Be Good to You this New Year!

We are proud to introduce Cinderella (yes that is her real name!) as our guest blogger. She is the director of Cinderella CHATS and owner of Ask Cinderella, Inc. She is here to teach us how to be healthy for the new year!

"It’s a New Year and TIME for a COMMITMENT, not a RESOLUTION. 

This year it’s time to put away the RESOLUTIONS and focus on COMMITMENT!  What that means in this instance is… being GOOD to YOU.  Being the BEST YOU, the HEALTHIEST YOU and most EMPOWERED YOU that you can be.  So, let’s start with nutrition; I know it’s a scary word these days, but it’s so true, you are what you eat and well, let’s be real…  these days, that’s a scary thought!  All the processed foods, drive-through fast food places, depleted soil, mass produced crops laced with pesticides and no telling what else?  Not, to mention the energy drinks, sodas, diet pops, chemically enriched milks we drink and the coffee we consumed to keep us going…   Makes me crave REAL food and THIRST for REAL water, how about YOU?

Okay, let’s get started…

The only way to eat this ELEPHANT is ONE BITE at a TIME.  Sorry, to all the Vegans and Vegetarians out there, but this a HEFTY subject and requires a lot of discipline and hard work; I know, I have been there and it’s not easy, but the end result feels so good and is so rewarding!

I don’t want to lose you, bore you, or give you the same “song and dance,” so I am going to start slowly…

Here we go …  

Breakfast – The most important meal of the day!  It’s true.  After sleeping all night, when we rise we should be ready to get up and get going, right?  Our body needs fuel in order to get it moving, but it needs the right kind of fuel to run it’s best race each day. 

Ready…  Set… GO… 

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Start with a very warm glass of water and add the juice of one whole squeezed lemon.  This helps to alkalize the body as well as detox the liver.  Do this on a daily basis and first thing in the morning.

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Consume plenty of good fruits like; strawberries, blueberries and blackberries, they are full of antioxidants, a great source of Vitamin C and they provide fiber.

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Eat good whole grains; steel cut oatmeal is a great one to start with, grind up some flaxseeds and toss in for a great fiber and omega source.   Add pumpkin seeds, chopped walnuts or slivered almonds along with REAL butter - plenty of it, we need good fats for so many reasons.  Sprinkle a teaspoon of cinnamon – helps regulate your blood sugar levels, very important for long-term good health, and finish it off with a teaspoon of RAW local area honey, if you can find it, if not, just honey, no SUGAR, please?

-       Another great breakfast option is a smoothie with just fruit, or a goat milk or whole milk yogurt preferably RAW and from a local farm, if you don’t have a source or the time, then Organic, please? Add berries, bananas or other favorite fruits, as well as ground up flax seeds, cinnamon, a touch of honey and a splash of vanilla, pour into a cup, grab a straw and sip on your way to work or your appointment with your mat at Inner Peace Yoga.

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Juicing is another great way to start your day and there are plenty of wonderful recipes online, just Google or Yahoo them.  Again, pour your freshly juiced veggie juice into a cup, grab a straw and out the door you go to keep that very important appointment with you and your mat at Inner Peace Yoga. 

            

Namaste

             Check back mid-January for more “Good for YOU Food News!” 

              Be Good to YOU in 2012!

             Cinderella Field

             Cinderella Chats ©

             Check out my blog:  

             www.CinderellaChats.blogspot.com "

From all of us at Inner Peace Yoga, thank you Cinderella for sharing your healthy advice with us!

             

Yoga and Religion

We are pleased to introduce Chelsea Paxton as our guest blogger today! Chelsea is a Register Yoga Teacher and Associate Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga instructor, however you probably know her as one of our fabulous instructors here at Inner Peace Yoga!

She will be discussing her thoughts on yoga and it’s relation to religion.

“Many yoga students of mine are surprised to learn that my partner is a pastor.  Likewise, people in my congregation are often surprised to learn that I am a yoga teacher.  “How can you be both a pastor’s wife and a yoga teacher?” some ask.  “Isn’t that a conflict for your church?”  I love telling them that I actually taught my first yoga class at our church and continue to offer a weekly yoga class at the church.    These two areas of my life don’t feel separate at all.  In fact, these two areas of my life fit very well together.

So often, when we look at two traditions, we want to see how they are different.  Is one better than the other?  Is one right and one wrong?  Which team are you on?  And so forth.  I think it’s far more productive to see how traditions are similar, how they are working toward the same goal, and what there is to learn from each tradition.

To me, yoga and Christianity share so much in common.  As a Religion and Psychology double major in college, I learned early in my studies that we, as a human family, are looking for a way to alleviate suffering.  Whether through a major world religion, philosophy, or even modern medicine – we as humans want to explain why we suffer and then figure out a way to alleviate suffering. 

