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new! yoga audio
27 JunI just started recording my classes and posting them on my Yoga Audio page. The first class is from Saturday’s 10am class at The Yoga Project. Please check it out and leave feedback and requests! Video coming soon.
Namaste!
MINDBODY yoga app
12 JunAs a new yoga teacher, I try and take classes from as many teachers as I can (in addition to my favorites, of course) and find it annoying each week when I’m planning my schedule to go to individual studio websites for schedules. On Friday I realized there should be an iPhone app for this, something where I could input my location and search for class schedules. And after a quick search I found it: MINDBODY yoga.
You input your location and it lists all yoga classes scheduled from that time forward, with the name and distance of the studio and the name of the instructor. It also allows you to star classes and studios, so you can easily find your favorites. Pretty sweet! This is also great when traveling, instead of my usual routine of “Google search for a studio.” The best part is – it’s free!
There’s also MINDBODY pilates and MINDBODY fitness. Check ‘em out! Only studios that use MindBody Online management systems will have classes listed in the app, but I find that the majority of yoga studios (and many pilates and fitness centers) use the program, so the list is pretty robust.
guest post: how yoga can help improve arthritis
29 AprSpecial thanks to Mariana Ashley for this guest post! Mariana Ashley is a freelance writer who particularly enjoys writing about online college. She loves receiving reader feedback, which can be directed to mariana.ashley031 @gmail.com.
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According to statistics, one in every 5 Americans is diagnosed with some sort of arthritis. In fact, nearly 50 million adults in the United States are arthritis suffers. In short, arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation, stiffness, and pain in joints. The disease is commonly associated with those that are 65 and older, but arthritis can effect even those as young as 18. While there is no cure for arthritis, there are simple and practical ways that can reduce the pain associated with arthritis, including participating in yoga. This may seem like an implausible idea—after all how can one who can barely get out of bed position themselves into a pretzel? But contrary to popular belief, researchers say yoga movements and its breathing exercises can help bring fresh blood and nutrients to muscle tissue which helps reduce inflammation, help build cartilage, strengthen joints and improve overall health. Continue reading below to learn some simple and gentle yoga moves to help alleviate the pain of arthritis—no acrobatic skills needed.
(Disclaimer: While experts suggest practicing yoga for one to two hours per week, make sure to consult your physician to discuss plans first.) (more…)
4 steps to sustain peak performance
18 JanI’m borrowing these from Keith Ferrazzi’s blog and because they’re so right on, they don’t need much commentary. These tips come from Scott Peltin, author of Sink, Float, or Swim. They’re great for both personal and organizational wellness programs.
1. Mindset: You have over 60,000 thoughts a day. Reframe thoughts that drag you down. Instead of thinking “I’m overwhelmed, “ think “I am present.”
2. Nutrition: FORTY PERCENT of how you feel right now is due to your last meal. Did you eat a meal that set you up for success? Make sure that every meal you eat fuels you properly for your activities of the next three to four hours.
as one year ends, another begins
27 DecI love the New Year. I think the New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day combo is probably my favorite holiday of the year! Between the fun parties with friends, countdowns, sparkles, and the feeling of fresh newness that January 1st brings, it’s the perfect end to the holiday season.
2010 was an exciting and busy year for me. I finished my nutritional consultant and yoga teacher certification programs, started a new job, got a new car, and traveled quite a bit (throughout the US for work and in Europe to vacation and visit family). I wouldn’t change a thing, but I have to admit that the year left me exhausted! I’m hoping that 2011 will get me even further on my journey toward balance.
I don’t really make resolutions for the new year, but I do like to set goals and write them down somewhere to hold myself accountable and this year you can help! In 2011, I plan to… (more…)
LA Yoga Retreat
6 Aug
A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend an amazing two-day yoga retreat in Los Angeles organized by the lovely Carolina Vivas. Filled with yoga, good food and relaxation, it was the perfect post-birthday getaway with three fellow yoginis. Our schedule:
Bright and early Saturday morning we made the two-hour drive to LA and met up at Urth Caffe, one of the yummiest (but busiest) places in LA. (Urth Caffe is a celebrity hotspot, and the girls managed to spot Stephen Baldwin, the first of our weekend’s sightings!) After a light breakfast, we were off again.
Our first class was Steven Earth’s 10:30am Power Yoga class at Earth’s Power Yoga. Steven managed to work every part of the body, flowing through vinyasas and incorporating exercises and sequences specifically targeted to the abs, legs, arms, etc (you name it, we worked it). His verbal cues and adjustments were right on and despite being a highly physical class, Steven’s laid-back and encouraging presence really brought out the spiritual side of our practice too. Ninety minutes later, super sweaty and feeling both exhausted and rejuvenated, we headed for lunch at California Vegan.
After lunch we checked into our hotel and spent some time at the pool before making the trek to Pasadena for Vivas Yoga at the house of a yogini friend, Jade. Her backyard has a perfect patio situated under a canopy of trees where we practiced – it was made for yoga! It’s always nice to practice outside, and the combo of Carolina’s class and Jade’s hospitality and humor made for the perfect afternoon.
That night we went to Flavor of India for dinner and The Bazaar at SLS for dessert. Both were sooo yummy and much enjoyed after our long and active day. The dessert bar the The Bazaar is pretty amazing – it’s like a fancy Willy Wonka’s Factory and they gave us our sweets in the cutest pink boxes! With happy tummies, we called it a night pretty early so we’d be well-rested for the next day.
