Dharma Connection

Groupon Deal for Dharma Connection

2011-11-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for a great deal, check out our Groupon. Groupon: Save up to 64% on Yoga & Pilates Classes

We have a full schedule of classes available 7 days per week with a variety of instructors. You'll find the classes you want at the times you want. Why not use this Groupon to give us a try?

Smoothies for breakfast?

2011-10-28T04:22:00.000-07:00

We all seem to be rushing to get out the door in the morning, so its not easy to eat right. We run out the door with an empty stomach and run into our local coffee shop where we are tempted with the latest sugary, carb loaded, breakfast options. I have a way to help combat the urge to buy that donut....try a quick smoothie before you leave the house.

Here's my favorite one:

1 cup of almond, hemp or brown rice milk
1 scoop of Vegan Protien Powder (I use SunWarrior brand)
1/2 banana and 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1-2 tbsp either organic flax oil or ground flaxseed
large handful of organic spinach, kale or collards or serving of a complete greens powder like Synergy Core Greens
1 tsp cinnamon
purified water as needed

This shake will help get the metabolism going so that you'll be able to get rid of the stuff you don't want and have the energy to get through the morning.

Enjoy!

Hooping?

2011-10-19T09:07:00.000-07:00

One of the latest crazes in the yoga world and in fitness is Hooping. You can find numerous DVD's, YouTube video clips, books, and classes on hooping. Would you try a hooping class?

I'm wondering if anyone would be interested in hooping for fun, fitness and the spiritual high! Think of how much you can impress your friends.

Last year I bought a hoop and have used it off and on over the past year. Since then, my daughter Nicole started her own hooping company called Buddha Belly Hoops. She is a hooping genius and amazing to watch...I cannot hoop nearly well enough to do her moves but she is an amazing teacher. She also offers classes where you can make your own hoop, and learn to hoop. Not crafty? No problem, because she takes custom orders for hoops using any color that you want.

I'll be scheduling a hooping exhibition at the studio soon. Maybe I'll see you there.

QR Reader

2011-10-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

We just got one of those lovely QR Codes for your website. If you scan it with your handheld QR reader, it will bring you right to our website. Give it a try.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Great-Offer-on-10-Classes-Passes.html?soid=1102486542330&aid=ZeWY3WomS6I

2011-10-12T08:46:00.000-07:00

DHARMA Deal of the DAY!
Buy a 10 class pass for only $120 and get 4 FREE classes! This offer will self-destruct at midnight 10/12/2011....don't wait!

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Great-Offer-on-10-Classes-Passes.html?soid=1102486542330&aid=ZeWY3WomS6I

Daily Practice Notes

2011-09-06T05:19:00.000-07:00

I'm making a commitment to get back to a more intense daily practice now that the wee one's are back to school. I began my new journey on Monday, Sept. 8th which was Labor Day.

During my practice yesterday I set an intention to get back to a daily 75-90 minute practice.   I did a decent flow that incorporated surya namaskar B and lots of twisting postures to help detoxify my body. One of my goals is weight loss, but also to regain some strength that I lost.

Early in 2010 I began gaining weight! It's been depressing, and has had a very negative impact on my personal practice and my self esteem. Back in April I decided to stop trying to lose excess body weight, instead I committed to "maintaining" my existing weight. Well, several months have passed and I have not gained any additional weight - yes, I have maintained my April 2nd weight for 5 months! I'm very happy about that but still feel that my health is at risk at my current weight, so here goes another attempt to lose.

What's different this time? Well, I'm going back to what has always worked best for me; yoga. I'm going to dedicate to a vigorous daily practice and watch the intake of carbs and sugar.

Today, I got out of bed at 5:45 and was on my mat by 6 AM. I completed a very nice heated practice for 90 minutes!   I feel great right now and am ready to begin my day. It's only 8 AM and I'm already writing a blog post!

You may wonder why I've decided to share this part of me with cyberspace, but I figured it might help to keep me focused and dedicated. If not, perhaps we will all learn something from my journey.

Enjoy your day Yogis & non-Yogi's

Where Have I Been?

2011-06-08T12:09:00.000-07:00

It's June 8th, and this is my very first blog post of 2011. How lame is that?

Very lame, I must say. Earlier in the year I was very busy moving the studio to a bigger, more serene location. Rest assured, we are all moved in and business has been exploding these last few months. Now that the dust has settled from the move, I've made a new commitment to blog more frequently, and pour out my heart and soul!

The summer is shaping up nicely, I've been running fitness boot camps at the studio which are getting a good response. We are doing cardio boot camp drills and are managing to stay outside for most of the classes. Today we jogged to the canal and did our drills between the telephone poles! My next session will begin on June 20th and run through July 1st.

