Feb 22, 2012 |
What an incredible concept: Yoga Bliss Akron celebrates their 1-year birthday, and yoga aficionados around Northeast Ohio get the goods. The goods come in the form of an all-star line-up of yoga classes and workshops that are being offered on Saturday, February 25 for FREE!
Yeah, I said FREE!
To give you an idea of the yogaliciousness of this event, check out the list of classes. There is something for every level of student. If you have been wanting to try a new form of yoga, are curious about meditation, or are wondering what all the talk about Thai massage is about, you must check out a few of these classes.
Bliss Day Festivities at Yoga Bliss Akron
9:00 AM Blissful Power
9:15 AM Flowing with the Seven Spiritual Laws
10:15 AM Detoxing through Breath, Twists, and Backbends
10:30 AM Therapeutic Yoga
11:30 AM Core Power
11:45 AM Slow Burn & Yoga Nidra
12:45 PM Inversions & Arm Balances
1:00 PM Introduction to Meditation
2:00 PM Hip Opening Class
2:15 PM Pranayama & Yoga Basics
3:15 PM Floating
3:30 PM A Taste of Thai Massage
4:30 PM The Five Tibetan Rites
4:45 PM Living Yoga, Living Love
Classes shown in bold will be held in the spacious and balmy hot studio, and the other classes will be held in the basics studio, which is kept at 70 degrees.
For more details on each of these classes, please visit the Yoga Bliss website and check out the schedule for Saturday, February 25. Yoga Bliss is located at 3045 Smith Road, Suite 300, in Akron, Ohio, directly behind Summit Mall.
I am thrilled for Yoga Bliss Akron and am also so grateful to Caroline for offering me the opportunity to teach at this beautiful studio. It has been an incredible year, and it’s been really fun to witness the community of students, teachers, and staff blossom and grow.
Happy Birthday, Yoga Bliss Akron! Here’s to another awesome year of blissful yoga to come (and many more)!
Feb 16, 2012 |
If you ever find yourself in South Beach (SOBE), forget about celebrity sightings and nightclubs, and head on over to the 3rd Street Beach to catch a beach yoga class! You don’t have to worry about what day of the year it is; these awesome beach yoga classes happen 365 days a year, and you have your pick of either a sunrise yoga class at 7 am or a sunset class at 5 pm.
These community yoga classes got their start back in 1998, when SOBE local and newly certified yoga instructor, October Rose, started practicing daily on the 3rd Street Beach. People started to join her, and before she knew it, she was teaching two classes daily. The word spread, and other teachers joined in the fun. In 2008, October moved to India, but her legacy lived on: Those two daily classes continue with the help of a talented group of local teachers.
As if practicing yoga on the beach is not cool enough in itself, 3rd Street Beach Yoga makes it even cooler by making the classes accessible and free to everyone. The teachers all offer yoga from their heart, but they do accept donations.
I was extremely lucky to attend two 3rd Street Beach Yoga classes when I was on vacation recently in SOBE. Yeah, it was a little tough crawling out of my comfy bed in the dark to make it to the 7 am class each morning, but it was well worth it!
The first day I attended a class led by Benjamin Smielowitz. It was dark and windy when class first started, but I was thrilled to see that another 25 or so beach yoga lovers had gotten their butts up early to get their yoga fix. We were rewarded when the sun started to creep out of the Atlantic, and by the end of class, we were doing our yoga accompanied by a gorgeous sunrise and sunny, blue skies.
Benjamin started class by asking if anyone was a yoga teacher. I raised my hand, and he was quick to ask me if I would like to teach the class. He was kidding (thank god), but I assured him that, as much as I enjoy teaching yoga on the beach, I was on vacation and was looking forward to experiencing his brand of beach yoga. I was not disappointed. Benjamin took us through a vigorous class (perfect for a brisk morning on the beach) and a few challenging poses like hanumanasana, which he skillfully demonstrated and then offered up the requisite modifications for those of us who aren’t quite as flexible.
