Greetings from YFL!!! October has arrived, and our 10th year anniversary celebration is just around the corner!!! Our week long celebration kicks off on Sunday, 10/16/16!!! All the SPECIAL EVENTS are listed with details in the October YFL newsletter, which was released on 10/1. Check your email desk!!! If you want to be added to the newsletter list sign-up via our website!!!
This week’s practice is strong and powerful, as we emphasize “bearing weight” our own, and additionally with hand weights. Our Sanskrit focus is “SAHAJA”, or our “true nature”, which may be discovered through the discipline of yoga and meditation. Our mudra focus will help us tap into our energy reserves, and develop more as we practice. It is the “VITALITY” hand gesture, or “Get a Move On” mudra. It helps us concentrate energy for overcoming acute and chronic tiredness. This mudra will also be accompanied with breath work, movement, and visualization!!! This week’s meditation focus is “Be Strong”, and may be reflected upon, as you listen to David Lanz’s beautiful song, “Luna”.
Kim’s first Kid’s Yoga Camp kicks off on 10/3 @ 11 a.m., and is designed for 3-6 year olds. The cost is $40. Sophie’s next Ayurvedic Transformation 4-week series begins on 10/17, and registration is open-cost is $99.
Enjoy your first week of October, and hopefully, cooler, seasonal weather!!! As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb
This week we practice our annual Fall Equinox Hatha Flow. We will practice together in a circular formation or Mandala, which represents the Universe, and our connection via its shared energy. Thus, Mandala, is our Sanskrit focus for the week. Our mudra is the familiar, Ganesh, which is the hand gesture for removing obstacles along life’s path. Our meditation focus is “Harmony”, and is set to the music of Bhakti Hreem’s “Bhakti Devotion”.
Sophie’s second session of Ayurvedic Transformation is today at 12:30. Join Joyce for her new class on Tu/Th at 10 a.m.!!! Kim will start her Fall Kid’s Yoga camp on Monday, 10/3 @ 11 a.m. Registration is ongoing, and the cost is $40 (3-6 year olds). Deb begins a new 4-week Intro to Yoga session tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m (9/27) @ $40.
The YFL newsletter will be on your email desk at 10 a.m., Saturday, October 1st. It will have the full schedule of events for our week long celebration of YFL’s 10th anniversary (10/16-10/23)!!!
As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb
Greetings from YFL!!! Hello Fall, and goodbye summer!!! This week we begin our NEW FALL SCHEDULE!!! Please join me in welcoming Joyce to our teaching staff. Her new classes begin tomorrow at 10 a.m.!!! She will be offering Classic Hatha with power, flow, and restoration. Joyce welcomes all levels to her classes. Check here bio and class description on the website. Kim will initiate her first seasonal Kid’s Camp on 10/3 from 11a.m. to Noon. These “tiny tots” (3-6 yrs.) will meet for four consecutive Monday’s, and the cost is $40. Please call to register, email, or drop-in. Kim will also be offering a monthly Reiki Group Healing workshop on Wednesday evenings. This is by donation, and her first meeting is 9/28, from 7-8 p.m. Deb begins a new Intro to Yoga, 4 week session, on Tuesday, 9/27. Please register in advance. Sophie starts her 4-week block on Ayurvedic Transformation today, from 12:30-2 p.m. Also, it is coming, our 10th YFL anniversary, the week of 10/16!!! Get ready for a week of celebration!!!
This week we ‘GO TO THE WALL AND BACK’!!! Let’s get focused, aligned, resisted, and strengthened, as we practice at the wall!!! Our Sanskrit focus is “SANTOSHA”, or the practice of contentment. Our mudra (hand gesture) is the Shell Mudra (Shankh). This mudra is good for the windpipe and voice. It brings inner calm and harmony and awakens your intuitive powers. Our meditation focus is “contentment”, as you listen to the beautiful music of Kiran Murti’s “Divine Imagination. Next week we will usher in the Vernal Equinox with our Classic Hatha Mandala Fall Practice.
