April 2012: Detox Poses + Retreats

Hello Friends,

April is here. Spring forth.

In March, we discovered the intricacies of a backbend. We build a mindful stretch through aligning the vertebrae and engaging the front body, as we fall back with ease. This will help you safely open parts of the chest and shoulders, abdomen, hips and thighs. Allow your breath to guide you in backbends. If you feel constrained, or panicked, ease out of the pose until you can relax.

In the spirit of spring cleaning, we focus on yoga asanas that detox the body systems this month.


April Focus: Detox Poses



Detoxifying poses we will explore :

- Twist in Sukhasana
- Marichyasana 3
- Ardha Matsyendrasana
- Legs up the wall

Yoga Retreats this
MAY 2012: Greece +
Seven Arrows




Restore and Retreat in Crete, Greece this May 13-20th 2012!

Join Kalliope Mamais and Tina Paul for a yoga wellness retreat this Spring!

INCLUDED:
*airport transport to and from airport
*shared or private room
*breakfast + dinner
*morning/evening yoga practice

COST:
$1,250 - Double
$1,450 - Single

Email for details : digyoga@gmail.com

Seven Arrows in NJ
May 4th-May6th
with Marisa Bonfanti



I will be assisting the wonderful Marisa Bonfanti on her Spring Retreat on a family run home along the Navesink River in NJ.

JOIN US! :)

INCLUDES:

* Accommodation
* Transportation to/from ferry
* Morning Yoga + Meditation
* Fresh Meals
* Hiking/Beach time

COST:

Dorm - $270
Shared (3-4 people) - $300
Private - $350

More info here : IN FULL BLOOM: A SPRING YOGA RETREAT WITH MARISA BONFANTI

March 2012: Backbends + Greece Retreat ~

Hello Friends,

Welcome to March!

Last month, we focused on the heart chakra and how to bring balance to this area of the body through yoga poses, massage, and breath work.

This March, we will explore backbends and how to ease into some specific poses that will help you release tension in the back, shoulders, and chest.

With our modern day lifestyle of hunching over computers and cell phones, increased tension in the neck and back is common. Backbends can help release energy in these areas allowing the breath to flow more smoothly.

March Focus : Backbends



Backbend poses we will explore :

- Salabhasana
- Utkatasana
- Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
- Chakrasana

Restore and Retreat in Crete, Greece this
May 13-20th 2012!



Join instructor Kalliope Mamais and Tina Paul for a yoga wellness retreat this Spring!

Email Tina for costs/accommodation details: digyoga@gmail.com

INCLUDED:
*airport transport to and from airport
*shared or private room
*breakfast + dinner
*morning/evening yoga practice

NOT INCLUDED: ( but happy to help with)

* Round trip flight to Crete, Greece
* Boat Rides
* Nearby Excursions
* Reiki/Massage

COST:
$1,250 - Double
$1,450 - Single

Spring Yoga Retreat in Crete, Greece May 13-20th ~

Hello Friends,

This May 2012, instructors Kalliope Mamais and Tina Paul are hosting a yoga retreat in Crete, Greece. Check out Kalliope's website: www.kalliyoga.com

JOIN US! :)

The Details ...




DATES: May 13 - May 20, 2012

7 Nights/ 8 Days

INCLUDED:

* Airport Transfers to and from Crete Airport *
* Shared or Private room
* Yummy Breakfast + Dinner (Yes, there is coffee!)
* Morning + Evening yoga class
* Beautiful Beach and Island gazing
* Chiropractic Adjustment

NOT INCLUDED: ( but happy to help with)

* Round trip flight to Crete, Greece
* Boat Rides
* Nearby Excursions
* Reiki/Massage

COST:

$1,250 - Double
$1,450 - Single

FLIGHT INFO:

Airport : Heraklion International Airport, "Nikos Kazantzakis"

You may fly into Athens and connect into Heraklion airport. It's a 50 minute flight from Athens. OR you can fly directly to Heraklion airport via Amsterdam, UK,or other cities.

