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[December 2013] 

In this Issue:  
           
Growing Your Yoga
  
Community Corner

Workshops & Events

 

Leslie Ellis 09


2013 has been quite a ride, hasn't it? Seems everyone has had major things happen over the course of the year. If you follow astrology and the movement of the stars, the energies are said to have been ripe for supporting, or more like, insisting on change. We are experiencing what many are calling an evolutionary shift.

 

Regardless of whether you believe it has been written in the stars or you are simply riding the wave of your own life and watching others do the same, maybe you too have noticed that the opportunities to grow and change keep showing up. We hope your yoga practice has helped you to take that challenge on gracefully!

 

May you be happy, healthy and peaceful during the course of these last few weeks of this year.  May the holiday season be a time of warmth, love and light for you, your loved ones and the planet!


Om Shanti,

GrowingYourYoga

Leslie, Lani, Lynn, Noemi, Kayci, Kat and Kasey

Growing Your Yoga
Embracing the Darkness and Moving Toward the Light - Lynn Morrison
 

There are many things that I love about this time of year and if I follow nature then I can honor slowing down. I know that the longer days can be a challenge for many of us. But how can we take this time to rest into the darkness and keep the light burning inside of us, not a floodlight, but a soft, steady light.

 

I enjoy rising before the sun, which is so easy this time of year and relish in the quiet of the morning. I go to bed early, get up early, light the pellet stove, light a candle and practice pranayama and meditation for 15-30 minutes before beginning my day.

 

I know there are many other things that I could be doing, many chores and distractions that beckon me, but if I want to cultivate patience, restraint and my presence with each moment, Ididyouknow need this time to ground myself.  It takes discipline or restraint to not dive into some chore but instead simply sit and be present. (Visit our blog to read on...)

 

yoga_instructor_help.jpg
Did You Know...
Yoga Can Help with Stress?

 

Some thoughts from Leslie...

Whether it is the fast pace of your everyday life, the fact that this year seems to be coming to an end when it seems it just barely started or you, like many, just have too much to do during the holidays, feeling stressed and overwhelmed seems natural at this time of year. This past weekend, I taught my annual Yoga for Wellness class on Stress.

One thing was clear, everyone could agree that it is stressful to be alive on the planet right now. At the same time, we deeply explored that while stress IS, it doesn't have to be overwhelming. And the practice of yoga can be a huge blessing to support you in changing your mind about stress. That is the best way to deal with the stress of living - communitycornerChange your mind!  (Visit the blog to finish reading...) 
 
Community Corner
Student Snapshot: Terry Wood

My Yoga journey started at HeartSong about fifteen months ago with the four-week intro series (with Jeff Amram).  After about a month, I was pretty much hooked.  To increase my knowledge of  Yoga, I watched (more than once) the Yoga Encyclopedia DVD from Yogajournal, which shows about 30 basic poses. I also started memorizing some of the Sanskrit names.

 

My reasons for starting Yoga were due to a couple of converging circumstances:  First, I'm retiring next year (when I turn 62) and wanted some physical activity I could take into retirement.  Yoga seemed like the perfect indoor activity I could do even if I were to suffer a minor physical injury. Second, before starting Yoga I became deeply involved in a body oriented therapy called Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE).  This is a powerful therapy for resolving trauma and daily stress.  Once I saw how affective TRE was, I became interested in other types of body work.  Many people certified in TRE are also Yoga teachers - including some in the Portland area. (Visit the blog to finish reading...)ResourceCenter

 

Want to share something about your yoga practice for our newsletter? Talk to Kasey or send us a message. We will get you scheduled for a future edition!

 

Resource Center
Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers by Robert Sapolsky
                                                                                                       
In our fast-paced society, we're so often living in "fight or flight" mode, with our stress response activated much more often than it needs to be. Over time, this prolonged exposure to stress hormones causes us harm, showing up in the form of stress-related conditions such as anxiety/depression, heart disease and ulcers, to name only a few.

In the 3rd edition of his book, Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, renowned primatologist Robert Sapolsky provides much-needed guidance on how to better control this stress response -- needless to say, we highly recommend it. The good news is, if you're a yoga student, you've already got a head start on reducing stress in your life!
workshops 
Workshops & Events

  

- To Help you Thrive During the Holidays - 

  
Restorative Yoga for the Solstice
with Leslie Ellis
Friday, December 20th | 6 - 8 pm

Solstice is a lovely time to create your own personal ritual for recognizing what your soul needs as you begin to move back into the light. With a carefully designed series of supported postures, soulful instruction and encouragement for you to deeply rest, Leslie will lead you into a dreamy space of reflection and quiet. Live music will be
provided by Portland-based jazz guitarist and composer Neil Mattson.

 
 
- A Great New Resource for Moms -

 
Birth Story Circle 
with Toby Shulruff
Saturday, December 29th | 2 - 4 pm
Join with other women to share your birth story and hear the stories of other mothers and grandmothers. We will conclude our time together with some simple and relaxing restorative yoga poses to allow an opportunity to integrate the experience.
 

- Looking ahead to 2014 -
 
 
HeartSong Yoga Teacher Training 
& Immersion Program - Space still available! 
Training Director: Leslie Ellis OTR, E-RYT 500
a year-long program, meets approx. 1 weekend per month

Are you contemplating whether you have what it takes to be a yoga teacher, or do you simply want to deepen your yoga knowledge and skill by diving deeper into philosophy, asana, and/or anatomy? Whatever your goal, our program offers a track to meet your needs. 

Want to hear about the next steps?
Give us at 503.644.1865 or email us.


Please note:

  

We will be operating on a limited holiday 
class schedule from Dec. 22nd - Jan. 1.
 
During this time period, we will ask that all students sign up for classes ahead of time to ensure that we have enough people attending to ask teachers to come in. Drop-ins will be allowed, however classes will be cancelled without a minimum of 5 people signed up ahead. We'll make it as easy as possible for you to know ahead of time about any cancellations by posting them on our website and if you're registered, you'll get a call and notice by email.