Sounds of the Wind

-O.K. I kind of wish I was somewhere by the ocean right now!

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.vpweb.com

Shadows

"Most of the shadows of this life are caused by standing in one's own sunshine."

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.vpweb.com

Rolling Pin Yoga?

 

Found this 65 page book when going through some old photos.

Who knew there was so many ways to use a rolling pin..

Many reminded me of some of the yoga poses we do.

So those taking my classes better watch out.

We may have to try ROLLING PIN YOGA!

 

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

www.plnyoga.vpweb.com

 

 

 



February Yoga STAYcation!

 

Looking for an at home getaway?

Join me at my home studio in Christopher Lake for a

 

DAY OF YOGA

 

Saturday, February 16th. 2013

 

10am - 4pm

 

Your Day Will Include:

 

*Energizing morning yoga

*Pranayama

*Restorative yoga

*Meditation

*Vegetarian lunch (as organic as possible)

*Tasty snacks

*Personal Reflection Time - maybe a nature walk, ski or relax by the fire

*Parting gift

 

cost: $80

 

For more details, or to register, please call Pamela Nelson 306-982-2737

 

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

www.plnyoga.vpweb.com



 



Intelligence

 

 

Mr. Iyengar has said that the intelligence should be everywhere.

If the intelligence is only in the brain, you will suffer.

 

So, one must bring the "unconscious into the conscious.

Intensified action brings intensified intelligence."

 

 

 

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

www.plnyoga.vpweb.com



 

 



Barlean's - Omega Swirl Fish Oil

 My next product to review from NaturallySavvy (www.Naturallysavvy.com) is Barlean's Omega Swirl Fish Oil - Lemon Zest.  When you go to the Naturally Savvy website you will find reviews from other bloggers like myself, plus much more interesting and useful information on natural, organic and green living from the creators of Naturally Savvy.

 

I have been taking either Flax oil, Udo's oil, or some other fish oils for years either in the morning with lemon drink or in salad dressings.  I also get my kids to down a spoonful when I can.

The health benefits are great, but they don't always love the taste and texture. When I told them they would have to help me taste and review this next product their noses turned up.

Aiden is always willing to help though, so he went first...and the first thing he said was, "This is good!".  Gabrielle's is a little more sceptical...but she agreed with Aiden, and I have to say, I really liked it too, as did the rest of my family.  The texture is really different then most oils, more of a smoothie texture.  It is quite thick..my kids think we could turn them into lollipop's and kids would never know they were healthy for them.  It's great when my kids can't wait til tomorrow for their next spoonful.

 

It is worth checking out their website also, as they have many different blends to choose from. http://www.barleans.com/omega_swirl.asp#.html

 

Here is some of the health benefits of Omega-3 taken from the Barlean's website.

Heart Health* Healthy Cholesterol Levels* Joint Mobility & Bone Density* Energy & Endurance* Skin, Hair & Nail Health* Mental Health, Wellness and Acuity* Healthy Blood Glucose* Sexual & Hormonal Health*

Namaste. Pamela Nelson www.plnyoga.vpweb.com

PRENATAL YOGA - starts Feb.2, 2013

 

 

PLN YOGA STUDIO will be offering PRENATAL YOGA Classes starting Feb.2, 2013.

 

Enjoy a fit pregnancy with the physical and mental benefits that prenatal yoga offers.

 

Nurture yourself through safely designed classes, with postures and breath work that help reduce the aches and pains during each trimester of pregnancy and prepare for labour.

 



TUESDAY: February 5th - March 26th - 2:00-3:00p.m. - $84
NO CLASS Feb. 19th

SATURDAY: February 2nd - March 23rd - 12:00-1:00p.m. - $72
NO CLASS Feb. 16th & 23rd

 

--JOIN BOTH CLASSES FOR $145---

 

 

 

For more information, or to register please call Pamela Nelson

306-982-2737/ 306-981-4703

 

or email: plnyoga@plnyoga.vpweb.com

 

 

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

www.plnyoga.vpweb.com



Friends! Yoga Practitioners!