Both yoga and Christianity strive to alleviate suffering by bringing more peace, love, and joy to the planet.  At least, that’s what yoga and Christianity mean to me.

One way yoga seeks to bring more peace, love, and joy to the planet is by giving people tools to move through the koshas in order to experience wisdom, enjoy a blissful and transformative state, and catch a glimpse of their eternal consciousness, or true self.

Yogic philosophy describes the koshas as a sheaths, or layers, which cover our eternal consciousness or true self.  The koshas are depicted in the illustration below:

The physical, or annamaya, kosha is described as the food sheath and has to do with all the physical needs of the body.  It is completely governed by the external world.  The energy, or pranamaya, kosha is related to the life force and breath that flows through us and enlivens our physical body.  The mental, or manamaya, kosha is related to the mind where all thoughts and emotions are processed.  It is also where illusions and doubts are born.  The wisdom, or vijnanamaya, kosha refers to the reflective aspects of our consciousness.  It is where we experience a deeper insight into ourselves and experience “ah-ha!” moments.  The bliss, or anandamaya, kosha is where we experience integration, connection, and a sense of wholeness or completeness.  It is where we experience peace, joy, and love. It is simply being.  The self, or atman, is our eternal consciousness that was never born and never dies.  It is the very essence of who we are.  The self is like a light bulb underneath five lampshades or koshas. 

We constantly shift back and forth between these sheaths or koshas.  Yoga asana practice and meditation help us navigate through the first three koshas and move closer towards wisdom and bliss, closer towards an enlightened way of being.  As we continue to practice yoga and meditation, we can enjoy longer moments of bliss and experience more peace, love, and joy in our lives.

Christianity also brings more peace, love, and joy to the planet.

When I look to the stories of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, I am struck by the ways in which Jesus was incredibly present with people, especially those who were oppressed and on the margins of society.  I think of stories such as the Samaritan woman at the well, the hemorrhaging woman who touched Jesus’ cloak, and how Jesus healed the blind man by the Pool of Siloam.  I also think of the adulterous woman who is about to be condemned and stoned to death in John, chapter 8. Jesus suggested that anyone who has not sinned throw the first stone.  After her life was saved, Jesus did not judge or condemn her, but rather encouraged her to start living a better life.  Instead of seeing this woman as a sinner, or defined by the external world, Jesus saw her as a daughter of God and treated her as such.  I think the miracles performed by Christ are the moments in which he was truly present and invited others to experience who they really are: a beloved child of God.

I think both yoga philosophy and Christian teachings show us that when we allow ourselves to believe that we are something more, and when we treat others as something more, transformation can happen.  We can experience moments of true peace, love, and joy.  We can experience moments without suffering.  The wonderful thing is that with both yoga and Christianity, we can cultivate practices that enable us to experience these moments daily.  We can get on our yoga mat.  We can sit in meditation.  We can volunteer with a local charity.  We can reconnect with a long lost friend.  We can feed the hungry and clothe the naked.  We can sing hymns of praise.  Each moment is an opportunity to be present, to connect, and move beyond what is fleeting and to dwell in a space of possibility.

Christ modeled for the world what it would look like if we lived in a state of bliss, where peace, joy, and love were constants, rather than fleeting moments.  As Christians aspire to be more Christ-like and yogis aspire to break through the first few koshas and live in wisdom and bliss, I believe the world will be transformed.  

In this way, I think yoga and Christianity are very compatible.  Both help me be a better person and experience more peace, love, and joy in my life. 

I hope this holiday season brings you peace, love, and joy.

Namaste,

Chelsea Paxton”

Thank you Chelsea for sharing your wisdom with our blog readers.

If you would like to read Chelsea’s blog, please go to www.omtowngirl.com

Morning Yoga

You asked for it! Now we are giving it to you!

We are pleased to announce that we now offer weekday early morning classes!

Practicing yoga in the morning has many benefits:

-Blood circulation

-Energy

-Mental balance

-Physical balance

Other benefits include:
-Increased productivity at work
-Increased focus and patience
-Mood elevation
-Reduction of stress and anxiety
-Strength and flexibility on and off your mat!

Lets all reap the benefits of morning yoga together!

These “Early Bird” classes are 60 minutes long and give you the chance to practice yoga, shower, change clothes and be off to work! Gourmet K-cup coffee, and tea will be provided.

As always, we love to support local charities. Each month we will select a local charity and make a donation with the tips collected from the morning coffee and tea.

There is no need to pre-register for these classes. Each class is $15 or you can use your class package.

To see the schedule of classes visit www.innerpeaceyogatulsa.com

Giving Thanks

Do you love the colorful leaves and cooler weather as much as we do?

