A very happy New Year to all of you. We are excited to welcome you back with new additions to our schedule as well as a host of workshops that we will be introducing throughout the winter. We are in the process of updating our website, but in the meantime everything will be posted on the current site. Check out rootsyogastudio.com anytime to find out what’s new.
I was very lucky to find myself look out over the ocean this year when the dawn first broke into 2012. I had grand ideas of waking up to do a morning meditation and set all of my intentions for the New Year. However due to staying up late and having a fantastic evening of dancing and fun with family and loved friends, I found myself with covers over my head when the sun started to call and no desire to remove them. For a moment I felt guilty and told myself I “should” get up and have a “spiritual” start to the New Year. That feeling quickly passed as I laughed at myself for that very thought. I lay in bed relishing the opportunity to lie there without anything to rush out for. I had nowhere to be, nothing written in any agenda that needed tending to... I could just be. And so I was. I breathed slowly, read a little, slept a little more, ordered my morning coffee in bed (decaf, it was an earlier resolution). I literally only did what I was moved to do. The only reason I got up was my boyfriend’s excited energy to get outside on a beautiful sunny morning. And as I swung my feet out of bed and planted them firmly on the cold tile, my intentions came to me. My intentions for the year and every year that is to follow:
Listen to yourself. Question less.
Be kind to yourself. Let there be more space in your day for your heart to just enjoy a moment.
Breathe, smile and worry less. Cry, experience and let go more.
Be generous with everyone and that includes you.
It was so simple. I came back from holidays and several people had forwarded me a recent article from the New York Times. If you missed it, a link is included below. I agree with several of the writer’s thoughts on the explosion of yoga and how one could potentially experience injury as a result of unsafe instructions or adjustments, but I thought there was one thing that was not highlighted enough in this article. Yoga is about consciousness and the rising of your own. This awareness is on many levels: physical, mental, spiritual and emotional. As with many things in life you need to listen to yourself first. Trust your gut. Those deep gut feelings that we so often ignore are there for a reason. If you feel that a class or a pose is too hard for you, pay attention to that. For many of us, it is harder to back off than to just push through like usual. Question your teachers when it is necessary. We do not live in an age of “guru” and “disciple”, and if yoga is truly about getting to the truth of your “self” then a teacher will welcome your process and journey in whatever form that may take. If your teacher is not open to your “practice” and insists on a linear path of thinking then you have a choice to alter your journey. Life presents us with the obstacles we NEED in order to overcome our own ego issues and this includes your yoga teacher. Like a muscle that responds to use, our consciousness continues to rise and grow as we start to observe how we choose to address these obstacles. We may need to meet the same obstacle many times, perhaps dressed up in different ways before we choose to listen. But we never fail. Each time, even if it’s the 100th time, we find ourselves struggling with an obstacle we have the chance to get closer to the truth. So when practicing yoga, when choosing a teacher, when choosing a style, do so with all your senses keen and do not be afraid to trust the best teacher of all, yourself.
I hope for all of you, whether you have written in stone resolutions that are very thought out and planned, or resolutions that are just there as a vague thought, that you always have an element of kindness towards yourself attached to any goal. I truly believe that changing the world we live in, the planet we inhabit, the relationships we develop all starts with individuals consciously being kind to one another. It does not mean that we will all get along, but it means that we become more tolerant of one another’s choices. But this can only come (as corny as it is) if we love, forgive and honour ourselves first.
“Close the door on the past. You don’t try to forget the mistakes, but you don’t dwell on it. You don’t let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space.
Surrender the mask.
Pour out the drink. Put down the gun. Unclench your fists. Stop your running.
Surrender the mask.
Turn off the TV. Say “so long” to the sugar. Flush the pills. Abandon the computer.
Surrender the mask.
You will be loved. You will be safe. You will be true. You will be whole.
Surrender the mask.
Love will feel strange. Safety risky. Truth bewildering. Wholeness scary. Life will feel messy. Because you will be feeling. It will be worth it. (We promise.) Because we are all healing.
Surrender the mask.” - Johnny Cash
Wishing you all a very happy healthy and abundant New Year!
Roots Yoga Studio teachers, Tracey Soghrati and Grethe Liverud, will demonstrate how to do Swan or Pigeon Pose practiced therapeutically over a bolster.
Featured Student of the Month: Felicity Stone
Roots Yoga student and writer, Felicity Stone, shares with us how yoga helped her heal, what she loves about yoga and what her guilty pleasure is.
1. When did you start practicing yoga and what inspired you to start?
I started about 13 years ago when my mother was terminally ill. I thought yoga would help bring my mind to something else, to another place. It was a godsend.
