How does yoga affect you? Enter your reason for a lottery drawing!

Pattabhi Jois says, “Yoga is possible for anybody who really wants it.”

Below are remarks by the famous athletes, musicians, and media stars who really want it.

The Philadelphia Eagles attended weekly yoga sessions starting in 1995. The Pittsburg Steelers are not far behind. The head strength & conditioning coach, Garret Giemont, has added hot yoga to the Steelers workouts.

Le Bron James, perhaps the most well-known player in the NBA, attributes his good health to his regular yoga practice.

Daylan Childress, Cincinnati Reds Pitcher. This baseball player uses yoga to relieve stresses in his body and cure back pain.

Many yoga poses can improve your stability and agility and your awareness of where your body is in space, says Sage Rountree, cycling/triathlon coach and author of The Athlete s Guide to Yoga. Those skills are enormously helpful in sports—just think of a golfer, whose swing depends on being able to sense where various body parts are and how they move in relation to one another.

I do some yoga every day – Gisele Bundehen, model

Evander Holyfield also is a devoted practitioner feels yoga helps him focus and says it improves your balance and body awareness.

I like yoga! - Spiderman, Toby Maguire

You have to learn to control your breath, that’s the essence of yoga. – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

It’s reversing the age process. - Sting

Tim Thomas, The Boston Bruins and US Olympic goaltender says he "had no idea what [he] was getting [himself] into" and he was sweating within 5 minutes."My whole career has been about proving to people that I can play in the NHL and that I can be very successful in the NHL so yoga's part of that journey."

"I feel much better." –Gyneth Paltrow, who has a home studio where she practices 6 days a week

It puts you in the right place. – Meg Ryan

If you can remember to be connected to your breath and to move gracefully through life, then that allows a process that should bring you to enlightenment. – Russel Simmons, third richest figure in hip-hop

Yoga really purifies your organs and your blood. The real lesson yoga brings you is learning to be present. - Christy Turlington

It helps my game tremendously - Maria Sharapova, tennis player, "When I travel to tournaments I put the disk in my computer three or four times a week and do yoga for about an hour. It helps my flexibility and gets me more relaxed, especially after a good workout.

I enjoy it."Madonna is quoted as saying yoga is a metaphor for life. She credits aging well to yoga. With yoga sessions ranging from 90 to 180 minutes, Madonna knows the importance of intensity for improved health.

Helps become more physically aware – Nick Bollettierian, American tennis coach who is credited with developing many world-class champions, including Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Monica Seles, and Mary Pierce.

Sarah Jessica Parker uses yoga “to balance life.”

Jennifer Aniston turned to yoga to help her though her relationships and busy schedule. She has a DVD called Yogalosophy ”she practices over an hour a day with a trainer It completely changed my life. The 42-year-old actress vowed to maintain her sexy figure by doing yoga moves, saying that she will "keep downward dogging until the fat lady sings."

Kareem Abdul Jabban, “You have to control your breath, that’s the essence of yoga too.”*****

E-mail me at tranquilityyogastudio@gmail.com to enter your name in the drawing!

Teen Yoga Starts Today, June 6th, at 4:00 pm

All of us have something that we don't like about our bodies. Men, women, children, and especially teens struggle at some time in their lives (perhaps all their lives) with body image. We are bombarded with Madison Avenue's media blitz that we should be perfect in every way - thin, beautiful, strong, muscular, handsome, athletic, intelligent, successful, and the list could go on and on. Oftentimes, this becomes an obsession with appearing perfect and encouraging self-rejection with stressful over dieting, over working out, or over fixation on the perfect appearance to the outside world. Teens seem to be especially vulnerable to compulsive behavior and feelings of self-hatred.

Yoga's message is all about nonviolence, ahimsa. This is built into the founding 8 principles of Astanga. It is what I like to refer to as the "Do good to yourself and others" section of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. Ahimsa encourages nonviolence and moderation in our thoughts, speech, and action.

Accepting ourselves "as is" will be a challenge all of our lives, but it especially targets the teen years when conformity is at an all time high on our priority list. This does not mean that we quit striving for being the change that we want to see, but it does help us to let go of the constant thoughts of negativity that roam through our minds towards ourselves. Due to "thin" is "in," and "overweight people are simply lazy and unmotivated," girls and guys in the 12 to 20 range tend to overly restrict calorie intake by starving and sometimes roll over into the binge eating with the after-affects of purging through over exercising, vomiting, or use of laxatives.

