Tips for Calling Abundance into your Life
Visualize what it is that you want to create in your life. Everyday, during meditation or when you go to sleep, close your eyes and imagine exactly what it is that will assist you in living a blissful, easeful and abundant life. Imagine the colors, textures and smells of this life. Put yourself in that life and let it fill every cell of your being. Do this day after day and see what unfolds right before your eyes. Let this exercise come from a place of gratitude, humility, acceptance and love, rather than from a place of greed, lack and wanting. See yourself living the life that your soul is meant to be living. Your destiny!
Visualizing the Life you Choose to Create will be the theme of our first Calling in Abundance class on Wed. Oct. 14th. See workshop listing for details and contact Prana at info@pranaheals.com or call (207) 632-6698 to preregister.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Yoga for the Season
Summer is a great time to loosen the spine and make some progress in your back bends. This is not about getting anywhere, but more about expanding your ability to open the front body and heart center to experience more joy, bliss, compassion and your fullest potential. Begin with spine warm ups like cat cow and forward bends. Once the spine is warmed, you can begin to play in the following poses in order of range of motion...
Sphinx Pose to Cobra and/or Up Dog
Camel
Bow Pose
Wheel
After each pose, spend equal time in a counter pose like child's pose or down dog. This will create even more flexibility in the spine and balance out the energy. Backbends can generate a lot of energy, openings and compassion. If you feel chatty after a yoga session like this, I encourage you to reserve that prana for Self and not give it all away. Choose carefully how you want to use this precious summer energy. Notice if you feel drained by expending too much energy. If this happens, balance the energy with a restorative practice.
Summer is a great time to loosen the spine and make some progress in your back bends. This is not about getting anywhere, but more about expanding your ability to open the front body and heart center to experience more joy, bliss, compassion and your fullest potential. Begin with spine warm ups like cat cow and forward bends. Once the spine is warmed, you can begin to play in the following poses in order of range of motion...
Sphinx Pose to Cobra and/or Up Dog
Camel
Bow Pose
Wheel
After each pose, spend equal time in a counter pose like child's pose or down dog. This will create even more flexibility in the spine and balance out the energy. Backbends can generate a lot of energy, openings and compassion. If you feel chatty after a yoga session like this, I encourage you to reserve that prana for Self and not give it all away. Choose carefully how you want to use this precious summer energy. Notice if you feel drained by expending too much energy. If this happens, balance the energy with a restorative practice.
Therapeutic Yoga
Weekend Workshop for Yoga Instructors
November 6-9
(Fri. 7 p.m. - Sun. 3 p.m.)
Portland, Maine
$130 if preregister by Sept. 1st, or $150 after
info@pranaheals.com
Share a weekend with your peers by deepening your yoga instruction and private practice with Therapeutic Yoga. Expand your awareness of what the body is asking for from the yoga, so you can focus your classes toward individual needs. Review and enhance your awareness of the metaphysical benefits and contraindications of poses. Practice modifications for illness and injuries using props, gentle and restorative poses. This workshop will help you to be more sensitive to the needs of your students and increase your skills to provide private sessions. Give your students what they really need and watch your clientele grow.
To learn more about Prana and her Therapeutic Yoga background, visit www.pranaheals.com
Jet Blue flies direct into Portland, Maine.
Weekend Workshop for Yoga Instructors
November 6-9
(Fri. 7 p.m. - Sun. 3 p.m.)
Portland, Maine
$130 if preregister by Sept. 1st, or $150 after
info@pranaheals.com
Share a weekend with your peers by deepening your yoga instruction and private practice with Therapeutic Yoga. Expand your awareness of what the body is asking for from the yoga, so you can focus your classes toward individual needs. Review and enhance your awareness of the metaphysical benefits and contraindications of poses. Practice modifications for illness and injuries using props, gentle and restorative poses. This workshop will help you to be more sensitive to the needs of your students and increase your skills to provide private sessions. Give your students what they really need and watch your clientele grow.
To learn more about Prana and her Therapeutic Yoga background, visit www.pranaheals.com
Jet Blue flies direct into Portland, Maine.
Prana's Summer Schedule...
Individual and Couples Retreats
We now have this very sweet zen apt. set up for guests. If you have often thought that you want to work with me, but do not live in Portland, Maine, this is an affordable way to do it. We won't charge much for use of the apt. Just enough to cover cleaning and utilities. Mainly, I want to provide a space for individuals and couples to come and do some focused healing. You can also make a vacation of it. Portland is a small friendly progressive city with beautiful beaches only a 10 - 20 min. drive away. Below I will list some of the retreats I offer or we can design one based on your individual needs...
Cancer or Chronic Illness Healing Lifestyle Assistance
Personal Coaching (Healthy Lifestyle and Life/Work Transitions)
Spiritual Counseling
Tantra (Sacred Sexuality) Instruction for individuals or couples
Therapeutic Yoga
Yoga Lifestyle Counseling
Yoga Therapy
Visit www.pranaheals.com for details on these services.
Contact me when you are ready to schedule your retreat.
In Health,
Prana
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Awake! on the Eastern Promenade
Morning Movement Practice
Outdoors Daily
June 15 - August 31st
7 - 8 a.m.
donations appreciated to support the project
www.theawakecollective.com
Prana will be sharing Therapeutic Yoga Tuesdays June 16, June 30, July 14 and August 11.
Daily outdoor movement classes will be held on the Eastern Promenade in Portland, Maine directly across from Quebec St., between the tennis courts and the baseball field. If it is raining, class is canceled. Check theawakecollective.com for schedule of classes and instructors.
Bring a yoga mat and any props you like to use.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yoga with Prana at
Spiritfire Festival
Wed. July 29th - Sunday August 2nd
www.spiritfirefestival.org
Located at a sacred site on the NY, MA, CT borders
Preregister no later than July 25th. No walk ins.
Join Prana and others for this spiritual community gathering. Prana will be offering a special yoga class on Friday morning. Deepen your connection with Self as Prana guides you to find the yoga within. Create your intention for this yoga practice, which can be carried throughout the day or gathering, adjusting as is needed, feeling who you are in each moment. Learn to find your center in every moment as you move through the festival, feeling what postures will serve your needs. Learn new poses, pranayama (breath) and meditation techniques and deepen your experience in the yoga that you already know. What moves your body today, tomorrow, the next day?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Therapeutic Yoga at
Dance New England Dance Camp
Saturday August 22nd and Sunday August 23rd
(camp is Aug. 14 - 25th with attendance options)
Preregister at www.dne.org
Join Prana in this relaxing and transformative Therapeutic Yoga class. Participants will experience a deep, slow paced yoga flow of a variety of gentle and restorative yoga poses. This unwinding allows participants to transform emotions held in the body, relieve chronic pains and recover from illness and injury. Prana will share Therapeutic Yoga the mornings listed above, as well as offer private sessions while she is at camp.
Dance New England Dance Camp will be held in its new location in Freedom, New Hampshire. It includes 10 days of movement and personal growth workshops and classes with "barefoot boogie" dances every night. It is a very family friendly and accessible experience. You can sign up for part or all of the camp. I look forward to sharing this playful and healing time with you :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calling in Abundance
Fall dates...Weds. Oct. 14, 21st, 28th, Nov. 4th
$48 if preregistered by Oct. 1st/$60 after Oct. 1st
Space is limited, so preregister early
Preregistration and full payment in advance is required.
