Today we held our first ever “Food, Fasting & Health” seminar. What could have been a weekend, we did in 2hrs! It was a big topic wherein we looked at our eating habits in broad, sweeping brush strokes – food timing, digestion, attachments, choices, & more – and then transitioned into fasting.
While there are many different types of fasts, we mostly looked at the strategy and benefits of managing a one day (24hr – 30hr) fast. And then we focused on a very unique and special way for how to break our fast.
The plan is to follow-up with an email forum for those who attended so we have a support group / community for those who wish to share their experiences, trials, struggles, and successes.
Here is what some had to say in answer the to question, “The best part of the seminar was…”
- The breaking fast information – this is key information that I have been missing – no wonder why I never fully cleansed!
- The introduction hearing other people share their personal experiences that are similar to my own.
- The stress you put on listening to your body and that what you eat or don’t eat is not a matter of [one's] personae being good or bad.
- I am very encouraged by the idea that fasting doesn’t have to be done too many days to be effective – very excited to try it.
- Feeling reinspired.
- This seminar came at the perfect time for me! Was hoping to gain knowledge on this subject and this seminar definitely helped. Now I feel more confident about incorporating fasting into my yoga practice!
- So easy to ask questions and getting everyone involved in the discussion.
Yesterday we had a full house for our restorative yoga workshop – a way to go into deep relaxation and experience release. It is the type of program where everyone is asked to bring a modest, if not dramatic, laundry list of personal items (blankets, towels, pillows etc) and where we provide literally a car-full (& then some!) of yoga props.
Fittingly one person arrived literally with a laundry basket filled with her neatly folded towels and blankets for the program. Restorative Yoga is not the place where I generally take pictures – I feel people should be granted the personal privacy to bask within, unencumbered by the digital world. However seeing one of our participants arrive with “laundry-basket-in hand”, full of personal items, I was sort of wishing I had brought my camera. That picture I would have taken!
Great to have everyone out for the program. With your endeavor the hall transformed into an abode of peace and sanctity.
Here are but a few of the many things participants had to say about the restorative yoga workshop.
In response to the query, the best part of the seminar was…
- How I felt at the end – excellent workshop.
- The second strap pose I went into a trance, both body and mind. Not sleep but something like a conscious relaxation.
- The sandbags helps stretch out the spine.
- Being at peace.
- The support and getting lost in the moment.
- The teacher’s kindness, clear instructions and comments; the helpers’ assistance; and just resting and clearing a stressful thing that was bothering me.
- Wonderful, relaxing, nurturing – thank you!
Finally, a big part of the success of the restorative yoga workshop lies with our facilitators: Annie & Sharon. With their refined sense and gentle touch, they help many go deeper into the experience.
We look forward to offering this program again in the near future!!
Live Sitar & Yoga:
A Journey into India’s Mystical Tradition
Sunday, June 26, 2p – 4p
Galesville Memorial Hall
$20 by June 22 ~ $25 after June 22 Register Now
Journey into the mystical and the melodious world of India as you move through a multi-dimensional yoga practice with the awe-inspiring sounds of a live sitar to guide you along. Calm the mind with age-old meditative techniques, nurture the body with gentle yoga, lunge into a few challenging poses, and, above all, soothe your soul in this dynamic program. The sitar and yoga are natural complements, both stemming from the roots of Indian mysticism. And your hosts– Satyam & Anthony– have done extensive training at ashrams in India. This authentic and unique program is for anyone and everyone: Yoga enthusiasts and music lovers alike. Register early. Bring your yoga mat & eye pillow (if you have one).
Ease into life with a calm – come discover the wonder of restorative yoga. In this gentle and serene session we will use a variety of props to bask in supportive, relaxing poses which enable our bodies and minds to heal, restore and find balance. This a great way to center oneself: physically, emotionally, and mentally. Along the way we will also explore breathing & relaxation techniques, moments of silence, and so much more. This workshop is for everyone; no prior yoga experience is needed. Trained facilitators will be present to ensure personal attention, care and ease during the program.
Note: All participants will be requested to bring a pillow and a blanket. If you have an eye pillow then bring that as well, otherwise we will have one for you. All other props will be supplied.
Great having everyone out for the workshop this afternoon – what a great dynamic you all created! The cooperation and sharing was wonderful. And for those who did not get the chance to be there here’s some of the things we covered.
We started with a short overview and I told the story of this below player – doing it all on one leg. That is not to say we should do all our yoga on one leg – even though sometimes it feels like that is going on. The spirit is that we should not let our perceived shortcomings stop us from doing something that we can do. Here is that player:
Then we began our practice: A short meditation to focus and center and then a 20 minute moderate flow sequence to get warmed up.
