Welcome to the first edition of the Yoga Fix Monthly. My intention is to bring to you our students, useful tips and timely news about the latest classes, workshops and special events at the studio presented in an easy-to-read format.
For those of you who may not have heard the news, Yoga Fix Studio is under new ownership. As of March 1, 2008 Mary Horvatin, took over as the new owner allowing Joe Reece to step down from the day-to-day operations and pursue other life goals. Kate Reece has stayed on to teach, as this is her passion in life. In fact, most of the staff will look the same with a few new faces as we have added new classes to help diversify our class schedule to offer more non-heated classes. Don’t worry there’s still plenty of hot yoga classes. We have a complete schedule to accommodate most everyone’s needs. You can see our new schedule at www.hotyogakc.com.
You’ll also notice a brighter look as you step into the studio thanks to a fresh coat of paint along with some other touches to create a more welcoming affect. My goal is that everyone feels at home when they step into Yoga Fix Studio. Finally, we have been working hard to be more visible in the community as well as give back to the communities that have supported Yoga Fix Studio over the years. In June we sponsored a booth at the Duck Derby for the Children’s TLC, in August we will be a hole sponsor at the HRC annual gold tournament and in September we will host our second annual Yoga in the Park charity event. All of which you can read about in this issue.
As you can see we have been and continue to be quite busy here at the studio. I hope that this monthly newsletter will help keep you informed of happenings at the studio as well as give you timely tips to deepen your practice. Thank you for your support as we go through this transition year. I hope to see you in the studio soon.
This posture is a great hip opener. You can do this at home between studio classes to help deepen flexibility in your groin and hips.
Step by Step Instructions:
Sit with your legs straight out in front of you, raising your pelvis on a blanket if your hips or groins are tight. Exhale, bend your knees, pull your heels toward your pelvis, then drop your knees out to the sides and press the soles of your feet together.
Bring your heels as close to your pelvis as you comfortably can. With the first and second finger and thumb, grasp the big toe of each foot. Always keep the outer edges of the feet firmly on the floor. If it isn't possible to hold the toes, clasp each hand around the same-side ankle or shin.
Sit so that the pubis in front and the tailbone in back are equidistant from the floor. The perineum then will be approximately parallel to the floor and the pelvis in a neutral position. Firm the sacrum and shoulder blades against the back and lengthen the front torso through the top of the sternum. For Complete Instructions click here.
Sunday June 29th, Yoga Fix Studio set up camp at the Duck Derby, a benefit for the Children’s TLC Therapeutic Learning Center. It was a beautiful summer morning on the Country Club Plaza along Brush Creek where the event was held. Families with children lined the streets going from booth to booth, playing games, eating and drinking and getting their faces painted. Presiding over the event was a giant inflatable yellow duck symbolic of the 17,000 plastic ducks that would later be dumped into Brush Creek. The Marching Cobras took center stage at one point, drumming and cart wheeling their way down the middle of the booth-lined street. What a treat to see those talented young people banging their drums, dancing and performing feats of athleticism.
As 2 pm approached the excitement built as the dropping of the ducks would soon take place. The drum roll began while people anxiously moved to line the banks of the creek all necks strained and eyes turned toward the giant Red Development crane poised to drop the yellow stream of ducks. Finally the moment arrived and 17,000 ducks cascaded over the bridge creating a solid band of yellow as the ducks plunged into the still waters below. The race had begun. The ducks were herded down the creek toward the finish line where volunteers awaited to pull the ducks one-by-one from the water in order to determine those crucial first 8 to cross the line who would become the event’s winners. Grand prize was a Harley Davidson motorcylcle – wow! Yours truly would have been thrilled to win a prize; however, race ducks were already sold out by 11:30 am a half hour before the event was to begin. Way to go TLC! Better planning next time on my part. Meanwhile, Yoga Fix staff manned the booth as adults guessed how many doggy treats were in the clear plastic container for a chance to win a FREE one-month unlimited yoga pass and retrieved balls thrown by children playing for prizes. We handed out tons of brochures and mixed and mingled with the crowd talking to all who would listen about the benefits of yoga. And you may ask yourself why would a yoga studio use dog treats and not something a little more “yogic” for their guessing game? Well, that’s because we were promoting our annual Yoga in the Park event, a benefit for the Humane Society. What a great day spent meeting new friends and working for a good cause.