When I first started, I practiced Hatha yoga. The instructor focused a lot on breathing and basic postures, which was a great introduction to yoga. I learned to find the connection between my breathing and the pose. The breathing and the yoga were healing tools and helped me cope with my mother’s illness.
2. What style of yoga do you practice?
Mostly Vinyasa flow. Also Mysore, occasionally. About a year after I became a student at Roots Yoga Studio, I took some Mysore classes. Actually, I went about four to five times a week for a few months. Learning Mysore has allowed me to practice when I’m traveling. I love that I have a routine I can do alone and I enjoy the mix of Mysore and Flow. Although I seldom go to Mysore sessions anymore, I try practice the routine when I can’t get to a class.
3. How long have you been a student at the Roots Yoga Studio?
I started at Roots Yoga Studio about three years ago, after about a six-year yoga hiatus. I found the studio randomly by Googling studios in the area. My first class was with Laurie. Her voice, instruction and teaching style pulled me right back into a regular practice.
4. What do you love about yoga?
The blend between mind and body. I love how I can come to a yoga class feeling flat and lethargic and within minutes something shifts and my whole headspace changes. I like the general sense of wellbeing it gives; I feel more alive when I practice, more connected to the world.
5. What are some of the health benefits you have enjoyed by practicing yoga?
I sleep better, I feel stronger, more balanced, more in charge of my body. I get fewer headaches and I think that’s from yoga. It gets the blood flowing.
6. What is your favourite yoga pose (asana)?
Pigeon pose is one of my favourites. I melt into that particular pose. My body feels both relaxed and challenged at the same time.
7. What do you do for fun?
I jog, walk and hike. I love movies, books, music. Actually, I enjoy all the arts; they’re an integral part of my life. I love traveling, especially to places where the culture is entirely different from my own.
8. What is your guilty pleasure? Sometimes on a Sunday morning, especially in winter, I stay in bed for hours, reading a book or the New York Times and indulging in foods I normally try avoid – like thick, creamy milk chocolate!
Featured Teachers of the Month: Naomi Zahler and Sarah Brager
Pre-Natal Roots Yoga Studio teachers Naomi and Sarah, share what inspired them to become yoga teachers as well as their practice and teaching philosophies.
1.When did you start practicing yoga and what inspired you to start? Naomi: I started in 2002 while I was a professional dancer. I was in the dance world and wanted to be able to maintain proper physical health while dancing and performing. All of this inspired me to go into yoga. As the years went by, it grew from trying Bikram to exploring other styles of yoga.
Sarah: It was in 2004 or 2005. I took a couple of months off for travel in Asia and when I came home I was really craving some sort of spiritual connection. I saw the word ‘yoga’ on the class schedule at my gym and I liked the word. I was really drawn to it and wanted to know what it meant and what it was all about. I tried a class and loved it. From the first class, I was hooked.
2. What inspired you to become a yoga teacher? Naomi: I’d been teaching movement, both dance and Pilates, for five years before I started doing yoga. I became pregnant and herniated two discs and decided that was it; I was going to become a yoga teacher. I did my training while on maternity leave, about three years ago.
Sarah: I got really sick and took a medical leave from work. I really brought myself back to health with yoga, breathing, meditation, nutrition and easy restorative postures in the beginning. When I went back to work, a year later, I felt disconnected, like my true passion had shifted. I wanted to help people feel better after I realized how much yoga had helped me. This inspired me to become a yoga teacher.
3. What style of yoga do you teach? Naomi: I incorporate all of my experience including my Yin training, Pilates, dance, the rehab work I have done and yoga therapy. I think it depends on the student at the end of the day. I prefer teaching flow classes, but I also teach pre-natal and Pilates.
Sarah:I teach a range, from gentle Hatha to more advanced Hatha to Vinyasa. I teach pre- and post-natal classes as well.
4. What do you love about yoga and teaching yoga? Naomi: I love the benefits of yoga, both spiritual and physical. I love being able to encourage people in my life to get into yoga, especially when they would never usually be into that type of movement. Nothing feels better than getting a person, such as my best friend, who is against yoga, into it. That is the best thing in the world for me. I think yoga does a lot for me individually. As a teacher, I love working with bodies and I really try to take advantage of that in every class. I don’t look at the body, but I see its movement.
Sarah: I love everything about yoga. I love teaching because I really like connecting with and meeting new people. What I love more than anything is to make my students feel better than they did when the class began. Having somebody come out of Shavasana with a big smile, saying thank you after your class. That, for me, is the reason why I teach.
