I’m looking forward to the Spring 2022 yoga session which begins next week and I hope you are too. The fourth limb of Pantanjali’s eight-limbed Ashtanga Yoga system, which is the practice of breath regulation called pranayama, will be our theme. Why the breath? Quite simply because we can’t live without it, yet all too often we take for granted our ability to breathe, we ignore this essential life force that functions automatically, involuntarily, and continuously to keep us alive. The interesting thing is that we can control the breath, something we cannot do with other visceral (e.g. cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine) functions. We can learn to breathe better, and as a result, we might live more comfortably and longer.
Together we will explore various breathing exercises paying attention to how they affect us. Need a pick me up? Try the Breath of Joy. Experiencing anxiety? Practice the 4-7-8 breathing technique. Need to feel more balanced? The equal breathing method called sama vritti can help you feel calm and relaxed. Stand-alone breathing techniques, as well as others, will support your yoga practice as you move in and out of poses. They might also restore more restful sleep.
The Spring 2022 schedule remains the same as before. You can find full details of the live-streamed virtual group classes by visiting studio71yoga.com.
If you’re looking for deep relaxation and healing, a specific class of the upcoming 10-week session deserves special mention. Tuesday mornings join me for a brief centring exercise and breathing practice followed by a 35-minute guided meditation called yoga nidra (sleep of the yogi in Sanskrit). As a Level 1 iRest® Teacher my offerings of yoga nidra are informed by the teachings of Richard Miller, PhD and/or the iRest Institute. Core concepts of iRest will be introduced each week as I guide you into deeply relaxing states. These include: Inner Resource, Intention, Heartfelt Desire, Body Sensing, Breath Sensing, Feelings and Emotions, Beliefs, Pure Being/Awareness, and Integration. Supported by research findings, iRest is used extensively in military and other settings. It is proven to be beneficial for stress, sleep disturbances, chronic pain, mental health, chemical dependency, post-traumatic stress injury, cancer, anxiety, depression, and other conditions. By practicing yoga nidra you’ll develop an enhanced sense of awareness, an increased sense of yourself as a whole person, ultimately coming to the realization that you’re perfect just as you are. Live-streamed via Zoom for your convenience, no previous knowledge or experience is needed, and there’s no right or wrong way to practice. While listening to my voice, your experience will be just as it is, seated or lying down, with your eyes open or closed.
Speaking of eyes closed, I’m taking a moment now to softly lower my upper lids. I inhale. I exhale. The breath breathes me. I inhale what I need. I exhale what is no longer serving me. I inhale with intention. I exhale with abandon. I inhale with joy. I exhale with gratitude.
I’m so very grateful for your presence. See you soon.
Jeannine
