Sandy's Newsletters

July 2006

Welcome to my monthly newsletter!  If you haven't visited my website recently, check it out, it has just been updated.  Enjoy, and feel free to share this newsletter!

Yoga is one of the six orthodox systems of Indian philosophy.  It was collated, coordinated and systematized by Pantanjali in his classical work known as the Yoga Sutras.  The Sutras consist of 185 terse aphorisms.  In Indian thought everything is permeated by the Supreme Universal Spirit of which the individual spirit is part.  The system is called yoga because it
teaches the means by which the individual spirit (jivatma) can be united to, or be in communion with the Supreme Universal Spirit (Paramatma) and thus, secure liberation (moksa).

Pantanjali enumerates the means to this union as the eight limbs of Yoga; a system for the quest of the soul.  They are: Yama (universal/moral laws), Niyama (self purification/discipline), Asana (physical postures), Pranayama (rhythmic breath control), Pratahara (withdrawal of the mind/domination of the senses), Dhrana (concentration), Dyana (meditation), Samadhi (a state
of oneness with the Supreme Universal Spirit).

In next month's newsletter we will begin to elaborate on each of the eight limbs--stay tuned!  For now, here are some updates on what's happening:

Our retreat in Sedona was a great success.  Enchantment Resort is a beautiful facility and the fact that it sits in a canyon surrounded by red rock made this experience absolutely unforgettable. I am confident that our upcoming retreats will be just as special!  There is still room (and scholarship programs) available for Green Gulch and Tuscany.  I have also just posted a Hawaiian retreat on my website; we'll be going there in February.  Please come and join us!

Last Saturday was my first class at the Yoga-Movement Center in Walnut Creek.  The class went very well; I'd love to see more of you there--drop in is $15 or you can buy a series at a discount price is $12.50.

Our "Asana of the Month" is one of my favorites:  Chaturanga Dandasana (Four-Limbed Staff Pose).  The most common way to begin this pose is to begin in Plank Pose.  Take a deep inhalation and as you exhale slowly bend your elbows backwards and lower your torso and legs a few inches parallel to the floor.  As you keep your elbows into your sides and press the base
of the fingers into the floor, extend back through your heels and forward through the crown of your head.  Hold the pose here for several breathes and on the last exhalation, come all the way down to the floor or press yourself up, back into Plank Pose. This pose builds upper-body strength and creates internal heat.  It also firms the arm and abdominal muscles.

I hope to hear from you soon!


Peace, and happiness,
Sandy