Sunday Inspiration Week 20

“The Stretch Gazette” is a special collection of weekly posts which feature popular and original Yoga articles, quotes, pictures and other inspirational material. Every Sunday, The Twisted Monkey will bring you some words of wisdom, yoga tips and facts, and highlight a specific Yoga Pose for the week. You can subscribe to “The Stretch Gazette” and receive email notifications of new posts by entering your email in the box found on the sidebar. Namaste.

Words of Wisdom

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ~ Howard Thurman, Philosopher

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” ~ Lao Tzu

Types of Yoga

Sivananda Yoga:  Following the teachings of Swami Sivananda, this was one of the first practices brought to the US by his follower Swami Vishnu-Devananda in 1957.  This type of yoga is slow paced and focuses on proper breathing, relaxation, diet, positive thinking and mediation, and mastery of the twelve basic poses.

Pose of the Week

Warrior 2

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Sunday Inspiration Week 19

“The Stretch Gazette” is a special collection of weekly posts which feature popular and original Yoga articles, quotes, pictures and other inspirational material. Every Sunday, The Twisted Monkey will bring you some words of wisdom, yoga tips and facts, and highlight a specific Yoga Pose for the week. You can subscribe to “The Stretch Gazette” and receive email notifications of new posts by entering your email in the box found on the sidebar. Namaste.

Words of Wisdom

“Life energy cannot flow when you grip too tightly and when you relax you allow life to flow through you.” ~ Kino MacGregor

“Yoga’s greatest gift is the vulnerability that fills your tender heart after a deep practice session and the spiritual strength that gives you the benefit of unflappable faith and devotion.” ~ Kino MacGregor

Types of Yoga

Restorative Yoga:  This practice emphasizes connection between the mind and the body, as well as deep relaxation.  Several yoga props are used, but the number of poses are less than usual. However, these restorative poses are held for several minutes and many of them are done while laying down. Focus is on breath and opening the chest. This practice will help quiet your mind and is ideal in the evening, especially for those who suffer from sleep issues.

Pose of the Week

Warrior 1

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Sunday Inspiration Week 18

“The Stretch Gazette” is a special collection of weekly posts which feature popular and original Yoga articles, quotes, pictures and other inspirational material. Every Sunday, The Twisted Monkey will bring you some words of wisdom, yoga tips and facts, and highlight a specific Yoga Pose for the week. You can subscribe to “The Stretch Gazette” and receive email notifications of new posts by entering your email in the box found on the sidebar. Namaste.

Words of Wisdom

“Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open.”  ~B.K.S. Iyengar

“Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they’re meant to be.”  ~B.K.S. Iyengar

“If you take up any noble line and stick to it, you can reach the ultimate. Be inspired, but not proud. Do not aim low; you will miss the mark. Aim high; you will be on the threshold of bliss.” ~B.K.S. Iyengar  – Light on Life

Types of Yoga

  Iyengar Yoga:  This is a type of Hatha Yoga that is typically known for using yoga props such as blocks, straps, cushions, etc.  It places much emphasis on precision, detail and alignment. Iyengar yoga is a great practice for those seeking physical therapy or a yoga class that is more structured and methodical in its approach.

Pose of the Week

The Extended Side Angle

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Sunday Inspiration Week 17

“The Stretch Gazette” is a special collection of weekly posts which feature popular and original Yoga articles, quotes, pictures and other inspirational material. Every Sunday, The Twisted Monkey will bring you some words of wisdom, yoga tips and facts, and highlight a specific Yoga Pose for the week. You can subscribe to “The Stretch Gazette” and receive email notifications of new posts by entering your email in the box found on the sidebar. Namaste.

Words of Wisdom

“‎All kinds of thoughts are always clamoring inside you. Many different feelings arise and subside. Many memories haunt you or please you. How you respond to all these things from moment to moment, how you maintain your inner world, creates your destiny.”

~Gurumayi Chidvilasananda

Types of Yoga

 Anusara Yoga: Founded in 1997, this school of Hatha Yoga is known for its upbeat classes and welcoming vibe.  Many poses allow the use of props for support and there is a lot of focus on breath and alignment, making it a great class for beginners. Anusara is one of the most spiritual practices, celebrating the heart and focusing on looking inward and seeing the light within yourself and others.

Position of the Week

The Lunge Pose

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Sunday Inspiration Week 16

“The Stretch Gazette” is a special collection of weekly posts which feature popular and original Yoga articles, quotes, pictures and other inspirational material. Every Sunday, The Twisted Monkey will bring you some words of wisdom, yoga tips and facts, and highlight a specific Yoga Pose for the week. You can subscribe to “The Stretch Gazette” and receive email notifications of new posts by entering your email in the box found on the sidebar. Namaste.

Words of Wisdom

“‎There is no greater illusion than fear, no greater wrong than preparing to defend yourself, no greater misfortune than having an enemy.”

~Teachings of Tao Te Ching

Types of Yoga

 Jivamukti Yoga: Founded in 1984 in NYC, this school of vinyasa yoga is physically intense, but also very spiritual. It is a very diverse practice that can also involve scripture reading, chanting and music.  Jivamukti means “liberation while living”.

