Yoga Teachers of Colorado

Ketna Shah

WebAdmin — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:59:45 +0000

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How long have you been practicing yoga and how did you get into teaching?

I was born and bought up in India. I was introduced to yoga when young but I did not pursue it seriously then. I� came to the west in my 30s and found life quite stressful, as a mom, wife, and a working executive. I took up yoga once again to relieve my stress. When my husband relocated to a different state I used this as an opportunity to make a change in my career and take up full time teaching of yoga. I have been teaching yoga for more than 10 years.

What did you do prior to teaching yoga and/or what do you do in addition to teaching yoga?

Prior to teaching yoga I had my own business. I also worked as a financial controller in a small software company. Besides teaching yoga, I am a yoga therapist and certified Ayurvedic nutritionist. I love cooking and I conduct cooking classes that demonstrate how easy it is to cook healthy and delicious vegan and vegetarian meals. I love hiking in the mountains and traveling.

What type(s) of yoga do you teach and where?

I have learnt yoga in India from one of the most authentic teachers of Yoga. My teachers are A. G. Mohan and Indra Mohan. They both are among the few direct disciples of the legendary T. Krishnamacharya who is the father of modern yoga, as we know it. My yoga style is gentle breath yoga and is suitable for people of all fitness levels and all ages. I teach at www.yamayogavillage.com and Whole Health Center in Lone Tree.

Do you have your own website? If so, please provide a link.

I am co-founder and co-editor of MyLifeYoga.com. This is one of the premier yoga and lifestyle website. We also have a Facebook page that has over 14,000 likes.

How would you describe your yoga teaching philosophy/style?

Yoga is a medium to find your inner stillness. Yoga is a transformative force that touches every aspect of your life. Yoga has to be practiced regularly and at least 5 times a week for its full potential to manifest. It must be practiced with proper breathing and should be followed by breathing exercise called Pranayama. Even better is if you can do at least 20 minutes of meditation in addition to your yoga practice.

What do you feel is the greatest benefit people gain from yoga?

The key benefit of yoga is the elongation of breath and reduction of stress. This brings balance to life and allows us to get out of our egocentric obsessions. Yoga is great to deal with weight issues, back problems, depression and anxiety, and many chronic conditions.

How have you evolved because of what you do?

Yoga has transformed my life from the inside out, yet I feel that my journey is just only beginning. For me yoga is a journey out of the ego. For those who have undertaken this journey can attest to the tremendous love, joy, and freedom outside the ego.

Do you have a favorite quote or story?

My favorite quote is from T. Krishnamacharya as it shows the importance of breath in our yoga practice:

Inhale, and God approaches you. Hold the inhalation, and God remains with you. Exhale, and you approach God. Hold the exhalation, and surrender to God.

Do you have a favorite asana and/or vinyasa? Please describe why this is your favorite.

Picking a favorite asana is like asking a mother who is her favorite child! More important than the asana itself is the control of the breath with which you do the asana and the fact that you completely concentrate on your practice without allowing your thoughts to waver. Asanas are not to be viewed in isolation; instead asanas are to be strung together in a sequence so that each Asana leads into the next by preparing the mind-body for it. When properly done a sequence of asanas is like a symphony that calms down your mind body system and completely centers and relaxes it.

What do you think is your biggest challenge as a yoga teacher?

Yoga is a force for healing, it is a force for relaxing and getting in touch with your inner core, it is a force to reinvigorate and reignite the creative spark. It is a way to restore balance in life and allows one to see our interconnection and love. As a teacher my biggest challenge is to bring all this to my students in a practice of less than 90 minutes on the mat.

What is the best compliment or insight you have ever received from a student?

The love and respect that I get from my students is something that I treasure. The biggest compliment I get from my students is that most have stayed with me over so many years.

What is the biggest benefit of being a yoga teacher?

Yoga is something that you are lifelong student in. The benefit of being a yoga teacher is that it allows you to have partners who walk with you on your journey into yoga. We all are able to learn from one another and discuss our experiences.

