The end of 2012

As we look back at another year, and make our preparations for 2013, let's be sure that if we set intentions or New Year resolutions, that we set them in motion with a sense of compassion and kindness. Not many resolutions seem to have much staying power; maybe this is because they start with negativity and criticism of ourselves and our habits. There is nothing wrong with wanting to make some changes or with striving to do better, but this year, try to frame those ideas in a way that is positive rather than restrictive, adding good things to our day in order to replace old habits that have outlasted their usefulness.

If one of your intentions is to do more yoga in 2013....I will hope to see you in class! New sessions for 2013 start this Thursday (Jan 3) and next Monday (Jan 7th). May your New Year be full of blessings and good health!

Merry Christmas!

To all of my fellow yogis,
Have a wonderful Christmas! Enjoy family and friends and the pretty Christmas Eve snowfall. Relax, be safe, and enjoy! I will hope to see you all again as classes re-start in early January.
Peace

Peace

As Christmas approaches, decide to be a peacemaker. Take some time on your yoga mat to breathe and really be present. Then take your practice of mindfulness out into the community. Decide not to rush. Listen. Smile. Practice some small act of kindness. Seems simple, but it can be hard to do.  Yoga is a practice for living...we give ourselves repeated opportunities on our mats to try out and practice the idea of being mindful and aware, and over time, we get better at taking these ways of being into our day.
Breathe. Be at peace. Share your peaceful presence.

The unexpected

In my work with kids at school, we have started to teach them about "expected" and "unexpected" behavior, so that they can learn more about social rules, and about how others feel when they respond in an unexpected way (like tantrums, anger, blurting out, etc). The kids can also think through possible responses that they can choose when something out of the ordinary happens, so that they are better prepared to handle changes and disappointments.

I started thinking about this idea and how we can learn more about our own reactions and emotions when we are on our yoga mats. Many yoga postures are rather bizarre and unexpected, and as a beginning student, many of the asanas look impossible or beyond our capacity.When we first try to move our bodies in brand new ways, it can feel awkward and scary. Yet, if we keep at it and maintain an open mind and an ongoing yoga practice, soon we are doing things we never imagined.

In the Christian tradition, the entire Christmas story is "unexpected". A virgin birth, some rich kings wandering about looking for a baby that they feel compelled to bring gifts to...it's all pretty out of the ordinary!! Unexpected events get our attention. Be deliberate about paying attention, even when things are routine and ordinary. An unexpected event may be just around the corner. Think about how you want to respond to the unexpected.

Upanishads

Here's a quote you may have seen from the Upanishads (ancient text):

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; for it becomes your destiny.

Give thanks

If you've watched much TV lately, you could start to get confused about what holiday is happening this week....is it the week of Thanksgiving, or is it the week of Black Friday (which is now starting on Thursday??!!)??? First, a disclosure....I LOVE shopping! I love to poke through racks of items looking for really good deals. Yet, I feel a bit bad that the Thanksgiving holiday seems to be almost overshadowed in the media with the messages of SHOP and SPEND! There is no doubt that increased consumer confidence and spending is a good indicator that our economy is slowly strengthening, but the focus on spending and stuff can lead us in a direction of feeling depleted and weighed down by our own materialism.

So, shop and have fun this weekend if you want, but please make sure to take time to recognize all that you already have. We live in abundance with no real need for most of the purchases we pursue. Be grateful. Take a moment to just sit in wonder and awe over all that you already have and have been given. Be thankful for what is truly important in life....family, friends, good health, acts of kindness, and the beauty of creation. Take a walk, say a prayer, or simple breathe and pay attention to the here and now. The present moment is full of richness and worthy of thanks. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Nearly Thanksgiving

Wow, where does the time go? I can hardly believe that it will be Thanksgiving next week! I love the Thanksgiving holiday because it is all about gratitude and abundance. We all need reminders to be thankful for all of the blessings in our lives. Count your blessings today!

Make a contribution

Make this a day that you make a contribution to the world or to your immediate family or community. Often we discount and dismiss our own importance. Don't sell yourself short! Just by trying to be your best self each day, you make a positive impact. Years ago I worked at a school with a monastery attached. The sisters who lived there felt that everything they did could be an act of faith or a way of helping to create a peaceful presence in the world. Even little things matter.
Whether you do laundry, cook for others, run a business, or are a full-time student, you have something to offer today. Pay attention, be mindful, and deliberate about sharing yourself in a positive way.

Be Extraordinary!

