Apr 24, 2015 |
I just returned home from leading my third Beach Yoga Bliss yoga retreat in Aruba, and as I was preparing my yoga classes this week, I thought about how my students would expect me to share a super inspirational story about the experience. No doubt it was an incredible week full of many great memories: from experiencing spiritual growth and making new friends, to enjoying the beauty of the island of Aruba and being in the presence of an awesome group of yogini goddesses.
You would think that with a week like that I’d be inspired by the warmth of the sunshine, a graceful asana practice, or a peaceful moment of meditation on the beach with the sound of the waves crashing up on the shore. But no, the inspiration I chose to share once back in Akron came from none other than the lizards of Aruba.
Yes, lizards! They are everywhere on the island. and they come in all shapes and sizes. Some of them are huge and kind of gnarly looking, and some are small and bright green with colored scales so vivid and patterned that they almost don’t look real. The one thing that each lizard does have in common is a really honking long tail.
Each day after our morning yoga session while we had breakfast, the lizards came out to see if they could get any scraps from the table. I would always hang out for a while after breakfast to catch my breath, and I really enjoyed watching the lizards as I relaxed. One morning as I was watching one of the especially humongous specimens, I noticed how long his tail was and thought to myself that it must really suck to always have to drag that tail around. It looks awfully heavy, and what does the lizard do when it needs to get somewhere quick, or even worse, if you need to get away from a predator?
As I was having these thoughts it struck me, “Maria, you are no different than those lizards. You may not have a physical tail on display, but there are days when you have stuff like stress, fear, worries, and attachment that holds you back the same way.” That stuff is the equivalent of baggage that I need to let go of in order to walk lighter, to be at peace, and to be more present for my life.
We all have our own set of baggage we carry around, and guess what yogis? Just like in the airport when I was carrying around my personal belongings, the baggage didn’t get any lighter. On the contrary, what I was carrying just kept getting heavier and heavier. We can’t walk lighter and truly find our bliss until we release what we cling to so tightly in those bags.
What is your tail made of? Is it an old grudge, something or someone you need to forgive (including yourself), an obstacle, or fear? Stop giving it your energy, and let it go! That’s my inspiration straight from Aruba and from the lizard to yogis everywhere. Let go, or be dragged like a lizard tail. Let go so you can start living a life full of peace, full of grace, full of love.
Give me a little more time to unpack my bags, download my photos, and I promise to share more inspiration from the Loving Kindness Yogathon in Aruba. Believe me, there is much more for me to relate!
Getting friendly with the locals.
Click to find out more about upcoming Daily Downward Dog yoga retreats! Come join us!
Feb 10, 2015 |
The yoga teacher training program started up recently at Yoga Bliss Akron, and I got the opportunity to speak with quite a few of the trainees just before the program started. I wanted to wish them well and to tell them how excited I was for their journey. As I spoke to them, I could feel their sense of anticipation, and a few of them expressed that they were nervous about starting. That anxiousness is to be expected; anytime you start something new, there is always room for self-doubt and fear of the unknown. I asked each one of them to try to remember one word as they started their yoga teacher training journey, and that word was EASE.
Whenever you approach a situation from a place of fear, your heart closes off, and you are unable to learn. It is only when you open your heart and approach the situation from a place of ease that you can grow and blossom. Each time I told the trainees this one simple word, they all got a big smile on their face, and I could tell they picked up on the essence of approaching life from a place of ease.
I wish that I could say that those words of wisdom were my own idea, but I got the very same advice when I was starting out my advanced 300-hour yoga teacher training.
The very first day of training, Mary Pat Murphy – the goddess leading my training (and my very first yoga teacher!) – asked us to pick an intention card. The cards were spread out on the floor and we were to look at them for a moment and to pick one. Each card contained one word, and that word became our intention for the day. They say that if you really focus on the cards, that the one you are meant to have will be the one that you select. I know that can sound kind of hokey, but that day I did pick the exact card that I needed, and guess what it was?
