Now I have seen it all.
Today’s Yoga news, tells the story of a Yogi living in flood plains, inventing and perfecting water Yoga. The man says he is happy with the success of becoming famous in his village as people come to spectate his water Yoga performances. He hope to someday be world famous through his Yoga practice. Fans hope one day he will walk on water. Read it here, if you dare.
The West is often criticized for capitalizing on Yoga and turning it into another business machine with chain studios popping up coast to coast, materializing a spiritual practice. Instructors now get quickie certifications and teach asana (postures) as fitness with little regard to the sutras (scriptures) much less breath awareness as a result more students than ever are suffering injuries on their path to not enlightenment but the perfect butt clad in the hottest Lulu Yoga pant. Criticism and concern is valid in this regard.
Meanwhile, some bizarre Yoga news comes out of India more and more frequently. Last year, famed cricket player, Sachin Tendulkar was caught on camera being forced into dangerous positions by his personal ‘guru’ (an ‘expert’ from Thailand) after his team trainings.
Or even Bikram Choudhury, native of India, placing patent on his posture flows and birthing Yoga competitions, awarding prizes for ‘perfection’.
The lesson here? A lesson I learned at Kripalu during teacher training. Practice and maintain discernment. If it is Eastern it is not necessarily ‘authentic’ and if it is Western it is not necessarily driven by capitalism. Take your Yoga with eye’s, heart and mind open on every part of the planet.
p.s. Aqua Yoga has also been developed in the U.S. with the intent to offer therapeutics for various ailments. It should be noted that for some practitioners with respiratory or heart ailments that the added pressure of water on the body makes this a questionable practice.
If the body is our temple, treat is wisely and lovingly, keep your eyes and mind open, do a little research before blindly diving in to any practice.
Yogini Virginia shined some light on NPR for me last week. She mentioned a radio program called “Speaking of Faith” that airs on Sunday mornings 7-8am.
Check out their page to listen to interviews with Matt Sanford and Seane Corn.
Click here to listen to NPR, Speaking of Faith, Yoga with Seane Corn as well as read and watch more in-depth.
Thanks Virginia for sharing this goodie with us!
HUNGER IS REAL PEOPLE! and alive and thriving in Lower Fairfield County CT
I would like to speak to a subject very close to my heart and that is FOOD.
Many of you know that I LOVE food an LOVE to eat. I am a Taurus and that is one of our vices…Eat, Drink and Be Merry is not only a phrase often associated with a Taurus but one of my many mantras.
This being said, there is a real problem in our country and even more importantly, right here in Lower Fairfield County, CT. If you 
don’t know what lower Fairfield County is, let me tell you…it’s Darien, Stamford, New Canaan, Greenwich, Norwalk, and Wilton! One of the richest counties in our Nation!!!
Hunger is real, people! Alive and sadly, well! Continue reading “Elysa Blogs - Hunger is Real”
Meet Les!
In whatever studio or space - indoor and out - Les brings his Yoga communities a ready and warm smile. Sometimes attending class along with sister, Christine, their Yoga can be a beautiful family affair. He usually has interesting stories to share whether focused on family, work or fun adventures fishing or doing Yoga on the beach - one trip he practiced seven days in a row!
All around he adds color and depth to our community and we are glad to have him! He is the Dew Yogi of the month for September. I asked him the usual questions about Yoga…
Q: How long have you been practicing Yoga?
A: I have been practicing yoga for about 8 years.
Q: What fills your time off the mat?
A: Off the mat I am a master carpenter, co-developed, and run the service department for a high end custom builder in Greenwich and Manhattan. Continue reading “Dew Yogi of the Month - Les Melich”
Ann Russell is leading a 3-part Workshop!
Sundays:
October 5, November 2 & December 7, 2008
4:00 - 5:30pm
Ann Russell, RYT-500hr, will lead this series exploring three advanced Yoga practices.
Bandhas – utilizing psychomuscular locks
Pranayama – breath control & retention
Kriyas – cleansing practices including neti
This is a great opportunity over a three month period to learn new skills to use in your weekly practice. A month’s pause is given between classes in order to integrate the experiences before taking them deeper in the next class.
Ann received her 500-hr certification from the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health. She has also studied extensively with extraordinary teachers coast to coast.
This workshop is for experienced students. Please call Elysa, Jen or Ann if you have any questions about participation. Cost: $105.00/person. Pre-registration for all 3 classes is required. Sorry, no make-ups will be offered for this very special series. Contact us to reserve your space. Minimum 6 students required. Please bring your own Neti pot to the third class, ask us if you have any question, they are available at Mrs. Greens or CVS for less than $20 and should last a lifetime.
Dew Yoga at Bobby Valentine’s Sports Academy, 72 Camp Avenue, Stamford, CT 06907
www.dewyoga.net ~ info@dewyoga.net ~ (203) 524-2919 or (203) 246-6163
Observing the visual beauty of a skunk Mary Oliver wrote and reminds us…
“…for it’s true, isn’t it,
in our world,
that the petals pooled with nectar, and the polished thorns
are a single thing –
that even the purest light, lacking the robe of darkness,
would be without expression –
that love itself, without it’s pain, would be
no more than a shruggable comfort.”
It’s a beautiful poem, you can read the whole thing here.
Melanie at Jyoti has news and specials we are happy to share with you….
WELLNESS & YOGA
Crossover to a new service and receive $25 off
If you are a hair client….
try a massage and receive $25 off
If you are a massage client or yoga student…..
come in for a color service and receive $25 off
Our Treatment Room is available for rent at discounted hourly and weekly rates.
Jyoti Yoga and Wellness | 259 Main St. 2nd Floor | Stamford | CT | 06901 | 203-487-6330
