April 1 marks the beginning of our new schedule. With 48 classes on the regular schedule, this spring/summer is our fullest lineup yet. We’ve made substantial improvements to an already great list of offerings. Here’s the highlights:
“… we explore what comes up mentally and emotionally. With the use of themes, education about the mind/body relationship and yoga philosophy, I aim to help them understand how a mindfulness practice can be a useful tool for them throughout their lives. Classes involve movement/asana, breathing exercises/pranayama, meditation and at times, partner discussions and reflective writing exercises. I ask students to choose the variation of movement that honors their physical body and mental state in the present moment.”
For those who aspire to stick handstand in the middle of the room, this sight can be misleading. In my early years of yoga I would look around and think, “Most of these people don’t look like tremendous athletes. Why can they do it and I can’t?” After several years of consistent practice, my answer is that a successful asana practice can come from following the three A’s of Anusara Yoga.
July 23rd is coming up fast- have you been practicing your dance moves in anticipation of Yoga Union’s first ever Yoga Groove?
July brings us a new pose of the month- Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, or, Bridge Pose (setu = dam, dike or bridge, bandha = lock). This is a great pose for yogis in all stages of practice, and the benefits are extensive. The pose can alleviate stress, improve digestion and rejuvenate tired legs.
Happy 4th of July weekend fellow Yogis! Do you have plans to BBQ, enjoy the sunshine or watch the fireworks? In case you’re still wondering what to do with all this nice weather, here are some holiday happenings in the Portland area:
Have you had a chance to check out the statue, or “Murti”, in the front of the bamboo room at Yoga Union? Perhaps you’re like me and you’ve used it as your focal point during a difficult balance sequence but don’t know much about it. In order to appreciate more than just the beauty of the murti itself, I asked Todd to answer a few questions about the dancing deity he chose for his studio.
Summer in Portland is… unbeatable. When the sun comes out, the streets fill with smiles, exposed flesh and the smell of backyard BBQs. An open patio seat is hard to find and bodies lay strewn about in parks- victims of the Vitamin D assault. We even seem to forget the 8 months of incessant rain that only just stopped yesterday. It’s on these glorious days that it can sometimes be a challenge to take our bodies out of the sun and into the studio. So instead of compromising one for the other, why not take your practice outside? Yoga is, after all, about unity. When it’s practiced in nature, your connection to the universe may feel more readily available and your sense of awareness will have room to grow and evolve.
If you frequent the Yoga Union studio, then there’s a fair chance you’ve passed by a large van bearing the name “Flying Fish Co.” on the corner of 50th and Hawthorne. But have you stopped to peek inside and see what that van is all about, and who’s actually driving that thing around Portland?
As many of you know, June’s pose of the month is Siddhasana, also known as the “perfect pose”. Already in class I’ve heard students joke about the irony of this choice, “We do this one everyday!” or, “More like pose of the year!” And it’s true! We do find ourselves in Siddhasana more often than many…
Are you tired of schlepping your yoga clothes all over town in your purse? Does your mat fall out of your backback while you’re cruising down Burnside on your bike? Do you wear the same t-shirt to class, regardless of if it made it in the wash or not? Have you neglected to treat yourself to…
How old were you when you began your yoga practice? Do you ever wish you had found yoga at an earlier age? Many parents in cities across the country are encouraging their children to explore yoga and its teachings earlier, and classes taught for kids are becoming increasingly more popular.
The pose of the month for May happens to be one of our very favorites, Ardha Chandrasana, commonly known as Half Moon. As many of you know, the moon often plays a significant role in the various practices of yoga and commonly represents one of the two polar energies of the body. Try channeling your inner lunar spirit as you practice the pose!
A special congratulations are in order today! A few weeks ago our very own Natalie Gildersleeve started working on a project. Her goal was to tell others what being “Open to Grace” meant to her as an instructor.
Party Bus to Tahoe Join the Yoga Union on our first ever festival field trip. We’ll build the spirit of community as we travel together aboard a 16 passenger van. Purchase your wanderlust tickets from Yoga Union and receive a 5% discount. This is sure to be an epic and unforgettable adventure! The bus will depart from…
Dear Friends, Like me, you may be concerned about the possibility of nuclear radiation reaching us on the west coast. A recent news item indicates that such fallout may reach us as early as tomorrow, Friday, 18 March.
oin Yoga Union on our party bus, or take your own transport, but be sure you purchase your tickets though YU because your tickets will be discounted 5%!! Camp, rent a hotel with a pool, sleep in your car or in your at a friends house; no matter what your sleeping arrangements happen to be you can still hitch a ride down with the Yoga Union crew. Check out the flier for more details, or get ahold of Natalie Gildersleeve for any further questions/reservations [email protected] 503-260-4872
The Dahn Yoga & Health Centers just released a silly video with instructions for beating your next hangover.
1. Initiate your asana with Opening to Grace, an intentional approach of softness. In the first moment of your pose, align your heart’s intention with your spirit and your physical being. Soften your whole being with humility. You can begin with any asana.
“…Yoga is less about showy acrobatic poses and more about the internal awareness cultivated by spending time on the mat.”