The MELT Method Endorsed By Dr. Oz Coming to Our Center

THE MELT METHOD
If you haven't yet heard of the MELT Method, now is a great opportunity to learn about it! Dr Oz endorses this method as a powerful technique and promotes the book, "The MELT Method" written by Sure Hitzmann The book details the breakthrough self-treatment system to eliminate chronic pain, erase some signs of again, and help your feel more energized and revived. This practice is coming to Yoga Center for Healthy Living on Saturday, June 28th. Come see what magazines, celebrities and more have been raving about and do your body some healing good! <3 

Saturday, June 28th at 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
As demonstrated on Dr. Oz, and featured in the May Issue of Prevention Magazine.*
This "Introduction to MELT" 90 min. workshop will allow you to experience the small balls and soft rollers used to gently hydrate connective tissue and re-balance your nervous system.  As a bonus, we will practice the anti-aging "MELT 50 second facelift" recently shown on The Rachel Ray show!
-Must preregister ASAP, $35
-Please bring a thin yoga mat & drink water before class.  Equipment will be provided for use during the class & available for purchase.
-Learn more: www.meltmethodmichigan.com
*All participants should be able to get on & off the floor, lie on their backs for short periods of time + on a soft foam roller.  If any condition prevents your from  this, please book a private sessions with advanced MELT instructor, Virgina Larioza where modifications can be made to suit your needs.

Wise Words about the 2nd Law of Yoga from Lee Ann

The Law of Giving and Receiving

The best gift you can give is to leave someone feeling a little lighter than he or she was before your interaction.  When your intention is to expand happiness, every action of either giving or receiving becomes nurturing and fulfilling.

"Today I will open the door of my calmness and let the footsteps of Silence gently enter all of my activities.  I will perform all duties serenely, saturated with peace." ~ Paramahansa Yogananda

The greatest contribution we can make to the well-being of those in our lives is to have peace in our own hearts.  Our state of being broadcasts expansion or contraction to every sentient creature within our midst.  When our hearts are filled with gratitude and our minds are brimming with enthusiasm, everyone we encounter leaves our space feeling a little bit lighter than when they entered it.

As we expend less energy upholding our self-importance, we gain access to the creative and nurturing flow of our own nature.  Reverence for life and simple appreciation for the gift of living subtly remind others not to take themselves too seriously.  Cultivating an inner attitude of ease and acceptance, we ride the inevitable waves of life with passion and wonder.

Knowing at the core of your being that life moves from the shore of beginnings to endings, and back again, you can relax and enjoy the ride.  When the water is turbulent, remind yourself and the others on your boat to

BREATHE!

om shanti, om love,
Lee  Ann

And the Winner of the Yoga Selfie Raffle Contest is....

My son was the lucky drawer of this raffle contest and the winner is....

  SARAH ATKESON!!!!

Thank you to everyone you participated in this contest! It was great to see your determination in yoga and your participation with us on Facebook and Twitter! :) Sarah, congratulations! It looks like the odds were ever in your favor! You've won 5 FREE Yoga classes to Yoga Center for Healthy Living. See Lee Ann to collect your prize. 

To everyone else, thank you SO MUCH for participating! We will be having many monthly contests to come and hope to see even more great participation next time! Oh and we do have some great prizes lined up, so stay tuned! :)

Here's the tally of every Selfie we collected between May 19 through June 19 on the Facebook page and Twitter:

Thea Hamman had 10 entries- way to go Thea, Zara and her baby bump! :)

Linda Beahm had 1 entry

Sarah Atkeson had 3 entries, and won with her third and final entry! Go figure :)

Greg Hargrave had 1 entry

Mary Kathryn Keith had 1 entry

Susan McKenzie had 1 entry

Thanks again to all who entered and a big congratulations for you Sarah! Happy Friday all! :D

Backtracking to the First Law of Yoga: The Law of Pure Potentiality, Words of Wisdom from LeeAnn

The 1st Law of Yoga: The Law of Pure Potentiality 

If you want to experience expansion, you need to broaden your understanding of who you really are.  Any time you say, "I am____," pause for a moment and ask yourself, "Is that really true?"  In reality, you are much more than you can imagine.  You are pure potentiality, infinite possibilities, and unbounded awareness.

