Yoga on the Square
Spring Happenings
white-dew-tulips.jpg
March 2014
kitchen
My new kitchen
Greetings!

I was hoping to have something interesting and inspiring to share to spring you into the new season.  Truth is I am just plain sick of winter and feeling the reality of seasonal affective disorder - more prevalent in the north, sunless winters.  That said maybe I am just a wee bit tired from cleaning, painting, moving furniture and decluttering most waking, non-work hours since November.  Never will I be so happy to put away my paint rollers, scrapers, floor sander etc, you get the picture.

As many of you have personally experienced, home rehabilitation often has a lot of sweat equity involved.  The end is in sight and I really have been daydreaming as to what I might do with all my spare time.......really, I have.  We have been steadily working over the last two years, with and with out contractor help.  We have learned a lot, some of the work has even been enjoyable.  But for right now, I look forward to being done (I know some of you are rolling with laughter that I think the project actually has an end point, but it does - I invite you to come and see my checked lists).  

Here's a picture of me baking in the new kitchen.  Feel free to drop by for a cup of tea. It is fun sharing its loveliness after tearing it back to the studs!

Do read on - Monica Gaydos has a wonderful short article about yoga and emotions. I have written a short piece on declogging the lymphatic system and our third 200 Yoga Teacher Training will be kicking off in September.  Cortney Seltman's class continues to build a committed following (but then they have babies and leave) so please do pass along to your friends that we have this excellent class available for pre/post natal women.

Here's to staying warm until Spring arrives.

 

With love and GRATITUDE,

 

Joanne

Director

Yoga and Your Emotions 
   

 

 

By Monica Gaydos, MA, R-DMP, RYT

 

As a dance therapist and recent yoga teacher, I am continually fascinated by the inextricable link between movement and emotions -- the way that a change in one immediately effects a change in the other. There is a growing awareness in our culture that the mind and body cannot be dualistically separated (as in the view that the mind "controls" the body like the engine of a machine). We, as humans, are more akin to a "body-mind" that experiences life on somatic, experiential, embodied, and emotional levels at the same time.

 

There is new evidence that our cells, muscles, bones and organs store memories of everything we have experienced in our lives, from embryonic development on, and that movement can and does trigger and release these memories, giving us opportunities for change and growth. There is also recent evidence that consciousness does not reside simply in the brain, but exists throughout the entire body. Therefore, moving in a new way can bring healing to both the body and the mind.

 

To give a simple example, at Yoga On the Square, many classes begin with students in complete resting pose (lying on the back with knees over a bolster, heels touching the ground, eyes closed, arms relaxed, and head resting on a folded blanket). This very simple act of releasing one's weight to the floor, feeling supported, letting gravity pour through one's body, and becoming aware of a simple steady breath immediately calms the mind and the nervous system. This helps one to feel "grounded," "rooted," and "centered." Once you have access to this feeling in your body, you can't help but feel it in your life off of the mat. In other words, if we learn how to feel grounded and present in our bodies, we actually become more grounded and present in our lives.

 

In speaking about movement, I always love how the words describing the physical actions of the body also depict quite literally what is happening on an emotional level. If I practice flexibility in my poses, in my muscles and bones, I also become a more "flexible" person 

� EmbodiYoga ™ photograph credit: Kamen Bonev

on an emotional level, able to adapt to life's changes and challenges more readily. W

hen I feel "strong" in my plank pose or my Warrior poses, the strength in my body is inseparable from strength in my mind, my emotions, and my spirit. Of course it is possible for someone to be physically flexible and mentally rigid, or physically strong and emotionally vulnerable, but more often than not, our mental/emotional states are closely linked and attuned to our physical bodies and sensations.

 

So the next time you are "balancing," "reaching," "focusing," or "releasing" in your yoga class, ask yourself: "What parts of myself am I balancing?" "What am I reaching for in my life?" "What am I focusing on?" "What do I need to release?" The wisdom, messages, and lessons that your body holds for your emotional wellbeing are truly infinite.

