Slow Down with Yin Yoga Pg 10 Slow Down with Yin Yoga Pg 10
Transcription
Slow Down with Yin Yoga Pg 10 Slow Down with Yin Yoga Pg 10
July/August 2010 www.yogalivingmagazine.com Volume XI, Issue VII The T ransformation Issue Transformation Slow Down with Yin Yoga Pg 10 Integra ting Cha nge: A Guide for Modern S p i r i t u a l Wa r r i o r s P a g e 2 0 M i d l i f e : S a y i n g “ Ye s ” t o a N e w Yo u P a g e 2 4 S l o w Fa s t s a n d D e t o x R e t o x Pa g e 2 8 Healthy Meals Cre at e H ea lt hy K id s Pa g e 4 6 S err ving Sout h Jers ey, Se S outh No rthern r thern Delaware, Phila delphi a & Suburbs 2 YOGA LIVING July/August 2010 Find Your Path to Higher Self YogaLife Institute Yoga Teacher Training With Bob Butera, Phd and Staff Deepen Your Personal Practice and Learn Teaching Skills You: A dedicated student who is ready to learn more about Yoga. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, if you’ve practiced for 20 years or 2 weeks. All you need is an open mind and a willingness to learn more about yourself through the ancient art and science of Yoga. Us: One of the finest and most established schools of Yoga Philosophy and Practice in the country. We’re a dedicated group of teachers and practitioners who offer a collective 60+ years of Yoga and Meditation experience to our students. Program Highlights Include: • One-to-one mentoring • Connection to a well established Yoga Community • Year long program focused on personal growth • Flexible scheduling options • Unlimited Yoga classes • Weekly Seminars • Weekend Immersion Programs Study Highlights Include: • • • • • • • • • • Experiencing Yoga in Daily Life How to Create a Yoga Lifestyle Yoga Pose Structure and Anatomy Mental and Physical Alignment Breathwork, Chakras and the Energy Body Healthy Relationships at Home and Work Yogic Psychology & Spirituality Modern Views of Ancient Yogic Scriptures Yogic Approaches to Diet and Nutrition The Art of Teaching Yoga NEXT T WHO O FOODLSE ! 821 West Lancaster Avenue | Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087 610-688-7030 | [email protected] | www.yogalifeinstitute.com Local Resources for Healthy Living! July/August 2010 7 | Contributors 8| Editorial By Dr. Bob Butera YOGA = SELF-TRANSFORMATION 24 | Midlife: Saying “Yes” to a New You Yoga Theory By Jon Satin 26| What Transforms -- The Person, or the Family? 10,12,14| Slow Down with Yin Yoga By Kristen Butera 16,18 | Psychology & Health Yoga Therapy as a Path of Holistic Wellness By Michael Reddy, PhD 28| Slow Fasts and Detox Retox By Michael Cheikin, MD 32 | Stop Going to “Work” By Anthony Michael Rubbo By Bob Butera, PhD 20 | Integrating Change: A Guide for Modern Spiritual Warriors 34 | Depression: Causes & Solutions By Lisa Beth Freedman MD By Lynda Lyng 22| Book Reviews Healthy Family 36,39 Delaware and S. Jersey 50| Delaware Section 52| South Jersey Section Directories 40-42| Holistic Resource Directory 43| Green Business Directory Look up businesses that support the environment 44| Holistic Shop Directory 52-55| Yoga Directory: Local places by county for study/classes 56| Advertisers Directory | Healthy Meals Create Healthy Kids By Marilyn Waxman 46| Surprisingly Unhealthy Foods: What to Choose Instead! By Susan Burke March ADVERTISERS I S S U E D E A D L I N E : Fall 2010 AUGUST 11 2010 Our listings help you find holistic practitioners for all your needs. Events 57| Events Listings Join holistic events, retreats and on-going groups Yoga Living Online! www.yogalivingmagazine.com 4 YOGA LIVING July/August 2010 The Healing Touch Center Your Healthy Summer Starts Here! • Acupressure/ Shiatsu Treatments • Women’s Retreats • Pilates Classes • Chi Kung Classes • Ballroom, Latin Dance Classes • Women’s Groups • Life Coaching • Dance-4-Health Exercise Class Nutrition • Coaching For more information please visit www.healingtouchctr.com The Healing Touch Center, LLC 1327 Darby Road, Havertown 610 449-3589 YOGA LIVING July/August 2010 5 Med Spa & Wellness Center Healing Body • Mind • Soul Facials • Skin Rejuvenation • Ayruveda Wellness • Weight Reduction Meena Nerurkar, M.D. 215-322-6221 4 Rose St. Feasterville www.renuvspa.com GRAND OPENING • Massage • Stress Reduction • Detox • Wrinkle Reduction • Laser Liposuction • Hair • Veins Sustainable Medicine: Where Modern Medicine meets Holistic Care Richard G. Fried, M.D. Board Certified, Family Practice Tired of all the drugs, but cautious about unproven, expensive