The September 30-Day Challenge is over! Congratulations toeveryone how signed up for the first ever yoga challenge in the Nashuastudio. We had 29 students sign up for the Challenge and more than half- 17 - finished! That means that each student took 30 Bikram Yogaclasses in 30 days. It takes quite a commitment. Most were able tocomplete the challenge right here in Nashua and a few had to takeclasses in other studios while traveling to meet their goals. What atremendous effort by everyone - we are all so proud of you!

• Billy Bedard
• Joyce Bedard
• Bruce Blackstone
• Kate Blackstone
• Natalie Caldwell
• Christine Camargo
• Rob Carpino
• Nancy Collins
• Theresa Conrad
• Ramana Duggaraju
• Candace Gebhart
• Louise Giordani
• Stan Kilbreth
• Rich Lebordais
• Maria Murphy
• Joanne Noonan
• Norman O'Neil

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Special congratulations to Maria who completed more than 60 days in a row.

Pot Luck Party

Rabbit Pose

• Maximum stretch of the spine allowing nervous system to receive proper nutrition
• Maintains mobility and elasticity of spine
• Nurtures the nervous system, helps with depression
• Improves digestion
• Helps cure sinus problems, colds and chronic tonsillitis
• Strengthens and firms abdomen
• Stretches back muscles
• Removes tension from upper back and neck
• Improves posture
• Stimulates thymus gland, improving function of the immune system

Bow Pose

• Relieves back pain
• Increases spinal strength and flexibility
• Improves functioning of the large and small intestines, liver, kidneys and spleen
• Helps straighten out rounded spines and relieves back aches
• Improves pigeon chest by opening rib cage, permitting maximum expansion of the lungs increasing oxygen intake
• Improves the flexibility of the scapula, latissimus, deltoid and trapezius muscles
• Improves digestion
• Helps relieve lumbago, rheumatism and arthritis of the spine
• Helps to cure gout, slipped disc, sciatica, tennis elbow
• Helps relieve menstrual problems
• Strengthens the immune system and revitalizes the thyroid
• Improves flexibility of hip and shoulder joints
• Strengthens and firms abdomen, hips, legs, buttocks and arms

Your challenge in JUNE is to go higher!

Release your shoulders and roll your body weight forward onto your abdomen.

Standing Bow Pulling Pose

Improves function of the cardiovascular system.

Can help remove plaque from arterial walls

Develops concentration, determination, patience

Improves flexibility and strength of entire spine, relieves lower pack pain

Increases size and elasticity of rib cage and lungs

Helps correct high blood pressure

Flushes out kidneys helping to eliminate toxins

Improves muscle fatigue, lethargy, and stimulates the nervous system

Revitalizes the endocrine system, especially the adrenals, pancreas, thyroid and gonads

Improves sciatica

Strengthens thighs, buttocks, hips, abdomen, and arms, reduces abdominal fat

Activates the digestive system and helping to combat anorexia

Best posture for the developing fetus

Helps tennis elbow

Reduces menstrual cramps

Improves the elasticity of the spine as it compresses the spine.

Muscles worked include the:

• Erector spinae - are like two thick columns of muscle on either side of your spinal column responsible for the extension of your spine.
• Triceps - crosses two joints, running from the scapulae and humerous (upper arm) to the radius (forearm) and is responsible for the extension of the elbow.
• Serratus anterior - protracts and rotates the scapulae upwards.
• Gluteus maximus, hip extensors responsible for powerful leg movement
• Gluteus minimus – hip adductors responsible for stabilization and also perform external rotation of the hip.

The Standing Bow Pulling Pose is a perfect example of the tourniquet effect in Yoga. It transfers circulation from one side of the body to the other, and then equalizes it, circulating fresh blood to each internal organ, gland and cell to keep them healthy.

LINE IT UP!

2 feet in one line from the side

2 shoulders in one line from the front + shoulder touching the chin

Standing Head to Knee Pose

All month long it's your chance to work on one of the most challenging postures in the Bikram yoga series - Standing Head to Knee Pose. We're ready to answer your any questions you can throw at us. Get ready to gain strength, balance, stamina, concentration, focus.... By the end of the month you will LOVE this posture!

• Develops concentration, determination and patience
• Improves circulation and flexibility Massages digestive and reproductive systems
• Strengthens muscles around the knee joint
• Strengthens the biceps, deltoids and triceps muscles
• Improves flexibility of the sciatic nerve and hamstring muscles
• Increases pancreatic functions
• Reduces diabetes
• Relieves nervousness Improves memory
• Helps combat acidity and relieves flatulence
• Strengthens back muscles and nerves, reproductive organs, abdomen, thighs, legs upper body and arms
• Tightens the abdominal wall and muscles

Your challenge in APRIL is to stand on a locked leg for 60 secondsLOCK THE KNEE!LOCK THE KNEE!LOCK THE KNEE!

Posture Clinic with Diane Ducharme - March 7, 2009 11:30 am - 3:45 pm Class 4:30 pm

This 4 hour workshop will go through all 26 postures in depth. You will learn more about the medical benefits of the postures, the right way to approach the postures and how to get full benefits from each posture. If you have any question about your ability or your practice Diane is a great person to learn from.

Cost

Posture Clinic only - $50
Posture Clinic and Diane's class - $65
Diane's Class only - $15

The February 2009 28-Day Challenge is over! Congratulations to everyone how signed up for the first ever yoga challenge in the Nashua studio. We had 41 students sign up for the Challenge and more than half - 21 - finished! That means that each student took 28 Bikram Yoga classes in 28 days. It takes quite a commitment. Most were able to complete the challenge right here in Nashua and a few had to take classes in other studios while traveling to meet their goals. What a tremendous effort by everyone - we are all so proud of you!

• Emily Alfson
• Stacey Barr
• Stanley Barr
• Bruce Blackstone
• Kate Blackstone
• Kristen Brady
• Theresa Conrad
• Tony Diggins
• Gail Duval
• Louise Giordani
• Peter Larose
• Lili Mendoca
• Raman Narayansmany
• Norman O'Neil
• John Porter
• Jebb Riley
• Suzanne Riley
• Jeanne Stein
• Peter Stein
• Lori Wagner
• Alison Wright

February Challenge Party

Take the Challenge

From February 1 - 28 take 28 classes in 28 days and get $28 off your next class package.

All students are welcome to participate in the challenge. There are no prerequisites - just come and take class every day.

• SIGN UP: There is a sign up board at the studio. All you have to do is write your name on the list and beginning February 1st start keeping track of your progress.
• COST: Normal class rates apply. A monthly unlimited package is your best bet - when you finish the challenge your price per class ends up being only $4.30!
• MISSED CLASSES: You can take two classes in one day twice a week.

Still have questions? Talk to any of the teachers at the studio.