Health, Wellness, and Gourmet Living commences. The weather here in France is as close to perfect as you can get. As we speak, people are arriving from LA, SF, DC, NYC, Moscow... Yesterday in Paris (with the help of photog extraordinaire, Alex Vanagas and his lovely assistant, Anne-Leonie) Dr. Jay and I got decadent, got fabulous, got playful, got serious, and got ready...
Taking our little merry tribe to Moulin Bregeon for a week of healing, magic, and extraordinary feasts. RASA!
See you on the flip side. Voyez-vous quand nous réintroduisons.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
Finding Your Center of Gravity ~ dimanche!
Ah, arm balances. That pesky family of poses that elicits clenched jaws, gritting teeth, and red faces. The number of times I've heard, "I'm too weak in the arms for _____." (insert name of one or several arm balance poses) is equaled with the number of times I've responded with, "Arm strength is only about 25% of what you need to access _____."
Skillful and weightless arm balances require first finding your center of gravity. They require a deep connection to the core strength and the ability to access vital lines of energy in the body. They require the discipline to hug into the center, where the true strength resides, before elongating. They require a little fire in the belly. They require some faith. They definitely require a sense of humor. They do not require bigger biceps.
Join me at Paris Yoga (9 rue Magellan, metro - George V) on Sunday, 20 May, 10h30 - 12h45, for
Arm Balances: Finding Your Center of Gravity. We will begin with the basics, warm up good and sweaty, and gradually work our way into some of the fancy stuff.
(This is for all levels, except complete beginners. Please have taken at least five classes with me or another Hatha Vinyasa teacher prior to signing up. )
Come on an empty stomach and bring water.
Reservations required (workshops tend to fill up), so email Joelle at Paris Yoga: info@parisyoga.com
Skillful and weightless arm balances require first finding your center of gravity. They require a deep connection to the core strength and the ability to access vital lines of energy in the body. They require the discipline to hug into the center, where the true strength resides, before elongating. They require a little fire in the belly. They require some faith. They definitely require a sense of humor. They do not require bigger biceps.
Join me at Paris Yoga (9 rue Magellan, metro - George V) on Sunday, 20 May, 10h30 - 12h45, for
Arm Balances: Finding Your Center of Gravity. We will begin with the basics, warm up good and sweaty, and gradually work our way into some of the fancy stuff.
(This is for all levels, except complete beginners. Please have taken at least five classes with me or another Hatha Vinyasa teacher prior to signing up. )
Come on an empty stomach and bring water.
Reservations required (workshops tend to fill up), so email Joelle at Paris Yoga: info@parisyoga.com
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
No Fear! Backbend Workshop - dimanche!
The family of poses referred to as "backbends" or "heart-openers" or "les flexions arrière" is ofttimes either loved or hated; revered or despised; embraced or repulsed...and for good reason.
When done skillfully, backbends can be stimulating/mood-lifting/powerful little tools for beating back fatigue, exhaustion, malaise, low self-esteem, and even mild depression. (Really, it's a feeling like none other.) When done poorly, with unnecessary force and ambition and less-than-stellar instruction, they can feel like a bad hangover, with nagging sciatica to boot. (Testify.)
The symbolic act of "letting the heart lead" is scary business. Opening up the front of the body and exposing that vulnerability is not to be taken lightly, rushed into, or forced. The rock-hard resistance that has been built up over a lifetime in the muscles, tendons, joints, and cells is real. It is our protective shield; our body armor that we think defends the most fragile of places from pain, hurt, and betrayal.
Or if you prefer a less war-like analogy, how about a first date? If you're using your truest intelligence, you wouldn't lay yourself completely bare, literally or figuratively, in the first (or first ten) dates; exposing your deepest fears and secrets to someone you barely know. Of course not. (We've all learned the hard way.) You would move slowly and allow the opening to happen with integrity and self-care; valuing yourself in the process.
When done skillfully, backbends can be stimulating/mood-lifting/powerful little tools for beating back fatigue, exhaustion, malaise, low self-esteem, and even mild depression. (Really, it's a feeling like none other.) When done poorly, with unnecessary force and ambition and less-than-stellar instruction, they can feel like a bad hangover, with nagging sciatica to boot. (Testify.)
