Special announcement

Dear Yoga Friends,

I’m thrilled to announce One Center Yoga’s expansion to bring Lighten Up Yoga Center into our midst. Lillah Schwartz of Lighten Up and I have considered the studios to be sister studios for a long time. Now we’re moving in together!

Yes. That’s right. One Center Yoga and Lighten Up Yoga Center join together to become one. Sounds like yoga, doesn’t it?

First, the physical details. We, as One Center Yoga, will expand our physical space as we build an addition into 3B, the vacant condo next door. Construction begins this week to build out the new yoga studio with bamboo floors and a new ropes wall. We’ll have a new reception area, a small office and a room for private lessons or a massage. We will have interior access between the two spaces so the two areas will become one. Now it sounds like a marriage, doesn’t it?

And it is. The coming together of One Center Yoga and Lighten Up is a marriage and a union of two individual studios - a yoking together of teachers and students in the spirit of yoga. When the build-out is complete, all of Lighten Up will move in; teachers, students and props will move into One Center Yoga. The name “Lighten Up” will no longer exist and will become “One Center Yoga”.

Secondly, mental and emotional details. During construction, you students might hear whines and screeches, bangs and clangs as the construction team builds the walls, lays the floors, and hangs the ceiling. Take a breath. They promise to be quiet during savasana.

Each of us has the opportunity during these next few months to call on our yoga practices to stay steady and serene. Everything changes, all the time. Sometimes the changes are more apparent than others. This is one of those times.

This change, perhaps, began in 1984 when I took my first yoga class with Lillah at her studio on Market Street. Who knew where that would end? We still don’t know. All we know is that Lillah and I are excited about the joining of the two studios to provide one central location for excellent yoga instruction.

As One Center Yoga, we welcome Lighten Up. We open our hearts and minds to this incredible joining together. Just as we put our palms together and say “Namaste” at the end of class, we join them together now, as studios, and say, “The light within me honors the light within you. In the light we are one.”

Namaste,
Cindy

at the studio

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Yoga:
Continuing students bring your Valentine or Friend to any class on Thursday, February 14th for Free!

"Traveling Mercies to Carla Baden" and a warm welcome to Lynn Patton! Read more...

Yoga Weekend with Aadil Palkhivala at One Center Yoga - Early Registration $350 if paid by Feb. 15th! Resiter today at Lighten Up Yoga or call 828-254-7756.

Sale of the Month – blankets and shoulderstand foams - 10% off. 

Blankets are a “must-have” prop for most yogis.  When used as elevation under the pelvis for sitting postures, they allow a slight pelvic tilt and release tension in the low back. They are great for use as a cushion, bolster, or shoulder stand support. Use them for warmth as a cover during savasana or on a cold winter’s night. Ours are hand-loomed, using an acrylic-polyester-cotton blend. They hold their shape and are generously sized measuring 78 x 54 inches.

Shoulder Stand Foam – Made here in Asheville, our shoulder-stand foam provides firm support for your shoulders and neck in shoulder balance with enough "give" to be comfortable. The use of the foam (and blankets) in shoulder balance gives freedom to the neck and chest to maintain the cervical curve. An economical choice, the foam size is 2 in. x 20 in. x 24 in.- approximately the height of two folded blankets. The foam can be used as a support under the pelvis for sitting poses, too. You’ll love the stability of using the foam!

Sale of the Month – blankets and shoulderstand foams - 10% off. 

Cindy Dollar was interviewed for the article "Yoga as a Healing Modality" in The Laurel of Asheville, a fine local magazine - “How you are (during your practice) on the mat is how you are off the mat. Yoga gives a window and insight to who you are in your life,” Cindy enlightens.- You can read the full article in The Laurel of Asheville.

Thank you for participating in our SAHC Fundraiser on January 26th! Read what a participant had to say: "I am fortunate to have experienced a day where two organizations that bring me great joy came together in one place, One Center Yoga.  Thanks to One Center Yoga and Lighten Up Yoga...Read more.

