Wishing You Love & Light
Thank you to everyone who made the BFYH community stronger, healthier and joyful this year. The studio will be closed Christmas Day and New Years Day. All other weekly classes are on! I hope you can spend some time with us over the holiday season.
We are at the darkest point of the year. When we look outside, there is a bleakness that translates to a lack of energy. Though we may not want to, or feel we have time to acknowledge it, the depletion of earth energy is part of the natural human rhythm as well. Recognizing that we are part of this cycle means giving ourselves permission to attune to the silence and stillness of the earth. It may be as simple as taking moments throughout the day to exhale longer and slower; the exhalation of the breath contracts us into our inner radiance and peace. Meditation can also help to relieve stress, which in turn strengthens our immune system. If you are new to yoga or have an active yoga practice, try some restorative poses at home. (Scroll down to learn about restorative shoulder stand pose.)
As we reach the Winter Solstice on December 21, the light returns providing us with a vortex of energy to breathe in and expand. Move into the fullness of YOUR light and enjoy the Holiday Season!
OM Shanti, Megan
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Winter Solstice Celebration & Meditation
Sunday December 21, 2-4 pm
The Winter Solstice is the darkest day of the year and marks the start of winter, but also brings the return of the sun. It is a day that is deeply rooted in ancient spiritual traditions. The modern world pulls us away from the meaning of nature’s cycles even when our inward intuition guides us toward comfort and quiet restfulness. By attuning to the biological and spiritual energy of the light together, we create our own ritual of rebirth. This class will open the body to internal stillness in restorative postures, allow time to breath slowly and deeply with pranayama, and clear an energetic space with mantra chanting and meditation. Finish by writing your intentions to do whatever brings you into the light in 2015!
Investment $20, please CLICK HERE to register
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Handmade Journals with ArtMovz
Sunday January 11,
2-3:30 pm
Embrace the New Year and stretch your creative mind by making a handmade journal with ArtMovz. ArtMovz will provide all of the materials and instruction for you to hand bind a gorgeous journal for intention keeping, journaling, or sketchbook drawing. Creating is a great way to reduce stress, decrease depression, and learn a new skill. No previous art experience is necessary for this workshop. www.artmovz.com
Investment: $35 for pre-registration, $40 day of registration
Please CLICK HERE to pre-register
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 Holiday Pose Pick:
Supported Shoulder Stand
Restorative inversions are particularly relaxing with supported shoulder stand (Viparita Karani) being a favorite due to its adaptability. All you need is a wall, headboard or even a chair to place the legs on. The yoga bolsters under the sacrum in the photo can easily be replaced with bed pillows and/or folded blankets.
Some of the benefits of supported shoulder stand include:
- Aids in return of the blood to the lungs for oxygenation by raising the feet, legs and pelvis higher than the head. Blood pressure decreases and the heart gets to rest.
- Gravity assists the downward movement of lymph. Since the lymphatic system, which is part of the bodies immune system, does not have central pump, going upside down encourages the one way valves of the lymph system to clear the lower extremities.
- By tilting the chin slightly toward the chest, the spongy thyroid gland is gently squeezed and receives fresh new blood when the pose is released. This little butterfly shaped gland regulates our metabolism.
- With the head slightly below the heart and the forward tilt in the chin, the nervous system is told to relax. Baroreceptors are like tiny little command centers that detect blood flow in your neck. If they feel your blood flow increase, they send signals to the heart to relax. If you want more on the baroreceptors and inversions, visit this blog on Yoga for Heathy Aging.
- Overall, supported shoulder stand is one of the most beneficial poses for heart health. Physically and energetically, making the heart the home for awareness is like giving your spirit or soul self a chance to reboot.
Inverted poses are contraindicated for certain medical conditions. Please check with your doctor if you have any concerns.
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