To preregister, call (207) 632-6698 or email info@pranaheals.com
What "Depression"?! Don't get sucked into the downward spiral of the economy. Instead, manifest your dreams with a group of others who are on a similar path. Practice visualization, language, thought and action techniques that will bring abundance, in many forms, into your life. The classes will be lively; including movement, creative projects and small group activities. Each class will provide tools that, when applied in your daily life, will bring immediate results.
If these nights do not fit into your schedule, Prana is always available to share these valuable tools and techniques with you privately via phone or in person sessions.
Oct 14: Visualizing your Dreams
Oct 21: Affirming Thoughts and Language
Oct 28: Action through Seva, Tithing and Getting into the Flow of Giving and Receiving
Nov 4: Manifestation...Your Dreams are Your Reality
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Body Love Retreats for Women
Dates to be announced
Soul Sanctuary, Newton, MA
web.me.com/adunwell
For more info and to express interest, contact Anna Dunwell at annadunwell@comcast.net
Prana will be a workshop facilitator for Body Love Retreats to be held at the beautiful and inspiring Soul Sanctuary in Newton, MA. Join other women in loving your body that the ancestors have given you. Love it with heart, mind and spirit. Love it with yourself and with others. Love your Life. You are the beauty that makes life worth living. You are the power that renews. We are all connected. In fact, everything is connected. But finding that requires beginning from the inside out. Connecting to self, accepting that self and working on creating self love for all of who and what you are now. These Body Love Retreats allows you to do that, in safety, with the support of other women, exploring aspects of body love with an experienced team of workshop facilitators in sacred space.
Individual and Couples Retreats
We now have this very sweet zen apt. set up for guests. If you have often thought that you want to work with me, but do not live in Portland, Maine, this is an affordable way to do it. We won't charge much for use of the apt. Just enough to cover cleaning and utilities. Mainly, I want to provide a space for individuals and couples to come and do some focused healing. You can also make a vacation of it. Portland is a small friendly progressive city with beautiful beaches only a 10 - 20 min. drive away. Below I will list some of the retreats I offer or we can design one based on your individual needs...
Cancer or Chronic Illness Healing Lifestyle Assistance
Personal Coaching (Healthy Lifestyle and Life/Work Transitions)
Spiritual Counseling
Tantra (Sacred Sexuality) Instruction for individuals or couples
Therapeutic Yoga
Yoga Lifestyle Counseling
Yoga Therapy
Visit www.pranaheals.com for details on these services.
Contact me when you are ready to schedule your retreat.
In Health,
Prana
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Awake! on the Eastern Promenade
Morning Movement Practice
Outdoors Daily
June 15 - August 31st
7 - 8 a.m.
donations appreciated to support the project
www.theawakecollective.com
Prana will be sharing Therapeutic Yoga Tuesdays June 16, June 30, July 14 and August 11.
Daily outdoor movement classes will be held on the Eastern Promenade in Portland, Maine directly across from Quebec St., between the tennis courts and the baseball field. If it is raining, class is canceled. Check theawakecollective.com for schedule of classes and instructors.
Bring a yoga mat and any props you like to use.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yoga with Prana at
Spiritfire Festival
Wed. July 29th - Sunday August 2nd
www.spiritfirefestival.org
Located at a sacred site on the NY, MA, CT borders
Preregister no later than July 25th. No walk ins.
Join Prana and others for this spiritual community gathering. Prana will be offering a special yoga class on Friday morning. Deepen your connection with Self as Prana guides you to find the yoga within. Create your intention for this yoga practice, which can be carried throughout the day or gathering, adjusting as is needed, feeling who you are in each moment. Learn to find your center in every moment as you move through the festival, feeling what postures will serve your needs. Learn new poses, pranayama (breath) and meditation techniques and deepen your experience in the yoga that you already know. What moves your body today, tomorrow, the next day?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Therapeutic Yoga at
Dance New England Dance Camp
Saturday August 22nd and Sunday August 23rd
(camp is Aug. 14 - 25th with attendance options)
Preregister at www.dne.org
Join Prana in this relaxing and transformative Therapeutic Yoga class. Participants will experience a deep, slow paced yoga flow of a variety of gentle and restorative yoga poses. This unwinding allows participants to transform emotions held in the body, relieve chronic pains and recover from illness and injury. Prana will share Therapeutic Yoga the mornings listed above, as well as offer private sessions while she is at camp.
Dance New England Dance Camp will be held in its new location in Freedom, New Hampshire. It includes 10 days of movement and personal growth workshops and classes with "barefoot boogie" dances every night. It is a very family friendly and accessible experience. You can sign up for part or all of the camp. I look forward to sharing this playful and healing time with you :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calling in Abundance
Fall dates...Weds. Oct. 14, 21st, 28th, Nov. 4th
$48 if preregistered by Oct. 1st/$60 after Oct. 1st
Space is limited, so preregister early
Preregistration and full payment in advance is required.
To preregister, call (207) 632-6698 or email info@pranaheals.com
What "Depression"?! Don't get sucked into the downward spiral of the economy. Instead, manifest your dreams with a group of others who are on a similar path. Practice visualization, language, thought and action techniques that will bring abundance, in many forms, into your life. The classes will be lively; including movement, creative projects and small group activities. Each class will provide tools that, when applied in your daily life, will bring immediate results.
If these nights do not fit into your schedule, Prana is always available to share these valuable tools and techniques with you privately via phone or in person sessions.
Oct 14: Visualizing your Dreams
Oct 21: Affirming Thoughts and Language
Oct 28: Action through Seva, Tithing and Getting into the Flow of Giving and Receiving
Nov 4: Manifestation...Your Dreams are Your Reality
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Body Love Retreats for Women
Dates to be announced
Soul Sanctuary, Newton, MA
web.me.com/adunwell
For more info and to express interest, contact Anna Dunwell at annadunwell@comcast.net
Prana will be a workshop facilitator for Body Love Retreats to be held at the beautiful and inspiring Soul Sanctuary in Newton, MA. Join other women in loving your body that the ancestors have given you. Love it with heart, mind and spirit. Love it with yourself and with others. Love your Life. You are the beauty that makes life worth living. You are the power that renews. We are all connected. In fact, everything is connected. But finding that requires beginning from the inside out. Connecting to self, accepting that self and working on creating self love for all of who and what you are now. These Body Love Retreats allows you to do that, in safety, with the support of other women, exploring aspects of body love with an experienced team of workshop facilitators in sacred space.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Yoga for the Season
The body will naturally begin to respond to the increase in light by getting busy. In order to create balance in the body, so it does not get depleted and sick, include the following poses in your daily yoga practice. Although, your mind may want to move out of these poses quickly, instead, breathe deeply and allow yourself to deepen in each pose. Notice the balancing effects.