I also just booked Sadie Nardini to come to the Dharma Connection on August 13th to teach her famous Core Strength Vinyasa immersion. If you don't know Sadie, please check out her website at http://www.sadienardini.com/

Beach yoga starts this Friday at 7:30 AM at the lower entrance to Sandwich Town Beach at the Boardwalk. Drop-ins will be welcomed!

My head is just spinning with ideas and things to do. I'm working on teacher training for 2012 and Full Moon Yoga over the summer.

Wishing you all a healthy and properous Summer 2011.

xo,
Donna

How To Choose The Right Yoga Mat

2010-12-23T11:39:00.001-08:00

If you’re thinking of buying a yoga mat for yourself or someone else you may be feeling a little bit overwhelmed by the number of mats on market. There are huge variations of style, thickness, color, material used, and price. Some mats can be less than $10, while others cost over $100.

Let’s begin by considering the purpose. A good mat will provide a stable, nonslip surface that helps prevent slipping and falling, but also can provide cushioning when you kneel or lie on the mat. It also protects you from dirt, dust, splinters, bacteria, fungi and any other foreign matter that might be on the floor at the studio you frequent.

Sharing a mat or using a studio mat is generally not recommended since you are basically lying on a mat where someone else was sitting in sweaty yoga pants, and standing with bare feet; sometimes with our face on the mat! It doesn’t take much imagination to think of the “things” that could on that studio mat. Things like athlete’s foot, plantar warts, toe nail fungus, and bacteria from sweat. If you practice on a regular basis – buy your own mat!

Often, low priced conventional style mats are made of PVC, which according to Consumer Reports, PVC yoga mats may contain lead and cadmium. Or may even contain phthalates which have been linked to hormone disruption. If it is important to you to avoid such contaminants, you would be better suited to choose an ECO friendly mat made of natural plant materials, toxin-free or biodegradable plastics or natural rubber. Do be aware that those with latex allergies should avoid rubber mats as these do contain latex.

PVC mats tend to be very low in price and are moderately sticky with a smooth honeycomb-like surface. Rubber mats are much stickier and provide a better grip for heated practices where the hands and feet can become sweaty which may lead to more slippage. If you practice heated types of yoga, such as Bikrim or Vinyasa flow you may do better with a rubber mat, provided you don’t have a latex allergy. The type of mat you prefer is based on personal preference and the type of practice you have.

For example, if you practice restorative or gentle hatha yoga you may prefer a thicker mat with more cushion for seated poses or when lying down. However, if you practice power yoga you might do better with a thinner mat that will keep the feet more stable when doing standing and balancing poses.

Yoga mats typically are either 68 or 72 inches long, but extra short and extra long mats are available. If you are over 6 feet tall you may want to consider buying an extra long mat.

A good quality mat will resist wear and tear and won’t hold odors. To clean your mat you can wash it in the washing machine and hang it to air dry. Always use only a few drops of detergent in the water. I’ve also found that the surface of my mat last longer if I avoid big fluctuations in temperature, such as those that happen when we keep our mat in the trunk of the car. It gets too hot in the summer, and too cold in the winter which may cause drying of the surface. It is always best to bring the mat inside.

In the end, you need to consider the size, thickness, materials and price range of the mat that best suits your needs and budget. Color, although important should not be the primary decision maker. My personal preference is the JADE Professional mat in 74” length. It is only 5/16th of an inch think and has a great non-stick rubber surface that works well in the vinyasa flow classes I teach. My second choice is a Manduka Pro, and third I like the Kulae ECO mat.

National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day // Bloggers Unite

2010-12-21T04:08:00.000-08:00

Winter Solstice is here, but longest night of year is probably not much fun if you're sleeping in the cold. We have many homeless here on Cape Cod so lets not forget that hard times have fallen on many. National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day // Bloggers Unite

If you'd like to help out locally, check out these organizations:

Homeless Prevention Council
http://www.hpccapecod.org/default.php
Housing Assistance of Cape Cod (HAC)
http://www.haconcapecod.org/homeless-prevention.htm

Everyone deserves to have a safe place to sleep, and no one deserves to die on the streets due to homelessness.

Cartoon Characters as Celebrity Perfume pitchmen?

2010-12-15T13:05:00.000-08:00

It really drives me nuts that every celebrity seems to be pitching a perfume. Do they actually come up with this scent on their own, or do they even have a clue what it actually smells like?

According to Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_celebrity-endorsed_perfumes there are even endorsements by fictional characters. Most humorously "Dora the Explorer"! Who the hell is this being marketed to, 5 year old girls?

Ok, I can understand an endorsement by a musician, an actor, or athlete, but a cartoon character?

