Tag: yoga for moms

Top Three Mother’s Day Secrets

April 25, 2013
Posted by Sharon
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With Mother’s Day fast approaching (May 12, 2013), you may find yourself with the challenging task of figuring out what to get your mother this year.  You’ve smeared mushed food on her clothes, shared bodily fluids, kept her up all night and out all day and basically accepted the sacrifice of this woman’s independence since the moment of your conception as if it was a given.  And, really, now you have to figure out what to buy her that is at all meaningful in the face of this sacrifice?  Talk about pressure!  Well, in this short little blog, I will share five Mother’s Day secrets that are going to relieve the pressure and give you some fabulous ideas for how to really honor your mother.

Mother’s Day Secret Number One:

Your mother doesn’t need another______________________________ (fill in the blank with any store bought object).

Seriously, no more mugs, lipsticks, t-shirts, necklaces, movie tickets, bracelets, t-shirts, stamps, kitchen supplies, notebooks, shoelaces, soaps, lotions or perfumes.  Just stop it with the “stuff” already!  Unless you are under the age of 10 and happened to have hand-crafted something to wrap and give to your mom, then don’t even dream that there is anything you can pick up in a store that is going to be meaningful.  It might be nice.  Gifts are always nice.  As a matter of fact, if anyone is paying attention, I would actually LOVE a new blender (hint, hint) pretty much any day of the year.  But, as a Mother’s Day gift, a blender would seem kind of like getting a Snickers bar for winning an Olympic event——it’s not that you don’t want the Snickers bar, it’s just that the prize doesn’t match the incredible effort that went into training and winning the event.

GIFT HINT: If you really want to buy your mother something at a store this year, then you first need to figure out what she really wants.  This requires that you pay attention to your mother for a while.  Has she been saying that she’d really like to travel to China one day?  Well, in the likely case that you can’t afford to send your mom on an all expense paid trip to China, why not get her just a little closer with an awesome guide book and a gift certificate to a local Chinese restaurant or a few Chinese language lessons?  Listen to your mother and only buy a gift that inspires her to take time for herself and pursue something she’s interested in.  It’s not about the object, how much you spend or what it is that you get.  The real gift is that mom will know that you have actually been paying attention to her and see her as a human being with her own set of interests, hopes and dreams.  If you don’t see your mom this way, then maybe try one of my other gift ideas below or start paying more attention to what your mom is actually saying.

Mother’s Day Secret Number Two:

Mother’s Day is good for YOUR health.

It turns out that spending time considering the needs of others is good for you.  Giving your ego a break for even a few minutes is beneficial for your health.  Imagine what a whole day of considering the needs of someone else can do for you?  Avoid all commercial advice on Mother’s Day and listen to me now and hear me later, spending more money on your mother will not benefit your health or your mother.  In order for your actions to be of health benefit to you and a truly beautiful gesture for your mother, you must find some way to make your mother’s needs more important than your own for at least a few hours.  Sure, going on a tour of your mom’s ceramic gnome collection may not only bore you to tears, but may also cause you to question your mother’s stability.  But, your mom seriously loves her collection and she loves you and you put those things together and it is better than a bag of Reese’s cups (which, by the way, I’d also like as a gift any day).

GIFT HINT: Make sure that your gift involves some level of personal sacrifice for you based on a sincere desire to fulfill your mom’s wishes and not your own.  Perhaps this means listening to her tell the same story about the day you were born over the phone or looking at a collection or going to a place you aren’t all that interested in. Let’s just say that your mom is a hot power yoga enthusiast, but you are more of a “sit and be fit” kind of yogi—well, for mother’s day, you better get ready for an awesome hot yoga class!   Whatever it is, keep it in the back of your mind that the sacrifice is not only a beautiful gift, it’s also good for your health.

Mother’s Day Secret Number Three

It’s important to say what needs to be said and to say it from the heart.