Child's Pose
Forward Bends
Alternate Nostril Breathing
Malasana
Tips for Calling Abundance into your Life
Notice your language and thoughts. Are you affirming abundance or are you pushing it away? Complaining about money and what is lacking in one's life, is exactly what is being sent out to the Universe. Instead, use language and think thoughts that bring in what you are creating in your life. For example, a statement like "I need more clients or I am not going to be able to pay my bills this month", is more effective if worded, "More clients are on the way and my bills are paid this month." Change your thoughts and words to create your dreams. If you misspeak or misthink, you can always delete that and reword. The Universe is very forgiving and you will be rewarded for your good intentions :-)
Calling in Abundance April 22nd class will be devoted to practicing these language techniques. For more information visit www.pranaheals.com To preregister contact info@pranaheals.com or call (207) 632-6698.
Prana's Spring Schedule...
Calling in Abundance Weekly Workshop Series
POSTPONED til Fall 2009. Stay tuned for dates and preregistration deadline
Wednesdays April 15, 22, 29, May 6
6:30 -8:30 p.m.
$10 - 20 sliding scale per class.
Series commitment and preregistration requested.
Prana's home in downtown Portland, ME
To preregister, call (207) 632-6698 or email info@pranaheals.com
What "Depression"?! Don't get sucked into the downward spiral of the economy. Instead, manifest your dreams with a group of others who are on a similar path. Practice visualization, language, thought and action techniques that will bring abundance, in many forms, into your life. The classes will be lively; including movement, creative projects and small group activities. Each class will provide tools that, when applied in your daily life, will bring immediate results.
April 15th Visualizing your Dreams
April 22nd Affirming Thoughts and Language
April 29th Action through Seva, Tithing and Getting into the Flow of Giving and Receiving
May 6th Manifestation...Your Dreams are Your Reality
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yoga Therapy
Free Workshop
Greater Portland YMCA
Sunday April 26th
10:30 a.m. - Noon
Preregister at the YMCA or by contacting Prana at info@pranaheals.com or (207) 632-6698
Experience the healing benefits of yoga therapy though this experiential workshop. Participants will practice simple yoga therapy adjustments based on the group's physical, emotional and spiritual needs. We will share a yoga therapy practice, as well as observe demos of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. This style of yoga bodywork includes a client centered dialog technique. Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy combines the healing benefits of receiving yoga with contemporary body mind psychology. Participants will witness and participate in sacred space held by the group. Wear loose comfortable clothing. Bring your personal yoga mat, a blanket (mexican blanket size) and pillow (throw or bed size). Yoga mats and blocks are available for loan.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Annual Yogapalooza
Greater Portland YMCA Yoga Retreat
Sunday May 3rd
Noon to 4 p.m.
$36 by April 15th/$45 after that date
Camp Ketcha Scarborough, ME
Call (207) 874-111 x 112 to register
A peaceful and healing community yoga retreat. Prana and the other YMCA yoga instructors will be offering a series on 20 min sample classes. A 1/2 hr social gathering with light refreshments will follow. Bring your own yoga mat. This retreat is very popular and fills quickly, so preregister today. This is a fundraiser for the Greater Portland YMCA. Your donations and participation are appreciated.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High School Yoga Class
With Prana
Monday May 18th
2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Rm. 212 Deering High School
Free and Open to the Deering School Community. Sponsored by Deering's Wellness Team. For more information contact johnskr@portlandschools.org. Yoga classes are ongoing with other teachers throughout the spring.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spiritfire Festival
Wed. July 29th - Sunday August 2nd
For lowest entry fee, early registration deadline is April 10th
www.spiritfirefestival.org
Located at a sacred site on the NY, MA, CT borders
Join Prana and others for this spiritual community gathering. Prana will be offering a special yoga class on Friday morning. Deepen your connection with Self as Prana guides you to find the yoga within. Create your intention for this yoga practice, which can be carried throughout the day or gathering, adjusting as is needed, feeling who you are in each moment. Learn to find your center in every moment as you move through the festival, feeling what postures will serve your needs. Learn new poses, pranayama (breath) and meditation techniques and deepen your experience in the yoga that you already know. What moves your body today, tomorrow, the next day?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Body Love Retreats for Women
Dates to be announced
Soul Sanctuary, Newton, MA
web.me.com/adunwell
For more info and to express interest, contact Anna Dunwell at annadunwell@comcast.net
Prana will be a workshop facilitator for Body Love Retreats to be held at the beautiful and inspiring Soul Sanctuary in Newton, MA. Join other women in loving your body that the ancestors have given you. Love it with heart, mind and spirit. Love it with yourself and with others. Love your Life. You are the beauty that makes life worth living. You are the power that renews. We are all connected. In fact, everything is connected. But finding that requires beginning from the inside out. Connecting to self, accepting that self and working on creating self love for all of who and what you are now. These Body Love Retreats allows you to do that, in safety, with the support of other women, exploring aspects of body love with an experienced team of workshop facilitators in sacred space.
The body will naturally begin to respond to the increase in light by getting busy. In order to create balance in the body, so it does not get depleted and sick, include the following poses in your daily yoga practice. Although, your mind may want to move out of these poses quickly, instead, breathe deeply and allow yourself to deepen in each pose. Notice the balancing effects.
Child's Pose
Forward Bends
Alternate Nostril Breathing
Malasana
Tips for Calling Abundance into your Life
Notice your language and thoughts. Are you affirming abundance or are you pushing it away? Complaining about money and what is lacking in one's life, is exactly what is being sent out to the Universe. Instead, use language and think thoughts that bring in what you are creating in your life. For example, a statement like "I need more clients or I am not going to be able to pay my bills this month", is more effective if worded, "More clients are on the way and my bills are paid this month." Change your thoughts and words to create your dreams. If you misspeak or misthink, you can always delete that and reword. The Universe is very forgiving and you will be rewarded for your good intentions :-)
Calling in Abundance April 22nd class will be devoted to practicing these language techniques. For more information visit www.pranaheals.com To preregister contact info@pranaheals.com or call (207) 632-6698.
Prana's Spring Schedule...
Calling in Abundance Weekly Workshop Series
POSTPONED til Fall 2009. Stay tuned for dates and preregistration deadline
Wednesdays April 15, 22, 29, May 6
6:30 -8:30 p.m.
$10 - 20 sliding scale per class.
Series commitment and preregistration requested.
Prana's home in downtown Portland, ME
To preregister, call (207) 632-6698 or email info@pranaheals.com
What "Depression"?! Don't get sucked into the downward spiral of the economy. Instead, manifest your dreams with a group of others who are on a similar path. Practice visualization, language, thought and action techniques that will bring abundance, in many forms, into your life. The classes will be lively; including movement, creative projects and small group activities. Each class will provide tools that, when applied in your daily life, will bring immediate results.
