I hope your summer is off to a great start! For me, June has been, literally and figuratively, a breath of fresh air. Getting back into the studio has lifted my spirits tremendously. I realized that one of the things I really missed while teaching exclusively online was the ability to hear my students breathing.
The breath is such an integral part of yoga – that’s what sets it apart from simply physical exercise. For a yoga teacher, the sound of the students’ breath is reassuring. It lets us know that you’re in the right spot – sequentially, physically, mentally, and emotionally. It lets us know we’re doing our job. Of course, this doesn’t mean that we should exaggerate the breath or overemphasize it. When the breath is slow and steady and just a little bit audible, that’s a good indication that our students are practicing mindfully and safely with just the right level of challenge. You see, when we can’t maintain a slow, steady breath, it probably means we’re pushing ourselves beyond our limits. Conversely, when the breath is similar to what it would be if we were sitting at our desk or watching television, it probably means we’re not challenging ourselves enough to maintain focus. In fact, the breath is so important in yoga that an “advanced” practice has much more to do with how we manage our breathing than what poses we can do.
So there’s a little impromptu yoga lesson for you. Now on to what is happening at the studio.
I’d love to say that we have ton of new and exciting things planned for you this month, but the fact of the matter is, we’re still operating under COVID limitations. In-studio class sizes will remain limited to 8 students, and we will continue to live stream our classes so that you can practice with us from home. I’ve been thinking of offering a “back to basics” class soon, so keep an eye out for that and let me know if there is a particular “genre” of poses you’re interested in learning more about: sun salutations, standing poses, balance poses, backbends, arm balances, inversions, . . . etc.
We do have one exciting training coming up. Jennifer Sunderlin will offer a level one Reiki training on July 18th. Now more than ever, we need to know how to keep our immune systems strong. Reiki is a safe and effective healing modality that focuses on stress reduction and relaxation. Like yoga, reiki recognizes the mind-body connection and teaches us how to manage our energy so that we restore balance in the body and remain happy and healthy. Keep an eye out for more information on how to register for this training.
In the same spirit of keeping our bodies and minds in balance (and thus keeping our immune systems as strong as possible), I am offering free health coaching strategy sessions (via Zoom or in person) in advance of the next round of Body Wisdom, which begins on June 15th. Body Wisdom is a year-long habit-based group health coaching program that incorporates the teachings of yoga and Ayurveda (yoga’s sister science) to bring us in harmony with nature and foster better self-care. [Spoiler alert: changing your habits is A LOT easier when you’re doing it with a group of people who are all making the same changes. Many members of Body Wisdom who claimed they weren’t “joiners” have discovered the undeniable “power of the posse.”]
If you’re seeking more individualized coaching, I am offering, for the first time ever, private Ayurvedic wellness counseling. Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest holistic wellness systems. With its emphasis the unique constitution of the individual, the art and science of Ayurveda works to harmonize the body, mind, and spirit through self-care practices that promote lifelong optimal health and wellness.
For a limited time, I’ll be offering initial consultations for $150. Prior to our meeting (which can take place via Zoom or in person), you will fill out an extensive questionnaire that will provide me with necessary preliminary information. Initial consultations typically last two hours. During this time, I will gather more information while you gain a deeper understanding of your unique constitution and your current state of imbalance. Following the consultation, you will receive a treatment plan specifically tailored to your needs. The initial consultation fee will include a 30-minute follow up session. Longer follow-up sessions will also be available at a rate of $70 per hour.
If you’re interested in either Body Wisdom or an initial Ayurvedic wellness counseling consultation, simply email me at mainstreetyogafmt@gmail.com.
In the meantime, I’ll see you at the studio . . . or on Zoom!!!