Bodywork Availability (or lack thereof)

My availability for bodywork is very limited. I'm not taking on new clients.  Gift certificates/appointments are not possible.  Canceled appointment times will not be filled.  At this time there are no time slots open until the end of April.  If you wish to have regular sessions I can recommend other therapists.  

Massage is wonderful and good for your health.  As result of its success there are more schools than ever before.  The newer massage therapists could use the business as many of them graduated into a down economy.  Give them a chance!   

Next Yoga in the Park - Monday March 26th - 9am

If there is particular theme or approach you are interested in please let me know.  We will probably continue our exploration of concentration with candle meditation and discuss Dharana in addition to asana of course.

Bring a bed sheet if you don't like the sand, yoga mat and any other yoga props you think you'll want and need.  Wear appropriate clothing for the weather.  Sunscreen too!  Class is usually 75 minutes in length, although we often go to 90 minutes.  There is no fee.  "Love offerings" are accepted.

Remember, if you would like to practice (asana, concentration &/or meditation) together in the park simply connect with your fellow students to select a mutually suitable day & time.  You don't need me! 

Happy Practicing! 

Lesa Leiden, the Life Cairns Blog & Neuro Waves

Lesa Leiden
Neurowaves
757-356-5489

http://lifecairns.blogspot.com/

Visual Sketch of "The Path"

I stumbled on this sketch I made years ago and snapped a picture of it.

Yoga provides tools for cultivating the part of us that serves as the witness.  This consciousness self, at least the more conscious self, helps us find more, at least a little more, balance.  We may "lose it" a bit (or more if life circumstances are difficult) but the practice serves to bring us back to firmer footing in awareness.


Remember... it is about PRACTICE... NOT PERFECTION

Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) Poem

I wish I could give credit to the author of this poem.  Years ago I copied it from a book.  Why do I think it came from an edition of Our Bodies Ourselves?  Hhhmm... if anyone has the book please check the glossary for "yoga" and let me know if it's in there!  The photo you see is of a poster I created.

With hands in prayer I face the sun
Feeling love and joy in my heart.

I reach out and let the sun fill me with warmth.

I bow before the sun's radiance
And place my face to the ground in humble respect.

I lift my face to the sun and then remember,

To achieve such heights,
I must be as the dust of the earth.

I stretch up towards its light,
Trying to reach the greatest heights.

And again surrender.

I stand tall as I remember,
the true sun is within me.

Top 10 Yoga Book Recommendations

It's not necessarily easy to narrow the list down to 10 but below is what I put together. 

2 focusing on the physical postures with some coverage of breathing & 1 exclusively on breathing:
Yoga the Iyengar Way by Silva, Mira & Shyam Mehta  
Teach Yourself Visually - Yoga
The Breathing Book by Donna Fahri

For a more "poetic" approach:
Awakening the Spine by Vanda Scaravelli
Breath, The Essence of Yoga by Sandra Sabatini
Anything by Angela Farmer or her husband Victor Van Kooten (may be more difficult to find in libraries or book stores)

More philosophical:
Bhagavad Gita - there are many translations.  Graham Schweig from Christopher Newport University wrote a beautiful translation. 
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle - although not exactly yogic philosophy but his approach and wording capture the essence of yoga
Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
Yoga Sutras by Patanjali (probably available to read online)