alternative care? • Full-service primary care for the whole family • Natural (herbal, Homeopathic, Ayurvedic) medicine where possible • Appropriate conventional treatment when necessary • Holistic newborn, pediatric and women’s healthcare • Over 25 years’ experience in developmental disabilities, ADHD and autism • 24-hour on-call from our own doctors • Same-day appointments for urgent care • Most insurance plans accepted Pam Gordon, M.D. Board Certified, Family Practice Now accepting new patients with most insurance plans. The Kimberton Clinic– your doctors for life! www.kimbertonclinic.com • 610.933.0708 6 YOGA LIVING July/August 2010 I n s i d e Yo g a Li v in g | Contributors D o e r s | P l a y e r | Te a c h e r | R e p r e s e n t a t i v e | A Vo i c e | I m p e t u s | R e f l e c t i o n | L e a r n i n g | I m a g i n e << Lynda Lyng lives, writes, and teaches in Kimberton, and may be reached at [email protected]. Integrating Change: A Guide for Modern Spiritual Warriors page 20 Lisa Beth >> Freedman | MD is a family physician practicing in Villanova and Huntingdown Valley, PA. She is trained in most areas of medicine and offers preventive services to screen for problems, along with counseling to improve health and quality of life. To learn more visit www.lbfmd.com. Depression: Causes & Solutions page 34 << Kristen Butera | Susan >> Burke March Jon >> Satin | MBA is a Master Life Coach, Business Consultant, Workshop Facilitator, Author & Entrepreneur. He and his business partner Chris Pattay created Possibility Coaches in 2002, where they help individuals and business owners live a life of meaning, passion and purpose. To learn more, visit www.PossibilityCoaches.com or www.TheTeam4Success.com. | MS, CDE is a registered and licensed dietitian, and the author of "Making Weight Control Second Nature: Living Thin Naturally.” She serves as the Resident Nutrition Expert for www.HealthyWage.com and can be found online at www.SusanBurkeMarch.com. page 46 Midlife: Saying “Yes” to a New You page 24 << Marilyn Moser-Waxman << Angela Nevius | RYT serves as Yoga Living’s Advertising Coordinator, frequent contributor and overall “Gal Friday” (according to her!). She teaches Yoga, gardens, raises two sons and two dogs. Reach her at [email protected]. integrates practices and techniques from a variety of holistic health and healing systems from around the world. Her classes and coaching offer a well-rounded education that is applicable to a wide spectrum of dietary needs and health issues. Learn more at www.thenourishingwell.com. Slow Down with Yin Yoga page 10 is a consultant to education and industry, and the author of books on personal leadership and meditation. He is currently writing a novel and collaborating on a production that promotes the spiritual lifestyle. If you have questions or comments, you can contact him at [email protected]. Stop Going to “Work” page 32 Healthy Meals Create Healthy Kids page 36 Michael >> Reddy | PH.D E-RYT 500, CYT is the Editor of Yoga Living Magazine and writer of educational articles on Yoga. She is also the Manager of the YogaLife Institute, where she teaches weekly classes & trains yoga teachers. She comes from an Advertising & Marketing background with 10+ years of Agency experience. She can be reached at www.yogalifeinstitute.com or [email protected]. Anthony >> Michael Rubbo | MHS Surprisingly Unhealthy Foods: What to Choose Instead! Michael >> Cheikin | MD is a holistic physician, Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Physiatry), Pain Management, Spinal Cord Medicine and Electro-diagnostic Medicine. Contact him at [email protected]. Slow Fasts and Detox Retox page 28 CPC, ELI-MP is a certified Core Energy Coach who also employs Systemic Constellation Work to help individuals and businesses achieve optimal levels of health and fulfillment. He has consulted, been a CTO, and taught shamanic spirituality for many years. He specializes in helping wellness professionals and service entrepreneurs find their true alignment, the right clients, and new tools for helping. Learn more at www.reddyworks.com. What Transforms--The Person, or the Family? page 26 YOGA LIVING July/August 2010 7 Letter From the Publisher Lessons From the Butterfly Yoga Living Your Healthy Lifestyle Guide ON TRANSFORMATION July/August 2010 Volume XI, Issue VII W e live in a constant state of change - changes of physical growth, emotional development and the