Mindfulness Via Yoga

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Monthly Archives: January 2021


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Vata in the air

Vata dosa in Ayurveda – in its normal state Vata protects the body.

It’s so important to remember – at least to hope – that every one of us has some of this AIR symbol in our basic constitution, our Prakruti. For without Vata there would be no change, no creativity.

At this time of year, Vata asserts through the wind. Vata tugs us to go her way, to imbalance with dry skin, cracking joints, disorganization of mind, anxiousness.

So, in yoga class this week ( Tuesday Jan 26 at 4:00 & Friday Jan 29 at 8:30 am) we will focus on moving all the joints and mobility: moving energy/prana throughout the body.

Improving out sense organs is always important at this dry and windy time of year. Ears are covered by hats. Eyes squint against the high bright light, Masks over noses and mouths. The way-up-there parts of the body are covered by attention at beginning and end of classes this week.

Join us. In Studio or Virtual. www.westendyogastudio.com


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Ayurveda & Yoga

a series of yoga classes to honor the dosas

Earth + Water.

The qualities of Heavy, Dense, Soft, Stable are grounded Kapha. Babies look like Kapha:  Smooth, rubbery, sweet, tied to the Earth.

To pacify too much Kapha we practise poses that are energizing, uplifting, active, steady and light.   Kapha will enjoy the repetition of the Moon Salutation practised in a warm space. But keep it going. Do not allow it to bog down for Kapha prefers to stay home on the couch. Be sprighty, light, energetic.

Kapha is pacified by foods that are well-spiced and easy to digest.

            To decrease Kapha: turmeric, legumes, cranberries, strong black tea.

            To increase Kapha (when you drift into the Don’t-Wannas:   sweet fruits, grains, root vegetables such as potatoes and beets, dates, nuts, meats.  

Kapha is the theme for Classes during the third week of January:

Tuesday, January 19 at 3:45 pm. and Friday, January 21 at 8:30 a.m.

This series of one-hour yoga classes to develop the principles of Ayurveda as expressed in the tools of yoga.  The series begins with an overview on Tuesday Jan 12 (3:45 pm) and Friday Jan 15 (8:30 a.m.)

at West End Yoga Studio, West Walnut Street, Lancaster PA

sign up for the classes at westendyogastudio.com

 


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When Where & Up

April 1999.
Gabriel Halpren yoga class in downtown Chicago.

My birthday celebrated with an architects’ tour of Chicago buildings in company with “man from Chillicothe”.

First unassisted headstand.

OK. 21 years later I still claim the daily headstand to be my fountain of youth. Truth be told, I am simply terrified that my body will “forget” how to get upside down in it. That means my spine wont get a vacation from its usual Hold-up standing pose. My aging organs wont get a lift !

OK. So now i’m going to abandon this post for awhile. Do stay tuned. I found Gabriel Halpren on line. He and I are still teaching and practicing Iyengar yoga this 21 years later. I am going off now to study his website . Maybe I can figure out how he does it. I always want to get more people to join me upside down. There are stages of readiness.

I do remember the two teachers, that day, in that beautiful studio. For some reason, I was the only student. Those two guys kept saying, You can do it. We will catch you . You CAN do it. And so I did . They did catch me. Then I went right back to my hotel room. I shut the door and I did a head stand. You may be next.