Yogi Warrior Weapons for Cold Season

Before every class, I ask students how they feel. Clearly, from their responses, cold season is upon us. Feel that familiar swelling in the back of the throat that tells you a cold is coming on? Seems like everyone in your family is snorting and sniffling except you....yet? Lost time due to illness is something we all want to avoid. I thought I'd share a few products Focus offers in our boutique that can help.

Thieves  This was a favorite last year. The legend surrounding this essential oil blend focuses on an unruly band of medieval
thieves that would rob plague victims. They wore a special blend of herbs for protection. This essential oil blend contains cinnamon, rosemary, lemon and eucalyptus. A drop on the tongue taken orally at the first sign of illness can be effective.  Drops can be added to hand soap and cleaners for anti-bacterial properties. Gargling with Thieves mixed with water can sooth a sore throat. Put a little in sesame oil and lubricate the insides of the nostrils before boarding a plane. Click here for a list of 101 uses for Thieves compiled by fans. If you are looking for a natural way to fight illness-causing bacterias, consider this oil. A little pricey, but since it's used by the drop, a bottle goes far.

Defense Elixir  This little bottle packs a punch.  Taken at the first sign of a cold, this powerful blend will wake you up and warm you up at the same time. Orange, ginger, cayenne and echinacae, taking small shots throughout the day can help knock out or reduce cold symptoms before they take root. Keep a bottle in your freezer in case an itchy sore throat catches you too far from the studio to stop in.

Now, what about if that cold has already taken hold, and you are struggling with congestion? Here are a couple of remedies to ease the pain.

RC essential oil blend/Eucalyptus essential oils  Mixed with a little sesame oil, these oils can be inserted into the nostrils to lubricate and help open congested airways. When students come into class with congestion, I offer this. Combined with the movement and deep breathing of yoga, they generally leave feeling much more open. Also, a few drops in a pot of hot water makes a steamy inhalant.

Respiratory Tea  In addition to the Defense Elixir, Earth's Healing is supplying Focus with bags of
this tea blend. Our students are enjoying cups of this blend after class, and buying bags to take home. It contains mullein, horehound, Irish moss, and eucalyptus. We've gotten rave reviews from our students.

Focus Yoga Monthly Membership

Recently we put out a survey and got a great response, with ideas of what types of classes and class times would be good additions to our schedule. We added many of them, and hope that you will back up your good requests with your attendance.

However, one or two of the supportive comments really had me thinking. One stated how a couple of other local studios have offered several Groupon and Living Social-type discounts in the past year. I think the suggestion was that we should be following suit.

Let me explain something about these internet promotions: when a business offers a deep, deep discount to customers through one of those promotional companies, the business receives 50% of the total receipts. That means, on our last promotion, we received exactly $2.50 for each class sold on that promotion. Focus pays our instructors more than that to teach our students.

I understand that there is a cost to advertising. And, students that use the coupon to try a business may become loyal customers. But, with abundance of deep discounted classes available, I suspect instead of instilling loyal customers, businesses trying these discount deals as a way of promoting their studio have inadvertently set a new price point for yoga. With a local studio offering a promotion at any given moment, many students simply follow the promotions to determine where they practice.

If studios are expected to continuously offer deep discount promotions to keep students who become used to this new price point, exactly how long will they stay in business?

Now, I understand how tough the economy has been for many people. And, at Focus, it’s never been about the money. We need to stay financially healthy. But, we want students who need yoga to be able to learn and practice, regardless of finances. We’ve worked to find ways for many of our students to continue practicing when facing financial limitations. That’s called community.

So, that brings me to the point. Community. What we really want, more than anything, is for each person who wants to practice with us to become part of our community.

We will continue to create a studio that supports our community, local food producers and grassroots vendors sharing their passion. We will support our students with instructors who really care about each individual that walks through our doors. Our studio will continue to offer creative special classes and workshops each month, for as many age and ability levels as we possibly can, supporting healthy lifestyles for all. And, we will do our best to offer that in a way our students can afford. We do that in the hopes that each student will become an interactive, supportive member of our yoga community.

So, we are raising the curtain on new pricing option, our Focus Yoga Monthly Membership. It won’t be for everyone. If you take class less than 5 times a month, it may not be your cup of herbal tea. That’s okay...we will continue to offer our individual, 5 and 10 class options.

