vol. 6 / issue 6 JUNE 2012
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Namaste!

Bad mental habits. Got any?

Somewhere along the line I picked up the highly erroneous notion that the longer I practiced, the more "tame" my mind would become. I suppose this is partially true, as most days it is easy and comfortable to sit in meditation. But as my teacher, Rod Stryker, recently reminded us, "It's great that you are spending time every day, sitting quietly and watching your thoughts. But what about the rest of the day?" Oh. That.

What I've found lately is not an etheric experience of the crystal clarity of mind as I wander blissfully through my day. Rather, it's been a realization that after all of these years of practice I (still) regularly spin myself into a mental tizzy over something/anything/nothing on a regular basis. Very. Regular. Basis. What to do?

More practice. Patience. Compassion for this human being-ness we are all navigating the best we can. And right now, I am putting a little bit more due diligence around watching my thoughts (and their resulting actions) all day -- or at least more of the day. Leaving negative and self-defeating thought trains at the station instead of going for a ride; choosing to *not* make the snarky remark or gossipy comment brewing in my mind; and probably the biggest one -- pausing to feel (not think) when I do catch myself in a mental tailspin. Sensation in the body is a far better gauge of presence, honesty, and "okay-ness" than my crazy, whirling thoughts will ever be.

Stop. Feel. Take a breath and feel the space inside and around the body. All is well.

Peace,
Jill

the nidra secret
the beauty of yogic sleep
We all sleep. But we don't always get the deep rest we expect sleep to provide. Just think of how you feel after a night of tossing and turning, or a spate of disturbing dreams.

Sometimes when we most need to relax, relaxation is the hardest thing to find. The culprit often is tension. We all have it, to some degree or another, whether it's physical, mental, or emotional. And tension can be a hard habit to break. Its patterns create lasting imprints in our bodies and minds, whether from intense periods of stress or the subtle, chronic stress of daily living, making it difficult to deal with new stress or to shed unproductive habits.

That's when a yoga nidra practice can help unwind even the most stubborn stress patterns in the body and mind. Often called "the sleep of the yogis," yoga nidra is a guided, deep relaxation that is even better than sleep. It's a systematic method of relaxing the body, the conscious mind, and even the subconscious mind.

As you rest in a comfortable position on the floor, the instructor leads you through stages of relaxation, from body scanning to visualization. The practice calms your nervous system, which is central to both physical and mental well-being. By dropping into ever-deeper layers of relaxation, you unwind long-held patterns of stress, tension, and trauma.

When practiced regularly, yoga nidra can be a powerful tool for changing both thought and behavior patterns, lowering long-term stress levels, and improving mood. Scientific studies of yoga nidra techniques have shown the practice effectively reduces insomnia, chronic pain, anxiety, and even mood disorders such as PTSD or depression. And forms of the practice actually have been implemented in military bases, hospitals, hospice centers, homeless shelters, and schools.

If you'd like to try the practice for yourself, all you need to do is come to the blue!

Yoga Nidra with Kathleen
6:30-8:00 pm, Friday, June 29
practicing pranayama
constancy in the flow of life force
When someone says the word “yoga,” often the first thought in most people’s minds is the poses, or asana. But the postures are really a means on our path toward enhancing our ability to sit for periods of time in meditation, where the mind can grow still. The practice of pranayama is an integral part of this process.

“Prana” is breath or vital energy in the body, which often is referred to as “life force.” “Ayama” means to control, or to give rhythm or a definite flow. Thus, “pranayama” is control of the breath, or, more accurately, constancy in the flow of the life force. In the practice of pranayama, we draw prana from our external world and our sensory attention that is usually moving outward, inward to the core of the energetic body.

Throughout the ages, yoga masters have taught that specific breathing exercises can cultivate and channel the rhythms of pranic energy -- rejuvenating a tired body, settling a wandering mind, revitalizing a wavering spirit, and enabling us to surrender to a state of deeper meditation.

You may be familiar with or practice pranayama techniques in your yoga classes or in your home practice. Kapalabhakti (Shining Skull), Dirgha Pranayam (Three-Part Deep Breathing), Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing), Ujjayi (Victorious Breath), and others, are all examples of pranayama, some of which also include breath retention following an inhalation or exhalation.

It’s important to distinguish that while we cultivate prana with breath, prana is more subtle than air; it is actually the energy essence within everything in the universe.

learn more about pranayama
Next weekend, we’ll explore the Power of Pranayama during our Path of Purification weekend workshop series with Will Duprey. We’ll learn how breath affects both the physical and energetic body, and the profound effects breath work can have on both. You are invited to join us for the entire weekend or any of the individual sessions. Details are below in june happenings.
june happenings
mala month and more!
Can it be time for another mala already? Slow down and mark the passage of time to another season this month with our yoga mala, or enjoy time on your mat in any of our classes, here just for you, to fill your cup. Check out all of the details for June's special events, classes, and workshops at the online WebScheduler.

Classes News
Friday Night Specials
6:30-8:00 pm
Candlelight Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Disco Flow, and Yoga Nidra.
Check them out!


Yoga Mala with Jill
4:00-6:00 pm, Sunday, June 24

Community Yoga Classes -- FREE!
9:30-10:30 am, Saturday, June 16
9:30-10:30 am, Saturday, June 30
Both classes are at the Studio Hargett location.

Workshops and Events
Yoga Explorations Six-Week Series with Suzanne
6:30-8:00 pm, Thursdays through June 28
Drop-ins welcome! ($16)

Kids Art and Yoga Summer Camp (ages 6-10) with Jen
1:00-4:00 pm, June 18-22 and August 6-10

Saturday Afternoon Workshops
June 2, Yin Yoga Intensive with Yvonne
June 23, Vinyasa Level 2/3 with Carrington

Advanced Training / YTT500 and RYT200 CEU
A Path to Purification with Will Duprey
June 8 - 10

Journey deeper into yoga as you learn to integrate practice and philosophy, enriching your living experience. With Shadanga Yoga, a distinct path that focuses particularly on prana and awakening the divine energy, we will practice a way to develop the fire for living, teaching, and creating. (YTT500/RYT200 CEU 15 hrs)

Registrations are now open by session, as well.
   Bring Your Practice to Daily Life, 6:30-9:30 pm, Friday, June 8
   The Power of Pranayama, 2:00-5:00 pm, Saturday, June 9
   Yoga Philosophy & Sound (Mantra Chanting), 9:00 am - Noon, Sunday, June 10


Yoga Immersion & Teacher Training Intensive
Registration remains open for 9 months of transformation, the blue lotus yoga immersion program. The next session begins in September, one weekend a month for nine months. Find out more on our website.

Visit the online WebScheduler for details and to register for classes and workshops!
Blue Lotus Yoga and Movement Arts

401 n. west street
raleigh nc 27603
919.831.2583
bluelotusnc.com
see you at the blue!