Yoga Classes Coming Soon To Serene Gardens on Grand Island
Darby Ann Sheridan is part of the Serene Gardens Team and is a certified yoga & chi kung (Qigong and Ki Kou) instructor. We are currently developing a schedule for the yoga classes she will be offering on Grand Island, NY at Serene Gardens. Here is an article she has written about some of the various styles of yoga and the mind-body connection.
Yoga~ ‘Union’ of the Mind and Body
By Darby Ann Sheridan, Certified Yoga Teacher and Wellness Consultant.
Yoga, for the last 20 to 30 years, has been growing in popularity as a mind-body activity. However, there is still a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding about what yoga actually is. The word yoga-from the Sanskrit Language- means “to yoke” or “union”. This mind-body practice was believed to have begun about 5000 years ago in India. The “union” of the individual self with the Divine, Universal or Cosmic Consciousness is a goal of yoga; however, it is a wonderful, gentle way to simply become more connected with the body and mind. Physical poses or Asanas are combined to both strengthen and de-toxify the blood, body and spine. Mental exercises such as breathing and meditation are used in harmony with physical poses to create a calm and peaceful demeanor or mindset—yet another example of “union” of the physical with the mental in yoga. Traditionally, there are eight stages or paths that one follows from the physical realm to the mental/spiritual realm. These are: Yama or ‘restraint’; Niyama or ‘purity’; Asana or ‘postures’; Pranayama or ‘breathing excercises’; Pratyahara or ‘sensory withdrawal’; Dharana or ‘concentration’; Dhyana or ‘meditation’; and finally Samadhi or ‘bliss-trance’. However, it is important to note that yoga is not a religion, but rather a way of life in which a person becomes more gently focused on health and peace of mind.
There are several types of yoga: hatha, raja, karma, bhakti, jnana, and tantric yoga.
Hatha is the most popular branch of yoga in America. Other popular branches of yoga that formed out of Hatha yoga are: Ashtanga Vinyasa or power /flow yoga, Bikram or hot yoga, and Kundalini or chakra yoga.
What are the benefits of yoga? Many leading universities in both America and Europe
have begun to do more rigorous studies involving randomized controlled trials to explore
the efficacy of yoga on one’s physical, mental and emotional health. The results of many of
these studies suggest that yoga—along with relaxation and breathing techniques that go
along with this practice—reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. The studies also suggest
that yoga may improve immunity and reduce hypertension. Furthermore, yoga is beginning to be used as a treatment method for veterans experiencing post traumatic stress disorder at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. It is clear that yoga has many health benefits and much more research needs to be done regarding its remarkable value as a healing art.
The yoga that I have been trained in is a combination of Kundalini Yoga and Chi Kung (Qigong). It is called Dao Yin Lung Shen. Dao Yin translates as “cultivating the chi”, and Lung Shen translates as “dragon spirit”—which represents healing energy that sits at the base of the spine. It was created approximately 360 years ago on Mt. Hua Shan in China with the meeting of Chi Kung masters and Sikh Kundalini Yoga masters from India. This yoga stimulates the flow of vital energy called chi or prana. This yoga benefits all organs and systems—especially the endocrine system which is uniquely activated by placing pressure on acu-points and meridians that run up and down the body. This process de-toxifies and strengthens the body. Regular practice creates a general sense of well being and enlightened awareness. The unique blend of poses, breathing, and acupressure creates a more perceptive consciousness, and creates a deeper connection with the body. It is both gentle and restorative.
As one embarks on a yoga path, one begins to see that there is no separation between mind and body—they are inextricably linked—they are one in the same! As such, a regular, committed practice is highly recommended to achieve the results mentioned here.
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Darby Ann Sheridan is a certified yoga/chi kung teacher who has been teaching dance and movement for over 18 years. She is a certified Lin Zi Chi Therapy-Acupressure practitioner. She is also training as a Somatic Movement Therapist. Her yoga and movement classes are being taught in Clarence-Synergy Wellness Ctr & Bridges Wellness Ctr., East Aurora, West Seneca, and Williamsville.
She has a private practice in East Aurora, NY. Please call 716-771-4898 or e-mail: darby@dakinidances.com for information on classes and acupressure/chi kung therapy treatments. She will also soon be offering classes at Serene Gardens on Grand Island, NY.
www.dakinidances.com
Movement Heals…
