Funny Funny and Funny Some more!!

Allrighty then, Let us practitioners of Yoga not take ourselves to serious. Check out this site www.yogadawg.com I still need to spend more time there...Laugh, have fun, see yourself and me too and keep in truckin', somehow slightly askew with your yoga, and I in my teaching.HHHAAAAUUUUUHHHMMMMMMMMM.

" All Is Not What It Seems"

So,
I was watching The Karate Kid the other day, and the young charge gets angry and frustrated after having to paint a huge wooden fence with certain arm stokes as directed by his teacher. He finally walks away in disgust thinking he is just being used as a maintenance man. Then the teacher leads him in a mock karate dance and the charge uses all these movements he unknowingly soaked up in his waxing on and off, painting up and down& side to side ect... " All is not what it seems." the teacher says.
I thought that Yoga can be similar. That so many of the small and foundational movements that we practice over and over have a huge long term benefit that we don't even notice right away. But, deep within changes are taking place. Immunity is strengthened, the heart is nurtured, flexibility is returning, stress that is seated deep in our cells is being squeezed out and replaced with fresh oxygen and blood flow. These are just a few Yogic benefits that are slowly taking place in the body mind.
We might wonder why we practice some of the same poses over and over. But keep the open mind, take every move and breath in without doubt that all is not what it seems.
Most of all, thank yourself for choosing Yoga, knowing that you have made the most healthful and fulfilling choice.

Tapas, Change and Grace

I was thinking about 2008 and of course, New Years Resolutions. What this means is, what does it take for me to resolve to do a few things differently?
It takes self-effort, or TAPAS in Sanskrit and the willingness and openness to change. Tapas is sacrifice in order to achieve something much better at a deep level. Tapas is making a choice to step on to the Yoga mat for 20 minutes even though i want to watch Matt Lauer on the Today show.
Opening up to change, letting the grace flow through your Yoga practice, into the daily life and having the tapas or heat (inner fire) to make better decisions. Allowing the flow of grace into your life. To quote Rama Berch "Yoga is the science of Grace. You open up your body and quiet the mind so that you can tune into grace...Grace softens the edges and opens the heart. Tapas makes you able to hold the grace."
So as we head into 2008 I know I will be thinking about Grace, Change and Tapas, and using my Yoga to invite all into my being. Hopefully becoming a better teacher, parent and human being. Oh yes, and remembering to step onto the mat when i really want to see that Britney Spears story....
Peace and Namaste'

" Is Your Yoga Nuturing?"

I was asked the question, "do you teach a nurturing yoga or the workout kind?" the other day. This simple thought has not left my mind since.
Here in America, we are so driven to be busy, always moving, always talking, always connected in one way or another...lest we are seen or feel like we are not achieving. Yoga too, as taken on this kind of movement. But, if done with pure intention, cultivated awareness, and some knowledge of yoga philosophy this 'workout' yoga can be nurturing too. I too realize workout yoga that DOES NOT nurture the spirit, and is practiced ONLY for the benefit of a better body is just an exercise and not YOGA.
So, as a teacher and lover of how a yoga practice has made me feel, surely i want to cultivate the sweet centering this practice has to offer. Learning to love the slow and stillness in our asana(pose) movements and creating the bliss of sitting with eyes closed with only our breath to listen to.
Is my teaching a nurturing kind? I can only pray it is, that i will always look to the student and remind myself to impart teaching from the heart not the ego...and maybe along the way we all be nurtured by yoga.

New Class Times at Honey Rock and Greenback

*YOGARAJ CLASSES*

Starting Monday, January 7th 2008 :
Intermediate Beginner Class at Greenback Yogaraj
Time : 6:00 pm - 7:30

We will continue building on alignment and new asana. As well as flow being incorporated into the class. Call me regarding this class. Some yoga experience with alignment recommended. Though we are always going back to the basics and always learning to let go of the ego in our continual Yoga practice. Always laughing and having fun along the way.

Starting Thursday, January 10th 2008:
Beginners Class at Greenback Yogaraj
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30

I welcome you all to this sweet beginners class to Yoga. We will start exploring poses from the way we stand from the base of the feet to the crown of the head. This is a learning journey. We will use any props necessary to begin. Mindfulness of movement, learning to listen to our own bodies and cultivating peace of the heart center along the way are all a part of this practice.
I always try to have fun, laugh and enjoy every class..Yoga is not supposed to be an intimidating experience or practice. See you there!

*HONEY ROCK CLASSES*

Starting Tuesday, January 8th 2008
Beginners to the "Gentle" side Yoga class :) At Honey Rock Herb Farm
Time: 8:30 am - 10:00 am

As your week begins, step onto your Yoga mat and invite the 'wellness within' as we awaken the body/mind. This class with incorporate a gentle approach, as well as learning poses with plenty of props to go easy on the body. Learning to pay attention to our bodies, limitations and how we FEEL in our Yoga will be a continual journey. This is not a 'workout' class. We will explore the nurturing of the self, while bringing openess and awareness to our minds and hearts.

Starting Wednesday, January 9th 2008
Beginners Class at Honey Rock Herb Farm
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30

Welcome to a sweet Yoga experience. This class will be learning asasa (poses) and their distinct beautiful alignments. Cultivating this as second nature. As we progress, learning to put poses together into a flow, such as the Sun Salutation. Breath work and meditation will be addressed. Becoming aware of our bodies, our minds , how we stand and FEEL in our Yoga practice will be an on going theme. I always invite laughter and smiles in my practice, as Yoga should be this deep, happy and fulfilling journey. I continually learn from my students along the way. See you there.

PRICING FOR BOTH LOCATIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

8 Class Package - $89.00 ( to be used within a 66 day period)
5 Class Package- $ 60.00 ( to be used within a 45 day period)
Drop in Class - $ 13.00

E mail me regarding private lessons as well.
dianewells@hotmail.com
write yoga in subject
865*274*1278

New Classes, Greenback and Honey Rock Herb Farm

Allrighty then, let us do more yoga in 2008! I will be teaching 2 , new to yoga, classes at a wonderful site in Louisville Tn. , Honey Rock Organic Herb Farm. At this location, i will have a morning class, ( time still being pondered) and an evening class. Most likely, the morning class will be tuesday, and then a thursday evening class. We will be using props here too, beginning slow and easy. Learning alignment, learning how to slow down our internal hectic pace and just exploring the fundamentals of a yoga practice. All with a soft heart, acceptance of where we are at that moment and a smile within ( hopefully outward as well!).

Also, i will be adding a new class at the Yogaraj in Greenback on wednesday night. PLEASE , stay tuned for more details.
REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN GIVE THE GIFT OF YOGA THIS CHRISTMAS, WITH A GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR CLASSES AT EITHER LOCATION. CONTACT ME AT DIANEWELLS@HOTMAIL.COM. PLEASE WRITE YOGA IN THE SUBJECT.

Step onto your mat and you will be nurturing your *wellness within*

Greatest Asana After a Feast

Supta Baddha Konasana and Thanksgiving!

Here is this wonderful time of the year where we allow the nurturing of family, food and festivities to fill our every level. Hopefully really taking in the grace and deepest thanks for all we have , right now.
When you have had your fill , this is one of my most favorite belly opening restorative asanas. You don't need bolsters or even the blankets we use at Yogaraj...grab some quilts, some pillows ,a few quite moments and you will find the space in the pelvis and belly release and open. Keep the heart open and allow reclined cobblers pose to awaken your sincere thanks for the most dearest loves in your day and nights.

Peace to all, Diane