Some wonderful workshops this weekend

Hands-On Adjusments
Looking to go more indepth with your hands-on adjustments in your classes? Check out the workshop with Shelby Lefrinere (E-RYT 200, RYT 500), Refining Our Communication in Asana Adjustments, Saturday 2/23/13 1:30-4:30 pm. Only $30 pre-register, $40 at the door (Please contact Shelby Lafrinere at 619.964.0313 or email shelbylafrinere@yahoo.com) Workshop is hosted by Yoga Well at 2333 El Camino del Rio South, San Diego, CA 92108.

Upper back issues: Kyphosis
On the subject of back pain, an over-rounding in the upper back is called kyphosis. Body Awareness Yoga will be conducting a clinic that address this condition and strategies to manage, and in some cases, reverse the unhealthy affects of kyphosis. No previous Yoga experience is necessary but this clinic is for active women looking for a way to be proactive with their spinal health. 1 to 3 pm for $35 at 1075 Broadway in El Cajon Body Awareness Studio.

Namaste - I bow to your form

A nice etymologicial discussion of the word: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste

With my children and family yoga classes, I like this song interpretation: "There's a light in me, there's a light in you, and together we are one." Or for secular classes, I like to say "Namasate is the yoga way of saying 'Thank You.'"

Yoga Surveys - just for fun

Scroll to the bottom of the page to fill out two little yoga surveys...let me know what influences YOU!

Kids Yoga Feedback - Leave Your Comments Here!

I am overjoyed when I get written or verbal feedback from parents/kids/educators about the classes that I have shared with them. But since I only have this free blog (for now) there hasn't been a really useful place to put these comments...until now! Please, if you have something to say about a class that you attended with your child, a class YOU attended, a class your CHILD attended or some feedback in general, I would very much appreciate your leaving your comments here.





AND if you have pictures of your child/family/self in one of my yoga classes, please submit it to me and you'll see it here soon. I'm going to set up a photostream so I can share the visual joy!

Best Regards
jackie

Yoga IS for every body

The Spring 2013 issue of Yoga International Magazine has a great article entitled "When Life Gives You Curves," and it's all about learning how to modify your practice to suit your body. The author does a great job of talking about some of the common issues in practice (for any body), like knee (alignment, pain), leg position (under hips vs. feet together), shoulder (flexibility), wrist (sensitivity), booty (position and size accomodations), belly (accomodating and LOVING it), breasts (accomodating and LOVING them), and in general, FEELING your yoga poses rather than concentrating on some perfect picture or even a mirror (or worse, trying to look like an instructor or neighbor in class).

Yoga knowledge, yoga experience, yoga skills, comes from the inside - from listening to your body, from really tapping in to your inner wisdom (and allowing it to make mistakes, to learn and most importantly to be nutured).

Whether you are 3 or 93, 30 pounds or 230, there is a way to modify a (physical) yoga practice to encourage you to be at peace with your body, to understand it, and to love it.

The article isn't up online yet, but I will provide a link when it is availabe. In the meantime, check out the rest of their website www.yogainternational.com for the winter/spring issue. The magazine is published by the Himalayan Institute, one of the foremost schools of yogic study (and the traidition of which is followed by my school, YogaWell). It's a little bit less commercial than some other yoga mags out there, and has a lot more content about holistic healing, yogic lifestyle, home practice, and media reviews.

Enjoy, and remember, whatever you body, Yoga is For You!

Non-attachment challenge of the moment

The least fun part about taking pictures of yourself in yoga poses is...having to look at yourself in pictures in yoga poses. I am happy with how I do the poses, however supported, awkward or less than "ideal"... it's just that you notice the little things: the under-chin skin, the bags under the eyes, the way the skin falls to gravity when you are upside down. Oh, but to take it all in stride and gracefully love aging.

PS Non attachment in sanskrit is vairagya and samtosa is contentment (with what is)... OOOOMMMMM

Yoga App Gratitude Journal for just 99 cents (donated to charity)

I received a lovely email today from a treasured friend and instructor from my YTT program. I share this with you as a way to deepen your personal practice. It is about a new Iphone App called Gratitude Journal developed by Matt Elmore of www.buildafreeyogawebsite.com and www.pranatothepeople.com.

Writes Matt:

"I'd like to share with you something very dear to my heart. For the greater part of 2012, I had been putting together a non-profit called Prana to the People, an organization dedicated to spreading happiness through modern technology. Proceeds from Prana to the People go to various non-profit and relief organizations chosen quarterly. I'm excited to say that the first product, Gratitude Journey: an All-In-One Gratitude Journal for iPhone and iPad, has just been released.

"The idea for Gratitude Journey came about as a sudden realization. I had been using a gratitude journal for months to essentially start my day on a happy note, and keep that going. For those who don’t know what a gratitude journal is, it’s as simple as it sounds. At specific times of the day, you journal about things that you’re grateful for in your life. It’s amazingly effective. By keeping an attitude of gratitude, you’re constantly reminded of the happy things in your life, which are often hidden by stress.

"One day, a friend/leadership coach was telling me about one of her morning habits. She has this adorable practice of asking strangers in her building elevator, “What are you grateful for today?” I thought to myself about what a gift she is giving these people. When someone starts thinking about the macaroni art their daughter made for them, they’re going to be rocking a smile all day long. So the decision was made. Everyone deserves happiness and what better way to do it than through smart phone apps.

"Gratitude Journey is designed to enhance and automate the process of keeping a gratitude journal. You can add pictures to your entries, categorize them by type, and chart your progress. The two key features that really make the app powerful are the Daily Alarm and the Gratitude Gift. At specified times of the day, the app will send you randomly-selected past entries as a pick-me-up.

"This quarters' proceeds will go to kiva.org: a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. I encourage you to support kiva and Prana to the People, by checking out Gratitude Journey, available for $0.99 on the App Store.

"Thank you so much for your attention.

Namaste"