What you say matters and this is especially the case for what you say to your mother.  Not text.  Not e-mail.  Say.  With your mouth.  And, if you can’t say it with your mouth (or the equivalent if you have a disability that makes talking challenging or impossible), then you better write it down (legibly!) with a pen on some really lovely paper.  Just in case you don’t know what I’m suggesting you say to your mother (really?), here is what needs to be said:

a) I love you!

b) Thank you for________________________(be specific with your thanks).
Specific means that you choose one really special thing you are thankful for:  all those delicious lunches you made me or for buying me those outrageously expensive sneakers or for piano lessons or for not telling anyone (ever!) about that incident with the vodka and the squirrel……

GIFT HINT:What is a nice gift to go with this heartfelt message?  How about you find something meaningful related to what you are thanking your mom for?  Did mom always go to your swim meets?  Perhaps you get a little frame and give her a picture of you both together at a swim meet? Sure, she probably has that picture in her collection too—–but the fact that you are thanking her for the sacrifice and giving her a little reminder of those days? Priceless!  Did your mom always make sure that the garden was beautiful each spring?  Then maybe you should give her a bunch of tulips and tell her how much that meant to you?  It’s not just the thought that counts, it’s the words that accompany the thought.

Are you married or in a committed relationship to a mom?  Do you need to step-in with a gift where the wee ones are too young to honor the day without some assistance?  Well, as an adult who lives with or near the mother, you know the real truth—-Mom could use some time.  She could use a moment to herself.  And I’m not talking about a moment to use the bathroom by herself with the door closed (but, hint hint, I’d like this kind of gift any day of the year).  I mean a lot of moments.  I mean a whole day of moments.  Tell mom you’re buying her a yoga class and paying for her to have lunch alone after the class and that lunch will be followed by a spa treatment.  Tell mom you are going to take the kids somewhere awesome and have a great day with them so she can take a bath and read a book or pretend to read a book before she collapses into a serious nap in her quiet, quiet house.

My Mother’s Day Offer: $100 for a 90-minute Yoga Spa Session

This is a deeply discounted 90-minute session that can either be conducted in person here in Pittsburgh or on the phone/SKYPE anywhere in the world that your mother has access to a phone for an hour and a half. What do you get for your mother for $100?

a) I will design a unique relaxation session for your mother based on her specific goals and needs (stress reduction? back pain? adult children driving her crazy (eh-hem…….)? insomnia? hot flashes? cancer recovery support? ).  Whatever your mom wants to work on, I’m going to design something beautiful just for her!

b) Counsel your mom (or the woman you love who happens to be a mom) on an aromatherapy treatment, mantra and hand mudra that she can use anytime she needs to feel more peaceful and calm.

c) Facilitate the relaxation session either in person or over the phone/SKYPE to help your mom feel like melted butter—in a good way.  Your mother will feel completely relaxed, rejuvenated and refreshed.  She will be nourished, cared for and treated with respect, compassion and grace for the entire session.

Sure, you could buy your mother a white leather wrapped jewelry box at Pottery Barn for $354 (I kid you not!), but I think that an hour and a half of bliss magic with benefits that will last her a lifetime is a better gift.  And, apparently, a more economical one as well (approximately $254 less than a leather wrapped jewelry box to be precise).

 




AFTER PURCHASE:

After you make your purchase, please send me an e-mail (sharon@yogamatrika.com) with:
1) Your name and contact information
2) The recipient’s name and how I should contact them about their gift. Alternatively, I can send a beautiful gift certificate to you to present or directly to the recipient.
3) Any information you want me to know that will make this gift really personalized and special for the recipient

If you don’t use e-mail (really? you don’t use e-mail?) or have trouble reaching me for any reason, then I warmly welcome your phone call to (412) 855-5692.  I’d love to discuss how to design the perfect yoga-gift for your mom or the mother you adore.

EARLY BIRD BONUS: I will send the first five Mother’s Day Yoga Spa gift recipients a special handmade lavender sachet along with their gift certificate (value: $13). Buy now for this special bonus! Seriously, this woman wiped poop off of your butt or your kid’s butt daily for almost 36-months………a little lavender sachet to send with the certificate seems like the least you can do.

