Monday, May 20, 2013

Opening of Lotus Yoga Studio

Lotus Yoga Studio Opening 
    1/6/2013 @ Darb1718
From 11:00AM Till 1:00PM


Description of the class:
Lotus Yoga Studio offers APM Yoga Classes (Asanas / Pranayama / Meditation)
APM is a 90 minutes Hatha Yoga based class, it includes a 60 minutes Asanas (Yoga Postures) + 15 minutes Pranayama “Breathing techniques” + 15 minutes Meditation (Relaxation).
In APM classes, Participants will not only build strength, flexibility and endurance but they will also learn how to breath properly (Quality of our breathing equals quality of our lives). By regular practice participants will notice how APM improves their mental and emotional health.

Monthly / Weekly Schedule:

First Week of June
Sunday 2/6/2013 @ 6:00 PM
Monday 3/6/2013 @ 8:00 AM
Wednesday 5/6/2013 @ 8:00 AM
Thursday 6/6/2013 @ 6:00 PM

Second Week of June
Sunday 9/6/2013 @ 6:00 PM
Monday 10/6/2013 @ 8:00 AM
Wednesday 12/6/2013 @ 8:00 AM
Thursday 13/6/2013 @ 6:00 PM

Third Week of June
Sunday 16/6/2013 @ 6:00 PM
Monday 17/6/2013 @ 8:00 AM
Wednesday 19/6/2013 @ 8:00 AM
Thursday 20/6/2013 @ 6:00 PM

Fourth Week of June
Sunday 23/6/2013 @ 6:00 PM
Monday 24/6/2013 @ 8:00 AM
Wednesday 26/6/2013 @ 8:00 AM
Thursday 27/6/2013 @ 6:00 PM


Location and Directions:
APM Studio is located within Darb1718 premises / Annex Building – Extraordinary rooftop.
APM Studio – Darb1718 is located in Fustat area of Old Cairo, surrounded by omnipresent archaeological treasures. The millennium-old Mosque of Amr Ibn el ‘Aas (built in 642 AD and known to be the first mosque built on the African continent), the Babylon Fortress (1st Century AD), the Hanging Church (690-692 AD), the Greek Church of St. George (10th century) and the Coptic Museum (1910) are all walking distance from Darb 1718. These historic sites create a striking canvas for Darb 1718’s mandate. 

Class Fees (in LE):
- Drop In Fee per Class is 60 LE.
- Buy a 10 Class Pass (and get 1 additional free class) for 500 LE (Average 45 LE per class)

Student Rate (for university and high school students):
- Drop In Fee per Class is 45 LE.
- Buy a 10 Class Pass (and get 1 additional free class) for 350 LE (Average 30 LE per class)


June Offer:
Lotus Yoga Studio offers a free of charge yoga practice workshop
on Saturday 1st of June, 2013
From 11:00AM till 1:00PM ..




Sunday, May 19, 2013

About Yoga

 Are you overworked and tense and do you find it impossible to relax even in bed at night? Are you overweight yet lack the will-power to diet? Do you sometimes find yourself unable to cope with the dash and tumult of everyday life? Are you irritable, worried, nervous? Are you plagued by indigestion and other stress symptoms? Or simply do you seek something, you know not what, which goes above and beyond the superficial level of everyday living?

If you answers with YES, and you need a relief, you just can’t go wrong with yoga.

What is YOGA:
The word yoga means "union" between the mind, body and spirit.
We can't be spiritual unless we control our minds, which happens when body is made pure & healthy.
When Yoga knowledge, once accumulated in your life style, it will begin to influence and help you in your daily life, whoever you may be. It will gradually invade every part of your life, from your attitude towards your fellow men to the way you sleep, breathe, think, and even eat.
Yoga can help you with your everyday problems on all levels. As you grow healthier and more relaxed you become more gentle, less inclined to fits of irritation and temper. Yoga provides the counter-weight so urgently needed to the ever increasing nervous, mental and physical tensions of our modern life.

Benefits of Yoga
There are few fitness programs that offer broad scope health benefits. Running, for example, strengthens your cardiovascular system and strength training builds muscle. Yoga is one of the few fitness programs that can accomplish both and much more.