You’re invited to join us for our 2nd annual yoga fundraiser benefiting the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City. We will gather at Mill Creek Park (the one across from the Country Club Plaza with the Horse fountain) on Saturday morning September 6th. At 9 am we will begin registration for the Doga and Yoga sessions. At 9:30 am to 10 am we will hold a Doga (dog yoga) session for those who want to bring out their pooches. At 10 am – 11 am we will hold a one-hour hot-style yoga session for those who want to do their own practice in the great outdoors.
Last year Yoga in the Park drew 130 yogis on a Saturday morning some brand new to yoga – others seasoned yogis – all giving to the American Heart Association for the Women’s Go Red campaign. It was an awesome experience to see 130 people outside doing yoga in the grass. We hope you will join us this year to make this an even bigger event raising even more money for the benefit of the Kansas City area animals who so need our help. Who knows you just might go home with one of the adorable little pooches the Humane Society brings out for adoption. Whether you’re a pet owner, an animal lover or just want the opportunity to do yoga outside, I hope you’ll join us and give generously to the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City. See you there!
Most people do not take Savasana or Dead Body Pose as seriously as they do all the other postures in their practice. This is a mistake in your practice because it is perhaps one of the most important postures we do in the series. This is the posture where all the benefits of the floor postures occur. Most of the floor postures create a damming effect in the body stopping the blood flow to muscles, organs, etc. It is when we turn back around into Savasana that the blood is released to surge back through the entire body bringing fresh oxygenated blood to the area of the body previously cut off and restoring balance to the entire body. It is this balanced flow that allows the effect of the posture to work creating health.
If this were not reason enough to perfect Savasana it is also one of the best postures for learning to quite the mind and relax. Relaxation and focus are crucial to a good yoga practice. It is in the disciplined quiet time between postures that we train ourselves to instantly find a place of peace with perfect stillness. This is a gift you can use throughout your day when you feel overwhelmed or stressed. So next time you are in Savasana let your arms come in close to your body, palms up toward the ceiling, legs together, feet relaxed flopping out perfectly relaxed, breathing normal, eyes open gazing at one spot without moving, letting any thoughts that come in float back out without judgment until one day you can lay in perfect silence.
When taking your “Final” Savasana plan to take 5 or more minutes. Set aside the extra minutes as a part of your class and resist the urge to jump up after class and run off to the rest of your day. You just gave yourself the gift of 90 minutes to create health and well being for your mind, body and spirit – give yourself 5-15 more minutes and really let that hard work sink in and melt off the stress of the hectic world around you. Get an eye pillow and put it on your forehead or eyes and let the aroma carry you away. By the way placing an eye pillow on your forehead creates a nice pressure on the forehead to release stress and the aroma is a mix of fragrances to create relaxation. If you don’t have an eye pillow buy one at the studio – we have the best prices. Not a sales pitch – just a fact. Above all else stay – relax – and enjoy your Final Savasana.
Salsa Dancing – that’s right – begins Sunday evenings August 17th. We’re heating up the studio with the hottest dance trend to hit the area – Salsa! This Latin dance craze is simple enough that in 6 weeks you’ll learn a variety of moves sure to impress at your next party or out on the town. Plus, it’s just a lot of fun and a great workout!
Nancy says this book is great at explaining what to do in your postures. He talks about the physical aspect as well as the philosophy of each posture and breathing techniques. This is a good source for the philosophy of yoga in general. Plus, you get some good information on diet. Iyengar really addresses the full spectrum of mind, spirit and body. Well worth the time spent reading this book to help deepen your understanding and practice of yoga.
