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Greetings Huntington Beach Hot Yoga Family,
January proved to be an exciting month at the studio as it always brings back students we have not seen in awhile and the pleasure of welcoming new ones to the Huntington Beach Hot Yoga family. One of the greatest joys is seeing the new students come in not knowing what to expect yet courageous enough to step into the room with an open mind. As the great Martin Luther Kings, Jr. once said, "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
Then, there are the happy faces from the returning students as they are able to make time for yoga again. For those returning students, yoga is like coming back to spend time with an old friend you have known for years, the relationship is picked up as if no time had gone by (except you may be very sore the next day!) Even if you have not spoken with an old friend for some time, a yoga relationship is similar to that circumstance as it makes one feel as if time was never lost the moment you reconnect with it. Yoga continues to inspire us internally and uplift us spiritually as does spending time with friendships that are meaningful and lasting. Reconnecting to your yoga practice is like seeing that old friend as it leaves us feeling happy and more accepting of ourselves. What a gift!
Speaking of yoga practice, congratulations to all 38 of the 30 - Day Challenge students. Thank you for displaying such discipline and determination to us all. It's truly amazing to see how yoga can change peoples lives and we would love to hear from you if you wish to share your journey. Please send us your emails. We are very proud of you all!
When I first began doing yoga, I was asked why I do it. My answer was simple; it makes me happy because I felt self-acceptance. I can say the same is true today as it always leaves me feeling more accepting of others and myself every time I get up from the mat. It seems as if whatever life worries I was holding onto I somehow was able to let go during class. The longer I practice the more value I put on the powerful effects of a consistent yoga practice. I have a strong faith that it will continue to do so as it has for many years!
See you on your mat!
Jason Wilkerson
Owner, HB Hot Yoga |
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JASON WILKERSON
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CONFIRM YOU'RE IN!
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We believe your time and in-box is precious and do not want to send you anything you do not want to receive. Please confirm your continued interest in receiving this email from us, or click on the link at the bottom of this newsletter to opt-out. Thank you.Jason Wilkerson, Owner HBHY
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| QUICK LINKS | Back issues of our SWEAT monthly newsletters are now available through the following link -
SWEAT Archives
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FEATURED STUDENTS - Tom McCann
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HOW OFTEN DO YOU PRACTICE? 3 to 4 times per week
WHY DO YOU PRACTICE? Makes me feel good. Reduces joint and muscle pain. Helps me maintain and lose weight.
WHAT ARE THE PRIMARY BENEFITS YOU EXPERIENCE? Helps me maintain a positive attitude and a good personal image. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE POSTURE? Savasana, I also like awkward. I can feel the effects of strengthened ankles and feet and I like it.
HOW HAS YOUR HOT YOGA PRACTICE IMPACTED OR CHANGED YOUR LIFE? Very positively. I don't feel as well or my spirits are not as elevated when I'm away on a trip. Hot Yoga has become a very pleasant addiction for me. Thank you Jason!
Now featuring our Student of the Month on the website homepage - www.huntingtonbeachhotyoga.com |
FEATURED TEACHER - Barbara Harrington
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Hometown: Haciend a Heights First Yoga Class: My first hot yoga class was 2 ½ years ago Most influential teacher: Jason Wilkerson The Defining moment when you realized you wanted to teach yoga was: I was in a tough spot in my life but yoga was always able to calm my mind. I decided to teach when I realized how much discipline and focus yoga brought to my life Favorite Pose and Why: TREE! I like the feeling of growing and feeling my spine lengthen. I feel peace in that posture Most Challenging Part of Your Yoga Practice: I wish my schedule allowed me more time to practice. Person who has inspired you most: My daughter Brooke Secret Comfort Foods: Chips and Salsa Movie that has changed the way you think: Beautiful Mind Cause you feel most passionate about: Understanding people and all their differences Your local retreat: Yoga studio when I get to practice An Unfinished Dream: Becoming an Anesthesia Nurse What is your favorite expression? Love it or leave it!! What is your teaching philosophy? Yoga is a very individual practice. I want to motivate and inspire practitioners. How long have you been teaching yoga for? A year and a half Why is yoga important to you? Yoga brings peace to my mind and helps me spiritually. Most passionate subject: Love Favorite hobbies: Yoga Which yoga book would you recommend to students? The Tibetan book of Yoga: Ancient Buddhist Teachings on the Philosophy and Practice of Yoga. |
30 Day Challenge Participants
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We would like to recognize and congratulate all who participated and completed this round of the 30 Day Challenge. Great job to all of you! Shelley Aaronson, Amy Bistolas, Megan Conlay, Brandice Cook, Diane Cravens, Laura Czubaj, Ritchie Domingo, Sara Emerson, Paula Evans, Jessica Fernandez, Alicia Franks, Travis Gaul, Ted Girvin, Marcella Guerra, Elena Hedlund, Jennifer Higa, Cyndi Hunt, Laura Jasso, Heather Kogler, April Kurtyka, Cori Lahners, Kimberly Levay, Yolanda Lopez, Farren McGaffigan, Lilly Nguyen, Diane Pannell, Christelle Reigner, Felicia Serrano, Martine Sheets, Andrea Sigg, Chris Swartz, Tricia Swartz, Andie Thayer, Georgia Weichel, Julie Wendt, Diana Winthers, Kate Wood and Dan Young. |
| ASK YOGI- What are the Eight Limbs of Yoga |
Yoga is the union between body, mind and spirit. Its objective is to use the breath and body to create awareness of the self as connected to the whole of creation. In short it is about creating balance and equanimity so as to live in peace and health with the world and people around us. Yoga was developed in India thousands of years ago and the foundations of yoga philosophy were recorded in The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali (200 AD). Sutra means "thread", and Patanjali's Sutras are a set of aphorisms, or short, concise, easily-remembered set of instructions for the eight-limbed path that forms the structural framework for yoga practice.
