OHY April 2020 Newsletter
Dear Students, Donors & Community Partners
At this time of stillness, our senses are heightened. Our emotions are like the weather, they are all important but we should try not to get stuck in any one pattern. We have the ability to help keep them balanced.
Yoga is more than just poses - it’s a lifestyle that encompasses endless qualities including kindness, gratitude, stress resilience, balance and being present & mindful. It is a lifelong practice.
If you need immediate stress relief, the two following breathing practices may help:
1. Sit or lay comfortably with a straight spine.
Notice the parts of your body surrendering to gravity…rooting, planting. Notice which parts are rising.
Notice if your palms face up (grounding) or down (receiving) You tend to gravitate to what you need.
Notice your BREATH as it enters and exits your nostrils:
INHALE, fill up to the count of 4 and imagine anything empowering entering
Pause, notice the space, count to 4
EXHALE completely as you count to 4 and imagine a release
Notice the pause after your exhale and REPEAT
(adjust the amount of seconds as needed)
2. Bring your hands to prayer…thumbs towards your heart (Heart Chakra) Notice your heart beating against your thumbs and gently gaze toward your fingertips.
Inhale- Imaging following your breath’s path and do a little body scan
Exhale- Send your nourishing breathe to where you feel needs it most
Inhale Self Gratitude and Pause
Exhale Gratitude
Inhale Self Compassion and Pause
Exhale Compassion
Inhale (invite something empowering within…strength, calm…)
Exhale and share those same qualities
Inhale Self Love and Pause
Exhale More Love
This link includes an Open Heart Yoga meditation. If you have 15 minutes to sit in a comfortable space, we invite you to listen and connect to your powerful tools within.
This link includes a photo slideshow of some moments from our first year at Open Heart Yoga.
As a way to enhance our communication we are introducing an optional text messaging program. Participants will receive key information about things happening at Open Heart Yoga, online class options, studio opening announcement, etc.
The program is completely optional and you may opt out at any time. If we have your cell number, look for an introductory text message from us in the next few days.
If you do not receive a text this week and would like to, Text OHY to 71441 If you have questions, feel free to contact (732) 859-6749 or email Mary@OpenHeartYogaNJ.org
Well Wishes, Mary
