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Happy Thanksgiving!


“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.  Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” ~ Albert Schweitzer

Wed November 21, 2012

  • 9:00 am Flow – Beginner Jessi Hughes Main Street STUDIO 
  • 10:30 am Gentle Christie Haran Main Street STUDIO
  • 1:00 pm Flow Yoga Carolyn Connell Main Street STUDIO
  • 5:00 pm Hatha 2 Christie Haran Main Street STUDIO
  • 6:30 pm Vinyasa/Prana Flow Erin Dewey Nursery Avenue STUDIO

Fri November 23, 2012 

  • 7:30 am All Level Yoga Lawrie Vick Main Street STUDIO
  • 8:30 am Pilates Brandy Greenwell Nursery Avenue STUDIO
  • 9:15 am Hatha Lawrie Vick Main Street STUDIO
  • 9:30 am Vinyasa/Prana Flow Lara Ward Nursery Avenue STUDIO

See everybody this weekend plus FREE Community Class followed by a Flow this Saturday!!  Sunday we are all candle lit to relaxxxxxxxx!  It will be a nice treat after the feast and holiday shopping!  

 

- Namaste & Happy Thanksgiving 

from all of us at Yoga 4 Life

 

 

 

Yoga While Recovering

Bridge of Acceptance

(Links to Restorative, Hatha, and Yin Yoga classes in Purcellville, Western Loudoun County: see below)

The month of August has been tough for me, because somehow I’ve injured my left knee. I’m not sure how I did it, but there’s a bit of pain and some swelling. The doctor suggested rest, and then when the symptoms didn’t go away I had an MRI taken. I’ll know the results tomorrow.

What this also means is that I haven’t been able to go to any full practices of my beloved yoga. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to take time off to recover from an injury (I had to take a month or so off due to a foot problem) but this is more frustrating. I can walk around fine, seem to have almost full range of motion, but there are certain poses that I simply can’t do or cause discomfort if I do. It’s surprising, when you think about it, how many yoga poses require you to bend your knee. All of those poses might cause problems and I have to be careful.

The challenge was to find a way to stay connected to the yoga practice while letting my body heal. What could I do? How could I continue doing “yoga” while giving my knee a rest?

One of the first things that came to mind was to continue my pranayama breathing routine. I do a set of three pranayamaBreathing Yoga 4 Life breathing exercises most mornings, and I continued doing these. In those first weeks I had to adjust how I was sitting so as not to strain my knee, but I continued with the breathing just as I had before. I would end with some meditation or even laying down in savasana. This was only 10-15 minutes of time, but it was a great way to keep connected.

As the pain and swelling went down, I tested my knee by doing some simple sun salutations. These went well so long as I was careful stepping back into plank, and then stepping forward into the forward fold position. I began adding three sun salutations after the pranayama breathing after three weeks.

Over the last week, as the swelling and pain decreased further, I re-started my normal morning yoga workout routine. This consists of the three sun salutations, and then warrior 2, parsva konasana, prasarita padottanasana, tree pose, and then a forward fold, both sides, before savasana. I modified the Yoga 4 Life - Restoreposes to reduce stress on the knee. My first two poses weren’t deep knee bends, tree pose was me just putting my foot on my ankle on the one side, and again I otherwise just took things slowly and carefully. So far it is working well.

Had this not worked I was going to check into doing chair yoga. This wouldn’t have been ideal but it would have kept me engaged in a yoga practice. That’s the most important thing. While I’ve continued doing some workouts, such as water-walking and free weights for the upper body, finding a way to continue with my yoga practice has helped me to keep my mind sane as my body heals.

I’m hoping that I can get back to full practices soon if the MRI is negative. In the meantime, I can still practice in some way. Don’t let life get in your way of practicing. Even a little bit makes a positive difference.

Namaste

 John

Yin and Restorative Yoga Classes in Purcellville:

Yoga 4 Life is becoming two studios effective September 15th.  You can find these Yin and Restorative practices helpful in recovering from injury and maintaining your practice.  Please contact or e mail with questions regarding your condition or stop by Yoga 4 Life & This Body Yoga.  Right on Main Street in Purcellville, Virginia at 850-B E. Main Street, Purcellville, Virginia 20132 (across from the new Rite Aid).

Registration and packages can be found here:  https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/home.asp?studioid=19257

Mondays – 10:45 am Gentle Christie Haran 1 hr & 15 min

Mondays – 7:00 pm Yin Yoga Jessi Hughes 1 hr & 15 min

Tuesdays – 9:15 am Hatha Christie Haran 1 hr & 15 min

Wednesdays – 10:30 am Gentle Christie Haran 1 hr & 15 min

Thursdays – 7:00 pm Yin Yoga Jessi Hughes 1 hr & 15 min

Fridays – 9:15 am Hatha Christie Haran 1 hr & 15 min

Fridays – 4:30 pm Hatha Christie Haran 1 hr & 15 min

Sundays – 6:00 pm Gentle Hatha Christie Haran

 

Purcellville & Loudoun County Yoga 

Photographs by Jeremy Lee & L. Ward – Pennsylvania & Pataskala, Ohio

 

Memorial Day Weekend

 

Memorial Day Yoga Classes

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!