According to the list we've got fragrances by Strawberry Shortcake, Miss Piggy, Superman, Batman, and the Hulk. The list goes on and on. I'm trying to imagine what Hulk colonge would smell like, but all that comes to mind is leather, sweat, and green slimy jello.

Everyone is out to make a buck, but do we really want to smell like Spiderman?

Accepting My 40-Something Body

2010-12-10T15:25:00.000-08:00

It just occurred to me that I have been spending the past 12-months fighting my body, unsuccessfully trying to get it to behave the same way it did a decade ago. I have gained a “few” pounds, lost a little bit of muscle mass and have noticed that I’m just not able to work quite as hard as I used to.

After my workouts the muscle recovery is slower and more painful. I notice my knees, shoulders and lower back in ways that I never did before. As someone that has worked out consistently for over a decade, it is difficult to accept these new limitations.

This morning I attended a spin class and this afternoon I am completely exhausted; to the point that I needed a nap! Granted, I taught a power yoga class at 6 AM, and attended the spin class a few hours later, but this was a routine my body could handle just fine two years ago.

Recently I took a prana flow workshop with Shiva Rea and asked her a question about how to stay motivated in ones yoga practice as we age. She suggested that perhaps my body needed a more lunar practice these days and that I may do better to accept that. This wasn’t exactly what I wanted to hear, I was hoping for some guru type of motivation that would help turn my practice around…but no, she basically told me to try slowing down for a bit! The good news was that she didn’t suggest doing a lunar practice for a long period of time because we need to keep the body strong. I was grateful for those words as I do not feel ready to concede to gentle, restorative practice in my 40’s!

In any event, my body has changed, my attitude has changed, and my experience in the world has changed. I know that I am aging fairly well and will work to accept these subtle changes more gracefully.

As a yoga teacher, this knowledge will help me to be able to help my students as their bodies change so that we can all continue with our practices, pain and injury free.

FREE Yoga & Pilates

2010-11-16T04:52:00.000-08:00

Have you been wanting to try pilates? Come to our FREE class on Saturday November 20th. http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Pilates-is-BACK---More-FREE-Classes-.html?soid=1102486542330&aid=0UMZQcQTwUA We also will be having FREE yoga classes on November 21st and 28th at 8:30. Check out these FREE classes and get a stronger core.

FREE Kundalini Class

2010-09-29T13:56:00.000-07:00

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Sunday-Meditation-is-Back---FREE-Kundalini-Class-on-10-5.html?soid=1102486542330&aid=92kleQ3VFHA

Do I need to cleanse to get rid of toxins in the body?

2010-06-08T10:06:00.000-07:00

Why & When to Cleanse?

Those who have never completed a cleanse will often ask "why do I need to cleanse"; "doesn't my body take care of this on its own"? The answer is yes and no.Each day, between the food we eat, the air we breathe, and even the water we drink we ingest pollutants and toxins. These toxins can accumulate in the blood and internal organs such as the colon, kidneys, lungs, and liver resulting in a toxic body.

By detoxing, we take stress off the organs while eliminating old, toxic debris and residue from our tissues. We do this by eating nutrient-dense, live foods and by consuming herbal supplements that gently help facilitate deep cleansing of the tissues and organs while supporting and nourishing the body during the process.Aside from the physical benefits, we also gain positive affects to the emotional and mental state, bringing on a happy, peaceful feeling. As you cleanse the body you may begin to flush out old, unprocessed, negative emotions and memories helping you to feel more spiritually fit.

There are many times of the year when it is beneficial to the body to cleanse. For example, right after the holidays to remove excess sugar and flour that may have been consumed and to help shed excess weight that may have been gained during that period. It is generally believed that cleansing once per season is a great way to stay in harmony with nature. The new moon is also a great time to start anything new. Combining the start of a cleanse with the grounding, supportive energy of the new moon can help to remove food cravings and assist one to begin a new change in dietary and lifestyle habits.

Join us Monday - Friday, June 14th - 25th @ 6:15 am every day for 2 weeks of yoga with an optional cleanse. Challenge yourself...improve your health and well being. Throughout these two weeks you'll be encouraged to attend a daily yoga class, eat well (nutritional guidance will be provided), and meditate (instruction and support will be provided).

Get up early and start each day with an hour long yoga class designed to ease your soul, calm your mind, and help to detoxify your body. If you choose, you may do a week-long cleanse as part of the session (additional fee applies).

Classes are held Mon-Friday (june 14-25) 10 classes total.

Cost: Classes ONLY: $69 for all 10 classes! (if you are already on an unlimited membership there is no additional cost to attend the classes)

Classes PLUS Cleanse: $99 (price includes supplements) You will be able to attend all 10 classes over the 2 week period, plus receive detox instruction and supplements.

