Yoga and Friendship written by Nancy Weshkoff
Yoga and Friendship
Written by Nancy Weshkoff
Y
oga has many wonderful health benefits from a physical standpoint. You will gain strength, build better flexibility, and improve your balance. But it also has another wonderful benefit: friendship.
When I first started practicing yoga many years ago, I met some amazing people who were also attending the same yoga class as me. What started on the first day as a hello then developed into something much deeper. As we practiced together, we became friends. Over the years, that friendship became stronger, and my best friends today are those same amazing women that I met at a yoga class years earlier. One of them moved out of state but came back to Long Island to attend a family event this week. And, of course, we had a yoga session together. Later in the evening, all the “yoginis” got together and we shared a wonderful dinner laughing and loving each other’s company. It is because of yoga that I met these incredible women who became my dear friends.
In creating Moonflower Yoga in Bellmore, New York, in Long Island’s Nassau County, I wanted to have a studio which made this type of friendship possible. Moonflower Yoga has small-sized yoga classes that provide a more intimate experience. And with that experience, comes the opportunity of getting to know the fellow students who are attending the yoga class with you. I am so pleased when I see friendships forming and the laughter and joy that comes from sharing a yoga practice with new friends – people that never met each other before walking into the doors of Moonflower Yoga in Bellmore.
I have heard people say they practice yoga by watching a yoga DVD. And, yes, you can learn a bit about yoga from watching a yoga DVD. But when you come to Moonflower Yoga, you will have a great yoga teacher who will pay close attention to you and help make sure you are doing the pose correctly and you will have a variety of great yoga classes from which you can choose. And you also gain something else when you practice at Moonflower Yoga as opposed to being alone in your living room. You will meet new people and create new friendships. And, like me, some of these new people that you meet at your yoga class can become your best friends in life. How wonderful is that!
If you are in Bellmore, in Long Island’s Nassau County, come try a yoga class at Moonflower Yoga. Your first class is free. You can have a great yoga experience, become physically stronger, and meet someone new. Is there a new friendship in your future?
Healthier You written by Nancy Weshkoff
“Healthier You”
Written by Nancy Weshkoff
When I made the decision about a year ago to create Moonflower Yoga in Bellmore, on Long Island, New York’s Nassau County, I wanted to have a wonderful yoga studio with personal attention and great yoga teachers where people of all ages and fitness levels could practice yoga in a loving environment. But I also wanted Moonflower Yoga to offer something else: an opportunity to learn something new, meet interesting people, and learn tips to help you move towards a healthier lifestyle. The Moonflower Yoga workshop program was then formed, and we have recently introduced our new “Healthier You” series.
The first of these “Healthier You” workshops was “Healthier You: Moving Towards a Plant-Based Diet”, taught by Moonflower Yoga’s Laura Lipari, who has a degree in nutrition and a passion for healthy eating. I, too, have a love for a plant-based diet. About 35 years ago, my husband and I decided to become vegetarians. It was a bit comical back then to try and find vegetarian options when eating out. We laughed when we saw the scene from the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” when it was discovered that the groom was a vegetarian and didn’t eat meat. Not eat meat? No worries was the thought – the groom could have lamb instead. Things have definitely changed since then.
Laura’s workshop was very informative, and even for me as a seasoned vegetarian I learned something new. The participants also were able to eat some delicious foods including the very yummy cold melon soup which tastes soothing and comforting on a hot July day. I received positive feedback from those that attended, and the participants are trying some of the great ideas they learned in the “Healthier You” workshop.
