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newsletter of the Om Sweet Om Community |
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Dear Sweet Yogis & Yoginis,
"When the winds of change blow, some
people build walls and others build windmills" (Chinese proverb)
"What seems to us as bitter trials are
often blessings in disguise" ~Oscar Wilde
March certainly came in like a lion,
and like most of you, we at Om Sweet Om are more than ready to meet
the lamb! The good news is that spring is definitely on its way! As
the last of the snow and ice melt, we see signs of renewal everywhere.
The longer days, the green of the new grass, the rich earthy smells
of the thawing soil, crocus' sprouting, buds on the trees, and waking
to new and different birdsongs all alerting us to the fact and filling
us with hope that change is really afoot.
You can see the hope in the smile of
everyone who turns their face to the sun and breathes in deeply,
gratefully,
the fresh fragrant air. We are tossing our winter coats and happily
donning a lighter choice or even daring to wear no covering at all!
Yes the winter was long and harsh, and if you didn't leave NY at all this winter, it seemed at times unbearable.
But the change of seasons, especially
from the icy death of winter to the awakenings of spring, reminds us
that the promise of new beginnings are with us always. Spring reminds
us that within each of us there exists the potential for new beginnings,
for creation and recreation, for invention and reinvention, in
every moment of our lives.
Like Spring our yoga practice teaches
us of the seeds of change that exist within each moment of our lives.
We learn that like nature, we are never exactly the same from one day
to the next. Through our yoga we move away from the expectations of
the past and future and become more present to the experience of who
we really are. This experience of being alive, of authenticity,
regardless
of the season, is bliss. We are calmer, happier and healthier and from
that place live and subsequently recreate our lives organically
manifesting
through the love that we are made of.
We look forward to seeing you soon
at Om Sweet Om Yoga.
Love and peace and more love,
Gail and Lisa
"The real mystery of
life is not a problem to be solved, it is a reality to be
experienced."
~J.J.
Van der Leeuw
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Asana/Posture of the Month
Ustrasana/Camel
 Ustrasana is a backbending posture
that offers an intense heart opening resulting in a feeling of uplift
and exhilaration. Begin on your knees with your knees hips distance
apart and your feet in line with your knees keeping your toes curled
into the mat. Bring your hips and thighs in line with your knees and
keep them there using your quads. Bring your palms onto your lower back
or sacrum pressing it forward. Lift your chest and sternum up
toward the sky and let the heads drop back as you bring your hands to
your heels pressing into your feet to further lift your chest.
If your hands do not come to your
heels your may use blocks on the highest height in line with the ankles,
or if you need more height you may take a bolster underneath your feet
or shins to lift the feet higher to meet your hands. Stay and breathe
for at least 5 breaths breathing into the throat and heart chakras
(energy
centers of communication and emotion respectively). Coming out
of this pose bring your hands back to your low back for support and
use your inner thighs to lift back up. You may repeat the same pose
or go deeper as you like, being certain not to strain your back here.
If you feel comfortable in the pose
you may try the full posture, which is having the tops of the feet on
the mat with your hands resting on the heels and soles of the feet.
This posture energizes and uplifts
the body/mind and spirit!
*Remember this is a posture that does
require a good amount of warmth in the body before attempting. It is
best practiced toward middle/end of practice.
Physical benefits: Ustrasana
extends the spine and stretches the front body. It firms the legs and
the glutes.
Spiritual benefits: Ustrasana
is an intense backbend which opens the throat and heart centers. It
is uplifting and energizing and as such is a great way to battle the
blues.
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Important addition for kids and families!
The first and third weeks of the month we are offering candle light yoga for kids (same time as parents class 6:30-7:45 pm), and weekend wind down family yoga (same time as weekend wind down 3:30-4:45 pm)
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Take note...
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We want to
express our extreme
gratitude
to you for your support and patience with all the changes we have
experienced
in the past few months. This is a truly exceptional community
we have here.
One of the wonderful things that has
been happening is that we are growing. More and more people are
coming to yoga, and to OSO, every week.
As a result, some classes on some days
have reached capacity, and we are working to add classes to address
this. Please be patient.
