We Can All be Free

This is the song played during Savasana in this evening's class at Asheville Yoga Donation Studio.  Thank you to all who came out.  It was a somewhat emotional class.  Was it the backbends?  Was it the music?  Or are we just in the thick of a winter of discontent?  I know I've broken down into tears many times in class myself, it can be such a sweet cathartic release.  I hope we all find peace and comfort in the stillness of these remaining winter days. 

Cat Powers "Maybe Not"

"We can all be free 

Maybe not in words 
Maybe not with a look 
But with your mind" 

Couples Yoga Class Feb 16th, 2013

Couples Yoga 

w/ Kimberly Drye and Brian Winslett

February 16th 10:30-12:30

@ Lighten Up Yoga

Located downtown Asheville, at 60 Biltmore Asheville (above City Bakery)

828-254-7756

 

Couples will begin class with rhythmic pranayamic breathing, seated back to back.  Throughout the class, couples assist each other with stretching and standing poses.   Class closes with a lead face, neck, and scalp massage, just before a restful savasana.  Not just for romantic couples, bring a partner or friend for an experience filled with laughter and the divine.  

No prior yoga experience is necessary.  Class is limited so register early if possible by calling Lighten up Yoga

828-254-7756

$35/couple

Now for some partner yoga inspiration:

Salty Yoga Mar. 31st

The next Yoga in the Salt Cave event with Kimberly Drye is Sunday, March 31st at 2 pm.   Here is an
article about the salt cave from the Asheville Sojourner:

The power of salt therapy has been known for centuries to be extremely beneficial in the treatment of respiratory ailments, cardiovascular issues, nervous system disorders, skin problems and digestive complaints. These important issues were brought to the attention of one family who recently decided to bring salt therapy to the streets of Asheville, North Carolina. And now…it’s a hot spot.

Located among downtown Asheville’s other storefronts, you will find this unique salt-enriched micro-climate oasis allows your body and mind to gain relaxation, rehabilitation and balance. Although man-made and constructed, the all-natural Solā Therapeutic Salt Cave actually rebuilds itself as the controlled climate allows the cave to grow new salt formations. Twenty tons of salt was extracted from Polish Salt Mines to create this unique opportunity for Asheville locals and all who come to benefit from its soothing environment and healing air.

At Solā Therapeutic Salt Cave, “The secret of healing in the salt cave is simple. The air is intensely saturated with negative ions along with many minerals. By breathing in these elements, the body gets in balance and begins to heal itself. Our therapeutic salt cave will leave you with a newly discovered energy accomplished without medications, through a natural healing process.”

When you step into this specially constructed 450-square-foot cave with salt stalactites hanging from its nine-foot-high ceiling, you will find the same environment as you would in natural underground salt mines, uncontaminated by dirt and free of toxins and pollutants.

After experiencing the benefits of Solā Therapeutic Salt Cave, you’ll want to go back. Their goal is to “present people of all ages with a complete, holistic health benefit.” And, believe it or not, one 45-minute session will do you a lot of good. Recline in a chair or relax on the salty ground, either way the environment is just as soothing and wonderful. When you take advantage of this extremely beneficial therapy, your body, mind and soul will thank you.

Solā Therapeutic Salt Cave is located at 10 Eagle Street in downtown Asheville. For more information or to schedule an appointment please visit their website at www.solasaltcave.com.

10 Eagle Street, Asheville, NC 

828.236.5999 

Transformation

"My poses are my prayers" -BKS Iyengar

Shiva Rea: Classical Sun Salutation

One of the beauties of yoga practice is that it shows us the comfort of time, the joy we can find in gradual change.  If we practice, just a little bit even, each day, miracles start happening...we can suddenly hold crow pose or handstand, our toes are just a little bit closer...we can see and feel ourselves melting into the space around us...the lines of life becoming blurrier, limits fading.  

These changes do not usually occur as sudden revelations.  This makes so many fresh yogis stuck along the path (including me).  So many yoga trainings advertise "transformation".  It is so true that yoga has the power to transform.  This transformation is not sudden though, and you will always find glimpses of that pre-yoga self, sneaking up during traffic jams and long family vacations.  

I remember my first yoga training at Asheville Yoga Center.  My biggest fear at the time, coming from a place of true honesty, was how I was going to give up drinking for my 30 day intensive training.  Only 30 days.  I was not an alcoholic, and I am not an alcoholic.  I did and still do sometimes equate drinking with having a really good time, embracing life, being social.  I still struggle with my deeper feelings that not drinking makes me awkward, uncool.  This is not my imagination, so many of us feel and project this on others, most often unconsciously.  

I loved yoga instantly, and despite my fears of being unworthy because of the many vices I began this practice with...I continued.  There have been many pauses in my path,  sometimes weeks long.  Something always draws me back to my practice.  And my practice is always there, waiting for me patiently...ready to be loving/kind/accepting of whatever shape I'm in when I return.  Thich Nhat Hanh has said, "To not practice is to practice"  and I have felt what he means. To return is a beautiful reminder of why I began in the first place.  

With time, my desires have changed.  I don't always feel that I have made a conscious choice to stop drinking regularly, that it just happened.  I stopped wanting to.  This transformation took a while, but it happened.  I will still have a drink every now and then, usually socially with friends, but I learn each time that I prefer my new self to the old.  

