Welcome

Here at Sky Studio we believe firmly that you can not compartmentalize people or yoga. Our style of teaching focuses on the individual and the cultivation of mind, body and spirit. Along these lines we consider ourselves to offer a more personal style of yoga. We will help you to take action, to change unhealthy habits and most of all teach you that the key to life is as Patanjali wrote “to remove the root cause of all suffering” and be happy.

Our classes do utilize breath techniques, chanting, mantras, mudras and asanas (postures) at different times, so please be aware of any technique that may be uncomfortable to you, and feel free to mention it to your instructor.

We live our yoga everyday. We teach from a place of authenticity. We hope to impart peace and happiness to all those we meet. Yoga is the joy of spirit that is shared with others.

Prenatal Yoga

Keeping active while pregnant is a recommendation of ACOG for healthy women. Prenatal fitness and yoga classes can help reduce the duration and intensity of labor, reduce the need for unnecessary interventions, keep moms fit and at a healthy weight post-natal. Baby yoga is a great way to introduce healthy touch and bond with your newborn. It can also alleviate common baby issues like gas.

Yoga for Kids

In our fast paced, overscheduled society we have created an environment of stress and burn-out for our children. Yoga offers a set time where children can relax and just "be". A strong foundation (in self) is the key to life long happiness. It is never too early to give our children a strong belief in themselves and their potential. Teaching children respect for themselves, their bodies and other living beings is one of the main goals of the Shining Kids Yoga™ program.

We offer fully integrated classes that strive to reach each child through styles suited to their individual learning needs. S.K.Y™ utilizes various children’s yoga postures and techniques and couples these techniques with a formal education background and experience with children. Our classes not only offer physical curriculum, they also focus on the emotional, psychological, and intellectual cultivation of each child. W e use large and fine motor movements, fantasy & imaginative play, relaxation, music, art and crafts in each of our classes.

Some benefits of Yoga for Children are:

· it helps children develop and nurture their problem solving abilities,

· strengthens and builds self-esteem,

· teaches self reliance, self-policing,

· uses brain balancing techniques,

· uses fine and gross motor skills; helps with balance, hand to eye co-ordination

· strengthens neural pathways,

· helps harness energy and teach self calming,

· awakens and cultivates creativity,

· Teaches respect for self and others

Zumba, Bellydance and Bhangra

We also offer a myriad of fitness classes including the fastest growing Latin Dance inspired aerobics class in the industry—Zumba. Check our schedule for Zumba Basic, Zumba Toning and Zumba Gold classes, shop our boutique for Zumbawear.

Also on our schedule are Bellydance & Bhangra classes taught by our FatChance Bellydance Certified Instructor, Susan Warner.  Susan’s presence in our studio qualifies us as a FatChance Bellydance Sister Studio so get in and shake, shimmy and snake your way to health while learning the American Tribal Style of Bellydance. Bellydance classes are a part of our pass system.

Thai Bodywork

In Thailand, Nuad Boran, or Thai Massage, is offered as part of a larger healing system . It focuses on the “sen” energy lines in the body. Through movements of compression, thumbing, and stretching along these lines Thai bodywork releases blocks, frees congestion, chronic pain, and restores balance, health and energy. The practitioner moves a passive body through a series to help clients cultivate breath and relaxation.

This is a full-body holistic form of work that involves the physical, energetic, and emotional bodies. It is very closely related to yoga and ayurveda making it complimentary to practice.

January 15th, 2009 | Tags: Class, Fitness, hatha, Hatha Yoga, Naperville, Naperville Yoga, nuad boraan, thai, Thai Bodywork, Thai Massage, thai work, yoga, Yoga Class, Yoga Naperville, Zumba, Zumba Gold | Category: Ashtanga Yoga, Daily Post, Fitness, Hatha Yoga, Lisle, Meditation, Naperville, Personal Training, Post Natal, Post-partum, Power Yoga, Thai Bodywork, Thai Massage, Yoga Class, Zumba, yoga therapy | Leave a comment

I received a copy of this book by Dr. Aziz to review, and based on the press release was very intrigued by what it had to offer.