We have two other “Healthier You” workshops in the immediate future. There is “Healthier You: Learn ‘Tapping’ (EFT)”. Tapping is a wonderful way to reduce stress and anxiety and help release negative emotions. It is a safe, easy, self-administered technique that stimulates acupressure points while focusing on the issue that is causing your stress, fear, etc. It has been used by returning members of our armed services to help them cope with the emotional aftermath of combat duty. And on September 27th, Moonflower Yoga is pleased to have author, wellness expert and nutrition coach Jovanka Ciares speak on the topic “Supercharge Your Health: Self-Care Practices to Look Your Best, Lose Weight, and Feel Great from the Inside Out”. Jovanka also has regular spots on Fox News, NPR, CBS Radio, Telemundo, The Huffington Post, and MindBodyGreen. Stay tuned as there are additional “Healthier You” workshops being planned for the fall.
If you would like to try something new, have fun, meet new people, and learn some tips on how to live a healthier lifestyle, come try one of our “Healthier You” workshops at Moonflower Yoga in Bellmore, Long Island (New York). You will be happy that you did. And, of course, a great yoga class is also part of a healthier lifestyle, and if you have not yet tried at yoga class at Moonflower Yoga, you can do so for free, as your first yoga class at Moonflower Yoga is always free.
Hope to see you soon at a “Healthier You” workshop or a great yoga class!
The New Journey written by Nancy Weshkoff
THE NEW JOURNEY
Written by Nancy Weshkoff
The wonderful poet, Robert Frost, wrote one of my favorite poems: “The Road Not Taken”. In this poem, he writes:
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
This poem resonates deeply with me. It was just a year ago that I reached a crossroad in my life and chose the road (for me) that was less traveled. I made a decision to leave behind my past and open a yoga studio that was a bit different than the other studios I had encountered. Moonflower Yoga was then born. It was one year ago in July that I began the steps of locating studio space in Bellmore, New York, in Long Island’s Nassau County, finding great yoga teachers to join me at Moonflower Yoga, and all the million other things that need to be done to launch a new adventure. And although the doors of Moonflower Yoga officially opened in September, 2012, it was in July, 2012, that the adventure began.
I cannot believe how quickly that year has flown by! I feel truly blessed to have many wonderful students walk through the doors of Moonflower Yoga every day to practice yoga at the studio. The transformation that I have seen in these students where they have gotten stronger and more flexible, gained confidence, and feel more relaxed from their yoga classes at Moonflower Yoga have been inspiring. I very much appreciate the support that I receive from them and the great yoga teachers at Moonflower Yoga who have made the studio a success.
As the one-year anniversary of the opening of the studio doors comes in September, I will write more on this subject. For now, I wanted to mark this important one-year anniversary of having the courage to take the road less traveled. Perhaps you have experienced the same thing in your life: reaching an important crossroad and having to make a decision about which road to take. Did you have the courage to take the road less traveled?
The Health Benefits of Yoga, Part 1, written by Nancy Weshkoff
The Health Benefits of Yoga, Part 1
By Nancy Weshkoff
About a year ago, I had the pleasure of spending time at the fabulous Kripalu Institute where I studied “Yoga as Medicine” as taught by Dr. Timothy McCall, a wonderful doctor and devote practicing yogi. Dr. McCall teaches worldwide, and has written a very informative book entitled “Yoga as Medicine”, which outlines the many health benefits of yoga. Dr. McCall has recently expanded his research, and has outlined 75 health conditions benefitted by yoga as demonstrated in scientific studies. From teaching multiple yoga classes daily at Moonflower Yoga in Bellmore, in Nassau County on Long Island, New York, I have also personally witnessed health improvements from my students as a result of a regular yoga practice at Moonflower Yoga.
Listed below are a couple of the health benefits outlined by Dr. McCall. I will write on some of the other health benefits in future blogs.
Anxiety:
Let’s face it. We live in a fast-paced world where multiple demands are placed on us each day. We often worry about things that haven’t happened yet, regardless of our age. Students worry about upcoming tests and their future careers, people of middle age worry about their work life, children, and finances, while the elderly may worry about health issues. All of this anxiety can cause stress which leads to a wide variety of medical problems.
