March 2010 Newsletter
March 2010 Newsletter
Temperatures are rising and the snow is finally melting, which means spring is right around the corner. Help shake that cabin fever with a little yoga. We have many exciting workshops coming up in the next couple of months, from learning about chakras to using yoga to help with hip and back pain.
Upcoming Workshops
Balance Mind, Body & Breath Workshop
with Sarah Starr
Saturday, April 24th 12:30pm – 5:30pm
Spend a day remembering the true goal of yoga; bringing awareness of the deepest joy and happiness possible, as it is our true nature- now and always. Alternate with movement to open the body thru yoga, meditation practice, breathing techniques to create optimal health and group mindfulness exercises.
Lower Back and Hip Health Workshop
with Monika Andreas
This workshops is appropriate for all ages, especially, if you have a seasoned body (over 50).
The focused is on:
- strengthening the lower back
- relieving sacroiliac joint pain
- toning the muscles surrounding the hip joints
Unfolding the Self: An exploration of the Chakras
with Kelly Jean Moore
Saturday May 22nd 1:00pm – 3:30pm
& Sunday May 23rd 1:00pm – 3:30pm
Learn about the seven wheels of the Chakra system examined through the lens of traditional Eastern yogic philosophy and western developmental psychology. Once you understand and begin to use this powerful tool for self- inquiry, you will be well on your way to healing and integrating all aspects of spirit, mind, and body into a whole human being.
Newsletter only special offer
Interested in any of the above workshops? Register for any of the workshops before 3/13/2010 and get an extra $5 off the workshop early bird price.
Referral Program
Bring friends to yoga and get a discount! For each new student you refer to Yoga Eight, get 10% off your next regular priced purchase (class cards/memberships). The referral discount is cumulative. Since this is a new program, it’s retroactive since we opened for the next month, but moving forward you’ll have to take advantage of the referral discount within 30 days of the referral. Let us know if you have any questions.
Unlimited Morning Class Membership – $60/month
Yoga Eight is continuing to offer our early morning-only memberships for $60/month. These memberships are for as many 7:00am classes that you can fit in your schedule during a month. You can sign-up for one online or visit us at the studio.
Unpredictable schedule changes
2010 is the year for new beginnings at Yoga Eight. As many of you already know, Akemi is pregnant and due March 18th (10 days and counting). What this means is that there maybe some last minute substitutes/cancellations when things start to roll. I will keep the website information up to date, as well as the voice message on the phone, with any pertinent information.
Yoga term of the month
Ahimsa
Many times people ask me what the 8 in Yoga Eight is for. It has a double meaning, both referring to ashtanga (ashta=eight, anga=limb). Ashtanga vinyasa yoga is one of the classes we offer, and is where I draw a great amount of my experience from. Ashtanga is also the term when referring to yoga as a whole and the eight different limbs. Two of the limbs we actively practice at Yoga Eight, asana (posture) and pranayama (breath). Ahimsa is one of five components of the yamas (moral observances), one of the six other limbs.
Himsa is sanskrit for violence, but by adding the a in front of it, the word becomes ahimsa – non-violence. There are many ways to interpret ahimsa, whether that means adopting a vegetarian diet or being conscious about being kind to everyone. Ahimsa is also an integral part to a safe and effective yoga practice. It may seem obvious, but learning to respect your bodies limitations and knowing how far to push and when to stop can sometimes be challenging in a society that pushes competitiveness to an extreme.
There are some days when I find the following the 80% rule to be a way to renew my yoga practice. Instead of trying to push every pose to the edge, try every once in a while to practice to 80% and focus on the subtleties of the poses and their internal effects. This can help find tight spots not just in the body but in the mind, and help us work through them.
We’ll miss you Laura
One of our teachers, Laura, will be leaving Madison to go to New York tomorrow. We will miss Laura and all of her incredible energy and positive influence on us all. We wish her the best on her new adventures. You still have today at noon and tomorrow, also at noon, to come in and catch one of her classes. Jennifer will be taking over her classes starting on Thursday. Undoubtedly Jennifer will be back sometime in the near future to share with us one of her yoga dance classes and a workshop or two!
I found this in a fortune cookie the other day, and found it oddly appropriate for life in general. I hope everyone enjoys the lengthening days and see you on the mat!
You do not have to know where you are going to be headed in the right direction.