Prenatal Yoga Classes in Pittsburgh

February 16, 2013
Posted by Sharon
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Matrika Prenatal Yoga and Exercise

Follow this link to Sharon’s awesome Pittsburgh Yoga Doula website for all things delicious, expectant and new!

 

Group Class Schedule

Wednesday at matrika (1406 S. Negley Avenue, Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh 15217)
6:00-7:15 pm
Saturday at matrika (1406 S. Negley Avenue, Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh 15217)
9:45-11:00 am

Tuition

$18 for single drop-in class*

$90 for 6-class package

*First class is FREE when you buy a package the same day that you take your first class

Payment Options

  • Bring a personal check made out to SHARON RUDYK
  • Use a Visa, Mastercard, Discover or any debit card
  • Exact cash (no change is available)

Matrika Prenatal Yoga and Exercise classes aren’t just regular classes modified for pregnancy!  Sharon has developed a unique system that prepares mothers in mind, body and spirit with the strength, courage and endurance necessary to enjoy a beautiful pregnancy, powerful labor and birth and mothering a newborn.  No experience with yoga or meditation is required, but Sharon suggests that you discuss with your  care provider and get their support before you start any new activity during pregnancy.

Benefits of Yoga and Meditation During Pregnancy

Physical

  • Gentle movements improve posture so that you carry baby correctly and prevent backache
  • Improved circulation mean less varicose veins, hemorrhoids and fluid retention
  • Relieve fatigue
  • Alleviate minor discomforts such as heartburn, pain in hip joints and ribs, muscle cramps and headaches
  • Strengthen the body and learn poses that you can use during labor for comfort
  • Learn pelvic floor exercises and other techniques for strengthening your body for birth
  • Stay toned and fit during pregnancy. Fit moms recover faster from birthing.

Emotional

  • Balance mood and learn to center body and mind
  • Connect deeply with your baby before they are born
  • Meet other expectant mothers
  • Be a part of a supportive community
  • Have fun!

Spiritual

  • Take the time to be quiet during this pregnancy
  • Access your own strength
  • Become aware of your fears and learn to work with yourself, your baby and your care providers with confidence
  • Know yourself and be better equipped to communicate your needs and desires to your birth partner, care providers and family
  • Create a sacred and special time to relax, hope and dream
What to Expect in a Matrika Prenatal Class

We do not expect prenatal yoga students to have any experience with yoga. Our prenatal yoga classes are appropriate for women in all weeks of pregnancy. Although each instructor has their own style and may provide a different emphasis or tone to their class, all classes include some stretching and breathing exercises, some asana (yoga poses) that will tone and strengthen the body and relaxation. There is no wrong way to do yoga and the more often you practice, the more familiar you will become with the poses. As you become more familiar with the poses and exercises, then you can turn your focus inward. Although some poses may be challenging and you will feel the stretches as you create greater flexibility in your body, you should never feel pain in a yoga class. This is true in any yoga class and not just prenatal yoga! If you are ever uncomfortable or have questions, your instructor can help you modify a pose or answer any questions that you might have. Our classes are intimate and non-competitive so you can receive personalized attention from well-trained instructors.

Our classes are not just gentle yoga classes modified for pregnancy. Our prenatal programs are designed specifically for pregnancy and we use yoga to prepare for birth and for being a mother. Labor, birth and mothering a newborn are not easy tasks. The focus, strength and awareness that you learn in prenatal yoga classes will give you the skills you need to meet these tasks with confidence. We support one another and the entire Matrika community is here for you now and after you have your baby.

Thank you to Red Lotus Photography for the beautiful photographs of Matrika Mammas.

Have a Cuppa for Holiday Tension

November 28, 2012
Posted by Sharon
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Many of my yoga students confide in me that they “can’t meditate.”  In most cases, this is based on a misunderstanding of what meditation is.  In many cases, I inform my students that, in fact, they have been meditating with me for years in our practices together!  Here is a meditation in the form of a tea drinking ritual that everyone can enjoy and an added breathing exercise with aromatherpy for even more emotional balance.