"Yoga is meant for everyone.  Nobody is excluded from it.  Whether they are men, women or children, elderly or aged people, diseased or disabled, the path of yoga is open to everyone.  However you have to practice according to your physical, mental and spiritual capacity.  Yoga is meant to give us a way to discover or rediscover ourselves.  It teaches us how to find the great margin of maximum capacity that we have inside us so that we are able to expose ourselves to ourselves and find out what we really are.  When I say that yo have to adapt according to your capacity, I meant that you have to find out the potentiality, or the potential energy, that you all have inside and how to bring it to the surface in order to utilise it properly.  Yoga exposes inner hidden potentialities."

-Dr. Geeta S. Iyengar

 



January/February Post of the Month - Salamba Sarvangasana

Salamba Sarvangasana - Supported Shoulderstand

 

For the Pose of the Month in November/December 2012, I posted Halasana - plough pose.  Please see that pose and ensure you are comfortable with this pose before proceeding to supported shoulder stand.

 

Remember the instruction are general guidelines.  It is difficult to convey all aspects, but a sincere attempt has been made.

Mr. Iyengar writes that practicing this asana integrates your mind with your body and soul.  Your brain feels light and infused with radiance.

 



Props needed: mat, 5-6 blankets, belt, block or bolster

Open one blanket at top of mat.

 

Stack 4-5 blankets on top of the opened blanket.

 

Fold bottom of mat up, leaving about 3cm from the top fold of blankets.  Place a block or bolster on top of the mat. 

 

In this setup the shoulders will come down and be up on the height in line with the mat, the back of the head on the blanket that has been opened up, and the sacrum on the block or bolster.

 

 The 7th cervical vertebra that I am pointing to in this photo should be supported right at the top edge of the blanket and the back of head on the floor.

 

  

 

This vertebrae will be placed on blankets as shown in photo above.

 



 

Using a strap around the arms helps to keep the elbows from splaying out and in line with the shoulders.  If using a strap, make a loop about shoulder width apart.  It should not cut off your circulation in any way, but be a guide to draw the elbows in.

 



 

The strap then comes around the elbows to the back.  It is best to sit down first and then put strap on.

 



Sit down on block, place strap around arms, and lie back so head comes to floor and 7th cervical vertebrae is at edge of blanket. The shoulders should align the top of the mat.  About 2-3 cm from top of blanket.  Keep shoulders away from ears, and draw the tailbone towards the feet.  Lengthen the spine, release outer shoulders down and relax the face.

 



 

Bring hands under hips and as press feet into floor, lift the hips up and bring the hands into the back.  At first bend deeply at hip crease and soften the abdomen. Release the outer shoulders down and walk the hands further down the back.

 



Begin to unhinge the legs, first at the hips. Keep the hands firm to the back. Lengthen thorough the front of legs towards knees and draw the tailbone up.



Continue to unhinge at the knees. From the base lengthen up. Legs should be firm.  Roll legs from back thigh around to the front, keep tailbone drawing up towards the heels.  Stretch the legs from the groin to the toes. Keep the legs over the shoulders, not leaning over the face.  Face and eyes should be soft. Eyes gazing to chest.

 



Press down from the shoulder to the elbow. Roll from the inner bicep out and press down as you lift back body in and up.  Abdomen, face and throat should be soft.

 



Come into Halasana (plough pose) either before Shoulderstand or after.  Feet can be supported on height if straining to the legs or neck.



Or brought down to the floor.

 

To come down..hinge at knees and hips in reverse to how went up.

 

 



Bring feet to the floor, lift up to remove strap.  The strap can also be removed first before releasing down.

 

Move shoulders off of height.  Support just under shoulder blades and lower back.

Release the legs by crossing ankles and letting knees come out to sides.  Change cross of ankles after a few breaths.

Roll to the right side and press to come up to sitting.

 

 

Benefits:

-Alleviates hypertension

- relieves insomnia and soothes the nerves

- improves the functioning of the thyroid and parathyroid glands at the throat

- alleviates asthma

- improves bowel movements

- helps treat hernias

- helps treat prolapsd uterus and reduces uterine fibroids nd ovarian cysts

- reduces menstral cramps and helps regulate menstrual flow, if done regularly between periods

 

Cautions:

Do not practice this pose during menstruation or if have neck or back injuries.

If have high blood pressure do Halasana first for 3-5 minutes and then Sarvangasana.

 

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

www.plnyoga.vpweb.com

 



Mudra's

 

Mudra's are hand gestures that are a traditional part of the yoga practice from India.

