New Office Manager: Welcome Ashley   

Hello everyone! I would like to introduce myself as the new office manager at Shakti Yoga Studio. I was first introduced to yoga in 2009 when spending some time in California with my husband. As a child and young adult, much of my studio time was spent in ballet class, but I am finding my way back to the yoga mat! Most recently, I have graduated from my Master of Arts program in Sociology, but I also have several years' experience in retail, banking and office administration. As the new office manager at Shakti Yoga Studio, I hope to be a helpful resource to all teachers and students. I am so happy to be a part of the wonderful community here at Shakti and I look forward to meeting you all.  

 Class and Teacher Highlight: Yin Yoga with Cheryl

Those of you who flock to Cheryl's Wednesday morning Yin Yoga class at Torbay Road know what I mean when I write that Yin yoga is unlike any other yoga class. This style of yoga is distinct in that it uses a different asana (posture) progression and alignment from other classes. The long holds leave you feeling physically, emotionally and mentally released. It is deceptively challenging, with the closer to the floor postures being held for longer periods of time you are encouraged to explore how you experience every aspect of each pose both physically and mentally. The lengthening that results from a yin practice impacts not just on the muscles but on the also on the fascia or connective tissue that holds us together.

When we think of connective tissue we tend to think of ligaments (bone to bone) and tendons (muscle to bone) however while this kind of connective tissue is strengthened from the gentle stress of yin poses it is the connective tissue found throughout the tissues in our body that receive the greatest benefit from yin yoga. Fasica organizes everything in our bodies. It wraps every muscle, every muscle bundle within the muscle, as well as blood vessels, and nerves. It essentially holds us together. See the image below depicting the many fascial compartments of a muscle for an idea of just how important and present this tissue is in our bodies. 

From Essentials of Strength Training and Conditiong, National Strength and Conditioning Association.

We mainly think of lengthening our muscles when we work towards increasing our range of motion, but muscle tissue is at the mercy of the fascia that is holding the muscle fibres together. It is important to have a regular practice that addresses both tissue types because muscle fibres lengthen very quickly whereas fascia takes much longer to respond. This is why yin holds are longer than in other classes. Poses are held long enough to allow the muscle fibres to relax and allow the fascia to lengthen. Depending on the pose you may be holding a position for anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes.

The Taoist philosophy of Yin and Yang is the basis for this beautiful yoga form. Yin and yang qualities define and balance each other. All things are thought to include both of these energies. Yang is all that is perceived by the senses, the  bright, warm, soft and moving (blood and muscles included) and Yin is all that is dark, cold, hard, solid, and unchanging (like bones, joints, fascia). Most styles of yoga are yang by this definition and the rhythmic and repetitive movements of flowing styles of yoga
 work very well on the yang aspects of our body and mind. Yin tissue, in contrast, is best exercised and lengthened  with still and sustained holds.

Yin cannot exist without yang and vice versa and in a similar way, our yoga practice and our bodies require a balance between these two energies. We also need it in our social, work and home lives as much as we need it in our tissues. Winter is the most yin season of the year. This January allow Cheryl, in her special calming way, to bring some Yin balance into your 2012.  In the paragraph below Cheryl explains why she feels such a special connection to this style of yoga.

"I love to teach Yin yoga for the same reasons I love to practice Yin yoga..... for the deep therapy it is for my hips and lower back, for the freedom I feel in my body and mind, for the shared quiet and stillness, for the mental, physical and emotional challenge, and for the balance it brings to an active and busy life. I love to share these experiences and help others cultivate their own Yin experience."

Cheryl teaches Yin at Torbay Road on Wednesday mornings at 10 am and will begin teaching a 8:30pm class on Monday evenings beginning on Jan 9th. Enjoy!

Neti Pot Bliss

It's the cold and flu time of year again and lots of people have been asking us about neti pots. Not only are they great for keeping your sinuses free of germs but they are part of yoga's ancient tradition of yoga cleansing.  

Since this is also a time of year when everyone is also talking about cleansing we thought this would be a good time to highlight the benefits of the neti pot. A neti pot is used to pour warm, lightly salted water into your nose to stimulate the sinuses and to help clear out mucus.This is great for those with allergies, sinusitis or just want to feel cleansed.

Red Beet is unique for its high levels of antioxidants that protect the body against heart disease and certain cancers. They are high in carbohydrates and low in fat and an excellent source of folic acid.  Betacyanin, the the pigment that gives beets their red color is absorbed into the blood and can greatly increase the oxygen-carrying ability of the blood. If you don't already include this vegetable into your regular diet consider adding it as your new years resolution to help support any New Years detox resolutions that you might have made.

The recipe below was submitted by Robin Penny, one of our amazing yoga teachers. She teaches the Heart Flow class on Tuesdays at 7pm and the Hatha Flow on Thursdays at 7pm. Treat yourself to her beet salad recipe and use the energy boost that it will bring to check out one of her beautiful classes.  

 Ingredients

1 large carrot, grated
2 medium beets, grated
2 cups jicama, grated (I used 2 green apples instead)
1 avocado, cubed
1/2 cup cilantro, finely chopped

 For dressing:

3 Tbs. frozen apple juice concentrate
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 Tbs. fresh lime juice
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp. ground corriander
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/4 cup raw seasame seeds
Celtic sea salt to taste

Directions
Place the carrot, beet, jicama (apples) and cliantro in a bowl and toss. In a separate bowl, wisk together ingredients for dressing. Pour dressing over vegetables and toss with seeds. Salt to taste if desired. Add the avocado just before serving.

 Artwork at Mount Pearl Shakti 

 If you are a student of the Mount Pearl studio you may have noticed that our walls are adorned with the beautiful paintings of Dominique Hurley. Dominique recently relocated from Saskatoon and has generously offered to allow us to display her paintings at the studio for the enjoyment of our lucky yogis and yoginis. For more information on Dominique and a look at more of her work click this link for Dominique's Website. For those East Enders who haven't already, this is just one more reason to make your way across town to check out the beautiful and bright Mount Pearl location!