September!

Where have I been? Busy enjoying the summer but it is time to get into September. Yoga sutra 1:1, "Atha Yoga Anushasanam!" Now begins the study of yoga!

On Tuesday, September 13, at 5:30 pm, I start leading a Basic Yoga Flow practice at the WRAC. It is 40-45 minutes of bliss! The practice moves at a gentler and slower speed than my Power Class but you still get stronger, more flexible, and dump some stress along the way. The asanas and the progression through them will pretty much stay the same from class to class (with maybe a few surprises) so it is a comfortable practice as well.

I'm still teaching Hot Power Yoga at 6:45 pm on Monday and Wednesdays.

If you want a pass for 3 free classes just let me know!

I went to the R.I.P.P.E.D instructor training last weekend. It was a blast! It shot me right out of my comfort zone---always a good thing! The workout is based on high intensity interval training so it MOVES! Take a look at rippedusa.com.

Speaking of ripped, now go read this article by Tim Henriques on steady-state walking---the opposite of high intenisty interval training.

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/most_recent/get_ripped_get_walking

Greet the day and the new month with a deep breath and gratitude!

Namaste,

Dean

Last night at WVC

The lesson last night was practicing flexibility in all forms.

The room had been double booked and it seems no one had been told. The Power Class went with me to another location off campus but unfortunately the message didn't get to the Back/Gentle Class and they went home. My sincerest apologies.

For the next 3 weeks, the Tuesday night classes will be in Van Tassel in the room across from the cafeteria entrance. That's where we held the first class of the quarter.

Again, I apologize for the mix up. Things should be better for the rest of the quarter. If you have friends or family that would like to try the class---please bring them!

I'll make the Back Class a little longer for the rest of the quarter to make up for the missed class.

I've decided to take a break from teaching at the college. I won't be offering my class either Spring or Summer Quarter. You are always welcome at the WRAC. Come try it out for free. Just tell the front desk you are my guest and you want to try a class. If you decide to continue, the classes only cost $8. It is a great deal.

Namaste,

Dean

WVC Class Starts Tonight

We're starting a new quarter at WVC tonight. It is 5:30 pm for Power and the Back/Gentler Class is at 6:45. There is still time to show up and still time to register even if you can't make it tonight. This class relies mostly on word-of-mouth, so please tell your friends about it. Go to www.wvc.edu and hit Continuing Education.

Tonight's class will not be in the Campus Theater. The Drama department needs the stage just for tonight. Our class will be in Van Tassell in the conference room right across from the Cafeteria. It is a great room with windows. The rest of the classes should be back in the Campus Theater.

I did a bunch of Chatturangas earlier today so my triceps are talking to me. Telling them, "Thanks for sharing," isn't quite getting them to stop complaining. Speaking of talking to your body, try just for a day to talk to your body with encouragement and love. Tell it how great it is. Tell it how much you love it, even if you don't. Everyone does better with encouragement and praise. How about you give it to your body and see what happens? One day---how easy is that?

I hope to see some of you tonight out at WVC!

Namaste,

Dean

New Year's Day Practice

I'm scheduled to teach the Saturday Morning Yoga Class at the WRAC on January 1, 2011. Please make plans now to join me starting 2011 out right---on our hands and knees!

www.wrac.org



Namaste,

Dean

Breathe

There was a cool story on NPR this morning called---Just Breathe: Body has a built-in stress reliever. View it at: http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131734718/just-breathe-body-has-a-built-in-stress-reliever?ps=cprs

I love this quote from Esther Sternberg, researcher at the National Institute of Mental Health.

"The relaxation response is controlled by another set of nerves — the main nerve being the Vagus nerve. Think of a car throttling down the highway at 120 miles an hour. That's the stress response, and the Vagus nerve is the brake," says Sternberg. "When you are stressed, you have your foot on the gas, pedal to the floor. When you take slow, deep breaths, that is what is engaging the brake."

Registration is open at Wenatchee Valley College for Winter Quarter. Please spread the word and tell your friends to come try it.

In the meantime, take a breath, and as we head down toward the Solstice, do some Sun Salutations/Surya Namaskara!

Namaste,

Dean

End of Summer Quarter at WVC

August 24 is the last class for the Summer Quarter at WVC. You can go to their website and sign up for Fall Quarter now!

Last week both classes were held outside. It was incredible. Balance takes on a whole new meaning standing on uneven ground. What a great lesson! It is easy to work on balance when things are stable and the same. When they are uneven and fluctuating it gets a little harder. Hopefully your breath and the intention to practice are constant.

I take a weight-lifting class from Tammi Flynn, who, after having three kids, took third in bodybuilding nationals and one of many things I've learned from her is that if you do the same thing you get the same results. You need to challenge yourself to grow!

I was out-of-town and took a Bikram class. Oddly you do the same poses in every class but the heat is so overwhelming. Let's just say, I was challenged by the change in temperature.

What could you do today to change things up and increase your growth?

Enjoy the rest of the summer!

Namaste,


Dean

Class starts next week

Classes start at Wenatchee Valley College next Tuesday, June 29. Power Yoga is at 5:30 and the gentle, Yoga For Backs class starts at 6:30.

Practicing yoga with a group of wonderful, supportive people in the summer---does it get any better than that?

If you are worried about the Power Yoga class being too much---although you should always do less than you can---come and try it before you register.

To register, go to www.wvc.edu and click on Continuing Education. The classes are under the category, Health and Wellness.

Namaste,

Dean

August Practice #1

Dean’s Practice #1 for August/September 2009

1. Three-Part Breath---do 5

2. Valasana/Cat Flow

3. Side Arm Balance/Vishistasana---keeping your forearm on the floor to work your core

4. Balasana/Child's Pose to Adho Mukha Svanasana/Down Dog

5. Surya Namaskara A---do at least 2

6. Surya Namskara B---do 2 of these also

7. Garudasana---Eagle Pose, right leg over, right arm under, repeat left leg over, left arm under

8. Malasana---squat, hands in prayer position, elbows inside knees, drop your tailbone

9. Vinyasa to Warrior I, Warrior II, Triangle Pose, Twisting Triangle, come forward both hands to your leg or floor and then back up to Warrior I. Vinyasa and repeat on the other side

10. Vinyasa to Down Dog and take your leg through to Pigeon Pose. Come back to Down Dog and then come up to standing

11. Vinyasa to Ardha Dhanurasana/Bow Pose, return to Down Dog and come to standing

12. Vinyasa to Navasana/Boat Pose

13. Janu Sirsasana/Seated with one foot against the opposite leg, then bend forward

14. Upavistha Konasana/Seated Spread Leg Pose, bend forward

15. Purvottanasana/Reverse Table Pose

16. Lying Twist

17. Savasana---relax for at least 5 minutes

Om Shanti

Namaste!

Dean's Summer Schedule

I'm teaching Power Yoga at the WRAC on Monday and Wednesday nights at 6:45 pm.   If you need directions just call them at 509-662-3544. They have a punch card so you don't have to be a member to take class and if you tell them I sent you they will let you try out the class for free.   

The room is heated at 80-85 degrees.  There are mats and hand towels.   This summer we are doing some of the classes outside on the lawn as the weather permits.  

I'm also teaching a Power Yoga Class at Wenatchee Valley College on Tuesday nights at 5:30 pm in the Campus Theater.   The Summer Session ends on August 4 but registration is now open for Fall.   Feel free to drop-in and try the class.  

Back Yoga---a very gentle approach to practicing yoga for people with back or other issues is at 6:30.