All Levels Class with Etan Boritzer & Tribal Fusion BellyDance with Zymirrah!
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YOGA INSIGHT
All Levels Class with ETAN BORITZER
Slow Vinyasa, Bryan Kest-style Power Yoga and Meditation

Saturday, July 31st; 2-4:00pm

Etan returns to Joy Yoga to continue his instruction on how to use basic techniques of breath, awareness, and insight to deepen your hatha yoga practice. Etan goes into each asana slowly in order for you to find your comfort zone, thereby allowing you to explore sensations in the body that arise, plus any emotions and thoughts that surface. From this platform of awareness the practitioner begins to understand on a very personal level the full benefit available in a meaningful individual practice.

This class is appropriate and will be super fun and beneficial for all levels of yoga practitioner, although some knowledge of the basic postures (Downward Dog, Upward Dog, Triangle) is recommended.

When: Saturday, July 31st
2:00-4:00pm

Where: Joy Yoga Center, 4500 Washington Avenue, Suite 900
Houston, TX 77007

Investment: Earlybird pricing of $29 before July 25th, $39 thereafter.

Call 713-868-YOGA (9642) or visit www.JoyYogaCenter.com to register today!

About Etan:
"I started teaching hatha yoga and meditation in 1971 after returning from an intensive 3 month training at Gitananda Ashram in Pondicherry, South India.

I try to infuse the postures we use with insight (vipassana). Therefore, we meet the posture halfway, then go to meditation which is simple observation based on awareness of breathing.

From this breathing platform we begin to observe bodily sensations, and mental processes. Through the personal insights gained here, we start to release our habitual unwholesome reactions to all the stimuli in our daily lives.

Hopefully we leave the class re-energized and with better tools to engender positive change within ourselves and in the world at large."

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Tribal Fusion BellyDance
with Zymirrah!
Saturday, August 14th
2:00-4:00pm

In this Tribal Bellydance Fusion Fundamentals class, we will explore posture, body isolations, hand articulation, hip work and simple spinning techniques to create some playful bellydance combinations. In this fun and informative workshop Zymirrah will form fusion combinations as she leads you to originate each movement correctly - creating new muscle memory and awareness. You will learn to open your chest, and increase your range of motion, strength and flexibility.

This class is open to all levels - whether you are new to dance, or perhaps looking for a new in-fusion into your dance - join us and get your dance on!

Skill Level: Open
What to wear: comfy clothes you can move in freely
When to come shake it: Saturday, August 14th
2:00-4:00pm
Where: Joy Yoga Center
Earlybird pricing of $29 before August 8th; $39 thereafter.

Call 713-868-YOGA (9642) to register today, or register online at www.JoyYogaCenter.com!

About Zymirrah:
Zymirrah began her dance adventure in 1991. What a journey it has been so far! She began in Houston with her 'dance Mom' Shakira Massood Ali. Since those beginnings, Zymirrah has studied under a myriad of teachers from all over the United States and abroad. These opportunities have exposed her to many dance styles, from classic and modern Egyptian cabaret to the varied folk dances of many Middle Eastern and African cultures. More recently Zymirrah has taken an in-depth leap into American/Gypsy Tribal Style, which in its diverse expressions has become a fusion of all of the above and more! She is proud to be a part of Urban Gypsy. When asked what dance means to her; "What is dance for me? An art ~ an expression of emotion. It releases stress ~ stimulates creativity ~ lets you turn off your mind and listen to your body. It is connecting with other dancers. It is sharing yourself with the audience - relating to them ~ or maybe with the moon on a starlit night. I love this dance!"

Hello! It's Tiki here, hoping to share with you a little wisdom I gained this week. You see, this weekend I got to visit my doggie-cousins, Leo and Scruffy, and go on a nice, long walk with them. Now my usual walk with my mommy is a slow, relaxed stroll, and that is what I'm comfortable with. But Leo walks a lot faster than I'm used to, and it was a real challenge for my tiny legs to keep up with his. As you can see from the photo below, Leo was not too happy about the prospect of slowing down for little ole' me, so I decided to push myself to run a little faster in order to keep up.

Even though I was panting like crazy, there was something exhilarating about trying to get my little legs to move faster than they ever had before.