5. What is your philosophy of practice and teaching?
Naomi: My philosophy is to do what you can for yourself and love yourself as much as you can. As an instructor, my philosophy is to try to be in the moment with my students and live in the moment with my classes. I never plan ahead, I walk in and see where the class is at and I take it from there. As a practice, it’s to do what I can and do my best.
Sarah: Keep calm and yoga on; that is my philosophy for everything. Laugh, enjoy yourself and don’t take yourself too seriously. I do the same thing when I’m taking a class. If I need to take a rest in child’s pose, I do it. It’s really putting yourself and your needs first, and being in the moment.
6. What is your favourite yoga pose (asana)? Naomi: I love both Pigeon and Handstand. I find Pigeon so indulgent; it’s like a treat. When I am going into Pigeon, I feel like I am doing something wrong, in a good way. I love Handstand because it is such a challenge. When you get it, nothing feels better. Just being in it and being able to maintain it is so satisfying.
Sarah: Shavasana is my favourite because in order to get it right, it’s necessary to let go of your conscious feelings and let the practice sink in. In addition to Shavasana, I really love breathing techniques. Anytime stressed is involved, I find that breathing techniques really come in handy.
7. What do you do for fun? Naomi: I have a two and a half year old son, and at the end of the day he is my fun. It is fun and exciting; it takes you back to when you were a child and seeing the world again through their eyes.
Sarah: I listen to music and I spend time with husband, family and friends. I like to watch re-runs of Beverly Hills 90210.
8. What is your guilty pleasure?
Naomi: Sugar. I also like to indulge in a little wine once in while.
Sarah: Chocolate and spicy foods.
Upcoming Classes and Workshops:
We have some exciting new classes and workshops you won’t want to miss!
New Classes and Talent at Roots Vinyasa Flow with Marla Joy: Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Hatha Flow with Scott Petrie: Tuesdays 7:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Vinyasa Flow with Sheldon Shannon: Fridays 11:00 p.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Vinyasa Flow with Jeannine Woodall: Sundays 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
New Workshops
Prenatal Yoga Program: Starts Jan. 14, 2012
Led by Naomi Zahler and Sarah Brager
Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
7-week session
Pre-registration: $125
Drop In: $20
Fertility Yoga Current Session: Jan. 4 – Feb. 22, 2012
8 weeks - $280.00
New students are welcome once the session has started, space permitting.
Please call Sandra Callender at 416-932-1276 to determine if the class is appropriate for you.
Coming soon!
Toga Class: Fridays 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m
Mix of 30 min intensive yoga at Roots and 30 min Circuit Heaven at Totum - Start date to be
announced soon!
Yoga for Beginners “Introduction to Yoga” with Jennifer Helland
Thai Massage Restorative Workshop with Justin Haley
Magical Magnesium by Homeopath Beth Landau-Halpern
Every month, homeopath Beth Landau-Halpern will provide us with basic naturopathic and homeopathic tips for athletes and yogis. In this issue, read about magnesium and its benefits.
Magical Magnesium
Magnesium is a versatile mineral that has specific implications for people who exercise heavily. Magnesium is easily depleted from the body, especially for those who exercise, as profuse sweating and stress (including the good stress of exercise) can deplete magnesium.
Many people suffer from magnesium depletion. Symptoms of magnesium depletion include leg and foot cramps at night, constipation and/or chronic diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, aching muscles, anxiety, restless leg syndrome and shortness of breath after exercising.
Magnesium is necessary for the release of muscles. If you look at the list of symptoms above, all of these can be understood as problems in release and relaxation. In fact, magnesium is the calming mineral – especially useful for the heart, your muscles, your mind, and your bowels!
All athletes, including those with a regular yoga practice should be supplementing for magnesium. There is no blood test to determine if you are magnesium deficient. The symptoms are the indicator that you may need extra magnesium.
Magnesium comes in a variety of forms. Epsom salts are magnesium. Soaking in a bath with Epsom salts is one of the best things that you can do if your muscles are sore, tired, and tense after a difficult workout. You can also get magnesium in gel form – this is wonderful for muscle cramps. Rubbing a cramped muscle with magnesium gel is magical; the cramp will dissolve in a matter of minutes.
Supplementation is the best approach for most people. I suggest you use Magnesium Glycinate as it is the most readily absorbed. Other forms of magnesium are eliminated from the body too rapidly to be effective. I generally suggest a starting dose of 200 mg before bed every night. Step it up slowly, adding an additional 100 mg in the morning, and then another 100 at night, and so on if needed. Keep increasing incrementally until you have reached “bowel tolerance”. Excess magnesium is secreted in your stool. If your stools are a bit loose, it means you are excreting magnesium, and are therefore taking a bit too much. The amount of magnesium needed will vary from person to person, and from week to week. If you find that you are having symptoms of depletion, you may need more magnesium for a few weeks, but then can return to your regular dose.
