Reminder to my Current Summer Session

Remember No class:

Monday, July 6 and 13
Tuesday, July 7 and 14

Wednesday, July 15
Thursday, July 16

NEW STUDIO IS READY!!!!!!

EXCITING NEWS

New Iyengar Yoga Studio is Ready to have classes!

The location for the new space is 613 Morgan Street, between Moonlight Pizza and Shelton Furniture. It is the same location where I have been teaching but right next door. Please check out the new summer schedule below and come join us on this new adventure!

Summer Classes

NEW 8 CLASS SERIES STARTING SOON!

Registration for Summer Classes Starts Now. Save your place by registering early.

Everyone must pre-register for the class and commit to the classes within the time frame listed. If you miss a class during the 8 class time frame you can make it up in any of the other classes I offer. No drop-ins in any class unless you have spoken to me first.

All classes will be taught in the Iyengar tradition.

$100 For (1) 8 class 60 minute Series

$105 For (1) 8 class 90 minute Series

$175 For (2 classes per week) 8 Class Series

$220 For (3 classes per week) 8 Class Series

NIGHT CLASSES:

Monday: Level I, 6 p.m.-7:30, 8 class series, June 29-August 31(no class 7/6 AND 7/13)

Monday: Introductory To Yoga, 7:45-8:45 pm, June 29-August 31( no class 7/ 6 AND 7/13)

Tuesday: Beginner Class, 6:45 p.m-8:15, 8 class series, June 30-Sept 1 (no class 7/7 AND 7/14)

Wednesday: Level I/II, 6 pm-7:30, 8 class series, June 24-August 19 (no class 7/15)

MORNING CLASSES:

*NEW*Tuesday: Level I, 7-8:30 am!, June 30-Sept 1( no class on 7/7 AND 7/14)

Thursday: Level I, 6:30-8:00am , June 25-August 20 (no class 7/16)

**MUST HAVE 8 STUDENTS FOR ALL CLASSES TO RUN**

WHAT DO I MEAN BY LEVELS??

Introduction to Iyengar Yoga: The class is for the newcomers. If you have never done yoga before or if it has been a while this is the class for you. It is also appropriate for those of you that have taken it before but you need a refresher. I think it is great to take twice if you are a newcomer. In this class you will begin to learn the foundation of the study of Iyengar yoga.

Beginner: For those that have taken my Introductory to Yoga Class at least 2 times. You will continue to learn more of the standing poses as well as Shoulder Stand, seated twists and forward bends.

Level I: This class is appropriate for those who have completed the Introductory to Iyengar series and have taken the Beginner Class. You must have at least 1 year of yoga experience. You will learn more about the basic standing poses and continue to learn more about inversions. Back bending Poses will be Introduced and explored as well as continuing to learn more about twists, and forward bends.

Level I/II: is appropriate for those who have completed at least a year of yoga. You must feel comfortable in the standing poses and ready to work on more inversions, chest openers, forward bends and twists.

If you are unsure about what level is appropriate for you please feel free to ask me. I can definitely lead you in the right direction.

To Register: Please email Graham at grazam35@hotmail.com or call 919 609 2456 to find out more information. All registration is due by Monday, June 15th.

Yoga For Back Care Workshop Was A Great Success!

Everyone learned many poses to take care of their backs. As you can see from the pictures below there are many different props you can use to help create the length and space in the back that is needed to help relieve pain.

One can place a strap on a door knob to come into Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog) to help get the weight off the shoulders and create lots of length for the back to relax.

Right Angle Wall Stretch helps to even the hips and create length.

Chairs can be used in standing poses to create length.

Feel The Doubt, The Anxiety,The Fear and Try It Anyway

Have you ever heard this saying: "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway®?" (This is the registered trademark of Susan Jeffers, Ph.D. and is being used with her permission) Have you ever noticed that when you believe in something and are familiar with it, you have no problem doing it, but when there is something new or unfamiliar, it feels scary?

What thoughts go through your mind in yoga class when your teacher mentions the next pose, a pose that seems difficult to you or that you’ve never done before like Handstand, Headstand, or Backbend? Does your mind automatically say "Yeah right," or "I can't do that, I have weak arms," or "Is she crazy?" If you haven't had this feeling in a yoga class, perhaps you’ve had it at other times. If you are listening to someone talk about an experience — skydiving, traveling, or quitting a job they hate and applying for one they love, how do you feel?

My goal for my classes (does not include Beginner classes) this year, 2008, is for all of us to do Adho Mukha Vrksasana, HANDSTAND, or attempt to get up into Handstand. Remember it's "about the journey not the destination." Yes HANDSTAND. When I mention that we are doing HANDSTAND (Adho Mukha Vrksansa), the reactions I see in most of my classes are FEAR, rolling the eyes, doubt, people sighing. Why? Why are these the reactions I get? Well, I know why, because I used to have the same reaction myself.

