Yoga DVD

Hi All!
Happy Thanksgiving!!

I have a bit of news...I'm planning to make a yoga DVD, but I need your help. I have had many requests to create a yoga video that can be used at home. If you're truly interested and willing to pre-purchase a copy, I can have it professionally done.If I have enough interest, the cost will be $20/DVD (hey, if I have a ton of interest, it could be cheaper).

It will be very similar to the in-person class: 60 min of stretching, strength, balance, and of course savasana:) (the final pose). If all goes well, hopefully I can make more in the future (different intensities, different focus, meditations, etc.)

If possible, please respond by early next week. I'd like to get the shooting of the video done mid-Dec. Who knows, maybe if the editing goes quickly, it could be ready by Christmas.
Thank you all for your on-going support and encouragement!

Namaste,
Nance

Fun and Healthy Holidays

This year practice moderation during the holidays, instead of seeing it as the beginning of months of overeating only to end with the arrival of guilt on January 1st.

All foods can be included in healthy living, as long as we pay attention to portion sizes and frequency. Fortunately, many traditional holiday dishes are pretty healthy and adjustments to preparation methods can increase their nutritional value.

1. Turkey – low fat, good source of protein

2. Stuffing – contains healthy fat, if prepared with olive oil vs. butter or margarine

3. Cranberry Sauce – fresh recipes are best, good source of vitamin C

4. Mashed Potatoes – depends what you put in or on them, watch serving size if you’re eating stuffing or sweet potatoes also.

5. Sweet Potatoes – generally a better carbohydrate source than white potatoes, good source of beta-carotene, vitamin C, and fiber.

Along with calorie intake, you also need to be aware of your physical activity level. I know things will continue to get busier as the holidays progress, but don’t forgo your workouts. Remember, they’re not only good for the body, but also the mind. Exercise can give you the personal time you need and help reduce your stress levels. If you can’t fit in the entire workout, break it into smaller increments or rearrange items in your schedule, but don’t skip it. Even a few extra walks can help. That said, if you are sick, please do not force a workout. Give your body some extra rest so that it can heal and you can get back to your exercise sooner.

What follows are a few tips to help with your goal of moderation:
* Eat a light snack (high fiber, fruit, veggies) before you go to a holiday celebration. If you arrive hungry, it will be very tempting to overindulge.

* Eat only your favorite dishes. Don’t feel obligated to try everything.

* Take your time when eating. Actually enjoy each bite.

* Drink plenty of water.

* If you have to try multiple desserts, take bite-size portions.

Source: Walter Willlett M.D.,D.P.H
Professor of medicine at Havard medical School, Chairman of nutrition dept. at Harvard School of Public Health

Approaching Each Moment As Asana (yoga pose)

This week let's practice living life as if each moment is a yoga pose.
Just like a yoga pose, some moments this week will be easy and full of joy and some moments will be more challenging.
And just like we do during our yoga practice, let's take time to breathe deep and bring our full awareness into each moment. Notice how the mind, body, and spirit our feeling, what they're trying to communicate.
As the holiday season comes into full swing, this will be a very useful tool to help us enjoy and thrive during the holidays and not just "survive" them.
I look forward to any insights you post regarding your experience with this.
Namaste,
Nance

Half Moon Pose

Hello! I know it's been awhile. I've been wrapped up in birthdays and 1st Halloweens and all sort of fun things like that. We are still meeting regularly for yoga though, Mondays 5:45-6:45pm and Tuesdays 10:15-11:00am. At the Tuesday morning class I suggested we all practice the balance pose "Half Moon" or Ardha Chandrasana (in sanskrit) every day this week. To help with that I said I'd post a bit of info on my blog, so here it is :) ......

This link at YogaJournal.com shows a picture of the pose and walks you through the steps. Please remember, it is a balance pose, so take time to flow with the breath and find a focal point for your gaze. We also talked about practicing this pose along a wall, so that you feel more freedom to open up. If you need a bit more room in the hamstrings, place a block (or book) under your bottom hand and remember if the shoulder feels tight, keep the top hand on the top hip (you don't have to reach the top hand up). Just breath and be with the pose, with the sensations, not the thoughts about the sensations. And whether you're able to be with the pose one breath or 10 breaths, enjoy that time, completely present.

Please let me know if you have any questions and I'd love to hear your comments about the experience.
I hope to see you at class next week. We'll work with some imagery in savasana (final pose).

Namaste,
Nance