The economy may be bad right now, but yoga, it appears, is thriving during the downturn.
More than 400 people have signed up for the New England Iyengar Yoga Conference at the Rhode Island Convention Center on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, even though fees for the event range from $175 for a full day pass to $375 for the entire weekend, and many are also booking hotel rooms in Providence and will have travel and meal expenses.
Patricia Walden, founder of the BKS Iyengar Yogamala center in Cambridge, Mass., who is a popular seller of yoga DVDs and one of the biggest draws of this weekend's conference, says that although it's not an issue for her as an established teacher, she's been wondering about the economic health of smaller yoga studios.
'But it hasn't affected [many classes] because people are going through a period of stress' right now that yoga helps its practitioners handle, Walden says.
'One of the greatest gifts' of a yoga practice is 'to learn to relax, to cope with stress,' she says. She says that she often notices how her students look as they enter her class, and then after 'savasana' - 'corpse pose' - at the end of their session. 'It's a mini transformation. 'With Iyengar, increasing as I teach workshops all over country, I find fuller and fuller workshops. The future of Iyengar is good, my yoga classes are larger than ever before, and other teachers are doing very well.'
By Pamela Reinsel Cotter
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Friday, 9 October 2009
JEWISH YOGA
A generation ago there was no way a book like 'Yiddish Yoga' could have found a publisher, which is just one more reason to appreciate it now.
Subtitled 'Ruthie's Adventures in Love, Loss and the Lotus Position,' this charming little novel by Lisa Grunberger (published in October by Newmarket Press, hardcover, $15) takes an entertaining look at some big issues.
Those seeking a way of easing into some of the more serious aspects of the High Holy Day season could do far worse than absorbing the wisdom of Grandma Ruthie.
The book opens as Ruthie, a 72 year old New Yorker and recent widow, decides to cash in on a gift from her granddaughter, a year's worth of yoga lessons.
'I know you are strong, Bubby,' Stephanie writes,' but I think yoga will help you grieve. This is not a cult, I promise! I do it every day since Mark and I broke up, and have never felt better.'
It's a testament to author/illustrator Grunberger that she has managed to make Ruthie a character without making her a caricature. Grunberger plays it straight in the titles of the vignettes that comprise the book; the vignettes are pure 'Shtetl meets Ashram.'
Ruthie writes with asperity about the poses, the vocabulary and the outward appearance of her classmates, but she is equally candid about pointing out her own foibles.
By Amy Waldman
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
Subtitled 'Ruthie's Adventures in Love, Loss and the Lotus Position,' this charming little novel by Lisa Grunberger (published in October by Newmarket Press, hardcover, $15) takes an entertaining look at some big issues.
Those seeking a way of easing into some of the more serious aspects of the High Holy Day season could do far worse than absorbing the wisdom of Grandma Ruthie.
The book opens as Ruthie, a 72 year old New Yorker and recent widow, decides to cash in on a gift from her granddaughter, a year's worth of yoga lessons.
'I know you are strong, Bubby,' Stephanie writes,' but I think yoga will help you grieve. This is not a cult, I promise! I do it every day since Mark and I broke up, and have never felt better.'
It's a testament to author/illustrator Grunberger that she has managed to make Ruthie a character without making her a caricature. Grunberger plays it straight in the titles of the vignettes that comprise the book; the vignettes are pure 'Shtetl meets Ashram.'
Ruthie writes with asperity about the poses, the vocabulary and the outward appearance of her classmates, but she is equally candid about pointing out her own foibles.
By Amy Waldman
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
Thursday, 8 October 2009
A YOGA INSTRUCTOR'S PLAN
A second yoga studio will open in Canton because interest is high and space is limited.
The town Planning Board recently approved the proposal of yoga teacher Rebecca Y. Rivers to build a studio on a 1.5 acre piece of her family's 107 acre property at 605 Miner Street Road, about three miles from the village of Canton.
Ms. Rivers said she intends to keep open her relationship with the Yoga Loft, which is at 1071/2 Main St. above the Blackbird Cafe.
"It's been a great place to teach," she said. "I have loved working at the Yoga Loft."
Yoga Loft board President Shelby L. Connelly said Ms. Rivers's decision to build is a victory for all.
"We think it's a great thing," she said. "By her having to expand, it means we are expanding. We have morning, midday and evening classes, even classes on Friday night and Saturdays."
Ms. Rivers said she expects the interest in alternative health care and wellness to continue to expand.
"It's a national trend. I don't think people are going to go back," she said. "My client load has grown pretty steadily."
