Yoga and the Seasons

As temperatures continue to rise, we can gain from ayuveda’s teachings on how to adjust to the summer season. Ayurveda is translated as “the science of life.” Its overarching principle is that Like Increases Like. Therefore, if something is out of balance, Do the Opposite to restore balance.

Summer is the season in which we are vulnerable to Pitta Dosha imbalance. Represented by the Fire element, Pitta is easily aggravated by hot summer temperatures. In addition to heat, other potential contributors to Pitta imbalance are spicy foods, loud music, heated debates, brisk movement. Symptoms of aggravated Pitta may include heat rash, heartburn, irritability.

During this time of potential Pitta imbalance, to restore balance, we can benefit from yoga and lifestyle practices that Do the Opposite by introducing cooling, calming elements into our environment, diet, and yoga practice. The following are examples:
-slower movement, easier pace
-lots of forward folds
-supported and restorative postures; yin
-avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight
-softer music or pleasant nature sounds
-massage or self-massage with cooling oil, like coconut
-cooler showers and baths; cool compress
-cooling pranayama (nadi shodana; sitali)
-fresh, raw fruits and vegetables

Check out a seasonally appropriate workshop at Gotta University later this month: July 17, Sunday, 4-6pm. Prepare to Chill Out!

Ashtanga Yoga Cheat Sheets

These are some great tools to use when preparing for the upcoming Ashtanga Yoga Workshop. They are cheat sheets that allow you to study and memorize primary series. We will be moving through this series over  6 weeks. You can print them out and bring them with you as well.

Ashtangyoga.info

Make sure to hit en(english) on the left side.

http://www.ashtangayoga.info/download/

See you at the workshop!!!

Ashtanga Crash Course Workshop Details

http://www.gottayogastudio.com/workshops_ashtanga.htm

Pattabhi Jois Teaching Ashtanga: Photo Courtesy of FitSugar.com

Hey!! We are back…

Hey friends!!  New website is fantastic but did lose our ability to blog.  So this will be our new site and hopefully you yogis will be able to see/hear/read all the things our Gotta Yoga family has to say…

Our last Blog page began with just a few of us talking about happenings at Gotta Yoga and ended with Shanna Small’s many ruminations.  Hopefully with this new Blog…we will be able to keep all of Shanna’s amazing information as well as add on many of our other instructor’s thoughts and feelings.  Hoping also to update with pictures/happenings and bios/testimonies of some of the incredible folks that walk thru our doors.

So with love I must go…wading my way always thru the new techno world … u must bear with me.  Imagine u will see Shanna soon with all her rockin words of wisdom…Peace out friends. k