"Yoga Essentials"
I've lost count of the number of times someone has said to me "Well, I'd like to try yoga but I'm not flexible enough". Yoga is not just for the super-bendy people in the world. In fact, what is typically true of super-bendy people is that, although they demonstrate considerable flexibility, they are often lacking in physical strength and joint stability because their connective tissues are too long to be able to adequately support their joints. If your joints are not supported, it's often because either the muscles that are supposed to support them are not strong enough to do so or the joints move into hyper-extension/flexion so often, it causes long-term joint and alignment issues.
There is over 40 years of research demonstrating the negative effects that over-stretching can have on the body. Conversely, for those folks who describe themselves as 'unflexible' (like myself when I first came to yoga), there is often enough muscular strength to support the joints but not enough muscle length to allow those joints to experience adequate range-of-motion or flexibility. This chronic state of tension can also have long-term negative effects on the body. A yoga practice that focuses on both strength and length is a balanced practice.
Yoga Essentials classes
In Yoga Essentials we explore 'essential' yoga poses, breathing and meditation…SAFELY. Contrary to popular opinion, not all of the yoga poses that migrated to the West from India are safe for the human body. And many of the postures, if practiced in ways that simply replicate the movements in our daily lives (movements that contribute to physical issues in the first place), can actually aggravate existing conditions, rather than help resolve them.
Students will learn how to counteract the accumulative and harmful effects of repeatedly bending or reaching forward, prolonged sitting and sustaining a ‘busy’ lifestyle. We’ll explore safe ways to practice Forward Bends; we’ll identify the kind of Inversions that are helpful and completely avoid the ones that are dangerous; we’ll unlearn harmful sitting habits and develop ones that cultivate strength and support the natural curves of the spine.
Students will also learn breathing and meditation techniques to help manage the effects of daily stress. And because yoga is an embodied practice that has both physical and metaphysical benefits, we'll also explore various themes and encourage self-reflection in a safe and non-judgmental atmosphere where playfulness is encouraged and self-love is cultivated. This is the perfect class for anyone who has never tried yoga before or for seasoned practitioners who want to get 'back-to-the-basics'.
For more information, feel free to email Michele at michelebar1965@gmail.com
Namaste
There is over 40 years of research demonstrating the negative effects that over-stretching can have on the body. Conversely, for those folks who describe themselves as 'unflexible' (like myself when I first came to yoga), there is often enough muscular strength to support the joints but not enough muscle length to allow those joints to experience adequate range-of-motion or flexibility. This chronic state of tension can also have long-term negative effects on the body. A yoga practice that focuses on both strength and length is a balanced practice.
Yoga Essentials classes
In Yoga Essentials we explore 'essential' yoga poses, breathing and meditation…SAFELY. Contrary to popular opinion, not all of the yoga poses that migrated to the West from India are safe for the human body. And many of the postures, if practiced in ways that simply replicate the movements in our daily lives (movements that contribute to physical issues in the first place), can actually aggravate existing conditions, rather than help resolve them.
Students will learn how to counteract the accumulative and harmful effects of repeatedly bending or reaching forward, prolonged sitting and sustaining a ‘busy’ lifestyle. We’ll explore safe ways to practice Forward Bends; we’ll identify the kind of Inversions that are helpful and completely avoid the ones that are dangerous; we’ll unlearn harmful sitting habits and develop ones that cultivate strength and support the natural curves of the spine.
Students will also learn breathing and meditation techniques to help manage the effects of daily stress. And because yoga is an embodied practice that has both physical and metaphysical benefits, we'll also explore various themes and encourage self-reflection in a safe and non-judgmental atmosphere where playfulness is encouraged and self-love is cultivated. This is the perfect class for anyone who has never tried yoga before or for seasoned practitioners who want to get 'back-to-the-basics'.
For more information, feel free to email Michele at michelebar1965@gmail.com
Namaste