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Empowering Your Best!
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Greetings!
Yoga is just about stretching, right?
BKS Iyengar doing triangle pose
 | I frequently hear people using the word 'stretching" as synonymous with yoga, and that is part of my uphill challenge: to let people know that yoga - and particularly Iyengar Yoga - has far more therapeutic benefits than that. A Google Scholar search on "Iyengar Yoga Research" brought up dozens of research papers on the benefits of yoga for everything from depression, low back pain, cancer, osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, asthma, to heart disease.
The problem for some is that, when we come to yoga first, we bring to it the stress-driven mindset that created our problems in the first place. Unfortunately a lot of gym-style yoga plays into that rat race mentality. "The workout warriors have to realize that yoga is
more an Athenian endeavor than a Spartan one," says Dr. Timothy McCall, author of Yoga As Medicine. "You don't win by punishing your body. . . Yoga is not a struggle but a surrender."
Like drugs, yoga has side effects Dr. McCall warns - with tongue in cheek, "better strength, better balance, peace of mind, stronger bones, cardiovascular conditioning, he says, adding, "Here is a natural health system that, once you learn the basics, you can do at home for free with very little equipment - and that could help you avoid expensive, invasive surgical and pharmacological interventions."
I couldn't put it better myself. Yoga Studio South Director PS You should be able to see all the pictures and text in this newsletter without distortions or glitches. If your email program is distorting the layout, then click on the link at the very top of this newsletter and view the page correctly in your web browser.
Also, if your first name does not display correctly please hit "reply" and let us know so we can fix it. Thank you. |
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Student of the Month | |
Kurt Bangsund
". . .More energy and handle
stress better"
Kurt Bangsund in Triangle
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After finally recovering from a winter cold that lingered for months, Kurt Bangsund started attending classes at Wellington Square in February last year, hoping to feel healthier and get into better shape.
"Not only have I not had a cold or flu since I started practicing yoga last year, I also have more energy and am handling stress better," says Kurt.
"I come to 3 classes per week, and started practicing at home in between classes."
He recommends not comparing yourself to someone else, and focusing on the benefits that come from your practice instead of what you cannot do. "That has helped keep me motivated on days when I don't feel like coming to class - focusing on how much better I will feel after pushing myself to my own goal."
Congratulations Kurt
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Teacher of the Month
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Kathryn Schnitzler
 Teacher of the month Kathryn Schnitzler loves teaching yoga because she enjoys witnessing her students have those "ah-ha" moments they can "truly feel the action, the opening, and the freedom the pose offers them."
She sees herself forever learning along with her students, seeing how they respond to her teaching and refining her understanding as they both move forward. "We are in the journey of yoga together," she says.
Kathryn started meditating about 10 years ago and practicing asana 6 years ago.
She wants to continue teaching the Wellington Square class Tuesdays at 1:00 pm, and expand into teaching junior high students and teachers with a lunch time yoga club at a junior high school.
Congratulations Kathryn!
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| Pose of the month - Salabasana, or Locust
| Using Blankets to Help Locust Pose
 Salabasana is one of the best poses for strengthening the muscles of the spine, buttocks, and backs of the arms and legs. It stretches the shoulders, chest, belly, and thighs, improves posture and stimulates abdominal organs. Putting a blanket under the abdomen can help with creating more posterior tilt for those with over extended lumbar spines (low back). Press the pubic bone into the floor as you lift the extended legs, head and arms into the air. Avoid the pose if you have serious back injury. For more details click here.
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Upcoming Mini-Workshops
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Yoga For Men
with Tom King
Tom King |
Calling all men! Have you wondered whether yoga was really for you but were a perhaps intimidated by or confused about what is involved.
This Iyengar Yoga workshop with veteran yoga practitioner Tom King highlights the strength men can bring to yoga while addressing their tightness and flexibility. We will utilize upper body strength to help loosen areas which are typically difficult for men to stretch.
All men are welcome, from novices and recent starters to long term practitioners. Variations of each pose are taught so that each person can optimize their experience.
Wellington Square, Saturday, May 24 1-4 pm
Practice Shoulder Stand and Head Stand Safely
Rob doing Ekapada Sirsasana
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Rob Walker, Director, Yoga Studio South
Whether you have never done head stands and shoulder stands or are just beginning to learn them, this workshop will help you get comfortable with the "king" and "queen" of asanas. Learn how to experience these poses safely so that you can enjoy the many benefits for your body, mind, and spirit.
Calgary JCC, Saturday, May 15, 1-4 pm
Each Workshop Cost $55.00 + GST
Register Online by Clicking here
Or call 403 228 5808
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Yoga for High Schools
|  Backpack Blues
Lord
Beaverbrook High School's Healthy Lifestyles Club is concerned about the
impact of students carrying too much weight in their backpacks and the
potential for future back problems. So they recently invited Yoga Studio South Director Rob Walker to teach a yoga class for students and staff with a focus on preventing and dealing with back pain. Rob told the students that strengthening and toning back and other muscles and focusing on good posture through Iyengar Yoga will help prevent future back problems.
Yoga Studio South also hosted classes of 30 to 35 students from Western Canada High School for a series of yoga classes at its Wellington Square location. This is the third time Western Canada have come to YSS for yoga classes.
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OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU - EMPOWERING YOUR BEST
At
Yoga Studio South we are working hard to Empower Your Best in Yoga. Our
warm, friendly studios are staffed by encouraging, supportive teachers
who will safely guide you through small classes designed for every
level and expectation -- gently empowering you to become the best
possible version of yourself. This is the true gift of yoga -- and when
you experience it, you'll feel better and shine more brightly than you
ever have.
Sincerely, 
Rob Walker
The Yoga Studio South |
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