Share on Facebook Share on Twitter More Share Options
February 2015
Purna Yoga Weekend with Rutu Chaudhari 
Create Stability & Freedom
Cultivate Power & Joy
 
March 13-15, 2015

 
Friday, Carpal Tunnel Workshop    
5:30 - 8:30 pm
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome blocks more than just our wrists and hands. Learn to free the channel to the heart with a simple series to alleviate tension on the path from the wrist to the shoulders, upper back, and neck. 
 
Saturday, Socket-to-Me Workshop 
9 am - 12 pm    Hips
2 - 5 pm            Shoulders
Delve into the intricacies of the hips and shoulders so you can work these joints in asana safely, without injury.
 
Sunday, Power & Joy Workshop 
12 - 3 pm              
Twisting and backhanding can be powerful tools to detoxify the body and bring joy into the heart. Learn how to practice them safely to receive the maximum benefit. 
 
Rutu Chaudhuri, a Certified Purna Yoga instructor, is a lively and encouraging teacher, with more than 2,000 hours of direct study with Aadil Palkhivala. Aadil and his wife Savitri are the founders of Purna Yoga, an integral system of alignment-based asana, including pranayama, applied philosophy, meditation, and nutrition. 
 
"Rutu is an inspiring and knowledgable Purna Yoga teacher. I always enjoy her classes, and feel I take my own practice up a level, much as I do when I study with Aadil. This is a great opportunity for students to enhance their yoga practice."
---Letitia Walker
 
Cost: $195 early-bird discount, if purchased by February 28. Thereafter, $225 for entire workshop;  
$75 for each session.
 
 
Click here to register.
New Classes & Series
Iyengar Slow & Mindful Yoga with Cindy Dollar

February 3 - March 10, 2015
Tuesdays, 6 - 7 pm

Join Cindy for her popular 6-week series, geared to students new to Iyengar yoga and those interested in the benefits of this time-honored, wellness-based approach. Perfect for students of all levels.
 
Learn the basic poses in a sequence designed to be safe and accessible.
Practice at a pace that allows the mind to focus and become clear and calm.
Explore ways to modify poses to suit your body and ability.
 
Although this is a 6-week series, ongoing students are welcome to drop-in at our standard $16 per class price or use their class series. 
 
 
 ******************************
 
Begin Yoga Now! with Lindsay Major
 
February 26 - April 2, 2015
Thursdays, 5:30 - 7 pm

Have you always wanted to try yoga but weren’t sure where or how to start, or felt uncomfortable joining a group that has been practicing together for a while?

That’s why we are offering Begin Yoga Now, a 6-week introductory yoga series--just for beginners. 
 
 
Cost: Each of these series costs $60 for 6 continuous weeks (price applies ONLY to students new to One Center Yoga).
 
 
******************************
 
Give Your Nervous System a Vacation!
Restorative Yoga with Carol More
 
March 5 - April 23, 2015
Thursdays, 5:30 - 7 pm
 
In response to student interest, we are adding a restorative yoga class to the studio, taught by Carol More, who is new to One Center. This is a gentle and quiet practice that counteracts the daily assault of our instinctive “fight or flight” response, allowing us to feel truly relaxed and refreshed--body, mind, and spirit. It complements all forms of activity, including other yoga classes. Under Carol's experienced guidance, you will enjoy 90-minutes of carefully sequenced poses, supported by blankets and bolsters. Each pose is held for one to 20 minutes so you can release deeply. Classes also include relaxation breathing techniques and guided meditation.
 
Come learn how restorative yoga:
  • balances the nervous system
  • calms the mind
  • provides relaxation for large muscles, relieving pain and discomfort
  • aids in the body’s natural healing response by reducing inflammation
  • can decrease the production of cortisol in the body, which is linked to weight gain
  • improves insomnia
You will leave class with a peaceful, sustainable energy. All levels are welcome.  
 
We are offering the class for 8 consecutive weeks. If interest is strong, the class will become a regular feature of our studio, so come on out and give it a try!
 
