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Yoga

The principles of yoga involve breath control (pranayama), exercise/postures (asanas), relaxation, a nourishing diet, positive thinking and meditation (dhyana). Breath control brings balance to the consciousness and teaches you to control your mental state through the flow of the life force. The postures stretch and tone muscles and ligaments, keep the joints and spine flexible and improve blood circulation. Relaxation releases tension and helps in the conservation of energy. Positive thinking and meditation still the mind and help remove negative thoughts.

Benefits of yoga include:

Improved muscle tone

Increased muscle strength, stability & balance

Increased stamina and energy

Improved circulation and oxygen

Helps to control blood pressure

Stimulates the relaxation response

Yoga may help in the treatment of;

Cardiovascular disease

Cancer

Arthritis

Diabetes and obesity

Anxiety and depression

Tai Chi

Tai chi is described as "Chinese ballet'" and "moving meditation." It is practiced in the West today, can perhaps be thought of as a moving form of yoga and meditation combined. It is one of the oldest forms of martial arts, but it is also meditation. Tai Chi focuses on the total alignment of body, mind and spirit, with particular attention to breathing. it is also a form of exercise, moderately cardiovascular in nature, that strengthens and tones muscle, opens joints, and lengthens tendons. Some refer to the practice of tai chi as "bif energy" which is the smooth, circular flow of energy throughout all living beings in the universe. Tai Chi combines meditation, exercise, and martial arts and medicine to awaken the healer within. Tjos allows awareness of the natural laws that govern all change. It works by a series of movements directed by your "li" (intent), which directs your "qi" (energy flow) of movements in the body. It is rooted in Taoist ancient philosophy. The mind directs the qi and the qi directs the body. The correct posture produces the necessary alignment of the skeleton to allow the free flow of qi. As the postures are performed, you must be rooted like a tree, yield to the slightest force, as a leaf in the wind, create space as you yield, and compress as you push.

Proposed benefits:

Increased Physical power, endurance and flexibility

Increased control of emotions- stress related disorders

increased inner peach, relaxation- lowering anxiety- addictions

Increased circulation- heart disease and circulatory disorders

Decreased oxygen demand= vascular disorders

Decreased need for food and sleep- sleep disorders

Achieving spiritual self- realization- stress related disorders

Debbie Marweg, RYT, Yoga,

Now and Zen Staff /Pilates Massage

Deb is a registered Yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance.. She has practiced for over eight years, and she opened Now and Zen Yoga spa in 2004. Her classes offer modifications using props (e.g., chairs, blankets and bolsters)) to make sure students are properly aligned in their poses. These modifications are safe and help students experience the full benefits of yoga. Deb feels that yoga can be for everybody, and enjoys teaching on a one-on-one basis as well as leading specialty classes for: seniors, teens and kids and chronic illnesses. Specialty classes are beneficial for those who may not benefit from traditional classes. She is experienced at working with clients who have cancer, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia and arthritis.

Her staff at Now and Zen also offer:

Massage

Neuroreflexology

Personal Training

Pilates

Brenda Norris,

Tai Chi, Feng Shui

Brenda has been practicing Tai Chi for 12 years and has been teaching for 5 years. She began studying under Glenda Hesseltine, MA, in Lodi, and found calmness through the movements of Tai Chi Chuan, Yang style. She also spent many early summer mornings at Lodi Lake with Glenda's teacher. A semester with Dr. Ray Tom at Delta college in Stockton, showed the different interpretations of the same form learned from other Tai Chi masters. She has been certified in Tai Chi for Arthritis, and Tai Chi for Diabetes by Dr. Paul Lam of Australia. These forms, as well as Qi Gong exercises and Tai Chi Chi, Joy through Movement, are taught in Brenda's classes in Lodi, Stockton and Galt. Her associate, Catriona Linn, is also a Feng Shui consultant. Tai Chi is also called "big fist."