Sep 12, 2013 |
Guest Post (woo-hoo) from Dominique Chatterjee
Yoga means a lot of things to a lot of different people, both traditionally and personally. But there’s one very powerful aspect that has helped yoga spread throughout first India and now the world: community. Every practitioner is a student of yoga, and for that, we all need teachers. Sure, we’re our own teachers, the experience itself is a teacher, and our injuries are our teachers, too. But we also learn from each other and, more importantly, inspire one another in our practice.
There is no better place for me to explore the idea of community in yoga than Daily Downward Dog because I consider Maria to be my very first yoga teacher. Maria and I first met online about two years ago when I was a brand new freelance editor and she needed a wordsmith. The universe was definitely looking out for me with that match-up because getting the chance to edit this amazing blog inarguably changed my life.
Before DDD, I was an at-home yoga practitioner, letting my anxiety keep me out of classes. I thought I could get as much as I needed out of yoga by practicing solo. From the time I was introduced to hatha yoga in physical therapy in 2008, I fell in and out of doing it at home, but I did not understand the sequencing of flows, let alone the different styles of yoga. I knew maybe 10 or 15 asanas! But that was enough for a while; it was all I was ready for. In spring of 2011, I started practicing yoga almost every day with iPod apps, got addicted to fast-moving vinyasa flows, and started to phase out my inflatable exercise ball routine. I saw that yoga was making me both stronger and more flexible than any other fitness method I’d tried. But by trying to teach myself difficult poses like chaturanga, I was doing myself a major disservice (hello, rotator cuff injury). By the time I joined the DDD team, I was on my way to becoming a practiced yogi – but all alone.
Reading about Maria’s personal journey as a yoga teacher helped me gain awareness of everything I was missing out on by not having a yoga community. Her blog posts and yogalicious stories started to fill the community role for me, inspiring me, teaching me to explore myself in practice, and helping me learn more about different asanas. Then the best thing ever happened: Maria came to visit Phoenix, where I was living at the time, and invited me to my first ever aerial yoga class. I was so nervous! But as my yoga teacher in spirit, Maria with her easygoing nature and friendly smile helped me learn to let go in a yoga class for the first time. My life has never been the same.
Maria is still a big part of my yoga family, and she continuously shows me through her writing how yoga is not just something you practice on the mat but that positively affects all aspects of life. By letting go of my anxiety and opening my heart and mind to the community of yoga, my practice grew, I gained lifelong friendships with a diverse bunch of individuals, and I even got to better know people who were already in my social circle. I was instantly addicted to aerial yoga, which continued to push my at-home practice, and when I moved to Brooklyn last December, it helped me immediately find a studio to call home.
OM Factory teachers showing off how much fun they have in the studio
Now I’m an active part of the OM Factory community, volunteering at the desk and helping with the studio blog, and I couldn’t be happier. OM Factory offers unique opportunities by inviting in cool hybrids like aerial yoga, AcroYoga, yoga fight club, and hoop vinyasa, but what makes it so special is the community. The teachers are endlessly supportive and able to express their personalities and perspectives, something I truly value, and the students are enthusiastic and open-minded, a joy to practice with side-by-side.
Early this summer when I went one month without going to OM Factory, I was surprised that it had a negative impact on my at-home yoga practice. Without my yoga community around to inspire me to try new things, reach new milestones, and love even the most difficult parts of yoga (like pigeon – thanks, Kevin!), I lost motivation to keep up a daily practice. And that’s when it hit me: community is a crucial ingredient in yoga. It fosters development, but beyond that, having an amazing class to go to with a one-of-a-kind teacher and smiling students gives us one more reason to show up on the mat.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read a Daily Downward Dog post and immediately rolled out my mat for some sun salutations. And I can’t count how many classes I had to drag myself to but then, once there, began to dread savasana because it means class is over. Thanks to Maria and OM Factory, I am no longer just an aerial yogi but an aerial acrobat, stronger and more flexible than I ever imagined possible. And, besides that, I have the coolest teachers and friends.
Community offers a means of sharing lessons learned and broadening one another’s perspectives. So, now it’s your turn! How has your yoga community impacted your life on and off the mat? How did you find your most motivational teachers (including, of course, Maria!), and how do they help you to push your practice?
Dominique Chatterjee is The Logical Editor, a freelance wordsmith and writing coach. When she’s not at the computer obsessing for one reason of another about language, you can find her hanging out with other acrobats (quite literally) or practicing aerial yoga at OM Factory.
![The Ultimate Yoga Road Trip: Vote Now!]()
Sep 5, 2013 |
I’m asking for your help today – if you can contribute a few seconds of your time, it will help me spread the joy of yoga! I’d love it if you could head over to http://bit.ly/voteforyoga to watch a short video, and if you like it, give it a vote.
