Apr 8, 2013 |
I’m a huge fan of the high I get after planting my feet on a cushy yoga mat for an invigorating Vinyasa yoga practice, but there’s nothing quite like the high I can get on a sunny day on top of the Rocky Mountains with my feet strapped to a pair of skis.
I just took a trip out to Colorado for some skiasana, and in addition to getting some kick ass Rocky Mountain highs, I also had the opportunities to take my yoga off the mat and onto the slopes. And of course I picked up a few important life lessons along the way:
1) Live the dream. While waiting in line to ride up the mountain, we were greeted by a perky young lift operator from Michigan. When I asked how he was, he answered, “Great! I’m living the dream.” Despite the cold, he was doing just that because he was doing what he loved in an incredible place. What a perfect reminder to live with gratitude, do what you love every day, and live your dream.
Living the Dream with a big smile plastered on my face!
2) Smile through adversity. One day the weather was nasty – cold, heavy snow, windy, foggy – so much so that my husband and I were having visibility issues. As we rode the lift back up the mountain, a heavy wind was blowing what felt like sharp mini pellets of ice into our faces (and (and the lifts in Colorado are long!). I made a comment that the ice was stinging my face, and the guy on the lift next to me said, “Just put a smile on your face and power through it. When you’re having fun, it just doesn’t matter.” He gave me the exact same advice I give my students when they are in a difficult pose like utkatasana – SMILE and enjoy the ride!
3) Go with the flow. These signs were everywhere we skied. This is something we all need to do a little more of – both on and off the slopes. Instead of fighting against the current of what life throws you, just go with the flow. I’m here to tell you it is a helluva lot more enjoyable and peaceful way to live. I’m going to petition that we get these signs installed everywhere – just imagine what a positive impact that could have on our mental health!
4) The poster girl of Style and Grace. If it wasn’t for hot tubs, I could never ski for more than one day, so every night my husband and I headed to the tubs for a soak. One night we were near a woman who was in her 80s and a bunch of men who were bragging about their speed going down the mountain that day. The lady looked at me and said, “I prefer style and grace over speed.” Amen, sister! There’s plenty of fast out there. In my book beauty, style, and grace are always the way to go both on the yoga mat and off.
5) Listen to your inner guru. I always tell my students that they are their own best teachers, and I listened to that advice when I was on the slopes. When your legs start to call your name in the afternoon, listen to them and get your butt off the slopes and to après ski.
6) Take time to rest. One of the things that I love about yoga are those little breaks in child’s pose when you get take a rest. The rest is just as important as the work and gives you the chance to come back to your breath. When my husband and I travel to ski, we typically go on short trips and feel like we have to ski every day. This year we took a day off in the middle, and it was one of my favorite days of the trip – super relaxing with plenty of time to rest the legs and recharge.
7) Be a control freak. I didn’t get a picture of this, but there were a lot of signs on the slopes that just cracked me up, and one of them said – Be A Control Freak! Certainly this is an important mantra on the ski slopes, but not so much off the slopes.
8) Be present. On the morning of the last day of our vacation, I started to get that last-day-of-vacation angst – you know where you start dreading having to go back home to all the responsibilities waiting for you. But I’m proud to say that the feeling was fleeting and I quickly kicked myself in the ass. After that I allowed myself to be fully present in the moment and enjoy every last morsel of this vacation. It was an awesome day of skiing in the sunshine, and I got my…
Rocky Mountain High!
Living the dream, living the yoga throughout every day, going with the flow, and getting those natural highs with style and grace… aahhhh, life is good!
Mar 19, 2013 |
The coolest things happen when I’m teaching yoga, so I decided to start sharing some of my yoga teacher tales here on the Daily Downward Dog. I can’t tell you how many times a student has told me how much better they feel after practicing yoga – their aches are gone, they sleep better, or they are using their breath to take them through difficult situations off the mat. These stories warm my heart and are what make sharing the practice of yoga so gratifying.
The other night when I was teaching a class for beginners, one student commented about how she felt she would never get all the asanas and breathing techniques correct. I reminded her that this was only her third yoga class ever, so it was perfectly normal that she didn’t remember some of the steps of a sun salutation. I always try to encourage students by letting them know that they don’t have to do the poses perfectly. As long as they are breathing and coming to the yoga mat with an open heart, they have a lifetime to refine their practice.