Making an excellent cup of tea takes time.  Use this time to focus on what you are doing.  This ritual starts with the selection of your tea making equipment and mug.  If at all possible, boil fresh water in a kettle on the stove or an electric kettle.  If you must use a microwave, then you must, but for this ritual, it would be most effective if you boiled the water using heat generated from electricity or natural gas so that you can listen to the sound of the water bubbling and boiling.  The type of tea that we will be using for our tension taming ritual is Earl Grey tea.  Use whatever brand and either caffeinated or non-caffeinated, but you want a delicious and full-scented Early Grey.  This type of tea is scented with Bergamot, an essential oil derived from the peel of a citrus fruit.  It is a very special and effective form of aromatherapy that has deeply healing benefits.  This beautiful organic black tea has both the benefits of bergamot and lavender.  I’ve never tried it myself, but it looks delicious!  Please let me know if you do try this tea and let me know how you like it.  If you are looking for a recommendation, I have tried this loose leaf tea and it is absolutely fabulous.  If you prefer tea bags, then I find that Tazo Tea’s Earl Grey is very smooth and has a lovely bergamot aroma.  I like the taste of Twinings, but find that it is light on aroma and perhaps not as affective for this ritual as these others might be.  Avoid a “Lady Grey” tea as they tend to be light versions of Earl Grey.  Again, nothing wrong with Lady Grey teas!  It’s just that we want a full bodied aroma for this ritual.  There are also green tea versions of Earl Grey tea if you prefer lower caffeine and the benefits of green tea as well as caffeine free roobios versions.  Find a great tea that works for your diet and lifestyle considerations.  These links are just suggestions to get you started on your Earl Grey tea selection journey.  These companies are not paying me and I don’t get any benefit when or if you purchase your teas.  Please experiment and find the best tea for your taste.  Enjoyment of your cuppa is a big part of this ritual!

Does it have to be Early Grey tea? 

For this particular ritual, yes, it has to be Earl Grey tea.  This being said, if you don’t like drinking tea or know that you don’t appreciate the flavor or aroma of Earl Grey tea, then don’t torture yourself!  The whole point of this ritual is to decrease tension and increase joy.  Consuming a beverage that you can’t enjoy is going to negate any benefit you might receive from this ritual.  All this means is that this particular ritual is not for you.  I plan on designing many little ritual-based meditations, so search the blog and try another idea that works for you.

This ritual is based on the healing aspects of bergamot—both the oil and the aroma of the oil.  Here are just a few of these benefits:

*relieves tension, anxiety and depression

*the oil itself can be gargled to disinfect the mouth and used for cold sores (especially cold sores that appear when stress arises)

*the oil is excellent for preventing urinary tract infections

*create a spray mist of bergamot to clear stale air (especially effective if you have a tobaco smoke smell to deal with)

This ritual is about dealing with tension and not about perfection.  So, don’t clean your kitchen first or delay the ritual until you run the dishwasher or clear the table of all the present wrapping and junk mail that comes with this time of year.  Just do it.  Personally, I always have to laugh when Yoga Journal or even Martha Stewart Living magazines (both of which I love by the way!) offer advice on how to relieve stress that involve pictures of women who are clearly well-rested, not covered in baby food or bits o’ toddler snacks and live in homes that have been cleaned by a team of others.  The advice usually starts with setting yourself up in a quiet space where you can be left alone in your fabulously new and clean “relaxation practice outfit”………..HA! For this ritual, all you need is a (relatively) clean mug, a way to boil water and about fifteen minutes.  You don’t have to be alone.  You don’t need a special outfit.  So, just push that “stuff” to the side and make it happen!  This being said, as this ritual involves boiling water and a very hot beverage, you may want to wait until your baby or toddler has gone to sleep for a nap or is having quiet time if you are in the care of young children……..you don’t want anyone to get hurt.

