What is Yoga?

Yoga is a holistic system of health that originated in India over 5000 years ago. Translated ancient scriptures describe yoga as having eight "branches". It is the third branch, called "asana" or posture, that has gained popularity in the West and is often perceived as all there is to yoga.

The physical practice / study of asana is called Hatha Yoga. There are many styles of hatha yoga and classes can vary greatly in physical difficulty and in the environment of the class itself. It is very important to talk with your instructor about your goals regarding yoga to maximize your benefit and ensure you find a place where you feel comfortable..

What Do I Do?

I educate those who are new to yoga, and focus on solutions for relieving mental and physical tension, fatigue, ways to better cope with stress.

My classes and workshops include breath awareness exercises, coordinating breathing patterns with movements and techniques to enhance relaxation.

Each of my classes or workshops;

• Are safe and comfortable for students of all ages, genders, and levels of health and fitness.
• Can be customized to specific needs or interests.
• Can be conducted at your home, work place or community center.

I am working with several local facilities to organize their Wellness Workshops including:

I have  been invited to introduce yogic breathing, gentle poses, and relaxation techniques to those with COPD (Chronic Obstructed Pulmonary Disease) by the Better Breathers clubs of Las Vegas, Henderson, and Boulder City. CAN THIS REALLY WORK!!

In an experiment conducted in Western Australia, 22 male patients aged 52 to 65 were selected for severe breathing problems such as chronic bronchitis - emphysema - that made normal breathing impossible.

Half of the men underwent standard treatment for 9 months: physiotherapy that included relaxation techniques, breathing exercises and general workouts to improve stamina. The other 11 men were given a yoga teacher instead of a physiotherapist. He taught them techniques of yoga breathing, which encouraged the use of all chest and abdominal muscles as well as ten yoga postures.

The difference between the two groups was striking. The men who had practiced yoga showed a significant improvement in their ability to exercise, but the physiotherapy group did not. Eight or more out of the 11 patients who underwent yoga declared that they had definitely increased tolerance for exertion and that they recovered more quickly after exertion. The physiotherapy group reported no similar improvement. A significantly greater number of patients reported that "with the help of yogic breathing exercises, they could control an attack of severe shortness of breath without having to seek medical help", according to the study.

Doctors analyzing the results from the study postulate that, after the training, the breathing pattern of the patients in the yoga group changed to a slower and deeper cycle, allowing them to tolerate higher work loads. Patients in the physiotherapy group continued in their shallow rapid breathing pattern. Source: Diagnose-Me.com

About Amy Rockwell

I was immediately drawn to the benefits of hatha yoga, and I continue to be intrigued and amazed by the growing list of ailments that respond positively to yoga therapy.

As I was learning yoga, I would share each new discovery with my friends and colleagues. I found that I very much enjoyed teaching people the stress reducing benefits of yoga that are so important in my life.

I am a certified yoga teacher (CYT) and I am registered with Yoga Alliance.    

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Communication from The Ohio State University.

The best way to reach me is by using the phone number listed below. If I can't answer right away, please leave a message including the best time and method for getting back to you. E-Mail will be your next best bet as I do check that frequently.

Telephone

702-658-2711