tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13657364146716249332024-03-13T14:49:47.494-07:00Yoga in the Gorge<br><br><br> <br> <br> Meditation in MotionUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-43232924386103365042012-02-20T11:04:00.000-08:002012-02-20T11:06:19.486-08:00Busy, Busy and more Busy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, 2012 has started off with a BANG. Hard to believe it is already the 20th of February. We have been busy with our new company, PocketFuel and I have had less time to devote to yoga, apart from teaching. I do miss being able to catch up on all the blogs and videos and books but this is an exciting time for our new venture and I am truly "in the moment" of it all. We had a KickStarter campaign at the end of December until mid January and just got out all the packages of our product to our backers.... after manufacturing more blends. It is truly rewarding to see something go from concept to consumer and to see the fruits of your labour. Truly something different than teaching yoga. And I can tell you that I have NEEDED and APPRECIATED teaching the classes I am fortunate to teach over the last few months! Keeps me sane, balanced and connected to my peeps. :) I do believe that I have started to understand my yoga better now that I have so many things going on OUTside of yoga. I have really begun to take my practice "off the mat" when I've needed it most.<br />
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However, I do miss carving out the time for a personal practice and that is one of my goals for the next months. That and so make some new yoga play-lists... I do so love my music. In the meantime, I have announced to some of my classes that it will be "March-Madness" next month and I will take music requests and play some different music, especially if my students bring some in to class! I think a dose of the unexpected keeps us all humble.<br />
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Carpe Diem!<br />
and Namaste....<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-71665071464242438102011-12-28T09:29:00.000-08:002012-02-20T11:07:17.174-08:00Happy New Year 2012 - New Year's Intentions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This morning, I've been sitting at my computer (will do some yoga right after this to counteract the computer slump and clicking wrist ache!). Reading through lots of blogs, checking friends on FB/Twitter and reading local & world news and seeing themes emerge about the New Year. <br />
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Lately it's been bothering me how we all rush to make those BIG New Year's Resolutions... Lose Weight, Stop Smoking, Make More Money, Get Rid Of Stress.<br />
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In the last few months, I've been setting small intentions for practice and thought the idea of setting New Year's Intentions was probably a better alternative, for me at least. Not that I have been big on resolutions ANYway... too easy to forget! But I guess I have always understood that it takes more that making a resolution. Change, real lasting personal change, takes time. Takes INTENTION. Takes thought... understanding that just saying: " I will lose weight or workout more or get rid of stress" does not address the underlying issues. What makes us eat that puts on weight, what makes us stressed etc? How can we reduce stress? Maybe we just need to learn to accept that some stress is a part of life. Just learn to sit with it for a bit.<br />
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Also a part of setting intentions, whatever they are, is reminding ourselves each and every day. Reaffirming those intentions. Accepting that some days those intentions will get no further than stating them. And knowing that some days we will live those intentions and feel the powerful happiness that comes with having lived those intentions.<br />
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At the beginning of class I often ask students to set an intention... maybe just a feeling, a word or a dedication of that day's practice to someone who needs their love. A New Year's Intention can be the same. An intention to be more grateful, more loving, or to take a moment every day to think of someone else. Perhaps to feel lightness or to walk around with open eyes or open heart. I saw a great video on FaceBook today that I'd like to share here... it is so simple and profound.<br />
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Also wanted to share this blog posting of the Yinsights newsletter that I read. It addresses how resolutions are Yang and the Yin is learning to accept. Read and let me know what you think, if you like! <a href="http://www.yinyoga.com/newsletter10_yin_resolution.php">The Yinside of New Year's Resolutions</a><br />
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Here is an excerpt that stood out to me:<br />
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<em>"This year, why not resolve to accept something about yourself that you will no
longer try to change or improve! You may even decide that this is the year that
you accept something about someone else and vow to no longer try to change him
or her! Sure, go ahead and consciously make a yang resolution to do or not do
something, but why not add a yin resolution this New Year's? What are you going
to accept, allow and no longer try to change this year?" </em><br />
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Hmmmm. Makes you think!<br />
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SO Happy New Year 2012... live <strong>every</strong> <strong>day</strong> as if it were your first and your last!<br />