Click here to register.
Special Two-Hour Class

Give Yourself a Valentine's Day Gift!
Taking Care of Your Neck, Shoulders & Wrists
 
Saturday, February 14, 2015 with Nicole Kintz
4 - 6 pm
 
Most of us tend to overwork our neck, shoulders, and wrists, and to store tension there. In this 2-hour workshop, you’ll learn:
  • A simple yoga routine to release and realign the muscles that act on the shoulders and the neck
  • How to relieve tension and ease nerve compression of the neck vertebrae
  • Use yoga poses to correct shoulder alignment to protect and strengthen your wrists
Some yoga poses, such as Downward Facing Dog, can challenge the neck, shoulder, and wrists. However, when you practice them with new awareness and easy modifications, they can be beneficial to these parts of the body.
 
This class is especially useful for people with injuries, or chronic neck, shoulder, and wrist pain. All levels are welcome.
 
Click here to register.
Pose of the Month: Purvottanasana
(East Intense Stretch or Upward Plank)
Presented by Lindsay Major
 
This used to be my nemesis pose. Long hours at the computer led to a collapsed chest, stiff neck, and tight shoulders. Not to mention the tendency to shrug the shoulders in cold weather in an effort to stay warm! Truth be told, Purvottanasana is now one of my favorite poses and coincidentally (I think not!), I no longer have pain in the neck. When practiced carefully, and with modifications as necessary, this pose strengthens the wrists and arms and opens the shoulders. It also is tremendously helpful in counterbalancing a forward gait by opening the chest. In addition, the pose can restore function to our often mistreated thumbs by distributing the weight evenly on the inner palm and outer palm.

 
Dedicated yoga student and dear friend Jim Cahill was kind enough to demonstrate the pose and two variations.
  1. Begin in Dandasana (staff pose). Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor, hips’ width apart.
  2. Place your hands, fingers forward, about 6 inches behind your hips. If you feel pinching or discomfort in your wrists, turn your fingers out a few degrees. 
  3. Spread your fingers wide, press your palms evenly down on the floor, and lift your breastbone.
  4. Press your feet down onto the floor as you lift your hips up.
  5. Keep pressing your palms down evenly, especially the base of your pointer finger and thumb. Lift your chest.
  6. Wrap your outer arms back, your inner arms forward, and your armpits up.
  7. Broaden your collarbones.
  8. Move your tailbone towards your heels, and draw your navel in and up.
  9. Breathe!
  10. When your chest is reaches the apex of your body, slightly tuck your chin to allow your head to drop back.
  11. Lastly, walk your feet forward so your legs are straight as a plank. With your toes pointed, press your feet down into the floor.
  12. Keep lifting your hips and chest as you press your palms down onto the floor.
  13. Carefully go in and out of the pose several times before attempting to hold it; then hold the pose for 3 to 5 breaths.
 
                
Jim uses a chair to keep his chest lifted, places a block between his knees, and holds his head in a neutral position.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Jim places his hands on two blocks, keeps his knees well bent, and allows his head to drop back so there is no compression in his neck.
Love
 
When February comes around every year, so does Valentine’s Day. Honestly, I’ve never been a big fan of the day. One reason is that I’m not a girly girl, and Valentine’s Day reminds me of curly bows, white lace, and fluff. Secondly, the hype surrounding that day focuses on lovey-dovey couples with hearts floating above their heads. Thirdly, I’ve always felt a bit stressed about what to give, to whom to give, how to give, and by the imagined pressure to show my love.
 
If you’re not part of a couple, perhaps you feel excluded, neglected, sad, or angry on February 14. If you are part of a couple, perhaps you feel included, loved, happy, or uncertain. In either case, emotion plays into the Single or Couple mentality. There’s a duality for you!
 
So this year, I’m giving to myself.
 
On past Valentine’s Days, I used love as a verb—as a way to look outward to find love and maybe receive love in return. I love yoga. I love my family (except when I’m upset with them). I love my dog. Love as a verb requires an object, right? I love someone, which is based on the false belief that I am separate from that person.
 
However, if I consider love a state of being, that’s different. Instead of feeling separate from others, I feel our connection. Instead of looking outward for someone or something to love, I recognize love in me and around me and I recognize love in others and around them. I am being love, not being in love.
 
