April
NEWSLETTER

To Our SSY Family,

This month we celebrate the one year anniversary of Southern Soul Yoga! Thinking back over the past 12 months brings smiles to our faces and warmth to our hearts. We took this venture with passion for Chattanooga and the desire to cultivate community in this beautiful city. Each yogi who has stepped through our doors instantly had a link to the success of this studio and we appreciate each and every one of you for trusting us with your time & effort. 

W. Somerset Maugham said it gracefully, "We are not the same persons this year as last; nor are those we love. It is a happy chance if we, changing, continue to love a changed person." We have all experienced a shift during this journey, one we wouldn't trade for anything. Thank you for supporting the change and shifting with us. Together we move forward and together we join in the space where heart meets soul.

Namaste,
Heather & Sara, and
Southern Soul Yoga Staff
APRIL EVENTS

CLASS CHANGES & ADDITIONS
HOT 26 on Sundays is now from 3:15-4:45
Madia Swicord is Guest Teaching on Friday, April 13th 5:45pm Power Yoga

BEGINNERS PRANAYAMA & MEDITATION SERIES
Mondays, April 16 - May 14, 7:30-8:45 p.m.

DRUMINYASANA w/SARA MINGUS
Tuesday, April 17, 6-7:30 p.m.

STRETCHING FOR GOLFERS w/KAT & HEATHER
Monday, April 23rd 7:15-8am

WHIRLY BIRDS KIDS YOGA (Ages PK-2nd grade)
Wednesdays, April 25 - May 30, 4-5:00 p.m.

I AM WOMAN, FEMALE AFFIRMATION w/Sara & Hannah
Sunday, April 29, 7:30-9 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION INCLUDED BELOW
MAY EVENTS

ROCK & REST w/HEATHER & KAT
Tuesday, May 10, 7:30 - 9pm

ARTFUL YOGA w/HEATHER & SARA
Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 1:30 p.m.
Hunter Museum
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BEGINNERS POWER YOGA SERIES w/SARA
Thursday, May 17 - June 21, 7:30-9:30pm

POST IRONMAN YOGA w/HANNAH
Monday, May 21, 2-3:15pm
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY!

Can you believe SSY has been around for 1 year?! Either can we! We love the community we have developed over the past year and are so grateful for every one of YOU. We want to thank you by offering specials and giveaways the WHOLE month of April! Here are the details:

Every week for the month of April we will be raffling off items to give away. Every time you join a class at SSY, you will be entered into a drawing. Drawings will take place each Sunday evening following the 5:30pm class.






  • Week 1 (April 1-7) Giveaway: How Yoga Works book and a SSY t-shirt
  • Week 2 (April 8-14) Giveaway: Necklace and a SSY t-shirt
  • Week 3 (April 15-21) Giveaway: Sankalpa mat and a SSY t-shirt
  • Week 4 (April 22 - 28) Giveaway: 10 Class Pass and a SSY t-shirt

Also, ALL class packages and memberships will be discounted 12% to celebrate 12 months in business!
(ALL DISCOUNTS ARE REFLECTED AT CHECKOUT)
PRANAYAMA & MEDITATION 101
BEGINNER'S SERIES WITH HEATHER
MONDAYS, 7:30-8:45PM
STARTS APRIL 16

Join Heather for breath & meditation techniques to enhance your studio & home practice and learn the benefits of pranayama.


BENEFITS ARE:
  • Stimulate Brain Growth
  • Improve Heart Rate Variability
  • Lower Stress Levels
  • Alleviate Anxiety
  • Lower Blood Pressure
  • Alter Gene Expression
  • Improve Circulation
  • Improve Memory & Cognitive Growth
  • Reduce Chronic Pain
  • Provides a Sense of Calm & Balance
DRUMINYASA:
CONNECTING YOGA WITH LIVE DRUMMING
TUESDAY, APRIL 17 6-7:30PM

Feel the rhythms of the drums as you connect breath, heartbeat, mind & body to a vinyasa flow led by Sara Mingus to the beats by percussionist Brad Ellsworth of Druminyasa. Melt into the end of your practice with a percussion sound bath to ultimately relax your body and enlighten your mind.

STRETCHING FOR GOLFERS
WITH HEATHER AND KAT
MONDAY, APRIL 24TH 7:15-8AM
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Preparing the body for a round of golf involves thousands of repetitive steps and swings which overtax specific muscle groups. Yoga Stretch helps lengthen out these tight spots, speed up recovery and restore your body to a natural range of motion to help you avoid overuse injuries. Join Kat and Heather for a class tailored just for golfers that will prepare you for your next match.

$14 includes mat rental
WHIRLY BIRD KIDS YOGA
APRIL 25-MAY 30

Get ready to twirl, twist, and take flight! In Whirly Bird yoga, children will have a great time learning yoga basics through playful movement and games! Students will gain strength and flexibility and will learn breathing techniques to help calm their bodies and minds .

$75.00 for 6 sessions
Class meets on Wednesdays 4-5pm
Pre-K- 2nd grade

Sara Mingus and Hannah Lancaster invite you transform your mindset by practicing the self loving ritual of I AM in an intimate group setting. This 90 minute experience also includes your own delicious 4oz Yo Soy Candle to match your affirmation. Join us as we dig deep into what it means to be human, feminine, and full of magic.

Limited to 25 people
NEW IN RETAIL!