But, if you want a cost-effective way to increase your practice, consider our membership. The base plan is unlimited regular classes for $79/month. That’s our way of helping you manage your yoga budget. It’s that simple. If you practice an average of 1.5 times a week, the monthly membership becomes more cost-effective than a 10 class pass.

And, we plan to have fun with this! Several times a week there will be fun perks announced through our newsletter or Facebook page.  Freebies and special discounts on products and workshops. Ways for you to further benefit from your support to Focus, and for us to show our appreciation to you!

There is one thing this membership asks of you: 3 months commitment at the onset, and an auto-renewal set up. However, after the first three months, you can cancel with one week’s notice. That’s it. But we have high expectations that you won’t want to cancel!!

To join this membership now, click here!

Evan Bartlett Travels to Tanzania!

Evan Bartlett

We were tidying up after a Wednesday evening Open Yoga class recently when one of the regular
students, Jennifer Bartlett, and I were chatting. She mentioned that her daughter, Evan, was hoping to travel to Tanzania in East Africa soon to do some outreach work. Evan graduated college in December and is working hard to earn money to support herself during the 12-month trip. Even though she'd be working, it would be no free ride. I was intrigued, and thought there might be a way our Focus Yoga community could help Evan. So, today I had a conversation with Evan about this project.

Me: Where exactly are you traveling, and when are you leaving?
Evan: I'm leaving August 19 and traveling to a village in Tanzania called Bombo Majimoto.

Me: And what sort of work are you doing there?
Evan: I'll be working with the villagers on agricultural development. The villagers tend to live season to season, subsisting only on what they grow on their land. We will be helping them develop projects to increase their economic security, such as selling their crops to bigger markets. This will help them develop security in case of a bad growing year, and help them expand their communications so they can benefit from the exchange of products and ideas.

Me: From where did you graduate?
Evan: I graduated from Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island. I have a degree in Political Science and History, and a minor in Business Administration.

Me: Why did you decide to offer a year of your time and energy, unpaid, to this project instead of hitting the pavement for a full time job?
Evan: For years I've had a strong desire to give back, and this gap between graduating college and starting a professional job seemed perfect to offer a full year of my time to do so.

Me: What is the organization you are working with on this project?
Evan: It's called "2Seeds Network". It's a non-profit. I really like this organization, as it offers more of a partnership with people, rather than a hand-out. It's a young organization, and doesn't have the resources to pay all the expenses to send people to Tanzania. But, we feel that the fundraising efforts we do helps to involve others in our mission.

Me: What are you raising funds for, exactly?
Evan: My flight and transportation while there, food, housing, health insurance, seeds, and equipment. A full year's worth of living expenses and items I'd need for my work.

Me: How much do you need to raise?
Evan: The organization suggests we raise $8000. This would cover my expenses for the year. However, I do not need all of that immediately; right now I have enough for my plane ticket and the first 6 months of living expenses.

Me: How did you decide on this project?
Evan: Well, I really decided on the organization. I really like 2Seeds Network, and I feel that even though I'll be working hard, the benefits I'll receive will far outweigh the investment. 2Seeds Network gave me personality tests and had me take surveys to help find the project they thought would be the best fit for me. I'm really excited about being able to do this.

Me: Focus also is always looking for ways we can give back, and helping you with your project seems perfect! On Wednesday, August 14, right before you leave,  Focus will donate the income from our evening Open Yoga class toward your project. We'll even put out a donation jar, in case this speaks on a deeper level to a student, and they'd like to offer a little extra to your cause. This is the class your mom usually comes to. Can you take class with us that night so we can meet you?
Evan: Yep! That's sounds wonderful, and I really appreciate the help!

Come support Evan and the farmers of Bombo Majimoto on Wednesday, August 14 at 7:15pm. Here is a link to 2Seeds Network, so you can learn more about them. Click here
We hope to see you in class!

To Om Or Not To Om: Yoga, Public Schools, Spirituality

by Sandie Pilipiszyn, Focus Yoga Teacher Training graduate

More and more schools are offering yoga as part of their physical education program.  But if you’re teaching yoga in a public school, is it ok to say the Sanskrit words such as “Om” and “Namaste”, to hold your hands in the prayer position and to chant?  The spiritual aspects of yoga could potentially cause concerns in public school settings.  Many people are confused.  There is no Church of Yoga.  How can teaching yoga in school violate the Constitution?

