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Greetings Huntington Beach Hot Yoga Family,
We use the word "still" to describe different things. We tell a child to "sit still" when their boundless energy stirs a sense of chaos around us. We refer to the night as "still" when there is an absence of wind and noise. In yoga, we strive for a sense of "stillness" in our practice. In doing this we are seeking both uses of the word - a quiet escape from the noise of our mind and the unstructured energy of our day outside the studio.
There is strength in stillness. You will hear the teacher's ask "stand still and bring your focus to your forehead." Creating stillness in your self is challenging, yet is one of the greatest benefits of your yoga practice. Learning the discipline of "stillness" - ignoring the physical desire to wipe sweat and fidget with clothing that has moved during the last pose, quieting the noisy mind chattering about the heat, your thirst or some judgment about your last effort. Learning to create stillness within your mind and body for just the 90 minutes of class will create a core strength within you that will bring greater strength to your daily life outside of class. Learning to quiet your mind, stand still and straight will help you to manage stressful situations you may encounter in your day. It will provide strength of calm you can draw on whenever you need to. This is a strength that requires daily practice, discipline and commitment, but will fundamentally change your life.
I urge you to adopt this intention for May. Walk into the studio determined to leave the chaos outside and channel only stillness inside. Instead of fidgeting and chattering during breaks and between poses, practice the discipline of standing still, focus forward, and with your breath, draw energy and stillness into your body. Beginning to shift your practice from the physical to the mental is where you find the greatest growth. There is a whole yoga class in itself in-between postures during the stillness and as a result you will receive more benefits from the posture, more energy during and after class. I look forward to hearing how this intention is evolving your practice.
May 3rd will be Huntington Beach Hot Yoga's 8th anniversary! I am so grateful for every student and staff member that has contributed to the success of our community. I began with one instructor and a huge dream to create a yoga studio that would one day be able to change people lives, one student at a time. Ironically, I believe it has been you that has helped change my life for the better as I continue to grow inside of our incredible community. We hope to see you all at the 8th year anniversary party on Saturday, May 7th from 3 pm to 5 pm.
See you on your mat,
Jason
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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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JAPAN RELIEF CANDLE LIGHT CLASS
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 The donation based Japan candlelight class on Saturday, April 30 was a truly inspirational experience. Thank you Vivian Nguyen, Jenai Nelson and Robin Hall for teaching such a wonderful class. A special thanks goes to our very own student, Nobuhiro Sato for the beautiful design and production of "Pray for Japan" T-shirts. It was a 90 - minute combination Dayton Method and Power Flow class that seriously kicked our booties! It's a refreshing and much needed reminder that being of service and helping others is where true happiness can be found. As a result, $1800 was raised to benefit the citizens of Japan. Thank you Huntington Beach Hot Yoga community for your participation and caring hearts. I am truly proud.
You can see more pictures from the class on our Facebook page
"The only ones among you who will be truly happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve."
Albert Schweitzer
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| FEATURED STUDENT - Christina Loya |
 WHY DO YOU PRACTICE? I really enjoy the sacred environment HBHY provides as well as all the amazing people you cross paths with! I love practicing hot yoga because it grounds me and helps me to be a better person in many ways. Over time it has really calmed my nervous system and helped to gain the patience/focus needed to accomplish important goals in my life. It continues to challenge me and I always feel accomplished and thankful when I practice.
WHAT ARE THE PRIMARY BENEFITS YOU EXPERIENCE? There is a tremendous amount of benefits to receive from practicing hot yoga! I've been a massage therapist for 12 years and it really helps with the reversal process from repetitious movement. Ive gained strength, flexibility, and balance. Also I play competitive softball and I've noticed it has really improved my performance giving me better agility,core strength and focus. Most of all hot yoga has pulled my heart through a lot of healing and has helped me to reconnect to my purpose in life.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE POSTURE? Standing bow!!
HOW HAS YOUR HOT YOGA PRACTICE IMPACTED OR CHANGED YOUR LIFE? Yoga has brought so much peace and happiness to my life. It has continuously inspired self reflection that has evolved into strength. Yoga has helped me to gain my health back and there are no words to express my gratitude and respect for yoga! I am very thankful for people who have devoted their energy and time to guiding practices! I'll never forget the the words that Jason shared "The medicine is in the stillness" Yoga is such a beautiful journey within!!!
Now featuring our Student of the Month on the website homepage - www.huntingtonbeachhotyoga.co
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OUR NEW BLOG!
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In our continued efforts to improve our already amazing studio, we are excited to announce the arrival of the Huntington Beach Hot Yoga Blog! You can link from here (www.huntingtonbeachhotyoga.com/blog) or directly from our homepage. Please join in the light-hearted discussion about our unique yoga community - post comments, ask questions and remember to spread the word! We look forward to blogging with you!
