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!
Dec 18, 2012 |
Daily Downward Dog Facebook post from Friday, December 14: Today I did something that scares me: I got up at 6 am and did yoga. The yoga wasn’t the scary part – the 6 am part was! It’s all part of the 8-day winter solstice celebration I’m taking part in at Yoga Bliss Akron. Eight days of yoga, cleansing diet, karma yoga, and sadhana (meditation and chanting) with the intention of creating peace, harmony, and positive change in my life. Woo Hoo!
Daily Downward Dog Facebook post from Monday, December 17: This 6 am yoga may begin to be a habit. I like having my asana & meditation practice complete before I would have normally crawled out of bed. And the best part is that I get to take that blissful yoga high with me through the rest of my day! 🙂
I’ll be the first to admit I am not a morning person. If I had to describe my morning MO it would be the habitual repeat snooze alarm violator. Especially in the winter, it’s just plain hard for me to jump out of bed early all bursting with joy.
But this Monday morning (Monday being the definitive word) I arose in the dark looking forward to getting my yoga on with an awesome group of yogis assembled at Yoga Bliss Akron. I always feel a sense of community when I take a yoga class, but there is something about joining together before the sun rises that makes that connection even stronger. This morning I even found myself doing a little dancing on my yoga mat courtesy of an awesome playlist and flow led by Kristen Snyder.
Sunrise Yoga Rocks!
As I write this, I’m marveling at how great I feel, how much I’ve accomplished already this morning before most of my days ever begin. And, I can’t believe I had a breakfast that included rice, beans, turmeric, and cumin! That spicy stuff is pretty darn yummy and warming this time of year. (You can find the recipe for this kicharee on the Daily Downward Dog Facebook page.)
My body and mind need this 8-day cleanse. I am slowly peeling away the darkness of this year and reaching my head a little higher to find the light. I am listening to the beautiful voice of Gretchen Horinger as she leads us in a chant – lokah samasta sukhino bhavantu (May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.) – and guides us through our meditation. I’m quieting my mind, I’m letting go, I’m opening my heart, and I’m focusing on living this mantra.
This Friday is the official winter solstice, which marks the shortest day of the year and brings with it the promise of longer days of light (and for me that means it’s getting closer to beach yoga time). Start your own celebration and focus your yoga practice over the next few days on letting go of the dark, of anything that is not going to serve you in this coming season, and find your bliss. Cleanse your body with nutritious foods, sing the mantra, be good to yourself, and let yourself fill up with light!
Thank you, Gretchen, for bringing the 8-Day Solstice Celebration to Yoga Bliss – you are truly a shining light!
[youtube]http://youtu.be/w63w_iqy_HA[/youtube]
I’ve found the perfect yoga theme song for this winter solstice celebration – “Sun Light” from MC Yogi’s latest album Pilgrimage. Watch the video and listen to the lyrics for a little sunrise musical inspiration to jumpstart your day!
Sun light
Wash away the dark
Sun light, shines bright
light up the temple
This light my friend has no end
rise up and shine again!
Dec 12, 2012 |
Well, it happened again: I won the lottery! Last week I bought a Powerball ticket in hopes of winning the $325 million prize. I didn’t win at Powerball, but I did hit the jackpot that very same day when a copy of The Poetry of Yoga Volume 2 arrived in my mailbox! (Keep reading for you chance to win a copy of your very own.)
When I received the first volume of this anthology of contemporary yoga poetry, I felt like a kid in a candy store. The book had pages and pages of beautiful poetry about yoga written by modern-day yogis from around the world. With each turn of the page I found inspiration for both my personal yoga practice and the weekly yoga class themes I develop.
Imagine my utter delight when I opened up the second volume to find a quote from my review of the first analogy printed on page six alongside quotes by Shiva Rea, Yoga Journal Magazine, Rod Stryker, and Master Yoga Teacher Andil Palkhivala, to name a few. Woot!
I have not make it through all 325 pages of Volume 2 (I want to slowly savor and enjoy this book), but in just three readings, I’ve already found many poems like the one below that I would like to share and weave into yoga class themes.