So how does yoga help with this? Yoga teaches us how to better cope. In our classes at Moonflower Yoga, we emphasize living in the present moment. Don’t worry about things that haven’t happened yet. Yoga helps you to refocus your attention through movement, meditation, and deep breathing. Spending an hour calming your mind and body has huge positive effects, reducing stress and anxiety.
High blood pressure and heart disease:
High blood pressure leads to many serious medical problems including heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the US.
Yoga has been found to help with this in many ways. It reduces stress levels. A regular yoga practice also helps to thin the blood, and blood clotting is a major factor in heart attacks and strokes. Yoga has also been found to reduce the levels of LDL (“bad” cholesterol).
There are so many wonderful ways that yoga can help you feel better! Come try a great yoga class at Moonflower Yoga in Bellmore, in Nassau County’s Long Island, and discover some of these for yourself.
Crystals written by Nancy Weshkoff
Crystals
Written by Nancy Weshkoff
About a year ago, I attended a crystals workshop and have been hooked on crystals ever since then. You will find yourself drawn to these wonderful gifts from the earth. Many crystals have been used for centuries for their healing powers.
But what exactly are these crystals? Simply put, a crystal is a solid stone that was created when the earth was formed, and crystals have continued to change and develop as the earth changes and develops. Some crystals developed in deep underground chambers or from the fiery gases of the earth. They come in different geometric formations and a beautiful variety of colors. Crystals can be shaped and polished and make excellent jewelry. But they should also be appreciated in their rawer, non-polished state. Amethyst, citrine, rose quartz, amber, and jasper are just a few examples of crystals.
Each crystal can help you in a different way. Clear quartz, for example, has many wonderful properties including the ability to aid concentration and help with problem solving. One of my dear friends was having difficulty with an elaborate Excel formula. After spending a few minutes with a clear quartz crystal, he was able to return to the formula and determine what was causing the issue. When I feel stressed or high strung, I use my favorite black tourmaline to help ground me. During meditation and in restorative classes, I often bring crystals into the room to facilitate good energy.
It is because of the ways that crystals can help you that I wanted to make more people aware of crystals. Moonflower Yoga is proud to be hosting its own Crystals Workshop this Friday evening, June 14th, from 7-9 PM. During this workshop, participants will learn more about the history of crystals, and each person will be given for free a basic crystal stone to keep for their personal use. The workshop will also include a meditation using crystals.
If you are in the area of Bellmore, in Nassau County, Long Island, New York, please join us at the Moonflower Yoga studio for this wonderful Crystals workshop. You will be amazed at the history of crystals, and you will receive your own crystal stone to bring you positive energy.
And stay tuned for more information on future workshops at Moonflower Yoga, as well as information on our great yoga classes!
Heroes written by Nancy Weshkoff
HEROES
Written by Nancy Weshkoff
As we start the Memorial Day weekend, I have been thinking a lot about heroes. This weekend we are paying tribute to the brave men and women who have fought for our country and defended freedom with their lives. We all need to give thanks to these courageous men and women who left behind their family and friends to valiantly become part of our armed forces and to try and make the world a little bit safer. May they rest in peace.
I also think about other heroes. The terrible tragedy from the tornado in Oklahoma this week brought with it a story of a teacher who covered her students with her own body to protect them from the monstrous tornado descending on their school. When Hurricane Sandy left its devastation on Long Island several months ago, heroes emerged to help those in need. Every day there are first responders who react immediately to dangerous situations risking their own lives in order to save others. Volunteers in organizations such as the Red Cross travel throughout the world to places where people are in dire need.
These are just a few examples of heroes in our times. There are many others who are unsung. To our brave men and women in the military, and to heroes everywhere, we at Moonflower Yoga in Bellmore, Long Island, salute you. Thank you for your bravery and service.