April 15th Visualizing your Dreams
April 22nd Affirming Thoughts and Language
April 29th Action through Seva, Tithing and Getting into the Flow of Giving and Receiving
May 6th Manifestation...Your Dreams are Your Reality
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yoga Therapy
Free Workshop
Greater Portland YMCA
Sunday April 26th
10:30 a.m. - Noon
Preregister at the YMCA or by contacting Prana at info@pranaheals.com or (207) 632-6698
Experience the healing benefits of yoga therapy though this experiential workshop. Participants will practice simple yoga therapy adjustments based on the group's physical, emotional and spiritual needs. We will share a yoga therapy practice, as well as observe demos of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. This style of yoga bodywork includes a client centered dialog technique. Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy combines the healing benefits of receiving yoga with contemporary body mind psychology. Participants will witness and participate in sacred space held by the group. Wear loose comfortable clothing. Bring your personal yoga mat, a blanket (mexican blanket size) and pillow (throw or bed size). Yoga mats and blocks are available for loan.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Annual Yogapalooza
Greater Portland YMCA Yoga Retreat
Sunday May 3rd
Noon to 4 p.m.
$36 by April 15th/$45 after that date
Camp Ketcha Scarborough, ME
Call (207) 874-111 x 112 to register
A peaceful and healing community yoga retreat. Prana and the other YMCA yoga instructors will be offering a series on 20 min sample classes. A 1/2 hr social gathering with light refreshments will follow. Bring your own yoga mat. This retreat is very popular and fills quickly, so preregister today. This is a fundraiser for the Greater Portland YMCA. Your donations and participation are appreciated.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High School Yoga Class
With Prana
Monday May 18th
2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Rm. 212 Deering High School
Free and Open to the Deering School Community. Sponsored by Deering's Wellness Team. For more information contact johnskr@portlandschools.org. Yoga classes are ongoing with other teachers throughout the spring.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spiritfire Festival
Wed. July 29th - Sunday August 2nd
For lowest entry fee, early registration deadline is April 10th
www.spiritfirefestival.org
Located at a sacred site on the NY, MA, CT borders
Join Prana and others for this spiritual community gathering. Prana will be offering a special yoga class on Friday morning. Deepen your connection with Self as Prana guides you to find the yoga within. Create your intention for this yoga practice, which can be carried throughout the day or gathering, adjusting as is needed, feeling who you are in each moment. Learn to find your center in every moment as you move through the festival, feeling what postures will serve your needs. Learn new poses, pranayama (breath) and meditation techniques and deepen your experience in the yoga that you already know. What moves your body today, tomorrow, the next day?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Body Love Retreats for Women
Dates to be announced
Soul Sanctuary, Newton, MA
web.me.com/adunwell
For more info and to express interest, contact Anna Dunwell at annadunwell@comcast.net
Prana will be a workshop facilitator for Body Love Retreats to be held at the beautiful and inspiring Soul Sanctuary in Newton, MA. Join other women in loving your body that the ancestors have given you. Love it with heart, mind and spirit. Love it with yourself and with others. Love your Life. You are the beauty that makes life worth living. You are the power that renews. We are all connected. In fact, everything is connected. But finding that requires beginning from the inside out. Connecting to self, accepting that self and working on creating self love for all of who and what you are now. These Body Love Retreats allows you to do that, in safety, with the support of other women, exploring aspects of body love with an experienced team of workshop facilitators in sacred space.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Namaste
This winter, I'll be sharing the yoga at Bocas Yoga in Bocas del Toro Panama. Visit www.bocasyoga.com to learn about the studio and tourism info. Come on down for a low cost vacation! I'll be sharing yoga and offering healing session at Bocas Yoga for the months of January and February 2009.
I'll be back in Portland, ME resuming my private practice there after March 8th.
I will have limited use of computer and phone, but feel free to schedule your private sessions and workshops in your community ahead of time. Just give me a few days or so to respond. I'll be on Panama time.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gift Certificates are available in any amount
for private sessions with Prana
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yoga for the Season
Kapalabhati Breathing - rapid exhalations with passive inhalations, raises the energy and warms the body during those cold and/or low energy winter days.
Lion's Breath is another warming pranayama that can also release irritability and anger.
Sun Salutations are wonderful for warming the body when done gradually, progressing from more basic modified poses to the more advanced versions.
Twists blended into a daily (or regular) practice can provide detoxification of the muscles and organs. Detox is very important this time of year when we are living indoors much of the time.
Namaste. Jai Ma!
Prana
This winter, I'll be sharing the yoga at Bocas Yoga in Bocas del Toro Panama. Visit www.bocasyoga.com to learn about the studio and tourism info. Come on down for a low cost vacation! I'll be sharing yoga and offering healing session at Bocas Yoga for the months of January and February 2009.
I'll be back in Portland, ME resuming my private practice there after March 8th.
I will have limited use of computer and phone, but feel free to schedule your private sessions and workshops in your community ahead of time. Just give me a few days or so to respond. I'll be on Panama time.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gift Certificates are available in any amount
for private sessions with Prana
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yoga for the Season
Kapalabhati Breathing - rapid exhalations with passive inhalations, raises the energy and warms the body during those cold and/or low energy winter days.
Lion's Breath is another warming pranayama that can also release irritability and anger.
Sun Salutations are wonderful for warming the body when done gradually, progressing from more basic modified poses to the more advanced versions.
Twists blended into a daily (or regular) practice can provide detoxification of the muscles and organs. Detox is very important this time of year when we are living indoors much of the time.
Namaste. Jai Ma!
Prana
Sunday, November 23, 2008
News
Prana will be available for private sessions in Northampton, MA Friday Dec. 13th and Saturday Dec. 14th in the afternoons. Please schedule your sessions early by e mailing info@pranaheals.com or calling (207)632-6698. For descriptions of services visit www.pranaheals.com
Prana will be living in Bocas del Toro, Panama January and February 2009. She will be sharing yoga and private healing sessions at Bocas Yoga. Visit www.bocasyoga.com for info on classes and tourism.
For more from Prana on Yoga and Health join www.facebook.com and become a member of Yoga in our Daily Lives and Holistic Breast Cancer Support groups.
Prana will be available for private sessions in Northampton, MA Friday Dec. 13th and Saturday Dec. 14th in the afternoons. Please schedule your sessions early by e mailing info@pranaheals.com or calling (207)632-6698. For descriptions of services visit www.pranaheals.com
Prana will be living in Bocas del Toro, Panama January and February 2009. She will be sharing yoga and private healing sessions at Bocas Yoga. Visit www.bocasyoga.com for info on classes and tourism.
For more from Prana on Yoga and Health join www.facebook.com and become a member of Yoga in our Daily Lives and Holistic Breast Cancer Support groups.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
For Breast Cancer Awareness Month...
Purchase Self Love: Gentle and Restorative Yoga Audio Pod Casts with Photos of Poses for yourself, family members or friends.
10% of profits go to local organizations that provide holistic breast cancer support.
Even if you don't think you will use the pod casts, they make an excellent gift for friends or family members needing a gentle and relaxing practice.
They are easy to use and to send as a gift. Just download them onto your PC, lap top or i Pod.
Only $4.95 per flow! Half the price of one yoga class!
Visit www.pranaheals.com and click on the ad on the home page to make your purchase today.
Ever grateful for your support
Purchase Self Love: Gentle and Restorative Yoga Audio Pod Casts with Photos of Poses for yourself, family members or friends.
10% of profits go to local organizations that provide holistic breast cancer support.
Even if you don't think you will use the pod casts, they make an excellent gift for friends or family members needing a gentle and relaxing practice.
