Coming Up! Foundations of Yoga Beginners Series
Did some of you out there make a new years intention to learn something new? Or perhaps take better care of yourself ? Ashley Paz is offering two sessions of beginner friendly yoga courses this winter to help you follow through in a way that is comfortable, supportive and geared toward those new to Yoga.
The Foundations of Yoga Beginners Series
By Ashley Paz
Welcome to the New Year!! May the new year bring joy, peace, and happiness to you and your family! Building the foundation of a yoga practice is like starting a garden. You decide what you want to cultivate and the space and tools you have to get started. Keeping an open mind or a “beginners mind” can assist in the journey. In my yoga foundations series I introduce you to your mat and share the importance of having a beginning and an end to your practice. In the first class you will learn basic postures that engage your hips, inner thighs and lower back. You will cultivate steadiness, calm, and greater body awareness.
Every asana (physical posture) that has come down to us today began with an authentic inner impulse that was felt and experienced by someone at some time and then recorded so that it might be shared. Literally translated as “comfortable seat” the word asana means to relax into the consciousness of life as it manifests through the expression of each posture. We enter an asana by feeling “what is,” we simply feel how we are and offer ourselves in complete acceptance for whatever we are bringing to the mat. This is a crucial step to steer away from frustration and disappointment.
Our breath can communicate what we are experiencing-if the breath is shallow it may translate as pain or grief, giving us an internal dialogue. As Donna Farhi said
“We can use the breath as a metronome to delineate our experience”
This is a profound practice but not easy. The mind can drift quickly to past events, present concerns, or future fantasies. When we notice we can catch ourselves and say “Im just in relaxation pose breathing in and out.” Over time we catch ourselves sooner and come back to the moment more easily and we become less invested in entertaining ourselves with fantasy.
It is my hope that in 2019 we will all keep in mind that “Yoga Practices develop the body to the level of the vibrant mind so that the body and the mind, having both become vibrant, are drawn towards the light of the soul. “-B.K.S Iyengar
Join Ashley for one or both series, first one beginning this coming Tuesday, Jan 15.
About the Author
Ashley currently teaches Hatha, Vinyasa,and Gentle Yoga at Om Shala. She completed Soma Yoga Institutes therapeutic elements teacher training and is registered with yoga alliance. "I try to offer a space where individuals can challenge themselves as well as feel safe and supported." Some classes will find more steadiness and holding of poses to build strength and stamina. Other classes will flow as grace and breath meet in the practice. She has worked with students who are completely new to yoga as well as seasoned practitioners and finds joy in all areas of the spectrum. She encourages her students to cultivate a deeper awareness of their physical body, while simultaneously expand the awareness between mind,body, and spirit.
Yoga has greatly enhanced her well being and she believes that yoga is a lifelong study on and off the mat. She is constantly immersing herself in teachings to keep her classes fresh and exciting. Her intention is to allow the practice of yoga to guide us all towards wellness, and freedom. She is an avid reader, harpist, hiker, & pet owner. "Discover for yourself the power of yoga to increase your awareness and aliveness!"