In order to get rid of something, you must understand what it is and what it’s cause is. It is said:
The cause for all suffering and for freedom from suffering is in the mind alone. Yoga promises you that you can have complete peace and joy right here right now, without changing a thing about your life— not your job, your relationships, your family. You already have what you want to possess; you already are what you want to become. In Sanskrit we say, “Tat twam asi… You are That.” In the present tense, here and now; never in future tense. You are already what you want to become, so what is the problem? The problem is in our head; we don’t get it. We miss something very obvious. We get caught up in the wrong conclusions. We suffer because of wrong conclusions, we get freedom by removing wrong conclusions. How? By addressing the problem on the most fundamental basis—the level of the mind. In the traditional teachings there is a beautiful metaphor of the thoughts of the mind flowing like a river. This Chittasya Nadii, this river of thoughts flows in 2 directions—toward what is good, and other times toward what gets you in trouble. Can you imaging how hard it would be to alter the course of a river? What would it take to control the river of thoughts? The course of a river is hard to change because it has left a deep impression on the landscape. Say you have a Mountain, water flows down, collects in a pool, and starts to erode a channel and starts to flow down the mountain side, and the rut grows bigger and bigger and wider and wider. This process is like samskara, the impressions left on the mind-body complex due to the experiencing of thoughts. Each time water flows down it digs the channel a little deeper and becomes more likely to flow this way. Similarly whenever our Chittasya nadii flows toward something beneficial, the more likely it is to flow that way again. Whenever the chittasya nadii flows toward something bad for us, the more likely it is to flow that way again… reflecting the habitual nature of the mind. When you make one mistake, it leads to another. Remember the old Lay’s Potato Chips Ad? “No one can eat just one.” When you get into a habit you get pre-disposed toward that behavior. Suppose you’re a farmer and your land is in the midst of the mountainside, so that whenever it rains it destroys your crops. What would it take to redirect the water? Suppose we could weaken the flow of water. Vairagya is to weaken the flow of thoughts toward an object. Now the potato chips. You see them & the mind goes toward them. We would need to weaken the initial flow and to establish a new alternate path. As the new direction becomes more and more dominant, the old path fades away. Re-directing the chittanadi, weaken the flow with vairagya (detach form the old path), and re-direct it with abhyasa continued practice of this detachment. In redirecting our search for comfort and happiness from the material world, in recognizing that “The World is mine but I’m not attached to it.” We enjoy the process rather than always watching and waiting and stressing over the future outcomes. We may or may not have control over a given situation, but if we fret and try to keep adjusting, tweaking, we never get to enjoy the situation. If you keep adjusting your sheets and your covers, your pillow and your position to try to get everything just right you will never sleep at night. In this way the practice of meditation becomes a very potent tool to cultivate this in daily life. There comes a point where you can make a choice, either to try to satisfy the distraction in the mind or to wait. The good thing is that the distraction is a result of how you hold the situation in your mind, and the mind is constantly changing; so you can either react or wait, either way the mind will change. The mind with clarity and peace, free from worries, fears, and regrets has knowledge and insight into the present. It is this knowledge that gives us the understanding that you are not your body, you are not your possessions, you are not the thoughts in your mind. You are peace itself. Tat Twam Asi.
