Soul Flow Yoga @ Shambhala Yoga & Dance

Lia is back to invite all those who dig yoga to "Soul Flow Yoga" at Shambhala Yoga and Dance! 

Join four spirited women for a harmonious yoga flow that will feed your soul! Yoga asana and pranayama will be co-taught by Angela Arnold and Lia Hall accompanied by the soulful voices of Mayteana Morales and Saretta Wesley.

Class is $20 + donations
Space is limited. To reserve your place RSVP at (718) 622 9956 or email contact@shambhalayogadance.com

http://shambhalayogadance.com/

June 2011 : What is a Samskara?

Hello Friends,

It's June!

Summertime is upon us. Time for the beach, strolls, picnics & BBQ's on rooftops and parks!

Prana, was our focus in May. This vital force runs through the nadis (energy channels) and informs you about your wellness on a physical and emotional level. You may begin to follow your prana closely by simply bringing awareness to your breath inside and outside the yoga posture.

This month we discuss : Samskara

Samskara* - (sam) is the Sanskrit word for come together, or joined together and (kara) is action, cause or doing .. also known as habitual patterns, grooves, individual impressions that can be negative or positive. The yoga mat offers you personal space to become aware of these patterns and shed light on those that may need to be shifted.

June Focus : What is a Samskara?



We will discuss Samskara and how to shift grooves through..

Sankalpa (Intention)
Tapas ( Discipline)
Shani (Slowness)
Vidya (Awareness)
Abhaya (Fearlessness)
Darshana (Vision)
Abhyasa (Practice)

May 2011 : Prana

Hello Friends,

Welcome to May! Hope you are enjoying the sunshine, budding flowers and trees. Thank you for joining me in April, as we practiced heart openers to release tension in the chest, encourage inhalation, an action associated related to embracing life. Releasing muscles in the chest helps increase energy and breath flow in the lung and heart. Back bending turns the body out to face the world from a different viewpoint. Heart openers can move blocked or sluggish energy leaving the mind more clear and focused.

This May, we will discuss Prana. In most physical yoga classes, we often practice asana (postures) and breathing techniques (pranayama).

Prana* - is the Sanskrit word for vital force, this force is known to permeate the body and is concentrated within nadis (energy channels). Prana also runs along the midline in the chakras and effects energy centers. Similar concepts are found within the Chinese, chi/ Japanese ki, Greek pneuma.
(*As defined by the medical dictionary)



We will discuss how Prana relates to..

Nadis (energy channels)
Ida, Pingla, Sushumna (main nadis)
Chakras (energy centers)

April Focus : Heart Openers (Backbends)

Hello Friends,

Thank you for joining me in March, as we practiced forward bends to relax the mind and lengthen the spine. A natural womb like curve develops as you bend forward, making space between the spinal vertebrate, improving circulation along the spine and throughout the body. Mindful pranayama (breathing practice) and folding forward massages the internal organs and may aid in alleviating digestive ailments.

This April, we will practice and embrace heart openers or backbends. We often spend many hours hunched over computers, a regular practice of backbends can help release shoulders, upper back, and the chest.

Hridayam - is the Sanskrit word for heart, which translates as "that which receives, gives and circulates." Heart openers not only help strengthen your heart muscle, but also awaken emotional and energetic blockages. As energy lines unblock and open, you begin to bravely face emotions as they rise and stay steady and grounded as they pass.

Inhale (receive) Exhale (give). Where are you strongest? Can you find balance by accessing your heart center.



Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
Setu Bhandasana (Bridge Pose)
Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel)

March : Forward Bends

Hello Friends,

Thank you for joining me in February for our practice and discussion on inversions. Turning upside down during practice has numerous benefits for the cardiovascular, lymphatic, nervous and endocrine systems of the body. Raising the legs facilitates a healthy exchange of nutrients and wastes between cells and capillaries. Simply practicing Vipariti Karani (Legs up the wall) at home for 3-5 min. offers physiological benefits.

Please note that there will be no class on March 1 or 8.

This March, we will discuss the benefits of forward bends. Folding forward helps relax our minds and releases tense muscles along the spine and legs.

March Focus : Forward Bends



Uttanasana (Standing forward Bend)
Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend)
Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose)
Parsvottanasana (Intense Side Stretch)
Janu Sirsasana (Head-to-Knee Bend)

Yoga Inversions in February

Hello Friends,

In January, we discussed numerous benefits of twists in yoga practice. Yoga twists stimulate circulation, improve digestion, and maintain flexibility in the intervertrebal discs and ligaments of the spine. Each part of the spine differs in rotational ability. The cervical vertebrae (7) have the most mobility in twisting, followed by the thoracic (12), and the lumbar vertebrae (5) with the least rotation. When twisting in yoga, allow each vertebrae to participate at it's own rotational range without strain or force.

This February, we will practice inversions. Invert is a verb meaning 'to turn upside down.' In yoga practice, inversions can range from downward dog to headstand. Viewing our physical reality from different angles helps us facilitate a fresh new perspective in practice and life.

February Focus : Inversions




We will practice and discuss the benefits of inversions this month:

Halasana (Plough Pose)
Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand)
Viparita Karani (Legs up the Wall)
Sirsasana (Headstand)
Adho Mukha Svanasana ( Downward Dog)

January 2011: Twist into the New Year!

Hello Friends,

Happy New Year! :)

Thank you for joining us in December for yoga practice and discussing the 3 doshas. Vata, Kapha and Pitta are known as the three basic humors in Ayurveda (Science of Life). They are believed to govern biological and psychological functions of mind, body and consciousness. Vata is the primary dosha and describes wind and movement in the body. Pitta is responsible for digestion and transformation. Kapha 'makes things stick together' and refers to power of cohesion. One or two doshas are often dominant within the body. If you are interested in learning more about your dosha, take this fun quiz by Lissa Coffey : What's your Dosha?

This January, we will explore twists in yoga practice. B.K. Iyengar describes twists as 'squeeze + soak action." As you twist, toxins are wrung out of compressed organs. When you release, fresh blood carrying oxygen flows in replenishing your cells.



We will practice and discuss the benefits of twists this month:

Marichyasana I
Ardha Matsyendrasana
Trikonasana
Ardha Chandrasana
Parivrtta Trikonasana