adaptive news / february 2016    
 
Greetings
Commitment is doing the thing you said you were going to do long after the mood you said it in has left you. As we approach the halfway point of the Kiss My Asana Yogathon, it is again so humbling to witness the profound commitment of the MBS community to our mission of offering the healing power of yoga to  everybody.  Words that arise when we talk about commitment are "transformation", "promise", "dedication", "obligation", "engagement", "allegiance", "devotion", "fidelity"  These all imply a certain strength of character and focus.  As yogis, we remain willing to awake, engage, commit and transform.
A Voice From the Village...
Why Matthew Sanford teaches yoga to every body...
This is Chris Becker. He is Matthew Sanford's longest standing student.
Why do we yogathon? Kiss My Asana creates support for our Adaptive Yoga Program, where we are doing more than adapting yoga postures. We often say it is 'humanity disguised as yoga.' Read Matthew Sanford's latest blog to learn why he teaches yoga to every body. Click HERE or on the image to visit the blog. 
Love and commitment...
Congratulations Niki and David_
Congratulations to MBS student Niki Barker and David Dew who were married on January 23, 2016!

Niki says, 
"We got married under the full Wolf moon. We had a ten piece band and everyone danced all night long. I walked down the aisle to David Bowie, which was a last minute change that felt very apropos. Everything about that night was amazing, and I am still smiling about it."

From all of us in the MBS community, we wish Niki and David a full and happy life together, filled with love and commitment. 
Committed to Opening Yoga...
Sarah Henderson is our first Opening Yoga Instructor (OYI) certification recipient (Learn more about the OYI program here) In the following story, Sarah speaks about the commitment shared by her and her student... 

"When MBS announced they were starting a new instructor program, I was all in. Before I even read what was required, my heart said, "YES!" Whatever the Opening Yoga Instructor program entailed, I wanted it." 
Read the rest of this story by clicking HERE or on the picture.
Pose of the Month
Seated Centering Practice...
seated centering It takes courage and commitment to show up for a yoga practice.  We are willing to devote time to connecting mindfully  with our body, our mind, our spirit and our community.  All yoga classes start by sitting quietly. These first few minutes provide a space in which to let go of our usual daily concerns, gather our energy, become centered, and affirm our commitment to our practice.  Begin by sitting erect in any comfortable position.  Take a moment to survey your surroundings.  Feel the energy in the room, observe the colors and shapes, and be aware of how you feel.  Then close your eyes and breathe in deeply, gently.  Pay attention to your posture, the feeling-tone of you, and be relaxed and motionless.  Honor your commitment to your practice. 
Yogathon Highlights
Spreading awareness around the world...
Joining together for one mission...
We are in awe of the dedication and commitment that KMA yogis are showing this month to help create resources and awareness for MBS. Here's a snapshot of some of the yogathon action happening locally and globally:

-- Laura Tivendale from the UK is exploring a different adaptive yoga posture every day this month, and sharing her experience on her blog, Consciously Connected. Check it out!

-- Myra Rucker from Minneapolis is asking yogis 6 questions which are being posted to her blog, A Joyful Practice. Be sure to take a look at her KMA posts from the past two years, too! 

-- Sandra Razieli based in the San Francisco Bay area is committed to sharing the science and art of 'de-slouching' this month. Watch this short clip where she explains her commitment. She's also hosting a donation class at Oakland Yoga Studio on February 28. Visit her Facebook page, Raziyoga, to learn more. 
 

The Kick Off...
"Light up your joints and get bigger in space."
Many thanks to all who joined us for the KMA Kick Off and All-Humanity Class with Matthew Sanford. It was a beautiful afternoon of shared yoga, and shared humanity. A very special and enormous THANK YOU to our amazing volunteers who helped ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all.


It Takes a Village
Reflections from our KMA Sponsors...
Park Nicollet sharing resources at the Kick Off...
As first time participants, the Park Nicollet team was excited to be part of this year's Kiss My Asana event. The team, led by Andrea Winter, Director of Women's and Children's Strategies, has raised over $1,010 so far, and partnered with MBS to offer four onsite yoga classes in the month of February. Park Nicollet has worked extensively with Mind Body Solutions for the last few years to integrate mind body practices into their delivery of care. "This is a natural partnership integrating mind body into our mission to support the well-being of those we serve through care, comfort, convenience and community," said Andrea, who is completing her yoga instructor certification. Passionate about yoga and wellness, Andrea and her team felt the Yogathon was a great way to further introduce mind body techniques throughout Park Nicollet. 