Cost of cleanse only for students with unlimited memberships is $35

How To practive Kirtan Kriya

2010-06-08T06:15:00.000-07:00

Kirtan Kriya is a meditation chant exercise originating from Kundalini Yoga. Kirtan Kriya involves chanting and using finger poses (mudras). This simple exercise reduces stress levels, increases circulation in the brain, promotes focus and clarity, and stimulates mind-body-spirit connection.

Difficulty: Easy

Frequency: 12 minutes once a day

Step-by-Step:

Sit on a cushion, block or blanket in an upright position on the floor or in a straight backed chair. You may also rest against a wall. Rest your hands on your knees with palms facing upwards.

Chant the syllables Sa, Ta, Na, Ma - lengthen the ending of each sound as you repeat them, ...aaaaaaaaah.

Touch your index finger tip to the tip of your thumb as you chant Sa.

Touch your middle finger tip to the tip of your thumb as you chant Ta.

Touch your ring finger tip to the tip of your thumb as you chant Na.

Touch your pinky tip to the tip of your thumb as you chant Ma.

Do the finger movements as shown in steps 3-6 as you chant in the following sequence:

Chant out loud for 2 minutes

Chant in a whisper for 2 minutes
Chant in silence for 4 mintues
Chant in a whisper for 2 minute
Chant out loud for 2 minutes

Sanskrit chanting sounds translate to:
Sa - birth
Ta - life
Na - death
Ma - rebirth

Make this meditation a daily routine. It is most beneficial to repeat this chant at the same time each day.

Home Practice for Connecting to your Core

2010-06-02T06:18:00.000-07:00

This core strengthening practice will help provide a sense of strength and self-confidence.
Begin by putting on some uplifting and energetic music.

Begin in Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) with Feet close together. Incorporating Ujjayi Breath (ocean sound in back of throat). Hold for 10 breaths.
Inhale as you shift yourself forward into plank. Hold for 20 breaths.
Press back to Downward Dog, then flow forward to Plank. Repeat 10 times
Hop to the front of your mat, fold forward into Standing Forward Bend. Hold for 5 breaths, then reverse swan dive up to Tadasana (mountain pose)
Move into Eagle Pose by wrapping your right thigh over your left and hook the toes around your lower leg. Place the left arm over the right and touch plams together (eagle arms). Stay upright and bend the supporting knee, lift elbows up and move hands away from the face. Hold for 10 breaths, then repeat on the other side.
Squat down, sit on your mat, moving into Boat Pose with knees bent or straight and hold for 5 breaths. Bend one knee in towards the body, extending the opposite knee. Switch to the opposite site. Repeat 10 times total working the core. Then lie on your back.
Come into Revolved Abdomen Pose by walking the feet in with knees bent and pointing towards the ceiling. Spread the arms wide in a T turning the palms facing down. Drop the knees to the right side, and turn the head to the left taking care to keep the shoulders locked to the floor. Hold for 20 breaths, repeat on the other side.
Now interlace the fingers behind the head and bend both knees bringing the feet off the floor. Exhale as you extend the right leg out (not touching floor) draw the left knee in and touch it with the right elbow. Inhale, release and change sides. Do this 8 times on each side. Then pull both knees into the chest and take a few breaths.
Bridge Pose - bend knees and press hips upwards into bridge. Exhale and roll down one vertebra at a time. Repeat 10 times.
Move into reclining pigeon pose on the right side by placing both feet on the floor, knees bent. Place the right ankle on the left knee and draw the right thigh towards you. Hold for 10 breaths and change sides.
Stretch the legs out. Inhale and press forearms and elbows down, lifting the chest into Fish Pose. Resting on the crown of the head, hold for 10 breaths.
Pull the knees into the chest moving into Happy Baby for 10 breaths.
Extend arms and legs for 3 deep breaths, relaxing into Savasana for 5-10 minutes.

Salt Water Flush as Start to Master Cleanse

2010-05-28T11:28:00.000-07:00

Many of you may have heard that you should drink a mixture of 1 QT of warm water with 2 tsp of Organic Sea Salt as a way to start a cleanse. This is supposed to cleanse the colon and induce a series of bowel movements in the next 1-2 hours. Sounds little hokey, so of course I decided to give it a try.

I went into the kitchen a mixed up a quart of water with 2 tsp of sea salt as is recommended. I mixed it up and placed it into the biggest drinking glass I could find in the houses. It was one of those collector Coke glasses. I took the first big gulp, and it tasted completely discusting. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to get it down. Then I took another, still pretty terrible.

Fortunately, I was standing next to the kitchen sink because I took one more big gulp and swalled and immediately vomited right into the sink. So much for cleaning my colon!

I'm not sure if this is common or not, but I have found several blog posts describing similar results. My body did NOT want that much salt in it, so I'm not planning to attempt this again anytime soon.

