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"Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind."
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~Patanjali, Yoga Sutras (Translated from Sanskrit)
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| About Poses for Peace |
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Poses for Peace provides first-class yoga instruction and products in the Central Florida area.
Its programs are targeted to improve the mental and physical well-being of its students.
Melissa Antal, Poses for Peace founder and owner, began her journey with yoga over ten years ago
when she attended her first class. Since then, she has found peace and health through yoga and
hopes to help others do the same. Poses for Peace offers group yoga classes at the Ananda
Center for Yoga and Massage located at 16 Joiner Street, Winter Garden, FL
(View map here
and class schedule here).
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| What is Yoga? |
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In Sanskrit, yoga means union. Essentially, it involves uniting the mind, body and spirit.
Typically, the yoga style we know and hear about is Hatha Yoga, which involves a series of asanas, poses, combined with pranayama, control of the breath.
Add in meditation and you are on your way to improving your emotional and physical health, as well as decreasing your risk of disease, illness and injury.
Yoga will also help you find a peace of mind unlike any you have ever experienced.
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One of Melissa’s favorite descriptions of the yoga experience comes from Yoga Sutras by Patanjali (1: 2-4):
“Yoga is the settling of the mind into silence. When the mind has settled, we are established in our essential nature, which is unbounded Consciousness.
Our essential nature is usually overshadowed by the activity of the mind.”
Basically, yoga compels us to focus on the pose itself, as well as the breath, so that we can let go of anxiety, agitation and distractions and ultimately quiet our mind.
A quiet mind allows us to realize our own True Self through meditation and reflection.
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To help you better understand the fundamentals of yoga, passed down from yoga masters through thousands
of years, consider Patanjali's 'Eight Limbs of Yoga,' described in his Yoga Sutras II (29-III, 3) These
'limbs' are essentially levels or goals yogis and yoginis (female yogis) strive to attain. A yogi will start
with the first limb and work towards the eighth and final limb. These can be obtained through discipline and
a consistent yoga practice, but it is a life long practice as you can always improve and reach higher levels
of consciousness. Here is a list of the 'limbs,' as well as a brief description of each:
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- Yamas (Do Not's): non-violence, truthfulness, moderation in all things, non-stealing and non-covetousness
- Niyamas (Do's): purity, contentment, austerity, study of sacred texts and surrendering to God’s will
- Asana: poses or positions
- Pranayama: regulation of the breath
- Pratyahara: withdrawal of the senses in order to still the mind
- Dharana: concentration
- Dhyana: meditation
- Samadhi: a super-conscious state of being
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There are several styles of Hatha Yoga practiced around the world today.
Melissa uses components of many of these styles in her practice and teachings.
If you have any questions about the classes, lessons or workshops at Poses For Peace, please contact Melissa.
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| Yoga is for everyone! |
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Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to be flexible to do yoga.
Men, women and children of all ages and fitness levels have found yoga to be therapeutic and life-changing.
Yoga can be beneficial for many health conditions, including anxiety, stress, pain, alcoholism, asthma, depression, eating disorders, heart disease, infertility, migraines, menopause, osteoporosis, pregnancy and scoliosis.
Poses for Peace will work with each student’s strengths and health requirements to ensure an effective, rewarding experience, both in and out of the studio.
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| Tip of the Month |
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If you are beyond stressed and haven't had a minute of peace all day, stop what you are doing right now and BREATHE! Inhale through your nose, reaching your arms up over your head. Suspend your breath for a count of four and then slowly lower your arms as you exhale. A good goal is to make your exhale twice as long as your inhale. This is wonderful for the nervous system and extremely calming.
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| About Melissa |
Melissa's Education and Experience:
- Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT)
- Prenatal Yoga Certification with Viviana Collazo, Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT), Reverend and Reiki Master
- Pranayama Workshop with Viviana Collazo, Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT), Reverend and Reiki Master
- Currently in process of earning RYT200 with Jane Foody, E-RYT and Director of Yoga Jane Training Registered Yoga School
(Certification through Yoga Alliance)
- AA Business Administration – Pensacola Junior College
- BSBA Management – University of West Florida
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Professional Memberships:
- International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT)
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