Greetings LifeFit students and Friends!
In this month of July we must be reminded that we are blessed to live in a country know as "The land of the FREE!" I cannot think of this without feeling responsible to live in a way that embraces the many opportunities available to us and work at what can then afford such opportunities to those less fortunate. We can really say that we have no shackles or bonds on us - we can aspire to be anything we wish in growing up American, we can speak from our hearts, stand up for what we believe, and affect change. May we all move from our hearts, from a sense of compassion and humbleness as we voice and practice our freedoms, so we do not overuse the freedoms our founding fathers afforded us with their sweat and dedication, and what many US soldiers continue to give their lives for so we can live safe and secure.
As your yoga practice grows, I encourage you all to "feel" more deeply in the practice of your poses..."where does the freedom of movement" in the pose come from?" and then, in your restoratives, open your minds to where that takes you "off the mat." There are as many answers as there are people! Remember, creating space (in a release) invites healing, both physically and spiritually!
Example: coming out of a twist leaves the muscles that run the length of the spine, between the vertebrae, longer than they were before...thus there is more space between each vertebrae which allows more space for the nerves to run and in turn relieves the pain of impingement or compression. With consistency in practice, the result is more than just temporary - you will stand/sit taller and move more freely...your body will be able to really follow your intentions!
In July, we have two more workshops and two more days of Kids Yoga. Come and let us practice together! Great sequences and handouts are in store for you!
These classes/workshops will be held at Christ United Methodist Church and registration is required. All students must come with a yoga mat and a blanket.
July 20 Pilates Matwork 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Partner Yoga & Partner Pilates 3:30 - 5:30 pm
The 2008 LifeFit Kids Yoga classes yet to come are:
Theme Date Time Age Group
Flexibility Tues./ July 22nd 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. 7 – 10
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. 11 +
Responsibility Thurs./July 24th 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. 7 – 10
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. 11 +
Please look to the website for more information.
We have not come here to take prisoners
Or to confine our wondrous spirits,
But to experience ever and ever more deeply
Our divine courage, freedom and Light!
~ Hafiz
"The most inspiring stories in human history are about the journey from bondage to freedom. There is the biblical account of Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt; Mahatma Gandhi’s long quest for Indian independence and civil rights; and Nelson Mandela’s commitment to ending apartheid in South Africa, remaining true to his vision through 27 years of imprisonment.
These stories about freedom’s triumph touch us at our core because they resonate with our own soul’s yearning to be free. At the deepest level, we all seek freedom because it is our inherent nature. At our essence, we are pure, unbounded spirit, unlimited by time and space. The question naturally arises, if we are already free, why do we sometimes feel trapped, constricted, or limited? Why do we get caught up in our fears, desires, aversions, and cravings?
This was a crucial question for the ancient yogis, who studied the mind and discovered that the source of bondage is our conditioned beliefs and responses. Even though we are infinite choice-makers, most of us have automatic, predictable reactions to certain people, situations, and events. For example, when someone makes a rude comment, is anger your immediate response? Or perhaps you are conditioned by past experiences of rejection that make it difficult for you to initiate a new friendship or business venture.
True freedom comes from breaking loose from the prison of past conditioning and the repetition of old memories and thought-patterns. The past is the known and offers no opportunity for choice and possibility. And the future exists only in the imagination. Freedom lies in the present moment, the only place where you can choose from an infinite range of possibilities. " - These words are from Deepak Chopra and come with encouragement to us to celebrate freedom and deepen experience of present-moment awareness. Experiencing the expansion of freedom in life can come through meditation, yoga, and prayer, as they are healing practices.