Thank you, Park Nicollet for your continued support. Learn more about the services that Park Nicollet Women's Center offers by clicking  here.
Team TCO at the KMA Kick Off...
Twin Cities Orthopedics have been committed to KMA since day one. The commitment ran even deeper after the KMA Kick Off. Meredith, who attended the Kick Off and is a physical therapist with TCO said, "Physical Therapists work with people on posture, sitting, standing, walking, wheeling, and mobility every day. We often work on strategies to decrease stress on physical structures in the body. This experience expanded my horizon as a practitioner to realize that even a few millimeters of change in how we instruct a patient to sit, stand, or lie, could have a monumental impact on how a person senses, feels, and even communicates. I thank you for this lesson in posture, sensation, and communication that can be carried forward to help patients to an even greater degree."

Thank you, TCO for your dedication to our mission. Learn how TCO can serve you with prevention, wellness and orthopedic injury treatment by clicking here.

Namaste,

 

Mary Pat and Julie

 

Questions, comments or suggestions?

email Mary Pat or Julie

 

mind body solutions' links
classes, workshops, events...

inspiration
just because...

Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony. 

-- Mahatma Gandhi
words 
of wisdom...

Commitment is what 
Transforms the promise into reality
It is the words that speak 
Boldly of your intentions. 
And the actions which speak 
Louder than the words. 
It is making the time 
When there is none. 
Coming through time 
After time after time, 
Year after year after year. 
Commitment is the stuff 
Character is made of; 
The power to change 
The face of things. 
It is the daily triumph 
Of integrity over skepticism
 
  -- Ashbash
just for fun
laughter is universal...

Always be yourself. Unless you can be a unicorn. Then always be a unicorn.
upcoming events
come join us...

Opening Yoga
Opening Yoga Combined Workshop Level I & II

This workshop combines the full course content of Levels I and II in a week-long intensive with Matthew Sanford and Mind Body Solutions faculty. This week of experiential learning explores how adapting yoga is more than simply learning to modify the asana. 

May 16-20, 2016
register  here 

October 3-7, 2016 
register  here    

Advanced Studies

Deepen your studies with Matthew Sanford and the MBS faculty. This new offering promises more opportunities to absorb Matthew's vision and teaching, more time with our adaptive yoga students and explore applications specifically for trauma and post-traumatic stress. Prerequisite: Level 1 and 2 Opening Yoga workshops

June 13-17, 2016
register   here    

*Scholarships available for Opening Yoga workshops and Advanced Studies. Click here to learn more. 
you say it's your birthday?
we celebrate YOU...


2 Lisa S
2 Diana C
3 Katie W
4 Taylor R
5 Carey L
5 Molly H
6 Jennifer M
7 Laura D
7 Liadan Mc
8 Carrie
8 Mark F
8 Risa H
8 Jane G
10 Steve 
10 Sue D
10 Greg E
10 Anja K
10 Rachel M
12 Chris B
12 Jennifer C
13 Valentine C
14 Howie B
14 Jamie B
15 Jennifer D
15 Jessica R
15 John  
18 David H
18 Michael A
19 Lara L
20 Melissa 
20 Marie P
21 Kim F
22 Susanne W
23 Signe H 
25 Jana B
26 Meagan M
27 Katie S
28 Lisa B
28 Larissa B
a few good blogs
grab a cup and enjoy a read...

Adapt This! 
Matthew Sanford
Bruce Kramer
Tiffiny Carlson
what would you say?
send us your stories...

MBS Student Stories... 

We want to hear from YOU! Please contribute to our Adapt This!  student blog. Weave ANY of YOUR insights with thoughts about yoga. Express yourself!  

 

Please email your thoughts and stories to us at: studentstories@icloud.com

 

or mail them to:

MIND BODY SOLUTIONS 

Attn: Adapt This!

17516 Minnetonka Blvd.

Minnetonka, MN 55345

with gratitude
KMA Studios & Community Partners...

We offer sincere gratitude to all of the Passport Studios and to Minneapolis Yoga Conference for supporting Kiss My Asana and the Passport Program.

We also remain profoundly grateful to our Community Partners for offering their time, talent and / or products for this year's yogathon.
please donate. 
your support matters...

Mind Body Solutions - Donate





Mind Body Solutions is a 501(c)(3) 
non-profit. Our mission is to transform the lives of people living with trauma, loss and disability - and those who care for them-by helping integrate mind and body. Donations are a vital part of our ability to serve this mission.  

$1000 - Provides a full year of adaptive yoga for a person living with disability.  

$500 - Supports one aspiring adaptive yoga teacher in our Opening Yoga training
 
$75 - Provides one adaptive yoga class to 10 veterans.
 
$25 - Allows an adaptive student to practice at home with a Beyond Disability DVD. 
 



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