Look for more articles and information about homeopathy and nutrition on my website: www.blh-homeopath.com
Playlist of the Month by Sheldon S.
1. Mary J. Blige
2. Mathieu & Florzinho
3. Buddha Bar - Sasha Lazard
4. Christos Stylianou Feat. Maria Latsinou
5. Oliver Shanti & Friends
6. Chris Coco
7. Woolfy vs. Projections
8. Ralph Myerz
9. Van Daler & Love Pressure
10. Bebo Best & The Super Lounge Orchestra
11. Sunset Bvld.
12. Samo Zaen
13. Buddha Bar - Stuph
14. Temple Of Sound
15. Blank & Jones
16. Suvarna
17. Riccardo Eberspacher
18. Mazzy Star
Stronger
Maha-Amba
Awakening
Smell of Roses (V-Sag DubMix)
Sacral Nirvana
Hazy Lazy (Afterlife Mix)
We Were There
My Darling
Real Love
Life Is On the Sea
Loving You
Tonight
Venice Beach Dub
City Of God
Cruel Love
All is Dust
Setiraz
Into Dust
It is with great excitement that I am writing to introduce and welcome Roots Yoga's new director, Laurie Campbell. Laurie has been teaching yoga for 13 years and has been a true asset to the studio for the
past five.
Throughout my 20 years of yoga teaching, my practice has helped me to align my thoughts, emotions and actions, and has influenced my decision to honour this “special” year for me; I have decided to take the year to learn, explore and develop other aspects of my life.
Five years ago, it was my vision to create a sanctuary that would inspire all to find the right practice for them.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of Roots Yoga's teachers and students for their unconditional care and support in helping to manifest this sacred space.
Although I will not be teaching this year, you will
still be able to find me on my mat, continuing to develop my own practice with all our passionate teachers.
Namaste,
Denyse
Letter from Laurie
Dear Students, Friends and Fellow Teachers,
Hooray! We are so excited to be writing our first newsletter! Our intention is to keep you up-to-date with all the current and future happenings at the Roots Yoga Studio so we can help inspire your practice and keep you returning to your mat.
As some of you may know, I have recently stepped into Denyse Green's shoes as director of the studio and I am honoured to attempt to fill these shoes. I say "attempt" because although they may be small in size, they are definitely big in spirit and integrity. I aim to keep all that Denyse has so carefully protected and created over the years: a variety of yoga classes offered to appeal to a wide range of students and disciplines, listening to the needs of our teachers and communities and offering a clean, beautifully maintained, simple space in which to practice.
Upon entering the studio for the first time, I often hear people remark about what a gorgeous space it is. With the beautiful view in the summer months of sunlight twinkling through trees and stretching across the practice floor and in the winter when snow lightly covers the branches and you can look out over a peaceful blanketed scene, it’s hard to dispute the tranquility. However stunning the simplicity of the space is, there’s an element of warmth to the studio that has little to do with aesthetics. I believe that this has come from the energy of our fantastic faculty who are as varied as our class offerings, as well as our incredibly warm student base. There’s a wonderful sense of community amongst the students and a sense of ease when "fitting in”. I hope that as a new student joining us, you feel welcome and that some of the nervousness that we often feel upon beginning anything new is calmed by the time the teacher begins the class.
I will also be aiming to try out some new things such as this newsletter. Some new programs including Prenatal and Teacher Training, as well as new teachers, Marla Joy and Scott Petrie, will be joining our roster. I would like to build on our involvement in the community by combining our efforts on some projects with nearby businesses and involving the creativity and abundance of talent found in our very own students. Be sure to visit our website often, www.roots.com/yoga, to see details as they unfold.
We will also be updating, or, I should say more truthfully, completely overhauling the website! It will be a place where we can offer tips about your practice, ways to adjust your practice around the seasons, videos on alignment and a lot more. Check back often to see what is happening.
As we start to tuck into winter I encourage you not to hibernate, but to get out and get to a class, walk, run… breathe in the brisk air. Any or a combination of these things are so good for us and will make the winter go by much faster. During these long winter months, please reach out to us. Let us know how we are doing and what we can do to make things better. You can direct your emails to studio manager Grethe Liverud or myself, Laurie Campbell at yoga@roots.com.
Happy winter everyone!
Love and gratitude,
Laurie Campbell
History of Roots Yoga By Denyse Green
I was first intrigued by yoga when I met Don in 1973 and saw two yoga books in his library. I started to follow some of the instructions from the books on my own, before finding a yoga instructor a few years later.