As I was speeding along at what I consider quite a fast pace, suddenly I realized my chattery brain was getting in the way, causing me to feel stressed and kind of frightened about being in this place I hadn't been before. Remembering what I've heard in yoga class a million times, I brought my awareness to my breath. It was the most amazing experience - rather than focusing on any negative aspects of being outside my comfort zone and running faster than I'm used to, I suddenly felt my perspective shift to appreciate the positive, exhilarating aspects of my run. I felt my mind quiet down and all those stressed-out feelings start to dissipate. I had an intense awareness of my body and its abilities. Even though I was running faster than I normally do, I knew exactly where my edge was. I gently pushed that edge and got just outside my comfort zone, but the entire time was listening to my little body so that I wouldn't injure myself.

We all face challenges - whether it's at work, at home, or in yoga class as you're practicing your headstand. Rather than avoiding those challenges because they make us feel uncomfortable, we should embrace them because that's how we get stronger. Whether it's holding that Warrior II for one breath longer than you did last time or staying calm and focused when you're giving a presentation at work, when we get outside that comfort zone just a little bit, we're soon going to be comfortable in that new space, which means we can push even a little more to get outside the comfort zone next time. We start to gain confidence and are even exhilarated by the thought of growing and challenging ourselves. And that's when we realize that we feel completely at peace with ourselves because even though we may not be running as fast as Leo, or as deep in that yoga pose as our friend next to us in class, it doesn't matter - we know that we're running faster and doing more than we ever have before. We gain a tremendous strength and confidence from knowing that we're playing our edge and pushing ourselves to be more than we ever thought possible!

Namaste,
Tiki

P.S. My mommy wanted me to be sure to tell you all that the Advanced Yoga Studies program is going really well, and the Angels-in-Training are progressing wonderfully! In fact, the Angels-in-Training, Erika and Jaime, will be assisting in my mommy's 9:00am Beginner class next Saturday, July 31st! This is a great opportunity to get lots of extra attention and hands-on adjustments in your postures, and we hope to see you there!

These "before and after" pictures demonstrate the difference assistance from our talented Angels-in-Training can make!

Before: Erika is not quite getting the hang of Ardha Matsyendrasana. Good thing Jaime is there to help!

After: Voila! Thanks to Jaime's help, Erika is feeling happier, twistier, and probably more enlightened!

Good morning to all my yogi and yogini friends out there! I hope you all had a relaxing and restorative weekend because I sure didn't. Not that it was a bad weekend at all, it was just a lot different than normal, and as you know, change tends to make me a little uncomfortable.

You see, my usual schedule was completely thrown off by this Advanced Yoga Studies program that my mommy is leading. Now I really love hanging out at the studio all day, every day, but it does throw off my normal napping and snacking schedule. But the good part of being at the studio all day is that I'm exposed to so much wisdom, and it always seems like I get the reminders I need at just the perfect time.

And sure enough, one of the meditations that my mommy read really struck a chord with me; it caused me to just relax and remember how much I love running around the studio all day. The meditation was about trusting the process of life. This meditation reminded me that the Universe loves each one of us and wants only the very best for each of us, even the little Chihuahuas. Even when I'm in a situation that feels uncomfortable or even that feels hopeless, I can relax knowing the Life is always working things out for my highest good, even if I can't see this immediately.

So even though my weekend was not as restful as I had hoped, I learned a great lesson: every experience the Universe brings to me is only good and positive, regardless of whether or not it appears good and positive at the time. When I let go of being annoyed that my schedule was interrupted, I ended up really enjoying my weekend of playing at the studio, and even managed to teach the new "Angels-in-Training" a thing or two! No matter what's going on in your life, even if the situation appears bleak or hopeless, remember that without a doubt, things are working together in ways you can't even imagine to bring you peace, prosperity, well-being, and everything else that your heart desires.

Namaste,
Tiki

YOGA INSIGHT
Master Class with ETAN BORITZER
Slow Vinyasa, Bryan Kest-style Power Yoga and Meditation

Etan returns to Joy Yoga to continue his instruction on how to use basic techniques of breath, awareness, and insight to deepen your hatha yoga practice. Etan goes into each asana slowly in order for you to find your comfort zone, thereby allowing you to explore sensations in the body that arise, plus any emotions and thoughts that surface. From this platform of awareness the practitioner begins to understand on a very personal level the full benefit available in a meaningful individual practice.

This class is appropriate and will be super fun and beneficial for all levels of yoga practitioner, although some knowledge of the basic postures (Downward Dog, Upward Dog, Triangle) is recommended.

When: Saturday, July 31st
2:00-4:00pm

Where: Joy Yoga Center, 4500 Washington Avenue, Suite 900
Houston, TX 77007

Investment: Earlybird pricing of $29 before July 25th, $39 thereafter.