Let me preface this by saying since the birth of my son in December 2009 I have been dedicated to losing 75 lbs, which I have done through exercise and counting calories (via measuring my food, etc) and I have been a strict vegan for 22 years.  As a fitness professional, lifestyle and weight management coach I make it my personal goal to spread healthy information to all I can and love to find new ways to support my efforts.

This book is full of great information, in depth research about hormones and their effect on weight loss, even recipes.  A great deal of what Dr. Aziz purports in his book is right in line with what I tell my clients – eat less processed foods, cut back on sugars, up the whole grains, whole fruits and vegetables, etc. and Dr. Aziz takes it to a higher level with research.

Some of Dr.Aziz’s revelations on nutrition include:

• How low-fat diets wreak havoc on insulin levels and increase hunger
• Natural food is always best
• Balancing the 10 key hormones is essential for lasting weight loss
• Staying youthful longer with saturated fats

Shopping Tips:

• Don’t buy low-fat, fat-free, especially fat-free dairy
• Gravitate towards fruits like berries, cherries and cantaloupe
• Love saturated fats!
• Avoid low-carb products with soy protein isolate
• Integrate healthy fats
• Don’t buy products with artificial sweeteners
• If you can’t pronounce it, don’t buy it
• Read ingredients
• Buy organic
• Eat before you go grocery shopping

Almost 10 years ago I went on a raid of our pantry, cabinets and fridge – getting rid of anything with High Fructose Corn Syrup, and Hydrogenated Oils.  I simply do not let items with these in our house.  We aren’t drinkers of soda, we never use artificial sweeteners, and always buy whole grains.  I agree with much of Dr.Aziz’s points but won’t go as far as to give up being a vegan, or buying organic – I know that last one is a shock –but I have never found organic to be truly better when I research it.  At the grocery store an item is considered not to be organic if it goes on a food belt that inorganic items have been on, not to mention different standards in labeling products.  I keep my extra cash and make sure to wash my produce thoroughly, and look for non-GMO products.

Dr.Aziz definitely has written an educational and interesting diet book, which is given credence by his board certification in internal medicine, far better than reading and listening to advice given by some TV personality.  Although I found this book to offer a sound perspective on weight loss and hormones that could help many struggling with weight loss, I am not sure that this Perfect 10 Diet is the only way – but it is definitely a positive step in the right direction for many.

This book touts again and again that low-fat and low-carb are not the way, that calorie counting is not necessary.  I found after reading though that stage one does not allow any grains, and the typical day meal plan seems to be low calorie by design.  The book also suggest you rid the kitchen of BBQ sauce and ketchup because they are full of HFCS, and sugars – this just isn’t so if you go to health food stores, even conventional grocers now have natural alternatives.

Of course my largest beef with this book is the small section on: Is it healthy to be a strict vegetarian? His answer no, because vegetarian diets are often high in carbohydrates and low in fat and protein.  As a vegan for 2 decades who loves to eat, I can tell you this just is not true. The circular logic then given to support this – do you really think you can sculpt a body and tone muscle by eating bread and rice? Is just foolish.  I don’t eat bread and rice and I have the best body of my life after having two children.  Then again I wasn’t reading this because I am struggling with weight loss, I found a way to lose weight – and that is just my point.  This book provides a different perspective on weight loss, it will help many people shed those unwanted pounds and live healthier – but that doesn’t make it the only way.

Do you want a copy

I am giving away my review copy of The Perfect 10 Diet to one lucky reader. So how can you win? Post a comment after each step, each comment is an entry to win! I will announce the winner April 1, 2010 via our Fan Page and Blog. Winner chosen at random from all comments.

1. Join Sky Yoga Studio’s Fan Page

2. Join the Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/perfect10diet

3. Follow on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/perfect10diet

March 15th, 2010 | Tags: Book, Contest, diet, Fitness, Health, Review | Category: Contest, Daily Post, Fitness, Food, Health, Review, books | Comments (1)

  March – National Nutrition Month

By Margaret Lewin, MD, FACP – Medical Director, Cinergy Health

As March comes roaring in, let’s look at winter’s glorious choices of fruits and vegetables and plan to E.A.T. R.I.G.H.T.!

