![No April Fooling! My Beach Yoga Classes Start This Week!]()
Apr 1, 2013 |
This is not an April Fools joke, my days of teaching on the beach start this very week, but not on Lake Erie! My first 2013 beach yoga classes will be held starting this Saturday on the gorgeous white sand Caribbean beaches of ARUBA. I’ll be teaching three community yoga classes at Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa in additional to the Beach Yoga Bliss retreat I’m leading in Aruba from April 6-13.
If you happen to be in Aruba from April 6-13, please plan on joining me for a class in this gorgeous setting.
I’m equally as excited to announce that my Summer Beach Yoga classes on Lake Erie are just two short months away! I’ve just posted the 2013 Lake Erie Beach Yoga schedule and will be teaching again this year at Firefly Beach Resort in Huron, Linwood Park, and Main Street Beach in Vermilion.
I can’t wait for my favorite summer job ever – sharing yoga outdoors with the sound of the surf, the wind on my face, and gorgeous blue skies, sunshine, and all the unexpected (but delightful) surprises that happen when you get outside in nature! And the best part, all the awesome yogis that come out to practice yoga with me!
Please get in touch with me if you have any questions about the schedule, and keep in mind that I am also available for private yoga sessions for individuals or groups, so get in touch to with me to book your very own beach yoga party for a group of friends or family.
Linwood Beach Vermilion
Tuesday Night Sunset Beach Yoga
at Linwood Park in Vermilion Ohio – 4920 Liberty Street
7:30 – 8:30 PM from June 4 – August 27
All levels welcome (see class description below). Let the guard booth know you are there for beach yoga
and there is no fee to enter the park. Class fee is $10
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Firefly Beach Huron
Thursday Nights 7:30 – 8:30 PM
Friday & Saturday Mornings 8:30 – 9:30 AM
at the Firefly Beach Resort in Huron, Ohio
June 6 – August 31
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.
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.
All levels are welcome for this Hatha style yoga class.
Drop ins welcome! Never a need to sign up – there is plenty of room on the beach and there is a covered shelter available for days when the weather does not cooperate.
Firefly Resort guests per class walk-in: $5.00
Non-Resort Guests per class walk-in: $10.00
10 Class Pass: $80.00
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Main Street Beach Vermilion
Monday and Wednesday 8:30 – 9:30 AM
at the Main Street Beach in Vermilion, Ohio
June 3 – September 2
The Main Street Beach yoga classes in Vermilion are free and open to the public. Donations are welcome!
If you would like more information, please contact The Daily Downward Dog
or call (330) 289-7026. Private yoga classes either for individuals or groups may also be booked.
Class Description
Hatha Yoga — All Levels Welcome
Have you always wanted to practice yoga but hesitated because you thought it looked too difficult? If you are seeking a yoga class that will demystify yoga and teach the basics in a supportive and fun environment, then this class is for you! We will start out with warm-ups and proceed to step-by-step asana instruction, providing you with an active yet gentle practice that focuses on breath work, strengthening of the core and back, stretching, toning, and relaxation. This class will help you open up areas of tightness, such as hips and shoulders, and get you moving with basic Sun Salutations sequences—always with suggestions for modifications. If you are feeling stressed out, you will leave this class feeling refreshed and energized.
What to Bring
New students, please arrive 5-15 minutes early to prepare for class. Requests, concerns and questions will be happily addressed.
Bring your own sunscreen and yoga mat or beach towel, but we do have a few complimentary mats for students who need one. However, if you use our mats, please wipe them down (with wipes provided) after use. You should also bring an old sheet or a beach towel to place under your yoga mat to aid in keeping sand off your mat. You will also want to bring sunglasses or a hat for sunny days and also water for after class. No shoes needed, we will practice barefoot.
Weather
Updates are posted on the Daily Downward Dog Facebook Page and Twitter @downwarddog up to an hour before class on questionable weather days. Class is cancelled when temperature is below 45. If it is raining or there is a chance of rain, classes at The Firefly Beach Resort will be held under the covered pavilion (except on the rare occasion of high winds along with the rain).
Mar 26, 2013 |
I have to let you in on a favorite go-to album for my yoga class playlists. The music is a funky mash-up of East and West: traditional Indian instruments and drums fused with hip hop beats and beautiful mantras layered into the dub. No distracting lyrics, no airy-fairy yoga music – this one is full-on yoga class playlist nirvana!
