"After the first burst of enthusiasm, we often slack our yoga practice forgetting the many advantages already obtained through the improvement of our health. In stead, in this kind of work, continuity and perseverance are required, we progress much more effectively through a daily training. When we are not well we turn to our practice. But, perhaps, illness could have been prevented, avoided, or even totally rejected, if we had kept our body in full health by practicing."

Vanda Scarvelli, from Awakening the Spine

'Although some form of yoga is practiced by many, each individual needs to find a method and a class that fits.

The teachers at Lighten Up focus on the Iyengar method and the principles of alignment. We hold the poses long enough to explore our bodies and sensitively adjust our poses to bring about improved harmony and function. By moving slowly into and out of the poses we avoid the risk of injury. In fact we are able to activate more of our healing potential by truly connecting our body and mind.

Many of the classes at the studio have students ranging in age from 22 to 80 years. All students, regardless of age, work to their capacity and modifications of poses are offered by our teachers to help those students who need it.

Join us for a class anytime and see for your self. Each month we will feature a student in whose life yoga at Lighten Up has made a difference.

This month we offer you a bit of yoga humor in Monica Nolan's yoga inspired poem called "Tow Truck Man".

Namaste,
Lillah

Tow Truck Man & Meter Maid

New to Yoga or New to Lighten Up? Attend our 5 Week Novice Sampler. Let us help you feel fabulous and reach your goals for sustained vibrant health in the new year. No matter what shape you are in, you can do yoga and benefit from it. Allow the talented teachers at Lighten Up introduce you to the beauty and benefits of yoga in our personalized classes.

Monday - 7:15 pm with Deane Giordano
Tuesday - 9:30 am with Lillah Schwartz
Thursdays - 5:30 pm with Deane Giordano

***Special First time student rate: $44 when you enroll in the 5 consecutive week Novice Sampler Series. We are giving you your 5th class FREE.

Class Schedule

Sign up for any series with your partner from February 11th to the 16th and receive 10% off!

Check out our class schedule

Open to all Level 2 students and teachers. Join Lillah on the FIRST FRIDAY of each month from 9:00-10:30 am. Open to all those interested in evolving and refining their yoga practice and understanding. Please come if you have a regular home practice and are interested in receiving guidance and inspiration to continue to enjoy the deeper benefits of yoga. Choose this class as part of your series or pay the drop in fee of $14.

Class Schedule

 Sunday, February 17, 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Emotional Freedom Technique with Gary Schwartz Ph.D.
Cost: $ 35

EFT is easy to learn and remarkably effective for relieving and eliminating: Anxiety, Guilt, Cravings, Pain, Phobias and Self Defeating Patterns. It’s like Acu-Aspirin for what ails you. Based on balancing the energy meridians, EFT is fairly simple. It is easily self-applied and an amazingly effective self-help tool that offers you lasting change.

To register for this workshop, please email Gary at gary@garyawake.com.

More about Gary

Congratulations to Mili and her little boy Kai Echols-Perez!

Born on Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 2:03 pm.
Kai was exactly 7 lbs and 19 3/4 inches long.

Good job Mili!
Blessings abound and all is well.

We love sharing yoga with EVERYONE! If you have some special needs please check out the classes listed below and let us help yoga help you.

YOGA AFTER 50 with Lillah Schwartz, E-RYT
Meets every Tuesday from 9:30 - 11:00 am. A well-rounded class to keep your body and mind healthy and flexible. Poses in all categories will be practiced and adapted to individual needs. Open to all ages.

YOGA FOR MS (& Other Disabilities) with Lillah Schwartz, E-RYT
Meets every Thursday 11:15- 12:30 pm at One Center Yoga. A gentle therapeutic sequence of poses will stimulate healthy organ function and rest the nervous system. Ideal for persons with Parkinson's, fibromyalgia, heart disease, cancer survivors or those who are simply older and slower.

Class Schedule

Gomukhasana or Cow’s Head Pose Modified:

Stretches and broadens the lower back.
Opens the hip joints and stretches hip muscles.
Increases shoulder flexibility while relieving shoulder stiffness.
Strengthens the upper back
Opportunities for benefits abound in this pose. However, without the practices of ahimsa (non-violence) and satya (truthfulness) there are also possibilities for injury.

The hip and shoulder joints are well known areas of tightness due to the habits of our bodies in this Western society. It is imperative to know the difference between the sensation of stretch and pain in a joint; to acknowledge and respect the limitations of the body.

The ego is often encouraging us to over do; making peace with the ego can help. Think of your ego as your old childhood friend, the over enthusiastic dare-devil. This friend is lots of fun and challenges you but often gets you into trouble. Acknowledge that you will always care for this friend, knowing it serves a purpose in your life, but you will listen to your own inner voice.

