Restorative Yoga
with Pamela Joy Swift
Restorative Yoga is an experience
of deliberate stillness. Through the use of a variety of props like pillows,
towels, and blankets, the physical body is fully supported in each of the
yoga postures. As the body relaxes and settles into each of the postures,
a deep level of tranquility and inner joy results. This letting go of external
control softly shifts the consciousness inward, and you then experience
a deeper, meditative awareness of your true self. Shifts in perspective
begin to naturally happen, the mind opens to new insights, and healing
energy flows through you.
Restorative Yoga is appropriate
for everyone, including the beginning student to the more advanced student,
individuals overweight, inactive, or medically fragile. No prior knowledge
of hatha yoga is necessary. The health benefits include a strengthening
of the immune system, the body’s organs and the hormones are stimulated
and soothed, the nervous system is calmed, and the muscle fascia is lengthened.
This, in turn, quiets and focuses the mind, enhancing the body’s natural
healing process. It allows the psyche time for contemplative reflection
and integration, promoting clear, intuitive insights. In the etheric body
it balances the two aspects of energy: Prana, the masculine energy, and
Apana, the feminine energy.
Yoga and the Chakras
with Pamela Joy Swift
There are 72,000 nadis (pathways
of energy) crisscrossing throughout the astral body. The points where these
pathways cross are called chakras. Chakra is a Sanskrit word that is translated
as meaning "a spinning wheel of light". There are over 200 chakras in the
astral body, however there are seven main chakras. These energy centers
are located along the Sushuma, the central canal that corresponds to the
spinal column in the physical body. The Pingala and Ida nadis, which flow
through the right and left nostrils, weave back and forth across each other
as they spiral down the left and right sides of the Sushuma. During normal
activity prana (life force) flows in through these two nadis, but during
meditation the prana flows straight up through the Sushuma.
Each chakra has a vibration
that corresponds to a color, a sound and an element. Below is chart showing
the fundamental information for each chakra.
| SANSKRIT NAME |
LOCATION |
COLOR |
BIJA SOUND |
ELEMENT |
| 1. Muladhara: |
Base of the spine |
Red |
Lam |
Earth |
| 2. Swadhistana |
Pelvic area |
Orange |
Vam |
Water |
| 3. Manipura |
Behind the navel |
Yellow |
Ram |
Fire |
| 4. Anahata |
Behind the sternum |
Green |
Yam |
Air |
| 5. Vishuddha |
Throat |
Blue |
Ham |
Ether |
| 6. Ajna |
Middle of forehead |
Purple |
Om |
Intuitive Mind |
| 7. Sahasrara |
Just above the head |
White |
(none) |
(none) |
In this 2 hour workshop Pamela
will present an overview of the seven main chakras in the body, as well
as guide the students through a yoga posture flow that will stimulate the
7 energy centers along the spine. Visualization, breathing techniques,
and chanting will also be incorporated into the yoga flow, enhancing your
awareness and connection with these powerful energy centers. The class
will end with a 20 minute guided chakra meditation.
This yoga workshop is appropriate
for all levels of students from beginner to advanced. Please wear comfortable
yoga clothes and bring a yoga mat and a large beach towel.