"Every creative act involves a new innocence of perception liberated from the cataract of accepted belief." ~ Arthur Koestler

Perhaps the greatest myth about creativity is the idea that it's a rare gift or genetic endowment possessed by only a few.  We feel moved to our core by a piece of music or read about an incredible scientific discovery and mistakenly conclude that some people are born with creative talent while others are not.

In reality, each of us in infinitely creative.  In every moment we are using our intentions, thoughts, and attention to create the world we experience.

One fo the most powerful ways to tap into your deepest potential and creative reservoirs is meditation.  When you meditate, you access the field of pure potentiality that is the source of all inspiration and everything else in the universe.  You go beyond your mind's repetitive thought traffic into the silence and peace of pure awareness.  This stillness refreshes and cams the mind, allowing new ideas and insights to spontaneously emerge.

Today, instead of relying on sheer effort and the ego's limited resources, quiet your mind and open to the infinite source of all possibilities.

om shanti, om peace, om pure potentiality,

om love,

Lee Ann

5 Reasons Teens/Tweens Should Practice Yoga

We live in a busy, changing world that's difficult for even the most cunning adult to navigate. Yoga is a practice that is beneficial to our bodies, minds and souls and the list of benefits to everyday life goes on and on. Teenagers and those in between (tweens) have to deal with radical changes as they enter adulthood- changes to their bodies, social lives, emotions, hormones and more. These changes and "awkward" stages for teens can leave them feeling stressed, anxious or even depressed, especially when they have no outlet to cope. Teen yoga is extremely effective in helping teenagers not only strengthen and heal their bodies, but also temper emotional, social and mental woes they may face. Here are 5 reasons why teens and tweens should practice yoga:

1) Building confidence and self-esteem. This is the age of awkwardness for most, because the body and mind are rapidly developing and kids are walking the bridge into adulthood. Trying to fit in at school, juggling their increasingly difficult schoolwork, balancing family life and social life can all lead to teens feeling a bit lost and unsettled. These feelings can be conquered by practicing yoga. Self-doubt is set aside on a yoga mat and all that's left is will and effort. Teens may be afraid to look silly doing a pose or fear they are not flexible enough for yoga, but once they see the true strength of their bodies, they overcome the fear. Fear is then replaced with confidence and self-esteem, which can be applied in all aspects of their life. Yoga helps teens to feel more confident and able, who wouldn't want that for their child?

2) Stress and anxiety relief. Yoga helps relieve stress and anxiety for adults, so why wouldn't it for teens? Well, it does and chances are your teen is having more anxiety and stress than you may think. Changing schools, changing bodies, changing everything leaves teens feeling unstable and often times helpless, which can lead to anxiety and stress. Stress has many strange effects on the body and can make it difficult to cope with typical situations. Practicing yoga restores confidence and strength, and helps replace negative feelings with positive ones. Once they get into a yoga routine, your teen will find that he or she is not only eliminating stress while they practice, but that they use the techniques from the mat to apply to everyday life. Things like breathing and mindfulness may be new ideas to them that can be used in any situation that warrants it.

3) Fitness during crucial development. Exercise is good for the body, we all know this to be true. Although yoga has a much deeper mental and emotional connection than other types of fitness, it is still a form of exercise. Keeping the body healthy and fit is important no matter what stage of life you're in but as a teen/tween practicing healthy habits is very important because it's a time of crucial brain and body development. The mindfulness and fitness that comes with yoga is great for growing and changing bodies and minds.

