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By Michael Paduano
Many people have preconceived notions about what yoga is or isn’t. Some are not sure what to expect from a yoga class and might keep putting off going due to lack of understanding. While other people have an idea of the health benefits from yoga, but are not sure where to start.
Some might visualize a group of students doing handstands or balancing on their heads participating in nearly impossible poses. While others visualize a yoga class with burning incense while some guru walks around and softly strikes a gong as the students chant, “Om…Shanti, shanti.” Whatever your fitness goals or interests are when thinking about yoga there is a class and instructor that will fit your needs.
If you are new to yoga, a good place to start would be Urban Yoga Center (UYC) in Palm Springs. An upcoming opportunity at UYC is a team taught class with several instructors giving you the chance to see several styles of yoga. This will allow you the opportunity to see different teaching styles that will help direct you towards a style that is best for you to achieve your yoga goals. The upcoming class, TAG YOGA is Saturday, August 28 at 5 pm. TAG YOGA will be have several instructors including UYC owner, Kristin Olson and myself. A Kirtaniyas band named Arjun will then perform at 7:30 pm. A $20 suggested donation covers the class and performance. Who needs to go out on a Saturday night to a disco with a live DJ when you have this…?!
Finding a class and instructor to match your current fitness level is important in preventing you from getting discouraged, injured or in the wrong class. Your journey toward yoga enlightenment should be fun and healthy. You will also be able to better match your fitness goals and find that right class and instructor.
Urban Yoga Center (UYC) offers a full schedule of classes and a wide variety of teaching styles that are great for the beginner or advanced student. Kristin Olson has owned UYC for over nine years and shares some great advice on yoga. “You take yoga off the mat and into your life,” explained Kristin. Many people talk with her and express, “I just want a workout.” This is when taking it off the yoga mat and into your life applies. Kristin stated, “Our studio offers both physical and mental conditioning where you have the ability to be in a safe haven…fearless, curious and relaxed”.
Yoga is designed to unite the mind, the body, and the spirit. Yoga can be a way to strengthen our physical and spiritual matter. You might solely be interested in the physical aspects of yoga, building stronger bones and muscles or gaining greater muscle flexibility while obtaining greater balance. Or, perhaps you are searching for a full mind and body approach while working towards health, inner peace and calmness.
Yoga can heal as well as invite health and harmony in your life. Spirituality comes from the Latin root <I>spiritus<I>, which means breath. You need to get breath into the body. Yoga, running, walking, swimming, or yard work gets your body oxygenated. Getting oxygen into the body helps release toxins. If not removed these harmful toxins can destroy the inner peace and calmness in your life.
As Yogis, we believe the mind and body are one. Often, I encounter people who think of themselves as just physical <I>matter<I>, while some think of themselves as only spiritual beings. We are both.
Kristin Olson has taught, traveled, and trained all over the world and has not slowed down. She recently traveled to India for six weeks where she invested time in her personal and spiritual growth. She is a part of the “100 Women” at the Desert Aids Project that works to raise much need funds. Kristin also has a group named the “Friendly Warriors” that walks in the Desert Aids Walk and conducts the “Friendly Warm-up.”
She is also scheduled to be a presenter for Bhakti Fest, September 9 – 12 in Joshua Tree and a presenter for the Wellness and World Music Festival October 9 – 10 in Desert Hot Springs.
Info: Urban Yoga Center, 458 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 760.320.7702 or UrbanYoga.org.
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