Is yoga secular or religious?  That’s the big question at the heart of a new legal battle in Encinitas, California, over the teaching of yoga in public schools.  In a lawsuit filed in February of 2013, a couple with two children in the Encinitas schools charge that the district is unconstitutionally promoting religion by giving yoga classes twice a week to students during the day.  School officials insist that the yoga classes are for physical fitness, and have nothing to do with religion or religious indoctrination. The case is set for trial May 20, 2013.

The outcome of the case could impact hundreds of other public schools nationwide that incorporate yoga postures and breathing exercises into their wellness and fitness programs.  Because “yoga” is used to describe a bewildering variety of classes and programs in the United States, it’s easy to forget that yoga originated in ancient India as a school of Hindu philosophy.

Many yoga practitioners embrace the religious roots and spiritual meaning of yoga while many others view yoga as a healthy exercise and stress reduction regimen.  Public schools, of course, adopt the “healthy exercise” definition in order to comply with the First Amendment’s prohibition of school promotion or endorsement of religion.

Not surprisingly, attempts to completely secularize yoga have met with resistance, and not just from Christian parents.  Many Hindus argue that authentic yoga is inseparable from its philosophical roots in Hinduism.  The Hindu American Foundation launched a “take back yoga” campaign in 2010 to remind people of yoga’s Hindu origins.  Many yoga practitioners view yoga postures and breathing exercises as inherently spiritual, giving spiritual benefits even to those who practice yoga solely for health reasons without and interest in the religious meaning of their practice.

To what extent, if any, yoga practices can be fully separated from religious roots can’t be resolved in a court of law.  What courts can do, is determine if a school’s yoga program explicitly conveys religious teachings or messages.  This means that the more a yoga program avoids religious language, the more likely it is to be upheld as constitutional.

The White House has embraced Yoga as a worthy physical activity at a time some schools in America are railing against the ancient Indian practice, saying it promotes Hinduism.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama included a “yoga garden” for children and their parents at the annual Easter Egg Roll Festivities telling participants
“Be Healthy, Be Active, Be You!”

The Obama’s have hosted a yoga garden before, but this year is was significant because of the ongoing lawsuit in California challenging the teaching of yoga in schools.  The presiding judge in the case is a yoga practitioner.  “Does anybody have a problem with that?”  San Diego Superior Court Judge Meyer was reported asking at the start of the case. 

“Yoga has become a universal language of spiritual exercise in the United States, crossing many lines of religion and cultures,” the White House said without reference to the ongoing controversies and lawsuit. “Everyday, millions of people practice yoga to improve their health and overall well-being.   

Back in 2004, Fox News did a story on tensions that were developing over the incorporation of yoga into the Aspen Elementary School curriculum in Colorado.  Parents of the children in the school complained to the school board, claiming it was a clear violation of the separation of church and state.  Fox News reported that the American Yoga Association and the school disagreed.  It quoted from the American Yoga Association Web site which states:

“Yoga is not a religion.  It has no creed or fixed set of beliefs, nor is there a prescribed godlike figure to be worshipped in a particular manner.  Religions for the most part seem to be based upon the belief in and worship of things (God or godlike figures) that exist outside oneself.  The core of Yoga’s philosophy is that everything is supplied from within the individual. Thus, there is no dependence on an external figure, either in the sense of a person or god figure, or a religious organization.  The common belief that Yoga derives from Hinduism is a misconception.  Yoga actually predates Hinduism by many centuries. 

The Wellness Initiative back in 2010 worked with the Center for Policy Research to conduct research on the effects of yoga instruction in the schools.  The findings are based on a survey of 47 high school students from four schools who participated in 6 to 42 yoga sessions.  Their average age was 15, and 70 percent had no previous exposure to yoga.  The curriculum eliminated chanting and any Sanskrit.
Among the findings:

More than three-fourths of the students agreed strongly or somewhat with the statement “I feel stressed out a lot of the time.”

About two-thirds agreed strongly or somewhat with the statement “I put a lot of pressure on myself”

Following participation in yoga classes, at least half the students noted improvements in physical flexibility; feeling positive and optimistic; feeling physically strong; standing up for oneself; self-confidence; being nice to other students and family.