2013 Save the Dates!
May 3-5 - Elise Miller
June 28-30 – Gabriel Halpern
August 2-4, 2013 - Matthew Sanford
November 22-24 – Roger Cole

We look forward to seeing you soon!

NAMASTE

New classes & series
Yoga Basics with Rachel 6 week series February 14 - March 21 Thursdays • 4:00 - 5:15 PM	Slow Yoga with Cindy 6 week series March 5 - April 9 Tuesdays • 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Gentle Yoga & Qigong with Linda Cammarata Wednesdays • 4:00 - 5:15 PM	by Donation classes: Iyengar Yoga, All levels with Cindy Tuesdays • 4:00 - 5:30 PM Stress Less Yoga, All levels with various teachers Thursdays • 5:30 - 6:30 PM
workshops in march
Mindfulness, Meditation & Yoga with Cindy Dollar & Susan Grant March 9 Saturday • 1:00 - 4:00 PM	Sound Healing by donation with Tricia March 16 Saturday • 6:00 - 7:15 PM
Aadil Palkhivala  - Yoga Weekend all skill levels welcomed March 22 - 24 Cost: $375 or Early Registration $350 on or before Feb. 15. to register please visit www.LightenUpYoga.com or call 828.254.7756
other events at the studio
Eating for Energy Learn 10 ways to increase your energy join Laura for a free lecture March 17 Sunday • 2:00 - 3:00 PM	Live More...Weigh Less Learn safe way to drop pounds, no dieting join Laura for a free lecture April 7 Sunday • 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Weekly Satsangs with Bentinho Saturdays • 2:00 - 4:00 PM www.free-awareness.com	InterPlay of Asheville Meets Monthly 1st & 3rd Wed. 7:30 -9:00 PM and 2nd Friday from 7:30 -9:00 PM www.interplayasheville.org

yoga talk

Traveling Mercies to Carla Baden

by Cindy Dollar

Carla Baden bid farewell to Asheville last week as she headed across the US on a Yoga Safari. An accomplished yoga teacher, student, and friend at One Center Yoga, she recently sold her business, Santé Wine Bar, and headed out for the West Coast. (Not to worry, Santé fans, Santé continues to serve patrons under new ownership.)

After Carla taught her last official Women Over Fifty Class on Friday, February 1st, some of the students at OCY gave her a Yoga Safari Party. You can see the generous gift draped around her shoulders. What a great way to start out!

We already miss Carla’s laughter and her presence at the studio. Simultaneously, we enthusiastically welcome Lynn Patton who takes over Carla’s class on Thursdays at 9:30 AM. Lynn comes to us from San Diego, where Carla is headed. We’re excited to have Lynn join us after years of study with senior Iyengar teachers in California. Lynn will complete her own Iyengar certification later this year.

We wish Carla all the best as she “yogas” her way across the country with stops at yoga centers in Nashville, New Orleans, Santé Fe, and no telling where else! Carla does promise to return to Asheville to teach a workshop based on her Yoga Safari. We’ll keep you in the loop.

May she have a joyful and enjoyable trip!

Fundraiser for SAHC on Jan 26

by Nancy Edgerton

I am fortunate to have experienced a day where two organizations that bring me great joy came together in one place, One Center Yoga.  Thanks to One Center Yoga and Lighten Up Yoga for hosting a day of yoga by donation.  Thanks also to all the teachers who donated their time and talent to teach a total of eight classes, two teachers in each class, at both studios.  Half of the donations went to benefit land conservation in our WNC mountains through our local land trust Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC).  SAHC is based in Asheville, with a mission to protect land from the Highlands of Roan to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and I’m lucky to serve on their Board of Trustees. 

I was also lucky to be able to take all four of the day’s classes at One Center.  The practice that day varied from a familiar Iyengar class, to an Anusara based class, to Qigong and gentle yoga, and an alignment based flow class.  With two teachers in each class, there were a lot of hands-on adjustments and a lot of individual attention.  It was a total treat to experience so many different styles of yoga and movement and teaching.

