CLASS CANCELATION 1/20/12

Due to the weather, Brian's 7:30pm Candlelight Restorative class has been cancelled.
All Saturday 1/21/12 classes will be as scheduled.

Safe travels everybody....

Thanksgiving Schedule

Please join us for our annual donation-based class on Thanksgiving Day at 9am


Schedule for Thursday and Friday

Thursday: Donation class with Mary Lou 9am
Friday: Vinyasa 1-2 with Lili
Saturday regular schedule resumes

Give Thanks, Do Yoga, Eat Turkey....In That Order

Labor Day Weekend Schedule

We will host a class Labor Day Monday--
9:15 with Gina.

YOUR SUMMER PASS HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO INCLUDE CLASSES THROUGH AND INCLUDING LABOR DAY!

Prenatal class on Sunday 9/4 is cancelled. All other weekend classes as usual.

Be on the lookout for our fall schedule and our new and improved website!

Have a beautiful end-of-summer weekend. Why not make it a perfect one by adding a yoga class?!

What Is Yin Yoga?

Yin Yoga is based on the Taoist concept of yin and yang, opposing yet complementary forces that can characterize any phenome-non. Yin can be described as stable, immobile, feminine, passive, cold, and downward moving. Yang is depicted as changing, mobile, masculine, active, hot, and upward moving. In nature, a mountain could be described as yin; the ocean, as yang. Within the body, the relatively stiff connective tissue (tendons, ligaments, fascia) is yin, while the pliant and mobile muscles and blood are yang. Applied to yoga, a passive practice is yin, whereas most of today's hatha yoga practices are yang: They actively engage the muscles and build heat in the body.

Much of the Yin Yoga practiced in the United States today was introduced by Paul Grilley in the late 1980s. Grilley's approach has a physical and an energetic aspect. He discovered the physical aspect when he met Taoist Yoga and martial arts teacher Paulie Zink and was immediately inspired. "I'd pretty much exhausted the power of vinyasa, Bikram—you know, anything heavy, hot, and sweaty, I'd already done it," Grilley says. "Paulie's practice was like a huge breath of fresh air, because his approach to the postures was first yin on the floor and then yang, and neither of them was that similar to my previous practice."

When you take a Yin Yoga class, you'll do mostly seated, supine, or prone poses, and you'll hold them, with your muscles relaxed, for long periods of time—up to 5 minutes or more. The theory behind this approach (proposed by Zink) is that staying muscularly passive for long periods of time gently stretches connective tissue, which gets stiff and immobile with age. The asanas focus mainly on the lower back and hips because the abundance of dense connective tissue around those joints requires extra care and attention.

To read the complete article: http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/2677?print=1

To try a yin class, join Chuck Frenkel on Wednesday nights, 7:30pm

To try it for $5 for a limited time, see our latest studio newsletter.

Spring Break Schedule Changes

Please note: Family Class on Sunday March 27 and Sunday April 3 are cancelled for Spring Break.
All other classes as scheduled.
We hope all our families enjoy their break and please bring us back a little warm weather if you're headed that way!

Thursday, Feb. 3, 2001

We've headed back to the mat and so should you!

We are back to our regular schedule beginning with Thursday's 9:15am class.
Join Gina as she helps work the kinks out of your aching back!

Studio Closures for Forecasted Blizzard

A winter advisory is predicting dangerous weather conditions over the next few days. While we strive to keep to our drop-in schedule, we sometimes must cancel when safety becomes an issue.

If there are cancellations, we will post them here at least 2 hours before the scheduled class.

You can also check to outgoing message on the studio phone (773-774-8444)

Stay safe everybody!

Our Holiday Schedule!

Our Holiday Schedule:

Friday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve): 9:15am-10:30am/Vinyasa Flow/Kelley
Saturday, Dec 25 (Christmas Day): Studio Closed--Merry Christmas!
Sunday, Dec. 26: 9:15am-10:30am/Open Level/Gosia


Friday, Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve): 6am-7am/Sunrise/Sarah
Friday, Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve): 9:15am-10:30am/Vinyasa Flow/Gina
Friday, Dec. 31 CANDLELIGHT PRACTICE WITH BRIAN 7pm-8pm
Saturday, Jan. 1 (Happy New Year!): 10am-11:30am/Vinyasa 1-2/Polly
Sunday, Jan. 2: 9:15am-10:30am/Open Level/Mary Lou

Thanksgiving Class and Scheduling Changes

Please Join Us for our Annual Thanksgiving Class

Thursday, 9am-10:30am

All Levels taught by Kim

This class is FREE with your generous non-perishable food donation.