When asked their reaction to yoga, 63 percent said they “love it “ or “like it”, while 24 percent said they “like it somewhat,” and 13 percent said they did not like it at all.

More than a third of the students reported improvement in how they felt about their body; ability to concentrate; feeling good about themselves; feeling less stress; less frustration; eating less junk food; and putting less pressure on themselves.

When asked how often they used various yoga practices outside the class, more than half reported using the breathing exercises; more than 70  percent reported using visualization; about 45 percent practiced  positive statements about themselves; and 44 percent practiced yoga poses.

Schools participating in The Wellness Initiative yoga classes in Colorado:

Adams County:  Welby New Technology High School, High Point Academy
Arapahoe County:  East Elementary School, Pathways Program
Boulder County:  Columbine Elementary, Crest View Elementary, Fairview High School, Louisville Middle School, Mesa Elementary, Southern Hills Middle School, Whittier Elementary
Denver:  Colfax Elementary, Denver CAMP, Florence Crittenton School, KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy, Knapp Elementary, Munroe Elementary, North High School

On a website blog “Is it just stretching or is it religion?”  One person from Columbus, Ohio wrote, “Yoga is about as religious as track and field, which has its history “firmly rooted” in Ancient Greek polytheistic religious ceremonies.  Music is used in religious to elicit a spiritual experience, but that does not make music itself religious.  Likewise, with Yoga, while it may be used in religious practice, it can just as easily be utilized in a secular manner”

The question of whether yoga practices are inherently spiritual will remain unanswered, and hotly debated.  Is yoga still yoga when stripped of all religious trappings?  That’s a religious issue the First Amendment can’t resolve.

It seems like the simple solution to all this controversy and debate is to invite the parents to a workshop to discuss and educate them in the yoga practice that their school will be offering their children and answer any questions or concerns they may have.  Once the parents are informed, everyone may be able to come to a conclusion that allows yoga and all its benefits to be taught in public schools to their children without stepping on or imposing any religious beliefs.

Thesis on Ghee

Angela Bursua, Focus Yoga Teacher Trainee

Ghee also known as clarified butter, is butter that has had the solid fats and salts removed by slow
simmering. Ayurveda places ghee at the top of the oily foods list, and believes it to have the healing benefits of butter without the impurities. Although notoriously high in fat, ghee is thought to improve overall health including improved memory, digestion and boost the immune system.


History
Ghee, historically revered in the Indian culture for its medicinal properties, has recently gained in popularity in the U.S. and was listed as one of the top superfoods to try in 2012 according to a Huffington Post article. 
Archeological evidence of ghee has been found on pottery dating back to as early as the 6th century.  Additionally, Ghee is mentioned in many ancient texts, and the qualities and health benefits were particularly praised amongst the Ayurvedic Shastras; ancient texts that give guidelines and remedies for Ayurvedic healers and doctors.
The Charaka Samhita, one of the leading Ayurvedic texts, states in sutra 27; verse 232;
“...out of all the oils fit for human consumption, ghee is the best to eat.”

How It's Made
Ghee is made by simmering unsalted butter in a pot until all the water has boiled. It’s basically pure butterfat, rendered down and stricken of all lactose and dairy proteins. It’s ultra-clarified butter in that it reaches a temperature high enough to cook off the water and brown the milk solids, which imparts a nutty flavor to the finished product. Properly made, ghee can stay on the counter for about a year without going bad.

Whether purchasing pre-made ghee or buying your own, nutritionally speaking, using butter from organic grass-fed cows is optimal because it contains much higher levels of both Vitamin A and Vitamin K than butter made from grain-fed cows.

Recipe (From:  Eat-Taste-Heal)

Ingredients: 1 pound or more organic grass fed unsalted butter. 

1.  Cut the butter into cubes and put in a large, heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat.  When all butter has melted, reduce heat to a simmer and cook stirring occasionally, with a slotted spoon.  After about 5 minutes, the butter will begin to form a white froth on its surface and will also create popping sounds as moisture evaporates from the butter.  During this stage, it is important to keep stirring at regular intervals.

2.  After about 10 minutes, the froth will begin to sink to the bottom of the pan where it will collect and form a golden-brown crust.  Turn off the heat and skim off residual foam with a teaspoon.  When the butter becomes clear, turn off the heat and let it sit for 15 minutes.

