Yoga and Pregnancy

Thanks for the kind email, Sara!"I am hoping I can come to yoga soon... Thank goodness for your podcasts - I've spent time in my basement listening to your voice, practicing yoga and pretending I am in your class. :)   Even more special to me than getting to yoga with her outside of me, is that I felt her for the first time at the end of 16 weeks while in your class. I feel like your class (in particular, your way of turning us into puddles by the end!) would wind me down and relax me enough that I was able to feel her way before most people do with a first pregnancy. I even know the date: January 30.   :)"

Yoga and Pregnancy

Thanks for the kind email, Sara!"I am hoping I can come to yoga soon... Thank goodness for your podcasts - I've spent time in my basement listening to your voice, practicing yoga and pretending I am in your class. :)   Even more special to me than getting to yoga with her outside of me, is that I felt her for the first time at the end of 16 weeks while in your class. I feel like your class (in particular, your way of turning us into puddles by the end!) would wind me down and relax me enough that I was able to feel her way before most people do with a first pregnancy. I even know the date: January 30.   :)"

The Meaning of "Namaste"

The gesture Namaste represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart. The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. "Nama" means bow, "as" means I, and "te" means you. Therefore, Namaste literally means "bow me you" or "I bow to you."
To perform Namaste, we place the hands together at the heart, close the eyes, and bow the head. This is an especially deep form of respect. Although in the West the word "Namaste" is usually spoken in conjunction with the gesture, in India, it is understood that the gesture itself signifies Namaste, and therefore, it is unnecessary to say the word while bowing.
We bring the hands together at the heart to increase the flow of Divine love. Bowing the head and closing the eyes helps the mind surrender to the Divine in the heart.
For a teacher and student, Namaste allows two individuals to come together energetically to a place of connection and timelessness, free from the bonds of ego-connection. If it is done with deep feeling in the heart and with the mind surrendered, a deep union of spirits can blossom.
Usually, it is done at the end of class because the mind is less active and the energy in the room is more peaceful. The teacher initiates Namaste as a symbol of gratitude and respect toward her students and her own teachers and in return invites the students to connect with their lineage, thereby allowing the truth to flow—the truth that we are all one when we live from the heart. Namaste, Em
(http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/822)

Yoa is Healing

I was talking with a fellow yoga participant this week who is new to yoga and she was expressing how much she is enjoying her yoga experience. We were initially having a light-hearted conversation, further examining the benefits of yoga when she then shared with me that her brother had passed away the week before. She became a little teary-eyed as we continued to talk and I shared with her my belief that yoga is a tool that we can use to help heal. Have you ever experienced a physical or emotional release in class? It could of been something as little as giggling, passing gas, or dizziness... or it may of been something more extreme. I have found myself crying at the end of a class, completely present in the moment and appreciative of my opportunity to be who I needed to be. And I feel this is healthy. We learn who we are, what we need, and how to be content with what we discover. It's nice to have this safe space we can come to, united with other's energy and support, and learn to listen. With time, we begin to understand the "why's" of the world.
Namaste, Emily

Sign up HERE for Saturday morning yoga - JULY

It's back!! If you're interested in starting your weekends off right, consider joining us for Saturday morning yoga by clicking here:

http://www.doodle.com/756cf79v99s39n9u

Thanks for your support and enthusiasm. If you haven't come for a while, we'd love to see you again! Namaste, Emily

June Audio Podcast FREE

Thanks for your support and enthusiasm about the monthly podcast. To say THANKS, this month the podcast is free! If you want it on a cd, due to the additional time on our part, we would appreciate $5. Donations are always accepted but never required. My intention is to simply share the love and joy of yoga.

Never hesitate with questions while practicing the yoga podcast.

The link:

http://www.bffcast.blogspot.com

Namaste, Emily

Vinyasa Yoga - Flow Yoga

I found this article interesting and thought you may enjoy it as well. See you in class! Namaste, Emily

What is Vinyasa Yoga?
By Ann Pizer, About.com

Vinyasa is a term that covers a broad range of yoga classes. The word Vinyasa means “breath-synchronized movement.” In other words, the teacher will instruct you to move from one pose to the next on an inhale or an exhale. This technique is sometimes also called Vinyasa Flow, or just Flow because of the smooth way that the poses run together and become like a dance.
A Cat-Cow Stretch is an example of a very simple Vinyasa, because the spine is arched on an inhale and rounded on an exhale. A Sun Salutation sequence is an example of a more complex Vinyasa. Each movement in the series is done on an inhalation or an exhalation.

What To Expect From a Vinyasa Class
This style allows for a lot of variety, but will almost certainly include Sun Salutations. If your yoga class schedule lists a Vinyasa class, expect movement, not just stretching. Whether the class is fast or slow, includes chanting, or is very alignment-oriented will depend on the individual teacher. Some very popular yoga styles, such as Ashtanga and Power Yoga, make use of the Vinyasa method, but they will be listed on a class schedule by their individual names.

What Does “Go Through Your Vinyasa" Mean?
When Vinyasa is used as a noun, it describes a series of three poses that are done as part of a Sun Salutation sequence. When the teacher says, "go through the Vinyasa at your own pace," she means do Plank, Chaturanga, and Upward Facing Dog.

Is Vinyasa Yoga for You?
Vinyasa’s strength is in its diversity. There is no single philosophy, rulebook, or sequence that teachers must follow, so there is a lot of room for individual personalities and quirks to come through. This makes it essential that you find a teacher you enjoy and can relate to. If your first Vinyasa class doesn’t rock your world, keep trying different teachers. If you enjoy having things a little loose and unpredictable and like to move, Vinyasa is probably right for you.