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And Namaste<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-30307462687259896812011-12-22T08:47:00.000-08:002011-12-22T08:54:56.036-08:00Happy Solstice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WizD5qijBfU/TvNgsrGna_I/AAAAAAAAAOY/GhmyRokuWPw/s1600/Hannukah1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WizD5qijBfU/TvNgsrGna_I/AAAAAAAAAOY/GhmyRokuWPw/s320/Hannukah1.jpg" width="320" /></a>Just a little note to say Happy Solstice... Really just a Happy whatever it is that you celebrate. In our area, we have been so fortunate this year to have lots of sunshine during the day and clear nights (awesome stars & moon) so the shortest day of the year didn't feel as oppressive as it sometimes can. It is amazing what light does for our bodies, souls and minds... <br />
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But thinking about this time of year and what it can mean led me to something that I am focusing a lot on in classes this week: letting go of the old, or un-needed and making room for the new or needed. Letting go of old hurts, be they physical or spiritual and making room for new feelings and new experiences. We can ALL benefit from this. I know that I sometimes hold a physical "hurt" or injury and it takes a lot of conscious thought to let it go, to ease out of that scar-tissue zone and let the healing in. To let the new blood-flow and ease back in. And so it goes with the heart and with the spirit....<br />
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Namaste, my friends. Have a wonderful holiday season, hug your loved ones near and far. Appreciate each and every person for who they are; each and every day for what it is for you: a gift.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-76809843942483367732011-12-11T17:45:00.000-08:002011-12-11T17:51:00.053-08:00What I'm Reading Now: 4 reasons pigeon pose makes you cry - Y is for Yogini<div>
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I just revisited this blog today and wanted to share with everyone what I am RE-reading! <a href="http://www.yisforyogini.com/2011/07/4-reasons-pigeon-pose-makes-you-cry.html">4 reasons pigeon pose makes you cry - Y is for Yogini</a></div>
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It is amazing how we learn... well, I suppose I have to clarify that it is how I learn! Sometimes it seems that I make leaps and bounds and learn something new everyday. My brain can't contain it all, can't absorb it and I struggle to convey all that has made its way into my consciousness. At other times it seems that I am not keyed into what is out there for me. Maybe I am, just on a very subconscious level and it where all that I have absorbed is then integrated into me.</div>
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SO hips... they are a constant source of interest in class. We complain of tight hips and strain to release what we feel we need to. Pigeon, also knows as Eka Pada Rajakapotasana, is awesome and amazing, although not appropriate for all of us in the most common form. However, if you CAN ease into a pigeon it is amazing what it does for body and mind. I love how the layers of trying begin to melt away as I ease into the pose and feel the hip opening, and the muscles and fascia releasing. Mmmm, good! At times, what is also amazing is how the emotions start bubbling to the surface.</div>
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On that note, click on the link from Y is for Yogini, read her posting and let me know what you think!</div>
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Namaste...</div>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-27472024262180278792011-12-06T16:38:00.000-08:002011-12-06T16:59:25.004-08:00Yoga in the Wintertime.... and What I'm Reading Now<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JbrkJWjOj50/Tt636-cO2nI/AAAAAAAAANk/ygOMcoHGK7M/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683182003609852530" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JbrkJWjOj50/Tt636-cO2nI/AAAAAAAAANk/ygOMcoHGK7M/s320/IMG_0134.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Went for a great training session this morning in our town. We are fortunate to have a great set of public stairs over-looking town and the awesome river. And at a count of 413, it means we have a great training area. I sprint down them and walk fast & jog (or do some interval training) up them for a total of 4 times round trip. That's a lot of stairs. And a lot of fun... now. Didn't used to be! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm about ready to up it to 5 rounds but am not sure when to make that call. Yoga has taught me to look for the balance between ease and effort... to walk the line and know where I am each and every day. As if by magic Sage Rountree's new blog posting arrived in my email in-box today to remind me that as an athlete, there are some traits that are plusses in sports can be a hindrance in yoga. If you are interested, here is her blog:<br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://blogs.yogajournal.com/activeyogi/2011/12/can-athletic-traits-hinder-yoga-practice.html" target="'_blank">Sage Rountree on Athletes in Yoga Class - Yoga Journal</a> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Click on the link, read the posting and let me know what you think. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Being that it is winter, I'm also enjoying downhill skiing again! Woot, woot. So that means that I'm adding a few different poses to my yoga classes. Yes, we are doing more Chair Pose - Utkatasana. But also more deep stretches and gentle poses to balance out the actions of skiing. We are spending more time in balances, and looking out for our knees in poses like Warrior 1 & 2 - Virabhadrasana I and II. We are concentrating a little more on our ankles and feet as they spend so much more time immobilized in boots. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I love the change of seasons, the change of sports and the change in my yoga practice. It helps us remember that the only constant in life is change. It helps us learn to embrace the impermanence that is our life and to perhaps appreciate what is now.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-63569002861419637832011-11-17T11:09:00.000-08:002011-11-17T11:35:25.313-08:00What I'm EATING now: PocketFuel Naturals Almond Butter Blends!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ykYM1yjy7l4/TsVg53oeQBI/AAAAAAAAANY/9TY1DC-9MBA/s1600/IMG_2935%255B1%255D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ykYM1yjy7l4/TsVg53oeQBI/AAAAAAAAANY/9TY1DC-9MBA/s320/IMG_2935%255B1%255D" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676049452672892946" /></a><br />Dang good stuff! You NEED to have some. OK, I have to admit I am biased; it is my husband's company but it is GOOD. It is tasty.... it is addicting. Yeah, it's also good for you. Each pouch packs a tremendous amount of nutrition.<div><br /></div><div>What IS it, you ask? PocketFuel is Almond Butter blended with amazing goodness: seeds, dried fruits & honey and then packaged in re-sealable, re-useable pouches! </div><div><br /></div><div>Take your WHOLE food (vegan & gluten-free) with you wherever you go. In the car, to work, to play.... to YOGA. I keep a pouch in my car for those days when I absolutely NEED a snack on the way from one thing to another. Stops me from munching on junk food, keeps my energy level high... Feeds my body with all the protein, vitamins & minerals as well as good fats. And for me, the pouch is the BEST. I don't eat a whole lot all at once and this way I can squeeze out what I want and save the rest for later....</div><div><br /></div><div>Check out the website, like us on FaceBook and best of all: order some today and tell us how much you like it!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://pocketfuelnaturals.com/" target="_blank"">PocketFuel Naturals</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PocketFuel" target="_blank"">PocketFuel FaceBook Page</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Use PocketFuel to power up your day!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-89469857769459203402011-11-15T12:11:00.000-08:002011-11-15T12:36:42.279-08:00What I'm Reading Now: My 5 Favorite Kirtan Chants | Top Five Tuesdays | Yoga Blog | Yoga Journal<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8pfS3wQWWWg/TsLMGGJM65I/AAAAAAAAANI/aasDh-bsrdY/s1600/harmonium.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675322885540735890" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8pfS3wQWWWg/TsLMGGJM65I/AAAAAAAAANI/aasDh-bsrdY/s320/harmonium.jpg" /></a>So I find that the blogs and newsletters that I love reading are piling up in my email inbox again. Time to sort through them and to share my favourites with you. There are so many. Sigh. What a problem, right? :)<br /><br />The top of today's list is this one:<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.yogajournal.com/topfive/archives/2011/11/my-5-favorite-kirtan-chants.html" target="'_blank">My 5 Favorite Kirtan Chants Top Five Tuesdays Yoga Blog Yoga Journal</a><br /><br />I just love listening to Kirtan and especially artists, like Krishna Das. But really there almost too many to list them.... Prem Joshua, Girish, Wade Imre Morissette... But I also love singing myself (usually as I listen to them, sometimes as I practice) because I love the feel, the vibration of our voices.<br /><br />The accompanying photo (courtesy globalchants.com) is of a Harmonium one of the most common instruments used in Kirtan, Vaja Kirtan, Bhajan, and Qawwali Indian Music.<br /><br />The various poems or chants are also so wonderful and thoughtful and speak to me. The ones that Erica Rodefer lists (and her rough translations) on her blog are:<br /><br /><em>1. Om Namah Shivaya. I bow to the Self.<br /><br />2. Sita Ram. Sita and Rama are deities who are husband and wife--to chant Sita Ram is to unite with our own perfect masculine and feminine.<br /><br />3. Shiva Shiva Shiva Shambho. Mahadeva Shambho. Shiva is the essence and source of joy. Lord, the bestower of good.<br /><br />4. Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha. I offer my love and devotion to Sri Ganesha; please grant me success in my noble endeavor.<br /><br />5. Lokah Samastah Sukino Bhavantu. (My favorite!) May all beings everywhere be happy and free.<br /></em><br />As I was researching this I found SO many other chants that I have never heard and it's helping me to listen to the ones that I already know with new ears.<br /><br /><br /><br />Always keeping a beginner's mind...<br /><br /><br /><br />NamasteUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-84601975506412553542011-10-30T14:13:00.001-07:002011-11-17T16:55:16.302-08:00More amazing MUSIC<img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 177px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669397579959427106" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ORX9Az6qOPk/Tq2_D6vw4CI/AAAAAAAAAM8/kj-WYDMAM8o/s320/Wade%2BImre%2BMorissette%2BSo%2BAlive.jpg" /><br /><br />Just heard Wade Imre Morissette's song SO Alive... and watched his video as well. LOVE the sequence that he has set to his wonderful music and and practicing that this afternoon. Inspired by so much amazing yoga out there...