Let's Take it Outside - June 12th at Historic London Town and Gardens

Join me as I lead a Vinyasa Flow Practice Saturday, June 12th at 8:30am in the beautiful Historic London Town and Gardens.  This will be a Fitness and Fun Event sponsored by Teresa Giordano owner of Power of Fitness.  This event will have a variety of exercise classes including yoga, Kukuwa dance, Zumba, Strength and Conditioning (Glutes and Abs).  You will also be able to sample healthy foods and other services from local small businesses such as chair massage, chiropractic wellness, acupuncture and so much more.  Advanced registration required, call Teresa for ticket information 410-573-9393

See you on your mat outside or at the studio!

First we breathe and now we move....

Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations) is a series of 12 postures performed in a single graceful flow.  Each movement is coordinated with the breath.  Inhale as you extend or stretch, and exhale as you fold or contract.  The Sun Salutation builds strength and increases flexibility.  Different styles of yoga perform the Sun Salutations with their own variations.  

On days when you think you have no time for yoga, try and do at least one or two rounds of Sun Salutations.  You will feel a difference.

See you on your mat soon.

Sorry It Has Been So Long.... Let's Start with our Breath....

I am not certain why I stepped away, but now I am back and I suspect it is probably a good idea to start from scratch.  Yoga is about fusing the mind, body and spirit through physical asanas and pranayama (breathwork).  So let us start with a Breath Exercise that will help cool your body down (generally, I am speaking about the internal inflammation from stress or food), relax your body, and find some focus.

1.  Lie down on the floor, flat on your back, arms at your sides, palms facing up.

2.  Take your right hand and place it over your belly button.  Relax completely.

3.  Inhale completely but don't breathe into your chest.  Instead let your abdomen fill up as much as possible (yes, this will be difficult at first; but soon you will get the hang of it).

4.  Now exhale, allowing your belly to hollow out completely.

5.  Once you are comfortable with this motion (chest stays still, belly fills up like a balloon, then empties completely); then you start counting the breaths.

6.  Inhale to the count of 4 (nice and slow) - then pause at the top of this breath.  Now exhale for for the count of 8 (slower).  Again inhale to 4 pause and Exhale to 8.

7.  Do this for 8 more rounds.  Let me know how you feel.

See you on your mat soon.