Thanksgiving is this week and we are counting our blessings. What are you thankful for?

This holiday season, we wanted to give back to you and our community!

Join us for our annual Thanksgiving Day FREE 70-minute yoga class to clear our minds, reduce stress and open our hearts.

According to research from the American Psychological Association, three-fourths of American adults report moderate to high levels of stress. The holiday season adds stressors for many, which can negatively affect both physical and mental health.

Yoga increases GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) is a brain chemical that has a generally calming, anti-anxiety effect within the brain. (That’s the good vibes we love!)

This class not only benefits your body, mind, and soul but it also benefits our community.

We are asking attendees to bring monetary donations to either the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma or Tulsa Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The message of this holiday is to give thanks and share with others. Spread the message and attend this class with us on Thanksgiving Day.

Let’s spread the attitude of gratitude together.

For more information please visit our website www.innerpeaceyogatulsa.com or call or text (918) 809-4444. Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page!

Namaste.

"Dharma Talks" with Jon Hart

Inner Peace Yoga is pleased to present “Dharma Talks: A series of lectures with Jon Hart” on Friday, Nov. 18 from 7:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.

Jon Hart has been studying and teaching spiritual practices for 26 years. He began his formal training in 1985 when he began pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Biblical languages. 

Since starting yoga in 1998 he began to study the teaching of Thich Nhat Hahn as well as other Buddhist writers and scriptures. Since becoming a yoga instructor in 2005, he has become an Aspirant for ordination in the Order of interbeing (Thich Nhat Hahn’s order).

Jon is a dedicated teacher who balances high energy and low energy yoga as well as the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga.  

Jon’s Mantra is “Om Gum Shrm Maha Lakshmiyei Swaha,” which means, “Let all obstacles to my abundance be eliminated and the flow of the Shakti of abundance released within me.”

You can register for the class in person, by phone, or online. The class is $15 or you can use your Inner Peace Yoga class package.

7718 E. 91st Street, Suite 160

Tulsa, OK 74133

918-809-4444

www.innerpeaceyogatulsa.com

Guest Blogger Christine Standish Speaks About Breast Cancer Awareness

We are thrilled to introduce you to our first guest blogger, Christine Standish, author of “Seeing it Through”. She shares her Breast Cancer story with us and explains how yoga helped restore her body and mind after a long, exhausting experience.

“October is breast cancer awareness month.

Most of us are aware of this because every time this year, we begin to see the signature pink products popping up in stores.

Well friends, I am here to tell you that breast cancer is something that everyone needs to be educated about. It is the most lethal form of cancer for women in the world. An estimated one million cases will be identified this year, now striking one in eight women!

The reason that I am so familiar with breast cancer is because I am a two-time survivor.

In 2002, with three small children to care for, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36.

Both breasts were removed with a double mastectomy, along with many underarm lymph nodes. After several grueling reconstruction surgeries, I discovered a knot that began to ache. The cancer returned, more invasive than before and it brought its “friend” along with it. A secondary cancer.

In 2004, I endured several more chest wall surgeries, removal of my ovaries and dose dense chemotherapy, which is twice the rate of traditional chemo and finally radiation to the left side of my chest. This brutal treatment consumed an entire year of my life.

When it was all over, I was alive, but in desperate need of help for my battered, damaged body, mind and spirit. My doctors were concerned with keeping me alive, however could not offer much advice on how I would manage to live with this new, damaged body.

I have tried chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, acupuncture and other various exercises. While all of this did have positive isolated results, none offered the wide spread benefits I have found through attending regular yoga classes at Inner Peace Yoga Studio.

Yoga enables me to breathe through purposeful poses and, in doing so, I have turned my tight, aching, damaged body, to a stronger more balanced and flexible body.  The calming effect of this practice has been huge in helping with my depression, overall mental and spiritual well-being.  There are a variety of classes for all levels to choose from, so let the healing begin.

Namaste,
Christine Standish”

Christine’s personal and detailed journey was published in 2010
“Seeing it Through” by Christine Standish
Published by Xlibris, www.xlibris.com
“Seeing it Through” can be found at Amazon, Borders and Barns and Nobles

Christine’s local contact information:
(918) 814-0400
chrisastandish@yahoo.com

We have asked Christine to share even more of her story of how yoga helped revive her body and we will share it our future blogs.

Thank you, Christine, for sharing your experience with us.

Namaste.

Freedom from pain

Did you know that yoga can relieve your aches and pains? Through the controlled movements of yoga, muscle and body tensions can be removed. Yoga strengthens weak muscles, creates space in one's joints, increases flexibility, improves oxygenation to body tissue, which all combined can prevent future injuries or regular pains from occurring.

