FAQS:
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What is the difference between Heart of Gold Yoga & Arts & Metamorpho-Kids Yoga & Arts?
Heart of Gold Yoga & Arts is a therapeutic yoga program in the works for adults. It combines the healing effects of Kundalini Yoga, creative writing exercises, and art. I especially hope to target program offerings toward adolescent girls and women. As far as the name, like the lyrics to the Neil Young song, I think we all can relate to searching for a "heart of gold" - for something more this life. Yoga helps to facilitate that journey within. Heart of Gold is also the name of my favorite Kundalini yoga kriya (sequence), so it just felt like the right fit!
I chose to have two separate entitites for kids and adult yoga simply because kids and adult yoga are very different from one another. With adult classes, I strive to create an inviting, healing atmosphere - a safe haven to retreat to from daily stressors. It is my goal to help you tap into your innate inner peace.
Kids yoga on the other hand, is very interactive and energetic. Childhood in and of itself is all about growing and evolving, much like metamorphosis, hence the name Metamorpho-Kids! Children are constantly transitioning from one phase of life into the next both physically and emotionally/mentally, so I wanted to capture that essence.
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What Are the Benefits of Yoga?
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Improves flexibility, strength, & muscle tone
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Improves digestion
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Lowers blood pressure
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Body detoxification
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Chronic pain/inflammaiton relief
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Better sleep
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Decreases levels of anxiety, stress, and depression
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Increases immunity (great for autoimmune issues)
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Improves brain function
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Improves respiration, energy and vitality
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Helps balance metabolism/thyroid
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Weight reduction
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Maintains cardio and circulatory health
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Improves athletic performance
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Protects from injury
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Alters gene expression
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READ MORE HERE!
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Does Yoga Conflict with Christianity?
Having grown up in a conservative Midwestern town which has a large Amish and Mennonite community, I have come to find that despite having become mainstream, there is still some stigma surrounding yoga and its origin. Contrary to popular belief, yoga is not a religion. Simply put, yoga means "yoke" or "union," as in uniting your mind, your body and your breath. Jesus said "The Kingdom of God is within you," and seeing as yoga teaches us to "go within," I have found that it has actually strengthened my own spiritual relationship with God immensely - and continues to each day.
Regarding meditation, I believe that "Prayer is when you listen to God; meditation is when you listen." - Diana Robinson. It gives you a chance to get still and listen to the inner-promptings of your spirit. Check out this article for more information.
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Enhances focus & concentration
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Increases flexibility, balance & coordination
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Gives tools for stress management & managing emotions
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Boosts confidence & self-esteem
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Improves performance at school
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Improves sleep, digestion, and circulation
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Helps reduce tension & anxiety
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Effective self-help therapy for ADD/ADHD,Autism, etc.
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Stimulates auditory processing and responsiveness
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Balances energy
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Develops discipline and self-control
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Strengthens immunity
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Promotes creativity & use of imagination
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READ MORE HERE!
What Makes Yoga Different From Other Forms of Exercise?
Why Is There So Much Focus on Breathing in Yoga?
Breath controls the body, mind, and emotions. Have you ever noticed that when you're upset,angry, or frightened you have a tendency to hold your breath or feel as if you're not getting enough oxygen? Most of the time we are not conscious of our breathing; yoga helps bring a sense of consciousness to the breath. By paying attention to our inhales and exhales it helps to slow down the mind, and shift the body into rest & digest mode. It helps you to be in the present moment instead of worrying about what to make for dinner or if you remembered to put the clothes in the dryer.
We typically use a type of breath called "ujayii" in most yoga classes, which consists of slightly constricting the back of your throat (much like the same breath you would use to fog up a window). This type of breathing helps heat the body from the inside out. In Vinyasa (flow) yoga especially, we put a lot of emphasis on linking movement with breath. The breath is often referred to as the "anchor" in yoga as it helps us to remain in the present moment. We also use breath to "create space" in the body and assist when holding postures for periods of time. Different yogic breathing techniques are used to help energize us as in Kundalini yoga, or to calm us down. Read more here.
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The main difference between yoga and other forms of exercise is that while regular exercise is meant to tone and strengthen the body, yoga takes a more holistic approach. Does it lift your buns? Absolutely! However, the effects go much deeper than a tighter core.
I highly recommend checking out this "The Science of Yoga" article for a more in-depth overview, but in a nutshell, yoga is unique because it helps switch our bodies from functioning with the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) to the parasympathetic nervous system (rest & digest).
It helps decrease the body's stress response by reducing cortisol (you know, the culprit for belly fat!) On the same token, it increases the "good guys" like GABA, serotonin, and dopamine, which lead to feelings of relaxation. Because yoga triggers our body to switch over to "rest and digest" mode, blood is redirected toward endocrine glands, digestive organs, and lymphatic circulation, while the heart rate and blood pressure are lowered. This calming effect on the body and mind, and leaves you feeling "blissed out" as I like to call it! It is also gentle on the body and easily modified for existing medical conditions/injuries, etc., making it more accessible than many other forms of exercise.