medical concerns, so he or she can help modify postures for you if necessary. Arriving late can be very disturbing to your fellow students, since many classes begin with a brief meditation. If you do need to come in after a class has begun, please do so as discretely as possible, and then wait until the end of class to sign-in and pay.
Class Etiquette?
Please turn off you cell phone before class. Please be considerate of your fellow students by not holding extraneous conversations during class, and moving quietly if you need to get up to go to the bathroom or leave for any reason.
What will I do in a yoga class?
While each class is different depending on the style of Yoga and the Yoga teacher, these are components that you will probably experience during a yoga class;
– Warm ups
– Yoga Poses (called “Asanas”)
– Breathing techniques (called “Pranayam”)
– Cool down stretches
– Deep Relaxation / Guided Visualization
– Meditation
Some classes are designed to leave you feeling mellow, while others may energize you. We encourage you to try a few classes to see which style and teacher feels right for you. Always listen to your own body and never force in a yoga class. Your teacher should be able to suggest modifications to poses so that you can get the benefit of the practice without pain or injury. Ultimately, a yoga class should leave you feeling open, relaxed and alive! Once you try it, you’ll see why we keep coming back!
January 17, 2010
Emotional Rescue to Haiti
We all want to help. We all feel our hearts hurting for those in Haiti and those connected. Guess what? That’s you too. We are all inherently interconnected as one. One love. One world. One spirit of energy. Into every life a little rain must fall. Sadly, sometimes monsoons fall. And sadly, sometimes Earthquakes shake the rain into our souls.
Haiti is in dire need of … well, of everything. There are no hospitals, not enough doctors, not enough supplies, food, shelter, money, water, care takers, parents of children, guardians, security. They need all of these things so desperately and we, as human beings, have a responsibility to help our brothers and sisters in need. If you can donate, please do so. Be sure to donate to a reputable non-profit source and beware of internet scams.
If you cannot donate money or goods however, you are not without resources to help! Haitians also need things that cannot be held in hands. They need hope, peace, love, inspiration, and emotional rescue! Being that all living things are connected by The Divine Light, we can offer these things by meditating, praying, loving, and putting out healing energy that will travel across miles to the many suffering.
Ganesha (Ganesh,) the loving, lovable, jovial, curious, dancing Elephant God is here to help! Ganesha is the Hindu God of overcoming obstacles. Adding Ganesha into your meditations, chanting, and thoughts could allow for greater strength in overcoming these obstacles. He empowers us with our thoughts and emotions, allowing us to feel confident that we can overcome this too.
Please, do what you can. Disaster affects us all. We are one.
Namaste
January 10, 2010
Sun Salutations After Dark?
An evening practice helps us to slow down, focus inward, and transition from day to night. Unwinding and releasing the musculature through asanas can relieve the accrual of tension and the compression that gravity brings. The disks of the spine are rehydrated through the intentional stretching and twisting of various asanas. An evening practice could consist of pranayama or restorative poses. It could also include a quiet posture flow in which the breath guides and inspires you to move according to the “body’s speaking.” For example, you can let the breath help you define the feeling of a tight shoulder and then—just as you do in a spontaneous morning stretch lying in bed—explore various movements that feel good and affect the shoulder area, eventually releasing the stiffness. These moves can be classical asanas or simply intuitive movements.
The Sun Salutations, beautiful vinyasa sequences that can be done alone or as complements to a larger practice, are also appropriate poses to do before bed. Even though they are often used to energize and warm the body, they can be practiced in a way that relaxes and recharges the body instead of raising energy.
-The Yoga Journal Daily Insight
January 5, 2010
Resolution of Healthier Eating
Happy New Year to all! Customarily during this time of year we reflect on the year past (in this case perhaps the entire decade) and set resolutions for the year ahead. Hopefully all filled with good health, prosperity, joyful living and love, love, love.
Enjoy this new recipe to add to your winter menu:
Barley-Pine Nut Casserole
1 cup uncooked pearl barley
1 1/2 cups vegetable juice
1/2 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. pepper
2 medium stalks celery, sliced (1 cup)
1 medium bell pepper, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 can (14 oz) vegetable broth
4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
1. In 3-4 Qt. slow cooker, mix all ingredients except onions and nuts.
2. Cover; cook on low for 6-8 hrs. Stir in onions and nuts
YUM!
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