Welcome !

Thank you for visiting Bärbel's Bear with Yoga web site.

Bärbel is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher and has been teaching yoga since 1999. She has apprenticed and studied for several years with Elise Miller; where she was able to learn a lot about how to work with students with back problems and scoliosis. She also enjoys working with seniors and continues to be very impressed with how committed "her" seniors are to coming to class and challenging themselves. While some classes are called Yoga for Seniors, it is by no means "senior yoga" but regular Iyengar Yoga, where blocks, belts, chairs, walls and other aids are used as needed to work on yoga postures with precision and emphasis on how things are done. Each student can work to her own ability, and the first priority in class is always physical well-being and safety. At the same time students continue to be reminded about the spiritual aspects of yoga where body, mind and spirit are considered a unit to be addressed with equal attention. This is a difference between yoga and exercising; the effect of yoga goes beyond just the physical.

Yoga is also a lifestyle and involves life long practice. Bärbel has been studying with very experienced teachers such as  Manouso Manos, Ramanand Patel, Aadil Palkhivala, Ben Thomas, Kathy Alef and most recently Chris Saudek to deepen her understanding and knowledge of Iyengar Yoga.

If you are interested in taking a class, please click on the schedule. If you would like to learn more about Yoga, please click on the links where you will find a number of books recommended for introductory reading. There is also a link to Yoga Accessories to order supplies at a 10% discount.

 

 

What is Yoga?

Yoga can be and can mean different things to different people. One can adapt Yoga to one’s personal needs and when or while you may change, Yoga will still work for you. Yoga means “union” and indeed can help you to re-unite your mind, body and spirit. In the YOGA SUTRA, written by Patanjali, Yoga is described as a path with eight limbs leading to enlightenment.

The eight limbs of Yoga are

  • Yama,  ethical principles,

  • Niyama, guidance for personal discipline,

  • Asana, practice of Yoga postures,

  • Pranayama, practice of breathing techniques and

  • Pratyahara, internalization of the senses,

  • Dharana, concentration and mental focusing,

  • Dhyana, meditation,

  • Samadhi, the achievment of ultimate bliss,

The eight limbs can be considered as being spokes of a wheel rather than being a ladder. In other words, we do not have to master one limb in order to graduate to the next one, like we would when climbing a ladder. On the contrary, the limbs are not completely isolated from each other and while we focus on a particular limb, we will still be incorporating parts of the other limbs as well.

Our main focus however will be the Asanas. While practicing asanas we will incorporate and prepare for the other limbs of the astanga yoga system. Regular practice will make your body stronger and more flexible and help you to get in touch with your body, to be able to listen to your body.

"You can hear a lot by listening”

While Yoga will lead your body to become limber and stronger, neither flexibility nor strength are required to start practicing Yoga. Ten people can do the same yoga pose in ten different variations and each of them will get the benefit of the pose, although the poses might look quite different, yet being the same.

Yoga is an "individual sport” and therefore you do not compete with your fellow "yogis" and you can choose for yourself whether to stay with the Asanas or to dive deeper and adopt the philosophy as well. In either case you will be amazed what Yoga can do for you!

Do you want to give it a try?

Before you join a class, please note some Yoga basics: Yoga should be done on an empty stomach, try not to eat 1 to 2 hours before class. Wear comfortable clothing that does not restrict movement (if possible in layers so you can adjust in order to stay comfortable). In consideration of others who might have allergies or are sensitive towards odors, don’t wear perfume, and last but definitely not least: bring an open mind and a lot of curiosity.

So why Bear with Yoga?

The first syllable of Bärbel's name translates (and is pronounced) as BEAR, and Bärbel loves and admires bears for their strength, intelligence and elegance. This and the double meaning that comes with the sound of bear made her come up with "Bear with Yoga". So bear with Yoga, mind your balance, and you will balance your mind and re-unite body and soul.

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