9/3/08
Dear Student, 

I hope you are enjoying this summer. I am excited to continue our journey in Yoga this Fall season and look forward to seeing you soon!

I once again thank you for your ongoing support. I am always inspired by your commitment and the enthusiasm you bring to classes. I reiterate my invitation to share with me any thoughts about what you need and want to help you deepen your Yoga experience so I can provide the best service to you.

The fall class schedule begins on Saturday 9/6/08 at with morning Yoga and Functional Movement for Posture Alignment, Pain Relief and Stress Management class at The Shoreline Center for Wholistic Health in Guild.. The new schedule is attached; Class times are the same, with the exception of returning to the 6:15Pm and 7:30PM class time at the JCC. More detailed description and class info is available on my website: www.creativeedgeyoga.com.

From October 10th to October 18th I will take time to augment my skills and training in the functional/postural component of Yoga and movement with a weeklong “practicum” style immersion into the discipline at the Egoscue clinic in San Diego. Classes will be on a hiatus at that time.  I am looking forward to the experience and sharing the knowledge with you all.

By popular demand, Christina Sillari and I are again sponsoring another in a series of Kundalini Yoga Workshops with master teachers, Ravi Singh and Ana Brett. This latest entry is entitled:  "Kundalini Yoga To Be Stress Free & Live Your Infinity"  and will be held on Saturday, November 1st 1:00-4:00Pm at Raven’s Wing Yoga in Branford.

Again.I invite you to experience the ongoing Kundalini Yoga class at the Shoreline Center for Wholistic Health on Wednesdays at 7:30pm. I hope you will take some time to try this unique and powerful practice. 

The Branford Adult Education Class begins on Thursday, September 25th and  runs from  7:15-8:15PM. The eight week series is entitled: Yoga for Fitness, Function and Fun".

The fundamental component of fitness and wellness is cultivating a body that moves with ease and comfort no matter the age or circumstance. Experience the impact of posture alignment on pain, and athletic performance; as well as day to day increased comfort, energy and ease in your body, through a group class inspired and informed by the classic wisdom and practices of Yoga and the powerful paradigm developed by Pete Egoscue. The special Saturday class series: Yoga and Functional Movement for Posture, Pain Relief and Stress Management class continues at the Shoreline Center with the goal of supporting you as you move from limits and pain and  re-establish the fit and functional body that is your birthright.  The time is 10:00-11:30 am and you can drop-in or join the series anytime!  

Yoga Therapy:

Over the years I have seen that as the summer winds down, for many the process of setting intentions for integrating healthy and helpful practices is renewed. Ongoing Yoga classes, complementary Yoga therapy, meditation practice and so many other wonderful modalities are at our disposal. As seekers, our responsibility and joy is the process of re-discovering that which best benefits us  and bring healing and wellness at any particular point in times.

In my teaching practice I have seen the discipline of Yoga in this country evolve in amazing ways. In the very recent past this evolution has accelerated with the advent of modern information networks and media that allow heretofore obscure information to come to us with greater and greater ease and immediacy. Even with all this, sorting out all this information is a challenge and requires healthy openness and discrimination to use appropriate practices to achieve specific goals in life. Yoga practice done well is a vital and evolving process and I invite you to continue to check in with me as you progress and feel the need for any help I can give in this regard.

All Yoga practice is in a sense, therapeutic, as the core aim is to restore balance and wellness throughout the body and mind. From the experience of teachers and sages before us, the possibilities of our Yoga is maximized when this is not seen as an end in itself. Instead it can be the foundation of and the beginning to a life well lived.

That said, so many of my students come to class because of a suggestion of a Doctor, a therapist or a trusted friend and are looking for a specific solution. Goals of increased physical flexibility, strength and tone, stress relief and more can be attained with a committed and balanced Yoga practice. However, the correct Yoga practice for a someone looking to lose a few pounds and regain lost flexibility may be different than for someone looking to resolve high blood pressure or regain meaning and balance in their lives after long struggles with chronic pain, disease or  a traumatic period of transition or loss. Initial inquiry into practice often centers around the basic questions about what Yoga or meditation can do to resolve a specific issue disease or dilemma.

Once the intention is set to direct us toward a positive change is made we can begin. And just beginning, despite the doubts and unresolved questions is the most important step! So many of these early doubts and confusions are quickly encountered and resolved in this process. The support of a teacher and fellow students can be invaluable, not simply for the technical expertise they provide in their discipline, but in helping to answer questions, provide en-couragement and point out solutions to potential obstacles and pitfalls on the path chosen. In this role I feel it is essential in the early phases and beyond, that a student or seeker understand the process they are in even as they expand their technical expertise in their practice.

The joy of Yoga, meditation or other self care wellness practice is often the ongoing re-discovery that we are both responsible for and sufficient in ourselves to master those areas of our lives in which we may feel most deficient. The important initial and ongoing sense of empowerment our practice gives is the deepening trust that optimal health and wellness are our birthright and responsibility within the context of our life circumstances. From the start bringing changes to our lifestyle to regain physical strength and flexibility, rediscover our healthiest instincts and interests and re-establishing our sense of ease and balance empowers us to be the architect of our healing and growth process. Within our unfolding are so many unimagined opportunities for even further change and growth. When we accept this responsibility for our lives, lessons learned in any phase of self-discovery and healing help our problem solving in times of difficulty and hindrances. Our growing wisdom over time can generalize to an evolving freedom in our lives in areas far afield from our initial concerns.

Yoga practice:
Ujayii Breathing(Victory Breath):

Ujjayi Breath
To pursue this or any Yogic pranayama should be done with a qualified Yoga teacher to gain the intended positive benefits.