I just read a nice article in today's Star Tribune about being extraordinary. The article reviews some ideas about getting in touch with your gifts and ways to focus in on what you are really good at.
When you are on your mat and in yoga practice this week, use some of that "me time" to be open to new ways of thinking about your talents and gifts and where they might lead. The world is in need of what you have to offer...don't hold back!
Have a peaceful and extreordinary day!

Breath and Inquiry

While in a yoga studio this weekend, I listened to the teacher talked about breath and inquiry. The teacher stated that when we focus on the breath, we slow down the body and the endless chatter of the mind. Once we get quiet, then we can begin to examine or wonder about our own thinking and our beliefs about what is true. When we tell ourselves something over and over again, we begin to accept it as fact and truth, when it is really just a thought. We can inquire and consider the fact that we may have become very attached to ideas that are not necessarily accurate or true.

This week, consider how yoga might help you slow down and get quiet. Give yourself the space to let go of  endless criticism, worry, or other thoughts that don't serve you and may not even be true.

Late fall class dates are set!

New yoga session dates are ready to go!
Advent United Methodist willl have an 8 week class that runs October 22- December 17. Cost for 8 weeks is $65 and the class is held on Monday's from 4:30-5:30pm.

All Saints Lutheran will have a new 6 class session starting on Thursday November 1st through December 13th. The 6 week session is $50 and the class is held Thursday's from 7-8pm.

Join us now and have some built in time just for you as we begin to roll into a busy holiday season!
Peace

Listen to the Body

I went to a yoga training yesterday and wanted to share this quote with all of you:
"If you listen to your body when it whispers, you don't have to hear it scream."  (author unknown)

There will be times when we face injury or illness, and despite all of our efforts, some 'ill health' is unavoidable. On the other hand, there is so much that we can do to aid our own health, through good diet, rest, relaxation, and exercise. A yoga practice can be that time to listen to the body, and make adjustments to our lifestyle so that we can be as healthy as we can be. Too often we ignore our bodies messages and only when they have grown to large problems, do we stop to address them.
Use your yoga practice to be more aware. Be present and mindful and open to what your body is trying to tell you.

The good life

Too often, when we think of living 'the good life' images of wealth and luxury come to mind. In a recent conversation with a friend, I was reminded again that life is fragile and unpredictable and many people seem to have more than their share of suffering.

What does the good life look like to you? For me, it involves good health and accepting both my bodies limitations and strengths. There is an the old cliche that states "if you don't have your health, you don't have anything". When we face illess or accidents, we come face to face with the understanding that we often take our health and physical abilities for granted. Taking time to feed our bodies well, get good rest, and taking time for exercise and movement are all important to maintaining good health. Yet, even with good habits, we will still face illness. Be as healthy as you can be today, and don't put off happiness or enjoying life until you reach some arbitrary goal.  If we spend too much of our time dwelling on the past, or too much time worrying about the future, we miss the opportunity to live fully in the moment.

The good life is also about relationships with others. What would our quality of life be like without personal connections, a sense of belonging, and people that we know are there for us in times of trouble? Take time to listen, take time to make a new friend, take a minute to call someone that you have not talked with in awhile. Invest some time and energy in creating and maintaining personal connections.

Nurture both your own health and your personal relationships. Spend less time thinking about accumulating wealth and "stuff" and more time really and truly living each day. Live a good life!

Props!

In many yoga studios, you will find props like blankets, bolsters, straps, and blocks. All of these tools are meant to help you find a healthy and safe expression in various yoga postures. For example, propping the hips a bit by sitting on a folded blanket will help you to sit tall, and as a result, may help you find a deeper spinal twist than you can do if your back is collapsed or rounded. Props are for beginners and advanced practitioners alike, so don't be afraid to try them out.
Another lovely prop is an eye pillow...which will allow you to withdraw a bit more from your surroundings and limit visual distractions, enabling you to focus on the breath and releasing more deeply during final relaxation. They are also a great way to ease tension in the forehead that we may not even be aware of.
So....next time a prop is suggested or available...try it out! Let go of your ego that is telling you "I can do the pose without that!" and simply be open to using the prop and observing the body.

Mudras

In yoga, mudras (hand gestures or seals) are used to manage and gain awareness of energy in the body. For example, when we bring our hands together in Anjali mudra (hands to heart center) we can feel the energy of the body between the hands and we can bring energy and attention to our heart center.
Next time you practice yoga, pay attention to your energy. Try to move deliberately and with great attention. Use your yoga practice to focus and use your energy in a way that is deliberate and purposeful. Then...see if you can carry that deliberate use of energy with you off of the mat! Be more intentional with your words, your actions, and how you use your energy in daily life.

