Fasly-Kam

Yamas are the first of the eight limbs of Yoga; the first of the eight guiding principles for helping to lead a yogic lifestyle, or, more generally, to "calm the fluctuations of the mind" (for whatever purpose you choose). The word "yama" comes from the verbal root [yam] which means to subdue or to control, which implies that these "yamas" are controls or acts of curbing or suppressing our behavior (towards others or the outer world) to help us become more "yogic." There are five of these principles, or disciplines, in the yamas, as follows: Ahimsa: non harming. Ahimsa   is a term meaning 'not to injure' and 'compassion'. The word is derived from the Sanskrit root hiṃs – to strike; hiṃsā is injury or harm, a-hiṃsā is the opposite of this. Satya: truth. Satya   is the Sanskrit word for truth. It also refers to a virtue in Indian religions, referring to being truthful in one's thought, speech and action. Asteya: non-stealing. As...

My yoga style is normally very Hatha oriented meaning we do individual poses with long(ish) holds and breathwork, then move to another related pose, etc. I'll add in sun salutations (in some circles called vinyasa flows) if the group is feeling energetic (or I am) or it seems appropriate, and add in creative offshoots, but these don't make up the whole of class. This week I've been working out the kinks of a little personalized flow to build some heat in the body, open the hips, strengthen the ankles, work on balance (vestibular orientation as well as we change directions), and in general have a little fun. Time the inhales and exhales as they suit you, one pose, one 1/2 breath cycle OR take multiple breaths in each pose and use a single inhale or exhale to transition with focus to the next: Start at the top of the mat. Lift arms overhead for urdva hastasana (arms overhead mountain pose) Forward Fold (uttanasana) 1/2 lift (ardha uttanasana) Step back right leg to Ajenayasan...

I am not someone that likes to be in photos. Not unlike many, I am hyper-critical of the way I come across in two-dimensions, and find it hard to look with loving eyes at my self in a static form. It's when I'm moving, interacting and breathing that I feel beautiful. But sometimes, someone is able to capture the spirit of what you feel, when you aren't worried about what you look like. When you don't worry about smiling or "smizing" or how your teeth look or whether or nor you are sucking in your belly, or how your deodorant wore off a hour before. When you are just having fun being silly, among friends, a little self conscious but encouraged to be playful. HP Hart  (Good Eye Designs), a friend who has children that attend the same school as my son, is the resident photographer at the school, and captures amazing things with her lens. She is rarely without her camera, and she has an intuition about people and their expressions that goes beyond the image...far ...

I want to give recognition to the hardworking folks at the California Health Network (founder Steve Lauria) for putting together the Lakeside Health Awareness Month and the Health Fair "It's How We Live" taking place this Saturday March 12 from 9-12 at Linda Lake Park. You can view a video about this month's promotion here:  https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaHealthNetwork/videos/1234959753184102/ Learn more about the vendors that provide services in East County here:  http://californiahealthnetwork.org/healthawarenessmonth There are two other Health Fairs happening later this spring too: It’s How We Live Saturday, March 12 Lindo Lake County Park 9841 Vine Street, Lakeside Ballfield right after the running event “Run for the Arts” 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. It’s How We Live Saturday, April 23 Spring Valley County Park 8735 Jamacha Blvd., Spring Valley 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Fallbrook Health & Fitness Fair Saturday, May 14 La Paloma Elementary School 300 Heald Lane, Fallbrook 9 a....

Each time I teach yoga to the preschooler's it's a challenge to make sure I incorporate enough "old stuff" to reinforce memory, create consistency, and set the framework for the arc of class but also bring in enough "new stuff" to make the classes interesting, exciting, challenging, and unique. The very young children (under 3) are quite content over the course of their school year to practice the yoga moves with my well-used songs by Karen K and the Jitterbugs, Laurie Berkner, Feist, and Elizabeth Mitchell to name a few. They are called to action by the music, the melodies, my (off key) singing - familiarity bring comfort and with comfort comes more exploration with how their bodies move in the space in which we do yoga. But the children that are over 3, and up to 5, while they love the tried and true music and games, are open to using their yoga skills in new ways. Skills like balance, the ability to go from silly to calm, being creative, cooperating, and ...

Our local library system for the county has a PLETHORA (a veritable cornucopia) of free yoga classes at multiple locations on any given day, for all ages (kids, families, seniors, disabilities and more). If you want to find a FREE class near you, please just check out the county library website... and be amazed! Many times its the Friend of the Library organizations supporting the classes; sometimes it's private groups and sometimes it's a complete labor of love on the part of the instructor.  Highly encourage you to explore your options! http://host.evanced.info/sdcl/evanced/eventcalendar.asp

( peacock pose)