Gently Now Yoga

Yoga

The word yoga means "union" in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India where yoga originated. Yoga has been practiced for over 4000 years as a way to unite the mind, body, and spirit.

But 4000 years ago, they didn't have ?Power Yoga? classes at your local gym taught by a limber 25 year old to a packed class of 50 people.

Back then, yoga was taught one-on-one, wise old Yoga Master to devoted student. It was a way of life marked by philosophical studies, meditation, and a daily asana (yoga postures) practice according to the student's needs and abilities. Under the watchful eye of the Master, the student could progress gradually towards an enlightened state called ?samadhi,? where life was full of joy, equanimity and clear purpose.

Nowadays, we abuse our bodies in many ways that the ancient Masters could not conceive of. We sit all day, tensing up our neck, shoulders and back, not to mention our minds. We exercise sporadically and often push too hard to make up for lost time. We eat badly, don't sleep enough and don't pay enough attention to the subtle signals our body gives us that it needs help.

Yoga has so much to offer to counteract our daily stresses. A consistent, mindful, appropriate yoga practice can help us be more relaxed and at the same time have more energy for the things that matter most in our lives. We can build strength as well as flexibility to increase performance in all the other activities we do. We can have fun moving and connecting with our bodies and with our breath.

However, yoga can also do us harm. Some people are surprised to learn that yoga can cause injury, but my journey from a limber 25 year old to a creaky 38 year old with a bum shoulder and a torn hamstring is a testament to the dangers of pushing too hard, too fast and for too long.

I am grateful for my numerous injuries, however. They led me to find The Breathing Project, a yoga studio in Manhattan specializing in treating people with pain. I am grateful for the unparalleled teacher training there, taught by Leslie Kaminoff, author of the best-selling book Yoga Anatomy, and Amy Matthews, Senior Instructor of Body-Mind Centering. They have helped me shape a whole new way to practice and to teach, the Gently Now way:
Consistent: A little every day goes a long way.
Mindful: Pay keen attention to your movement, breath and intention.
Appropriate: Explore the edge of your unique limitations without pushing.

I am honored to share my journey of healing with you.

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