<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(Photo of WIM From So Alive video)<br /></span><br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/A16YQm_tqjI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />To those who come to my classes: stay tuned because we are in for some new music and new sequences!<br /><br />NamasteUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-44747036569414188362011-10-29T09:25:00.000-07:002011-10-30T14:10:41.414-07:00What I'm Watching Now: Beware the Yoga Flashmob! | Daily Cup of Yoga<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-giMnvhGlfog/Tq29Rcyi6yI/AAAAAAAAAMs/mkaDJLahUQ0/s1600/flash%2Bmob.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 178px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669395613412944674" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-giMnvhGlfog/Tq29Rcyi6yI/AAAAAAAAAMs/mkaDJLahUQ0/s320/flash%2Bmob.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>LOVE, love, love this! Made me just get up and practice with them here in my living room!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://dailycupofyoga.com/2011/10/21/beware-the-yoga-flashmob/" target="'_blank">Beware the Yoga Flashmob! Daily Cup of Yoga</a><br /><br />I've downloaded this AMAZING music (Trevor Hall - The Mountain on his album Everything, Evertime, Everywhere) and also have now, I think, gotten this beautiful flow down and will bring it into class on Monday at Samadhi! Woot Woot. Think I shall also bring it into my Friday noon class at Hood River Sports Club. It is such a fun one.<br /><br />Namaste and listen to some amazing music today and DANCE.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-30252908490416036572011-10-25T07:45:00.000-07:002011-10-25T07:49:25.324-07:00What I'm Reading Now: 5 reasons you should be more than happy to pay for yoga class - Y is for Yogini<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiT_6CwetWk/TqW0b-xeWiI/AAAAAAAAAMc/I-CzFB8LDzw/s1600/yoga_cash.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 228px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667134098915613218" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiT_6CwetWk/TqW0b-xeWiI/AAAAAAAAAMc/I-CzFB8LDzw/s320/yoga_cash.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Every once in a while I get a blog posting that just makes me laugh or makes me say YEAH, right! This was one of them... I am so fortunate to teach at studios that value yoga and teachers in general but I know that is not the case for everyone. Even when I volunteer to teach yoga, I feel the appreciation.<br /><br />I have to ask myself every once in a while: why do I teach? Yes, I teach because I LOVE yoga. Love how it makes me feel, think and live my life. But I also love the interactions with students: the community, the energy and the way it challenges me to be my best self. But I also need to pay some bills, like everyone, so I get this posting.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(photo courtesy Yoga Dork)<br /></span><br />As always, click on the link and if you are so inclined, let me know what you think!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.yisforyogini.com/2011/10/5-reasons-you-should-be-more-than-happy-to-pay-for-yoga-class.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+YisForYogini+%28Y+is+for+Yogini+blog%29" target="'_blank">5 reasons you should be more than happy to pay for yoga class - Y is for Yogini</a><br /><br />NamasteUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-62683310222561416662011-10-24T11:35:00.000-07:002011-10-24T11:38:17.346-07:00What I'm Reading Now: Five-Minute Yoga Challenge: hang your head to free your neck. — Five-Minute YogaOH boy, now this speaks to me big time. I talk about it all the time in class. But I still see students holding onto their heads, tensing their necks and not releasing in downdog and forward folds. And not to be outdone, I catch myself doing it as well and need to remind myself at least once during every practice to "let go" of my head. To feel the weight of my head as it hangs and gently lengthens my spine.<br /><br />What I like about this posting (I LOVE this blog and this teacher, Eve Johnson, and it doesn't hurt that she's a fellow Canuck) is that she takes us step by step through the process, reminding us that it all takes time. It is a process. Click on the link below and read the posting.<br /><br /><a href="http://myfiveminuteyoga.com/3199/five-minute-yoga-challenge-hang-your-head-to-free-your-neck/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+myfiveminuteyoga+%28MyFiveMinuteYoga.com%29" target="'_blank">Five-Minute Yoga Challenge: hang your head to free your neck. — Five-Minute Yoga</a><br /><br />Namaste and Release that Head to free your neck!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-89172738390730130542011-10-24T08:27:00.000-07:002011-10-24T11:29:51.997-07:00What I'm Reading Now: Ganda Bherundasana | Challenge Pose | Yoga Blog | Yoga Journal<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlB7xtSUCZw/TqWEJVUUmzI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/6p-lEZ50Ug0/s1600/ghandu.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 162px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 216px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667081001991707442" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlB7xtSUCZw/TqWEJVUUmzI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/6p-lEZ50Ug0/s320/ghandu.jpg" /></a><br />This is a beautiful pose... and after reading this blog posting I see a way to bring it into class with props and how to successfully teach it using those props. Always like a challenge and a good way to bring it into my practice!