Ruth Sharon - Be Your Best Self - Yoga For Families

Be Your Best Self

Yoga for Families

Ruth Sharon, Alyssa Sharon and Hannah Green

Photos by William Green Photography

A Books To Believe In Publication
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2012 by Ruth Sharon, Alyssa Sharon and Hannah Green
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission, in writing from the publisher.
Proudly Published in the USA by
Thornton Publishing, Inc
17011 Lincoln Ave. #408
Parker, CO 80134
Phone: (303)-794-8888
Fax: (720)-863-2013
BooksToBelieveIn.com
publisher@bookstobelievein.com
Photos by WIlliam Green Photography
ISBN: 0-9856151-0-9

You may consider yourself an earthly being striving for spiritual experiences.
What if you lived as a spiritual being having human experiences?

Acknowledgements

I, Ruth Sharon, continually receive the blessings and wisdom of many wonderful teachers on the endless spiritual path. With gratitude and humility, I acknowledge all known and unknown teachers who serve humanity, from all traditions. As I welcome valuable lessons and compassion from my teachers, I pass my knowledge down to my daughter Alyssa, and Alyssa and I are passing our knowledge down to Hannah. Now, the three of us share our experience with you, so you can transmit yoga and personal development to the next generations. We appreciate your desire to spread the wisdom of yoga and wellness to those you touch!

Along with my husband Jim Sharon, we are happy to provide experiences and knowledge of healthy lifestyle with our children Alyssa, Michael and Alaina, their partners and child(ren). Thanks to our wonderfully supportive and creative family members who are helping us with this yoga book for families, and designing upcoming events, videos, websites and support materials. Our friends and growing community have been loyal to our process and join us in promoting wellness and awakened consciousness.

We would like to extend special acknowledgements and appreciation to our photographer, Bill Green, of William Green Photography williamgreenphotography.com for capturing the essence of yoga, in natural settings, among family who love each other. Bill's keen eye, diligence and talent bring the yoga poses alive for you to learn and enjoy. His chapter divider photos add to the beauty of the book.

Many thanks to our photo shoot assistants Jim Sharon, Alaina Green, Michael Sharon, Dana Rommerdahl, Sandra Saiontz and Paul Stapell and overall supporters Heather Scott, Casey Feicht, Kerry Madden, Sara Guenther, Jim and Lynea Gillen, Dani Wynn and countless others.

We appreciate the beauty of the Colorado natural settings we used as our backdrop for our yoga photo shoot: South Suburban Parks and Recreation's area along the South Platte River (for the chapters Be Flexible, Be Balanced), Hudson Gardens (for the chapters Be Calm and Be Flowing) and Red Rocks Park (for the chapter Be Strong). Thank you to all the wonderful staff members who assisted us with our photo shoot.

We appreciate the generous gift of "be present" yoga clothing, as shown in this book, from http://bepresent.com. Please visit the website and shop often.

We acknowledge Books to Believe In http://bookstobelievein.com for guidance in the design, printing and distribution of this book.

With all of your help and support, we are able to produce this book and share yoga for families. Namaste!

Dedication

We dedicate this book to our family members,
all the generous teachers,
wise sages and great healers that have inspired us.
We salute all who are devoted to family closeness,
health and conscious awakening.
May this offering serve the highest good.

Yoga Poses ( Asanas ) and Breathing Practices( Pranayama )

( Surya Namaskar )

( Tadasana )

( Urdhva Hastasana )

( Uttanasana )

( Anjaneyasana )

( Ashtanga Namaskara )

( Bhujangasana )

( Adho Mukha Svanasana )

( Anjaneyasana )

( Uttanasana )

( Urdhva Hastasana )

(Tadasana)

( Pranayama )

Yoga Poses ( Asanas ) and Breathing Practices( Pranayama )

( Setu Bandha Sarvangasana )

( Urdhva Dhanurasana )

( Matsyasana )

( Ardha Matsyendrasana )

( Ustrasana )

( Halasana )

( Marjaryasana )

( Bitilasana )

( Eka Pada Rajakapotasana )

Yoga Poses ( Asanas ) and Breathing Practices( Pranayama )

( Virabhadrasana I )

( Vipar ta Virabhadrasana )

( Virabhadrasana II )

( Utthita Trikonasana )

( Utthita Parsvakonasana )

( Vasisthasana )

( Paripurna Navasana )

Yoga Poses ( Asanas ) and Breathing Practices( Pranayama )

( Vrksasana )

( Garundasana )

( Natarajasana )

( Malasana )

( Virabadrasana III )

( Ardha Chandrasana )

( Vikasitakamalasana )

( Bakasana )

Yoga Poses ( Asanas ) and Breathing Practices( Pranayama )

( Sukhasana )

( Padmasana )

( Baddha Konasana )

( Paschimottanasana )

( Gomukhasana )

( Balasana )

( Ananda Balasana )

( Savasana )

Introduction

Purpose and Intention

Welcome to the world of taking good care of yourself, building family unity. This book is designed to help you bring out the best in yourself at home, school, work, in nature, in your community and in your relationships.

We are writing this book from our family to yours! Practicing yoga and meditation for many decades, with my husband Jim Sharon, our three children (Alaina, Michael and Alyssa) and now with their partners and our grandchild, Hannah Green, I am delighted to pass this on to you!

Alyssa, Hannah and I have compiled our experiences, favorite yoga poses ( asanas ), meditation and wellness practices. The intention of Be Your Best Self is to show simple ways for you and your family to develop the five qualities of being flowing, flexible, strong, balanced and calm in body, mind and spirit. Our hope is for you to uncover your true nature and feel your best.

Yoga is for all ages and abilities, for men, women, teens, girls and boys. You can learn a little at a time and extend your practice for your whole life. We, as three generations, are demonstrating the adaptability and lasting effects of yoga. Enjoy!

Namaste,
Ruth Sharon

How Yoga Came to Be

Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India over 5,000 years ago. The word yoga means "union" or "yoke" between the mind, body and spirit. The poses (or asanas , meaning "seat" in Sanskrit) were created to prepare the body for meditation, as part of a complete health system. Yoga is not just a series of stretches and warm-up postures. Yoga activates the connection of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual realms. As you connect more with yourself, you are able to connect more with others, with nature and with all of life.

How Yoga Came to Me

Alyssa's Story