Cheryl Thomas, RYT
www.cherylthomas.com
yoga@cherylthomas.com
415-308-3377
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 Why Go to Class?
How often do you go to yoga each week: once (maybe)? five times? never? Should you care? Does it make a difference?
There are many ways to practice yoga and only
one of them is in a group setting. Yoga
takes many forms. The physical practice
(asana) is just one of them. Many practice
regularly (daily) at home either practicing their own routine or from a DVD or
internet feed. Others only practice in a
class setting. There are advantages to
both.
A Home Practice - This is considered the ultimate goal. Yoga is something we can practice our entire
lives--any time, any place. It does not
have to be relegated to a "class" with a "teacher." So, establishing a routine of your own allows
you to enjoy a practice that works for you, that day, that week, that year,
that decade. It becomes something you own and that is
intimately yours. Just you and your mat
and your breath. Ah, can you feel it? No fancy yoga clothes, no $17 drop-in rate,
no fixed schedule.
Yoga instructor, Grace Murdock, told me today about a friend that has had a daily practice since he was 13 years old. He practices the same 4 yoga poses every day. Four. Very doable for most. Most days does many more than the four, but at least he commits to his routine.
Group Classes - A class environment can provide a break from
your regular routine. A teacher can also
add a wider dimension to your practice and add some tools to your box. You may find that you extend yourself more in
class than alone. For me, I like the
camaraderie of group classes. A strong
neighbor (hi, Jaime) inspires me. The teacher presents different ways to
approach the pose/sequencing. There is
energy in a crowd and if you're feeling a bit low/slow, a fun group class leave
you feeling revived. It's like watching
a comedy with a full theater rather than home alone, right? Attending group classes also introduces you
to a yoga community. Many studios have
programs and events you may find enticing and it's a great way to hang with
people that are like minded.
Whether you go solo or choose classes is not important,
really. It's rolling out your mat,
stepping on, hands in prayer, inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale.
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Q&O
A: Most of the classes I've attended say Namaste at the end of the practice, but I don't know what it means, and I'm too embarassed to ask. Is it some type of showing of gratitude to the instructor?
O: Excellent question. Namaste is a Sanskrit word meaning "I bow to you." Not only are you bowing to your teacher, but he/she is bowing to you. Typically translated as "The Divine/light within me see/recognizes the Divine/light within you." It can be a form of paying respect to not only your teacher, but all teachers--respecting the long lineage of all teachers.
Got a question? Email me at yoga@cherylthomas.com.
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Week of April 18, 2010
Tuesday
9:00 - 10:30 ***Donation***
Yoga on Center, Healdsburg
All Levels
11:30 - 1:00 (Mirka Kraftsow's Class)
Westside Yoga Studio, Sebastopol
Gentle
6:30 -8:00 p.m. (Private)
UCSF Restorative Yoga for Metabolic Syndrome
San Francisco
Wednesday
9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Yoga on Center, Healdsburg
Slow Flow
5:30 - 6:55 p.m.
Yoga Studio Ganesha, Sebastopol
Vinyasa Flow + Restorative - All Levels
Thursday
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Graton Community Center
Gentle Yoga - All Levels
11:30 - 1:00 (Mirka Kraftsow's Class)
Westside Yoga Studio, Sebastopol
Gentle
6:30 - 9:30 p.m. (Private)
UCSF Restorative Yoga for Metabolic Syndrome
San Francisco
Week of April 25, 2010
Tuesday
9:00 - 10:30 ***Donation***
Yoga on Center, Healdsburg
All Levels
11:30 - 1:00 (Mirka Kraftsow's Class)
Westside Yoga Studio, Sebastopol
Gentle
6:30 -8:00 p.m. (Private)
UCSF Restorative Yoga for Metabolic Syndrome
San Francisco
Wednesday
9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Yoga on Center, Healdsburg
Slow Flow
5:30 - 6:55 p.m.
Yoga Studio Ganesha, Sebastopol
Vinyasa Flow + Restorative - All Levels
Thursday
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Graton Community Center
Gentle Yoga - All Levels
11:30 - 1:00 (Mirka Kraftsow's Class)
Westside Yoga Studio, Sebastopol
Gentle
6:30 - 9:30 p.m. (Private)
UCSF Restorative Yoga for Metabolic Syndrome
San Francisco
STUDIO WEBSITES
Yoga on Center: www.yogaoncenter.com
Yoga Studio Ganesha: www.yogastudioganesha.com
Westside Yoga Studio: http://www.westsideyogastudio.net
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Hope to see you soon!
Namaste,
Cheryl
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Bulletin Board
Donation Class on Tuesday
Join me at Yoga on Center for a Donation class on Tuesdays this month. And don't forget about the $5 coupon on my website that gets you any class at YonC for only Five Bucks!
Westside Yoga Studio
Want some Slow Flow? Come to Yoga on Center on Wednesday morning at 9:00. It's a perfect time, a beautiful, bright studio and there's a Flying Goat Coffee just down the street!
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