Eye bags, also known as eye pillows, are a prop used in yoga. People place them on their eyes during savasana to promote deeper relaxation. Not only does an eye bag keep all the light out, the weight of the eye bags stimulates acupressure points that promote relaxation. I cannot fall asleep without my eye bag, I have a total of 5 I keep in my bedroom so that I never find myself without one. Eye bags can also promote healing. If you have sinus congestion, you can heat up the eye bag (start with 1 minute in the microwave), place it on your eyes, and you will get relief. Because I am so in love with the eye bag, I make them and sell them. We have some at the studio and they sell for $10. I promise you, it will be the best $10 you can spend on yourself.”

They also make a great gift - a yoga class card an eye pillow could be the beginning of something wonderful for someone you care about.

Margaret Kirschner is a Kripalu trained Yoga Teacher with 13 years of teaching experience. Kripalu yoga is style of yoga that encourages a compassionate practice of self-observation without judgment and is an ideal foundation for using yoga in a therapeutic way. In addition, she is a meditation guide and a birth doula, working with women throughout their pregnancy and serving them through their labor, birth and early postpartum period. Her Yoga Therapist training is ongoing (500 hours over 13 months) and she is set to complete her certification in May, 2013. She is studying with Kaoverii Weber of Subtle Yoga and Sarva Health Systems.
Yoga Therapy seeks to utilize yoga as a preventative public health strategy. For example, as pregnant women practice prenatal yoga, their health and emotional well-being improve and the lives of their children 30 and 60 years later are exponentially influenced for the better and may prevent future disease and social/behavioral/mental health issues in the most cost effective manner. For humans of any age and physical capacity, yoga has the potential to bring one from surviving to thriving. When you find a way to thrive, you give others permission to do the same for themselves.


What is Yoga Therapy?

Yoga therapy treats the whole person, seeking to change attitudes and actions that inhibit the natural healing process and cultivates attitudes and actions that support it. In other words, yoga therapy influences your mind as well as your body and removes obstacles that inhibit wellness while nourishing the actions and mindset that foster wellness.
How does it differ from a yoga class?

With yoga therapy, you’ll meet with a yoga therapist privately for a one-on-one session rather than taking part in a group class. A thorough review of your health history, your lifestyle, your habits and goals will be explored. A customized treatment plan will be developed based on your unique needs and goals. I will observe your movements and your breathing and ask about your life and your dreams for your future. Together we will develop a creative daily practice that incorporates all of the yoga principles and practices that support your overall well-being to encourage a feeling of flourishing.
How Often do we meet for Yoga Therapy?

With yoga, consistency is more important than intensity. After our first session, you’ll be given a daily yoga practice to follow that is designed just for you. Ideally, 3 to 6 sessions provide the proper foundation and refinement necessary to establish a practice that feeds your body, mind and spirit in ways that are both powerful and peaceful.

How Do I get Started?
Contact Margaret at Margaretyoga@snet.net. or call her at (860) 841-6993 to schedule your private appointment. She is available on Tuesdays from 1 to 2:15 at Weaverville Yoga. If that day and time do not fit your needs, she can discuss alternatives. Each session is $50.

Congratulations! You have discovered Ayurveda, the science of life. Or as I like to call it the guide to being a healthy abundant human being. I know the word Ayurveda may sound foreign to some ears so here is a little help with the pronunciation, (eye-ur-veda) This wonderful modality of healing is the oldest on planet earth. It is native to ancient India and appears in the Rigveda from the Vedic period which was about 5000 years ago, and is the oldest text written in form. Aurveda is the foundation of all modern medicine. Ayurveda is a pathway for rejuvenating the body’s blood, lymph, muscles, fat, bone, nervous system, and reproductive organs.

Ayruveda means the science of life consisting of the Sanskrit word ayus meaning life and veda meaning knowledge or science. It is a complete and holistic system of healing body mind and spirit. Ayruveda was conceived in India by an ancient group of healers and great thinkers called the Reshies. Aryuveda was taught through oral interpretation at this time. Then Aryuvedia became organized and written in the Sanskrit language. Ancient Aryuvedic texts have classified many different systems of healing such as Internal medicine, Pediatrics, surgery, Treatment of the head and neck, psychiatry, toxicology, immunity and rejuvenation, and reproductive enhancement.

According to Ayurvedic philosophy the cosmos is comprised of the same thing our bodies are made of. These are called the Vritties of the 5 elements earth, water, fire, air and ether. Vata dosha is composed of ether and air which governs movement breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue movement and pulsation of the heart. Pita is made up of fire and water. It governs digestion, absorption and assimilation, metabolism, body temperature and all transformations of the body. Kapha is made of earth and water. It supplies water for the body, lubricates the joints, moisturizes the skin and maintains immunity.

