Have a Ball with Yoga….With or Without the Ball!

May 28, 2010

This summer Kelley is offering a great specialty class called Yoga Basics and Ball Rolling (Thursdays 6p) and it’s perfect for all levels of students. Imagine becoming more flexible and stronger while getting a deep self-massage! This class blends the powerful Alignment Principles of Anusara yoga with the use of smaller exercise balls that assist you in re-educating your muscles and your mind. This is a must try for the summer. You’ll create positive and long-lasting changes in your body while learning a lot about how your muscles work.

Five times a week, we offer mixed level classes (Level 1-2) that are ideal for fit beginners and continuing students. These classes are moderately paced with an emphasis on proper alignment, building endurance, flexibility and vibrancy in the body/mind.

Our Level 3 (intermediate/advanced) classes come in two great flavors: Thursday mornings at 8am, Sari guides her delighted students in a physically invigorating class that informs and inspires every student to keep progressing. And Monday mornings at 9:30, you can practice alongside Kelley in a 2-hour wild and wonderful class that focuses on the refinements of arm balances, inversions, deeper back bends and twists. To ensure your fun, progress and safety, this class is open to students who have a regular intermediate practice and no serious injuries.

Check our weekly schedule for all our wonderful summer classes.
See you at the Bindu!

Teacher, Friend, Student…

May 26, 2010

By Sari Weston

I first met Kelley Gardner five years ago. From the very first moment that we met, Kelley has been a steadfast, powerfully bright presence in my life. I know that is the case for the many hundreds of students she’s taught over the past 20 years in the Lake Norman area. Her depth of knowledge and her masterful instruction help students create vibrant health, clarity of mind, and wide-open hearts. Kelley is a treasure, and we at the Bindu feel so fortunate to study, practice, and teach with her. Read on to hear Kelley’s answers to some of the questions she has posed to each of us this month.

Treat yourself to a fun and inspiring summer class with Kelley. You’ll be happy you did.
Monday – 9:30-11:30 Advanced Practice
Monday – 4:30-5:30p – Level 1-2
Tuesday – 9:45-1:15a – Level 1-2
Thursday – 9:45-11:15am – Level 1-2
Thursday – 6:00p – Ball Rolling
Sunday – 9:00-10:15am – Level 1-2

Sari

Interview With Kelley Gardner

When you decided to become a yoga teacher, why did you choose training in Anusara?
In the early 90’s I was certified in Kripalu Yoga and loved it’s emphasis on the heart of practice. In the mid 90’s, I met a wonderful teacher named Suzie Hurley. Marylou Buck used to bring Suzie to Charlotte each year to teach a workshop. In 1998, Suzie’s annual workshop rocked my world – she had been working that year with John Friend (founder of Anusara) and EVERYTHING about her and her teaching was off-the-charts good. She was already an outstanding teacher and I remember thinking that whatever pool of great yoga she was swimming in, I wanted to dive in. Every day, Anusara Yoga offers me the opportunity to grow and engage more deeply in life while having more fun than ever being alive!

For years I had to travel around the nation to train with John Friend and other senior teachers and it took me until January 2005 to get certified in Anusara Yoga. Today there are excellent Anusara training programs all over the nation. We have one coming up in September right here at the Bindu! Click here for details.

What advice do you have for people just starting yoga?
Come with an open mind and a desire to learn, make new friends, and have fun. And remember, you don’t have to be flexible to start yoga. The vast majority of students come in with tight hips and hamstrings and stiff shoulders. The practice of yoga will improve your quality of life. Sometimes even after just one class, a student will tell me they slept better or their chronically painful back didn’t bother them after class.

What’s your favorite posture and what pose are you currently working on?
Handstands are my favorite and this summer I’m all about arm balances and lots of deeper backbends!

What would people be surprised to know about you?
I love motorcycles!

Kids and Yoga

May 20, 2010

What we love about this program is that kids have great fun while learning important life skills. In a non-competitive environment, children learn about their bodies in a fun and safe manner. They learn techniques to help them relax while improving memory and concentration skills. In kid’s yoga, children improve their breathing habits as well as sleep patterns.

This is a class that rocks with goodness…if you want to brighten your day, come by the studio on Mondays at 4:30 and just watch through the door. It’s fun to see a future generation of yogis in the making and it gives us great hope for the future!