 


Monica Gaydos has an MA in Dance Movement       Psychotherapy from the University of London, and completed the EmbodiYoga™ 200-hour teacher training with Lisa Clark in June 2013. She currently works as Program Assistant/Media Consultant for Yoga In Schools with Joanne Spence and serves as Copyeditor for EmbodiYoga™ with Lisa Clark. Monica teaches Yoga Basics on Wednesday mornings from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Yoga On the Square, as well as her own creative and expressive dance class for adults, The Speaking Body, every second and fourth Sunday of the month from 4:30-6:00 pm at The Wilkins School Community Center. She is excited to bring her passion for movement and healing to the Regent Square community.

 

 

 

 

 


 
many
An Embodied Exploration of the Transformative and Creative Potential of Yoga As a Way of Life 


 10-Month Immersive Yoga Study 
200-Hour Teacher Training Program

               September 2014-May 2015







New Levels of Embodied Consciousness: Tools for Empowered Transformational Yoga Teaching

 

For more information on classes, workshops and trainings visit our website at www.embodiyoga.com  or contact Lisa Clark at Lisa@embodiyoga.com

 

What students are saying:

 

I got into yoga from an exercise point of view and felt very early on that there is more to it than just advanced calisthenics.
The Embodied Yoga teacher training moved my yoga practice way beyond the pure physical aspect and into a true body, mind and soul integration. It reconnected me with my bodyʼs innate knowledge and showed me clearly how to re-integrate the body systems and use them for support during Asana work.A wonderful profound life changing experience and a must for everyone that wants to go deeper in their yoga practice.

Kai-Sven Hoke - Network Administrator

 

The EmbodiYoga experience has led me to a richer understanding of yoga in its fullness as a holistic practice. Each training weekend expands insights deeper than the last. It has brought me to my mat more and more, with greater clarity and greater joy, and a connection with

stillness through inward integration. Lisa Clark's teaching and yoga philosophy is a gift.

Charity Leonette - community librarian

 

EmbodiYoga is Embodied living...Lisa's ability to bring the delight of movement in connection with a clear understanding of the body's structure and function is tremendous. The body is moving and pulsating with life, inside and out. It has transformed the way I teach yoga and the awareness I bring to living and moving through life.

Cathie Sunderman,- RYT (yoga teacher) 


 

Lisa Clark, Founder and Director of EmbodiYoga brings 35 years of study, personal practice, teaching and living yoga to her workshops and teacher trainings.

 

A teacher's teacher, her teaching approaches asana mindfully, gently, and deeply - helping students to move beyond a formulaic approach to performing asana to embody yoga in a fully creative, authentic and life nurturing way.

 

She has spent a lifetime merging enigmatic yogas with current up to date somatic experience and how the body/mind expresses itself. Lisa bridges the ancient yogic practices to the current knowledge of human body/our body, and in accordance with the demands of today. She goes beyond yoga on the mat, making it practical - an embodied life.

 

 

Location 

The training takes place at Yoga on The Square .

 



 

Schedule for March 1 until May 31, 2014

 

Sunday

9-10.15am

Leslie

Yoga I/II

 

10.30-11.45am

Leslie

Restorative Yoga

 

5.30-6.30pm

Karice

Yoga I

 

 

 

 

Monday

9.30-10.45am

Cathie

Yoga I

 

6.30-8pm

Lisa

Yoga I/II

 

 

 

 

Tuesday

9.30-10.30am

Katrina

Yoga I/II

 

6-7pm

Joanne

Yoga Basics

 

7.15-8.15pm

Cara

Yoga I

 

 

 

 

Wednesday

9.30-10.30am

Monica

Yoga Basics

 

6-7.15p

Cara

Yoga I/II

 

7.30-9pm

Cortney

Pre/Post-Natal Yoga

 

 

 

 

Thursday

7-8am

Leslie

Yoga I

 

9.30-10.45am

Leslie

Yoga I/II

 

6-7pm

Cathie

Yoga I

 

7.15-8.15pm

Cathie

20/20/20

 

 

 

 

Friday

9.30-10.45am

Lisa

Yoga I

 

 

 

 

Saturday

9-10.15am

Katrina

Yoga I

 

10.30-11.45am

Katrina

Yoga I/II


Studio Closed:  April 20, May 25, 26
 
orph yoga
 
Gift Certificates for Any Occasion

We now have gift certificates that can be purchased online: www.yogaonthesquare.net/classes/gift-certificates/

 and at the studio for you and your loved ones for a gift of wellness.