Sun Moon Yoga is tickled pink to offer a fantastic array of weekly and special monthly classes! Please join us for a free meditation class with Jeremy from 8:30-9:00 on second Saturdays. Various forms of quieting, exploring, and illuminating the mind will be explored. The class will also incorporate some pranayama (breath/energy practices). Come by for just for the meditation class, or stay and drop-in the Exhale Yoga class at 9:00. No prior meditation experience is necessary. Congratulations to Cat for completing Sun Moon Teacher Certification and welcome to teaching here! Cat is a long-time practitioner of yoga and has been with Sun Moon since our first sparkle. She has been an outstanding student and brings to classes her extensive knowledge, grace, insight and a deep devotion to the tradition. She will be teaching Yoga for Teens on Thursdays at 4 pm and Family Yoga on Saturdays 12:15-1:15pm. We look forward to practicing with you Cat! Welcome back to Michelle, who is back from her studies and specialized training. Michelle is a graduate of Sun Moon Yoga Teacher Certification, a seasoned teacher and a long-time practitioner of Meditation. She has completed the LifeForce Yoga course for Yoga for Anxiety and Depression. Her LifeForce Yoga class runs Sundays from 6:45-8pm. Janine’s Therapeutic Yoga class is a hit and she will be adding a second Therapeutic class Tuesdays 1-2:15 pm as well as continuing the Thursday 7-8:30 pm Therapeutic class, Basic Yoga on Wednesdays and Yoga Nidra on the 2nd Sundays. Janine is a long-time practitioner of yoga and graduate of the Sun Moon Yoga teacher certification program. A registered nurse, Janine’s classes offer a healing grace allowing students to feel comfortable within their bodies. In her Basic Yoga Class Janine brings a welcoming awareness to the spirit and practice of yoga. We are to delighted to announce that Shannon is back on Wednesday evenings, 7:45-9pm. Shannon will help you unwind and refresh with her peaceful presence in this steady restorative class with breath awareness and slow postures to reduce stress, increase awareness and bring balance to the body, breath and mind.
Practiced with a partner, family member or friend, Partner Yoga is lighthearted, playful and fun. On a deeper level, brings companions together to work toward a common goal. When couples practice together, breathing is synchronized and they must work together to find equilibrium in the pose. When practiced with acceptance, partners establish deeper, more productive communication. Working with someone else allows even the experienced yoga practitioner a new viewpoint of the posture and the relationship. The approach to the poses is one of enjoying the process of connecting, cooperating and supporting each other. Throw in some Thai Massage practice and you have a recipe for relaxation, trust and just plain feeling great!
90 minutes of breath, gentle flow, and restorative poses. 2nd Saturdays from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. 
Open to the biggest breath of your life! Join us for a 90-minute yoga class – letting go, breathing fully, and re-establishing our right to be healthy and present in our bodies and minds. Through asana, pranayama, and mindfulness practices, we take a journey one step closer to our full experience of life. Suitable for all levels. Taught by Jeremy Fulwiler, LLMSW, RYT Drop-in’s are $15 or you may Use a class Punch. No Make-ups, Please. YTC Please contribute for this special class.
Experience Deep Rest with Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra is a systematic method of introducing complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation. The process involves turning the awareness inward; yet we remain conscious. Like other forms of mindfulness practice, the conscious merges with the unconscious. Yoga Nidra helps us let go of muscular, emotional and mental tensions. This allows us to rest effectively. Often when we sleep we are not fully rested-we toss and turn and wake up tired. Or we lie awake at night, not allowing the mind to relax. The practice requires no physical effort. The practitioner is positioned, usually reclining in a comfortable position for the duration of the practice and while alert is lead though a systematic relaxation of first the body and then the mind. Yoga Nidra facilitates the connection between the conscious and the unconscious. This causes the release of samskaras or residue from actions; purifying the emotions, the mind and the leading to the release of residual stress throughout the body. The result is a state of profound relaxation while being alert and awake, a sensation of complete peace and freedom that we can carry over into our daily activities. Taught by Janine Polley, ERYT 200, RN. Sun Moon Yoga is offering ¨Yoga Nidra Workshop¨, 2nd Sundays, 1/8; 2/12; 3/11; 4/14, 1-2 pm. $15 or 1 class punch at the door. No Make-ups, Please. YTC Please contribute for this special class.
This Flexible Format lets students study according to individual interests & needs. The Foundational Weekend Intensives focus on the Philosophy, Physiology & Practical Application of the yogic vision of health. Topics include Anatomy for Asana, Structural Therapeutics, Class Design, Yogic Techniques: Asana, Meditation, Pranayama as well as the Yogic Systems of the Body/Mind. The Coursework Gives a profound understanding & helps students contemplate, process & integrate the material. In all, there are 14 Study Lessons with written work, Quizzes & a Final Exam.
