There may not be a free lunch--but there is free Yoga

There may not be a free lunch--but there is free Yoga

Freely enjoy Yoga on Labor Day 2008

edited by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady

On Labor Day, September 1st, the Dallas Yoga community is providing a Free Day of Yoga for the entire Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex Area. Free yoga classes will be offered at yoga studios, parks, museums, fitness facilities, wellness and retirement centers throughout Dallas, Richardson, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Grapevine, Coppell, Flower Mound, Denton…from Forney to Fort Worth! Everyone from children to senior citizens who are curious about yoga or want to experience a particular style or teacher can do so for free all day!

Sort of like a Yoga Smorgasbord

Everyone is welcome to enjoy a free yoga classes conducted by local yoga teachers on Labor Day, Sept.1, 2008. This is a great opportunity to try yoga for the first time, try a different instructor or experience a different style of yoga. Classes will be held beginning early morning and continue into the evening – convenient for all schedules. As a grand finale to the Free Day of Yoga there will be one giant community class at the new One Arts Plaza in downtown Dallas. The Yoga Community of Teachers will lead a Surya Namaskar Sun Salutation followed by a community chant.

This is the Second Annual Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex Yoga Community Free Day of Yoga.

More about Yoga

Yoga is an ancient art, science and philosophy. The most familiar type of yoga in the west utilizes physical postures or positions called asanas (pronounced ah-SA-nahs) to achieve health benefits. In general the poses consist of standing and balancing poses, twists, forward and back bends, as well as relaxation and breathing techniques. By practicing yoga asanas, people increase their flexibility, strength, stamina and balance. Aside from the physical attributes of yoga, many individuals will discover improved concentration, less stress, more centeredness and peace. Many students experience some of these benefits after only one class; but with regular practice the benefits are astonishing.

There are also many disciplines and styles of yoga, such as Ashtanga, Bikram, Iyengar, Jivamukti, Kundalini, Power and Vinyasa Yoga. Some styles are more physically challenging and athletic, other styles focus on relaxation and meditation. Even in the different styles of yoga, teachers will have their own presentation style which emphasize different aspects of their yoga discipline. Experience the Free Day of Yoga and discover for yourself the different styles and teachers in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex area.

Michelle Mock, spokesperson for the Free Day of Yoga, encourages beginners to use this day of free classes to try yoga and those individuals that study yoga to take this opportunity to discover a different style of yoga or a new instructor. “Don’t stay away from yoga because you think you are out of shape, too big or small, not flexible, too young or old. The beauty of yoga is that there is something for everyone, a teacher, a class, a style. Experience the benefits of yoga for yourself and see why it has stood the test of time and still as valuable today as it was thousands of years ago.”

For a complete listing of the free yoga classes please visit www.freewebs.com/dallasfreedayofyoga

Yoga Class Guidelines:

Arrive early. Classes are well attended; arriving early will ensure your mat space.

Wear comfortable athletic type clothing so you can move easily.

Shoes are not required, yoga classes are taught barefoot.

Refrain from eating at least an hour before class.

Please bring a towel, blanket or yoga mat to class.

Be mindful and respect the limits of your own body.

How to find the right teacher and class:

Consider what you want from a class and your present physical needs and limitations.

Ask a teacher about their training certification or credentials.

Ask the teacher’s advice about which class(es) fit your requirements.

Take classes in different styles and from different teachers until you find the right class.

Review how you felt before and after the class. Did you have a rapport with the teacher? Was the intensity level of the class about right for you? Did the class benefit you in mind, body and spirit?

Bottom line…FREELY ENJOY YOGA!

Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer who loves almost anything free and especially loves yoga. This is an irresistable offer to her.

She plans to try as many new classes as she can.

Read Madelyn's stories on www.yogayaya.com, www.travellady.com, www.carladynews.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.teaAtlas.com, www.coffeeatlas.com

Organization: Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex Area Yoga Community

Date & Time of Event: September 1, 2008, Labor Day, FREE YOGA CLASSES from 5:30am to 8:30pm

Location: DFW Area Yoga Studios, Parks, Museums, Wellness & Fitness Facilities; Check Website Schedule for a complete list of locations.

Event Finale Community Class: One Arts Plaza at 1722 Routh Street Downtown Dallas at 6:00pm

Dynamic Power Yoga PLUS! by Suze Curtis
Photos Courtesy of John Pokrassa johnp212@aol.com