At that time, the clothing was quite different. It was all very loose fitting and there were no mats. In addition, the focus of the teachings was much more ethical and spiritual than physical for most people. During our travels together, Don and I always tried to find a yoga class along the way. There weren’t many studios until the ‘80s. This all goes to show that yoga has been a part of the Roots lifestyle for many years, even before yoga launched into the mainstream.
After three pregnancies, home births and practicing a lot of yoga to help me through these beautiful experiences, I decided to take my yoga teacher training, which I believe, was in 1992. Roots happened to have some space available in a building beside the Roots store on Avenue Road in Toronto. I decided to share this space with some of the teachers I had met throughout my journey. At the time, we kept it as a "secret little place" mostly spread by word of mouth. Janice, Michelle, Sandra and Janet, all presently Roots Yoga Studio teachers, were some of the teachers with whom I shared the space. We have a great history together.
After 15 years, the building on Avenue Road was sold and the Roots location closed to relocate. One year later, the building that houses the current Roots store and Roots Yoga Studio at 1073 Yonge St., was built. It was a nice location to reopen in as it is close to our first store at 1052 Yonge St. back in 1973.
It was a natural decision for us to open up a Roots Yoga Studio to expose our lifestyle of many years to our employees, customers and neighbourhood. It was five years ago in September, that I realized I really wanted to have a yoga space that would be easily accessible but where you’d still feel like you were entering a special place, a small sanctuary, right from Yonge Street. I wanted people to leave feeling much better than when they came and to keep all the yoga retail accessories away from the studio. I wanted to focus on the best teachers and a variety of classes so that everyone could find a yoga class for their needs. This is how the Roots Yoga Studio at 1073 Yonge St. began.
Featured Student of the Month: Rhonda Travis
Roots Yoga student and personal trainer, Rhonda Travis, shares with us how yoga has helped her find balance, what she does for fun and what her guilty pleasure is.
1. When did you start practicing yoga and what inspired you to start?
I started a long time ago, about 20 years ago. It was offered at the gym I used to train at. I started as a way to balance myself, as I was quite avid and did a lot of hard-core activities such as weight training and running. I persisted with it for quite a while, but I never really enjoyed it. I did it for a couple of years on and off, but didn’t feel it was my thing. About 12 years ago I did a Canyon Ranch Holiday and a lot of alternative practices were offered, such as yoga and meditation. That was the turning point. I started to have consultations and speaking to people and I remember meeting a business executive with a very demanding and high-pressure job. He told me that this was his fifth time going away and doing this kind of retreat, and it had changed his life. It made him realize that he couldn’t go on living this kind of stressful lifestyle; it wasn’t a good way for him to live. I liked what I heard and listened to him, as he had seen both sides. It made me realize that I needed to bring more balance into my life. I liked to be the fastest, the strongest; I was very type A. I was thinking that there had to be a better way to get strong, healthy and fit without pushing myself too far. Although it was challenging for me mentally to practice yoga, due to the slower pace, I persisted with it as this is the kind of person I am. I knew it would be good for me to learn to find the balance that yoga could offer me.
2. What style of yoga do you practice?
Ashtanga is definitely my favourite, due to the intensity and challenge. At the same time, it has enough slowness to it and includes meditation and reflection, so it is a good fit for me. However, I don’t want to exclude other types and styles of yoga. I go to retreats and try to open myself up to other practices that are less natural and less of a fit to me. As I need the balance, I want to remain open to other styles of yoga.
3. How long have you been a student at the Roots Yoga Studio?
About five years, when the studio opened at this location.
4. What do you love about yoga?
I love the balance and that it incorporates the mind, body and soul. For me it is everything. I love the breath work. I love that I can take it with me when I leave. It is a fabulous way for me to start the day and I will hold on to parts of it throughout the day. The more comfortable I get with it, the more it stays with me. I try to dedicate more time to it; I do some reading about yoga to get more into the spirit and philosophy of it. That is my goal, to transform.
5. What are some of the health benefits you have enjoyed by practicing yoga?
Definitely a way of handling stress, but even more importantly a way of avoiding stress. I also encourage people I know who are looking to slow down and find balance to try yoga and see what it can offer them.
6. What is your favourite yoga pose (asana)?
Handstand. My favourite pose to work on is also my least favourite. Doing it supported by the wall is no problem, but I am still working on finding my centre. If and when I get a handstand, I would love to be able to hold it for a longer time. I am continuously working on it and I am getting closer every day.