The symbolic act of "letting the heart lead" is scary business. Opening up the front of the body and exposing that vulnerability is not to be taken lightly, rushed into, or forced. The rock-hard resistance that has been built up over a lifetime in the muscles, tendons, joints, and cells is real. It is our protective shield; our body armor that we think defends the most fragile of places from pain, hurt, and betrayal.
Or if you prefer a less war-like analogy, how about a first date? If you're using your truest intelligence, you wouldn't lay yourself completely bare, literally or figuratively, in the first (or first ten) dates; exposing your deepest fears and secrets to someone you barely know. Of course not. (We've all learned the hard way.) You would move slowly and allow the opening to happen with integrity and self-care; valuing yourself in the process.
Recent dramatic happenings in the yoga world have brought to light that deep, repetitive backbends are not for everyone and certainly not all the time. Matthew Remski a senior Canadian yoga instructor and Ayurveda consultant describes it nicely in the 2nd of his recent trilogy of articles: (I highly recommend reading them all)
"Gentle thoracic extension is also a smart antidote for computer-back. Great. But for those with poor boundary issues or a history of compensatory behaviour, repeated backbending might exacerbate patterns of relational sacrifice. Let’s remember that consciously opening the sternum depends upon less-conscious abdominal extension: the baring of the belly to primal vulnerability. This might not be the best action to repeat in the context of a dysfunctional power relationship with a narcissistic guru, for example. And the pace at which backbending is tackled is important in discerning the almost-invisible threshold between “opening” and retraumatizing. In another vein, for the pitta-dominant, the constant adrenal-squeezing of backbending (if not antidoted by generous kidney-looping) may over-caffeinate, overheat, and bring a fanatical edge to a practice and/or belief system."
A conscious and wise backbend practice is one that honors and gently presses into those areas of resistance just far enough to feel an organic and subtle softening and...wait what's that? A deeper breath? That's it, no farther. We start there.
Let's not give in to the egos' maniacal little plan of rushing to look like the backbends on the glossy magazine covers. With skillful instruction and full attention, let's work together to create an experience with backbends that is safe and fulfilling. And, if the ego has at one time or another already led you to the all-night backbend rave, numbing (forcing) yourself into repetitive Natarajasana (like me), bring your hungover self to the No Fear workshop on Sunday morning. There will be heart-felt compassion, lots of water, and plenty of supported Setu Bandhasana.
No Fear Backbend Workshop
10h30 - 12h30
Paris Yoga
9 rue Magenta
Metro - George V
Reservations are necessary - info@parisyoga.com
A conscious and wise backbend practice is one that honors and gently presses into those areas of resistance just far enough to feel an organic and subtle softening and...wait what's that? A deeper breath? That's it, no farther. We start there.
Let's not give in to the egos' maniacal little plan of rushing to look like the backbends on the glossy magazine covers. With skillful instruction and full attention, let's work together to create an experience with backbends that is safe and fulfilling. And, if the ego has at one time or another already led you to the all-night backbend rave, numbing (forcing) yourself into repetitive Natarajasana (like me), bring your hungover self to the No Fear workshop on Sunday morning. There will be heart-felt compassion, lots of water, and plenty of supported Setu Bandhasana.
No Fear Backbend Workshop
10h30 - 12h30
Paris Yoga
9 rue Magenta
Metro - George V
Reservations are necessary - info@parisyoga.com
Ce dimanche Amanda enseigne l'atelier "No Fear" Backbend Workshop. L'atelier sera focalisé sur les flexions arrière. Nous allons explorer les postures qui ouvrent la région du coeur à l'aide d'une respiration profonde. Accessible à tous niveaux, à part grands débutants. Venir avec l'estomac léger et apporter une bouteille d'eau et une petite serviette.
Merci de vous inscrire à l'avance et de vous présenter au moins 10 min avant le début de l'atelier.
