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 Newsletter
May 2010
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Restorative
Yoga: Into the Stillness
Sunday, May 16; 2-4pm
In
the pace of our demanding
daily lives, we often
neglect time for stillness.
When we are in chronic
over-drive, our bodies,
minds and hearts suffer.
Restorative Yoga is a
deeply restful practice.
Props are used to support
the body in poses that are
sustained for longer periods
of time so that the body can
drop deeply into stillness,
and the mind and spirit can
rest and rejuvenate.
Gentle breathing practices
are incorporated to
cultivate ease in the body.
The practice of Restorative Yoga
helps calm the nervous
system, and helps establish
or renew internal balance of
mind, body, and spirit.
It is a very healing
practice accessible to all
levels of experience from
the novice to the seasoned
practioner.
Pre
registration is strongly
recommended. Cyndi
Bulka instructs. Cost: $25
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Reflections
from Cyndi
May has
arrived with
the promise
of warm
sunny days,
vacations,
the lakes,
mountains,
beaches and
our favorite
summer
pastimes.
Encouraged
by the
beautiful
forecast and
feeling the
need to
refresh my
spirit, I
spontaneously
decided to
head to the
beach by
myself for a
few days of
R&R.
I've enjoyed
long walks
on the
beach,
morning
sunrises
over the
ocean,
evening
sunsets over
the sound,
the soothing
sound of the
waves
rolling and
gulls
calling,
sweet
afternoon
naps and the
amusement of
my dog's
antics in
the ocean.
It's amazing
what a few
days retreat
can do for
the soul!
Hard as it
feels to
peel myself
away from
the sea, I
did have
some work to
get done so
I made my
way to this
great little
Internet
cafe and
gift shop.
I plug in
and there it
is.
Resistance.
I've had
some around
writing this
newsletter.
I've been
feeling a
bit
uninspired
lately.
Coming to
the beach
was in part
about
reconnecting
to my
creative
spirit.
I've put off
my end of
month
to-do's long
enough.
Time to dive
in.
So I take a
deep breath
and arrive
for my
moment.
I've ordered
myself a
chai tea and
while the
pleasant
barista was
making my
sweet
concoction,
I get to
browsing.
The place
has great
stuff.
I'm not much
of a trinket
shopper, but
this little
shop is full
of
inspiration!
Amongst the
selection of
greeting
cards I come
across this
quote:
"The
cure for
everything
is salt
water:
sweat, tears
or the
sea."
That's quite
an
auspicious
statement.
There is
something
truly
satisfying
about hard
work, a good
cry, a long
walk by the
oceans' edge
or a swim in
the sea.
I speak from
the
immediate
experience
of the
latter. Next
my eyes spot a
terrific
vintage-looking
mug that
captures my
attention.
It's
inscribed
with
"Today
is a gift.
That's why
they call it
The
Present."
I know the
perfect tea
drinking
friend for
that.
Just a few
yards away,
a magnet
declares
"Twenty
years from
now you will
be more
disappointed
by the
things you
didn't do
than by the
ones you
did.
So throw off
the bow
lines.
Sail away
from the
safe harbor.
Catch the
trade wind
in your
sails.
Explore.
Dream.
Discover."
I don't know
who will get
that gift
but it's too
good to pass
up.
And finally,
perhaps the
most
inspiring of
all, a
journal
whose cover
reads
"In the
end these
things
matter most:
How well did
you love?
How fully
did you
live?
How deeply
did you
learn to let
go?" Some
believe
these were
the buddha's
last words.
This one's a
keeper; my
next
journal.
My
meanderings
at this
funky shop
took me
exactly
where I
needed to be
with some
light-hearted
inspiration
to pass on.
What was
that
resistance
about
anyway?!
The tea was
delicious,
my wallet is
$40 lighter
, the sun is
shining and
the sea
beckons
again!
Much Love and Deep
Gratitude
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As
always we appreciate your
participation and support.
|
|
Moving
Mantra Yoga Studio
200-101
Sawmill Rd
Raleigh,NC
27615
919.449.0530
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|
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|
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Moving
Mantra Yoga Studio | 200 Sawmill Road | Raleigh | NC | 27615
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Newsletter
June
2010
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Our
Sponsor
Dr.
Tom Mitchell, D.C.
Registered
Herbalist
Specializing
In Ayurveda
Schedule your first Ayurvedic
consultation during the month of June and
receive a 15% discount.