In 2005, a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that a yoga program was more effective in treating lower back pain than another exercise regimen.

There are specific movements and poses designed to alleviate specific pains in the body. Here are just some of the pains that yoga can relieve:

• ·      Rheumatoid Arthritis
• ·      Menstrual cramps
• ·      Neck pain
• ·      Back pain
• ·      Muscle pain
• ·      Joint pain
• ·      Shoulder pain
• ·      Headaches

Yoga is also used as physical therapy in the recovery stage of more serious injuries. This includes joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons. After a serious injury yoga is used to gently restore strength to weak muscles, and restore normal body movement and functions.

If you are experiencing a specific pain, be sure to tell your yoga instructor. Your yoga teacher can tell you which poses to avoid, modify, or increase in order to strategically stretch, strengthen, and align the body to return to its optimum state.

Listen to your body. Namaste.

Test Your Yoga Knowledge!

Happy Thursday Everyone! In honor of September being National Yoga Month, we wanted to test your yoga knowledge! Open your mind and take this quiz to see how well you know about yoga and its benefits!

1) Where does yoga originate?

a) Indonesia

b) India

c) United States

2) Do you have to be flexible to do yoga?

a) Yes, you need to be able to turn your body into a pretzel.

b) No, yoga is for everyone and every body type.

3) Can yoga improve your health?

a) No, but it can trick your mind into thinking you are healthy.

b) Yes, among other things, it increases blood circulation, lowers blood pressure, increases oxygen and lessens anxiety, which can dramatically improve ones health.

c) There are no scientific studies to prove either way.

4) When did yoga originate?

a) At the beginning of the 1960’s. Hippies developed it to better connect to the world spiritually, and create world peace.

b) In 2000 BC by the Austronesian peoples of Bali, Indonesia. Yoga was created to ward off bad spirits and please ancestors.

c). Over 5,000 years ago as part of the philosophy of Hinduism to attain the state of spiritual insight and tranquility.

5) During meditation:

a) The hormones melatonin and serotonin increase.

b) You have to chant “Om” for the meditation to work.

c) Meditation cannot ease chronic pain.

6) The word “yoga” means:

a) “Yo” comes from the Latin word meaning “self” and “ga” comes from the Latin word meaning “soothing”.

b) Yoga is believed to be the name of the man who first began the yoga movement. Yoga Barshnid lived over 5,000 years ago and began yoga to better connects with the gods.

c) Yoga means combining the body, mind and spirit through breath and meditation. Its literal meaning is “yoke” or “the act of harnessing.”

7) The only appropriate place to practice yoga is:

a) In a yoga studio with experienced professionals

b) Yoga can be practiced anywhere, even at your office desk.

8) Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga is:

a) The easiest type of yoga.

b) Is only for males.

c) Is often referred to as “power yoga”.

9) Pranayama is:

a) Breathing control. Practicing pranayama will increase oxygen to the brain and promote relaxation.

b) Muscle control. Pranayama is a series of postures that will strengthen muscles.

c) A sleep like state where total relaxation can occur.

10) Asana is:

a) The yoga postures.

b) The auras of everyone who practices yoga.

c) The hormone that gives you pleasure after a yoga session.

So how do you think you did? Here are the answers: bbbcacbcaa

Check out our website www.innerpeaceyogatulsa.com for class schedules and more information about the practice of yoga.

Want to hear a yoga joke?

-Knock, Knock

-Who’s there?

-Yoga

-Yoga who?

-Yoga to try yoga! It feels amazing!

Happy National Yoga Month Everyone!!

Men and Yoga

NFL players swear by it. Golfers see improvement in their game. Cyclists do it to increase their strength and endurance. Are you curious what it is?

Well, yoga isn’t just for women fellas. Men often suffer from being tight, especially in the hips, hamstrings and shoulders. We know yoga links the mind and body, but did you know yoga boosts your energy and speeds up your body’s recovery time? It can even help with back pain.

3.5 million men practice yoga.  Don’t you think you should give it a try?

Regular yoga practice can improve your athletic performance and decrease discomfort after workouts. New studies show men who practice yoga may lower their risk of heart disease, depression and high blood pressure. 

“I originally tried Yoga,” Byron Henderson said, “because my body has taken a lot of wear the last 25 years on the soccer field. There have been numerous times of gone to class feeling sore and tired and out of sorts and left with a positive attitude, reinvigorated.”

Inner Peace Yoga offers a variety of classes that are all open to men, but beginning September, Inner Peace Yoga is offering a Men and Yoga class every Thursday at 8:30 p.m.  If you would like more information call Inner Peace Yoga at (918)-809-4444 or visit our website at www.innerpeaceyogatulsa.com.