I wanted to share a really great yoga experience I had yesterday when I did two essential things: 1) ventured out of my comfort zone; and 2) abandoned my ego.
I went to one of my favorite local studios (#HapaYoga) to pick up a TRX class. If you haven't ventured into a gym lately TRX is a type of equipment that consists of a long strap anchored high to a wall, with two stirrups at the ends. The strap lengths are adjustable and the stirrups have handles for gripping with your hands or securing your feet. You use your body weight and incline positions to vary the effort you need to stabilize yourself for certain exercises, lift yourself up or let yourself down; this mirrors some traditional "machine," free weight or even floor work exercises with the benefit of you controlling the weight and being supported by straps. I have received the most intense (and still enjoyable) core workouts using this system and am actually getting trained in June so that I can help teach some classes.
But that isn't what I'm writing about today. As I said, I went to the studio to try to take the TRX class. I arrived a few moments before noon thinking that was the class time, but found out it wasn't until 12:30. The instructor for the actual noon class caught my eye and said "Hey please join me in the class starting now." My friend at the desk chimed in with "Yes, try it! you can always do child's pose." I asked with a funny look on my face "well what's the class?" The both said (wait for it...) HOT AS A MUTHA. Exclamation point. The general description? 101 degree Hatha Yoga. Gasp.
I just started dabbling in this format and enjoy the the 80 and 90 degree classes; they are just like summers in San Diego and my hometown Chicago. However, once you get past 95, I start to wilt and my Pitta goes berserk. And as a midwest girl, I fear NOT the humidity (heck it even makes me look like I have curlier, fully hair.) But 101 degrees? I was skeptical and was pretty I'd spend the entire class gasping for breath. However, I looked at his as an opportunity to change up my practice, try something new from a really great teacher, and figured the worst thing that could happen is I get a nice sauna experience!
Water bottle and yogi towel in hand, I stepped into the room and found it not unpleasant, especially on a cold rainy blustery day. Short story long....the class was NOT a high-power super-flow, out-of-breath rush-between-the-postures, marathon of yoga. It was slow, deliberate, intense and deeply opening but strangely enjoyable. Hot, sure, but invigorating. Yeah, I took a few long down dogs and child's poses when my breath became ragged, but so what? I smiled as the instructor talked about just being in the moment, relishing the opportunity to be in class, and generating self love. YES, I thought, THIS is where I experience my yogic moments.
Dripping with sweat not as much from exertion but from the humidity, I took my water breaks, even stepped out of class for a minute. I took pleasure in (literally) marinating in the poses for long cycles of breath. My personal teaching and practicing style has more deep holds and breathwork inside of poses than a fast-paced vinyasa class, so this held great appeal for me. With the slowew pace you can have more accurate (and safe) alignment to maximize the benefits in a pose. Heat not-withstanding, this was real Hatha Yoga.
A nice series on the floor (where it was cooler) for back strengthening (and resting) was much appreciated as my low back rebels due to age, injury and overexertion. Moving within MY boundaries, I honed in on the muscular cues and celebrated just being able to stay in the class, keeping my heart and mind open to the experience.
My final overarching lesson (slash piece of advice) is a "don't just a class by its title" as the instructor and styles might be very different upon experiencing them. If you want to give this class a try, I highly recommend it (invest in a microfiber towel and LARGE water bottle too!). Check out the Hapa Yoga schedule, or just drop me a message - maybe I'll see you there!
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Friday, April 12, 2013
Two Yoga Events and MORE this Spring/Summer
Just trying to gather up some good info to pass on about Yoga and Health and Family related events this Spring. Thank you SoCalKidsSanDiego.com and San Diego Coast Life being such AMAZING resources!
April 13 at the Del mar Fairgrounds is the Hullaballoo Family Music Festival!
April 13 is the El Cajon Library Multicultural Family Fiesta that celebrates the cultural diversity of its community and customers. The event will feature a wide variety of entertainment, international refreshments donated by more than 30 restaurants and markets, and an information fair.
