![Aaaaeeeyyy! The F-Onzie is Cool!]()
Apr 22, 2013 |
Whoaaa, for those of you over 40, I’m sure you remember how cool Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli, aka Fonzie, Fonzi, or just the Fonz was. I grew up watching Fonzie on Happy Days, and no matter what happened, this dude just oozed coolness. If you have no clue about what I’m talking about, watch the video below or Google “The Fonz.”
I got to channel that Fonzie coolness recently when I slipped on a brand new pair of long leggings from a company aptly named Onzie. They might have forgotten the F, but they did not forget the cool, and when you put on one of their designs, you just feel like springing into action and having fun. Every time I put on my Galaxy leggings or Braid Tank Top in Cobra White, that inner f-onzie coolness just shines from within.
Sweating never felt so cool in my Galaxy Long Leggings from Onzie!
On my recent Beach Yoga Bliss yoga retreat in Aruba, the temperatures were nearing 90, but I kept cool wearing my Galaxy leggings when I practiced yoga on the beach and taught classes. Onzie apparel is designed with Free-Flow Fabric technology that ensures it dries quickly for awesome ventilation in heated yoga environments. The full flex spandex fabric is super stretchy, supportive, and comfortable. My leggings fit “exactamundo,” and my Braid Tank Top fell a little longer than most yoga tops to provide nice coverage over my belly and hip area.
The Onzie line was developed by a 20-year Bikram yoga veteran, so you know these tops and bottoms will be perfect in the hot yoga studio. And if you are a Bikram aficionado, you will love the skimpy string short and bra top offerings that all come in Onzie’s signature whimsical prints and patterns.
Here’s a cool fact about Onzie: every piece is 100% made in the USA. All parts of their process, including knitting, dyeing, cutting, sewing, photography, marketing, distribution, and design, happen in the company’s facilities in Los Angeles, CA, or La-La Land, as Fonzie would say.
Wanna embrace your inner Onzie coolness too? The Daily Downward Dog has a special discount that is good for the next two weeks.
Use offer code DAILYDOWNWARDDOG at checkout to score a cool savings of 10% off. But hurry, don’t sit on it – this cool deal ends on May 6, 2013.
Follow Onzie on Facebook, Instragram, and channel your inner-Fonzarelli with WWFD – the What Would Fonzie Do organization!
[youtube]http://youtu.be/dorrkKjYYa8[/youtube]
Apr 19, 2013 |
Woo Hoo – I’m super excited to announce new Daily Downward Dog yoga classes coming to a yoga studio near you! Well, that is if you live in northeast Ohio. Get ready to flow through some vinyasa, deepen your meditation practice, and embrace your inner yogini goddess!
Vinyasa & Meditation | Mondays & Wednesdays 3:45-5:00 PM | Yoga Bliss Akron
Want to begin or deepen your meditation practice? This yoga class is dedicated to teaching the practice and benefits of meditation. Each class will begin with a seated pranayama (breath) exercise, followed by warm-ups and an all-levels vinyasa yoga practice. The last 15 minutes of class are dedicated to a long, sweet savasana and instruction for a quiet period of meditation to help your mind calm and let your body absorb the peace and stillness. The spiritual teachings of yoga will be weaved into class themes to deepen your understanding of yoga beyond the asana practice. Class length is 75 minutes and will be held in the Ganesha (non-heated) studio. All levels welcome.
The Vinyasa & Meditation classes begin on Monday begin April 22, and the Wednesday class will start up on Wednesday, May 8th!
Embracing Your Inner Goddess
Sunday, May 12 | 1:00 – 3:00 PM | Yoga Bliss Akron
Friday, May 17 | 7:00 – 9:00 PM | Nirvana Yoga in Richfield, Ohio
Saturday, June 1 | 2:00 – 4:00 PM | Namaste Yoga Studio in Sagamore Hills, Ohio
Yes, mere mortal women can be goddesses, and in this workshop we’ll explore the qualities that goddesses possess. You might be surprised at how many of these qualities—taking care of yourself, being present, loving yourself just the way you are—are in essence the same as the principles taught in the yoga sutras. So, by living in a yogic way both on and off the mat, we’re also in training to be goddesses! This 2-hour workshop will include discussion, a vinyasa yoga class suited for all levels, a meditation to tap into your divine inner feminine power, and opportunities to love and support fellow yogini goddesses. Bring a friend, a sister, your mother, a group of friends, or just yourself and share in this celebration of the goddesses in our lives. Please bring a journal and something to write with.I offered this goddess-themed class on my recent Aruba retreat, and it was a big hit!
Please contact Yoga Bliss Akron or Nirvana Yoga for further details on pricing and to register for these classes!
I offer a full schedule of yoga classes weekly as well as private and corporate yoga classes, and in just a few more weeks, the 2013 Summer Beach Yoga Classes begin! Please contact me if you need any additional information about Daily Downward Dog Yoga Classes.
![Aaaaeeeyyy! The F-Onzie is Cool!]()
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!