This video is the combined dream of Stephanie Spence and me, one that we hatched when we met for the first time last year. We want to travel across the United States and teach yoga to as many people as we can to help spread the word about the healing and transformational benefits of yoga and meditation. Our classes will be open to the public, but we’re aiming to have as many of them as we can nearby military bases so we can reach current military personnel, their families, and veterans. If we can get the classes on a beach or outdoors, all the better!
We have submitted our video into the Ford Fusion Energi Ultimate Road Trip Adventure contest. If we win, we’ll get the opportunity to take a road trip in a new Ford Fusion Energi and be filmed for a reality TV show. This hybrid car is super fuel efficient, so we should be able to hit quite a few cities and reach countless yogis. The car has a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery pack and electric motor with a gasoline engine ad with a full take of gas and when fully charged, the driving range is an EPA-estimated 620 miles (electric and gas combined). Yowza – that is awesome!
When I heard about the contest, Stephanie was the first person I called, and we jumped at the opportunity to use this vehicle (pun intended) to help us give legs to our idea.
So how did this grand plan come about? It’s actually a fun story! Stephanie and I initially met through following each other on Twitter. We have quite a bit in common – we’re both avid social media mavens and bloggers, yoga teachers, writers, and loving life in our 50s. When I was heading to Phoenix last year, I reached out to Stephanie for the scoop on the local yoga studios I should visit, and she led me to my very first wall yoga class and even took the time to interview me for her Tales of the Traveling Yogini series (soon to be a bestselling book)!
After hanging out together on a yoga wall, we had coffee, confessed our mutual desire to combine our passions for yoga, travel, and adventure, and vowed to someday find a way to take our road trip.
Not only do we believe we will win this contest, we’re also hopeful that Ford will continue to sponsor us so we can keep these free yoga and meditation classes going long past the time the designated prize budget runs out.
If you really, really like the sound of our project, please go back a couple of times – or every day until September 30 – and vote again and again! After you watch the video there is the opportunity to get bonus votes by watching videos about the Ford C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi hybrid automobiles, so if you have a few extra moments to get the bonus votes for us, that would be awesome and greatly appreciated.
Sending out big hugs and thanks for your time and help in making this dream and ultimate yoga road trip a beautiful reality! I’m putting it out there into the universe and BELIEVING!!
The deadline to vote is September 30, 2013…click here to watch the video and VOTE! If you really, really like it, share it with your friends as well so we can get even more support to offer FREE yoga classes.
Aug 9, 2013 |
What would you think if I threw a yoga retreat?
Would you grab your mat and come to the beach?
Lend me your ears, and I’ll chant you a mantra
And I’ll try not to chant out of key
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, I get a yoga high with a little help from my friends!
Oh yeah, it never ceases to amaze me what I can do with a little help and support from my friends.
I’m having a little yoga retreat the weekend of September 6–8, 2013 at the beautiful Firefly Beach Resort in Huron, Ohio, and it just keeps getting better and better because I have an awesome group of friends who are going to share their talents with you. Let me tell you a bit more about these exciting activities!
Jim Lawhead, the owner of Lake Erie Paddler is going to bring 10 stand-up paddle boards (SUP) and provide demonstrations on how to use the boards. Plus, he’s offering mini-lessons in paddling and hybrid yoga fitness for anyone who is interested. If you would like to go paddling or even to try out a few yoga poses on the water, you can rent a board for $10 an hour. Quite a few of you have expressed an interest in trying out the boards, so I would recommend that you contact Jim at (440) 935-1645 to reserve your space at 10 am, 11 am, or 1 pm. You can contact me to make reservations as well.
Another good yogini friend, Tracy Rhinehart, is an E-RYT 200, RYT 500 yoga instructor recognized by the Yoga Alliance. She is also a Thai Massage practitioner and Body Wisdom practitioner and will be offering some unique ways to relax this weekend. On Saturday, you will have the opportunity to get a 45-minute Thai Massage or a Body Wisdom consultation with Tracy from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm.
So what is a Thai Massage you ask? With a 2200 year history founded in Ayurvedic medicine and Yoga, Thai Massage is gaining popularity in the West. This unique form of bodywork is a part of the traditional healing practices in Thailand. It is done fully clothed on a cushioned floor mat. It is often described as having someone ‘do yoga to you’. Thai massage is appropriate for all ages and compliments any lifestyle. Benefits include:
- Improved circulation
- Detox of the lymphatic system
- Increase in flexibility and range of motion
- Improved muscle tone
- Heightened immune functioning
- Recovery from over-exertion
- Relaxation of sore or tense muscles
- Enhanced natural healing processes
Body Wisdom is a therapeutic process that allows you to listen to your own body and access your inner wisdom. While resting comfortably in savasana, you are guided into a deep meditation that helps you access your personal information and insight. Through releasing and affirming statements, your old, unproductive patterns are released and new, productive thoughts and behaviors are acquired. This healing art can help you hear the guidance you need to make healing, empowering and meaningful changes in your life.
