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| Featured Pose
Standing Head to Knee
Dandayamana Janushirasana |
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Develops patience, concentration and determination. Improves the mind and body connection.
Uses all major muscle groups. Strengthens and firms the abdomen, thighs, legs, upper body and arms.
Stretches the sciatic nerve, hamstrings and calves. Works the muscular, skeletal, reproductive, endocrine and digestive systems.
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| Food 4 Thought
Carbohydrates |
| With the diet craze in full effect at the start of each year, many people jump on board various diets to reduce their weight. The results are often short-lived. Some began to think that carbohydrates are BAD, when in fact, this could not be farther from the truth. There are bad carbs and unhealthy ways to eat carbs (i.e. fried). But if you eat nutrient-rich vegetables or whole grain pasta, these types of carbs are good!
Carbohydrates are one of the main types of food that we need to live. Your liver breaks down carbohydrates into glucose (blood sugar). Your body uses this sugar for energy for your cells, tissues and organs.
Carbohydrates are called simple or complex, depending on how fast your body digests and absorbs the sugar. You get simple carbs from fruits, milk products and table sugar. Complex carbs include whole grain breads and cereals, starchy vegetables and legumes. Complex carbs and some simple carbs provide vitamins, minerals and fiber. Products made with refined sugar and high saturated fats provide little nutrition. It is wise to limit these products. |
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FEBRUARY 2008
One of the lessons our hot yoga practice teaches us is to be present, in the moment. If we let our minds wander during class, it will be far more difficult to find stillness in our postures and savasanas, and more difficult to even get into postures, let alone advance in them over time. Keeping our minds present during our yoga practice is just one of the powerful skills that our practice teaches us, that we can use to benefit our everyday lives.
No matter how you may be celebrating Valentine's Day this month, remember the skill of a present mind. Giving gifts, kind words and gestures to our loved ones is always thoughtful and appreciated. But one of the greatest ways we can share our love for others, is to be completely present with them. When we spend time with loved ones, it can sometimes be challenging to focus our attention, and not think of other things.
This month, in and out of hot yoga class, challenge yourself to be grounded in the present moment, to BE present -- for yourself and your loved ones.
Namaste,
Jason, Monica, Stephanie, Lourdes, Jeri, Lindsey, Nadia, Laura, Tracey, Lisa, Jordan M., Jordan S., and Bylle |
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Studio Update |
HB Hot Yoga is recycling!  Please donate your bottles and cans by placing them in the blue recycle bin located next to the cooler by the front desk.
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Student of the Month |
Our February Student of the Month is Gordon Emerson!
- When did you start practicing hot yoga?
Gordon started practicing hot yoga three and a half years ago, and has done over 430 classes at HB Hot Yoga to date! A friend had told him about hot yoga, so he did some online research and found HB Hot Yoga's Web site. He started coming to the studio on his own, and was quickly hooked.
- How often do you practice?
Gordon practices hot yoga at least 3 days per week.
- Why do you practice? What are the primary benefits you experience?
Gordon has experienced so many benefits from his hot yoga practice... It has helped his endurance, digestion, circulation, strength, confidence, and general well-being. Improved balance, focus and concentration has helped his golf game as well! He said hot yoga has helped him "let things go" more easily, helped his "ability to move on" past challenging situations. Gordon has improved his diet and his intake of water. "I am just a yoga salesperson" all the time now, Gordon shares... "At home, on vacation," he's always telling others about how great hot yoga is, and how it can change one's life. Lastly, Gordon really enjoys the community of people at HB Hot Yoga. He enjoys getting to class early, just to spend time talking to others before class.
- How has your hot yoga practice impacted or changed your life?
Gordon commented: "I just think it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. I started practicing hot yoga at age 49, and I just wish I had discovered it decades earlier. Yoga has changed my entire lifestyle for the better." |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
Why do we end class by saying NAMASTE?
You may have noticed a frame on the wall, next to the entrance to the hot yoga room. It provides the meaning of "namaste" from Leo Buscaglia, author of "Love." Here is his definition:
"I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides.
I honor the place in you, wherein lies your love, your light, your truth and your beauty.
I honor the place in you, where...if you are in that place in you...and I am in that place in me...then there is only one of us."
In India, people use "Namaste" as a greeting or an acknowledgement of another person. At HB Hot Yoga, it is a fitting conclusion to our classes, acknowledging and honoring one another at the end of a practice that unifies our mind and body, as well as us individuals. |
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In the Know
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You can register to vote online at RockTheVote.com. Simply log on, fill out a registration form, print and sign it, then mail the form to: Secretary of State
Elections Division
1500 11th Street, 5th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
If you plan to vote in the February Caucus, you need to be registered. If you desire to vote outside of your party, you can also change your party by registering again, and checking the box indicating a change of party.
If you have a hard time making it to a designated voting location, you can also elect to vote by mail, and a ballot will be mailed directly to your home. You can choose to permanently vote by mail as well. There's many options, making it easier than ever to exercise our right to vote in the upcoming Caucus and Presidential elections! | |
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