What is your relationship with nature?
In this busy world of the daily grind, gas stations, chain restaurants and a gazillion grocery stores at many of our intersections, where do we recognize nature, even in our beautiful WNC scenery?
Is it in our backyard, through art, on a day-trip, during daydreams, meditation, movement, memories, in broader travel? When do we slow down, or stop (even for a moment) and smell the flowers?
A friend and I were talking about how we knew when we were feeling happy and had a sense of wholeness in our lives, which was when we could move through nature and breathe in its beauty without feeling rushed or distracted...walking the dog, on the way out the door, for a planned hike or other outing. How do you connect, and disconnect, synchronistically to feel the union of all living things?
Whether its inner and/or outer nature that comes to mind when asked, "What is your relationship with nature"? I challenge you this May to go out AND go in. Explore the world, with no expectations, and simply acknowledge the cycles of life and the beauty of being YOU.
Spring into being!
Yours in bliss, Heather
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Welcome, new member John Mc! We are happy you are with us. John travels between Florida and Hendersonville and is quite the gentleman. He also has an eye for nature. Be sure to say hello!
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Drop In $15
New memberships options!
$99/month
minimum 3 month commitment
Unlimited Regular Classes + 10% off Specialty Classes
$120/month
Year-Long commitment
Unlimited Regular Classes, 20% off workshops, 10% off Specialty Classes & more!
All current members will retain their agreed upon monthly rate. Visit us online for additional options!
Class Packages
Returning Students
5 classes for $55
10 classes for $90
20 classes for $160
New Students (during initial visit)
First class for locals is free
5 classes for $50
10 classes for $80
1-week unlimited $25
1-month unlimited $89
Cards do not expire and can be used for any of our regular classes
(excludes Specialty, workshops & events)
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Studio Events in May-
Please RSVP online, or give us a call! 828-450-1166
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Last Tuesdays, 6pm Spark Your Soulfire with Rebecca Wray, By Donation
TWO BIG EVENTS IN JUNE
one offsite and one here in-house!
this is an intro to Plant Spirit Medicine with member, Jane Wollack
Vibrational Alchemists Myrrh de Marmion and Wendy Morrison are your sonic sherpas
Check us out online!
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What is Intro to Pranayama?
Join Kathleen Sweeney, E 200RYT, for an hour-long intro and/or refresher class on Pranayama. Pranayama is the formal practice of controlling the breath, which is the source of our prana or vital life force.
Kathleen will share little known information about the breath, teach pranayama exercises, breathing techniques and the sequence to follow to the ultimate goal, which is meditation.
If you are looking for a stress-busting, resilience-boosting tool; considering a meditation practice or transcending your current practice, you will want to attend this one-time event.
You can sit on a chair, against the wall or unsupported based on your needs, requirements and desires.
Class cards, members and drop-ins are all welcome. Charge for this healing, helpful experience for drop-ins is only $10.
Please be sure to wear clothing with an expandable waistband.
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Class Updates:
REMOVE THE DRAMA from your life.
RSVP to May 16th
with Michele Laub in the tradition of The Four Agreements, focusing on not making assumptions or taking things personally. We are planning to meet in the evening, based on group availability. Once you've expressed interest, we will confirm time and details.
Starting right away! Jenne will no longer be teaching the 11:15 Yoga Flow & Core class.
Beginning in June, Christie will be teaching on Tuesdays at 11:15, Slow Flow & Mindful Movement!
Beginning this week, Christie's Friday Myth & Yin class is being moved from 1pm to 4pm!
Beginning in June, one new class and one new class time on Sundays with JENNE! Check out the schedule for more information! 10:15 SubtleYoga for Healing and 11:30 Flow & Restore (Jenne fans, new and old, celebrate!!)
We will be OPEN Memorial Day weekend as scheduled. Memorial Day's 4pm class with Bitsy is canceled - all other classes are on. Will send a reminder.
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KIRTAN KRIYA
The Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation has assembled this information on the Kirtan Kriya singing exercise for medical professionals, the public,
c
aregivers, the media, and anyone interested in improving their brain function and improving memory loss.