7. What do you do for fun?
Apart from yoga, my favourite activities and hobbies are cooking and being outside in nature. I love going hiking, cycling, running and walking, I spent pretty much all summer outdoors. I also started playing tennis. Yoga puts you much more into your head, and being an analytical person, it makes me reflect upon what I want to do with my life and how to find balance. What I have realized by practicing yoga is that I need newness and challenge. So this summer it was learning to play tennis and taking lessons. To me, this is the key to not getting old.
8. What is your guilty pleasure?
I have this unbelievable swing in my backyard. I call it a swing because it is on chains and it swings, but it is the size of a mattress. My guilty pleasure is to spend hours with a book, on the swing with a glass of wine. For me this is paradise.
Upcoming Classes and Workshops:
Yoga Teacher Training is Coming to Roots!
We have some exciting new classes and workshops you won’t want to miss!
New Classes Yoga Express with Sheldon: Starts Nov. 10, 2011
New Workshops
Prenatal Yoga Program: Starts Oct. 29, 2011
Led by Naomi Zahler and Sarah Brager
Saturdays, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
8-week session
Fertility Yoga Session: Nov. 2 – Dec. 21, 2011
Interested students should call Sandra Callender: 416-932-1276 to determine if the class is appropriate for you
This content is used with the permission of Dr. Michael Cohen and taken from the website www.acuball.com
The Acuball is a wonderful small tool that will help you relieve muscle and joint pain, improve flexibility, aid athletic performance and enhance tissue healing and vitality.
How does the Acuball work? The Acuball’s specially designed acupoints and heat stimulate blood flow. This increases circulation, helping to “flush out” built-up toxins that accumulate in tight muscles causing pain. As these toxins release over time, the muscle itself relaxes. Direct pressure from the acupoints also massages muscle and mobilizes joints, further enhancing pain free body movement.
The acupoints also stimulate your central nervous system, like acupuncture does, to release natural painkilling, relaxing and mood enhancing chemicals like enkephalins and endorphins. Because of this, people who use the Acuball in bed, before retiring for the evening, often report enhanced feelings of relaxation and deeper sleep. The Acuball also makes computer users sit upright improving posture with no effort. It is the world’s only heatable ball; you can microwave it for one minute to create 60 minutes of soothing heat.
The Acuball's patented design features apply 100% natural acupressure and heat:
Relaxes tight muscles
Enhances joint movement
Reduces nervous system irritation
Stimulates blood flow to flush out built up muscle wastes
Releases natural painkillers and sedatives
Improves nervous system energetic flow
Who uses the Acuball?
1) The Acuball is now part of each and every Toronto Raptors conditioning program
2) The Montreal Canadiens, Atlanta Thrashers, Phoenix Coyotes, Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs use the Acuball
3) The National Ballet of Canada uses it also
4) 4 Toronto area hospitals use it
5) Dr. Oz loved it and rated it "An Alternative Health Must-Have for Back & Neck Pain"
6) A few big yoga names that have Acuballs are Rodney Yee, Baron Baptiste and Sean Corne
The history of the Acuball
Like most inventions, it originated out of necessity. Dr. Cohen had a frustrating experience with shoulder pain that no one he went to seemed to be able to pinpoint. After a lot of effort trying different methods to relieve the pain, he tried a ball he had lying around and found that it did indeed work – lying on the ball eased the shoulder pain. Later on, a patient who was going on a business trip asked Dr. Cohen to fix his problem quickly. After examining him and realizing that he had too much tightness to release in the short time before he left, Dr. Cohen remembered the ball he had used and told his patient to try it out. The patient returned a week later and to Dr. Cohen’s surprise, he had managed to work down a significant portion of his muscle tightness with twenty minutes of ”ball work” a day. This was the beginning of many years of laboratory and clinical research and testing until finally the Acuball came in to being.
The Acuball is the culmination of much of what Dr. Cohen has learned – the fact that we all possess a built-in power to help ourselves to heal. This power is part of everyone, but in our culture we have never been shown how to use it. The Acuball shows you how.
You can learn more about the Acuball and Dr. Michael Cohen by visiting his website at www.acuball.com.
Playlist of the Month
Playlists? You mean for a yoga class? Is there music in yoga classes?
I know... there is an idea out there that playing music in yoga classes is a big
no-no. I am not going to say that one way of thinking is right and one is wrong. However, I am going to let you know why I play music in my classes and you can make up your own minds. After all, isn't that what we are hoping to learn though our yoga practice? To come closer to understanding what is in-line with our true selves without judgment of others?
I have always connected with music. I am quite eclectic in my musical tastes and love seeking out new artists and original sounds. I have turned to music as often as I have turned to my yoga practice throughout the many ups and downs in my life. To me, there is magic in music that allows us to connect to our emotional core and ourselves. Sometimes this still happens despite our best efforts to keep everything in control. A song can lift us, move us, anger us, incite desire, forgiveness or cause a break into a huge smile.
