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Dear Friends,
I would like to extend my sincere and heartfelt thanks for another incredible year at Brightwater Yoga.
As the year draws to a close I am touched and humbled by the commitment you've all shown to our studio, each other and most of all to yourselves.
Treading this yogic path together is such an honor and a joy, and I am grateful for each and every moment of it! I watched so many relationships begin and deepen over the year and I've felt the sense of community at Brightwater really blossom.
On and off the mat, you are each so miraculous and special and you have so much to share with and contribute to this amazing Brightwater family.
I wish you all a peaceful holiday season!
My heart rejoices!
Namaste,
Leigh Ann
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 Don't Forget
our Holiday Book Drive
at Brightwater Yoga
for the Bounty of Bethlehem!
We will be collecting books
for children of all ages,
now through December 19th!!!
All books should be NEW, not used.
Please help us give the gift of literacy this Christmas!!!
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The Studio will be closed for the holidays from Dec. 23-31 and will re-open New Year's Day for the Benefit Class.
Don't Forget: the Tuesday morning class time has been changed to
9:30-11:00 am and Brooke McDade is the teacher.
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December
Mantra
Om, shanti, shanti, shanti
(Om, peace, peace, peace!)
This mantra is an invocation of peace. As stated in the November issue of Yoga Journal, this mantra has two functions. First to affirm that peace is available to us at any moment that we choose to tune in to it.
Second, to create more peace in the world. Repeating this mantra with a focused mind and pure heart consciously invokes a peaceful reality into our being as well as to all beings.
Allow the first shanti to invoke that peace within yourself; the second shanti, peace within your family and friendships; and the third shanti, peace to all beings on the planet.
If these words resonate with you, try repeating this mantra to yourself several times; several times a day all month.
Remember, the word "mantra" literally means "mind protector."
Repeating a mantra is the first step towards training the mind, allowing positive, beneficial thoughts to permeate your being and will, if practiced regularly, truly transform your experience of life! | |
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December Special
Both Meredith Boyd and Brooke McDade - massage therapists at Brightwater Yoga - are offering a special $50.00/hour massages through Christmas!!!
These would make great Christmas gifts!!!
No need to present coupon to get the special price...and there is no limit on the number of massages you can buy!
To reach Meredith, call 606-2667.
To reach Brooke, call 699-7599.
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Yoga Nidra Workshop
Come Restore Your Body, Mind and Spirit After a Busy Holiday Season
Taught by Ren Resch, visiting instructor from Boulder, CO
at Brightwater Yoga
Saturday, Jan. 2
10:30 am-12:30 pm
Fee: $25
Benefits of Yoga Nidra:
· Increased physical and mental
relaxation
· Overall sleep improvement
· Decreased stress
· Greater ease in life
Yoga Nidra, or "yogic sleep" is an ancient, guided meditation practice developed
4000 years ago and is said to be 4 times more restorative than regular deep sleep.
Yoga Nidra is traditionally practiced lying down in a comfortable position while the
student is guided through the practice.
Appropriate for anyone; Beginners welcome!
Workshop will be 30% discussion and 70% practice.
To Register or For More Information
Contact Ren Resch:
ren_resch@yahoo.com or 303-872-0252
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Member Spotlight
Tania Battista
I sat down to have lunch yesterday with this month's "Member Spotlight," Tania Battista, and I am just mesmerized by her sparkling eyes and enormous smile. That's Tania, positively effervescent and radiant! She's incredibly talented and endlessly fascinating as you are about to discover!
Our interview took her back to when she attended Clemson University where she was a Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management major with an emphasis in Recreational Therapy. Shortly after she graduated, Tania began working at the Medical University in Charleston, South Carolina Institute of Psychiatry as a Recreational Therapist.
While there, she worked with a team of therapists who, through music, physical activity and outings, taught children of all ages, positive ways to cope with problems and for some just basic social skills. This came very naturally for Tania as she is, by nature very nurturing and had been a musician since the age of fifteen when she taught herself how to play the guitar.
During her time in Charleston, she supported her passion for theatre and music by performing in various venues and coffee shops. She even went back to school at the College of Charleston to study Children's Theatre...a choice that would soon pay off for Tania! After she was laid off, Tania was quickly hired by Kanuga Conference Center as the Director of Friday Night Follies for the Summer and Christmas Guest Periods. Because this was a seasonal job, Tania enthusiastically went to Brevard College for a year to formally study music.
