Dish-Houston

When I first started yoga it was for the tightness I felt in my back and hips. It would go untreated for a while then it would creep up my back and neck and cause tension migraines. Normally a good run could help alleviate this pain by the sheer movement of the muscles and increased blood flow. Sometimes I would break down and get a massage, it is one of my favorite treats with multi-leveled benefits but it gets expensive. As the summer heat rolled around I needed something that would help but not have to call my friends and family to call the police if I didn't call them back in an hour because I probably passed out from heat stroke.

With yoga, you get the streatching, the strength building...yes strength building! Yoga is not for sissies, the increased blood flow and after one class most of my pain is gone. Awesome. The more I practiced however, the more I noticed I was more calm in my everyday life, I had more confidence,I was more peaceful, slept better and didn't toddle in my 5 inch heals...an important talent.  All of these extra added benefits made me want to learn more about this centuries old practice.

Turns out, there is more to Yoga than the asanas (poses)! Hosted by Loraine Frow at Joy Yoga Center we will be lead on a journey of over 4 thoudand years to find out more about the 8 limbs of Yoga. 

The 2 hour bliss fest will be spent wallowing in words discussing the 8 limbs of yoga, followed by  an infusion on the 8 limbs as we move through a 60 minute steady Vinyasa Flow. Topped off with a 15 minute Guided Meditation and Pranayama (Breathing). All supported by the amazing live melodies provided by Anthony Rodriguez.  

Seriously Yogi Peeps, How Much Better Can It Possibly Get? "The greatest challenge in life is discovering who you are... The second greatest is being happy with what you find."

Date: Saturday, October 20th 

Time: 2:00-4:00pm 

Location: Joy Yoga Center  

4500 Washington Ave., suite 900 

Houston, TX. 77007

Investment:$35 

Register online!

www.JoyYogaCenter.com

Loraine was born in England and has lived in Houston, Texas for the last 10 years. Prior to that she traveled to various lands, practicing Midwifery and being a Childbirth Educator. Loraine opened her eyes and welcomed yoga into her life in 2007 and since then she has been playing and breathing on her mat. Loraine decided to "try the yoga thing" when she stopped smoking and since then she has been discovering and connecting with the breath, amazed and always delighted at what it supports. She is a great lover  "Pranayama."  

Loraine received her 200 hour certification with Joy Yoga Studio. Loraine's passion and driver as a Yoga Teacher is to provide a fun, supportive, safe environment, allowing students to seek an introspective practice. Loraine offers a strong, steady "Vinyasa" practice, with a focus on the breath being the foundation to the practice of the Asanas. Her classes are an opportunity for self discovery, they are trickled with Yoga Philosophy and infused love.

TikiTiki is the mascott of Joy Yoga Center. She also has her own blog that her mommy, Joy Winkler, owner of Joy Yoga Center, interprets for her. This weeks was especially thought provoking and cute so we thought we'd share!

DISHIES! There are so many reason to get your body moving and so many ways to make it happen! If you're just getting started in a new workout regimen or are looking to improve your performance in what you already do...Yoga is a great workout for multiple reasons! Yoga has many benefits to offer for beginners as well as for those who have practiced for years. It’s been around for centuries but is as relevant today as ever.

Here are 10 reasons Yoga is amazing for you!

1. Stress Relief– Yoga reduces the physical effects of stress on the body. By encouraging relaxation, yoga helps to lower the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Related benefits include lowering blood pressure and heart rate, improving digestion and boosting the immune system as well as easing symptoms of conditions such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, asthma and insomnia.

2. Pain Relief– Yoga can ease pain. Studies have demonstrated that practicing yoga asanas (postures), meditation or a combination of the two, reduced pain for people with conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, auto-immune diseases and hypertension as well as arthritis, back and neck pain, and other chronic conditions. Some practitioners report that even emotional pain can be eased through the practice of yoga.

3. Better Breathing – Yoga teaches people to take slower, deeper breaths. This helps to improve lung function, trigger the body’s relaxation response and increase the amount of oxygen available to the body.