Seven Step Cuppa Ritual  for Tension Relief

Step 1: Boil fresh cold water.  While you wait for the water to boil, wash your mug if it isn’t already clean and really experience the process—-the texture of the sponge, the way the warm water feels on your hands, smell the soap.  If your mug is clean, you may want to take this time to wash your hands and perhaps apply some sandalwood, grapefruit, rose or lavender scented lotion.  As the water starts to boil, listen to the qualities of bubbling and the energy of heat acting on the water.  That’s a nice sound.  Perhaps your kettle whistles or your electric kettle has a tiny bell to alert you to the fact that the water has come to a boil?  Really listen.

Step 2: Pour the water over your tea bag or tea leaves either in a cup or a teapot as you wish.  Listen to the sounds.  Feel the weight of the kettle in your hands. Feel the weight of the water shift from the kettle to your mug or pot.  When you are done pouring, place your face a comfortable distance from the rising steam and smell the first aroma of the Earl Grey tea.  Light.  Feel the warmth of the scent when accompanied by steam.  Feel how your breath changes as you inhale the warm and damp air above your cup or teapot. 

Step 3: Wait for it to brew.  I’m not sure how long you would need to brew a green tea or a roobios tea version, but for black tea, no longer than 3-5 minutes or the Earl Grey tea can get bitter.  Set a timer so you don’t have to think about it.  As you wait, take deep breaths into your body and count.  When you exhale, take longer to release the breath than you did to inhale the breath.  If your sinuses are open, try breathing in and out through your nose.  Inhale and slowly, slowly, slowly release the breath. 

Step 4: Make your cup your own.  I like to add a teaspoon of honey and a splash of milk.  Perhaps you prefer lemon?  Do whatever you need to do to make your cup of tea as delicious as possible.

Step 5: Find a place to sit.  Yes, that’s right.  Sit down.  Push all the stuffed animals, socks and cheeze-it crumbs to the side, make room for your butt and then sit.  As you wait for your tea to cool, become aware of your environment.  Listen to the sounds of the room, feel the temperature of the air on your skin, notice the sensation of the parts of your body that are touching your seat and then feel your body, your skin, your feet. 

Step 6: Don’t rush!  Burning your mouth is not pleasant.  When you feel that your tea has cooled to a temperature that is appropriate for you, then take your cup to your mouth and take a sip.  Feel that each warm smallow of tea is bringing liquid calm to every cell in your body.  Be confident that this cup of tea is going to improve your well-being.  Through this ritual and this cup of tea you are giving yourself the greatest gift possible.  The gift of the present moment.

Step 7: After you have finished  your tea, do a gentle scan of your body before you stand up.  Starting with your toes, feel and relax your whole body: feet, legs, belly, low back, middle back, upper back, heart, arms, hands, throat, neck, jaw, face, skull and all the space around you.  Enjoy this feeling.  Your whole body relaxed.  That’s a nice feeling!

Repeat your little ritual as often as you like!  Take the time to make time for the present moment and you will be delighted in how even a minimal investment is returned to you exponentially. 

Bergamot Oil for a Calming and Balancing Pranayama

For this aromatherapy enhanced breathing exercise, you will need to purchase some high quality bergamot oil.  I exclusively recommend and sell Floracopeia essential oils.  They are very high quality and you can count on them to be pure and magical.  If you are a new customer to Floracopeia, then Sharon offers a special 25% off discount to all of her clients.  In order to receive the 25% discount off your entire order, you will follow this link and enter the DISCOUNT CODE: SharonRudyk.  As bergamot oil on the skin increases your chance of experiencing photo-sensitivities, it is best to do this exercise during the winter or in a climate and environment with low light.  If you live in a place with a lot of sun (lucky you!), then please stay out of the sun for at least 30-minutes after you use the bergamot oil on your hands.  Also, you can become sensative to bergamot over time, so switch up your oil use.  You can do this calming pranayama with different aromas and you are not likely to develop sensitivities to bergamot if you rotate your oils (other choices include clary sage, lavender, rose, cammomile or sandalwood).

