Using Our Practice for Deeper Gratitude
"To preserve openness of heart and calmness of mind, nurture these attitudes:
 Kindness to those who are happy;
Compassion for those who are less fortunate;
Honor for those who embody noble qualities;
Equanimity to those whose actions oppose your values." 

I so want to share with you about yoga and gratitude while the season of giving is upon us, because just saying "Oh, I'm so grateful for this, and this, and this..." can feel like a nursery school version of counting our blessings. So many times, I've wondered, "well if I'm not UN-grateful, doesn't that mean I'm grateful?" And "why is it only the Thanksgiving holiday that we gather to give thanks?" Does how much we cook, or eat, or even the number of invitations to Thanksgiving feasts, or people sitting around the table a reflection of how thankful we are or are supposed to feel?

In the Yoga Sutras, which outlines the Eight Limbs of Yoga, we're taught the Yamas and the Niyamas, or the ethical boundaries and the personal practices that open us to experiencing deep enlightenment. Sauca, or cleanliness, can be thought of in the context of gratitude as "Well, if you really appreciated the toys that you already have, you'd keep your room clean!" Santosha is similar to contentment, which is also similar to the feeling of gratitude for things as they are. Aparigraha is non-grasping or non-coveting; again, gratitude for what we have instead of reaching in a desperate or compulsive way for what we don't have. Gratitude underlies so much of what we are doing as students of yoga.


But gratitude really dropped into my body in the deepest way during some work in the Twelve-Steps -- the 12-Step Program is sort of a modern-day Western Yoga Sutras. I experienced mind-blowing awareness, in fact. I had been trying to hog all of that gratitude, not sharing it. How can gratitude be held onto, coveted, grasped, not be shared, and at the same time be real gratitude? If you want to know how it happened, and how I have such a bigger understanding now of how big my mission really is, I welcome you to read where I share more about it here (click to follow).

I hope your physical yoga practice teaches you so much about yourself in this little daily laboratory called the yoga mat, and that you can extend that knowing into your life off the mat during the other 23 hours of your day! And I do believe that there's an innate need to cast our dazzling expression of gratitude outwardly before diving in to the darker, more introverted months. And that the Thanksgiving celebration is a way of honoring that.

Thank you ALL! I show my gratitude for this amazing growing yoga family today by sharing with you some studio offerings, below, and invite you to please be a part of it! And a HUGE THANKS to all who filled out our in-studio survey. I'm looking forward to pouring over your suggestions and feedback.

Warmest blessings,

Rhonda

--
Rhonda Cook, c-IAYT, RYT500
Certified Yoga Therapist for Somatic
Health, Post-Trauma Care, Pain Reduction,
Addiction Recovery Support
p: 828-475-5775
Breathe Yoga & Wellness
131 West Union Street, Morganton

Yoga & Wine

Fridays Nov 17, 2017 from 6:00 - 7:30pm
Led by Erica Baxter, e-RYT

Join yoga teacher Erica Baxter for an evening of fun and relaxation. We'll start with a stretchy, flowy, feel-good yoga class, followed by wine, light refreshments and time with friends.

SUPPER CLUBS! SERVICE ORGS! BOOK CLUBBERS! THIS IS A GREAT EVENT for sharing with your membership as a fun way to gather and connect!

No prior yoga experience needed. Must be 21 or older to participate; no exceptions.

Cost is $10 for Breathe Members / $12 for non-Members OR pay $20 for two. Inquire about special group pricing!

Reserve your spot or spots  HERE .


Join us at Breathe on the days around Thanksgiving for the following classes:
  • Evening, Wednesday, November 22nd -- both Larisa & Karin will lead their normal 5:30 & 7pm classes, maybe with a special "Gratitude" twist!
  • Thursday, November 23rd -- Closed for Thanksgiving.
  • Friday, November 24th -- Martha leads Pilates at 8:15am; There is no 9:30am yoga class.
  • Saturday & Sunday November 25th & 26th -- Business as usual.
Book Study: Living Your Yoga, Finding the Spiritual in Everyday Life
by Dr. Judith Lasater

MONTH 2 GATHERING:
Sunday Nov 19, 2017 at 4:00pm
Led by Erica Baxter, e-RYT

If you missed the first month -- never fear! You can slip right into conversation around the introduction of this book. This monthly group book study session is offered by donation, which will go, in part, to a charity of the teacher's choice. There will be time for reading, reflection and dialogue in each group meeting, which will be held monthly for 7 months.

Would you like to read a more complete review of the book or more about the author? Follow this  LINK. Registration for the book study session isn't necessary, but WILL help Erica plan for the number of people, so feel free to reserve your spot  HERE.

Yoga for Addiction Recovery Support
Led by Rhonda Cook, Yoga Therapist, RYT500, c-IAYT

Next 12-Weeks Session
Tuesdays, Nov 21, 2017 - Feb 6, 2018
10 - 11am

People may come to one, some, or all 12 of these trauma-informed classes. This class emphasizes physical and emotional safety and is beginner-friendly. This class is not meant to be a substitute for addiction treatment.  Read more  here .