We recommend the following airlines :

* Aegean Air
* Olympic Air
* Sky Express

RESERVATIONS:

To reserve a spot, $500 non-refundable
deposit due by April 1.

You may also choose to pay in 3
installments for March/April/May

For more information and reservations
email Tina at : digyoga@gmail.com

February 2012: Hearts

Hello Friends,

February. Febrero. Fevrier. It's a leap year. You have an extra February day to focus on the heart chakra.

Be joyous.

In the spirit of Cupid + Hallmarks's Valentine month, we focus on bringing balance to the heart chakra.

A chakra is a wheel-like energy point in the body. In traditional Indian medicine, it is believed that 7 energy points exist along the subtle body.

The heart chakra or anahata in Sanskrit is located at the center of the heart. The heart chakra is the center of the chakra system and connects the lower chakras to the upper chakras.

The heart or the fourth chakra is activated between the ages of 4-7 and governs the heart, lungs, blood, diaphragm, thymus, breasts, and the circulatory system. This chakra is represented by the colors green and pink. An unbalanced heart chakra can lead to illness.

We will focus on yoga postures and healing techniques that can bring balance to an overactive or under active heart chakra in class this month.

February Focus : Heart Chakra



Ways to Balance the Heart Chakra:

- Simple massage of the heart area
- Breath-work
- Reiki
- Heart opening yoga asanas

January 2012 : Gentle Flow

Hello Friends,

Happy 2012! Wishing you an amazing one.



NY Times writer, David Brooks asked readers over the age of 70 to write autobiographical essays evaluating their own lives. They share insight and learnings on life here. An inspiring read, as we enter this new year.

Read: The Life Report.

December was all about rest and restore! Long held poses stimulate organs and improve concentration. We contintue this trend in slowing down with a gentle flow focus in January.




This month, we will begin and end class with long held relaxation poses, focus on the breath and minimize strain.

Kathryn Budig shares a 22 min. gentle flow video on Yoga Journal that can be done at the comforts of your home, this cold season.

Check out the Video : Gentle Flow

December 2011 : Rest & Restore

Hello Friends,

December is Rest & Restore.

In November, we celebrated gratitude. This holiday season, gratitude can help us bring focus to what we have, and help shift our mind from a scarcity mentality to one of abundance. Think of one person, place, or thing you are thankful for. Dwell there for a while.

This month, we will practice restorative yoga. Most of our lives are spent in movement. Our days are filled with techy conveniences that help us get more done, faster. This basic relaxation is the practice of deliberate stillness and helps us cultivate a habit of attention. We will hold poses for a long period of time with props, allowing all tension to release.



Benefits of Restorative Yoga...

- Brings your system back into balance
- Deepens your breathing
- Reduces stress hormones
- Slows down heart rate + blood pressure
- Boosts levels of joy + serenity

November 2011 : Gratitude

Hello Friends,

November is Gratitude.

Last month, we focused on yoga face. Our facial muscles build tension, and we can daily release this stress by mindfully relaxing our jaw, softening our eyes, and releasing the tongue. Don't let the cold weather, traffic, or your barista at Starbucks stress your face out this season and beyond.

Here are some fun photos by Annelise Hagan that you can mimic at home and during yoga class to relax your face. Don't fear, go for it, relax thy face!



In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we celebrate gratitude this month.

In yoga practice, as we bring more awareness to the mind, we can begin to identify less with negative self chatter and meet each moment as it rises with more gratitude. This can also spill off the mat into your daily life.

What does that mean? Next time, you are berating yourself or life on the mat- stop. Yes, it can be that easy.

Focus on your breath and notice how you are the creator of your own thoughts. Think of a few things that you are thankful for and dwell on them.

This month we investigate gratitude.



"Gratitude" and "Grace" come from the common Latin word gratus, meaning "thankful" or "pleasing."

How to cultivate Gratitude ..

- Start a gratitude journal
- Focus on what you have
- Give back
- Receive with gratitude..this honors the goodness of the giver
- Practice random acts of kindness