 

5 classes for $55

10 classes for $100

30 Days Unlimited for New Students Only

 

Add $3 for shipping and handling

         

 
pod
New Podcast
 
Shortly, we will be launching a new podcast called "The How of Now". Please let Joanne know if you are interested in sharing your story.  The podcast will take a simple interview format.  If learning about yoga and practicing yoga has changed your life in some way, we would like to hear about it.  You don't need to have a "yoga saved my life" story, just your experience of what yoga has done for you.  Email Joanne at joanne@yogaonthesquare.net if you would like to be interviewed.  Interviews will be 20-30 minutes.  We still have some slots left for 2014. 
 
 

  Pre/Post-Natal Yoga 

with Cortney Seltman
   
 Wednesdays
7.30-9pm
 
 
   The practice is relaxing, supportive, and nourishing to mothers and their developing babies. Together we will use gentle movement and asana, guided relaxation, meditation, and breath work to explore and celebrate your pregnant body and growing baby (or babies!) and prepare your body and soul for labor, birth, the postpartum period and parenting.  In class, enjoy the company of being surrounded by other pregnant mothers during this sacred time, and build your community and tribe to continue this body and soul support after your baby arrives.  Appropriate for mothers at all stages of pregnancy.
 

 About Cortney


Cortney Seltman is a mother, a BIRTHING FROM WITHIN� Mentor, a Birth Arts trained doula, and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200). She completed her Yoga Teacher Training with Lisa Clark of EmbodiYoga, and has also studied with Hala Khouri, Seane Corn, and Suzanne Sterling. Cortney teaches prenatal yoga and Birthing From Within Childbirth Preparation classes and has supported women and their families through pregnancy, labor and birth at home, in a free-standing birth center, and in hospitals.  She is passionate about every woman and every family feeling supported and nourished during the journey and transformation through pregnancy, childbirth, motherhood and parenting.
For more information about Cortney please visit http://www.bellycentered.com
 

Want Energy?
Detoxify the Lymphatic System for FREE!
by Joanne Spence

Spring will soon be here - yes, it really will.  This is the season to cleanse.  Just as we do Spring-cleaning of our physical space, it is also an ideal time to do cleaning of our internal space.  I have always been a fan of the lymphatic system.  How awesome is it that our body had its own inbuilt vacuum cleaner and drainage system. 
 
The lymph travels with the nerves, arteries and veins and is by itself twice as big as the arterial blood supply system - and maybe twice as important. The lymphatic system removes waste and from every cell in your body while regulating the immune system. How cool is that?
 
Do you have any of these signs of a congested lymph system?
  • Rings get tight on fingers
  • Soreness and/or stiffness in the morning
  • Feeling tired
  • Bloating
  • Itchy skin
  • Holding on to water
  • Breast swelling or soreness with each cycle
  • Dry skin
  • Brain fog
  • Cold hands and feet
According to Dr. John Douillard, Life Spa, Boulder Colorado, one of the best ways to
De-congest the Lymphatic System is to hydrate:
 

Sip warm water every 10-15 minutes for 2 weeks.

 

While still wrapping up winter and preparing the body to cleanse this spring, there are a few lymph-moving techniques that are very appropriate and necessary for this time.

 

One of the most common causes of lymph congestion is dehydration. Water, and only water, can adequately rehydrate the body. The best lymph-moving rehydration technique is to sip hot water every 10-15 minutes throughout the day. Do it religiously for one day. If by the end of that day you are experiencing a dry mouth and are now thirsty for this once tasteless sip of hot water, this is a good indication you are dehydrated and your lymph is congested. If this happens, try this rehydration therapy: sip hot water every 10-15 minutes for 2 weeks straight. Keep a thermos of hot water nearby to make it easy to follow this protocol.

  

In addition to sipping hot water as part of the lymph-moving rehydration technique, try to drink 1/2 your ideal body weight in ounces per day for two weeks as well. For example, if you weigh 140 lbs, drink 70 ounces of water (almost 9 glasses) per day.

  

Eating beets are also a great way to detoxify your system.

All red-staining foods tend to be great lymph-movers. 

 

There are many more things to say about the lymphatic system. But for now let's focus on rehydrating. This is simple - you can do it!  Next time I will talk more about different yoga poses that support this system.

 

Cheers and happy rehydrating!

 

Adapted from www.lifespa.com