Evolution Yoga - Burlington, Vermont » Yoga

Yoga On the Dock is back this June!

Evolution Yoga — Mon, 21 May 2012 04:04:44 +0000

Join us for a unique and inspiring practice led by Bill O’Connor on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 7 – 8 AM at the Community Sailing Center on Burlington’s Waterfront! June 5th through August 30th, 2012.

Purchase a five, ten or fifteen class “Yoga on the Lake” pass that can be used for any of the 26 classes throughout the summer! These passes are $60 for a 5-class pass, $110 for a 10-class pass, and $150 for a 15-class pass. They can be purchased online here at your convenience. $14 a class drop in (cash or check only) or use your class card.

Note: Check Evolution’s Face Book for class status due to weather. All weather updates will be available by 6:30am.

Taking time to get to know ourselves…

workingwellvt — Tue, 08 May 2012 03:41:56 +0000

Svadhyaya – Self-Inquiry, one of the Niyamas or yogic observances toward the self.

One of my favorite meditations is to sit quietly for a few moments, listening to the breathe, and then ask myself,” Without thoughts, emotions, memory, images or perceptions, what am I?”

There’s no right answer! First thoughts might rush forward, helping me to see everything that I think I am or think I should be. Then I can accept that. Then maybe let go of that and be aware of the silence, spaciousness or pulsation that exists amidst thought. It doesn’t matter what happens in this meditation. It just matters that I asked.

Taking time to get to know ourselves is a simple definition of svadhyaya. We can practice this as we do yoga, meditate, study sacred texts or just by being aware of what’s happening in and around us.

~Andrea

Center of Power 6-Week Series Begin May 10th

Evolution Yoga — Sat, 05 May 2012 21:32:33 +0000

This class is designed for anyone who wants to use the core and abdominal muscles more efficiently and effectively. This leads to overall new strength and power as well as relief from pain and improved muscle function in the back, hips or shoulders.

When I developed the “Strong on the Inside” class series and workshop, I wanted to bring together the core information that I had learned from various disciplines. This class brings clarity to core work from yoga (the bandahs), Physical Therapy, and Gyrotonic. And it feels great. Come check it out! No yoga experience necessary! Fit athletes, experienced yoginis, and those less conditioned or recovering from injury benefit from this unique work.

Thursdays, 4:30-5:30pm
6 weeks for $99
starting May 10th
Register Here

Teacher Feature ~ Andrea O’Connor

Evolution Yoga — Sat, 05 May 2012 06:12:11 +0000

Weekly Drop-In Classes Only on Sundays at Evolution:

Guided Meditation 8:30 – 9 AM (donation)

Anusara-Inspired Level I/II 9 – 10 AM

Anusara-Inspired Level I/II 3 – 4 PM

6 Weeks to Core Strength: Center of Power with Andrea on Thursdays afternoons from 4:30 to 5:30 PM (Begins May 10th to June 14th)

Where do you continue to find your inspiration? Waking up in the morning and thinking “sign me up” does it. If it doesn’t, then I adjust something, either my attitude or my circumstances.

How did you begin your yogic journey? Ten years ago I was a stressed out marketing director with a sore back. That was a great place to start.

Tell us about your “Branch Out! Yoga for Gardeners” retreat this June: This retreat is a wonderful opportunity to do yoga in a way that brings new discoveries about ease, strength and bliss. And we will make these new yoga skills, whether for our backs or our brains, work for us as we leave the weekend and move through life, doing our gardening, yard work, and even favorite outdoor sports like biking, hiking, running.

How has your practice and teaching changed over the last decade? In the first five years of my practice and teaching, I focused on doing fun poses and working hard. Nothing wrong with that; I loved it! In the last five years I’ve begun to focus on a daily or weekly philosophical principle and how to move with ease and strength on and off the mat. That feels great too!

