Serena's "Drishti" (where the gaze lies, truth lives)

Week of February 8th, 2010

KARMA SUCCESS! A HUGE THANK YOU to all those who donated Mats for Mini-Yogis at yesterday's Karma Class. These mats will remain with the Wellness Coaches at the schools and used for yoga, relaxation & breathing... all skills that help children & teens think about their actions and their words...and discover how to contribute to society in positive ways.

FRIEDEL KHATTAB'S workshop was fabulous as usual... thanks to PAT CHESIRE in Athabasca for your amazing energy and for helping to unite the yoga communities in the area.

PLEASE NOTE*
There will be NO classes held on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11th and MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15th. Enjoy your time with loves ones on the long V-day/Family Day Weekend!

POWER YO'GUY - just for the MEN! Thursdays at 6pm.
YO'GROW - Tot Yoga (18 months - 4yrs) Wednesday 12pm.
GIRL POWER - tween girls (9-12yrs)! Tuesdays at 5pm.

GIVE THE GIFT OF YOGA
YOGA PASSES, SAUNA PACKS or PRODUCTS!
'Sustainable' is not just a trendy buzz word at THRIVE!... it's how we choose to live at the Living Well! Live Naturally. Live Well.

GET IT FIRST in the THRIVE! 'Unfold' E-letter! Not a subscriber? Click on the box on the top right corner of this website - sign up to be the first to THRIVE!

NEW WINTER SCHEDULE
Check out the Calendar for class days & times, upcoming events & updates!

Classes

Power Yoga
Strong practice using a heating breath that helps gain flexibility, muscle tone, breath awareness, mental & physical stamina. Be prepared to SWEAT! Experience an asset.

Beginner Power Yoga
A perfect introductory class for 'Flow' practitioners seeking a more physical practice or for those looking for a challenge, but who are new to a power practice. This is a great class for MEN! Gain lean muscle strength and flexibility - pain and injury free! No experience necessary.

Yoga Flow
A complete mind-body practice marrying movement & breath, reducing high blood pressure, stress levels, and joint & muscle pain. Slow down, relax, breathe, and stretch! No experience necessary.


Heart Sweat 'n Soul Sistah!
This is definitely a tough class - a challenging upper body & core workout that builds muscle, burns fat & makes you sweat right down to the CORE! A fusion of Hard Core and Power Yoga for the LADIES only! See ya there, sistah! Experience an asset.


Stott Mat Pilates

A low-sweat, yet challenging workout that leaves you feeling strong and energized. Pilates is a great compliment to a yoga practice focusing on stabilizing your deepest core muscles which flatten the belly! Sculpt a lean streamlined body, feel energized, and move with greater ease pain-free. Great for both men and women at all levels. STOTT MAT PILATES IS A REGULAR CLASS NOW! Check Calendar for class times & days!

POWER YoGUY
The long-time stigma of "yoga is for hippie chicks" has held many men back from trying what could be the best results-oriented workout. If you're up to the challenge, guys, then this class is just for you - literally bend your misconceptions and physique into an indomitable healthy, stronger & better you! No previous yoga experience needed.

Yo'Grow!' - for TOTS (2-4 yrs.)
Explore movement and imagination with your tot or preschooler in Yo'Grow'! Stimulate creativity, coordination & FUN! Parent & child aged 2-4 yrs. old. Registered Winter Session $40: Feb. 24th - Mar. 24th. Call to register today!

Young at Heart Yoga - Senior Adults &/or Low Mobility

One of the best exercises for Older Adults, or for those with lower range of motion due to injury or body size, is Yoga. Helping to increase blood flow to the areas in need, including the brain, yoga promotes better quality sleep, improved memory, increased flexibility, mobility & strength. Learn to take charge of the body you live in - and ENJOY IT! This class is beneficial to both MEN & WOMEN. Senior or Low Mobility Special 10-pass: $80 for 10-pass ~ THIS CLASS ONLY!

Girl Power
‘Tween’ girls (9 – 12 yrs.) cultivate new skills in a non-intimidating environment to increase confidence, strength & awareness. This generation of girls are going to be the future trailblazers; helping create balance on the Planet - discover how to be a true 'yogini' on and off the mat! Registered Winter Session $65: Jan. 26 - Mar 16. Call or Email to Sign up!


Yoga Therapy
A private yoga session designed just for you & your condition(s). Specific postures, mental images, at-home tips, and yoga therapy techniques will be explored. Sessions typically run 1-2 hours.

Karma Yoga
A donation yoga class will be offered every 1st Sunday of the month at 3pm.(if marked on the calendar). 100% of all donations will go directly to the chosen Karma organization. It is our way of contributing to the community… the children…the world… without expecting anything in return. Now that’s karma!

BellyFit
Fusion fitness that awakens women's mind, body and spirit through yoga, pilates, african dance, belly dancing and bhangra dancing. BRAND NEW class to Alberta... be the first to THRIVE!

Bellyfit is for beautiful, strong women of all sizes, all shapes, all ages! Please bring CLEAN, INDOOR running shoes (will be inspected), water and a yoga mat. This class is contraindicated for pregnancy at any stage.


Drishti Session
Drishti means ‘gaze’ or ‘focal point’, a topic on which we focus our attention…and see the truth. Some of the best specialists in their field are coming to THRIVE! offering to share their gifts of health & wellness - a unique opportunity that might just change your life …forever! READ what some had to say! Watch for new sessions coming in FALL!

CLICK HERE to go to the CALENDAR to check out the scheduled days and times of these, and other, sessions.