My favorite part of class was savasana. It was cold that morning, and after only a few minutes in this resting pose, Benjamin, who thought that many of us looked uncomfortable lying in the cool windy morning air, invited us to come to a seated position in a circle. He then led us through a seated meditation with the mantra, lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu, which as he explained to the group translates to:
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.
It was a meaningful and moving way to end the class, and I felt a sense of community along with all of the other participants that morning.
I got to talk to Benjamin for a few moments after class and learned that he attended his very first yoga class right there on the beach in 2002 (how cool is that!). In less than a year from that fated first beach yoga class, he had gone on to become a certified yoga teacher. I love how the beach and the yoga had such a profound effect on his life!
Benjamin is also a gifted musician, and you can hear a track from his latest CD below.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6X52ikelNY[/youtube]
Tuesday morning I got up early again and joyously walked to the beach in anticipation of a second blissful sunrise yoga session. It was another chilly, overcast morning, and as I started to approach the lifeguard stand at 3rd Beach, my heart began to sink. There was no one assembled like there had been the day before, and I worried that the class might be cancelled (that happens if the temperatures fall below 55 degrees). But, not to worry, I looked a little further down the beach, and instructor Heather Morgan was walking towards me. We met up at the lifeguard booth and walked around to find a spot protected from the wind – no sooner than that did other beach yoga aficionados begin crawling out of the woodwork.
I learned a lot from Heather that morning. For example, Heather turned me on to a very high-tech way to keep beach towels (makeshift yoga mats) from blowing away on windy days. She simply comes prepared with some plastic bags that she fills with sand to weigh down the towels. Genius! I can’t believe I didn’t think of that when I was scouring the shores of Lake Erie last summer looking for rocks and driftwood to weigh down the beach towels on windy days.
Heather also had excellent modifications to help the class deal with the wind and instability that can come at times when practicing on the sand. She is a gifted teacher who brings her extensive knowledge of proper alignment to her asana cues along with a delightful English accent and sense of humor.
One of the most memorable parts of Heather’s class is when we chanted Om at the beginning and end. I have never heard anyone who can hold their Om better than Heather. I would be out of breath and closing off my Om, and I swear Heather would keep hers going for what seemed like a full minute longer.
If you’re in Miami, Heather teaches extensively throughout the area, and her favorite yoga style, which I’m bummed I did not get to try, is Skanda. I guess this will be my incentive to get down to Miami again so I can check out yet another flavor of yoga.
Heather and I both share a love for beach yoga. After class, I got to spend some time talking with her, and as we chatted, a passerby stopped to ask her about the classes. Heather was so enthusiastic in explaining the classes and the fact that you get to be outside with nature, watching the sunrise while doing yoga, and how in essence, this is what life is all about.
“Yoga challenges us, awakening our inner warrior to help us be the best we can be – add that to the beach,
and you have perfection.” – Heather Morgan
I couldn’t agree more! Thank you, Heather and Benjamin, for giving me such a lovely gift on my vacation and for the awesome inspiration that you provided for my summer beach yoga classes.
Feb 8, 2012 |
“Crying is one of the highest devotional songs. One who knows crying knows spiritual practice. If you can cry with a pure heart, nothing else compares to such a prayer. Crying includes all the principles of Yoga.” ―Kripalvanandji
I’m one of those people that have never cried during or after a yoga class. I’ve heard the stories from fellow yogis who attended a class that brought out a deep emotional or spiritual release that moved them to the point of tears, and I’ve wondered, “What the hell is wrong with me?” Yeah, I’ve gotten a few drops of condensation in the eyes after an especially moving asana practice, but I’ve never achieved a full-on gusher.
Well, I’m happy to report that it finally happened – I got my yoga cry – and it was GOOD!
Plus, I got the added bonus of experiencing my spiritual breakthrough while practicing my all-time favorite, numero uno form of yoga. It was a Thursday, the sun was rising out of the Atlantic Ocean and sending streams of light peeking through the clouds, the soothing sound of waves crashing onto the beach provided the consummate playlist, seagulls were soaring through the air, and the wind and warm air swept across my tired, achy, winter-worn body. I had not been on a beach to practice yoga since October. I had not been on a beach vacation in over two years. I had let myself forget how the combination of all those elements, how that complete communion with nature could lift me to a state of absolute bliss.
