Abundance of Autumn: Feeling our way into fall
This week, as we return from a month at the Jersey Shore, we are so grateful for our beautiful, warm Florida! Don’t get me wrong….New Jersey was glorious but we must admit that we are truly spoiled when it comes to the weather. We understand how our beloved “snow birds” feel when they return arrive….ecstatic!!!(BTW…welcome home!)
Yes, the seasons are changing, and yes, it is not as profound as climates north, however it is still a time to take care to align your energy, your vibration with the vibrations of the universe. Sounds pretty esoteric, but it is pure science. We, as energetic beings, are vibrating at a certain frequency, and according to quantum physics, all health (and dis-ease) is dependant upon keeping our vibration in tune with that of the relationship of our planet, the sun, the moon, the entire universe. We do this through our senses. What we hear, see, smell, touch, taste all affect our neuro-physiological self; our body-mind. Through the practice of yoga, meditation, and all the other practices that are part of this amazing science of Ayurveda, we begin to gently align with this energy, improving our health and wellbeing, which is our natural state.
Throughout this season we hope to introduce you to many of the techniques we have learned throughout the years to help you take control of your health and wellbeing, to create the joy, harmony and bliss you so richly deserve.
As our practice of yoga evolves, it begins to act as a mirror to the rest of our lives. Balance, flexibility, strength, endurance and acceptance, all changing day to day. We begin to learn to feel our way into a pose, aware of every sensation. Never pushing or forcing our way to an end result. We begin to turn inward more easily in other areas of life too. Feeling our way not only in the asanas, but also our relationships, the decisions we make and all areas of our lives, releasing the need to force anything. Force is the opposite of feeling. It comes from ones own ego, while feeling comes from the Higher Self. “In yoga the victory is not the victory but the ability to feel more than we felt before” to quote Aadil Palkhiva, internationally known master yogi.
Always remember that yoga is not a competition, even with one’s Self. Learn to create small movements with ease. Remember that feeling develops sensitivity and acceptance. Use your breath to be your guide, and remember that the body is the evolving, temporary phenomenon and the reason for yoga is to learn to embrace that which is permanent; the Real You, the Silent Witness, the Commander in the command center. Gaze inward toward your heart with joy and gratitude, and have a glorious autumn.
A warm Namaste'
Tess and Jackie
Season Change Cleansing
Three areas to consider as the seasons change to cleanse and renew the body;
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Colon cleanses. Consider the amount of refined, over-processed, tamasic (lacking in life force) food you have consumed over the year (or lifetime) and give your body a gift of a gentle cleanse. We offer the highest quality, completely natural system that will insure a much improved digestive tract and possibly a nice flat belly! If you would like more detailed info, check out the website drnatura.com. We provide this great product at a discount, no shipping charges, AND instant gratification because you can start today. If you are new to yoga and have never explored this method of health improvement we strongly suggest it!
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Sinus Cleansing. The use of a Neti Pot in Ayurveda is as ancient and as common as brushing your teeth is in the rest of the world. Using warm Saline and this little pot could change your health for the better dramatically, especially if you are prone to sinus challenges such as sinusitis, allergies, sinus headaches (common among those of you who are Kapha body types*). We provide everything you need to keep your sinuses in perfect health. We will continue to offer our current pots from the Himalayan Institute and we will soon have available hand made pots especially commissioned for Joyful Yoga from artist Joy Radzik.
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Tongue Cleansing. Once you use this simple horseshoe shaped tongue scraper you can never turn back. This is not the same kind of cleaner that you see in the drugstores. This ancient design is much preferred and far superior in removing the ama (that white pasty stuff that harbors unwanted bacteria and other waste matter, causing not only bad breath but other health challenges.).We offer simple stainless steel scrapers and also the very fancy sterling silver model. (Perfect gift for the person who takes their oral hygiene seriously.)
*Kapha is one of the three Doshas (mind-body constitutions) in Ayurveda. The other two are Vata and Pitta. You are born with this constitution and the more you know about its effect on your health and life the easier it becomes to maintain excellent health and balance. If you would like to know what your dominant dosha is, pick up a Dosha quiz at the studio and stay tuned for our Ayurveda 101 Workshop to be held in 2007.
