Eat, Pray, Love and BE Yoga this weekend!

The memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love, is about one woman's journey to link mind, body and spirit to find herself (which also happens to include some time on the yoga mat). She also wrote a thoughtful article, Let's Get Physical, for Yoga Journal about her first experience with yoga which touches on this journey into self-discovery and empowerment. About yoga, she writes, "There always comes that one holy moment, usually somewhere in the middle of the class, when I suddenly find that I have shed my pain and failings, that I have shed my heavy human mind, and that I have metamorphosed for just an instant into something else: an eagle, a cat, a crane, a dolphin, a child."

Who doesn't need a little empowerment now and again? Join Jamie this Saturday for a class that emphasizes self-care and developing a positive self-image. Jamie is teaching her monthly donation-based Body Empowerment yoga workshop. Donations are appreciated and are given to The Nutrition Clinic/ SolStone, a local eating disorder treatment center. Yummy yoga for a great cause! We hope to see you there!

Body Empowerment

w/ Jamie Silverstein

Saturday, July 31, 2010

2-3 PM

All levels welcome

Do you have little time to Om?

Wondering what that sound we make at the end of class is? For a quick recap, check out the MY Inquiry section in our January newsletter. Some have said it's the first sound emitted when the universe was created. Even if you're not familiar with its historical roots, chanting "Om" can have telltale physical effects on us. This short article, link below, further shows the power of the easy, foundational chant.

So if you can't make it to class (hey, it happens to the best of us!), perhaps a little "Om" can help you get that yoga buzz for the day!

The Sound of Om, Yoga Journal

Peaceful Intentions, Nelson Mandela International Day

Today marks the 92nd birthday of former South African president Nelson Mandela and the first official "Nelson Mandela International Day." Last year, the United Nations declared July 18th to be a day to honor the inspiring leader and his work to bring peace through promoting healthy race relations, human rights and reconciliation. Additionally, people are encouraged to dedicate at least 67 minutes to an act of kindness, in reflection of the 67 years Mandela spent fighting social injustice.

How awesomely yoga! One of the things our practice of yoga can teach us is to be kind and generous to ourselves as well as our neighbors. So we invite you to take your yoga off the mat and think about what kind act you might like to offer. Maybe you could call a friend in need of your support now, volunteer at an animal shelter, or reach out to a perfect stranger who needs help carrying groceries. These thoughtful acts, big or small, are valuable to making this a beautiful world to live in.

So what can you do today? And no need to stress out about the 67-minute bonus round. Hopefully this is something that is not limited by time, but rather a practice you can bring to your life every day. Let every day be a Mandela Day!

"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."--Nelson Mandela

Yoga on the 4th of July

Thanks to all the freedom yogis and yoginis who joined Gina and us for the 4th of July donation class for the House of Hope Initiative. It was a juicy class that ended with some yummy therapeutic partner yoga. Plus your efforts contributed over $200 to fund a Ugandan orphanage, which brings our fundraising to over $800! We are grateful for your generosity and support!

If you weren't able to make the class and might be interested in contributing to the House of Hope Initiative, please feel free to visit their website at World Action for Humanity or their Facebook page for upcoming events.

Triathlon Training with Yoga

Our latest newsletter features a section on how athletes can cross train with yoga. This spring and summer, MY instructor, Sarah Newman, has been preparing for the Cayuga Lake Triathlon in August (Rock on!), and she uses yoga to support her rigorous training for the race that consists of a 1500-meter swim, 24.3-mile bike ride, and 10K run. When she’s not running, in the pool or on the bike, she enjoys using a yoga strap in reclined hamstring and IT band stretches like Reclining Big Toe Pose, aka Supta Padangusthasana. To make the pose even more restorative and healing, you can use a block (or a pile of books) to prop your foot on, as Sarah demonstrates here.

She also recommends variations in the restorative pose Legs Up the Wall, Viparita Karani, for athletes who primarily rely on their legs, like runners, bikers and hikers. Happy and safe training!