Written by Amanda Dzengeleski
Learn or relearn the basics of selected asanas (yoga postures), Wednesdays in January at 11:30 a.m. EST. Each Lunchtime Learning will explore a different set of asanas as we contemplate why you should do the pose, what are the risks and how can you practice them safely for your body.
January 10th, Spinal Movements (Sun Salutations and Twists) with Aviva
January 17th, Dragon Archetype (Warrior I, II and III) with Amanda
Sign Up Online
January 24th, Shoelace Archetype (Extended Side Angle and Eagle) with Aviva
January 31st, Mountain and Chair Pose with Ainslee
The slow pace of Yin Yoga provides an opportunity to release and to be in the moment. Join Amanda on January 19th for Friday Night Yin, 6:15-7:30 p.m.
Sign Up In Person at Yoga Shala or Online
As the calendar turns another page, the New Year offers a unique opportunity to reset, reflect, and renew. It's a chance to pause, appreciate the journey, and set intentional goals for the year to come. Rather than resolving to “fix” what might feel broken, accept this time as an invitation to rediscover the inherent beauty and wholeness within yourself. Adopting a beginner’s mind can be a powerful tool for cultivating joy and embracing the present moment.
Yoga teaches us the art of mindfulness and presence on the mat. As we step into the New Year, let's bring this awareness off the mat and into our daily lives. Embrace each moment with a fresh perspective, free from preconceived notions or judgments. By approaching each experience with a beginner's mind, we open ourselves up to the beauty of the unknown, finding joy in the simple act of being present.
The path of a beginner is one of growth and discovery. Each posture is an opportunity to explore and expand our boundaries. Similarly, the New Year is a chance for personal growth and transformation. Rather than setting rigid resolutions, consider adopting a more fluid and adaptive approach. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and view setbacks as stepping stones towards self-discovery. Approaching the New Year with a willingness to learn and evolve paves the way for joy to blossom in unexpected places.
Yoga reminds us to release attachment to outcomes and open our hearts to the present moment. As we step into the New Year, let go of the burden of expectations and perfection. Instead, focus on the journey and the process, allowing room for spontaneity and surprise. Releasing the need for a fixed destination creates space for joy to flourish in the beauty of the unknown.
A regular practice reminds us to give ourselves grace with self-compassion. We are encouraged to listen to our bodies, honoring our limitations and celebrating our strengths. Extend this same kindness to your mind, body, and heart as you navigate the challenges of the New Year. Embrace a beginner's mind by treating yourself with the same patience and understanding that you would offer to a loved one. In doing so, you create a foundation of self-love from which joy naturally springs forth.
As we navigate the journey ahead, let us move with an open mind, embracing each moment as an opportunity for renewal. In the simplicity of presence, the beauty of growth, the release of expectations, and the nurturing of self-compassion, we uncover the true essence of joy that lies within us all. May this year be a new adventure, where every breath is an invitation to find joy in the sacred dance of life.
Email info@dogwoodstudioyoga.com with questions. We are here to help!
Amanda Dzengeleski is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher (RYT) and an aspiring yoga therapist (in training). 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.