Pose of the Month: Prasarita Padotanasana

Petra Smejkal — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:53:45 +0000

Whether you prefer to stand or be seated during this intense stretch of the hamstrings, hips, groins, and spine, don’t forget to breathe. Standing in Wide-Legged Forward Bend allows for gravity to pull the torso down, while keeping the feet planted in the earth, engages leg muscles from feet to hips. Like all forward folds, this one could ease your headache and get rid of your fatigue.

Summer Schedule begins Monday, May 7th!

Evolution Yoga — Thu, 03 May 2012 03:48:00 +0000

We are changing to our summer yoga drop-in schedule much sooner than last year. Make sure to take a look at is as we have changed a few classes. New additions include Yoga on the Lake with Bill, and welcoming back Patrick and Katie to the schedule!

What are you growing in your garden?

workingwellvt — Wed, 02 May 2012 03:37:15 +0000

Ahh – it’s all so beautiful. Right now, the dwarf cherry tree which has kitschy fake glittery pear ornaments on it!, is in bloom. The weeping birch has the most delicate green leaves and catkins. Many bulbs are in colorful presence; and the shrubs are shiny in many colors from spruce blue to barberry red and yellow to white azalea. The masses of vinca and “freckles” viola are all showing off! The perennials, including many types of ferns, are coming up. I fill six feeders, each with different type of food as my birds are very spoiled like everyone else around our house!

In the past, I’ve had community garden plots where bushels of roma canning tomatoes, culinary herbs, funky striped beets, and spicy mesclun were among my favorite crops.Will do that again some day! As a renting intervale farmer, I raised and sold many types of medicinal herbs one year. I’m into rock and our tiny city yard has three rock walls, a stone patio and stone walkway. Each year I tear something apart and rebuild it, much to Bill’s distress (What? It was fine the way it was!!!) This year the walkway is up for a facelift. ~ Andrea

Join Andrea O’Connor for a weekend retreat in Starksboro, Vermont from June 8 – 10th, 2012 – Branch Out! Yoga for Gardeners

Practice of the Month: Svadhyaya ~ Self-Inquiry

Evolution Yoga — Tue, 01 May 2012 06:48:31 +0000

The fourth Niyama (self-observance), is Svadhyaya. Sva in Sanskrit means “self” and adhyaya is translated to “inquiry, investigation or education.” Svadhyaya is about self-reflection. Many consider meditation to be the essential road to self-inquiry, but any study, be it star-gazing, baseball, gardening or knitting, can bring us to a deeper understanding of ourselves. This is Svadhyaya.

In our yoga practice, through asana and pranyama (postures and breathing exercises), we learn to see ourselves more fully. When we move mindfully, our actions provide a pathway for self-discovery. We learn about our body’s strengths, but we also learn more about who we are and how we are in the world.

Early Bird Special ~ $50 OFF!

Evolution Yoga — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:51:31 +0000

Be one of the first five participants to sign up for our nature-inspired retreats this June and September in Starksboro, Vermont and save $50 off one of these three weekend retreats!

June 8 – 10

Branch Out! Yoga for Gardening with Andrea O’Connor

Cultivate Your Yoga Glow with John McConnell

September 14 – 16

Yoga and Nature: Connecting with your Inner and Outer Landscape with Martha Whitney

5 Ingredients or So ~ The Super Green Shake

Petra Smejkal — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 02:01:24 +0000

Even the kids may love! I’ve tested this on my own two picky toddlers, and they ask for more most of the time. Honestly, sometimes I do have to pour it into a non-clear cup as one of them may not drink it, just because it’s green!

A breakfast on the go or an afternoon boost, pick your color and that’ll determine your pick. Green makes me so satisfied and energized longer especially when it tastes good. I start by filling a blender 1/3 to 1/2 full of raw washed spinach, then adding some citric juice to get the iron out of the spinach (orange/lemon juices). Pulse and shred until smooth, and afterwards, add a kiwi, avocado, spirulina/chloreal/ your favorite green powder. To sweeten the shake, try honey, maple syrup, or agave, and finally to dilute it more, your preference of milk; soy, rice, almond, dairy, etc. You may enjoy it like this, smooth and creamy, or add some ice to make it frappe!