Jahta Beat – The Lotus Memoirs by DJ Drez
Almost every one of the 15 tracks on this album has showed up on my yoga class playlists, and by far one of my favorites is “For What It’s Worth,” an adaptation of Buffalo Springfield’s classic done in a groovy, mystical style.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/KvOxkbUsjjo[/youtube]
The titles “Nectar Drop” and “Yearning” say it all; they are dreamy, magical, and perfect for flowing through a Vinyasa yoga class with sounds of sitar, horn, piano, and drums mixed together with traditional Indian vocals.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/7wPkGCb2ttI[/youtube]
“Yearning”
I’m always searching for awesome music to play in my yoga classes. I like to use upbeat music, but often what I’d like to play has lyrics that are either too distracting or inappropriate for class. When searching for “yoga music,” the typical fare tends to be either too new agey or techno for me. So you can imagine my delight when I attended Tadasana Festival last year and had my yoga musical horizons expanded. There I got to practice yoga to the LIVE musical stylings of incredible artists like Aykanna, Morley, Annmarie Soul, Manose, DJ Fabian Alsultany, and of course DJ Drez, who all offer music perfect for practicing yoga.
DJ Drez performing live at the 2012 Tadasana Festival in Santa Monica, CA
DJ Drez (sometimes affectionately referred to as Dr. EZ) is not only one of the highest ranking DJs and producers in LA’s underground music scene, but he is also a certified yoga instructor who teaches privately in Los Angeles and spends time helping fellow musicians with their practice. You can catch him this summer at one of the Wanderlust Festivals, Hanuman Festival, and lots of other cool yoga festivals.
I was thrilled to find out that this album is the fourth installment in the Jahta Beat series. The other three will be filling up my yoga class playlists real soon.
You can pick up this album from White Swan Sounds, and if you have not checked out the offerings from this label, I encourage you to do so. Sign up for their email newsletter and take advantage of the FREE weekly download they make available. I’ve scored quite a few great tracks for my playlists from the awesome peeps at White Swan Sounds (the sister label to Black Swan) and like supporting a label that is all about promoting the artists that create soundtracks for the yoga of life.
Check out more cool yoga music on the Daily Downward Dog and recent reviews of music by C.C. White and MC Yogi.
Follow DJ Drez on Facebook and Twitter
Follow White Swan Sounds on Facebook and Twitter
Feb 21, 2013 |
Last week I got to hear four blissful words that I never hear my husband say:
Let’s Go Do Yoga!
Just the sound of those precious words coming from his lips was enough to make my heart swell with delight. I love my husband and I love yoga, but my husband does not practice yoga, so to get to share some time with him on a mat is one sweet, yogalicious treat!
Our yoga date was not a typical hour-long asana class, but rather a two-hour partner Thai yoga massage class led by the awesome Tracy Rhinehart, who expertly guided the couples through the fine art of Thai massage, which has been affectionately dubbed “lazy man’s yoga.”
Many of the maneuvers Tracy took us through were familiar asanas to me, so I loved hearing my husband exclaim what a great stretch he was getting in his back when I gently guided him into an assisted bhugangasana (cobra pose) and seeing his relaxed smile as I assisted him into a gentle supta matsyendrasana (reclined twist).
It will probably be a while before I get him to come to another yoga class with me, so I will savor the memories of this stellar experience. I know that each time he gets a little taste of how awesome yoga is, his appetite and curiosity will continue to grow. And he knows that I will always have a yoga mat ready for him!
I want to give a big shout-out and hug to Tracy for hosting this class at YogaBliss Akron and for providing the yummy chocolate and wine afterward. You can book Tracy for your very own Thai massage or private yoga session, or if you live in the Akron/Cleveland area be sure to attend a yoga class with her.
If any of you have tips on how you get your partner or friend to the yoga mat – and, more importantly, hooked on the practice – I’m all ears, so please leave a comment below.
A Sweet Yoga Treat (and Challenge) for You!
I love a good challenge. And, if it is a yoga related challenge, all the better! This week, I decided to take Cora Wen’s 30-day Savasana Challenge. All you have to do is commit to resting for 15 minutes every day for the next 30 days. The actual challenge started on February 14, but it’s not too late to join in. You can get all of the details on Cora’s blog. When you leave comments on the 30-day Savasana post and share your savasana experiences, you are also entered to win some really cool prizes, including a Vernice Vita yoga mat that makes your savasana experience even more yogalicious with its middle layer of memory foam comfort.
