Joyful Spirit Yoga Studio
November, 2007	Volume 1, Number 4
Of Special Interest · Specialty Class! Nov 28 - Yoga With the Ball · Schedule now updated weekly online · No class Nov 22 · Mudra of the Month Quick Links: JSYS Home Page Yoga In the Park Yoga Alliance All Natural Personal Care Products Contact Us www.yipyoga.com/JoyfulSpirit email: marjoriet@aol.com 214-282-9608 To be removed from this email list, please send email to marjoriet@aol.com and put “unsubscribe” in the subject line.	Joyful Day! Recently we have been talking in class about transitions between poses and the importance of staying mindful and present during these transitions. Paying attention as we move into and out of a pose enables us to do all that we can do to make the movement smooth and calm, and it is often during these moments of transition that we experience some deeper understanding of our bodies or of ourselves. It is in staying open to and being present in those moments that these understandings are made aware to us. The same is true of the transitions in our everyday lives: the transition of beginning a new relationship, or perhaps ending a relationship; the transition of bringing a child into our lives, or of our children leaving home; the transition between illness and wellness; the transition of losing a loved one; the transition of moving into a new home, a new town or a new country; the transition of losing a job or of beginning a new job; the transition of attending a new school; even the transition of something that seems as insignificant as driving from “here to there.” As one can see, much of our living and breathing is done during times of transition, and staying mindful and being present during these times can enable us to live through a transition more smoothly and with less stress. Sometimes we intentionally or unintentionally move through a transition blindly – maybe we just want to get through it and begin the next part of our journey. Yet perhaps these transitional times are some of the most significant parts of our journey, revealing great insights about ourselves and our world if we would only pay attention. One of my biggest “blinders” is my cell phone. The convenience of being able to talk on the phone just about anywhere one can imagine can cause me to miss out on moments that I might otherwise enjoy, learn from, or just plain experience. How can I fully experience the moment when my mind is so full of my phone conversation that I do not see or hear what is all around me? As we transition into a season that is full of friend and family gatherings but one that can also be fraught with stress, may I suggest that we be mindful of our bodies, minds and souls and do all that we can to nourish them. Grab a friend and go for a nature walk, cook up healthy food offerings together, or bring a friend with you to yoga – it is during those times of the year when we think that we don’t have time to get to class that we actually need it most. One of my favorite visualizations is to see in my mind the transition of the sky and the earth just before a sunrise or a sunset – an instant of time so quiet, so calm and so peaceful that I dare not blink for fear of missing a single moment of its beauty. God’s messages are often revealed to us during the transitions in our lives if we can simply stay mindful and present enough to receive them. May Your Spirit Soar, Margie Online Schedule Updates The schedule will be updated weekly online to keep up with who is teaching and any offered specialty classes. Check it out! No Class Nov 22 We will not have classes on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov 22. Specialty Class – Yoga with the Ball (BYOB) Grab that stability ball and come join me on Wednesday morning, November 28 at 9:45 for some yoga with the ball! This specialty class is a great way to find some new uses for that ball, plus we may gain insight to some of the yoga poses simply by experiencing them using our ball as a prop. Each participant will need to bring their own stability ball for this class, so if you do not currently own one, you could beg, borrow, or buy one (Academy, Target, etc). Please sign up ahead of time for the class. Thank you! 10 Super Foods We’re Not Eating Click here for interesting list from Men's Health Magazine that can be beneficial to all. Mudra of the Month (a mudra is a hand posture) This month, we will be working with Varun Mudra – formed by placing the tip of the little finger to the tip of the thumb, with the thumb applying gentle pressure. The other three fingers are kept straight together. This mudra helps control the water content in the body. It is helpful in removing dryness and is beneficial for itching, psoriasis and other skin diseases. It can also help relieve cramps of muscles and veins. This mudra also helps to ease water content illnesses such as gastroenteritis, diarrhea, and dehydration. It is believed to add a tenderness, glow and beauty to the skin.