Do you have a favorite musical artist, song or CD that you would like to recommend?

I love Kumar Gandharva�s rendition of Kabir�s dohas.

How did you hear about YTOC, and what would you tell other yoga enthusiasts about the organization?

I believe that YTOC is a positive force for yoga in Colorado. I would encourage all to make the most of this tremendous resource.

Anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for the opportunity to speak about myself and my journey into yoga. Namaste!

Miss Fit Girls attempt to break World Record for the Largest Yoga Class

ShariT — Fri, 10 May 2013 02:34:46 +0000

Come on out to Evergreen on Saturday May 18th to support YTOC member teacher Peggy Duffy and MissFitGirls.org

Peggy is looking for the community to show up not only to break a record for themselves but to lift up & support the girls of the Miss Fit Girl program.

Event Date : May 18, 2013
Location : Evergreen

Ketna Shah

Ketna Shah — Fri, 03 May 2013 23:03:34 +0000

Lemony Artichokes Hearts in Garlic Butter

ShariT — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:26:22 +0000

Lemony Artichokes Hearts in Garlic Butter

Ingredients
1 or 2 – Canned, jar or frozen artichoke hearts
2 to 3 cloves – Garlic
1/4 – Purple Onion (optional)
2 T – Butter
Parsley
1 – Lemon
Salt & Pepper to Taste

Preparation
Dice the garlic and onion. In a large skillet melt the butter. Saute the onion and garlic and then add a generous amount of and saute it and the onion in melted butter. Add a generous amount of fresh cracked pepper.

If artichoke hearts are whole, cut them in half or quarters depending on the size. They are best in bite size pieces, but you want them to hold together for serving. Steam the artichoke hearts to warm them. Add the warm artichoke hearts to the garlic/onion butter and saute them for about a minute. Add some brine from the can or jar or a couple of tablespoons of water. Add fresh squeezed lemon juice and salt to taste. To thicken the sauce a little add a pinch of flour and stir. Transfer to serving dish and top with fresh chopped parsley.

This recipe is from my dear friend Purnima.

Shelly Blais

Shelly Blais — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 01:40:14 +0000

Reducing Stress through Yoga to Prevent Common Health Problems by Eve Pierce

WebAdmin — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 22:18:32 +0000

While those taking part in yoga have a range of reasons for adopting the practice, seeking to feel more relaxed is often high on the list. Not only does this benefit mental well-being, but can also help to promote our physical health. �A strong link exists between stress and a number of common medical conditions, so participating in yoga can potentially help in their prevention and management, and indeed there is scientific evidence to back this up. Here we take a look at four areas where yoga appears to be of benefit.

Heart disease
Stress is a known risk factor for heart disease, though whether it contributes to the disease directly, or indirectly by leading to the development of high blood pressure, raised cholesterol and obesity, is unclear. However, there is mounting evidence that yoga can be effective both in the primary prevention of heart disease and preventing further problems such as a second heart attack in those who already have the condition; this is believed to act through yoga�s ability to lower stress levels.�A recent review�of studies in this area found that there is convincing evidence for the use of yoga, not just to manage blood pressure, but also to help bring cholesterol, blood glucose levels and weight under control.

Disorders of the immune system
It is not uncommon for someone who is undergoing emotional upset or a stressful period in their lives to become more susceptible to infections. While this may be considered to be due to not sleeping or eating properly and allowing yourself to become rundown, stress itself is now believed to have a negative impact on the immune system. When placed under mental strain and worried, this increases production of cortisol by the adrenal glands, which research shows inhibits the ability of white blood cells to fight off disease causing microbes or cancerous cells. At the same time however, changes in the immune system also mean that its cells are also more likely to attack our healthy tissues, resulting in the development of autoimmune diseases such as lupus or multiple sclerosis. A study from 2005, conducted by researchers at the Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital in New Delhi, found that the breathing techniques used in yoga were effective at significantly increasing production of a type of white blood cell known as natural killer cells. There is also currently interest into the benefits of yoga as an adjunct to treatment in HIV, as it is believed to help stimulate the production of white blood cells, which the infection inhibits; it is known that HIV prognosis is worse when the body is under stress.