---------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER SCHEDULING CHANGES

Cancelled classes:

Wednesday: 11:45am-12:45pm Yoga for Lunch with Gina
Wednesday: 7:30pm-9pm Yin Yoga with Polly

Thursday: 6:45am-7:45am Vinyasa Brisk with Rachel
Thursday: 9:15am-10:30am Vinyasa 1-2 with Gina
Thursday: 7pm-8:15pm Beginners with Gosia

ALL OTHER CLASSES AS SCHEDULED

From The LA Times

Yoga has many proven health benefits, but does it stand up to other forms of exercise? Researchers pitted it against a walking routine and found that those who practiced yoga showed greater improvements in mood and anxiety.

Researchers randomly assigned 19 people to an Iyengar yoga program and 15 to a metabolically matched regular walking regimen.

Both groups took part in the programs for an hour three times a week for 12 weeks. Study participants were tested several times to measure mood and anxiety. They were also given magnetic resonance spectroscopy scans to measure levels of the brain chemical gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that quiets brain activity, reducing anxiety and producing a state of calm. The scans were done at the beginning and end of the study and immediately following a yoga or walking session.

Those in the yoga group saw better changes in mood and less anxiety than those in the walking group. The yoga group also saw increases in GABA levels linked with improvements in mood.

The study was published recently in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

New Teacher Spotlight--Susan Troester

How did you become interested in Yoga?

While in law school I was chronically stressed and needed a way to relax. My neck muscles were so stiff I could not even release
to circle my neck. After practicing a long time using home videos, I began exploring classes at my health club and met a wonderful teacher, Millie Krejci. Her spirit and approach to yoga so embodied lila, or playfulness, as well as aparigraha, or non-attachment. This made me love the practice and inspired me to pass on the ideals she embodied and expressed so beautifully.

Do you think Yoga is a complete system of fitness?

It is this and much more. No other practice offers such comprehensive mental, physical and emotional benefits. That said, I must admit I am a gym rat--into running and pretty intense cardiovascular exercise. My dream, when my kids don't need me so much, is to have a go at solely practicing asana and meditation while taking a break from other pursuits. I'm curious and excited to see where that leads.

Describe your class style.

I think it's natural to teach in a way that's consistent with the way you like to practice, and I like to be challenged. If you are doing the same routine, why not apply the extra effort and see where it takes you? This is where we can really grow! I encourage my student to try this and I strive to create a supportive, non-judgmental, fun environment in which they can experiment.

You play some non-traditional yoga tunes...

I am attracted to passionate music. All genres. The requisite slowing down we experience as soon as we step on the mat can have a wonderful consequence of bringing your emotions right to the forefront of your heart, your mind, your whole being. Music, with a little passion, just enhances this for me.

Who (or what) inspires you?

I have an 8-year old and six-year old twin sons . They so exuberantly embrace life and live every moment to the fullest. Nearly every day, I see at least one of them experience fear or uncertainty, and, in the face of it, press on with an open mind and heart. That inspires me! I like to think about human potential, what we are capable of individually and collectively. Often so much more than we actualize. This motivates me to push myself beyond what l might initially think I am capable of or comfortable with.

What does mind/body mean?

Many factors of our contemporary society and lifestyle perpetuate and even reward a great disconnect between mind and body. On the one hand, we have this intense drive to do and acquire so much that we believe we lack the time to devote to connecting with our own body and with the present moment. On the other hand, the dumbing down of our nation - "reality TV," celebrity obsession, junk food, "social media" - it has become possible to completely neglect of our human need for connection and community. These needs have been replaced with this drive to find continuous distraction from our emotions and from what is happening in our own reality - in the present. Yoga strives to integrate the mind, body and spirit by being quiet and bringing our experience inward.

Susan Troester is a 200-hour level certified yoga instructor.

She received her certification through the esteemed

Moksha Program led by

Daren Friesen.

