After following the above link and reading Alyssa’s Giacobbe article in New York Magazine, I was happy that even though we have our fair share of steps to take-Nicosia has nothing to be envious of when it comes to Welfare activities for the second year in a row. Yogawithagni is delighted to be part of it ! Yoga will be among other activities, chosen BY the people of this City, such as Zumba, Pilates,  Photography and other interesting options!

 The “Nicosia Open School” or otherwise “Το Ανοικτό ΣχολείοΛευκωσίας” , is operational for the second year in a row and by the 31st of October, the school is going to be up and running for the new season October 2011-June 2012. People of Nicosia can enjoy their classes throughout this period for the very affordable fee of 50 euros for the whole season.

After popular demand Yoga has been added to the afternoon classes and i am excited, grateful and honored to be teaching every Tuesday and Friday 7-8 PM at schools around the City. If you are interested, you better make your way through your application asap as places are limited and the classes are filling up very quickly. (Find them on FB under Ανοικτό Σχολείο Λευκωσίας)

Enjoy the link and embrace the great initiative by people who care about the City and our communities.

THANKS X X X

]]> http://yogawithagni.wordpress.com/2011/10/18/welfare-yoga-embracing-communities/feed/ 0 agnoulla EMBRACING COMMUNITIES http://yogawithagni.wordpress.com/2011/08/20/vinyasa-yoga-moves-back-to-the-city/ http://yogawithagni.wordpress.com/2011/08/20/vinyasa-yoga-moves-back-to-the-city/#comments Sat, 20 Aug 2011 13:33:17 +0000 Agni http://yogawithagni.wordpress.com/?p=403 Continue reading →]]> After some weeks by the sea, with energy renewed, changed, beyond where it was yesterday in any case, we move back to Nicosia! Bringing the sea air and the sun glow into the city with us, we begin again, where we left off.

Vinyasa flows every Monday and Thursday @ the Serenity House in Nicosia from 6-7:30PM & Yin Yoga sessions every Wednesday from 3:30-4:30PM

Yoga is an ancient art for the alignment and healing of the body and vinyasa is a dynamic flow to take you through your experience-whatever that may be. 

*Combining body and mind, expect meditation techniques, asanas, chanting and mantras & learn more about your anatomy and your energy. Audiovisual material will be used and students are encouraged to bring their own passion into the class* 

Moving forward – (there is no other way to go really) – into a new autumn season of teaching, i send my gratitude to you and a big thanks to Rebecca and Mika at Serenity for their faith.

Looking forward to moving with you!

http://www.serenitycyprus.com/

BIG LOVE-xxx-

Agni

Join the flow this summer at the beautifully serene SO NICE Boutique Suites in Ayia Napa for morning and sunset Vinyasa Yoga.

8-9AM & 7-8 PM TUE, WED, SATURDAYS starting from 27/7/2011

From the 27th of July, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, you can join us at the serene So Nice Boutique in Ayia Napa (http://www.sonice.com.cy) for some yoga by the sea. Closer to nature, inspired by our synchronized breath and movement, we invite you to come and move-meditate with us.

Yoga mats, blocks and straps are given at the reception of the So Nice Boutique Suites.

Maximum participation per session is 10 so drop by the hotel to register at the reception, or call and book your place!  The number is  23 723010.

Big big love to everyone x x x x

]]> http://yogawithagni.wordpress.com/2011/07/23/vinyasa-yoga-by-the-sea-with-agni-so-nice-boutique-suites-ay-napa/feed/ 1 agnoulla Yoga by the Sea http://yogawithagni.wordpress.com/2011/06/28/yin-yoga/ http://yogawithagni.wordpress.com/2011/06/28/yin-yoga/#comments Tue, 28 Jun 2011 20:00:07 +0000 Agni http://yogawithagni.wordpress.com/?p=383 Continue reading →]]>

Yin yoga is a less-popular form of yoga which is performed to stretch the connective tissues of the body. Primary connective tissues include the hips, thighs and lower spinal area. These types of tissues do not stretch the muscles (as in more active forms of working out) but they stretch and exercise the bone and joints areas of the body.

Yin yoga creates a balance and peace in the mind. In its earlier years of existence, yin yoga was used in order to improve meditation practices. More active yoga styles, stimulate the muscles in the body, encouraging strength and great physical health. Over time however, as one ages, a lack of flexible joints in the body increases the risk of pain and if yin yoga is not practiced, the body will weaken and the joints of the body will become susceptible to injury.

