Category: Yoga

Categories
Beautiful People Yoga

I will be subbing at Bay Club, Redwood Shores Thursday morning so look me up if you are a member there or trying out the place.  The people there are very warm and whenever I step into the Club, I feel this positive energy and joyful vibes – thank you in advance for joining me as I cover for a fellow yogini and a beautiful soul, Myra.

Speaking of teaching, reading these words of the revered master, the late,  B.K.S. Iyengar and so humbled:  “Each pupil who comes to you comes with some new problems.  No two persons are alike.  Therefore, teaching cannot be parrot teaching.  Each pupil has to be studied….Do not differentiate between yourself and the pupil. … If there is a gap between teacher and student, it creates egoism in  the teacher and a communication gap between them.”

“When students come to me to learn, I treat them as God, as we are all children of God.  As a teacher, one must be a pupil within.”

Then this gem:

“So please do not practice yoga with the sole motive to become a teacher.  If occasion arises, accept to teach.  While learning, I never thought that I might have to teach.  The circumstances forced me to become a teacher.  If pupils did not come to me, I said that it was God’s wish that I devote my time to more practice.  And when pupils came, I would say to myself that it is God’s wish to serve them.  In both ways I took it as God’s grace.”

I am awe of this legendary guru’s teachings.. and that my teacher Judith learned directly from this legend gives me the goose bumps.  She imbues the guru’s wisdom, shining with her own passion and love for yoga.  I am so lucky to have had so many great teachers in my life, starting off with my parents and grandparents, the first teachers, then all the mentors yoga related and not… We learn so much from each other.  I love this human race:)

 

Categories
Beautiful Rituals Yoga

Tonight’s Lunar Aromayoga

If there is to be any, Lavender is the scent of choice for practically all the Restorative classes I have stepped into locally; but maybe because one of my private students and a friend is suffering from a flu  … tonight I changed to natural remedy of eucalyptus… and anyone in tonight’s class might have noticed I was suppressing a cough – no, no worries.   I do not have a cold – it’s a bit of an allergy due to confused plum tree blossoms flowering before spring..  my eyes are watering and my respiratory system was …       and selfishly my aromas were chosen to relieve me as much as, hopefully my students.  My “intention” was to have us step into a Native American forest… and I heard some sighs of  “ahhh”:)

*Majority requested  the optional White Sage spritz… a mist during modified Savasana so just in case, one did not know, White Sage is used to purify the space for rituals in Native Indian cultures…

Traditionally, Native Americans have used white sage as a holistic remedy to cure coughs and colds as well as reduce mucous secretions of the sinuses, lungs, and throat.  Thus, the White Sage spritz as a “choice” for tonight’s lunar class.  White sage has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties apparently substantiated in laboratory tests.

Those who know my obsession for a ritual in the everyday, you would know I would choose White Sage over lavender for tonight’s class .. White Sage is considered a sacred herb by Native American people and used in ceremonial rituals to purify the air by clearing away native energies.  It evokes our connection to nature, the sacred and the beautiful, our source.

**Here is an excerpt sourced from internet and I have no real scientific evidence to back it up but perhaps there’s a research out there… nevertheless, seems Native Americans have used it as “holy” herb and scent for a long long time:

“The American Indians referred to white sage as the king of all sages, and frequently used this herb for medicinal and ceremonial purposes.  In fact, it is believed that the term “Holy Smoke” originated from the American Indians “smudging” white sage to rid people and places of unwanted evil spirits, and to protect themselves from those spirits.  In addition, they believe that the smoke of sage attaches itself to negative energy found within a person, and removes it from their body.   …

**In addition to smudging, white sage may be used for topical applications by preparing teas, poultices, and/or oil infusions.  White sage is used in these applications because it has anti-fungal, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, calming, deodorizing, and healing properties.  White sage contains diterpenoids, which are compounds which have been shown to fight bacterial infections, and reduce allergy symptoms.  It also contains cineole, which acts as an anti-inflammatory/anti-bacterial agent.  Tannic acid content provides anti-fungal properties.  Sage is also used as an antipyretic; used as a sweat bath to reduce fever. White sage has a calming effect on the body and soul.  This is likely due to its miltirone content (a compound which performs similar to valium to reduce anxiety).  Finally, white sage contains phytoestrogens, which are compounds very similar to the female hormone estrogen.  Herbalists have used white sage to help treat the hot flashes that accompany menopause.” These claims found on the internet, I have no scientific data for but to me…it just plain smells wonderful… ahhh with a smile.

