Tuesday Evening Purna Yoga Class

We had a very dynamic class this evening!  As per usual we did a very thorough warm up but started to do standing poses almost immediately. Today I taught a little sequence to the class and it was challenging but fun! I really enjoy making my students stretch a little bit. Sometimes, when I demonstrate something in class, I see a little bit of hesitancy in one or two students, and others dive right in and start to try the asanas. Then, when the whole class does it under my guidance, I sense the enthusiasm and relaxation when they realize that they can get the pose and do it to the best of their ability.
Just attempting something new is essential for growth in Yoga, even if the pose is not achieved completely, it is a work in progress just like our lives are. In Purna yoga, we do not strive for perfection or competition, we strive for transformation to something a little bit better each time, for personal  growth and self - awareness.  I am so happy that so many folks are trying Yoga and I continue to introduce it to Grenada one person at a time. Thankfully, word of mouth is also a very powerful tool in our society.  Everyone in class said it was a great class and that means that they enjoyed themselves and grew a little bit as well.

Shanti Generation : Yoga Skills for Youth Peacemakers

I came across this amazing website. Shanti Generation is a movement to empower youth with peacemaking skills to build a world that respects and celebrates difference on the way to discovering unity. They produce educational media experiences that bring ancient and modern practices to youth in relevant, innovative formats. In recognition that youth voices are far too seldom heard, they exist to provide a greater platform for youth to express their wisdom and guide the future of the world. check out more at www.shantigeneration.com

New 6 Week Cycle of Purna Yoga with Dr. Kecia Lowe

Dr. Jennifer Isaac reflects on her experience at our June Workshops!

New July Workshops!

Yoga for Relief: Headaches & Shoulder Tension July 16th 3:00-5:15pm

Space is limited to 10 students.
This workshop will focus on the common problems of headaches and shoulder/neck tension. We will review some of the most frequent causes of these aliments. Then we will practice postures and techniques that can help you find relief, exploring methods for both preventing and decreasing pain.

Yoga While Expecting: Practices for Pregnancy July 23rd 3:00-5:15pm 

Space is limited to 6 students.

Finally some attention for our expecting mothers! This workshop will be an introduction into the principles and practices of yoga that can support your pregnancy. We will review some of the physically and emotional benefits of a consistent yoga practice on the health & well-being of mom and baby. In addition we will guide participants through postures safe for each particular trimester.

email spiceharmony@gmail.com or call 443-5693 to sign up now!

Come Join Us!

One of our favorite events... join us for invigorating yoga and cool of after with a sunset dip! 

contact me (Malaika) at 410.5708 

5pm

Camerghone Park

Tomorrow - Thurs June 30th

Yes to Yoga by Kizzy

By a young Grenadian activist Kizzy on her blog:

 

So, I've always been a believer in the powers of Yoga.
Only thing holding me back right now is my lack of financing, but I've found a way around it Spice Harmony Yoga is offering free classes in the park every Thursday for the month of June, best believe I'm on it like white on rice.

Failed my sticks test for the 2nd time, but I'm not even mad. Going to give it a break and pick back up when I return from Barbados. Although I'm tempted to try one more time before I leave. Who knows I'll see what works out. Until then check out pics from last week's Yoga class.

Thoughts on Yoga & Healing by Diasporadawta

 Came across this today by diasporadawta on her blog on tumblr.com:

“the body locks our traumas inside and archives them for future discovery and, hopefully, healing. each trauma needs to be unraveled and eased, the scars opened, massaged, and broken down. the body can become like a tree that’s root-bound and dying; the roots need to be very gently pulled apart, not just hacked off. that’s the healing role of yoga” - ana forrest

My Sacral Chakra  work is still in progress. It’s been quiet the journey… endings and beginnings, fits and starts, but overall good for the soul. I’m learning a lot about myself and the process of being present. I’ve made some positive changes: whether at home or in the studio Yoga has become a daily practice and I’m writing a little bit more frequently, which feels really good.
I was a little overwhelmed with what I perceived as constant negative occurrences throughout this practice but I realized that there were kinks, roots, issues that needed to be worked out and no one said it was going to be a cake walk.
As Toni Morrison’s character Amy said about Sethe’s feet in Beloved “Anything dead coming back to life hurts.” Sometimes it’s necessary to revisit pain stories from your past in order to really let it all go.

Complimentary Introductory Yoga Class for Fathers

There were 5 fathers in attendance at our Introductory Yoga Class on Saturday the 18th of June. We decided to have this class in  honor of Father's Day. Most of the Dad's had never done yoga before, so it was exciting for them. I taught the first half of the class instructing them in Purna Yoga  warm ups  including the morning series. They were ready for Malaika, who lead them through several Vinyasa Flow sequences including Sun Salutation. We  hope to see all of them back in classes at Spice Harmony soon.
Namaste,
Kecia

Women's Health & Father's Day

We are so excited about tomorrow! We have a packed Women's Health workshop....I am not so sure about the Free Father's Day Class... I got a lot of not so convincing maybes and yeses from the dad's I asked. My father is supposed to be rallying his friends...Let's see what happens. Because surely dad's need yoga too.


Namaste
Malaika

Photographs from our 1st Free Yoga by the Beach

This was nothing short of amazing. Kyle, our guest instructor, and myself (Malaika) taught a beautiful class under a clear evening sky. The temperature was perfect...it was a flawless way to end the day. After the class most of the students joined us for a dip to cool off...so we caught the sunset in the water.

Article to appear in the Grenada Advocate Newspaper

There are a number of factors that contribute to back pain and many of them can be addressed by practicing yoga regularly and making simple changes in your daily routine. It is always important to consult with your doctor before starting a new physical routine but you should also know that certified yoga instructors are equipped with the tools to assist you in working safely with your bodies specific needs. Some these key factors that trigger back pain are: stress, emotional responses, posture, muscle tightness, muscle weakness and lack of body awareness which leads to poor body mechanics.

Yoga positively affects circulation and through movements, such as spinal twists, it brings vital nutrients to the intervertebral disks while allow toxins to be rung out. These disks are important because they act as shock absorbers to bones in the spine and allow us to bend in all directions. Additionally the body awareness developed through a yogic practice can help you to notice the way you sit, sleep, move etc. This ability to check in with your body allows you to make adjustments when necessary, re-aligning your joints and engaging the muscles needed to move in the safest, healthiest way. In cultivating an increased attention to breath, yoga helps calm an overactive nervous system, easing emotional and physical stress while encouraging muscles to relax and lengthen.

During your everyday routine there are simple adjustments that you can make to avoid or ease back pain and generally improve the health of your back. Avoid sleeping on your stomach because it can create pressure in the lower back. More significantly, this position places the neck at an extreme angle in order for our cheek to rest on the pillow, which can cause pain in the neck and upper back. When sitting, at a desk or car for example, place a small rolled towel or cushion at your lower back for support and improved posture. This next piece of advice may be more common, however it is still not applied by many people. When picking up an object on the floor, bend the knees instead of rounding the back. Lastly, when talking on the phone, use your hand instead of your shoulder. Tilting your neck and lifting your shoulder to support a phone creates an imbalance in the upper body and creates unnecessary tension.

Photographs from our Beginnings

Welcome

Spice Harmony Yoga Studio is a modern, fully equipped space located in Calivigny, St. George, Grenada. We officially opened in January 2011 with the vision of supporting individual and collective growth throughout out island.

The mission of this blog is to share ideas and information about balanced  & healthy living while also bringing to light the incredible ways that yoga is working for people all over the world.

 Namaste 

Malaika & Kecia