heart of the village yoga

Yoga Blog

Charlotte Alexander
Articles

Meet Charlotte Alexander

Charlotte is teaching our Wednesday, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Slow Flow Yoga class this summer. “This is the perfect time to slow down and enjoy every moment of summer. Come to the mat to breathe deeply with me, find your focus, and release tension. I infuse each class with themes and intentions like contentment, ease, or joy. You might hear about a broken dryer, the smell of ferns, my love of Mr. Rogers, or a lesson in the Sanskrit word asana. Bring your smile, hiker’s muscles, busy brain, working hands, and have fun with me! Getting to know Charlotte: “For the past ten years I’ve grown up by the Green Mountains of Vermont. I love hiking the long trail, backpacking, fly fishing, kayaking, hammocking, knitting, writing, traveling and of course, practicing yoga. Yoga has enriched each part of my life and built me into the passionate teacher I am today.

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June 25, 2022
Articles

Hand Counting Meditation Practice

Counting on the fingers is an ancient Indian ritual used for breathing exercises and meditation. One does so by placing the thumb in various positions each time we breathe in. Move the thumb around the knuckles in a circular manner. See the diagram below. Doing so, you take 12 compete breaths. Consider that one round. You can keep track of your rounds with your other hand. When sitting down to meditate, I like to breathe 10 rounds of 12. When accessing this method to calm down, become centered and grounded anywhere, anytime, one complete round of 12 breaths can be practiced. Don’t worry if you lose count as you go around. Just begin again. If you can, practice this hand counting meditation every morning when you get up. If successful there, you may add it into your day at noontime and before bed. Set realistic goals. Start slowly. Soon you

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May 22, 2012
Articles

Breathing Techniques (Pranayama)

Breathing Techniques (Pranayama) Breathing Techniques are best learned with a teacher. That being said, you can follow these directions and practice on your own. Just set time aside to assimilate the effects of the breathing practice into your being. Warrior Breath The warrior or ocean sounding breath is focusing, grounding and aids in concentration. It is called the ocean sounding breath because you make an ocean sound by contracting the glottis with the inhalation and exhalation. This breathing technique is done through the nose with the contraction engaged on the inhalation and exhalation. To make the ocean sound, draw air in towards the back of the throat. As you exhale, press air towards the roof of the mouth. Draw the inhalation out to meet the exhalation in intensity and duration. Repeat, feeling the ebb and flow of the tide. Three-Part Breath The three-part breath or complete breath is nourishing, calming

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May 22, 2012