<br />Click on the link below and read on...<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.yogajournal.com/challengepose/2011/10/challenge-pose-ghandu-bherudasana.html" target="'_blank">Ganda Bherundasana Challenge Pose Yoga Blog Yoga Journal</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-1717215316821639122011-10-11T11:46:00.000-07:002011-10-11T11:50:00.089-07:00Seane Corn Occupies Wall Street | Yoga Buzz | Yoga Blog | Yoga JournalWow, this is really interesting... SOMEthing IS happening here. All of a sudden I had the song from Buffalo Springfield (For What It's Worth) going around in my head...<br /><br />....There’s something happening here.<br />What it is ain’t exactly clear....<br /><br />Click on the blog to read about the yogis involved in Occupy Wall Street, who knows where this all will lead, maybe some reall change, maybe some real answers:<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.yogajournal.com/yogabuzz/2011/10/seane-corn-joins-wall-street-movement.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+YogaBuzz+%28Yoga+Buzz%29" target="'_blank">Seane Corn Occupies Wall Street Yoga Buzz Yoga Blog Yoga Journal</a><br /><br />Remember: We are ONE.<br /><br />Awesome (yup, that overused word is appropriate here)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-12125642449128919972011-10-06T20:10:00.000-07:002011-10-06T20:16:20.992-07:00New Movie: YOGAWOMANAnother long hiatus from blogging. I so needed it! My daughter and I went on an amazing trip together and now she is off at college. coincidentally, my son also left the same day to return to college and it's taken me a little bit of time to absorb the changes. Good changes, but changes nonetheless! I am THRILLED for us all but the body, soul and mind need a little time to adjust.<br /><br />Now back to SOME of what I love... yoga: practicing, teaching, learning, reading, listening, watching and finally blogging about yoga...<br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QlYfO1R83A8?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />This is another movie that I just have to see! I would hope that my classes encompass some of this magic and beauty. Yoga is for everyone but as a woman I especially identify with the teachers and students in this trailer. Teaching people, anyone, yoga has made me realize HOW much we all need it.<br /><br />Woohoo, another must see!<br /><br />Let me know what you think!<br /><br />Namaste my friends.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-67041729975020607022011-08-03T17:51:00.000-07:002011-08-03T18:14:39.418-07:00What I'm Reading Now: Yoga Therapy May Help Prevent and Treat Orthopedic Problems - NYTimes.com<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W3dmQb_Xodo/Tjnx6cRyWjI/AAAAAAAAALg/t_m1wFtfh2Q/s1600/02BROD-articleInline.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 190px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 221px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636802394956388914" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W3dmQb_Xodo/Tjnx6cRyWjI/AAAAAAAAALg/t_m1wFtfh2Q/s320/02BROD-articleInline.jpg" /></a>It's been a while again since I last blogged.... haha, I feel like I am in confession and have to admit to this! BUT that's how it goes sometimes. <br /><div></div><br /><div>SO this came across my email today and I was happy to read it and see that yoga, once again is a GOOD thing... Please click on the link and read the article, especially if you have shoulder problems.<br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/02/health/02brody.html?nl=health&emc=healthupdateemb3" target="_blank">Yoga Therapy May Help Prevent and Treat Orthopedic Problems - NYTimes.com</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>As always, I would really love to hear from you.</div><br /><br /><div>Namaste and enjoy the summer sunshine and beauty around you...</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-31906162559743330612011-07-06T17:42:00.000-07:002011-07-06T17:56:08.779-07:00Great News!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-heAKiOpaZeY/ThUEILhLCrI/AAAAAAAAALQ/Z5EO7mDvQ6s/s1600/greensymbol_vycu.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626407848046693042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-heAKiOpaZeY/ThUEILhLCrI/AAAAAAAAALQ/Z5EO7mDvQ6s/s320/greensymbol_vycu.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>I am happy to announce that I'll be joining Emma Rossoff for the summer at Anahata Yoga. Come join me for OUTDOOR yoga starting July 6th. Emma, Sybil Nance and I will each be offering a slightly different flavour of yoga and we would ALL love to see you in class. Nothing better than getting OUTSIDE in the summer time.<br /><br />This morning's class was awesome... just enough sunshine to warm us and just enough of a breeze to cool us as we practiced. We would love to see YOU next week.... info and schedule below. You can click on Anahata Yoga to get more info and the complete schedule.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.yogahoodriver.com/" target="_blank">Anahata Yoga</a> – at Hood River's Waterfront Park<br /></span><br />- Wednesdays – Fluid yoga- 9:30-10:45am – Water-like sun salutations followed by vinyasa flow to energize your body & focus your mind. 1 hr 15min<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*** NOTE: drop-in $10/ class or purchase an 8X - $65. Please bring cash or check and come early to register and sign a one-time waiver. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br />Namaste... hope to see you under the blue skies soon.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-63282457462201330592011-06-30T08:30:00.000-07:002011-06-30T08:38:05.724-07:00New Movie: Yoga Is - A Film About The Transformational Power of Yoga<iframe height="224" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/20577847?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&autoplay=1" frameborder="0" width="398"></iframe><br /><br /><a href="http://www.yogais.com/" target="_blank">Yoga Is</a> I just received a yoga newsletter about this movie and can hardly wait to see it! Below is exerpted from their website:<br /><br />"Thirty million Americans and countless millions worldwide have taken up a practice that is transforming their lives. Follow filmmaker Suzanne Bryant as she meets with the most prominent Yoga Gurus and teachers in the west and travels to India to explore the power of this ancient practice. Along the way she discovers what YOGA IS.<br /><br />This is the story of a woman who thought she had it all ...until she lost her beloved mother to cancer. Trying to process and understand her profound grief, Suzanne embarked on a journey and turned to a deeper practice of yoga.<br /><br />Suzanne's journey led her to India on a spiritual quest to learn more about this powerful ancient practice. She studied yoga and Ayurveda in Kerala, Ashtanga Yoga with Pattabhis Jois and his daughter Saraswati, met with Guru Neem Karoli Baba’s son in Vrindavan to learn about Bhakti yoga and came face to face with a near death experience herself. While in India, something had shifted within her, the light had returned. "<br /><br />Just watching the clip gave me shivers because I know this to be true... once the door is opened, it cannot be closed.<br /><br />Let me know what you think...<br /><br />NamasteUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-6690459168103551802011-06-29T16:05:00.000-07:002011-06-29T16:34:59.566-07:00Sweet Summer...<img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623786715796610802" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YaE8c6kOFig/Tgu0OM-eHvI/AAAAAAAAALI/6gc_UMAWDkA/s320/IMG_1820.JPG" /><br /><br /><div>Wow, I have taken quite the break from blogging. Life's been busy, with family and friends, work and play. And the weather seemed to take its sweet time to make the change from spring to summer. Some of the transitions I was talking about have happened like my daughter graduating from high school, dancing in her last dance recital. Family's been here which was AWESOME but tiring... the photo is of my momma and sister after they came to one of my yoga classes (LOVED that).<br /><br /><br /><div>However sadness also came to our little community affecting many near and dear to us, reminding us to hug our children just a little tighter. That just seemed to zap that last little bit of whatever creative force I had in me.<br /><br />Made me realize all the more how precious life is, each and every moment. Whether filled with smiles or sadness it is THERE for US. Grab it and GO. Grab it and LIVE.<br /><br />And lately, I've been pensive and have just not felt like I have anything NEW to say. However, over the last days, I find my mind on overdrive again so perhaps it is time to, well... I can't say put pen to paper, but I'll put fingers to keyboard and type. :)<br /><br />Just listening to <a href="http://www.mambazo.com/" target="_blank">Ladysmith Black Mambazo </a>singing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Homeless-with-Ladysmith-Black-Mambazo/dp/B00181MFZS" target="_blank">Homeless with Sarah McLachlan</a>... LOVE it. I am in the mood to make some new yoga play-lists too.<br /><br />So please stay tuned... don't forget about me. :) I've just been percolating, been marinating... been letting all the good stuff I read, watch, do and hear settle in and will have lots to say over the next while.<br /><br />Namaste, may your days be filled with what makes you smile.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-19420257332402661042011-05-22T10:15:00.000-07:002011-05-22T10:19:28.710-07:00What I'm Reading Now: The Pragmatic Yogi - Do Not Shoulder the Burden!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJP0PdxSxb0/TdlDhGwJJVI/AAAAAAAAAK8/HazTTB6gMi8/s1600/DSC_0080.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609589046893946194" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJP0PdxSxb0/TdlDhGwJJVI/AAAAAAAAAK8/HazTTB6gMi8/s320/DSC_0080.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Over the past little while I've been dealing with some shoulder pain... probably due to how I practice yoga when I teach. Looking over at students while in poses, jumping in and out of said poses to go over to a student and then showing modifications on the fly. Note to self: listen to myself a little more and move MINDFULLY from pose to pose. AND read the following blog postings another time! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I love yoga and that is what keeps me balanced in many areas of my life. I also love stand up paddling and that means I really need to have a strong upper body, especially shoulders. When we paddlie a lot and especially over long distances (like when I race) and when we are fatigued we rely on brute strength, on our joints to get us through. Last year I worked a lot on core strength and paddling from the core and not the shoulders and it really helped. But I do have the tendency to fall into old habits... ;)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Lisa, The Pragmatic Yogi refers to a couple of other blogs in this posting and I have read them (one is by a kayaker) and am making notes. Please do click on the posting and read, then let me know what you think.