it occurs to me that the world "lonely" though has roots to indicate singularity, it really has very little to do with not having company (or a relationship). Of course, if you are in the wilderness lost by yourself you are quite alone and quite possibly lonely as well. But for the most part, the times in my life I've been the "loneliest" have been more about me not being happy with myself, and therefore craving company of another person to distract me/validate me. You can be alone and happy and content, or in one more relationships and still feel lonely. Learning to be content by myself was a HUGE lesson that required professional therapy, personal therapy, yoga (and yes, some medication), and a willingness to go past the quick and easy solution. I now CRAVE alone time, and if I'm lonely then I enrich myself with a movie, a walk, a yoga class, a museum visit or something that feeds that yen in the most positive way!
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Free and Donation Classes around town, January 2015
I just wanted to share the love by helping to promote these free, donation,and special deal yoga classes going on around town this month. As always check the actual studio websites for details or to validate class times (schedules subject to change). HAVE FUN - DO MORE YOGA!
Note: As someone who tries to make a living doing what I love, but also is well aware that good yoga comes at a price, I need to acknowledge that when you find a studio that you like, it's important to continue to patronize their business(es) to help them continue to provide good yoga, and be part of the community!
at Niantic Court in Mission Beach, on the sand (in front of Edgewater)
at Niantic Court in Mission Beach, on the sand (in front of Edgewater)
- Special Groupon Deal for 1 hour of group Hiking and Yoga - only $35
- Free/Donation Beach Yoga every day:
HAPA Yoga
4242 Camino Del Rio North #10 | San Diego | CA | 92108- Donation Class Friday 1/23/15 @5:30PM with Lindsey (her last class)
- Donation Class Saturday 1/31 @Noon with Angelica (her last class)
- Free Class every Friday @10am Yoga and Alignment (suitable for beginners and those looking to deepen their practice.
A Gentle Way Yoga and Joyful Movement Center
8274 Parkway Dr. #101, La Mesa, CA 91942- Free Classes until January 31 for AGW members or $5 each for non-members (with coupon below only). Terms and conditions apply - read coupon for details.
1150 7th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
- Free Flow Level 1/2 Classes taught by YTT graduates (donations optional) Tuesdays @9am
Core Power Yoga Free Classes
- North Park: Monday January 19 @3:30pm - Illuminations Hot Power Fusion
- Mission Valley: Monday January 19 5:45pm - Illuminations Core Power Yoga 2
- Del Mar: Tuesday January 20
@7:30pm - Illuminations Core Power Yoga 2 - Encinitas: Tuesday January 20 @5:30pm - Illuminations Core Power Yoga 2
- Pacific Beach: Wednesday January 21 @6:15pm - Illuminations Core Power Yoga 2
- North Park: Saturday January 24 @10:30am - Boot Camp
- La Mesa: Sunday January 25 @ 9:30am - Illuminations Core Power Yoga 2
- North Park: Sunday January 25 @2pm - Core Power Yoga 1 (taught by YTT)
- Pacific Beach: Sunday January 25 @2;15pm - Core Power Yoga 1 (taught by YTT)
- Clairemont Mesa: Monday January 26 @ 7:15pm Boot Camp
- Poway: Sunday February 1 @ 1:15pm - Core Power Yoga 1 (taught by YTT)
- Point Loma: Sunday February 1 @2pm - Core Power Yoga 1 (taught by YTT)
- Pacific Beach: Sunday February 1 @2;15pm - Core Power Yoga 1 (taught by YTT)
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Blessed new year, solstice, holiday season with family, love and lots of GIVING
Short post from my jammies, three days from a plane trip and fighting some sort of virus. Had to commit the unthinkable and cancel a yoga class today - when really my heart needs it so much.
On the plus side, my sweet son who is five keeps asking if I'm better and trying to snuggle with me, and would rather "stay home wif you" than go to a Chanukah party with his friends.
To more yoga, more mindfulness, more love, more space for all three.
On the plus side, my sweet son who is five keeps asking if I'm better and trying to snuggle with me, and would rather "stay home wif you" than go to a Chanukah party with his friends.
To more yoga, more mindfulness, more love, more space for all three.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Yoga is
...about the experience, not performance.
...creating a synergistic relationship among the body, the mind and the breath.
...about finding your center and expanding from there.
...about letting go of whatever doesn't serve you.
...more than asana, more than breathing, more than study, more than just getting onto your mat. But some days can be about any one, two, three or all.
...guided self-study.
Your comments welcome.
...creating a synergistic relationship among the body, the mind and the breath.
...about finding your center and expanding from there.
...about letting go of whatever doesn't serve you.
...more than asana, more than breathing, more than study, more than just getting onto your mat. But some days can be about any one, two, three or all.
...guided self-study.
...practice, not perfect.
...exercise for the body, the mind, and the spirit.
...loving for everyBODY. But not everybody will love it.
...about the process, not the pose.
...loving for everyBODY. But not everybody will love it.
...about the process, not the pose.
Your comments welcome.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Restorative Yoga - Chill time you just HAVE to try
One of my favorite specialty styles is Restorative yoga. In one class, we started with three narrow pranayama bolsters, two blankets, an eye pillow and two blocks. Added as we went: 2 more blankets, 1 sandbag, and a strap.
We utilized a timer with a quiet chime at 30 seconds before the 10 minute mark to indicate the time to take three breaths to bring back awareness and prep to move to the next pose.