It was so much fun teaching the beginners’ group how to do virabradhasana 1 and 2, trikonasana, and of course ending with some cool-downs and twists. After bringing the class out of savasana and closing with seated breath meditation and namaste, I looked up at that student who had a blissed out look on her face as she proclaimed for everyone to hear,
“I love yoga!”
The entire class, including me, busted up laughing because it was such an enthusiastic, heartfelt expression of how the practice of yoga can enrich our lives. I loved hearing these words from a student who had come to class that night expressing judgment and doubt; in contrast, she found peace and joy in her practice. For me, that’s what teaching is all about! I love seeing the transformation, seeing students get hooked on the practice of yoga.
I love teaching yoga!
Got a good yoga teaching tale or inspirational ah-ha moment from your own practice? Please share with a comment below.
Feb 18, 2013 |
~~~A lot of people have been asking me what is up with the standup paddle board yoga (SUP Yoga) that will be offered on my upcoming Beach Yoga Bliss retreat in Aruba. I’ve written about my experience doing SUP Yoga on Lake Erie last summer, and I can’t even tell you how excited I am to get up on a paddle board again, this time on the crystal clear blue (and calm) waters of the Caribbean in Aruba!
To share a little more about this yoga hybrid, I called on my good friends over at DoYouYoga.com, who put together this awesome guest post to give you the scoop on what’s up with SUP Yoga! ~~~
If you’ve ever seen people doing weird poses on a paddleboard on the water, chances are they’ve been doing Standup Paddle or SUP yoga. Not only does it look pretty darn cool, but it also comes with a bunch of spectacular benefits that extend far beyond the adventure factor. Spoiler alert: You’re gonna get hooked.
SUP yoga works your core in an amazing way. It involves doing yoga on a paddle board in water, while being careful to keep afloat the whole time. Obviously, it’s much more challenging to maintain your balance on a paddle board than it is on a yoga mat. Your muscles inevitably have to work hard to keep afloat, while maintaining the yoga poses for the desired length of time.
Of course, the first time you try it there should be no surprise when you topple over into the water while doing a good ol’ downward dog. No worries – that’s part of the fun! Get back on the board and keep going. Getting to learn this type of yoga is a great experience, and it helps that the water offers a soft landing (believe me!). Soon enough, you will be able to do head stands on the board while maintaining utmost control of your muscles. The fat burning and muscle toning possibilities are remarkable, something your muscles will certainly tell you the next day.
SUP Yoga Is Challenging
The fact that water never quite stands still means you will have to work much harder at maintaining your balance than when you are practicing yoga on a flat surface. Those who have practiced yoga for a long time have developed excellent core strength to prove it. But even for dedicated yogis, the first session of SUP yoga will be quite a challenge because it intensifies the experience and shifts one’s yoga abilities into overdrive.
Most fitness enthusiasts incorporate cross training into their routine, combining different exercises in a bid to avoid boredom and to work different muscle groups of the body at the same time. It is a good way to increase your fitness levels while keeping you from injuring your muscles due to overdoing one workout. SUP yoga is the perfect cross training sport for yogis who want some fun in the sun. It is not strenuous on the joints and helps your yoga skills by strengthening your balance.
Big thanks to the lovely yogini Elise Gulan who shared this picture from her yoga retreat held at
Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa in Aruba last April!
Before You SUP – This is What’s Up
So, what do you need to have at hand to enjoy this magical experience and gain the benefits you’re looking for?
1) The Right Kind of Paddle board & Instruction
Since you will be spending a lot of time trying to balance on top of it, it goes without saying that the paddle board should be large enough to hold you. In addition, it should have a non-slip surface so that you don’t spend your time sliding out of poses and into the water. Just like yoga in a studio, you probably started out with classes for beginners. The same holds true for SUP Yoga: Be safe and go out the first few times with a seasoned instructor who can guide you through the nuances of moving into yoga asanas while balancing on a paddleboard.