Thank you universe, because “Ease” was just was the word I needed! As we went through that first day of training, my intention to take everything with a sense of ease came in very handy. When it was time to crack open the anatomy books, that is when the fear really started to kick in. Instead of telling myself, “Maria, you are horrible at anatomy. You’ll never get this stuff,” I started to deepen my breath and instead say to myself, “Ease, Maria, ease . . . approach this anatomy info from a place of love.” Now each time I pull out my anatomy book to study, my gluteus maximus no longer starts to clench, and my levator anguli oris, levator labii superioris, orbicularis oculi, risorius, and zygomaticus major muscles all start to flex to bring a big honking smile to my face.
Ease – it really does work. You can use it to destroy both self-doubt and fear.
Remember, yogis – on your yoga mats, off your yoga mats, right before a challenging situation, take a big breath, open your heart and tell yourself one word: ease!
Click to find out more about upcoming Daily Downward Dog yoga retreats! Come join us!
Jan 21, 2015 |
Last month, a lovely young woman named Erin showed up for one of my classes at Yoga Bliss Akron. She came up to introduce herself since she was new to the yoga studio, and I was immediately impressed by this really incredible energy about her. She proceeded to tell me that she had just won a national contest sponsored by Robek’s, which involved her taking a photo of herself showing how she stays healthy. She took a picture of herself in a yoga pose holding one of their smoothies, posted it to Instagram with the hashtag #GetHealthyWithRobeks, and ended up winning the contest.
That in itself is pretty remarkable since this was a national contest with hundreds of entries. But, what is even more remarkable is that the prize she won was her choice of a year-long membership to the fitness facility of her choice, and she chose a year-long unlimited yoga pass to Yoga Bliss!
Erin was already active with ballet dancing and had always wanted to start a yoga practice, so she was really excited about winning (understandably so) and starting her year-long yoga journey. The year started out with a lot of zeal. I saw Erin one evening at the studio, and she had just attended her fourth yoga class for the day – and that my friends is the beauty of having an unlimited yoga pass, you can take four classes in one day if you want!
Maria, Erin, and her friend Natalie at Yoga Bliss Akron.
Now I’ve been thinking a lot about Erin and the journey she is going to have this year on her yoga mat. I encouraged her to journal about the experience, and I also wrote down a few hopes that I have for her, which I shared in a recent class she attended. These hopes were not just for Erin; they were for all of my students because they are applicable no matter how many times you have stepped on your yoga mat.
Have Fun
Yes, it is important to be safe and in alignment in yoga asanas, but it’s also important to have fun on your yoga mat. It is OK to laugh, dance, sway your hips in the air in downward facing dog, and show off your jazz hands from time to time. Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras talks about friendliness, compassion, gladness, and joy when practicing yoga. Without these, we are not experiencing the true yoga of Patanjali. So, each time you come to your yoga mat, I hope that you seek joy, be friendly and compassionate with those you practice with, and don’t be afraid to bust out a few dance moves on your yoga mat.
Close Your Eyes
I know this is hard to do, especially when new to yoga, but I hope that you are able to find a few spaces during your yoga practice when you can close your eyes. I say this not so you can’t see, but rather so you can truly see within. When you close the eyes, you can focus on your breath, your body, and your divine. It is how I block out my ego – not looking around, not comparing, not judging – and when I can do this, I become fully present. Try it out in short spurts for a while, and eventually you will be able to do it more throughout the class. When you can block out the ego mind, let it all go, release the struggle, and truly relax, you become truly present in your body, and that is when the good stuff starts to happen. This is when your practice really starts to blossom!
Always Be a Beginner
No matter how long you practice yoga, there are always new things to learn. B.K.S. Iyengar said that once you think you have mastered a pose that is when you stop practicing yoga. I hope that as you continue on your yoga journey you always stay full of wonder, willing to learn and grow. Come to your yoga mat each time thinking, “What am I going to discover today?”
No Worries When You Don’t Make It to the Mat
I told Erin that there are going to be times in this next year when she doesn’t make it to the mat when she plans to. We all get busy. Life happens, but I stressed that she should not beat herself up when something holds her up from attending yoga class. Even on the busiest of days, you can always find a way to practice yoga. Perhaps take a few moments to sit, close your eyes, and focus on your breath. Or, simply do a kind deed for someone. Your yoga mat will always be there for you when you are ready to come back!
