Take the Yoga Challenge! Watch for announcements for a summer challenge!    YOU can join the Yoga Challenge! This was a great idea! I'm doing sooo good with my yoga. The first week I missed two days but since then, I have been jamming. . . I almost always end up doing 30-60 minutes of yoga even though I said 15. . .way great idea to get people in the swing!  (Gina) to read what other students are saying and doing, click here   Whether you are currently taking yoga classes or it has been months or years, YOU are invited to participate in a 30-day yoga challenge. It’s FREE! Consistent practice, or sadhana, has been a part of yoga tradition for thousands of years.  It’s a commitment you make to yourself to practice something over a period of time, traditionally 40 days or more. An example of such a sadhana is the practice some Catholics undertake to avoid meat or meat on Fridays during the season of Lent (it’s 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday).  What is a Yoga Challenge? It’s a commitment you make to practice something, preferably every day, in this case  for 30 days. Examples: A 15 minute yoga asana practice  (asana) 10 minutes or one page written in a journal (self study or svadhyaya) 10 minutes of silent meditation or centering prayer ( dhyana) stop complaining (one of the niyamas is contentment, or santosa) instead of eating candy,  have fruit (another niyama is cleanliness or sauca) give something away to Goodwill or Gift and Thrift (one of the yamas is non-hoarding or aparigraha)   Hint: I strongly suggest that for this challenge you pick ONE thing that is simple enough you can do it every day. That will make it easier to win the arguments you will have with your Excuse Monster. However, you may commit to 5 days out of  7 if necessary. Hint: Make your commitment  Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and give it a Time frame (daily for 30 days, or 5 days out of  7 for 30 days.) Don’t pick “tell the truth” unless at the end of the day you are going to be able to know whether you told the truth  or not. Instead, you might make a commitment to write a journal entry each day about how “telling the truth” entered into your day. (or not.)  Who can participate: Anyone who wants to deepen their yoga practice! How: Everyone who wants to participate will email me or tell me what  your commitment is. I will compile a list and post it on the “what’s new” page of my website. You can remain anonymous, if you prefer. I will post a weekly digest on the website from your emailed notes about your progress, complaints, challenges, successes. In addition: yoga buddy:  If you would like, I will pair you up with another student to share your practice/encourage each other. Drop-in classes:  During the 30-day period, the drop-in rate for Monday and Thursday classes will be only $10 instead of $12 and will be open to former as well as current students.   When: February 22- March 23, 2008.  Local students completing the 30-day challenge will be entered in a drawing to win a Yoga Bolster! Diana Woodall, vrksasana@hotmail.com,   (540) 432-9642   Sue P. from Iowa says that her biggest obstacle to home yoga practice is this 5 cats who congregate on her mat. So, she puts down a mat for them first, and then a mat for herself. What's your practice? What's your excuse? email me at vrksasana@hotmail.com.     DAY LONG YOGA SEMINAR SATURDAY NOVEMBER 10 click here   Note new location for the Wed eve Parks and Rec classes: at the Lucy Simms Continuing Education Center, 620 Simms Ave.         Do your travel plans may preclude attending class on a regular basis? Consider private classes. In a private class you will learn more about addressing particular concerns you may have, for example, low back pain or knee issues. It's also a great way to deepen your home practice. Call me at 432-9642 for more info.

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Ayurveda and 5 Elements