Some writers and philosophers speak of self-love. They propose that we need to love ourselves in order to love others. That notion can push some buttons! Loving myself, putting myself first can bring up thoughts or feelings in which I label myself as greedy, conceited, or selfish. Culturally, many of us have been taught that putting ourselves first isn’t nice and that we should put others first.
 
My own experience (which is very much a moment-to-moment practice!) is that when we surround ourselves in love, then no one comes first and no one is excluded. We don’t have to choose Me or Thee. Love is our true nature, our essential being, and even our birthright. We don’t have to do anything to earn love. We simply need to release into the state of oneness of being love. We could consider love as air. Physically, air surrounds us, enters us, and inhabits us. Love is like that.
 
Is that too woo-woo, too hippy-dippy? Check inside. Inquire within. When you are in love, doesn’t life seem happier? If you are driving in your car with your beloved and you get stopped in traffic, doesn’t that simply give you more time to be together? If you get stopped in traffic when you are alone, aren’t you with your beloved? If you get stopped in traffic with your…well, someone you don’t like…then what? The event is the same, the experience is within.
 
I believe John Lennon was right. All You Need Is Love. For me, when I allow myself (without the internal praise, shame, blame, or guilt) to be in that place of Being Love, then even the curly bows, white lace, and floating hearts are included, and I love them, too.
 
May you be safe. May you be happy. May you be love.
 
Say the above phrases to yourself and substitute the word for “I” for “You.” See what happens.

May I be safe. May I be happy. May I be love.
 
May all beings be safe, happy, and love.
 
In love,
 
Cindy
In This Issue
Purna Yoga Weekend with Rutu Chaudhari 
New Classes & Series
Special Two-Hour Class
Pose of the Month: Purvottanasana(East Intense Stretch or Upward Plank)
Love
New Website to Launch Soon!!
Fabulous New Teachers! 
March Book Club
Transformation Yoga Therapy 
Upcoming Spring Workshops 
Other Happenings
Monday Night Meditation
New Website to Launch Soon!!
As you may have noticed, our old website is on permanent vacation while we get ready for the arrival of our fabulous new one. We’re very excited about its attractive design, additional features, and ease of use. 
 
In the meantime, visit www.onecenteryoga.com for our current schedule. You will be able to read the descriptions of the classes and the teacher bios on that page.
 
For details about new classes and series, read and save this newsletter. Feel free to call us at 828-225-1904 or email us at info@onecenteryoga.com with any questions. 
Fabulous New Teachers! 
Please welcome our three new One Center Yoga teachers, Kris Moon, Gabe Pickard-Karnowski, and Carol More.
 
Join Kris Tuesdays for an Alignment Level I /II class, from 5:30 - 7 pm. 
 
Kris Moon offers a comprehensive yet simple practice, rooted in alignment, breath, and mindfulness. She believes the benefits of yoga and meditation are available to all, and encourages her students to build a consistent practice in order to integrate these benefits into daily life. In a kind, patient, personable, and skilled manner, Kris invites students to discover this for themselves.
 
******************** 
 
One Center Yoga now has three certified Iyengar teachers--Cindy Dollar, Lynn Patton, and Gabe Pickard-Karnowski. Check out Gabe's Iyengar Yoga Level I class on Wednesdays, from 
3:45 - 5:15 pm
 
Gabe Pickard-KarnowskI draws on her training both as a physical therapy assistant and a professionally trained dancer. As a dancer, she was often injured, and endured chronic knee, back, and neck pain. She began to take hatha yoga, but did not get any relief from the pain. When she started taking classes in Iyengar Yoga, her physical conditions improved, as did her mental and emotional state. Gabe holds an Iyengar certification at the Introductory I and II Level, and is working towards the Intermediate Junior I certification level. 

 
******************** 
 
Carol is teaching our new Restorative Yoga class, which runs from March 5 through April 23, Thursdays, 5:30 - 7 pm.
 
Carol More has been teaching OM yoga vinyasa, yin, and restorative yoga classes for seven years and practicing for 13 years. Carol graduated from OM yoga’s 200-hour teacher training in 2008 and will complete her 500-hour training through Asheville Yoga Center’s Advanced Studies program in 2015. She is registered through Yoga Alliance’s Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher certification. She is known for her intuitive, sometimes humorous, compassionate, and personalized teaching style.
 