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Reflections
from Cyndi
Inviting It
All In
I had an interesting
experience recently;
one of those
opportunities to
reflect on the
benefits of practice
permeating my everyday
life. It began
late Sunday night,
when I was awakened by
a nagging pain in my
back, the likely
result of a long hike
I'd enjoyed earlier
that day. My discomfort
beckoned me to the
freezer for an ice
pack, where I was
not-so-pleasantly
surprised to find the
contents of my tepid
freezer well on their
way to thawed.
It's past 11, I'm
tired, and I remember
the appointments on my
books for early in the
morning. All
the worst-case
lamentable scenarios
presented themselves
quickly... the
wasted spoiled food, will
I have to replace the
refrigerator, can
I get a repairman out
in between
appointments...
And then almost as
quickly, I made a
choice to just let
all the inconvenience
in and usher all the
worry out. I did what
seemed reasonable to
salvage food, crawled
back in my bed sans
ice pack, began long
slow deep breath
rhythms and simply allowed
myself be with what
was. As I
focused on my breath,
I witnessed all the
fear, frustration,
uncertainty and
inconvenience rise and
fade away without
consuming my energy.
I actually slept quite
well and woke early to
greet my inconvenient
truth, my unexpected
visitor that put a cog
in my normally
well-oiled Monday
wheel.
When I let
everything in; the
good, the bad, the
ugly and the
unknowing, a lovely unfolding
of events occurred.
I randomly picked a
repair service from
the phone book.
First ring, a pleasant
woman answered and I
was able to get an easy
appointment. I
called my first client
and asked to move our
time, which was not a
problem. I
decided to cook the
food I'd salvaged and
texted my teenage son
"Bring your
friends home for
lunch." I
enjoyed the
appreciation of these
young men, happy and
so grateful for an
unexpected home-cooked
lunch. The
repairman was a funny,
efficient gentleman
who quickly fixed my
problem; a minor
inexpensive
replacement part he
had on his truck.
The day had turned out
to be pleasant and fed
my energy rather than
exhausted it.
I wondered if my
choice to not turn
anything away in
resistance had an
impact on such a
seamless string of
affable solutions
presenting themselves.
I'd like to think
so. Like
attracts like energy.
Reflecting on similar
past experiences in
which I had allowed an
unexpected problem to
usurp my energy, the
experiences had not
always gone so
smoothly, and I'd
often end up feeling
depleted.
When I practice Yoga
asana and meet
resistance or pain, I
know how to
acknowledge what is
unfolding without
judging or forcing
my body to yield.
Bringing awareness to
the sensations and
breathing, the
body may unwind
by virtue of simple
awareness and breath;
I may make a
simple adaptation; I
may choose to let the
pose go. This
kind of sensitivity is
bourne out of
practice. A
consistent practice on
the mat extends itself
into everyday life.
Not only do our bodies
become more relaxed
and supple with
practice, but so too
do our minds, our
attitudes, our
relationships.
Life often seems to
respond in kind.
Even when the painful,
unexpected or
inconvenient knocks on
my door, when I relax
in to what is,
solutions present
themselves.
Life is practice,
practice is life!
It's a joy to see the
fruits of my practice
ripen in such simple
yet meaningful ways.
As I age my joints may
not be happy to
do the same complex
asanas I once did, but
my mind continues to
expand and the
practice of living
Yoga gets deeper and
better all the time,
my heart opens to
include, include,
include. Twenty
or so years ago when I
began dabbling in
Yoga, I had no idea
this practice could
have had such a
profound impact on my
quality of daily life
and relationships.
While the challenge
and pleasure of asana
practice remains, as a
practitioner and a
teacher, I realize the
most delicious
benefits of practice
are truly off the mat.
I often encourage
students to remain
disciplined in the
regularity of their
practice for this very
reason. I invite
each of you to
recommit to your
practice, to relish in
the support of your
teacher and fellow
students. Become
an observer of your
own life's challenges
and reflect upon them
in the context of the
essential teachings of
Yoga.
Peace, and Many
Blessings,
Namaste
Cyndi
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|
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As
always we appreciate your
participation and support.
|
|
Moving
Mantra Yoga Studio
200-101
Sawmill Rd
Raleigh,NC
27615
919.449.0530
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moving
Mantra Yoga Studio | 200 Sawmill Road | Raleigh | NC | 27615
|
|
|
Newsletter
May 2010
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Restorative
Yoga: Into the Stillness
Sunday, May 16; 2-4pm
In
the pace of our demanding
daily lives, we often
neglect time for stillness.
When we are in chronic
over-drive, our bodies,
minds and hearts suffer.
Restorative Yoga is a
deeply restful practice.