The poses:
Asana 1 - Salamba Bharadvajasana (supported twist of the sage Bharadvaja). This one is also safe for prenatal so long as it's fully supported and the body doesn't twist too deeply. Set up the bolsters stacked in line with pelvis, at hip, feet to other side. Lift up to extend spine, gentle start to twist, reach hands down to and around bolster and relax torso front (if possible, else side) on props. To increase twisting, turn head to side away from legs - then sink deeply - no holding! Change sides after 5 minutes.
Asana 2 - Salamba Supta Baddhakonasana (supported reclined bound angle pose). Two stacked bolsters, one folded blanket on top, another top blanket folder to 1/4 or 1/8 size to support head. Additional blanket at bottom of bolster for tailbone support. Student reclines onto stack, one block under each forearm for support during this nice heart opener. Feet together, knees wide, a long rolled blanket or towel (straps can be too constricting) put on top of feet then wrapped around and under the shins to support the legs. 10 minutes.
Asana 3 - Salamba Balsana (support child's pose) Students leave Asana 2 and turn around to face the stack. with knees wide, then draw stack close in to groin, realigning the pieces to make appropriate room for belly and bust. Sore knees may require another bolster under groin through to back of body, and/or a blanket folded and placed between calves and thighs. Face rests in a u-shaped folded blanket, or between two smaller pranayama bolsters in a V shape. Blanket over feet/back. 10 minutes.
Asana 4 - Viparita Karani (legs of the wall) . Large bolster parallel to wall (or double rolled up yoga mats) with a blanket on top. Students sit next to one short end with back to the support, lay down on their side, then roll their hips on to the support. Support may need to move a few inches from the wall or more to allow legs to relax up against wall. Thinly folded blanket under head for cushioning. Prenatal students Some students may want a strap around the mid upper thigh to help hold legs upright (esp. in cases of hip flexor laxity or sore knees), and some may want a weight (sandbag, or block) on top of feet to seat the femurs into the pelvis snugly. Arms away from body, palms up. 10 minutes. Prenatal students over 23 weeks modify with stacked bolster to provide at least 20% angle of torso to floor, and distance from wall to allow legs to not strain, or even calves placed on the seat of a chair or three additional stacked bolsters.Sore knees may require another bolster under groin through to back of body, and/or a blanket folded and placed between calves and thighs. Face rests in a u-shaped folded blanket, or between two smaller pranayama bolsters in a V shape. Blanket over feet/back. 10 minutes
The Ending: Savasana with support. Supine position, bolster/rolled blanket mat under the knees, thin folded blanket under the head. Eye pillows options. 10 minutes or more - this is a great time to indulge in some Yoga Nidra!
The Results: Try for yourself and see :)
We utilized a timer with a quiet chime at 30 seconds before the 10 minute mark to indicate the time to take three breaths to bring back awareness and prep to move to the next pose.
The poses:
Asana 1 - Salamba Bharadvajasana (supported twist of the sage Bharadvaja). This one is also safe for prenatal so long as it's fully supported and the body doesn't twist too deeply. Set up the bolsters stacked in line with pelvis, at hip, feet to other side. Lift up to extend spine, gentle start to twist, reach hands down to and around bolster and relax torso front (if possible, else side) on props. To increase twisting, turn head to side away from legs - then sink deeply - no holding! Change sides after 5 minutes.
Asana 2 - Salamba Supta Baddhakonasana (supported reclined bound angle pose). Two stacked bolsters, one folded blanket on top, another top blanket folder to 1/4 or 1/8 size to support head. Additional blanket at bottom of bolster for tailbone support. Student reclines onto stack, one block under each forearm for support during this nice heart opener. Feet together, knees wide, a long rolled blanket or towel (straps can be too constricting) put on top of feet then wrapped around and under the shins to support the legs. 10 minutes.
Asana 3 - Salamba Balsana (support child's pose) Students leave Asana 2 and turn around to face the stack. with knees wide, then draw stack close in to groin, realigning the pieces to make appropriate room for belly and bust. Sore knees may require another bolster under groin through to back of body, and/or a blanket folded and placed between calves and thighs. Face rests in a u-shaped folded blanket, or between two smaller pranayama bolsters in a V shape. Blanket over feet/back. 10 minutes.
Asana 4 - Viparita Karani (legs of the wall) . Large bolster parallel to wall (or double rolled up yoga mats) with a blanket on top. Students sit next to one short end with back to the support, lay down on their side, then roll their hips on to the support. Support may need to move a few inches from the wall or more to allow legs to relax up against wall. Thinly folded blanket under head for cushioning. Prenatal students Some students may want a strap around the mid upper thigh to help hold legs upright (esp. in cases of hip flexor laxity or sore knees), and some may want a weight (sandbag, or block) on top of feet to seat the femurs into the pelvis snugly. Arms away from body, palms up. 10 minutes. Prenatal students over 23 weeks modify with stacked bolster to provide at least 20% angle of torso to floor, and distance from wall to allow legs to not strain, or even calves placed on the seat of a chair or three additional stacked bolsters.Sore knees may require another bolster under groin through to back of body, and/or a blanket folded and placed between calves and thighs. Face rests in a u-shaped folded blanket, or between two smaller pranayama bolsters in a V shape. Blanket over feet/back. 10 minutes
The Ending: Savasana with support. Supine position, bolster/rolled blanket mat under the knees, thin folded blanket under the head. Eye pillows options. 10 minutes or more - this is a great time to indulge in some Yoga Nidra!
The Results: Try for yourself and see :)
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