Irritable bowel syndrome
As the most commonly diagnosed disorder of the digestive system, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects millions of people across America. Although a range of factors are thought to contribute to the condition, stress is known to worsen intestinal spasms, owing to the link between the nerves controlling the colon and the brain. Besides dietary changes to manage symptoms, taking steps to control your feelings and mood is also an integral aspect of treatment; those with diagnosed anxiety or depression are often referred for psychotherapy to help with these to improve their IBS. However, relaxing activities such as yoga also have an important place in the disease�s management, irrespective of whether you have a clinical diagnosis of mental health problems, as we can all be affected by stress from time to time and usually this is when symptoms flare up. Significant reductions in problems such as diarrhea, abdominal pain and distension have been shown when study participants with IBS have adopted relaxation techniques.

Hair loss
Although male pattern baldness has a genetic cause and is usually not dependent on environmental factors, stress can contribute to other forms of hair loss in both men and women; the condition can negatively affect mental health and quality of life for those affected. Stress is just one of the factors that can lead to the development of a �condition known as alopecia areata, where the white blood cells attack hair follicles causing hair to cease growing and to fall out; it can also lead to telogen effluvium where large clumps of hair can fall out after the hairs enter a resting phase. The final way that stress can lead to hair loss is through the use of hair pulling as a means of dealing with emotions such as anxiety or frustration. While treatments such as�propecia�or rogaine�are effective in the management of male pattern baldness, they will not help in the treatment of hair loss caused by stress, so finding an activity such as yoga to bring about feelings of calm and relaxation are instead necessary to�aid the re-growth of hair. Clinical research looking specifically at the benefits of yoga might be limited, but there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that it is successful and studies show that when stress is reduced through other means, this can help the condition.

While yoga can�t promise to prevent any conditions, owing to the multi-factorial causes behind many medical problems, taking part in regular classes to aid relaxation is a positive step that you can take towards preserving your health and well-being.

About the author: Evelyn Johnson is a freelance writer specializing in health, fitness and yoga. She is a mother of two and spends her spare time keeping fit and exploring her new home in the south of Italy.

STOKING THE INNER FIRE: YOGA & AYURVEDA WORKSHOP 347130-A with HEIDI NORDLUND AND MELISSA J. CHANEY

Melissa Chaney, M.S., R.Y.T. — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 00:28:18 +0000

Stay healthy with strong digestion through movement/sound/breath and specialized Ayurvedic nutritional guidelines. Understand your type of digestion according to Ayurveda, the ancient system of healing, and learn things everyone should know about preventing indigestion and toxins in the body.

Receive powerful home remedies to relieve indigestion and collect delicious recipes.

Strong digestion promotes good health, eliminates stagnation of the solar plexus, supports the integrity of the digestive system, and produces positive attributes such as confidence, enthusiasm, self-esteem and courage.

Indigestion is one of the most reported health issues we face today. 75% of all disease is digestive related. Constipation, anxiety, insomnia, hyperacidity, nausea, heartburn, excess mucous, weight gain or depression are some of the symptoms.

In this workshop, you take apart your pre-conceived ideas and take on a new possibility; the genesis of creating healthy digestion.

Presented by Heidi Nordlund and Melissa J. Chaney through the Longmont Recreation Center. Phone 303-678-7657
Register online: https://rec.ci.longmont.co.us/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/wbsearch.html?xxmod=AR&&wbsi=ae016bec-0bcf-ba99-e211-1770ea2c8499 Online registration opens on April 16, 2013.
347130-A – Yoga/Ayurveda Workshop

Heidi Nordlund is an Advanced Ayurvedic Practitioner with multiple degrees in Ayurveda. She holds a four year Ayurvedic Bhishakgwara Degree from Alandi Ayurveda Gurukula, an Ayurvedic Practitioner Degree from the Rocky Mountain Institute for Yoga & Ayurveda, and has completed advanced intensives at the Ayurvedic Institute. Heidi earned her BA in Contemplative Psychology with focus on Health & Healing from Naropa University in Boulder. Through her business, www.NamaskarHealing.com, Heidi guides clients towards radiant health using traditional Ayurveda encompassing personalized herbal formulas, diet, lifestyle, pancha karma, marmani, yoga and meditation developed to fit the needs of each individual. Additionally Heidi is an Ayurvedic Postpartum Doula, Tibetan Cranial Practitioner, Yoga Therapist, and Yoga Instructor and works with individuals to transform lives.

