Looking for a fun little challenge this summer that will up the peace quotient in your life? The Breathe Los Gatos 2016 Summer Games begin June 5th! The Summer Games are a fantastic opportunity to check out yoga classes you’ve never taken, and to help you establish a regular yoga practice. Full participation includes a chance to win some amazing raffle prizes!
Full details here: http://breathelosgatos.com/?tribe_events=summer-challenge-2016
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras outlines an eight limbed path to self-realization, or enlightenment, called ashtanga. Ashtanga translates literally to eight (ashta) limb (anga). Pranayama, or breath control, is the fourth limb, and one of the key components to both asana practice (the third limb) and meditation (dhyana, the seventh limb). Breath both carries and sustains us during asana practice, and provides an anchor for meditation. Pausing and paying attention to our breath is also very useful in everyday life, helping us to respond rather than react when encountering stressors. Join me this week for dedicated pranayama practice, along with meditation, at our new time: Breath & Meditation, 2:00pm, Fridays, Breathe Los Gatos.
P.S. This video gives a beautiful explanation of the science behind breathing and its affect on the nervous system.
We do it every day, every moment of every hour in a day, and usually with very little thought devoted to it. Breathing. Inhaling and exhaling. Simple and autonomous, and yet so much more. B. K. S. Iyengar wrote that prāna is “breath, respiration, life, vitality, wind, energy, or strength.” Prānāyāma is essentially the science of breathing. Body and mind, breath and mind, are inextricably linked together. When we work with our breath, we directly affect and influence the physiology of the body. Steady, even inhalations and exhalations help balance and regulate the nervous system. Longer exhalations shift the body in to the parasympathetic nervous system, which is calming and soothing to the body (think slowing down of the heartbeat).
As the body calms, desire diminishes and the mind settles. This is why in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, prānāyāma is described as a precursor to concentration. Concentration is one of the core precepts of meditation. With a calm mind, meditation becomes effortless instead of a struggle. Then we can begin the work of sifting through the layers of “stuff”–thoughts, feelings, memories, emotions, boredom, the endless play of life–until we reach Source.
Beginning this week and continuing through the year, we will be learning and practicing a series of prānāyāma techniques as an integral part of our meditation practice. Join me every Friday, 1:30-2:00pm, Breath & Meditation, Breathe Los Gatos. http://breathelosgatos.com
I am working on the final touches of my workshop, and I am pretty excited about sharing it with you! In this workshop you will explore the Koshas, using them as a roadmap for deepening your connection to your energy bodies. We will be discussing, practicing, breathing, meditating, and journaling. I hope to see you there!
For more information, and to register:
I have a new yoga class in my teaching schedule! Join me for Vinyasa Flow I at Menlo Pilates & Yoga on Tuesdays, 4:30-5:45.
I will also be filling in for my teacher tomorrow morning at Breathe Los Gatos, 9:00-10:30am Vinyasa.
Come get your flow on with me!
If you have been wondering how you can help right now, here is a link to seven different vetted charities including the SEVA Foundation:
Also, in two weeks Breathe Los Gatos will be hosting an evening workshop, from which all funds will be donated to the SEVA Foundation. The SEVA Foundation works to prevent blindness, and restore eyesight to those who need it most. Because of the recent earthquake in Nepal, funds will also support those who suffered traumatic eye and head injuries as a result of the earthquake. Jennifer Prugh will lead a candle-light, closed-eye flow-based moving meditation class. Joanne Varni will lead a closed-eye restorative and somatic movement class. It promises to be a beautiful and inspiring evening:
http://breathelosgatos.com/?tribe_events=be-the-change-you-wish-to-see
Join people all around the world this coming Easter Sunday, in chanting Om for Peace. No yoga, or singing, experience required! Sunday, April 5th, 3:00-4:00pm at Breathe Los Gatos. This is a free event! #OmforPeace #breathelosgatos For more info: http://yogabylorien.blogspot.com/p/special-events.html
What would it be like to practice yoga for 60 days straight? Breathe Los Gatos is hosting it’s 60 Day Challenge once again (January 3, 2015-March 3, 2015). Attend at least one class a day at Breathe Los Gatos for 60 days. All participants will be eligible for raffle prizes, which include a one year membership to Breathe. To find out more, visit: http://breathelosgatos.com/?tribe_events=60-day-challenge-2014.
Tis the season for giving! Beyond the material, may we also give our precious time, love, and presence to all who surround us. Over the next three weeks, we will explore the Metta Sutta, Buddha’s teaching on Universal Loving-Kindness, through the Metta Meditation.
May I be happy. May I be well. May I be safe. May I be peaceful and at ease.
See you on the cushion! Friday’s, 1:30-200 pm, at Breathe Los Gatos.
Do you know someone who could use the gift of yoga? Maybe it is even you! Breathe Los Gatos is holding their Annual Holiday Trunk Show this Saturday, November 29th, from 11:00 am – 2:00pm. There will be special discounts and local vendors for this day only. You will find special clothing brands, such as Viva O Sol, new designer jewelry, scented candles, natural body and skin care, holiday ornaments, and much, much more. Breathe Los Gatos offers an astounding array of yoga classes, from Restorative to Mysore, Pre-Natal to Yoga for Cancer, and everything in between! Gift certificates for classes or memberships make a great gift!
Claudia Fountain Fitness + Yoga 
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