My relationship to Yoga
defines my relationship to myself. I have studied many styles of both Yoga
and Qigong and had many teachers over the years. They all have contributed
to who I am as a person, a practitioner and teacher. I tend to resonate
with the Kripalu style and mindset the most. My heart has a strong
connection to Kripalu and all my time spent there learning and teaching
both Yoga and Massage. It is where my practice truly blossomed and became
uniquely my own. Kripalu Yoga allowed space for my true self-expression.
It is my goal as a teacher to encourage self-expression and awareness in
others. Along with promoting health and vitality. My classes also offer
elements of Qigong , and overtones of Yin Yoga, Kudalini and other styles
as well as concepts that I have learned as a practitioner of Eastern
Medicine and Massage. I enjoy and have experience teaching all ages, kids
to the elderly. I have worked with the special needs population including
ADHD, bipolar and Alzheimer patients. It is my experience that
the practice of yoga is beneficial to
all.
Yoga in the
Workplace: I have developed a simple yoga
routine that can be done during a 15 minute break in your chair at work.
Learn to release neck, back and shoulder tension, carpal tunnel syndrome
and computer eye fatigue. This routine is useful for any one that spends
long hours in front of a computer or at a desk.
Chair Yoga For the Young at Heart: I
have developed a 45 minute chair routine to be used with the elderly and
Alzheimer patients. This is a simple yet profoundly beneficial routine
that helps with coordination, memory, balance and right/left brain
integration. It includes concepts of Eastern Medicine, exercises to
improve or maintain eyesight along with elements of basic Yoga and
Qigong. I am available to teach this routine at nursing or assisted
living facilities as well as community centers. This system works best
when I can train a recreational or activity director who will guide the
participants through the routine on a regular
basis.
What is
Yogong?
Yogong is a fusion of Yoga, Qigong and Eastern
Medicine. It is therapeutic in nature as it promotes health, balance,
flexibility, coordination, energy flow and the integration of the
physiology of body, with the mind/consciousness, and the discovery of
your individual spiritual nature. After many years of practicing Yoga and
Qigong as separate styles, I have merged concepts and developed a system
that activates the energetic matrix of the body including the meridians,
acupoints, and chakras. It is a vehicle to awaken the inner physician,
the innate part of the self that guides us in the direction of health and
healing. Yogong includes a combination of energy awareness exercises,
meditation, breath, stretching, movement and stillness. Isometric
engagement is used in yoga postures to increase energy, work opposing
muscle groups, and activate the meridians and chakras. Muscle Energy
Technique (MET) is used to increase flexibility and range of motion. This
combination of techniques facilitates the release of habitual, emotional,
mental and physical patterns and increases inner sensitivity. The
benefits of Yogong is much the same as getting a Shiatsu or
Transformational Healing session and are recommended for self-maintenance
between sessions.
Yogong includes
the Eastern concepts of Yin and Yang and the 5 Element System of
healing. In my basic Yoga for Health classes these concepts are
introduced slowly over time. In my weekend workshops (Yogong and Intro to
Energy Medicine) I teach the theory in more detail. (Check my
Workshops page for full
descriptions)
I have based
Yogong on the eastern principle of nurturing life through acceptance.
Accepting your limitations and strengths enhances the process of life
which is unique to the individual. We all have different inclinations.
Yogong celebrates and encourages our differences. It enhances your
personal relationship with yourself and others on multiple levels. In
this style of yoga it is not important to copy postures and movements
perfectly. It is not about external appearance. It is more important to
give expression to your true self. As you become aware of your energetic
body it is a clearing for freedom of movement, thought and expression.
Movements are designed to bring the whole body into balance. My classes
are appropriate for students of all levels and may act as a conduit to
balance the body's energy for optimum health, joy and vitality.