2) Stay Hydrated in the Sun
Anyone who has done yoga knows how strenuous it can be. Ensuring you are well hydrated is vital, and this is even more crucial when doing SUP yoga in the sun. With this kind of yoga you do not have the luxury of reaching for a bottle of water that’s standing next to your mat. The best thing to do is to ensure you are well hydrated before going for the session.
3) Dress Appropriately
Most yoga enthusiasts dress light in sleeveless tops and cut-off shorts because yoga can generate a lot of heat and sweat. Keep in mind that you are likely to get wet, so you’ll want to wear materials that dry quickly and will not weigh you down. You may want to wear a personal flotation device (life jacket), and in some regions/bodies of water it is mandatory.
4) Don’t Go Without Sunscreen
If the sun is out, you need to keep as much of your skin covered as you can to avoid any sun damage. You’ll also need to apply a waterproof sunscreen lotion. Forget the hats and sunglasses, which will fall right off unless you can securely tie them around your head like a bandana.
5) Not for the Hydrophobic
Above all, SUP yoga is not for the hydrophobic. Be prepared to have fun in the water and take in quite a few gulps, especially if you are new. This is not surfing, so it’s best to practice when the waters are calm.
6) Have Fun!
Enjoy the beautiful water, sunshine, and nature all around you. There is nothing quite like it to lift your mood and let go of stress. Some people even do SUP yoga in cold weather. It is quite addictive because of how fun and challenging it is, and the benefits are enormous. It is a terrific workout if you want to boost your balance, get a toned body, and have a uniquely exhilarating experience.
~~ I can already tell you that I am hooked. All it took was one trip out on a paddleboard on Lake Erie, and I couldn’t wait to do it again. It is way easier to do than it looks, and my good friend Trisha Yourkvitch was able to pull off a headstand on her very first try on the board. If you want to try out SUP yoga, the lovely Rachel Brathen will be guiding us through a class during the Aruba retreat. You are welcome to sign up for as many additional classes as you like throughout the week!
If you are interested in the Aruba retreat – you must book very fast as there are only a few more spots left!
Thanks again DoYouYoga.com for sharing what’s up with SUP!
DoYouYoga.com is a blog that brings together yoga enthusiasts, instructors, influencers, and bloggers. It’s a resource for everyone who loves yoga and a meeting point for people who want to share their ideas, experiences and thoughts. Head on over to DoYouYoga.com and sign up for their newsletter, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter. I’m honored that DoYouYoga.com named The Daily Downward Dog one of the Top Yoga Blogs in 2012 and has provided a home for a few of my articles as well!
Jan 15, 2013 |
If you want my short concise answer to this – absa-effing-lutly, YES!
I teach a lot of students who are brand new to yoga, including in beginners’ workshops, and I always stress that questions are welcome and encouraged. I let students know that if they have a question, it is 100 percent likely that the majority of the room is going to have the exact same question, so there’s no reason to be shy. And, I have to admit that their questions are always great! They prompt me to cover areas that I haven’t addressed yet and help me illustrate real-life scenarios for proper alignment and breathing.
Imagine my delight when a hand immediately darted up as I launched into my introduction and prompt for questions. This never happens, and I was excited about the enthusiasm and energy already bubbling up in the room. I was even more thrilled when I heard what the question was:
“Are we allowed to laugh in class?”
The question was posed in all sincerity and with a little bit of concern. I quickly put the student at ease by letting her know that not only is laughter allowed, it‘s highly encouraged! If you lose your balance in a pose, laugh at yourself. If you go to the left when cued to go to the right, laugh at yourself.
We take ourselves way too seriously all week long. Why not let the time on your yoga mat
be as stress-free and FUN as possible?
This question prompted me to go into an explanation that yoga is not a competition (and for that I am eternally grateful). Therefore, it’s best to leave the egos at the door, not worry if you can’t do everything right away, not judge yourself or anyone in the class, and instead focus on what is happening in your own body. I basically tell my students that the yoga studio is a “no-judgment zone,” that we are all here to support one another on our yoga journeys. This is my user-friendly way of letting them know that while laughing at themselves is encouraged, laughing at others – not so much.
