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An
inconvenient truth in our world is that stress will always be present in our
lives. It is how we deal with stressors that can determine our overall
health. |
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Our bodies
have a unique evolutionary survival system to prepare us for dangers. This "Flight
or Fight" reflex of our Sympathetic Nervous System kicks in whenever
we are presented with impending dangers/stressors; blood flow restricts,
breathing patterns become speedy & shallow, digestion stops, adrenaline surges,
all to keep us alert & prepared to fight & survive....how handy! In an ancient
era this set of reflexes indeed prepared us for "fighting tigers" & the like. |
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However,
in our modern, often hurried, goal-oriented society, we may feel as if our
bodies are under such siege/stressors on a daily basis. Holding that set of
bodily preparedness over time, can cause dis-ease in our overall
well-being (physically, mentally, spiritually), as this was meant as a quick,
intense "surge", not as regular state of long-term life-style!
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So many of our
cultures' common health complaints can be traced to stress-reactions & poor
diets over time (i.e.; headaches, digestion problems, backaches, insomnia,
depression, anxiety ,asthma, hypertension, arthritis, etc.) |
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When we are
balanced in our Parasympathetic Nervous System, our bodies return to a
Rest & Digest phase; blood flow returns, digestion continues, breathing
deepens & lengthens, allowing us to restore to homeostasis/balance giving our
bodies, minds, spirits a chance to regenerate to optimum health. |
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Yoga works through a
series of "poses" synchronizing breath with movement, as the body/mind unlocks.
Each stretch/pose correlates to a specific spinal placement, gland, organ,
muscle, etc., fully oxygenating the body promoting a healthy circulation,
ridding the body of stored toxins, stored tensions, opening/restoring to optimum
health & system balance.
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Yoga works as a vacuum
to flush out stored toxins in the body through this series of holding &
releasing poses, compression/relaxation. There are many styles of Yoga practise
ranging from very intensive stretching/poses moving at a fast pace (i.e.
Ashtanga or Power Yoga, Bikram or Hot Yoga) to more gentle styes moving at a
slower, more introspective pace (i.e.; Iyengar, Kripalu, Anusara, Hatha,
Restorative)
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Suzy Sherer/SuzyYoga,
teaches Kripalu Yoga, a 3-stage Yoga practice which leads you from
the initial instruction of safe, postural alignment with the coordination of
breath & movement, into a deeper "meditation-in-motion" state of
awareness & flow.
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Kripalu Yoga encourages
one to yield, not push, safely into poses & stretches, to accept oneself
as we are at any given moment. Through this acceptance & yielding spirit, depth
in the practise can be achieved.
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The practice of Yoga
encompasses a combination of movement, breath, meditation, nutrition, living
with integrity (i.e., Yamas & Niyamas ; principles of moral discipline
& self-restraint respectively), self-study/awareness, forming the "everything
in moderation" theme, creating overall balance in one's life. All age
groups can benefit from a regular Yoga practice from babies to seniors.
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Specific styles of Yoga
can be practiced to encourage;
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Fertility ; a specific
blend of stretches & flows with an intention of opening the heart & hips to
clear the pathway for conception & child-bearing.
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Pregnancy ; to relieve
common discomforts & increase overall energy combining an energizing & soothing
blend of stretches & modified poses to prepare a woman's body/mind/spirit for
the powerful experience of pregnancy, birth & motherhood.
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Restorative ; uses
assorted props, pillows, chairs, ties, to deliver a deeply relaxing, supportive
experience. Restores energy & balance.
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Better back; specific
stretches, poses, used to strengthen muscles that support the spine & help
increase flexibility & range of motion
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Increases
flexibility, balance, strength |
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Improves
circulation, quality of breathing, sleeping patterns, overall health &
self-acceptance |
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Stretches &
tones muscles |
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Releases
chronic tension |
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Energizes &
refreshes |
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Promotes deep
relaxation/restoration of all systems, calms restless thoughts, cultivates
concentration & focus |
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Promotes
self-awareness |
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Honors inner
wisdom, invites deep stillness |
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Decreases
stress reactions, stiffness, backaches, headaches, negativity, pain cycles, disease
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