Kirtan Kriya exercise utilizes the primal sounds – and is meant to be practiced for greater attention, concentration, focus, improved short term memory, and better mood. The primal sounds consist of:
- Saa Taa Naa Maa
- The sounds are chanted repeatedly and in order (i.e., Saa Taa Naa Maa). They come from the mantra ‘Sat Nam’, which means ‘my true essence’.
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Our Kundalini Yoga classes are on Thursdays and Sundays! Thursdays 5-6:30 with Daya Narayan & the first three Sundays of the month 4-5:30 with Jagdeesh Kaur.
Kundalini Yoga includes mantra and kriyas for powerful Yogic bliss!
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If you would like to practice the Kirtan Kriya singing exercise, here are the basic steps:
- Repeat the Saa Taa Naa Maa sounds (or mantra) while sitting with your spine straight.
- If possible, your focus of concentration is the L form (see illustration at right), while your eyes are closed. With each syllable, imagine the sound flowing in through the top of your head and out the middle of your forehead (your third eye point).
- For two minutes, sing in your normal voice.
- For the next two minutes, sing in a whisper.
- For the next four minutes, say the sound silently to yourself.
- Then reverse the order, whispering for two minutes, and then out loud for two minutes, for a total of twelve minutes.
- To come out of the exercise, inhale very deeply, stretch your hands above your head, and then bring them down slowly in a sweeping motion as you exhale.
- The finger positions, are very important in this kriya (see illustration below).
- On Saa, touch the index fingers of each hand to your thumbs.
- On Taa, touch your middle fingers to your thumbs.
- On Naa, touch your ring fingers to your thumbs.
- On Maa, touch your little fingers to your thumbs.
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T'ai Chi Chih
Chi is the Vital Force.
T'ai Chi is a synonym for "Tao" which is usually translated as "Supreme Ultimate" or "The Way". It is a Chinese word for Reality, seen by Chinese sages as a moving force," a flowing stream with which we should accord. "
Principles of T'ai Chi Chih:
Softness & Continuity
Circularity
Flow from the Center
Polarity
Focus in the Soles of the Feet
Yinning and Yanging
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This T'ai Chi form includes 19 different moves, instead of 108 in other forms.
- increase physical energy & stamina
- improve balance & coordination
- enhance mental concentration & clarity
- improve overall health & flexibility
- increase metabolism/weight control
- increase self-confidence
- reduce stress levels & fatigue
- regulate blood pressure
- strengthen the immune system
- open creativity channels
- increase sense of well-being and joy
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Instructor Spotlight
Bev Ward, accredited Teacher of T'ai Chi Chih
Bev is known at The Shift for his dedication to T'ai Chi Chih. He has been teaching T'ai Chi Chih at The Shift since the beginning.
Recently Bev was also recognized in Bold Life magazine, beginning on Page 37, in an article titled "The Secret in the Belfry" as they explore some of "the best bells in the business", the bell ringers at St James church. He says in the article, "Change ringing is a team effort , and learning to ring together is a bonding experience...change ringing is part of my spiritual existence." This rings true in its metaphorical value as well, as we continue to ring change within ourselves and ripple into the larger systems.
Visit The Shift and Bev Ward for T'ai Chi Chih on Mondays and Thursdays at 11:15am.
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Friends of The Shift
Leslie Carey, Peace of Movement
At Peace of Movement, Leslie Carey’s focus is on
helping individuals manage stress and anxiety
through visualization techniques, strengthening the chakra system and establishing positive inner
dialogue.
Erin Allgood, Massage Therapist extraordinaire, has been helping clients float out the door since 2009 with her skill set. Erin is also a Postpartum Doula serving the Hendersonville and Asheville
communities.
514 7th Avenue East
For more detailed information drop by the website:
www.peaceofmovement.com
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Saturday, May 18th, 8a-1p
I will be helping my friend Cyndy who is a Black Mountain Yoga instructor. She suffered the loss of a dear cat of hers earlier this year in a reckless automobile accident and now Luna, pictured in the flyer on the right, needs surgery on her ears!
