Inner Power Yoga August Studio News

Dear Yogis and Yoginis,

For most of us, the reason we started coming to class was purely physical. We wanted to have stronger arms and defined abs, open hips and more mobile shoulders, cure that nagging low back discomfort, lose the extra weight in the middle. Feeling better about ourselves can be the perfect reason to start and to continue to step onto our mats as often as we can.

But after a while, most of us realize that there are so many other gifts a consistent yoga practice offers us that can enhance our lives beyond words. One of them is choosing our response to the small and big challenges of life that we all face daily. Do we become bitter and resentful, or forgive and move on? Do we run away from an uncomfortable situation or handle it with as much grace as we can and learn from the experience?

Our regular yoga practice can help us stay calm, positive and focused as the inevitable challenges surface daily in our lives. Staying peaceful and poised, one obstacle, one practice, one breath at a time.

Warmly,

Ursula and the IPY teachers

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Become a fan on IPY’s Facebook page to find out about our latest news, announcements and to keep in touch with others in our community.

Teacher Training is filling up! Sign up now to secure your place on this exciting journey!

Registrations are coming in for our RYT 200 Teacher Training Program starting in September. Space is limited, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to deepen your knowledge of yoga and to learn from experts and master teachers like Doug Keller, Kathryn Budig and Keith Crosslin. Please send Ursula a note if you would like more information about our program! (Payment plans are available.)

Community Classes

We offer Community Classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 12 noon and 1 pm. Fees for these classes is by donation, making yoga accessible to all who wish to participate.

Upcoming workshops at IPY! Save the date!

October 10, 2010 1:00-3:30 pm – Yin Yoga with Coleen Clement

November 21, 2010 1:00-3:30 pm – Inversions and arm balances with Keith Crosslin

December 19, 2010 1:00-3:30 pm – Yoga Philosophy with Doug Keller

See the site for more details

Dear Yogis and Yoginis,

It’s hard to believe that we are already starting the second half of 2010! Seems like it was yesterday that were enjoying “Winter Wonderland,” blanketed by several feet of snow, and now summertime is here! Warm afternoons spent by the pool, cook-outs with friends and family, and hopefully a more relaxed daily schedule and lighter traffic on the roads.

Perhaps it’s a good time to check-in on your plans, hopes and dreams for 2010. What have you accomplished so far that you set out to do this year? What changes might you need to make in your life to get closer to achieving a particular goal?

Energy flows where attention goes. Do you have your priorities right to help you become the person you have always wanted to be?

Alice had six impossible dreams before breakfast in her Wonderland. Our dreams are only impossible until they become possible. Aim high!

Enjoy the long days of summer!

Warmly,

Ursula and the IPY teachers

Teacher Training

Registrations are coming in for our RYT 200 Teacher Training Program starting in September. Space is limited, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to deepen your knowledge of yoga and to learn from experts and master teachers like Doug Keller, Kathryn Budig and Keith Crosslin. Please send Ursula a note if you would like more information about our program! (Payment plans are available.)

Holiday Schedule

Sunday, July 4, 9:30-11 am, All Levels with Tanya

Monday, July 5, 9:30-11:30 am, Special Practice/All Levels with Ursula

All other classes are canceled

Summer Student Special

School is out for the summer, and we welcome young yogis and yoginis at IPY! If you are in middle school and would like to become more flexible and to get stronger, perhaps spend quality (and fun) time with your mom, please join us in our Basics classes. High school and college students are welcome to attend in our All levels classes as well.

Suggestion Box

We opened IPY to provide a positive and supportive place for you, and to serve you even better, we would love to hear from you. Please send us your ideas and suggestions; and let us know what you would like to see in our studio or on the schedule. How can we improve to fit your needs?

We have a Suggestion Box by the Front Desk, please take a moment to give us your feedback.

What moves you? An inspirational quote, an unexpected victory, a heartwarming story?

Recently I had the pleasure of judging a high school oratorical contest. Despite their nervousness, each contestant took the assigned topic, wrapped themselves around it and presented it to the audience like a gift. I was instantly moved. To put aside fear and “do it anyway” is the most inspiring of all human traits. These courageous young people chose to be tangible by getting up in front of an audience, saying their peace, and letting the chips fall where they may. Did I mention there were only three contestants? Hhmm….

