Heart Practice Yoga
September 2004 Yoga - Art - Expression
Heart Practice Yoga & Press Newsletter
in this issue
 

A Change In Seasons

The sweltering temps of this Texas summer seem to be easing away. Although my New England roots would expect chilly evenings and the last remnants of silver queen corn, I am cheered by the colorful mums for sale at the local HEB. I can finally get out and hike the nearby Eisenhower Park and linger in the herb gardens in Fredericksburg without the fear of heat exhaustion.

When I can't get outside to be in nature, I am stricken with the blues. There is only so much the ocean screen saver can do to lighten my mood. We are on the threshold of autumn, which represents our harvesting the fruits of our labor and to begin the preparations for a time of rest in winter. Of course, that is if you are a farmer. As we all know, the holiday seasons inevitably find us working harder and feeling more pressure and stress, throwing us into a wide range of emotions.

If you have a tendency towards the blues caused by stress or changes, these are a few things that have helped me. As always, consult your doctor.

- Breathe in, breathe out. Dr. Jeff Migdow's book of the same name describes breathing techniques to help you breathe back your life energy. The simple abdominal breath where you place your hands on your abdomen and expand gently like a balloon and exhale fully can leave you relaxed. Upper chest breathing, which is what many of us are used to, is never totally relaxed because the diaphragm is not free to contract downward, making us work harder to breathe.

- Improve your immunity and digestion. According to Dannon, 70 percent of your body's immune system is found in your digestive tract. Probiotic bacteria beneficially alter the intestinal microflora balance, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, boost immune function, and increase resistance to infection. You can find probiotics in yogurt, Actimel or at health food stores. Then choose a balanced, fresh diet that includes the flavors and colors you love and savor cooking as a ritual to sauté the blues away, even it is just for yourself.

- Enjoy nature, whether it's a walk, a hike, a bike ride or tours of formal gardens. Take in the yellow sunshine, the orange nasturtium blossoms, and the red ladybug. Fresh air combined with energy of trees and the pulsations of the earth reassure us that life is a cycle of beginnings and endings and all the feelings that accompany them.

Do yoga....

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Greetings!

This monthly newsletter is created to provide you with resources to nourish your practice and inspire your spirit. Please send an e-mail if there is anything you would like to see featured for our yoga community. It has been a busy month and I apologize for the delay in getting this out.
- Peace and Light, Monica Paredes
 

Anusara's Desirée Rumbaugh in San Antonio!

There are only a few spaces left for Desirée's weekend workshop entitled "Endless Possibilities." From September 17 - 19, 2004, we will be treated to one of Anusara's most popular and honored senior teachers. The workshop will be held at Heart and Soul Yoga in San Antonio and vegetarian lunches are available for $10 with advanced reservation.

EXTRA: Desirée will teach a special class for Racquetball & Fitness on Friday, September 17 from 4:45 - 6 p.m. Cost is $5 for members and $15 for non-members. Call R&F directly for this class only at 210-490-9161. Space is limited to only 40 participants so sign up soon.


 
Communicate Without Talking

I have recently visited my twin nephews, who are now 16 months old, and I am amazed at how fast they can travel and how high they can climb-in separate directions-in the blink of an eye. For new moms out there, I wanted to share a secret my sister uses to cut down on the frustration from not knowing what your baby wants. She uses sign language! Joseph Garcia's book Sign with Your Baby applies simple American Sign Language (ASL) signs to help you understand and meet the needs of infants and toddlers long before they can speak.

Stefan brings his fingers and thumb to his mouth to indicate he's hungry and Mathieu points his index finger to the sky to let us know he hears an airplane. It's fun to learn and teach the signs, and even more gratifying when they can easily tell you "what's the matter."

Also, San Antonio's first birthing centered opened this past Labor Day. Special Delivery Midwifery Birthing Center is located on 6450 Babcock Road and their phone number is 210-561-5959.


 
Workshops and Offerings

Our Art of the Yamas and Niyamas appear in an ad in this month's Ascent Magazine. This is my most favorite yoga publication with its excellent writing, award-winning photography and thoughtful content. See their Web site at: ascentmagazine.com

We've received orders from around the world and are excited that yogis are gaining inspiration for their practice and teachings. Wholesale inquiries for studios are welcome. To view all ten cards: thirdeyestudio.net.

30 by 30 Running and Yoga: Our second session has begun, but you are still welcome to sign up. This is a great way to combine cardio fitness with yoga, and meet some really nice, supportive folks. Run Gear Run also has terrific programs to get you from couch potato to marathon runner!

  • Dates: Tuesdays, Sept. 7 - Oct. 12
  • Time: 6:30 - 7:45 am
  • Frequency: 1 meeting/week
  • Location: Run Gear Run at Stone Oak
  • Levels: Runners/Yogis of all levels
Go to RunGearRun.com or come to the store to register.

Prenatal Yoga: I have been getting a lot of requests to continue my prenatal yoga program. I plan to restart the program in October with informative speakers and specialists along with a more social and supportive structure to complement the prenatal yoga. Please stay tuned and be sure to check my schedule page for dates and times.