The Trekkers started with myself, Christy Holland and Tom Sharp’s love of hiking!! Now that we’ve been through our first season, our little hiking group seems to be evolving into an adventure group!! Last summer the Trekkers went white water rafting at Jim Thorpe. This year, we kicked off our second Trekkin’ season on St. Patty’s Day with rock climbing at Philadelphia Rock Gym. Be on the look out for… another white water rafting trip, a camping/backpacking trip, a ropes course and of course HIKING!

You could be wondering, what do you have to do to “Be a Trekker Too?”

If you want to know more about the Trekkers or want to be put on the list e-mail me a christy@moyo-yoga.com. Or you can talk to frequently participating Trekkers (they are typically the troublemakers in your yoga class!). For updates on on Trekker mayheim join MOYO’s facebook page!

Wouldn’t you like to be a Trekker Too?
“I’m a Trekker, he’s a Trekker, she’s a Trekker… We’re all Trekkers! Wouldn’t you like to be a Trekker too? ” ~ Best when sung to the 1980’s Dr. Pepper jingle

Trekker Out,

Christy Holland, MOYO Yoga Teacher

Iccha (Will) Kriya (Action) Jnana (Knowledge)

A yoga sadhak was expected to cultivate a Will strong enough to take the Action necessary to attain to Knowledge. Self-knowledge. Furthermore, consider this. Meditation is the fixing of the mind upon a single object to the exclusion of all other mental and sensory diversion. Meditation is only made possible if the Will is strong enough to hold the mind from wandering. The foundation of Meditation is the Will.

Yogas chitta vritti nirodah.

Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the Mind – the classic rendering of Patanjali’s most famous sutra written above. But wonderful, symbolique Sanskrit also allows for this translation -
Yoga is the cessation of the wavering of the Will.

I leave you with two quote to take for a spin.

“Do as thou Wilt shall be the whole of the Law.” – Aleister Crowley

“You’ve got to know when to hold em’
Know when to fold em’
Know when to walk away
Know when to run”
– Kenny Rogers

Namaste Mo-fo’s!!!
Tom Sharp, KYT

The days darken early, and even the world around us reveals its bones –- the naked tree limbs that stretch against the sky, the patch of ice that in its very stillness reflects the universe.

It is in this spirit, the spirit of reflection that I offer you the following lyrical essay that I wrote about a little place called MOYO.

I hope you enjoy it and remember to use this winter time to reconnect with your “self.”

the yoga studio

They come in the early evening for yoga, carrying red, purple, green rubber mats,
tight-rolled, banded in silk made from Indian saris.

They come in black pants and tie-dyed headbands,
carrying their water canteens;
browsing in the gift shop before class,
chatting over hand-rolled sandalwood incense, semi-precious gemstone malas,
neti pots, China gel, gypsy bags,
amethyst crystals strung on leather cords.

They put boots on the raw wooden rack,
hang jackets on pegs,
unroll mats and bodies on the wooden studio floor;

In the back room, I prepare for massage,
lighting the crimson pillars around the Buddha’s head; warming the bed; steaming the towels; scenting them with essential oils — lavender, lemongrass, eucalyptus

I offer a prayer to Shivago, the father doctor, in the language of Pali,
Na-a Na-wa Rokha Payati Vina-Santi
May this healing medicine encircle the world . . .
I direct the words into my breath, my heart, and my hands.

When my client arrives, I place my fingers on her, traveling a different landscape; eyes closed, I will press here, there, feel the subtle beat of pulse and hard bone, strum against the cords that bind this body, down the lamina groove, over the erector spinae muscles, C-7 to the thoracic spinous processes, to the lumbar’s secondary curve, down to the fish-shaped sacrum, and then separate hands to trace each iliac crest.

Little lumps of hard fascia poke through her tissue, bits of cold butter against my palms.

I rub muscles; effleurage, petrissage, jostle, hold, compress, using knuckles, forearms and fists
until she melts on this river of herself.

Sounds rise from outside the door. The yoga students depart with flushed, perspiring faces, and call out cheerful goodbyes,
the gentle click of the door between this world and that one.
But no matter, it is all ways, you, always you, under your own hand.