Jumping out of a plane at that age would have been easier for me, and I was happy to be passed over by the teacher when I raised my hand in class. As an adult, early in my professional career, speaking in public always sent my body into spasms. I wanted to hide out and make a difference behind the scenes. As we all well know, when speaking in public, there is nowhere to hide and people can see and feel you for who and what you are. Terror!! However, we have a choice to make here. We can choose to hide out where people never truly get to know us, or we can share ourselves with the world by engaging people in person.

As for speaking in public, it doesn’t matter whether your audience believes WHAT you are saying; what matters is that they believe in YOU. When the contest was over, the participants were showered with accolades and helpful feedback and each of them left the event walking a bit taller and notably more confident. Social media makes speaking out easy, and has taken the fear factor out of doing so by creating an intangible forum through which we can speak to the public from behind the scenes. When we default to this method of communication too frequently, we can lose touch with our humanness.

There are 10 muscle groups in the human face – all of which work to intensify the eyes, form the arch of a brow, create wrinkles in the temple and form a smile. People can be and are moved by your ability to skillfully engage them through public speech, and it boosts your confidence as a communicator. As a result, you can fly above insurmountable obstacles, crush fear and explore the landscape of your infinite potential. Faced with the option to choose the less frightening 500 word essay, I was totally impressed by the courage and initiative these young people took to participate in an oratorical contest.

Today, in my new profession as a teacher, I speak in public daily.

Change, it occurs in and around us on so many levels.  The most obvious of course is the change that affects our senses and emotions immediately and can make us very uncomfortable along the way.  It is often not long after the uncomfortable period ends that our situation improves and we quickly forget the discomfort.  I liken these changes to our recent emergence from snowhavemercy winter to TGIS (thank God it’s Spring!).

Those who have been on their yoga mat for a while know that the true benefit of our yoga practice is the awareness we reap around the subtle changes that occur in our mind, body and spirit over time.  We also learn to find comfort in that these changes are both substantive and beneficial to us.  Sure, we can also be changed in the blink of an eye as well, and those changes can offer us profound insights and awareness.  For example, an injury or an AHA moment when you hear that one cue that changes an aspect of your practice forever.

Whether obvious or subtle, the changes we experience as a result of our yoga practice translate into our journey off the mat.   During my 200 hour teacher training, an instructor stated to our class quite simply yet profoundly, “We first come to yoga to practice asana and experience the yoga high, and then our life begins to change.”   To add to that point, my own growing pains in the form of injuries and mental frustration have unveiled incredible possibilities in my asana practice and in my life.

We are fortunate to witness the transformation of mankind and nature by way of events the seasons, and the Earth’s churn.    We also know that no enduring change occurs over night; despite appearances…  One day you may find yourself teetering in tripod, and seemingly not long after with coaxing, balancing in crow!  Subsequently, you realize, that each time you inverted, whether in downward facing dog or chaturanga you were preparing to fly and were probably were able to do so long before you actually gave it a go.  Off the mat, fear or uncertainty that may have once plagued you begins to show up as confidence and a sense of inner calm when you relate to yourself, others and situations.

Whether we realize it at the time or not, when we come to the mat, we are stepping in to change.

Namaste,

Jessica

When I was asked to write a blog about Yin yoga, I wanted more than anything to shed some light on this lovely practice.  I could probably write several pages on the what, how, and why of Yin yoga, however writing a book is very different than writing a blog!  The intention for this blog is to share how Yin yoga balances our more active practices, and how it benefits other aspects of our lives.

I would like to take a moment to touch on Vinyasa yoga, which is probably what most of us have heard about or practice presently.  In a Vinyasa class students move through a flowing sequence of asanas, or postures, that connect the breath to movements, while building heat in the body.  This type of practice is loved by the muscles!  The muscles respond to the repetitive movements found in a Vinyasa class, which allows them to be stretched and strengthened.

