Welcome!
The word Yoga comes from Sanskrit, the scriptural language of ancient India. Yoga means "to yoke", "to unite". Yoga is a phisical, mental and spiritual practice or discipline. It is a connection between your body, mind and soul. It's objective is to help the practitioner in using the breath and the body to create awareness of ourselves as individual beings intimately connected to the unified whole of creation. It is about making balance and creating calmness so as to live in peace, good health and harmony with the greater whole. This art of right living and the foundation of yoga philosophy was written down in "The Yoga Sutra" of Patanjali. This text describes the inner working of the mind and provides an eight-step plan for controlling its restlessness so as to enjoying lasting peace. In brief the eight limbs, or steps to yoga, are:
1. Yama: Universal morality
2. Niyama: Personal observances
3. Asanas: Body postures
4. Pranayama: Breathing exercises, and control of pana (energy or force)
5. Pratyahara: Control of the senses
6. Dharana: Concentration and cultivating inner perceptual awareness
7. Dhyana: Devotion, meditation on the Divine
8. Smadhi: Union with the Divine
Yoga with "Zen Lotus Studio Yoga and Art" is not just a work-out. It is a work-in. Every movement is a meditation on one self observing your body, in and out. It is rooted in classical hatha yoga, where focus is on complete well being of body mind and consciousness. You will leave the class as a much more serene and contented person. Our yoga classes vary between 30 minutes to 75 minutes, and includes pranayama (proper breathing) and meditation.
Art is a way of expressing your inner self, emotions, ideas or a way to see the world. Art- making can give you the feeling of being completely present, awake, and alive. While a regular art class primary (if not only) interests is the end product, our mindful and meditative art classes also place the inner state of the artist as the main focus. The process of creating is also given importance, and the creator is both an artist and a witness, attentively observing the process as it takes place. The goal is to access your playful intuition, allowing your wise inner self to emerge. Our art classes vary from an hour to 2 hours, and can be combine with the yoga classes to bring you a more peaceful and calmness to your day.
Namaste!