3.  Finally, carefully pour the contents through a fine sieve into a bowl or jar, leaving the residue at the bottom of the cooking pan.

4.  Transfer the ghee to a clean glass container.  Ghee is best stored at room temperature and is said to get better with age.  The key, however, is to always use a clean spoon when taking ghee from the jar, in order to avoid spoilage resulting from contamination with other foods.



To see a video of the ghee-making process, click here.

Uses
Kulreet Chaudhary, MD, Neurologist and Maharishi Ayurveda Expert says ghee can be prescribed as cooking oil as part of an ayurvedic diet, applied topically to skin as a cream for rashes or as an anti-aging regimen, and as part of an herbal mixture to remedy a multitude of conditions from digestive disorders to neurological conditions.

Ghee is also known for its ability to remove toxins and is used to remove impurities in the organs as a preparation for the ayurvedic detox program, Panchakarma.

Finally, ghee is an excellent cooking medium because it does not break down in high heat like many cooking oils do. From safflower to canola oil, most oils we use in the kitchen can break down in high heat and produce free radicals. These free radicals can lead to disease. In fact, experts tell us to eat more antioxidant rich foods like berries to help fight free radicals, which harm us by damaging our cells and DNA.

Possible Health Benefits
Generally, ghee is thought to serve the body by being a source of nourishment and lubrication. As the body gets older, it dries out and becomes less sturdy (decreasing of bone density, etc.). Ghee is said to help the body to regain this sturdiness, and also moisturize the inside of the body so as to prevent constipation and dryness. Ghee can also be used topically and in orifices to strengthen the eyes, the ears, the nose, the skin, and other aspects of the body.

Animal studies have shown that ghee, when used in moderation, can have a beneficial impact on cholesterol, unlike traditional butter.

In another study which studied ghee versus butter researchers found that ghee had an increased amount of medium- and short-chain fatty acids. Butter contains about 12-15% of these medium-chain and short-chain fats, whereas ghee contains about 25%. Our bodies metabolize medium-chain and short-chain fats differently than long-chain ones, and medium- and short-chain ones are not associated with cardiovascular problems in the same way as the long-chain ones are.

Ghee is most notably said to stimulate the secretion of stomach acids to help with digestion, while other fats, such as butter and oils, slow down the digestive process and can sit heavy in the stomach. Ghee is rich with antioxidants and acts as an aid in the absorption of vitamins and minerals from other foods, serving to strengthen the immune system. A high concentration of butyric acid, a fatty acid that contains anti-viral properties, is believed to inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors.

Charaka, an Ayurvedic master physician in ancient India, touts ghees benefits as:

“...ghee promotes memory, intellect, power of digestion, semen, ojas, kapha and fat. It alleviates vata, pitta, toxic conditions, insanity, consumption and fever. It is the best of all the unctuous substances”

Ghee and the Doshas
Considering the importance of wholesome food in general, ghee’s role in increasing the capacity to digest food (agni) is very important in Ayurvedic preventative health.  Without proper functioning of agni no benefit can be gained from food, and toxins (ama) resulting from poor digestion are involved in many diseases. One or two teaspoonfuls of ghee in food not only provides nourishment to the body in itself, but also increases this capacity to nourish the body with food. What is truly special about the effect of ghee increasing agni is that it does so without aggravating Pitta dosha (the fire element) in the body. Instead ghee balances the different types of Agnis found in the body, the main type of which can be correlated with the digestive enzymes.

For maximum benefit one should alter one’s intake of ghee throughout one’s life and the seasons in accordance with the Ayurvedic concept of Rtucarya (seasonal modifications of daily routine).  In Summertime, heat can lead to a feeling of weakness.  Both ghee and milk are ideal at this time, as sweet, cold liquids and an oily diet help maintain balance. Intake of both ghee and substances with the bitter taste is advised in Autumn when Pitta dosha can potentially get aggravated due to being exposed to heat all Summer. Taking ghee in Autumn also helps prevent Vata getting aggravated with the increase in cold dry weather. Similarly, excess intake of ghee in Spring is not advised, due to potential for kapha to become imbalanced aggravating conditions such as colds and hay fever. Beyond seasonal variations, Ayurveda is a science of individualization and even a food as wholesome of ghee is not always considered healthy. For example, ghee is not advised when kapha is imbalanced and should be used very sparingly in overweight individuals. 

