Visiting the Yamas

"When nonviolence in speech, thought, and action is established, one's aggressive nature is relinquished and others abandon hostility in one's presence." -Yoga Sutras

Yesterday we began our journey practicing through the eight limbs of yoga. The asanas (poses) being only one of the eight limbs. The Yamas are the first limb. There are five yamas - restraints. Yama means to "rein". The yamas are tools to help guide our daily choices and lives in a direction of right-living. The first yama is ahimsa - "nonviolence". Ahimsa is the practice of love and compassion in thought, speech, and action. It is not enough to restrain from physical violence. Judgmental thoughts and gossip can be just as hurtful. If we work towards blurring the lines between ourselves and others it is easier to practice ahimsa in our lives. Finding compassion for our bodies and acceptance of our limitations when we practice asanas, we create a pattern of loving kindness towards ourselves that spreads outward when we step off our mats.

In class I shared a great book that I've used as a reference over the past few years. Rolf Gates, Meditations From the Mat. Check it out!

Join me next Sat., Jan. 23 when we practice satya - "truthfulness" on our mats. Hope to see you there...

Another New Year's Resolution?

Don’t just resolve to make a change, put it that change into action with a powerful intention. Join me for our first Saturday morning yoga class of 2010 where we'll set intentions for a positive year ahead. The New Year is a great time to re-evaluate where you are in your life. Who are you? Is this who you want to be? What do you value? What are your priorities? We’ll begin exploring ways to use your yoga practice as a tool to help you create a life of true bliss. I hope you'll join me. Happy New Year!

Namaste,
Kathy

No Yoga Class Saturday, December 26.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! See you January 2, 2010!

The True Meaning of the Holidays

In our melting pot of diverse cultures, spiritual practices, and religions, the holiday season in the United States represents many different things to many different people. Yoga is not a religious practice, but rather a tool to help us to live according to our values and grow spiritually whatever our religious beliefs. Join me in our last Saturday morning yoga class of the year as we use our yoga practice to deepen our own personal spiritual practices.

Austin Miller will be providing soulful drum beats to help us to find peace and love as we connect with the true meaning of the holidays.

Namaste,

Kathy

Cultivating Gratitude

Thank you to all of my student yogis. I am truly grateful for each one of you. You shared such a positive energy in class today. I wish you all the most blessed Thanksgiving holiday. Remember to bring awareness to santosha (contentment, being happy and grateful for everything as it is in each moment) this Thanksgiving.

Namaste,
Kathy

Another Neti Pot!

Teresa H. sent me this link to a neti pot she found online. It's just like mine, only cheaper! I found it at Natural Grocers Vitamin Cottage for $16.00. Thanks for sharing the link Teresa!

Change in schedule.

I am sad to inform you all that due to personal reasons I am no longer able to teach yoga Monday and Wednesday evenings at 5:30. I'm handing these classes over to a fellow yogi and friend, Corrine Andrews. Corrine is a wonderful teacher who has subbed for me several times over the past couple months so she is very familiar with Accolade Fitness and it's yoga students. You are all in great hands. Enjoy your new classes and I hope to see you on Saturdays from 8:30 - 10:00 am.

Namaste,
Kathy