To my students, with great gratitude...

I sit here trying to put my thoughts together and I keep coming back to my students.  Maybe it is because Thanksgiving just passed or maybe it is because I just finished teaching two classes a couple of hours ago.  Either way, I reflect on what my students are.  As I teach, I look out to each person and see an amazing potential and unlimited spirit.  We join together, even for a short period of time, and walk a bit of our path together.  I first heard one of my teachers long ago state that their students were their best teacher.  At the moment, I guess I really didn't completely understand what that meant.  Each class I teach, I am offered a little more of the wisdom in that simple phrase.  My students are my best teacher. 

No matter how stressful, outrageous or frustrating my day turned out to be, walking into that studio changes everything.  It clears the slate and wipes away the troubles.  My mind begins to clear and my heart begins to warm.

With much reverence and respect, I bow to you every time you step upon your mat, every time you face the present moment, every time you allow me to learn from you.  As a teacher, I am continually in awe at the brilliance of those I am so lucky to encounter in class and out.  I wish to thank you for each smile, each moment of understanding and the opening of your heart to allow mine to open even more then I thought it could.  

namaste!

Restorative Yoga

In a world that we are constantly on the go, when do we give ourselves a moment to sit back, bask in the pause and breathe?  Even if you are not living in a particularly large city, day to day demands are guaranteed to cause us to fall out of balance.  This chain reaction can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, headaches, muscle tension or pain, digestive troubles, insomnia, and even chronic health issues.  So, what do we do to counteract the inevitable? 

Many people turn to medicine that is prescribed by their doctors.  Unfortunately, this is only covering up the underlying problem.  How do you bypass this and move straight to the source?  Alternative practices are becoming not only more popular but highly sought after.  Acupuncture, massage, light therapy and yoga are largely popular these days.  

But yet another question arises... where do you start?  Does the thought of starting something unknown and new give you even more anxiety?  Maybe you had once tried something like yoga, didn't like it, and never tried it again.   Finding what works for you is a daunting task and is a long process.  If you are lucky, you will find a teacher that is knowledgeable, informative, and most importantly, inspires you to explore the practice further.  Not every teacher or style will gel with everyone.  If you are ready to continue with your search, maybe there is an answer.

Restorative yoga is a way to release stress and to uplift your spirits.  Restorative yoga gives us the opportunity to slow way down, find intention to the breath, and as the style is called, restores us from the inside out.  Completely passive, we explore different ways to release tension, change habitual patterning, and even challenge ourselves through stillness.  Restorative yoga is literally a gift to yourself of peace, serenity and calm.  

Starting on Sunday, September 13th, 2009 at Yoga Shala of Portland, I will be presenting a monthly offering of Restorative Yoga.  Each 2nd Sunday of the month we will explore different aspects that Restorative yoga can offer us.  A perfect way to conclude a weekend and find the calm before the storm that is Monday morning.  

September we will be exploring compassion and kindness through heart opening and backbending. 

October gives us the opportunity to journey further into experiencing the calm, release and rejuvenation.  October 11

November starts the holiday season of gluttonous celebrating. As such, we will aid our digestion and find grounding.  November 8

December  will help you get through the holidays through detoxing twists.  December 13

Unlike other forms of yoga, Restorative yoga requires no previous yoga experience.  It is a perfect place to start for anyone with little to no yoga background, is experiencing difficulties doing a more active yoga practice, or just wanting something different.   In these hour and a half practices we will explore the passive world of yoga using bolsters, blankets, blocks, and other props to help our bodies let go.  You will have time to settle, unwind and release into each asana, or pose.  

You can register online at www.yogashalapdx.com or by calling Yoga Shala of Portland at (503) 963-9642.  

www.yogashalapdx.com