We soooooooooooooo appreciate your support of YFL, and ALL of its programs!!! As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb
Yes, you have made it to restorative week!!! Come in to restore, renew, and relax!!! Our Sanskrit focus is ANAHATA, or the 4th Chakra, the Heart, and its unstruck sound. Your mudra (hand gesture) is Vayu, for supreme relaxation, calmness, and serenity. Our meditation focus is “Let Go”, and is set to the Tibetan Bowl Chakra music for the Heart.
Check out the September YFL Newsletter for all our latest events, activities, and upcoming 10th anniversary celebration!!! Have a fabulous week, and as always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb
Yes, you deserve this week, this week to RESTORE!!! We worked very hard on the mat last week with weights, and our plank challenge at 90 seconds. This week we will stretch profoundly with support, as we restore, renew, and relax!!!
Our meditation focus is to LET GO, as you listen to music for balancing the Heart Chakra. Our Sanskrit focus is Anahata, or the the fourth Chakra, the heart, and its unstruck sound. Our mudra (hand gesture) support is the Vatu or Wind Mudra for supreme relaxation and calmness.
Our seasonal Drum Circle meets this Sunday, from 5-6 p.m., and it is FREE. Bring a drum or rhythm instrument of choice, as we connect to the Heart Beat of the Universe.
Our 10th anniversary week long celebration is just around the corner!!! It begins with a full day of activities on 10/16!!! Deb will offer a FREE Yin/Meditation class from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Kim will offer a Reiki Group Healing workshop from 11:30-12:30 by donation. Ansley and Monica will lead a Yogapuncture Workshop form 3-5 p.m.. You must pre-register for this last event of the day, and the cost is $40. Space is limited, and there are just a few remaining, so sign-up ASAP!!! There will be prize drawings at each of Deb’s classes all week, and if you bring a friend to class ( newbies), then you both will practice for FREE!!! Sophie will offer an Ayurvedic Yoga Class on 10/22, and the cost will be $12. We will conclude our 10th anniversary celebration with a special Drum Circle on Sunday, 10/23, from 5-6 p.m. We hope you can join us for some or all of these events, and help us celebrate!!!
There is still time to register for the 2016-2017 Artistry of Yoga-200 hour Teacher Training Program. Click the AOY icon on the website for all the details. Registration deadline is 9/26.
As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb
Greetings as we experience Monday on Tuesday!!! It is weight week yogis and yoginis. We will bear hand weights and of course, our own body weight. This will increase our power, strength, and toning!!! Our mudra focus is JHANA, which connects us to Universal wisdom and knowledge, and our Sanskrit focus is BHAKTI, the path of devotion. Our meditation music is from Kiran Murti, “Ilumination”, and our meditation focus is “BREATHE”.
Please read the September newsletter for all our Special Events, and the celebration activities for our 10th anniversary in October!!!
Our new teaching schedule starts on 9/19, and will include new classes on Tu/Th taught by Joyce, our new instructor. Check out her class description, and bio.
As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb
Greetings from YFL!!! We are blessed with an extra week in August, so weight week will be next week with Deb!!! This week “let’s blend in”, as we partake in a practice that has a bit of everything, but more heavily weighted toward restoration. The physical practice will begin with breath work, a gentle standing warmup, a seated flow, and then restoration with blocks, blankets, and bolsters.
Our Sanskrit focus is AUM Shanti (The Universal Vibrational Energy for Peace), and our Mudra focus is VARUNA, the hand gesture for clearing congestion, liberation, and letting go in order to move forward in our lives. Our meditation focus is AUM Shanti, and is set to the music of Bhava Ram’s OM SHANTI, from Songs of my Soul.
Join me in thanking Leslie, and extending a heartfelt THANK YOU for all your years of wonderful teaching, workshops, and training at YFL. You will be missed greatly, as you leave us, and move toward simplifying life, and slowing down. Leslie will stay on our list as a sub, and will continue to be involved in our teacher training program WE WISH YOU WELL, ALWAYS!!!—Namaste’, Deb
Join me in welcoming Joyce to our teaching staff. She will offer classes in CLASSIC HATHA on Tu/Th from 10-11:15 a.m., beginning on 9/20. Read her bio and class description on the website.