While there, she met Nikki Tally, a local singer/songwriter, and the two began performing together at festivals and around town. During this time, Tania also worked for Honeysuckle Hollow to, once again, support her passion. It was 1998 when Tania got her foot in the door at the Flatrock Playhouse. The first musical she performed in there was "Annie Get Your Gun," and following that she was featured in a handful of musicals and mainstage productions. All the while, she was teaching for The Theatre for Young People, which is now known as the YouTheatre. Currently, Tania holds the title, Elementary Arts Coordinator, at the YouThreatre.
In addition to working full time for the Playhouse, Tania continues to perform around town for the Bounty for Bethlehem, at various camps in the area, at special events and for Sunday Shine for Camp Kanuga on Sunday mornings with her dear friends, Sharon Stokes and Jenny Arch; who, together with Damian "Duke" Dominugue, form the group "Peace Out."
If all this wasn't enough, Tania and Jenny also sing together at the Unity Center with the Unity Center Band. With this busy schedule, it's no wonder turns to yoga for "peace of mind, meditation, sanity, perspective, patience, self-love, and focus." After a short pause, Tania added that yoga also helps her to stretch her body and her mind.
She has had numerous hip and shoulder issues from cheerleading, dancing and playing the guitar. "Yoga helps work the kinks out," she giggled. On a more serious note, Tania added, "I can tell a difference when I don't go...I feel like I'm going to come apart." This is one of the reasons she integrates, on a regular basis, yoga into all the classes she teaches. "I feel like the first thing children need to learn is how to be still and quiet. This will help them to focus and how to relax when in performance mode. They really enjoy it," she exclaimed, "they love to close their eyes, be still and BREATHE!!!" What an important service Tania is offering these students, in my opinion!!!
As our interview drew to a close, Tania added that her favorite two poses are Child's Pose and Savasana! I will always do yoga, she gleamed!! Tania, Jenny and Sharon (Peace Out) will be performing live at the Brightwater Yoga Holiday Celebration on Sunday, December 13 @ 6:00 pm! Please come and see for yourself how effervescent she really is!!!!
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December's Dazzling Asana:
Supta Baddha Konasana
(SOUP-tah BAH-dah cone-NAHS-anna)
Reclined Bound Angle Pose
Step 1: Gather a bolster, 4 blankets and a strap.
Step 2: Place the bolster on your mat vertically so that it runs along the length of the mat towards the top of the mat. Fold a blanket in half once from "shoulder stand fold" and place it toward the top of your bolster with the folder edge facing the bottom of the bolster. Fold two blankets twice from "shoulder stand fold" so they create a plump pillow formation and place them at the base of your bolster off to either side. Put a very large loop in your strap and you are ready to go!
Step 3: Sit on the floor in front of the bolster and bring the soles of your  feet together and open your knees out to the sides. Place the strap over your head, taking the arms through it. Bring the strap down behind you and place it at the top of your sacrum. Take the strap inside your legs and around the outer edges of your feet. Tighten the "tail" of the strap just until it is taut drawing your heels as close to your pelvis as you comfortably can.
Step 4: Place your hands on the floor behind your hips for support. Take your chin towards your chest and gently round your upper back as you begin to lie back onto the bolster, sliding your hands out to the sides as you slowly descend. Draw two of the blankets to the sides of your legs up under your outer thighs so the legs are adequately and evenly supported. Be sure the bolster is centered along your spine and reach up and get the 3rd blanket to support your head just to the tops of your shoulders and release your head onto it. Relax your buttocks and slide it toward your heels with your hands. Take your arms out to the sides at about a 45 degree angle from the bolster. Slide your shoulder blades down your back away from your ears and just let go of your arms completely. (You may want to use the forth blanket as a cover to keep you warm.)
Step 5: Close your eyes and relax! Stay in this pose anywhere from 5-45 minutes...as long as you need or would like. The idea is to completely let go of your body allowing it to be supported and held by the props. This is a restorative, passive pose so there's no need for you to "work." Enjoy...you deserve it!!!
Step 6: When you are ready to come out of the pose, draw your knees toward each other (you may need to loosen the strap a bit to do this), roll over to one side sliding gently down from the bolster. Pause there for a few breaths (this is a great time for a gratitude practice!!!) then press your hands into the floor and walk them back toward your hips to sit up. Don't be in a hurry to come out. Take your time and allow the effects of the pose to stay with you as you transition into the rest of your day or evening.
Be well! | | |
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