4) Relationship building. Yoga can awaken things in our minds and bodies that we never knew were there. It can help give us the confidence to foster new relationships and see things from a different perspective. Sometimes this is just what kids need to form healthy friendships! Yoga also gives them the mindfulness to see people for what they are, and can help them make friends with people of positive influence. Encourage your teen or tween to bring a friend or a few to teen yoga with them. They will form a support system for each other, which will significantly boost confidence and quality of relationships in the future.

5) Breaking away from technology. During a yoga session, we leave our busy lives outside and focus on our body and mind. These days with technology so available it may be hard to get your teen or tween off their phone, computer or laptop. They start to feel self satisfaction in things like "likes" or "friend requests" and incorporate their virtual life into their emotions. Yoga is a great time for them to disconnect from the world of technology and to bring them into the present. It may not encourage them to stop texting, but it may just give them realization next time they are staring at a computer screen. Even if only for a class, disconnecting from technology is good for growing young adults.

We offer a Teen/Tween yoga series that starts this Thursday, June 19th from 11:30am-12:30pm. This series is 5 classes long for only $50! Enroll your teen now and reap the benefits of yoga for their growing bodies, minds and souls. Thursday, June 19; 26th; July 10; 17th; 24 http://yogacenterbrighton.com/events/

The 7th Law of Yoga: The Law of Dharma from Lee Ann

The universe is always sending you messages that tell you whether you're in your dharma or have become sidetracked.  When you're living out your true purpose, events seem to conspire in your favor and you find it easy to move forward.

"Drink your tea slowly and reverently,

As if this activity is the axis

On which the whole earth revolves.

Live the moment.

Only this actual moment is life."

~Thich Nhat Hanh

Where is your mind centered right at this moment? Are you thinking about something that happened earlier or about your plans or upcoming events?

Most of the time our mind is immersed in the past or projecting into the future.  It's rare that our whole being drifts to the present moment...the here and now, so delicately sandwiched between our past experiences and future dreams.

Just for this moment, bring your awareness to the beauty, richness, and sanctity of the sacred present.  Close your eyes and breathe in and out.  As your mind drifts to past events or meanders to thoughts about the future, gently come back to your breath.  With each inhalation and each exhalation you can bring yourself back to the present.  Stop reading these words and try it now for a few moments.

Using mindfulness tools like breath awareness, meditation, yoga, and the intention to be present in each moment, you can further explore the possibilities.

What would it feel like to be completely connected to spirit in each moment?  Not reliving the past or projecting into the future but simply allowing yourself to be ... breath by breath.  Sweetly present to whatever the universe has planned.

om shanti, om peace, om present moment awareness,

Lee Ann

source: The Chopra Center's 21 Days of Inspiration

8 Natural Ways to Relieve Stress and Anxiety

We live in a stressful world, folks. Each and every one of us has experienced the feeling of being stressed, overwhelmed or anxious at one time or another. Sometimes stress becomes so bad that it not only affects our mental wellness, but also our physical, emotional and even sexual wellness. There are some obvious ways to relieve stress and others that aren't as apparent, that are all completely natural. So before you turn to a pill for stress release, try these 8 all-natural ideas. You may not be surprised that relief from your worst stressors could be as easy as just being healthy and mindful.

1) Sleep. Stress and sleep are closely related and in fact sleep is one of the best ways to overcome stress. When you're short of sleep, your body doesn't work as efficiently as usual. That is even true with moderation of stress and anxiety levels. When you're body hasn't been properly rested, it's working harder to do everyday tasks which can leave us feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Take time to get a full nights' sleep and when insomnia from stress or restlessness strikes, combat it with natural herb teas, honey with milk or other melatonin inducers. (Don't revert to alcohol use to help your sleep. It will, in fact, help you to fall asleep but can lead to an interrupted sleep pattern that makes you more tired.)

2) Exercise. Whether it's yoga, tai-chi or a run, exercise is great for relieving stress. It helps us clear the mind and focus on a different sort of challenge than we are faced with throughout the day. Physical wellness is crucial to maintaining a stress free mind and body.