**Disclaimer:  Nothing in this article, or this blog for that matter is to be construed as medical advice; please consult your doctor before using any herbs for treatment purposes. Aroma is sometimes provided in class to serve only as a playful mood enhancement but not by any means for medical purposes.

 

Categories
Beautiful Rituals Healthy Activities Healthy Living Yoga

Benefits of Restorative Yoga

The following is straight from International Restorative Yoga Day’s HP.  I didn’t make it up (lol) …If you click on the pink texts, related study details are found, compiled by Lindsay Sisti.  In my mind, it’s a meditation practice and an effective preventative medicine and… so much more.  I had known all these years there’s something precious that’s been neglected and amiss in our lives – this practice represents exactly what I had missed all these years.  We need to make it a ritual.  In parenting, parent education class often stress the importance of setting a “routine” – and I hated that word, routine – ugh – so boring. I  say – make it a “ritual”.  a Ritual for adults… Make it a sacred ritual in which you honor yourself by being kind to yourself. It’s not merely a 5 minutes for the exhausted, an after-thought post sweaty practice (which is very good for you BTW!).  It’s for everybody. It’s mindful not mindless.

*****************************************************

Benefits Of Restorative Yoga

Restorative yoga actives the parasympathetic nervous system, which balances out the over-charged sympathetic nervous system, bringing about overall balance, wholeness, in a natural yin-yang way. The practice, if well designed, allows the body to reap the benefits dwelling in its restorative ‘rest and digest’ mode that yields the body’s natural functions to enliven you at top efficiency:)

This style of yoga can be beneficial for people struggling with a variety of conditions such as insomnia, asthma, migraine headaches, and chronic pain.

These are some of the benefits of restorative yoga:

  • reduces cortisol, the stress hormone
  • lowers blood pressure and heart rate
  • reduces muscle tension, insomnia, and generalized fatigue
  • boosts immunity
  • reduces serum triglycerides and blood sugar levels
  • increases “good” cholesterol,
  • improves digestion and elimination
  • greater capacity to regulate blood glucose levels
  • lessens or alleviates chronic, severe pain
  • enhances fertility
  • increases blood flow to the heart
  • stimulates flow of the lymphatic system
  • increases oxygen levels in the blood
  • greater flexibility
  • reduces brain arousal
  • feeling balanced and grounded
  • increases mental acuity
  • increases ‘vividness’ in daily sensory life
  • cultivates greater patience with yourself and others

Researchers have been investigating the benefits of restorative yoga. Here is a sampling of the findings:

Restorative yoga for women with breast cancer: findings from a randomized pilot study.
These pilot data suggest potential benefit of restorative yoga on emotional outcomes and fatigue in cancer patients. This study demonstrates that a restorative yoga intervention is feasible for women with breast cancer.

Restorative yoga for women with ovarian or breast cancer: findings from a pilot study.
Significant improvements were seen for depression, negative affect, state anxiety, mental health, and overall quality of life. Fatigue decreased between baseline and post-intervention follow-up. Health-related quality of life improved between baseline and the 2-month follow-up.

Feasibility and acceptability of restorative yoga for treatment of hot flushes: a pilot trial.
This pilot trial demonstrates that it is feasible to teach restorative yoga to middle-aged women without prior yoga experience. Mean number of hot flushes per week decreased by 30.8% and mean hot flush score decreased 34.2% from baseline

Restorative yoga in adults with metabolic syndrome: a randomized, controlled pilot trial.
Restorative yoga was found to be a feasible and acceptable intervention in overweight adults with metabolic syndrome.