In Indian culture these hand gestures are true signatures of the gods and saints.

Over many years mudras evolved into a complex and symbolic language that can be seen in both meditation and asana postures.

Some of the most common mudras are those used in meditation poses.

 

For example, the above picture is an example of JNANA MUDRA - or the knowledge gesture. The gesture represents the union of human and Divine consciousness.

 

This mudra is generally used to heighten concentration, but has also been said to help those who suffer from insomnia, mental illness and depression.

 

A common mudra used in asana practice is the ANJALI MUDRA, or adoration gesture, where the palms are placed together.  When raised overhead, this gesture is used to invoke and greet the gods.

 

When palms are lowered to the chest in Namaste, you are in position to "salute the Divine" in your peers, teachers and loved ones.

 

So, with our palms together and fingers extended, uniting the right and left hemispheres of the brain and centering the mind, we are now ready to greet or offer our yoga practice to the Divine and also greet the Divine in our friends and teachers.

 

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

www.plnyoga.vpweb.com

 

 



January/February Pose of the Month

I'm sorry that the January/February Pose of the Month has not yet been posted. I have been having trouble with this blog site in inserting photos. I am hoping they will solve the problem soon, but it has been since New Year's.

There is a few ways listed to try and insert pictures that I am looking into so hopefully soon.

Thank you.
Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.vpweb.com

Product Review - R.W. Knudsen spritzer's

This month, as part of a product review I am doing for NaturallySavvy ( www.Naturallysavvy.com ) I was sent a sample of R.W. Knudsen's lemon/lime spritzer.
I don't often drink sparkling beverages because of all the sugars, and other unnatural ingredients, but this one contains only: SPARKLING FILTERED WATER; WHITE GRAPE, LEMON AND LIME JUICE CONCENTRATES, NATURAL FLAVOR

I really enjoy the clean, crisp taste, as did my whole family and as a treat I'm sure I would get again..
I can see a summer picnic in my mind..

From thier website I learned that R.W. Knudsen began bottling fruit juices from his organic grape vineyard In 1961. He made sure his fresh pressed and blended juices would never have artificial flavors, preservatives or sugar added to them. A major plus with all the sugar-laden soft drinks and so called healthy drinks out there.
Many years later they now have many health-conscious products.


Please visit the R.W. Knudsen website to see all the other products that are offered though them by visiting
http://www.rwknudsenfamily.com/about.

Thank you again NaturallySavvy for the great product to try out..

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.vpweb.com

Happiness

 

"Happiness increases by being shared"

 

 

-Buddha

 

 

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

www.plnyoga.vpweb.com



January/February Book Review - Old Path White Clouds

Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha - Old Path White Clouds is a wonderful book by Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk who has written over 25 books.

First published by Parallax Press in 1991, this book presents the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha.  The book is written in a simple, yet interesting way following Prince Siddhartha as he becomes the Buddha, either through the eyes of Svasti, the buffalo boy, and partly through the eyes of the Buddha himself.

From the back, it tells how this life story has been drawn directly from 24 Pali, Sanskrit, and Chinese sources, to create the most accurate version of the Buddha's life.

In story form the book give many life lessons, like in the chapter, "Earth's Lessons", the Buddha reminds us to dwell in mindfulness, and to do this you must observe your breath.  Continue to meditate on the impermanent and non-self aggregates which comprise all beings. The five aggregates are the body, feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness.  He said to observe your breath and thoughts, and the mind will not become dispersed.

Also, in talking to Rahula, his son, he says to practice loving kindness to overcome anger.  Loving kindness has the capacity to bring happiness to others without anything in return.  Practice compassion to overcome cruelty. Compassion has the capacity to remove the suffering of others without expecting anything in return.  Practice sympathetic joy to overcome hatred.  Sympathetic joy wishes others well-being and success.  Practice non-attachment to overcome prejudice.  Non-attachment is the way of looking at all things openly and equally.  This is because that is.  That is because this is.  These are the Four Immeasurables. 

I love reading books that share a story, yet also open the eyes to many life lessons.  It made the Buddha seem even more human to me.  He was only human, and was not afraid to admit that. 

As a new year begins, this is a great book to bring it in with..practicing Loving Kindness, Compassion, Sympathetic joy and non-attachment.

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.vpweb.com