Embrace Nature Yoga
Hatha Yoga Classes
Tuesday 9 - 10:30 am Level I Jefferson County Arts Cooperative
Tuesday 11:30 – 12:15 pm Stress Relief Jefferson County Arts Cooperative
Thursday 10 – 11:30 am Mixed Level Woman’s Club
Saturday 9 – 10:30 am Level II St. Andrew’s Mountain Community Center
Pricing is $12 per class or any 5 classes with no expiration date for $50.
Level I classes are gentle and are suitable for brand-new beginners to yoga as well as experienced yogis who wish to refine their practice.
Level II classes are for those with prior experience or beginners in good physical shape.
Mixed Level classes offer less- and more- challenging options for approaching most poses.
Stress Relief classes are forty-five minute classes designed for physical and mental stress relief.
The Jefferson County Arts Cooperative is located in Charles Town at 237 West Washington Street in a large white building on the corner of West Washington & South Lawrence.
The Woman’s Club is located in Harpers Ferry in a small pink house on Washington Street between Taylor Street and Sorer College Place up hill and across the street from the Anvil Inn.
St. Andrew’s Mountain Community Center is located at 58 Mission Road at the corner of Mission Road and Route 9. One mile east of Shenandoah Bridge, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425 Map
At Embrace Nature Yoga, we believe Yoga is for everyone. Classes include instruction in gentle stretches, deep relaxation, and deep breathing. The experienced teacher, Dhyana is patient and enthusiastic with an ability to create mixed level classes, suitable for students of all levels. Dhyana is trained in an approach emphasizing both the physical benefits of the postures and the mental state of calm and focus that these postures can invoke. Dhyana is also trained in Shiatsu acupressure and Reiki.
Price, Suitability, and Inclement Weather Cancellation Practice
Class drop-in price is $12 per person. A $50 class pass entitles you to any 5 classes and has no expiration date. Classes are generally not suitable for 12 year olds and younger or for pregnant women. In the case of inclement weather class will be cancelled, likely following school closings or delays implemented by Jefferson County Schools. Open/Close/Delayed Status You can check on the status of class by calling (304) 725-1844 or sending e-mail presenceofgrace@hotmail.com.
New to Yoga? or Want a Yoga Mat?
We offer classes for all levels of fitness and flexibility. Yoga is not a competitive sport. Think more in terms of embracing a state of inner calm. Come ready to practice in bare feet. This is the traditional and safest way to practice. The sticky mats we use in class (you can bring your own, use one we provide, or purchase a new one) are further insurance that you don't slip while you practice. Wear loose (not bulky) or stretchy clothing, such as a t-shirt and leggings or exercise pants. Bring a towel and a sweater or sweatshirt. An empty stomach is recommended for a comfortable class experience. Wait two hours after a meal or a half hour after a light snack or drink. Drink plenty of water after class. The mats for purchase are made of high quality dark purple material, are standard plus (70 inches) length, and a full 1/4 inch (6.2 mm) thick. The mats are available for $18 no shipping or tax.
Student Survey
So that I may better serve you please tell me what type of yoga experience you want by responding to this short survey or by sending me e-mail presenceofgrace@hotmail.com
More About Integral Yoga
In the Integral tradition there are six limbs of yoga.
Hatha Yoga ~ physical postures, breathing practices, and relaxation techniques
Karma yoga ~ selfless service
Raja Yoga ~ concentration and meditation
Japa Yoga ~ repetition of mystic sound vibrations (mantras)
Bhakti Yoga ~ love and devotion to God
Jnana Yoga ~ self inquire, or wisdom and intellectual endeavors
Embrace Nature Yoga classes are Hatha Yoga classes. Hatha yoga is an ancient practice for creating a state of balance and awareness. Yoga means union, or to yoke. The word hatha itself expresses the equilibrium of the solar (ha) and lunar (tha) aspects of existence. By focusing awareness, breathing deeply, and practicing stillness we can experience the union of self and nature. Nature inspires our practice. Many aspects of yoga are in fact about being in the moment and at one with nature or the universe. By putting your body into the shape of a tree or a stretching cat, by exploring the graceful wingspan of a bird or the fluidity of the Sun Salutation, by breathing with the same cyclical sense as the tides or with an ocean sound, you evoke a sense of harmony, timelessness, and connection to the universe.
When the mind becomes balanced, calm, and steady and our awareness moves inward intuition flows and the door to the highest knowledge opens. Only when we calm the thoughts in the mind and the tension in the body are we able to balance and turn our energy inward.
