 "Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us." - Wilma Rudolph 5KY’s cornerstone is and always will be the Yoga for the Special Child method. Although this method is specifically designed for kids with disabilities, it is entirely adaptable to any population. Who among us doesn’t have special needs? And aren’t we all just big kids?
I’d say, only if we work at it do we retain that childlike sense of wonder that is our theme this month. We speak a lot about practicing as if it’s the first time on our mat. This helps develop that wonder and curiosity about our body and mind, which helps us transcend them. I think this life lesson - like so many we learn on our mat - is incredibly important off our mat as well. As boring adults, I envision us like commuters on the El at rush hour: pushing forward, heads down, earbuds in, totally disconnected from the life around us, just so we can move toward our goal.
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 Colleen Scallen 1) What brought you to yoga?
I came to yoga to follow in the footsteps of my older sisters; youngest sibling behavior at its finest! It took a negative turn as my eating disorder took charge, so I went away from yoga for a few years. I came back about 5 years ago and haven’t looked back! It’s a practice that helps me feel strong and centered, empowered and open—all the both/and energy. 2) What is your approach to teaching? My approach to teaching is trauma-informed, practitioner-centered, and intention-themed. I like to give lots of options and customization and am fiercely committed to hitting home that I’m simply a guide; each person is their own best teacher, and the wisdom of their body is all they need to follow. I also like to make jokes and be fun and silly throughout class too! 3) Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? I chose to teach at 5KY because I love the intimate nature of the studio and community. It’s small and tight-knit and supportive, and I love that each student and teacher is known and loved in their own right. I also really like that it was founded with the intention of bringing yoga to often-overlooked populations in yoga practices. Lastly, Erin and Rita have been so supportive of queer-inclusive programming, which is super important to me, and that feels so wonderful. 4) What makes your soul sing? My soul sings with dance parties, queer joy, cats, theatre, symbolism in poetry and books, empowered yoga practices, and the feeling of sunshine on your face when sitting by a lake. I love finding the small moments of joy! You can find Colleen at 5KY on Thursdays at 5:45 pm.  Photo Credit: Leo Rivas, Unsplash Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen. - Ralph Waldo Emerson We’ve been preparing to switch from the scheduling software we’ve been using since opening to a new one, called Ribbon. Switching to Ribbon is going to allow us to make things even more user friendly for our students, as well as create new, exciting features.
Starting with this one! We now have a brand new On-Demand Yoga Class page. Use your existing unlimited pass to watch as many on-demand classes as you want on "Yogaflix" or rent them separately. (Do you have a pass or credits on your account? You should have already received an email about signing into your new account on Ribbon. Please let us know if you did not receive one.) We’ve been working on these changes for over a month to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible. Even so, a big change like this may temporarily create some turbulence. Honestly, at the beginning of the process, I felt quite overwhelmed. There were so many things to do: set up classes and passes, upload our on-demand videos, update the plugins on our website, and transfer our students’ accounts. It was good to be reminded of this month’s theme, which is flow. As easy as the living can be in the summer, sometimes we pack our days with so many plans and goals and activities. It’s helpful to remember to flow peacefully throughout, like the ripples on our beautiful lake.  Asra in Sukasana (Easy Pose) 1) What brought you to yoga?
I did a little yoga during college and found myself feeling extremely calm and in a better mental state afterward. When I graduated and was constantly struggling with my mental health, I was drawn to yoga as a way to help me regulate my mind and emotions. 2) What is your approach to teaching? I try to approach teaching with a bit of lightheartedness. My goal in each class is to give my students a break from their daily lives and stresses so they can experience the mental benefits that I experience from yoga. 3) Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? I chose to teach at 5KY because it was the only studio (of the many I applied to) where the owners have really helped to mentor and encourage me to become a better teacher. I love the community and the energy of everyone who teaches and takes classes at this studio. 4) What makes your soul sing? Passion and joy make my soul sing! When I see other people discussing or going after what they love and are passionate about or I see people experiencing a deep joy, it really lights something up inside me! You can find Asra at 5KY on Mondays at 7:30 pm.  How you do the little things is how you do everything. - Sharon Pearson In the YSC Part 2 training last month, Renata (Sonia Sumar’s daughter) was breaking down the pose Yoga Nidrasana to our class one morning.