"Besides offering emotional and spiritual support, yoga provides physiological help to reverse or minimize the long lasting effects of dieting, starving, or binge eating. For example, inversions are a young girl's best friend. They work by helping to balance the endocrine (glandular) system and stabilize blood pressure which can fall dangerously low if you are anorexic. Shoulderstand, a favorite among many teens, calms your nervous system and arrests the fight or flight response that chronic stress triggers in your body. Because it employs a chin lock, shoulderstand stabilizes your thyroid as well. Yoga's forward bends calm your adrenal glands, which work overtime when your body is under stress. Standing and balancing poses build strength and tone muscle. Twists and backbending postures activate and energize your body by causing your adrenal glands to work properly." The Women's Book of Yoga and Health by Linda Sparrow.

Our teen yoga will incorporate rock and roll popular music with sequences to strengthen and energize our bodies while benefitting our minds with acceptance and nonviolence towards ourselves. Even though it is intended for teenagers, adults who enjoy a faster paced music and shorter time period might like to try it as well. Our summer class is at 4:00 p.m. on Monday afternoons at Tranquility Yoga Studio in Owasso. Call 918-371-3841 for more information.

"Be the change that you want to see," but in your being learn to let go of unkindness in your thought life towards yourself concerning your body image, your stress level, and your actions. Only when we let go of these attachments can we really achieve true, lasting success.

Whatever the question is, the answer is ... MORE YOGA!

Whatever the question, the answer is...more yoga!
Yoga, in my opinion, is the best self-help treatment you can give yourself! A regular practice of yoga revitalizes every part of you, body, soul, and spirit. However, it takes time. In a world of microwave, instant fixes, and promises to lose 30 pounds in 2 weeks, yoga may seem slow; however, it is well worth the time it takes to change your appearance, your joint/body health, and your peace of mind. Consider this quotation concerning changing your habits.
"In the science of yoga, it is said that it takes 40 days to change a habit.
90 days to confirm the habit.
120 days for the new habit to become who you are.
Just as the steady dripping of water will eventually wear a hole in stone,
Little by little, step by step, you can change old habits.
Remember that old habit you want to change has been functioning as an internal pattern for a long time.
It will take a while for your body and brain to adjust to new patterns.
Give yourself some room to grow, and most of all,
Be kind to yourself." K.I.S.S. Guide to Yoga

Tranquility Yoga Schedule for June - New Summer Classes ** Are 45 Minutes in Length; Regular Classes * in the Schedule are 65 Minutes
Join us Thursday evening, June 2, for Part 2 in Relieving Back Pain at 6:40 p.m.

Friday, June 3rd, at 5:30 p.m. - Difficulty Level 4-5
Power Yoga with Denise Austin flair *

Saturday, June 4th, at 7:00 a.m. - Difficulty Level 3
Sun Salutations to Energize and Awaken Your Body *
Coffee or Tea on the Patio option afterwards

Saturday, June 4th, at 9:00 a.m. - Difficulty Level 5
Power Yoga + Power Pilates *
Stability ball, weights, and power yoga

Sunday, June 5th at 2:30 p.m. - Difficulty Level 1
Beginner's Yoga with Standing Postures *
Lots of Instruction; Lots of Patience

Monday, June 6th, at 4:00 p.m. - Difficulty Level 2-3
Rock and Roll Yoga for Teens and/or Adults **

Monday, June 6th, at 6:30 p.m. - Difficulty Level 2 (Class Normally Meets at 5:30 p.m.)
Yoga for a Cure - Fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis *
Brady's Battalion - Open Class for $10.00 donation

Tuesday, June 7th, at 9:00 a.m. - Difficulty Level 2-3
Vinyasa Flow - Happy Hamstrings and Hips **

Tuesday, June 7th, at 6:40 p.m. - Difficulty Level 2-3
Vinyasa Flow - Strengthening and Lengthening Lower Body *

Wednesday, June 8th, at 9:00 a.m. - Difficulty Level 1/2 to 1
Joint Health and Range of Movement Chair Class for Senior Citizens **

Wednesday, June 8th, at 10:30 a.m. - Difficulty Level 1
Pre-natal Yoga ** - please R.S.V.P. this class ahead of time

Thursday, June 9th, at 9:00 a.m. - Difficulty Level 2-3
Vinyasa Flow - Open Heart and Posture **

Thursday, June 9th, at 6:40 p.m. - Difficulty Level 2-3
Vinyasa Flow - Strengthening and Lengthening Upper Body *

Friday, June 10th, at 9:00 a.m. - Difficulty Level 1
Kid's Yoga with Story time, Role Playing, and Theme - Kindness **

Friday, June 10th, at 5:30 p.m. - Difficulty Level 4-5
Power Yoga with Kundalini Style *
Join us afterwards for our monthly potluck dinner!
Italian theme; bring dish and beverage of choice at 6:45.

