 San Francisco Airport October 2016 YWG Last year I traveled to Japan. It was a long trip! During the 15 hour trip I used some of my Chair Yoga to keep my body moving and stretched. On the return trip we stopped in San Francisco. To my surprise I found this sign. So I went found the Yoga Room. It was a real yoga room with a window and relaxing zen. There was another yogi practicing so I did not get a picture of the interior. I did practice and found myself rejuvenated. Apparently there are 9 airports around the world that have these yoga rooms. I also read that Jet Blue has yoga classes at some airports. So what do we practice in the airports? Practice what brings you peace. Perhaps breathing or perhaps poses. Think about poses that bring the blood to your legs. Yoga Journal has a great practice of 8 poses that are great to do anywhere. A recent article in the AAA Northeast newspaper "Namasly Your Next Flight" suggested using the back of a waiting area chair to do squats and calf raises. The article also suggests stretching tall and doing a sidebend to each side. My favorite stretches: Sunsalutation, Tree, Warrior Poses, Cat Cow, Half Moon. I also like to side or stand quietly breathing and praying. For those who like Chair Yoga: Forward Fold, Side Bend, Point and Flex feet, Seated Twist, a neck stretch and hand stretches. The "Observer" lists the following airports with yoga rooms:
 Yoga Room at San Francisco. October 2016 YWG
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Thank you for requesting a list of Chair Yoga classes for the Wareham MA area! These classes are public classes. The list includes the location, date and cost. Please click on the button below to open a PDF version of the list in another window.
Psalm 23 is one of the most loved Psalms. It tells the story of God who helps David by providing comfort and food and guidance in good times and not so good times. It is an example of what God does for each of us. Psalm 23 is sung, read responsively and prayed. Here is Psalm 23 King James Version (traditional) 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. During our Wednesday night classes we have been practicing yoga with the words of Psalm 23. The following is a link to a page that includes the words and the postures for Psalm 23. psalm_23_with_yoga_asana_psp.pdf Once you have learned the poses and words, try practicing it slowly, breathing and in a prayerful mood. Hope you enjoy this practice. Sitting on my deck experiencing the beauty of God. There are clouds and sun and occasional breezes. The birds are active at the feeders. A squirrel has visited me here on the deck. It is relatively quiet so I can hear the breeze, birds and activities of the neighborhood. I can't help but love being outside and loving what I am experiencing.
Last week during practice we explored the beauty of the day. We shared Genesis 1:29 "So God created the great creatures of the sea and every thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good." NIV. God created our surroundings so no wonder many of us feel connected to God as we experience it. We also shared a poem by Joseph T. Renaldi "Once Upon A Summer Day." It reminds me about that which God has made. Take some time this week to sit outside and breath, listen and observe. Share how you experienced God in your time. Once Upon A Summer Day Joseph T. Renaldi Once upon a Summer day, Birds chirped in a musical way, Grass drenched in the morning dew, The sky covered in a vast color of blue. Once upon a summer day, Flowers bloomed in full array, Bright rays of sunlight spilled Upon my garden on the hill. Once upon a summer day, Thunder rumbled and prolonged its stay, But after the rain tumbled down, This summer day wore a glorious rainbow crown. This week we will be practicing Nadi Shodhana during our time of centering and breathing. Nadi Shodhana, also called Alternate Nostril Breathing, is known for balancing the sides of the brain and its calming affect when we are feeling stress or anxiety. Some instructors of meditation recommend practicing Nadi Shodhana prior to practicing meditation. The following website is an awesome resource for more information and instruction for Nadi Shodhana: This article from the Chopra Center lists the following benefits for Nadi Shodhana:
Please leave your comments about your practice of Nadi Shodhana below! Nameste, Pam  from www.yogatailor.com used with permission We are under pressure each day to do a list of stuff...go to work, clean the house, scoop the litter box, care for the kids and volunteer at church. Somewhere we need to find time to care for our body and mind. How about opening each day with a half hour of simple yoga poses and meditation on scripture. Pick some of your favorite poses starting and matching a favorite scripture verse with each pose. As you practice a pose repeat the scripture. You might also meditate or think about each scripture verse as you practice. When you design your practice, start with easier poses working toward the harder ones. End your time with some prayer in a seated pose.
You might also try saying the Lord's Prayer as you perform the Sun Salutation. **Click on the picture to see some possible poses and scripture verses.** https://www.biblegateway.com/ At Bible Gateway you can search for verses in many versions of the Bible. Do you have any favorite Bible verses and pose you like to practice together? Please share any thoughts about your practice. Monday I was looking at Facebook which had suggested a "memory" from my past. On July 11, 2012 I posted that I had taught my first yoga class! Four years ago! Since then I have taught floor and chair yoga on a regular basis! Sometimes 3 times a day. I am probably more confident than that day 4 years ago, but some things don't change. As back then, I rely on God to help me plan my lessons and to teach. I still need to read, learn and practice yoga. I still look at my teaching, assessing for changes....like our personal yoga practice, teaching yoga is a growing process. My yoga teaching practices grow all the time. I love when I come up with a new way to describe a newance in a pose. I love to learn new poses or new combinations of poses.
Lately, I have been assessing where I would like to go from here. I have decided not to pursue a 500 hour certificate as I have not found one that I like. So, I will take training in specialty areas. Would like to find training in Laughter Yoga, Yoga Nidra, and yoga for people with special needs. Recently, I have reconnected with Kathy and Jess who graduated from Kind Yoga with me. They are taking some of yoga classes at the YMCA! I enjoy having them in class but it seems a bit weird to teach them! Praying that God will guide me in my teaching in the next year.  Alternate Nostril Breathing Nadi Shodhana www.yogatailor.com use with permission During our practices over the past weeks we have been practicing Alternate Nostril Breathing or Nadi Shodhana in Sandskrit.
How to: Sit in a comfortable position and begin to focus on your breath. Rest the tips of your index and middle fingers in the space between your eyebrows. Allow your thumb to relax over your right nostril and your ring/pinky fingers to relax over your left nostril. Inhale and block your right nostril with your thumb and exhale out your left nostril. Inhale with your left nostril, block it off with your fingers as you release your thumb and exhale out your right nostril. Continue alternating sides as you breath. (Traditionally we use our right hand for our breathing, but the left can be used.) Great Website with instructions: "How to Practice Alternate Nostrils Breathing in Yoga https://www.yogaoutlet.com/guides/how-to-practice-alternate-nostril-breathing-in-yoga Here is a great "gif", visual of how to practice from www.yogatailor.com (Thank you Sydney!) http://www.yogatailor.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/benefits-alternate-nostril-breathing-nadi-shodhan-yogatailor.gif (same as above picture) Benefits: There are many benefits to Alternate Nostril Breathing. The Livestrong website has an article "Benefits of Alternate Nostril Breathing" that lists the following benefits: - Revitalization - Enhanced Lung Function - Lung Cleansing - Calmness - Soothed Nervous System - Temperature Regulation - Enhanced Sleep Quality http://www.livestrong.com/article/86731-benefits-alternate-nostril-breathing/ Give this pranayama a try and let me know how it works for you! Found a great DIY video on decorating a yoga mat to look like a galaxy. It uses acrylic paint for the decorating and says the paint stays on. Has anyone tried this? Please let me know about your experiences.
Click on the tab below. I found this great series of yoga moves that can be done in bed. This practice will help us be more flexible and prepare us for a good nights sleep. The Green button will bring you to the original presentation at www.womanshealthmag.com.  |
AuthorI enjoy yoga as it brings peace to my life. Teaching yoga has brought joy to my life and given me a chance to encourage others in learning yoga. Archives
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