Monday, August 29, 2016

Why Gentle Yoga?

Why Gentle Yoga?

"The gentlest thing in the world overcomes the hardest thing in the world.

The gentlest thing in the world is an open mind.
Since it doesn't believe what it thinks,
It is flexible, porous, without opposition, without defense.

Nothing has power over it.
Nothing can resist it.

Even the hardest thing in the world - a closed mind-
cant resist the power of openness.

Ultimately the truth flows into it and
through it, like water through rock."

From the book: A Thousand Names for Joy: Byron Katie; pg. 128


I started practicing yoga in my 20's and like many yogis, enjoyed an active practice. Many years later, I still do, but I have come to truly see the benefits of gentle yoga. Before I was really educated about it, and experienced it for myself, I don't think I gave it the credit it deserves, but this type of yoga truly heals the body and the mind.

While some students who practice gentle yoga do have injuries or limitations, we can ALL benefit from this slower, deeper practice. Moving slowly while really focusing on the breath allows us to become much more aware of what's happening with our bodies. By not pushing to our edge in a pose, we can experience asana in a new way and find opening that may allude us in a more vigorous practice.

I see the benefits and changes in my students, and I've seen it in myself. I experience the usual low back aches, neck and shoulder issues that many people experience.  When I have those aches and pains, it's gentle yoga that is my solace. What we do to our bodies over time through work and stress takes a toll, and gentle yoga allows us to finally listen to our bodies and be gentle with ourselves. It also feels great and increases strength, flexibility and range of motion in ways that may be surprising.


Here is another poem, shared with me by my lovely teacher, Lanita Varshell, who has opened a whole new yoga world for me with her teachings:

"To relax is not to collapse, but simple to undo tension....

The tension that has been accumulated in the body and in the mind
by years of forceful education.

Tension is the result of will, effort and prejudices.

We have been trained, during the first part of our lives, to struggle to achieve.

Now we work in the opposite direction.... by letting go.... giving place to a new action..
the action of un-doing.

This will stop the habitual process of 'doing' which has become mechanical."

By Vanda Scaravelli- European Iyengar Teacher


Can you think of one person who couldn't benefit from slowing down? I can't.

Additional Resources:
http://www.gaia.com/article/go-softly-benefits-gentle-yoga


Kristin Akerele, MPH, RYT 200

Friday, August 19, 2016

When Yoga Teachers Get Injured

A couple weeks ago I was teaching a class I've been teaching for a couple years. It's what we call a 'Slow Flow' at our studio, with lots of sun salutations and standing poses. It's a style of yoga I've been practicing off and on for more than twenty years.

I tend to demonstrate the poses and also walk around the room to check alignment of students. We were all in a Downward Facing Dog, and I led the class to step first the right foot forward into a Warrior I on the right, and then on the left. (If you have no idea of the poses I'm talking about, it's okay, just please keep reading until I make my point!) When I stepped my left foot forward and stood up to Warrior I, a pose I have done hundreds of time, I felt the left side of my back crunch or tear (not sure how to describe it, but if you've ever hurt your back, you can probably relate!) I thought 'uh-oh' and 'what?', but as a professional hid my pain and continued teaching the class, although not demonstrating much.



 I couldn't understand how a pose I had practiced hundreds of times before with no problem could have resulted in an injury. I was frustrated with myself, re-thinking what was different this time or what I did 'wrong.' I teach at a studio whose motto is 'safer, smarter yoga' and we are constantly reminding students to never push, always listen to your bodies, never force any poses. Some of our students are healing from a number of injuries or ailments, and we always stress the importance of safety. Here I was teaching a class and I ended up injuring myself, but it wasn't because I forced anything; it just happened. Who knows why it happened or what was different this time, but the injury brought with it a valuable lesson.

That is the lesson I learned; as careful as we are when practicing yoga asana, as aware as we are of listening to our bodies, sometimes injuries still happen. When a student gets hurt in a class, it may not be the teacher's fault. Sometimes even yoga teachers get hurt! (Happy to report the injury is now healed!)


Monday, August 15, 2016

Studying the "Yamas" in my A Gentle Way Yoga Group Classes

Studying the ‘Yamas’ in Kristin’s A Gentle Way Yoga (AGW) Group Classes
A 6 week series beginning Sept 1, 2016

We all know yoga makes us feel good and that’s often what gets us to class! Most of us know that yoga involves breathing and movement and is really about linking Body/Mind/Spirit. However, there is a very ancient, rich philosophy of Yoga that could take a lifetime of study.

Ancient yogi, Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutras around 200 AD. The core of the Sutras describes an 8-Limb Path that if followed can potentially bring the practitioner to everlasting peace and enlightenment.  It’s important to note that the 8-Limbs are not presented in a hierarchical order; they are meant to be studied and integrated.

Ok, so what is this 8-Limb Path? Well, it includes two limbs that all A Gentle Way yoga students are already familiar with! Asana, the physical postures; and Pranayama, the breathing techniques. Another limb called Pratyahara, control of the senses, is practiced in Gentle, Gentle-Moderate and Restorative Classes when you practice with your eyes closed and focus within. The other limbs include meditation, and ethical codes of conduct. 

So, where am I going with all this?  Well I’m excited to share that I will be doing a 6 week series in all my group classes beginning Sept. 1st on the ‘Yamas’, one of the 8 Limbs. The Yamas are universal morality guidelines to help us on our spiritual path and focus on how we relate to ourselves and others.

Each week we will study one of the 5 Yamas in a short discussion at the beginning of class, and the class will be structured around the Yama. I won’t go into depth here, but the 5 Yamas are: Ahimsa (non-harming/compassion; Satya (commitment to truthfulness); Asteya (non-stealing); Bramacharya (sense control/abstinence); Aparigraha (non-hoarding).  We will study Ahimsa in each of my classes the first week, Satya the second week, etc. The 6th week will be a review/reflection of all five.


Students will get an e-mail from me each week before their class with information about the Yama we will study. I encourage you to come to all six sessions to learn about each Yama. I look forward to sharing and growing with you through our study of the Yamas! 

For my class schedule please visit www.agentleway.com and look for Kristin!

Namaste