Fall Schedules

Now that Labor Day weekend has come and gone, it is time to look ahead at fall calendars and activities. I hope that many of you will consider adding or continuing a yoga practice in your new fall schedule. Let me know if you have questions about class or ideas for new sessions and locations!
I have 2 fall yoga sessions beginning in the next week, and would love to see you "on the mat"!
Have a peaceful day!

Fall yoga sessions coming soon!

I will have 2 new yoga class sessions starting in September. Monday's class at Advent United Methodist will begin on September 10 (class time is 4:30-5:30pm). Thursday's class at All Saints Lutheran will run from 7-8pm and the first night of class will be on September 6th.
It's always hard to see summer come to a close, but September usually marks a new schedule and a return to predictability. Make sure that you carve out some time for your own personal well being as you look ahead to fall. I hope to see many of you on the mat!
Peace

The Living Gita

"Even a wise person follows his or her own nature." From the Bhagavad Gita

Yoga practice helps us release from fear, attachments, and old ideas that no longer suit us. May we each become more aware of our true nature...and then work to follow our calling.

New fall dates for Monday yoga

I will be offering a 6 week fall yoga session at Advent United Methodist Church in Eagan that will begin on Monday September 10th and runs through October 15th.

Inspired

Now that the summer olympics is in full swing, I was noticing that I have two very opposite responses to the athletes. One side of me says, "wow, their ambition and training is amazing...if I applied myself and had more discipline, maybe I would realize that I can do more than I think." The other side of me says "don't be silly...you are nothing like those people and never will be."

These thoughts come up for me from time to time on the yoga mat as well. There are times that I wonder where my edge might really be and how my practice may evolve if I stay with it...and then there are times that I am faced with a pose that is beyond my ability, and thoughts like "how can you even call yourself a yoga teacher if you can't do that?" somehow surface. How can I work on gaining new skills and feel good about my efforts and progress, while also recognizing my limitations and simply be ok with that?

The Olympic athletes are to be admired and appreciated for their tireless training. Even if I am not an Olympian (and trust me...I know I never will be!!) I can still choose to do some small things to be healthy and to try to be my best on and off the mat each day. Maybe I will do some balance poses or some ABS crunches while I watch the next event. Just because I am not competing in the Olympic games doesn't mean I can't imagine what it might be like to work hard and realize a dream.

Find Peace

It's a tough and violent world out there. So, what do we make of recent news events that defy understanding and are so very painful? It can be easy to succumb to fear and feeling overwhelmed and defensive, especially with all of the grief, sadness and acts of violence that confront us.

While it is true that there is violence and pain, we need to remember that it is also a wonderful world, full of beauty and abundance.Our yoga mats can be a place where we practice peace. We can choose peace and connection over violence and fear. Take time to be quiet and nurture your own inner beauty and joyful heart. The world is in need of your example.

Unique

As human beings, we share many similar characteristics and have the same basic needs. We are more alike than we are different. Yet, even with our similar natures, we are unique creatures with specific talents and gifts. Take time to think about the gifts and talents that you have and how you might fully use them today. Hiding or denying what we have to offer simply deprives us of living fully and it deprives the world of the good that we might do.
If you struggle with what your gifts are and with what you are truly meant to do....use your time on the mat to allow your "true self" to emerge. Let go of self doubt, be present and aware. Let go of fear and self criticism and see what emerges.
You are fabulous and have so much to offer....find ways to shine!

Independence Day

Happy Fourth of July!! I hope that all of you are staying cool and enjoying the holiday. Yes, this is a holiday that celebrates our nation's independence....but hopefully it is also a collective celebration of all that is good and right in America. Instead of finding fault and ways that divide us, let us remember that we are united as a people.
In yoga practice we get the opportunity to be quiet and get in touch with our true nature. Hopefully we also get in touch with the realization that we are all so much more the same than we are different from each other.
Enjoy your holiday week...celebrate freedom in all its forms....and I will see you on the mat again next week!

free class for summer yogis!

Just a reminder that I am teaching a FREE class this Thursday night at All Saints Lutheran Church in Eagan (3810 Lexington Ave S at the corner of Lexington and Wescott). Class time is 7-8pm. This class is free to any student that is participating in one of my summer yoga sessions! See you then!

Just a reminder...

No class this coming Monday June 25 (or the one following, July 2) for the Advent UMC class due to vacation bible school and the 4th of July Holiday week. I will have a FREE class on Thursday night June 28th at All Saints Lutheran in Eagan from 7-8pm...so you will still have an option to do some yoga this week!