acquisition/application of knowledge unfold in cycles of change – from the time we are infants, we are all subjected to the evolutionary forces that change us. Some changes we can predict and some come on in ways that we could never anticipate. These transformational experiences leave us forever changed. Butterflies represent one of nature’s most beautiful metaphors for transformation and offer us a template from which we can examine the nature of transformation. Let’s look at the life cycle of the butterfly and build on that metaphor. The butterfly starts as a larva emerging from a cluster of eggs – slimy, unformed and driven by hunger, armed with only the instinct to survive. Lesson 1: The most divine transformations can emerge from the darkest and most repugnant aspects of the self. Larva don’t have to go far looking for sustenance – the same plant that hosted the eggs offers them an immediate food source - the juicy green leaves they find themselves hatching on. Lesson 2: We often go looking in far away places to find ourselves, but the most powerful transformations often happen close to home, within the context of daily life. When we are ready to transform, the tools that we need become available to us in unexpected ways. After a short time spent feasting, the larva grows into a caterpillar and attaches itself to a twig, forming a hard shell for protection as it begins the process of metamorphosis. Inside the pupa, the caterpillar changes into a butterfly. Lesson 3: Personal transformation may appear to occur suddenly, however, the cocoon stage is often necessary prior to manifesting an idea into an outward change. From the Chrysalis a fully-grown butterfly emerges, moist and mangled and unable to spread it’s wings. It takes several hours to unfold its wings and patiently wait for the sun to dry them. Lesson 4: Patience is a necessary ingredient in the transformational process. Allow the process to happen in its own time without trying to force it before it is ready. After the sun plays its part the butterfly becomes one of the most spectacular of all the winged insects. It is free to gracefully follow the wind in flight. Lesson 5: Freedom from expectations and self-judgment brings with it a certain level of detachment. The last stage of releasing painful patterns from the psyche occurs when we are able to let go of who we are in order to become who we can be. In order to do this, we need let go of preconceived notions and recognize that all our experiences (positive & negative) are valuable and help us to transform. Once butterfly is airborne, its life cycle starts to come to an end. The average life cycle of a butterfly is one month – in that time they will feed, fly, mate and reproduce, all the while dazzling the world with its grace and beauty. Lesson 6: When the mind no longer identifies with fear and suffering, we are free to fly. The lifespan of the butterfly offers some powerful insights into the transformational process. Just as the sickly larva eventually evolves into one of nature’s most beautiful spectacles any dark area of your life that at the moment appears to be stuck or unformed can suddenly turn into something miraculously beautiful. Yoga’s wisdom finds its essence in the wisdom that is reflected in nature. Profoundly complex theories of life seem to contradict the simple truths that the Yogis convey to us. They invite us to examine nature, and within that the happenings of our every day lives. May you experience the transformational journey from suffering into the freedom of bliss. Your Publisher, Bob Butera, PhD, Yoga Living Publisher, Director of the YogaLife Institute in Devon, PA, writer, and national trainer of Yoga Teachers 8 YOGA LIVING July/August 2010 Publisher ROBERT BUTERA, PhD Editor KRISTEN BUTERA Art Director AMIE HANNAH Partners Press, Oaks, PA Graphic Artist MARIE KOZLOWSKI Partners Press, Oaks, PA Advertising ANGELA NEVIUS Published by: YOGALIFE INSTITUTE, INC. 821 W. Lancaster Avenue Wayne, PA 19087 610-688-7030 www.yogalivingmagazine.com Yoga Living, Your Healthy Lifestyle Guide, promotes the field of Yoga as a healthy lifestyle. The practice of a Traditional Yoga program includes each facet of life. This magazine introduces readers to resources for healthy living. Please share your copy of Yoga Living with your friends. Contact us at 610-688-7030 or at [email protected]. Advertisers go to www.yogalivingmagazine.com for a media kit. Help Wanted Are