So much for the Salt Water Flush - next time I'll stick with a fruit and veggie cleanse.

Sizzling Summer Membership Deals

2010-05-28T09:07:00.000-07:00

We've just added a few new membership options for students and summer residents.

Get UNLIMITED yoga classes for the months or June, July & August for a huge discount.

Students with a valid student ID only pay $150, everyone else pays $225. You can come to class every day over the summer and not have to worry about having cash, or brining a check or credit card with you. This is a great deal and your best value if you've got lots of extra time in the summer.

If you're a beach bum, we've got classes at 6:15 am on Monday, Wednesday & Friday which will leave you plenty of time to head to the beach or launch the boat. If you like to sleep in, we've got classes every evening except Saturday! There are also plenty of classes later in the morning during the week.

Don't miss out on this great deal. Click the link below to purchase online.

http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=5868&stype=41&sLoc=0

Yogathon Fundraiser

2010-05-14T12:46:00.000-07:00

Please join us for a Yogathon Fundraiser to support Off the Mat, Into the World’s Global Seva Challenge - South Africa 2010!

Off the Mat, Into the World® (OTM), a program of the nonprofit, The Engage Network, is dedicated to bridging yoga and activism. Founded in 2007, OTM’s mission is to use the power of yoga to inspire conscious, sustainable activism and ignite grassroots social change.

Each year, Off the Mat, Into the World sponsors an international service project called the Global Seva Challenge. The Global Seva Challenge is a transformational journey that builds community, provokes critical consciousness about global issues of social justice and equity, and raises significant funds to support communities in crisis.

In 2010 Off the Mat, Into the World’s Seva Challenge will be focused on supporting humanitarian efforts in South Africa. Over 33 million people are living with HIV/AIDS today with 67% living in sub-Saharan Africa. By contributing to this fundraising effort your donation will help fund and build health and education programs that will provide tools and resources for the prevention of HIV/AIDS. See our partners below.

The Dharma Connection in Sandwich, MA
Friday, June 11, 2010 starting at 5:30pm until…9ish
with Lynn Gifford, Donna Larson and Elizabeth Whirlabout
Suggested donation of $25

Take your yoga Off the Mat, Into the World!

Chakra Energy - what is it?

2010-03-01T13:47:00.000-08:00

Chakra is the Sanskrit word for circle or wheel. Ancient theories proposed by Hindu mystics are based on seven chakras that link the body and the mind into one unit - the mind/body connection. It was through the practice of yoga in India many centuries ago that chakras became identified with centers of energy at major points throughout the body. Beginning at the base of the spine and moving up to the skull, there are seven chakras, each associated with a corresponding color. The opening of each of these energy centers plays an important role in our ability to achieve our fullest potential.

1.) Root (Red)
2.) Sacral (Orange)
3.) Solar Plexus (Yellow)
4.) Heart (Green)
5.) Throat (Blue)
6.) Brow (Purple)
7.) Crown (White)

The Chakras also serve as metaphors for various levels of human development and religious sacraments, with each one having its own goals for development.

· Root Chakra – gives one the ability to feel safe, stable, courageous and secure
· Sacral Chakra – emotional and sexual development
· Solar Plexus – Socialization, social interaction, and self confidence
· Heart Chakra – compassion, love and forgiveness
· Throat Chakra – provides the ability to communicate and interact based on higher vision
· Brow (3rd Eye) Charkra – spiritual vision, intuition, understanding and wisdom
· Crown Chakra – clear understanding of the world around us and beyond

Illnesses in the physical body can be associated with blockages in the Chakra energy systems. By practicing yoga, we can help to clear any blockages in the energy system, helping to keep to body healthy and to aid in healing. By opening an energy system we allow the healing energy of prana to flow into it. As our energy systems become clearer, prana is able to flow more freely throughout the body, creating balance in all of the bodily systems.

For the next seven weeks I will post detailed information on each Chakra, and suggest specific yoga postures, breathing techniques and mantras that will help clear the energy system associated with the specific Chakra. We will begin next week with the Root Charkra.

Namaste

The First Noble Truth

2009-10-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

The First Noble Truth - provides a full understanding of Suffering

The Cause of Suffering--samudaya

The principle cause of suffering is the attachment to "desire" or "craving", tanha. Both desire to have (wanting) and desire not to have (aversion).

Desire for sense-pleasures--kama-tanha, which manifests itself as wanting to have pleasant experiences; the taste of good food, sexual experiences, good music, getting high or drunk, etc.
Desire to become--bhava-tanha, is the ambition that comes with wanting attainments or recognition or fame. It is the craving to “be somebody” at to get attention.
Desire to get rid of--vibhava-tanha, is our desire to eliminate unpleasant experiences in life: unpleasant sensations, anger, fear, jealousy.
The clinging to desire comes from our experience that short-term satisfaction comes from following desire. We ignore the fact that satisfying our desires doesn't bring an end to them.

