Practicing Yoga Asana as part of a daily or weekly routine greatly benefits the Mind, Body and Spirit. Our lives have been greatly impacted by the pandemic and isolation along with a lack of movement can take its toll on the body, mind and spirit. Yoga can help restore the equilibrium of the body and mind, and help teach us to live in harmony with the environment surrounding us.
My first 200-hour yoga teacher training taught alignment-based vinyasa flow. This training introduced to me forms of Vinyasa, Hatha, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Yin, and Yoga Nidra. All have roots from Patanjali. Yoga is not a religion and one does not have to follow Hinduism or Buddhism to practice it. I was quite surprised during my first teacher training to learn it is not just about bendy poses and exercise. Yoga is a way of life with a goal of liberation and happiness.
Patanjali broke it down into 8 limbs that serve as guidance toward this goal. The 8 limbs are as follows: 1) Yamas-restraints and how we interact with our environment. There are 5 yamas: ahimsa (non-harming), satya (truthfulness), asteya (not stealing), brahmacharya (moderation), aparigraha (non grasping). 2)Niyamas-restraints and how we interact with ourselves. There are 5 Niyamas: sacha (cleanliness), santosha (contentment), tapas (austerity), svadhyaya (self-study), Isvara pranidhana (connecting with a Higher Consciousness). 3) Asana-physical postures liken to exercise. 4) Pranayama-breathe control. 5) Pratyahara-withdrawal of the senses. 6) Dharana-One pointed concentration and focus. 7) Dyana-Meditation once one pointed concentration is achieved. 8) Samadhi-integration, moksha.
To learn these in greater depth, we start with Yoga Asana. Having a home practice with a teacher can enhance your understanding of Yoga and how it can benefit you daily and for life. Some use Yoga for exercise, for stress relief, cardiovascular and digestive system improvements, and most importantly, for homeostasis.
I completed a 200 hr ytt in April 2018 and am registered instructor with Yoga Alliance. I have experience teaching yoga in studios, for community classes and in wellness centers. While I work on completing a 300-hour ytt as a student, and because covid-19 is still affecting our world, I am offering private online instruction at a generous discount.
Cost: 8 classes for $108 Each class is 30-45 minutes, will be conducted online via zoom (or other platform) and will focus on asana sprinkled with bits of philosophy and meditation.
To inquire more or schedule your sessions, please email Melissa at guidingspiritjourneys@gmail.com
Let this be your perfect start to 2021!