Eat the rainbow!  Not only do foods of varying colors pack a wealth of nutrition, they also look ever so enticing on the plate! 

• Red fruits (think cranberries, grapes) and vegetables (think beets, red peppers, tomatoes) are high in the anti-oxidants which help fight heart disease, cancer and age-related memory loss.
• Orange and yellow fruits such as citrus and vegetables (sweet potatoes, squash, carrots) are high in beta-carotene for healthy skin and eyes, Vitamins A and C and anti-oxidants. 
• Green leafy vegetables (think kale, spinach, cabbage, Brussels sprouts) – the darker the green the better – broccoli, bok choy, avocados, and snow peas.  They are high in fiber and most are rich in folic acid, vitamins A, C and K and potassium.
• Blue and purple fruits (grapes, raisins) and vegetables (purple cabbage, blue potatoes, black beans) are high in fiber, anti-oxidants and many important trace elements.
• White and tan fruits (pears, dates) and vegetables (garlic, ginger, mushrooms, shallots, onions, turnips) add spice, phytochemicals and anti-oxidants to any meal.  Cauliflower is rich in vitamins C, K, and folate, and is one of the cruciferous vegetables that reduce the risk of many cancers.
• Brown grains, seeds, legumes (beans, lentils, split peas) and nuts are high in fiber, zinc, iron, folic acid, minerals, healthy fats and B-vitamins.

Avoid processed foods.  Take advantage of your time at home to multi-task by making your own soups and stocks and steaming some fresh vegetables while you prepare the main course (note that micro-waving removes many valuable vitamins).  Cook larger portions than you need and freeze the extras in individual portions to reheat for lunch or to thaw quickly when you’re in a hurry to get dinner on the table.

Take a list with you when you shop – with a mind to whole meals containing those fresh fruits and vegetables of varying colors as well as whole grains.

Read package labels carefully.  Pay attention to serving size (for example, you’re likely to be surprised that those little boxes of dried pasta contain 8 servings!) and choose products low in hydrogenated and saturated fats, salt and added sugar, altogether avoiding products containing trans fats.

Inspect fruits and vegetables carefully for signs of spoilage, store them properly, and wash them immediately before using.

Get locally grown, seasonal fruits and vegetables when possible, in order to maximize nutrition; decrease the risk of contamination and save money.

Have fish at least twice weekly – it’s high in protein, low in calories and fat, and high in omega-3 fatty acids.  There is evidence that dementia and impairment of thinking are significantly decreased, the incidence of heart attacks and sudden deaths are decreased by more than one-third, and the risk of death from all causes is decreased by more than 15%… and benefits can be seen in as little as 3 – 4 months!  Fish’s ability to reduce inflammation can decrease symptoms of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and it may also help to control diabetes.

Take time to enjoy your meals, eating slowly to decrease portion size and to help digestion.

So… celebrate National Nutrition Month by trying at least one new seasonal vegetable or fruit every week of this month, going to the Internet to find new and interesting ways to serve them, and making your meals brilliant with color and nutrition.

March 9th, 2010 | Tags: diet, Eating, Food, Health, Nutrition | Category: Community, Daily Post, Fitness, Food, Health, Vegan | Leave a comment

All around town here are ours:
Free ATS Bellydance class at 6 pm Tonight

Free Reusable Gift Tote while supplies last

$5 Friday Classes

50% off Yoga Tops, Candles, Fair Trade Peruvian Pottery, Select Jewelry including Kazuri

Free Baby Yoga Class Saturday at 11:15 am

March 4th, 2010 | Tags: Events, Girls Weekend, Naperville | Category: Daily Post, Fitness, Giveaway | Leave a comment

We have decided to cut our Get Outdoors and Get in Shape contest a little short, so here are our GRAND CHAMP: Winner will receive a deluxe Swiss Army Sleeping Bag (to get outside and keep warm)

RESERVE CHAMP: Winner will receive a Zumba Gift Tote with Shirt, Headband and Necklace.

Our Grand Champ Winner is Ticket # 840303

Our Runner up is Ticket # 840300

March 4th, 2010 | Tags: Contest, Fitness, ticket | Category: Contest, Daily Post, Fitness | Leave a comment