Sun Moon Yoga Teacher Certification Winter 2012 Session Starts Jan. 20, 2012. Weekend dates and Early Registration Discounts are posted at sun-moon-yoga.com For any further information or 500-level Certification, please call Sondra directly at 734-929-0274. Upon Completion of the Program, Students are eligible to Register with the Yoga Alliance for RYT 200 or 500 Level status.
The shoulders provide the movement of the arms with a wonderful range and freedom of motion. We can flex and extend the joint horizontally and vertically, rotate inward and outward, adduct and abduct both vertically and horizontally. The positioning of the scapula bones on the back shape the posture of the spine, neck and chest, which can affect the health of these areas as well as the nerves that pass through them, alter the breath capacity, and ultimately the sensations in the heart, which influences our outlook on the world around us.
The shoulder joint with its tremendous mobility pays the price of being a relatively unstable, vulnerable joint. Its shallow socket in comparison with the hip makes the shoulder vulnerable and unstable, being dependant on muscles, tendons and ligaments to help hold the joint together. Important muscles include a group of four stabilizing muscles called the rotator cuff as well as the muscles that position the scapula-clavicle assembly on the ribcage. Imbalances in these muscles can lead rotator cuff injuries, the most common shoulder injuries which are painful and slow to heal. Fortunately, an understanding of the anatomy and physiology and an awareness through the practice of yoga properly as taught by an educated teacher will alleviate postural pitfalls, helping you to soothe and strengthen your shoulders. "Yoga for the Shoulders" Sat., Jan. 14, 1:30-3:30 pm. Cost: $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Location: Sun Moon Yoga Studio, 404 W. Huron St. Ann Arbor MI, 48103. (734) 929-0274. sun-moon-yoga.com
Properly aligned feet are the foundation for healthy body posture. They provide shock absorption for the joints of the body including the knees, hips and spine. Learn the benefits of proper arch balance and the muscles that give shape and support to the feet. Learn to prevent and correct painful foot conditions including bunions and plantar fasciitis.
This workshop will give you wonderful knowledge and awareness of detail in positioning the feet that can be used right away in all of your yoga classes. "Yoga for the Feet" Sat., Jan 21, 1:30-3:30 pm. Cost: $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Location: Sun Moon Yoga Studio, 404 W. Huron St. Ann Arbor MI, 48103. (734) 929-0274. sun-moon-yoga.com
The hip has one of the widest ranges of motion of any joint. Our hips provide the movement for the foundation of the spine.
In this workshop, you will learn common problems and culprits of hip pain and poses to keep your hips strong and mobile. When practiced correctly, yoga can help relieve hip pain and keep hip problems at bay. This workshop will cover:
Performed mindfully, yoga reinforces the knee joint, maintains proper alignment and prevents knee pain. But without awareness, overtaxing the joint leads to pain and injury. The knee joins three bones: the femur (thigh bone), the tibia (shin bone) and the patella (knee cap). The surface cartilage on these bones allows them to glide past each other, while the menisci cushion between the femur and the tibia, preventing damage. There are two sets of ligaments, the collateral and cruciate, that hold the bones in place. Finally the quadriceps and patellar tendons attach to the patella and track its movement.
Knee injuries include ligament injuries that occur during athletic activity, cartilage injuries and meniscal tears, inflammation of one or more tendons, and dislocation of the patella. Chronic knee conditions causing pain include arthritis, bursitis, and patellar misalignment. Yoga knee therapy includes designing a practice that balances the muscles, assures proper alignment and tracking of the bones, modifying some poses, and creating mindfulness to practice with awareness and ease. Saturday, March 10, 1:30-3:30 pm. $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
Leave it in the over for 45 mins to 1 hour. I usually check it at 45-60 minutes, then when looks close, turn off the oven and let it get a little more brown for 15 more minutes. When it is out of the oven, whisk some more olive oil, the juice from 1/2 lemon and some capers. Then drizzle that mixture over the cauliflower. Garnish with lemon slices or with fresh Italian parsley. It will be soft and nutty. Enjoy! Thanks to Sun Moonbeam & Yoginii Karen Siegel for contributing this delicious recipe!