They are easy to use and to send as a gift. Just download them onto your PC, lap top or i Pod.
Only $4.95 per flow! Half the price of one yoga class!
Visit www.pranaheals.com and click on the ad on the home page to make your purchase today.
Ever grateful for your support
Prana's
Tour Schedule
Yoga Therapy Workshop
and Demonstration
Nikken Holistic Health Series
Wednesday October 8th
11:30am - 12:30,
followed by potluck lunch
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Free
To register, email
Colleen Myers at ourwellnesshome@yahoo.com
Gentle and Restorative Mini Yoga Retreat
Saturday October 18th
9am - Noon
$40
Inspirit Common,
Hadley, MA
To register, visit www.inspiritcommon.com or
call (413) 585-1169
Yoga for Strengthening
Your Center
10th Annual Belly and Womb Conference
Saturday November 15th
To register visit www.alisastarkweather.com
Tour Schedule
Yoga Therapy Workshop
and Demonstration
Nikken Holistic Health Series
Wednesday October 8th
11:30am - 12:30,
followed by potluck lunch
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Free
To register, email
Colleen Myers at ourwellnesshome@yahoo.com
Gentle and Restorative Mini Yoga Retreat
Saturday October 18th
9am - Noon
$40
Inspirit Common,
Hadley, MA
To register, visit www.inspiritcommon.com or
call (413) 585-1169
Yoga for Strengthening
Your Center
10th Annual Belly and Womb Conference
Saturday November 15th
To register visit www.alisastarkweather.com
Yoga Poses for Autumn Transition
Autumn can be a busy time, like spring. It is time when we tend to gather energy to restart and continue many of the projects we left off to enjoy summer. Grounding poses are very important, so we stay on track with our intentions and visions.
Include a strong meditation practice in your new autumn routine. Start with 5 minutes in the morning at the same time everyday and build up from there. My main meditation teacher suggests 30 minutes first thing in the morning and 30 minutes before you go to bed. Starting and ending your day connecting with Self and the divine.
Forward bends are great for bringing the awareness inward when we get drawn out in our busyness.
Embryo brings one into oneself, nourishes and restores.
Attend my Gentle and Restorative Yoga Retreat at Inspirit Common on Oct 18th to deepen a nourishing yoga practice. To register visit www.inspiritcommon.com .
Supported Childs Pose is another restorative pose that allows one to rest, restore and receive.
Downward Facing Triple Diamond gives you an opportunity to connect with the earth and receive it’s nourishment and healing.
Order my Gentle and Restorative Audio Podcasts with photos of poses at to support your daily practice. They are easy to download onto your computer or Ipod for your home practice.
I look forward to receiving your comments and stories about your summer and how you are bringing the yoga into your daily life.
May your autumn be productive, easeful and full of love and light.
Namaste. Jai Ma!
Prana
Autumn can be a busy time, like spring. It is time when we tend to gather energy to restart and continue many of the projects we left off to enjoy summer. Grounding poses are very important, so we stay on track with our intentions and visions.
Include a strong meditation practice in your new autumn routine. Start with 5 minutes in the morning at the same time everyday and build up from there. My main meditation teacher suggests 30 minutes first thing in the morning and 30 minutes before you go to bed. Starting and ending your day connecting with Self and the divine.
Forward bends are great for bringing the awareness inward when we get drawn out in our busyness.
Embryo brings one into oneself, nourishes and restores.
Attend my Gentle and Restorative Yoga Retreat at Inspirit Common on Oct 18th to deepen a nourishing yoga practice. To register visit www.inspiritcommon.com .
Supported Childs Pose is another restorative pose that allows one to rest, restore and receive.
Downward Facing Triple Diamond gives you an opportunity to connect with the earth and receive it’s nourishment and healing.
Order my Gentle and Restorative Audio Podcasts with photos of poses at to support your daily practice. They are easy to download onto your computer or Ipod for your home practice.
I look forward to receiving your comments and stories about your summer and how you are bringing the yoga into your daily life.
May your autumn be productive, easeful and full of love and light.
Namaste. Jai Ma!
Prana
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Self Love...
Audio Podcasts and Photos of Poses
Maintain your summer yoga practice by downloading these onto your iPod or laptop at www.pranaheals.com
FREE Intro and Guided Visualization (10 min.)
Gentle Asana Flow (50 min.)
Restorative Asana Flow (60 min.)
$4.95 each
Audio Podcasts and Photos of Poses
Maintain your summer yoga practice by downloading these onto your iPod or laptop at www.pranaheals.com
FREE Intro and Guided Visualization (10 min.)
Gentle Asana Flow (50 min.)
Restorative Asana Flow (60 min.)
$4.95 each
Yoga and Desire
“I create miracles in my wonderful world. I am open to the wonders of the Universe.” - author unknown
With the way the economy is affecting all our lives today, I thought it was time to write about the topic of desire and how it relates to yoga. I feel the Universe has been preparing me for this time. I am now seeing the beginning of what can be a very challenging time for many in our culture. With the dramatic increase in the cost of fuel and food, with out an equal increase in wages, many are finding the need to make major changes in their lives. For some, there may be a feeling of desperation and a need for desperate acts, like crime. As a culture, we are faced daily on television and in our daily lives with “desire”. When we see others with fancy cars, houses, clothes and the ability to spend freely, feelings may rise to “want what they have.” This is not news to many of you and you may already be managing these feelings on your own, in your own way.
Some say it is karma that influences who gets what. That we come in to this life to clear old patterns, and this can directly influence the wealth you come in with or acquire in your lifetime. That there are lessons that come with managing and having money or wealth in whatever form that takes.
Others believe in the Law of Attraction, which became popular in our culture with the release of the movie The Secret. Teachers of the “law of attraction” say that our language, our thoughts and the way we interact with others has a great influence on our ability to attract wealth, health and healthy relationships.
As I have played with my own desires for having enough (a relative term), I am often brought back to the yogic concepts of gratitude and desire.
I find that when I recognize and genuinely express gratitude for all I have, I realize how much I actually do have and become content.
I also find, over and over again, that when I completely release my desire for something, whether it be money, a job, or a relationship, that it immediately comes to me.
Yoga masters say that desire leads to misery. That if we are always in a wanting state, that we will never be happy. The mind wants and when it gets, it wants something else. You may have noticed this in your own life. As soon as you get that new car, home or wardrobe, it soon becomes boring and just another bill to pay.
In my life, I like to combine all of these practices, the Law of Attraction, gratitude and releasing desire. In fact, many teachers of the law of attraction include expressing gratitude and releasing desire as part of their formula for attracting abundance into your life.
On my own spiritual journey, I have struggled with my Leo tendency to want nice things and to manage the envy and judgments that come along with having nice things. From this process of self discovery and study of the law of attraction, I have decided that it is o.k. to accumulate wealth, as long as it occurs with a balance of sharing and humility. According to Catherine Ponder, one of the first teachers to publish these ideas in her book now called Dare to Prosper, says that the Universe has unlimited abundance and there is no limit to what one can attract.
