Yoga

Yoga

The world famous violinest Sir Yiehudi Menuhim states "yoga is a technique ideally suited to prevent physical and mental illness and to protect the body generally, developing an inevitable sense of self-reliance and assurance." This ancient practice is a science of health for the physical body and balance for the mind that provides a foundation to self knowledge. It is a distinctive and individual journey to unveiling the true self.

Yoga is about remembering ourselves, our deeper purpose for being. It is an inner journey to the very essence of our being. The message of yoga is that the nature of that inner essence is happiness (ananda). The search for happiness is not so much a striving to acquire something that exists outside of us but rather what exists inside. Through the art of yoga we seek to reveal our own deepest nature through direct experience of our own diversity.

In Sanskrit yoga literally means "union" or "to yoke or harness" as in yoking with and uniting the mind and body. It is a practice that is over 5000 years old and has been a part of Western culture for more than a century proving extremely effective in counteracting disease and maintaining health. Yoga is an internal massage to organ systems maximizing the flow of prana (life force energy) throughout the body. When the breath is utilized properly, lung capacity increases allowing more oxygenation to body systems and enhanced energy.

 

Type of Yoga Offered

Hatha

Know your body, know your mind. Supreme control over the physical self, is one path to enlightenment. But hatha yoga is much more than a physical practice. The word hatha is a Sanskrit combination of the word ha(sun) and tha (moon). These cosmic forces represent polarities (yang - ha - sun) and (yin - tha-moon). Hatha yoga then is to balance the opposites (yin and yang) within the human body and to realize the masculine and feminine qualities we all have. This in essence helps us to discover the nature of true self. Hatha yoga is a spiritual fitness focusing on breathwork (pranayama) and body positioning for balanced energy. Most asanas (poses), such as twists and inversions, stimulate internal organs and release tension from stress-prone areas such as lower back, neck, shoulders and hips.

 

Vinyasa Flow Yoga

Vinyasa yoga is known for its dynamic, meditative and creative sequences. It explores the stillness within motion, strength within ease, and wisdom within action. The basic principle behind vinyasa yoga is linking breath with movement to uncover the layers of the true self.

Professional yoga teacher, Mary Jane Kasliner, begins each class by quieting the mind and body focusing on the breath by drawing energy inward to spirit. The class progresses into flowing movements with each inhalation and exhalation exploring the asana (pose) and its impact on awakening the physical and subtle body systems. Students are guided in the process to "let go" of all resistance in body and mind and allow the spirit that dwells within to emerge. Class ends with a final relaxation of all body systems through guided meditation, release of hips and shoulders as soothing music nourishes the mind, body & spirit.

 

Donation Yoga

Donation yoga is my gift to the community as a way to de-stress and nurture the mind and body during these difficult economic times. This offering is available to any community groups or associations who would like to experience the benefits of yoga from the heart through donation only. A group of 6 or more people is suggested. BSA donated 15% of all proceeds to the Seva Challenge Uganda efforts for starving children raising an additional 5 thousand dollars through fund raising events.

 

"When you inhale, you are taking the strength from God. When you exhale, it represents the service you are giving the world."  ~B.K.S. Iyengar