Our Yoga for the Heart was pulsing.  We started out with 20 minutes of pranayama breathing.  Threw in a continuous Ommmmmmm (my favorite part), BEAUTIFUL!  Moved on to some asanas (postures), floated down to the floor for some gentle hip openers, then dropped in deep for some well needed Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep).  We dreamed our hearts desires and suspended our mind, body and soul into deep peace.  We took our blood pressures and heart rates before and after class.  The stats are pretty incredible.  You'll have to pick up the pilot this weekend and read on.  

Thank you sooooo much to Sarah and Dr. Peter Ellman, Naturopathic Dr. Jessica Patella and all the amazing people that came together for yoga, science and the heart.  

Namaste'

Marie

This Sunday we are experimenting with Yoga, Science and the Heart.  We will be taking Blood Pressure readings before and after class to test and see how a yoga class affects the heart.  The class will be special with 30 minutes of Yoga Nidra at the end(Yogic Sleep) to really chill you out and bring your body and brainwaves into a Delta state.  

Dr. Peter Ellman, Cardiothoracic Surgeon at First Health and Naturopathic Dr. Jessica Patella will also be attending class.  Please join us and bring a friend.  We need as many bodies as possible for testing.

Namaste'

Marie

Check out today's paper.  Anjali got a little press.  The pictures are great.  We had no input on the article unfortunately.  I would have loved to put my 2 cents in.  

We don't have coffee or tea but we do have Ropes a la Mode.  These Ropes have been used mostly by the Iyengar tradition of yoga.  They provide a plethora of options for all practitioners.  This particular posture opens the pectoral region of the chest, shoulders, belly, hips and strengthens the back.  The healing effects on the shoulders are amazing.  If you have had rotator cuff tears, surgery, arthritis, slouching, neck pain, back pain, depression and lack of energy this is for you.  Try an Up Dog after a couple minutes of hanging here and you'll find your pose has changed forever.  Classes that use the ropes often are Anjali, Foundations, Gentle Yoga and Vinyasa depending on the instructor. Requests are always accepted for any class if you want to make sure you get a taste.  I'll be adding just a Ropes class in February so stay tuned.  

Namaste'

Well, the morning classes will probably be cancelled.  I will definitely teach the 6:15 Vinyasa if anyone wants to put it in 4 wheel drive.  Otherwise, check the classes online for the most up to date class happenings or cancellations.

Here are a few pictures from Julia's children's yoga.  Also, we just added Yoga For Kids ages 6-10 with Ashley on Tues from 4:30-5:15.  You can drop them off or stay and play.  
Namaste'

Words fail to convey the total value of yoga.  It has to be experienced.
-BKS Iyengar

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to you all.  My family and I have skipped town and are visiting family in Manchester, VT.  It's cold, white and beautiful.  As always, I miss the studio.  On my last day of teaching I had come running into the studio for one of my classes and Christy was on her way out.  We started talking about how crazy it is outside of our little sanctuary.  For me, the juggle of young children, holidays, family, and everything else that life tosses around is sometimes overwhelming.  But.....  the minute that studio door opens it's like a breath of fresh air.  My mind settles down, I can think and peace immediately fills me.  That is the subtle magic of this special space, The Anjali Yoga Studio.  Your experience is so important to me and I hope that every time you walk in the door the world outside disappears and the universe inside you appears, beautiful, illuminated, inspired, awake, alive, invigorated, calm, clear and peaceful.  Fairy dust is hard to come by these days.  We are overstocked.  Come in, let it all go and let the magic of the universe sprinkle you with glimpses of your hearts wisdom.  

Andrew Keel and Ryan Chang in Ashville.  These two guys stumbled into my class one evening and surely had no idea of what they were getting into.  I mean this by saying that they probably thought they were going to stretch out, which they did... But clearly, the tentacles of YOGA have reached deeper.  Beauty inspires beauty.  These pics tell the story.  Thanks gentlemen for sharing your experience with us.  No matter where you are, your yoga is always with you.  Whether you are on top of a beautiful mountain or in the midst of battle, your practice, your breath, and your soul will never leave you.  Thank you for gracing me with your presence in class.  You guys are AWESOME!!

Mr. Ryan Chang & Mr. Andrew Keel- Vrksasana - Standing Tree Pose

Check out this link from NPR news on-line...
http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131734718/just-breathe-body-has-a-built-in-stress-reliever?sc=emafweeblylink_new_window


If you find this interesting, please try our Intro To Meditation with Jessica Patella.  Jessica is a Dr. of Naturopathic Medicine and teaches both the Meditation and Kundalini class.  She is spectacular!