Along with many teachings, including the practice of forgiveness, living in integrity and so on, Ponder also proclaims that in order to attract, it is essential to donate 10% of your earnings to a teacher, counselor or organization whose work inspires you. Ponder calls this “tithing” and there is a metaphysical significance to 10%. This money can also go to a cause that you believe in; however, Ponder suggests that we put all this “energy” into one cause that is the most important to us, rather than spreading contributions to many and diluting its effect. I have practiced tithing and the results are immediate. So much positive energy flowing back and forth! Give it a try and see.
Some may be asking, “how do I do that in this economy?” It is possible. Start small and build up. Once you start the flow, and practice all the other principles, abundance will begin to flow into your life and your ability to tithe will become easier and easier. If you don’t feel tithing money is possible in this moment, then donate your time instead. Your time is a valuable form of abundance that creates a karmic vacuum of positive energy in your direction.
And back to gratitude and releasing desire…more traditional yoga concepts. There are going to be times when your resources appear scarce. This may be how you are feeling as you figure out how to pay for the recent fuel and food costs increases. This is the time to drop into gratitude, to release desire, to create a “free economy”, tithing one another by sharing meals, rides, equipment and providing assistance to those in need. This is where the beauty lies. This is where the lessons lie. See the silver lining in this challenged economy.
Enjoy getting to know your neighbors and sharing what you have with friends and family. It is time for this culture to become a global culture, equalizing wealth throughout the world and learning to share again.
Sharing ultimately means communicating. In yoga, opening the heart and throat charkas for clear and loving communication is a start. In addition, enrolling in Nonviolent or Conscious Communication classes will also provide tools when you get stuck. Many of these courses are free and affordable to get started and then free groups form to continue to practice. Many of my friends have taken these trainings and our communication includes a high level of openness, honesty, understanding, love and forgiveness. I am increasingly grateful to have attracted these people into my life.
So give it a try and let me know how it goes. I will list some helpful resources below to help you get started. I am also available for yoga lifestyle counseling and personal coaching to help you to internalize these concepts in your being and daily life.
Dare to Prosper, by Catherine Ponder (this book is also available in CD format)
The Secret DVD, CD or book (basic intro to the Laws of Attraction)
Abraham Hicks channeling Law of Attraction books, DVD and CDs available online
Nonviolent Communication classes (search on line for classes near you)
Conscious Communication classes, Conscious Communication Institute, Greenfield, MA www.ccitraining.org
LaShelle Charde offers a “Connection Gem of the Week“. To sign up visit her website at www.wiseheartpdx.org
Yoga For Abundance
Poses that open the route chakra, the groin area and hips assist in allowing abundance to flow into our lives. These poses help to release old beliefs we hold around scarcity and not having enough. When we open our hips and groin, we open to trust, to releasing the past and to allowing abundance to flow into our lives.
My favorite pose to release the past is pigeon (kapotasana). When we rise and lift our hearts in pigeon we are not only releasing the past by creating a deep hip opening, but also opening the heart to living a life filled with compassion and love. Sometimes, I like to also lift an arm, gazing skyward…reaching for divine wisdom for living a life in my Truth, full of abundance and bliss.
Other favorites that deeply open the hips and groin area are deep squats and happy baby pose (ananda balasana).
Goddess pose allows us to open the route chakra, while feeling our own strength and ability to manifest with an open heart.
Summer Yoga
Summer can be a very busy time, especially in the Northeast, as we cram all we can into 3 - 4 months of warm weather. We can come to our yoga practice to recharge and renew. Meditation, restorative and gentle yoga can be very helpful this time of year to bring us back to Self…to our own personal rhythm.
Try my Gentle and Restorative audio pod casts for your home practice. Take them on vacation to maintain your yoga practice while you are traveling. Go to www.pranaheals.com to download these audio pod casts and photos of the poses.
Alternate Nostril Breathing and Three Part Breathing are also very calming pranyama for the hectic times.
The warm weather is also a time to deepen your asana practice. The body opens much easier in the heat. This is a good time to open all those tight spots…hips, hamstrings, shoulders. It is also a good time of year to deepen your back bends. Feel the love and joy come over you as you open your solar plexus and heart centers.
Enjoy your summer with ease and abundance. Notice all you have and all that comes to you that doesn’t cost money as you practice gratitude, releasing desire and the principles of attraction.
Namaste. Jai Ma!
Prana
“I create miracles in my wonderful world. I am open to the wonders of the Universe.” - author unknown
With the way the economy is affecting all our lives today, I thought it was time to write about the topic of desire and how it relates to yoga. I feel the Universe has been preparing me for this time. I am now seeing the beginning of what can be a very challenging time for many in our culture. With the dramatic increase in the cost of fuel and food, with out an equal increase in wages, many are finding the need to make major changes in their lives. For some, there may be a feeling of desperation and a need for desperate acts, like crime. As a culture, we are faced daily on television and in our daily lives with “desire”. When we see others with fancy cars, houses, clothes and the ability to spend freely, feelings may rise to “want what they have.” This is not news to many of you and you may already be managing these feelings on your own, in your own way.
Some say it is karma that influences who gets what. That we come in to this life to clear old patterns, and this can directly influence the wealth you come in with or acquire in your lifetime. That there are lessons that come with managing and having money or wealth in whatever form that takes.
Others believe in the Law of Attraction, which became popular in our culture with the release of the movie The Secret. Teachers of the “law of attraction” say that our language, our thoughts and the way we interact with others has a great influence on our ability to attract wealth, health and healthy relationships.
As I have played with my own desires for having enough (a relative term), I am often brought back to the yogic concepts of gratitude and desire.
I find that when I recognize and genuinely express gratitude for all I have, I realize how much I actually do have and become content.
I also find, over and over again, that when I completely release my desire for something, whether it be money, a job, or a relationship, that it immediately comes to me.
Yoga masters say that desire leads to misery. That if we are always in a wanting state, that we will never be happy. The mind wants and when it gets, it wants something else. You may have noticed this in your own life. As soon as you get that new car, home or wardrobe, it soon becomes boring and just another bill to pay.
In my life, I like to combine all of these practices, the Law of Attraction, gratitude and releasing desire. In fact, many teachers of the law of attraction include expressing gratitude and releasing desire as part of their formula for attracting abundance into your life.
On my own spiritual journey, I have struggled with my Leo tendency to want nice things and to manage the envy and judgments that come along with having nice things. From this process of self discovery and study of the law of attraction, I have decided that it is o.k. to accumulate wealth, as long as it occurs with a balance of sharing and humility. According to Catherine Ponder, one of the first teachers to publish these ideas in her book now called Dare to Prosper, says that the Universe has unlimited abundance and there is no limit to what one can attract.
Along with many teachings, including the practice of forgiveness, living in integrity and so on, Ponder also proclaims that in order to attract, it is essential to donate 10% of your earnings to a teacher, counselor or organization whose work inspires you. Ponder calls this “tithing” and there is a metaphysical significance to 10%. This money can also go to a cause that you believe in; however, Ponder suggests that we put all this “energy” into one cause that is the most important to us, rather than spreading contributions to many and diluting its effect. I have practiced tithing and the results are immediate. So much positive energy flowing back and forth! Give it a try and see.