A main purpose of the Ujjayi breathing according to Yoga is to increase the energetic experience and mental focus, The throat constriction inherent in the technique focuses breath and prana(vital energy) and the sound produce provides a focal point for the mind to settle upon creating a meditative focal point. When utilized with full Yogic breath over time the practice also helps bring down blood pressure & heart rate. Also it makes the mind calm and peaceful by removing the stress. It has a calming effect on entire nervous system, especially it stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. If you are stressed then 3-5 minutes of Ujjayi breath can reenergize you.. This pranayama is very effective for relaxation of body and mind.

Basic Practice -

bulletBeginners can start with deep breathing practice in sitting position Easy pose(simple cross legged seated posture) is comfortable for most beginners.
bulletBegin with long deep Yogic breath of an even length on the inhale and exhale. The ratio of 4:4 is an appropriate starting point for most. With practice one can increase the counts to 4:8, or 5:10 or 6:12 seconds
bulletNext begin to  raspy/hissing  sound with breath, this sound is NOT produced in vocal chords but produced by contraction of throat or epiglottis. You may whisper the count of 1, 2, 3, 4 on the inhale and exhale to initially create and get a sense of the throat constriction. Or you may simple contract the throat and make frictional sound. Let go of the overt whispering after a few breathes as you get familiar with the technique and retain the smooth flow of breath and the accompanying sound. Continue with this practice for 3-5 minutes.
bulletThere are other breath prctice that may be done with this technique fter the basics have been mastered
bulletVery often this breath is used in yoga asana, particularly flow/Vinyasa styles. This helps release the stresses faster and makes the mind focused easily as the sound and breath become fully connected to the movements and asana.

Precautions -

bulletPregnant women and those with cardiovascular/heart conditions or lung problems should not do this breath unless cleared by physician. Avoind brath retention(holing the breath in these and other circumstances in which it is contra-indicated..
bulletDiscontinue if nervousness or anxiety appears..
bulletDon’t struggle to attain the breath ratio indicated
bulletIf you feel dizzy then please stop the practice and continue normal breathing.

Workshop:
Kundalini Yoga to be Stress Free and Live Your infinity!
Kundalini Yoga With Ana Brett and Ravi Singh
 Saturday November 1st 2008 1:00-4:00PM

at: Raven’s Wing Yoga
19 South Main ST, 2nd floor(in the old Branford Community Theater Building)
Branford, CT 06405

Fee:    50.00 pre-registered, $55.00 at the door 

Kundalini Yoga is the art and science of spirit rising. It blends breathing, movement, stretching, meditation, chanting, and the science of sequence, to engender powerful synergistic, exponential effects. These days stress is an inescapable fact of life. How we process stress determines our life's trajectory. Kundalini Yoga is also know as the Yoga of Nerve Strength. When our nerves are strong stress makes us stronger! This workshop will present down to earth ways to deepen your yoga practice and present specific Kundalini Yoga techniques to turn stress into blessings, amplify your gifts, and use them to heal, uplift, and inspire. Also: deep relaxation to the transcendent sounds of live gong music.85% physical / 15% meditative. For all levels
Internationally renowned Yoga Teachers, Ana Brett & Ravi Singh, remain fresh in their quest to keep innovating-with new methods, approaches, depth, and insight. With over 40 years combined teaching experience, this creative team has transformed countless lives.They have authored many DVD's and books and trained over 500 practicing Kundalini Yoga Teachers. Their clients have included Olympic Athletes and celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna, Sting, and The Red Hot Chile Peppers. They travel extensively, teaching workshops, conferences, and retreats worldwide.  Ana and Ravi's all-in-one yoga workouts are the ultimate cross training - a system of exercise that encompasses movement, aerobic intervals, strength, stretch, flow, and fun! Their workouts are always set to cutting edge music to keep motivation high. In less than an hour a day, Ana & Ravi DVD's provide a total workout which fully integrates body, mind, and spirit, delivering students to their top level of  physical conditioning and well-being. 

In a Ana & Ravi class or workshop you will:  Get a full body workout. Learn the purpose of each exercise on every level: body, mind and spirit. Share in Ana & Ravi's in-depth knowledge of physical anatomy and its metaphysical counterparts. Learn how to modify an exercise to minimize physical discomfort, maximize results.  Be assured of Ana & Ravi's personal concern for your well being. Receive modifications for each exercise so you can always participate. Experience a sonic healing to the transcendent sounds of live gong music. Participate in uplifting chants and group meditations

"Our primary objective", say Ana & Ravi, "is to help people learn to live a healthy and happy, more peaceful life that continues to challenge them to grow.  We teach a system of exercise, meditation, and living that fully integrates the body, mind, and spirit."

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Additional Services

Private, semi private and small group Yoga Sessions   

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: 

bulletEvaluate and modify postural issues and imbalances that may be at the root chronic discomfort and ongoing heath conditions 
bulletEnhance skill, comfort and commitment to Yoga practice in class and at home
bulletSupport transitions to create healthier, more self supportive lifestyles.
bulletDiscover and utilize healing principles and practices designed to support your ongoing wellness and personal growth
bulletExplore higher breath work and meditation practices to further grow in yoga
bulletServe as a powerful compliment to other recovery and healing  practices…and more! 

I am available for private Yoga instruction, Yoga Therapy with a focus on Postural Alignment Therapy.
In addition sessions are available that employ a meditative healing practice format to support deep inner shifts and transformation that can accelerate your personal growth an amazing ways. 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.    

Again, please let me know of any requests or suggestion that you have.  

I hope to see you soon. 

Namaste & Sat nam,

Alan

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****This newsletter is intended to inspire and stimulate thought and insight according to the general concepts and practices of Yoga and Meditative arts. The use of these opinions and ideas and techniques  is no substitute for any and all professional services to suit your specific personal needs. Always consult a competent professional for answers to your specific questions.