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FEBRUARY 27TH:  Hi Friends! This note came to me from my friend and fellow teacher at total body yoga Mary Scudella this morning.  I thought you'd enjoy it!  And don't forget Mary teaches Yoga for Children Teacher Training Workshop this weekend and there are two spots left!

Can you believe Spring is less than a month away? The Spring Equinox occurs on Friday, March 20. Before our snow the other day, I observed my crocuses starting to creep out of the ground. The earth is preparing for Spring. What are you doing to prepare for Spring?

This past Saturday we began preparing for the arrival of Spring in our yoga practice. We flowed through a detox practice which stimulated and refreshed the liver and kidneys. Forward bending and backwards bending not only aligns the spine, but helps us to cleanse our system through nourishing our organs that process waste. At home, try poses like high lunge and pyramid, Warrior 1 variation arching backwards and standing splits. Even strong backbends like bow can be combined with child's pose, as long as you move cautiously from one to the next. It you'd like to add a further cleansing effect to the body, add in some twists like twisting lunge or revolved chair pose to wring out what is weighing you down. Don't forget to come back to center in downward facing dog or child's pose, feel the breath and release what binds you.

The seeds, bulbs, and roots beneath the surface of the earth are readying themselves for Spring. They have stored up energy from the fall, taken in water and minerals for nourishment and are awaiting the gentle warming ahead. Spend some time readying yourself for Spring. Through your yoga practice and through your diet - shed off the winter quiet and prepare yourself for the glory of waking up to the sun that lies ahead!

Namaste, Mary

NOVEMBER 28TH, 2008:  When we think about detoxification I think for most of us physical detox comes to mind.  However, for me the even more impactful detox that yoga brings about is the MENTAL DETOX.  Yoga has been proven to help us overcome the blues, negativity, stress and even depression.  Patricia Moreno, founder of the intensati workout says, "When we're in a state of stress, fear or depression, that attitude creates a sensation in the body, Yoga helps purge toxic thoughts by teaching you to move your awareness away from the chaos of the mind and back to the present moment. That practice is not a basic component of other fitness pursuits.”

 So we started our practice with Kapalbhati breathing which most literally translated means "sparkling clean". It makes the head clear out of negative emotions so it is devoid of toxins and becomes shiny and clean by very quickly eliminating Carbon dioxide and bringing in tons of oxygen.   

We also used physical asanas especially designed to work on the three main systems of the body that play a crucial role in the elimination of wastes. These systems are: circulatory, digestive and lymphatic systems.  Yoga impacts these three systems better than any other fitness because it focuses on stretching and compressing every part of the body.  Every part of the body is pushed, pulled, twisted, and turned my friends!  I hope that you will find the practice as powerful as I have in bringing back the sparkle into your life.  That it will help you fine tune the instrument of your body but even more will open your mind to the best life possible!  I want for you mental peace, physical health and radiant well-being!  Love, Silvia