The studio was full all day, and I had the opportunity to speak to the classes about the work of SAHC.  The mission of SAHC is to conserve the unique plant and animal habitat, clean water, farmland, and scenic beauty of the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee for the benefit of present and future generations.  Since 1974, they have protected over 60,000 acres through land purchases and conservation easements. SAHC works hard to identify land critical properties, then develop relationships with property owners, and move swiftly to purchase properties when they become available, before they are sold to developers.  Many of the properties are in turn sold to the state and national parks and forest systems, but SAHC can move more nimbly than our governmental bodies can.

Thanks also to everyone who also practiced yoga that day, and who made contributions to SAHC.  You can find more information at www.appalachian.org.  Sign up on the SAHC email list and maybe you can join us for a hike on a protected property or for a day of yoga on the mountains.

pose of the Month

This month's pose was previously featured here. We decided to re-post it as a reminder to include it in your home practice to keep your spine flexible and your breath flowing.

"Bharadvajasana I"

by Laura Stone

This twist, named for a great warrior in Indian history, is a wonderful way to awaken the lower spine and to become aware of the movement of the breath.

As in most seated poses, start from Dandasana with a blanket nearby. Swing both feet over to the right side of the pelvis so that the bottom foot (the left one in this case) cradles the top ankle in its arch. The bottom toes will point away from the body while the top toes point behind, as in Virasana.

Notice that the hips tend to pivot and drop toward the left. To help balance the pelvis, bring up a folded blanket and place it just under the left buttock bone. This lift leaves the right hip floating a bit. Allow gravity to help descend the right hip so that the sides of the waist remain equally long.

On an inhalation, lift the spine from deep in the pelvis (not from the neck!) and as you exhale, turn away from the feet (toward the left) so that the right hand goes outside the left thigh and the left hand goes on the floor behind you. Remember to stay aware of the right hip and to keep it grounded so that the twist happens around the spine, not just from the movement of the pelvis. Pause here and breathe. Every inhalation lifts the spine and every exhalation softens the belly so that the turn comes more easily around the ribs. Use the breath in this manner with all twists so that the tension can release from the face and neck while the internal organs receive a gentle squeeze! Hold for around 10 breaths and then come back to Dandasana to be ready for the second side.

This time, swing your feet to the left, put the blanket under the right buttock bone, and as you descend the left hip, turn your chest and torso towards the right. After 10 breaths or so, breathing as you did on the first side, return to Dandasana.  Take a moment to notice the results of the pose as you breathe easily and fully.

I love practicing twists because they help to cleanse the organs and open the little muscles around the spine.  They allow me to become more focused on the natural movements of the breath: expansion and release. Even if it is hard for you to sit on the floor, you can practice twists in a chair...go ahead and try it right now!!

Laura Stone

Laura has practiced yoga for 25 years, after having watched her mom practice while listening to a record player. She has practiced many types of yoga, but was drawn to Iyengar Yoga classes when she moved to Asheville in 2001. Yoga has nurtured her during many stages of her life, from adolescence through three pregnancies and beyond! Laura has taught since 2004, when she was certified in Alignment-based Yoga

Laura has a masters degree in counseling and loves biking, hiking, supporting the arts, and keeping up with a family. Regarding her yoga classes, she says, “I hope to educate the body, awaken a playful spirit, and quiet the mind.”

yoga kitchen

Gingerbread Hearts

Ingredients:

1/4 cup raw almonds
1/2 TBS raw coconut oil
2 dates
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp of grated ginger or more to taste
1/2 tsp clove powder
Pinch of salt
2 tsp honey

1. Using a food processor blend the almonds until a flour-like consistency
2. Add the oil and dates (without seed) and blend again.
3. Add spices and salt and blend until all flavors are well distributed.
   
4. Add honey, and blend again until you reach a dough consistency.
5. Spread evenly on parchment paper and use a heart cookie cutter.
6. Add lots of love and share!

Enjoy!

Laura Alonso is a yoga instructor and Holistic Health Coach. Visit her website for more healthy recipes and sign-up for her newsletter www.HealtyEmergence.com
Recipe adapted from "Raw Food: A complete Guide for Every Meal of the Day.