Last Night's Class

Okay, it was incredible. The class at the WRAC was the first time my entire family was in the same yoga class together! I lead the Sun Salutations---by the way the days are now getting longer---my son Luke did standing poses and a grueling lunge series and my daughter-in-law Katie lead the floor and finishing poses---my hips may never be the same. We used my son Dylan's music for the class. It is called "Lean, mean, yoga machine" and it is available on Itunes. Sweet, sweet class. Lots of sweat, joy, and bliss. The plan is to spread it around.

Luke is working his schedule to teach with me again tomorrow, Wednesday, December 23d at 6:45 pm at the WRAC. Come and enjoy!

Namaste,


Dean

Days Are Getting Shorter

We are moving close to the Winter Solstice and it seems so appropriate to hit the mat with some Surya Namaskara's. Have the intention of doing 5 a day!

Namaste,

Dean

Winter Yoga

It is 2 weeks before Christmas. Time to really focus on the breath to be able to enjoy all the good things going on around you. I'm especially trying to stay aware when I partake of the incredible food available in abundance this time of year by taking at least a single 3 part breath before each time I eat. The breath can pull me into awareness and acceptance---a good thing. Give it a try but go easy on yourself. Personally, I find this practice very difficult. Simple does not mean easy.

Classes start up again at Wenatchee Valley College on Tuesday, January 5, 2010! Power Yoga is at 5:30 and the gentle class, Back Yoga, begins at 6:30. Last day of class is March 9. Register online by going to http://www.wvc.edu/. The classes are under Continuing Education, Health and Wellness.

Power Yoga classes are on-going at the WRAC every Monday and Wednesday at 6:45 pm including December 21, 23, 28, and the 30th. Come out of the cold and do some yoga!

I started looking at asanas that were specific for skiing and ended up with enough for a full class! Seems that the lengthening, strengthening, focus, and breath work of Power Yoga are just what you need to take with you when you head up to the hill. If you plan on skiing this winter---come to class before and after!

Namaste,

Dean

WRAC Open House Tomorrow

Come check out the WRAC Tomorrow, December 5 and take a free 2 hour class from 12:30-2:30 pm. It will be a half hour each of Zumba, Cycling, Group Power, and then Power Yoga.

The WRAC is located at 1913 Skyline Dr., Wenatchee. The phone number is 509-662-3544.

Namaste,


Dean

YOGA THIS WEEK!

I seem to be running behind schedule on everything including letting people know when class is. It is time to concentrate on the breath and let go. Om Shanti.

There will be Power Yoga Class today and next Tuesday at Wenatchee Valley College in the Campus Theater at 5:30 pm. These are make-up, free classes so bring your friends or anyone that wants to try out the class.

Also, this coming Saturday, December 5, there is a holiday open-house at the WRAC from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. There will be 30 minute demonstration classes including Power Yoga. Check out the WRAC and take a free Zumba, Group Power, Cycle and of course, a Power Yoga Class.

Keep the peace and bliss flowing!

Dean

Non-attachment and the mouse

I just saw a study that claimed that 1 in 5 people have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. If they included non-diagnosed people with wrist pain, it would probably bring the group of wrist sufferers to just about everyone who uses a computer. Using a mouse and key board can make your wrists tighten up and cause pain.

Take a breath, let go of your mouse, and try these simple wrist asanas.

1. Windshield Wiper Wrists. Sitting, place your forearms on your desk and make fists with thumbs up. Bend at the wrist and move your fists like windshield wipers. Breathe deep and shake your hands out when you finish.

2. Prayer Behind the Back. Make prayer hands behind your back with fingers going upward. Breathing deeply slowly move your hands up the spine. Let your shoulders drop and breathe into your open heart.

3. Talk To the Hand and Limp Wrist. Extend your arms forward and flex your wrists in a "Halt" position. Breathe in, stretch your fingers and push into your hands. On the exhale point your fingers downward.

4. Do Wrist Circles in both directions.

5. Savasana Wrists. Drop your hands to your sides, shake them out and loosen your shoulders. Close your eyes for just a few minutes and send loving, warm energy into your relaxed wrists.

Namaste,

Dean

Fire Salutation

This one gets your fire going whether the room is heated or not! Concentrate on your breath keeping it smooth, deep and flowing. Do it quick or do it slow, make it your dance!

Agni Namaskara---Fire Salutation

Start standing in Tadasana

On an exhale fold over into Uttanasana

Inhale keep your hands down, look up and flatten your back

Lunge taking your right foot back looking forward

Put your right hand down, lift your left arm up, turn and look toward your left hand---Parivritta Parsvakonasana

Switch arms, right arm up, left arm down---Utthita Parsvakonasana

Both hands come down to the floor as you push through into Down Dog---Adho Mukha Svanasana

Exhale as you drop knees, chest, chin down to the floor, rear in the air moving into into Ashtanga Namaskara

Lower completely down to the floor and place your hands under shoulders, elbows in tight, inhale and come to Cobra Pose---Bhujanghasana

Inhale and push yourself back to Down Dog---Adho Mukha Svanasana----take a big exhale

Keeping your toes kept curled under, flow through to Up Dog on an inhale and on the next exhale move back to Down Dog, keeping the movement going for 5 breaths---Urdhva Mukha Svanasna Kriya 5 X

Lunge again---right leg forward looking forward

As you exhale, bring the left foot up next to the right bending over in Uttanasana

Inhale to look up and flatten your back, exhale back down

Huge inhale to standing---Tadasana

Hands together in front of your heart on an exhale---Samasthiti

Woo Hoo! You've got another side. Repeat the series.

Namaste,

Dean