Yoga for the Cancer Journey returns to The Yoga Loft

If you or a loved one has been on the cancer journey, make sure to note this offering at The Yoga Loft.  Co-founder Maureen Oar also can speak from the heart about her journey.  “Mo” as she’s often lovingly called, has also survived cancer. This ancient art has been a central part of her journey.  Just see what she’s previously written:

“ 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.”

Come and learn how yoga can help you to create, stimulate and maintain an optimum state of physical and emotional health.  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.  The free events are on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

August 4

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December 1

By Doug Adamson 

We're back!

The Yoga Loft is open again after Lakefair!  We’re soooo happy.

Yeah!  We also could use the Sanskrit word for victory which is Jai! 

All classes are back on normal schedule.  

Come and deepen your practice.   Come find yourself here!

Cool things to do during The Yoga Loft closure

OK, Capitol Lake Fair has us closing after the noon class on Wednesday, July 17.  We’re back at it Monday July, 22.    So, as we take a break, here’s a few things to try.  

-         Dedicate yourself to doing 20 minutes of savanasa at home everyday.  Put away the cat, close the door, and turn off the phone. It’s tough, especially if you have kids.  But, the regular practice of savanasa can help make your life sparkle even more.

-         Enhance or begin a meditation practice.  Repeat the same steps above.   Simply place your hands on your low belly and watch your breath.  Don’t change it. Just watch.  Reread the last sentence from the above paragraph and replace the word savanasa with meditation.

-         Two words ( if it’s right for your body ) PLANK, CHILD’S, PLANK ( REPEAT!) And then have fun with mediation and savanasa.

-         Make sure to check out the summer focus class with Kirsti Lyons on Sunday, July 28 and Sunday, August 25. All levels are opened for this heart opening themed offerings.

See you soon!

By Doug Adamson

Peaceful Warrior at The Yoga Loft on the 4th!

Do you have the 4^th of July off?  Please consider joining The Yoga Loft Co-founder Maureen Oar for a special offering.   Maureen will focus on perhaps one of the most famous and well known poses, Warrior.  As a reminder, all remaining classes are cancelled that day.  We didn’t want to do it, but fireworks and savasana aren’t a good mix. All classes resume their regular schedule on Friday, July 5^th.

by Anne Phyfe Palmer

When I think of Independence Day, the word freedom comes to mind..The word for freedom in Sanskrit, the language of yoga, is moksha. The actual meaning of moksha is "release" or "to let loose, to let go." It's opposite is to hold, to restrain, to control.  Many things can bind us from the outside - laws, familial obligations, work - but we can also be wound tight by our own minds. The gift of yoga is that it teaches us to use control to find freedom. We learn through the discipline and attention of practice to become less held by the fluctuations of the mind. We learn to witness not follow its dance. We become able to be with what is, rather than follow the yarn our mind weaves about what was, or what could be.  The true goal of yoga is moksha, freedom. How do you experience freedom, today? What still binds you? What freedoms are worth fighting for?  May you enjoy your July 4th, and consider the freedoms we have, and can  continue to receive. 

Maureen Oar talks yoga misconceptions, cancer recovery and The Yoga Loft!

See The Yoga Loft Co-Founder Maureen Oar interviewed on “Around Thurston County" with Patrick Babineau

Check out Maureen's interview!

See The Yoga Loft at the Capital City Marathon

Running and yoga go hand-in-hand.  That’s why The Yoga Loft will be a part of this coming weekend’s Capitol City Marathon.  Before the annual event, Yoga Loft teacher Kristi Lyons will help runners with a warm-up routine. Also, make sure to stop by our booth at Sylvester Park.   Learn what some runners already know, that yoga provides many benefits.

Why do runners grove on yoga?

-It helps provide balance to muscles.  Some athletes overwork some while neglecting others.       

- Yoga postures help lengthen hip mucsles, hamstrings and other overly contracted muscles.

                                                                                                                 

- Runners who do yoga can better listen to their body.

-Yoga helps build a sound body alignment to help prevent misstep

- Yoga helps your mind by building better concentration and growing confidence.

By Doug Adamson

Mother’s Day Yoga and Tea

5 good reasons to take mom to The Yoga Loft for Mother’s Day Yoga and Tea

 

5. Mom is cool, so is yoga.  Need we say more?

4. Did we mention tea?  

3. It's led by The Yoga Loft’s co-founder Maureen Oar, who’s also cool.  

2. Sure beats 3000 calories from a Mother’s Day buffet

And the number one reason to attend The Yoga Loft’s Mother’s Day Yoga and Tea:

1. Mom saw you do happy baby’s pose, while you were a baby.

$20 per person.  Bring mom or someone who is a mother for $10 more.

Sunday May 12 from 2-4 p.m. at The Yoga Loft.   Pre-registration is required.

You can do that on The Yoga Loft website.  

Mamaste!

By Doug Adamson

More about Sound Healing at The Yoga Loft

Kristen's talents for teaching yoga are wide ranging.  Kristen does so much with expecting mothers through prenatal classes and her work with kids.  She also is known for her Sound Healing offered at The Yoga Loft.  This month, there's a little added extra: chanting with Amitabhan.  If you've never been to one of her Sound Healing events, here's some more information.