Final Thoughts
Ghee, in moderation, can be part of a nourishing and healthy lifestyle.  For optimal vitamin content choose a high-quality organic version made from pasture-fed cows. 

Upon research several *recommended brands of ghee include:

    Ancient Organics

    Pure Indian Foods


Highly rated butter oils (similar to ghee but cooked at a lower temperature to maintain“Activator X” discovered more than fifty years ago by Weston A. Price, D.D.S. Dr. Price’s identified Activator X as a potent fat-soluble catalyst found in butter oil from cows fed rapidly growing grass. This powerful catalyst helps the body absorb and utilize minerals, and plays an important role in brain and nervous system development, rebuilding of body tissue, repair of teeth and bones, and sex hormone production.  Dr. Price considered high-vitamin butter oil to have extraordinary healing properties.

    NutraPro International

    Green Pasture


*All recommended brands are produced in the US from 100% grass fed cows.


Sources available upon request

Can I do yoga even if I have....?

Judi Harvin
Do you have a chronic physical condition that impedes your movement? You've heard so much about yoga being a huge benefit for certain conditions...are you wondering if it may be right for you?

The answer is, maybe.

Recently I received an email from a student named, coincidently, Judy, that included these lines:

I recently had  2-level spinal fusion surgery. I have congenital stenosis in my entire spine and was told that certain activities...will be useful to me going forward (for example, in the cat-cow tilt, the “cat” part) and certain activities that scrunch up the spine will make my condition worse (in yoga, the “cow” part or sun salutations, etc.)  I am thinking there is no such class as one that has only the poses that are good for my condition and am wondering how beneficial even a “gentle yoga” class is if I can’t do all the poses...

...It is a great discipline for me to have to be absolutely obedient to my doctors, and to get used to my new reality.  I lost 102 lbs and had made physical activity an important part of my life – strength training, running, etc. Now the strength training that will help the osteoporosis is forbidden due to the sad state of my spine… on the other hand, I can’t imagine going through this surgery 100 lbs heavier.
 
How much can that class be geared to an individual? Do students just sit during the poses they are not supposed to do?

I suggested a couple private sessions so we could determine her abilities, and how to modify if she does decide to join a group class. However, I also was reminded of a student in one of my classes, Maria, who I thought might have some insights. I emailed Maria, asking if she could contact Judy and offer some thoughts. Here was her response:


Judy,
Sorry to hear about your challenges.  It can certainly be difficult adjusting to our changing bodies, and finding physical activity that is satisfying both physically and emotionally.  -- I am happy to share with you what my current physical condition is and what has helped me.

In my youth, it was discovered that I have scoliosis. Condensing a lengthy story, I decided to have surgery in my late twenties to minimize the 72 degree and 68 degree lateral curves of my spine, so that I now am fused T4 to L4.  In addition to the inflexibility that Judi noted, I also have severe degeneration in my lower vertebra (L4 L5 S1) with stenosis and also in my cervical spine (C3, 4 and 5).  So I am quite limited in terms of doing many of the poses in yoga. 

However, yoga has been wonderfully beneficial to me, and I find that all of the teachers that I have encountered at Focus Yoga are knowledgeable and certainly supportive of individual students doing what they need to do for their own bodies.  I feel that I have a  pretty good sense of what works for me (that is, what is challenging but OK) and what I need to stay clear of.  Much of that came with trial and error. In my own personal experience and stories I have heard from others with bone/spine issues, you can start with the information that surgeons tell you, but a knowledgeable physical therapist will often have much more information on what is good for you to do and what isn't, once they understand what the surgeon has done and gets to know how you can move and what causes you pain/discomfort.  (My surgeon actually cringes when I tell him that I ski, take yoga, etc.  He is an excellent surgeon, who knows medicine, but understanding exercise is not his forte.)

I had been away from yoga for a few years (as well as a few years older and stiffer) when I came to Focus Yoga.   I certainly feel like there are a number of poses that I simply cannot do (either because I physically cannot get into that position or because even attempting them is not good for me).  However, I either assume a modified version of the pose (and Judi and the other teachers typically have many to recommend) or I do something entirely different, but something I know is good for me. After class, I may be a little sore, but I can stand much straighter, taller, and feel healthier and more energetic than at any other time since my last yoga class. 

