Come to The Yoga Loft for Arts Walk!

Yoga is an art. It's graceful.  There are elegant lines.  It's sweeping and dynamic. That's why the Yoga Loft happily once more is a participant of this year’s Spring Arts Walk.  We invite you into our warm studio to help celebrate the arts.  Take in images of feathers from the world.  Artist Chris Maynard’s latest shadowbox pieces will be on display.  Also, see many prints of this uplifting art.  Drop by The Yoga Loft at 7 p.m. where you can hear more about the art inside the studio.  Cover artist China Star will be in our studio Friday April, 25 from 5 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. with her work Sculpted Nests.  It's also your chance to pop inside and see our inviting studio.

By Doug Adamson

An afternoon of yoga and support

by Providence Regional Cancer System | Monday, April 22, 2013 | Email Article

Editor's Note: This article is written by Maureen Oar, RYT at YOGA Loft. She has met all the educational requirements needed to be registered with the national Yogo Alliance and has pursued additional studies in the therapeutic applications to yoga. 

As I turned up the heat, turned on the lights, put on the music and swept the floor at the Yoga Loft, I wondered, “How many will come this afternoon?”
People began to arrive. I greeted familiar faces and welcomed new ones. Before I knew it, we had 21 people join us.
Within the group we had, men and women, old and young, people that had never done yoga before and those that were returning for more.
I thought to myself, “This is what yoga is all about.”
Yoga is for every body and can be adapted and adopted to fit all needs. As we introduced ourselves, some people shared what they felt comfortable with and others just spoke their name. What they shared wasn’t important; we knew we were all there to support one another.
Yoga is a way for survivors to manage the symptoms and the stress of cancer, beyond diagnosis and treatment. Just as important for the caregivers, yoga helps us manage the stress of a loved one dealing with the challenges that arise. Next Month, Sunday May 5th, the doors are wide open as we welcome you onto the path of Yoga...

Yoga for the Cancer Journey

Come and learn how yoga can help you to create, stimulate and maintain an optimum state of physican and emotional health.
Cancer survivor and certified yoga instructor Maureen Oar, RYT has met all the educational requirements needed to be registered with the National Yoga Alliance and has pursued additional studies in the therapeutic applications of yoga. This class is created to meet the needs of any level of health and fitness and to support you in modifying your practice appropriately.
Anyone living with cancer, survivors and caregivers are welcome. All classes are located at The Yoga Loft, 219 Legion Way SW, Suite 202, Olympia, 98501. View Flyer >>

• Sunday, May 5, 1-2:20 p.m.
• Sunday, June 2, 1-2:20 p.m.
• Sunday, July 7, 1-2:20 p.m.

Fight stress, be at ease

What happens when you get angry?   You might clinch your jaws and teeth.  Did you know your breath also shallows when you’re stressed out?  That’s not the only thing that’s happening to your body when you’re in the midst of jammed traffic, screaming kids, or being confronted by an upset boss or customer.  Your body’s fight-flight-or-freeze response kicks in.  It’s a defense mechanism. That’s great as long as you’re not regularly in that mode. Stress can arrive anywhere and at anytime.  That’s where yoga plays a role in de-stressing.  Check out what the Mayo Clinic reports:

“Yoga is considered a mind-body type of complementary and alternative medicine practice. Yoga brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve peacefulness of body and mind, helping you relax and manage stress and anxiety. Yoga has many styles, forms and intensities. Hatha yoga, in particular, may be a good choice for stress management.”

April is Stress Awareness Month.  Ironically, you may not really know how stressed you are until you’re kicking in that mind-boy connection.  Stressed right now?  Try this:

Stop

Close your eyes

Pay attention to your breathing

Without changing your breath, count every time you exhale

Do this for ten counts  

You should begin to feel a difference rather quickly.  See if you're still clinching your jaw…and make it a priority to visit a class at The Yoga Loft.

By Doug Adamson
Mayo Clinic article

Namaste for The Yoga Loft honors!

Words we use after learning The Yoga Loft again has been voted as the ‘Best Yoga Studio’ in Olympia.  

“Gratitude, thankful, appreciative, honored, pleased and Namaste!”

It’s a back-to-back honor from the readers of the Weekly Volcano.

Come see what makes The Yoga Loft so special.  First time students can get a special introductory pass.  Also, make sure to revisit us if it’s been a while since your last class.

The Yoga Loft has:

-         An open and warm studio

-         Multiple class offerings  

-         Talented teachers who have your best interest at heart

-         Frequent workshops

-         A “pay what you can”  class

-         Local ownership

Again, a gracious thank you and much appreciation!

By Doug Adamson