you interested in working in the Yoga field? We’re looking for a unique individual with a combination of the following qualities and experience: Graphic Design • Web, Print & Collateral • Proficient in InDesign, Photoshop, WordPress & Microsoft Office Sales & Advertising • • • • Copywriting & Editing Online Advertising Social Media, SEO & Blogging Print/Magazine Media Sales Yoga Teacher • 200 hr RYT or more • At least 1 year of teaching experience. Must be a stable individual with a self-starter type personality, willing/open to doing simple tasks along with complex ones. Friendly, out-going disposition is a plus. Email your resume to [email protected] along with salary range and links to view design and/or yoga work. Bodywork & Therapies • Restorative Reiki • Expressive Arts • Shiatsu-Shin Tai • Deep Tissue Massage Classes & Workshops • Women’s Gatherings • Meditation • Drumming • Customized Retreats • Reiki Training • Customized Retreats And more... 1568 McDaniel Drive • West Chester, PA 19380 610-738-0988 • www.CreateAndHeal.com YOGA LIVING July/August 2010 9 Yog a T h e o r y | by Kristen Butera SLOW DOWN with Yin Yoga I N THESE MODERN TIMES, IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO FIND WAYS TO SLOW THINGS DOWN. A never-ending stream of communication and activity leaves us running from place to place, and sometimes even trying to make room for a Yoga practice leaves one feeling frazzled. We all struggle from time to time with creating a slower pace of life and as we approach stillness, it can be helpful to find a starting point. This is where Yin yoga can be tremendously helpful. You may have heard of the Yin style of yoga but in order to really understand its value, there is no substitute for the experience. In its essence, Yin offers a forum for experimenting with a slow, quiet and deliberate practice. While it is true that most styles of Yoga offer the opportunity to become more aware and relaxed, Yin Yoga offers a unique two-pronged approach that makes it slightly different – one is that the muscles are intended to be relaxed in the poses (i.e. folding forward without flexing the feet) and second is that the poses are meant to be held for longer periods of time (approximately 3 – 5 minutes). When combined in practice, these two elements encourage a sense of surrender and release in the body and mind that can be very powerful. Yin Yoga is the perfect complement to more dynamic styles of yoga that emphasize creating heat in the body along with strengthening and relaxing different muscle groups. Yin Yoga differs from these styles as it emphasizes working with the connective tissues instead of the muscles. Much of a Yin practice is spent focusing on the hips, pelvis and lower spine, with almost all of the postures being done on the floor in order to encourage a sense of support and release through a deep connection to the earth’s gravitational pull. Initially, this kind of approach can seem boring, passive or soft, but in reality a Yin practice can be quite challenging from a mental and physical perspective. Some people fall in love at first asana, while others struggle to remain present in the holding of the poses. Yin offers a type of unique intensity in the extended holding of the poses that can become a foundational support to work through mental distraction and bodily discomfort, ultimately resulting in an ability to calm the mind and, in some cases, induce deep states of meditation. Why practice Yin Yoga? A Yin practice helps to detoxify the deeper tissues of the body, working past the superficial layers of skin and muscle and getting deep into the fascia, freeing up toxins and other potentially harmful materials that have become trapped within the body. Once this material is freed up, the energetic pathways of the body become clearer and healing information can flow unimpeded. This can help to feed deficient areas and drain excessive areas of energy and result in a better ability to heal the body through increased vitality and harmony of energetic activities. From a physical perspective, Yin Yoga engenders increased pliancy in the joints. It fights contracture and fixation as well as the degeneration of the bones that comes from immobilization. It also assists in re-hydrating the synovial fluids and moistening the ligaments by stimulating the production of hyaluronic acid, a protective substance that regulates cell growth and renewal in the body. Some