Hatha Yoga Class
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Yoga is a path of consciousness, awareness, and peacefulness. We begin each class with calming and centering, followed by physical postures designed to open the body and clear the mind. The sessions always conclude with a guided meditation and silent deep relaxation, and is considered to be the most important part of the session. Once the body and mind has calmed inner peace is possible. A typical Hatha Yoga class starts with asana, moves onto pranayama, and ends with a moment of silence. Most classes incorporate the following:
· Netra Vyaayaman (eye exercises)
· Asana (body posture)
· Mudra (hand posture)
· Bandah (energy lock)
· Yoga Nidra (deep relaxation)
· Pranayama (breathing exercises)
Netra Vyaayaman helps to strengthen the eye muscles, tones the optic nerve, and relieves eye strain. If done regularly may improve eyesight. There are six pairs of muscles that move the eyes. As with all muscles they can get tighten and shortened and thus overtime can impair vision. Netra vyaayaaman loosens and lengthens the muscles that move the eyes. On a deeper level, our consciousness is linked strongly to our eyesight therefore practicing these movements have the potential for bringing oneself even more into the present moment. They also helps to balance and focus the mind.
Asanas are body postures that work at the most physical level of bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments but when practiced with awareness serve as a preparation for the more subtle practices of working more directly with prana through pranayama, mudras, and bandhas.
Mudras are hand postures that create a specific energy seal in the body. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of mudras ranging from simple hand gestures such as Chin Mudra and Vishnu Mudra to those involving the entire body such as Yoga Mudra. One of the most universal mudras or gestures found in many, if not all, religious traditions is bringing the palms together in prayer position in front of the heart. It is called Anjali Mudra in sanskrit and literally means offering. In this mudra we bring the dispersed energy of both hands together and directing it to the heart center or place of devotion and feeling. It is a gesture that helps create a receptive, worshipful, and prayerful attitude. The gesture in itself, coupled with an opened sensitivity, evokes a reverent attitude.
Bandah are energy locks created by contracting specific muscles in the body. Bandah practice creates core stability through a balance of strength and mobility. Bandah practice strengthens the core muscles, which are located on the midline of body. It is important to stay relaxed and breathe easily, calmly, and fluidly when practicing bandhas. The purpose of bandha practice is to create internally stability, relaxation, and ease.
Yoga Nidra is deep relaxation or yogic sleep. It is a great stress reduction technique. It allows the benefits of the hatha session to be assimilated and helps calm the mind. Yoga Nidra is a systematic method of inviting complete physical, mental, and emotional relaxation while remaining awake and aware on deeper levels. While lying comfortable on the floor, covered with blankets and supported by pillows, you will follow spoken instructions, leading you into progressively relaxed states. This not only relaxes you but also clears nerve pathways to the brain and helps to resolve suppressed conflicts or samskaras. Deep peace is a jewel of Yoga Nidra that carries over from the mat into life. You will awaken refreshed with wider perspectives and a quieter mind.
Pranayama is the formal practice of controlling the breath. Pranayama helps to purify the system and to calm and regulate the mind. It purifies the nervous system and eliminates toxins from the body and blood. It helps in the curing of asthma, consumption, and other respiratory disorders. With proper breathing you can eliminate the excess mucus which causes most hay fever and sinus discomfort. You can exhilarate the blood circulation and stimulate the entire body quickly. Pranayama produces lightness of body, alertness of mind, good appetite, proper digestion, and sound sleep. Pranayama draws the mind inward and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system making an excellent preparation for meditation. Pranayama also serves as an important bridge between the outward, active practices of yoga like asanas and the internal, surrendering practices like deep relaxation. Three basic pranayama techniques are routinely taught in beginner classes: Deergha Swasam (three part breathing) utilizes the full capacity of the lungs, calms the mind and forms the foundation for other Pranayama practices. Kapalabhati ( rapid diaphragmatic breathing) cleans the nadis in the skull, burns out excess mucous that causes sinus problems, and allergies, and stimulates digestive organs. Nadi Shodhanam (alternate nostril breathing) purifies the nervous system, balanes the left and right hemispheres of the brain, focuses the mind, and is good preparation for meditation. Sitkari (cobra breathing or hissing breath), Brahmari (humming breath), and Sitali (colling breath) are sometimes introduced during more advanced classes.
Contact, Private Session, and YogaWork Class
Dhyana can be contacted via e-mail: presenceofgrace@hotmail.com, phone: (304) 725-1844, or on the Shannondale & Beyond web forum. The first private yoga sessions is $50 and thereafter are $40 each, sessions are generally 60 minutes. If you would like for me to come two or three times a week I can offer a discount. If you are more then 15 miles from my home there will be a small travel charge of $5 per session.
