Yoga for EveryBody

Yesterday's unusual weather provided a great opportunity for a pop-up Dock Yoga class. Surprising turnout, considering they only had 2 days notice! 👍🙂

The last Wednesday of each month we have a Chair Yoga class at the Sugar Land Senior Center (TEHC). The chair can be so helpful for the student to explore their potential. Here in Half Moon pose you can see some students electing to keep both hands on the chair, while others open up the top arm. And in wide leg half forward fold, there is a room full of beautifully lengthened spines!
❤🙂❤🙂❤

The center offers a multitude of classes to Sugar Land residents at $12.25 for an annual fee. Learn more at:
https://www.sugarlandtx.gov/122/TE-Harman-Senior-Center

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY…
A couple months ago I started sending out a Wednesday Wellness email to my yoga students on Wednesday mornings. Either a meme or a quote to provide some food for thought. This was today’s meme. With so much conversation about Artificial Intelligence (AI) these days, I thought I would take it for a test drive. I asked ChatGPT to define “Beautiful Soul” and within 10 seconds it returned the following… enjoy!

A BEAUTIFUL SOUL - By ChatGPT

A beautiful soul is a person whose inner qualities radiate with warmth, kindness, and compassion. It is a rare and precious trait that goes beyond physical appearance and touches the very essence of who a person is. A beautiful soul possesses qualities that inspire and uplift others, leaving a lasting impression on everyone they encounter.

First and foremost, a beautiful soul is compassionate. They genuinely care about the well-being and happiness of others, and their actions are driven by a deep sense of empathy. They have the ability to understand and share in the joys and sorrows of those around them, offering comfort, support, and encouragement when needed. Their compassion extends not only to humans but also to animals and the environment, showing respect and care for all living beings.

A beautiful soul is also marked by their kindness. They exhibit a genuine desire to help and make a positive impact on the lives of others. Their words and actions are filled with warmth, generosity, and thoughtfulness. They find joy in acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, and they believe in the power of spreading love and positivity in the world.

Integrity is another important aspect of a beautiful soul. They possess a strong moral compass and live by their principles and values. Their actions align with their beliefs, and they strive to do what is right, even when faced with challenges or temptations. They are honest, trustworthy, and dependable, earning the respect and admiration of those around them.

A beautiful soul is also characterized by their humility. Despite any accomplishments or talents they may possess, they remain grounded and modest. They do not seek attention or praise for themselves but rather focus on lifting others up and recognizing the strengths and accomplishments of those around them. Their humility creates a safe and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated.

Lastly, a beautiful soul radiates inner peace and positivity. They have a serene presence that brings a sense of calm to those they interact with. They find beauty in simple moments, appreciate the wonders of the world, and have a grateful outlook on life. Their positive energy is infectious and inspires others to see the good in themselves and in the world.

In essence, a beautiful soul is a rare gem that shines brightly, illuminating the lives of others with compassion, kindness, integrity, humility, and positivity. They leave a lasting impact on the world, making it a better place for all who have the privilege of knowing them.

Y4EB shared the Memorial Day morning with a few friends for some Dock Yoga. 😊 ❤️

Just outside of our yoga facility EVERY Saturday!!!
Farmer's Market at Imperial... 😊

FAMILY YOGA...
Han (left) makes an occasional trip down from Dallas for a family visit. It's always nice to see her during those visits when she and her mom, Hien, get in a mother / daughter yoga date! Thank you for 'posing' for this shot ladies! 🙏❤️

Hien has been studying with Yoga for EveryBody for 5+ years now. She used to have frustratingly reoccurring shoulder issues. I think her shoulders are doing pretty good now, don't you? This is her first time ever attempting this pose... and that is some pretty impressive alignment! Sure makes this yoga teacher proud of her. 😊❤

With the 'feels like' temperature barely getting out of the teens today here in Sugar Land, I decide to stay inside ALL DAY LONG and spent some of that time making this video. Here's what to expect:
Centering
Forward fold and twists over crossed legs
Supported back bends
Reclined twists w/ strap
Wide leg forward folds
Balance w/ strap
Half standing flow
Goddess sequence
Full standing flow
Relaxation

50+ Age Group Practice - 2 This is the second of four practices that Yoga for EveryBody (Y4EB) shares with its 50+ Age Group students.

Each week Y4EB offers two 50+ Age Group yoga practices at nearby recreation facilities. At 8:20am Wednesday, we meet at the Senior Center in Sugar Land… and then on Thursday at 8:30am, Y4EB offers a class at the Missouri City Rec Center. You can learn more at www.y4eb.com.

The first week of each month is a passive Hips and Low Back practice, while the last week of each month is reserved for a Chair Yoga practice. For the weeks in between those two practices, Y4EB has a suite of 4 classes that we rotate through. This video is the first of those four… Y4EB will record and release the other 3 in the near future. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/vyh7XJeRymU

50+ Age Groupers, Practice 1 of 4 This is the first of four practices that Yoga for EveryBody (Y4EB) shares with its 50+ Age Group students. Be sure to subscribe to get a notification when t...

A number of my yoga students have been asking about what they can do to fix an aggravated shoulder. They usually ask what stretches would be helpful... but quite often it is more about strengthening the surrounding muscles. So here is my first attempt at making a Low Impact Interval Training (LIIT) video. I hope it helps!

20 Minute L.I.I.T. Shoulder Workout A number of my yoga students have been asking about what they can do to fix an aggravated shoulder. They usually ask what stretches would be helpful... but ...

Probably my favorite story to share with my students during Shavasana.

"When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don’t blame the lettuce. You look for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water, or less sun. You never blame the lettuce. Yet if we have problems with our friends or family, we blame the other person. But if we know how to take care of them, they will grow well, like the lettuce. Blaming has no positive effect at all, nor does trying to persuade using reason and argument. That is my experience. No blame, no reasoning, no argument, just understanding. If you understand, and you show that you understand, you can love, and the situation will change.”

Thich Nhat Hanh in 'Peace is Every Step'

(Photo: The Happy Farm at Upper Hamlet, Plum Village, France)