Yoga
Yoga is one of the world’s most ancient practices. The word “yoga” comes from Sanskrit and means to “bind” or “join”. The purpose of yoga is to unite mind, body and spirit. Yoga makes us sensitive to the deep inner stillness that exists at the core of our being, connecting us with our true selves. From this centered and balanced place we experience true gratitude for all that is, just as it is.
Why Practice Yoga?
One of the main benefits of yoga is to help people relax and and unwind from stress.
Yoga teaches stress management through developing awareness and the ability to breathe fully. Breathing is the most powerful tool available to us as it is always linked with what we are experiencing in the mind. The ability to control your breath gives you the ability to control your mind; this valuable practice goes beyond giving you the ability to cope with stress; it truly transforms your ability to perceive and respond to life’s challenges.
Physically, yoga creates symmetry throughout your whole body, making you strong and flexible in a balanced way. By becoming more flexible you are actually opening the energy blockages in your body, allowing your energy to circulate and helping to relieve pain and tension.
All yoga postures are instigated from core abdominal strength which improves how you feel and look. Strengthening your abdominal muscles improves your digestion and elimination as well as providing important protection for the lower back.
A regular practice of yoga will give a feeling of being centered and balanced, thus transforming your experience in the world. Life will be fuller as you meet it with more awareness and presence.
The power of yoga is that it teaches you how to access the internal state of well-being that exists inside you which is waiting to be discovered.
About Judith Merrill, RMT
Judith is a certified yoga instructor and has been teaching yoga for over 18 years. Her passion for yoga has been sustained by 40 years of practice. Her inspiration for teaching comes from this deepening practice. Judith has received teachers training in both Anusara and Ashtanga yoga. She is continually evolving and deepening her knowledge and has studied with Richard Freeman, David Swenson, Eileen Hall, Mukunda Stiles, Todd Norin, Manju Pattabhi Jois, and Doug Keller. She also has her teaching certification in Kundalini and Ten Body yoga.
About the Classes
Judith blends the universal principles of alignment inspired from Anusara yoga with the vinyasa flow of the Ashtanga series. The vinyasa flow powerfully links movement with rhythmic breath to produce internal heat, which purifies the body, enhances levels of concentration and strengthens the nervous system. Judith regularly introduces sets of exercises to work on specific areas of the body to enhance strength, flexibility and awareness.
Judith has offered many Conscious Breathing and Meditation workshops and has an ability to convey the material so that a student can develop an inner body language versus trying to grasp it with the mind alone.
Yoga is an individual practice and can be adapted to meet the needs of each student. It is not about how flexible you are or what you can or cannot do. Whatever you bring to the yoga mat is where your yoga starts. An ability to leave your ego outside the door with your shoes is very important. What is most valuable for succeeding in yoga is the ability to honor where you are and to be consistent in practicing, as this will greatly enhance the body, mind and spirit.
Schedule
Please check our schedule for classes offered this fall. Check the site frequently as the classes are not regularly scheduled and may change depending on the weather. No charge for these classes, a donation basket will be available and all donations will be forwarded to a good cause. Please bring your yoga mat.
