Welcome to the Yoga House Newsletter
We hope everyone is staying healthy and safe during this challenging time on our planet. Yoga, of course, means union: body, mind, soul; and during this unique time in history, our entire planet is becoming united in a way we never imagined.
Our hope is that the practice of yoga, however small or large, has helped you stay connected to the source, connected to the peace that is within you, that it calibrates your heart, mind and body so that this challenging time in our lives is a little less stressful. To help you with that practice, our Online Class Schedule is up and running with vigour, and we are happy to announce a
New Foundations Class beginning tomorrow (Monday, April 20th) with Janice. Janice is also teaching an office lunchtime class Monday as well. Our full Online Schedule link isbelow. Please read on to see a recipe for a healthy treat as well as some fun ideas for yoga outdoors.
Also, we would love to hear from you. Please email us with any fun recipes you may have tried or photos of your home practice or online class experience. We want to stay connected, so l
et's stay social (socially distant, of course)! We invite you to Follow us on Instagram, Like our Facebook Page, or follow us on Twitter!
(Links below).
Stay well and we wish you and your families the very best in these trying times.
KYH
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Foundations Class
with Janice Loukras
6-week series
April 20 - May 25
Mondays 9:30-10:30 am
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Learn the basics of Iyengar Yoga from square one. Each week, in this one-hour class, you will be safely guided through a sequence of asanas (postures) which will create a foundation upon which each class builds in order to transition you confidently into any Beginner or All Level Class. This session of classes is ideal for students with no prior yoga experience or for those currently in Beginner classes but who wish a refresher on the basics.
Set up your props (or household items such as towels, hard cover books, pant belt or scarf, pillows, a chair) and practice space and have your device nearby: phone, computer, laptop or TV.
These classes will be simplified with fewer props used or household items as props.
Please Note:
We do have a half charge option or No Charge (FREE) signup option for those financially impacted in our community.
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Office Beginner Yoga
Mondays
12 - 12:45 pm
with Janice Loukras
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Designed to minimize stress on the body from working at home!
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Tracy (above) in supported
Dwi Pada Viparita Dandasana, using a stool under her feet as well to ease back strain.
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Dwi Pada Viparita Dandasana (Tracy Forsythe)
This is one of my "go to" poses, especially during these difficult days. The openness of the chest, allows for expansion in the lungs and heart and a naturally deeper breath. It is a gentle but expansive opening for the front body, helping to combat all the screen time which seems to have increased, at least for me, during this self isolation.
If you don't have a "yoga chair" a quick yoga prop hack would be to order a very inexpensive metal folding chair from any store and remove the backing, which is very easy to do. If you want to get fancy, you can sand down the back rail where you removed the back, and repaint as you like. As you can see in the photo, I also have an exercise ball, which can also be used as a prop to open up the front body for a supported backward extension. As shown in the photo, I like to use support under the head for longer holds. Start with 3 minutes, if comfortable in the pose, and increase your time gradually.
Some of the benefits of this pose as cited by
Bobby Clennell in
The Woman's Yoga Book are:
"Soothing to the lungs, heart, and brain cells. Helps those suffering from depression by promoting a feeling of well-being. In addition, it opens ligaments behind the breasts, tones breast tissue, and prepares the spine for Urdhva Dhanurasana and other advanced back bends. It also stimulates the adrenal, thyroid, pituitary, and pineal glands and can help correct a prolapsed uterus.
(practice this version of Viparita Dandasana as an alternative to Sirsasana - headstand during menstruation.
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No Bake Energy Bites
(courtesy feelgoodfoodie author Yumna Jawad)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup quick oats
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/3 cup honey heated
Instructions:
- Place all the ingredients together in a large bowl and mix with a spoon or spatula until well mixed.
- Cover the bowl and place in the fridge to set for half hour.
- Once chilled, remove from the fridge, use a cookie scoop to form the mixture into balls and roll with your hands.
- Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for 7-10 days.
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Everyday Props - Outdoor Edition
How can you use what you already have at home or in nature as a "prop" to assist you in your yoga practice? Our Teachers have some suggestions:
KYH Teacher Tracy and her husband Irwin found some creative ways to fit in a few yoga poses on their daily nature hike!
Half-Moon (Ardha Chandrasana) with support of the fence & a great hamstring stretch with Utthita Hasta Pandangusthasana with the support of a sturdy rock.
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Address:
1272 St. Paul Street Kelowna, BC,
Canada V1Y 2C9
Phone:
250-862-4906
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