3) Organize and simplify. Feeling disorganized, cluttered or scattered can be stressors for some people that leave them feeling discontent and unsatisfied. Whether you have a to-do list at the office or home that's growing each day no matter how you combat it or you have a messy or cluttered home to worry about, being disorganized stresses us out. Simplify and organize your life to relieve stress. You're mind will be more at peace in organized simplicity.

4) Breathing/meditation. The best part about this one is that it doesn't require anything expect your mind. We can meditate anywhere, although the best spot is somewhere quiet and comfortable. It only takes 15-30 minutes to meditate and it can make a world of difference in your stress levels. By taking the time to focus solely on your breathing- inhaling through the nose, exhaling through the mouth- and to watch your thoughts drift past your brain, you're allowing your body to relax and cope.

5) Massage. These do cost money but depending on where you go, they can be reasonable (especially if it's a complimentary massage from your significant other ;)). Massage is an obvious way that stress is relieved and has been practiced for thousands of years. Releasing the toxins and tensions in the body allows us to achieve ultimate relaxation.

6) Take time to "disconnect". We live in a world that is uber-connected which makes it hard sometimes to focus on simplicity and our well-being. Make time each day to disconnect from the world by limiting access to technology. That's right, turn off the phones, tablets, computers and TVs and make a little quiet time for y-o-u. You will be so surprised at the clarity you feel having some disconnected time with yourself.

7) Healthy diet. This one goes along with exercise and sleep but yes, a healthy diet can relieve stress. Eating junk foods actually makes stress worse. Focus on eating foods rich in Vitamin B like nuts, beans and eggs, lots of veggies and fruits and lean meats. The better the eat, the better you feel AND the better you get at maintaining your stress levels.

8) Aromatherapy. Who doesn't love a yummy scent tantalizing their senses? Specific scents like lavender, rosemary, citrus, green apple or coconut have been proven to alleviate stress and to calm the nervous system. Use baths salts next time you take a bubble bath, light a candle or incense, or even add herbs to hot water as tea or a soak.

Next time you're feeling stress, try these 8 tips that are natural and mostly inexpensive. Stress can be beaten! Be mindful of your body, take care of yourself, and expose yourself to things you enjoy as often as you can.

The 6th Law of Yoga: the Law of DETACHMENT from Lee Ann

Detachment is a natural quality that emerges as your higher self becomes your internal reference point.  You engage in life with joy and passion yet no longer get swept up in the ego's fears.  You are rooted in the knowledge that you are pure love and pure spirit.

"We have not come here to take prisoners

Or to confine our wondrous spirits,

But to experience ever and ever more deeply

Our divine courage, freedom and Light!"

~ Hafiz

At the deepest level, we all seek freedom because it is our inherent nature.  Our essence is pure, unbounded spirit.   The  question naturally arises, if we are already free, why do we sometimes feel trapped, constricted, or limited?  Why do we get caught up in our fears, desires, aversions, and cravings?

This was a crucial question for the ancient yogis who studied the mind and discovered that the source of bondage is our conditioned beliefs and responses.  Even though we are infinite choice makers, most of us have automatic, predictable reactions to certain people, situations, and events.  For example, when someone makes a rude comment, is anger your immediate response? Or perhaps you are conditioned by past experiences of rejection that make it difficult for you to initiate a new friendship or business venture.

True freedom comes from breaking loose from the prison of past conditioning and the repetition of old memories and thought-patterns.

The past is the known and offers no opportunity for choice and possibility.  And the future exists only in the imagination.

Freedom lies in the present moment, the only place where you can choose from an infinite range of possibilities.  Remember, no matter how long you've been stuck in a pattern of behavior, every moment is an opportunity to choose anew...to detach...to breathe...

Join me?

om shanti, om trust, om detach, om open up to...limitless possibilities!

