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Community

Banish Winter Blues with Community & Movement

By Terry Tresco

December is month when so much around us is saying to be merry and bright. Often times, however, we or someone we know is anything but that. The cold wakes some of us up and causes others to seek their caves and hibernate for the winter. Seasonal changes for many of us in the northeast can cause seasonal depression. Studies have shown that exercise of all types helps us combat depression, but it goes beyond that; connection with community is an unexpected bonus that comes with many forms of exercise.

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Mindful Living

Living Life with No Apologies by Nina Triolo

In July 2017, I had the honor of assisting my teacher, mentor and friend, Rudy Peirce, for a 5-day Dynamic Gentle Yoga program at Kripalu. Because I am a longtime student of Kripalu Yoga and a past participant in Rudy’s yoga teacher training, workshops and programs I was so excited to be a working part of the magic that happens when we immerse ourselves in Rudy’s unique approach to breath and mindful movements.

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Community

Community Spotlight: Joanna Case

Meet Joanna Case, a regular participant of the Breath Practice. Learn how she has benefitted from participating regularly, what she enjoys in her day-to-day life and something that might surprise you to know about her.

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Community

Community Spotlight: Ben Kellman

Meet Ben Kellman, a regular participant of the Breath Practice. Learn how he has benefitted from participating regularly and something that might surprise you to know about him.

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Mary Ann Holmes dynamic gentle yoga teacher
Community

Community Spotlight: Mary Ann Holmes

Meet Mary Ann Holmes, a regular participant of the Breath Practice since March 2020.  Learn how she has benefitted from participating regularly and something that might surprise you to know about her.

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forest path with daffodils
Mindful Living

Living in the Questions

I was feeling “off” the other day and my mind went down the usual bunny hole of questioning whether it was because I ate the wrong thing the day before, or maybe it was the planetary alignments, or perhaps I have made bad decisions in my life, or I am just flawed. I am inquisitive by nature which serves me well in some endeavors (fixing things, learning new skills, etc.) Being curious is something I actually really like about myself. In my best moments, it’s clear to me that some questions don’t have answers, yet I tend to ask “why” or “how” about anything and everything and I do that thing of asking myself questions as if I should know the unknowable.

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Gatineau River
Yoga Philosophy

Svadyaya: the Practice of Self-Study

The ninth blossom of the Yamas and Niyamas garland is called Swadyaya (pronounced swahd-yah-yah) which loosely translates to self-study. This Niyama, studied for the month of February, reminds me of the maxim “know thyself.” Given that the Gentle Yogis practice community has already been on a journey of “self-study” for many months now, we have to dig a little deeper to know what the invitation of Swadyaya is about. First, we review. 

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Lighted Candle
Yoga Philosophy

Tapas – Dedication to Practice

Gentle Yogis have completed 683 days of daily Gentle Breath Practice Chair Yoga. Congrats to those who have completed a day, a week, a month or many months of practice.

January was the eighth month of daily group study after the practice. This month was a fascinating, challenging, and often revelatory exploration. We’re on the third Niyama, Tapas, usually referred to as self-discipline. In his book Nourishing The Teacher, Danny Arguetty refers to it as dedication.

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