Some may be asking, “how do I do that in this economy?” It is possible. Start small and build up. Once you start the flow, and practice all the other principles, abundance will begin to flow into your life and your ability to tithe will become easier and easier. If you don’t feel tithing money is possible in this moment, then donate your time instead. Your time is a valuable form of abundance that creates a karmic vacuum of positive energy in your direction.
And back to gratitude and releasing desire…more traditional yoga concepts. There are going to be times when your resources appear scarce. This may be how you are feeling as you figure out how to pay for the recent fuel and food costs increases. This is the time to drop into gratitude, to release desire, to create a “free economy”, tithing one another by sharing meals, rides, equipment and providing assistance to those in need. This is where the beauty lies. This is where the lessons lie. See the silver lining in this challenged economy.
Enjoy getting to know your neighbors and sharing what you have with friends and family. It is time for this culture to become a global culture, equalizing wealth throughout the world and learning to share again.
Sharing ultimately means communicating. In yoga, opening the heart and throat charkas for clear and loving communication is a start. In addition, enrolling in Nonviolent or Conscious Communication classes will also provide tools when you get stuck. Many of these courses are free and affordable to get started and then free groups form to continue to practice. Many of my friends have taken these trainings and our communication includes a high level of openness, honesty, understanding, love and forgiveness. I am increasingly grateful to have attracted these people into my life.
So give it a try and let me know how it goes. I will list some helpful resources below to help you get started. I am also available for yoga lifestyle counseling and personal coaching to help you to internalize these concepts in your being and daily life.
Dare to Prosper, by Catherine Ponder (this book is also available in CD format)
The Secret DVD, CD or book (basic intro to the Laws of Attraction)
Abraham Hicks channeling Law of Attraction books, DVD and CDs available online
Nonviolent Communication classes (search on line for classes near you)
Conscious Communication classes, Conscious Communication Institute, Greenfield, MA www.ccitraining.org
LaShelle Charde offers a “Connection Gem of the Week“. To sign up visit her website at www.wiseheartpdx.org
Yoga For Abundance
Poses that open the route chakra, the groin area and hips assist in allowing abundance to flow into our lives. These poses help to release old beliefs we hold around scarcity and not having enough. When we open our hips and groin, we open to trust, to releasing the past and to allowing abundance to flow into our lives.
My favorite pose to release the past is pigeon (kapotasana). When we rise and lift our hearts in pigeon we are not only releasing the past by creating a deep hip opening, but also opening the heart to living a life filled with compassion and love. Sometimes, I like to also lift an arm, gazing skyward…reaching for divine wisdom for living a life in my Truth, full of abundance and bliss.
Other favorites that deeply open the hips and groin area are deep squats and happy baby pose (ananda balasana).
Goddess pose allows us to open the route chakra, while feeling our own strength and ability to manifest with an open heart.
Summer Yoga
Summer can be a very busy time, especially in the Northeast, as we cram all we can into 3 - 4 months of warm weather. We can come to our yoga practice to recharge and renew. Meditation, restorative and gentle yoga can be very helpful this time of year to bring us back to Self…to our own personal rhythm.
Try my Gentle and Restorative audio pod casts for your home practice. Take them on vacation to maintain your yoga practice while you are traveling. Go to www.pranaheals.com to download these audio pod casts and photos of the poses.
Alternate Nostril Breathing and Three Part Breathing are also very calming pranyama for the hectic times.
The warm weather is also a time to deepen your asana practice. The body opens much easier in the heat. This is a good time to open all those tight spots…hips, hamstrings, shoulders. It is also a good time of year to deepen your back bends. Feel the love and joy come over you as you open your solar plexus and heart centers.
Enjoy your summer with ease and abundance. Notice all you have and all that comes to you that doesn’t cost money as you practice gratitude, releasing desire and the principles of attraction.
Namaste. Jai Ma!
Prana
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Opening to a New Teacher
It has been heart warming to receive an occasional e mail from my Northampton students. Many are expressing the challenge of losing a teacher that really works for them. It is flattering and I can very much relate to that feeling of transition. I am here for you and will be back to western, MA every few months to reconnect with you in a private session or workshop. However, it is that daily practice that may still be missing for you. I have a few suggestions and my own personal stories to tell around meeting this need.
Whenever my favorite local teacher had a personal transition and moved away, I was often devastated and felt “lost”. I believe it was my main teacher Gita, who resides in N. CA, who guided me that this is an opportunity to drop into my own personal practice until a new teacher shows herself/himself. I did this AND would also studio and teacher hop, often frustrated with the lack of spiritual content and need for yoga to be “athletic”. Sometimes teacher’s voices would get on my nerves, the music wasn’t right or the way the class was arranged felt awkward. My guess is you are all nodding “yes“ in agreement, as I write about my own personal experience of finding a new teacher.
In transitioning to Portland, my main intention has been to create community. My first attempt was to go to a local yoga studio that specializes in a style that could work for me. Ganesh (the hindu god with the elephant head who places and removes obstacles) put obstacles in my way from the get go. Many studios here operate on membership and since we were dropping in, we were not welcomed with open arms. The teacher was very uncomfortable with us dropping in and her first words to me before and after the class where not ones that invited us back, but instead turned us away…all about “rules“ and procedure. Big signs that this was not the right place for me.
Next, I tried a Kripalu class at the Greater Portland YMCA, where my husband is a member. The cost for being a guest was only $7! I was so surprised and felt it was a “gift“. I walked into the class and everyone was positioned in a semi circle facing the teacher, which I loved right off. We started the class by “centering”. That works for me. Then we did a series of sounding as we warmed up in yoga postures. It was a SO fun! We did what is termed the “Portland Y cheer“, which is basically a big “WAAAAAH!”. We wailed until we had no more “waaahing” to do. I cough every time, as my heart chakra opens up to release the victim inside that needs to yell and scream out the injustices of cancer. In most classes, we also stick out our tongues and shake our heads with a big sound. We sigh after every pose and also have a big long laughing session as we move in Bear Swing. Those who are reading, who have studied with me, know I love releasing through sound.
The daring teacher Danika, is also a natural comedian and cracks, sometimes, “inappropriate” jokes throughout the class. In the first class or so, I judged her for that, but after experiencing over and over again how well she maintains the integrity of the yoga, I got it. She is being human and expressing real human thoughts and emotions we all have. We pray and sing kirtan in every class and when she and I talk, she always responds from a yogic place. She lives the yoga as she plays in human form. She is a sweet heart, full of love and light and is truly enlightened.
This class, for me, is about not taking myself and the yoga so seriously. It is perfect for me right now. It is not only rehabilitating my left side in a gentle and therapeutic way, but also bringing me to a new level in my teaching…continuing to drop the ego of being the perfect yogini/Teacher…whatever that is…and having a great time doing yoga and experiencing life. After all the drama of breast cancer and the 5 year preventative journey ahead, I need to live my life in a light hearted way.
Expecting things to be a certain way is really about our old beliefs systems. Instead, we can create a new reality, in the moment, that encompasses all of it…childhood influences, societal influences and spiritual and personal growth. It’s about forgiving oneself for being human. It’s o.k. to have a skewed childhood that leaks no matter how hard we try to hide it or change it. When living on the earth plane, we need to manage and live within societal influences, as we choose to evolve and live in the light, shedding our old beliefs that no longer serve Self.
