Sharing the Gift of Yoga 

By Heidi Valenzuela, RYT

 

Remember when you first discovered yoga?  Maybe it was that feeling of true relaxation or that great night's sleep after class?  Or feeling relief from a chronic condition or increased strength to do the things you want to with your day?

Friends share yoga...

Some of us stumble upon yoga on our own or go to our first class after a chiropractor or doctor recommends it...but the vast majority of us find ourselves in our first yoga class because a friend told us about it and invited us. I'm sure if you were invited by a friend, you are ever grateful to them for thinking of you.  I'd encourage you this month to consider sharing the gift of yoga with someone you care about.

Why is Yoga and YogaXoga a gift?  

• There are so many generalizations and misconceptions about yoga.  That's why the best place to find a class is through a friend, someone you know and trust. Your favorite yoga class and teacher could be the best kept secret in town...
• There are so many health benefits from yoga, including improved fitness & flexibility, stress relief, improved breathing capacity, boosted immunity, improved focus and well-being. And that's just a few things...I'm sure you have more benefits to share with your friends.    
• As you know, YogaXoga offers a different approach to yoga.  Our Demystified Yoga classes offer the benefits of yoga but with a focus on the physical and stress-relieving aspects.  Our Christian Yoga classes create a quiet, worshipful hour interwoven with encouraging scripture.  

We all know someone who could really appreciate the many benefits of yoga.  Someone who needs a fresh start to making healthy choices, or maybe someone who just needs a break; a safe place to relax.  Our YogaXoga classes are not intimidating or scary and are accessible to all fitness levels, ages and sizes.  Our instructors tailor the class to fit you and your needs that day.  This month, we're making it even easier to bring a friend, family member or your valentine to yoga:   

In February, your friend's first class is FREE at any YogaXoga class and location. 

YogaXoga's Gift to KC: Because we believe that EVERYONE should have access to SAFE and AFFORDABLE yoga, we keep our prices low and offer a DONATIONS ONLY class every Friday at 9:30 a.m. at Covenant Chapel in Leawood, KS.  Just pay what you can - everyone is welcome! See the online schedule for details. 

 Do you have a story about how yoga has been a gift to you?  Email us at heidi@YogaXoga.com and we would love to share it in a future newsletter or blog post.  

Featured Pose: Chest Expansion

Opening and lifting your chest is a great pose to do in class but also throughout your day.  This is especially helpful if you spend a lot of time hunched over in your day - maybe over a computer or other tasks. Lifting your chest also helps energize you and boost your immune system. 

Seated: While seated, you can move your hips to the front edge of your chair and place your feet flat on the floor.  Place your hands on the seat of the chair behind you, draw your shoulders down and lift the chest.  Continue to draw the shoulder blades toward each other and breathe.  Hold for 3-5 breaths. Move in Seated Cat and Cow as you finish.  

Standing: While standing in Mountain Pose, draw your arms behind you in Beach Ball position or with hands clasped.  Draw the shoulders down and shoulder blades toward each other and lift with the sternum, breathing. Hold for 3-5 breaths. Rest forward in Standing Forward Fold, legs bent to counter the pose.  

Other Chest Expanding Poses: Cow, Cobra, Up Dog and Bridge.

Learn more about heart-lifting and chest expanding poses at YogaXoga's Blog.