I am not making a judgement about anyone, yogi or otherwise, who drinks alcohol.  I'm not saying you should stop, I'm merely telling my own experience, my own transformation. 

It is this transformation that makes me so excited to participate in the Yoga for Recovery events in Asheville.  The most recent event was a 108 sun salutations fundraiser at Asheville Yoga Center on Dec 22nd.

Some of you who are a little bit closer to me know that my boyfriend is a recovering alcoholic.  He stopped drinking three years ago, but I know it is still a daily struggle. 

I dedicated my sun salutations to Kevin.  I held his face and the feeling of his soul close to my heart with each  salute, saluting both the "sun" and my love for him and hope/belief that he can keep his resolve, hoping that my sweat could bring about a purer less conflicted state in his own struggles and in the world. 

What a beautiful tradition...these sun salutations.  Traditions and practice have an ability to add so much deeper meaning to our lives.  Each time I rose my hands to the sky to begin a new cycle represented for me a new day, a day free of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty.  A day free of the binds that addiction places around the hearts of so many.  

Those in recovery do not have the luxury to hope yoga transforms them gradually...there must be a revelation , a decision.  However, yoga can teach them the resolve to stick to their intentions, can teach them to look inside and face their demons over and over again within the safety of their mat.  It can show them that their mat is always there, will always be there for them to return to, despite the shape they're in mentally/emotionally/physically.  Yoga will always be forgiving and ready to meet you where you are, and this is what I think those struggling with addiction need to know...the journey continues.  Keep practicing and you will be transformed.  

May we all continue to grow in wisdom and understanding.

Peak Pose: Bakasana, Crow Pose

Me, in Bakasana, Bottoms up!

This is a sequence for today's class at Lighten Up Yoga 5-6:30 inspired by Anne-Marie Schulz from her blog Thoughts on Teaching Yoga and Philosophy.   

The theme of this sequence is about "hugging in", what my teacher often refers to as the "squeeze and flush" which tones and cleanses the organs, particularly the kidneys in this sequence.  Make sure to drink lots of water at home to help clean out any toxins released during this practice.

swastikasana (legs belted)
forward fold and twist in swastikasana
table top,  cat/cow (work extensively in cat: focused on the "arm circuit"  described in this Yoga Journal article by Richard Rosen)
Adho Mukha Savasana (downward facing dog)
uttansana with bend knees, hold on to elbows (forward fold)
tadasana, mountain pose
arm work:  Gomukhasana arms
vrksasana, tree pose
utkatasana, chair pose (at wall)
Garudasana, Eagle pose (at wall)
uttanasana-->Padhastasana (beginners bend knees)
Adho Mukha Savasana, Down dog
Dandasana
Maricyasana 3
Gomukhasana, cow-face pose
Adho Mukha Savasana, Down dog
Lolasana (use blocks if arms are too short or beginner)
Bakasana, crow pose
Prasarita Padottanasana
Sirsasana/Prep
Bridge
Sarvangasana/prep
Savasana

Now Offering Wedding Yoga!

"Yet everything that touches us, me and you,

takes us together like a violin's bow,

which draws *one* voice out of two separate strings.

Upon what instrument are we two spanned?

And what musician holds us in his hand?

Oh sweetest song." 

-Rilke "Love Song"

Photo and inspiration found here.

Yoga means to "yoke", according to its root sanskrit word, "yuj,":    To join together.  To connect.  

It fits right in to a wedding celebration.  Take the time to let go of stresses-- reflect on and enjoy the momentous occasion.

A specialized wedding yoga class will begin with some passages about love and happiness read to the group,  breathing and meditation, a tailored asana class, a peaceful savasana, and some fresh-brewed tea after.  

Different services include private bridal sessions, a pre-wedding or wedding day class for the bridal party and/or family, a couples class for the newly weds, or a special bachelors/bachelorette yoga party.

Choose between a one hour, 90 minute, or two hour class of any level.

Flow, alignment, or yin/restorative style (or any combination).  

Studio space available or at a private location. Love teaching these events outside also!
Equipment can be provided.

Let me help make your wedding day as blissful as it should be. 

One hour class $150

 1.5 hour class $175

Two hour class $200

Let me know if you or someone you know is getting married soon and would like to make yoga part of their special day.

Happy New Year!

"May all beings everywhere be happy and free"

Thank you for the wonderful turnout at the New Years Day "Set Your Intention" class at Lighten Up Yoga, co-taught with Camille Kingsolver.  In yoga, we call intentions "sankalpa".  These intentions are different from resolutions because they are not goals oriented towards the future, but rather a path or practice for the present.  My own intention for the coming year is to open my heart to new possibilities, to not let my fears keep me from realizing my dreams--of being a worthy yoga teacher, student, and future physical therapist.  

This was a little encouragement from my NYE fortune cookie:

Another Intention:  Stop worrying about whether the classes I'm taking to get into grad school are pointless.  Remember: Every day is meaningful.  Find the meaning in the meaningless.

The first yoga sutra by Pantanjali says, "Atha yoganusasanum" which means "Now begins the practice of yoga".  We can begin the practice of yoga over and over again by returning to our intentions, reminding ourselves to stay aligned with our deepest values.   This practice will help to hone our intuition for right action.  

Camille and I ended class today with a chant, a hope for 2013:

Lokah Samastah Sukinoh Bhavantu

"May all Beings Everywhere be Happy and Free"

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om

Peace, Peace, Peace