Yoga 4 Life will be closed on Monday to celebrate our Troops, Veterans, Wounded Warriors and those who have gone before us to protect and serve our country.

We will honor them in practice on **Tuesday Night at Above Ground Winery during our Sip ‘N Stretch** with a Hero Pose/Asana practice. Please join us for this tribute. Namaste ~

Will will be celebrating Empowerment on Saturday and will be open between 2 – 6pm.

♥ Namaste ~ Lara, Russ, Erin, & Francesca 

 

Patience in our Yoga Practice

Listen  ::  Feel  ::  Hear  ::  Speak  ::  Try  ::  Grow

There’s a line from an old song by the group Kansas (I’m dating myself here) which says:  “Treat yourself so gently though the task is often hard.”  I found myself saying that recently at the end of a yoga practice.   I was frustrated about a particular yoga pose and was about to become very self-critical.  I stopped myself before I started, because I realized that the criticism that I was about heap on myself was totally unjustified.  Even more importantly, as I later reflected, in yoga it’s really unjustified to criticize yourself at any time.  As tough as it is, even after a long and difficult practice, we need to practice treating ourselves gently.

What happened to me was kind of silly when I think about it.  We’d finished the regular yoga practice and a couple of us lingered to talk, as we often do.  I was tired but wanted to practice a yoga pose that I wasn’t comfortable trying at home by myself.  The pose is urdhva kukkutasana, which is not an easy pose at all.  The final pose has you in a crow pose posture, but your legs are folded into lotus position.  Every time I tried to lift my head off of the ground from tripod pose, my legs kept slipping off of my legs and I’d fall.  I got frustrated and that self-critical voice was about to rise.  Then I stopped and realized that I had already mastered so many other poses to get to this point that it was silly to be so upset.  Crow pose, tripod, tripod headstand, lotus tripod headstand, all of these intermediate steps I’ve accomplished.  Some day I will get that last piece of the puzzle, and then move on to the next challenge.  There was no need to be angry with myself.

Here’s the thing that I try to tell myself when I hit a frustrating time in my yoga practice; I’ve already accomplished the most important part.  I’m practicing yoga.  Each day practicing yoga  is a good day.  Even if my balance is off, my quads are screaming, my postures are messy, I’m doing better than I was before I started practicing yoga.  Every day that I practice, I’m better.  The next time you’re frustrated with a pose, try to treat yourself gently and recognize all of the progress that you’ve already made.  It’s pretty darned impressive what you’ve already done.  Keep practicing.

-Namaste

John

- Purcellville Loudoun Yoga – Photo Lara Ward

 

Small Town, Big Heart

As I drove down Main Street in Purcellville yesterday I was sipping on my water, hydrating for my yoga class tonight.  I was noticing the charm of this small town with the warm happy people outside enjoying the beautiful weather. I was on my way to Yoga 4 Life for a Monday night yoga class taught by Lara.

I pulled my car around behind the house to the parking area and grabbed my favorite friend…my yoga mat and walked into the studio.  Candles were everywhere…it smelled of warmth, love, wood, earth and peace.  I changed into my yoga clothes in the bathroom and set up my mat.  I hadn’t taken a led class in a while and my personal- home practice had become a little boring.

Lara led us through an integration series, loosening up our bodies and awakening our senses. Then came the intention part (pick an intention for your practice)….for some reason I thought of inspiration.  I guess I wanted to find inspiration from my practice that night.   Inspiration came through at different moments in the class….it was just what I had asked for.

The class was a slow, mindful sequence of prana flow inspired yoga….it was great; she showed the class new ways to open up and prepare our body for peak asanas. (poses) The sequence allowed me to work my muscles, open up my tight areas, and connect my breath with movement.  After a healing and relaxing savasana (dead body pose) with a hint of lavender, she read an inspirational reading that matched my intention. A few tears fell from my eyes as I was making my way toward the front of my mat in a seated position to face her…I barely opened my eyes—just a squint to see her outline with all the candle light surrounding her….she is a gift- one I am so grateful for.  I just hope you get to experience this some time in this small town with a big heart.

~Erin

 

Spring Celebration Schedule

Reawaken      Repurpose     Rethink     Retain    

Reclaim     Reactivate

 

As everyone celebrates Spring and takes a break with our families and friends we will have some schedule changes here at Yoga 4 Life.  Below you will find the schedule for the week starting Saturday, March 31st – Sunday, April 8th.  We hope you will join us in our growth and grounding practices this week.  Please bring your families, in town guests, or children interested in Yoga to your practice this week.

