Locate information on yoga, breathing techniques, nutrition, health, yogic philosophy, merchandise, and related links at Focal Point Yoga, a well-organized site featuring consistently updated information on Yoga, Meditation, Kids Yoga, Children’s Yoga, Kripalu, Ashtanga, Astanga, yoga books, Nutrition, Body/Mind, Spirit, driste, pranayama, breath, breathe, breathing techniques, yamas, niyamas, health, nutrition, meditation, Massachusetts, MA, Ma., Mass., M.A.,   yoga classes, digestion, philosophy, relaxation, Yoga Mats

Focal Point Yoga™
Focal Point Yoga™ is dedicated to physical health, emotional balance, mental clarity, and freedom of spirit.  A regular practice of yoga builds strength, flexibility, self-esteem, discipline, concentration and focus.  Yoga improves mood and tones the body.  We include key principles of yogic philosophy to enrich your spirit and invite you to a deep contentment and connection to your inner strength. 

Tat Tuam Asi  - Thou art That.  As Alan Watts translates this, "TAG!  YOU are IT!" - you are divine.  Live like it. 

To all my sisters and brothers in yoga: I am looking for classes to teach!

I have returned to my home teaching ground for good, work at another job, and am seeking classes!  I had a hiatus to work on my physical, emotional and spiritual health.  I am on the path of rigorous honesty and also respect the time of others.  Classes begin and end on time.  I have had a spiritual re-awakening, for which I am intensely grateful. 

I have a new email - elenayoga at mac dot com (I am not writing it out in a full manner to avoid spam).  Please write your name and the word yoga in the subject line.  I will keep you posted as to where and when I am teaching.  Thank  you for your patience, lovingkindness and joy.

ADDING CLASSES:  If you would like a class at your local studio, business, or to renew classes previously held, please ask the person responsible for the scheduling and have them contact me!  I have incredibly rewarding work with the elderly and disabled, and may take a FT position working with Alzheimer's patients next week and see how that goes. I will add yoga classes as best as I can.  I only wish to serve the Divine in whatever way I am guided.

SPECIALTY CLASS:  I would like to add a free class on my schedule to those who have gone through difficulties - for those suffering from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, for those in 12-step programs, for those with low self-esteem, eating disorders or any isolating conditions.  I have not yet found a studio or church to host such a class.  If you have a space and would be willing to host a class for those in need of spiritual healing, contact me please!  It is my SEVA (selfless service) work. 

pages (click to see): This Week's Homework

For those of you seeking additional internal info, read the inspiration pages.  For photos and info http://focalpointyoga.com/aboutElena.htm

Updated Inspiration Pages!  Follow this LINK -For those in transition from relationships, deaths, and other life changes, read "Reason, Season or Lifetime" - for those in need of inspiration, I have finally added the much beloved Butterfly tale.

Buddhism Basics - see the Zen Tales Page!

I will renew the YTT (Yoga Teacher Training) Program.  If you are interested in YTT please email me - we have a sign-up list in progress and because I did not run it last year, it is already filling up fast.  I limit the size to 15 students so that everyone receives individual attention and has a comprehensive understanding.  Write to NOSPAMelenayoga@mac.com with the subject line YTT. The program is 200 contact hours and costs about $2300 (depending on space rental and other factors not in our control - that is a fairly accurate ball park figure. - Be Well!

How this site is organized: 

Research Service -  We receive many queries on diverse yogic topics.  We are offering a service to answer the questions within our scope of knowledge.  We will reply to your questions with sensitivity from the base of our personal experience, readings, practices and research.  There is a reasonable fee for this service.  If you need some personal questions answered whether they are philosophical, physical, yogic lifestyle, emotional or any area where you feel a yogic perspective may help you, this is how you will get the personal attention, time and thoroughness you deserve.  Check it out!  Please Note that due to the overwhelming number of questions submitted we may not be able to accept your submission.  If that is the case you will be notified promptly! We have assisted many delighted people with this service.

UPDATED: Products for Sale - recommended yoga books (linked to Amazon.com), videos, music for yoga practice and meditation, yoga mats, yoga ties, eye pillows, and other yoga products.  Relaxation and Healing Meditation CD with Elena!  email us for more information!  

    Kids Yoga Products - Books, Videos, and items for Yogis and Yoginis ages 2-12

    Videos - recommended Videos for Adult Yogis and Yoginis

1. Locations:  directions and links to several local yoga studios and health clubs offering yoga classes. - Includes Directions to Locations where classes are offered.
2.  Class Guidelines: Guidelines

3. This Week's HOMEWORK! - what was your class homework for this week?  reminder page.

4. Power Yoga:  What is it?  Why do it?  Is it for me?
5. About Elena' Background:  information about our instructors and thanks to their instructors -   Photos added by request 

Yoga Teacher Training - information on our training program for those who would like to deepen their practice and share the healing gifts of yoga with others.  Fully meets National Yoga Alliance Standards. 