Sunrise Yoga Rocks!
As I went through my opening sun salutations and stood with my hands resting against my heart in anjali mudra (prayer position), I was overcome with emotion and began to cry tears of joy. I stood there with a heart bursting with gratitude for the majesty of the ocean before me, for the healing power of the sun and warm winds, and for this awe-inspiring practice of yoga that has brought so much goodness to my life. Instead of rushing to the next sun salutation, I stood there in tadasana taking the time to savor the sobbing, letting the sun shine down on me, fully present in my prayer.
“The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears.” -John Vance Cheney
I have to say – this might have been one of my coolest yoga experiences to date!
The funny thing about this trip is that, before I went, I spent a lot of time looking into the yoga studios in the area of Florida that I visited, and I had a full list and maps for a few that I was excited to visit. The first day of vacation, I was ready to head out the door to visit one of these studios when my husband (who, I don’t admit enough, is very wise) asked me why I wasn’t heading down to the beach for my practice. Great question, and I’m so glad he was there to remind me! I picked up my beach towel, headed to the beach, and you know the rest of the story. I never picked up that list again, and instead, I had my daily cup of beach yoga nirvana each and every day of my vacation.
Daily Downward Dogs Beach Style
I did make it to one yoga studio, the 3rd Street Beach Yoga class in South Beach Miami, and I’ll be writing about that yogalicious experience very soon!
I’m home from vacation now, back to practicing yoga inside a studio, but I’m not letting myself get bummed out about that. Instead, I’m listening to the wisdom of Dr. Seuss:
“Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.”
And I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel, only a little over a hundred days until I get to practice outdoor yoga again on the beautiful shores of Lake Erie again.
Dec 13, 2011 |
How cool is it that so many great yoga teachers have come to my hometown this past year and that I got the opportunity to attend one of the sold-out yoga workshops given by Kathryn Budig at Evolution Yoga? If you are unfamiliar with Kathryn, she brings an awesome sense of humor (a yoga teaching trait I hold in high regard) as well as a refreshing honesty to her yoga classes, which you can find online through YogaGlo and on her yoga DVDs (her latest is Aim True Yoga).
Like a total yoga rock-star geek, I got to class early so I could get a prime front row spot. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect of Kathryn, live and in person, but as soon as she unassumingly walked into the room in black leggings and a well-worn Journey t-shirt, I knew she was going to be cool. Then, when she started out the class by telling us that one of her goals was to live an awesome life, I knew I had found a kindred spirit.
The workshop I attended was all about aiming true in your life and in your yoga practice. Kathryn started the workshop off by explaining what “Aim True” means to her. I could write a really long blog about this, but I’m going to distill it down into a few sentences.
Aiming true is all about making the choice to move from a place of fear to a place of love.
When we embrace fear, we experience anticipation, expectation, dread, and doubt.
In a nutshell, this anticipation is what freaks us out.
When we move to a place of love, we can embrace the present moment,
let go of fear, and believe in ourselves.
We beat ourselves up all of the time, tell ourselves we can’t do things, and worry about what other people think of our actions. It’s time to become your own mistress or master, to no longer be ruled by the expectations of others. Make it a mantra to believe in yourself each and every day.
The cool thing about yoga is that we can use it to put the “Aim True” concept to practice. Each time you unroll your yoga mat, breathe deep, let go of the anticipation, and live in the present moment, guess what? This moment right here, right now, is perfect. To quote Kathryn, “We need more yoga and fewer drugs in our world.”
After the feel good “Aim True” yoga pep talk, Kathryn proceeded to ask the room which yoga poses they feared the most, and (of course) after a list of the most challenging poses known to yogakind were brought forward, she informed us that she would weave these poses into the two-hour practice that was to follow.
