21/24/05
Dear Student, 

I hope you had a Happy New Year are enjoying this winter season.
As you enjoy the exercise of digging out of the effects of the “blizzard of ’05 take care not to overexert Shoveling is likely a type of work most of us haven’t done in awhile so begin slowly and build stamina over time.. 

The new series of classes is beginning today, Monday; 1/24.The schedule is attached in MS word document form and is available at my website at www.creativeedgeyoga.com. I hope to see you soon. 

Based on the consistently enthusiastic response for their past programs, Ravi Singh and Ana Brett are returning to Raven’s Wing Yoga on Sunday, February 6^th. Entitled The Radiant Body, Kundalini Yoga to be Bright and Beautiful, this workshop promises to bring a vitalizing workout for the physical and energy body. If you have not yet come to one of their Yoga experiences I invite to enjoy a rare treat for mind and body. Details are below. 

The Kundalini Yoga class continues to run on Wednesday evenings at 7:30pm at the Shoreline Center. Try a class to see how this extraordinary work can supercharge your existing Yoga practice. 

I will again be offering “Yoga for Stress Reduction and Wellness” at Branford High school beginning Thursday, February 10^th at 7:15pm through Branford Adult Education. The sessions run for five weeks. Call 488-5693 for details and to register.

 Yoga Therapy: 

"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few." - Shunryo Suzuki-Roshi

As the new year comes upon us there is an epidemic of resolutions, promises we make to oneself to change a behavior, attitude or other aspect of ourselves that we realize no longer serves our well-being. Through all the ceremony ritual and hangovers of the New Year celebration we are convinced that we can now do what we formerly couldn’t, and will not be dissuaded from this new hope that enthralls us. Come February, however, we are often hard pressed to even remember what we intended to change, and can only rarely count a success. I write this not to discourage anyone from the impulse to act on the intuitive sense that we can somehow take steps to better our lives, nor to suggest that using the New Year or some other signature time can be an auspicious moment to begin the quest. Instead, research increasingly shows each “failed” attempt to change is a lesson for future success. 

With any external change, shifts in mind and attitudes also need to accompany the behavior shift. As an example, whether cigarettes are quit cold turkey or on some variation of a program, positive mindsets, supportive relationships, managing ‘triggers events” and other adjustments to the most mundane day to day habits may need to happen in order to “seal the deal”. As a general rule habits are not usually just dropped; usually new behaviors need to replace them. If these new choices don’t satisfy needs or are too great a change in kind or scope, our conditioned selves will rebel and self-sabotage may occur.
For all these reasons Yogis consider 40 days as the time needed to  40 days is the yogic time for breaking a habit. 90 days of practice creates a new habit. 1000 days establishes mastery. As a consequence, a mindful, non judgmental approach can inform our transitions and create the resilience that is needed to persist in the midst of common setbacks and missteps. 

Some pillars for new framework you are creating:
**To counteract the momentum of our conditioned mind, Yoga and mediation can help us dis-identify with our present sense of self and create a psyche malleable to the changes needed. In addition these practices buffer and transform the day to day stress that can sap ourr strength and resolve.

** Friends and family can provide the external support to encourage us. Be alert for authentic and inauthentic expressions of help and supoort. As challenging and occasionally threatening as postive change is for you, it may be equally so for those closest to you..

**Institute systems of rewards and mindfully receiving the validating positive effects of your life change.

**Easy does it, allow time and a step by step approach ot change. Create tangible sub goals as appropriate to help measure your progress.

**Understand the process, various therapist have outlined various stages of change, understanding your place in the process can help reduce self-judgement and offer hope on the journey.

**It has become a cliché but focus on the behavior that you are wishing to change and avoid identifying your entire sense of self with with the progress and setbacks that will occur.

 **Enjoy the process. After all, according to the wisdom of the sages, life is continual change. You are simply using your inner wisdom and personal will to direct your inner and outer evolution. 

Yoga Practice:
RELAXATION MEDITATION 

Change itself is stressful—a challenge to our expectations and life rhythms. Backslides and slips in our behavior changes often occur as stress increases. All aspects of meditation impact the efficacy of the practice. This simple and relaxing meditation makes use of a little-known secret about the eyes. Allowing the eyes to rest in a soft downward gaze has an instant, automatic relaxing effect. This one is great to do at work or anytime you feel the stress level increasing and there is no time for a more formal practice. 

1. Sit comfortably with your spine reasonably straight.
2. Allow your eyes to rest comfortably downward, gazing softly, but not focused on anything.
3. Without closing your eyes completely, let your eyelids drop to a level that feels most comfortable.
4. Continue gazing downward... the act of gazing is your primary focus (rather than the area at which you are gazing). You may notice your breathing becoming more rhythmic.
5. It's ok to let your attention drift a bit. If your eyes become very heavy, it's ok to let them close. If you notice you've come out of your relaxed space, simply bring your attention back to your relaxed downward gaze.

Workshops: 

Saturday, February 6th, 1-4PM
At Raven’s Wing Yoga
869 West Main ST  
Branford , CT
The Radiant Body—Kundalini Yoga to be Bright and Beautiful
           With Ravi Singh and Ana Brett

 Fee: $50 pre-registered, $55.00  at the door.

In India, Kundalini Yoga is considered to be the jewel in the crown of yoga systems. Through Kundalini Yoga's special blend of breathing, movement, stretching, meditation, and chanting, you'll to shine like the sun! In addition to a whole body workout, this fascinating class will feature exercises to enhance charisma and radiance.  Your magnetic field is the electrical emanation of the nervous system.  When it's strong you have a positive effect on your environments, you're insulated against negativity and mishap, more consistently in the right place at the right time, and your popularity quotient increases. This workshop will also feature deep relaxation to the transcendent sounds of live gong music.  This class is  85% physical and 15% meditative, is for all levels.

Fees are $50 pre-registered, $55.00 at the door.

Contact me at (203)488-1700 or Christina Sillari at (203)435-6110 for more information or to register

 Services

Private, semi private and small group Yoga Sessions, Meditation Instruction, Corporate Yoga Classes
And the Egoscue Method Postural Therapy for Chronic Pain Relief and Enhanced life performance. 

 Over the past several years I have worked with several students in private sessions in both brief and longer term scenarios. The sessions have served different purposes for each individual  depending on specific needs and intentions. Students have utilized this time to: 

Sessions can be held in your home or at my teaching studio locations. For details and to answer questions about how you may benefit from one of these modalities please contact me at (203)488-1700. 

I hope to see you braving the element and taking in the benefits of Yoga this winter. As always I enjoy and look forward to your feedback and support to help me make this a great New Year of Yoga.

Sat Nam and Namaste,

Alan Franzi

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