Before you start the breathing exercise, place a drop of your chosen essential oil with a little carrier oil—–I like almond oil or jojoba oil if you have nut sensitivities—in the palm of your right hand and then rub your hands together.  Come to a seated pose, either in a seated meditation pose on the floor or sitting upright in a chair, and place your left hand in gyana mudra (thumb tip to index finger tip—like giving the OK sign) on your left thigh or anywhere on your left leg that you can comfortably rest it.  You will be using your right hand to alternatively open and close your nostrils.  

Now you will begin Nadi Shodhana Pranayama which is also called Alternate Nostril Breath or Channel Clearing Breath.  Here is a link to full information and instructions on this breathing exercise. As you have applied the essential oil to your right palm, each time that you breathe-in, you will draw the healing properties of the oil into your body and mind.  Continue in this process for 3 or 5 minutes.  Set a timer so that you can relax, focus on the breath and the scent of your palms and not on the time.

Step by Step

Sit in a comfortable asana and make Mrigi Mudra. Beginning pranayama students may have some difficulty holding their raised arm in position for the length of the practice. You can put a bolster across your legs and use it to support your elbow.

Gently close your right nostril with your thumb. Inhale through your left nostril, then close it with your ring-little fingers. Open and exhale slowly through the right nostril.

Keep the right nostril open, inhale, then close it, and open and exhale slowly through the left. This is one cycle. Repeat 3 to 5 times, then release the hand mudra and go back to normal breathing. (NOTE: some yoga schools begin this sequence by first closing the left nostril and inhaling through the right; this order is prescribed in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, 2.7-10).

Benefits

  • Lowers heart rate and reduces stress and anxiety
  • Said to synchronize the two hemispheres of the brain
  • Said to purify the subtle energy channels (nadis) of the body so the prana flows more easily during pranayama practice

(Instructions and pranayama information all thanks to Yoga Journal)

This little ritual for real people is brought to you by Sharon Rudyk of Sharon Rudyk Yoga based in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, PA 15217.  Sharon is an independent yoga instructor offering mindful yoga and meditation practices, teacher training programs, mindful approaches to pregnancy, childbirth and parenting and classes for all ages and abilities.  If you aren’t in Pittsburgh, Sharon would love to come and visit you and also works with long distance clients using SKYPE technology.  Call Sharon at your convenience for a free consultation (412) 855-5692 and visit Sharon’s website for more information: http://www.sharonrudykyoga.com.

Yoga for Moms

November 11, 2012
Posted by Sharon
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Mom & Baby Yoga
Class Schedule

Me & You Yoga (starts 12/10)
Mondays from 9:30-10:30 am
Join Sharon and Lady J for an awesome hour of yoga for moms and babies, toddlers and preschool age children. The emphasis here is on yoga for moms that incorporates little ones so that they share in the practice, witness mom taking care of her mind, body and spirit and learn some yoga tricks of their own. Babies love spending time with a calm and happy mom. Make this a shared weekly ritual of joy and light!

Mom and Baby Yoga (starts 12/8)
Saturdays from 11:15-12:00 pm

This class is for mom and babies who are not yet walking to share together. Our practice begins with sounding OM to create a vibration of peace. Then, we do some gentle yoga that is postpartum appropriate to ease tension in the head, neck, shoulders and back. Babies enjoy a few yoga poses, songs and activities just for them! Classes end with some more yoga for mom and a deep relaxation.

We have a NEW Little Om Toddler Play Group! If you have a baby that is standing or looking like they might be on the run soon, check out this dynamic play group experience .

What to wear? What to bring?

You should wear comfortable clothing that you can move and stretch in. We practice in bare feet. You will want to bring everything you need to feed baby, diapers, a receiving blanket and any toys or snacks that you need to keep older babies and toddlers happy and comfortable. For your own comfort, please bring a yoga mat and a water bottle. You should bring a towel and burp cloths to pick up spills and thrills.