At Focus Yoga, Judi has created a very supportive environment in which you always feel challenged from whatever level you are at in your practice.  And, as Judi mentioned, there is also the spiritual part of yoga that has nothing to do with the physical poses, and that is also addressed in the classes.   This I also find wonderfully beneficial.

Without a doubt, I know that my body is definitely stronger and more flexible when I practice yoga.  Being away from exercise in general (and yoga, in particular) is really bad for my body.  I definitely hurt more when I am away from it.   I think that taking a few private classes with Judi would be a great way for you to be able to understand what is best for your body.  And creating that "space" in your spine is something that I believe that you can probably learn to incorporate into just about all of your poses and any yoga class that you take.

So, I would highly recommend yoga to you -- although you may be limited, there are many, many benefits.  And most of all, I recommend that you keep moving.  Being inactive is probably the worst thing that you can do for your body and your spine.

Feel free to write back. 

Take Care.  Be well.
--Maria

If you or someone you know has a physical condition that you feel may benefit from a yoga practice, but you aren't certain, please feel free to contact us at (708) 387-2006. We can discuss and hopefully help! If you feel these words may be of help to a friend you know, please be a good pal and pass this on!

Creating Balance with Ayurveda

"Balance" is a big word today. We talk about creating balance in our lives. Balance means the perfect proportion; whether it's work and play, energy, or our checkbook. 

In Ayurveda, good balance means a good life. It means optimal health. It means perking along efficiently, being productive, and enjoying quality leisure time. It means good health, managing stress, and feeling harmony with your environment. Creating this utopian life means constantly monitoring "balance." What constitutes balance is different for each of us. In Ayurveda, just what are we trying to balance?

Everything we know is made up a varying amounts of five basic ingredients: air, ether, water, fire and earth. This includes you and me. We have each of those elements in us, but the proportions differ from person to person. Instead of looking at proportions of each of the five elements individually, Ayurveda has simplified this by organizing the elements into three main groups, the doshas. In optimal balance, we each have a predominant dosha, or a unique blend of the doshas. Once we know what our dosha or blend is, we can use that information to maintain balance. 

Here is a simplified snapshot of the doshas; do you see yourself below?

If you have a lot of fire and water, this means you have a lot of a quality we call pitta. In balance, you are motivated, a leader. You are strong and focused. You are organized and have high standards. Out of balance, you are prone to irritability and anger, ulcers, rashes and becoming overheated.

If you have a lot of earth and water, we'd call that kapha. In balance, you are patient, loving and kind. You are a nurturer. You have thick hair, oily, luminous skin and a full figure. Out of balance, you can be lethargic, unmotivated, prone to gain weight. You may suffer from congestive issues. 

If you have a high proportion of air and ether, we say you have a lot of vatta in your constitution. In balance, you are creative, expressive, and highly active. You have a thin figure, hair and features. Out of balance, you are anxious, have trouble focusing, and are prone to dry skin and constipation.

Of course, I've only listed only a few of the characteristics of each dosha. But, they may be enough for you to say "Ah-hah! That's me!!" Or, you may have varying amounts of each. For example, I am a blend of vatta and pitta; I often feel cold, I have dry skin, and I'm creative, but I can also be very ambitious and motivated. And guess what? In the spring, I'm lethargic, a sign that yes, I even have a little kapha.

While we each have an optimal balance, outside forces constantly work to disrupt that balance. These forces include the time of day, of year (such as my spring example above), and of life. Do you notice that you feel energetically out of balance at certain times of the day? How about the time of year? How does a hot summer day affect you? A cool, dry fall day? 

In Ayurveda we recognize the rhythms of nature and forces of life, and how they affect our unique balance. Armed with a little information, we can anticipate these forces. Once we learn the formula, we can look at things such as activities and diet that will help us maintain our balance when life is giving us a little shove. 

If this looks interesting, please join me for a workshop "What's My Dosha? Your unique balance applied to yoga, diet and life" Wednesday, March 20, 5:30 - 7:00pm. You will get a better understanding of your unique doshic blend, what yoga practice will best serve you, what foods will best nourish you, and what routines will help keep you in balance as you walk the tightrope of life.