Kid’s Camp at the Bindu

This summer, when the days get really hot and kids are starting to get bored with their routine, bring ‘em to the Bindu for an exciting Kid’s Camp the week of July 12-15 from 1-4pm daily.

Each day they will have fun doing yoga, playing games, drumming, doing crafts and storytelling. In the music segment of the camp, they will learn to play the recorder and in the nutrition part of the camp, they will get kid oriented nutritional guidance and fun recipes from nutritionist, Jodi Sheakley. Click here for registration information. Register today – it’s filling up fast!

Kid’s Classes (and something for adults, too!)

• On Mondays from 4:30-5:30, parents can take mixed level yoga at the same time their children enjoy Patti’s class.
• We also have creative parent-driven child watch on M/W/F for the 9:30 classes.

Patti Boug Makes Yoga Fun

May 18, 2010

Introduction by: Kelley Gardner
Q&A with Patti Boug

Patti teaches both Kid’s Yoga and Hot Yoga. I love it when I can get to Patti’s Monday hot yoga class at 6pm. After a great class, she spoils her students with lavender scented cool towels. Patti is a certified school teacher and taught elementary school for 12 years. Her 5-9 year old crowd loves “Miss Patti,” as they call her, so I’m pretty sure she makes them feel extra special, too! This class is popular especially for kids with Mom’s who like to take yoga, too.

• On Mondays from 4:30-5:30, parents can take mixed level yoga at the same time their children enjoy Patti’s class.
• We also have creative parent-driven child watch on M/W/F for the 9:30 classes.
• Don’t forget about Kids Yoga and Music Summer Camp from 1-4p, July 12-15. Yoga and Music together help each student breathe more effectively, which helps create a calmer, more confident and physically healthy child. Our certified teachers will be leading lessons in yoga, drumming, arts/crafts, nutrition, drumming and lessons in playing the recorder.
• Contact the Bindu at 704-237-3635 for more information!

Q&A with Patti Boug

When you decided to become a yoga teacher?
I fell in love with yoga immediately. 4 years into my practice, my teacher approached me about teaching. Unfortunately, my kids were young still and I could not make the commitment. I dabbled in various types of yoga for another 4 years before my first Anusara class with Kelley Gardner. My life changed forever. I was registered for a 9-month teacher training in Asheville but there was a strong desire to keep learning more about Anusara because it was very different from any other type of yoga I had studied. I loved that it was very alignment based because it kept me safe during the postures. What really got me passionate was the positive heart opening themes. Every time I left one of Kelley’s classes I would ponder the heart theme and how it impacted my life in the present moment. It made me think about whether I was aligning my life to my highest good. Completely life changing!

What advice do you have for new people?
Be patient with yourself. Try really hard not to compare yourself with the others in the class. You are right where you are supposed to be and where you are is perfect! As John Friend says, “It’s all good!”. Each time you get on the mat you will deepen your awareness and slowly you will notice your mind, body and spirit making wonderful changes. Take a deep breath in, soften and fill yourself with grace. And last but not least…smile and have fun!

What is your favorite posture?
I love all of the hip openers! I am currently working to improve all of my inversion poses…handstand, headstand, crow etc.

What does your ideal yoga week look like?
Upon waking each day, I would crawl out of bed to my meditation cushion to clear and steady my mind for 1/2 hour. Then I would do about 1/2 hour of gentle asana practice. Sometime during the rest of the day I would invite a group of my yoga friends to participate in a private class with one of my favorite Anusara teachers…Kelley Gardner, Brooks Haislip, Sarah Faircloth or even John Friend!!! Repeat this sequence for the rest of the week! Total bliss!!!

What’s the last book you read?
My favorite recent read is Pope Joan. It is a historical fiction set in medieval times about a young woman named Joan who despite all odds follows her passion to receive an education which in those times was forbidden to females. I’m currently reading Yoga as Therapy by Doug Keller.

What would people be surprised to know about you?
Although I tend to be fairly serious I have a very silly side to me. I love to dance often and usually at inappropriate moments…much to the dismay of my 11 and 15 year old daughters. I’m just saying a big “YES” to life! LIFE IS GOOD!

Some Like it Hot…

May 14, 2010

…so for you we have Vinyasa and Hot Yoga!