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thepragmaticyogi.com/2011/04/do-not-shoulder-burden.html?spref=bl" target="_blank">The Pragmatic Yogi: Do Not Shoulder the Burden!</a>: "Shoulder pain is a common occurrence yet can be complex in nature. It can be the result of injuries old or new, wear and tear of the glenoh..." </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Happy Spring... let the sun shine!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-50565195915708306902011-05-13T14:22:00.000-07:002011-05-22T10:48:32.969-07:00What I'm Reading Now: The Daily Bandha: How to Balance Opposites in the Foot and Ankle<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0MTm8UcNLVM/Tc2iDQ9mhEI/AAAAAAAAAK0/7onN8U_UnyQ/s1600/Daily%2BBandha%2Bfeet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606315288122786882" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0MTm8UcNLVM/Tc2iDQ9mhEI/AAAAAAAAAK0/7onN8U_UnyQ/s320/Daily%2BBandha%2Bfeet.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Hmmmm, somehow I lost my posting for this in cyber space?? And I really like what I had written. Guess this is a lesson on NON-attachment! ;)<br /><br />SO what I really loved about this posting from The Daily Bandha is learning HOW to balance our various muscles in the foot and anke and how to be AWARE of this whole area. We spend so much time in our shoes that our feet lose that natural strength and connectedness with the ground beneath us. Yoga gives us the opportunity to reconnect. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">(Image courtesy of The Damily Bandha)<br /><br /></span>Read the posting below and let me know what you think!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dailybandha.com/2011/02/how-to-balance-opposites-in-foot-and.html" target="_blank">The Daily Bandha: How to Balance Opposites in the Foot and Ankle</a><br /><br />Namaste </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-21795296493361027952011-05-02T21:11:00.000-07:002011-05-02T21:13:02.879-07:00This is all I can say...."I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."<br /><br />- Martin Luther King Jr.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-66913418682511871772011-04-19T14:22:00.000-07:002011-04-19T14:22:27.152-07:00What I'm Reading NOW: 11 Qualities of the Ultimate Yoga InstructorTook a little break from blogging... it is hard work to keep on keeping on. There are so many awesome things out there to read and absorb and filter on down to my blog and classes and workshops. Some days I am just overwhelmed. But in a good way. I read this posting and it rings very true to me. I believe there are many amazing instructors and mentors out there and have often pondered about what makes one suited to teach, let alone be an awesome teacher. The most important one, to me is: Be TRUE to yourself, your nature. When you teach and guide from a place of truth and authenticity I believe that you convey what you would like to. Another important quality is humility. And kindness. To oneself and one's students. And a curiosity, and desire to delve deeper into yoga and how it affects us truly in all aspects of our lives.... but I think you should read the posting that I read on MindBodyGreen:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-2061/11-Qualities-of-the-Ultimate-Yoga-Instructor.html" target="_blank">11 Qualities of the Ultimate Yoga Instructor</a><br /><br />And do let me know what you think... I LIKE feedback... Really and Truly!<br /><br />Happy April, sunshine-y day.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-86608958731349503822011-03-31T20:00:00.000-07:002011-04-03T16:03:32.950-07:00What I'm Reading Now: Yoga Journal - Emotions in MotionHooooo Boy, we are living in some very stress-full times these past few... months? Years? Not just me, not just the US but the world as a whole. There is a media storm coming at us every day and we are inundated with information 24/7. At times it feels as though it is all so darned OVERWHELMING. <br /><br />So is it any wonder then that this sometimes comes out in our yoga practice? When we are coming into still-ness... settling into being in the present moment? I have to admit that when it first happened to me, quite a few years ago, I was stunned. All of a sudden, in Savasana I started crying. Not sure what the "straw that broke the camel's back" actually was: maybe the music, maybe the pratice itself, maybe something my wonderful teacher said... but the waterworks started. And flowed. And flowed. After class I dabbed my eyes and raced out. <br /><br />And I was confused... previously I had only experienced the expansiveness in my practice: the heart opening, the bursting of energy & happiness, the lightness of being. So this was new. And uncomfortable. And made me want to flee. <br /><br />But I didn't; I stayed with it. I am happy that I did. Shortly after that, my teacher (I SWORE she was a mind-reader, still think she is) talked about emotions in class... How they can seem to come at you suddenly and powerfully. But as we gain confidence in our practice, in <strong>ourselves</strong>, we learn to sit with it and to know that there is a reason for everything. Our bodies are our reality check, they tell us whether - we like it or not - when something is wrong. Or right. <br /><br />SO click on the Yoga Journal link below and read what came into my e-mailbox this week: <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/1215?utm_source=DailyInsight&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=DailyInsight" target="_blank">Yoga Journal - Yoga Asana Columns - Emotions in Motion</a> <br /><br />Namaste, honour your emotions this week, <br /><br />and always.