Improving Your Balance (Part 2) by Nancy Weshkoff
IMPROVING YOUR BALANCE (Part 2)
Written by Nancy Weshkoff
In my previous blog, “Improving Your Balance (Part 1)”,
https://www.moonfloweryoga.com/blog/improving-your-balance-part-1-by-nancy-weshkoff.html I wrote about the need to develop better balance and how practicing certain asana poses in your yoga practice can help prevent serious injuries in life.
Today I am writing about another type of balance: the juggling act of the many responsibilities in our lives. Many would state that life has become busier than for previous generations. We are rushing from one place to the next. Technology has enabled us to be better connected but that better connection also means that we are checking emails after we leave the office or dealing with work-related problems from our homes rather than spending quality time with our families and friends. Businesses are trimming their budgets by hiring less people and giving more tasks to the current workforce, and we often feel overwhelmed from all the tasks that have now been handed to us. You may find yourself juggling pre-arranged “play dates” or extracurricular activities for your child.
So how does yoga fit into all of this? Yoga teaches us the opposite of rushing around. It teaches us to be in the present moment and be mindful. Let your day go and enjoy this little bit of time you have given to yourself. Every person needs some time for themselves. You may find that as the stress accumulates in your day, you are breathing in a shallow way which can cause muscle tension and anxiety. In our yoga classes at Moonflower Yoga, we practice taking deep, cleansing breaths that ignite the “prana” or energy in our bodies and make us feel better. As you move into various yoga postures, you are stretching your muscles and relieving tension. At the same time, you are also building better strength, flexibility, and of course balance. It is amazing how much better you can feel from taking just ONE HOUR for yourself in a yoga class.
If you are in the Long Island, New York area (in Nassau County), try one of the great yoga classes at Moonflower Yoga in Bellmore that we have designed to make you feel much better and return some balance to your life. Classes such as “Candlelight Restorative” and “Unwind and Relax” melt away the stress and you leave you feeling refreshed at the end of your day. Energetic classes such as “Tension Busting Flow” and “Stretch and Flow” provide a fabulous outlet to release tension from your day. Or trying starting your day in a positive way with “Awaken with Power”, “Sunday Flow”, “Level One” or “Easy Flow”, and you will be better able to cope with your day.
Having better balance in our lives – physically as well as emotionally – can do wonders. Let yoga help you reach these goals. Hope to see you soon at Moonflower Yoga!
To Mothers Everywhere written by Nancy Weshkoff
To Mothers Everywhere
By Nancy Weshkoff
Mothers Day is this Sunday, May 12th. It gives us an opportunity to pause for a moment and give thanks to the mothers everywhere who often sacrifice so much to raise their children. I am blessed to have many wonderful moms walk through the doors of Moonflower Yoga in Bellmore. Some are new moms raising young children. Others have grown children who are in their final years of college or who have entered the workforce.
The love that a mother shows for her child does not have an age limit. It doesn’t matter whether your child is a toddler or a college-aged student living at home. When your child needs you or is sick, all of the moms who come to Moonflower Yoga put their child first and do what it takes to help their child.
Being a mom in the year 2013 is also wrought with many challenges. Moms are often working outside of the home to help financially support the household. When the mom arrives home, the second half of her day begins with raising the children, helping with schoolwork, preparing meals, doing chores, etc. Phew!!
I pause for a moment and think about the directions given to us by flight attendants as we are preparing for takeoff on a flight. In the event of an emergency, an oxygen mask will come down. Place that mask on yourself FIRST and then place the mask on the children travelling with you. Why? Because if you do not take care of yourself first, you are not strong enough to take care of the child in your life. This message from the airlines has so many applications in our everyday life too. Moms are often stretched to the limit. Yet if you do not take care of yourself, you cannot help your child or others who need you.
Giving yourself just one hour to rejuvenate can have many wonderful rewards. Suddenly you will feel stronger and have more energy. A great yoga class at Moonflower Yoga is one way in which to do this. Moms can completely relax and recharge their batteries in a Candlelight Restorative or an Unwind and Relax class. Alternatively, if you need a practice to release the day’s tension, there is Tension Busting Flow or Stretch and Flow. And if you want to start the day in a positive way and feel great all day, you could try Awaken with Power, Sunday Flow, or Level One Beginner.
