Restorative yoga for those who want to relax

SF Chronicle recently published an article on the health benefits of yoga. It's a great read for those interested in restorative and gentle yoga.

Restorative yoga for those who want to relax

The sound of San Francisco rain on the skylight mixes with the music of Tibetan bowls inside the darkened studio.
Six students are lying under blankets in Savasana, "the corpse pose"- on their backs, palms up, with bolsters under their knees and tiny pillows covering their eyes. The instructor silently walks to each student and rubs lavender oil into his or her temples.
Although it looks like nap time for grown-ups, it's actually yoga - restorative yoga.
Also known as "active relaxation," this brand of yoga came to life in San Francisco during one of the most stressful decades on record, and classes like this one at Bernal Yoga are gaining popularity as people look for ways to quiet the body, and ultimately, the mind.
Restorative yoga works best for those who feel fatigued or ill, and is especially beneficial during major life events: breakup, death of a loved one, change of job or residence, marriage or major holiday, according to Yoga Journal founder Judith Lasater of San Francisco, who is credited with popularizing restorative yoga with her 1995 book, "Relax and Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Times."

Read The Rest of the Article.....

Art and Yoga:Another Great Reason to Visit Your Local Art Space

The artistic path is very similar to the yogic path. The mind/body connection is developed through the creative process instead of physical exercise. The spirit is again sparked by the connection creating the inspiration for the discovery and expression of your true inner self.

Yoga and Art, each in their own way, seek to unite the individual body, mind and spirit. This connection  is critical to improving your health, enhance your life and finding your true inner self.

Many museums and art spaces across the country realize the connection between the two and now offer yoga classes. A recent article in North San Diego Times considers the combination "an effort to soothe the soul and tone the body in the inspirational setting of an art museum."

As yoga holds strong as a popular form of exercise and relaxation, specialty classes are everywhere. YogaJournal recently reported that "6.9% of U.S. adults, or 15.8 million people, practice yoga. (In the previous study, that number was 16.5 million). Of current non-practitioners, nearly 8%, or 18.3 million Americans, say they are very or extremely interested in yoga, triple the number from the 2004 study. And 4.1% of non-practitioners, or about 9.4 million people, say they will definitely try yoga within the next year." 

Add artsy yoga to the ranks of power yoga, baby yoga, kickboxing yoga, chair yoga, punk rock yoga and plus-size yoga.

Interested in learning more about bringing yoga to your local art space? Please contact Zoraida @ ZORAIDA365@GMAIL.COM

Read more about Museum Yoga here 

A New Year- Resolve to Evolve

We have officially entered a new decade! I read the following excerpt from Yoga Journal and thought it was something all of us could use.

"A new year's resolution is a noteworthy concept—start off the year with a change for the better. So how did it devolve into a subconscious exercise in self-loathing? Lose 10 pounds! (Message to self: You're fat.) Stop drinking caffeine! (You're unhealthy.) Call Mom and Dad once a week! (You're ungrateful.) Why not celebrate this new year by trading in your tired (and probably familiar) resolutions for a sankalpa instead?

POSITIVE POWER A Sanskrit word, sankalpa means "will, purpose, or determination." To make a sankalpa is to set an intention—it's like a New Year's resolution with a yogic twist. A sankalpa explores what's behind the thought or feeling ("I crave chocolate or ice cream when I'm feeling stressed or sad. I will set an intention to become conscious of this craving and allow my feelings to arise and pass, rather than fill up on fats")."

I've set the intention to deepen my meditation practice and be more creative. What intentions have you set? Please post!

I have three really great workshops coming up. Info is to the right.  I hope you can make it to one. If not, please spread the word. 

Yoga for ThanksLIVING!

We have officially entered the holiday season. It's now that time of year when we see friends and family, share gifts, and partake in LOTS of eating. During this time, our digestive system may get off course. Here are a few yoga poses to keep it on track! Please email me if you have any favorites. - Zoraida (IHEARTSOULYOGA@YAHOO.COM)

Seated Twist
This seated twist stimulates and massages the internal organs of the abdomen, improving digestion and the function of the liver and kidneys. Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you, buttocks supported on a folded blanket. Bend your knees, put your feet on the floor, then slide your left foot under your right leg to the outside of your right hip. Lay the outside of the left leg on the floor. Step the right foot over the left leg and stand it on the floor outside your left hip. Exhale and twist toward the inside of the right thigh. Press the right hand against the floor just behind your right buttock, and set your left upper arm on the outside of your right thigh near the knee. Pull your front torso and inner right thigh snugly together. Press the inner right foot very actively into the floor, release the right groin, and lengthen the front torso. Continue the twist of the torso by turning it to the right. With every inhalation lift a little more through the sternum, pushing the fingers against the floor to help. Twist a little more with every exhalation. Be sure to distribute the twist evenly throughout the entire length of the spine. Stay for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then release with an exhalation, return to the starting position, and repeat to the left for the same length of time.

Seated Forward Bend
This seated bend stimulates the internal organs. Sit on the floor with your buttocks supported on a folded blanket and your legs straight in front of you. Press actively through your heels.  Press through your palms or finger tips on the floor beside your hips and lift the top of the sternum toward the ceiling as the top thighs descend. Inhale, and keeping the front torso long, lean forward from the hip joints, not the waist. Lengthen the tailbone away from the back of your pelvis. If possible take the sides of the feet with your hands, thumbs on the soles, elbows fully extended; if this isn't possible, loop a strap around the foot soles, and hold the strap firmly. Be sure your elbows are straight, not bent. When you are ready to go further, don't forcefully pull yourself into the forward bend, whether your hands are on the feet or holding the strap, scarf, or tie. Always lengthen the front torso into the pose, keeping your head raised. The lower belly should touch the thighs first, then the upper belly, then the ribs, and the head last. With each inhalation, lift and lengthen the front torso just slightly; with each exhalation release a little more fully into the forward bend. Eventually you may be able to stretch the arms out beyond the feet on the floor. Stay in the pose anywhere from 1 to 3 minutes. To come up, first lift the torso away from the thighs and straighten the elbows again if they are bent. Then inhale and lift the torso up by pulling the tailbone down and into the pelvis.

Processed Food Link to Depression

The news on eating a whole food, primarily plant-based diet keeps getting better. A recent study conducted by the University College London concluded that a diet heavy in processed and fatty foods increases the risk of depression. The study also concluded a diet that contains plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit and fish could help prevent the onset of depression. 

Low Budget High Style:2nd Hand Fashion Becomes a 1st Choice

With the holiday season around the corner, many of us have started to get invites to festive soirees, cocktail parties, even weddings. Instead of heading to the mall for a new outfit, why not grab your garb from a second hand/vintage source? Not only will you save some green, you'll help the environment and be green too.  Plus, you will be supporting a  local business and  you local economy.
My fav source for cool cocktail dresses is Affordable Beauty Inc. HIGHLY recommend checking out their stylish dresses . Owner Princess Wiggins has a great selection of evening wear for ladies. I've already picked out my dress and can't wait to ring in the New Year in style.
Getting married??? Affordable Beauty Inc has wedding gowns too. Adding eco friendly components to your wedding is a great way to show your commitment to the environment , your wallet, and get your married life off to a great start.

Don't settle for just being the belle of ball...be chic, hip, and green.

Yoga for Special Needs

Yoga for Special Needs children is an area of yoga that I'm interested in learning more about. There are many studies that demonstrate the benefits of yoga for those with debilities. Please read "Yoga can be effective therapy for children with special needs " and learn more about this amazing and much needed therapeutic practice.