A cancer survivor, Carol has used OM yoga’s approach, which combines alignment and surrender, to restore health and ease. Her goal is to welcome everyone to the mat to rediscover wellness through a gentle practice.
 
 
March Book Club
We are not going to meet in February. Our next gathering will be Sunday, March 1, 5:45 to 7 pm, when we will discuss The Places That Scare You, A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times by Pema Chodron.

Pema, like Cheri Huber, is a studio favorite. We appreciate how accessible her writing is--and how wise--with a generous dose of humor and humility.
 
In this book, Pema explores how we often let circumstances harden us and make us resentful and afraid. But we can chose to let life's experiences soften us and make us kinder. She offers us tools to deal with the problems and difficulties that life throws our way. According to Pema, this wisdom is always available to us, but we usually block it with habitual patterns rooted in fear. However, beyond that fear lies a state of openheartedness and tenderness. This book teaches us how to awaken our basic goodness and connect with others, to accept ourselves and others--imperfections and all! This is possible when we stay in the present moment.
 
Copies are available for purchase at One Center.
Transformation Yoga Therapy 
Begin your journey to mastery.
 
Sign up now for 200-hour and 300/500-hour teacher training certification courses with Lillah Schwartz--and a little help from her friends!
 
Trainings begin February 21, 2015, and are held at One Center Yoga.
 


 
For three decades, Lillah has trained hundreds of people like you to connect with their hearts and their potential. Now it is your turn. Join Lillah and other talented teachers--Ryan Conrad, Letitia Walker, and Mili Perez--to learn to integrate alignment principles, physiology, bio-mechanics, and intermediate sequencing. Whether you intend to teach or simply wish to deepen your understanding and strengthen your personal practice, these trainings will transform your life.
 
For more information, visit http://yogawithlillah.com/teacher-training/
Upcoming Spring Workshops 

2015 Spring Workshops! 
 
April 3-5, 2015 - Gabriel Halpern
May 1-3, 2015 - Elise Miller
Other Happenings
Living the Innermost Heart
with Jeannie Zandi
 
March 25, 2015, from 8:00 - 9:30 pm

 
Join Jeannie and friends for an exploration into the potent depth of what’s often overlooked in the moment: being. Jeannie’s gift for inviting people to join her in resting and rooted presence evokes a deep meeting with oneself and reality. Join her for silent and guided meditation, plus a lively conversation about the richness of life and the spiritual quest. 
 
The evening will be followed by a four day retreat at a private home.
 
Jeannie is the director of Living as Love, a nonprofit organization dedicated to seeding a culture of the Heart on the planet, inspiring, teaching and supporting people to live from their essence as Love.  
 
Cost: $15-$20 suggested  
 
For more information, email Moe at moebruce@mac.com or call 828.712.7370, or link to the website at:
 
http://www.jeanniezandi.com/resources/
20150324+Asheville+Evening.jpg
Monday Night Meditation

Do you want more
CONNECTION, 
AWARENESS, LOVE?

 
Join us every Monday from 8:00-10:00 pm EST at One Center Yoga.
 
Experience a powerful, heartfelt contemporary meditation that is relevant for today’s demanding lifestyle. Various forms of music are used to deeply touch your soul and further your journey within. Geared for all levels of meditators, from beginners to the very experienced. Dress comfortably and bring pen and paper. 
 
Suggested donation: $10 (first-time guests attend free) Please arrive 15 minutes before start time.
 
Please register online or drop in.
https://mondaymoderndaymeditation.eventbrite.com
 
For further information visit our website:
www.moderndaymeditation.net
email:  info@moderndaymeditation.net 
 
Come awaken your spirit, your passion,
and your heart!
 
One Center Yoga  •  120 Coxe Avenue, Suite 3B  •  Asheville, NC 28801
http://www.OneCenterYoga.com/
Subscribe    Unsubscribe    Preferences    Send to a Friend    Report Spam
Powered by MyNewsletterBuilder