Greetings!

It is hard to believe that on November 15th we will celebrate our 2 year anniversary. The vision of HeartSong actually came 3 years ago when I decided that we really needed a great yoga studio in Beaverton. It took a year to find the beautiful space we ended up in and a lot of hard work to make it a home for the soon to develop HeartSong community. Now, although it seems the 2 years passed so quickly, I am in awe at the beauty of the community that has emerged. Everyday I get to observe friends welcoming one another and enjoying the comaraderie of class; I see new people come in, not sure about what they are getting into or whether they belong and immediately being embraced by those who have made this their yoga home; and I see new friendships blossoming and yet another seeking yogi finding a place to settle in and explore themselves through yoga.

It is truly a blessing in my life to be a part of this community and I cherish the opportunity to continue to share the gifts of yoga with you all for years to come.

While we don't have any specific anniversary celebrations scheduled, we do have some special offerings coming up to support us all through the holidays. Please join us in celebrating community and yoga!

Teacher Profile: Katharine Atkinson

With the growth of HeartSong we have had the pleasure of bringing in new teachers and this month would like to introduce our newest staff member: Katharine Atkinson

I have been searching for ways to become a more spiritual and healthy person for as long as I can remember. When I was a small child, I took church seriously. I went to Sunday school every week, even if my parents didn't go to Sunday service. As a college student, I changed my major over and over, wanting only to spend my time studying what I believed to be the most important subjects. Eventually, I found my academic home in the Religious Studies department at a small Quaker school in North Carolina. There, I learned the history of many of the world religions, read the poetry of spirit seekers around the globe, and began taking yoga classes. I continued to study yoga after college, finding that through yoga I was able to connect to my spiritual center in a way that I hadn't been able to before. After class, I felt so peaceful, grounded, and open-hearted. Yoga made such a big difference in my life that I decided to become a teacher in order to share what I had experienced with others. So, I started saving my money, sold my car, and headed to India, the birthplace of yoga, to complete a teacher training. In India I had the opportunity to study asanas, mantras, philosophy, and anatomy, as well as to completely immerse myself in a richly spiritual culture. Practicing and teaching yoga here is a way that I stay in touch with the experiences I had in Asia. It is a joy to have the opportunity to share this part of my spiritual journey with the community at HeartSong.

Restorative Sunday

As the days get darker and colder, nature invites us to turn inward and rest! Come join us on Sunday, November 12th from 3 to 5pm for restorative yoga!

Using blankets and other supportive props, the restorative poses can be held for longer periods of time calming the nervous system and rejuvenating the body. Enjoy a quiet afternoon and a deeply relaxing and nourishing yoga practice.

Cost: $20

Yoga Pose of the month: Supta Baddha Konasana

Katharine shares this pose with us this month to bring rest and nurturing into your home practice:

So many students have commented on how great they feel in Supta Baddhakonasana that I thought we should make it the pose of the month! This restorative pose has many benefits. Among them are: aiding digestion, regulating blood pressure, improving circulation, relieving menstrual pain, and restoring energy.

It is best to have 3 blankets (or a bolster), a strap, and two blocks (folded blankets or pillows can substitute) to set up. An eye pillow can also be nice.
Sit on the floor and place either the bolster or two stacked, folded blankets on the floor behind you in contact with your buttocks. Place the third blanket to the back of the bolster or folded blankets to support your neck and head. Gently draw your heels in towards you, placing the bottoms of the feet together. Make a large loop in the strap and put it over your head as you would to put on a shirt. Bring the strap down below your waist to the sacrum (flat bone at the bottom of the spine). Stretch the front of the loop over the thighs and under the feet. Place a block under each thigh. Make sure that the strap is not too tight or too loose, it should feel supportive and comfortable. Place your elbows on the floor to support you as you lower your back and head over the blankets. Take the tips of your shoulders back and down, tucking the shoulder blades into the back body and opening the top chest. You should not feel any gripping or tightness in the lower back. An adjustment of the supportive props under your back may relieve any tension that arises there. If you are uncomfortable, try moving the props away from you a little. Allow your arms to stretch out to your sides as you would for savasana (corpse pose). Close your eyes and soften the face. Feel the space you've created in the pelvis and let go of any tension you may be holding in the knees and ankles. Relax and enjoy!

Therapeutic Focus: Back Care

Offered once a month, the therapeutic focus classes are an opportunity for both new and experienced students to explore some of the specific benefits of yoga in supporting health and wellness. Review of pertinent anatomy and a detailed yoga routine are a part of every class.

November 19, 1-3pm - Back Care - Cost: $35

We will review basic back anatomy and learn poses to
stretch, strengthen and mobilize the spine. A routine will
be taught for general back care that you can do on your own at home.

HeartSong Holiday Traditions:

Thanksgiving Day Benefit for the Oregon Food Bank

9 - 10:30 a.m.
Come do yoga before your family celebrations and help out those in need!
Bring a food donation and be ready to sweat a little with a flowing vinyasa sequence followed by a few restorative poses designed especially to support digestion!

Solstice Restorative with Leslie

Friday December 22nd, 6 - 8 p.m. $25
Light refreshments served at 5:30

This is a favorite for teacher and students alike! Restorative yoga with music, poetry and candlelight.
Give yourself the gift of rest and relaxation; consider how this is also a gift to those we love!
Please register ahead as this class has filled in the past.

Gift Certificates available