4. Flexibility – Yoga helps to improve flexibility and mobility, increasing range of movement and reducing aches and pains. Many people can’t touch their toes during their first yoga class. Gradually they begin to use the correct muscles. Over time, the ligaments, tendons and muscles lengthen, increasing elasticity, making more poses possible. Yoga also helps to improve body alignment resulting in better posture and helping to relieve back, neck, joint and muscle problems.

5. Increased Strength– Yoga asanas (postures) use every muscle in the body, helping to increase strength literally from head to toe. And, while these postures strengthen the body, they also provide an additional benefit of helping to relieve muscular tension.

6. Weight Management– Yoga (even less vigorous styles) can aid weight control efforts by reducing the cortisol levels as well as by burning excess calories and reducing stress. Yoga also encourages healthy eating habits and provides a heightened sense of well being and self esteem.

7. Improved Circulation – Yoga helps to improve circulation and, as a result of various poses, more efficiently moves oxygenated blood to the body’s cells.

8. Cardiovascular Conditioning – Even gentle yoga practice can provide cardiovascular benefits by lowering resting heart rate, increasing endurance and improving oxygen uptake during exercise.

9. Focus on the Present – Yoga helps us to focus on the present, to become more aware and to help create mind body health. It opens the way to improved concentration, coordination, reaction time and memory.

10. Inner Peace – The meditative aspects of yoga help many to reach a deeper, more spiritual and more satisfying place in their lives. Many who begin to practice for other reasons have reported this to be a key reason that yoga has become an essential part of their daily lives.

So many people asked what was going on in my head when was offered and took the Bikram Yoga 60 Day Challenge. I was honest with them when I said NOTHING! I had not worked out in over a year between running the two magazines, the Media Company and taking care of my 17 paraplegic pup my brain was on overload. With the hiring of a sales person and losing the pup around 3 months ago (most sever heartbreak I've ever dealth with to date) I decided it was time to take care of me again. Enter Bikram. Thanks to a friend and Marketing guru Gabe CanalesI heard Bikram Choudhury was going to be in town giving a lecture at Rice University. I went, met Bikram himself, listened intently and was intrigued. To round out the story I met with the owner of the local Bikram studios, Mike Winters. Mike and I really bonded over the history of being runners but more over it was his peace, strength and knowledge that inspired me to take the 60 day challenge. I agreed to write a weekly story about my journey. My journey is already so much more than I ever anticipated it to be. Of course, the first day was awful and amazing all at the same time. I had to get used to the atmosphere of the room...105 Degrees and 40% humidity...before I could really participate much in the class. What's great is the teachers (all of whom take a good year in school and practice before being able to teach) are encouraging even if you have to rest, and thank GOD you can rest any time you need to. That first day while I was lying there on my back begging to gain oxygen while everyone else was balancing on one toe the first thought finally ran though my head about this whole deal, "What in the heck have I gotten myself into?" During the second half hour while i was lying there on my back begging to just get through the next half hour a second thought came in to my meek little brain..what was left of it at that point..."I just might die in here, I wonder if they know how to turn on my phone and to call my Mommy." During the 3rd half hour...thank God we are all on the floor for the floor series so I am not as noticeable the last thought pops into my skull, "Oh wait, they don't have to turn my phone on because I actually put Mom down as my next of kin."

The best news here is that I did not in fact die physically however I did very much so in character. Yes Bikram is a physical challenge. My body is working very hard everyday to get through the classes and to perform the postures to the best of my ability. But it's the mental and emotional challenge that is the most inspiring and that keeps me coming back to my challenge every day. The mental strength it takes to go into that hot room for 90 minutes everyday and challenge your body is beautiful. I am proud of myself everyday. My self awareness is growing, my self confidence is increasing, and I'm gaining more and more physical strength everyday.

When I sat with Mike after my first week we bonded again over my experience and how my first week was so similar to his so many years ago. I wish there were words to describe how much this Bikram Hot Yoga thing is changing every aspect of my life but honestly there just aren't any. It's an experience you MUST have on your own and I challenge you, no matter what shape you are in, to give yourself this gift. It will absolutely change your life!

CLICK HERE to start your challenge!

Next update will be in 7 days!

See you then!