Everyone is aware of suffering and knows when they have unpleasant sensations such as hunger, cold, or sickness and recognize these as things that one doesn't like. But the first noble truth includes awareness of all the ramifications of suffering because it encompasses the very nature and essence of suffering. This includes knowledge of the subtle and the obvious aspects of suffering. The obvious aspect of suffering is immediate pain or difficulty in the moment. Subtle suffering is more difficult to understand because it begins with happiness. But by its very nature, this happiness must change because it cannot go on forever. Because it must change into suffering, then subtle suffering is the non-permanence of pleasure.

Collective Flow w/Coral Brown

2009-10-05T09:43:00.001-07:00

Presented by the Dharma Connection:

We will flow in a creative, dynamic method based upon vinyasa drama (stages of evolution). Therefore, this practice is open to yogis of all levels. Within this class, multi-dimensional sequencing will allow us to integrate standing poses, backbends, forward bends, twists and hip openers. Using the four movements of Prana to provide the experience of energetic alignment within the flow will lead to the cultivation of the fluid body.

When: Saturday, October 17th 2-4:30 pm
Where: The Dharma Connection
6 Merchants Road, Unit #8
Sandwich, MA 02563

REGISTER ONLINE

email: info @dharmaconnection.com
phone: (508) 296-3619

Pre-registration is required as space is limited

Cost: $35

Coral Brown, MA has been teaching yoga for 9 years. As a 500 eRYT certified senior teacher trainer for Shiva Rea, she travels the world teaching Prana Flow (an energetic, creative, full-spectrum approach to embodying the flow of yoga cultivated by Shiva Rea). Coral is known for fusing her experience as a Holistic Counselor into her teachings. Her body, mind, spirit approach to psychology invites students to BE in their bodies so that they may consciously release physical and emotional tension. Coral’s infectious spirit enables students to find their balance through the joy of practicing Prana Flow yoga. Coral received her Masters of Arts from Salve Regina University’s Holistic Counseling program.

Help Support Yoga for Women in Recovery

2009-06-19T07:05:00.000-07:00

One of the reasons I decided to become a yoga teacher was so that I could "help" others in the community to find the amazing benefits of yoga. My personal experiences in life have led me to take a special interest in helping those that are often underserved in our community, including individuals that have lived on self-destructive paths...including those with substance abuse issues.

Addictions, including those involving alcohol and drug abuse are part of a distinctive pattern of psychological dependency. Therefore, in order to "recover" from addiction, this pattern must be addressed through dedicated efforts to contact the true Self. From this perspective, 12-step programs are like an introduction to the vast subject of Yoga - in particular a combination of the 4 classical Paths of Yoga (Raja, Karma, Bhakti and Jnana Yoga).

Raja Yoga is represented by the Eight-fold Path and bears a striking resemblance to the suggested personal recovery work outlined in the 12 Steps which both suggest Meditation as a sure method of consciously connecting with our Higher Power/Self.

Meditation is preceded in Raja Yoga by purification through practice of the yamas, niyamas, asanas which is very similar to the first 10 steps of which require moral inventory, confession of personality defects and restitution to those harmed. Helpfulness to others and the necessity of belief in and dependence upon God in the 12 Step Program are the tenets of Karma Yoga (selfless service) and Bhakti Yoga (devotion). Jnana Yoga is affirming our True Self; once we realize our True Nature, all psychological problems are removed at the roots. Affirmation of, and identification with the Self removes all cravings, self-esteem problems and self-destructive behaviors.

These Yogic paths towards Self-realization are revealed through the practice of the 5 principles of Yoga as summarized by great Yoga Master Swami Vishnu devananda:

Proper exercise
Proper breathing
Proper relaxation
Proper diet
Positive Thinking and Meditation

Combining the 5 Points of Yoga, the Yogic psychology of how to deal with the mind and the Yogic philosophy of the Self with the practice of the principles of the 12 steps offers a sure path away from self-destruction to Self-realization - one day at a time.

Given the strong correlations between the yogic path and the most widely accepted method of treating addtions --- 12 Step Programs, I've spent some of my free time helping women with addictions and supporting YogaHope. This organization does amazing work for hundreds of women living in treatment centers, half-way houses, and domestic abuse shelters. They are currently seeking help raising funds and I received this email today from Susan Jones, the founder of YogaHope.