Mudras are gestures that create an intended flow of energy, linking the individual life force (prana) with the universal cosmic force (purusha). They allow the practitioner to deepen awareness and concentration, which leads to the awakening of the prana vayus, chakras and the kundalini energy which leads to higher consciousness. This establishes a direct link between the physical, energy, mind and witness bodies, known as the anna, prana, mano and vigñana mayakoshas respectively. The mudra manipulates the pranic energy flow through the energy pathways (nadis). Pranic energy is focused and concentrated, leading the mind to become more inwardly focused (pratyahara) and to reach states of deeper concentration (dharana) and meditation (dhyana). Ushas Mudra literally means “Dawn of the New Day.” It celebrates the creative energy in the form of pranic “sunlight” and awakens the body. By activating the second chakra and sacrum, it frees stored energy, taps into creativity, and fosters the bond between partners. When we invoke Ushas mudra, we tap into our ability to peacefully flow with the changes and challenges of life and to open ourselves to the divine radiance in all aspects of creation. How:
Interlace all fingers and hold over lower abdomen. Maintain a firm but relaxed pressure.
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Sun Moon Yoga offers a superior Teacher Certification Program. A more well-rounded 200 or 500 level Certification Program would be difficult to find worldwide. The program is thorough in both the practical anatomical applications in asana as well as in the spiritual aspects of yoga with an unusual combination of multiple strengths and a firm basis and understanding of the source teachings of yoga. We teach yoga in the traditional manner, from teacher directly to student, in small groups. This adherence to tradition gives the teachers certified at Sun Moon the ability to express & share with future students an unusually brilliant understanding and insight in both physical and spiritual awareness. You will gain a depth of knowledge possible only through a prolonged interaction with the teachings that allows you to assimilate the practices and philosophy of yoga in your daily life. At Sun Moon we study together during 5 Intensive weekends. Typical weekend hours are 6-9:30 pm Fri; 9am-9:30 pm Sat.; and 8am-5pm Sunday, with breaks for meals. In the course of the weekends you will learn the yogic philosophical basis (why) for the practice, practice techniques (how) and how to sequence and teach those practices, including tips and hands-on practice to make your teaching safe and effective. You will learn the anatomy and physiology of the body, and you will get to see why and how to achieve safe, balanced postures ideal for health. You will learn the skills to cultivate strength and peace in the body and mind, and how to merge those skills into your everyday perspective.
The program is a process of assimilating your growing awareness. This is accomplished by the support of 14 units of study, complete with study questions and quizzes, as well as observing and assisting public classes and a continued physical practice. This education, like any serious course of study; requires time, effort and contemplation. As the Director of Sun Moon Yoga Teacher Certification program, I bring my experience from my studies in Biology at the University of Michigan, research of the musculoskeletal system and human physiology so that I can share my knowledge of the body inside & out in a fun, lighthearted way. Sun Moon student teachers gain a thorough understanding of how asana work affects the body and how this bridges the body-mind-spirit connection. It is the duty of a good yoga teacher who works with asana as a tool to know human anatomy thoroughly. With your training in this this program you will be confident in the safety and efficacy in your teaching, as well as in your understanding of the physiological basis and analysis when adapting the practice for individual clients.
Yet physical postures are only the first layer in the yogic process. Before we set out someplace we must know where we want arrive and why we are going there. This is knowing the essence of the shaastras, the spiritual teachings of yoga. Since the language of the shaastras is Sanskrit, a complex ancient language, I have studied Sanskrit under the guidance of my teacher, Professor Deshpande at the University of Michigan. I have studied Vedanta at the lotus feet of my loving teacher Sharada Kumar and in the presence of great Masters both in the United States and India, and continue to personally practice the traditional rituals described in the ancient teachings of yoga that I learned in the traditional way. My deep connection to the original teachings in their source language and through personal practice allows me to take Teaching Students to a level of understanding rarely reached in Programs of Yoga study. Students are then taught the traditional tools and techniques of yoga, including yoga postures, breath control, mudras and meditation techniques. During the course of a yoga session, Sun Moon yoga teachers are taught to journey through the chakra system in order to share a yoga practice that is safe, physically and energetically balanced, and which carries students to self-discovery and spiritual awareness that can affect and inspire every aspect of life.