The cost for either a Thai Massage or a Body Wisdom session is $45, and you should definitely make a reservation to ensure your spot by contacting Tracy at 216-551-0707 or email trhinehart108 at gmail.com or me at (330) 289-7026 to book time with Tracy in advance.
Tracy is also going to co-teach the 8:30 AM yoga class with me on Saturday morning, and I am really excited about sharing her energy and passion with all of you. Did I mention that Tracy is one of my favorite yoga teachers? You are in for a treat!
Wanda, Joy, and Patty – the Firefly Beach gals – extended their friendship and had the belief in me to allow me to bring beach yoga to Firefly a few years back, and for that I will always be grateful. They have a pretty incredible little slice of heaven up here in Huron, so if you are looking for a place to stay, please check out their cottage rentals, or pitch your tent next to mine in their camping facilities (RVs are welcome too). The Erie Kai Tavern has a tiki bar vibe and is a cool place to get a bite to eat, or a refreshing drink after class.
And, I could never get by without my friends who continue to show up for my classes each week. You know who you are, and I love you! I am thrilled to hear many of you are planning to attend this special weekend of yoga. Sharing yoga is my passion, so thanks for allowing me to do what I love.
Yes, I get by with a little help from my friends.
With a little (well more like A LOT) of help from my friends.
Beach Yoga Bliss at Firefly Beach, Huron, Ohio
Yoga classes will be held right on the beach overlooking the lake at Firefly Beach Resort in Huron, Ohio.
Friday, September 6
Sunset Vinyasa & Meditation | 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Saturday, September 7
Sunrise Meditation | 7:00 to 8:00 AM
Vinyasa & Meditation with Tracy Rhinehart & Maria Santoferraro | 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM
Afternoon: Free time to explore Vermilion and Huron on bike, kayak or standup paddleboard. Have lunch at one of the great restaurants in downtown Vermilion, visit the shops and nearby wineries, hang out at the beach, relax, and unwind.
Sunset Vinyasa & Meditation | 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Sunday, September 8
Morning Vinyasa & Meditation | 8:30 to 10:00 AM
All classes except for the Saturday morning meditation class are one hour and a half to provide extra time for discussion, pranayama breathing exercises, a longer savasana, and meditation. Each class is $15. The sunrise meditation class on Saturday is $5. Early bird pricing for the entire weekend is $55 if you sign up before August 30.
All Levels Welcome!
If it is raining or there is a chance of rain, classes at The Firefly Beach Resort will be held under a covered pavilion that has an awesome view of the beach!
How to Get There
The Firefly Beach Resort is located directly behind the Erie Kai Tavern at 4903 Cleveland Road East (Route 6) in Huron, Ohio, just minutes away from Sandusky, Ohio and Vermilion, Ohio.
Please park in the front by the Erie Kai Tavern or in their side parking area and walk down towards the beach. Check-in for classes is under the pavilion at the top of the beach.
You can sign up in advance for one class or the entire weekend below using PayPal.
Aug 6, 2013 |
Peace of mind is great, but who wants it just for a short commute? Shouldn’t we all be striving to have it for the longer journey? Peace of mind to me is all about living in the present, and ultimately that’s what yoga is all about – letting go of the chatter, the worry, the stress, any fretting about the past and the future, and being fully present and full of gratitude and peace in the here and now. It’s not the easiest of tasks, especially if we think about sustaining this state for the long haul.
The folks over at the Robinson Trucking Company totally get it, and may have found one of the most awesome marketing taglines I’ve seen in a while – the title of this very post! As a former advertising executive, I have a fondness in my heart for clever and well-thought out taglines. Who knew a trucking company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, could be so Zen? I can’t even tell you how much it made me smile when I was driving on the Ohio Turnpike last week and saw ”Peace of Mind for the Long Haul” emblazoned on the side of one of their trucks!
This isn’t the first time I’ve commended a company for sharing yogic lessons. I gave Liberty Mutual a shout-out last year for “Slow down – there’s plenty of fast out there.”
Peace of mind is such a beautiful gift. Why not set an intention to strive to practice it, not just for little trips around the corner, but truly for the long-distance journey of your life? You can start by focusing on peace of mind on your yoga mat, especially during savasana, and by developing a meditation practice, even if only for ten minutes a day with Hang Ten Meditation. Take this peaceful practice out for test drives until you become a seasoned long-haul peace of mind trucker.