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-21913682883878615712011-03-29T11:03:00.000-07:002011-03-29T11:29:07.281-07:00What I'm Reading Now... LOTS!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5P92Mf8bQwE/TZIksS7RqZI/AAAAAAAAAKk/3xv-CwWUbmk/s1600/2011031well_anorexia-custom1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589570430933510546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5P92Mf8bQwE/TZIksS7RqZI/AAAAAAAAAKk/3xv-CwWUbmk/s320/2011031well_anorexia-custom1.jpg" /></a> <br /><div>Some days are just more fruitful than others. Some days we give and receive just what is needed and other days... welllllll. You know. I don't always get the chance to read the many blogs that I subscribe to and they can pile up. But this morning I kept looking through and there were just so many that grabbed my attention. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">(photo courtesy of NYTimes.com)</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The one from Yoga Journal's Yoga Buzz blog especially. This wonderful Buddhist loving kindness prayer is quoted and I plan on making it a part of my ritual: </div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="left">May you be safe and protected from harm. May you be happy with peace in your heart. May you be healthy, able, and strong. May you go easy through sunshine or storm. The one by Elena Brower in Mindful Smack also stood out... Make it your task to SEE THE GOOD!</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">The one from Yoga Journal is about changing your world or at least your experience of it by changing the words that you speak... and perhaps the ones that you don't.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">And finally the one from NYTimes made me realize that old(er) age brings with it it's unique set of problems but sometimes some of the same problems that can plague us at any age: eating disorders. Our society focuses so much on being thin that we sometimes lose sight of the perfection of the imperfection of our bodies.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">So pour yourself a cuppa, grab a comfy seat and read on: </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://thedailylove.com/a-mindful-smack-see-the-good/" target="_blank">A Mindful Smack: See the good</a> </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://blogs.yogajournal.com/yogabuzz/2011/03/a-self-care-blessing.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+YogaBuzz+%28Yoga+Buzz%29" target="_blank">A Nightly Blessing: Love Thyself Yoga Buzz Yoga Blog Yoga Journal</a> </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/2112?utm_source=Wisdom&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=Wisdom" target="_blank">Yoga Journal - Yoga Philosophy - Me Talk Pretty</a> </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/28/an-older-generation-falls-prey-to-eating-disorders/?nl=health&emc=healthupdateema2" target="_blank">Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Affect Older Generation Too - NYTimes.com</a> </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Namaste my cyber yogi-friends and Happy Reading. Let it percolate and maybe let me know what you think...;)</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365736414671624933.post-6938683569576948112011-03-18T15:36:00.000-07:002011-03-19T10:27:22.545-07:00What I'm Reading Now: Devil Wears Prana - Owen Grady: Pure Yoga Tune-Up<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2hFosUOIIDo/TYPex0inUNI/AAAAAAAAAKc/_M_BK59L3Nc/s1600/Gate.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585552910368329938" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2hFosUOIIDo/TYPex0inUNI/AAAAAAAAAKc/_M_BK59L3Nc/s320/Gate.jpg" /></a> I was on this blog today, reading another entry entirely when I saw this posting. The work TUNE-UP grabbed my attention immediately.<br /><br />Why wouldn't our yoga practice need a tune-up every now and then? Think about it: our cars get tuneups, our furnaces get tune-ups... you get the idea. We soldier on, month after month, sometimes year after year practicing... maybe in a way that is injurious to our bodies. Even as teachers we tune in to our class so much that at times we tune OUT of our own bodies. Until something starts to hurt. Hmmm. Where's the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahimsa" target="_blank">Ahimsa </a>in THAT? Click the link below to read the full posting and let me know what YOU think....<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(photo courtesy Devil Wears Prana)<br /></span><br /><a href="http://www.michellemyhre.com/2011/03/owen-grady-pure-yoga-tune-up.html?spref=bl" target="_blank">Devil Wears Prana: Owen Grady: Pure Yoga Tune-Up</a>: <em>"Owen Grady teaches Yoga-Tune Up</em><em>..."</em><br /><em></em><br />I also read the blog that was referenced in the Devil Wears Prana posting anad wanted to link to it here... It was a very illuminating posting for me. I love that word. ILLUMINATING. So please do click on the link and read for yourself:<br /><br /><a href="http://jamesmacadam.com/2011/02/28/confessions-of-a-type-a-yogi/" target="_blank">James MacAdam - Confessions of a Type-A Yogi</a><br /><br />Namaste and Happy SUPER Moon this Saturday.<br /><br />Send some love and postive healing energy to Japan.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0