Yin yoga is practiced as a part of a larger yoga form called Taoist Yoga. The practice of yin yoga is performed to regulate the flow of energy in the body. This energy is called “chi” and when its flow in the body is strong, a person is healthy.

Yin yoga improves the body in a variety of ways. These may include:

• Feeling calm and balanced
• Regulated energy levels (chi)
• Greater strength
• Improved health
• Stress levels lowered
• Greater stamina
• Flexibility of the body’s connective tissues and joints
• Slowed signs of aging
• Improved meditation
• Deeper relaxation
• Improved practice of more active yoga styles

This type of yoga may be beneficial to a variety of people. These people may be experienced or beginners of yoga. Anyone attending drug rehab, eating disorder treatment, or athletes seeking pain and trauma recovery may find this yoga form useful in treating their condition.

The Serenity House in Nicosia, is proud to be the first wellness centre to offer weekly Yin yoga sessions in Cyprus, every Wednesday at 3:30 pm.  (www.serenitycyprus.com)

We believe we can bring more wellness into your life! 

** First class is free

xxx

*Click this link  first*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve_GUyEHdfI

Gone are the times when there was a single interpretation to yoga asanas. Long-long.. gone.. are the days when our bodies were perceived as ‘same’. We are not the same. No two of us are the same and no two of us will ever be the same. That is the primary reason why no two of us will feel the same pose in the same way. Our anatomy varies from one to the other. Our hip bones, shoulders… a good naked look in front of the mirror will justify this point. What’s more, not only are we different between us, we are even different within us! One side more open than the other, one side of the hip lower than the other, one breast larger, one foot longer…and the list goes on.

Studies and research is always under way by physicians and yoga enthusiasts, and teachers work with great love to pass this new light on yoga to practitioners all over the world.

Bringing yoga to today, with respect to the lineage and with loving kindness to our anatomy and heart, is all that we can do to be fair to anyone we teach and share this practice with.

Only you know what you feel when you are in the wheel pose. Only you know what you feel in your handstand. Be responsible with your body, listen to the sensations and trust your own teacher’s voice inside. Yoga is a very personal practice, one that does not strive towards somewhere and there is no voice more valuable than your own.

Above is a link that leads to a short clip from ‘Yoga Anatomy’ by the lovely Paul Grilley, for all those of us who have been to workshops where we were just… not understood- and didn’t even know it.

x x x

It is well known that inversions enhance blood flow and good circulation in the body.The increased circulation resulting from this practice also increases blood circulation to the brain, delivering higher amount of oxygen needed for combustion. The steady and adequate energy supply to the brain, increases our level of concentration and mental sharpness.

Inversions………………………..are also extremely useful for high allergy conditions because inversions help clear the upper respiratory tract and drain secretions from the nose, allowing freshly oxygenated blood to flow into the oral cavity. Doing Sarvangasana and Halasana help open nasal passages, ensuring proper drainage of sinuses. To release your inversions, come into Matsyasana (fish pose) and allow your body to restore.

Also bear in mind that doing more standing poses with forward, backward bendsand twists tend to massage various parts of the spine and the thoracic cage therefore conditioning the lungs.

Remember:  Smoking will increase the symptoms of your allergy.

…and here is why!

 Gate Pose energizes and lightens the side body and invites the breath to become truly three-dimensional. In Parighasana, the body resembles a cross beam. The asana stretches the intercostal muscles that connect the ribs. When these muscles are tight, which commonly happens when we cough and sneeze repeatedly or have poor posture, the rib cage’s movement is restricted, and so is respiration. Elongating the intercostal muscles improves breathing; consequently, Parighasana helps respiratory problems usually associated with asthma, allergies, colds, and flu.

Η διαδικασία είναι πολύ απλή. Θα χρειαστεί 1-2 λεπτά ο καθένας μας από τον χρόνο του για να δώσει αίμα με την ελπίδα ότι θα μπορέσει να σώσει μια ζωή. Οι επιτρεπόμενες ηλικίες είναι από 18 μέχρι 45 χρόνων. Παρακαλούμε όσους ενδιαφέρονται να δώσουν το παρόν τους καθώς επίσης και να προσπαθήσουν για μεγαλύτερη δυνατή προσέλευση.

Για περαιτέρω πληροφορίες μπορείτε να αποταθείτε στο τηλ. 22863110 ή στο email :iaristodemou@papaellinas.com

Yin yoga sessions on Wednesdays at 3:30-4:30pm @ the Serenity House. Yang : Vinyasa flow yoga sessions on Mondays 5:15pm & 7:45pm and Saturday mornings at the parc.