Dear Lifefit Friends,
I am excited to announce my first yoga retreat Nov 14 - 16! The flier is
attached. Though this retreat was put together a few weeks ago, the group
classes at CUMC were given "first dibs." We have six spaces available and
the cost is a "steal!" $140 for two nights, two yoga sessions, a pranayama
session and a tai chi session (no, I am not doing the tai chi - Elizabeth
Lemon, owner of the retreat home, is certified and will lead us)! There is
time for everyone to get in their usual work day in on Friday and then
arrive in the early evening. Those of us coming from Greensboro can carpool
as soon as I have the final list of attendees. This is a great way to come
to a greater understanding of your practice, get a little r & r and make
some great friends! The group will decide about sharing the responsibility
of the Sat lunch and Sun brunch and whether or not to "cook in" or "go out
for dinner" in Brevard Sat night. Thus, cost does not include food. Please
share this with friends who are interested in growing their yoga practice.
When you read the description of the two yoga sessions, be reminded this is
a chance to enhance the group classes you attend and/or your own practice.
A Chinese proverb says "Do not fear going forward slowly, fear only to stand
still."
Yesterday was our son's 16th birthday and it was a bittersweet joy (bitter
only because time really does fly too quickly) to plan a surprise costume
party for our Halloween baby. There was only one disagreement...the
cake...to buy or to make??? My sweet husband (who had spent hours & weeks
shopping for a car for our son)wanted to save me time and effort amidst the
harried planning. He called me while standing in line to purchase a cake and
I talked him out of it. I was trying to explain that there is not as much I
can seem to do anymore as children are becoming more independent and
continuing the memory of homemade cakes will be important in the long run.
Our daughter's first word...other than names of immediate family members
was..."cake!" We are all about "the cake" in our family and since I am not
a writer by trade or chance, one of my mentor/yoga teacher friends, Cindy
Dollar really is a great writer in addition to owning a great yoga studio.
These words are from her Fall newsletter and I thought to share:
"Take The Cake" by Cindy Dollar
Birthday cake has no calories, especially when eaten while standing in the
kitchen in the morning and drinking black coffee. The amount of joy in the
celebration of a birthday overrides and cancels any caloric, fat or sugar
content of said sweet cake. At least, that's my belief.
How does our state of mind affect our attitude toward life? When joyful
inside, we can see the joy outside. If we see birthday cake as a
manifestation of joy, then our experience is different than if we see it as
just a conglomeration of flour, sugar, oil and egg (perhaps with carrots or
chocolate, too). And there's more: What is the overlay on the flour, sugar,
oil and egg? Do you have a judgment about the use of those ingredients? What
is the voice in your head telling you about the cake or about you if you eat
it?
"How you do anything is how you do everything," says American Zen guide
Cheri Huber. How you relate to birthday cake could be, then, how you relate
to life. Is it with joy, curiosity and desire to taste it? Or with judgment,
trepidation and aversion? Does fear or judgment prevent you from savoring
life?
Step out there! Take a leap! Do it differently-whatever that means to you.
If you always eat cake, don't. If you never eat cake, do. See what happens
mentally, emotionally, physically and psychologically. Even spiritually.
Shaking up and looking at our views and beliefs can lead us into new ways of
seeing the world-not as flour, sugar, oil and eggs, but perhaps as
sustenance, sweetness, fluidity and life. The choice of view is yours.
As I have a master's degree in exercise physiology, I try to keep up with
progress in this area and wanted to bring some updates to your attention -
exercise guidelines from the American College of Sports Medicine and the
American Heart Association. In my classes I make it a point to work on all
components of fitness. Lifefit yoga classes cover everything except the
cardiovascular component but...I do set my students up to do well with that
aspect since we practice great breathing exercises and bring attention to
the breath with regard to movement! In the "sit and march" chair exercise
classes, we do it all! :
New Physical Activity Guidelines Set Forth by US Government
Just months after the American College of Sports Medicine issued a joint
statement along with the American Heart Association outlining the physical
activity objectives for American adults the US Department of Health and
Human Services has outlined its own.
Designed to complement the existing dietary guidelines, the new paper
summarizes the benefits of physical exercise and issues specific
recommendations for children, adults, and older adults.
In general, children are advised to accumulate 60 minutes of daily exercise
with vigorous aerobic exercise and strength training at least 3 days per
week each.
The guidelines for adults parallel the ACSM/AHA position of 150 minutes of
moderate intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise weekly.
Additionally, the paper encourages up to 5 hours of moderate intensity
activity or 150 hours vigorous exercise for optimal health benefits. There
is emphasis on twice-weekly strength training as well.
Older adults are encouraged to adhere to the minimum guidelines set for
adults, and to modify as necessary if current health status prevents intense
exercise. Emphasis is placed on balance and fall prevention training in this
population.
Moreover, the paper makes specific recommendations for women who are
pregnant and adults with disabilities and/or chronic diseases.
For more information on the governments PA guidelines visit
http://www.health.gov/PAGuidelines/. The website offers resources, education
and tools to help Americans become more physically active.
US Department of Health & Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for
Americans. October 10, 2008
Lastly, as the holidays are upon us, hold tight to those who are dear to
you, reach out to those in need, and as you make preparations to enjoy the
season, take time to look after your self, your physical emotional and
spiritual health...I am reminding me as I am reminding you! In the United
Methodist Church, we are proud to remember John Wesley's words: Do all the
good you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can!
Blessings to you all,
Mona Flynn, MS, RYT
Life Fit Yoga, Inc.
5806 Wildrose Drive
Greensboro, NC 27410
336-580-5833
lifefityoga@bellsouth.net
http://www.lifefityoga.com/