 |
We will have an abbreviated scheduled
on Labor Day, but we
will be open!
Visit our website to view our class schedule for September, or pick up a copy at the front desk.
|
Good Bye, Dave
Sunrise Yoga is sad to bid farewell to instructor
Dave Emerson as he makes his return to Southern California.
Dave has developed a legion of fans during his three-year tenure at Sunrise Yoga and will be sorely missed by us all.
Thanks, Dave, for all you have added to the studio and to the lives of the students who practice here. We will miss your yoga expertise, your warm spirit, and your peaceful countenance. Yes, we're going to miss you a lot.
Best wishes for a successful and happy future.
|
|
Chakra Workshop
Thanks to all who supported the chakra workshop on July 18. Beverly Isley-Landreth's presentation captured everyone's attention!
She also led the class through a series of exercises that left our chakras humming!
|
|
Mindfulness Meditation Workshop
Don't miss the opportunity to study with instructors Cindy Dollar and Susan Grant at the Mindfulness Meditation Workshop on Saturday, September 11 from 1 to 5 p.m.
This is a unique opportunity that we are proud to offer not just to the local yoga community, but to anyone who is interested in exploring the many benefits of a meditation practice.
Please join us!
Click here for Information and registration
|
|
|
Thanks!
To everyone who has shared an idea about how we can make Sunrise Yoga the best it can possibly be.
Please continue to keep us posted about the kind of classes you would like to see on the schedule, the special events we can offer, and the charities you would like for us to support.
Your comments and suggestions are very valuable - please keep them coming!
|
|
Book Club News
It's not too late to plan for August book club.
We will meet on
Friday, August 27 at
7 p.m. and continue our discussion of
Yoga Beyond Belief.
And mark your calendar for next month's book club Friday, September 24 when we begin our study of Myths of the Asanas
Call me for location - Hope to see you there!
|
|
Yoga University
Want to expand your understanding of yoga?
Increase your knowledge of yoga's fascinating ancient history?
Learn more about the mechanics of yoga poses (asanas) and breath work (pranayama)?
Our Yoga University curriculum for August and September will include all of the above.
Please consider joining
us for all or part of our weekend of yoga study.
August 20 - 22
September 10-12
Click here for complete schedule and registration
|
|
|
What's on Your Mind?
In 1922, James Joyce published his literary masterpiece Ulysses. Lots of folks are familiar with the title, but in comparison very few - including me - have actually tackled the chore of reading this work. It's on a lot of "great books" lists, but very few nightstands. There is a reason....
Ulysses describes an ordinary 24-hour day in the life of a man living in Dublin. It is told in a stream-of-consciousness style, which means that the author captures every thought that rattled through the poor man's brain in a 24-hour period. And that amounted to over 265,000 words in a book that is bigger than a yoga block!
Okay, I know you're thinking, "where is Valerie going with this...?"
Consider for a moment the number of words that might be tripping through your own head each day as one thought automatically transitions to the next. And consider how much of that occurs unconsciously, without the least bit of direction from you. Our thoughts can ramble from the grocery list to an upcoming project at work to a childhood memory without the least bit of instruction from us. No wonder our minds are exhausted. And when the mind is exhausted, it likes to take the body along with it.
The practice of mindfulness meditation is an opportunity to gain a little control. It helps quiet the mind by focusing the thoughts that would otherwise ramble through our brains. Is that important? Yes - mindfulness meditation is a powerful tool for reducing stress, creating positive energy, and promoting a general sense of well-being and serenity. A restful mind responds with more awareness, and less anxiety to the world around it - and who doesn't need that.
At Sunrise Yoga, we have a unique opportunity to study the benefits of mindfulness meditation and to learn valuable techniques for developing a personal meditation practice. Next month, we will host a workshop conducted by Cindy Dollar and Susan Grant in our very own studio. Cindy Dollar has been voted Best Yoga Teacher in Western North Carolina for three consecutive years. Take it from me, that's a big deal. And Susan Grant, a psychologist practicing in Asheville, has 15-years of experience in teaching mindfulness meditation in addition to her long list of professional credentials.
Whether you are a regular at Sunrise or have never crossed the threshold of our studio, please consider joining us for this special event. Absolutely no experience is necessary - all you need is the desire to learn more about creating a sense of personal well-being. And like I said before, who doesn't need that?
Date: Saturday, September 11 from 1 to 5 p.m.
Cost: $60 before August 28, $70 afterwards
Register: click here, or stop by front desk
|
|
Valerie Kiser
Certified Yoga Therapist, E-RYT 500
Director, Sunrise Yoga Studio |
|
Thoughts to Consider
As human beings,
our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world as in being
able to remake ourselves.
--Mahatma Gandhi
|
Where do you do yoga?
For many folks receiving this newsletter, the answer to that might seem obvious - "I go to class at Sunrise Yoga". While we hope that is the case, consider the possibility that you may be practicing a lot more yoga than you realize, and we'd like to hear about it.