Michelangelo

Saw this quote and was reminded of the fact that we are wonderous creatures, and we are beautifully made. Be thankful for your physical body and drop the self-hatred already!
Here's the quote: "What spirit is so empty and blind, that it cannot recognize the fact that the foot is more noble than the shoe, and the skin more beautiful than the garment with which it is clothed?"

Thankful

Take time each day to pause and consider some of the things that you are grateful for. Developing this "attitude of gratitude" will help you re-frame situations and over time, you will feel more content and less disgruntled or dissatisfied by life circumstances. Decide that today you will see that the glass is half full...not half empty. Happiness and gratitude are choices. Choose to be happy.

Summer Yoga Class Dates!

Here are the dates for summer yoga:

My class at Advent United Methodist will finish the current session on Monday June 4th. The new summer session will begin one week later on Monday June 11th and will run through August 5th (skipping 6/25, 7/2, and 7/30). The 6 week session cost is $50 and class is held from 4:30-5:30pm.

Class at All Saints Lutheran in Eagan runs through this Thursday May 24th. The new session begins July 19 and runs through August 23rd. Class meets from 7-8pm and the cost for 6 weeks is $50.

FREE class for anyone registered and paid for one of the summer sessions listed above: Thursday night June 28th from 7-8pm. Remember that if you have registered for one of my classes, you are welcome to attend at another site to do a make-up for any class you miss!

I hope that you will build some time "on the mat" into your summer plans! Please remember that you can also drop in for a single class for $10 (and feel free to bring friends and neighbors to try it for $10 too!)

Thanks for your participation and energy!
Namaste!

Happy Mother's Day!

We all have a mom....hopefully today was a day to be thankful for creation and love.

Breathe deep....enjoy each moment...life is a precious gift!

See you all on the yoga mat!

Summertime....and the living is easy.....

Ok, tomorrow is May 1st! If you are a summer lover like me...this is great news! I am hoping that I have enough dedicated yoga students to offer 2 summer-time classes! Please let me know if you would like to participate in a class over the summer months. At this point, I hope to maintain my Monday afternoon (4:30-5:30pm) class and my Thursday evening class (7-8pm) over at least part of the summer.
I know that people travel and commit to other things in the summer...which is fabulous and fun! Just let me know your thoughts about yoga class so that I can plan accordingly.
Thanks to all of you that are students in my classes. I love your energy and commitment to practice.
Peace to all of you in the very merry month of May!

The fine art of sitting still

How does doing nothing sound? For some of us, letting go of our "to do" list and finding a quiet place to just sit and "be" can actually be anxiety producing! We know we need to rest and restore, but it can feel like we are wasting time and being ineffective if we cannot point to what we've done or accomplished.
One of my favorite yoga teachers describes it this way.....do nothing....no...thing!! let go of your attachments to ideas, a chore list, your work...and just be present for a few minutes. Follow your breath, be still, do no thing....and feel the benefits of quiet.

Use your words Wisely

One of the reasons I like yoga, is that it provides me with a time of quiet. When I am practicing (and not teaching) I am not talking! I admit that I am a pretty verbal person, so it can be hard for me to be quiet. Sometimes I talk just to try to organize myself and my thoughts, and sometimes I talk as a way of controlling a situation or in an effort to "look smart" and capable.

I need a practice that helps me to be quiet and more discerning. I am working on being more deliberate and careful with my speech. The yoga concept of Satya or truthfulness is an idea that promotes using our words carefully so that we might bring our words and actions into harmony. I am trying to put into practice "say what you mean and mean what you say" but I will admit that this is not always easy.

May our words be truthful and a blessing to others! Have a great week.

real men do yoga!

I have several men in my yoga classes....and your energy and presence is appreciated! For some reason, a practice that started in the east...that was done exclusively by men...is now a practice that is seen as a "girl" thing in the west. If you are male and already doing yoga....good for you! If you are a male considering a yoga practice, please give it a try!

Real men DO yoga....try it and discover some stress relief, some new flexibility and a new understanding of the connections of body mind and spirit.

Happy Spring!

Kindness

I love the slogan "little things DO matter." Today, decide to do some small things with great love (a Mother Teresa statement I think). Take action to share a kind word, be helpful, or surprise someone with a gesture of kindness today. You will be glad you did.
Have a great day!

Transitions

We seem to be on the brink of spring (or maybe a big leap to summer) with the recent warm weather in MN...but yesterday's cool temps and stiff winds reminded me of the March that we should be having!! March and April are transitional months, with constant surprises and shifts between winter-like weather and the promise of warm spring and summer days.