Then we went into poses for detailed review, practice, and corrections:
Triangle & variations including revolved triangle; Warrior 2 refresher and reversal; Half Moon and revolved half moon. And then back to standard half-moon for the all-important “foot grab” variation. Everyone did extremely well in this series – the hips and shoulders did exactly what they were supposed to do.
Then we shifted to Warrior I -> Warrior III and thoroughly reviewed balancing and lengthening the body in Warrior III, including squaring the hips, and concluded with a quick turn into half-moon from Warrior III.
From there it was side-plank in all shapes and sizes – lots and lots to go around, followed by a critical look at chaturaunga dandasana. Then came everyone’s all-time favorite: crow and friends. Many made great progress in advancing their crow.
Next up: Pincha Mayurasana or forearm balance. Here again, many were able to kick up nicely into the pose. Then it was down onto to the back for shoulderstand, plow, fish & more.
Finally – ahhh – shavasana.
Of course what made the program was not the poses per se, but the interactive sharing and caring throughout the session. Lots of questions were raised, all took time to watch & support one another to learn and grow; it was a very open afternoon. In the end we all noted how the time literally flew by. I truly felt that we could have gone on for another 2 hours or more!!
Thanks to all for coming out and look forward to seeing you at the next one!!
Ease into life with a calm – come discover the wonder of restorative yoga. In this gentle and serene session we will use a variety of props to bask in supportive, relaxing poses which enable our bodies and minds to heal, restore and find balance. This a great way to center oneself: physically, emotionally, and mentally. Along the way we will also explore breathing & relaxation techniques, moments of silence, and so much more. This workshop is for everyone; no prior yoga experience is needed. Trained facilitators will be present to ensure personal attention, care and ease during the program. We also have a special guest to make things a little more sweet – a live flautist for the program’s culmination.
Note: All participants will be requested to bring a pillow and a blanket. If you have an eye pillow then bring that as well, otherwise we will have one for you. All other props will be supplied. Only 16 spots available…so sign up today.
This session is now full, please email us to be placed on the waitlist.
This afternoon we had a hearty and courageous crew for our Intermediate workshop. We covered aspects of svarshastra (science of breath control), the role of asanas within the greater schema of astaunga yoga, and we of course spent time reviewing, enhancing, and learning intermediate level poses like: Triangle (and variations), Half Moon, Bound Side Angle, Warrior III, Chaturaunga Dandasana, Crow & Side Crow, Side Plank (and variations), Shoulderstand, Wheel and more! All who came did a most admirable job with their poses.
More than that however, the session shined because of everyone’s spirited sense of inquiry, openness to peer review, supportive words, and can-do attitude. Our on-going dialog not only addressed technical aspects of our poses but over-arching topics and inspirations about yoga in general.
I am also pleased to report that along the way my clumsiness only led to knocking over a single water bottle (and spilling it on Irene’s blanket and mat) and my drawing blood on only two separate occasions (inadvertently kicking my clipboard & rising up from a squat only to slam my back onto the overhang of a table). For me that’s actually a pretty decent afternoon. Who says mine isn’t the school of hard knocks!
All clumsiness aside, everyone dived and strived deeper into their practice and moved safely ahead on the journey of yoga.
To those who came out – thank you for your wonderful satsaunga (uplifting company) and to those who couldn’t be there, we hope to see you at the next one!
Restorative Yoga Workshop - Register Now!
Sun, Jan 31, 2:00p – 3:30p
Galesville Memorial Hall
$16 by Jan 25; $21 after Jan 25
Start the New Year with a calm – come discover the wonder of restorative yoga. In this gentle session we will use a variety of props to bask in supportive, relaxing poses which enable our bodies and minds to heal, restore and find balance. This a great way to center oneself: physically, emotionally, and mentally. Along the way we will also explore breathing & relaxation techniques. This workshop is for everyone; no prior yoga experience is needed.
Note: All participants will be requested to bring a pillow and a blanket. If you have an eye pillow then bring that as well, otherwise we will have one for you. All other props will be supplied.
Today we held our first ever “Food, Fasting & Health” seminar. What could have been a weekend, we did in 2hrs! It was a big topic wherein we looked at our eating habits in broad, sweeping brush strokes – food timing, digestion, attachments, choices, & more – and then transitioned into fasting.
Yesterday we had a full house for our restorative yoga workshop – a way to go into deep relaxation and experience release. It is the type of program where everyone is asked to bring a modest, if not dramatic, laundry list of personal items (blankets, towels, pillows etc) and where we provide literally a car-full (& then some!) of yoga props.
Great to have everyone out for the program. With your endeavor the hall transformed into an abode of peace and sanctity.
Restorative Yoga Workshop – 