Patti Kinsey CMT, LMT  Massage Therapist

I continued to stare at my reflection and wondered if the people in my life were a mirror reflecting my true self.  Could this be?   I have found myself looking away from people and closing myself off many times before (a typical response of a depressed person is avoidance which only causes symptoms to become worse).  For instance,  if I had the courage to show up for yoga on a depressed day, I would enter into child pose creating a proverbial shell around me.  Funny how I found myself avoiding the part of the yoga practice that would’ve  helped me manage my depression the most!  Now, I realize when I’m feeling raw, miserable and closed are the times in my life when I need my sangha (community) the most.  I don’t need to hide in my shell but reach out and OPEN myself!   Our MOYO sangha has given me love, support and allows me to see that everyone is an authentic reflection of me.

No matter what you are dealing with either depression, anxiety, stress, life/death issues, loneliness, etc. I encourage you to practice yoga to OPEN to your true self and reach out to your sangha for love and support  because they are an authentic reflection of you…..

Come and join me on January 21st as I facilitate Yoga for Depression and Anxiety.

Gratefully,
Eileen Connell, Certified MOYO Teacher

But if I told you that taking an outside break has clear health and productivity benefits, that might be more of a surprise.  Here are my top 5 reasons why you should make it a habit:

- Your stress level will go down.  Research shows that when it comes to recovering from a stressful event, being in nature is of greater help than trying to work things out inside. 

- Your vitamin D will go up.  Since vitamin D is related to wide-ranging health benefits from cancer to depression to heart attack prevention, it’s certainly noteworthy.

- You are likely to be more active.  Of course you could also just sit and take in the scenery.  But generally speaking, people who step our for a break engage in activities such as walking, biking, gardening (for those who work from home) and the like.

- You will complain less.  People who are exposed to natural light tend to feel a lift in mood.  Step out, feel better, complain less.   

- Your concentration will improve.  Research done with ADHD children showed that they performed better in school after an outdoor versus an indoor walk.  Another research study showed that people who go outside come back more refreshed, which helps them think quicker once back in work mode.

All things considered, a mid-day walk outside will help you be healthier, happier and more productive.  And now is the time to form the habit before the weather gets colder and going out is less tempting.  Not sure how it will be perceived within the context of your organization?  Pass on this newsletter to your peers.  Or better yet, invite me for a 30-minute seminar on how greater health leads to higher productivity!

Poem by Zoe Kistler, age 12

Let me explain. Between 60 and 90% of all doctor visits are related to stress. In fact, the World Health Organization calls depression and burnouts the #1 cause of work disability worldwide. It’s really time we start taking – and treating – stress more seriously.

Mind-body medicine is about activating the relaxation response. It is both a recognized and accessible way to treat stress. Sounds fancy, and the research supporting the technique I am about tho share is equally elaborate. But the strategy is very simple.

Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and repeat to yourself a simple mantra in your native language. For example, you might try “I am” on the inspiration and “at peace” on the expiration. If you are more goal oriented, you might like “I exude” and “confidence”. Trying to overcome a difficult challenge? How about “Getting” and “closer”. Play with different words or combinations, and find one that best fits your needs.

And then what? Well, that’s it. Nothing more complicated than good old breathing and quieting your mind for anywhere between 10 to 20 minutes per day. The list of benefits from this exercise is seemingly endless, but let me name just a few:
- Mental: the ability to think clearer and make better decisions
- Physical: improved immune function and reduced blood pressure
- Emotional: feeling calmer and more energized
- Spiritual: a greater sense of meaning and purpose.

I encourage you to try it out, and stick with it for a few weeks. Research shows that over time, this practice will change your brain’s physiology, and render increasing benefits. If this is recommended by Harvard doctors, it’s certainly worth a try!

Deep breath in… and out!
Warmly,

Marie-Josee Shaar
Master of Applied Positive Psychology
Certified Fitness, Nutrition and Wellness Consultant
SaS Founder

Jackknife (utthita urdhva paschimottonasana):

 ó      From tadasana, exhale the arms out to the sides.

ó       Hinge at the hips, come forward to a flat back and hold.

ó      Reach the hips towards the back and the crown of the head towards the front. Keep the legs strong and reach the fingers out to the side walls.

Red Flags:  Low back, legs and hips.