Mobility and Flexibility
As you age, and we’re talking about once you've passed that 25-year mark, your body begins to lose some of its mobility. Your muscles can become short and tight. Your tendons can stiffen and your joints may often feel sore. When this happens, simple day-to-day movements can become painful or difficult. You may not be able to touch your toes.
When you walk long distances you may notice that your back aches. And if you try to reach over your head to put something away you may feel pain in your neck or shoulders. This is due to a lack of mobility.
Yoga can improve your mobility, meaning it can help lengthen those tight muscles and tendons. It can give you a better range of motion so that when you move your body, you do it in the most efficient and effective way possible. Not only will you feel better, you’ll stop having those awful aches and pains.

Strength
Yoga often requires you to hold a position for a long period of time. And in most cases you’re supporting your full body weight. This requires you to build great strength. Most yoga positions recruit strength from your large muscle groups, your core muscles for example. As these muscles increase in strength you’ll find it expands to other areas of your life. Your posture will improve. You’ll be stronger, physically, and thus able to lift and carry more than you used to. And you’ll build muscle which burns fat and looks pretty darn fantastic too.

Reduced Stress
Yoga requires a few things that impact and reduce your stress level. The first stress-reducing component is breathing. Many yoga styles have a structured breathing protocol. When you focus on your breathing, it automatically lowers cortisol (a stress hormone) and it lowers your heart rate.

Additionally, yoga requires great focus. Some poses not only ask you to hold your body in a balanced position, they also ask you to pay attention to your body and make slight adjustments to improve the pose. You’re looking inward and focusing solely on your body and the very moment you’re in. This focus reduces stress. It’s akin to meditation and it’s wonderful for the health of your body and your mind.

Yoga and Your Mental Health
What’s your primary reason for practicing, or considering, yoga? For many people, they’re looking for a way to get in great shape. After all, yoga is known for its ability to build strength, endurance, and flexibility. It aids in weight loss and because there are so many styles of yoga, it’s available to almost everyone regardless of your current fitness level.

Many people don’t realize, until after they begin taking yoga classes, that the mental benefits are just as profound as the physical benefits.

Live in the Moment
One of the things many people strive for is an ability to focus on right now and to let the past and the future fade away. It’s in this moment that we feel most calm and joyful. Yet with so much going on in daily life, it can be extraordinarily difficult to live in the moment. If you’re like many, then you have appointments and bills to remember and a schedule to keep. Living in the moment may seem impossible.

Yoga forces you to be completely present. All thoughts about the mistakes you made yesterday and the things you have to do tomorrow fade away as you try to hold a pose and focus on your breathing. It’s meditative. When you live in the moment, even for the short duration of a yoga class, you’ll feel more positive about yourself, your day, and your life. This positive attitude boosts your overall mental health in a powerful way.

Stress Reduction
There are many facets of yoga that also cause your overall stress to be reduced. The focused breathing alone has been shown to reduce cortisol, stress hormone, levels and lower blood pressure. Additionally, when you exercise endorphins are released. These endorphins help boost your mood and facilitate better stress management.

Emotional Balance

A Harvard School professor conducted a study amongst 11th and 12th graders in high school. Keep in mind that during these developmental years emotional balance is a large challenge. Teens often battle with depression, anger, and feelings of overwhelm. The study found that teens that took a yoga class instead of a traditional physical education class reported feeling more balanced and in control of their emotions.

It may go back the first two benefits discussed – yoga reduces stress, increases your body’s ability to manage stress, and forces you to be in the moment. These lessons of living in the moment and approaching problems with a clear head can be embraced throughout the day, thus providing a stronger sense of control, balance, and mental wellbeing.

There are numerous other yoga health benefits: improved breathing, better posture, and weight loss are just a few more to consider. 

Why to Practice Hatha Yoga:
Hatha is the foundation for most yoga styles. Traditional hatha is easy to learn and suitable to all fitness levels. You’ll enjoy both active poses which challenge you and help you increase your strength, flexibility, and endurance and you’ll enjoy restorative and calming poses as well.
All the exercises or asanas of Hatha Yoga are based on the formula of stretching, relaxing, deep breathing and increasing the circulation of the blood and the powers of concentration.

·      Hatha Yoga is a way to detoxify, It helps you to soothe daily stresses, and become centered.
·      Hatha Yoga is perfect for people who are working with injuries or limitations.
·      Hatha Yoga is designed to prepare mind and body for a calm state and meditation. 
·      Hatha Yoga helps you improve fitness, build strength, flexibility and endurance.
·      Hatha Yoga can be great for weight loss as it provides a complete workout
·      Hatha Yoga can also be very beneficial for those who are pregnant or just had a baby. Also for people who want to tap into their creative and for those who are competitive.