To all the moms out there, I salute you! You are amazing!! I hope you enjoy your special day on Sunday. And if you are in the area of Bellmore, Long Island, New York, come treat yourself for an hour to a wonderful yoga class at Moonflower Yoga and meet some other fabulous moms!
COURAGE written by Nancy Weshkoff
Courage
Written by Nancy Weshkoff
In the last week at Moonflower Yoga, the subject of courage has been one of our focuses, and I wanted to expand a bit on this topic.
Moonflower Yoga recently hosted a screening of the film LEAP OF FAITH, the story of BKS Iyengar’s amazing life. The film spans the 90+ years of his life plus his 7 decades of teaching. BKS Iyengar has led a remarkable life. He came from a humble background in India and was a very sickly child. His family was told that he would not survive into adulthood. Despite this dismal prognosis and through extraordinary circumstances, he found the will – and courage—to bring himself to health through yoga. Mr. Iyengar not only survived but flourished into becoming one of the fathers of modern yoga today. He is 93 years old and still practices yoga.
Another event at Moonflower Yoga was a story telling session for children of JEEVA FINDS COURAGE. In this story, a little boy named Jeeva goes on a fascinating journey discovering new things along the way and uses courage to help him.
The week has also been a busy one with some new students coming through the doors of Moonflower Yoga to try yoga for the first time. Many of these are baby boomers. It can take courage to try something new. I feel remarkably blessed to have these new students choose Moonflower Yoga as the place to start a new journey. Yoga has so many wonderful benefits, and I know they will join the other students at Moonflower Yoga who also walked into the studio doors for the first time a bit scared but now love practicing and return to the studio each week to feel better, learn something new, and have fun doing so. And, yes, it took courage to take that first step. How wonderful life can be when we find that courage and try something new.
Do you have the courage to embark on a new path of discovery? If so, come try a yoga class or workshop at Moonflower Yoga in Bellmore, New York, in Long Island’s Nassau County. You will find great teachers who are dedicated to help you grow and learn. And your first yoga class at Moonflower Yoga is free so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by having the courage to try yoga.
Spring Arrives! written by Nancy Weshkoff
Spring Arrives!
Written by Nancy Weshkoff
Spring officially arrives this week on March 22. While spring is always one of my favorite times of the year, I am particularly looking forward to this one. Here in Bellmore, Long Island, it has felt like we have been in a bad period starting with the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, followed by a cold winter with snow and a record blizzard in some parts of Long Island.
And now here comes spring. Spring means new beginnings. Despite so much bad weather, miraculously spring bulbs have come alive with green leaves coming up from the ground. Some of the bulbs have also started to flower. You can’t help but smile when you see life coming back to the earth again.
Like those spring bulbs, we start to dust off the bad memories of the last several months too. Our bodies react positively to more daylight and patches of warmer weather. Yoga provides a great way for us to come alive too. You will gain better strength and flexibility. The deep, cleansing breaths that are part of a yoga practice provide more oxygen to the organs of the body enabling them to function better. And practicing yoga in a small class setting such as Moonflower Yoga enables you to get to know the people in the studio practicing with you and to forge new relationships or rekindle old ones. In this past week at Moonflower Yoga, there were two separate incidents of people who have not seen each other for years coincidentally taking the same yoga class together at Moonflower Yoga and having a great time doing so while catching up in a positive way on how they have been doing. It reminds me of those spring bulbs coming to life again.
Come visit the Moonflower Yoga studio if you are in the area of Bellmore in Long Island’s Nassau County. Try one of the great yoga classes that we have lovingly put together for you by our fabulous teachers. Dust off the winter cobwebs and spring to life!
