The mission Worries of the Moment of The Health efore last December, I had never Fortunately we had wonderful contractors. Advantage Yoga remodeled my house or anything They showed up every day, did excellent Belse. Adding on to HAYC was a new work, stayed within budget, and finished Center is to adventure. As with any new undertaking, in time for our inspections before sample I approached it with some trepidation. In classes began. Our build-out could not enhance the talking with friends about remodeling their have gone any better. houses, I heard all types of horror stories. health, well-being It is always difficult to stop worrying and There were unexpected architectural prob- let go of something that could affect our and unity of lems, contractors who did not show up, happiness and peace of mind. The worry projects that were delayed by months, could stem from something major that body, mind, heart, terrible workmanship, and huge problems could affect us for quite a while, though with cost overruns. often it is something relatively minor like and spirit through The newsletters for the Winter session went a comment from a friend or co-worker, into the mail before construction started or returning again to memories of a past Anusara Yoga and and the Winter session sample classes were event. We cannot change the past and there scheduled to begin a little more than five is often little we can do to change the related disciplines. weeks later. Once the Fall classes had ended future or the actions of other people. Our and the demolition of almost half of our thoughts spin around and around as existing space had begun, everything was we try to find some way to direct out of my hands. Besides being there or contain what is beyond our every day to make decisions about lights, control. positions of shelves and whatever minor One suggestion for living a SPRING 2006 details came up, I could not do anything happy life that I run across HIGHLIGHTS to help with the actual work. I had no frequently in yoga workshops control over the situation. and in books is to live in WORKSHOPS: It would be nice to say I the moment. I have Reiki, Yoga on the Ball, remained calm and never wor- always wondered how Nutrition, Philosophy, ried at all, but there were some one can live in the Yoga Nidra . 4 moments of concern. Walking moment and save for the permits through the vari- retirement. If you are liv- Betsey Downing, Ph.D. ous local governments had ing in the moment, you Weekend Workshop . 10 taken much more time than I are not thinking of the Sample Classes . 12 expected. If the construction future. Of course, if you ran into the same delays, it do not think of the Classes Begin would be quite a mess. future, it may April 17 What would happen if we be diffi- were delayed a week or a cult to month? live. SUSAN VAN NUYS is the director The method that allows me that could arise from her current of The Health Advantage Yoga to find peace of mind is to concerns. Usually she realizes that Center. She has been a yoga practi- prepare for the future the even the worst case scenario is tioner since 1989 and is a certified best that I can and then really not that bad and she is Anusara Yoga Instructor and let go. In the case of our worrying unnecessarily. Registered Yoga Teacher through expansion, preparation Often when we step back and the Yoga Alliance. Susan has studied involved clearing my examine our concerns, we find with many world-class instructors schedule during the they are truly minor. Even and has chosen to focus on the weeks of construction when they are major, we Anusara style. She received a BS so I could be available seldom can do any- degree in computer science and lin- if needed. Also, I thing about the sit- guistics from the College of William thought about var- uation. If we could, and Mary. She particularly enjoys ious ways to shift we would act instead of applying the logic she learned while the 2006 schedule if necessary and worrying helplessly. programming computers to the how to set up phone trees to notify When you realize that you are limited progressive teaching of yoga poses. everyone. Whenever I became con- in your response to a problem, you When not involved with yoga or cerned, I would go back to my list of can choose to continue to worry, or computers, Susan enjoys hiking, preparations, realize there was noth- you can find a method to let go. biking and travelling. ing more I could do, and mentally When you let go, you are free to live change the subject. in the moment. A friend said that her method is to imagine the absolutely worst situation YOGA 1/BEGINNER is symptoms such as muscle/ YOGA 1-2 is a continua- YOGA 2/ADVANCED the introductory class for joint pain, stiffness, weak- tion class for Yoga 1. The BEGINNER focuses on students who are new to ness, or fatigue. emphasis of this course is refining the standing poses Yoga. This class focuses on refining and building and learning basic sitting is a on poses to stretch and GENTLE YOGA 2 endurance in Yoga 1 and postures, simple back continuation of Gentle strengthen the legs, back, Yoga 2 standing poses. bending poses, and the Classes InforYoga 1, emphasizingmation the and shoulders. Emphasis& It does not include the shoulder stand using the refinement of Gentle Yoga is given to the basic align- shoulder stand. The basic Anusara Yoga principles 1 poses and introducing ment of the standing Anusara Yoga principles of alignment. It is recom- the basic Anusara Yoga poses. of alignment are presented. mended that students principles. This class will This class is suitable for complete both Yoga 1 is focus on strengthening the GENTLE YOGA 1 students who have prac- and Yoga 1-2 before designed for those who body and adapting poses ticed other styles of yoga, taking Yoga 2. prefer a class less vigorous to protect injured or weak but it is not suitable for than Yoga 1. It includes joints. New breathing and those who have never stud- gentle stretches and relaxation techniques will ied yoga before. breathing as well as simple be introduced as well. This movements designed to class is more strenuous systematically increase the than Gentle Yoga 1 and Please do not attend class if you have a range of motion of every students must complete at contagious condition. HAYC has a flexible major joint and increase least two sessions of Gentle make-up policy and we will welcome you energy. This class is ideal Yoga 1 before taking back when you have recovered. for students with chronic Gentle Yoga 2. 2 healthadvantageyoga.com We regret there is NO CHILDCARE available at the Yoga Center. Classes (cont.) YOGA 2-3 is a combina- YOGA 4/ADVANCED is of Yoga 2 or who have a POSTPARTUM YOGA tion class. It begins with for students who are capa- strong current Vinyasa is for new mothers and Yoga 2 poses and moves ble of holding a freestand- based practice (Ashtanga babies 6 weeks to 6 gradually into Yoga 3 ing headstand, can do a or power based flows). months. This one-hour poses, particularly full arm balance (hand- class focuses on the use of is a strengthening poses for the stand) alone at the wall, YIN YANG YOGA yoga postures, breathing combination of quiet sta- upper body in preparation and who can push up into and relaxation to help you tionary poses and flowing for the headstand and Urdhva Dhanurasana recover from pregnancy sequences of poses. The handstand. The headstand (Upward Facing Bow and childbirth and to Yin practice is designed to is the major pose learned Pose) with straight arms. adjust to the demands of work our connective tissues in this course. Students Regular practice is expect- motherhood. Please bring (ligaments and fascia) and diapering supplies, a water- should complete at least ed. Permission of the to protect the health of proof changing sheet, and three sessions of Yoga 2 instructor is required. our joints. It nourishes the a blanket for your baby. before taking Yoga 2-3. flow of energy in our bod- MIXED LEVEL YOGA (ages 6- students will practice a ies through a practice of YOGA FOR KIDS YOGA 3/INTERMEDIATE 11) This class is designed to continues with refinements variety of yoga poses, holding a series of floor help children build strength to poses studied in Yoga 1 or asanas, in addition to postures for 3 to 5 min- and flexibility, concentra- and 2 and introduces the breathing techniques, utes. The Yin practice is a tion and focus, compassion headstand, forearm bal- meditation and relaxation perfect complement to the and self-esteem through the ance, and full arm balance taught in the Anusara style. more muscular, movement playful practice of yoga pos- (handstand). Additional Enjoy variety in this class -oriented Yang practices of tures. Kids will have fun as back bend poses are also open to students who have yoga which include Sun they improve their posture, included. Regular yoga finished a session of Yoga Salutes, Vinyasas, and Paul motor coordination and practice outside of class is 1-2 or above. Mixed Level Grilley’s Tai-chi /Yoga balance. Yoga poses will strongly encouraged. It is is a great second class for Flows. The more passive help children cope with the recommended that stu- those who want to do yoga Yin practice balances the conflicts and stress of a very dents complete at least more than once a week active Yang by strengthen- hectic world.