Reality Check!

Peaceful Weight Loss Through Yoga 

Reality Check!

by guest blogger Brandt Passalacqua

We can’t know where we are going if we don’t know where we are. And knowing where we are can be very challenging. On a daily basis most of us assess, then re-assess, and re-assess our re-assessment of what we think we need to do to achieve our weight loss goals. This can be energy draining and non-productive. From a yogic perspective, this is because our unconscious mind is running the show and directing our thoughts in a way that isn’t very helpful. Our job is to ground ourselves in the present and make decisions using all of that which is available to us—our intelligence, our wisdom, and our bodies. It is from this expanded place that we easefully find our way.

So instead of stepping on the scale every day we find our practice. We connect our body and mind with our breath. Once we do this we have a reality check. Anchored in the present we ask ourselves “What do I need to do today to be centered, peaceful, and nourished?” When we do this our answers become clear. I need to practice. I need to eat regularly. I need to take a walk after work. I need to call my family. I need to not overeat this meal in front of me. I need to go food shopping. Simple answers come and we follow them.

In this way, we become more and more grounded and less overwhelmed by our suffering. And this allows us to take actions that benefit us.

May we all find clarity and peace today.

Peaceful Weight Loss Through Yoga Website

Brandt Passalacqua has lost 100 pounds using his method and has kept the weight off for 11 years! 

Peaceful Weight Loss Through Yoga, Brandt Passalacqua, author and founder, will be offering a workshop at Saratoga Springs Yoga on Saturday, March 17th from 1:30-3:30pm.

Sign up for this workshop

At this workshop…”You will discover new ways of moving, breathing, and eating that will help you achieve your ideal weight.” If one of your goals is to feel better and lose weight, come check this out! This is NOT a diet plan but a way of sustaining your weight loss for life.

Dedicated to Susan Paschal!

“Everyday, think as you wake up, Today I am fortunate to have woken up. I am alive. I have a precious human life. I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others, to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts toward others. I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.”                                                             

—-His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama

The Marianne Williamson Quote

Last week I used this well known quote in my classes.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” 

— Marianne Williamson (A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles)

As I see it right now, the project of Yoga is about revealing inner light, and yoga practices are an opportunity to begin to clear all that might be blocking your light, maybe for the first time in your life.  We all have limiting ideas about ourselves, ways we disrespect ourselves, ways we engage in behaviors that are not life enhancing. Over time our light can become a lot, or a little dull.  It takes courage and strength to begin to shine again.

As Marianne points out the light is always there, and it’s the challenges, the sometimes steep slopes of our lives, that compel us to tap into the light, the strength and power within us.   

In yoga class you’ll never hear us say, “dim your light”, that’s for sure.  As we move all forward in our practice, over time we gradually become liberated from fear, and move into a place of more freedom and light.  it’s then we give others around us “permission to do the same”—- that’s so radical.  And our presence can liberate others, it’s totally a reason to practice.

Yoga Therapy for Injuries: It Works

The Yoga Therapy class is one of the most popular offerings at Saratoga Springs Yoga, and our Theraputic Workshops have been sold out!  Here’s an informative NYT’s article about the work of Dr.Loren Fishman MD, who strongly believes in yoga therapy, and uses it to treat injuries. I highly reccomend Dr. Fishman’s books, Yoga for Arthritis and Yoga for Osteoporois,.  The co-author of Loren’s books is Anusara Yoga teacher Ellen Saltonstall, we will be hosting her for a Therapy Workshop at Saratoga Springs Yoga in 2012. 

Our Yoga Therapy Class uses modifications of yoga poses to help joints move into better alignment and strengthen the body.  Once the body is out of pain, the mind and heart begin to feel more uplifted, calm, and even optimistic about the future.  Below is a picture of a modification of headstand from the NYTimes article that Dr. Fishman reccomends for rotator cuff injuries, and can be practiced by anyone.

Drop in on one of the Therapy Classes, they are held Mondays and Thursdays at 11:30am—it’s usually challenging, but it’s also safe, fun, and healing.  You’ll feel uplifted, get strong, and best of all, feel great!

Andrew Rivin's Workshop July 2011

 Andrew’s third workshop at Saratoga Springs Yoga was his best!  Everyone received lots of individulal attention, it was fun and empowering!