Surya Center for Yoga

We love FRIENDS!

During the month of July, bring a friend for FREE

Each time you bring a friend, both you and your friend get to enter our drawing to win a month of yoga and dinner for 2 at Ole's Restaurant!

Let's face it: Some yoga poses taste a little bit sweeter than others. And if yoga were a smorgasbord, restorative postures would most definitely be at the dessert table. These soothing and well-supported poses offer us the opportunity to linger quietly for a few moments and savor the simple sweetness of life.

In an ideal world every asana would feel restorative. But those that fall into the special category of restorative poses have a particular ability to leave us nourished and well rested. These postures are usually deeply supported by blankets, blocks, or other props and are held for several minutes at a time.

Restorative practice is a necessary part of a regular yoga practice. Whether you choose to practice in a class or on your own at home, giving yourself the time and space for rest is crucial in our hurry-up lives.

Start out with a few minutes of gentle movement before settling into a restorative pose or practice. A little stretching will warm the muscles and create space in the body to prepare it for relaxation. Movement will also give your body a chance to shed its restlessness and busy-ness before settling into a place of stillness.

Don't skimp on the props. Blocks, straps, blankets, balls, towels, chairs, walls, sandbags, eye bags, and pillows are all considered fair game when supporting yourself in these poses. The more fully your body is supported, the deeper your sense of relaxation and surrender will be.

Incorporate restoratives into your yoga practice in a balanced way. You might be inspired to include just one or two restorative postures in your daily practice. Or you may choose to devote one entire practice each week to restoratives.

Surya offers restorative yoga twice a week, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:15pm.

Although they look peaceful, restoratives can be challenging for beginners. Just because the body rests quietly doesn't mean the mind will settle into stillness too. Be patient, and be prepared for days when every inch of you rebels.

In time and with practice, you will be rewarded with the ability to drop with ease into a place of deep contentment. This is what yoga is all about, after all: stilling our fidgety bodies and calming our rambling minds so that we may rest quietly in the present moment and see clearly the peace that resides within.

Source - YogaJournal.com

Intro to Yoga Series
Saturdays, July 12, 19 and 26
1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
$30

Are you interested in learning about yoga but not sure where to begin or what to expect? The Introduction to Yoga Series is the perfect answer. In this Beginner's Series we will cover the basic poses, breathing, meditation, and relaxation. No prior yoga experience is necessary.

Register Here!

The Art of Living Course
Practical Wisdom for Getting the Most Out of Life
Aug. 8-10 and 15-17

The Art of Living Foundation offers a unique stress management program that combines powerful breathing techniques, meditation, and yoga along with practical wisdom.

This experiential workshop includes interactive processes, group exercises, and other activities that kindle insight into the laws that govern the mind and emotions.

Benefits:

• A higher state of health and well-being
• Mental and emotional clarity
• Harmony in relationships
• Life skills for handling challenges
• A deeper spiritual connection

Name Change

We have changed the Tuesday/Thursday Power Yoga class to Divine Yoga. Power Yoga didn't really fit this class, so it now has a name that does.

Divine Yoga - (90 min.) Tuesday and Thursdays 9-10:30am. A challenging Anusara®-inspired class that embraces Attitude, Alignment, and Action and blends awakening the heart with precise principles of alignment. May include advanced postures, arm balances, and inversions. Prior yoga experience is recommended, but not required.

Class Cancellation

There will be no classes on Friday, July 4.
There will be no Friday Open Yoga, 6-7pm on Friday, July 11.

Just Arrived!

Surya Center for Yoga's very own Yoga Nidra CDs
Pick up your own copy of the practice of yoga nidra, guided by Shanon and Lisa. A steal at only $6!

What Students are Saying:

For any of you who have trouble decompressing after work, destressing after a full day of kids, relaxing after going 10 rounds with your spouse, or sleeping, I have a great recommendation for you. Shanon and Lisa have made a Yoga Nidra CD and it's like manna from heaven.

