Tag: advanced yoga Pittsburgh

December: Affirmation Yoga

November 25, 2012
Posted by Sharon
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Saturdays, December 1, 8, 15 and 22
Extended Practices from 8:00 to 9:30 am
Join me for Extended Practice sessions from 8:00-9:30am.  Our focus this month will be on affirmation yoga.  We will do a full, holistic practice that will be physically, intellectually and spiritually challenging.

What is affirmation yoga?
Each session we will do a sequence of yoga asana (poses) that we will hold for a more extended period of time during which we will repeat to ourselves a specific mantra.  These mantras are in English and will help us feel supported through this season.   While these affirmations are different from the ones that I am planning on incorporating into my practices in December, they definitely give you an idea of how this works.  It is an incredibly powerful practice that strengthens the body while deeply honoring the energy of the asana and encouraging us to truly embody our practices in mind, body and spirit.

Sounds Great, But 8:00 am on Saturdays?  Too early!

Is your response, “This sounds great, but it is way too early on a Saturday morning for me!”?  I’d like to suggest that you give it a try—–wake early enough to have a warm and nourishing cup of coffee or tea and a light breakfast.  Perhaps some yogurt, a piece of fruit and a bit of granola.  Grab your mat and come to your practice with an open mind and heart.  We start practice with gentle movements that connect body and breath and you will have plenty of time to wake up and be present.  Then, we will practice an active sequence of flow yoga designed to increase circulation, improve energy and strengthen the body.  Filled with prana we will then engage with our affirmations and embody our practice with noble cause.  After pranayama and some delicious stretching, the practice will end with a long relaxation.  By 9:30am, your practice will be over and the whole beautiful day will stretch before you with open arms.  You will feel MUCH better than you would have had you remained in bed for an extra hour and you will have all the life force that you need to call upon to get through the season with grace.

I Just Don’t Have the Time to Practice Right Now

Overwhelmed with holiday tasks, parties, house cleaning, present wrapping and stress?  An hour and a half might seem like a luxury that you just can’t afford in December.  I would argue that this is not a luxury.  Self-care is a necessity.  Taking the time for your practice, especially a restorative and rejuvenating practice like this, is what you need to stay healthy and happy through the season.  Enjoy MORE and not less when you invest some time for self-reflection, meditation and keeping your body fit and strong.

See you Saturday, bright and early!

 

Yoga Matrika Schedule

August 31, 2009
Posted by Sharon
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Creating a schedule of yoga classes for Yoga Matrika has always provided me with great illumination and inspiration.  When I first opened the little studio on South Negley, I was teaching the majority of classes myself and a number of very talented local instructors generously agreed to teach a few classes each week.  But, for the most part, it was me and there were less than 10-classes on the schedule each week.  The reality of finding talented instructors who were a good match for Yoga Matrika proved to be one of my earliest challenges in this business.

Then, what started to happen was that the Universe started to send me fabulous instructors and many of these teachers have shaped the path of Yoga Matrika.  For example, Heidi —–an angel who took over at the studio without any guidance when I needed to travel for my grandmother’s funeral.  And Julie who became one of the community’s favorite prenatal instructors after agreeing to take some of my own classes without very much guidance or support.  And Bethany, who inspired me to stay with my prenatal passions even when I was feeling open to letting go of these programs all together.  The list of instructors who have gently, and sometimes not so gently, shaped my experience and the growth of Yoga Matrika is long.

This autumn, the new schedule that starts on September 1st, is one that I am incredibly proud to offer to the community.  There are over 27-drop in class options each week including four prenatal yoga classes and three class options for postnatal moms.  Every single instructor on the schedule is accomplished and dedicated to the profession of yoga and sharing what they have to offer with the Yoga Matrika community.  It is the most comprehensive class schedule that Yoga Matrika has ever offered.

In addition to theese 27-drop in classes, Yoga Matrika offers series of classes that provide opportunities for deep study in an intimate setting with some of Pittsburgh’s most talented and diverse instructors.  Workshops are scheduled with Lisa Clark (EmbodiYoga) and KK Ledford (Anusara) and Yoga Matrika offers the only prenatal yoga teacher training program in Western Pennsylvania.

I’m delighted to start this new season and I hope that you will find a class or two (or three!) that work with your schedule and offer the style and pace of yoga or pilates that you desire so that you can join me in supporting this fabulous team and comprehensive schedule.