At 7am on Sunday we headed to Runyon Canyon for a hike. The sky started out a bit hazy, but cleared up enough when we reached the top to see all of LA. There were tons of people and dogs walking and it was a great way to start the day. I’ve always wanted to hike Runyon, and I know I’ll be back with my honey and our doggies!
After our hike, we went to Kings Road Cafe for a light breakfast, where we spotted Sophie Monk. We were sitting at the table just inside the window from her so we had to be careful not to be too obvious when we stared at her 
Our final class of the weekend was Andrea Marcum’s 10:30am Vinyasa Flow class at U Studio Yoga. My back was pretty sore from the weekend and our hike, and while her class wasn’t super advanced asana-wise, we alternated between holding poses and flowing and within 20 minutes I was literally drenched in sweat. We were packed mat to mat in her cool, retro feeling studio, but I still felt like she was teaching the class just for me. Her emphasis on alignment was exactly what I needed and it was the perfect last practice for our little SD yoga crew. I loved Andrea’s energy and wish I lived closer because I could definitely see myself becoming a regular follower!
After showering and checking out of the hotel, we grabbed lunch at Real Food Daily in Santa Monica before hitting the road. Places like RFD make me wish we had better vegan options in SD – the food was deeeelish, especially the chocolate chip cookies! I’m glad we live only two hours from LA so we can do it again – hopefully very soon!
trying to be a diamond
26 Jul“A diamond is just a piece of charcoal that handled stress exceptionally well.” -Unknown
Thanks to Tinybuddha.com for the above quote, which was exactly what I needed this morning. It’s been a busy summer so far (as evidenced by my lack of posting – sorry!). While most of it has been very fun, with the fun has come work stress and exhaustion. I guess I haven’t made enough time to rest and my body has realized that even as a fit 27 year-old, I can’t do it all. I feel broken – ouch!
I’m laid-out at home with a busted lower back, alternating ice and heat and trying to find a comfortable seated position while I wait for a visit from a highly recommended masseur. A huge part of finding balance and handling stress in my life is learning to slow down, and today my body is making me do just that.
The good news is that I had an amazing weekend practicing yoga in LA with three wonderful women, and mentally and spiritually, I feel great! More on the LA yoga retreat to come – but lesson learned is that after three weeks of heavy travel and little to no exercise, a weekend filled with three tough yoga classes, a hike, and lots of driving might give your body a physical shock.
But all is well. Hopefully some good food, reflection, lots of rest and this massage will turn me into a diamond by morning.
my first yoga class (as the teacher)
15 MayI taught my first yoga class on Thursday! Even though I’m only 1/3 of the way done with my teacher training, I wanted to start teaching as soon as possible. I knew I’d get a lot more out of the rest of the training with a little bit more experience, plus I was super excited to share all the cool things I’ve learned so far.
My boss and coworkers have been extremely supportive of my teacher training, allowing me extra time off this year and getting excited about my progress. And in return, they get their own private yoga teacher! (Kind of fitting for a department of wellness consultants, no?!) Five of them joined me Thursday afternoon in a park downtown by our office for my first class. I was a little bit nervous the night before and the morning of, but after a long and crazy day, all I wanted to do was get out and get practicing.
It was an amazing feeling to be sharing my yoga world with these people I spend so much time with and have come to love as family. And it definitely proved to me what my guru told us: that teaching beginners can be more difficult than teaching an advanced class. I was ready to share with them my newfound favorite tips on going deeper, binding, balancing and maybe trying some inversions, but with two yoga virgins and several stiff-from-sitting-at-a-computer-everyday bodies, I had to explain each movement carefully and find modifications that worked for them. I had forgotten how tiring some of the basics (such as adho mukha svanasana, downward dog) can be on the upper body, and I suppose it’s a testament to how strong I’ve become since really dedicating to my practice.
Yesterday at work I got some great feedback on what they liked, what was difficult, and what parts were sore, so I have a better idea of how to structure next week’s class. They all had really positive things to say and I think they genuinely enjoyed the class and saw yoga in a whole new light – which totally boosted my confidence and passion to share more with them. I can see how this can get addicting!
I want to try and put together some sequences and stretches specifically targeted to office workers like us, so I’ll be sure to share that when it’s ready. More updates to come!
two weeks until yoga bootcamp!
13 AprI start my first week of yoga bootcamp (and my teacher training certification!) in two weeks. I’m super excited and thought that I’d share the answers to my yoga background questions (yes, even yoga sometimes involves homework).
1. Please write a brief paragraph on what yoga means to you and why you practice.
Yoga brings the world into balance for me. Even when I’m having a crazy stressful day, it all melts away on the yoga mat and everything is good again. I initially started practicing yoga for the physical benefits, but I find myself returning for the total sense of wellness that yoga delivers. I always feel a sense of accomplishment and peace after practicing and the strength and flexibility I’ve gained from yoga – both physically and mentally – are invaluable. In my career as a wellness consultant, I find myself advocating on behalf of yoga for all types of people from all different backgrounds and physical abilities and I truly feel that if more people practiced yoga we’d live in a happier, healthier world. (more…)
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