By the way, Cyndy has some pretty cool stuff! If you happen to be in the Black Mountain area or want to enjoy a drive, come and join us!
I will be helping Cyndy get set up and all proceeds form her sale will go toward helping Luna with her surgery.
Be love!
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Also, on Saturday May 18th, Heather will be presenting a roundtable discussion after the showing of "What They Had"
Click on flyers to see larger version.
Join us for Open Streets on Sunday, May 19th from 2-5pm!
The Shift will have a booth at this event.
On May 23rd, Heather will be presenting to family caregivers about options for aging in place. RSVP if you can attend!
4-6pm in South Asheville!
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YOU'RE INVITED
Aerial Yoga Teacher Training
Sept. 21st and 22nd at The Shift!
$400 (includes manual)
Learn to teach Aerial Yoga Level 1! This training is for Fitness professionals; Yoga teachers, Group Exercise instructors, Personal Trainers, students with background knowledge of Yoga poses & a desire to learn, etc.
Focus on safely instructing students to explore different poses and sequences. Learn multiple class formats, spotting, and hands on assists. Students practice teaching in front of a group and receive feedback. Registered yoga teachers earn 12 continuing education hours with the Yoga Alliance. Manual included.
Instructor bio: Anne Laing started practicing yoga in 1999. She fell in love with the movement, breath and flow of a class. Through yoga, she found her way to Pilates and began teaching at The Tom Smith Pilates Studio in 2003. Inspired by her yoga teaching clients, Anne earned her 200 hour Yoga Alliance certificate with T.R.Y. for Life in 2007, and her 500 hour in May 2018. She is also a Barre Intensity Regional Master Trainer. Specializing in alignment, form and flow, Anne uses her classical ballet background to bring yoga to beginners and seasoned practitioners throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania. Anne currently leads the 200-hour yoga teacher training program at One Love Yoga In Kent, OH.
Anne Laing has been dancing since she was a little girl. She started her dance training at the age of 5 and four years later, she became a member of the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, a pre-professional dance company in Cuyahoga Falls. She has been teaching ballet since 1995.
Anne also teaches and practices other movement forms, including Pilates, yoga, Barre, Balletone, belly dance, and hoop dance. Under the mentorship of Tom Smith, she became a Pilates instructor in 2003. She also trained with Nancy Myers of EHS Pilates. After 10 years of studying yoga, she received her 200-hour yoga certification from TRY4Life with Jan Hauenstein and Judi Bar in 2007. She studied hula hoop with Lara Eastburn from Superhooper.org and Jonathan Baxter from Hoop Path. She is the lead teacher for One Love’s 200 hour Yoga teacher training program and earned her 500 hour yoga certification in August 2018 and became a Barre Intensity regional master trainer. As well as, being a certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor. Anne’s knowledge and experience in these diverse movement forms has contributed to her thoughtful, creative, and challenging teaching style. She helps her students become better aware of their bodies and themselves while having fun.
These diverse forms also contribute to Anne’s fluid, graceful, strong, and dynamic performance style. She started studying belly dance at Kent State in 2003 and went on to join the belly dance troupes Dance du Soleil and Gems of Egypt. She currently choreographs and performs with Akron-based troupe Gypsy Soul, specializing in tribal fusion belly dance. In November 2011, Gypsy Soul won the awards for Best Troupe Performance and Best Artistry at the first annual Pittsburgh Belly-Off competition. Anne continues to study belly dance as well as gypsy (Rom) and burlesque dance with Sherena Hendrix of Sherena’s Art in Motion Dance Studio in Alliance, OH. She performs with Sherena’s Art in Motion Bellydance Company and occasionally teaches dance classes at her studio.
Anne’s advice to people is to never stop moving. She shares this motto by continuing to perform and teach workshops throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania.
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FINAL THOUGHT:
"If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere"
-Laura Ingalls Wilder
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The Shift Studio, 708-B Fleming St., Hendersonville, NC 28791
www.theshiftstudio.com
theshifthendo@gmail.com
828-450-1166
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