Yoga creates a strong, flexible body. It builds muscle tone and helps to maintain a balanced metabolism. Yoga increases energy and helps you decrease stress. Relief from pain is experienced while calmness of mind and conscious breathing are taught.
Yoga doesn't cure everything, but it sure does help! Whatever the question, the answer is ... more yoga!

* = 65 minute class
** = 45 minute class

Cost is $45.00 Tranquility Punch Card for 8 Classes with an Expiration Date of one year. ($5.62 each class) Immediate family members can punch off the same card. Drop-in fee of $10.00 per class.

Small group or private lessons or trainings with personal certified trainer are $45.00 for one hour.

For more information: call 918-371-3841.

Yoga for a Cure

"Love isn't love until you give it away." I have many heroes. My son, Jay, who is a Ranger, a dad, and a Captain in the United States Army, He is my hero. My daughter, Jennifer, who is a young mother and R.N. is my hero. My son, Jeff, who is brilliant and a Captain in the Air Force is my hero. My bonus son, Derek, who is my plant guru is my hero, and my other bonus son, Brandon, who is kind hearted and generous, is my hero. All of them are healthy and have active busy lives. Some of them live close and some of them live far away, but they are my heroes everyday. I love my children immensely.

I cannot imagine having a child who has Cystic Fibrosis and the continual worry/anxiety of loving them through an illness like that. Then, on top of all that, to tirelessly work to raise money for a cure to this illness is amazing. For that reason, Missy Swafford is another one of my heroes! She has a beautiful son named Brady who goes to the elementary school where I teach in Owasso. Missy is our patient and persevering cafeteria monitor; only the brave and strong should apply for that job! But, Missy does it with a smile and lots of love for the 500+ children at our school. Loving them and loving her child are two of the many things that Missy does well!

On Monday, June 6th, Tranquility Yoga is having our first annual Yoga for a Cure for Cystic Fibrosis at 6:30 p.m. It will be a minimum $10.00 donation to practice with us that evening, and I am hoping for a great showing of support and planning for an awesome beginner level class. I hope you will make plans to join us! Call 918-371-3841 for more information or directions. If you cannot make it, please feel free to write a check to Cystic Fibrosis and bring it to your next Tranquility Yoga practice.

Thank you, Missy Swafford, for being a hero to your son, to the cause to find a cure, and to all who admire you and love your beautiful smile!

Tuning in to the Present Moment

"When some basic need is lacking...
You may lack time.
You may lack energy.
You may lack money.
...consider yourself blessed. Your very lack of time, energy, or money is an opportunity to latch onto God in unashamed dependence. When you begin a day with inadequate resources, you must concentrate your efforts on the present moment." Sarah Young, Jesus Calling
This was part of our final meditation in Saturday's classes of Sunrise Yoga and Yoga + Pilates yesterday. Here is our schedule for this week's practice. Come and join us today at 1:30 as we add cardio into our yoga practice by walking or running before class at 2:30.

Sunday afternoon at 2:30 Pose Specific Yoga
difficulty level - 1 (1 = easier vs. 5 = more difficulty)

Monday at 5:30 Yoga for Core/Balancing
difficulty level - 3

Tuesday at 6:40 Yoga for Lower Body Strengthening/Flexibility
difficulty level - 2

No Wednesday class - set aside for personal training

Thursday at 6:40 Yoga for Upper Body Strenghtening/Flexibility
difficulty level - 2

Friday at 5:30 Power Yoga with Rodney Yee influence
difficulty level - 4

Saturday morning at 7:00 Sun Salutations Class
difficulty level - 3
Saturday morning at 9:00 Yoga + Pilates
difficulty level - 5

Sunday afternoon at 2:30 Pose Specific Yoga
difficulty level - 1


Please contact me if you would like to walk/run before class any day of the week that we have class. It is very invigorating to add the cardio 45 minutes before class starts and 15 minutes to cool down.

May the peace of the Lord be with you. Namaste'
Jeanne

Vishudda Chakra - Speaking Effectively with No Sorrow

Do you have a hard time expressing yourself? Or, do you say things that you later regret? A well-developed chakra in the throat helps you communicate effectively and desire to always say positive motivational truths.
I speak from the heart and let truth be my guide.
I use the power of words to make the world a better place.
Every day it becomes easier to express what I think and feel without shyness or over-efforting.