Yin yoga beautifully complements our more active (Vinyasa) yoga practice and our active lifestyles because it is a more cooling practice.  When we have too much of one thing, we naturally become imbalanced.  One of the goals of yoga is to move towards balance, creating harmony in our bodies and system as a whole. Think of those days that are jam packed with things to do, full of running around and a ton of stimulation.  Those days can leave us feeling drained and depleted.  On the flip side, when we have those days where we are relaxing and sitting all day, we may feel the urge to do something, anything that moves us.  That is why balance in our yoga practice and our lives is so important in restoring our body, mind, and spirit.

Yin yoga is yoga for the joints and deeper connective tissues.   Postures are held anywhere from 1-5 minutes to allow time to reach these deeper areas, releasing tension and stress.  The postures in a yin class mostly target the hips, pelvis, and low back.  This practice is passive yet intense as we are opening deeper areas of the body to promote healing.

When our joints and deeper connective tissues are strengthened and nourished through a Yin practice, we receive greater range of motion in these areas, which also encourages these areas to stay healthy and happy.  As we hold certain postures for some time, areas even deep into the organ system are reached.  Whatever is in excess (tension), releases out, and whatever is lacking (weak), is nourished.  As we get older our bodies start drying up!  The thought of that is an interesting one; however, it is true…especially for our joints and our bones. Practicing Yin encourages these areas to stay healthy, which in the long run will increase their vitality.

The nature of the practice creates a strong inner focus, allowing us to become fully in tune with ourselves and our own rhythms. It empowers us to fully inhabit our bodies no matter how we may be feeling or what we may be dealing with.  This not only supports us on our mats, it also trickles out into our daily lives.

What’s next?  Come to class, roll out your mats, and see how this practice can be a delightful complement to your daily lives!  Class is held every Monday and Wednesday evening at 7:45 pm.

Warm Regards,

Coleen

Somewhere between Snowcapolypse and Round II, cabin fever got the best of me and I scooted over to the cinema to see the movie Avatar.  Rich with imagery as fantastic as anything I could imagine, what I found especially striking was the language.  They were talking yoga!  Intended or not, the language we hear in yoga class and in this movie were strikingly similar.

There were many times during the movie when references to the “network of energy that flows through all living things” was highlighted.  Ahhhhh, prana.  The energy or life force which emanates from all physical matter and moves through and around us at all times.  Sigourney Weavers’ character (Grace Augustine) was in awe of the trees on the planet Pandora, which possessed a dynamic and energetic root system that was both physically intertwined and provided a conduit for their universal communication between the environment and the Avatars.  She repeatedly remarked, “I gotta get a sample of these roots.”  Does the phrase, “I gotta get to yoga class!” resonate?

Avatars’ main characters Neytiri and Jake were embroiled in rigorous training on Jake’s behalf throughout the film.  At one point, Jake reflected on Neytiri’s advice to “Trust what your body already knows to do.”  She also told him that he “looks but doesn’t see” which is what happens to me when I loose my dristi or when I don’t practice mindfulness off the mat.  As Jake learned to connect with his body, his senses, with others and the environment, he effortlessly began to avoid multiple perils which both consumed and distracted him prior to his training.

Icing on the yoga language cake were repeated references to the bond frequently depicted between Avatars and their hunting companions called the Lavi (or birds) and other untamed creatures.  The union between beings was only solidified through the yoking of the breath and heartbeat once a physical connection was established.

At the end of the film, Jake learned to set intentions which enabled him to make clear and good decisions, which resulted in his ultimate self realization and of course saving Pandora from the Sky People.  In preparation for the ultimate battle to save the planet, Neytiri gazed at Jake and proclaimed, “I see you.”

In yoga class, we come to the mat to work through our sheaths or koshas in order that we may see ourselves and others as we really, truly are.  During that process, we begin to make mindful connections with ourselves, with others and the world in which we live.  The result is that we are able to proceed with conviction in our daily walk.

Nice job, Hollywood.

Namaste,

Jessica

If you’ve been to a class at IPY, you’ve invariably heard the instruction, “lead with the heart, lift the heart, open the heart.” Why do we say these things so much? The answer is simple, the reasons are many. It’s just good for your heart to do so. When you practice yoga, a number of things occur within our five koshas (coverings of the true self which range from the outer Anna-maya kosha, which represents the physical layer, to the innermost Ananda-maya kosha, where the soul resides) when we expand through the chest.