Sophie will assume Leslie’s 12:30 classes on Tu/Th, and will appreciate your continued support of that time slot. Her classes are focused around Pranayama (breath techniques), and Ayurvedic Yoga (a balanced approach).
Our 10th anniversary is just around the corner. See all the activity details in the September YFL newsletter!!!
As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb
It is Classic Hatha week, and our emphasis will be letting things flow and go!!! We will begin our practice standing, and emphasize slow, mindful movement. Our Sanskrit focus is “Advaita”, or “Oneness with All”. Thus, our support mudra will be “Ushas” or connecting to all things good.
Your meditation music is “Awake” with Indian flute player-Bodhi, and your meditation intention is “Patience”.
I am excited to announce that Joyce Bianca will be joining our YFL teaching staff this Fall season. She will lend a beautiful and serene voice to her expertise of yoga teachings on Tu/Th from 10-11:15 a.m. Her teaching specialities are Power Vinyasa, Gentle, and Restorative. Her bio and pic will be added to the website very soon.
Deb has compiled her poetry into booklet form as a service project in support of our local food pantry. The St. Vincent de Paul food pantry is co-sponsored by Temecula United Methodist Church and St. Catherine’s Catholic Church of Temecula. All booklet profits will be donated to the pantry. Each booklet cost is $12. Please place cash or a check (made to Yoga For Life) in the envelope, and enjoy your booklet. They are available in the studio office at YFL.
Our 10th anniversary is just around the corner. All the fun and festivities will be listed in the September newsletter.
As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb
Greetings from YFL!!! This week we will focus on using the wall as our prop for resistance!!! This will increase your power, strength, and stability in the asana practice. Our Sanskrit focus will be “SHAKTI”, as we tap into our inner source of Power and Strength. Our Mudra (hand gesture) focus will be The “PRAN”, which promotes stability, strengthens the eyes and brings inner peace, stamina, and confidence. It helps us tap into our inner fire, and reveals our inner strengths, abilities, and possibilities.
We will continue our ongoing “Plank Challenge”, as we up our stay time to One Minute!!! We are gradually building to THREE!!! I will encourage you to continue the 30 minute, 30 day challenge with the three additional core poses. Remember they are described in my 7/25 blog.
Our new Fall schedule will be posted soon, and will take effect on Monday, September 19th. Our 10th anniversary celebration of Yoga For Life will commence the week of October 16th. Deb is planning many exciting activities that week. So, invite friends and family to join in the fun, and you will both receive a FREE CLASS for the their first visit to YFL!!! All the week long festivities will be detailed in the September newsletter.
We just have 3 slots left for the YOGAPUNCTURE workshop on 10/16. Ansley and Monica will be hosting this awesome experience, which combines restorative yoga and acupuncture. The cost is $40. We ask that you pre-register and pre-pay. It is a two hour workshop from 3-5 p.m. @ YFL on 10/16.
Your meditation focus is “INNER POWER”, and is set to David Lanz’s “Luna”. Have a wonderful week, and as always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb
Greetings from YFL!!! Happy Monday morning!!! It is time to stay connected to the “Present Moment” as our physical practice allows us to restore, renew, and relax!!! Yes, it is restorative week!!! Please continue your “30 day Core Challenge” at home. The instructions for the four asana poses are on my 7/25 blog. As we renew and restore this week, our Sanskrit focus is “Dhanya Vad”, or “I feel grateful”. Our mudra focus is the classic meditation mudra, or “Dhyani” for evoking a state of contemplation. Our meditation focus is to “Relax into Greatness”, and your meditation music is “One Moment” by Ann Sweeten. “Each day we are born again. What we do today is most important”.—-Buddha
Sophie’s Ayurvedic Transformation series is fast approaching!!! Flyers are available in the office, as well as registration. Space is limited, so sign-up ASAP.
Our YFL 10th anniversary will kick-off the week of 10/16!!! It will include a free Yin/Meditation class hosted by Deb, Ayurveda Transformation with Sophie, and Yogapuncture with Ansley and Monica ($40). Space is limited for the Yogapuncture, and pre-registration, and payment are required ASAP!!! We will celebrate all week with door prizes at each class hosted by Deb. Bring a friend to class, and you both practice FREE!!! We will conclude our 10th anniversary celebration on Sunday, 10/23, with a Drum Circle at 5 p.m.!!!
Deb’s poetry book is now available at YFL. All profits will be presented to our local food pantry, which is sponsored by Temecula United Methodist Church, and housed at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church of Temecula. “Words from the Heart” is a compilation of 15 poems written by Deb concerning connection, Spirit, and meditation. The cost per booklet is $12. Please make checks payable to Yoga For Life.
As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb
Greetings and Happy August from YFL!!! The “Down Dog” days of summer have arrived, as another season is about to wind down!!! We have many exciting events coming up this Fall, including a celebratory week in October for YFL’s 10th Anniversary!!! Stay tuned for a full schedule of special activities the week of 10/16-10/23!!!
This week is the first week of August, and of course, that means it is time to “Bear Weight”!!! In addition, we will continue working with our 4 asana core challenge. For a complete explanation of those four poses, please consult last week’s blog (7/25).
Our Sanskrit focus is “Maitra”, or “Lovingkindness”. The hand gesture or mudra for this week is “Ksepana”, which evokes a pouring out and letting go, a cleansing for the skin and lungs.
Our meditation focus is “Kindness” set to “Devotion” by Bhakti Hreem”.
The August newsletter will be in your email inbox at 10 a.m. this morning. Feel free to share with your friends and family.
We are accepting applications and registration for our next Artistry of Yoga-Teacher Training block. You may register online at www.yogaforlife06.com The website icon for AOY will answer ALL of your questions, and guide you through registering. The next training will begin the weekend of 9/29-10/2. This training is designed for those that aspire to one day teach yoga, or for those that want to enhance and deepen their understanding of yoga for their own personal practice.
As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb
Greetings from YFL!!! It is “Core Power” time via the instrument of Classic Hatha practice. We will incorporate the 4 Core Challenge Poses that Deb introduced in class last week to help you continue the 30 day challenge. At the end of this week’s blog, Deb will review the core poses and their details.This week our Sanskrit focus is HAMSA, or “Release Into Being”, and our hand gesture is the beautiful LOTUS mudra. This denotes connection to the purity of nature, and the goodness that exists in all fellow human beings. Your suggested meditation focus is SIMPLICITY, and is set to the music of Kirtan Murti’s “Divine Imagination”.
The next 4-week block of Intro to Yoga will begin next Tuesday, 8/2. Please call, email, or drop-in to register. The cost is $40, and we will meet for four consecutive Tuesday evenings from 7:30-8:30 p.m.
The 15-hour YTT unit on Ayurvedic Yoga will be led this weekend, 7/29-7/31, by Sophie. It is open to the community or RYTs seeking enrichment hours. The cost is $195. Sophie will also be offering a 4-week Health and Wholeness series on Ayurvedic Transformation this Fall. The cost of this series is $99, and the details are available at YFL. Space is limited, so register ASAP. This series will be taught on Mondays from 12:30-1:30 p.m. 9/19, 9/26/, 10/3, and 10/7.
CORE POWER CHALLENGE ( 30 MINUTES FOR 30 DAYS)
A strong core, healthy spine, and strong back promote well-being, and overall good health. The following challenge is to promote these physical attributes slowly over a period of building your strength in these vital areas of the body over 30 days. Your goal is to slowly build up to 10-reps for the supine hover twist, and to sustain the remaining 3 poses for 1 minute’s duration. Here is your guide for practicing safely.
1. SUPINE INNER THIGH BLOCK SQUEEZE-1) Lie on your back in the bent leg position.2) Place the soft block lengthwise between the inner thighs. 3) Maintain the natural curves of the spine, don’t flatten the low back into the mat. 4) Raise the legs with knees bent, and flex the toes toward the shins, begin squeezing the block. Float the legs to the position where the lumbar curve is expressed, the mid back presses into the mat, neck is neutral. Sustain, gradually building up to one minute.
2. SUPINE HOVER TWIST-1) Lie on your back, and tuck bent legs toward the torso. Inner legs and feet are touching. 2) Fully engage the low back muscles and inner core, as you slowly exhale into a right twist with legs hovering just above the mat. 3) Inhale and return to center, and repeat to the left. 4) Repeat this cycle building toward 10 repetitions.
3. PLANK POSE-1) Begin in aligned table top pose, and transition into Half-Plank (arms fully extended, shins pressed into mat, extend the torso forward, align the shoulders, elbow joint, and wrists). 2) Sustain the half plank, or opt to transition into Full Plank (extend the right leg from half plank lifting out of the balls of the foot and toes, repeat to the left side), align shoulders, elbows, wrists. 3) Your third option is to lift out of fists rather than palms, or from your forearms. With any of the variations, your energy lines should lift you toward the ceiling, preventing a weight shift down the joints into the mat. Slowly build toward sustaining the pose for 3 minutes. This week we will be working on a 45 second stay.
4. LOCUST-1) From the prone position (belly), extend through the toes to elongate the back. 2) Glue the inner thighs and feet together as a single unit. 3) Drop the chin toward the chest. 4) Initiate the backbend from the belly button, and roll toward the crown of the head. Neck and head should rise last thing. 5) Full engagement of the back muscles, inner core, and breath are imperative for a safe backbend. 6) Work toward sustaining for 1-minute. Build slowly to allow your muscles to strengthen. DON’T rush this one!!! Keep your back SAFE!!!
We will be working on these component asanas over the coming weeks at Deb’s classes.
As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb
The HVAC is working well, so come back to your mat today. Classes resume normal schedule today, Tuesday, 7-19-16!!! Thank you for your patience.—Namaste’, Deb
Greetings from YFL!!! I am sorry to report that the HVAC for the entire building is out this Monday morning. Repairs are to take place today, but it is quite hot w/o any air circulation, so due to health concerns, I am forced to cancel all studio activities today. YFL IS CLOSED TODAY, MONDAY, 7/18/16!!! Hopefully, our normal schedule of classes will resume tomorrow, Tuesday, 7/19. Please check-in to this blog tomorrow morning for an update before driving to class. I apologize for any inconvenience this might cause anyone. I appreciate your patience and understanding during this repair.
Once we do get started with classes this week, the emphasis will be using THE WALL as a prop of resistance. We will also resume building toward our 3 minute plank challenge, and add some other core challenges to the mix. Our Sanskrit focus is SANTOSHA, or contentment with the present moment. Our Mudra focus is USHAS, or connecting to all things good. Our mediation focus is SHANTI, for world peace, and is set to Tom Barabas’s “Nuages” from “Sedona Suite”.
I wish you a wonderful week, and as always, can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb
P.S.-PLEASE CHECK TOMORROW’S BLOG FOR AN UPDATE ON THE BUILDING HVAC REPAIR. WE WILL RESUME CLASSES ASAP!!!
Greetings from YFL!!! Last week we emphasized strength, power, and endurance. This week we will let that work permeate our being, as we focus on the triple “R” effects of relaxation, renewal, and restoration. We will rest the “Plank Pose Challenge”, and resume next week during classes. However, I recommend that you continue practicing for 30 seconds each day this week at home.
Our Sanskrit focus for the week is “Prasada”, or to be in a state of “grace”. Our hand gesture (mudra) will “Ganesha”. This mudra promotes heart strengthening and opening, and release of tension. It also helps us to overcome obstacles, and gives us confidence, courage, and openness toward other human beings.
Don’t forget!!! The first SEASONAL DRUM CIRCLE is this Saturday, 7/16, @ 5 p.m. Bring your drum, or any other rhythm instrument, as we circle-up to share the energy of sound vibrations and harmony. This is a FREE event at YFL!!!
This week’s mediation focus will be HARMONY, and is set to the music of James Hood’s, Pure Ceremony.
As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb
