The mission The Unknown of The Health Advantage Yoga e have all had huge nerve-wracking event years, and at one point I Wthe experience of becomes commonplace. taught five beginning yoga Center is to attending a new school, Sometimes we feel that we classes per session. I find it whether it is the first day of are doing the same thing fascinating that no class is enhance the kindergarten or switching over and over again, year in ever the same. The students to a new high school mid and year out. We drive the have different amounts of health, well-being year. As the first day same routes, work with the energy and interest, differ- approaches, there is the same people and see the ent injuries, and different and unity of thrill of anticipation mixed same neighbors. We may questions. An explanation with the disquiet of facing feel we are in a deep rut. of a pose that works well in body, mind, heart, the unknown. Excited The yoga center has a pre- one class is met with blank thoughts of new adventures dictable flow: the brochures stares in the next. These and spirit through are mingled with concerns for the next session are variations have kept the of fitting in and finding classes new and interesting Anusara Yoga and mailed, registration starts, friends. the current session ends, year after year. related disciplines. As we move beyond school, there is a short break and The unknown can be as there are major events like then the new session thrilling and scary as the new jobs, marriage and hav- begins. Yet each session first day of school, but WINTER 2005 ing children, each of which brings new students, and often, it is unrecognized. is accompanied by that many returning students When a party becomes HIGHLIGHTS same mix of excitement and change classes, levels and just another party, INTERIM WORKSHOPS: apprehension. A similar instructors. There are new we forget Stillness & Joy, rush of adrenaline and ache combinations of students in there is New Year's, in the pit of the stomach classes and different levels always Yoga Nidra . .4 can be felt before smaller of enrollment. Even though the moments like leading a the outer rhythm stays the WORKSHOPS: meeting for the first time or same, there are constant Breast Cancer Survivors, Food & throwing a first party. There variations within it. Mood, Relax & Renew, is always a chance some- I have taught Philosophy, Hip thing unexpected could beginning Openers, Reiki 2, happen. yoga classes Teen Stress . .4&5 Once we have done some- for Sample Classes . .12 thing many times, the excitement and unease fade. It becomes just another Classes Begin meeting or party, noth- January 10 ing to get too excited about. What was a chance someone could spill will find when you enter into the unknown. New SUSAN VAN NUYS is the red wine on the carpet. your office or what your resolutions create a sense director of The Health children will tell you when of excitement, accomplish- Advantage Yoga Center. When you stop and consid- er, there is always some they arrive home from ment or worry at first, but She has been a yoga practi- school. Even when you talk after a while these emotions tioner since 1989 and is a uncertainty in everything in life. You never really know with a spouse or an old tend to fade as a routine certified Anusara Yoga friend, you are never exactly becomes established. Instructor and Registered what will happen when you step out of your certain what they are think- We would have trouble Yoga Teacher through the ing or feeling at that time. Yoga Alliance. Susan has door each morn- functioning if we lived each ing, much From previous experience, day as if it were the first day studied with many world- there are expectations, but class instructors and has less what of school. Constant excite- you you can never completely ment and nervousness chosen to focus on the predict what will happen. Anusara style. She received would wear us down. a BS degree in computer Now we are beginning a However, life without the science and linguistics new year. It is a time of unknown would be incredi- from the College of new resolutions and bly dull. William and Mary. She new beginnings, The trick is to see the infi- particularly enjoys applying a recognized nite variations within our the logic she learned while and cele- regular schedules and to programming computers brated realize that the unknown is to the progressive teaching step always there. With the of yoga poses. When not unknown there is always involved with yoga or something new. computers, Susan enjoys hiking, biking and travelling. “Anusara Yoga integrates the science of bio-mechanical alignment, the art of the inner body and a celebration of the heart.” John Friend •Jennifer is having her second child! Her baby is due mid- •The Mixed Level class is being discontinued for now. February, and after the birth, she plans to take off the •There are a limited number of work-study positions avail- remainder of the winter as well as the spring session. able at HAYC and a limited number of scholarships. If you Mary O. will teach the Postpartum class on Friday morn- are interested, ask for an application at the front desk. ing. Eileen will teach the Prenatal class on Friday evening. •We need 7 registered students to hold a session of classes. Linda will teach the Sunday morning Yoga 3 at 9 a.m. If the course for which you have registered has fewer than and Robbie will teach Yoga 2-3 at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday. seven students, the class may be cancelled. You will be Nick will teach Yoga 1 on Sunday at 10:45 a.m. notified and we will try to find another class for you. •Kristina is adopting a baby early in 2005 and though she does not plan to return as a full time instructor, she may appear as a substitute occasionally. 2 healthadvantageyoga.com YOGA 1/BEGINNER is endurance in Yoga 1 and We regret there is NO CHILDCARE the introductory class for Yoga 2 standing poses. students who are new to It does not include the available at the Yoga Center. Yoga. This class focuses shoulder stand. The basic on poses to stretch and Anusara Yoga principles of strengthen the legs, back, alignment are presented. and shoulders. Emphasis This class is suitable for practice outside of class is and relaxation to help you is given to the basic align- students who have prac- strongly encouraged. It is recover from pregnancy ment of the standing ticed other styles of yoga, recommended that stu- and childbirth and to poses. but it is not suitable for dents complete at least adjust to the demands of those who have never stud- three sessions of Level 2 motherhood. Please bring GENTLE YOGA 1 is ied yoga before. and one session of Level diapering supplies, a water- designed for those who 2-3 before taking Yoga 3. proof changing sheet, and prefer a class less vigorous YOGA 2/ADVANCED a blanket for your baby. than Yoga 1. It includes BEGINNER focuses on YOGA 4/ADVANCED is gentle stretches and refining the standing poses for students who are capa- YOGA FOR KIDS (ages 6- breathing as well as simple and learning basic sitting ble of holding a freestand- 11) This class is designed to movements designed to postures, simple back ing headstand, can do a help children build strength systematically increase the bending poses, and the full arm balance (hand- and flexibility, concentra- range of motion of every shoulder stand using the stand) alone at the wall, tion and focus, compassion major joint and increase Anusara Yoga principles and who can push up into and self-esteem through the energy. This class is ideal of alignment. It is recom- Urdhva Dhanurasana playful practice of yoga pos- for students with chronic mended that students com- (Upward Facing Bow tures. Kids will have fun as symptoms such as muscle/ plete both Yoga 1 and Pose) with straight arms. they improve their posture, joint pain, stiffness, weak- Yoga 1-2 before taking Regular practice is expect- motor coordination and ness, or fatigue. Yoga 2. ed. Permission of the balance. Yoga poses will help children cope with the GENTLE YOGA 2 is a YOGA 2-3 is a combina- instructor is required. conflicts and stress of a very continuation of Gentle tion class. It begins with PRENATAL YOGA is for hectic world. A child who Yoga 1, emphasizing the Yoga 2 poses and moves pregnant women. Dads-to- learns yoga will develop refinement of Gentle Yoga gradually into Yoga 3 be are also welcome to skills that will last a lifetime. poses, particularly 1 poses and introducing register for the class. This the basic Anusara Yoga strengthening poses for the TEENS YOGA (Ages 12- class is designed to help principles. This class will upper body in preparation 17) Life can be very busy you stay relaxed and focus on strengthening the for the headstand and and stressful for teens these healthy throughout preg- body and adapting poses handstand. The headstand days. This class gives teens nancy and to prepare you to protect injured or weak is the major pose learned the opportunity to partici- joints. New breathing and in this course. Students for delivery. It is fun and pate in a nurturing activity relaxation techniques will should complete at least appropriate for both new that provides exercise for be introduced as well.