Opening to Grace by Terilyn Wyre
From the Poetry of Yoga Volume 2, page 44
In my practice
in my life
I have planted seeds of hope
been rooted in faith
witnessed the tender new growth
of my awareness
and tended to my practice
like a master gardener
honoring every tight little bud
beginning to emerge
Only when I began to serve
did my yoga blossom
Petal by petal unfolding
Opening to grace
I no longer seek the perfect pose
An end result
the skilled gardener, a prized bloom
I honor the flaws, frayed edges,
dark spots, shadow side
fragmented reflection of light
And another petal unfurls
Opening to grace
I till the soil and gather the seeds
of knowledge to offer my community
A wisdom beyond my own
with my authentic voice
To be of service, to learn and teach
We weed our gardens and mindfully plant our intentions
To witness our physical bodies and minds
Yoking with the subtle energetic body
We yearn for the light
Like wildflowers and stately trees
Shrubs, moss and climbing roses
Opening to grace
The Poetry of Yoga Volume 2 is a project of love edited by author, documentary filmmaker, musician, poet, peacemaker, and yoga teacher HawaH. It consists of 206 poems submitted from toga teachers and students from around the world. Originally the plan was to release one book of poetry, but the power of social media sky-rocketed HawaH’s call for entries, and he received over 1,900 pages of poetry from 19 countries. Thankfully, the decision was made to create not one but two volumes to share these submissions, which express the modern-day collective consciousness of the yoga community. If you would like to learn more about the poets (which include folks like MC Yogi, Ana Forrest, David Newman, and Sean Corn), or just want to know how HawaH was ever able to cull down all those entries, please check out the official Poetry of Yoga website.
How to Purchase: Volume 1 is currently available, and the second volume goes on sale today 12/12/12. You can purchase the books from The Poetry of Yoga website, and when you do, you will not only score an awesome book of poetry – you’ll also be doing a good deed. When either volume of The Poetry of Yoga is purchased, 50 percent of proceeds are donated to the non-profit organization One Common Unity, which provides inner-city youth programs that teach peace education and the building of a non-violent culture through music and art.
How to win your own Yoga Poetry Jackpot: To celebrate the release of the second volume, the Daily Downward Dog has two copies of The Poetry of Yoga Volume 2 to giveaway, courtesy of HawaH. To enter, please leave a comment below and do one or several of the following:
- Like Poetry of Yoga on Facebook
- Copy and paste this to either Facebook or Twitter: The Poetry of Yoga Vol 2 available 12/12/12. Purchase yours now at http://bit.ly/X8R7Qx & enter to win a free copy here http://bit.ly/QUEt9q
- Don’t do the Facebook or Twitter thing? Send an email to a fellow yoga friends with a link to this article and tell them about The Poetry of Yoga.
The deadline for entries is 12/21/12 at noon ET, when two lucky winners will be randomly selected to win a copy of The Poetry of Yoga Volume 2 (that is, if the world doesn’t end).
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the yoga lover in your life, or just want to support a great cause, please visit The Poetry of Yoga website and pick up a copy of this inspiring and lovingly crafted book.
Dec 10, 2012 |
Over the last few days, I took a little break from work and was blessed to be able to do what I love: hang out with my husband and family and practice yoga not only outdoors, but on a BEACH!
Before I left, I fooled myself into believing that I still needed to work while I was on vacation and packed up my computer so I could spend a few hours each morning at work. You would think after all these years I had learned the lesson about taking the time on vacation to truly decompress, but my ego mind was not having any of that nonsense.
The universe, however, had other plans for me. I arrived at my vacation destination, went to unpack, and realized with a sense of horror that I have left the plug for my computer at home.
What? – Gasp – F*%#!
After frantically searching through my suitcase numerous times, I sat for a moment weighing my options. Perhaps I should go buy a new cord, or find a location with computer workstations. I let myself calm down with some deep breathing, and as I did, I came to the realization that the universe was lovingly sending me a message, “Maria, relax, you need this mental recharge. Your body needs this escape from the clutches of your computer.” I packed the laptop away, put on my yoga clothes, and went outside to practice and breathe under a brilliant blue sky.
Aaahhhh, yes, be present, let go, enjoy this time with family, this chance to let your shoulders drop and relax. Thanks, universe, I needed that swift little kick in the ass.
A few days later I got the chance to practice yoga on a beach. You can see from the picture below that I found a beautiful space for my beachfront yoga studio that day. The sand was white, the sound of the waves was magical, and I quickly fell into a state of pure beach yoga bliss.
I’m a fan of hot yoga, but I have to tell you that hot yoga on the beach is the best. With the sun shining down on me, my body temperature was rising, but there was just enough cool in those ocean breezes to keep me from overheating. The combination of all the elements – blue sky, puffy white clouds, idyllic breeze, waves rolling up onto the beach, and a flowing yoga practice – it couldn’t get more perfect!
After I finished my first sun salutation, I stood in tadasana, heart soaring as I gazed out over the magnificent horizon soaking in the beauty of that moment. Just then, a woman walked by with her dog. The dog stopped, crouched down, and proceeded to do his bizness about six feet in front of my yoga mat.