Overdoing in this pose can be felt in the front shoulder (i.e. rotator cuff) of the “down” arm and/ or the knees. Use props as needed; they’re not for sissies! Use a strap as an arm extender; place a block, blanket or bolster under the buttocks. If contentment and focus can not be found with the legs in this position , then sit in virasana, vajrasana or sukhasana.
Namaste,
Emily

Read About other Asanas

Congratulations to Sandy.

Congratulations to Sandy Anderson!

Read More

Kirtan with Chaitanya extended to every 3rd Friday of the month in 2008. If you have not had the pleasure of chanting with Chaitanya, you are in for a treat. There are 4 sometimes 5 musicians who accompany the chants and expression of your heart from 7 - 9 pm every 3rd Friday at Lighten Up. Kirtan is a traditional yogic expression of heartfelt love and devotion to the Divine through song. Join Us!

Meet Chaitanya

Special Seminar Friday February 22, 2008 7 - 9 pm. Donations Requested. Kriya Yoga as described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali involves mantra, pranayama, meditation, self-inquiry and lifestyle adjustments to align one's life with its highest purpose; complete Self and God-realization. Kriya was brought to the West by Paramahansa Yogananda to encourage all sincere spiritual students to deepen their connection to the divine as it is real to them, through direct experience. During this seminar, participants will learn meditation procedures and lifestyle recommendations that serve as a firm foundation for intensive spiritual practices. The presenter, Ryan Kurczak, is an ordained minister of Center for Spiritual Awareness in Lakemont, Georgia and a student of Roy Eugene Davis, a direct disciple in the lineage of Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswar and Paramahansa Yogananda.

Calendar of Events

REACH FOR EXCELLENCE!

Lighten Up Yoga 200Hr Teacher Training Begins February 1-3, 2008
Late registrations accepted until March 14-16, 2008

Our ten month program meets every 5-6 weeks for 9 weekends of extensive study. Receive expert personal guidance and training in asana, pranayama, philosophy, anatomy, physiology and adaptive yoga for students with limitations.
Lillah, ERYT, is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor with 27 years of experience and training. She has an exquisite way of seeing and dynamically assisting her students to adjust the bio-mechanics of their postures thus achieving optimal results from their yoga practice. A senior student of the yogic arts and dedicated to the healing path, Lillah empowers her students to apply the principles of yoga in their daily life.

More 200 hr Information

Purna Yoga™ Weekend with Aadil Palkhivala May 30 - June 1, 2008
Registration now open!
Join us for a full weekend of in depth training with this popular and masterful teacher. Topics as follows;
Friday 2:00-5:00pm • Yama, Niyama, and the Ashtanga Path
Friday 6:30-9:30pm • Structuring a Yoga Class – Connection & Flow Saturday 10:00- 1:00 pm • The Five Vayus Standing Poses
Saturday 2:30-5:30 pm • The Yoga Nidra of Purna Yoga™
Sunday 10:00- 1:00 pm • The Sacred Sacrum

Cost: $350 All Wknd • Day Rate: $150 • Individual Class Rate: $75 Deposit: $150 deposit holds your space (balance due 4 weeks prior to the event)
Co-sponsored by Lighten Up Yoga and One Center Yoga Register: Contact Lighten Up Yoga Location: Classes held at One Center Yoga • 120 Coxe Ave • Asheville

More information found here.

Join Lillah February 8 and 9, 2008 Friday 7:00 - 9:00 pm Saturday 8:30- 11:30 am and 2:00 - 6:00 pm An open invitation to any student who has completed the Lighten Up 200 hr Yoga Alliance teacher training or other teacher training program. The specific topic for this seminar will be "Learning to See" and will give each participant an opportunity to watch how instuctions can be sequenced to obtain optimal results for the student. Everyone will have the opportunity to both teach, watch and practice. Cost: $125 Please contact the studio to register.

Find Relief Today! Companion set only $29.95 Save $10 Enjoy the simple clear guidance Lillah offers on her two therapeutic DVD's (also on VHS). Choose "Yoga: Freedom from Back Pain" or " Yoga: Relief from Neck and Shoulder Pain" or both! Reclaim your freedom of movement safely and effectively. Peace of mind will follow. "A commendable job. Effective and accessible to all levels of students." - Yoga Journal "Recommended for relief of chronic back pain ..." Dr. Andrew Weil "Safe for Beginners", - Prevention Magazine.

Preview the DVD

Great opportunity to bring Lillah's teaching into your home for a personal therapeutic yoga practice! You or someone you know may be excited to have one or both of these great titles: Yoga: Freedom from Back Pain and Yoga: Relief from Neck and Shoulder Pain. BUY BOTH VIDEOS FOR ONLY $15! Please contact our studio to purchase videos (additional charge applies for shipping). Thank you and happy holiday!