April 13 and 14 Healthy Living Festival at the Del Mar Fair - Free Admission
April 20 is Suzie's (organic) Farm Strawberry Jam: a fun, family-oriented farm experience focused on everyone’s favorite summer fruit. Strawberry Jam kicks off Suzie’s Farm “Event Season,” which will be hosted at their new property Suzie’s at Sunset, on Saturday, April 20, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
April 21 at Legoland and April 28 at NTC Liberty Station: SDCCU Walk MS - a wonderful set of events for a wonderful (and close to my heart cause). Walk, or just wander around the event to see what happens when people come together! You may even be inspired to sign up for the 50 mile MS Challenge Walk coming end of September!
April 27/28 is San Diego Kids Expo and HAPA yoga will be there, with yours truly and the lovely Jules Kirkiby to demo kids yoga at 11AM and 3PM. Hapa has tickets for $5 for adults (kids are free).
May 5 KIDSFEST San Diego Liberty Station, NTC Promenade, San Diego, CA
KidsFest will transform the NTC Promenade in Point Loma into a 100,000-square-foot wonderland of pure, uncomplicated play for the entire family, with activities designed to stimulate and celebrate the imagination.
May 18 Yoga for Hope San Diego - Do yoga, raise money for City of Hope - join local and national renown teachers like Bonnie Jones and Seane Corn to OM and support Cit of Hope!
April 13 at the Del mar Fairgrounds is the Hullaballoo Family Music Festival!
April 13 is the El Cajon Library Multicultural Family Fiesta that celebrates the cultural diversity of its community and customers. The event will feature a wide variety of entertainment, international refreshments donated by more than 30 restaurants and markets, and an information fair.
April 13 and 14 Healthy Living Festival at the Del Mar Fair - Free Admission
April 20 is Suzie's (organic) Farm Strawberry Jam: a fun, family-oriented farm experience focused on everyone’s favorite summer fruit. Strawberry Jam kicks off Suzie’s Farm “Event Season,” which will be hosted at their new property Suzie’s at Sunset, on Saturday, April 20, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
April 21 at Legoland and April 28 at NTC Liberty Station: SDCCU Walk MS - a wonderful set of events for a wonderful (and close to my heart cause). Walk, or just wander around the event to see what happens when people come together! You may even be inspired to sign up for the 50 mile MS Challenge Walk coming end of September!
April 27/28 is San Diego Kids Expo and HAPA yoga will be there, with yours truly and the lovely Jules Kirkiby to demo kids yoga at 11AM and 3PM. Hapa has tickets for $5 for adults (kids are free).
May 5 KIDSFEST San Diego Liberty Station, NTC Promenade, San Diego, CA
KidsFest will transform the NTC Promenade in Point Loma into a 100,000-square-foot wonderland of pure, uncomplicated play for the entire family, with activities designed to stimulate and celebrate the imagination.
May 18 Yoga for Hope San Diego - Do yoga, raise money for City of Hope - join local and national renown teachers like Bonnie Jones and Seane Corn to OM and support Cit of Hope!
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Neck and Shoulder Pain Clinic (and more) @BlissYogi
FREE Neck & Shoulder Pain Clinic
13 Apr 2013 from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (PDT)
Community Clubhouse at Golden Hill Park & Rec
26th & Russ Blvd (Parking on Russ Blvd.)
San Diego 92102
DIRECTIONS at http://blissyogi.com/directions.html
Are you (or someone you love) TIRED of Suffering from Neck & Shoulder pain? If you said yes then come to this free clinic and experience natural, drug-free relief. Wear loose comfortable clothes. Family and friends welcome. RSVP to Deepaa@blissyogi.com
Setting Right Your Most Important Relationships
20 Apr 2013 from 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM (PDT)
Community Clubhouse at Golden Hill Park and Rec
Special Event With Awakening Being Gail Wingfield
Do you want to improve your sense of connectedness and harmony in all your relationships? If you answered YES, then please join us for a rare opportunity to learn how to set right your most important relationships. Then observe the effect that has on all your other relationships.
Bring water, a notebook and pen as Gail leads you through teachings and processes from Oneness University. She will also answer questions and give Oneness Blessings. Dancing & Deeksha afterwards
For more information contact:
Deepaa Maria Mazzi, E-RYT 500
Release your core tensions and find your bliss within...
Email: Deepaa@blissyogi.com
Cost: YES Member $0.00 Non Member $25.00
see the YES website page for more activities in the San Diego area! http://yes4yoga.org/Default.aspx?pageId=384316
Friday, March 8, 2013
Take a Seat - try Chair Yoga!