I play music in my classes because it feels right to me; it feels as natural as the teaching itself. If it felt forced or I lost my passion to share my joy of music with the students I teach, I would stop. But I love the fact that we can choose in this world. And I am careful to always let people know that there will be music in my classes and sometimes it may reach high levels. I understand that it may not be for everyone and I respect that.
This world is not quiet. This world will not stop for us when we need a moment. Sometimes, the quietest moments in my mind, the moments I find I’m most in-touch with my breath, are accompanied by the sweet notes of a piano, violin or the poetry of a brilliant verse. It’s that sweetness of sound that quiets the busyness of the outside world and my internal dialogue.
I also like to offer a view from all sides so I included an article below for you to review. I think this is an unbiased view of the debate of music or no music and I leave it for you to decide what is best for you.
Yoga Class - Music or No Music?
By Carly Carney
It definitely feels like a guilty pleasure. It’s also been an ongoing struggle for years. Sometimes I am outspoken about it, sometimes I haven’t admitted to it and other times I quietly avoid the subject. That is the subject of music during yoga class.
In the years that I have practiced yoga, I have had many experiences with instructors playing music during class. I remember the first time I went to a class with music, the teacher blasted rock ’n’ roll. He played U2, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones, among others. I had a difficult time during class; however, a delightful feeling filled my body during relaxation at the end of class.
When I was pregnant, I attended some classes where the instructor played softer music blended in with some chanting and songs by spiritual musicians Krishna Das and Deva Premal. I was irritated by the music, even though I personally listened to the songs.
I attended a class once on vacation where the teacher played music I enjoyed. The artists ranged from Tracy Chapman to the Beatles to Enya to Train. The combination of the music and poses touched something very deep inside. I was so moved that I wanted to tell everyone at that very moment how much I loved yoga.
I have also gone to classes at which the instructor turned up the music during certain poses like urdhva dhanurasana (wheel), adho mukha vrksasana (handstand) and navasana (boat pose), and the quick beat of the drums would ignite a rapid-fire heartbeat in me.
Last May, I attended the Midwest Yoga Conference and went to Johnny Kest’s vinyasa class. He seemed to play all of my favorite songs. During the three-hour yoga practice, my eyes welled up with tears several times, and at one point tears streamed down my face. After class the woman next to me said she was sorry if she bothered me because she cried during the entire class. It wasn’t only me who was moved to tears.
I have enjoyed many of the classes where music was played. They have been fun, and I afterward I feel like I have been to a great party. I am usually excited to go back for more. Yet, there is a part of me that feels like it takes away from the inward reflection and can be a distraction from the breath. At times it has felt more like an aerobics class than a yoga class. Hence, the great debate.
It wasn’t until I started teaching that the issue became of real interest to me. Students would ask me either why I didn’t play music or if I would consider playing it.
All day long we are distracted by the external stimuli: the telephone ringing, the humming of an air conditioner, voices, sirens, the car radio, the alarm clock and other sounds. For the most part, when people come to a yoga class they are looking for quietude. They look forward to a retreat from the hustle and bustle of their day and the constant noise. In fact, some of us are probably unaware of how much background noise is part of
our life.
To some, the idea of music playing in the foreground or background is quite appealing and is central to relaxation. To others, it may be just another distraction from their internal environment. If yoga gives us that opportunity to take a look inside and even a chance at self-realization, then how does music play a role? Doesn’t the quietude give us a chance to listen more closely? Can you listen as closely with music playing? Is it possible that music can aid in achieving self-realization?
We all have different music preferences. What one person loves, the other person may despise. A song for one person can trigger the fun college days. The same song can trigger a hurtful breakup for another. Not only do people’s music preferences vary, but also people choose music based on how they feel. Sometimes we might need a pick-me-up; other times, after a stressful day, the idea of something soft can be quite appealing.
I spoke with several instructors from studios in the Chicago area to find out their thoughts on playing music
in class.
The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers offer classical hatha yoga classes according to the Vedanta tradition. Maheshwari, the director of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center of Chicago, which does not play music, explained that in their tradition the focus is on the breath and that it is the breath that helps to get yogis in and out of postures. With music playing during class, the student can be distracted when the attention should be inward. Maheshwari also said that music can get the mind going, but a lot of people come to yoga to relax
the mind.
Gabriel Halpern is the Director of Yoga Circle, which is based on B.K.S. Iyengar’s teachings. Gabriel
explained that focusing on the pose and the breath already provides two points of concentration. He said, “It is not that music distracts, but so much of our lives are lived responding to what is external, and music, however beautiful, is still a sound coming from outside of ourselves. Yoga teaches you to tune into the music that is within.” Yoga Circle also does not play music.
