What are you doin’ New Year’s Eve and Christmas Eve?

I’m going to be teaching yoga!

I have to admit that has a nice ring to it.

I think one of the coolest yoga classes I took in 2009 was on New Year’s Eve. The class was at 10 a.m. and the only one my studio offered that day. I thought the class would be empty, with everyone getting ready for their holiday celebrations, so imagine my delight when I walked into a packed class. All these yoga dorks were just like me and wanted to sneak in one last yoga high for the year. I snorkeled my way into a spot in the middle, and the yoga instructor took us through a vigorous vinyasa flow. We all breathed out anything from 2009 that didn’t serve us and breathed in all the hope and possibilities for 2010. We got the room so hot, the mirrors started to fog up. There was such an incredible prana flowing through the room that, at one point, we all broke out in dance. I felt blissful and exhilarated when I left the studio that day, ready to take on the world and whatever the new year was going to throw at me.

I would never have dreamed on January 1, 2010, that by the end of this year, I would be teaching my very own New Year’s Eve yoga class! What a transformation my life has taken this year. I went from being a stressed-out workaholic to a meditating, yoga blogging, pranaholic. I should be the poster child for how to make a 180-degree life change and live to tell about it.

So, I’m in the midst of planning my New Year’s Eve class, and I want it to be just as special as the one I attended last year (although it will be hard to beat, thanks to Elizabeth Clay). I’m going to throw in a Simhasana (lion pose) so we can growl out the parts of the year we want to leave behind and bring in some heart openers to let love and goodwill come into our hearts for the coming year. A little laughter yoga will be in the mix to remind us to laugh every day in the coming year. I’m also planning a kick-ass playlist, with my ultimate goal to get that class dancing!

I can’t think of a better way to ring in the New Year than a little booty shaking from my yoga mat.

If you live anywhere near the Akron, Ohio, area, I would love for you to join me on New Year’s Eve. My class is an all-levels hatha-style yoga that is suitable for beginners to more advanced students.

I’m also teaching a special class on Christmas Eve. If you want to get away from the holiday madness and give yourself the gift of your breath and a relaxing yoga class, then please join me this coming Friday at 10:00 a.m. as well. I promise to only put a few cheesy holiday songs on the Christmas Eve playlist.

Yeah, 2010 was an amazing year for me, and I am thrilled that I get to wear black stretchy pants to work instead of a black power suit.

If you can’t make it to Ohio, give yourself a gift and find a local yoga class near you or dial into a class at MyYogaOnline (they are open everyday 24/7!).

Om shanti, shanti, shanti…wishing you peace and love today and throughout the coming year.

P.S. Thanks to @yogabrooks for this awesome headline idea and her awesome yoga blog.

P.S.S. Shanti means peace!