This week I started to experiment in one class with chair yoga, then even more in another class, and so next week I declare to be Chair Yoga week. You can get a surprisingly good workout EVEN IN A CHAIR doing yoga. It affords you the opportunity to take balance issues out of the equation (for the most part) and focus on alignment, creating space, engaging the abdomen, and breathing above and beyond all. For those that have injuries, physical limitations, arthritis, are pregnant or just want to try something different, having the chair nearby brings the floor closer to you (or you closer to the floor, however you perceive it) and may offer a little more security, as well as a multitude of modification options.
We worked Warrior 1, 2 and 3 using the chair (virabhadrasana series). We did spinal flexion and extension (uttanasana, anuvatasana), forward, back and side. We used the chair to make reaching the floor not even a concern in Triangle Pose (trikonasa) and Half Moon (ardha chandrasana), and we used the chair to support us getting into and out of wide legged forward bend (prasarita padottansana). We were able to focus on hip alignment, spinal alignment, and hold poses for MUCH longer using our little friends, our foldable chairs. We even did a variation of boat pose (navasana) in our chair, just for grins.
I think the best part was our savasana with our legs supported on the seat of the chair, with eye pillows in our hip creases to help release our femurs into the hip sockets. For those with shorter legs we lined up soft bricks (but multiple blankets or bolsters would do the trick as well).
I encourage you to experiment with chair assisted poses at work, at home, or even in (esp.) in class for a different type of challenge. Here are some links to explore:
http://www.livingwordsofwisdom.com/chair-yoga.html
http://yoga.about.com/od/typesofyoga/qt/Chair-Yoga.htm
http://getfitwhereyousit.com/about_chair_yoga_fitness_exercise.html
http://www.sunlightchairyoga.com/
We'll be dabbling in this genre more this week, so please join me Tuesday Evening at 7:30, or Thursday morning at 9:30 at 6660 cowles mountain road, san diego.
Remember, it's your day....so make it YOUR yoga (BYOC!!!)
We worked Warrior 1, 2 and 3 using the chair (virabhadrasana series). We did spinal flexion and extension (uttanasana, anuvatasana), forward, back and side. We used the chair to make reaching the floor not even a concern in Triangle Pose (trikonasa) and Half Moon (ardha chandrasana), and we used the chair to support us getting into and out of wide legged forward bend (prasarita padottansana). We were able to focus on hip alignment, spinal alignment, and hold poses for MUCH longer using our little friends, our foldable chairs. We even did a variation of boat pose (navasana) in our chair, just for grins.
I think the best part was our savasana with our legs supported on the seat of the chair, with eye pillows in our hip creases to help release our femurs into the hip sockets. For those with shorter legs we lined up soft bricks (but multiple blankets or bolsters would do the trick as well).
I encourage you to experiment with chair assisted poses at work, at home, or even in (esp.) in class for a different type of challenge. Here are some links to explore:
http://www.livingwordsofwisdom.com/chair-yoga.html
http://yoga.about.com/od/typesofyoga/qt/Chair-Yoga.htm
http://getfitwhereyousit.com/about_chair_yoga_fitness_exercise.html
http://www.sunlightchairyoga.com/
We'll be dabbling in this genre more this week, so please join me Tuesday Evening at 7:30, or Thursday morning at 9:30 at 6660 cowles mountain road, san diego.
Remember, it's your day....so make it YOUR yoga (BYOC!!!)
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
IBS oh my
I'm slowly but surely coming to the conclusion that what I have is in fact a form of IBS. Which means far more careful attention to exactly what I put into my body, from the kind of fiber to the amount of sugar, dairy, wheat, and carbonation (I'm a sucker for sparkling water). While I try to sort out what is best for me, I wanted to share with you some information on IBS, the symptoms, and how yoga can help alleviate the complications.
Help For IBS.
Enjoy whilst I go and fetch myself some enteric coated peppermint capsules, soluble prebiotic fiber and some fennel tea. We'll chat later :)
Help For IBS.
Enjoy whilst I go and fetch myself some enteric coated peppermint capsules, soluble prebiotic fiber and some fennel tea. We'll chat later :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)