
Namaste'
Yoga and meditation have been helpful in smoothing the edges of this cold and disturbing winter. I've included a few calming activities in this email. The meditation for peace can be used for personal peacefulness or broadened to include world peace. I have also added a page about meditation to the website. In the future it will include more tips and simple meditations. Deep breathing is always soothing and relaxing. It moves you from the fight/ flight area of your brain to the more rational thinking cortex. The ujjayi-breath included below is a calming breath that is also warming.
Yoga Teacher Training begins April 22. Please contact either Jamie or me if you are interested. Yes, it is a big commitment. You may not want to be a teacher, however this training will deepen your practice. You will learn much about yoga: its history, mechanics and philosophy. There are discounts and payment plans available.
Recently, my husband and I were able to drive to Florida and visit one of my best friends, other close friends, and our family while we watched our grandson play soccer. We had a lovely time. I would like to thank Jamie, Kappy and Jan for helping me keep the yoga classes going while I was gone. I'd also like to thank the women who take care of my house whenever I travel, Dona and Vicki S. Sandy Palmer, ERYT200, RYT500
Yoga and meditation have been helpful in smoothing the edges of this cold and disturbing winter. I've included a few calming activities in this email. The meditation for peace can be used for personal peacefulness or broadened to include world peace. I have also added a page about meditation to the website. In the future it will include more tips and simple meditations. Deep breathing is always soothing and relaxing. It moves you from the fight/ flight area of your brain to the more rational thinking cortex. The ujjayi-breath included below is a calming breath that is also warming.
Yoga Teacher Training begins April 22. Please contact either Jamie or me if you are interested. Yes, it is a big commitment. You may not want to be a teacher, however this training will deepen your practice. You will learn much about yoga: its history, mechanics and philosophy. There are discounts and payment plans available.
Recently, my husband and I were able to drive to Florida and visit one of my best friends, other close friends, and our family while we watched our grandson play soccer. We had a lovely time. I would like to thank Jamie, Kappy and Jan for helping me keep the yoga classes going while I was gone. I'd also like to thank the women who take care of my house whenever I travel, Dona and Vicki S. Sandy Palmer, ERYT200, RYT500

Meditation for Peace
Find a comfortable position. Place one hand on your heart and one on your belly. Become aware of your breath. Let it deepen, becoming slow and even. Relax the muscles of your face and then each part of your body. Continue to be aware of your inhalations and exhalations. Be aware of your heartbeat, pay attention to it for a while. Move your focus to the area between your brows, your third eye. Invite peace and bliss to come to you. Allow light to begin to grow within your body. Let it emanate from your body and envelop you. Then let it spread out from you. You can simply continue to feel your heart and your breath. If there is a prayer or a mantra that you like and feel promotes peace, repeat it to yourself. When you are done, allow the light to fade. Slowly open your eyes and gently stretch. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti means Peace, peace, peace. Here are some links to mantras and prayers for peace: The Women's Meditation Network, Om Shanti, The Prayer of Saint Francis
Find a comfortable position. Place one hand on your heart and one on your belly. Become aware of your breath. Let it deepen, becoming slow and even. Relax the muscles of your face and then each part of your body. Continue to be aware of your inhalations and exhalations. Be aware of your heartbeat, pay attention to it for a while. Move your focus to the area between your brows, your third eye. Invite peace and bliss to come to you. Allow light to begin to grow within your body. Let it emanate from your body and envelop you. Then let it spread out from you. You can simply continue to feel your heart and your breath. If there is a prayer or a mantra that you like and feel promotes peace, repeat it to yourself. When you are done, allow the light to fade. Slowly open your eyes and gently stretch. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti means Peace, peace, peace. Here are some links to mantras and prayers for peace: The Women's Meditation Network, Om Shanti, The Prayer of Saint Francis
Ujjayi Breath
Also called the Ocean Breath, this is a form of pranayama that is calming and warming. It is done during yoga practice and helps you synchronize your movement with your breathing. It's the feeling in your throat that you get when you make a “huh” sound. Only you are breathing in and out through your nose. It lowers blood pressure, helps with insomnia, and releases tension. Even though it is calming, we do turn it off for savasana. You can read more about it at this link. https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/ujjayi-breathing
Also called the Ocean Breath, this is a form of pranayama that is calming and warming. It is done during yoga practice and helps you synchronize your movement with your breathing. It's the feeling in your throat that you get when you make a “huh” sound. Only you are breathing in and out through your nose. It lowers blood pressure, helps with insomnia, and releases tension. Even though it is calming, we do turn it off for savasana. You can read more about it at this link. https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/ujjayi-breathing

Live Yoga - To Go or Not to Go??? It's so easy and convenient to take a yoga class or course from the comfort of one's home. Definitely, Zoom and YouTube have been really helpful in keeping yoga classes going. It's important to take a live, in person class with a teacher present though. Yoga happens on several levels at one time. When we are together in person, I can judge the energetic and physical needs of the students present, thereby adjusting my plans for the class. I can see your body position much better. This helps me make corrections that can be critical to your comfort and safety. As a student, you can see me better too. We use almost all of our senses. I listen to your breath sounds (sighs and groans too). I can use touch to make gentle, often crucial adjustments. The yoga class sets apart a special time and space for community. The energy of being together is special all by itself. I'm grateful that we have online options. However, I am concerned about the quality of only meeting online. Please consider returning to an in-person class from time to time. There are many options open to you. My studio is open, and I teach at the My People Senior Center. Jamie teaches at the Sevierville Community Center. Kappy teaches at the Pigeon Forge Community Center. Karri teaches at the United Methodist Church in Seymour. Check the various websites for days and times.

Beginning April 2023
Yoga for Every Body Teacher Training
by Jamie Blessinger & Sandy Palmer
https://yoga-4eb.com/