Learning In Yoga

I think this is such a good Yoga teaching tip. It is one thing to parrot out instructions, and a whole other to really be present with a student and cue them based on who they are and what kind of learner they may be. I think we also need to teach students to want to know more about who they are and what they are bringing to their practice, in this way they can be more informed and their yoga practice can be used more therapeutically – ie: address their needs and meet them where they are. Some people are more visual than auditory for example.

My process is the same with each student in that I do a comprehensive assessment in the first private yoga lesson and there is lots of room for questions. From there it is up to each person to be consistent and compassionate with themselves. I also go into the follow ups with a plan, but throw out the plan if it won’t fit the present moment. So – lots of thinking on my feet ! LOL – if you are on the fence though, it really is a great way to learn yoga and to learn about yourself! Contact me anytime, I am in Jersey City

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Fun, Free Yoga Event ~ You, Me and Jersey City

Well, I have just moved to Jersey City (this photo is taken in Hoboken). You will not want to miss a fun, free, yoga event with me. For other news, check out my last newsletter

You will need to R.S.V.P with my friends at JCFBootcamp and bring 2 towels and a yoga mat ~ click that or here:

https://jcfbootcamp.sites.zenplanner.com/event.cfm?eventId=A0E06A51-0DC7-4EAF-A71A-8497E44783FE

Where ~ at the Pier @ Exchange Place next to the Hyatt

When ~ Saturday, June 7th ~ 10:00 – 11:00 A.M.

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Nourish Your Being With Yoga Therapy

Finding a quiet moment during a stressful time can be challenging. What I love about the practice of yoga is that it nourishes us and brings us back to a still point, free of resistance and search or struggle. In Yapana® yoga we use poses called “BEing” poses to restore and support the parasympathetic response – these involve strategic placement of  yoga props to meet your body’s needs (alignment, safety, flexibility) and we make sure to include a nice long relaxation so you can really let go of all the layers that cover up this happy to BE place.

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Pranayama Practice Of The Day

It’s incredible how the breath can give us clues-be a barometer for-what is on our mind. Perfect example, navigating traffic in a foreign place. Not Europe. Jersey City. I just moved here but my GPS is on the fritz and gives me directions that are way off. I noticed how panicky I was and made a conscious effort to slow my breath down. Of course, the first step is always noticing the natural, essential breath and if it is anything but, that is a sure sign you are stressed out.

The photo shows a pranayama called alternate nostril breathing which is also balancing, though more of a formalized practice, not one you can do in your car. Yoga is a practical system and helps us in many ways contend with the daily grind. So when you get up and go don’t forget you are not leaving home without a built in anti-anxiety tool.

 

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The Yoga of the Warrior Mind

This is an interesting focus for a pose that many people do regularly.

Sometimes you just have to give up the past in order to embrace the present.

I say this after moving (again) ~ Now happily settled in Jersey City, NJ., so if you are looking to get your yoga on, are in pain, on the mend, stressed out, need some R & R you should reach out, private yoga classes are just the ticket !

 

 

spirit of the warrior

Yoga, Healing, and You

Do you believe yoga heals?

Take the test: Get calm: for options click here.  Then, before practice, set an intention. Probably most helpful to identify just one issue on your mind, or in your body. Write it down. check in with it after. Usually, if you have a balanced practice that is right for you there will be some transformation. It is this simple feeling of things changing and getting better, the positivity of it all, that cultivates our sense of healing, which is quite miraculous (yet simple at the same time)

 

Miracles

Yoga and Self Confidence

Ah yes! If you haven’t read my post on mindful shopping – check it out

Yoga builds self-confidence in different ways, especially by getting you to listen inwardly and live authentically but that is just my opinion 🙂

This is why I love props  and using yoga therapeutically – when your practice meets your needs you tend to feel more empowered and stronger which feeds emotional strength and self confidence as well…not to mention, when you are calm you care less about things like gossip etc

I am now inspired to start a new hashtag : #liveyouryoga – join me on twitter 

The best thing to wear

Restorative Yoga Therapy Adds Balance To Your Practice

Restorative Yoga Therapy Adds Balance To Your Practice !! I wrote this latest blogpost for the LOLE LOVE BLOG after teaching a Restorative Yoga Therapy Workshop ~ as it happens, I also teach the longer, Teacher Training module for the Leeann Care Yoga School, called : Being: Restorative Yoga Therapy. Check out my teaching schedule for links to the upcoming trainings or contact me to organize something in your yoga studio. It’s all about balance

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Yoga and the practice of surrender

let it go

Word of the day ishvara pranidhana ~ surrender to the divine. In the West we tend to think of this concept as a last resort, a giving up out of angst or failure. In the East, and in the spirit of the intention of Patanjali, it is more of an ongoing path/inner practices (and one of 5 niyamas). The ‘goal’ is ultimately to still the agitations of our mind, and connect us not only with the core of our own peacefulness but also to help us see the interconnectedness of all beings. Sounds huge right? I think it is more like a path of balancing well intended action with letting go once we have done our best, standing aside in trust that we are connected to a source of universal power greater than our understanding.

Forward bends can be particularly soothing, with the head lower than the heart; in this photo, I would add a block or two under the head – it is very calming

 

Daily Dose of Wisdom

Such a perfect snippet of wisdom…this is a time of renewal for many of us…so exhale long and deep and let go the challenges of winter.

If you are trying to fit in some healthy self-reflection, read this before you walk, or do a yoga session, let it simmer into your consciousness. Make sure to relax after and/or do some yoga based calming  breathing. Read it again. See which line springs out at you and then practice that for awhile. Re-building blocks

 

rebuild life