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Long Island Yoga School is dedicated to bringing New York City-Quality Yoga Teacher Trainings and  CEU Workshops to Bonda Yoga  located on the North Shore of Long Island in Great Neck.  We are located near the Long Island Railroad so we are easily accessable to those in Queens, Brooklyn and New York City too. In addition we will be adding another Yoga Teacher Training  in the near future at Simplicity Yoga in Kings Park, Long Island.

Our programs are led by NYC-certified yoga teachers who are all dedicated to upholding the quality of yoga taught here on Long Island.
We offer three 200-hour certification programs a year scheduled every January and September plus a Summer One Month Intensive. We also offer a Mentor program every April and a 300-hour Advanced Certification Program for 200-hour certified teachers every January. In addition, we offer CEU workshops covering Asana, Meditation, and Anatomy for certified teachers and advanced yoga practitioners.  

UPCOMING TRAININGS:
200-Hour 1-Month Intensive: July 1, - August 5, 2010
Mentor Advanced Training Program: September 12 - Decembe 11 2010
200-Hour 3-Month Training Program: September 19 - December 5, 2010

Learning to Live Outside the Box - The Meditation/Self Esteem Link

Most of us are no strangers to meditation even if the extent of practice is five minutes at the end of a yoga class. The benefits of meditation can still be attained; a quieter mind, more relaxed state of being, even if just for the moment. But what if these moments of bliss could last longer? What if meditation was a self-esteem booster as well?

Think about it. We all live inside a small dimension of delusion at least some of the time. Every one of us has that little pre-recorded gem of discouragement that always seems to show up at the most inopportune times. We define ourselves by what others think of us, how others see us. The power to change how we see ourselves and the negative thought patterns we are overwhelmed with is already there inside us. We hold the key to our potential. We need to know who we truly are in order to take charge of our lives. We need a purpose and intent instead of just moving through life reacting to people and events unconsciously. But how do we hear the voice of our authentic selves over all the other chatter that goes on in our heads? This is where meditation steps in.

The goal of meditation is to acquire stillness, not necessarily silence. Thoughts will come up. It is what we do with them that makes the difference. We want to acknowledge their presence and instead of fighting them, gently guide them toward peacefulness. Be creative with where these thoughts go. This is the ground work for new thinking patterns. Maybe envision a familiar place rediscovering the feelings associated with it, or make one up. By becoming more aware of thoughts and feelings we begin to create new commentary in our minds. This awareness is what helps us move through blocks, fears, low self-esteem and allows us to build a trust in our inner wisdom. Albert Einstein said “ Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them” so we must become more in tune with what we need, more aware of what our authentic self wants. We need to acquire a deep acceptance of our life and ourselves right now, as we are. Contentment is the easiest path toward our true nature. This does not mean we shouldn’t work toward a higher goal. It simple means to recognize it is a journey. Be content, not satisfied. When content, our actions are driven by love and we allow ourselves to open up and let love radiate through us instead of being driven by fear .We always find what we are looking for so if we see the negative in everything, that is exactly what we get. Look for the positive. It is all in the perspective.

Here is a technique to bring awareness to your thoughts throughout the course of the day. Periodically check in, see where your thoughts are going. Whenever they turn negative in any way, change the direction. A teacher of mine had a great reminder for this. If you had to pay a dollar for every thought, you would spend your money wisely buying happy thoughts instead of angry ones. During idle thinking times add whatever it is you need, patience, peace of mind. Repeat positive affirmations to yourself. This can also be done in meditation. Keep in mind an affirmation is always stated as if it is already so. Even if your patience is at an all time low today, say ‘I am a patient person’ over and over to yourself. If you continue to say it, eventually it will be true.

Trust your inner wisdom. Allow yourself to be who you truly are. Self-acceptance is the key to becoming that confident powerful being just waiting to shine through. Tear down the walls of confinement and let that authentic self shine. Three minute meditation

  1. Sit comfortable in a chair or cross-legged on the floor straight spine with palms on the knees, preferable palms facing up. Head facing forward, eyes closed but looking down toward chin. (This helps keep you connected with your inner self)
  2. Slowly inhale and exhale, focusing on the rhythm of your breath. Continue for a few moments.
  3. Repeat a positive affirmation to yourself a few times. Absorb it. Believe it.
  4. Inhale deeply. Hold breath for 10-20 seconds. Exhale. Repeat three times.
  5. Let breathing return to normal and slowly come back to awareness.


Namaste - Laurie Ahlemann
Please vist my blog at Yoga Teacher 411