Workshops
Our much anticipated Lifeforce Yoga Workshop with Amy Weintraub is filling up. We recommend that you sign up soon. We are working on our website now to make signups easy for you. In the meantime you can sign up at the studio or by phone. We will have fliers available with more detailed information hopefully by the end of next week. Feel free to checkout her website at www.yogafordepression.com. To learn more about her, her qualifications and the amazing testimonials on her site. We are so thrilled and honored to have her as our guest in February
In December we will offer Chanting as Therapy, the science of healing sound. Tess Chiodo will guide you through the science of using primordial sound to improve ones health. This ancient practice of chanting, part of the healing sciences of Ayurveda, has been used throughout history to balance and align ones energy with the energies of the universe very effectively. The technique is so simple and yet not really used that often to promote health. The workshop will be held on Sunday, December 3rd, 11am to 1pm. The cost is $35.
Also in December we will offer a Detox workshop. Jackie Chiodo will lead you in an exploration of the Ayurvedic techniques to aid your yoga practice in detoxifying the body, enabling you to move into a more balanced state of being. Date and time to be announced.
The Joyful Yoga Boutique
We have new items arriving daily. New styles of Yoga clothing from Be Present and American Apparel. Cute yoga tops from French Dressing. Check out the roll-on essential oil fragrance from Nag Champa. (One whiff and you will be transported to that wonderful just-attended-a-yoga-class feeling.) We also offer Nag Champa massage oil and of course, incense and hand carved ash catchers from India for your own sacred space at home. We have new silk eye pillows in an array of beautiful colors, infused with organic lavender and flax seed. Including a silk storage bag. We have a variety of yoga mats and bags at competitive prices, wonderful meditation pillows to facilitate your practice, Yogi Teas to aid in a variety of health challenges and beautiful jewelery from several local artists. We have ordered many more products including books recommended by us, music, and DVD’s.
Speaking of DVD’s, our new favorite, The Secret, is available for rent at the studio now and we have a waiting list growing. We have three copies currently available and more on order. This film is getting rave reviews and is one of the most exciting uplifting films we’ve seen. The buzz has been sweeping the internet. We don’t want to give away the “secret” so be sure to check it out for yourself.
The Joyful Yoga Lending Library
Please feel free to check out any of the fabulous selection of yoga books and periodicals we have available in the library. You can get answers to specific questions regarding the asanas, Pranayama, Meditation and myriad other areas to expand and enhance your practice.
October Meditation - Yoga Nidra
This ancient Tantric meditation is considered the ultimate technique to foster relaxation. It is known as the “psychic sleep”. It is a prolonged suspension between wakefulness and sleep that puts one in the “hypnogogic state,” where we can awaken the deepest levels of creativity and healing energies. The technique is simple and only takes 20 minutes to complete, which is said to be the equivalent of three hours of sleep. We will be guiding you through the yoga nidra on the last two Sundays of October. Tantric meditation is a wonderful form of meditation especially for those Vata Dosha types that find it a little more challenging to quiet the mind, as it allows the mind to move, which is its natural inclination. You can pick up an instruction sheet at the studio.
Joyful Yoga in your Community
If you are interested in having us come to your community center this season please have your activities director contact the studio as soon as possible. Dates and times fill up quickly so don’t hesitate. We require a minimum of eight students per class.
Joyful Yoga Privates
If you are new to yoga or have specific health challenges you would like to address we encourage you to consider one or a series of private lessons. This enables you to become familiar with the poses and to be able to enter a class without the anxiety that comes with a lack of familiarity. We can then recommend and assist you with any modifications you may need on a one-on-one basis. Privates are also excellent for introducing a loved one to yoga that might feel intimidated in a class setting. Yoga classes are also available for parties, Blessingways, showers and any other group settings.
In appreciation, gratitude and joy,
Namaste'
Jackie and Tess Chiodo
