March, 2013
 
Power to the People
By Ginger Newberg

Have you ever been around young children or babies playing? They are each unique creative individuals with their own personalities. Some like to construct (or destroy) with blocks, others play with dolls, others create food out of mud, others color masterpieces alone quietly, and some imagine they are playing in the World Series.

Each of us is born with innate gifts and tendencies that we sometimes begin to mask and hide from others as we try to assimilate into popular culture or live up to the expectations or dreams of someone we admire or love.

When we stray from these gifts that we are born with, we move out of our truth and ultimately out of our power. What starts out as well-intended conformity and compliance eventually unravels into confusion, unhappiness, numbness, and sometimes despair as we drift so far off-course we become unsure of our path.  

 

The beautiful thing about life is that even straying from our path is part of our path. We can listen to the disease (dis-ease) in our body and mind to allow ourselves to move back toward the heart's desire. What comes instinctively and naturally for us? What were we born to do? It may take many moments of silence to find our way again, but that too is part of our path.

Moving inward as we practice on our mats to touch and be with our true self is humbling, enlightening, and empowering. We make choices on our mats that honor the teacher within that has been there since birth. And when we step off our mat we can take what we have practiced and put it to use in our everyday lives, making choices based on instinct and not on input from others including many well-intentioned and some not-so-well-intentioned friends, family, public figures, and media.

Once we are in harmony with our soul's true purpose, the thing that speaks deeply to us all the way down to our heart and soul, that is when we begin to feel a resurgence of confidence and power. Assimilating to look like a figure that seems to be "ideal," or wearing trendy, stylish, or expensive clothes, or driving a certain type of car is not power.

Knowing yourself is power. Living in your truth is power. Acting with confidence and passion for what you are doing is power.

Practice getting to know yourself better. Compassionately open your heart to this journey and watch yourself grow more powerful each day.



Namaste,
Ginger

 

 

Have a question for Ginger? Email her at [email protected].

     

Join Ginger at The Mat on Wednesdays at noon for Mat Open Flow.
Wisdom of the Chakras
With Trina Hall

Saturday March 2, Noon-1:30pm  
 
Energy, or prana, flows through the body and the chakras, providing a sacred road-map to our consciousness. The subtle energy we experience can be explored through the architectural design of the chakras, their traits, qualities, and physical manifestations. In this workshop, we will investigate the chakras as an energy system as it relates to the healing practice of yoga.

Learn more here
Wisdom of the Chakras
 
Spring Renewal
With Shari Friedrichsen
 
Friday, March 22 6:30pm-8:30pm
Saturday, March 23 1:00pm-3:00pm
Saturday, March 23 6:00pm-8:00pm
  
Spring is a time of balance and renewal. Use this seminar to discard the dull sleepy coat of winter, awakening the rich and vibrant life within. We will immerse ourselves in asana, pranayama and meditation practices that strengthen our body, relax our minds and enrich the inner flame of intelligence and compassion.
  
Don't miss this opportunity to practice with a senior faculty member of the Himalayan Institute.
  
Click here for details about these transformational workshops.
  
Yoga teachers: This workshop will provide you with six continuing education contact hours. Please contact Katie Morgan at [email protected] for details and to order your certificate.
  
Pre-registration is required, either online or in the studio. Please note there will be no Mat Restorative class on Friday, March 22nd.
Meet Your Mat
 

Meet Your Mat - An Introduction to Yoga Poses
with Samantha Martin and Becky Strahan
Sundays, April 7, 14, 21
5:00pm-7:00pm

 

This 3-week series is perfect for the first time yoga student, as well as those wanting to get back to the basics. Upon completion you will have a strong foundation of basic yoga poses and the confidence to walk into the gentle or open level classes at The Mat.

Cost: $65 per person, or bring a friend and that person pays $45! Class size is limited, so sign up today!

Pre-registration is required, either online or in the studio.

  
Schedule Changes and New Classes
 
Mat Gentle Flow is now on Sundays at 9:30am and 11:00am.