Practice Makes Perfect
I see this a lot with new students: a drive to perfect the yoga asanas and a lot of judgment about their lack of strength and flexibility. I always remind them that they have a lifetime to refine the poses and that they should enjoy the journey. Yes, we are all inherently driven to achieve perfection, and it is that drive that inspires us to improve. My hope, however, is that you can let go of the struggle and instead enjoy the practice. I love this quote from B.K.S. Iyengar: “Let the goal be to reach perfection, but to be content with a little progress toward perfection every day.”
And this one too! “Success will come to the person who practices.” – B.K.S. Iyengar
Live Your Yoga off the Mat
We learn a lot on our yoga mats, like the power of our breath, patience, the ability to offer compassion to ourselves and others, and truth. My hope for Erin is that at some point this year when she is off her mat that she has an aha moment, realizing that an action she has just taken was driven by something she learned on her yoga mat. Perhaps she is more patient with her parents, is more present with her friends and teachers, or uses her breathing to help her through a stressful situation. Yoga on the mat is awesome, but when you start living it off the mat, your life just gets sweeter.
The One Yoga Asana I Hope You Master
If you only focus on one yoga pose this year, try focusing on savasana. I know a lot of you are probably thinking, well how hard could that be? Savasana, if done properly, is by far one of the most challenging yoga poses because it requires you to lie still yet be fully present. When you can do this, completely let go and surrender to savasana, that is when the magic of your yoga practice will happen. Do yourself a favor this year and really focus on mastering savasana. Let all the goodness of the time spent on your mat soak into every cell of your body.
Erin, congratulations on your contest win, on your year of unlimited yoga, and on this fantastic yoga journey you are about to embark on! I am looking forward to watching it unfold.
Click to find out more about upcoming Daily Downward Dog yoga retreats! Come join us!
Nov 25, 2014 |
The secret to happiness is doing what you love. The secret to success is loving what you do.
I have to admit that right now, I am REALLY HAPPY! I am absolutely loving what I do and I’m really excited to announce upcoming yoga workshops and new yoga classes that I am blessed to be able to share.
Essential Oils & Yoga Workshop
This Saturday, November 29, I am teaming up with my good friend, Kathleen Merk, to lead an Essential Oils and Yoga Workshop at Yoga Bliss Akron from 1-3 PM. I have been using essential oils like peppermint to relieve my headaches, using a diffuser at night with lavender essential oil to bring me to a peaceful sleep, and rubbing frankincense on my feet before meditation to keep me focused and centered.
The use of essential oils to heal and complement yoga practice is nothing new, in fact, it dates back thousands of years and originated in India with sandalwood and vetiver to aid in developing the mind for meditation, and creating a healthy balance between the mind, body, and spirit.
The essential oils used during this workshop are uplifting yet calming and will remind you of the importance of taking the time to nurture yourself and practice loving kindness. You’ll leave the workshop relaxed, refreshed, and with your very own pack of sample oils and a booklet with tips on how to effectively use each oil for improved physical and emotional health. If you have been curious about the benefits of essential oils, please join me and doTERRA Wellness Advocate Kathleen Merk for this Essential Yoga Workshop. All levels are welcome. Workshop fee is $35.
Register early as space is limited and you can register online through the Yoga Bliss website. If you are interested in this workshop and would like details on how to bring it to your workplace, meeting, or yoga studio, please contact Maria.
Do What You Love and Do it Often!
(this means do YOGA more often!!)
Yoga in Vermilion, Ohio
The winter yoga classes in Vermilion are in full swing, and no, they are not on the beach, but inside in a warm and groovy space in the library of Sailorway Middle School. I’ll be there on select Saturdays in December and New Years Eve and I just announced dates for the January and February classes as well as these special classes and workshops
New Years Eve Yoga & Meditation, December 31 | 3:00 PM
NEW Beginners’ 5-Week Series begins January 3 | 8:15-9:15 AM
Essential Oils & Yoga Workshop on Friday, February 6 from 6:30 – 8:30 PM
The Yoga of Bob Marley, Saturday, January 31 | 6-8 PM
Click here to see the full schedule of class dates in Vermilion.