Offered by donation. Advance registration is not required, but is encouraged. Sign up for any single class here.

Gift Cards Are Here! 

We have Gift Cards are available in the studio (good 'ol paper), as well as e-gifts for online purchase.  Check out the different online  gift certificate  amounts or name your own price!

Here's How To Purchase: 
  1. Follow this link to purchase an online Gift Certificate for any amount to be sent via email to anyone; OR....
  2. Email info@breatheyogawellness.com to request a gift card, OR call 828-475-5775 to inquire about getting one of our pretty, pre-printed paper certificates ready for giving.
Yoga & Meditation for Chronic Pain

Saturday, Jan 6, 2018 from 10:30am - 12:30pm
Led by Karin Novak, RYT

Karin leads this 2-hour workshop focusing on yoga techniques for pain management, enabling you to live a happier and fuller life.

Follow  this link  to a description of the benefits of yoga and meditation in creating a strong habit of self-care that will manage and reduce the dreaded P-word!

Cost is $15 for Breathe Members / $20 for non-Members.
Reserve your spot HERE.
Iyengar Yoga Workshop

Saturday, Jan 20, 2018 from 2 - 4pm
Led by Guest Teacher Randy Loftis, Certified Iyengar Instructor

This 2-hour workshop is for yoga practitioners, teachers and teachers-in-training. Guest teacher and certified Iyengar instructor Randy Loftis teaches at The Embodiment Center in Asheville. The class is appropriate for anyone from beginning practitioner to current yoga teacher looking to take their practice deeper. Expect to be challenged no matter what your experience level.

Cost is $30 for Breathe Members / $35 for non-Members.
Learn more about Iyengar Yoga and Randy Loftis HERE. Reserve your spot HERE.

Stay informed by visiting our Events page or by subscribing to this e-newsletter if you are not already receiving it in your inbox.


Private Yoga Sessions & Yoga Therapy

One-on-one yoga and meditation sessions are geared specifically to students' needs and are a great way to learn essential concepts such as key actions of poses, correct alignment for a specific body, breathing, lines of energy and philosophical concepts. Several of our teachers at Breathe Yoga & Wellness are available to take you through a personalized practice.

Yoga Therapy is a person-centered approach, is led by specially trained instructors, and takes into account a student's total wellness, physical and mental health conditions, and is centered around a specific goal, such as sleep regulation, support of healing from injury or surgery, reducing effects of chronic conditions, pain reduction. Evidence-based yoga modalities are offered along with full assessment, recommendations and follow up. 

Private sessions can be booked by following this link or by email inquiry to info@breatheyogawellness.com. 

While the only insurance we can use for coving private sessions are HSA or FSA debit cards, Breathe Yoga & Wellness offers discounts for the booking of multiple sessions, along with discounts with a written referral by any wellness practitioner for yoga or meditation.

Sacred Spaces Radio

If you've enjoyed one or more of our Sacred Spaces Radio podcasts, or if you have not yet had a chance to check them out, visit the podcast menu for audio that you may not have heard, pop in some ear buds, and give them a listen!

Visit the web page and menu of episodes HERE.

Sacred Spaces Radio is now available on your favorite podcast app through iTunes, so please search and subscribe!

The Art of Not Giving a F* 3 Simple Steps
by Annaliese Kolterman, Nov 6, 2017

"For most of my life I've been swirling around in a stuck pattern of concern about what other people thought.  Avoiding what I really wanted to say, do, and be because 'what will they think, what if I fail, what if I'm 'wrong'?"


Citizen Earth Media

We're lucky to have  a group of young adults in our community who are sticking their necks out and keeping us informed about local political issues, culture, and more. Whether or not you subscribe to the hosts' beliefs or perspectives, you'll never find a boring episode! *Adult Content alert! Many of their episodes would have an R rating because of language and adult humor, so keep this in mind.

Do you have a regular column, podcast, blog, video channel, or photostream that you produce?

We would like to share it with our yoga family!

ALSO, send us news and updates on any special yoga, meditation, or lifestyle trainings you attend so we can enjoy and share them!  Email: info@breatheyogawellness.com

Schedule Classes Online for Your Convenience

Smart phone, tablet, or app user?
Use MindBody Connect to quickly and easily sign in when you're ready to attend yoga classes at Breathe Yoga & Wellness! Download MindBody Connect through your app store.

NOTE: TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT USING YOUR MINDBODY CONNECT APP, be sure to use the same login and password as you do for your Breathe Yoga & Wellness student profile. If you're unsure about that login info, email info@breatheyogawellness.com and we will get you connected!

for our complete schedule, class descriptions and more!

Breathe Yoga & Wellness
131 West Union Street
Morganton, NC 28655
828.475-5775
info@breatheyogawellness.com

www.BreatheYogaWellness.com

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