Mom & Baby Yoga Benefits

  • Increased strength, energy and endurance for mom
  • Recover physically & emotionally from pregnancy and childbirth
  • Stabilize strength in pelvic floor and abdominals
  • Learn yoga techniques to calm and delight baby
  • Bond with your baby and share an activity that brings you both increased health and happiness
  • Network with other new moms and share ideas, resources and support. Make new friends too!
  • Reduce anxiety, stress and some of the aches and pains of motherhood: sore shoulders, back and neck especially
  • Learn ways to cope when you feel overwhelmed and exhausted

Doing Yoga Together:
Preparations and Expectations

You love yoga and now you want to make it a part of your child’s life too. We are delighted that this is the case and we have a few things to keep in mind that will help you and your child enjoy the experience.

Keep an Open Mind

We find that it takes a couple of visits to the studio for children (ok, it’s actually true for adults too!) to understand what the activity is and what is expected of them. You might find that your child acts bored or is not interested in doing yoga. The way that babies and children enjoy yoga classes may be different from the way that you enjoy them. What we know is that, over time, sharing yoga together with your child creates beautiful memories and is time that you will cherish forever.

Prepare for Class

As much as possible, make sure that you and baby have had a snack and are wearing comfortable clothing. Try to leave enough time to get the studio so that there isn’t a lot of stress before class. Bring your little ones favorite toy or comfort item and some snacks as appropriate. Bring a receiving blanket for newborns and pre-crawling infants and a change of clothing and more diapering supplies than you think you need. For young children, after the first class, make sure that you talk with them about it and start talking about it again a few days before class—–remind them of the teacher’s name, another child’s name or some feature of class that they remember (a story, a sound or ritual).

Enjoy the Moment

When we release our expectations, we can enjoy whatever is happening. This is yoga! Yoga together is very different from adult yoga, but it allows us to stay fit and take time to meet our own needs as adults while sharing something that is very important to us with our children. Sometimes it goes as planned and sometimes it is a bit of a disaster, but know that you and your child are never judged at Yoga Matrika. There isn’t one of us who haven’t had a child tantrum during a Mom & Baby class or who didn’t have a baby who cried through an entire class——we welcome you and your little one, even if you are having “one of those days.”


CLICK on BANNER to shop for cloth diapers and great products for baby! New customers use code NEW2HBC and get 10% off their first order of $30 or more. Free shipping!

Yoga at Home for $2 a Month

December 21, 2009
Posted by Sharon
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There are a LOT of great reasons to practice yoga at home on your own:

1-You have work and/or family responsibilities that make it impossible to consistently get to a yoga class.  This may be especially true for new parents who are juggling jobs, childcare and EVERYTHING!

2-You travel often and wish you had a practice you could take with you on the road

3-It’s a great way to advance your practice and always do the poses and exercises that best support you in how you feel (if you’re calling the shots, then you don’t have to do any handstands if you don’t want to!).

4-If you are not feeling well, are injured or need a modified practice for any reason, you can learn how to do a practice that will help you feel better

5-You want to make yoga a part of everyday—a real part of your life and not just a class or workshop that you take every once in a while.

Many of my students ask me how to start a home practice and how to be consistent about practicing at home.  For them, and for you, I have designed a great home practice that can be done anywhere by anyone.  In just 10-minutes a day, you will feel a huge improvement in how you feel.  I am charging $24 for 12-months of home practice support.  Here are the details:

Yoga Matrika invites YOU to Make 2010 the Year
YOU Develop a Home Yoga Practice. 

We welcome everyone to become a part of this yoga-based resolution revolution!  You don’t have to live in Pittsburgh and we hope that EVERYONE will take advantage of this project that invites you to make yoga and meditation a part of EVERY day of your life in a gentle and flexible way.   This program is for yogis of all ages, experience levels and physical abilities. 

Here is how it works:

STEP 1:  Pay the fees for home practice or make a donation 

The cost for the basic home practice and one year of home yoga practice support is $24.  You can make a payment online at the bottom of this page.