Om Love,

Lee Ann

source: The Chopra Center: 21-Days of Inspiration

10 Ways to Achieve True Inner Peace

            Finding inner peace is difficult to do in a world like ours. Life is crazy busy, with curve balls launched at every turn. It can be daunting to try and see the love in each day, especially when you feel that bad often overtakes the good. One thing that is for certain is change, which is why achieving inner peace relies on how you adapt and cope. If some material item or emotional state makes you feel at inner peace, you’ll never be there long. Learning to adapt and to make yourself happy even when change is occurring is how you can achieve inner peace. I found that these ten destinations are along the journey to inner peace and even in difficult times, reverting to these can put your mind, body and soul at ease.

1)   Visualization. When I’m feeling overwhelmed, stressed or sad I tend to let it consume me. Using visualization is a great way to calm your woes even while they ail you. Shut the world out for a few moments, close your eyes and visualize a place you long to be. Think of the sounds you hear there, the scents you smell, what you would be doing and soak it all up. Remind yourself that even though you’re struggling now, you won’t always be and eventually you’ll make it back to that place.

2)   Affirmations. As humans, we tend to focus on the negatives and pay less attention to the positives. On the route to inner peace we must reverse this by practicing affirmations. Affirmations of yourself and others can make you feel stronger and confident, especially during times of weakness or worry. “You are beautiful.” “You are strong.” “I am beautiful.” “I am strong.”

3)   Focus on sound. Sometimes all we need is a chance to tune out the world. By using music or any other soothing sounds, we give our minds a chance to focus on something and it allows our petty thoughts to melt away. If music isn’t a source of calm for you, then just simply listen to whatever is around you. Watch your thoughts pass by in your mind and pay attention to the sounds you hear only. This gives your mind a chance to rest and relax.

4)   Practice compassion. When we experience another person’s compassion, it lights us up from the inside out. And so it does when we practice compassion towards another. Even a smile sometimes can turn someone’s day around. Focus on being compassionate (even when you’d rather not) because it will make not only you feel good, but those around you.

5)   Breathe. One of the most neglected forms of relaxation is simply, breathing. Inhaling fresh oxygen and exhaling the toxins that we don’t need anymore while focusing on the breath is a great way to relax. When you feel like the world is caving in on you, take a moment just to breathe. You’ll be amazed at the clarity you’ll feel.

6)   Practice acceptance. Practicing acceptance is a key way to inner peace. We cannot change everything and accepting what cannot be changed, acknowledging it and letting it go is something that many people have a hard time doing. Remember each day to be accepting of change, of people and of circumstances. Rest your head in the acceptance that everything happens for a reason, and even bad can turn into good.

7)   Forgive. Holding grudges is a sure-fire way to inner war. Forgiveness is something that is more beneficial to the forgiver than the one being forgiven because it allows us clarity in our souls. Once you forgive, you can let go. Letting go with a deep breath and forgiving those who have hurt you or forgiving yourself is a great step on the road to peace. Forgive and exhale the hurt away.

8)   Simplify. Try to simplify everything in your life. Sometimes we make things overcomplicated or harder than they need to be for unknown reasons. By focusing on simplification, you can focus solely on necessities of the body, mind and soul.

9)   Do things you enjoy every chance you get. Give yourself time for the things you enjoy the most. Happiness, true happiness, is a gateway to inner peace. You have to let yourself have it by doing the things you love and enjoy as often as you can.

10) Practice gratitude and appreciation. This is perhaps the most important of all. Being grateful and appreciative for everything good in our lives shouldn’t be reserved just for Thanksgiving. We should take time to appreciate the good in our lives, and even the bad, for it allows us to learn and grow. Appreciation for even the little things is important on the journey to inner peace.

We hope today and everyday you are able to splash in the pool of inner peace, for with inner peace and contentment comes true happiness. Remember this quote during the rough times and practice these 10 ways to inner peace as often as you can: “He who lives in harmony with himself, lives in harmony with the universe.” -Marcus Aurelius