Keep Smiling with Yoshi Gray

Yoshiko (Yoshi) Gray graduated with a degree in Physical Education in Japan where she taught aerobics, swimming and fitness at Central Fitness Club, a Japanese chain of fitness and health clubs. She began studying yoga in the United States in 2002 and became a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200), trained in Hatha Yoga, seven years later.  She teaches weekly open classes at: Home Yoga in Andover, Zen Muscular Therapy & Wellness Center in Woburn and a Yoga (for Athletes) class at the Andover/North Andover YMCA.

Yoshi continues to study in the Iyengar Yoga system under the guidance of Patricia Walden and Liz Owen. She remains equally committed to her ongoing studies in alternative medicine techniques such as Thai Yoga Body Work, Reflexology and Ayurvedic medicine. Next Sunday she will be sharing a blend of her expertise as she presents a two hour Yoga Nidra workshop at Home Yoga in Andover. Workshop participants will be treated to a two hour practice beginning with restorative poses and gradually integrate “pranayama,” or focused controlled breathing… all as a build up to Yoga Nidra.  “Just like a long, meditative savasana.”  Limited space remains for the August 28th special event.

 

wind up… how do you wind up, prepare for the week ahead?

I meditate every morning for twenty to thirty minutes upon waking up.  This mindful practice helps prepare my mindset for the day.  I am also a regular student of an Iyengar class taught by Patricia Walden every Friday evening at Down Under Yoga in Boston.  On Sunday evenings, I prepare for the upcoming week by writing a newsletter for the students of my yoga classes taught in Japanese.

and, when you need to exhale… what’s your other direction?  

Being near water soothes me. I like to go for a walk somewhere where I can see and listen to the sound of the water: the beach, a lake, a river, or a pond. My favorite water is the ocean.

Smoothies and tea!  Life Alive Cafe’s Spring Alive Smoothie and Teekanne’s Energizing Herbal Wellness Tea are my go-to choices.

1. Water

2. Lavender Essential Oil

3. My yoga mat

1.  You Got A Friend, by James Taylor

2. Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, by Hein Baat

3. The Mummer’s Dance, by Loreena McKennitt

4. Gymnopédie No.1, by Erik Satie

5. Continued Dream, by Mariya Takeuchi

Listen to yourself.  Yoga is not a competition.  Self-awareness may be difficult to achieve, but very important to practice.

Light on Life: The Journey to Wholeness, Inner Peace, and Ultimate Freedom, by B.K.S. Iyengar

Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana

Keep smiling, persevere in the face of adversity.