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 It's summer!
It's hot... it's raining... it's hot... it's summer in Chicago! Years ago, so as not to seem ungrateful
to the Universe, I picked one season to complain about - winter of course! Summer
is my favorite season (maybe being from Jamaica has something to do with that?). Ninety degrees and ninety percent humidity
- wuhoo! Gardens are blooming, the butterflies have arrived and now we can do yoga outside if we
want to. Freedom is a wonderful thing.
Now that we are physically liberated from our indoor winter confinement, this is also a good time to liberate
our minds from the confinement of old or restrictive thoughts or ideas. Yoga teaches that kaivalya (freedom)
comes from letting go of our preconceived notions of how things should be and opening to the truth of what is.
So this summer, I invite you to really practice present-moment awareness and use some of the off-the-mat practices of yoga to help support the quest for freedom.
This is also a great time to relax and get grounded so you can handle the heat without getting hot under the collar. Try sitkari or sitali breath practices to help cool down. Those pittas among us who tend to run hot anyway might enjoy these pitta balancing
tips from Yoga Journal.
Enjoy the rest of Summer! Wuhoo!
Francine
Yoga is more than just poses...
Did you know that yoga is actually an eight-limbed path to self-knowledge? Years after I started doing
yoga as a teenager, I realized it wasn't just about poses. Yoga affects your physical, mental and energetic self
via this eight-limbed practice.
Doing the physical poses can get you part of the way there, but the real work of yoga happens off the mat,
applying the principles of yama (dont's) and niyama (do's) that are the foundation of yoga practice.
These practices help to bring the body's energy under your conscious control.
Yamas include:
- Ahimsa - non harming
- Satya - non lying
- Asteya - non stealing
- Aparigraha - non greed
- Bramacharya - celibacy (no kidding!)
Want to learn more about Yoga philosophy?
Each session of All About Yoga, focuses on
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Elements of yoga philosophy
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Breath awareness and yogic breathing
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Meditation techniques for relaxation
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Yoga poses to increase flexibility, posture and strength
The 8-week All About Yoga series is ideal for beginners or those looking to improve (or jump-start)
their yoga practice.
And everyone gets a hug after class (if you want one)!
A new series starts Wednesday, July 18 at 7:30pm. $70 for the entire session. Space is limited,
so email fran@teenieyogini.com to reserve your space.
What exactly is "Restorative Yoga?"
 Isn't all yoga "restorative?" you ask.
Sure, but the focus of most yoga classes is also on building strength and endurance while working on flexibility.
During "regular" yoga classes, I usually hear sighs of joy when we get to the final relaxation. Everyone's been looking
forward to the last ten minutes - total relaxation.
Sometimes students even jokingly ask: "Couldn't we just spend the whole class in Savasana?"
Well, with Restorative Yoga, you kinda can.
The class starts with some gentle stretching and then the rest of the class involves deeply relaxing
poses supported by bolsters and yoga blankets. We usually finish up with a guided meditation.
At the end of class participants often open their eyes slowly, look around, sigh, and smile. And sometimes
I'll hear: "Mmm, that was gooood."
What a great way to spend a Sunday evening! Take some time to relax - you deserve it. Sundays
7pm.
Read more about Restorative Yoga at AlternativeMedicine.com...
Specials for the Summer
Until Memorial Day, all private in-studio sessions will be $10 off. So you can have a private session for $65! Call 773-531-8513 to schedule |
In This Issue
• It's summer!
• Yoga is more than just poses
• What exactly is "Restorative Yoga?"
• Specials for the Summer
All About Yoga starts July 18
The next 8-week session of All About Yoga starts on Wednesday, July 18 at 7:30pm
The 8-week session will be $70 - like getting one class for free!
Call to reserve your place: 773-531-8513 or email me at fran@teenieyogini.com .
Reiki donations
For the month of July, Reiki fees will be donated to Mallory, a little girl in my son Xavier's school who
is in need of a double lung transplant.
Call 773-531-8513 to schedule your Reiki session.
Now teaching at Galter Life Center
I'm now teaching two classes per week at Galter Life Center on Francisco and Foster. Galter Life Center is affilliated with Swedish Covenant
Hospital.
Guest passes are available if you're interested in checking out the facility.
Flooding at Yoga North Park
The heavy rains of a few weeks ago caused Yoga North Park to flood. Until the studio is back in operation,
I'm looking for an alternate space to resume Restorative Yoga, All About Yoga and Reiki sessions.
If you're interested in All About Yoga, please go ahead and register now so I can determine just how much space we'll need.
Recommended Yoga Books
Have you checked out the book recommendations on my website? Just click the links to order directly from Amazon.com.
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