The Meaning of OM

       The pounding of drums, the crisp sound of a well played guitar, the harmony of human voices; all components of live music. What sets live music apart from the radio? Vibrations and human camaraderie!  Vibrations are all around us; even in things that may seem stationary, such as a rock. Inside of the rock atomic particles are bouncing around  just like every cell within the human body. Somewhere in history the sounding of “om” was designated the dial-tone of the universe; the sound which all particles vibrate in harmony.  

OM is a celebration of life, and often sounded during class to celebrate coming together for the practice of yoga. Much like one would yell WOOOH! at the during an awesome rock concert. OM feels good and puts a smile on your face. There are possibly medical benefits such as: stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system and endocrine glands, massaging the sinuses and throat, and loosening up the lungs.

There are three parts to om: ahh-ooh-mmm. The sound ahhh is associated with relaxation of the body and mind, so feel free to ahhh anytime of the day. These three parts can be represented as the circle of life: beginning, intermediary, and end. You can also look at it as sunrise, day, sunset or body, mind, and spirit. The three part correlations are only limited to one’s imagination.

OM means different things to different people across the globe, the beauty of OMs and yoga is the intention you put into your practice. It can be deeply spiritual, it can be for the physical benefits, or just for fun. OM has evolved in history just as the practice of yoga has, it is a non-specific spiritual and physical practice where all people can co-exist and celebrate the joys and challenges of life. 

Pose of the week is sukhasana (sukha-easy, asana-pose). Sukhasana is sitting on the floor crossed legged, spine straight, shoulders relaxed, and chin slightly tucked towards your chest. Sukhasana is a classic meditation pose and many other asanas build from this pose. Sit in sukhasana (sitting on a pillow or stacked blankets can be more comfortable), close your eyes and concentrate on your breath, allowing the breath to slow down and become long and light. As your breath slows down let your mind slow down. Let the belly expand on the inhale and fall on the exhale. Sit and meditate for 5 minutes (or longer), then bring your hands together in prayer pose, inhale, and sound three long OMS. Sit for a couple more breaths and feel the power of your own voice, then enter your day in a new state of mind.

OM can be spelled ohm, aum, or just om. Everybody sounds different when they OM, there is no wrong way as long as it feels good. Sounding a long ahh-men (amen) will give you the same benefits. Allow the throat and face to relax and enjoy the sound of your own vibrations. Rock out, and OM on!

Arianna Gaesswitz, Yoga Instructor

(479) 200-3086

Arkansas Yoga Center – www.aryoga.com

Yoga on the Mountain at Ozark Folkways – www.ozarkfolkways.org

What is VariYoga?

VariYoga™:  One Journey-Many Paths

When people find out I am a yoga instructor the first question I am asked is: “What kind of yoga do you teach?” I, and all other yogis practice some form of Hatha yoga. Hatha yoga is the umbrella of all forms of yoga. Iyengar, Anusara, Bikram, Ashtanga, Kundalini, VariYoga™ etc. are all styles of yoga that have evolved from the original hatha yoga practice.  

In  2003 a new system of yoga began to evolve, a system that would be accessible to everybody and break free of dogmatic principles. This system of yoga was the dream of Andrea Fournet and Bryan Fowler; the dream became realized in 2006 when VariYoga™ became an official style of yoga.

VariYoga™ captures the essence of the ‘hatha yoga umbrella’ by embracing all forms and philosophies that have evolved within the vast tree of yoga. Students and teachers of VariYoga™ are liberated to practice in a way that feels free and comfortable. It’s the yoga for rebels. It drops the pressure of dogma and lets you be you, and celebrates the good in everyone, every pose, and every philosophy of yoga. It invites you to challenge yourself (tapas) but to also honor yourself (ahimsa). It’s a very balanced and joyful system of yoga. It is safe and effective, which makes it a system of exercise that people will continue over the long term. If you are familiar with yoga you will recognize different styles that vary from class to class and teacher to teacher. It’s yoga for everyBODY! VariYoga™ celebrates that we are all on ‘one journey- many paths.’  

The Arkansas Yoga center (located in Fayetteville) is the epicenter of VariYoga™, with teacher training sessions every spring. Attending the teacher training intensives is not only for aspiring teachers, but for anyone wanting to deepen there practice. Classes and workshops are always in full swing, check out the website at www.aryoga.com. You are sure to find a teacher to share yoga with because so many forms of yoga have been weaved into the VariYoga™ style. 

VariYoga™ is also offered at Ozark Folkways (OFW) in Winslow, led by yours truly. Ozark Folkways share many similarities with the Arkansas Yoga Center (AYC); they have both been nurtured by a dream to help others find fulfillment; whether it be through arts and crafts or yoga (or both!). OFW and AYC are open to all people of all walks of life.They embody something that is essential for the human spirit: community. whether you visit a first friday art reception, attend a craft class at OFW, a yoga workshop, or class at AYC you will leave feeling refreshed and positive about human connection. You are sure to find new friends and may reconnect with old ones. 