WTF?! Jumping from plank to crow, handstand, reverse triangle… the internal dialogue began raging in my head…
…I can’t do half of these poses…
…why the hell did I think sitting in the front row was a good idea?…
…the people in this room are way younger and stronger than me; of course they can do these poses…
… 8:00 pm on a Friday night, I should be winding down with a glass of wine, not stressing out about whether or not I’ll do a face plant when I attempt to go from downward dog to crow…
…it’s hot as hell in this room; I think I’m going to pass out…
Wait a minute, Maria; did you listen to a single thing that Kathryn just said? Are you going to let the fear and the ego get in your way, or are you going to aim true and choose a place of love?
I shut off the fire hose in my mind, brought my focus to my mat, and listened to Kathryn’s instructions, which were spot on, funny, and encouraging. I wasn’t worrying about what everyone thought of my wobbly crow pose; I was focused on believing I could do these poses and on giving it all my effort. I became the mistress of my mind, and this fierce yogini wasn’t taking any excuses from herself.
As I sat exhausted, resting in between poses, a big ‘ole sweaty mess, I was reminded again of how much I love the practice of yoga. I was loving those little yoga victories that come each time I show up and try, reveling in the fact that, when I choose a place of love over fear, I’m a hell of a lot stronger than I think.
What will you choose today – Love or Fear? Choose LOVE, and don’t forget to bring it to the mat!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpVUih5nY9g[/youtube]
Enjoy some love from MC YOGI!
Love Street Image: Terri-Ann Hanlon
Nov 28, 2011 |
I recently saw this post on Sandy Kish Jordan’s (one of my super cool summer beach-yoga friends) Facebook page and got a big smile on my face:
BLACK FRIDAY IS COMING!!! Just imagine if everyone spent their money locally instead of on discount crap that no one will even remember they got next year! We could support our friends and neighbors and truly make a difference in our economy. I challenge all my friends. Buy your gifts from local businesses, artists, restaurants.
Great minds think alike, because as I was preparing this post, I realized that almost all of my yoga holiday gift ideas are created by Ohio-based small businesses that just so happen to be run by some amazing yogini goddesses.
It’s a win-win proposition. You get to give your yogi friends unique yoga-inspired gifts, and then you get the added satisfaction of knowing that you helped support a fellow yogini and female-owned yoga business.
If you have a friend, wife, lover, husband, kid, or colleague on your Christmas gift list who loves yoga, these gift recommendations are not only cool, but they’re also designed to enhance their yoga practice. You will not find these gifts at any big box store, and you don’t even need to leave home or wait in line; you can browse in the comfort of your PJs and order the best yoga gifts online right now. So grab a nice warm beverage, relax, and do some stress-free shopping (and don’t forget it’s always fun to treat yourself to one or two holiday yoga gifts too!).
No More Slip Sliding Away – NamaSTAY Yoga Towels
Have you been having trouble with sweaty palms and feet on your yoga mat? Do you worry in those hot classes that you might lose your grip and hurt yourself by slipping and nose diving into the floor? I have to say – that used to be one of the biggest factors that kept me from staying fully present in class. Now, I depend on my NamaSTAY towel to keep me securely planted in my downward dogs.
Cleveland, Ohio-based Cherie Greenwald has developed a pretty damn innovate non-slip yoga towel that has sleeves to hug yoga mats so that the towel stays flat. You can read my review of NamaSTAY yoga towels, and if you decide you want to purchase one, order direct from the Daily Downward Dog to save an extra 20% off of your order or use code DOWNWARDDOG at www.namastaytowel.com to get the 20% savings.
NamaSTAY yoga towels fit most standard size mats and come in a variety of gorgeous colors, including darker, manly colors for the yoga dude in your life. When you give the gift of a NamaSTAY yoga towel, you show how much you care about the safety and well-being of your yogi friends.
Yoga Crack
Indu Lotion, otherwise known as Nectar of the Moon, and sometimes affectionately described as Yoga Crack, is perfect for anyone on your gift list who needs a little something (legal) to help them relax. No prescription required – this all-natural lotion is made with essential oils of bergamot, lavender, and geranium to create an aromatherapy potion that helps ease anxiety and tension, fights fatigue and stress, and (the product feature near and dear to my heart) helps promote clear thinking. The creator of this product, Marni Task, lives and teaches yoga in northeast Ohio (and she also puts on a pretty fierce kirtan too)! You can read more about Indu and can order it right here on The Daily Downward Dog.
