Happy summer yogis,    

It's so wonderful to see the monthly events email blast growing tremendously as LIYA continues to get more and more inquires.  How lucky are we to support and uplift one another?  Thank you everyone for your assistance in fulfilling LIYA's mission to connect the Long Island yoga community. 

Our Wellness fair was a big success in bringing the yoga community together as well as the holistic community.  The beautiful energy shared by the providers and the participants was truly amazing. 

Our future workshops are as follows:

Please continue to provide us with feedback on your thoughts or ideas, email us at longislandyogaassociation@yahoo.com .

When the Association was founded in 1988, the thought of longevity never occurred.  Here we are, twenty five years later, alive and well, still providing a far reaching network for yogis on Long Island.

The early beginnings of LIYA are recorded in the history which is posted on the website, so there is no need to reiterate.

In preparing to write this article, I reviewed my many LIYA memorabilia, including photographs of workshop participants and teachers, and retreats at St. Francis Center in Oyster Bay, reminders of impermanence and change.  One thing that has not changed though is the mission of LIYA to provide a venue to create more wonderful yoga experiences and memories.

One such opportunity will present itself in October, when LIYA will host an evening of Kirtan featuring the well known performer WAH!  How exciting!  If you are new to chanting, this would be the time to experience the elevation of your spirit.  An opportunity not to be missed.

Sincerest congratulations to every member who has supported the Long Island Yoga Association.  We reached out into the yoga community and you reached back and the yoga connection was made.  Twenty five years later, that connection is still strong.

We are blessed.

Namaste, Peace and Love,

Marianne Mitsinikos  

Plantar fascia assists the ligaments and the muscles in maintaining the arches at the sole of the foot. People with a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis feel stiffness or pain on the sole of the foot.

This condition is due to imbalances in the pelvis, lower leg and foot muscles, i.e. flat feet and/or extremely high arches or tight Achilles tendon. Other possible contributing factors are obesity, sudden weight gain, use of poor arch supporting shoes to name a few.

 One of the most common causes of these muscle imbalances is poor posture and/ or improper ergonomics

Lack of water can also be a factor in plantar fasciitis. Muscles that do not get enough water ache more.

Suggested Yogasanas for Plantar fasciitis: 

• Tadasana Mountain pose
• Adho Mukha Savnasana   Downward facing dog- (Also peddling feet-pelvis stays neutral make sure to work heel down as much as possible use a rolled mat or wedge to land heels soft knees. Otherwise you can end up tightening the ligament even more!)
• Dandasana Flexed toes the entire time
• Baddha Konasana   bound angle pose
• Supine Ardha Padmasana Half lotus variation
• Virabhadrasana I (alternative: Modified wedge under toe or heel) Warrior I
• Pawanmuktasana -Wind relieving pose
• Parsvottanasana Intense side stretch -use wedge under the ball of front foot
• Malasana -Garland pose
• Viparita Karani-Legs up the wall (removing pressure-
• All inversions that involve having your feet in the air)

These poses are energizing enhance circulation and energy flow.

Suggested asanas are encouraged to incorporate within a practice depending on availability.

*Patience is the mantra when dealing with plantar fasciitis. It can take a few months to a few years to resolve.
 

Other alternative measures:

• Ice, resting, stretching the Achilles tendon and feet, message sole, calf and top of foot, Epson salt foot bath
• Double up your mat for cushion when practicing
• Use a wedge under the ball of the front foot or heel of the back to minimize the stretch.
• Avoid particular poses that aggravate the foot-i.e. jump backs

It is best to be diagnosed first by a physician with this condition. The use of shoes with good arch support maybe recommended and not wearing flip-flops which will aggravate this condition.
 

Healthy happy feet-Health happy body
 

Listen to the body's the wisdom and the guidance of a RYT~ Namaste  

KARNAPIDASANA (Ear Pressure Pose)

This special inverted asana brings fresh oxygenated blood to the brain and thyroid region, develops the abdominal muscles, and brings a sense of inward focus to one's consciousness. Karnapidasana got its name because the knees are to grip the ears and thereby cause a form of sensory withdrawal.

This asana is a continuation of Halasana (Plow Pose) which should be mastered first.

To go into Karnapidasana from Halasana, slightly bend your legs as you continue to strongly lift the pubis up away from the sternum so the front chest doesn't collapse. The throat should remain free. Go on bending the legs until the knees, shins and feet come to rest on the floor with the inner knees by the ears. Breathing will be somewhat labored and one must face this with equanimity. Hold the pose for 20 to 30 seconds and then return to Halasana before rolling down to a supine position.

Enjoy the quiet !