My first experience hearing the word Handstand was when I was living in Crested Butte, Colorado, in 1994. It was the same feeling I experienced when I was mountain biking in Colorado with some friends and we came to a big hill; they kept going but I stopped. Why? Because I imagined myself not being able to do it. I was scared, I had fear, I had doubt. I pictured myself breaking my arm or leg, but then I turned around. Determined to banish those thoughts, I rode back a few yards and to the top of the hill but stopped again because that cloud of doubt and fear returned. Once more I turned around and tried again and again and again and then FINALLY I did it, and guess what? I did it and it wasn’t that bad. So when the teacher mentioned Handstand, I cringed when those doubts returned. It was an unfamiliar pose to me and it seemed out of my reach. However I thought about my first times mountain biking, skiing, and applying for a job and the fear I had. I then remembered that I got through all of those first-time experiences and decided to give Handstand a try. I didn’t make it up the first time, the second, or the twentieth, but I kept trying and doing the strengthening poses that would help me and then one day I got up. It was VERY gratifying and I will not forget that feeling of excitement and gratitude. It gave me lots of confidence, and I really felt good about myself.

Feel The Doubt, The Anxiety, The Fear and Try it Anyway.



I bought a T-shirt in India that has many quotes from B.K.S. Iyengar.

Here are a few:

"Nothing is achieved by a mind that doubts."

"Freedom is to be free from the chains of fears and desires"

"Belief is objective; faith is subjective."

So I say once again, "Feel the Fear And Do It Anyway"

I don't think we would be human if we didn't have these fears, doubts, and negative thoughts, but maybe 2008 can be your year to challenge yourself, have more confidence in yourself, and feel the fear, the doubt, the anxiety, but then try it, do it anyway. We all are stronger than we think.

Just believe in yourself!

There is an article in the May issue this year in Yoga Journal. On the front cover it says, “BE FEARLESS, 6 STEPS TO AWESOME HANDSTANDS.” It’s a great article(pg.98) and voices a lot of what I just said. It also shows you some strengthening poses to do to prepare you for Adho Mukha Vrksasana(Handstand).

Have fun!

Pictures from the Free Class in January

Don't let what you can't do interfere with what you can do."

(In my room in Pune after I got the cast on my foot. Notice the strap on my shoulders; my students know that it helps keep the shoulders back and down and improves posture and confidence.)

In October I traveled to Pune, India, where I studied yoga with Geeta Iyengar (B.K.S. Iyengar's daughter) and Prashant Iyengar (B.K.S. Iyengar's son). There is a two-year waiting list to get into the program; after two years of planning, I was finally able to attend. Unfortunately, after being there for only one week of the five-week program, I missed a step in my hotel, broke my foot, and sprained my ankle. It was a HUGE bummer for this to happen, of course, but what could I do? Go home? Many people actually did think that I should go home, but that never entered my mind. I was determined to make the best out of my situation and not let it get me down.

( This was the 3rd day after I broke my foot. I was on crutches the rest of the time I was in India but did what I could to still have an experience of a lifetime.)


Of course in these situations, when we injure ourselves, or our body isn't feeling well, it is very easy to focus on what we CAN'T do as opposed to focusing on what we CAN do.

Unfortunately I WASN'T able to take classes, but I WAS able to observe, which is a huge learning tool with teaching. It was hard not to be able to do what all my friends were doing, relate to what they were feeling after class, and not feel frustrated that I wasn't able to have the experience they were having — an experience I had anticipated for such a long time. However, I do feel that by observing I was able to watch, listen, and see many things not experienced by those doing the poses. It was a "different" experience for me but was very fulfilling in numerous ways.

(The Iyengar studio in Pune, India)


I read this quote somewhere recently, "Don't let what you can't do interfere with what you can do." This quote resonated with me because I think that we often focus more on what we can't do and don't appreciate what we can do. I will be honest: I did focus at times on what I couldn't do because of my foot, but I had to get past that or else I wouldn't have made it for the five weeks I was there. I went to India not quite knowing what I wanted to achieve. Was it to become a better teacher? To learn some new poses? To be in the presence of the Iyengars themselves and learn directly from them?

I frequently tell my students to APPRECIATE, APPRECIATE, APPRECIATE and live in the present moment, because you never know what may happen next (like breaking a foot going down some stairs while you're in India).

It is difficult to describe my experience in India. The words that do come to my mind are again to always appreciate what you DO have and to enjoy every minute of your life. "Don't let what you can't do interfere with what you can do."

Happy 2008 to everyone!

Namaste.

Here are a few more pictures from India: