
Namaste'
May 2022 bring you joy, happiness and a sense of wonder and awe! We enter the new year facing new challenges. Yoga and meditation can ease the way. It's important to have positive expectations and helpful to look for simple, hidden gifts (a smile, an unexpected flower blossom). It's more important than ever to be kind. Setting intentions helps create a clear and smooth path for your journey.
We are still meeting for yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays at my home studio and on Zoom from 5:30–6:30pm. Meditation meets on Mondays from 5:30-6:00pm. There are many opportunities for live yoga classes. I am teaching yoga at the My People Senior Activity Center in Sevierville, TN from 11 to noon on Mondays and Wednesdays. My friend, Jan, is starting a new yoga class focusing on strength and balance there on Thursdays from 11 to noon. Jamie teaches at the Sevierville Community Center. Kappy teaches at the Pigeon Forge Community Center. Karri teaches at the United Methodist Church in Seymour. Jamie and I plan to offer Yoga for Every Body Teacher Training this year. Please let one of us know if you are interested. Enjoy the New Year! Sandy Palmer, ERYT200, RYT500
Setting Intentions
What are your intentions for 2022? Different from resolutions, intentions are pliable and can be modified depending on your needs and circumstances. You can cultivate them just like a garden. A garden flourishes with time, attention and love. Sometimes you have to prune or move things around. Sometimes you add companion plants and decorations. Bees, butterflies, and birds are attracted to a thriving garden, enjoying and also caring for it. We set intentions before each yoga class. I set them each morning. Intentions help you focus on an unconscious level. Some intentions are general, for example; “I am enjoying class today” or “ I'm doing this for my good health.” Others are more specific, like “I'm working on achieving crow pose.” They can all grow and change. That's okay and appropriate. We are, after all, humans who grow and change in the journey of life. Some tips: Keep intentions open-ended so that you can change them as you need to, and keep them in the present tense and positive.
New Year's Meditation
Listening to My Heart's Desire for 2022 Start by relaxing. You can sit up or lie down. Set your intentions for meditating. Become aware of your breath, your inhalations - your exhalations. If it helps, practice a few rounds of the box breath. Tune into your body. Relax any tight or stiff spots. Now, invite peace and bliss into yourself. Listen to or feel your heartbeat. Is there something that your heart has to tell you about the coming year? Just listen, breathe and rest. Answers do not necessarily come during the meditation. You may have a flash of inspiration at another time (or not). Be prepared for mind chatter. It's normal. Just go back to listening to the body, practicing the box breath, or feeling your heart beat. When you are ready, slowly open your eyes and smile. Tips: When you're meditating, it's always a good idea to choose a time and place that's private where you will not be disturbed for the amount of time you plan to meditate. Take care of any bodily needs, like going to the bathroom and drinking some water before you start. Set a timer.
May 2022 bring you joy, happiness and a sense of wonder and awe! We enter the new year facing new challenges. Yoga and meditation can ease the way. It's important to have positive expectations and helpful to look for simple, hidden gifts (a smile, an unexpected flower blossom). It's more important than ever to be kind. Setting intentions helps create a clear and smooth path for your journey.
We are still meeting for yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays at my home studio and on Zoom from 5:30–6:30pm. Meditation meets on Mondays from 5:30-6:00pm. There are many opportunities for live yoga classes. I am teaching yoga at the My People Senior Activity Center in Sevierville, TN from 11 to noon on Mondays and Wednesdays. My friend, Jan, is starting a new yoga class focusing on strength and balance there on Thursdays from 11 to noon. Jamie teaches at the Sevierville Community Center. Kappy teaches at the Pigeon Forge Community Center. Karri teaches at the United Methodist Church in Seymour. Jamie and I plan to offer Yoga for Every Body Teacher Training this year. Please let one of us know if you are interested. Enjoy the New Year! Sandy Palmer, ERYT200, RYT500
Setting Intentions
What are your intentions for 2022? Different from resolutions, intentions are pliable and can be modified depending on your needs and circumstances. You can cultivate them just like a garden. A garden flourishes with time, attention and love. Sometimes you have to prune or move things around. Sometimes you add companion plants and decorations. Bees, butterflies, and birds are attracted to a thriving garden, enjoying and also caring for it. We set intentions before each yoga class. I set them each morning. Intentions help you focus on an unconscious level. Some intentions are general, for example; “I am enjoying class today” or “ I'm doing this for my good health.” Others are more specific, like “I'm working on achieving crow pose.” They can all grow and change. That's okay and appropriate. We are, after all, humans who grow and change in the journey of life. Some tips: Keep intentions open-ended so that you can change them as you need to, and keep them in the present tense and positive.
New Year's Meditation
Listening to My Heart's Desire for 2022 Start by relaxing. You can sit up or lie down. Set your intentions for meditating. Become aware of your breath, your inhalations - your exhalations. If it helps, practice a few rounds of the box breath. Tune into your body. Relax any tight or stiff spots. Now, invite peace and bliss into yourself. Listen to or feel your heartbeat. Is there something that your heart has to tell you about the coming year? Just listen, breathe and rest. Answers do not necessarily come during the meditation. You may have a flash of inspiration at another time (or not). Be prepared for mind chatter. It's normal. Just go back to listening to the body, practicing the box breath, or feeling your heart beat. When you are ready, slowly open your eyes and smile. Tips: When you're meditating, it's always a good idea to choose a time and place that's private where you will not be disturbed for the amount of time you plan to meditate. Take care of any bodily needs, like going to the bathroom and drinking some water before you start. Set a timer.