Good Space Yoga
with Kathy Ornish
Fall/Winter 2010
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1. Class Schedule
2. Home Practice
3. Therapeutic Yoga
4. Inspiration
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As the fall season begins, and daylight grows shorter, please join me in giving
thanks for the bounty of sun and warmth we had this summer. While we needed a
bit more rain, and I know it was too warm for many of you, I, for one, truly
enjoyed it!
In my last two newsletters, I have been sharing ideas for lifestyle changes
that can be used to live a happier and healthier life. These are practices
that can be every bit as powerful in creating change as asana, pranayama, or
meditation, and they can help deepen and support your existing yoga practice as
well.
In the first newsletter of this three part series, I spoke about how to get
better sleep. In the second newsletter, I addressed the relationship between
what you eat, when you eat, how you eat, and how you feel (both in body and
mind). In this newsletter, I'll discuss some miscellaneous ways in which you
can help your mind move toward more clarity and calm.
Try these suggestions:
* Get some regular exercise, ideally choosing something you enjoy. An easy
choice is walking - we still have a few more months that you can be outdoors
comfortably. Being outdoors gives you the calming aspect of being in nature and
an extra boost of sunshine. You might even listen to something inspirational on
your iPod.
* This is a big one - notice your daily sensory stimulation (e.g. TV, music,
news, movies, noise, computer). Things that stimulate the senses can provide a
pleasant diversion, but also potentially aggravate our system as well as
distract us from our internal world. When our attention is regularly oriented
outward, it's hard to be tuned into what we are feeling and what is truly going
on in the mind and heart. Try to keep your sensory stimulation to a minimum,
notice its effects on you, and be especially conscious of its effects close to
bedtime.
* Notice...
what happens if you use the computer or read the newspaper close to bed (or any
other time, for that matter!). Notice how you feel after you watch TV, or
after you watch TV and then go straight to bed.
how you feel after hearing or watching the news.
what is present in your mind during relaxation or meditation (I often find my
most recent TV or movie viewing having quite a presence!)
* Develop Sangha. Sangha is a Sanskrit word for community and is often
thought of as association with like-minded people. As we all know, life can be
demanding, and sometimes a spiritual path can also be challenging. Being with
and sharing with those who support our dharma (life's purpose) can be an
important way to carry us through the difficult times.
* Enjoy pleasures and desires, but try to not let them control your mood or
emotions.
* Consider doing less.
* Increase your harmonious experiences. What do you love to do? What makes
brings you joy? Do more of it!
* Cultivate a sense of contentment and gratitude.
Yours, in service,
KO
Class Information
-SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
September - October classes will begin soon - Sept 14th!
November - December sessions are now posted.
goodspaceyoga.com/classes and click on the "Class Schedule" tab.
I hope to see you again this coming season!
-BECOME A FAN
[2]Good Space Yoga on Facebook!
You will find inspirational words, interesting links to articles, get updates
about upcoming events, and post questions on the discussion board.
Home Practices
For the last few newsletters, I've been posting recipes (which are now also
posted on my website for download!). This time, I've gone back to posting a
practice. This one is a little more complicated than most in that it builds the
four parts of breath during an asana practice to better prepare you for
pranayama or to simply help you build your breath capacity.
Additionally, I have also posted text copies of my old Newsletters for those
who might be interested in re-reading the words and suggestions at the
beginning of them or the inspirational poems at the end.
[3]Adapting the Four Parts of Breath
Therapeutic Yoga
SPECIAL OFFER:
Sign-up for a class session and get your first yoga therapy session for
$40/hour (normally $70/hour).
What is Yoga Therapy?
Yoga Therapy adapts and applies Yoga techniques and practices to help
individuals who are facing health challenges or want to expand their yoga
practice. It offers a personalized practice that empowers the individual to
progress toward greater health by managing their condition, reducing symptoms,
restoring balance, and facilitating healing on all levels of our being. My hope
is to inspire and empower you toward greater clarity and healiing.
Please see my [4]Therapeutic Yoga page for more information.
You Don't Have to Act Crazy Anymore
by Hafiz (from I Heard God Laughing: Renderings of Hafiz)
You don't have to act crazy anymore-
We all know you are good at that.
Now retire, my dear,
From all that hard work you do.
Of bringing pain to your sweet eyes and heart.
Look in a clear mountain mirror-
See the Beautiful Mountain Warrior
And the Divine elements
You always carry inside
That infused this Universe with sacred Life
So long ago
And join you Eternally
With all Existence.
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References
1. http://goodspaceyoga.com/classes.html
2. http://www.facebook.com/pages/East-Lansing-MI/Good-Space-Yoga/145939387089
3. http://goodspaceyoga.com/practices/Adapting_Four_Parts_%20Breath.pdf
4. http://goodspaceyoga.com/therapeutic.html