Look for a $5 coupon for Susan's class in our Nov. newsletter

Cancellations for Saturday and Sunday

Making Room For Alie McManus Workshop

The following classes will be canceled this weekend, and will resume normally next week:

Saturday:
12pm-1pm Yoga For Bigger Bodies/Gentle with Brian
Meditation Workshop with Polly
3pm-4pm Vinyasa Brisk with Mary Lou

Sunday:
1:30pm-2:3opm Mom and Baby with Kelley
2:45pm-4pm Prenatal with Kelley

Join us for $20 Unlimited Yoga Week beginning Monday

Absolute Beginners September 2010

Welcome to Shanti!

Schedule Correction

Please note:

Mary Lou's Saturday Vinyasa Brisk class (3pm-4pm) begins 9/18.
NO CLASS TOMORROW, 9/11

We apologize for the mistake.

Labor Day Schedule

Join us this Monday for a Labor Day Class
9:30am-10:45am
with Kim

All other classes cancelled

Fall 2010

Fall Schedule
Begins Sept. 7, 2010

MONDAY:
6a-7a Sunrise Jenny Glick
8:45a*-10a Vinyasa Brisk Tanja Bungardt-Price
6:45p-8p Ashtanga Basics Kim Weber

TUESDAY:
8:45a-10a Hatha Gosia Ryzewska
MOKSHA TEACHER TRAINING
5:30p-6:45p Open Level Vinyasa Mary Lou Cerami
7p-8:15p Vinyasa 1-2 Rachel Coppola

WEDNESDAY:
6a-7a Sunrise Jenny Glick
9:15a-10:30a Vinyasa Flow Susan Troester
10:35a-11a FREE Meditation Lili
11:45a-12:45p Yoga For Lunch Gina Fitzpatrick
6:15p-7:15p Power Hour Jenny Glick
7:30p-9p Yin Yoga for Sleep Polly Liontis

THURSDAY:
6:45a-7:45a Vinyasa Brisk (begins 9/16) Rachel Coppola
9:15a*-10:30a Vinyasa 1-2 Gina Fitzpatrick
5:30p-6:30p Teens 13-17 Gina Fitzpatrick**
7p-8:15p Beginners Gosia Ryzewska

FRIDAY:
6a-7a Sunrise Jenny Glick
9:15a*-10:30a Vinyasa Flow Kelley Rozelle
7p-8:15p Candlelight Restorative Brian Carmany
KARMA CLASS FOR GLOBAL YOGA FOUNDATION...
SUGGESTED DONATION $5-$10

SATURDAY:
8a-9:30a Vinyasa 2 Kim Weber
10a-11:30a Power/Presence/Prana Polly Liontis
12a-1p Yoga for Bigger Bodies/Gentle Brian Carmany
3p-4p Vinyasa Brisk Mary Lou Cerami

SUNDAY:
9:15a*-10:30a Open Level Gosia Ryzewska
1:30p-2:30p Mom & Baby Kelley Rozelle**
2:45p-4p Prenatal Kelley Rozelle**
4:15p-5:30p Family ($20/Family) Kelley Rozelle


*Denotes new start time **Registration Required

Yoga For Depression

Daily aerobic exercise is a reliable and effective treatment for mild to moderate depression, but new research suggests that yoga may work even better. A study from Boston University School of Medicine showed that practicing yoga increased levels of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric) in the brain. Low levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter, are associated with depression and anxiety disorders. Investigators followed two randomized groups of healthy volunteers for 12 weeks. One group performed an hour of yoga three times a week, while the other group walked for an hour three times a week. Before and after the last session, the researchers compared the GABA levels of each of the volunteers using magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging. They found increased GABA levels and decreased anxiety among the participants in the yoga group, who also reported a significantly greater decrease in anxiety and more improved mood over the course of the study than did the volunteers in the walking group. The study was published online by the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

Schedule Changes Effective Immediately

Please note the following classes are on hiatus for the month of August:

Saturday/12-1/Gentle with Brian

Tuesday/5:30pm-6:40pm

Wednesday/7:30pm-9pm/Yin Yoga with Polly

All classes to resume with the fall schedule (begins Sept. 7)

Absolute Beginners June 2010

Welcome to Shanti!

Memorial Day Weekend Schedule

Saturday:
8am-9:30am, Vinyasa 2
10am-11:15am, Beginners

Sunday:
9:30am-10:45am, Open Levels

Monday:
Studio Closed in observance of Memorial Day

Tuesday:
Our Summer Schedule Kicks in

Happy Kick Off To Summer Everybody
(and Go Hawks!)