tangible benefits of this aspect of practice include more fluidity in movement and a sense of grace and ease in daily life. From an emotional perspective, Yin Yoga helps the practitioner to harmonize disturbing emotions by offering a safe space to engage with them in a non-judgmental way, neither holding on to them or acting out from them. Being present in the body/mind during a Yin practice can allow for underlying unmet needs to surface and deeper feelings to make them selves known. In essence, a Yin practice offers a forum to understand different aspects of the individual self in a profoundly healing way. Opening to Discomfort There are a few very simple and effective concepts that can aid a Yin practice. The first is to come into the pose at an appropriate depth. Once you find your edge (the place where you can really feel the stretch, but aren’t forcing it), stay there and try to let any deeper release into the pose come from organic movement. Pay attention to the early edges and open up to deeper ones. Try to remain relaxed and connected to your breath - less is more with Yin. Once you are in the pose, resolve to hold the pose for the intended period of time. This does not mean that you have to stay in once place – if the body wants to go deeper let it. If the body needs a break, come out of the pose briefly and approach it again when you are ready. Do your best not to fidget, instead pay attention to honing micro movements within the pose to encourage small releases. As with all yoga practices, if you go into pain, stop doing the pose or find a way to modify it that doesn’t create pain. Remember there is a difference between discomfort and pain – see if you can open to discomfort rather than needing comfort to open. Examine the discomfort and then expand around it with your breath and awareness. Yin Practice With the exception of the opening segment, the poses in the following series are to be held for 3 - 5 minutes. If you need some time to get used to the longer holds, start with a minute and work your way up over time. You can relax or counter stretch the body in any way that is comfortable for thirty to sixty seconds in between each pose. Sometimes this style of practice produces a temporary feeling of creakiness or instability in the body as you change from pose to pose. This is normal. To avoid injury, come out of the postures with the same amount of awareness as you come into them – take it nice and slow and use a deep, even breath to anchor the mind and relax the body while you are holding the posture. continued on page 12 10 YOGA LIVING July/August 2010 Yoga for the People We offer a Universal, non-dogmatic approach that is accessible to all ages, shapes and sizes. Our teachers are knowledgeable and caring and the studio space warm and welcoming. Come practice with us and experience the YogaLife difference! Now Offering: Spring/Summer Special One Month Unlimited Yoga For $40 *New students only. Offer expires August 31st 2010. First Class Free *New students only. Offer expires August 31st 2010. • Beginners Yoga • Intermediate Yoga • Vigorous Yoga • Yin Yoga • Yoga and Mindfulness Meditation • Teen Yoga • Kids Yoga • Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga • Weekly Seminars • Weekend Intensive Programs • 200 & 500 hour Yoga Teacher Training • Meditation Teacher Training • Private and Corporate Yoga Classes NEXT T WHO O FOODLSE ! 821 West Lancaster Avenue | Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087 610-688-7030 | [email protected] | www.yogalifeinstitute.com Yo g a T h e o r y | by Kristen Butera Getting Started While many Yin teachers go right into longer holds, I have found that starting a practice with shorter 1 minute sequential holds can be a nice way to prepare the body/mind for the prolonged holdings that come later in the practice. These four preparatory poses are intended to be a sequence, holding each pose for approximately 1 minute, for a total of 4 minutes on each side. Knee to Chest From a reclining position, relax your left leg and hip into the floor. If you find that you are unable to keep the left leg relaxed, bend the left knee and keep the left foot on the earth for support. From either position, bring your right knee towards the torso, holding onto the shin or back of the thigh. Gently draw the knee towards the torso with your exhalations. Hold for one minute. Reclining Head to Knee hold of the left thigh. As you continue to