Private Sessions - one on one, personal yoga session - a combination of techniques (partner yoga, assisted stretches, bodywork) for an amazing experience that will leave you uniquely opened, released of deep tension, and refreshed. Go to this page for more info

Semi Private Classes Available  -it is like a “group private lesson.”  You can gather a group yourself or add your name to the waiting list with us.  Elena teaches a class with no more than 4 students.  It is either a guided yoga practice or Ashtanga Mysore Class.  You receive individual attention and assists with a high level of focus where you need it, and the other students receive the same. Some yoga classes are too large and it is a guided asana flow with specific focus on each student's requested areas of difficulty.

Humor: Yoga Bloopers - where yoga teachers learn a little humility . . .

Yoga Information - by far, the most important segment of our site.  Lists information on

1. What is Yoga - a BRIEF description of what yoga is.

2. WHY PRACTICE YOGA - find out what Yoga is all about, if Yoga is for you, list of health benefits, how often you should practice, and how to find a good yoga instructor.

3. Yogic Philosophy - the eight fold path, yamas and niyamas (the ten ethical guidelines of yoga), some excerpts from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. 

4. Pranayama (yogic breathing techniques) including health benefits and how-to's, from beginners to advanced techniques.
5. Advanced Practices:  Stage 3 Yoga, the Bandhas, channeling energy  A.  Bandhas - energy "locks" to control and channel energy (as well as give strength to the core of your body and support your spine.  B. Stage 2 and 3 Yoga - excerpted from Stephen Cope's Yoga and the Quest for the True Self - permission for reprint granted.
6. Asanas - the physical practice of yoga.  Asana is word for a   yoga pose or posture.  Here, find detailed information on basic yoga postures, their benefits and contraindications, and how to's - grouped by Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Poses, as well as the Sun Salutation Sequences.
7. Yoga for Sexual Vitality and Control - a list of poses that are helpful for increasing sex drive and ability 
8. Nutrition - based on Ayurvedic and Yogic principles of health and nutrition, when those principles are supported by Western Scientific evidence.  Great information on Conscious Eating (a foundation for weight loss and good health).  Find links to excellent sources for information on nutrition and healthcare here as well.
9. Styles of Hatha Yoga - a guide for the beginning student describing the characteristics of a few of the major styles of yoga one is likely to encounter (Kripalu, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Bikram's, Kundalini, etc.)
10. Ask the Yogini - a question and answer forum for the use of yoga as a compliment to your healthcare program.  
11. Yoga for Sciatica - I have been asked many times what yoga asanas can help alleviate sciatic nerve pain caused by the piriformis impinging on the sciatic nerve.  I have created a page just for this.
12. Yoga for Pregnancy - Information to be added soon!
13. AYURVEDA:  What is it?  Why use this ancient healing science?  How does it work? What practitioner do we recommend? - articles written by Eileen Press, MD  Photos added by request 

Meditation - why we do it, several techniques on how to do it, what gets in the way (hindrances or kleshas)

1. Hindrances to Meditation
2. Techniques and Preparation

1.  Meditation on an Object

2. Meditation on the Breath (Vipassana Meditation)

3. Mantra Meditation (Japa)

YOGIC LOVE - To accommodate the inquiries we have received about yogic love, Tantra, and non-yogic love, we have added this page.

1. Tantra How-To's:  How to Create a Relationship based on Yogic Love/Tantra/Spiritual Connection and Depth.  Sections on: Fantasy Versus Reality: "The Rules" versus Humble Honesty;  How to Avoid Falling into Old Patterns of Falsehood and Image YOURSELF; How to Avoid Falling into the Manipulations of OTHERS; HOW TO BUILD A TANTRIC RELATIONSHIP 

2. For Couples, friends, family, and all who need assistance being honest, present and loving with each other: see the page on Co-Listening. It is one of the simplest and most powerful techniques to learn to love without judgment and to hear and accept the truth of another's experience.

FIND A TEACHER - Guidelines on finding a good teacher near you.

1.     Crushes  - what to do if you are attracted to your Yoga Teacher or another student.

Related Links - links to excellent sites with information about yoga, yoga retreat centers, yoga scholars, and information related to the practice of yoga.

1. Mailing List Sign-Up - Email us if you would like to receive our quarterly newsletter (includes details of one asana plus our class schedule, and additional information on yoga if space allows).  Currently, we are only mailing paper newsletters to Massachusetts residents.  If you live in another state, you may receive our email version of the newsletter. 

* Request to Students – if  you visit Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, www.kripalu.org please give our teacher #1395 to the reservation desk.  Kripalu gives us credit towards visits which we then pass on to those who cannot afford to go otherwise.  It costs you nothing and can benefit those in need!  Thank You!

I appreciate your referrals! If you enjoy our classes, give a schedule to a friend or bring a friend to your next class! 

Contact Us:  NOSPAMelenayoga@mac.com

 (remove the words NO SPAM from the email address please!)

Questions, Comments, or Suggestions about our site?  Please feel free to contact us!  

We take REQUESTS also!

This page was last updated on 05/04/08.

Sunday May 04, 2008 02:19:39 AM