There are a few things you can do to
help us and to insure you don't ever have to miss a class because
it has reached capacity:
Be on time
Sign in ahead of time online
(we will be happy to show you how if you need help)
Check the schedule and see
if there is an alternate class that is convenient for you if the one
you have been attending is more crowded than you like.
Give us your input (gently).
Again, we are adding classes and will
continue to do so when it is possible.
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Last stop
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March Madness! We are doing it again!
Only in the month of March! Get your one year unlimited for $999 (normally $1200)
Invest in yourself!
Please park with awareness...
Alper's lot is not for us to park in. (they will tow). There are so many options besides our lot, evenings (after 3) and weekends (all day) you can park in the commuter lots, the one behind Carlo's pizza has an exit in the fence right by Virginia Ave (which is our abutting street). Irma Ave has 3 hour parking just past the zig zag in the street, and now that it's getting warm, it's really a short walk! We have made some adjustments in the schedule to help alleviate overlap, which should also open up spots in our lot.
DON'T FORGET TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS
AHEAD THIS WEEKEND
"In all things it is better it hope
than to despair"
~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"Learn from yesterday, live for today,
hope for tomorrow." ~Albert Einstein
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Click here to register for all events at Om Sweet Om
Partner Yoga with Adam Dobbs
Friday, April 16th 7:00-9:30 pm
Yoga Sutras with Rathi Raj
Friday, April 16th 6:30-9:30 pm
Kirtan With Mike Cohen
Friday May 14, 7 pm
Spring Cleanse
Join Lisa for master cleanse beginning
Monday March 15th
an eating option also available, purchase the Ultimate Energy Cleanse Kit for $99
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Pranayama:
Breath Control
One of the eight limbs of the astanga
yoga practice, pranayama is an essential element of yoga. The word
Pranayama
comes from two Sanskrit word; prana meaning life force and yama meaning
control. So pranayama literally translates to the contol life force.
It is believed in yoga that our life force rides on the breath. The
ancient yogis found that by controlling the breath and by employing
different techniques one could create different energetic effects or
states of awareness. Some pranayama techniques stimulate the yogi and
create warmth like kapalubathi or ujaii, others cool the body and calm
the mind and nervous system like sitali and nadi shodana and others
still help to cleanse the body and clear the mind like bastrika and
nauli.
When the breath wanders the mind also
is unsteady. But when the breath is calmed the mind too will be still,
and the yogi achieves long life. Therefore, one should learn to control
the breath. (Hatha Yoga Pradipika)
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Recipe of the Month
Lisa's Hijiki (black seaweed) Salad
(By popular demand)
Ingredients: (many of these products
can be found at your local asian grocery ex. Nara on Main St.
1 pack of hijiki (comes dried)
1 or more cups of mirin
1 or more cups soy sauce or tamari
1 cup edamame (shelled, they come
frozen)
3 soy bean curd pillow case pockets
(used for anari) cut in small strips
6 shitake mushrooms sliced very thin
Place hijiki in a glass bowl and cove
with fresh cool water. Let sit for 2 hours til reconstituted .
Drain water and put hijiki in a large
saucepan with all the other ingredients. Cover and cook till it boils.
You may use more liquid if it seems dry. Uncover stir and simmer for
20 minutes. Taste to see if seaweed is at a proper consistency, not
too hard, not too soft. Cook longer if hard. When ready remove from
heat and transfer to a ceramic bowl. Allow to sit until it gets to be
a little more than room temperature and serve. In my house this
serves 4 people and nothing is ever left over!
Enjoy!
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Our new schedule begins
March 21st!
A few new additions and changes to note.
All 8:00 am classes will now start at 8:15
We are adding two new early morning classes
6:30 am on Tuesday and 7 am on Thursday, to compliment our already existing 6 am class on Wednesday!
Friday Beginner class is now 9:15
Saturday Hot Vinyasa is now at 9:15
We have already begun offering these two new classes to accommodate the demand
Saturday and Sunday
11:45 am -1:00 pm
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| Copyright 2010 Om Sweet Om |
March Madness!
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Buy one item at full price, get second item at 10% off, third item 15% off, fourth item 20% off..... you get it, the more you buy the more you save! Maximum 50% off final item*
*Highest priced item is the full price item, then discount starts from there!
*Mishyoga wear not included
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Offer Expires: April 15th, 2010
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