Props are used to support
the body in poses that are
sustained for longer periods
of time so that the body can
drop deeply into stillness,
and the mind and spirit can
rest and rejuvenate.
Gentle breathing practices
are incorporated to
cultivate ease in the body.
The practice of Restorative Yoga
helps calm the nervous
system, and helps establish
or renew internal balance of
mind, body, and spirit.
It is a very healing
practice accessible to all
levels of experience from
the novice to the seasoned
practioner.
Pre
registration is strongly
recommended. Cyndi
Bulka instructs. Cost: $25
|
|
Reflections
from Cyndi
May has
arrived with
the promise
of warm
sunny days,
vacations,
the lakes,
mountains,
beaches and
our favorite
summer
pastimes.
Encouraged
by the
beautiful
forecast and
feeling the
need to
refresh my
spirit, I
spontaneously
decided to
head to the
beach by
myself for a
few days of
R&R.
I've enjoyed
long walks
on the
beach,
morning
sunrises
over the
ocean,
evening
sunsets over
the sound,
the soothing
sound of the
waves
rolling and
gulls
calling,
sweet
afternoon
naps and the
amusement of
my dog's
antics in
the ocean.
It's amazing
what a few
days retreat
can do for
the soul!
Hard as it
feels to
peel myself
away from
the sea, I
did have
some work to
get done so
I made my
way to this
great little
Internet
cafe and
gift shop.
I plug in
and there it
is.
Resistance.
I've had
some around
writing this
newsletter.
I've been
feeling a
bit
uninspired
lately.
Coming to
the beach
was in part
about
reconnecting
to my
creative
spirit.
I've put off
my end of
month
to-do's long
enough.
Time to dive
in.
So I take a
deep breath
and arrive
for my
moment.
I've ordered
myself a
chai tea and
while the
pleasant
barista was
making my
sweet
concoction,
I get to
browsing.
The place
has great
stuff.
I'm not much
of a trinket
shopper, but
this little
shop is full
of
inspiration!
Amongst the
selection of
greeting
cards I come
across this
quote:
"The
cure for
everything
is salt
water:
sweat, tears
or the
sea."
That's quite
an
auspicious
statement.
There is
something
truly
satisfying
about hard
work, a good
cry, a long
walk by the
oceans' edge
or a swim in
the sea.
I speak from
the
immediate
experience
of the
latter. Next
my eyes spot a
terrific
vintage-looking
mug that
captures my
attention.
It's
inscribed
with
"Today
is a gift.
That's why
they call it
The
Present."
I know the
perfect tea
drinking
friend for
that.
Just a few
yards away,
a magnet
declares
"Twenty
years from
now you will
be more
disappointed
by the
things you
didn't do
than by the
ones you
did.
So throw off
the bow
lines.
Sail away
from the
safe harbor.
Catch the
trade wind
in your
sails.
Explore.
Dream.
Discover."
I don't know
who will get
that gift
but it's too
good to pass
up.
And finally,
perhaps the
most
inspiring of
all, a
journal
whose cover
reads
"In the
end these
things
matter most:
How well did
you love?
How fully
did you
live?
How deeply
did you
learn to let
go?" Some
believe
these were
the buddha's
last words.
This one's a
keeper; my
next
journal.
My
meanderings
at this
funky shop
took me
exactly
where I
needed to be
with some
light-hearted
inspiration
to pass on.
What was
that
resistance
about
anyway?!
The tea was
delicious,
my wallet is
$40 lighter
, the sun is
shining and
the sea
beckons
again!
Much Love and Deep
Gratitude
|
|
|
As
always we appreciate your
participation and support.
|
|
Moving
Mantra Yoga Studio
200-101
Sawmill Rd
Raleigh,NC
27615
919.449.0530
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moving
Mantra Yoga Studio | 200 Sawmill Road | Raleigh | NC | 27615
|
|
|
Newsletter
April 2010 | |
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|
Our
Sponsor
Diane Stakoe Massage
Caregivers
who attend the Healing Yoga for Caregivers workshop recieve 50%
off one Massage session during the month of
April! |
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Featured Spring Classes
Come check out these new classes and teachers! New
students welcome. No experience
necessary. Tai
Chi with Honey Music
Sundays 6:15pm & Thursdays 7:30pm
Tai Chi's gentle flowing movement allows mind and body to
work together to achieve awareness, resulting in a deep feeling of
well-being. This traditional Chinese practice encourages reflection and
mindfulness of the good things in life while improving strength, breath and
co-ordination.
