Heart and Soul Yoga

Restorative yoga for those who want to relax

2010-01-27T05:03:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-06T15:48:00.000-08:00

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

A New Year- Resolve to Evolve

2010-01-06T12:00:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-11-27T07:25:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-03T09:32:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-27T10:10:00.000-07:00

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.

Is Flaxseed the New Wonder Food?

2009-10-24T21:01:00.000-07:00

WebMD posted an interesting article on flaxseed and called it the most powerful plant food on the planet. Check out the WebMD's article "The Benefits of Flaxseed." After reading the article, you'll probably wonder "how in the world do you cook with flax seed? Read "Easy Ways to Get Flaxseed in Your Diet" , get recipes, and get the scoop on how to incorporate flaxseed into your life.

Have a Green Thanksgiving

2009-10-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

The word namaste is an expression of deep gratitude and recognition. It is a word that acknowledges the divine beauty within ourselves, then looking outward to see it in one another.
Every year at Thanksgiving, many families offer gratitude among themselves. During this time, we must not only express gratitude toward one another, but also the planet earth. Check out the Daily Green's "How To Have a Green Thanksgiving" and give thanks to all creatures on planet earth.

STUDY SHOWS YOGA IMPROVES SELF-CONTROL AND LOWERS STRESS

2009-10-14T22:03:00.000-07:00

Not sure if yoga really helps? Can't seem to get the benefits of yoga? Please read

key findings from a study conducted by the Niroga Institute are below.

I studied at the Institute and completed Niroga's Corp Training Program (a special course for certified yoga teachers to learn how to address the needs of at-risk populations). I currently teach at juvenile detention centers and group homes for girls in Connecticut. I am continually amazed to see how yoga brings relaxation and peace to those who often need it the most.

"Using two psychometric tools for evaluation, PSS10 (a 10-point Perceived Stress Scale) and Niroga’s IHS30 (30-point Integral Health Scale), statistically significant decline in stress (and anxiety and depression) and improvement in self-awareness (and self-control, self-esteem, and subjective happiness) have been noted within only 3 months into the year-long program. The results echo similar effects observed by several Centers of Integrative Medicine nationwide, studying the effects of Yoga and Meditation on stress in cancer patients, people with addiction, and patients with early- onset HIV. Niroga’s Healing Yoga protocol is extending integral health practices to include a wide range of vulnerable and marginalized populations. " For More Info Please visit http://www.niroga.org/media/press/PressReleaseNov_2006.pdf

Want more info? pickup the latest copy of YogaJournal Magazine and read about the benefits of Yoga for Incarcerated Youth. or CONTACT ME!!!! Zoraidail@yahoo.com

Yoga for Back Pain Class at the Growing Green Co-Op

2009-10-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

Doing yoga cultivates a balance between the flexibility and strength of the muscles of the body, often the real culprit in back pain. Most people are tight in key areas affecting the spine, for example in the hips and shoulders. A system such as yoga, which releases the tension in the muscles, should improve back pain. Come and learn poses designed to prevent back pain through improving basic spinal flexibility, strengthening the core and the spinal support muscles, and becoming comfortable with the movements that control flexion and extention of the spine.

In this class, yoga instructor Zoraida will teach the foundations for a healthy, supple spine. We will begin with a number of experiential a yogic exercises to align the pelvic and spinal bones and enliven the core muscles. In this class, you will learn how to tap into the therapeutic support of your breath to release pain and flush out old, stagnant energy in your back, and welcome in a new sense of aliveness, calm and comfort. You are bound to leave with more self-confidence in knowing how to do yoga in a way that is healing for you and a handout detailing several movement progressions to create balance and ease in your everyday posture.

When: October 13th 6-7pm

Where: The Growing Green Co-Op

201 New Britain Ave Hartford, CT 06106

860-247-5700

A $5 donation is requested to help support the Growing Green Co-Op. Stay and enjoy the infrared suana for only $5 more!

Hope to See You There