NEW CLASSES AT YOGA BLISS
I am super excited that the schedule for the Ganesha (non-heated) Studio at Yoga Bliss Akron has expanded with lots of new class offerings every day of the week. I am teaching a few of the new Gentle Flow classes that are now offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10:45 AM and a new class on Sunday nights called Sunday Night Stretch and Unwind.
On Sunday nights do you start to get stressed out thinking about the week to come? If this sounds like you, this class will help you unwind, quiet the mind, and relax. I start with a grounded and healing asana practice combined with meditative breathing to help you redirect your prana (energy) and breath into releasing tension and stress from the body. The second portion of class focuses on deeper, restorative stretches and meditation – each week a different and new experience from guided, silent, mantra, yoga nidra, breath work, and moving will be explored. This practice will quiet the mind and prepare you for a restful sleep so you can flow into the coming week with peace, clarity, and inspiration. The Ganesha Studio will be dimly lit and filled with peaceful music. All levels welcome.
I AM LOVE YOGA RETREATS
Don’t tell people your dreams, show them!
I show (and live) my dreams each year when I get to host yoga retreats on the most beautiful beaches in the world. In April of 2015 I will be hosting my 3rd Beach Yoga Bliss retreat in Aruba, and in September I’ll be leading another retreat in Santorini, Greece.
Our mantra each of these weeks will be “I Am Love,” and together we’ll learn how to live that mantra, letting go of fear, stress, or whatever is keeping you from living out your dreams and finding your bliss.
Click to find out more about upcoming Daily Downward Dog yoga retreats! Come join us!
Feb 22, 2014 |
What if I let go of all of my fears today and did something I’ve never dared to do?
What if I let go of regrets from the past and just focused on being in love with my life today?
What if I put down my I phone and really connected with those I love?
What If I let go of caring what others think of me and let my freak flag fly high?!
Two words with so much power … What if.
These two simple words more than inspired me a few weekends ago when I attended a Saturday night yoga extravaganza with 800+ yogis in the gorgeous new atrium of the Cleveland Art Museum. Doing yoga with a group of people is special, but when you get to do it in an incredible venue with the combined energy of hundreds of yogis supporting each other, add in awesome music, and do a little yoga mat dancing and meditation, that my friends is what I call yogalicious!
Photo courtesy of New Image Photography
This second Believe in CLE event was the brainchild of Tammy Lyons, owner of Inner Bliss Yoga Studio, and Adam Tilocco, who wanted to create a yoga movement to celebrate pride in Cleveland. These two asked each other, “What if we put together a yoga class at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland?” That simple question blossomed into one of the coolest yoga events I’ve ever attended with over 1,400 yogis from all over northeast Ohio coming together as one community to practice yoga, meditate, and dance on their yoga mats on a gorgeous September evening with the sun setting over Lake Erie and the illuminated Cleveland skyline and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the back drop. I can’t even describe what the energy felt like – a yoga moment I will never forget, the pure joy from it brought me to tears as I lay on my back looking up at the stars during savasana. If it was possible, it made me love Cleveland and yoga even more!
I’m sure that when Tammy and Adam said “What if…?” that first time, they never dreamed that the outcome at the events would look like this…
Photo courtesy of Simone Jowell Photography
Sweaty from dancing on our yoga mats and full of bliss, we were all asked to ponder this question from Tammy: “What if we took all the love, compassion, and sense of community we are feeling on our yoga mats and brought it back to share in our own communities?”
What if we treated all beings with the same amount of love and compassion?
What If? These two words have definitely inspired me to go out and make a difference off my yoga mat and out in my community.
What if you believed in and made a dream come true?
What if the possibilities for peace and joy are endless?
What if you [fill in the blank]?
Click to find out more about upcoming Daily Downward Dog yoga retreats! Come join us!