Moksha Yoga Center offers a variety of yoga styles ranging from ashtanga to universal to tantric hatha. Daren Friesen, director of Moksha Yoga likes to play Indian instrumental music during his class because it is calming for the brain. Although a drummer as a child, he stays away from playing anything with percussion instruments because the beat affects the heart rate, and he is aware that instruments affect the organs differently. While he respects the independence and creativity of his 40 instructors to choose whether they want to play music and the type of music, he has a policy of no music during savasana.
Vinyasa yoga instructor Lani Granum incorporates anything from rap, hip-hop, classical, blues and old jazz into her classes. She usually picks a theme and plays music accordingly. For example when the recent Gay Games were in Chicago, she featured songs from the soundtracks Chariots of Fire and Star Wars. Lani believes that music is a ready-made vehicle for helping people connect with their feelings.
Quinn Kearney of Yogaview incorporates a variety of music into his classes. I have personally found his blend of music and vinyasa to be very moving. Quinn explained that music and yoga have many similarities--for example, they are both inherently joyful. The combination of the two can enhance harmony in the body.
As an experiment, I played music in a couple of my classes. I put together a CD of some of my favorite songs. I felt terribly nervous about playing it, but it was a fun class. I asked my students for any feedback they wished to share about their experiences.
One student E-mailed me and said how much she enjoyed it. She loved the music that I selected and said how it helped her wake up. Another student came up to me after class and asked me to never do that again. After one of the classes, many students said how they really appreciated the music and it helped them to go deeper in their practice. At the same time, a few said there were parts they liked and didn’t like and found it to be harder to concentrate.
In the few classes in which I played music, half liked it and the other half didn’t. Now it might have been my music selection, or it might have been my asana sequences, but what I learned is that there was an added pressure to choose music that everyone enjoyed, and it is a difficult task. In other words, I should stick to being a yoga teacher and not attempt to become a DJ. Still, it is worthwhile to change patterns and try new things once in a while, both as a teacher and student.
What I found when talking to the teachers who played music during class is that they have a passion for it
and are thoughtful about the music they play. They don’t randomly play what’s in their iPod. They are also aware that some students may like or dislike their music and that sound, whether pleasing or not, is a
lesson in itself.
Music preference in yoga class begins with what you were taught. Often your first teacher has a considerable influence on your yoga practice and style. It’s not to say you can’t grow and change. If you started practicing yoga with music, it may be more difficult to practice without it; if you are accustomed to silence, you may find music distracting. It’s worth it to try the other.
I felt somewhat disoriented the first time I went to a class that played music. I was very intellectual about the experience even though my body thoroughly enjoyed the feeling. The practice that day taught me that sometimes it is healthy to let go of all my rules and expectations about what yoga is supposed to be and just go and have some fun.
I still occasionally attend classes that have music. I can feel when my body needs that type of class. However, on most days, my body and mind prefer a quiet practice.
The Teachers at Roots Yoga Studio, who do use music, will post a playlist in each newsletter.
Enjoy!
Sincerely
Laurie C
1. Lana Del Ray
2. Citizen Cope
3. Mumford and Sons
4. Ben Harper
5. Lana Del Ray
6. The National
7. Ben Sollee
8. Jon Schmidt
9. Ray LaMontagne
10. Great Lake Swimmers
11. Fleetwood Mac
12. Alison Krauss and the Cox Family
Video Games
Sideways
White Blank Page
In Your Eyes
Blue Jeans
Think You Can Wait
I Can't
Pachelbel
Hold You In My Arms
In The Wild
Landslide
Near the Ocean
Dear Students and Friends of Roots,
Roots Yoga student and writer, Felicity Stone, shares with us how yoga helped her heal, what she loves about yoga and what her guilty pleasure is.
Pre-Natal Roots Yoga Studio teachers Naomi and Sarah, share what inspired them to become yoga teachers as well as their practice and teaching philosophies.
Every month, homeopath Beth Landau-Halpern will provide us with basic naturopathic and homeopathic tips for athletes and yogis. In this issue, read about magnesium and its benefits.
I was first intrigued by yoga when I met Don in 1973 and saw two yoga books in his library. I started to follow some of the instructions from the books on my own, before finding a yoga instructor a few years later. 
Roots Yoga student and personal trainer, Rhonda Travis, shares with us how yoga has helped her find balance, what she does for fun and what her guilty pleasure is.
This content is used with the permission of Dr. Michael Cohen and taken from the website www.acuball.com