FREE KARMA CLASS

KARMA YOGA means SELFLESS SERVICE. Offering freely of our time, energy & efforts (monetary or service-related) without expecting anything back in return.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7th @ 3pm.
SWEETHEART KARMA CLASS = 2 FOR 1 minimum donation of $5.
OR DONATE your OLD YOGA MAT for KIDS in school!

MATS FOR MINI-YOGIS 'Downward Diggety Dog', 'Empower Flower' and 'Balloon Breathing' are all terms I am using in the schools for Yoga & Relaxation Classes for KIDS and Teens! Kids and Teens benefit incredibly from doing Yoga and the improvements we are seeing are phenomenal! DONATE A MAT FOR A MINI-YOGI on Sunday, February 7th!

Significance of a Yoga Mat As you know, some of the schools have arranged yoga classes through different foundations - Successful Families, Successful Kids, Be Fit For Life, and THRIVE!...Naturally. Through these experiences, we have found that the kids (especially the younger ones) respond favorably to the use of a yoga mat - they learn to respect personal space (their own and others), as well as use their mats as a physical reminder to 'relax', 'breathe' and 'think'. Thank you for helping these kids take ownership of their feelings, attitudes and actions.... ONE MAT AT A TIME! DONATE your old (slippery) YOGA MAT for MINI YOGIS on Sunday, February 7th KARMA CLASS at receive $10 off a new (no-slip) HARMONY YOGA MAT! DON'T HAVE A MAT TO DONATE? Sweetheart Karma Class = 2 for 1 low donation of $5!

SUNDAY JANUARY 30th @ 3pm.
KARMA YOGA CLASS FOR HAITI RELIEF
THANK YOU FOR RAISING OVER $250 WHICH WILL BE MATCHED $-FOR-$ BY THE GOVERNMENT!

Spend AN HOUR of your time to help the people of Haiti rebuild for YEARS to come. All donations will go to Red Cross Relief for the Haitian people - our neighbours...our friends.

THRIVE!...Naturally. Calendar.

Click on 'Month' and Print out the schedule for your fridge or car!

December SurTHRIVEal Tip

SICK & TIRED of being Sick & Tired?
(or even just HEARING about it?)

6 SIMPLE 'Must-Dos' for NO FLU! (tested on yours truly)

1. WASH YOUR HANDS using all-natural soap - safe for your hands but not for germs!

2. HANDS OFF THE FACE! Resist all temptations to touch any part of face - especially the EYES, MOUTH & NOSE! (holes germs love to get into!)

3. (Mum always told me to) GARGLE WITH WARM SALT WATER! A virus takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. This simple, inexpensive and powerful method prevents proliferation and, without a doubt, my mum is always right!

4. NETI POT!! Don't know what this is? Where have you been?! This is the single most effective way to clear the nasal passage of unwanted germs, allergens and viruses that can live for there for days! An ergonomically-shaped pot & saline solution is easier to use than you might think and is super-effective in keeping viruses OUT!

5. BEVC boosts your natural immunity with a powerful herbal mixture of Beta-Carotene & Vitamin C. Along with Zinc to boost absorption, nothing compares to this formulation during 'cold & flu season' (I take it every season along with CHLORELLA & REISHI)!

6. DRINK WARM/HOT LIQUIDS OFTEN - especially GREEN TEA!

Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction - throat to stomach - where viruses are killed by stomach acid. Green tea has the added bonus of high levels of antioxidants and great taste!

EASY AS 1-2(to)-6!
All-natural HAND SOAP, NETI POTS, BEVC, CHLORELLA, REISHI and GREEN TEA are all available at THRIVE!...Naturally.
*Thanks to the person who passed this on to me & will now help us all to live well.

Yoga Event in Athabasca

Friedel Khattab in Athabasca DATE: Feb 5 - 7th TIME: 7-9pm/ 12-4pm/ 10-2pm (Feb 5-7 respectively) LOCATION: Athabasca, AB. MORE: This yoga workshop is suitable for all levels, includes asana (poses), pranayama (breathing) and mudras (symbolic hand movements). $100 for the entire workshop or $10/hour for individual day attendance. Learn more about Friedel Khattab. Contact Pat at 780-675-2271 or Pat.Cheshire@aspenview.org for more information or to register!

Yoga RULES!...Naturally.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move easily, breathes and is not bulky.
Power Yoga students may want to bring a towel and drinking water.

A Yoga Mat is required at all times for hygienic purposes. Yoga Mats are available for rent or high quality Eco Mats are available for purchase.

WHAT SHOULD I LEAVE AT HOME?
Scents: Strong perfume or cologne is distracting and irritates sensitive practitioners.
Jewelry: Jewelry gets in the way and may even be the cause of injury to yourself or others.
Phones: Cell phones must be TURNED OFF or not brought into the studio at all.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Physical Conditions: If you are pregnant, injured or just experienced surgery, please inform the instructor or facilitator before starting your class. Bellyfit is contraindicated for pregnancy.

Class Times: The door will now be locked during class times to ensure a tranquil environment for the relaxation portion at the end of every class. Please wait in your vehicle or outside if you are early for your class. There must be at least 3 people present for a class to run.

Personal Space: Please be respectful of other practitioners. Refrain from talking loudly before & during class, as well as walking on somebody else's yoga mat.

Traffic: Although there is always 15 minutes of elapsed time between classes, some people stay later for tea. Please SLOW DOWN and watch for cars coming and going on the THRIVE! driveway.

Tea Time: Herbal Tea is served after every class. This is a time to reflect upon your practice, chat with fellow practitioners, and replenish your body with calming fluids.

When are you going to THRIVE!?