The yoga studio is in keeping with the type of development the community wants, Planning Board Chairman Michael K. Morgan said.
"It's a perfect fit," he said. "We're a nice little college town."
By MARTHA ELLEN
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
The town Planning Board recently approved the proposal of yoga teacher Rebecca Y. Rivers to build a studio on a 1.5 acre piece of her family's 107 acre property at 605 Miner Street Road, about three miles from the village of Canton.
Ms. Rivers said she intends to keep open her relationship with the Yoga Loft, which is at 1071/2 Main St. above the Blackbird Cafe.
"It's been a great place to teach," she said. "I have loved working at the Yoga Loft."
Yoga Loft board President Shelby L. Connelly said Ms. Rivers's decision to build is a victory for all.
"We think it's a great thing," she said. "By her having to expand, it means we are expanding. We have morning, midday and evening classes, even classes on Friday night and Saturdays."
Ms. Rivers said she expects the interest in alternative health care and wellness to continue to expand.
"It's a national trend. I don't think people are going to go back," she said. "My client load has grown pretty steadily."
The yoga studio is in keeping with the type of development the community wants, Planning Board Chairman Michael K. Morgan said.
"It's a perfect fit," he said. "We're a nice little college town."
By MARTHA ELLEN
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
A NEW YOGA STUDIO
Ekam Yoga Center hosted a grand opening celebration with a Mind/Body Health Expo event held Sept. 26, while promoting National Yoga Month. The studio officially opened Feb. 14 and is the first Yoga and Ayurveda Green studio in the area.
Area residents were able to participate in a variety of free classes, beginning with a Zumba class that started off the day's festivities, followed a Global Mini Mala that included 108 minutes of flowing yoga poses. There were also available yoga, belly dancing and partner yoga classes; a Sadhana & Stress free workshop, aimed at health and stress free awareness; and free health screenings provided by H E B. Additionally, attendees enjoyed a Greening Your Home Seminar, green business exhibits and arts and crafts selections from Ten Thousand Villages Festival sale and a Fitness Fashion show.
'This event was our way of sharing the studio with the community. Our core values at Ekam Yoga Center include community, mind/body wellness and Green Living as a tripod foundation for all of our classes and programs,' said Maggie Grueskin of Ekam Yoga Center. 'I was personally passionate about this event because yoga has brought so much joy and freedom in my heart and I wanted to share this bliss with our community. Next year we hope to do an even bigger event and have sponsors.'
The event was part of the National Yoga Month campaign that was designed to educate and inspire people, creating awareness of the positive impact of yoga on health. In 2008, the Department of Health and Human Services designated September as National Yoga Month, one of a select number of national health observances. According to Yoga Alliance's 'Top 10 Reasons to Try Yoga,' Yoga reduces the physical effects of stress on the body.
Proceeds benefit the Yoga Health Foundation's Health Education Programs in Schools and Autism Speaks.
The Ekam Yoga Center is located at 7036 B FM 1960 East in the Atascocita Plaza.
For more information, call Maggie Grueskin and Evelyn Allen at 281 358 9642 or visit www.ekamyoga.com.
By The Tribune
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
Area residents were able to participate in a variety of free classes, beginning with a Zumba class that started off the day's festivities, followed a Global Mini Mala that included 108 minutes of flowing yoga poses. There were also available yoga, belly dancing and partner yoga classes; a Sadhana & Stress free workshop, aimed at health and stress free awareness; and free health screenings provided by H E B. Additionally, attendees enjoyed a Greening Your Home Seminar, green business exhibits and arts and crafts selections from Ten Thousand Villages Festival sale and a Fitness Fashion show.
'This event was our way of sharing the studio with the community. Our core values at Ekam Yoga Center include community, mind/body wellness and Green Living as a tripod foundation for all of our classes and programs,' said Maggie Grueskin of Ekam Yoga Center. 'I was personally passionate about this event because yoga has brought so much joy and freedom in my heart and I wanted to share this bliss with our community. Next year we hope to do an even bigger event and have sponsors.'
The event was part of the National Yoga Month campaign that was designed to educate and inspire people, creating awareness of the positive impact of yoga on health. In 2008, the Department of Health and Human Services designated September as National Yoga Month, one of a select number of national health observances. According to Yoga Alliance's 'Top 10 Reasons to Try Yoga,' Yoga reduces the physical effects of stress on the body.
Proceeds benefit the Yoga Health Foundation's Health Education Programs in Schools and Autism Speaks.
The Ekam Yoga Center is located at 7036 B FM 1960 East in the Atascocita Plaza.
