YOGA CONNECTION

NEWS & INFORMATION

 

RECENT MIAMI HERALD ARTICLE ON LEBRON JAMES AND HIS FITNESS "SECRET"!
May 2011

LeBRON JAMES FITNESS SECRET IS OUT!

LeBron James’ rare mix of endurance and defensive versatility has been one of the Heat’s keys to success this postseason.

James is averaging 43.4 minutes per playoff game during the playoffs, which is second only to Bulls forward Luol Deng (43.5). On Friday, James credited an offseason workout regimen of swimming, yoga and Pilates for his stamina. He logged more than 45 minutes in Game?2 of the Eastern Conference finals and played every minute of the second half.

“Does it work for everybody? I don’t know,” James said Friday. “I’m not a guru about how to be in the best condition — don’t let me sit here and tell you that. But it works for me.”

So, where exactly did James take his yoga and Pilates classes? He kept it a secret Saturday.

“It was back home,” James said. “I can’t tell you exactly where it’s at. It’s a secret place. We hold a secret society over there. We don’t tell many people.”

James’ secret yoga society might in the future include Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. Spoelstra used yoga and Pilates this season to stay in shape and relieve stress. As for communicating with James during games about his star forward’s energy level, Spoelstra said he’s never bothered.

“I never ask him if he’s tired or if he can absorb that many minutes,” Spoelstra said. “He’s a remarkably well-conditioned athlete. In many ways I think he’s a freak of nature. … If we had to play every other day, he could do it.”

James said he took advantage of his time off between Games 2 and 3 and made a point to stay off his legs at night. He said there would be “no way” he could play 45 minutes in back-to-back days. He also added that, in the postseason, “it’s whatever it takes.”

“If I’m out there dogging it and I’m not playing at a high level defensively and I’m not helping the team and I’m playing these big minutes, then I should come out and be on the bench,” James said. “Me just being in good shape and continuing to be out on the court, I try to help the team the best way possible and go from there.”

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December 2010

Many of us think that yoga is simply about asanas or poses. Yoga is not a system of exercise though. Yoga is a philosophy that guides us toward harmony of our minds, bodies, and spirits. Seeking harmony allows us to begin to understand the magic and abundance of life! And when that is felt, our lives are enriched as we begin to live in a state of constant gratitude and love.

THE YOGA CONNECTION is a special studio and we are honored to offer our students many pathways toward complete seeking harmony. As such, we are proud of the many talented instructors that call THE YOGA CONNECTION home. Each one offers a unique gift and has the talent and passion to guide you along with integrity, love, and enlightenment! Our teacher were carefully selected because of their special talents and personalities and training--- making our studio a complete yoga sanctuary offering just about every form of mind & body movement---from gentle to flowing to power.

In order to take advantage of the uniqueness, we encourage you to push beyond your emotional and physical limitations/requirements to truly transcend your practice. The transformation will only be complete when you are open minded and receptive to the wide menu the studio offers--including the different studios, the different classes featuring varied styles of yoga and Pilates, and the amazingly different teachers. Different means you have the wonderful opportunity to learn and grow from the best!

We hope you have noticed that the studio has been going through its own growth and transformation lately with fresh paint, beautiful new retail merchandise and plants, and new classes/teachers. As such, and as many of you know we have done in the past, we are also growing and changing for the better. Life is about change and embracing it, and THE YOGA CONNECTION strives to bring our students along each step of the way.

We invite you to enjoy the enhanced environment and to get to know our new instructors and try their classes...you will not be disappointed! Let go of any preconceived notions or "likes and dislikes" you may have as these keep you stuck and disappointed, instead of open and moving forward. Join us in the process of self realization and growth. Do not become overly attached to one class, one teacher, or even one studio over the other. If you have only practiced in the heated room, give the classes in studio 1 a chance! If you have not tried hot yoga, explore that setting for a change. Most importantly, do not become so attached to one class or studio or instructor ...."addiction" is not part of the yoga experience! Speaking of the heaters, remember that they should serve as just one aspect of your yoga experience. The heaters or temperature should never be allowed to become the overriding factor. Our heated studio is regulated by a state-of-the-art system that controls the temperature to an ideal level for optimal performance, health, safety and enjoyment in an environment that is designed to circulate heat and oxygen for perfect balance and practice.

Yoga is about opening your minds and hearts and bodies to experience different possibilities. These possibilities will ultimately allow you to expand your horizons!

 

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"Yoga is a way of moving into stillness

 in order to experience the truth of who you are."

                                                                                           Erich Schiffmann

 

(from our very first newsletter)

            It seems appropriate to begin with a brief discussion of how and why we start yoga.  We seem to all have different personal, yet similar, reasons, but most of us seem driven to achieve our highest potential.  There are many of us suffering from physical conditions, both structural and internal.  Some of us desire stress reduction, mood improvement, healing of grief.  Others are looking for focus, concentration, relaxation.  And while most of us desire to improve our physical bodies, we slowly realize that we are improving our entire "Self", for yoga is the practice of realizing your true essence, your true Self.  By focusing your mind, through your breath, you begin to realize that you are more than body and mind.  You are spirit, and yoga enables you to truly connect with your spiritual Self. 

            Our philosophy at Yoga Connection is to offer the practice of many styles of yoga, pilates, relaxation.  We believe that no style is "better" than another.  Instead, the goals and benefits of every yoga style are the same.  So we encourage our students to take advantage of all of the many classes that we offer here.  If your schedule permits you to be here, take any class given at that time.  It makes no difference if you're a beginner or not, yoga is not a competitive practice and you are not required to "keep up".  We have all started our yoga practice at our own individual starting places.  Some of us are more physically flexible than others, some are more mentally flexible than others.  Some of us have more focus and balance in our lives, while others have more strength.  We all have our own individual strengths and weaknesses, and they are not to be judged.  Through the consistent practice of yoga, we learn not to judge ourselves or others, but only to work to improve ourselves.