Reasons why:

1. Vinyasa flow consists of spine lengthening, side and back bending, inversions and rest (a favorite – Savasana!); all of which help to control and prevent heart disease. Spine lengthening asanas promote good posture and reduce compression on the heart and lungs. Side bending asanas open energy channels of the liver, gallbladder and heart to remove energetic blockages. Upper back bending asanas improve heart function and respiration. Inversions allow the heart to rest and improve blood circulation (note: contraindicated with un-medicated high blood pressure – check with your doctor). Savasana is deeply restorative and has been shown to reduce high blood pressure.
2. Your capacity to breathe fully into the lungs increases as you practice Ujjayi pranayama (or breathing). Ujjayi breathing is conducted through the nostrils with the throat constricted; which emanates an ocean-like sound as you inhale and exhale. We teach this form of breathing in all of our classes.
3. When you bring awareness to your breath, your the heart rate slows and becomes regulated. Your breath also influences the rhythm of the heart through inner connections in the central nervous system. This results in more oxygenated blood flow and feelings of calm and well-being.
4. Asana (physical) and pranayama practice have been found to reduce stress hormones.

Energetically speaking, the heart chakra (the fourth of our seven chakras) represents compassion, selfless love and devotion. An unbalanced heart chakra results in despair, jealousy, abandonment, isolation and lack of empathy for us and others. When we work to bring this energy center into balance, we can let go of these feelings and enjoy emotional empowerment. We also feel the welcome embrace of prayer and cultivate more awareness towards the higher powers of the universe; which invite a sense of hope, more open connections with others and increased compassion.

As if the above are not reason enough to come to your mat, add meditation to the mix! Meditation is known for its ability to also calm the mind and limit stress by reducing heart-harmful emotions such as anxiety, hostility and hopelessness. Studies show that a daily meditation practice can also reduce the amount of fatty deposits in your arteries, as well as lower blood pressure.

So the next time you are asked to “lead with the heart, lift the heart, open the heart” know that all of these benefits and more await you!

Namaste,

Jessica

Dear yogis and yoginis,

Do you remember the reason you first stepped onto your mat? Perhaps a friend dragged you to a studio, or you had some extra time after running on the treadmill and a yoga class was just starting in your gym. What did you think? If you are like most of us, you might have thought that the particular style taught at that random studio or in your neighborhood gym is the only way to practice yoga. You might have gotten hooked instantly or may have enjoyed the experience, but did not seek out other opportunities for a while.

There are many different yoga styles out there nowadays taught by teachers who bring their own uniqueness into the room, so we can all find what fits into our expectations of what yoga is or should be for us. At Inner Power Yoga, we teach and practice vinyasa yoga, where movement and breath are continuously linked together uniting body, mind and a higher consciousness. We get stronger and more flexible for sure, but also develop deeper presence and awareness. Vinyasa yoga is meditation in motion; we are constantly changing our forms, but try to remain fully present with the help of our breath as an anchor.

The original Vinyasa system is Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, where a set sequence is practiced; the First Series focuses on forward bends, while backbends highlight the Second Series. (The other four series are Advanced Sequences.) We are offering Ashtanga classes now at IPY on Saturdays and Sundays at 4 pm to introduce this wonderful practice to our students. Please come and check it out!

Thank you to all the little yogis and yoginis who braved the snow and came for our Kids Yoga Workshop! I am so glad the kids had such a great time! We are starting a 4 week Kids Yoga Series this Saturday at 2:30 pm. Our first 4 week session is sold out, but we will let everyone know when additional kids yoga classes are scheduled.

We are honored to be chosen as “Studio of the Month” by our favorite store, Lululemon Athletica. Our teachers will be leading a free class at 10 am every Sunday in February at the Tysons store! Please come, practice with us, and check out lulu’s new offerings!

Thank you all who came to Jess’s class and donated to Doctors without Borders; we raised $220 for this organization to help provide essential medical care to the people of Haiti! Every little bit counts!