What? Gasp, OMG, Sh&*!
What the hell kind of a message from the universe was this supposed to be?
After my initial horror subsided, all I could do was laugh to help ease the tension of the woman who was clearly horrified that her dog had found his bliss right in the middle of my bliss. Her husband quickly came to the rescue and scooped up the mess as we all laughed together.
I’ve had some funny and memorable experiences when practicing or teaching yoga on the beach, but this one is definitely going down in the records. I’m still trying to figure out what the universe was trying to tell me that day, but I’m sure it was along these lines: Even when you’re doing what you love, shitty things can happen, but you’ve got to let it go, laugh, clean up the mess, and move on.
I did just that and was rewarded with one of the most perfect beach yoga practices ever. I held my crow and headstands longer than I ever had, I meditated for close to thirty minutes after my asana practice, and I truly found my bliss.
Thank you, universe, and keep sending those messages. I’m listening!
Join me in Aruba this coming April 2013 for Beach Yoga Bliss!
Nov 27, 2012 |
I’m a big fan of online yoga video websites. Of course, nothing beats going to a live yoga class, but when you get busy, especially during this hectic month of December, you may have a hard time making it to a yoga studio at the exact time when they offer classes (like those nights when taking a class at 10 PM seems like a swell idea).
The beauty of online video classes is that you can do them WHENEVER YOU HAVE THE TIME and wherever you have an internet connection. They offer flexibility in terms of length, yoga style, intensity, and an amazing variety of different teachers.
I’ve written about My Yoga Online and Do Yoga With Me, and now I’d like to share the top ten reasons why I’m digging Yoga Download.
1) Free pose guides (this is the coolest feature!) – If you like a class and want to do it again, each class has a pose guide you can download as a PDF. These guides show the sequence of yoga poses from the class, and under each pose picture is the name of the yoga pose. You can save these guides to your computer and print them out for a visual reference during class or to use again for your own home practice.
2) Try it out for FREE first – Yoga Download offers 47 classes that you can try for free. The free class is 20 minutes, and if you like it you can try out the longer versions of these classes. There is a huge variety of free offerings like Jivamukti, Power Baptiste, Forrest Yoga, Anusara, Yin, Prenatal, and Pilates, to name a few. If you’ve always wanted to try out these different styles of yoga, now you can for FREE.
3) Stream it or Download it – If you are one of those people who like to buy the DVDs of your favorite movies, Yoga Download has an option like this. Try a video first, and if you love it, you can download it and keep it forever.
4) Chill-out yoga music – There’s a whole section of chillaxing style yoga music you can check out and purchase. If you dig electronic and organic instrumentals and are looking for some cool new tunes for your yoga classes, you’ll find a great selection of new artists and styles here. For each featured album you can view the tracklist, listen to a portion of each track, and either buy individual tracks or the full album.
5) Community – Yoga Download gives a portion of their proceeds to these organizations: The American Cancer Society, Foundation for International Community Assistance Small Loans (FINCA), Big Changes, Plan USA – Helping Children Through Sponsorship, and Cambodian Children’s Fund. In fact they’ve developed a special class, Yoga for Cancer Survivors, and for every download, they donate 50% of the fee to the American Cancer Society.
6) Awesome pricing plans – For just $10, you can get unlimited streaming classes for a month. For $24, you get unlimited streaming for 3 months, and for $90, unlimited streaming for a whole year! If you want to add downloads to that, it costs just a little more. Don’t want to commit to a full month or year? You can stream most classes for a $1.99 a la carte price.
7) Stress release – Yeah, December is a tough month. Let yoga get you through this stressful time with classes like Yoga for Anxiety and Yoga for Back Pain.
Shiva Rea live at Tadasana Festival 2012
8) Shiva Rea’s Solar and Lunar Flow classes are available! – I got to attend a few of Shiva’s classes at Tadasana Festival, and they rocked! If you can’t make it out to one of her live classes, this is the next best thing.
9) Great gift idea – Yoga Download is the perfect gift for a busy friend or someone you know who doesn’t live near a yoga studio. Give the gift of unlimited yoga for a month or a year to someone you love!
10) Yoga for Peace –Yoga Download established the Yoga For Peace program to show support for American troops overseas and current members of the Peace Corps. In the true spirit of yoga, the entire Yoga Download catalogue is available FREE to active duty servicemen and women as their way of thanking those who have offered themselves to a greater mission.
If you or anyone you know is serving in the armed forces or Peace Corps and would like access to free yoga classes, please send an email to help@yogadownload.com for more information.