            We continually stress that there is no competition in yoga.  It is an individual practice, honoringyourself.  Many of us are a bit afraid to enter our first yoga class, not knowing what to expect.  Be patient.  There is a lot of information and a lot to learn.  Your only job is to make yoga a consistent part of your life, and it will miraculously transform your life.   That's all.  And that's all that's required.  The rest just happens.

            It is also our philosophy at Yoga Connection that we teach our many styles not only with utmost professionalism, but also with kindness.  All of our staff are amazing.  Our teachers are incredibly skilled, verbal and are beautiful people.  They are aware of each individual in each class, and will come around and literally help a student into the proper alignment of a posture for that particular student at his/her particular level.  That is the beauty of our school and our classes. 

                       An Article in Yogitimes discusses the beginning of a yoga practice and says "Yoga scholars explain that the purpose of yoga is to achieve 'Self Realization' or enlightenment.  But many people may not understandyet what this means.  In practical terms, the yoga practice is philosophy and exercise that can make our everyday lives more peaceful, healthy and happy.  It can help us overcome physical pain, injury, sickness, obesity, depression, dysfunctional relationships and almost every other problem that we experience or create……..Yoga is a powerful way to accept the reality of our daily life, discover our ideas, choices and habits that lead to our unhappiness and disease and work to improve every moment."

                  ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞                          

 

What is YOGA?  It would be impossible to assign one definition to yoga.  Some individuals think it is a religion or a trendy type of exercise; however, it is not.  It is a discipline for discovering and eveloping the true Self.  It is derived from the Sanskrit root "yuj". The word literally translates to mean "to yoke or join".  In the practice of yoga we work to bring harmony to the body, mind, and spirit, it also refers to the union between the individual and something greater, the liberation from the self and the ego.  The practice of yoga improves and gets rid of impurities in the nervous system so we can perceive and interact in the world in a conscious and optimistic manner.

          Yoga was systemized thousands of years ago by the Hindu philosopher Patanjali.  Yoga isbuilt on a foundation of ethics (Yama) and personal discipline (Niyama).  Yoga is on of the oldest holistic health care systems in existence, focusing on both the mind and body.

Anyone can practice yoga asanas regardless of flexibility, age, or health.  The asanas (postures) can be modified to fit any individual's needs. The experience is unique to each individual, and that, to me, is the beauty of yoga.  There are many different styles of Yoga to accommodate all types of individuals and to find what resonates with them.

 The Bhagavad-Gita also gives other explanations of the term yoga and emphasizes Karma Yoga (Yoga by action).  It is said: "Work alone is your privilege, never the fruits thereof.  Never let the fruits of action be your motive; never cease to work.  Work in the name of Lord, abandoning selfish desires.  Be not affected by success or failure.  This equipoise is called oga."                                                                                                                                           

 

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

 

         Meditation: A Gift To Yourself

Meditation allows you to explore your inner world with loving attention and open yourself to spiritual insight. The only limit to the realms you can explore and the insights you can receive is your own imagination. The more you meditate and get in touch with your "true" self, the healthier your sense of self becomes. 

         You become a stronger and more balanced person. A more clearly minded individual in harmony with yourself and the world you live in.  

MASSAGE: An Important Compliment to Your Yoga Practice

     As yogis, we know how important it is revive the mind, body, and spirit.  As yoga is such an amazing gift to ourselves, equally important is the touch of another.  Studies show that touch is critical in the development of healthy human emotion and social interaction.  Physiological benefits include improved circulation, release of muscle tension, and increased levels of endorphins.  Perhaps most important is the reduction of stress which, over time, may lead to disease.  Thai massage includes all of these benefits, as well as increased range of motion in joints and increased energy levels.
     Thai massage has been performed in Thailand for thousands of years and was once their primary source of medical treatment.  Western medicine has since become more widespread in Thailand, but due to the rising costs, Thai massage is once again becoming a major source of health care.
     Thai massage is unique in that it is performed in full clothing on a mat.  The therapist uses her body weight  to take the recipient into yoga-like postures.  The added body weight helps to take the recipient deeper into these positions than they would normally be able to on their own.
     Additionally, Thai massage works the "sen" lines of the body.  These are similar to Chinese meridians and are used to increase energy flow and treat specific organs within the body.
     Thai massage is offered at Yoga Connection for a fraction of the price you would pay at a spa.  And who better to give you a massage than one of your loving yoga teachers?

                                                               

 

 

Don't let OM scare you!

OM is the sacred symbol that represents the infinite.  OM transcends words and letters because it is the sound of creation.   The sound that is produced from the vibration is like a deep, humming OM, also pronounced "AUM". When repeated, OM is said to generate the mystic power that leads one's mind into meditation and into the highest state of consciousness.  When you see the OM symbol, let it remind you of God, the Creator, the unspeakable, and of the true spiritual being that you are.

So the next time you chant OM, feel the vibration and hum

that is at the center of your being.   

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"Yoga is meditation in motion"

                                                     Amrit Desai

 

 
SHAVASANA

 Savasana - sava = a corpse

 This asana is also known as MRITASANA, the dead man's pose.

 Savasana is particularly recommended for the final relaxation at the end of an asana practice or in between each asana.  Placing an eye pillow or cover around the eyes can help those who are tense or suffering from stress.  If panic occurs during Savasana, keep the eyes open, but quiet.  Savasana brings tranquility & calmness, rejuvenates the entire body & mind.  It gives the experience of peace.