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THE YOGA CONCEPT

WHAT IS YOGA?? SIMPLY DEFINED, YOGA PRACTICE CONSISTS OF

using physical postures (asana), breath control (pranayama) and meditation (dhyana)

to achieve a sense of calm and relaxation in the physical, emotional and spiritual body.

THE DOWNDOG CONCEPT

CONSIDERED BOTH AN INVIGORATING AND RESTORATIVE POSE,

Downdog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) provides perfect balance of effort and ease.

It can be an energetic part of Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutation) or a place to rest,

to bring serenity to mind and body.

DOWNDOG is a mild inversion which calms the nervous system and helps to relieve stress.

It also:

Elongates and releases tension from the spine
Stretches the hamstrings, calves, arches and hands
Strengthens arms, shoulders and back
Improves the digestive system
Relieves back pain, headaches, insomnia and fatigue.

THE DOWNDOG YOGA CONCEPT...bringing it all together

WE EXPLORE THE CONCEPT OF INVIGORATION AND REST, as Patanjali penned in The Yoga-Sutras:

" sthira sukham asanam" meaning "the posture for meditation should embody steadiness and ease."

STHIRA - effort, firm, engaged, stable

SUKHAM - ease, acceptance, soft

ASANAM - meditative seated postion, and all the postures practiced that enable the body to rest in this seat

It is the exact balance between STHIRA and SUKHAM that we are looking for in our practice. This balance brings us into a state of equilibrium, ease, and focus. When we learn how to balance effort and ease on the mat, we also learn how to live our lives with strength as well as tranquility. We become steadfast and true to ourselves. This requires practice and patience to create STHIRA and SUKHAM within ourselves.

.... finding the sweet spot between effort and ease...in the mind, and the body, and the breath.

Namaste,

Kathy