Since the most important conversation we will ever have begins in our thoughts, the words we speak begin in our innermost thinking. A positive balance is gained between our speaking and thinking when our thoughts reflect the verse in Philippians, "Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things."
Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott, Codirectors for the Center of Relationship Development in Seattle, "The power of the human brain is unmistakable. It does nothing less than preside over who you are." They go on to talk about the fact that the relationship we have with ourselves and others is governed by what our brain says all day long. "The secret messages you shoot repeatedly through your mind begin to cut a groove or wear a path through your cortex. These governing messages, the ones that are heard most loudly, most often, and most quickly, are the ones that define your self-talk and your relationships."
Yoga teaches us that we become aware of our thoughts and tune them in not only to the present moment, but we also guide them toward good. The negative or the prideful messages are released as not our own, and the healthy, positive thoughts are concentrated on. Many times in yoga I say to the yogis and yoginis that are in our class, "Let go of those things that do not serve you well."
Thoughts that do not serve us are unhealthy, critical, full of self-criticism, arrogant, competitive, and worse. They may be influenced by those around us, the "Madison Avenue" concept of physical worthiness, or the books, T.V., music that we allow ourselves to experience.
Any yoga poses that have to do with shoulder strengtheners/openers or the throat can help open a blocked energy in this part of our body for the Vishudda Chakra. Some of these can include the following:
Humming "Bee" breath
Lion pose
Camel pose
Bridge pose
Shoulder stand
Plow pose
Fish pose
Join us as we practice healthy thoughts, healthy minds, healthy words, and healthy bodies. One of the quotes that I dearly love is by Maya Angelou,
"People may forget what you said, people may forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
Becoming aware of our thoughts helps us to communicate with other people with kindness, truth, and compassion.

18 Life Affirming Mantras to Change Your Attitude

Proverbs 23:7 (New King James Version)
7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

18 Life Affirmations that Will Change Your Attitude and Your Thoughts
Attitude is both the power behind your intention for practicing hatha yoga and the power that ultimately fulfills your intention. Before starting your daily practice, contemplate your intention for doing the practice that day. Ask yourself, "What do I hope to gain or what do I wish to offer today through my practice?"

Your intention can be multilevel in its purpose – physical, emotional, mental, and/or spiritual. You might do your yoga practice to improve the health or appearance of the physical body, or to clear blocked emotions and help balance your emotional slate or even to promote mental clarity and peace.

Intertwined with attitude and intention is will power – a deep inner force that is a balance between self-effort and the ability to surrender. Aligning effort and surrender brings our intention to the flow of grace. When effort and surrender are balanced, the ride is smooth and enjoyable. A state of ease is experienced in each asana or yoga posture.

Here are eighteen life affirmations or mantras that go with a unique yoga pose to enhance the quality of your thought life.
• Uttanasana (Forward Fold) “I surrender to the present moment.”
• Utkatasana (Chair or Fierce Pose) “My body is no burden. It is as light as a feather.”
• Chaturanga Dandasana (Plank Pose) “My core is strong, and I am as firm as a plank of wood.”
• Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) “I am shedding old ways of being and doing.”
• Garudasana (Eagle Pose) “No matter how twisted and stressed on the outside, I am calm and centered on the inside.”
• Virabhadrasana III (Warrior 3) “I find balance in all areas of my life.”
• Vrksasana (Tree Posture) “We are all in unity like trees, and we do no harm to ourselves or others.”
• Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide Legged Forward Fold) “I let go of all the tightness in my body, soul, and spirit. I am not afraid of forward movement.”
• Utthita Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) “We are all one in unity. When my relationships are in unity, I find peace within.”
• Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle) “Dispelling any negativity in my thoughts and opening myself up, I allow my future to evolve in a positive way.”
• Virabhadrasana I (Warrior 1) “I am strong and confident like a warrior.”
• Virabhadrasana II (Warrior 2) “I invoke my warrior energy.”
• Ardha Chandrasana (Half Balancing Moon) “My body is happy and smiling.”
• Utthita Hasta Padangustasana (Extended Hand to Foot Pose) which can be done in a standing balance or on the floor as a stretch “I have an abundance of energy available to me.”
• Natarajasana (Dancer Pose) “I am delicate like a dancer, yet I am strong as a body builder.”
• Ustrasana (Camel Pose) “It is safe to dive back into past issues.”
• Simhasana (Lion Pose) “I have a voice, a strong voice, and I use it effectively.” And yes, you do have to stick your tongue out and ROAR! (:
• Each time you come back to Tadasana (Mountain Pose), bring your hands to Anjali Mudra (Hands to heart) Samasthitihi (Equal Standing) “I combine effort and surrender to find steadiness and ease.”

Our meditation at the end of class was taken from Charles Swindoll’s writings about attitude.
"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think, say, or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company…a church…a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past…we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you. We are the only ones in charge of our attitudes.”

I believe that what we say to ourselves all day long is so important. Therefore, making new pathways in our brains by changing our self-criticism to life affirming mantras (mutterings), can change our thoughts which in turn changes our words, our actions, our lives. Come practice with us! We are improving our bodies, minds, and spirits by our yoga practice. A special thank you to Sarah Klein for inspiring this yoga class at Tranquility Yoga Studio.