The eight limbs of Yoga are: Yama (respect for others and how we deal with people around us), Niyama (respect for self, how we relate to ourselves inwardly), Asana (posture), Pranayama (science of breath
control), Pratyahara (control of the senses), Dharana (concentration and inner perceptual awareness), Dhyana (meditation on the divine), Samadhi (total absorption or union with the divine).
Each limb builds on the previous one, and there is a progression, with regular practice, from one limb to the next. That said, it is not necessary (or even possible) to master the first limb of Yoga before attempting to practice the other limbs. As mentioned in last month's column, in Western Society, "Asana" (posture-focused Yoga) tends to be the one of the eight limbs of Yoga that we do the most. A focus on Asana can lead to good physical fitness and reduction of stress levels, and can open the gateway for exploration of the other seven limbs of Yoga. Over-emphasis of Asana can lead to neglect of the other limbs (i.e. breathing, meditation and the spirit), feeding the ego and material desires, and creating imbalances in life; a person "stuck" on Asana can become "stuck" in life in general.
For many of us, simply doing the Asanas while remembering to breathe is a serious challenge. One of the many benefits of the Hatha Yoga system we practice at HBHY is the combined - and sustained - focus on Asana and the breath. A regular Asana practice will help you cultivate the other six limbs- whether you like it or not! Remember, regardless of where you are in your practice, just showing up to Yoga
class (and life's daily challenges) and remembering to breathe is 90% of the work!
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YOGA RETREAT OPPORTUNITIES
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| FEATURED POSTURE-Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose |
Dandayamana Bibhaktapada Paschimotthanasana
 Standing separate leg stretching pose presents as a gift at the end of the standing series - a reward for your hard work and focus. After balancing on one leg for three major postures, you are now able to ground your body through all four limbs. Your energy is restored through the deep stretch, inversion, heart rate normalised and oxygenated blood delivered to the brain. Ahhhhhh.
Standing facing the side mirror at the top of your mat, inhale and take a wide three foot step across your mat slightly angling your toes in and heels out (unless you have sciatic nerve pain, then keep them parallel). With your arms out wide to the side at shoulder height, chin out facing forwards, swan dive forward, keeping your chin out in order to straighten your spine (you do not want to round it in this posture). Bend your knees just enough to lower your hands to the ground and then to your feet. Hold your ankles if this is as far as you can reach, or tuck your fingers under your heels from the outside of your foot. Bend your elbows, pull on your heels and lift up your hips. Contract your quadriceps to assist with the opening and lengthening of your hamstrings, roll your weight forward on to your toes. Contract your abdominal muscles and breath deeply.Lift your chin and keep your back straight as your raise your torso back to upright with a straight back with arms out to your side. Inhale and step back together.
Benefits - Helps functioning of the abdominal organs. Brings blood to the brain .Stretches and strengthens the sciatic nerves and tendons of the legs. Increases flexibility of the pelvis, ankles, hip joints and last 5 vertebrae of spine. Improves the muscle tone and flexibility of thighs and calves. |
FINAL THOUGHT
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I believe in sun when it is not shining;
I believe in love when feeling it not;
and I believe in GOD even when I cannot sense him
Writtten in Cellar of Ghetto in Venice - 1945
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$99*
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Month-to-month membership continues! Unlimited Yoga
$99 per month
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* month-to-month membership - $49 set up fee - two month minimum, cost per person per month, click here for more details Huntington Beach Hot Yoga Rates
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