Memory Foam Meets Yoga Mat
Say goodbye to sore wrists and achy joints. The Vernice Vita (VV) yoga mat provides three layers of comfort, one of which is memory foam, that keep you protected and comfy during your daily downward dogs. If you love savasana, imagine how much more amazing it could feel lying on those three layers of yumminess. I wrote about my experience using my Cadillac and Studio size Vernice Vita mats, and I have to say that once you go VV, you’ll never go back to a conventional mat. Major kudos to Rachael Ennis, the genius behind Vernice Vita.
Show the yoga lover in your life how much you really care for them with the gift of a Vernice Vita comfort yoga mat. Their wrists, ankles, knees, and heart will have an even greater appreciation for you.
When you place your order direct through The Daily Downward Dog, we’ll save you $10, or you can order direct at www.vernicevita.com and use discount code MARIA10 to pick up the $10 savings as well.
Sanskrit 101
One of the most hotly debated topics on the D.D.D. this year was my post about teaching yoga classes in English versus Sanskrit. It seems that many of us need a little refresher course on the fine art of speaking Sanskrit, and if you or one of your buddies belongs to this camp, why not invest in some Sanskrit training? The awesome yogini Cheryl Hall can get you over your fear of mispronouncing poses like Padangusthasana, Ardha Chandrasana, and Parivrtta Parsvakonasana in under 45 minutes. If you want more information, please read my review of Cheryl’s online training sessions (done via Skype), and then contact her direct (azvedicchant at gmail.com or by phone 480-216-2602) to purchase a gift certificate. Mention the Daily Downward Dog, and Cheryl will give you $5 off the 45-minute class (which is normally $35).
The Ultimate Shop Local Gift
I can’t think of a better gift to give someone you love than the gift of yoga. Why not encourage a friend or family member to start by inviting them to practice with you, or by purchasing a yoga gift certificate for them to try classes in their town? You’ll be supporting your local yoga community and doing something really extraordinary (and maybe even life changing) for your recipient.
If you are looking for recommendations in the Akron, Ohio area, I highly recommend Yoga Bliss . If you live in a remote area with no local studios, you have to try out Yoga Download, an online yoga video resource that lets you pick from hundreds of classes whenever it’s most convenient for you.
Seva – The Best Gift of All
In the rush of holiday craziness, please take a moment to consider giving back some of the goodness you’ve received this year. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention at least one organization that could use some love and support this coming year.
I just recently learned about the efforts of Street Yoga, a non-profit organization that teaches yoga, mindful breathing, and compassionate communication to youth, families, and their caregivers who are struggling with homelessness, poverty, abuse, addiction, trauma, and behavioral challenges. This practice encourages them to grow stronger, heal from past traumas, and create for themselves a life that is inspired, safe, and joyful.
Mark Lilly founded Street Yoga in 2002 by organizing a handful of yoga teachers to teach yoga at a day shelter and school that serves homeless youth. Lilly says his life was deeply bettered by yoga. He started Street Yoga partly because of a song by Neil Young; there’s a line from the song that goes, “We were giving, that’s how we kept what we gave away.” To keep what yoga gave to him, Mark Lilly said that he had to give it away as fast and as much as possible.
Over the last ten years that giving has reached thousands of kids!
Please visit the Street Yoga website. There are plenty of ways to get involved, either through volunteering, starting Street Yoga in your community, or by making a donation.
Wherever you shop this holiday season, please support local businesses, your local yoga studio, and spread the love. If you want to give a shout out to a local business or yoga studio, please feel free to give them a plug in the comments below!
One last note, if you want to save money on shipping, remember to order before Tuesday, December 20th to receive orders shipped by USPS Priority Mail or UPS Ground in time to arrive before Christmas.
Stop by again next week for an awesome holiday giveaway featuring some of these yogalicious products!
