"I see my own yoga practice as a chance for me to do something just for myself. On my mat, my body is my toy; I find its
limits, discover its strengths, build grace... and sometimes fall down rather ungracefully and laugh at myself with reckless abandon.
My practice isn't about getting each posture "perfect, " but about playing around until I finally find the point of clarity, the point in each
posture when it feels wonderful in my body, and suddenly my mind is at peace."
limits, discover its strengths, build grace... and sometimes fall down rather ungracefully and laugh at myself with reckless abandon.
My practice isn't about getting each posture "perfect, " but about playing around until I finally find the point of clarity, the point in each
posture when it feels wonderful in my body, and suddenly my mind is at peace."
| Why do you love yoga, and what has it done for you personally? |
" I started practicing yoga to increase my flexibility, but I have gained so much more through my years of practice. The
benefits of flexibility, strength and endurance were only the beginning. On my mat, I learned to be kinder and more accepting of
myself, and these lessons spilled out into my life off the mat. I found a level of self-acceptance and calmness of spirit that I had
never experienced before. Another thing I love about yoga is that anyone can do it, no matter their age, shape, size or level of
flexibility. Anyone and everyone can enjoy and benefit from a yoga practice."
benefits of flexibility, strength and endurance were only the beginning. On my mat, I learned to be kinder and more accepting of
myself, and these lessons spilled out into my life off the mat. I found a level of self-acceptance and calmness of spirit that I had
never experienced before. Another thing I love about yoga is that anyone can do it, no matter their age, shape, size or level of
flexibility. Anyone and everyone can enjoy and benefit from a yoga practice."
"Ahimsa's inspriration and guidance continues to transform my body, mind and spirit. The moving meditation principles of
purpose, breath, drishti, effort, alignment, and surrender is integrating stillness into my life. Continued practice is bringing a deeper
consciousness on my journey into the now."
purpose, breath, drishti, effort, alignment, and surrender is integrating stillness into my life. Continued practice is bringing a deeper
consciousness on my journey into the now."
| Ahimsa Yoga Center Village Commons - 15 College Street - South Hadley 123 Homestead Avenue - Holyoke South Hadley: 413-533-1113 Holyoke: 413-335-2377 ~ E: yogawitherin@aol.com |
| Website Design :: Trees New England :: © 2004-9 Website Created: April 22, 2004 ~ Webpage Updated: August 4, 2009 |
| TESTIMONIALS |
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| Ahimsa Yoga Center |
| Practicing yoga to honor our bodies, for total health and well being. |
"One might think about being rewarded in all pursuits, but yoga has become an ongoing gift to my spirit and my body.
Learning to accept one's ability, to work within that range, and then to grow without realizing it, is all part of my continued
experience. I have gained physical & mental strength to enjoy my life by giving to myself, which then allows me to peacefully give to
others."
Learning to accept one's ability, to work within that range, and then to grow without realizing it, is all part of my continued
experience. I have gained physical & mental strength to enjoy my life by giving to myself, which then allows me to peacefully give to
others."
"I have fibromyalgia and yoga gets my muscles to stretch and to be more flexible. I have only been taking yoga for 4
months and already, I see a difference. My clothes are looser and I feel better. "
months and already, I see a difference. My clothes are looser and I feel better. "
"Yoga is the only thing that I have found that makes me feel healthy, beautiful, calm, strong, content, centered, and
completely at ease all at once. It is essentially my answer and outlet for everything. Whatever is going on in my life, whether
good or bad, whether I am wound-up or blue, all I have to do is some yoga and my world will be balanced again. It is one of the 3
great loves of my life, if not the greatest."
completely at ease all at once. It is essentially my answer and outlet for everything. Whatever is going on in my life, whether
good or bad, whether I am wound-up or blue, all I have to do is some yoga and my world will be balanced again. It is one of the 3
great loves of my life, if not the greatest."
"An athlete at heart, working out meant skiing, biking, hiking. . . yoga was too still, quiet and with all that breathing!
Therefore, yoga has been one of the biggest challenges in my life. I found it allows me to use my body, to move, to be strong, But it
also continually teaches me to give in, to soften, and to accept- it has allowed me to grow into a more balanced individual."
Therefore, yoga has been one of the biggest challenges in my life. I found it allows me to use my body, to move, to be strong, But it
also continually teaches me to give in, to soften, and to accept- it has allowed me to grow into a more balanced individual."
~These are quotes made available by students from Ahimsa Yoga Studios; kept annonymous by choice for full expression.
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2 + 1 > 3 !! Two plus one is more than three. I had been going to yoga class twice a week. Then for these last few
months I have been attending three times weekly. I feel noticeably better overall, stronger and more limber as a result. My
pains (from fibromyalgia) and stiffness (from osteoarthritis) have lessened quite a bit. Because I move with greater ease in
muscles and joints and carry myself with better posture through my day, I am able to move MORE. I have developed a greater
knowledge of and appreciation for how my body works. I am more attentive to my nutritional needs, taking calcium, Vitamin D
and fiber daily. I no longer see day-time rest and self-care as indulgences for which I am too
busy but essential to my health and well-being. I am more forgiving of myself and others. The principle of “ahimsa”/ non-
violence suggests to me that yoga alone has not caused all the changes that continue to occur in my body and my life, but it
certainly is guiding and enhancing them. I have developed a deep sense of gratitude to Erin and her staff for their dedication,
expertise and love --- there is no other word for it.
months I have been attending three times weekly. I feel noticeably better overall, stronger and more limber as a result. My
pains (from fibromyalgia) and stiffness (from osteoarthritis) have lessened quite a bit. Because I move with greater ease in
muscles and joints and carry myself with better posture through my day, I am able to move MORE. I have developed a greater
knowledge of and appreciation for how my body works. I am more attentive to my nutritional needs, taking calcium, Vitamin D
and fiber daily. I no longer see day-time rest and self-care as indulgences for which I am too
busy but essential to my health and well-being. I am more forgiving of myself and others. The principle of “ahimsa”/ non-
violence suggests to me that yoga alone has not caused all the changes that continue to occur in my body and my life, but it
certainly is guiding and enhancing them. I have developed a deep sense of gratitude to Erin and her staff for their dedication,
expertise and love --- there is no other word for it.