hope, gratitude + LOVE
Sending you hope, gratitude + LOVE this holiday season
Hello Dear Friends!
I begin with wonderful news- I passed my Iyengar Yoga Assessment, and can now officially call myself a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher (CIYT). This took years to accomplish and I am so grateful to my mentor, Rosa Santana (YogaRosa). I could not have done this without her help and guidance!
Iyengar Yoga is an internationally recognized system of yoga. You can take a class anywhere in the world and you will receive the same quality of instruction and sequencing, and I am proud to stand among these teachers. Just know that I am now a Level 1 of 5, so the journey continues!
After 20+ years studying yoga, I can tell you that Iyengar Yoga works and it is a gift for aging gracefully and pain-free. But, don't take my word for it, come find out for yourself! This is the
hope I am sending.
In this post:
- a few of my favorite things... gift ideas that love local
- Iyengar Yoga explained
- gratitude practice~ find the tailwinds
- yoga wisdom nugget
- membership sale
~ LOVE Local ~
a few of my favorite things
- Why not have a pet portrait created as a gift? Check out Mateo on Instagram @petsportraitsmiami. His work is amazing and I highly recommend!! He is also the son of Rosi, our beloved and indispensable studio manager at Inner Balance.
- Buy a gift certificate for an experience
from a local business. Keep investing in our community and shop local!
Some of my favorite local businesses:
- For the best ice cream, breakfast, lunch, coffee & atmosphere head to
Cream Parlor, tell Ainsley I sent you <3
www.creamparlor.com
- Skincare from All Arganic Natural Skincare, available Saturdays at Legion Park Farmers Market, tell Intisar I said hi!
- Farmer’s markets- they are another great source for
unique, local gifts.
Learn about markets in Miami from the local food movement gurus at Urban Oasis Project urbanoasisproject.org - you can shop online to pick up at market HERE
- make a donation that sends food boxes to neighbors in need
- Give the gift of yoga with a gift certificate
- a private session provides personalized attention to address the challenges in your yoga practice
- book a private class for family, friends or co-workers and enjoy the holidays with less stress!
Inner Balance Classes
Tuesdays & Thursdays
11-12:15 zoom & in studio
Iyengar Yoga Basics
Sundays
10:30-11:30 in studio
Iyengar Yoga
Yoga Wisdom
Nugget of the Month
Yoga therapy is practicing basic poses very, very well.
Iyengar yoga is for EVERYBODY. Best known for its attention to detail and use of props, BKS Iyengar pioneered an approach to classical yoga that is accessible to anyone who is seeking to improve their life.
Using physical alignment as a starting point, Iyengar Yoga encourages the spread of intelligence throughout the body, the growth of self-awareness, and an experience of the postures as a form of “meditation in action.”
Iyengar Yoga Teachers use their profound understanding of the subject of yoga to teach appropriately to the group in front of them, whether they are younger, older, athletic, or have physical limitations. No one is too stiff, too out of shape, too large, too thin, too weak, or too old for Iyengar Yoga!
Iyengar Yoga Benefits
✓ Increase strength and endurance
✓ Gain flexibility
✓ Improve your posture
✓ Feel energized
✓ Lower your stress
✓ Develop concentration
✓ Decrease stress and anxiety
✓ Reduce chronic pain
✓ Cultivate peace of mind
~ Find the Tailwinds ~
practicing gratitude for a peaceful holiday
Humans have a negativity bias- meaning we see and remember the bad stuff way easier than the good. We are quick to note the headwinds- the obstacles and challenges in our path- the things that went wrong.
But, can we stop and recognize all the support we do receive- the tailwinds that are pushing us along? This strategy for peace is inspired from the show Hidden Brain from NPR, listen to the full podcast episode HERE.
So when you are challenged this holiday season, can you stop and breathe and open yourself up to recognize what is going well? Can you pause and ask yourself what support you are receiving? Who is showing up for you? It takes skill to overcome the human limitation of our negativity bias, This is a skill that must be cultivated and encouraged.
In The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, sutra 1:33 gives us practical advice on how to maintain a peaceful mind,
"By cultivating attitudes of friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and disregard for the wicked, the mind-stuff retains its undisturbed calmness."
Here I'm teaching yoga to middle school students. The idea of teaching kids- especially that age- used to terrify me. Yoga changes you. With my fragile ego in check, I now see the amazing opportunity to expose these kiddos to yoga- an art and science that helps maintain a healthy body, manages stress, and help them reach their full potential. WOW. I look so happy & chill. Thanks to Nell, owner of Inner Balance Studio for capturing the moment.
Hope- we have Iyengar Yoga!
Gratitude~ find the tailwinds
LOVE~ love is the default
Keep practicing! Keep up the good work and drop the hate (thanks cousin Mike for that reminder)
Blessings to you & yours this holiday season.
Namaste,
Diana
