Santosha Wellness Center
Tai Chi
February 17 & 24 and March 3 & 10
Sundays 2-4pm with Gary Hermann
$80 (20% off for season pass holders)
Gary Hermann, a long-time martial arts practitioner and teacher who studied Tai Chi for many years under a Grandmaster in Yang style Tai Chi, will be teaching the Republic of China 24 Section Routine (regularly seen in the parks in Beijing) and basic Chi Kung. Tai Chi, often referred to as a moving meditation, has been proven to have significant positive effects on our body and mind. Beginners welcome. Check our website to sign up online.
Awareness Wednesdays
Feb. 13
Creative Writing Forum with Liz McRae
7:30pm
It was so much fun the first time we are going to do it again! Please check our website for more details and sign up on line as space is limited for this creativity circle.
Importance of hydration
Feb. 27
The Way of Water with Peter Manka
7:30pm
Pete is going to share his knowledge on the essence of life… water. Hydration, how it all works in our bodies and what we can do for ourselves to make it work even better.
Pose of the month
Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
by Linda Wilton
Ustrasana (Camel Pose) is considered a backbending pose. It stretches the entire front side of the body while strengthening the back. It is the reverse position of sitting and it is a terrific pose to undo imbalances leading up to poor posture. When we spend a lot of time sitting the front side of the torso and hips tighten, and over time the chest collapses forward, causing the shoulders to tighten as well.
If you ski, bike, or spend a lot of time recreating in a sport that is primarily forward moving, camel pose would also be a great pose for you to bring into your practice. It is a great hip opener, releasing the hip flexors, psoas, as well as the abdominal wall, chest, pectoral muscles, and front of shoulders.
In your emotional body, practice camel as a way to open your heart to love and compassion. For the month of February try practicing camel with the intention of stimulating your sacral and heart chakras (Svadishthana and Anahata). As you open your sacral and heart centers in camel, encourage vitality to flow into your body making you feel more positive and connected in your relationships.
Building blocks. Warm up by doing a few sun salutations and incorporating backbends such as cobra, upward bow, or bridge.
Step by Step
From downward dog, come onto your knees with your shins pressing into the floor. Separate your knees and feet hip-width apart. Bring your hands to your lower back with your fingers pointing up and thumbs into your sacrum. Engage your lower body, draw in your lower ribs and scoop your tailbone down and under. Scooping your tailbone is very important to protect your lower back!
Exhale and place your right hand onto your right heel and your left hand onto your left heel, if it is too much to have your feet flat on the floor, come onto your toes or keep your hands on your hips. Inhale and breath into your heart and chest, feeling a lift as you root down into your shins. Continue to lift through your heart and press your hips forward. Release your head back if it feels good, or extend through the crown of your head.
~Linda Wilton teaches yoga and does massage at Santosha Wellness Center