For more information, call Maggie Grueskin and Evelyn Allen at 281 358 9642 or visit www.ekamyoga.com.
By The Tribune
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
Saturday, 3 October 2009
MORE LAUGHTER YOGA
There are a lot of strange forms of yoga and meditation, but laughter yoga seemed to slip by without us noticing. Now people across the Twin Cities, and the entire globe, are gathering just to laugh together. Sound a little strange? It might actually have health benefits whether the laughter is legitimate or not.
The Pioneer Press has a report on these laughter yoga groups that meet regularly to do breathing exercises and laugh to their heart's content. Check out a list of groups here. Instructors, medical professionals, and participants say this form of yoga helps to relieve stress and anxiety and could strengthen the immune system.
Laughter yoga was developed in the '90s by a doctor in India who wanted to see if laughing, even if it was forced, creates the same release of endorphins associated with legitimate forms of laughter.
We have to admit we were a tad skeptical. So how do we see what these folks are up to? YouTube it of course. If we saw these groups out in public practicing their yoga, we might be concerned about their sanity. But if it makes people feel better, then what the heck. Laugh away.
By Emily Kaiser
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
The Pioneer Press has a report on these laughter yoga groups that meet regularly to do breathing exercises and laugh to their heart's content. Check out a list of groups here. Instructors, medical professionals, and participants say this form of yoga helps to relieve stress and anxiety and could strengthen the immune system.
Laughter yoga was developed in the '90s by a doctor in India who wanted to see if laughing, even if it was forced, creates the same release of endorphins associated with legitimate forms of laughter.
We have to admit we were a tad skeptical. So how do we see what these folks are up to? YouTube it of course. If we saw these groups out in public practicing their yoga, we might be concerned about their sanity. But if it makes people feel better, then what the heck. Laugh away.
By Emily Kaiser
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
Friday, 2 October 2009
YOGA FOR SURFERS
Do you know the fastest and easiest way to catch more waves? Right now? During your very next session? Well, it could be to paddle harder, drop in later, take off deeper, keep your head up…look down the line, And well, yes, all those tips are great and they will help you catch more waves.
But, the fastest and easiest way to catch more waves during your very next session, is to listen to mom. She was right! You need to sit up straight. On your board. What? That's it? Yep, you see, when you slouch on your board while waiting between sets, you're preventing yourself from surfing as well as you could. Know why? For starters, you're straining your back and neck, leading to early fatigue and a general sense of lethargy. Go ahead, try it right now. Slouch. Let your shoulders slump forward, round your back, and jut out your chin. How do you feel? Probably not stoked for surfing.
Okay, now sit up straight and draw your shoulders back so they're lined up over your hips, not your thighs. Lengthen your spine by reaching your ribcage up and away from your hip bones. Don't arch your back, just keep it nice and straight.
Now squeeze your shoulder blades together drop your shoulders away from your ears. Stop jutting out your chin and instead imagine the top of your head reaching toward the sky. Now breathe slowly, deeply, easily. No forcing or straining. Really expand your abdomen and chest as you inhale, and then let go of all the air as you exhale.
There, don't you feel better already?
When you slump and slouch, you can't fill your lungs with energy producing oxygen. And when you don't have enough energy, you can't catch as many waves. But when you sit up straight on your board between sets, you'll reduce fatigue, prevent aches and pains in your back and neck, increase your flow of oxygen and energy, and increase your feelings of confidence and competence.
Bonus: when you sit taller, you'll be able to see the sets coming in even better. Try it out and let me know how it goes, okay?
And check out this clip from Yoga for Surfers III, where surf heroes Tom Carroll, Brian Conley and Garrett McNamara demonstrate their perfect posture.
www.yogaforsurfers.com
By Global Surf News
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
But, the fastest and easiest way to catch more waves during your very next session, is to listen to mom. She was right! You need to sit up straight. On your board. What? That's it? Yep, you see, when you slouch on your board while waiting between sets, you're preventing yourself from surfing as well as you could. Know why? For starters, you're straining your back and neck, leading to early fatigue and a general sense of lethargy. Go ahead, try it right now. Slouch. Let your shoulders slump forward, round your back, and jut out your chin. How do you feel? Probably not stoked for surfing.
Okay, now sit up straight and draw your shoulders back so they're lined up over your hips, not your thighs. Lengthen your spine by reaching your ribcage up and away from your hip bones. Don't arch your back, just keep it nice and straight.