I could immediately feel the anxiety levels drop in the room, shoulders got a little lighter, smiles drifted up on a few faces, and this same student later remarked, “This yoga stuff is so much better than aerobics!” And to that I say, “Amen, sister!”
Image Courtesy of: A. Feldmann
As a teacher, I can’t tell you how much joy it brings me to hear a student laugh during class. There is scientific proof that when we laugh it releases endorphins in our bodies that make us happier (and healthier), and who doesn’t want to be happy?!
No matter where you are in your yoga practice, remember to smile and laugh on your yoga mat. Don’t take it all so seriously. Let the shoulders drop, be open to being a little more playful in your practice, try new things, and explore how you feel when you let go of the ego and when you let go of fear. Open up to these opportunities, and if you lose your balance, don’t beat yourself up. Laugh and know that you gave it your best shot. Laugh because you have the opportunity to learn, grow, and have fun each time you come to your yoga mat.
Like laughing on your yoga mat? Like doing yoga on the beach? Join me for an inspirational week of beach yoga bliss in Aruba this coming April 6-13, 2013!
“Your body cannot heal without play. Your mind cannot heal without laughter. Your soul cannot heal without joy.” – Catherine Rippenger Fenwick
Time spent laughing is time spent with the Gods.
— Japanese Proverb
“When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.” – Buddha
“Enjoy belly laughter without restraint, without inhibition and finding your buddha will be the easiest job because you will be free of all seriousness, tension, inhibition and suppression.” — Osho, Indian mystic
Thanks to the lovely Christa Scalies of Giggle On for sharing these awesome quotes about laughter!
Smiling Buddha Image: Tony Williams
New to yoga? Check out the Yoga 101 page on the Daily Downward Dog.
Jan 7, 2013 |
Who doesn’t like getting a gift? Yes, it’s gratifying when someone gives you that gift, but there’s something incredibly indulgent when you give yourself a gift all on your own.
This week as I went to practice yoga with a bit of a head cold, I couldn’t help but think that I was giving myself a gift of health and recovery. In fact, each time I step on my yoga mat, in essence I am giving myself the gift of good health for tomorrow. (Thank you Jennifer Bishop for reminding me of this in your beautiful Vinyasa class.) Each stretch, each twist, each breath prepares my body for the future, a future that for me will hopefully not involve walkers or hip replacements.
Beyond just the health benefits, there is the gift of spiritual growth and the joy that my yoga practice provides me. So many days as I sit at my desk working, all I can think about is that hour to come when I get to drop my shoulders, deepen my breath, and find a quiet, peaceful place. No iPhone, no interruptions, just time for me to let go, time for me to open up and receive the gift of yoga. No guilt here – I indulge in this luxury as often as I can.
This year on New Year’s Eve as I counted down to midnight I couldn’t help but think that in addition to saying goodbye to 2012, I was also saying goodbye to my forties. All in all, I have to say it was a pretty awesome decade, and I enjoyed every single part of being in my forties – even the gray hair – and especially starting a whole new career path as a yoga teacher. I have to admit that had I not been so busy the last decade endowing myself with the gift of yoga, I don’t think I would be feeling so damn exuberant about turning 50.
A few years ago I never thought I’d be doing a headstand! Or leading a yoga retreat in Aruba!
Where are you dreaming about taking your life and your yoga practice?
I plan on celebrating my 50th birthday all year and want to spread the news that yoga really can be your fountain of youth. Got one of those big birthdays coming up soon? Give yourself a gift and come celebrate the fact that you are getting more beautiful, more flexible, and more full of life each and every day. I’m hosting a big honking birthday celebration this coming April in Aruba. Join me for a week of beach yoga bliss, April 6–13, 2013, at the stunning Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa, where you can do yoga overlooking the crystal clear blue Caribbean waters and pristine white sand beach. The trip includes daily inspirational yoga classes, meditation, and the opportunity to try stand-up paddleboard yoga (SUP yoga).
Bestow yourself with a beautiful gift. Better yet, gather up a bunch of your gal pals or broginis, and you can all dip your toes into the sand and share in the fantastic gift of a week of nirvana, finding your bliss discovering the gift of yoga on the beach in Aruba!
