Y4A Winter Newsletter, 2023 Keeping you up to date on the latest Y4A news, offerings, and resources. |
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HAPPY NEW YEAR! ~STARTING THE YEAR WITH YOGA ~ |
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In this edition, you’ll find: |
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Benefits of Practicing Yoga Finding a Yoga Teacher Trained in Y4A Discover an Invaluable Resource: "Yoga for Amputees" by Marsha T. Danzig, the Founder of Y4A Upcoming: Hybrid Y4A Yoga Teacher Training Weekend Exciting News: Y4A Merchandise Launching Soon!
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Benefits of Practicing Yoga |
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Yoga is an ancient practice that has been around for thousands of years. Though its roots lie in India, it has become a universal practice engaged in by millions of people worldwide. Considered a mind-body practice, people of all ages practice yoga, all types of bodies and all abilities – anyone and everyone can practice yoga. Some benefits of yoga include: • increased strength, flexibility, and balance • enhanced proprioception (knowing where one’s body is in space) and agility • improved ability to focus • enhanced brain health • increased respiratory and cardio-vascular system functioning • increased vitality from improved breathing practices • stress reduction from movement and meditation practices • a more positive outlook on life |
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For those with limb loss, yoga can be especially valuable as a healing modality, as yoga’s movement, breath work, and meditation offer a holistic way to heal the trauma, pain, suffering, and feelings of isolation that can be part of living with limb loss, difference, or limitation. This “healing practice makes life better for amputees, especially as they grapple with prosthetics, body image, pain, freedom of movement, and other residual effects of limb loss…[through yoga,] the positive mind/body connection that an amputee develops is refined, creating new neural pathways and often a new outlook on life.” [Yoga for Amputees, Danzig] And the great thing is that yoga can be done solo, with a group, in person, or online. If you can breathe, you can do yoga! |
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“I have been living with right above knee limb loss and the effects of cancer for close to 5 years. I had read and heard of Y4A and was excited to participate at the Amputee Coalition national conference this last August. Heather was there and guided us in a way that was very encouraging and empowering. This fall I joined the on-line class and have made it a part of my week. Lucy and Heather meet each of us where we are at and weave instructions into the movements that honor our individual strengths. Practicing yoga calms my mind as my body is strengthened. I feel my balance improving and am more aware of my posture and breathing. All this in a welcoming environment-we "zoom" and yet I feel connected to the group! I am so grateful for Y4A!!” ~Elsa, Minnesota |
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“As far as I know, I have been one of Lucy's first amputee yoga students. Consequently, I have been enjoying the physical and mental rewards of this practice for quite some time. As a “wheelchair user,” the yoga poses and routines provide just the right amount of challenge. The ease of zoom classes and camaraderie environment created by Heather and Lucy add to the overall Thursday afternoon experience. In addition, the breathing and stretching exercises help my arthritic body keep on trucking!” ~Steve, Maryland |
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Thanks Steve and Elsa – we love you, too! ~ Lucy & Heather |
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Finding a Yoga Teacher Trained in Y4A |
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Is the Thursday class not working for your schedule? Then please check out the Y4A Yoga for Amputees teacher listing to find a teacher near you. (Click here for a list of teachers). Many teachers offer private sessions (often virtually), which is a good way to begin if you are new to yoga or don’t feel comfortable joining a group yoga class. Find a Y4A teacher in the database and contact them to inquire about their adaptive yoga offerings. |
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Discover an Invaluable Resource: "Yoga for Amputees" by Marsha T. Danzig, the Founder of Y4A |
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Interested in taking a deeper dive into the benefits of yoga? Perhaps you’d like to read up on how to do yoga as an amputee, or you’re a yoga teacher who wants to understand better how to adapt poses for limb variance, or you’re interested in learning more about the breadth of yoga. Then we recommend you check out one of the most comprehensive guides to doing yoga as an amputee and one of the most thorough texts on all aspects of yoga. We recommend this book to all yoga teachers, yoga therapists, medical professionals, prosthetists, and others who support amputees and those with limb variance for its comprehensive coverage of all things yogic. |
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Upcoming: Hybrid Y4A Yoga Teacher Training Weekend |
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The next Y4A Yoga for Amputees teacher training will be offered March 1-3, 2024, in the hybrid mode, in person, with simultaneous live Zoom screening. The training will be held at the Yoga Center of Columbia, in Columbia, MD, on March 1-3, Friday from 6:00-9:00 pm EST, and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00-6:00 pm EST. If registered by February 23, the early bird rate is $275, and then $295 starting February 24. The training will be recorded and available for your private viewing if you cannot attend the training in part or in full. Click here for additional info and to register. |
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Exciting News: Y4A Merchandise Launching Soon! |
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Keep an eye on your inbox for the NEW Y4A store, where you'll find plenty of Y4A merchandise to demonstrate your support for Yoga for all types of limb variance. |
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Please send us your stories! |
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Thank you for subscribing. We are so grateful to be connected with you. Please let us know if you want to share any personal stories, yoga-related experiences, or photos of you doing yoga! We might share them on the website or in the next newsletter. Send to Heather at yoga@heatherthamer.com. |
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Thank you for being a part of the Y4A community. We wish you a safe and peaceful New Year. with love, Heather & Lucy |
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The mission of Y4A Yoga for Amputees is to provide health, wellness, freedom of movement, psychological healing, spiritual renewal and a deep sense of wholeness to people who have experienced limb loss. |
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