Saturday, May 28, 2011

Free Yoga for the Community

Mother Nature hosts several free community yoga classes this summer in the Des Moines area.

9am Saturdays Yoga in the Park - North entrance of Gray's Lake

9am Sundays Yoga on the Lawn
North Lawn Between Pond & West Des Moines City Hall (4200 Mills Civic Parkway WDM)

No registration needed; just bring your mat and join any Saturday or Sunday June through September. Classes are taught by volunteer yoga instructors.

Mark your calendars... Lynn DuBord will be serving as a volunteer for both programs.
9am Sunday, June 12 - North Lawn Between Pond & WDM City Hall (4200 Mills Civic Parkway)
9am Saturday, July 23 - North Entrance of Gray's Lake
9am Sunday, August 14 - North Lawn Between Pond & WDM City Hall (4200 Mills Civic Parkway)

Contact me if you wish to serve as the student on the platform.

Additional outdoor community class... Yoga on the Library Lawn 11:15am-Noon Tuesdays & Saturdays from May 24-September at the downtown West lawn of the Public Library.

Align Everyday

Bring our alignment cues to everyday activities...The connection we make with our bodies on the mat will influence the way you move off the mat. However, some of the alignment cues may present more of a challenge to you than others. Practice will bring better body positioning off the mat and into your life. Try it in the grocery store line, on your walk, seated at the computer or wherever else you may spend time.
Alignment cues to play with:
  • Root all four corners of your feet into the Earth
  • Widen your sits bones
  • Tuck your tailbone
  • Pull your floating ribs in and spread out
  • Lengthen your side body
  • Firm your shoulder blades flat on your back
  • Lengthen the back of your neck
  • Don't forget to breath!
The above cues are the basic elements of every single yoga pose standing, seated, reclined or even upside down. The June 26 retreat, Align with Nature, will give you the foundation and challenge to explore those actions.

Cook & Eat with Intention

I cooked a dish for Mother's Day and my almost 5-year-old sister says, "Did you put some love in it?" That is exactly what cooking with intention is all about. Whether it is taking time to bless the food before you eat or cutting/stirring the ingredients with peace or sprinkling in a little love, let's cook and eat with intention.

Here are some flavor packed (& healthy) recipes you may want to try:

Tangy Citrus Lemonade
Morning Mojito
Sweet Potato & Lentil Packet (great for the grill)
20 Vegetable Side Dishes
Cashew Chipotle "Cheese" Dip

Links for You

Yoga Alliance, What Have You Done For Us Lately? - Explains some of the many reasons I choose not to submit my certification registration although I have met all of the requirements.

Your Doctor May Love Yoga

Goldilocks Position - optimal position for health.

Love & Exercise

Approach love & cooking with reckless abandon. -Unknown


Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.  -Edward Stanley

Meat & Potatoes Yoga

You read the subject correctly... meat & potatoes yoga. I am talking about the nitty gritty of how we can best move our bodies. You guessed it - alignment. After reading this "tell it like it is" blog post or rant to yoga teachers, I was inspired to dive deeper into teaching alignment rather than facilitating a yoga class.

Alignment is a big component in my classes and will especially be so in the June 26 yoga retreat. This is an opportunity for you to learn or refine your postures in a way that most benefits you as well as to get away from the "busy-ness" of life. You will leave this retreat replenished, energized and excited about yoga. The first five people to register receive $5 off; use the coupon codefirstfive.

Many of you know I am a firm believer of getting the most out of every moment and choice. I know that I want to get as many of the benefits I can out of every move I make or food I eat. I assume this to be true for you as well. Unfortunately this is not how we are taught. All too often I hear people whine about not "making progress" in fitness or weight goals. The problem is usually very clear... the individual is doing "maintenance" movements rather than "progressive" exercise. For example going on a 30 minute walk 3 times a week is great for maintaining health but more than likely will not enable you to drop 10 pounds.

Combining the best methods to build strength and increase cardiovascular fitness Fit Walks are an opportunity to get outside and "progressively" exercise. I have a class in Des Moines as well as Indianola and as always am happy to put together a private or small group class at your convenience. 

This newsletter is packed with useful information. Please contact me if you have any questions or want to learn more. I hope to see you this June.

peace & love,
Lynn DuBord

PS It has been brought to my attention that my email acts up... please never hesitate to give me a call. Assume I did not get your message - that it may have gotten lost in e-space. I will always respond to an email or phone call.