What kind of yoga do I teach? I share VariYoga™ with anyone willing to take the journey. Thank you Rebecca, Andrea, Bryan, my husband Eric, family, friends, and my students. You teach me everyday! The Dream Lives ON!

Arianna Gaesswitz, VariYoga™ Instructor, RYT 200

www.aryoga.com

www.ozarkfolkways.org

Class Schedule

Currently I teach VariYoga in Winslow and Fayetteville, AR. If you would like to come to class here's my current schedule.

Ozark Folkways located in Winslow, AR on HWY 71- ozarkfolkways.org 479-634-3791

Sunday at 3:30- (Level 1-3)Beginner and Intermediate
Tuesday at 10:00- (Level 1-2) Gentle and Therapeutic

Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.-(Level 2-4) Power Flow and Advanced Asana

Friday at 10:30 - (Level 1-2) Gentle and Therapeutic with guest teacher Marilyn!

Stop by, take a class(yoga and a variety of craft classes); browse local crafts, art, and goodies. First Friday of every month is a wine and cheese reception for the featured local artist. Many exciting events to come in the spring and summer when the sun is shining! The Dream Lives On!

Arkansas Yoga Center Located on Greenwood Road in Fayetteville- aryoga.com 479-521-YOGA

Sunday 1 p.m. (Level 2-4)  Power Flow- Sweat and clear your mind with continues movement.

AYC is the premier center for Yoga in Northwest Arkansas. Fully stocked yoga store and plenty of teachers and levels to suit your needs, Tai Chi, meditation, and workshops from a variety of yoga teachers will make you fall in love with AYC. Transform your pace-at an amazing space!

Come and loaf at either venue- whether your breathing in the mountain air in Winslow at OFW or enjoying the Urban Oasis at AYC in Fayetteville (complete with a porch, water feature, and landscaped yard). 

Email me at acgaess@aol.com for private, semi-private classes or special events. 

What is Yoga?

What is Yoga?

Tights, poses that make you look like a pretzel, and chanting “om” are what most people envision when they think about yoga. Yes, these are all parts of yoga, but yoga encompasses so much more, and has something to offer everybody. The flexible, inflexible, weak, strong, young, mature, the weird, the plain, and all those in between!

To further explore what yoga is; let’s examine what the word “yoga” translates to in english. Sanskrit is the language of yoga, just as french is the language of ballet. Yoga is a sanskrit word that means “to yoke” or “union.” A healthy and balanced mind-body union is the ultimate goal of yoga. As someone begins their yoga journey asana (pronounced ahh-sa-na) practice will often be the first yogic technique practiced. Asana means pose; yoga poses will bring awareness and circulation to every muscle, bone, and joint in the body. Yoga will also tone and stretch the body. 

Yoga also uses breathing and meditation to complete the practice. Taking full, deep breaths allows the lungs to perform gas exchanges within the body more efficiently, with regular practice the health of the entire cardiovascular system will see improvement. Slow and relaxed breaths also tell the body it is ok to relax, while shallow breathing can create a state of anxiety within the mind and body. 

Meditation is simply the quieting of the mind to allow your brain to rest and healing to work more deeply. It gives you a moment of rare silence in a chaotic world. Meditation can be done in various seated positions, moving meditations, or in savasana (pronounced sha-va-sa-na). 

Savasana is our asana (pose) of the week. Savasana means “corpse pose.”  (Sava=corpse,asana=pose) It occurs at the end of every yoga class to let you practice relaxation and gather what you are experiencing. Some call it final relaxation pose. It is a very simple pose, but can sometimes be a challenge mentally.

  This is how the pose is performed: clear a spot on the floor, lie down, close your eyes, let your arms fall to your side palms up, try to release tension, and breath, breath, breath! Eye-bags, aromatherapy (lavender is wonderful), a rolled blanket or pillow under the knees are all extras that can enhance savasana. Practice this pose for 5-10 minutes after every yoga session or whenever you feel like you need to relax. After you finish, arise slowly and feel the effects of de-stressing in savasana. 

Doctors say many illnesses and dis-ease can be traced back to stress. Yoga techniques can teach you how to manage stress, while toning and stretching the body; thus creating balance within the mind and body. You will also experience union with your community when we come together in a class setting to practice yoga. So put on your tights (or sweatpants) and join a class in Winslow, West Fork, Greenland, Fayetteville, or anywhere else in the world. Try them all you are sure to find one that suits your needs!

        So what is Yoga? It is the union of asana, pranayama, meditation, and community to bring union between the body and mind.