The Yoga Connection Blog

Something to think about regrading health, life and well-being

martha — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 19:41:10 +0000

The Dalai Lama was asked what most surprises him about humanity. His response:

“Man. Because he sacrifices his health to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being being he does not live in the present or future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”

This may not pertain to all, but perhaps have meaning to many.

Prenatal teacher training

martha — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:38:14 +0000

We are so excited to be able to bring Pre and Post natal yoga teacher training to The Yoga Connection!!
Nancy Gilbert E-RYT, RPYT will teach the skills to 200 hour yoga teachers, midwives and dulas. Please go The Yoga Connection website under teacher training for more information and to register for this unique opportunity. This is the only training recognized by Yoga Alliance in North Carolina. Space is limited to 8 so register early.

Yoga for Travellers: Yoga comes of age

martha — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:29:16 +0000

http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/story/2012-02-05/San-Francisco-airport-opens-a-yoga-room-for-stressed-fliers/52975008/1

Check out this link. San Fransisco Airport opens a yoga room for travellers. Too cool

Yoga Donation class for SPCA

martha — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:26:25 +0000

What a great turn out for the donation class at the Saturday morning class today, January 21st. Thanks to those who attended almost $100 was raised. This is a tough time of year at the SPCA. The holiday charity is over. But the biggest problem is people who bought puppies for the holiday are now deciding it wasn’t such a good idea and turning the poor things out on the street or dropping them off at shelters.
Thank you all.
This is a wonderful example of Dharma.

Martha

Saturday Yoga

martha — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 22:39:30 +0000

I am so happy we are able to offer a Saturday morning class at the studio. Now that we have 3 teachers it is possible to offer classes at more convenient times.
Weekdays can get crowded with the “to do list” and sometimes its easy to get kicked off of our own list of people we are supposed to take care of. Our own self can get swept under the carpet. Take time for you, specially if you the person that people tend to rely on, your health and well being is important in the service of others. Martha

A Little is Better Than Nothing

Joyti — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 22:25:23 +0000

Fall is here. Take the time to get outside and enjoy nature, and remember a “little” yoga is better than none. If you’re short on time – take one posture and really absorb yourself in it for a few minutes; … Continue reading →

Thursday Nite Class

Joyti — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:24:25 +0000

Starting this Thurs. nite (Sept. 8th) 5:30-6:30- we will begin a series of Chakra classes (that subtle energy level of the body). Each week we’ll focus on a new Chakra. Our first class will focus on the Root Chakra (grounding) … Continue reading →

Preparation for Fall and Winter from an Ayurvedic Medicine perspective

martha — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:42:36 +0000

Vata dosha in Ayruvedic medicine contains the elements of air and space. As we move into the fall and winter theses seasons bring out this dosha (according to ayruvedic medicine doshas are the 3 primary elements which make up the physical world including us humans). To keep vata dosha in balance consider the following to prepare for the coming cold weather:

  • Cut down on dry and light foods such as pop corn, toasts, rice cakes etc, ice cold foods and drinks, junk food and too much alcohol
 • Emphasize warm nourishing foods, sautéed, stir-fried, or steamed vegetables, and, if you are not a vegetarian, sea food, turkey, and chicken. Take dairy products in moderation. Avoid taking any cold drinks and have daily herbal teas and warm drinks. If your digestion is weak, a cup of warm water after meals will help you reduce the gas and bloating an will help with faster digestion.
 • Decide upon a daily routine and do your best to stick to it 
• Keep yourself warm. Drink plenty of warm water and herbal teas 
• Get up early in the morning and do little exercise, even if only for 5 minutes
 • Meditate in the morning, it will help to ground and to set an intention or focus for the day.
• Plan the day ( but be reasonable and do not schedule too many activities) 
• Massage the whole body with sesame oil (or if unavailable a good moisturizer) two three times a week.

Try avoid too many cold foods like like ice cream and cold juices and believe it or not not too many cold salads in the diet. Nuts are good but in moderation. Grains like basmati rice, oats and quinoa. Spices that are a bit milder such as cumin, ginger, coriander, cinnamon, sage, or thyme. Stewed fruits are lovely and warming this time of year.
The main idea for fall and early winter is “keeping yourself warm, grounded, and moisturized” 
Recipe for an excellent grounding Vata tea
4 Cups water 1 tsp Fennel Seeds 1 tsp Coriander seeds 1 tsp Cardamom
Procedure: Boil water in a pot. Add slightly crushed fennel seeds, coriander seeds and cardamom pods. Boil for 2 more minutes. You can add maple syrup, honey or sucanat to sweeten. Serve hot

Enjoy,
Martha

First official blog post!!

martha — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:09:03 +0000

OK, this is my first official writing on the new blog on the new website. First, I would like to thank all the people who have been coming to The Yoga Connection over the years for your most appreciated patronage. Everyday I am grateful for all the people I have met since opening the studio 5, no, 6 now, years ago. You have all been my greatest teachers.

We are hoping to make some changes in what we have to offer. The yoga classes will continue but we are looking to add more options in class times. Please let us know if there is a time that you would suggest. Love the feedback ☺
Best,
Martha

Be Aware of Your Three Bodies

martha — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:57:12 +0000

Though many students practice the yoga postures as a form of exercise, it is like “eating the skin of a fruit and not the meat within.” Approaching the yoga postures with the intent of building awareness of the senses and body movement, the emotional risings and fallings, and the intellectual analysis can make a profound difference in your personal asana practice.

Try approaching your daily practice as awareness of your three bodies…Yes, three bodies! The physical body, the emotional body and the intellectual body. As you move through the postures, pay close attention to the sensations as you bend, twist, stretch and place tension on the muscles and bones. Become aware when your mind wanders and focused attention on the body drifts away.

For the emotional body, notice if there is a particular feeling such as impatience, boredom, frustration or judgment as you bring yourself to each posture. We often avoid postures not only because they are difficult physically, but because they have a deeper rooted affect on the emotions.

The intellectual body is a balancing act between ego, judgment and true, objective analysis. Curiosity and kindness towards yourself are attitudes that can keep ego and judgment from sabotaging the intellectual experience.

If you can’t find time to be on the mat, bring the attention to the three bodies in your daily life activities. You may be surprised by the lessons you will learn.