Written by Amanda Dzengeleski
This week is Service Week! All are welcome to participate by joining us for any of our group classes October 9th-13th. You can sign up for classes using subscriptions and packages throughout the week or by using the sliding scale. Proceeds will be donated directly to Healing Pines Respite. You may also contribute a donation of any amount to Dogwood’s Healing Pines Respite Fund. We hope sharing our yoga practice and raising money can provide a refuge of compassionate practice for all.
Space is still available for our semi-annual Yoga and Art Retreat: Heart of Peace. Join us on Saturday, October 14th to spend a day immersed in nature and connecting to your own true nature. Sign up is through the NC Botanical Garden.
Tune into your inner peace through song and dance with Aviva on October 11th for Lunchtime Learning Musical Vibration to Radiate Your Inner Peace. Sign up In Person at the Parlour or Online.
Osteoporosis and Yoga Workshop is back! On Saturday, November 4, learn what postures to avoid and how you can modify postures to gain the same benefits and target, while being safe for your bones. This workshop is perfect for students and teachers with or without osteoporosis. Sign up In Person or Online (in-person space is limited - sign up soon!)
In the midst of our busy lives, finding inner peace is an invaluable pursuit. While yoga is often seen as a solitary practice, it teaches us that the journey towards inner peace can be greatly enhanced when we embrace the support and connection of a community.
A Harvard study suggests that embracing community helps us live longer and, ultimately, be happier. Researchers found that satisfaction in our relationships has a potent effect on our wellbeing. Psychiatrist Robert Waldinger says, “taking care of your body is important, but tending to your relationships is a form of self-care too. That, I think, is the revelation.” Healthy relationships delay mental and physical decline and are one of the best predictors of a long and happy life when compared to genes, IQ, and social class.
Yoga, at its essence, is a practice of connection – connection to the self, to others, and to the world around us. This connection extends beyond the physical postures; it is a profound acknowledgment of the interconnectedness of all beings. When we bring yoga into a community setting, we magnify this interconnectedness. Being part of a yoga community means sharing our inner world with others on a similar journey. This shared connection fosters a sense of belonging and support, which can be a soothing balm for the soul.
Seva, or selfless service, is one way to engage in togetherness and build community and resiliency. Practicing seva within your community can be a transformative experience. It shifts your focus from personal concerns to the well-being of others, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and compassion.
Yoga teaches us that inner peace is not an isolated pursuit but a collective endeavor. By coming together in a community of like-minded individuals, we can support and uplift one another on our respective journeys. When individuals gather with a shared intention, the energy generated is palpable and transformative. The shared wisdom, emotional support, and collective energy of a community can be instrumental in cultivating inner peace. As we navigate life's challenges with the guidance of yoga and the strength of community, we discover that true inner peace is not just a destination but a beautiful journey we undertake together.
Community provides a sanctuary where we can nourish our souls and find the inner peace we seek. Embrace the power of togetherness and sign up for one of our group classes!
If you have questions, reach out to us at info@dogwoodstudioyoga.com. We are here to help.
Amanda Dzengeleski is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher (RYT) and aspiring yoga therapist (she begins her yoga therapy training in October 2023!). She first discovered yoga as a form of mind-body medicine that cultivated a deeper state of self-awareness and personal growth. Using a functional and trauma-informed approach, Amanda empowers her students to move freely and intentionally in celebration of body, mind, and soul.
SAM Sather, founder of Dogwood Studios, is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and an Insight Yoga Institute (IYI) endorsed teacher. She individualizes the yoga practice with appropriate modifications for participants’ unique bodies and medical histories with a focus on finding calm and improving health. She offers several live, online and in person yoga classes as well as private sessions so you can focus on your needs one-on-one.
