Yoga makes you feel good

Check out this article at Science Daily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101111160539.htm

I apologize for making you cut and paste to get there but I'm using Safari. One of these days I'll switch over to Firefox.

The study found that yoga has a greater positive effect on mood and anxiety level than other forms of exercise. You already knew that but nice to have it verified. It seems that yoga increases the level of GABA in the thalamus. The authors suggest that yoga stimulates specific brain areas, thereby giving rise to changes in neurotransmitters such as GABA.

Om.

Have a great weekend!

Namaste,


Dean

Where did May go?

The month of May is going, going, gone and I'm letting it go!

There are two more weeks of classes at Wenatchee Valley College on Tuesday nights. If you know someone that wants to come try it out, please tell them they are welcome to join in the fun. Power at 5:30 and Back at 6:30.

There will be no class Monday night at the WRAC, Memorial Day. We played around with the prep poses for Eka Pada Sirsasana last Wednesday. That was humbling!

I'm recommending the herb Tumeric/Curcumin to everyone. It is one of the spices in curry and is an amazing anti-inflammatory. Do a simple search of either term and be prepared to be amazed.

I hope everyone has a great three day weekend! If there is a break in the weather, do some Surya Namaskaras outside!

Namaste,

Dean

Luke's Pod Cast

Namaste!

Here is the location of my son Luke's pod cast practice: http://www.archive.org/details/SuryaNamaskaraWithSpinalWarmup_789

He also invites you to join his "be happy yoga" Facebook group for additional practices with stick figures.

Go to: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=105926388530

Om Shanti,

Dean

Spring Practice #1

Here is a practice to keep you ready for WVC Class starting April 6


1. Take a breath---actually 5 of them of the 3 part variety
2. Surya Namaskara A---aim for 5 today.
3. Malasana---squat down with elbows inside your knees and hands in prayer----BREATHE!
4. Surya Namaskara B---2!
5. Uttanasana (bend over with interlaced fingers behind your back) and feel your shoulders open and the backs of your legs release.
6. Standing upright, raise your arms, and do a sweet little Back Bend
7. Half bow---Utthita Ardha Dhanurasana---grab the outside of your right foot with your right hand and lift. Left hand is straight up and then forward.
8. Warrior I, Warrior II, Trikonasana (triangle pose) , Parivritta Trikonasana (twisting triangle pose)
9. Come to standing and do a Vinyasa
10. Baddha Konasana--bound angle pose
11. Paschimottonasana---straight leg on the floor pose
12. Udhava Prasarita Padasana---leg raises---as many as you want!
13. Bridge---Setu Bandhasana
14. Lying Twist
15. Savasana


Namaste,


Dean

WVC Spring Quarter Power Yoga Class

If you haven't registered for the Spring Quarter Power Yoga class at WVC---now is the time!

Go to: http://www.wvc.edu/

Class starts on Tuesday, April 6!

Namaste,


Dean

Winter to Spring

Winter Quarter is over at WVC. Spring classes start up again on April 6. Keep practicing until then. I'll post workouts the next few days to give you some ideas for your own practice.

For now---do 5 Surya Namaskara A's and then 2 Surya Namaskara B's and breathe DEEP!

Namaste,

Dean

Happy 2010!

Winter Quarter class starts tonight at Wenatchee Valley College! It will be great to see everyone. If you know someone on the edge of trying the class have them come and try it out before they sign up. As of this morning, there were still places in both the Vinyasa Power Yoga Class and the Back Yoga Class. We'll do Surya Namaskaras---Sun Salutations---until it is suddenly Spring!

Namaste,

Dean

Is it working?

Maybe it is enough to just remind ourselves that no matter however we perform these 5,000 year-old poses they work.

Sometimes I think I haven't progressed at all. I have a lot of the same old obstacles in my practice and my life. My inner dialog usually runs something like this: "You know nothing. How could you possibly teach? Your hips are tighter than ever. You sweat too much. You aren't breathing correctly. Stop enjoying this. Why aren't you enjoying this? Your life is a mess. Look in the mirror. Stop looking in the mirror."

For me the self-criticizing inner voice is where the struggle really is and thank God for the mat. Right there, on the floor, I'm confronted by my ever present fearful and critical self. That voice is unforgiving, never satisfied, and a task master. It is voice of the ego. I know that no matter what pose I'm in, my task is to be aware of that voice and accept it for what it is. I am not that voice. I can't fight it, I can only breathe into it and allow it to slowly quiet down.

The incredible thing about yoga is that no matter how we approach it, it works. What ever position we are in, we're going to come right up against our egos, who think they are running the show and our bodies. The wonderful thing is that there is something else in us that is loving, accepting, and on our side. As we quiet the ego, there it is, just a breath away.

Namaste,

Dean

Get on your mat

Home Practice 2

1. On your back, feet flat on the floor knees up---breathing in and then pressing the lower back into the floor on the exhale 8x
2. Same position, three part breath 5x (Dirgha Pranayama)
3. Roll over onto all fours coming into Child’s Pose
4. From here come to Down Dog/Adho Mukha Svanasana
5. Uttanasana---standing bent over and grabbing elbows releasing the back
6. Slowly come up into Tadasana.
7. Surya Namaskara A---take it slow for 2x
8. Surya Namaskara B---2x ending in Down Dog
9. Come to standing and Side Bend on both sides
10. Simple Balancing pose---Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana/peace fingers grab your big toe and extend
11. Vinyasa into Warrior I, Warrior II, Reverse Warrior, Triangle and Reverse Triangle,
12. Repeat other side---Warrior I, Warrior II, Triangle, Reverse Triangle
13. Lunge to Prayer Twist and then to Eka Pada Raja Kapotanasana/Pigeon---then repeat on the other side
14. Come to standing and then Vinyasa down to a seated position
15. Paschimottanasana/Seated Forward Fold
16. Navasana/Boat Pose----work those abs
17. Roll onto your back for Lying Twist
18. Savasana
19. NAMASTE!

Fall Schedule 2009

Summer is finishing up. Last class for Wenatchee Valley College is Tuesday, August 4. I'll post a weekly workout here until the next quarter starts so check back.

Fall quarter starts on Tuesday September 22. Power Yoga is at 5:30 in the Campus Theater and Back Yoga is at 6:30. Email me if you have any questions.

The Power Yoga class is $69 for 10 classes. It works out to under $7.00 per class!

Parking is best in the parking lot behind the Library/Campus Theater and you don't need a parking pass after 5 pm. Take a turn onto Nelson off Ninth St.

Go here to register: http://www.wvc.edu/ Take the Quick Jump to Continuing Education.

I am also teaching Power Yoga at the WRAC at 6:45 pm Monday and Wednesdays. Call them at 509-662-3544. Tell them you want to try out the class and they will usually let you try it for free.