After all, if you are always worrying about the past or the future, what happens to the moment you are in?
Jul 29, 2013 |
With the temps cresting above 90 a week ago and beach yoga classes that felt like they may as well have been inside a heated Bikram yoga studio, I couldn’t help daydreaming about my upcoming Skiasana Yoga Retreat in Stowe, Vermont! Yes, me, Miss Beach Yoga, lover of all things summer, dreaming about flowing from salamba sirsasana on my yoga mat to swishing down the slopes on skis.
Vrksasana Skiasana Style
If you need something icy cool to keep in mind on these hot summer days, why not consider signing up to Skiasana with me this coming January 15–19, 2014 in the stunning mountains of Stowe, Vermont? That’s the weekend of the Martin Luther King holiday, so you can relax and take a long 4-day weekend of yoga, meditation, skiing, knitting, and delicious food with a great group of yogis.
Stowe Mountain has been named “Best in the East” by Ski Magazine, and the Stowe Mountain Ranch, where the retreat is being held, is located 400 yards from the closest ski trails – right on the shuttle route that takes guests to the ski resort and the Stowe Village.
If you love the idea of a wintry yoga retreat but aren’t into skiing, you won’t be left out in the cold. Stowe is full of cultural and recreational facilities that appeal to everyone, from breathtaking mountain hikes and horse-drawn sleigh rides to ice skating and exploring the shops and other attractions in the quaint village.
Each day will begin with a vinyasa yoga class specifically designed to salute the snow and stretch your body and mind in preparation for an invigorating day of skiing, snowboarding, or hiking on Stowe Mountain. We’ll take the principles of alignment, balance, and awareness learned on the mat and utilize them on the slopes as we engage in winter outdoor adventures. After a day of breathing in fresh mountain air and relaxing back at the lodge in the hot tub and steam room, there will be a gentle candlelight yoga class with restorative poses and meditation by the fire to leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.
What’s it like to go on a retreat with Maria? Read testimonials here…
Winter doesn’t have to be for hibernating; it’s an excellent time to connect with nature and to focus on your well-being. The yoga classes throughout this weekend will allow time for personal reflection, recharging, journaling, and deepening your meditation practice.
One of the parts of the retreat I’m looking forward to most is sharing meals together in the cozy lodge. No need to go out or cook for yourself – the meals on this retreat are going to be prepared by graduates of the prestigious New England Culinary Institute and will be made from seasonal, local organic foods. Can you say yogalicious!
And, if the yoga, meditation, food, and mountain majesty, is not enough to entice you, I’m thrilled to announce that NamaSTAY Yoga Towels are the official sponsor of the SKIASANA Yoga Retreat, and all attendees will receive their very own NamaSTAY Yoga Towel to use during the retreat and to take home. NamaSTAY Yoga Towels are the only yoga towels with sleeves sleeves which fit around yoga mats to stay flat and provide a safe surface to practice yoga. These awesome towels provide firm gripping traction that will absorb your sweat, and provide slip free confidence. Hummm, I wonder if I can get that slip free confidence on the bottom of my skis too!
Rocking a salamba sirasana with slip-free confidence on my ruby red NamaSTAY Yoga Towel!
I’d love to have your join me on this special yoga and ski retreat. Meanwhile, I’m not going to let these hot summer temps get to me. I’ll just cool down by dreaming of Skiasana in Stowe, and you may even hear me whistling a little “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow,” throughout the month of August! I know it seems a bit early to plan for a January getaway, but space is limited at the luxury Stowe Mountain Lodge. Make your reservation now to reserve the best rooms on my Skiasana Retreat!
What’s included:
- Morning rise and shine yoga, and evening candlelight yoga with restorative and meditation with Maria Santoferraro
- All meals prepared by New England Culinary School graduates
- Stowe Mountain Lodge accommodation
- Meet and greet with cheese, appetizers, and local Vermont wine (not to be missed!)
- Three-hour guided snowshoeing
- Knitting and meditation classes with Dee Eisner
- Unlimited Jacuzzi time in the snowfall
- Mountain Road Shuttle return ride to the slopes
- Wi-Fi (so only have to retreat as much as you want)
- A NamaSTAY Yoga Towel!
Looking for a yoga retreat a little sooner, and a lot warmer? Check out my Beach Yoga Bliss retreat coming up this September 6-8, at Firefly Beach on the beautiful shores of Lake Erie, Ohio. https://dailydownwarddog.com/summer-2013-beach-yoga-bliss-retreat/