When the body and mind are experiencing balance we crave things that maintain ballance. When the body and mind are experiencing imbalance it craves the thing which keep us out of balance. This can also be described as like attracts like. We can ameliorate the problem by examining its qualities and then balancing with opposites. For example hot and cold, wet and dry, heavy and light, gross and subtle, dense and flowing, static and mobile, dull and sharp, soft and hard, smooth and rough, cloudy and clear. These 10 pairs of opposites are called the Gunas.

Ayruvedic philosophy recognizes three pillars of health, food, sleep, and sadana or your daily routine. When one wishes to improve their health or the health of their family they should examine closely these three pillars of health. By doing an evaluation of the food you are eating, the quality of your sleep, and the routines you and your family are practicing. You may discover clues that help uncover the root of imbalances.

Abhyanga is an ancient style of oil massage. abhyanga meaning to rub the limbs. Abhyanga is a sneha therapy. The word sneha has two meanings, one being oil and the other love. It is said that you are anointing a person with love when you perform oil massage. Abhyanga is an important part of an aryuvedic lifestyle. Oiling yourselves 2-3 times a week has a myriad of health benefits. It treats imbalances for the physical as well as psychological conditions. Oil massage benefits the mind, calms the central nervous system, sooths and nurtures the heart, strengthens the bones, softens the skin, increases ojas (immunity), loosens toxins, increases flexibility , increasing to lifespan, reducing the Vata Dosha . According to Ayruvedic philosophy Vata is the cause of 67% of all disease. When you are trying to decide which oil to use choose you will find there are a varity of wonderful specialty oils to choose from for specific imbalances. However to keep it simple sesame oil is the most commonly used in the reduction of the vata dosha. For specialty oils refer to a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner.

Meditation in conjunction with a breathing exercises, called Pranayama in Sanskrit, are an excellent way to bring balance to the mind and reduce stress. Subtle energetic counterparts to the blood vessels can become clogged and create disharmony and imbalances in the mind, body and spirit.These subtle channels are called nadis. Alternate nostril breathing, or nadi shodhana, can be used to clear these subtle channels and bring harmony to th e mind and body allowing for a more free flow of Prana. Prana can be likened to our life force or vital energy that we extract from the food we eat and the air we breathe. Once the nadis or subtle channels of the body begin to open up by using pranayama exercises a person’s inner wisdom, intuition, instinct and awareness become revitalized and restored. The purification of the nadis removes all disease and steadies the mind and improves concentration significantly reducing stress. Now that the mind is calmed you are ready for meditation. An excellent place to learn pranayama is at a yoga class.

Yoga is approximately a n ancient practice that involves exercise, breathing, and meditation. Yoga is designed to massage your body and to apply pressure to the glandular nervous systems increasing the health of the whole body. Yoga incorporates deep gentle breathing yo provide fresh oxygen to the whole body. The physical exercise along with the breathing exercise prepares the mind and body for meditation by reducing the vata dosha. Regular practice of these three modalities helps to tone and purify the body and mind. Traditional yoga practices such as Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyassa, Anusara along with many other lovely forms are suitable for most adults of any age or with any physical condition. However per-adolescent children are not recommended to perform most yoga practices due to the effects yoga may have on the delicate glandular system. This system governs growth of the body and a child is still growing. Yoga can greatly reduce the symptoms of almost any dysfunction of the body mind or spirit thereby increasing, concentration, flexibility, circulation, strength, managing stress, improving emotional control, as well as improving posture, reduces suffering, and weight management.

These therapies and life style choices have been tried and tested for thousands of years, changing and developing with every opportunity . Ayurveda is about self discovery and human awareness. It teaches us how to take care of our body mind and spirit in order to live our divine potential. We can empower ourselves with this beautiful knowledge and avoid and prevent our suffering and the suffering of others May you all live with true health, wealth and happiness.

Andrea Hargadon CAP

Josiah Hargadon CAP

Yoga is good for stiff joints and sore muscles - it isn’t made impossible by them, in fact it is one thing that will positively help open, strengthen and repair them. So don’t think:  I can’t do yoga because I am too stiff.  Think:  Oh, I have gotten stiff - I need to do yoga!

What about hot flashes, migraines, back, shoulder, knee and foot pain, and arthritis?  Read here.
Ready to try it?  Check our current schedule to find a class perfect for you with an experienced, careful teacher.  Not quite sure this is for you? Let’s talk about your specific situation and see what makes sense.

Individualized yoga therapy tailored to your needs is also available.