Melissa J. Chaney, M.S., R.Y.T., teaches AyurYoga to empower everyone to participate in their own balancing discovery process. The art of balance teaches us to relate to our own experience and potential as human and spiritual beings. Through generating the transformation of balancing oneself, the confidence and knowledge to balancing others develop. Every person regardless of age, gender, profession, ethnicity, or level of spiritual development can evolve. Imbalances can be worked through only if and when the person is ready. Therefore you meet people where they are. Melissa was trained at PranaYoga and Ayurveda Mandala in Denver, Colorado and the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Cost : Longmont City residents: $54 / Non residents: $67.50
Event Date : Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 9am to 12pm
Location : Izaak Walton Park : 18 S. Sunset St. Longmont, CO. 80501

Yoga Around the World with Shelly Blais

Susan Merrill — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 19:38:29 +0000

Is it time for a vacation? Haven�t had the time or funding to get away? Come travel the world and reconnect with your breath, body and balance in this two hour Yoga Around the World Workshop. Join Shelly as she takes you on a journey reminiscent of her travels. Imagine traveling to several countries celebrating colorful cultures with eclectic music, asanas and storytelling. Explore your inner strength while celebrating movement and life. This workshop offers you a chance to �get away,� stretch, practice, restore and have so much fun you will leave feeling rejuvenated and reminiscing about your travels.
Sunday, May 12, 2:00-4:00pm in Golden~$20

Cost : $20.00
Event Date : Sunday, May 12, 2013
Location : Asana Studio- Golden

New to Nia Workshop with Sandy Mighell

Susan Merrill — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 19:37:17 +0000

Attend Sandy’s beginner’s workshop to familiarize yourself with Nia choreography and principles followed by beginner’s Nia class. The Nia TechniqueTM (pronounced “NEE-yah”) is a sensory-based movement practice that leads to health, wellness and fitness. It empowers people of all shapes and sizes by connecting the body, mind, emotions and spirit. Nia draws from disciplines of the martial arts, dance arts and healing arts. Every class offers a unique combination of 52 moves that correspond with the main areas of the body: the base, the core and the upper extremities. Stiff or out-of-shape beginners and highly fit athletes alike can adapt Nia to meet their needs by choosing from three intensity levels. Classes are taken barefoot to soul-stirring music in more than 45 countries. Nia is a wonderful complement to yoga in its emphasis on cardiovascular fitness and personal expression. As many participants observe, Nia is like chocolate……it is fabulous, difficult to describe, and is best experienced first hand! For more info about The Nia TechniqueTM, feel free to visit www.nianow.com.
Sunday, May 19~ 1:30-4:00pm in Golden ~ $25 ~ Pre-registration is required.

Special Nia Class for everyone from 3:00-4:00pm for $15 drop in or use your punch card!

Cost : $25.00
Event Date : Sunday, April 19, 2013
Location : Asana Studio- Arvada

Teacher Workshop: The Joy of Living Upside Down with Santosh

Susan Merrill — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 19:36:21 +0000

This workshop is designed to methodically understand the series of steps necessary to make this extraordinary practice accessible. We�ll break down critical alignment requirements, isolate the need for core strength, pelvic balance and offer modifications and guide the practitioner through this remarkable and unique set of poses.This workshop is for yoga instructors and students who are advanced in their asana practice.
Sunday, May 19 1:30-3:30pm in Arvada. Investment: $20

Cost : $20.00
Event Date : Sunday, April 19, 2013
Location : Asana Studio- Arvada