YOGA CONNECTION

NEWS & INFORMATION

                                                                                                            

                                                                                                   

 

"Yoga is a way of moving into stillness

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

                                                                                           Erich Schiffmann

 

WORDS FROM WENDY.....
(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, honoring yourself.  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.  I can only relate my own personal experience, having started yoga with at least three herniated discs due to scoliosis and four broken ribs due to osteoporosis, and having spent four years of my childhood in a back brace.  Yoga was, and remains, an ongoing process for me, but I knew from my very first class with Jimmy, that it would be the one thing that was going to make the difference.  And it has.  My bone density has significantly improved, I have more physical strength and flexibility than ever before in my life, and I don't think negatively about myself.  I accept my condition, and work to improve it.  That's all.  And that's all that's required.  The rest just happens.

             So, while I began my yoga practice to heal a physical condition, the benefits have been so much greater.  I am in touch with myself, honoring myself in both strength and weakness.  I have learned to listen and trust my own intuition more than ever before.  I have learned to leave the negativity of others outside of myself.  I feel at peace.  My whole life has changed, so much so that I have changed my business to be in this life on every level that I can. 

            It is also our philosophy at Yoga Connection that we teach our many styles not only with utmost professionalism, but also with kindness.  In fact, many of our students, both from Florida and vacationers, have remarked that our teachers "teach with kindness".  Many have also informed me that our reputation is that we have "the best" teachers.  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 this month 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 understand yet 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."

      Namaste,  Wendy              

                          

 

WISE WORDS FROM JIMMY

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 developing 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 is built 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 Yoga."                                                                                                                                           

 

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Check out our Newspaper review from our first studio:

 

 

 

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The Miami Herald
 

May 4, 2003 Section: MISCELLANEOUS Edition: Broward Page: 22WC   PLANTATION CENTER OFFERS YOGA IN VARIETY OF STYLES ALESSANDRA SELGI-HARRIGAN, Special to The Herald As a teenager, yoga owner Wendy Herman had to wear a back brace because of her scoliosis. After two pregnancies, she had several herniated disks, broken ribs, and osteoporosis. ``At 39, doctors told me I had to put rods in my spine. I started doing yoga instead, and it has changed my whole life. So I put my law office next door because I need to do yoga every day,'' said Herman, 43, of Plantation. Last May, Herman opened Yoga Connection with Jimmy Barkan, 48, owner of Yoga College of India in Fort Lauderdale.

Barkan, an instructor of the hot yoga technique, teaches at the Plantation studio about three times a week. He studied with Bikram Choudhury, founder of Bikram yoga, in Los Angeles. ``Within a month, I became a fanatic and decided to make yoga part of my life,'' he said. Yoga Connection offers classes in the many styles of yoga - from Iyengar, with a focus on technique and alignment, to Anusura, which emphasizes moves tailored to the individual and can be very challenging. There's hot yoga - a series of poses done in a heated room - and even prenatal and yoga for kids. Pilates, meditation, and body sculpting also are taught. The studio has a sitting area near a fountain where students can relax before and after classes. Yoga-related products, such as mats, books and clothes, are for sale. Ronni Nusbaum, 62, of Plantation used to do only hot yoga, then branched out into Amrit, which combines meditation and postures. She now does yoga five days a week. She bikes, plays tennis, and is a golfer. ``My body and mind are more flexible. I focus better and am calmer,'' she said as she headed for the hot studio to take Barkan's class. ``You will become addicted [after trying yoga], but it's the best addiction because everything changes,'' Herman said. On May 28, Yoga Connection will celebrate its first anniversary. Classes, membership packets, and more will be raffled. Yoga Connection is at 1025 S. University Dr. in the Office Max Plaza, Plantation. Call 954-617-YOGA or log on to www.the Yogaconnection.com The Yoga Connection offers all forms of yoga and is open seven days a week.

Yoga Connection has since relocated to 6555 Nova Drive (#302) Davie, Florida 33317 954-577-5777 954-577-5708 (fax)

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         Meditation: A Gift To Yourself - From Diane

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.  

Namaste, Diane

 

 

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?

                                                                Jennifer Forester, Licensed Massage Therapist & Yoga Instructor

 

 

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.