This pose requires a fine balance of flexibility and strength: open hips and shoulders, flexible spine, and a strong core. She was asking us to slow down and do the pose step-by-step.  You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore. - William Faulkner There has always been some debate about the role of a spiritual seeker. Many have misidentified calmness as stillness, apathy, or ineffectiveness.
To one not experienced with meditation, mindfulness, and the spiritual path, it may seem like we spend an awful lot of time sitting with our eyes closed, lying on the floor, and/or considering rather than doing. But we know that behind what seems to be a lack of movement is actually an incredible process of evolution. I’ve heard this described like the appearance of a top. When the top is spun correctly, it seems motionless, even though it is spinning rapidly. This is the behavior of a spiritual seeker as well. Behind the calm is an active, dynamic change-maker. This is easily observed in a hatha yoga class. When we hold a pose, from the outside it seems like we are still. But internally, we are making minute adjustments to our skeleton, muscles, connective tissues, breathing, and even our mind, in order to hold the pose with steadiness and ease. This month is both the celebration of the sun at its peak in the northern hemisphere and International Day of Yoga. These two events go together hand in hand. On the day that the sun is most dynamic, we celebrate the power of yoga to transform. What better way to invoke the power of dynamism this month than by practicing a sun salutation, or Surya Namaskar? Sun salutations are the basis of many styles of yoga and are endlessly adaptable. THE YAMAS AND NIYAMAS  These great vows are universal, not limited by class, place, time or circumstance. - Patanjali, Yoga Sutras 2.31 Many people (yours truly included) begin yoga by taking a yoga class with lots and lots of asanas, aka yoga poses. We can become fascinated by our bodies’ abilities and overcome some physical limitations through regular, focused practice. However, if we are too attracted to the physical aspects of yoga, we will completely block further development on the more subtle aspects of ourselves.
This is why the Yoga Sutras list two limbs of Raja Yoga (or Ashtanga Yoga) before the third limb, asana. The Yamas and Niyamas are like the dos and don’ts of yoga. They guide us to practice yoga ethically, so that we don’t create additional problems for ourselves or others. They are the foundation of yoga practice, which is why they are listed first.  Truth is one; paths are many. - Sri Swami Satchidananda What kind of yoga do you practice? For those who don’t practice yoga or dabble in it only once in a while, this is a logical question. Outwardly, it seems like there are different types of yoga. Hatha, vinyasa, and ashtanga are some of the different types of yoga, right? (What’s the difference?) If you’re just getting started in exploring yoga, congratulations and welcome! You might want to look at this infographic to get a sense of what kind of practices are included in the Integral Yoga tradition, which is the tradition Rita (my co-director) and I follow.  When I talk with committed students of yoga (and wow, have we been having some interesting discussions in our Yoga Sutras study group this past month!), there’s often a sense of understanding between us. “You know what yoga really is. You feel it.”
Because yoga is not entirely logical. Yes, you can apply logic to yoga to deduce how yoga consistently produces its effects when practiced for a long time, with one’s whole heart, and without break. But that is only one side of yoga - the “science side” if you will - the what and how. There is also the art of yoga and that you can only feel. The art of yoga answers why we practice yoga. Are you just getting started practicing yoga at home? Not sure how to set your space up or what to prepare before you start? This exhaustive article on Porch.com gives you a full run-down on setting yourself and your environment up for success. The article features sixteen different yoga teachers, including our very own, Erin Haddock. Also, check out our post about creating a personal altar at home.   We loved our old logo, which was created in 2012 when we were still only providing one-to-one sessions with kids. A lot has changed since then! So we figured it was time for a little refresh to align more closely with our yoga studio's look and services.
The timing couldn't feel better. It's the start of spring 2021 and we're ready to open up our studio (with a few classes to start) today. Check out the new color scheme, as we update our website to match. |
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