These classes are really fun! Made popular across the nation for their great “inner cleanse, ” Hot Yoga helps you build up a nice sweat while becoming stronger and more flexible. And if you’ve always liked the relaxation (savasana) at the end of class, you will think it is really sweet after a vigorous flow of a heated class.

Vinyasa Flow @ the Bindu
Wednesdays – 9:30-10:45am
Fridays – 9:30-10:45am
Fridays – 6:00-7:15 (Rockin’ Vinyasa – to music – June 18, July 16, Aug 13)

Vinyasa is a dynamic style of yoga characterized by a flowing sequence of poses which are linked together breath by breath. Proper Yoga breathing is emphasized and used to cultivate your awareness between and during each posture. This style of yoga integrates alignment and intuition, strength and fluidity, and meditation and action. As a more “athletic” style of practice, a solid knowledge and understanding of the poses and alignment is recommended – please, no major physical limitations.

Hot Yoga @ the Bindu
Mondays – 6:00-7:15pm
Wednesdays – 6:30-8:00pm

This practice is designed to warm and open your body and heart to its core. When you breathe and practice yoga poses in a heated room (our room is heated from the mid to high 80′s), your muscles quickly become more supple and open. Come prepared to sweat!…We recommend that you bring your own mat and towel, and plenty of water. These classes are 75-90 minutes long and open to all levels, although being in good shape and having a bit of yoga experience is recommended. Not recommended for students with heart conditions.

Mary Kennedy, Ray of Sunshine for Yoga

May 12, 2010

Introduction by: Kelley Gardner
Q&A with Mary Kennedy

Bindu yoga teacher, Mary Kennedy, is a ray of sunshine. She makes everyone smile with her genuine and open heart. She is dynamic and real and students love her enthusiasm and encouraging manner of teaching. Mary teaches the following classes at the Bindu: (check www.thebindu.com for the full schedule)
Beginners – Wednesdays 11:00am-12:15
Vinyasa – Wednesdays 9:30-10:45am, Fridays 9:30-10:45am
Hot Yoga – Wednesdays 6:30-8:00pm
Teen Yoga – Tuesdays 6:30-8:00p – starts June 1 – info coming out this week!

Q&A with Mary Kennedy

When you decided to become a yoga teacher, why did you choose training in Anusara Yoga?
Although I always had an interest in studying yoga, I have three energetic children and did not have the ability to commit to training when they were younger. Kelley Gardner and her co-teachers, Sarah Faircloth and Stacey Millner-Collins offered a teacher training in Charlotte two years ago and the timing was perfect for my family. There was never a question which style I would study – I love the alignment principles unique to Anusara as well as the wonderful life-affirming philosophy. The teacher training had a strong focus on ensuring that teachers are both knowledgeable and comfortable making verbal and physical adjustments which I believe helps students progress in their practices faster and more safely.

What advice do you have to people just starting yoga?
You have to come to your mat with complete acceptance of where your body is today. Yoga teaches us all about our physical and mental patterns. Once you know where you are, then the fun starts. I love what John Friend, the founder of Anusara, often says, “Radical change can happen on any body at any age.” My other big advice is that you have to commit to regular practice. I had been practicing yoga on and off for several years before I walked into Kelley’s class. After of few months of coming to her class sporadically, she finally said (and I remember this so clearly), “If you want make progress you have to come regularly.” Great things happen with regular practice!

What is your favorite soap box to get on?
That’s easy…I think everyone should practice yoga. I am always trying to get my family and friends to begin a yoga practice. I believe yoga improves every aspect of your life: you feel better, have less aches and pains, respond to life better, your posture improves…I could go on and on…

What would people be surprised to know about you?
I think many new students assume that the yoga postures comes easily to teachers, However, after playing sports through my youth, followed by distance running and tennis as an adult, I’m more strong than I am flexible and many poses remain a challenge. Every teacher I know has goals for their practice and many of us have old injuries, which require modifications. We are all students of yoga having fun together.

Yoga from the basics

May 7, 2010

Each week in May we will spotlight various types of classes offered at the Bindu. Following the lead of the von Trapp family, let’s start at the very beginning…the BASICS!

Sari, Yvette and Kelley each offer at least one Basic Yoga class each week. (check www.thebindu.com for schedule).

