First Class Free

OPENING:

Supine Cobbler

Supine Cobbler abs: Double pulse, single pulse

Bridge Prep: Single then double pulse

Bridge Prep Bike Twist: Knee, head, hold, twist

Apanasana: Supine lunge, Supine twist

Double Lunge (happy baby)

Double twist

WAVE 1:

Twist 

Bharavajrasana side bend lift up

Arda matsyendrasana

Lounge lizard

Malasana

Lounge Lizard

Arda matsy

Bharavajrasana

Twisting Dog

WAVE 2:

sun salutation c

pyramid

revolved triangle

cow

seated cow

bharavajrasana

WAVE 3:

baby cradle

Sundial

double pigeon

arm balance - twisted crow etc.

supine double balance - pigeon abs

CLOSING:

supine cobbler

supine cobbler abs

supine twist

apanasana

Savasana

Namaste Yogis, 

Have you ever thought in class or in life, "no I can't do this...this is too hard.. I am too old...my hamstrings are too tight..etc?" I know I have, especially when a yoga teacher makes something look so easy when I find it so hard. But my thoughts can either hinder or help my ability to move forward in my practice. I've realized the worst thing I can do is to not try. Please join me tomorrow when we will dive into ourselves to uncover our own power and potential through some core cultivation. Oh no, I just lost some of you...no this doesn't mean crunches...it means cultivating a connection to our source, enjoying our power all the while with a calm mind and open heart. It is through the trying, the laughing, and the believing in ourselves that our practice deepens in our bodies, minds and hearts. 

In specific, we'll talk about Yoga Sutra 11.33: When presented with disquieting thoughts or feelings, cultivate an opposite, elevated attitude. I think about this sutra often when I find myself experiencing frustration, irritation and anxiety, on and off the mat. No longer can I tell myself that it is the situation at hand that is causing me to feel the way I feel. I now know that it is my reactions to life that are creating my experience. This sutra is telling us to cultivate feelings and actions that fill our hearts to combat the times we feel off. So when we experience frustration, this sutra is suggesting we try to focus on ease. If we are tied up in fear, we can elicit courage. And if we are filled with anger, the answer is always to fill with love. This is not to deny our feelings but to remember that we have the ability to change our attitude. This is what tantra philosophy is all about: EMPOWERMENT!

So whether you feel fantastic and want to celebrate your power or if you need a little action and empowerment to remember your own unlimited potential, please come join me for class tomorrow. Level 1 at 11:00 and Basics at 12:30. Also wonderful David Romanelli is back for a weekend of yoga fun at 4:30 on Saturday, all levels.

Namaste! Mara

www.totalbodyyoga.com 

**Don't forget your October Special:  Refer anyone new to TBY and they can receive 30 days unlimited yoga for $30 and YOU get entered into raffle for 2 months of Unlimited Yoga!

SEPTEMBER 2ND, 2008:  So funny how most of us react when we hear or see the word "core" isn't it?  Believe me until I understood the difference between ab strength and core work I had an automatic "oh no not that stuff" response.  I even perfected the I have to take a drink of water, go to the bathroom routine in traditional fitness classes when it came up.  To be honest ab crunches were never a favorite of mine and what kept me coming back to yoga especially in the first few years was the fact no traditional sit ups were performed.  I have now befriended the traditional sit-up and although we are not best friends we are friendly enough.  How did this dramatic turn around happen?  Well two things: (1) I learned that ab and core were not the same and that ALL of yoga is core centric and (2) I bought Shiva Rea's Ab DVD which was fun and because of this the struggle melted away.  So here below is the handout from the 6:15pm class this day.  May you too educate yourself on the difference between core and abs and hopefully you too will find the playfulness even in ab stuff.  Take the risk, find out! Peace, Silvia 

Yoga for Core Strength

Definition:  

"Core strength" is an often-misused term. Core strength and abdominal strength are not the same. One could have very strong abdominals but have no sense of core or inner stability. If we think of abdominal strength and core  energy as one, we risk missing the importance of a true center or core. Abdominal strength is useful and important but core strength signifies a healthy 3rd chakra and confidence in life decisions.  A strong core is linked to healthy emotional and spiritual balance beyond just the physical.

The core, says senior Anusara teacher Desirée Rumbaugh, "is what supports us spiritually in our lives, and physically in our yoga practice. If our core is weak, the ups and downs of life are much harder to take. A strong core makes us more resilient."

Core Strengthening Poses:

·         Pelvic Tilts:  From Bridge Pose and Cat/Puppy

o        How?  Simply lengthen your tailbone to lift your sacrum off the ground while keeping your lower back connected to the earth. If you do this 5 to 20 times slowly with your breath—lift as you inhale, and lower as you exhale—you will feel the benefits of strengthening your lower belly, lengthening your spine, and learning to connect the front and back of your core.

·         Gentle Backbends:  Locust, Cobra, Bridge with block

·         Warrior Poses: Low Lunge preparation with block, High Lunge, Warrior A, Warrior B

·         Twists:   Ardha Matsyendrasana, Side Angle Pose 

·         Stabilizers:  Plank, Dolphin, Dolphin Plank, Down Dog

·         1 Leg Balance Poses:  Crane, Warrior C, Eagle

"If we don't know how to get centered in our core, we're basically doormats for whoever's a stronger personality, we become susceptible to anyone who wants to push us off balance, whether it's a controlling mother or a boss that controls by fear."  - Ana Forrest, founder Forrest Yoga