Spring is here and our boutique is blooming in color! We have new clothing brands, books we love, jewelry that sparkles, and props to support your home practice. Come on in and take a look around!
RESTORATIVE HOME PRACTICE
By Heather Dendy

Thank you to our beautiful models, Hannah Lancaster and Max the pug!

The key to Restorative Yoga lies in experiencing pranayama as the link between the body, mind, and spirit. Pranayama is our ultimate object of concentration, fostering union to achieve a harmonious state of being. The process by which we enter the state is cultivated through the following method: 

  • Breathe into each posture and moment.
  • Consciously maintain a relaxed state of awareness
  • Fully feel as sensations, thoughts, emotions, and energy arise
  • Remain present to each experience as a witnes
  • Allow yourself to surrender to the experience.

The following sequence was created by Heather Dendy to help you unwind from the end of a long day. Practice can take as little as 10 minutes or as long as 40 minutes. Seal the practice with reflection in seated meditation. Enjoy!
Opening:   Supported Forward Fold, 1-3 minutes
Benefits: Try this to lengthen the back side body, stretch the shoulders, and develop a sense of fun and safety. 

Settling In:  
Stand with your feet hip width apart, toes in line with your kneecaps, about 12" from the wall.
Begin to walk your hands down the wall to rest by your feet. For now, keep a slight bend in knees.
Begin pressing the back of your head and shoulder blades into the wall, lengthening your spine and finding your balance.
Release one arm up the wall, thumb turned inward and palm pressing to wall. Repeat with other arm.
Exhale & soften the back of your neck and let your head hang heavy. Inhale to extend through fingers, length of arms, spine, and hamstrings.
Relax into the pose and breathe naturally.


Set Up:   1 mat, 2 blankets, 1 block, one bolster, one sandbag, one furry friend of choice

Asana 1 & 2 (Right & Left):   Reclining Quarter Moon, 2-8 minutes each side
Benefits:  Brings attention to lateral movement of the spine, which can help ease tension in the neck and intercostal muscles. Promotes fuller lung capacity.
Contraindications: None

Settling In: 
Sit with your right hip next to the long side of the bolster.
Elongate and extend the right side of the torso over the bolster so that the waist and ribs are well supported.
Place a blanket between your bent knees.
Draw a blanket under right temple for neck support and place right arm between the gully created between bolster and neck roll.
Reach your left arm overhead and let it rest to the left temple (or drape left arm behind back waistband).
Soften your muscles. Imagine your body held safely in a nest of support.
Breathe long and slow to tease the tissues open in side body.
Asana 3:   Supported Childs Pose with Pup-Tai Massage, 2 -10 minutes
Benefits:  Child's pose can be deeply relaxing and comforting. This pose stretches the low back, hips and quadriceps while compressing or toning the abdominal organs.
Contraindications:  None

Settling In:
From a kneeling position, set up a bolster in line with your front spine.
Place a blanket under your knees at the base of the bolster and one blanket between your thighs and calves for cushioning.
Lower your hips toward the heels and belly to the bolster.
With one hand on either side of the bolster, elongate the spine with a long inhale.
Turn your head to either side and melt your belly and chest into the bolster with a long exhale.
Asana 4 & 5:  Legs Up a Wall/Unilateral Extension, 2-10 minutes each side
Benefits: This pose is a wonderful antidote after traveling, sitting, or being on the feet all day. Reduces swelling and achiness, reduces varicose veins.
Contraindications:  Third-trimester pregnancy, heart conditions, and high blood pressure.

Settling In:
Place a mat on the floor with the short end touching the wall.
For extra padding, place one folded blanket at end touching the wall.
Sit next to the wall with your right hip touching the wall, slide your left hand down the edge of the mat until you are lying on your side.
Roll onto your back while simultaneously swinging your legs onto the wall.
Hug knees into chest and place sandbag onto should of the feet, then extend legs up the wall.
Your hips should be about 6 inches away from the wall (Slight tilt eases the hips.) and heels resting on the wall.
Leave one foot to hold the stand bag and release the opposite leg out to rest on a block.
Cover your eyes, place a blanket across your belly, and take a few slow, deep breaths to settle.
Invite the body to soften and melt, notice the weight of the bones in your legs, relax your jaw.

MEET JACKIE THOMPSON

My name is Jackie Thompson, I am a certified yoga practitioner of 200 hour teacher training with Chattanooga Yoga School. Teaching Community Class at Southern Soul has been a beneficial experience for me as I, along with people in the community give back to a worthy cause. My passion of health and fitness has always been a high priority in my life. When I roll out my mat I feel a sense of peace and awareness that resonates in my practice and continues in my daily life touching everyone around me. I am humbled by a babies cry and the sweet smile of a of an elderly person. I always say smile at ever person you come in contact with, you never know what's going on in their life and a smile just might brighten their day. When teaching a yoga class, I always get a sense of accomplishment when I hear everyone breathing in sequence. I love spending time with family and friends. This keeps me rooted and happy.


Fun Facts:
Dosha: Pitta - Vata
Star Sign: Aquarius
Favorite Yoga Pose: Warrior 2
Hometown: Jasper, TN
Hobbies: Painting on canvas & restoring old furniture
Insight: "Teaching yoga practice is medicine for my soul."

Jackie's classes: Mondays, Power - 6:00am and Community Classes