Fundraiser for my Robotics Team (Karma Yoga)

It's been a hot minute since I posted but just to let you all know I'm alive and well but overloaded with activities in school. I am still teaching just four classes a week (see schedule: Copley YMCA and Lemon Grove Library), and still in school full time, and STILL coaching Eli's robotics team the https://kinematicflyingchickens.blogspot.com/.

We are hosts of a fundraiser this Saturday night 3/29/25 at the Greek Chicken in El Cajon and if you bring in the flyer when you order or pickup, our team will receive a generous 20% of the proceeds. 

We are not a school team with built-in lab resources and funding, nor do we have ongoing corporate sponsorship. We are privileged and grateful for the sponsors that helped us get through this season and hope you can help us keep our equipment current moving into the next. A new motor can cost $25 or  more, and any test equipment is far more expensive. Our "flock" is ready to take on new learning challenges for their third season and your attendance at this get-together will surely help!

I need yoga, and a 2025 New Class Announcement

It's been a long semester at PTA school and frankly. I'm tired. My brain is full and my path is clear, but my emotions are all over the place, and I'm looking forward to a long break this holiday season. What I miss other than "free time" is practicing yoga, as both a student and a guide. My home practice is non-existent except for deep breathing exercises I try to do when I wake up with anxiety in the middle of the night. 

I so enjoy taking a public yoga class; the energy from a room full of people focused on practice, the guidance of another voice, and the space carved out just for yoga are what my practice craves. When I am at home, there are thousand (or more) distractions not the least of which is my computer sitting there waiting for me to log on to study, or the piles of laundry yet to be done, or the groceries in the fridge that cannot assemble themselves into a meal.

What I should more accurately say is more than I miss yoga, is that i NEED yoga. I need to be in a room with people that have at least one thing in common with me: a dedication to yoga, whether that's with me practicing as a student or as a guide.

New Regular Classes at YMCA

You all are aware that I am an huge advocate for the YMCA; I've worked there since 2015 and always enjoy the classes I teach and attend there.

So without further ado, I would like to announce that starting this February 7, I will be teaching the following two weekly classes (at least until June) at the CopleyPrice YMCA on El Cajon Boulevard:

• Friday 11:20-12:15 PM Hatha (mat) Yoga
• Friday 12;30-1:25 PM Chair (gentle) Yoga

Special Class Series at YMCA

Cancelled - will try to reschedule later this year.  

Restorative Yoga Workshop at Copley YMCA this October

Wonderful news! The Principles of Restorative Yoga workshop led by skilled instructor Rene de los Santos is open for registration! In this four-part workshop, you will learn the key principles of Restorative Yoga. Aimed for all levels, this workshop will teach you how to use props to initiate deep relaxation of the body, mind, and spirit. Restorative yoga is beneficial for balancing a more active practice or decompressing after a stressful day.

Dates:  October 4, 2024, October 11, 2024, October 18, 2024, October 25, 2024

Time: 6:30-7:30pm

The workshop is open to ANYONE interested and cost is $95 (select Y memberships receive a 25% discount). 

Sign up at the membership desk, or call 619-280-9622. For any questions, please contact Rosa Ruiz at rruizgarcia@ymcasd.org or call 619-280-9622 Ext. 178.

Everything Changes - News and Schedule Updates

 For the past three years I have been planning and taking prerequisite classes in preparation for a very special educational opportunity. I am thrilled to let you know that as of August 19, 2024 I will be a student for the Physical Therapy Assistant school at Mesa College. The program is two years, and at the end I will have my AA, a certificate, and once I pass, a license to be a PTA! This is the next big step in my journey of being a movement professional and I could not be more thrilled (unless it was free!).

What that means is there are BIG changes to my teaching schedule. 

• For the Copley-Price YMCA, Christine Seliger will be taking over the Active (8:30AM) and Gentle (9:30AM) Yoga classes on Tuesdays starting August 6. I will continue teaching the Sunday 9:30-10:45 class as long as they are willing to have me, as well as being available for Personal Training. We are also doing a special SUNSET YOGA on August 16 from 6-8PM and again on October 11 6-8PM. I think a Friday night deep stretch will be just what the doctor (PT) ordered after a week of school! Check out flyers at the Copley YMCA for event details.
• For Monday Chair Yoga in Bonita, MaryElen will work her magic starting in August. 
• For Serra Mesa on Tuesdays, Rashna will grace us with her amazing skills until the end of September. The class will go on hold for October-December (city library performer moratorium).
• La Mesa Chair Yoga Wednesdays will also be led by Rashna starting August 1.
• San Carlos Kids on Wednesdays will be led by MaryElen through end of September. The class will go on hold for October-December (city library performer moratorium).
• Friday Lemon Grove (9:00) will be led by me at least until December (when I"ll get my schedule for the new semester). 
• Friday Skyline Hills (10:45) will be led by me until the end of September. The class will go on hold for October-December (city library performer moratorium).

I know this is a big change, but what is life, but an ever-changing chain of events that we can choose to enjoy, or resist. For my sake, I'm trying to enjoy and marvel at the wonder of all the opportunities bestowed upon me. 

I have such big feelings about "leaving" or "abandoning" all these classes after we've taken years to get ot know one another, but I truly hope that this new incarnation, with new instructors, will help all of you on your journeys to wellness.

Reminder that there is a huge list of free and low cost activities all around the county: https://byomyoga.blogspot.com/2022/10/senior-fitness-yoga-tai-chi-walking-and.html

Please reach out with any questions; I'm just a button click away!

Best

Jackie

Lemon Grove Library Every Friday!

Starting June 7, our 9 to 9:55 AM Chair Yoga class at the Lemon Grove Library will be every Friday! Thanks to every that has been coming out to support this class. Gratitude to Amrit Gill and al the library personnel for getting this on the schedule. 

Additional thanks to everyone who has helped build up the Friday 10:45-11:30 Skyline Hills Library class - it's growing and YES you can come to both (they are only a 12-minute drive apart). Special thanks to Dominic Marostica for taking a chance on us!