All posts by Nancy MacDonald

October 2016 Yoga Nidra

Events, Instruction, , ,

Golden BuddhaDivine Sleep Yoga Nidra

October 30, 2016
2:30pm – 3:30pm
$15.00
Yoga Nidra also known as yogic sleep is a combination of alert awareness and  deep relaxation. Yoga Nidra forms a complete experience of deep relaxation, self healing and integration.

Sign Up Today!

Yoga Nidra involves systematically relaxing the body, breath and mind as you enter a deep relaxed state. It can refresh the physical, emotional and mental bodies. This meditative practice is suitable for all levels of practitioners . No experience necessary!

Sign up is quick and easy! I’m looking forward to seeing you for this popular, no-stress event.

November Evening Restorative Yoga

Events, Instruction, , ,

IMG_0361Relax, Restore, Rejuvenate

Evening of Restorative Yoga & Guided Meditation

November 18, 2016
6:00pm – 8:15pm
$30.00
The busy holidays are about to begin.  Find your calm center before the festivities with family and friends. Enter the peaceful, relaxing oasis of Shanti Vinyasa and be restored. Restorative yoga uses props to find comfort in each yoga posture, allowing the nervous system to reset to a more peaceful balanced place.

Space Is Limited — Sign Up Today!

Class ends with a guided meditation. Preregistration is required, space and props are limited. Unless otherwise noted, all special events are at Shanti Vinyasa Yoga Studio.

November Knees, Hips, Low Back – Healthy Feet #2

Events,

06-gktbzh8Healthy Feet #2

November 20th
1:00pm – 3:00pm
$25.00
What story does your knee pits tell about your legs, hips and low back? (A LOT) Do you struggle with balance? You will get better understanding why from this workshop.

Sign Up Today!

Leave with tools from this workshop to retrain and strengthen your weak muscles in the legs, hips and low back. Don’t blame your hamstrings an longer get the real information about your legs. This information will be useful in your life on and off the yoga mat. Handouts provided.

Sign up is quick and easy! I’m looking forward to seeing you for this informative learning session.

Summer’s End Restorative Yoga

Events, Instruction, ,

dog-days-of-summerRelax, Restore, Rejuvenate

Restorative Yoga & Yoga Nidra

  • September 24, 2016
  • 1:30pm – 4:30pm
  • $35.00

Leave the long dog days of summer behind! Enter the calm, relaxing oasis of Shanti Vinyasa and be restored. Restorative yoga uses props to find comfort in each yoga posture, allowing the nervous system to reset to a more peaceful balanced place.

Space Is Limited — Sign Up Today!

Class ends with a guided meditation of Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra. Preregistration is required, space and props are limited. Unless otherwise noted, all special events are at Shanti Vinyasa Yoga Studio.

September 2016 Yoga Nidra

Events, Instruction, , ,

Golden BuddhaDivine Sleep Yoga Nidra

  • September 11, 2016
  • 2:30pm – 3:30pm
  • $15.00

Yoga Nidra also known as yogic sleep is a combination of alert awareness and  deep relaxation. Yoga Nidra forms a complete experience of deep relaxation, self healing and integration.

Sign Up Today!

Yoga Nidra involves systematically relaxing the body, breath and mind as you enter a deep relaxed state. It can refresh the physical, emotional and mental bodies. This meditative practice is suitable for all levels of practitioners . No experience necessary!

Sign up is quick and easy! I’m looking forward to seeing you for this popular, no-stress event.

Want Some Good News? I’m Back!

Instruction

edited August 20, 2016

Shanti Vinyasa Yoga has a brand new home of its own in Pinellas Park. The comfortable surroundings and welcoming atmosphere of my own studio is where you’ll find my unique blend of traditional and contemporary yoga, with an emphasis on easy stretching and the use of props in poses.

Check my online calendar to sign up for classes and special events that suit your needs. Good news – you can now purchase class and event passes online, and manage your account profile at the same time!

Shanti Vinyasa is perfect for both newcomers and those who have followed their own practice and are seeking personal and physical growth. And to all my students who have shown such dedication and love over the years, I look forward to continuing our journey in a home I can call my own.

Yoga Teachers Earn 3 CEUs At Healthy Feet Shanti Vinyasa Workshop

Instruction, Toe Stretch, , ,

shanti-foot-clinic

Healthy Feet Yoga Workshop
For Teachers And Students

When you think about what we put our feet through every day, it’s no wonder they get tired and grumpy! Our feet are literally the foundation we depend on to support us as we go about our activities; hobbies, sports, work – all depend on healthy feet to take us where we need to be and then to bring us home.

This clinic takes an upclose and detailed anatomical look at our too often neglected feet. You’ll see the intricate and amazing structure of the foot, and understand why foot health is so important and what we can do to promote it.

