Helen Lespier

Helen has been practicing yoga in the shoreline area of Connecticut for over 15 years. In 2014 Helen traveled to the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale PA to study with an array of fabulous instructors including Rolf Sovik, Sandra Anderson and Shari Friedrichsen to complete her 200 hour yoga teacher training. The HI teachings fall under Raja Yoga (The Royal Path - The Path to Meditation - also known as the 8 limb path - Asthanga Yoga). These teachings include postures (asanas) and their proper alignment, systematic breath training and Pranayama, meditation (dhyana) and systematic relaxation. Systematic relaxation is one of the principal teachings at the Himalayan Institute. Systematic relaxation is practiced most often in shavasana (the final posture at the end of class) where you completely focus your mind on relaxing your body as you travel from the crown of the head down to the toes and back again. This simple yet beneficial exercise allows the parasympathetic nervous system to completely relax and rest. Once your body is still and at rest you can relax your mind - allowing for much needed stress release and preparation for meditation. Recent training includes a 30 hr Yin Yoga Training with Liza Dousson. Yin Yoga combines yoga postures held for between 3 -5 minutes with Taoist philosophy. This practice works with the meridian system of TCM and in holding these postures for a period time the body releases water at the fascial level resulting in internal lubrication in the body.