Now squeeze your shoulder blades together drop your shoulders away from your ears. Stop jutting out your chin and instead imagine the top of your head reaching toward the sky. Now breathe slowly, deeply, easily. No forcing or straining. Really expand your abdomen and chest as you inhale, and then let go of all the air as you exhale.
There, don't you feel better already?
When you slump and slouch, you can't fill your lungs with energy producing oxygen. And when you don't have enough energy, you can't catch as many waves. But when you sit up straight on your board between sets, you'll reduce fatigue, prevent aches and pains in your back and neck, increase your flow of oxygen and energy, and increase your feelings of confidence and competence.
Bonus: when you sit taller, you'll be able to see the sets coming in even better. Try it out and let me know how it goes, okay?
And check out this clip from Yoga for Surfers III, where surf heroes Tom Carroll, Brian Conley and Garrett McNamara demonstrate their perfect posture.
www.yogaforsurfers.com
By Global Surf News
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
Thursday, 1 October 2009
VISITING A YOGA SHALA
PJ Heffernan owns a Waukesha based yoga studio called PJ's Yoga Shala, but don't confuse his practice with a traditional business.
"I always felt very uncomfortable with the business of yoga. Yoga is not a business," says Heffernan. "It is not a religion. It is not an occupation. It is a cultural art form."
Heffernan's classes have suggested rates, but students pay what they can afford. Heffernan calls it a "karma system" of payment in which he trusts people to pay a fair amount. Most of his students, he says, pay the suggested rate, but he will make adjustments. Most importantly, Heffernan wants yoga to be accessible to anyone, not just the wealthy.
"Everyone needs this authentic yoga," he says.
To make yoga even more available to the masses, Heffernan offers a free yoga class every Sunday afternoon at 1:15 p.m. at Invivo, 2060 N. Humboldt Blvd.
Heffernan teaches a style of yoga called Ashtanga, and his practice is the only Ashtanga school in the Midwest.
Ashtanga, which means "eight limbs," incorporates a sequential order of poses and combines breathing, postures and gazing points to help practitioners reach his or her "fullest potential on all levels of human consciousness."
Classes at PJ's Yoga Shala range from beginner to advanced.
"I even started a class I call Hips and Spine which is as basic as it gets. You don't even have to be able to stand up for that one," says Heffernan.
At the age of 15, Heffernan started taking yoga seriously, and by the time he was in college, he took eight yoga classes a week.
"That's when I realized I could really take control of my body," he says.
Heffernan studied yoga in Milwaukee at the Milwaukee Yoga Center and in Chicago with a teacher named Gabriel Halpern. However, by 2005, he was teaching so much that he began to feel removed from the practice.
"I felt a little lost and craved a challenge, so I sought out the one person in the country who I thought had the most inspiring physical asana practice I had ever seen," says Heffernan. "That man was Richard Freeman."
By Molly Snyder Edler
THE LATEST YOGA SHALA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
"I always felt very uncomfortable with the business of yoga. Yoga is not a business," says Heffernan. "It is not a religion. It is not an occupation. It is a cultural art form."
Heffernan's classes have suggested rates, but students pay what they can afford. Heffernan calls it a "karma system" of payment in which he trusts people to pay a fair amount. Most of his students, he says, pay the suggested rate, but he will make adjustments. Most importantly, Heffernan wants yoga to be accessible to anyone, not just the wealthy.
"Everyone needs this authentic yoga," he says.
To make yoga even more available to the masses, Heffernan offers a free yoga class every Sunday afternoon at 1:15 p.m. at Invivo, 2060 N. Humboldt Blvd.
Heffernan teaches a style of yoga called Ashtanga, and his practice is the only Ashtanga school in the Midwest.
Ashtanga, which means "eight limbs," incorporates a sequential order of poses and combines breathing, postures and gazing points to help practitioners reach his or her "fullest potential on all levels of human consciousness."
Classes at PJ's Yoga Shala range from beginner to advanced.
"I even started a class I call Hips and Spine which is as basic as it gets. You don't even have to be able to stand up for that one," says Heffernan.
At the age of 15, Heffernan started taking yoga seriously, and by the time he was in college, he took eight yoga classes a week.
"That's when I realized I could really take control of my body," he says.
Heffernan studied yoga in Milwaukee at the Milwaukee Yoga Center and in Chicago with a teacher named Gabriel Halpern. However, by 2005, he was teaching so much that he began to feel removed from the practice.
"I felt a little lost and craved a challenge, so I sought out the one person in the country who I thought had the most inspiring physical asana practice I had ever seen," says Heffernan. "That man was Richard Freeman."
By Molly Snyder Edler
THE LATEST YOGA SHALA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
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