Thrive In 2019 with Yoga

by Emilija Gligoroska

Sally Rodriguez-Hamm, E-RYT-200, RYT-500, director of Soul Practice Yoga, in River Edge, is leading a Yoga Alliance-registered program for those seeking to enrich their yoga journey and deepen their practice by expanding their knowledge with a classical hatha and vinyasa yoga 200-hour teacher training program. Hamm embarked on her yoga journey in 1987, and now provides access to yoga for others. Her intimate teaching style translates into a slow-paced training program offering small groups beginning in March, as well as private one-on-one training.

Yoga became part of Hamm’s world in 1987, when she walked into a Yoga Nidra class following a life crisis and discovered the meaningful path upon which she was about to embark. Today, Hamm incorporates yoga nidra (yogic sleep) in every class and weaves in crystals, reiki, chakra awareness or ayurveda marma points.

The Soul Practice Yoga 200-hour teacher training program provides in-depth, traditional knowledge of yoga in a small, safe and nourishing environment to deepen the study as students immerse themselves into less-noted aspects of yoga. They are guided in bringing the spiritual practice of yoga into their daily lives and notice how it impacts their day-to-day choices. In this course, Hamm is a capable and confident yoga teacher who will continue to share the practice with other students that receive instruction on starting and growing their own yoga classes or yoga center.

In Sanskrit, yoga means union between the mind, body and breath. It has been around for more than 5,000 years and the research is now catching onto the benefits of yoga. Multiple studies have confirmed a regular yoga practice enhances our health and quality of life. Research also shows that yoga may help manage or control arthritis, back pain, blood pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, cardiovascular system, diabetes, epilepsy, headaches, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and other conditions and diseases. Overall, the body will become stronger, flexible, balanced and mobile. Through the practice, we are reminded to breathe, live in the present moment and gain self-confidence.

Hamm says, “Yoga cultivates a better understanding of the inner self by working from the outside-in. It helps us find our center by letting go of what no longer serves us. Many of us ‘do’ yoga, and soon learn that we become part of the lineage, roots and traditions where we start to no longer ‘do’ yoga, but ‘practice’ yoga. Fall in love with yoga, and by your alliance with the practice, create a bond with yourself.”

During the teacher training practice, students can reach a moment when self-realization, actualization or simply a deeper sense of self is accessed; when this occurs, the student may not even realize it. Hamm believes, “When you deepen our yoga practice, you can reach a point where you just are, and it just is. Once the yoga student has touched that timeless moment where they are connected with everything in the universe, they learn to sustain it by furthering their practice. That love and light continues to radiate within—it remains and sticks. The first time this happens, the student may feel awkward, but as they continue to practice the eight limbs of yoga throughout their training, the student will know that the specific moment is attainable with just the breath and the mind. When we actually connect with the entire universe through yoga, we then find true self-love.”

Soul Practice Yoga is located in River Edge, NJ. For more information, call 201-618-5779, email SoulPracticeYoga@gmail.com or visit SoulPracticeYoga.com.