August Updates and News

Even though it seems like Summer is flying by, there are still a few weeks left before the grindstone starts up again!  Here's what is going on here at AYC for the month of August and moving into September:

Lifetime Fitness in Cary - I've begun teaching Ashanga on a rotating basis with Natascha at Lifetime Fitness in Cary on Sunday mornings, 8:30-9:30.  I'll be there this Sunday, July 29, and then again on August 12.  Those dates and more are listed on my Google calendar to the right as well. Those of you with a Lifetime membership, I'd love to see you there!

Full Moon on the Pond - The next full moon is next Wednesday, August 1st - so I'll be leading a Full Moon Sequence practice at my home studio (AYC).  I just spent a week at Ride the Breath in Durham with Matthew Sweeney, the creator of this beautiful practice.  It was very inspiring!  I hope you'll come and enjoy this beautiful practice with me.  6:30-8pm; Donations; 207 Joseph Pond Lane, Cary; Contact me directly to reserve a space: inghamsk@gmail.com  or 919-880-9409 (call or txt)

Yoga Garden Expanded Schedule and Space - Yoga Garden in Downtown Apex is expanding their space and schedule, and I've been given the honor of a time slot to teach more Ashtanga!  Beginning September 4, in addition to my Monday evening Ashtanga Level 2 class, I'll begin an Ashtanga Level 1 class on Tuesdays, 6-7:15pm.  Those of you wishing to jump on the Ashtanga train at the beginning of the line, this is the class for you!  We'll cover the foundations of the practice - breath, drishti and vinyasa - and begin building a practice from there.  This class is suitable for beginners to yoga.

Mysore classes for Teens - If you've got teens at home for the summer and they're interested in starting a yoga practice, send them my way for Mysore style classes on Wednesdays and Fridays at 11:30am.  Mysore, India is where the Ashtanga yoga practice was born, and the traditional teaching method there is a self-paced format.  Students are given the practice in small bits.  Once each pose or sequence is committed to memory, the teacher will add on, giving modifications as needed and working with each individual at their own pace.  Payment is donation based, and 11:30am is (hopefully!) not too early for those teens!  Adults are of course welcome also :-)  Wednesdays and Fridays, 11:30am; Donations; 207 Joseph Pond Lane, Cary; Contact me to reserve a space: inghamsk@gmail.com or 919-880-9409 (call or txt)

As usual, check the Google Calendar at the right for the most up-to-date schedule of classes!

Namaste

Stacy

June/July Updates

Summer is here!! And since schedules are very crazy for all of us this time of year, it's hard to keep track of when classes are on or off or what.  I'll be in and out over the next month, so please check the Google Calendar on the right for the most accurate schedule and, as usual, please contact me to by phone or email to let me know you are coming. inghamsk@gmail.com or 919-880-9409 (call or txt)

• Classes cancelled June 20-27 EXCEPT Monday, June 25 6pm at Yoga Garden - look for a sub!
• Moon on the Pond July 3rd, 6:30-8pm
• Classes cancelled July 4-7
• Classes cancelled July 14-18 EXCEPT Monday, July 16 6pm at Yoga Garden - look for a sub!

Hope to see you soon!

Namaste

Memorial Day Weekend and June + new Blog Post!

Memorial Day Weekend classes:

Thursday May 24, 6-7:30pm Led Primary Series at AYC

Friday May 25, 11:30-1:30 Mysore at AYC

Saturday May 26, 9-11am Mysore at AYC

Monday  May 28, 6-7:15 Ashtanga level 1/2 CANCELLED

Tuesday May 29, 6:30-9:30am Mysore at AYC

June 3rd Moon on the Pond - 6:30-8pm at AYC

Contact me directly to let me know if you plan on coming to classes at AYC (my home studio) so I can reserve a space for you.  inghamsk@gmail.com  919-880-9409 (call or txt)

All classes at AYC will be cancelled from June 20-27, and also over 4th of July Weekend.  Look for details and reminders as those dates approach.

Recently a student of mine has had some trouble with her knee, and went to see a body worker, who gave her some advise and things to work on to help re-activate some muscles that have been "lazy"- presumably from years of various habits ranging from how she walks to the way she practices her yoga poses.  In talking with her we realized that many of the actions and poses her bodyworker recommended are present in Matthew Sweeney's Vinyasa Krama sequences - Moon and Lion Sequence.

Matthew's sequences, designed to complement the Ashtanga sequences, are uncanny at shining a light on and bringing to the student's attention what may be missing or being avoided.  It's easy, especially with a set-sequence practice like Ashtanga, to develop practice habits that avoid  those actions and poses we are uncomfortable with by rushing through those poses we don't like or "can't do", relying on our strengths to compensate for our weaknesses, but Matthew's sequences cleverly show how useful those things are.  For example, in Moon Sequence, the deep hip openers like Pigeon and Firelogs pose are often used as "prep" poses for Lotus and Eka Pada poses in Ashtanga.  In the Vinyasa Krama sequences, backbending is approached from different angles, like Half Camel pose in the Moon Sequence and the belly backbending in Lion Sequence.  While the Ashtanga Primary Series has plenty of  backbends in it (every Upward Facing Dog in every Vinyasa), many people rush through those movements and miss the benefits of backbending to complement the forward folds in the sequence.  There are more examples, and maybe I'll share those another time...

The point of all these examples is not necessarily to be an advertisement for Matthew's books or workshops (though I really do love his sequences and  teaching methods!!), or to speak out against the Ashtanga method (obviously I am a big fan or I wouldn't practice every day!)...But rather to point out that Yoga is about self exploration and awareness.  That means exploring and being aware of ALL of it...even the stuff that's messy or uncomfortable or hard...stepping up and facing our fears, pushing through our blockages and letting go of emotions we've been holding onto.  If we are avoiding that stuff on a physical level on our mats, what are we likely doing off the mat on an emotional and spiritual level?  I'm not saying we should all just jump off the proverbial cliff and dive into the gunk all at once...It's a process, and it requires diligence and discipline and devotion, as well as patience, acceptance and kindness - all things that are part of the eight-fold path of yoga.  Start with the physical...explore those limits and boundaries...take a peek over the edge and then come back another day ready to go a little further.  That element of exploration and curiosity is what sets yoga apart from many other forms of exercise...otherwise, it's just a bunch of jumping around on a mat!

Namaste

Stacy

David Garrigues video - dropping back

David Garrigues on dropping back to backbend from standing.  I really like the part at the end about how the arms help to get the whole body involved in the action rather than a hinging in the lower back.  Seems like they should be called "reach-backs" instead of drop-backs

Day Ten: Adjusting the drop back

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes....coming in May...

Well a lot of change has blown through my life over the past month and will continue moving forward!  The photo above is Moby - the official AYC mascot, and my most awesome kitty - who recently survived a mysterious life-threatening illness.  He is fine now, and will continue to inspire folks here at Ashtanga Yoga of Cary even with his funny haircut!  My parents, who have both been talking about moving here to North Carolina from Kansas City for many years, are finally on their way!  My Mom is here now, and Dad will be here with in a couple of weeks!  We are looking forward to having them closer - and many of you will meet them I'm sure.  In the midst of all this, Evolve Movement has decided to close their Cary location (formerly Namaste Yoga Center), and I've been working through different options for my Thursday evening Ashtanga class as well as workshops and beginner courses. Below is a recap of the changes in my teaching schedule moving forward into Spring and Summer:

This Thursday (April 26) will be my last class at Namaste - it is Ashtanga Level 2, Led Primary Series, 6-7:30pm.


Next Thursday, May 3rd - Ashtanga Level 2 Led Primary Series will continue at AYC (207 Joseph Pond Lane, Cary).  6-7:30pm. Contact me to reserve a space.  inghamsk@gmail.com or 919-880-9409 (call or txt)

Next Friday, May 4 - Moon on the Pond - Guided Moon Sequence at AYC(207 Joseph Pond Lane, Cary).  6:30-8pm. Contact me to reserve a space.  inghamsk@gmail.com or 919-880-9409 (call or txt)

The rest of the schedule remains the same - check it out to your right.  As we move into June, July and August, be sure to check the schedule on the blog, and check out my Facebook page - Ashtanga Yoga of Cary - for cancellations or schedule updates.  I'll also send updates by email, so if you want to receive those, just contact me and I'll add you to my list!

Lastly, I was fortunate enough to take a few days last weekend to study Ashtanga with David Garrigues at AYCD, and learned some great stuff to pass along ("passive" backbending anyone?)!  I look forward to his next visit, and Matthew Sweeney's visit to Ride the Breath in July.