Dimanche 22 avril 2012, 10h30 à 12h30, prix 40 €
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Spring Wings
How do your scapulae, shoulder blades, and gleno-humerals feel after a long, cold, heavy, dark Paris winter?
Is that most efficient shelf-of-stress known as "the shoulders" still sufficiently slumped in this first week of Spring?
Yeah, I thought so.
One must grow some wings to rise out of winter and glide into Spring!
Join me on Sunday, 25 March, for the Spring Wings workshop at Paris Yoga, 10h30 - 12h30.
We will dismantle that shelf-of-stress slowly and carefully, creating a perfect posture AND proud lift of the chest, unfurling the wings appropriate for Spring!
We will move into gentle backbends exploring all ranges of motion. You'll be ready to soar.
Reservations are required. Contact Joelle at info(at)parisyoga.com.
Is that most efficient shelf-of-stress known as "the shoulders" still sufficiently slumped in this first week of Spring?
Yeah, I thought so.
One must grow some wings to rise out of winter and glide into Spring!
Join me on Sunday, 25 March, for the Spring Wings workshop at Paris Yoga, 10h30 - 12h30.
We will dismantle that shelf-of-stress slowly and carefully, creating a perfect posture AND proud lift of the chest, unfurling the wings appropriate for Spring!
We will move into gentle backbends exploring all ranges of motion. You'll be ready to soar.
Reservations are required. Contact Joelle at info(at)parisyoga.com.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
29 fevrier
Who or what would make you take a giant Leap of Faith (or 3)?
Where is the Bhakti in your life?
Bhakti = Devotion/Devouement
Monday, February 20, 2012
Another Free-the-Hips Workshop ~ dimanche!
Back by popular demand, I will be teaching my winter version of the Free-the-Hips Workshop at Paris Yoga on Sunday, 26 February, 10h30 - 12h45. Get you and your cold, creaky, tight hips inside, on the mat for a dynamic workshop exploring all six rotations of les hanches glorieuses!
Releasing tightness in the hips relieves tension in the low back, improves balance, and gives an overall sense of lightness in the body. Energetically, this area corresponds with the first two chakras where we tend to store deep wounds from the past. Once released, it is possible to feel a sense of relief and profound spaciousness. You'll be surprised at how light and liberated you'll feel!
Bring a towel and water. All levels welcome.
Contact Joelle at Paris Yoga to register ~ info@parisyoga.come
Releasing tightness in the hips relieves tension in the low back, improves balance, and gives an overall sense of lightness in the body. Energetically, this area corresponds with the first two chakras where we tend to store deep wounds from the past. Once released, it is possible to feel a sense of relief and profound spaciousness. You'll be surprised at how light and liberated you'll feel!
Bring a towel and water. All levels welcome.
Contact Joelle at Paris Yoga to register ~ info@parisyoga.come
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Wring out the old...
If so, I'll see you Sunday, 29 January, 10h30 - 12h30 at Paris Yoga for:
"Wring out the Old and Ring in the New"
(the detox workshop that I've decided not to call a "detox" workshop!)
This will be two hours of dynamic and rich asanas and pranayama techniques for purification. We'll safely explore the poses designed to stimulate the digestive fires and eliminate toxins, as we breathe deep and release negative thoughts and feedback loops; cleaning our system physiologically and energetically from the outside in. This workshop is perfect for anyone feeling a bit sluggish, heavy, fatigued or lacking in vitality after the holiday season.
Bring water and a small towel and please come on a relatively empty stomach (refrain from eating 1.5 - 2 hrs in advance).
€40
Email Joelle ~ info@parisyoga.com ~ to sign up.
en francais:
Ce dimanche Amanda enseigne l'atelier Hatha Flow Yoga. L'atelier sera focalisé sur les postures et les respirations de purification. Nous allons explorer les postures qui stimulent le feu digestif et éliminent les toxines à l'aide d'une respiration profonde qui nettoie le corps de l'extérieur à l'intérieur. Accessible à tous niveaux, à part grands débutants. Venir avec l'estomac léger et apporter une bouteille d'eau et une petite serviette.
Dimanche 29 janvier 2012, 10h30 à 12h30, prix 40 €
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