First of all , Shanon's voice has a hypnotic quality to it (those of you who have taken her classes and relaxed through her shavasanas know what I mean) and Lisa's easy going manner... well I can't finish because... quite frankly, I fall asleep. And for me, that is a big deal.

I mean a really big deal because I am a problem sleeper -- I don't usually fall asleep until 3:00 or 4:00 a.m. In fact I actually took one of Jackie's 5:30 a.m. classes because I hadn't fallen asleep.

So, I'm listening to the Yoga Nidra CD, getting really relaxed and the next thing I know, my 6lb Persian cat pounces on my stomach knocking the breath out of me, jolting me out of my peaceful slumber howling like a mountain lion for the midnight snack that she has gotten every night at midnight for the 19 years I've had her. See, it was after 1:00 a.m. and I was asleep. I haven't been asleep that early since my age hit double digits.

All I know is that the Yoga Nidra CD really helped me and I say if you need help relaxing and destressing: RUN, don't walk to get one of Shanon and Lisa's Yoga Nidra CDs.

Now Available at Surya

We now carry Justin's Natural Almond Butter Squeeze packs.

These great on the go snack with a piece of Fruit, and are a healthy addition to any nutritional program. This natural product is Kosher & Vegan, High in Protien, Easy to spread, No Hydrogenated Oils, Cholesterol Free, No Trans Fat, and a Gluten & Dairy-free Food. What more can you ask for in a healthy snack.

We carry Maple Flavor. Just $1.00 per squeeze pack. Enjoy!

Meditation Practice

Committing to a daily meditation practice is one of the most wonderful gifts you can give yourself. Time to be with yourself, time to get to know yourself. Time only for you. Even if it's only a few minutes a day, a daily meditation practice can bring transformation to your life. Regular practice has immense benefits: It enables you to experience the present moment more fully and to make conscious choices instead of falling into habitual reactions. Try this three minute practice to get started.

1. First bring yourself into the present moment by consciously choosing an erect and dignified posture. Close your eyes.
2. Now ask yourself, what am I experiencing right now? My bodily sensations, my feelings and emotions, my thoughts. Simply acknowledging and accepting your experience. Even elements that are uncomfortable or unwanted. And if you find that you are making judgments about your experience, then just note that this is what is going on right now.
3. And now, with gentleness, bring your full awareness to the breath. Follow the rise and fall of each in breath and out breath.
4. And if you find that your attention has wandered, bring it, with kindness and patience, back to the breath.
5. On the exhale, particularly notice the sense of letting go. Notice a sense of settling, a sense of grounding. Feel the body being pulled into the earth. Notice any other sensations of the exhale.
6. Allow the breath to be an anchor to bring you back into the present moment and to help you tune into a state of awareness and calmness. And so now, expanding the feeling of awareness around the breathing, become aware of the body as a whole, aware of your posture, your facial expressions, noticing your thoughts, your emotions, and what’s happening in the world around you. Letting go of any judgments and simply noticing what sensations are present in this very moment.
7. Come out of the meditation by taking a few deep breaths, feel yourself refreshed and energized.

Chiropractic Complements Yoga

As practitioners of yoga, we understand the importance of a strong, flexible spine.

Yoga keeps us fit, increases our energy levels, and contributes to our overall sense of well-being. However, the strains of our daily routines and occasional overuse may cause our spines to slip out of alignment. This can limit our ability to maintain our practice and do the things we enjoy.

If you find yourself in this type of situation, it may be a comfort to know that it is possible to get relief without resorting to expensive medications. Chiropractic care complements yoga in significant ways. Chiropractic care can help keep your spine aligned, restore a greater range of motion, and relieve pain. If you are interested in finding out more about the benefits of chiropractic please contact Maura Notwick, Chiropractic Intern and fellow yogini at Parker College Chiropractic Wellness Clinic, Irving Tx, (215) 932-2715.

If you have a business or interest and would like to be highlighted in our monthly newsletter, please contact us at email@suryacenteryoga.com

The winner of the gift basket from Barcelona Bath and Body is Marcella Nation and the winner of the "Bring a Friend in June" free month of yoga and free massage is Kimberly Bethel. Congratulations!