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Pranayama and Meditation Workshop – Sunday, September 22!

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If you’ve looked at the health news recently, you will already know that meditation is one of the most evidence based and universally recommended mindfulness practices.  But, there are many things that may get in the way of an intention to give meditation a try. I know that I’ve told myself that “I just can’t sit and do nothing!” or “I’ve tried, but I couldn’t stop thinking about other things.”  or even “I don’t know, maybe meditation is part of a religion?”  

Well, the truth is that meditation isn’t about religion, turning off your thoughts, or becoming a different person.  According to Wikipedia, meditation is “ …a practice…to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state”, and …”Meditation may be used with the aim of reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and pain, and increasing peace, perception, self-concept, and well-being.”  

Pranayama and meditation are cornerstones of yoga and are equally accessible to people with a regular yoga practice as they are to those with little or no experience with yoga.  During the Pranayama and Meditation workshop we will learn basic breathing techniques and follow that experience with a short instructor led meditation. Join us this coming Sunday, September 22 from 4:00 – 5:15 to explore how a systematic approach that includes focused breathing can make meditation accessible.  The cost is one class card punch or $15 for drop in.

To Register, contact First Street Yoga Instructor, Carol Daly, at [email protected] 

PRE-REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED!

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Breathing-What does it have to do with Yoga?

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One of the consistent and wonderful things about practicing yoga is that we always feel different at the end of a yoga class than we did at the beginning.  And that difference is positive…we feel calmer, more grounded, and settled. 

 While we often think of the primary focus of yoga in terms of physical exercise (with its inherent benefits of increased flexibility, strength, and endurance), the practice itself is only really yoga when we connect our breath to our movement.  According to current understanding of the autonomic nervous system, we can use diaphragmatic breathing (“the yogic breath”) to down-regulate stress responses. In short, yoga takes us out of the stress mode. And, moving out of a state of stress allows us to reconnect to the present moment, reconnect to others, and reconnect to ourselves.  What could be better? 

Yoga classes can be part of your routine whether on a regular weekly basis or when time allows.  See the First Street Yoga Class Schedule for weekly classes, monthly restorative yoga and upcoming fall workshops – THIS MONTH ON SEPTEMBER 22 – “Pranayama and Meditation” with Carol Daly.

 

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Fall Yoga

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Ahhhh, the beginning of fall…all of a sudden the days are a little shorter, the horizon that was lush and dark green just a few weeks ago is taking on the slightest tinge of yellow, and there is that subtle sweet smell as the leaves begin to fall and pile up.  Like every change of season, fall reminds us of transitions and the opportunity to shift our thought patterns and our behaviors.   

Transitions are ever present in our yoga practice where they appear as the space between postures when we move through a sun salutation, and more subtly, as the “space” between the inhalation and exhalation in our breath.   Taking the time to be fully present during times of transitions isn’t necessarily something we think about doing in our day to day lives.  But, according to nurse, journalist, and yoga teacher, Carmella Cattuti, the way that we approach transitions in yoga “reveals how we approach those undefined, ambiguous areas in our lives.”

Take a deep breath and enjoy the space of transition that THIS fall presents to begin or renew your yoga practice!  Our regular schedule includes early morning, evening, and daytime classes.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

 

Following the transition theme, this website will soon be changing from Elliott’s Uptown Fitness to First Street Yoga We will be posting yoga information, current updates on classes and workshops. Please revisit often!

 

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500 hour – registered Yoga Teacher – Carol Daly

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Congratulations to Carol Daly for completing her 500 hour Yoga Teacher Training this past fall.

Carol completed 200 hour yoga teacher training with Fannie Hungerford in 2015 and an additional 300 hours of teacher training at the Himalayan Institute in 2018.  Carol’s approach to teaching yoga draws from traditional yoga theory and contemporary knowledge of the mind and body.

You can benefit from Carol’s instruction in classes offered at the First Street Community Center on Tuesday evenings 6:30 to 7:30 PM, Thursday mornings 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM or Saturday mornings 10:00 to 11:00 AM.

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Yoga – for the New Year – 2019

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Saturday Yoga is back – starting Saturday, January 12th at 10:00 AM

Work towards your personal goal of a healthier lifestyle by participating in weekly yoga classes. Join us for a Hatha Yoga class that includes gentle flow through classic postures combined with mindful breathing (pranayama) to help you develop a healthy body and calm mind.  Appropriate for all student levels.

Where: First Street Community Center, 2nd Floor – Studio A end of hall.

When: 6 week session begins Saturday, January 12 to February 16.

Instructors: Carol Daly and Mariah Andrews

Fees: $12.00 drop-in, $60.00 for 6 weeks, $120.00 for 12 weeks

January 2019 – see Class Info – Yoga Classes for details and to pre-register