If your New Year's resolution is to start a yoga
practice, here is a great opportunity to learn from a
qualified, professional 'family' instructor. <br><br>Mention
this email, and get the discounted price of $30 for
your first private lesson. I can also teach groups, if
you're able to provide a space for us to practice. Feel
free to forward this email on to anyone who's
interested. (Please be aware that I am strictly offering
professional yoga instruction - absolutely no BS.)<br><br>I
can teach all ages, and all fitness/flexibility
levels. The most common misconception about yoga is that
you must be flexible; in fact, anyone can benefit
from yoga, regardless of fitness or flexibility level.
Over time, regular practice will increase your
flexibility and overall spinal health, and strengthen your
immune system.<br><br>The styles I teach are outlined
below (in order of personal preference). All of these
styles are technologies that are thousands of years old,
and well-respected throughout the yoga community.
<br><br>Ashtanga Yoga (aka 'Power' Yoga) - A vigorous style that
links postures together in a flowing sequence with
breath. It builds strength, flexibility, and endurance,
and is a challenging workout. If you've taken a
'Power Yoga' class at the gym, you probably haven't
experienced this traditional form of yogic technology. This
is an excellent practice for athletes, and can
substitute for both cardio and stretching on your 'off' days
from training. (The term 'Power' yoga was coined by an
Ashtanga Yogi in the late 80's. Since then, the term has
been watered down to mean whatever the gyms want to
teach.) Ashtanga has been popularized recently by Madonna
and Sting - neither of them has lifted weights in
several years, they practice Ashtanga for 2 hours
daily.<br><br>Kundalini Yoga - A dynamic, sacred style that uses breath
integrated with movement to align the chakras (subtle energy
centers), energize the body, strengthen the immune system,
and balance the glandular system. Kundalini is the
spiritual energy of awareness which is activated and
channeled through yoga and meditation. A class usually
consists of breathwork, followed by exercise, and ending
with chanting / meditation. For energy, growth and
transformation, try Kundalini Yoga.<br><br>Hatha Yoga - The most
widely practiced style is based on 84 postures. A class
usually consists of 10+ postures. The movements and deep
breathing techniques increase flexibility, tone the
muscles, focus the mind, and aid in relaxation. <br><br>If
you want to learn Ashtanga or Hatha, you'll need to
purchase a yoga 'sticky' mat, available in many places for
about $20. It's preferable to practice these on a
hardwood or tile floor. For Ashtanga, you'll also need a
heated room - at the studio we close off the air vents,
turn off the fans, and use space heaters. (This is not
to be confused with Bikram Yoga, a newer style which
is practiced in a room heated to 108 degrees. For
Ashtanga it just needs to be about 95 or above.)<br><br>As
one of the many recently laid-off techies, I've
started to focus full-time on a skill that I acquired out
of my love for yoga, to enhance my personal
practice. I've practiced yoga since 1996, and completed my
200-hour teacher training certification in May of 2001.
I'm a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga
Alliance, the American organization that sets standards for
and certifies yoga instructors. I'm continuing on to
complete my 500-hour master level certification in May of
2003. <br><br>I have taught regularly at Yoga Yoga
since June of 2001; I currently substitute teach, and
will return to the regular schedule at the new Yoga
Yoga Westgate Studio (in the Central Market South
shopping center) when it opens in May.<br><br>Feel free to
contact me directly with any questions at
spellboundtx@.... Please be sure to leave your phone number if
you'd like me to call you. <br><br>Namaste',<br>Kevin