All of our classes are taught in the Anusara style of yoga (www.anusara.com) to offer you consistency and depth in knowledge, understanding and experience. Whether you are taking a gentle yoga class or hot yoga, you will explore the elegant alignment principles of Anusara at an appropriate pace and level of detail that encourages you to make every movement a joyful expression of life.

Basic Yoga at the Bindu comes under 4 different class headings so look for each on the schedule:

• Level 1 & Guided Relaxation – Tuesdays 6:30-8:00pm
• Yoga Basics and Ball Rolling – Thursdays 6:00-7:15pm
• Gentle Stretching – Saturdays 10:30-11:45am
• Level 1 Basic Yoga – Sundays 5:30-6:45pm

These classes are appropriate for beginners, those returning to yoga after a long absence, and experienced students just beginning Anusara Yoga. Everyone appreciates learning alignment principles that reduce the risk of injury and open the body for better range of motion. The focus is on the creative art of having FUN while you learn fundamental principles of movement and breathing that will influence how you move through the rest of your life!

In the midst of all the wonderful family time the summer provides, do something just for you! You’ll enjoy your life a whole lot more with a dedicated yoga practice. See you at the Bindu!

Bindu flashlight….Sari Weston

May 5, 2010

Introduction by: Kelley Gardner
Q&A with Sari Weston

Just like a good flashlight, a good yoga teacher can shine the light of awareness for us to learn, experience and make lasting positive changes in our bodies, minds and hearts….every class! This month, the spotlight is on the Bindu yoga teachers and the types of classes they offer. As a dedicated Anusara Yoga studio, I knew we would be starting with a small, merry band of core teachers who successfully completed our Carolina Yoga Teacher Training and who have been long-time students of mine.

I’m very proud of each one of these teachers. Our students appreciate the consistency and creativity they offer. It doesn’t matter what class you attend, a theme that is applicable both on and off the mat will be woven through the class along with carefully considered sequences of poses that offer you the greatest range of motion, strength, and flexibility. Students enjoy the clear, consistent alignment principles of Anusara taught in refreshingly creative ways by all the teachers and we all share in growing friendships through practicing together.

This week, we honor Sari Weston. Sari teaches 4 different types of classes at the Bindu. Her students (and friends!) love her warmth, poetic style and graceful power as she inspires beginners and advanced students alike with clear instructions, humor and confidence. Check www.thebindu.com for the new weekly summer schedule.
Sari teaches:
Beginners (Level 1) + guided meditation
Beginners and Continuing students (Level 1-2)
Intermediate (Level 3)
Gentle Yoga

Q&A With Sari Weston
When you decided to become a teacher, why did you choose Anusara Yoga?
I am lucky enough to have studied Anusara yoga almost exclusively, so when I decided to become a teacher, it was a no-brainer! I love the way this yoga practice can spark such tremendous opening in the physical body as well as the heart, so of course I wanted to learn how to offer that to other students as a teacher.

What advice do you have for people just starting yoga?
I love to teach beginners. I had such excellent teachers as a beginner, and I really remember how it felt to have those “aha” moments where you begin to feel things differently. My advice to people just starting out in yoga is: Come as you are. Keep an open mind. Work more on feeling what yoga does for your own body. not what the people are doing on the mats next to you. And, most important — don’t rule out the possibility of amazing change!

What is your favorite pose?
My favorite pose is handstand. I’ve been doing them since I was little, and I’m pretty addicted to that upward-rising flow of energy that you get from inversions. At least it’s a healthy addiction! Currently I’m working on deepening my backbending practice.

What would your ideal yoga week look like?
My ideal yoga week is any week where I can hold the highest perspective even in the midst of the busy-ness I call my life. If I get to practice on my mat, I’m thrilled – but the best yoga is anytime I’m able to connect on a heart level with my loved ones and friends. Now, a very close second to this ideal yoga week would be an unforgettable yoga retreat I spent in Costa Rica a few years ago with Kelley Gardner and other dear friends.

What are you currently reading?
I recently finished reading The Children’s Book, by A.S. Byatt, one of my favorite authors.

What’s the last yoga book you read?
Right now, I’m reading B.K.S. Iygengar’s Light on the Yoga Sutras. Studying the yoga sutras always infuses my practice with greater aspiration and dedication, so I like to return to them periodically.

What would people be surprised to know about you?
People might be surprised to learn that my unofficial favorite hobby is people-watching — I think people are infinitely interesting. Yes, that means you!