April Ahimsa
Practicing the art and spirit of non-violence.
From the Shambala Encyclopedia of Yoga, the definition of ahimsa “is generally defined as the practice of abstaining from harming others physically, mentally, and vocally at all times.” As one of the yamas, or moral and ethical guidelines of yoga, it is one of the most important precepts. Practicing ahimsa, or non-violence toward others is easy, applying it within ourselves is the real challenge. The term “violence” includes anything that harms you: not accepting the circumstances of your life, judging yourself harshly or feeling unworthy. This also includes physical harm during your yoga practice. You must learn to practice patience rather than aggression, relaxing into the pose instead of forcing into it. If you injure yourself and the harm is not apparent today, it may show up months or years down the path. During class recently I was asked by a student “how do you know when to push through pain?”(I was surprised because I am constantly reminding students that there is NO pain in yoga. But still, it is so difficult to really adhere to this. Either from not keeping your awareness “supremely concentrated in the present” or trying to get that perfect pose, it can be easy to create injury if we are not mindful of the breath. Just like yoga, ahimsa is a practice, whether it is directed toward others or your Self. Keep focused on the right intentions and you will move toward peace and a way of life that promotes ahimsa, body, mind, spirit and world.
Remember, "there is nothing to gain through pain or strain...on your mat or in your life." Be kind. We have recently received information that many health insurance plans now provide coverage for yoga classes under alternative care benefits. This is such exciting news! The world is evolving nicely as we see the Health Insurance industry embrace and acknowledge yoga as a viable, quantifiable method to keep the body in a better state of health. As a former insurance broker, I am grateful to Drs. Chopra, Ornish and Weil for their diligence in this matter. Check with your insurance company, they may offer reimbursement. If not, maybe a letter or call could encourage them to participate. We still have space left in our Spring Cleanse Yoga Retreat: Journey through the Chakras, on Sat. 4/14, from 8am-8pm! This will be an amazing journey of cleansing and renewal along the diverse paths of Yoga and Ayurveda. Three fabulous Yoga instructors, one live musician and an Ayurvedic chef will pamper you all day long among the lush and beautiful setting of Sanibel Island. Experiment with the different styles of Yoga, ranging from Yin, to Vinyasa Flow, to Kundalini, restorative, Kirtan and Meditation. All meals included as well as a "journey bag" full of goodies so you can take this ritual with you into daily life! Please call Jackie for more information or to register! Cost: $265 before 4/10 $295 after 4/10. We wish you a Happy Spring and for those of you leaving for the Summer, remember "A downward dog a day keeps the aging process away!"
We will see you next year!
In Gratitude and Joy
~ Namaste
Tess and Jackie
The Boutique
We are very excited about the arrival of our new swiveling display from Hay House, filled to the edges with the very best of books, cards, and CDs from our favorite authors. Included in the list is Dr. Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, Esther Hicks, Louise Hay, just to name a few, with a wide variety of topics geared toward personal and spiritual transformation. We will be happy to order any additional selections. For those waiting for The Secret, we now have them in stock. We are awaiting the arrival of the newly ordered summer Be Present selection of yoga apparel. Check out the super cute rhinestone embellished French Dressing Tank tops that proclaim your love of yoga.