Beginner Yoga with Lizanne McDonough
Tuesdays, 5:45pm
Basic
yoga poses, breathing techniques and relaxation techniques. Great for new
beginners or those who are looking to maintain a basic, regular practice.
Active Yoga with Suzanne Weiner
Thursdays, 6pm
In this
class we will build strength, stamina and flexibility using a flowing series of
postures synchronized with breath,leaving the practitioner feeling balanced and
refreshed.
Yoga for Athletes/Active Bodies
with Sunny Davis
Fridays, 9:30am
Yoga can counterbalance the effects of
training, shorten your recovery times, sharpen your focusing skills and learn to
breathe more efficiently. Having a relaxed and flexible body will help you
become a more successful athlete.
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Choice-ful Living: Yoga On and Off the Mat
Saturday, April 10,
2-4pm
11:00 - 1:00pm
The key to creating the life you want is to develop an awareness
of all of your choices, both big and small. Join us to discover how you can
become more aware of your choices and make conscious decisions that are right
for your life. Come with your yoga mat, notepad or journal, a pen and a
willingness to play and explore. Pre-registration is
recommended.
Sherry Essig and Anne Robie instruct.
$25
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Chair Yoga
Sunday, April 11, 1-2pm
Chair yoga affords anyone a stable base to
practice basic and complex yoga, anywhere. The movements are modified to your
health, skill level and needs. The results will change how you sit, stand and
walk.
Howie Shareff instructs. Suggested Donation: $10
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Yoga Nidra
Friday, April 23, 6-7pm
Yoga Nidra is a physical and mental
relaxation technique which penetrates into much deeper levels of consciousness.
Adherents claim that half an hour of Yoga Nidra can replace up to three hours of
normal sleep! No experience necessary.
Cyndi Bulka instructs. Love
Offerings
Appreciated.
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Healing Yoga for the Caregiver
Friday, April 30, 6-7:30pm
This class is offered for primary caregivers of parents or children with
special needs. It is vitally important to schedule time for self care so that
you can effectively care for those you love. Reserve this 90-minute class for
yourself to practice gentle stretches, deep breathing and meditation, which will
leave you feeling relaxed and recharged. This is a donation-based offering, but
pre registration is recommended since space is limited. Call or email to reserve your space. 919.449.0530
Diane Stakoe, yoga instructor and licensed massage therapist
instructs. Contact
Diane.
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Reflections from Cyndi
Celebrating
Spring!
Spring is a wonderful extravagant dance of nature. The ground and
the heavens commune to bring forth a thousand shades of green and countless
colorful, fragrant blossoms to entertain our senses. It's a favorite time of
year for many, and most certainly mine. Sometimes I feel a certain giddiness as
I stand in the midst of all this awakening. The urge to step off the comfort of
the known, well-walked path and into the untested mystery simmers inside me, as
if something deep inside me wants to cast aside reserve and enjoy life more
fully.
We can learn much from nature. Winter into spring is a miracle of life
renewing itself; observe and you will see it does so without dissatisfaction,
without resistance, without unhappiness or lament towards change. Although
spring is undoubtedly the season that demonstrates the greatest visible changes,
nature makes the transition with seamless grace. There may be storms, lots of
wind, soaking rains, but each of these is the challenge and the gift. The wind
that uproots trees also carries the seeds of change.
As I was walking my dog today, it was hard not to notice the thick layer of
yellow pollen covering everything. It seemed to slow us both down a bit. Yet
despite the heaviness in the air, the celebration of color and new life was
clear...a carpet of purple creeping phlox, the redbuds in full regalia, azaleas
bursting forth, the warmth of the sun on my shoulders, the periwinkle blue
skies, a soft breeze on my face. So many gifts! I was reminded of how
important it is to be aware of what clouds my vision of beauty and truth, and
how easy it can be to confuse that which blurs our vision as truth. It's just a
plume of pollen that will soon be washed away with the rain.
Spring inspires, resurrects, transforms. The splendor of the season is an
invitation to Now, to feeling more deeply our connection to the rhythms of
nature, to accessing a sense of gratitude and seeing what is before us. Enjoy
these precious days of color and light!
Look deeply;
I arrive in every second to be a bud on a
spring branch,
to be a tiny bird, with wings still fragile,
learning to
sing in my new nest,
to be a caterpillar in the heart of a flower,
to be
a jewel hiding itself in a stone.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Much Love and Deep Gratitude
| |
|
As always we
appreciate your participation and
support. |
|
Moving Mantra Yoga
Studio
200-101 Sawmill
Rd
Raleigh,NC
27615
919.449.0530
| | | | |
| |