Embrace Nature Yoga Mission
It is our mission to honor and embrace each student's search for personal growth, wellbeing, and fulfillment by offering the highest quality yoga programs to all people. We do this with love, compassion, a sense of humor, and with respect for each individual.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are aromatic volatile liquids derived from plants and are the basis for aromatherapy. Their use in everyday life dates back to 4500 BC. Essential
oils naturally complement yoga by supporting physical and mental
strength and focus through the science of aromatherapy. During class we
lightly use lavender essential oils, and Thieves® a blend of
cloves, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary essential oil to
create and environment that supports deeper yoga practice. Lavender
(Lavandula angustifolia) has a fresh, sweet, floral, herbaceous aroma
that is soothing and refreshing. Lavender is an adaptogen, and
therefore can assist the body when adapting to stress or imbalances. It
is a great aid for relaxing and winding down before bedtime, yet has
balancing properties that can also boost stamina and energy.
Therapeutic-grade lavender is highly regarded for skin and beauty. It
may be used to soothe and cleanse common cuts, bruises, and skin
irritations. A 15 ml bottle of Lavender oil is $35 Thieves® was
created based on research about four thieves in
You
can take advantage of the health and beauty enhancing benefits by
including essential oils and oil blends into your daily care solutions. Embrace
Nature would like to help you choose and purchase at a discount Young
Living Essential Oils the same 100% pure therapeutic-grade essential
oils used during our Yoga classes. Carefully
cultivated, steam distilled, and always 100% pure, the essential oils
in our extensive collection are life-enhancing gifts from the plant
kingdom, revered for centuries for their restorative properties to
body, mind, and spirit. Cleansing, calming,
stimulating, and soothing Young Living therapeutic-grade essential oils
deliver positive benefits to the body as aromatherapy, through massage,
and when taken internally. Whether you are
interested in simply trying our products or would like the benefits of
purchasing at a discount or by becoming a distributor, we welcome all
inquiries. You can visit my distributor Young Living on the web.
Shiatsu Acupressure Sessions
Shiatsu acupressure sessions include clearing and tonifying specific meridian points using touch and essential oils therapy. These techniques are sometimes offered during yoga classes. Acupressure is an ancient healing art. Finger pressure is used on key points to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. It encourages the release of muscular tension, the increased circulation of the blood, and the flow of the the body's vital life force (chi) simply by pressing these special points. Like acupuncture, acupressure accesses the energy of the body through the points and meridian pathways, both use the same points and meridian pathways to influence the health and well being of a person. Shiatsu literally means finger pressure and is of Japanese origin. This well known method uses firm rhythmic pressure of the points for three to five seconds following a sequence of points designed to awaken the meridians. Private sessions can be scheduled by contacting Dhyana via e-mail presenceofgrace@hotmail.com, phone (304) 725-1844, or on the Shannondale & Beyond web forum.
Additional Resources
Yoga Websites
Books
B.K.S. Iyengar, "Light on Yoga"
Geeta S. Iyengar, "Yoga, A Gem for Women"
Commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda, "The Living Gita"
Commentary by Swami Muktibodhananda, "Hatha Yoga Pradipika"
Translation and Commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda, "The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali"
Susi Hately Aldous, "Anatomy and Asana"
Michael Reed Gach, "Acupressure Potent Points"
Phyllis A. Balch, "Nutritional Healing"
Paul Pitchford, "Healing with Whole Foods"
Video Links
Acupressure School
Aromatheraphy Supplies
Embrace Nature Journey
Embrace
Nature is how I intend to live my life. After several years
of attending various spiritual retreats and workshops, sometime around
2000 I began
practicing yoga and have since incorporated the art and science of yoga
into my daily life. Aspiring to share the great gift of yoga with
others in the Spring of 2008 I began teaching weekly classes in
I have a bachelors Degree from Trinity College, Washington, D.C. and a Masters Degree from George Washington University. I worked as an economist in the field of telecommunications for over twenty years. After spending 25 years exploring the great wonders and challenges of a downtown Washington, D.C. office career during the week and nature part-time but passionately; going outward bound, working part-time as a white water guide, kayaking class V white water in 13 different U.S. states, visiting numerous alpine and Nordic ski areas, and taking numerous solo back packing trips; I started spending more time focusing on a more important journey, one including more love and service, greater simplicity, and a deepening of my yoga practice .
In addition to teaching yoga I serves as an Executive on the Rolling Ridge Foundation Board of Trustees, am involved in Community Emergency Response, and am a contractor for the For Love of Children Outdoor Education Center. Ready to hike, bike, have tea, or share other time together I can usually be found on the Blue Ridge somewhere in the forested areas or at home with my feline friend Little Bear.
Special thanks to Dave Goldman for his
generous web support and friendship.
Visit Dave on the web at River Heaven
Last Update December 29, 2009