Mind In Body

I actually have a lot of news!  This blog includes:  diminished summer hours, one meditation class cancellation, and some wonderful postings about Yoga and Kirtan on others’ sites.

August is a hot time for many people to travel.  Mind In Body is responding by diminishing our hours until after Labor day. The Tuesday 7 PM class (which is currently a more challenging class) will return September 6 as a class for all levels.  Please, everyone, feel very welcome.  Diane Beglin’s Thursday 10 AM class will return September 8.  Diane’s Saturday 10 AM class will return September 10.  All other classes remain in tact.

In brief:  Tuesday 7 PM  suspended.  Thursday 10 AM suspended.  Saturday 10 AM suspended.

Our new meditation class (Wednesday nights at 7:15) with Jess Lewis-Peltier has been wonderfully received.  That class will continue during August, except for next week.  On August 3, Jess will be out of town.  Her class will resume on August 10.

The web site calendar will have all of these changes.

My dear friend Maddisen Krown (and very effective life coach) included me in her latest Noho blog about Yoga for the middle years and beyond.  She allowed me to answer one of her reader’s questions.  I think she may re-post it on her Huffington Post column as well. Whoo HOO!! To read please go to Ask Maddisen.

Rick Colella and Michael Wachs blessed us again last Friday night with a deep and joyous Kirtan.  Rick has posted some of the mantras that we did that night and their meaning.  Please check out his blog KirtanWallah for his insight into these chants.  We are planning another Kirtan soon, so be on the look out.  We are trying to have a Kirtan once a month at Mind In Body.

I hope the rest of the summer is fun and relaxing for everyone.

Any questions, please do not hesitate to call.  I will get back to you as soon as I am able:  818.694.3507.

Peace and health,

Molly

On Monday, July 25, we say farewell to Debbie Lehwalder, our good friend and excellent yoga therapist. Debbie is moving on to establish her own private practice.  She is following her passion to teach people on an individual basis.  We wish her much luck and we will miss her at the studio.  Should you need and want to get in touch with Debbie, please email her at deblehwalder@aol.com.

Join us on Friday night, June 24 from 8 -10, when Mind In Body hosts Rick Colella and his percussionist Michael Wachs as they lead us through Kirtan.

What is Kirtan?  Kirtan is Devotional chanting; musical prayer. It is a rhythmic call and response chanting that can kindle a joyful mood and can lead to profound states of meditation.

My own limited experience has been ecstatic and mesmerizing.  It is like a musical meditation that begs your participation.  However, you may come and simply sit, absorb and enjoy.  Or you may come, sing and move.  You needn’t be familiar with the words that are being chanted.  You needn’t be familiar with the simple melodies.  You needn’t be a Hindu, believe in any specific religion, or follow any path.  Just come – open your heart, mind and body – and be embraced by this experience that can sweep you away and sweep you into self.

A $5 donation is suggested but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Please invite your friends the more truly is merrier!

Peace and health,

Molly Hagan

P.S.  Jai Uttal has a beautiful description of Kirtan click here to read.

Fumi Naugton just sent this to her Thinking Body-Feeling Mind community.  For those of you who work long hours at the computer or have any strain, stress or pain from working at the computer check this out. It makes total sense and there is a web site and book that goes along with it. Check out link at the end.

COMPUTER ATHLETES:
The greatest challenge that computer users have to face is the acceptance that to do their work, they have to be fit to work. Hand and limb exercise, frequent breaks and the use of better tools can often avoid the onset of mechanical problems. Those who have developed problems over a number of years have to spend time, maybe months, to first repair the damage to the extent that it can be repaired. They then must adopt a maintenance fitness program similar or possibly more demanding than the able-bodied should use. The quick fix is a new arm not a new mouse. Manual laborers, because they use the larger muscles of their body, recognize fatigue more easily and necessarily take breaks. No dancer, or athlete would dare start ‘their work’ without first warming up the muscle groups of the body that they rely upon to earn their living nor are they about to dance or run in street sneakers or use poor quality tools. The sooner computer workers accept that they are “Computer Athletes”, that the computer mouse is their tool and not a just a device for a computer, then the sooner they can adapt, adopt and implement a regime that works better for them. This will protect and allow them to deliver their best, career long, performance.

computerathlete.net

Starting March 2, Mind In Body welcomes Debbie Lehwalder and Diane Beglin to the studio.

I met these women through the Loyola Marymount University Yoga Therapy RX program where we are all studying to become Yoga Therapists.  I was drawn to these women because of their profound connection and dedication to teaching.   Diane having completed level I is now taking level II.  Debbie is taking levels I, II & III concurrently.  These two compassionate and experienced teachers will be teaching Hatha Yoga at the studio.

The Hatha Yoga taught at this studio will be a gentle yet thorough approach deeply influenced by the therapeutic teachings of Krishnamacharya.  The classes will emphasize moving with the rhythm of the breath, increasing the benefits of traditional poses and stretches.  It will allow the student to safely connect with their body as they gradually develop a deeper sense of awareness.

Debbie Lehwalder (RYT 500) is registered with the Yoga Alliance and is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists.  Debbie came to Yoga after many years as a ballet dancer. She began her study in 1991 and has taught since 1994. She has trained in the Vinyasa, Astanga and Iyengar traditions, but it was her study of the Viniyoga style which had the most profound impact on her practice. In this gentle therapeutic style of Yoga, the emphasis is on moving with the rhythm of the breath while focusing on function over form. This allows each student to safely connect with their body as they follow their individual path towards self realization. It is with the inspiration of this technique that she has chosen to share the transformative practice of Yoga with her students.

Diane Beglin (CYT)  Has a 200-Hour Certification from All People Yoga and 500-Hour Certification with Nancy Shalk of Heartland Yoga Therapy (Indianapolis, IN).  A long time runner, Diane first came to yoga for the physical benefits. What she found was a healing journey that combined the mental and physical. In 2002, she began teaching yoga, which allowed her to share her passion for exploring the deeper levels of yoga’s journey.

She has taught in both the Indianapolis, IN, and Los Angeles areas, from private lessons and corporate sessions to weekly classes. Her focus is on each person’s needs and giving students the tools to tailor their yoga practice to their unique place in life and in practice. In her classes, she fosters a non-competitive environment and encourages everyone to modify to the level that is right for them during that particular session.

Please welcome them and come experience their classes which will be appropriate for all levels.