Position of the Week

The Sun Salutation

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Sunday Inspiration Week 15

“The Stretch Gazette” is a special collection of weekly posts which feature popular and original Yoga articles, quotes, pictures and other inspirational material. Every Sunday, The Twisted Monkey will bring you some words of wisdom, yoga tips and facts, and highlight a specific Yoga Pose for the week. You can subscribe to “The Stretch Gazette” and receive email notifications of new posts by entering your email in the box found on the sidebar. Namaste.

Words of Wisdom

“‎Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, then the whole world belong to you.”

~Teachings of Tao Te Ching

Types of Yoga

 Ashtanga Yoga:  An ancient vinyasa-style practice named after the eight limbs of yoga which follows a set series of poses, established by Indian guru Sri.  It is also known as Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, which is often called a modern-day form of classical Indian Yoga.  Vinyasa Yoga, Power Yoga and a few others are considered generic terms that may refer to any type of intense yoga exercise that is derived from Ashtanga Yoga.

Position of the Week

The Shooting Bow Pose or Seated Archer Pose

SeatedArcher

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Sunday Inspiration Week 14

“The Stretch Gazette” is a special collection of weekly posts which feature popular and original Yoga articles, quotes, pictures and other inspirational material. Every Sunday, The Twisted Monkey will bring you some words of wisdom, yoga tips and facts, and highlight a specific Yoga Pose for the week. You can subscribe to “The Stretch Gazette” and receive email notifications of new posts by entering your email in the box found on the sidebar. Namaste.

Words of Wisdom

“‎Health is Wealth,

Peace of mind is happiness,

Yoga shows the way.”

~Swami Vishnudevananda

Types of Yoga

 Hatha Yoga:  This holistic yoga practice aims to strengthen and find balance of the body and mind through physical postures, breath control, relaxation and meditation, and cleansing practices.

Position of the Week

The Triangle Posture (Trikonasana)

TrianglePose

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Sunday Inspiration Week 13

“The Stretch Gazette” is a special collection of weekly posts which feature popular and original Yoga articles, quotes, pictures and other inspirational material. Every Sunday, The Twisted Monkey will bring you some words of wisdom, yoga tips and facts, and highlight a specific Yoga Pose for the week. You can subscribe to “The Stretch Gazette” and receive email notifications of new posts by entering your email in the box found on the sidebar. Namaste.

Words of Wisdom

‎”Happiness is a state of mind, therefore the real source of happiness lies in the mind, not in external conditions.  If our mind is pure and peaceful, we will always be happy, regardless of our external circumstances.” ~Buddhist Teachings

Types of Yoga

Vinyasa Yoga: This discipline utilizes postures and breathing techniques which offer a range of health benefits. It encompasses all areas of mind, body and spirit. Derived from Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa yoga is often faster paced, and the postures are linked together in a series of movements that are synchronized with the breath. Generally speaking, upward movements correlate with inhalations of the breath, and downward movements with exhalations. The continual movements, from one pose to another, gives you an added cardiovascular benefit, which more traditional forms of yoga do not have. The routine practice of Vinyasa Yoga can increase muscle strength, endurance and flexibility, and reduce levels of stress.

Position of the Week

The Eagle

Eagle

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Sunday Inspiration Week 12

“The Stretch Gazette” is a special collection of weekly posts which feature popular and original Yoga articles, quotes, pictures and other inspirational material. Every Sunday, The Twisted Monkey will bring you some words of wisdom, yoga tips and facts, and highlight a specific Yoga Pose for the week. You can subscribe to “The Stretch Gazette” and receive email notifications of new posts by entering your email in the box found on the sidebar. Namaste.

Words of Wisdom

‎”Yoga has never been truly described for what it is. It is an art and a science with which you can leap over the pitfalls of life. It is a science, and knowledge, and art, where mind and body can work in union and spirit will back it up.” – Yogi Bhajan

Types of Yoga

Kundalini Yoga:  This practice is a highly technical science.  The guidance of a competent teacher is required to learn methods for awakening the serpent-like vital force that remains dormant and asleep in every human body.

Position of the Week

The Deep Lunge

DeepLunge

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Sunday Inspiration Week 11

“The Stretch Gazette” is a special collection of weekly posts which feature popular and original Yoga articles, quotes, pictures and other inspirational material. Every Sunday, The Twisted Monkey will bring you some words of wisdom, yoga tips and facts, and highlight a specific Yoga Pose for the week. You can subscribe to “The Stretch Gazette” and receive email notifications of new posts by entering your email in the box found on the sidebar. Namaste.

Words of Wisdom

‎”Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life; dream of it; think of it; live on that idea. Let the brain, the body, muscles, nerves, every part of your body be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success, and this is the way great spiritual giants are produced.” ~Swami Vivekananda

Types of Yoga

Raja Yoga:  The “royal path,” which is very scientific and thorough. By following this path methodically, we learn to refine our desires, emotions, and thoughts, as well as the subtle impressions ad thoughts that lie dormant in the unconscious mind. Raja yoga helps us to experience the inner reality by means of an eight-runged “ladder,” or eight steps. The ultimate goal is for the aspirant to attain the eighth rung, samadhi.

Position of the Week

The Twist

Twist

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