 

STEP 2:  You will receive a BASIC HOME PRACTICE in the mail to the mailing address you provide when you make payment. 

This home practice will take most adults 10-15 minutes to complete.  Modifications for practice in a chair or lying down can be provided upon request. The home practice guide will include pictures and text that describe the poses and exercises.  If you ever have any questions, there will be support contact information provided in your WELCOME KIT.

 

STEP 3:  Every month, you will receive an e-mail newsletter that will provide an additional 5-10 minutes of practice ideas so that you can slowly expand the amount of time you are spending on your home practice through the 12-months of the program.

 

By the end of one year, you will have:

1-A basic home practice that you can do anytime and anywhere in 10-15 minutes.

2-Three different 1-hour long home practices that you can do:
    #1:  Home Practice for Low Back and Hips
    #2:  Home Practice for Stress Relief
    #3:  Home Practice to Relieve Tension in the Head, Neck and Shoulders

3-Home Yoga & Meditation practices for anywhere between 10-minutes and 1-hour so you will always have a plan for your home practice no matter how much or how little time you have. 

 

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I SIGN-UP?

When you sign-up for home practice support, you will receive a Welcome Kit that will include the BASIC HOME PRACTICE.  The basic home practice is designed to take 10-15 minutes and includes some breathing practices, stretching and relaxation.  We suggest that you start by making a commitment to doing 10-minutes of yoga a day for 5-days per week.  It’s more important that you are consistent about practicing every day than the amount of time you spend every day. You will be amazed at how different you feel with just 10-minutes of practice! 

One month after you sign-up for the home practice support, you will begin to receive monthly e-mail newsletters that provide an additional 5-minutes to add on to your basic practice until you have an hour-long home practice with variations for low back and hip care, stress, and tension in head, neck and shoulders.  You will also receive yoga and meditation tips in every newsletter that will help inspire your practice and keep it fresh.  It is ALWAYS your choice how much or how little of the practice you do.  This practice is designed so that, no matter how much or how little time you have, you can always have a great plan for a 10-minute, 20-minute, 40-minute or hour long practice and everything in between.

You don’t need any special equipment or clothing to practice yoga at home.  It is suggested that you decide on a place for your practice and consistently use that place (it can be ANYWHERE that you have floor space—kitchen, hallway, ANYWHERE).  Many people find that it is helpful to have a yoga mat and to keep it within view so that you can just throw your mat down and practice when you have a few minutes. 

We also recommend that you take a minimum of 2-yoga classes a month with a qualified teacher at a studio in your area.  It’s a good idea to go to a class so that you can receive adjustments to your poses, be a part of a supportive yoga community and receive the benefits of an inspiring practice. You will learn new poses and new ideas and you can always incorporate what you like the most into your home practice.   Practicing on your own and practicing with a group is a very different experience.  It’s important to have both of these types of experiences in order to advance your practice AND to keep your home practice fresh and exciting.

Your 2010 home practice will also include reading the following two books:

1.  Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul
     by Deepak Chopra.  2009

2.  The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of 
    Happiness by Youngey Mingyur Rinpoche.  2007

Each monthly e-newsletter will include information from these texts to inspire your practice and to keep your practice engaged with yoga philosophy.

You don’t have to buy these books, but we think you’ll want to so you can read them again and again and again!—You can borrow them from the library, create a home practice group with friends and collectively own one set of the texts, etc.  If you do buy them and you have a local book shop, please order it through them or ask them to carry these titles.  If not, then the book titles are linked to information that will help you purchase them online.  If you live in or around the Pittsburgh Metro area, we recommend Joseph Beth Booksellers on the South Side.  They should have these books in stock for you or they can order them!

If you are interested, please go to  https://www.yogamatrika.com//practiceyoga-at-home/
for more details and to sign-up for home practice support.

Posted by Sharon Fennimore Rudyk
Owner and Director, Yoga Matrika

http://www.sharonrudykyoga.info
https://www.yogamatrika.com/
http://www.prenatalyogapittsburgh.com