Call 713-868-YOGA (9642) or visit www.JoyYogaCenter.com to register today!

About Etan:
"I started teaching hatha yoga and meditation in 1971 after returning from an intensive 3 month training at Gitananda Ashram in Pondicherry, South India.

I try to infuse the postures we use with insight (vipassana). Therefore, we meet the posture halfway, then go to meditation which is simple observation based on awareness of breathing.

From this breathing platform we begin to observe bodily sensations, and mental processes. Through the personal insights gained here, we start to release our habitual unwholesome reactions to all the stimuli in our daily lives.

Hopefully we leave the class re-energized and with better tools to engender positive change within ourselves and in the world at large."

and be sure to join us for a playful and inspiring
Partner Yoga Workshop!
led by Nicole Haagenson,
on Saturday, July 17th; 2:00-4:00pm

Yoga means union. This workshop is ideal for couples, family, and friends interested in exploring deeper levels of connection and intimacy through yoga.

Most importantly, it is FUN! We laugh together as we strengthen and stretch the body. Using gentle pressure, body weight, and skillful touch, we will work one-on-one to maximize our stretching and perfect our alignment in classical yoga postures. Working with a partner helps you to open your body more deeply than you could alone, for optimal benefits. Stretch not only your body, but also your communication skills.

In this invigorating workshop, you'll:
· Practice a series of doubles' yoga poses where you balance, counter-balance and co-create the posture
· Learn partner-assisted stretches, enabling you to stretch farther than you could on your own
· Create a wellness practice of poses to alleviate minor back, neck, shoulder and hip pain
· Develop strength and flexibility while deepening trust, communication and fun.

APPROPRIATE FOR ALL LEVELS.
NO YOGA EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY.
NO PARTNER NECESSARY.

When: Saturday, July 17th; 2:00-4:00pm
Where: Joy Yoga Center
4500 Washington Avenue, Suite 900
Houston, TX 77007
Earlybird registration is $25/person (must register by July 16th). Day-of registration is $35/person.

Register now by visiting www.JoyYogaCenter.com or by calling 713-868-YOGA (9642)!

About Nicole:

Nicole has studied yoga for 17 years, taught for 8 years. Nicole's style of teaching is primarily hatha yoga but is influenced by all of the respective schools of yoga. A typical yoga class with Nicole could be expressed as a "gentle, persuasive challenge to the mind and body." She currently teaches students of all levels of practice privately and at a beginner-intermediate level for public classes. Her roster of students ranges from busy professionals to children. In addition to private and public lessons Nicole also offers partner yoga lessons and facilitates retreats in the Mexican Riviera annually. She supports an environment of respect and compassion in her classes, encouraging diversity and openness to perpetuate the dynamic flow between the mind, spirit and body. Nicole holds a B.A. in Public Relations from the University of Houston and was yoga teacher certified through the Living Yoga Program at the Barsana Dham Ashram in Austin, TX.

Good morning, yogi and yogini friends!

This week, I was reminded of a valuable tool for calming myself down. You see, even though my head is so tiny, you’d be amazed at how many thoughts are constantly jumping around in there. My mind is always racing between thinking about my next treat, guarding the studio, chasing my kittie-cat little brothers, and greeting my friends at yoga class. All this mind chatter gets exhausting, and it starts stressing me out because all I can focus on is the long list of tasks before me. Before I know it, even the things I usually enjoy, like going to the studio, feel like chores to be crossed off my list.

Thankfully, though, my mind did quiet down long enough one evening during class to hear my mommy talking about a meditation class. Meditation: now that sounded like something this little Chihuahua could use! It certainly couldn’t hurt me to relax for an hour. So, I decided I would check it out, and I was so happy that I did.

My mind had been so busy jumping from one thought to the next that it was filtering out all the beauty and all the wonders that surround me everyday. There was so much chatter going on inside my crazy little head, completely occupying my brain, that my brain just didn’t have the room to register the good stuff. When we’re accustomed to constantly rushing around in a stressed-out mode, we don’t even realize that we’re seeing our lives through a filter. Instead of appreciating our friends, the weather, the flowers and trees, and all the wonderful aspects of our lives, our brains are completely occupied with our list of chores and tasks to perform. When we take a little time to meditate and quiet down our racing minds, our minds start to notice the beauty around us, remember to feel how great those poses feel, and enjoy each moment. So this week, I hope you’ll learn from me and my chattery mind and will find even a few moments to quiet down, hear and perceive what’s going on around you, and open your mind to experience the beauty that surrounds you!

Namaste,
Tiki