Student of the Month 2007
January
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Cindy Norris
I have been taking classes at Lighten-up Yoga for about 6 months. I receive enormous benefits from my practice, both physically and spiritually. I have arthritis in my right knee and my yoga practice has improved this condition remarkably. The mentally calming aspects of the practice are as they say, priceless. I chose Lighten-Up Yoga as my studio because I find the Iyengar method to be the most beneficial to me with clear instruction and explanations of the asanas in addition to very talented teachers. It is hard to pick my favorite asana, but I guess my favorites at the moment are triangle pose and feet-up-the-wall (Viparita Karani). My other interests are reading, knitting and women’s issues. I am currently working as an estate and trusts litigation paralegal.
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February
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Ramon Davalos
I was recently on a cross country road trip and had the opportunity to visit and experience many different yoga studios and teachings along the way. I have been practicing yoga regularly at Lighten Up for a good while and have taken classes with every teacher. I have to say that I am so glad to know we have such a great yoga studio in town. Every teacher is very skillful. Their knowledge, dedication, patience and attention, places Lighten Up in a spot where it easily stands out from many others.
Ramon currently works as a supervisor in the textile industry.
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March
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John Howland
He currently serves as a companion animal veterinarian.
I started taking classes at Lighten Up in January of 2004. My wife and I started with the novice series and we still try to attend one of Ymerli’s classes every week; she has had a significant positive impact on our lives.
If I had to pick one “desert island” pose it would be downward facing dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana). It is a mild inversion, it helps me find space and elongation in my spine, it strengthens and tones the upper body as well as the legs, back, and abdomen, and I can really feel my lungs expand when I’m in this pose.
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April
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Linda Ferguson
Linda Ferguson serves our community as the principal at Haw Creek Elementary School.
I began taking yoga classes at Lighten Up Yoga 17 years ago in March of 1990.
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May
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Patricia and Joe Connolly,
Patricia first found Lighten Up in 1999 when she was seeking a therapeutic yoga class for a shoulder injury. "It took several months to heal, but Lillah got me hooked on yoga again!" Joe came to yoga in 2004, after years of encouragement as a "post-yoga" social club participant. He was traveling a lot for work and chose to learn yoga for back care and relaxation.
to read more click here
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June
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Karen Jaffee
I have been taking classes at Lighten Up Yoga for about 5 years now.... I started with Lillah, when I was recovering from a back injury. I quickly realized how beneficial the Iyengar Method was for me. I am a dancer of Argentine Tango, and I work my body very hard at times. There is a lot of twisting and unilateral body use. In my yoga practice I work towards strength, balance, and proper alignment in my body. I find yoga to be a very nice balance to my dance passion.
to read more click here
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July
SUMMER VACATION!!!
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August
Jamila Schwartz
 You could say I started doing yoga when I was 3 years old, but I didn't start my own practice until I was 15 or 16. Since that time, yoga has become an integral part of my daily life. As a student, the yoga helps me counteract long hours at a desk and has become a great source of energy. Yoga has also helped me work with my scoliosis so that the imbalance of my spine does not interfere with my life. This summer, while in Guatemala, I hiked 3 volcanoes. On the way down el Volcan San Pedro, I started thinking about how climbing the volcano was a metaphor for life. I later put these thoughts into an e-mail and my mother decided to make me yoga student of the month. When my mom and I were taking pictures of "my yoga pose," she wanted me to do the one that I did on top of San Pedro. Unfortunately for her beautiful mental image, after a 5 hr hike straight up, I lay down on warm rocks at the top of the volcano – I had no interest in making my muscles do any more work. The one yoga pose I did before, after, and during my hikes was Uttanasana – thus the unglamorous, but highly useful yoga pose that I picked for this article.
The Volcano as a Metaphor for Life
Hike the volcano to hike the volcano. You never know if the beautiful summit wibe cloudy, so you just have to enjoy the trip and not be attached to the outcome - who knows what you might get?
To read more click here
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September
Kathleen Osta
I have been taking classes at Lighten Up Yoga since July of 2004. Moving to town, I had planned to check out all of the back classes in Asheville, started with Lighten Up and Lillah and realized how knowledgeable she is and have stayed ever since.
My yoga practice has given me a greater sense of fitness, confidence in my physical capabilities, knowing how to take care of myself when I overdo, absolutely better posture, better core strength, taking time for myself to do yoga leads to me taking time for myself in other areas of my life so it has set a nice precedent.
As yoga poses go, I’m a big fan of traction twist and the one where you put one bent leg at an angle, with your ankle on the other knee and pull your legs toward your chest. I really like using the wall for that, too. I like twists and inversions (love head stand using the 2 chairs).
I also love music and dancing at the drumming circle, or singing to it or plain old listening, hiking, reading, meeting new people, visiting with good friends.
Professionally I am a meeting consultant and facilitator. I design highly participatory meetings and facilitate them for all kinds of groups from corporate to nonprofit. Have been doing that for 17 years and continue to feel enriched by it. |
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October
Gary Eggers
My wife and I have been taking classes at lighten Up for almost a year. To me the major benefits are stress reduction and relief from pain due
to injuries. My wife and I feel very comfortable with our classmates and with Mili, our excellent teacher.
My favorite asana is adho mukha vrksasana or hand stand. This pose gives me instant relief from compression in my lower back. Really any pose that stretches and elongates the spine I like, since my low back is the source of most of my pain.
My other interests include outdoor activities, travel, and my family.
I am in pharmaceutical sales so I spend alot of time in the car.
See you in class 7:15 pm on Wednesdays!
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November
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Kassie Morgan
I have been taking classes at Lighten Up Yoga for 11 months. I chose Lighten Up because it seemed like a good fit for me. I love that it is small and close-knit and it has a comfortable and welcoming feel and I have really enjoyed meeting and taking classes with all of the knowledgeable and supportive teachers. My favorite asana is supported bridge pose because it makes me feel centered and happy. Other than yoga I enjoy gardening and reading. I am a research associate at a local nonprofit.
Most importantly yoga has brought balance into my life. Yoga has made me stronger mentally, physically and spiritually. I love the sense of calm I feel after my practice. Yoga has been a wonderful stress reliever for me and has taught me to look inward.
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December
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