Anna Guest-Jelly of CurvyYoga.com, Cora Wen, and Maria in Cleveland, Ohio
Blissed out after a day of yoga workshops led by Cora!
To quote Cora:
“Just 15 minutes of savasana a day can help you find that peace within and gain access to the space in between your thoughts. There, according to wisdom traditions, you find the window to the infinite mind and the mystery that some people call spirit or core consciousness.
The reason for restorative yoga isn’t so you can get away from it all, but that you can get in touch with it all.”
So, in other words, we’re not slacking when we rest in savasana; we are seeking peace and plugging into our consciousness for a few minutes, which is a great way to unplug from our phones and the internet for a refreshing change.
Please join me in this awesome challenge!
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!
Feb 13, 2013 |
February 6 would have been the 68th birthday of the legendary reggae master Bob Marley. I didn’t realize this auspicious date until I saw all the posts about Bob on Facebook and Twitter, and I decided right then and there that I would do a special yoga class playlist in honor of his music. I always try to include at least one reggae song in every class, and Bob has graced my playlist more times than I can note, so why not have a whole playlist dedicated to the legend?
As I was listening to his music and adding songs to the playlist, the lyrics were more than just resonating with me – I was hearing the teachings of the yoga sutras being beautifully sung to me with an awesome reggae beat.
“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds.”
Is this lyric from “Redemption Song” not the essence of yoga? Letting go of the mental chatter so we can free our minds to be present in all that we do is what yoga is all about.
“One love, One Heart, Let’s get together and feel alright.”
“Me only have one ambition, y’know, I only have one thing I really like to see happen. I like to see mankind live together – black, white, Chinese, everyone, that’s all.”
Are these last two statements not another interpretation of Namaste? I honor the divine light in me, and I honor and bow to the divine light in each and every soul.
I’m thinking that Bob may have never stepped on a yoga mat, but he was a yogi deep within his heart. Not only should he be revered for the music he created, but as a guru whose wisdom lives on through his music.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/OFGgbT_VasI[/youtube]
My exploration into Bob’s quotes and lyrics has contributed to my lexicon of mantras that I will continue to use for years to come.
“Love the life you live. Live the life you love.”
“Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you’re living?” – from the song “Exodus”
I had a blast teaching with his music as the soundtrack and have to laugh because the first class on Wednesday used three Bob Marley songs, and by the end of the week, the entire playlist except for the opening breath meditation and savasana was the music from the Bob Marley & the Wailers album Legend. I encouraged the yogis attending my classes to let go, free their minds, and do a little yoga mat dancing if the spirit moved them.
Marley also encourages me to do something I’ve wanted to try in my yoga classes for a really long time. Ever since I went to a weekend of workshops with Erich Schiffmann and got my first taste of freedom-style yoga, I knew that I would someday introduce the concept to my classes. The reggae-infused playlist provided the perfect opportunity.
So what is freedom-style yoga?
In freedom-style yoga, you are instructed to do whatever you please, to plug into the yoga patterns that you already know, listen to the music, trust yourself, and just let go and flow. Erich explained that when these downloads occur, we give expression to what we’re feeling and channel it into our practice. It doesn’t matter what you do; the beauty of it is that you have permission to do your own thing. This can be a little unnerving to some, so I was quick to offer some words of advice: Keep your eyes on your mat, maybe even close your eyes, listen to the music, and just go where your body is telling you to go. How cool is it that you get to deviate from the prescribed pattern? And, I can’t think of a better musical artist to try out freedom-style jamminasana to than Bob Marley! You can bet we will be doing some freedom-style yoga and yoga mat dancing on my beach yoga retreat in Aruba this coming April!
[youtube]http://youtu.be/5WlCdiU9IzA[/youtube]
I read this quote right as savasana was ending:
“Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you are riding through the ruts, don’t complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief, and jealousy. Don’t bury your thoughts; put your vision to reality. Wake up and live.”
Do yourself a favor: If you own a copy of Legend, pop it in, pull out your yoga mat, and try a freedom-style reggae infused jamminasana yoga session today. Let your hair down, plug into the music, and just move organically to the beat. If you don’t own a copy of Legend – get one! Close your eyes, listen to the lyrics, and then perhaps after you’re done practicing, meditate on one of Marley’s messages that resonates with your heart.
I’ll take you out with these classic words of wisdom from the master yogi himself…
“Don’t worry about a thing, ’cause every little thing is gonna be alright.”
Jai