Starting this month, we will feature your comments about the yoga you practice outside of the studio. If you are sheepishly thinking, "gosh, I don't really practice much yoga at home," then I encourage you to think again because you may practice it more often than you realize. There's a lot more to yoga than just touching your toes (or heading in the direction!).
To jump-start your thinking, take for example the "yoga" practiced in the following situations:
I did some yoga.....
...after being in the car all day. It really felt good to stretch my legs and do some easy twists to get the kinks out of my back.
...when I was standing in line at the grocery store, paying close attention to my posture.
...when a co-worker snapped at me. I was tempted to snap back, but I practiced patience, compassion and forgiveness instead.
...when I was fully "in the moment" at my granddaughter's birthday party! Not a single bit of mind chatter, just joy "in the moment".
...on vacation in Colorado - nothing like a little mountain pose in the Colorado Rockies!
While we encourage everyone to develop a home-based asana practice, the above illustrate other important ways you can incorporate yoga into your life without ever unrolling your mat.
So please share your off-the-mat and outside-of-the-studio experiences with us. Of course we'd love to have a photo to go along with it. Too shy to share your story? We'll even offer anonymity if that's important to you. What's important to us is that you consider the many ways in which your yoga practice can - and does - influence your daily lifestyle.
Please send me an e-mail, or share your comments in person. I will look forward to hearing about the creative ways you "practice your yoga"!
|
September is National Yoga Month!
Sunrise Yoga is excited to celebrate National Yoga Month next month. The National Yoga Month initiative began in 2008 when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designated September as National Yoga Month. This yoga awareness campaign is designed to increase understanding of all that yoga can do for you - both mentally and physically.
Sunrise Yoga is proud to be an official sponsor of National Yoga Month and will offer a variety of events during our Yoga Open House on Saturday, September 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. Free classes, prizes, raffles, snacks, and free chair massages - stay tuned for more details.
For the prospective student, we invite you to stop by and learn more. We hope to dispel the myth that you have to be fit and flexible before you can get started.
For experienced practitioners of every level, we invited you to join the celebration with a variety of events throughout the afternoon.
Click here for more information |
|
Sanskrit 101
During the past few months I have introduced you to some important Sanskrit root words that are frequently used in naming our yoga poses ("asanas"). As you have carefully studied these root words each month (you have been doing that, right?), you may have wondered why Sanskrit is used in the first place. After all, the name of almost every pose has an English translation, so why not just use that since no one speaks Sanskrit anyway?
First of all, even though it may be hanging on by thread, Sanskrit is still a 'living language'. It is considered one of many "official" languages in India, although admittedly its current use is extremely limited. But, it's still holding onto life.
More importantly, Sanskrit is the traditional language of yoga, stemming from yoga's ancient origins in India. During the evolution of yoga over thousands of years, no one has felt the need to change that so the tradition continues to be honored.
Beginning students are not expected to know or understand Sanskrit terminology (whew!), but as their journey progresses they will gain understanding of the Sanskrit terms used in yoga, and an appreciation of the ancient tradition.
For those who are interested, a Sanskrit translation fact sheet is available at the front desk.
|
Bringing Yoga to Life -
Student of the Month Brennan Dawson
Thanks to our student of the month for August, Brennan Dawson, who shares her insights below.
"When I got more serious about getting fit, I used traditional gym workouts that included a combination of weights and cardio. Last year I decided to try yoga and my biggest misconception was that it would be like adding exercise classes. While some yoga classes are a pretty good workout, the benefits that each yoga practice brings are so much better than I expected -- what a great surprise to find something so rich and rewarding!
"One piece of advice to others who are considering a yoga practice - don't make my mistake. I waited way too long to "find the time" for yoga. I am the working mother of three. There are very few moments that I feel free to do as I please. I still feel guilty, but building yoga class into my schedule is really important. My family is absolutely fine with later dinners on yoga nights.
"My 'aha moment' came during one of Dave's classes. Dave's advice to "let go of gripping," is about as important as Valerie's admonishments to breathe. I finally figured out that I was "gripping" just about everywhere and I am still working on letting that go!"
|
|
Upcoming Classes & Workshops |
Hoop it Up! Today - ages 5 and up! August 20 from 1 to 2 p.m.
With Monica Casey of Monkey Hooper
Call right away for details!
Yoga Book Club Friday, August 27 at 7 p.m.
Yoga Beyond Belief
Details at front desk
Yoga University Friday, September 9 - Sunday, September 12
Join us for all or part of the 3-day curriculum
Yoga and Mindfulness Meditation Workshop Saturday, September 11 from 1 to 5 p.m.
With Cindy Dollar and Susan Grant
Fun Friday with Becky Friday, September 17 at 6 p.m.
Open from the Heart
Free Yoga for Beginners with Valerie Sunday, September 19 from 4 to 5 p.m.
Yoga Book Club Friday, Friday, September 24
Myth of the Asanas
Details at the front desk
Open House and Celebration of National Yoga Month Saturday, September 25 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Potluck Picnic
Friday, October 1
Saturday, October 23 from 1 - 3 p.m.
Click here for more information about all these upcoming events
|
|
|
|
|