We are hosting special guest teachers Keith and Tara for a Valentine’s Day Partner Yoga Workshop. This is a great opportunity for those of you wondering about yoga, but have not taken the plunge. This will be a fun thing to do on Valentine’s Day! For details please see the Events page on our website and send a note to ursula@inner-power-yoga.com to register.

On March 7, Tanya will be teaching Fundamentals of Vinyasa Yoga for new students and students who would like to brush up on the basics of the practice. For details on this workshop, please see the Events page on our website and send a note to ursula@inner-power-yoga.com to register.

Incorporating a regular yoga practice into your life can make a big difference long after you leave the studio. We would like to offer unlimited yoga for $95/month as our February Special to encourage you to come and practice often!

Wishing you happiness on your mat!

Warmly,
Ursula

In response to last week’s devastating earthquake in Haiti, we have decided to collect donations for the Doctors Without Borders Emergency Relief Fund at our Yoga Day USA class on January 23 at 11:30a. See the IPY site for more details about this special class with Jessica.

If you are not able to make it to the class, or would like to donate now, please see the Doctors Without Borders site.

Kids Yoga Workshop Price Change

We’ve lowered the price of our Kids Yoga workshop. For parents with an IPY unlimited pass, the cost is $10; for all other kids, the cost is $15. See the IPY site for more details about the class. Don’t miss this opportunity to get your kids doing yoga!

New Candlelight Yin Class

Due to the popularity of our Wednesday night Candlelight Yin class with Coleen, we are adding a second class on Monday nights at 7:45p beginning January 25. If you haven’t been to Coleen’s class yet, come and see what you’ve been missing!

January Pass Special

All month we are offering our monthly class pass for $90. If you come just twice a week, that’s $11/class; three times a week is $7.50/class! It’s a great deal that is only available through January 31. (See the IPY site for more information about our fees.)

IPY is Lululemon Studio of the Month in February

Our teachers will be at Lululemon at Tysons Corner each Sunday in February leading free classes at 10a. We’re honored to be chosen by our favorite store!

We’re starting 2010 with a series of workshops and special events. Don’t miss Jessica’s free class on Yoga Day USA (January 23); introduce your 7-11 year olds to yoga with Ursula’s kids yoga workshop; or, bring your sweetie to Keith and Tara’s partner yoga workshop for a special way to celebrate Valentine’s day.

Yoga Day USA with Jessica

Saturday, January 23, 2010, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Join Jessica for a FREE yoga practice in honor of Yoga Day USA. This celebration was created by the Yoga Alliance to imake yoga available to everyone and to support our community through service to others. Class will include a short discussion about yoga followed by a Vinyasa Flow practice.

Free for everyone

Kids Yoga with Ursula

Saturday, January 30, 2010 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

The benefits of yoga are endless for grown ups and children alike. Here is a perfect opportunity to introduce yoga to your kids to help them increase their overall fitness, especially coordination, balance and flexibility. Studies show that yoga helps to boost self-esteem, confidence and to deal with everyday stresses our kids face on a regular basis.

During this introductory class, students will learn the basic yoga poses, sun salutations and breathing techniques in a fun and supportive setting.

$20/child; for ages 7 – 11

Partner Yoga with Keith and Tara

Sunday, February 14, 2010 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm

For a special way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, join us for two and a half hours of partner yoga with Keith and Tara. Partner yoga can be practiced by any two people: friends, colleagues, parents, children, siblings and couples. Come with a partner or on your own, and we will pair you up. Whether complete beginner or advanced practitioner, or any level in between, the benefits of this practice are yours to discover. Practicing yoga with a partner provides a fun and safe way to deepen your experience of yoga poses or to take your very first yoga class.

Keith and Tara have been studying and practicing yoga for well over two decades. While Keith began his journey in the Vinyasa style of Ashtanga Yoga, Tara is deeply steeped in the tradition of Iyengar Yoga. Fusing the two styles, they teach Vinyasa yoga infused with Iyengar alignment. Their classes are welcoming, fun and full of great instruction.

$35/person; $30/person for IPY unlimited pass holders