Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Free Zumba Class!!!!!

ZUMBACALIENTE

presents

A

FREE ZUMBA CLASS



Zumba is an exciting fitness class that combines aerobic interval training, a mixture of body sculpting movements and easy to follow Latin dance steps to tone and sculpt the body and spirit! Set to the beat of Latin and Intercontinental rhythms, Zumba fitness creates a party-like atmosphere and a “feel happy” workout. Zumba is for all fitness levels. No previous experience in dance is needed to have fun with Zumba. Come see how fun a workout can be!



FOR WHOM: Adults and teens accompanied by parents

Fun-spirited persons who want to try ZUMBA for the first time AND

persons who enjoy ZUMBA already



WHEN: Wednesday February 27, 2008

Class runs from 6:00 p. m. – 7:00 p. m.

Registration begins at 5:30 p. m.



WHERE: Henrico Volunteer Rescue Squad Building

2nd Floor (enter through the glass door on the side of the building)

5301 Huntsman Road

Sandston, Virginia 23150



DIRECTIONS: From the intersection of Williamsburg Road and Laburnum Avenue, head East on Williamsburg road toward the airport. At the BURGER KING, turn RIGHT at the stop light and turn LEFT into the Rescue Squad Parking lot.



PARKING INSTRUCTIONS: Participants can only park on the side of the building. Do not park in reserved spaces or in front of the rescue squad building. We have to make sure the squad can get their equipment out if they receive a call for help.



● This class is open to the public; no memberships required.

● Participants should wear supportive smooth-bottom tennis shoes & bring water to drink

● Participants are required to register at the door & sign a waiver prior to staring the class.

● Instructors- two certified fitness instructors qualified to teach ZUMBA Fitness classes.



For more information, please email Zumbacaliente@yahoo.com

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

More on Intention - from Arlene Bjork of Grace Yoga

More on Intention

Many of you who take my classes hear me talk about intention. Intention is defined as "a determination to act in a certain way".

Intention paves the road for success in whatever we do.

Intention assures a determined end result versus a haphazard conclusion.

Set a clear, attainable, realistic intention.

Gather the right tools designed to get the job done. If your goal is meant for you, the tools you need are already inside of you. If you search deep down, I bet you would agree with me.

Make the investment to carry out the intention. Time, resources, education, courses, consultant, whatever it takes.

Make sure you have the proper materials. Capital, equipment, books, human resources, a supportive network of people; figure out what you need.

Finally, do you have the energy to carry out your intention to the very end?

Tools. Investment. Materials. Energy. TIME is the formula for 2008. Let me know if I can help. This has helped me so far, and this will help you if you practice.

With much love, Arlene

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Chakra Symbols and Chart

The following is a really nice chart of the seven Chakras and their corresponding symbols, colors, etc. It's from What's Your Sign.com...Enjoy!

Chakra Symbols

Chakra Diagram
The word chakra is Sanskrit for wheel. Chakra symbols represent the circular centers of energy, and they correspond to the nerve plexuses and organs in the physical nervous system. By focusing on these energy centers, and understanding the function of each, we are able to balance our energies, augment areas in our lives, and even facilitate healing.

By referring to the chakra diagram on the left, and relating it to the table below, which describes the attributes for each energy center, you should get a clearer picture of what each chakra symbol represents and how each affects us differently.

The information given on this page is a basic summary. Chakra practitioners spend years learning about the healing arts relating to these intricate energy centers. If you wish to learn more about this unique realm of the human make-up, the author encourages you to begin an avid independent study.

Many individuals have chakra symbols embellished on clothing to keep the attributes in their mind as they aspire to better balance and higher energy. To assist in this achievement, please click here.


Questions? Comments? Ordering Information? Please click here.


Chakra Symbol Attributes:

Name Common Name Location Physical Governing Emotional Governing Sense Mantra Element Color Seat
Muladhara Root Chakra Base of spine, sacral plexus Organs of excretion, adrenals Survival, primal instinct Smell Lam Earth Red Primal life force
Swadhisthana Sacrum/Sacral Chakra Genitals, fluids Gonads, reproductive organs Self-acceptance, emotion, sexual energy Taste Vam Water Orange Creativity
Manipura Solar Plexus Chakra Navel Pancreas, abdominal organs Self-will, mental acuity, sense of identity Sight Ram Fire Yellow Subconscious emotion, ego, & will
Anahata Heart Chakra Heart area Thymus, lungs Compassion, love, healing Touch Yam Air Green Love
Vishudha Throat Chakra Laryngeal pluxus Thyroid Self-expression, speech Hearing Ham Ether Blue Creative expression, communication
Ajna Third Eye Chakra Between the eyebrows Pituitary gland Intuition, extra sensory perception Sixth sense, higher mind Aum Time Indigo Primordial power
Sahasrara Crown Chakra Top/crown of head, brain Pineal gland Divinity, peace, enlightenment Beyond sensory - Space Violet Liberation, All Power, eternal bliss

Swastika Discussion

We were talking about chakras the other day in class at J Sarge, and the symbol of the swastika came up and I promised to find some information about its ancient roots. So, please see the Wikipedia article above.
Namaste',
Iffet

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Who am I and Who Are You?

This is a cute and insightful poem by one of my Yoga students at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Their assignment was to do a creative presentation of Patanjali's Eight Limbs of Yoga, or Ashtanga. The author is Ms. Julia Leuthardt.

Who Am I and Who Are You?

Patanjali's eyes are resting on mine
having a question obviously on his mind
what is it that he wants me to find?

who am I and who are you?

do you know the answer for sure?
the answer lies within yourself
hidden on a secret shelf

you have to see beyond nature
to understand your spiritual fracture
of your True Nature

climb up with me the eight limbs
and become one of the spiritual kings

restrain your relationship with other people – Yama
and concentrate on your inner drama
reaching towards Niyama

with Asana you find yourself seated
with Pranayama you breathe it

Pratyahara means to withdraw yourself from any senses
with Dharana you're fixing on lenses

Dhyana brings you deeper into meditation
of a higher concentration

the last limb is Samadhi
filling you with ecstasy

you have climbed the eight limbs with me
do you feel how pure you can be?

practice every day a bit
you will see how it fits
into your life
in which you have to struggle so much to survive.

February 12th, 2008 Julia Leuthardt

Friday, February 8, 2008

Be Where You Are

Do you find yourself fidgeting in class (especially during Savasana)?

Does a five-breath hold on Downward-Facing Dog mean shift the hands for one breath, move the feet for the second, bend the knees for the third, activate the Abs on the fourth, and watch the bead of sweat roll down your nose for the fifth?

Does Pigeon Pose translate into "Squirmy-Wormy" pose for you?

I have noticed that we transpose our very natural and healthy desire to re-create past comfort or avoid past hurt onto our mat. We spend so much mental and physical energy to this end, that we totally miss being in the pose. Yoga tells us that only when we detach ourselves from past memories and impressions can we truly be present, aware and alive.

So, next time those hips raise up for Adho Muka Svanasana (Down Dog), stay put! Your instructor will indicate to move on soon enough! You may find something new and exciting - or maybe just realize how wonderful and fulfilling being here, now can be.

Namaste',
Iffet

Monday, February 4, 2008

Yoga and Osteoporosis

This is a very well-researched topic and the above link will get you to an extensive study.

In a nutshell, Yoga is GREAT for slowing down or even reversing osteoporosis!

A simple GOOGLE search of Yoga and Osteoporosis will reveal many facts from studies to stories.

Please leave a comment if this is helpful to you or a loved-one (which should also be YOU!)

Namaste',
Iffet