Please join me in supporting this amazing organization. If you know a woman that is struggling with an addiction that could benefit from a yogic lifestyle, please encourage them to attend a class at the Dharma Connection. We will be offering a yoga and the 12-steps of recovery workshop on July 31, 2009 @ 7:30 pm, which will accept students regardless of their ability to pay. The only requirement for attending the workshop is that they must be actively involved in a 12-step program and not actively using their drug of choice. Learn More

Email from Susan:

Even though we are in the middle of one of the worst economic climates in decades, we are truly blessed that so many of you feel strongly connected with our mission of helping underserved women through the transitional practice of yoga.

This past year has been an exercise in trust and faith for our organization. Through the hard work and dedication of our Board of Directors, team of volunteers, small staff and supporters like you we were able to reach many significant milestones but we need help in closing the gap in our Fiscal Year End budget!

Stakes are high for everyone during hard economic times, and even more so for women in recovery! I am appealing to you to give now, even if it's less than you would like to!

We are looking to raise $10,000 by June 30th, but we can't do it without your help. Every dollar you give is crucial to continuing the important and innovative work we do!

yogaHOPE is an important part of stopping the cycle of substance abuse. Through our new Yoga and Addiction Recovery Initiative (YARI), we hope to integrate rehabilitative yoga/mindfulness programs with the recovery treatment process to help women learn to manage the emotional difficulties that surface during treatment. As a result of the YARI initiative we hope to be a permanent, wide-reaching presence in treatment centers here in Massachusetts.

Just imagine the impact if every woman in recovery had access to regular yoga/mindfulness programs!

The end of the fiscal year will be upon us before you know it! Help us meet our fiscal year end fundraising goal by making a gift to yogaHOPE right now.

Why wait?

$50-$100 = helps us helps us provide one week of classes for women who could greatly benefit from yogaHOPE's therapeutic yoga program.

$100-$200 = helps us provide mats, workbooks and other support materials for yogaHOPE classes.

$500-$1000 = helps us recruit and train volunteers to teach our populations from a place of authenticity and compassion during our 24 week yoga program to ensure the best possible outcome for transformation and healing.

$1200-$2400 = helps us support our students, facilities and our volunteer teaching team to ensure that the yogaHOPE program has longevity and success long after our women leave their residential facilities.

If yoga changed your life, why not help it change theirs!!

Please make a gift now

How to I avoid getting sleepy or falling asleep during my daily meditation?

2009-06-18T07:52:00.000-07:00

When beginning a meditation practice there are many obstacles that can hinder the experience and frustrate the practitioner. Some of the more common issues that arise are sleepiness that ranges from feeling tired to actually falling asleep, distractions from noise and other things in your surroundings, and feelings of pain or discomfort in the body.

Perhaps you are a person that can fall asleep anytime, in any place, whether sitting or lying down. This is great on long plane rides, but certainly not very helpful when trying to meditate. This type of individual will find meditation without a mantra or object of focus difficult because the minute the body becomes still and the mind becomes quiet sleep is likely to occur.

Ironically, many who report sleepiness during meditation also observe that they are easily distracted by noise, movement and bright light creating the need for an environment that is softly lit, quiet and comfortable---the very things that make us feel immediately cozy and tired!

On the surface, one may become frustrated and feel that they will never be able to settle down without sleeping, thus they are incapable of gaining the benefits of a meditation practice. This is NOT true. There are several techniques that can be used to help alleviate sleepiness and distraction, allowing one to meditate successfully.

To begin, think about the environment…quiet is good but soft instrumental music may help drown out some of the outside noise without bringing complete silence. Opt for soft lighting in the room rather than complete darkness. Also, try using a seated, cross-legged (easy pose) posture and avoid lying on your back. If this isn’t comfortable for you, perhaps sitting on a block, blanket or meditation bench, or propping your back against a wall will help.

If you find yourself becoming drowsy, try holding your breath for a few seconds. Do this a few times, which will usually wake you up fairly quickly. If that doesn’t work, you can stand up and switch to a walking meditation for a few minutes and return to a seated mediation as you become more alert.

Try to observe your feelings no matter what they are, without reacting or becoming frustrated. It’s possible that you just don’t get enough sleep, but it could also be a form of passive resistance to the positive changes meditation can bring.

You will find yourself going through periods of cleansing and clarity, but remember you are doing nothing wrong when you become tired. This is considered very normal and only serves to enable you to relax more and improve the quality of your meditation. We all live much more pressured and busy lives, so it’s much harder to calm the constant noises in our heads. Give yourself the gift of taking this time out, allowing your mind to drift into calmness without guilt. Once we can do this, we benefit and become more productive in all areas of our lives.

During meditation you may drift away from your mantra and think of things from your present, past or future life. Acknowledge these thoughts, don't try to resolve them and they will float by so that you can deal with them at a more suitable time.

New to Pranayama?