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| FEATURED TEACHER - Erica Schwartz |
 Hometown: Upland, CA
First Yoga Class: Hot Yoga HB with JW
Most influential teacher: Jason Wilkerson
The Defining moment when you realized you wanted to teach yoga was: When I started taking 2 classes a day my practice improved and I knew I wanted to teach!
Favorite Pose and Why: I love standing bow because it is such a beautiful pose.
Most Challenging Part of Your Yoga Practice: I love the intense heat of our yoga studio and it is challenging for me when it isn't as hot as I would like, so I always where my long sleeve shirt and push myself to create intense internal heat.
Person who has inspired you most: My mother
Book you are currently reading: The Dukan Diet
Secret Comfort Foods: I love sugar....candy, cake, cookies, and cupcakes!
Movie that has changed the way you think: I am a huge reader so I don't go to the movies often.
Your local retreat: My yoga practice is my daily retreat. I enjoy going to Palm Desert to relax and Las Vegas to have fun!
What is your teaching philosophy? Challenge the students who have been practicing for years to go move deeper into their poses and strengthen their practice.
How long have you been teaching yoga for? 3 years
Why is yoga important to you? It brings peace and balance to my life
Most passionate subject: My family
Favorite hobbies: Yoga, Fitness and traveling
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Ask Yogi: What is Saucha?
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What is Saucha?
The Sanskrit translation of Saucha is 'purity and cleanliness.' Within the eight limbs of yoga, Saucha is the first of the five Niyama's (personal observances for coming to terms with oneself). The interpretation of 'purity and cleanliness' differs depending on each individual. The practice of Saucha is particularly relevant during the early Spring when many yogis have the seasonal urge to engage in some "Spring Cleaning" of home and lifestyle. Saucha typically has both inner (heart and mind) and outer (body and environment) aspects. Outer purity means keeping our bodies and yoga gear (matt, towel, clothes) clean - something to keep in mind at HBHY as the weather gets warm! Inner cleanliness has to do with the quality of our relationships and the clarity of our mind. The yogi practicing Saucha seeks to cleanse the mind of its "clutter" and stressful emotions, and to be open and clear in his or her actions and interactions both on and off the yoga matt.
Practicing Saucha
Yoga: Any twisting yoga posture (i.e. seaated Ardha Matsyendrasana, half spinal twist) facilities Saucha because twists squeeze toxins out of our organs like a washcloth, releasing old energy, and making space for new revitalized energy to enter our body.
Body/Diet: shower daily, consume plenty of fresh, chemical-free, unprocessed foods and pure water, avoid eating meat and fast food
Environment: recycle, ride your bike, skip the perfume or cologne, clean your work area of clutter, rid your home of clutter
Heart/Mind: Relationships: let go of toxic people, tell your family and friends "I love you", smile at strangers, meditate regularly, let go of anger
Do you have a question about the Yoga Sutras or any other aspect of yoga? Any ideas about possible yoga history or philosphy topics? Feel free to send questions, comments, suggestions to nbarnes@csulb.edu.
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MEMORIAL DAY SCHEDULE
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MAY UPDATES
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Please note that we now have a new policy regarding the minimum age for students to participate in the studio classes. All students must be 16 years or older and must have a parent or guardian sign their form prior to their first class. Please inquire at the front desk if you have any questions or concerns.
You may have noticed we have removed the roll of plastic bags in the change rooms and replaced with a "baggie cubby hole". Please remember to bring a plastic bag with your wet clothes to class with you, and if you like you can also bring a spare for someone else and place it in the cubby hole!
We hope to see you all at the 8th year anniversary party on Saturday, May 7th from 3 pm to 5 pm.
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FEATURED POSTURE - Toe Stand Pose
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Toe Stand Pose
Padangustasana
Toe stand begins with Tadasana - or Tree Pose. You will know you are ready to advance when you can hold your bent leg with your foot at your hip crease without the assistance of your hands, and are able to place both hands in prayer.
Bend your standing leg and lower your hips towards the floor keeping your hands in prayer, or releasing them to the ground to steady your pose as you gain strength.
Focus on one point on the floor in front of you and slowly bring one hand at a time to prayer keeping your hips level and balancing on the toes of your grounded foot. Reach the crown of your head towards the ceiling keeping your shoulders back and back straight, try not to lean forward.
Release your hands back to the ground in front of you and come up the same way you went into the post, standing for a moment in Tree before gently releasing your bent leg back to standing. Take a moment in standing Savasana, and repeat on the other side.
Toe stand is an advanced posture - but it does not have to be as intimidating as it first seems.Our instructors are always available after class to walk through the posture with you when you are ready to learn this advance.
Benefits
Creates balance in the body and mind. Strengthens abdominals, and ankle joints. Helps with arthritis, knee problems and gout pain.
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| FINAL THOUGHT |
At the heart of silence is prayer.
At the heart of prayer is faith.
At the heart of faith is life.
At the heart of life is service.
Mother Teresa
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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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