 YL:  Can you tell us a little about Sound Healing?  What is it?

KR: Throughout time and within many cultures, music and sound have been at the heart of healing. Sound healing is vibrational medicine that can help reduce stress, alleviate pain, improve sleep and concentration and create a deeper sense of well being.

YL:   What's the reaction from people afterwards?

KR:  Here's a few quotes from people who've attended:

“If everyone attended Kristen Rubis’ Group Sound Healing, our world would be a better place. My experience was profound and remained with me for days afterward. Every cell in my body hummed with the vibrations of the singing bowls and a sense of peace and calm overwhelmed me as I exchanged with the universe my suffering for its healing. Love yourself enough to experience this healing ceremony because it will ultimately benefit those that you love the most..”  ~Annette , Olympia WA

"During Kristen's concert, I felt like I was being bathed with sound all the way down to my cells. So nourishing, thank you!" ~Kelly, Sedona, AZ

"Amazing unworldly magic!" ~Sherri, Sebastopol, CA

 

YL:  How will this experience be a bit different with Amitabhan?

KR:  I will start the evening with an hour of Sound Healing – using Tibetan and crystal quartz “singing” bowls, bells, planetary chimes, a healing gong, and other soothing percussion instruments.  I’ll then lead some simple breathing exercises and a guided meditation. For the remaining hour Amitabhan will lead kirtan, and share a few of his heart-opening original songs.

YL:   What inspires you to do this offering?

KR: I am humbled by the healing potential of this sacred music. I receive emails and messages from folks sharing their pain is decreased, their anxiety is diminished, their insomnia is gone, their creativity has opened in a new way. It's heart opening and humbling to witness folks shifting in such positive ways. It's a beautiful non-invasive way to invite the nervous system to relax and alleviate stagnation in our body, mind and spirits!

YL:  Anything else?

KR:  Sacred music is becoming a bigger part of my path and a deeper part of my service. I listen with my hands and heart while I trust in the divinity of this sacred music. The mystery, magic, and medicine of the healing sound moves through me with deep grace. I am humbled and honored to share this ‘Sacred Sound Healing’ with the world.

The concert starts at 7pm Friday, May 10.
Tickets are available at the door - $15 - $25 (sliding scale).  

Sound Healing event with Yoga Loft's Kristen Rubis and Amitabhan

Kristen Rubis and Amitabhan will be performing at The Yoga Loft in Olympia on Friday, May 10th.  This will be the first show of their “Sound Healing” tour through the Pacific Northwest.  The pair recently completed a tour of Yoga Studios and Healing Centers in Northern California.   Kristen is based locally, where she has been sharing yoga and the healing arts for many years.  Her “Healing Sound” concerts and workshops have been offered at a venues ranging from Retreat Centers to Correctional Institutions in Washington, Oregon, California and Arizona.   Amitabhan is an award-winning songwriter based in Northern California.  He travels extensively through the US and into Canada, and shared his music at over 150 events in the last year.  He has appeared at events with many well-known spiritual teachers, in addition to offering his own concerts at Yoga Studios and Healing Centers around the country. Each “Sound Healing” event has two components – a chance to deeply rest in the healing vibration of various instruments, and a chance to creating healing sound from within ones own body. Kristen will share an hour of Sound Healing – using Tibetan and crystal quartz “singing” bowls, bells, planetary chimes, a healing gong, and other soothing percussion instruments.  Many people find these instruments to be powerfully transformational.  As one attendee recently stated, “Every cell in my body hummed with the vibrations of the singing bowls and a sense of peace and calm overwhelmed me…” Kristen will also lead some simple breathing exercises and a guided meditation. Amitabhan will lead Kirtan – call-and-response chants from India.  Kirtan is an invigorating practice that not only energizes the body, but also brings people to a state of deep relaxation.  You can learn more about these artists and hear their music at: www.sacredawakenings.org/site/sound-acutonics, and www.amitabhan.com.  The concert starts at 7pm.  Tickets are available at the door - $15 - $25 (sliding scale).  

Yoga Myth #2

#2 Yoga is just about stretching

Stretching has fantastic benefits for your body. Tight muscles can have a cascade effect.  Bones can be knocked out of alignment. Tight muscles also can increase your chance of injury, and create pain.   The beauty of postural yoga also includes bringing balance to your body.  That’s why classes at The Yoga Loft also help you build new strength.  Many of the poses have you using multiple muscle groups at the same time.  Frequent and sustained practice that tones your muscles helps build functional strength.  Then there’s balance.  Many people will blame being wobbly by saying they’re just that way.   There’s a pretty common reason for it.  People have weakened muscles from a lack of exercise.  Those degenerated muscles are there to support you.  Yoga Loft teachers work to help build up that balance which helps in so many ways…not to mention helping you keep from tumbling over.  Make sure to click on The Yoga Loft schedule and find a class and time that’s convenient for you. That’s where you’ll quickly learn it’s a lot more than stretching.

By Doug Adamson