We all have our own yoga needs as we move down our own unique yogic path. I invite you to not only explore your own yoga practice, but to be open to the signs that guide you to your unique next teacher. As I did, watch your judgments. Check in with where they come from. Notice what feels good and right in your body, not in your mind and what you think you need.
It is also totally fine to maintain a long distance relationship with your teacher, as I do with Gita and my guru in Boulder, Baba G. It can be very healing to travel to them for a retreat or to practice with them when they come into town.
Reopening my Private Practice
I am using this transition as an opportunity to recreate myself and heal with ease. I am choosing not to jump into a regular teaching schedule here in Portland. I may do some subbing to help out for summer vacations and feel into the studios here. I am being clearly guided by Self to open up my private practice now. I have begun seeing clients in my new home studio. I also continue to give private sessions when I am back in western, MA.
Stay tuned for my upcoming trips for private sessions, workshops and CD release gatherings. Remember that I am always available for phone sessions as well.
Due to the recent turn of events in my healing process (“radical” mastectomy), the CD release has been delayed. My demo CD has been sent to Sounds True. Wish me luck that the CD is produced in an affordable way that reaches many. If Sounds True does not choose to produce it, then it will be available via pod cast this summer.
Your advance contributions to the project are still welcome in exchange for the final product. 10% of the profits will be donated to local nonprofit organizations that provide holistic breast cancer support.
I look forward to continuing our connection over the miles. I completely support you in finding a new local teacher and deepening your home practice in order to serve your daily yoga needs.
Keep the e mails coming. Feel free to use this blog as a forum.
I absolutely love receiving your notes and continuing our yoga connection through writing, energy, phone sessions and future in person private sessions and workshops. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Know and trust that I am still with you on the Universal plane.
Namaste. Jai Ma!
Prana
www.pranaheals.com
It has been heart warming to receive an occasional e mail from my Northampton students. Many are expressing the challenge of losing a teacher that really works for them. It is flattering and I can very much relate to that feeling of transition. I am here for you and will be back to western, MA every few months to reconnect with you in a private session or workshop. However, it is that daily practice that may still be missing for you. I have a few suggestions and my own personal stories to tell around meeting this need.
Whenever my favorite local teacher had a personal transition and moved away, I was often devastated and felt “lost”. I believe it was my main teacher Gita, who resides in N. CA, who guided me that this is an opportunity to drop into my own personal practice until a new teacher shows herself/himself. I did this AND would also studio and teacher hop, often frustrated with the lack of spiritual content and need for yoga to be “athletic”. Sometimes teacher’s voices would get on my nerves, the music wasn’t right or the way the class was arranged felt awkward. My guess is you are all nodding “yes“ in agreement, as I write about my own personal experience of finding a new teacher.
In transitioning to Portland, my main intention has been to create community. My first attempt was to go to a local yoga studio that specializes in a style that could work for me. Ganesh (the hindu god with the elephant head who places and removes obstacles) put obstacles in my way from the get go. Many studios here operate on membership and since we were dropping in, we were not welcomed with open arms. The teacher was very uncomfortable with us dropping in and her first words to me before and after the class where not ones that invited us back, but instead turned us away…all about “rules“ and procedure. Big signs that this was not the right place for me.
Next, I tried a Kripalu class at the Greater Portland YMCA, where my husband is a member. The cost for being a guest was only $7! I was so surprised and felt it was a “gift“. I walked into the class and everyone was positioned in a semi circle facing the teacher, which I loved right off. We started the class by “centering”. That works for me. Then we did a series of sounding as we warmed up in yoga postures. It was a SO fun! We did what is termed the “Portland Y cheer“, which is basically a big “WAAAAAH!”. We wailed until we had no more “waaahing” to do. I cough every time, as my heart chakra opens up to release the victim inside that needs to yell and scream out the injustices of cancer. In most classes, we also stick out our tongues and shake our heads with a big sound. We sigh after every pose and also have a big long laughing session as we move in Bear Swing. Those who are reading, who have studied with me, know I love releasing through sound.
The daring teacher Danika, is also a natural comedian and cracks, sometimes, “inappropriate” jokes throughout the class. In the first class or so, I judged her for that, but after experiencing over and over again how well she maintains the integrity of the yoga, I got it. She is being human and expressing real human thoughts and emotions we all have. We pray and sing kirtan in every class and when she and I talk, she always responds from a yogic place. She lives the yoga as she plays in human form. She is a sweet heart, full of love and light and is truly enlightened.
This class, for me, is about not taking myself and the yoga so seriously. It is perfect for me right now. It is not only rehabilitating my left side in a gentle and therapeutic way, but also bringing me to a new level in my teaching…continuing to drop the ego of being the perfect yogini/Teacher…whatever that is…and having a great time doing yoga and experiencing life. After all the drama of breast cancer and the 5 year preventative journey ahead, I need to live my life in a light hearted way.
Expecting things to be a certain way is really about our old beliefs systems. Instead, we can create a new reality, in the moment, that encompasses all of it…childhood influences, societal influences and spiritual and personal growth. It’s about forgiving oneself for being human. It’s o.k. to have a skewed childhood that leaks no matter how hard we try to hide it or change it. When living on the earth plane, we need to manage and live within societal influences, as we choose to evolve and live in the light, shedding our old beliefs that no longer serve Self.
We all have our own yoga needs as we move down our own unique yogic path. I invite you to not only explore your own yoga practice, but to be open to the signs that guide you to your unique next teacher. As I did, watch your judgments. Check in with where they come from. Notice what feels good and right in your body, not in your mind and what you think you need.
It is also totally fine to maintain a long distance relationship with your teacher, as I do with Gita and my guru in Boulder, Baba G. It can be very healing to travel to them for a retreat or to practice with them when they come into town.
Reopening my Private Practice
I am using this transition as an opportunity to recreate myself and heal with ease. I am choosing not to jump into a regular teaching schedule here in Portland. I may do some subbing to help out for summer vacations and feel into the studios here. I am being clearly guided by Self to open up my private practice now. I have begun seeing clients in my new home studio. I also continue to give private sessions when I am back in western, MA.
Stay tuned for my upcoming trips for private sessions, workshops and CD release gatherings. Remember that I am always available for phone sessions as well.
Due to the recent turn of events in my healing process (“radical” mastectomy), the CD release has been delayed. My demo CD has been sent to Sounds True. Wish me luck that the CD is produced in an affordable way that reaches many. If Sounds True does not choose to produce it, then it will be available via pod cast this summer.
Your advance contributions to the project are still welcome in exchange for the final product. 10% of the profits will be donated to local nonprofit organizations that provide holistic breast cancer support.
I look forward to continuing our connection over the miles. I completely support you in finding a new local teacher and deepening your home practice in order to serve your daily yoga needs.
Keep the e mails coming. Feel free to use this blog as a forum.
I absolutely love receiving your notes and continuing our yoga connection through writing, energy, phone sessions and future in person private sessions and workshops. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Know and trust that I am still with you on the Universal plane.
Namaste. Jai Ma!
Prana
www.pranaheals.com
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