Saturday Deep Stretch is now Yoga For Athletes! There are now two opportunities each week to join us for this fantastic new class: Wednesdays at 1:15pm and Saturdays at 10:30am. Come check it out!

There will be no Mat Restorative class on Friday, March 22nd. Joins us for our Spring Renewal workshops with Shari instead!
  
Did you know? The Mat offers on-site corporate wellness classes, as well as in-studio private lessons with your favorite instructors! Learn more about corporate wellness here.
  
Coming Soon
 
Nutrition as Ahimsa with Lisa Coyle on 4/14 from 12pm - 1:30pm.
Click here to learn more.
  
Improving our Digestion of Food, Thoughts and Actions with Kathryn Templeton of the Himalayan Institute. Click here to learn more.

My Yoga Story
With Brett & Melanie
 

  

Brett & Melanie have been practicing with us at The Mat since September, 2012. We are so grateful that they are sharing their Yoga story with us this month!
  
Why do you practice Yoga? For us yoga is a mind and body exercise. We arrive, crazed by this absolute hurried lifestyle that current society demands we live, and then we come to a class at The Mat (or two) and leave feeling balanced and realigned and ready to tackle any obstacle, with peace and understanding. 

 

How were you first introduced to Yoga? And, when did you begin your practice? Brett introduced yoga to our life. He spent a lot of time researching the different types of practice and studios near us. We began at The Mat in September which is absolutely the busiest time of year for me, and a near miracle that I could attend more than one class. I know that he must have been blown away after he attended the first day at The Mat, and I agreed immediately to start the next day. I just knew it would be a great source of relief for me mentally and physically. It was. I went fourteen times in that first thirty days and it was amazing. Brett went 29 out of the first 30! 

How often do you practice? Now I practice as often as possible! I would go every single day if my schedule would allow, but since it does not, I try to go at least four times a week.

What are a few of the benefits that you have experienced? How does your practice help you in your daily life? Yoga helps us get and stay grounded. With so much "crazy" happening in the world, it helps us remember that each one of us is all a part of the same whole. It helps us remember to consider the energy that we bring to those around us. Of course it also helps us feel so much gratitude for this amazing vessel that we're wearing too. I can tell that our yoga practice is making a difference in the way our clothes fit and the decisions that we make to take care of ourselves.

What is one tip you would give to a new practitioner of Yoga? I would recommend that someone new to yoga, or just new to The Mat, practice with as many instructors as possible. Yoga is a very personal journey and it's amazing the different things that you can learn from different instructors. I would also recommend the Meet Your Mat series to anyone who's new. Although I haven't been able to work it in myself, I've heard from other students that it is just amazing. Maybe I can go next month. 

Why do you practice with us, at The Mat? We come to The Mat because it is such a loving, peaceful and encouraging environment. The classes are wonderful and the instructors are too.

What others are saying about Ginger's classes...

 

"Ginger's class is my weekly 'push it to the next level' class. She offers poses that will challenge you. But she always suggests modifications for those not ready or able to do the harder method. This makes her class accessible to all." - Brad
 
"I love Ginger's classes! She gently, thoughtfully and often very slowly challenges and tests your limits. Sometimes you even find yourself in a pose that you never though you could do or stretching in a way that surprises you. When the class is over you've worked hard and feel great at the same time." - Michele
 
"Taking Ginger's class is a true lesson in yoga. Ginger is an incredibly intelligent and strong teacher who makes each student feel successful regardless of their level of experience. The physical practice melds seamlessly with her presentation of yogic philosophy in a manner that is clear and accessible. I strongly encourage all practitioners to get in to her Wednesday class in March... You will love it!" - Lisa 
 

 

Do you have feedback about Ginger or any other instructor at The Mat? Email Becky at [email protected].

 

Visit us at www.thematyogastudio.com for studio information. We look forward to seeing you on The Mat!  

Contact:
The Mat Yoga Studio
670 N. Coit Road, Suite 2381 972.497.YOGA (9642)
Richardson, Texas 7508| www.TheMatYogaStudio.com  
Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter