For the past three months at YLF I gave my students the challenge of working up to holding the plank pose for 3 minutes. We have increased our stay by 15 seconds per week with a couple weeks off for restorative practices, and/or holiday breaks. I am proud to announce that everyone has improved the pose, their strength, and staying power all of which has transferred into other facets of their yoga practice. I am particularly proud of Opal, a young lady of 89 years, that held the pose for 3-minutes in class yesterday!!! What an inspiration!!! WAY TO GO OPAL!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings!!!

This is IT!!! We have arrived!!! This is the culmination of our 3 month progression toward staying a 3-minute plank!!! LET’S DO THIS!!! Our practice this week promotes a healthy spine with lots of twisting, our Mudra is the “Rudra” for staying centered through the Solar Plexus chakra, and our Sanskrit focus is “Veda”, which means wisdom and/or knowledge. We can’t wait to see you on the mat this week as we “Turn It Up”!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings from YFL!!!

As we usher in a new month, and a new season we begin with our strong, weight-bearing practice using hand weights!!! We are pushing toward our 3 minute plank goal, as we aim at 2:45 minutes this week!!! Our annual Yoga-Hike to Santa Rosa Plateau is April 11th, and you may sign-up via email, call, or at the studio!!! We can’t wait to see you on the mat!!! HAPPY SPRING!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

Deb is hosting a workshop this Saturday afternoon entitled “The Artistry of Meditation”. She will lead you through various creative, artistic methods for inducing the relaxation response, including: Zentangle drawing, Enso watercolor painting, Japanese lantern construction, and Kaleidoscope construction. We will conclude with a Light Centered Meditation with our newly constructed lanterns as guided by Deb. The cost is $25, and we will meet on 3/1 at YFL from 2-4 p.m. There is still time to register.—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis!!!

This week’s practice will focus on balancing the 1st chakra or the root chakra, “Muladhara”. The color is red, the note is C, the chant is Lam, the mudra is Jnana (Universal Knowledge). Mula=root, Dhara=Support or Connection, and its element is the earth, spice is ginger, essence is clove or rosemary. The practice will incorporate asana, chanting, mudra, and essence for balancing your root chakra. We will also increase our plank challenge to 2 min., 30 sec. Come join us for some balance!!! Remember you are one yoga practice away from a good mood.—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis!!! YES, we are OPEN for classes today!!! Our theme this week is ‘STRESS BUSTING’!!! We will continue our plank challenge as we proceed to 2:30 minutes. Our practice will involve stress releasing breath techniques, a full body mudra called TAGADI, which helps encounter and conquer challenges, and our Sanskrit focus is ‘MANDALA’. Mandala is described as a circle of connection, community, and healing. They are sacred geometric shapes used for meditation purposes as well. Our physical practice will involve classic hatha movement, our balance focus is the Dancer’s pose, and we will conclude with some restorative poses. It is going to be a great week on the mat at YFL, and we would love to share it with you.—Namaste’, Deb

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY THIS WEEK. We will be emphasizing the “Less is More” concept this week, which emphasizes fewer poses, and holding them for longer times to enhance power, endurance, and stability. Our Sanskrit focus is “Bhava” often translated as  mood or attitude. The mudra focus this week is “Pran”, and this hand gesture activates the root chakra, which in turn increases vitality, reduces fatigue and nervousness, and improves our vision. We look forward to seeing you on the mat this week.—Namaste’, Deb P.S.-Our plank challenge takes us to 2 minutes and 15 seconds this week!!!

  Learning to stay in the present moment, that is the key!!! Want to foster this skill? Then sign-up for Deb’s Meditation I. We will meet for five consecutive Tuesday evenings from 7:30-8:30 p.m. The cost is $70. You may sign-up via email or phone call.—Namaste’, Deb

Here is a nice chart for mudra consultation during your home practice. Enjoy.—Namaste’, Deb

 In the West we mistakenly think yoga just involves Asana practice, but it really is much more complex, and fulfilling. Get acquainted with the other seven limbs, and incorporate those that fit the type of lifestyle you want to create for optimal health.—Namaste’, Deb

Good Morning Yogis and Yoginis!!!  It is time to bear weight with our physical body, and some additional hand weights. We will be continuing our PLANK CHALLENGE this week at TWO MINUTES!!! Our Sanskrit focus is “Maitra”, or Loving kindness, in honor of the month of love, February. Our mudra is Varuna, and this hand gesture is for promoting clear sinus passageways. I look forward to seeing you on the mat this week!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Sophie will be hosting this workshop at YFL on 2/22/14 from 2-4 p.m. @ a cost of $20. Your time together will emphasize the use of yoga for balancing our hormones. Please call or email YFL to register. (951)676-8285, yogaforlife06@verizon.net