draw the left thigh towards you with your exhalations, allow the right knee to come energetically forward and create more intensity in the stretch. Hold for one minute. Butterfly From a seated position, bring the soles of the feet together and open the knees out to the side. Let the feet be a little further away from the body in order to bring the stretch more into the low back and hips and less into the groin. With an inhalation lengthen up through the crown of the head and with an exhalation fold forward. When you find a natural stopping point, bring the hands or fingertips down to the floor in front of you and begin to round the upper back. Allow the back of the neck to relax and grow long as you bring the forehead towards the earth. Hold for 3 – 5 minutes. Dragonfly Series From knee to chest, extend the right leg towards the sky and gently hold the back of the thigh with the hands, drawing the leg towards the torso, until you feel a stretch in the back of the leg. Use your exhalations to relax into the stretch. Hang out in the reclined position if the stretch is intense, or to create more intensity, reach up a little higher on the leg and gently lift the torso, bringing the knee and forehead towards each other. Hold for one minute. To release the stretch, bring the torso back down to the earth. Half Happy Baby From the reclined position, with the right leg extended, gently bend the right knee and bring it down and then out towards the right armpit. Flex the foot and keep the shin over the ankle (as if you were going to lunge on the ceiling). Hold on to the back of the thigh with both hands or bring the right hand to the ankle or instep of the right foot to help hold the leg in place. Hold for one minute. Figure 4 From half happy baby, release the right leg, bend the left knee and bring the left foot to the earth. Gently cross the right ankle above the left knee, to create the number 4 with the bottom half of the body. With an inhalation, bring the left thigh towards the torso. Reach through the hole of the legs with the right hand and around with the left hand and find a comfortable place to grab From butterfly, come lengthwise onto your mat and open up the legs into a V shape and relax the feet. With an inhalation, turn the torso towards the right leg and lengthen up through the crown of the head. With an exhalation begin to fold forward over the leg, keeping nice and grounded in the left hip. If you notice the left hip popping off the ground, back out of the pose a bit until the hip touches down again. If the stretch is too intense in the inner leg or back, bend the left knee and bring the left foot into the right groin. Hold for 3 – 5 minutes and then repeat on the left side. Finish up the series by bringing the torso back to center and fold forward at center for another 3 – 5 minutes. Note: This is a good amount of forward folding. Taking short breaks for intuitive counter stretches between each hold can be very helpful. Sphinx/Seal In this backbend you have two options for intensity. Choose the one that works best for your back on any given day. You can choose one option for the duration of the hold or move from Sphinx to Seal if you feel the low back responds well to the compression and holding. Option 1: Bring the elbows underneath the shoulders and the forearms to the mat, allowing the weight of the upper body to be supported by the arm bones. Option 2: Bring the arms long in front of the shoulders and press into the palms to help lift the arms off the ground (fingertips turned forward or slightly out). Relax the abdomen and buttocks. continued on page 14 12 YOGA LIVING July/August 2010 Yin Yoga & Meditation A Weekend Intensive Program with Dr. Bob & Kristen Butera July 16 -18, 2010 • Discover personal insights via self reflection & understanding • Gain valuable tools to quiet the mind • Decrease stress via mind-body harmony • Find ways to create and/or deepen your personal practice • Experience the deep physical release & mental stillness of the Yin Yoga approach to pose practice Schedule: Fri: 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Sat 9 – 5 PM, Sun 11- 4 PM Fees: $225 pre-register, $250 (2 weeks prior to the event or less) Reserve your space today! 821 West Lancaster Avenue | Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087 610-688-7030 | [email protected] | www.yogalifeinstitute.com The Future is for the Fit Aerobic, Strength & Flexibility Training It doesn’t matter what your age or current level of fitness is, the expert trainers at Bodystyling can help you meet your health & fitness goals. • • • • • • Identify your goals Assess your fitness level Personalize your workout plans Learn more about Nutrition Manage your Stress Achieve long-term results Call today for your FREE consultation! YOGA LIVING July/August 2010 13 Yo g a T h e o r y | by Kristen Butera Hold 3 – 5 minutes. When you are ready to release, slowly bring the torso down to the mat, cross the hands in front of you and let one cheek rest. Pause for a few breaths to notice your body’s response to the backbend or take Childs Pose as a counter stretch. Dragon Lunge In this lunge, there are three options for intensity. Choose one position to hold for 3 minutes or spend one minute in each version of the pose. Option 1: From a hands and knees position, bring the right foot forward in between the hands and allow the left knee and shin to rest on the mat. Sink the pelvis forward and bring the hands underneath the shoulders, framing the foot. If there is too much pressure in the wrists, make gentle fists with the hands and rest on the knuckles. If the arms are too short to reach the floor, let the hands rest on the thigh. Option 2: From position 1, walk the right foot over to the right a couple of inches and bring the arms to the inside of the knee. In this position the arms can stay long or the elbows can come to mat. Option 3: The third and final option is a lunge twist, turning the torso towards the right thigh and gently rolling to the outer edge of the right foot. In this position, you can bring the right hand to the inner right thigh and gently encourage it to open out. To come out of any of these poses bring the torso to center and gently shift the hips back. Take Downward Dog or Childs Pose as a counter stretch before repeating the pose on the left side. Frog Coming lengthwise onto the mat, open the knees wider than the hips, line up the shins behind the knees and flex the feet out to the side. With an exhalation take the buttocks back and come to rest on the forearms. If this version of the pose is too intense for you, bring the big toes to touch behind the buttocks to modify. Hold for 3 – 5 minutes. 14 YOGA LIVING July/August 2010 Twisted Roots From a reclining position, bend the knees and bring both feet to the floor. Cross the right leg over the left and bring the right foot around to the left calf. If this isn’t possible, let the right foot dangle. Extend the right arm long by the right ear and bring the back of the right hand to rest on the earth above the head. Open the left arm into half of a T shape. With an exhalation lower the legs over to the left side, and find a resting place for the feet. Relax the right shoulder and turn the neck to look slightly right. Hold for 1 – 5 minutes, unwind and bring left leg on top of the right before coming over to the right side. Plough From twisted roots, bring the legs back to center and unwind. Bring the knees toward the chest and the hands onto the low back. With an inhalation, move the torso and legs towards the sky and lower the feet behind the head, bringing the toes to touch down on the earth. If you are comfortable in this position, lower the arms to the earth. Keep the neck steady by gazing directly upwards with the eyes. If you cannot bring the toes to touch behind the head, position yourself near a wall and let the feet rest on the wall instead. Hold for 3 – 5 minutes. To come out, bring the hands to the low back and draw into the core to help control the release of the spine to the earth. Reclining Butterfly From a reclining position, bend the knees and place the soles of the feet on the earth. Open the knees out to the side while bringing the soles of the feet together. Gently tilt the pelvis forward to create a small arch in the lumbar spine. Hands can rest on the hips or the arms can reach long by the ears and rest on the earth. Hold for 3 – 5 minutes. Finishing Up You can finish your Yin practice with a relaxation in Corpse Pose, in seated meditation or any combination of the two for however long feels appropriate for you and your current capacity to relax and/or meditate. After practice, remember to drink lots of water! As you have pulled water into the joints/connective tissue during practice, it is important to replenish it so that other parts of the body don’t become deficient. Water can also help the body flush out any toxins that might have been released during practice. ▲ P ra sa d Y o g a – A Refuge, A Home, A Heart Open To All Hearts All classes are taught using Anusara Principles of Alignment Classes: Gentle Beginner Intermediate Advanced Kids Privates Premium Vitamins, Minerals & Dietary Supplements Holly Brinton 610 564-6832 [email protected] http://www.amway.com/hollybrinton Programs: Immersions Teacher — Trainings Workshops HealingArts: www.prasadyoga.com Prasad Yoga 516 Second Street Pike Southampton Shopping Center Southampton Pa 18966 Massage Homeopathy Injury Rehab 215 - 355 - 3224 (a few doors down from Robin Hood Diner) For Everyone Who Wants Good Health... NATURALLY Lisa Beth Freedman, M.D. is a board-certified doctor trained in holistic medicine. WORKING WITH A NATURAL LAB, SHE CAN ACCURATELY DIAGNOSE: • Menopause, PMS and thyroid disorders • Abnormal weight gain • Fatigue and Insomnia • Headaches and Allergies • High Blood Pressure & High Cholesterol • ADHD and Mood Disorders DR. FREEDMAN UTILIZES A COMPOUNDING PHARMACY FOR NATURAL REMEDIES: VILLANOVA HUNTINGDON • Natural Bioidentical Hormones VALLEY 610-579-3797 215-796-1700 http://www.LBFMD.com • Vitamins • Herbs • Homeopathy • Acupuncture YOGA LIVING July/August 2010 15 Yoga Therapy as a Path of Holistic Wellness Yo g a T h e o r y | by Bob Butera, PhD A “Yoga Citta Vritta Nirodha” Yoga means stilling waves of the mind-body complex - The Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali, Verse 2 s a Yoga teacher and therapist promoting the benefits of a holistic Yoga Lifestyle for over 20 years, I have found that of the many definitions of yoga this simple verse is one of the clearest summaries of how Yoga works as a comprehensive path of enlightenment. This concept has remained a foundational support in my own practice, as well as the practice of the students in my teacher training programs and one-on-one yoga therapy work. The Comprehensive Yoga Lifestyle as Yoga Therapy I experienced the healing power of this approach first hand as a long-term student at the Yoga Institute in 1989, when I was taught in the traditional one-on-one method. This approach allowed for my mentor Dr. Yogendra to apply the aspects of Yoga that were relevant to my personal growth. Weak areas of my personality were explored in order to help maximize the potential for personal transformation. The individual attention allowed the sessions to revolve around my questions, needs and interests. Six months of daily Yoga psychotherapy along with asana, meditation and spiritual company made for a truly life-altering experience. This traditional approach offers the insight that mind-body health is a by-product of a comprehensive Yoga program aimed at stilling the mind and/or healing the mind-body complex. The challenge that modern Yoga Therapy faces is the potential to reduce Yoga to a set of physical practices in an attempt to replace pills or surgery. If Yoga Therapists diagnose a problem via the Western model of physical only or psychological only parameters, automatically Yoga is reduced to a set of “behavioral pills” designed to treat a specific condition. We all know that breathing, relaxation and meditation can make a positive impact in one’s life, but it is much less effective when done without recognition of the important psychological aspects that are necessary for a student’s growth. For maximum efficacy and lasting change to occur all aspects of the human being need to be examined, looking past the allopathic model in order to create room for deeper levels of healing. How the Yogic Diagnostic Model Works: The 5 Koshas In order to do this, Yoga Therapists might consider using a diagnostic model based on a yogic map of consciousness such as the Koshas (The Sheaths or Layers of Reality). The Koshas view a human being from five distinct perspectives, namely, Matter/Physical (anna-maya-kosha), Life force/Breath (prana-maya-kosha), Mind/Emotions (mano-maya-kosha), Intellect/Wisdom (vijnana-maya-kosha), and Bliss/Spirit (ananda-maya-kosha). The model serves as a holistic analysis of the individual and allows Yoga Therapists to discover related weaknesses in the body/mind complex and implement a comprehensive approach for healing. Case Study: Diagnosing a Common Complaint To better understand how this approach works, let’s consider a common ailment that most Yoga Therapists continued on page 18 16 YOGA LIVING July/August 2010