2009-06-15T13:04:00.000-07:00

In Yoga we practice Pranayama (breathing exercises) as part of our practice. Many of those new to yoga don't really understand what Pranayama is all about.

Life Energy is called prana (pran-nah). In Sanskrit, the word for breath is the same as the word for life – prana. The first thing we do when we enter the world is inhale. The last thing we do in life is exhale. The breath is a metaphor for life energy. In yoga, we seek to sustain and enhance the life force as much as possible –absorbing as much prana through breath, food, visual surroundings, sound, and all of our senses as possible. The most significant way of doing this is through the practice of pranayama breathing techniques or breath control. Yama is translated as control, or discipline, regulation or mastery. Hence, some translate the meaning of pranayama as breath control. Ayama is expansion, growth, extension, augmentation or magnification; often translated as “expansion of life force.” Both are loosely translated as breath control but try to remember that there is much more behind the translation.

The breath is seen by the yogi as an important link between our body, our mind, and our spirit – moving from the purely physical realm, to the mental, and the spiritual.

Those new to breath work often need a "simple" pranayama to get them going. Most beginners do well with Dirgha Breath, also known as 3-part breathing.

Pranyama -Dirgha Breath

Known as the "complete" or "three-part" breath, dirgha pranayama teaches how to fill the three chambers of the lungs, beginning with the lower lungs, then moving up through the thoracic region and into the clavicular region.

Benefits:
Promotes proper diaphragmatic breathing, relaxes the mind and body, oxygenates the blood and purges the lungs of residual carbon dioxide.

How to:

Sit with your spine erect on the floor, or on a meditation bench or yoga block. You can also lie comfortably on your back if you have difficulty sitting, or lean against a wall. Begin by taking long, slow, and deep breaths through the nostrils.
1. As you inhale, allow the belly to fill with air, drawing air deep into the lower lungs. As you exhale, allow the belly to deflate like a balloon. Repeat several times, keeping the breath smooth and relaxed, and never straining. Repeat several times.

2. Breathe into your belly as in Step #1, but also expand the mid-chest region by allowing the rib cage to open outward to the sides. Exhale and repeat several times.

3. Follow steps #1 and #2 and continue inhaling by opening the clavicular region or upper chest. Exhale and repeat.

4.Combine all three steps into one continuous or complete flow allowing the belly, mid-chest, and upper chest to fill with air each time you inhale. Exhaling from all 3 regions.

This is a basic yogic breath that is great place for most beginners to start developing a pranayama practice. Dirgha breath can be incorporated into many asanas that are practiced during yoga class.

What is Yoga?

2009-06-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

Yoga is an ancient system of relaxation, exercise and healing with origins in Indian philosophy. Yoga has been described as "the union of mind, body, and spirit," which addresses physical, mental, intellectual, emotional and spiritual dimensions toward an overall harmonious state of being. In some types of yoga, the philosophy is sometimes pictured as a tree with eight branches, known as the 8 Limbs of Yoga. These limbs are:

Pranayama (breathing exercises)
Asana (physical postures)

Yama (moral behavior)

Niyama (healthy habit)

Dharana (concentration)

Pratyahara (sense withdrawal)

Dhyana (contemplation)

Samadhi (higher consciousness)

There are several types of yoga, including hatha yoga, karma yoga, bhakti yoga and raja yoga. These types vary in the proportions of the eight limbs. In the United States and Europe, hatha yoga is commonly practiced, including pranayama and asana.

Yoga is often practiced by healthy individuals with the aim to achieve relaxation, fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Yoga may be practiced alone, or with a group. . It is suggested the new yoga students find a teacher that is certified through the Yoga Alliance to be sure that they have had proper training.

The Yoga Alliance is the most highly recognized organization that offers certifications for yoga teachers throughout the world. They register both individual yoga teachers and yoga teacher training programs (schools) who have complied with minimum educational standards established by the organization.
Please visit www.yogaalliance.com to locate registered teachers and schools, or for general information about yoga.

2009-06-09T12:09:00.000-07:00

What yoga can do for you

Physical Benefits: Creates a strong, flexible, and toned body. A regular daily practice improves respiration, energy, and vitality, while it helps to balance metabolism. Promotes cardio and circulatory health. Relieves pain. Helps you look and feel younger than your age. Improves your athletic performance.

Mental Benefits: Yoga helps you to relax and handle stressful situations more easily. Through meditation and breath work you’ll learn to quiet the mind, allowing energy to be focused where you want it to go - into a difficult yoga pose, on the golf course, or in the office. Following a yogic path encourages positive thoughts, self-love, and tolerance of others.

Spiritual Benefits: As you deepen your practice, you’ll notice increased awareness of your body, your feelings, the world around you, and the needs of others. Yoga promotes interdependence between mind, body, and spirit; helping you to live the concept of "oneness."