Spring Celebration Schedule

Saturday:  11:00am *Sip ‘N Stretch @ The Virginia Wine Factory (see our Register tab or blog for more information) FUN!

Sunday:  6:30pm Candle Lit Class – All Level Relax::Renew::Recharge with Lavendar Savasana

Monday:  12:30pm Beginner Class is cancelled

Monday:  6:30pm All Level/Beginner Vinyasa/Prana Flow

Tuesday:  9:30am All Level Vinyasa/Prana is with Jessi

Tuesday:  6:30 *Sip ‘N Stretch @ Above Ground Winery (aka 29 Vines)

Wednesday:  Strong Foundations after school program cancelled

Thursday:  9:30 Cancelled

Thursday: 6:30 Flow with Erin

Sunday:  EASTER – Cancelled

“Destiny isn’t some distant place. Destiny is each moment of our lives, shining through, linking together, like the endless cars on the train. Destiny means embracing each moment, being present for it, cherishing it because it is our now. Weather it holds exilarating, discovery, sadness, tough decisions, confusion, or tender love, each moment is our destiny. These moments of destiny link together in an endless chain to become our lives. Let yourself live and be in each moment, with each person, learning each lesson along the way. Destiny isn’t someplace we go. Destiny is where we are. When you look for holy ground, look down. That is where your spiritual experience takes place. Right whaere your’re standing, wherever you are now.” ~ Melody Beattie

See you all standing tall, grounding and growing on your mats!

Have a wonderful Spring Celebration and Holiday with your family!

♥ Namaste 

 

Yoga on the Wine Trail Event

Join us for the journey…  

2012 Yoga on the Wine Trail

North Gate Vineyard in Purcellville, Virginia JUNE 2nd

Yoga and Wine is possibly the perfect pair. Engage all of your senses ~ mind, body, spirit, sight, sound, touch, and taste, as they come together to create a unique and complete experience. Start your morning with a flowing yoga practice at the Vineyards along the Loudoun Wine Trail followed by a fun-filled, and joyful journey, touring the winery. Complete with optional wine tasting, you can then re-energize with light fare perfectly paired with wine. Please find our registration page a www.yogafourlife.com/register.Yoga 4 Life is a community based studio not only to give back and practice living local combining yoga with local agriculture, farms, wineries, fitness, and personal well being. It is our passion to embrace the historic charm and deep roots of Loudoun County and the working farms and vineyards that grow here. We are planning an  Earthbased practice for North Gate Vinyeard’s practice.  As we move on Loudoun’s Wine Trail, we will explore Yoga with the integration of elements.  An element key and description will be linked to each vineyard and practice.Please join us on this wonderful journey.

More details can be found on our Workshop and Wine page at www.yogafourlife.com and our Event Page on facebook.  This page will contain lots of juicy Wine and Yoga goodies next week so check back!


Vinyasa in the Vines:
 * Welcome Drink on arrival (9:15am)                      
* Meditation Walk through the Vineyard
* Morning Yoga Session lead by Yoga 4 Life Certified Prana and Vinyasa Flow Instructors -  ALL Level  90 minute Earth Element sequenced class.  Mats provided if needed.
* Winery Tours Lead by Vineyard Staff and opportunity to purchase wine 
* Optional/Complimentary Wine Tasting & detailed description of wines by vineyard staff
* Light Fare or lunch paired with a glass of wine purchased from North Gate Vineyard 
**It is Virginia State Law Regulation that the vineyard will sell their wonderful wine individually from Yoga 4 Life.
A great Mother’s Day gift!
Check out their vineyard at www.northgatevineyard.com
Cheers & Namaste ~
 

Schedule Update

Let’s begin this year with the intention to simplify our lives. Relying on the basics and making sure those simple needs are met. Start with nurturing yourself with healthy foods and liquids as well as finding ways of releasing the toxins that are blocking us from our true potential. Creating some space and some time to relax is important. These simple acts of love will help create awareness or possibly a glimpse of who you truly are; this is what truly matters. It is simple, it’s called Yoga. Making it a part of your daily life is the challenge. Having a studio to practice the physical side of yoga can be a meaningful part of your personal journey. It creates the space and the inspiration to renew your soul. Involving yourself in your community and building relationships are refreshing ways to reconnect to your personal cause or destiny.

Relax –Renew- Reconnect  @ Yoga4Life

Monday 6:30pm ~ Beginner/All Level Yoga

Tuesday Morning ~ All Level Vinyasa Flow STARTING>>>JANUARY 31st

Thursday Morning Class 9:30am ~ All Level Vinyasa Flow

Sunday *Candle Lit* All Level with Lara returns: Starting>>> FEBUARY 11th

 
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