When: Saturday, June 6, 2015

Time: 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Where: signup at The Lotus Pond Yoga Studio

Cost: $40.00

CEUs: 3

Join Shanti Vinyasa’s Nancy MacDonald when she presents a fun, informative, and unique look at our feet; how they’re made, how they work, and most importantly how to keep them happily walking and at their healthiest!

Teachers can earn 3 CEUs while learning about the foot’s unique anatomy as Nancy draws on her comprehensive knowledge of skeletal structure and biomechanics in this one-day, three-hour class.

You will learn:

  • Correct anatomical alignment for the feet, on and off the mat.
  • How misalignment of the feet can cause students to struggle in yoga postures.
  • Suggestions for students dealing with bunions or plantar fasciitis.
  • Healthy foot exercises you can perform anywhere to build strength and regain flexibility.
  • Ligaments, tendons, and muscles! Oh my!
  • How our shoes affect the feet, knees, hip health, and overall posture.
  • The most important stretch you can do for foot, knee, and hip health.

With over 2,000 hours of training, Nancy shares her in-depth knowledge of anatomy, and how understanding the mechanics of movement can restore vibrancy and health to your and your students feet.

This anatomy and practicum workshop is primarily designed for yoga teachers but students of all levels will gain insight and understanding through the unique techniques taught.

Signup at The Lotus Pond Yoga Studio now. This class will fill up quickly.

photo credit: My Foot 2 by Andrew Magill is licensed under CC BY

Understanding Your Yoga Practice

Yoga Moves

yoga practice

Don’t Live To Do Yoga. Practice Yoga To Live.

Those two yogic sentences are from an excellent feature in U.S. News & World Report’s Health section that tackles the misunderstood issues surrounding many of the trendy fitness fads that are popular (for a short time) in clubs.

“Why Yoga Is More Than a Workout” breaks down the world of popular fitness programs that for the most part promote a brand first rather than results. It points out that results should be measured in a variety of ways instead of just focusing on a number or two that usually represents just a single facet of our wellbeing, like weight, reps, time, distance or some other isolated measurement.

Engaging Your Practice Every Day

For instance, a well grounded practice like yoga finds physical, mental, or spiritual value in all aspects of everyday life, not just the physical portion. And in fact every one of my yoga classes stress a theme or focus for that specific session that is meant to be inspected and enjoyed long after the mats have been rolled up and stored away.

If your yoga fitness routine lacks depth, so to will your results. Enjoyment will be temporary at best, and instead of understanding the simplicity of breathing, your thoughts are instead looking beyond finishing a session to what’s for dinner or what’s on television.

The Yoga Community

There’s a big difference between a club workout to a thumping soundtrack in a packed to the gills group class versus a dedicated yoga practice in your own community. Spinning, Rumba, Zumba, and others usually involve stomping through the motions while concentrating on the beat without reflecting on the purposefullness of your activity. And movement without understanding why or how is not really yoga.

Yoga is alone in combining the physical with the mental with the lifestyle. In order to realize the ultimate benefit you need commitment and engagement. I hope you can join me on the journey.

Are You Really Ready For Advanced Postures?

Yoga Reflections,

Don’t Get Hurt Taking The Wrong Class

What’s in it for the teacher who teaches advanced postures in a multi-level class? Mostly money. But when your students book private lessons with me because they got hurt in your class it’s a clear signal to me that something’s wrong.

Those types of classes – power yoga, hot yoga, hot vinyasa yoga, aerial yoga, yoga with drapes, etc. – are all the rage right now because it’s an easy way to fill your classroom. Continue reading Are You Really Ready For Advanced Postures? →

Yoga Teacher Or Yoga Therapist?

Gentle Stretches, Yoga Reflections, , ,

Yoga Therapy Takes A Holistic Approach

Yoga therapy takes a whole-body approach to yoga that starts with assessing each person’s overall health and working with any limitations that are present. Individual assessments are key, since two people with similar conditions could have very different medical histories or complicating factors that would require different courses of treatment.

Can yoga therapy be taught in group classes? I say yes, to some degree. I teach therapy in my Yum Yum Yoga class, where I ask the students to describe their problems. The list usually includes low back pain, tight neck and shoulders, and hip tightness.

Can I teach a general therapeutic class covering these areas? Yes. Will I be able to help each and every student with what might be causing this continual problem? Probably not.

These are broad brush strokes using yoga as a therapeutic tool. Many who find relief are amazed and they begin to gather postures or posture flows that release their tightness. The wise students that truly want their health back take these pearls home and use them between classes to help their problem areas. Some find relief and then want a private lesson to further help their healing. Continue reading Yoga Teacher Or Yoga Therapist? →