One of the things that I appreciate about yoga is the practice of moving with grace through transitions. We can work hard to get into and maintain a yoga pose, then we can be asked to rest in a relaxation posture. I think this is great training for everyday life. Ever experience the frustration of rushing from place to place, only to encounter a long line and suddenly finding yourself standing still and waiting??? It's hard to be really busy and active...and then just suddenly stop!

I like to think that yoga is helping me with my patience...but yoga is not called a "practice" for nothing! We can't do yoga one day and then expect that its effects will stay with us indefinitely....we need to practice consistently/daily in order to fully take what we learn on the mat out into our daily life. It's sort of like nutrition....we can't really tell ourselves that we can eat healthy only one day a week and then expect to feel that our body is at it's best. Instead, our bodies needs daily care and consistently good nutrition to function well.

The good part is, we are amazingly made....so even when we deprive ourselves of sleep, good food, or a consistent yoga practice....we are resilient creatures! This doesn't mean we can simply disregard what is healthy...as it does catch up to us in the long run....but it does mean that we can let go of needing to do things perfectly all the time. Persistence, intention and consistent effort are so important. Make a decision that today will be the day that you give yourself all the resources that you will need to face the obstacles, changes, and transitions that come your way.

Pictures from Jamaica

Striking a pose in Jamaica! Gosh, yoga is fun!

A group shot of the "regulars" from my morning yoga class

Warm Sunshine

In recent years, there has been new research and awareness about the importance of vitamin D. The weather is so nice, so get outside for a walk and soak up some much needed sunshine and vitamin D (using sunscreen and being careful is still important so that a little doesn't add up to be too much). Most of us here in MN get at least a mild case of seasonal affective disorder in the winter months when we don't get outside in the natural sunlight. Notice how your mood and energy level improves as the days get longer and brighter. I know that the current warm spell has put a smile on my face!

I'm back from my yoga teaching vacation, so all classes are on as scheduled this week. Remember....the absolutely FREE class this Thursday night March 22 from 7-8pm at All Saints Lutheran Church in Eagan.

Another Rumi Quote

"Re-empty of worrying. Why do you stay in prison when the door is so wide open?" Rumi

I love this quote since it describes the human condition so well. We spend so much of our time worrying and fretting that we end up feeling immobilized and 'imprisioned' by our own doubts.

Yoga teaches us mindfulness and awareness. Hopefully we come to realize (even if it's only for a few moments at a time) that life is fleeting and our worries really do not serve us well.

Just for today, try to let go of re-hashing the past or worrying about the future. The door is wide open for us to fully experience the day and moment at hand.

Have a worry free day!

March yoga madness starts this week!

A $5 drop in class will be offered this Thursday night March 8th at All Saints Lutheran Church in Eagan from 7-8pm. A great price for a yoga class!

Also...this Monday, March 5th is the start of a new yoga session at Advent United Methodist in Eagan. Class is held from 4:30-5:30pm and cost for the 6 week class is $50. Please bring your payment to class on Monday.

Have a great weekend!

Celebrate Strength

In yoga this week, we will focus on being aware of our physical bodies and all of our inherent strength. So often, we sell ourselves short or talk ourselves out of trying new things or really working to be our very best.
I ran across a quote from the ancient poet/mystic Rumi: "You were born with wings, why crawl through life?" Consider how you can be strong and be your very best self today. Get in touch with your strengths: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. You were born to do great things...go get started!

Yoga Madness!

As some of you know, my March calendar is a bit full, making scheduling my Thursday night class a challenge....so I decided to add some special classes to the mix in March.

On Thursday night March 8, the class will be open to all for a $5 drop in fee per person.
On Thursday night March 22, come to class ABSOLUTELY FREE.

Bring your friends, neighbors or relatives that have been interested in yoga, but just haven't yet given it a try! Men, women, and teens 15+ are welcome.
Both Thursday classes are at All Saints Lutheran in Eagan (Corner of Lexington and Wescott) from 7-8pm. Contact me if you have additional questions or concerns.
Namaste!

Steady

As I was planning my yoga classes for the week, I started thinking about how we use our energy in yoga poses and in our daily tasks. One of the things that I have discovered on my personal yoga journey, is that I can be incredibily scattered and disorganized! When I slow down and really bring myself back to the moment, I recognize that I don't spend very much of my day being very mindful. Instead, I attempt to multi-task and I jump from one activity to the next in an effort to be "efficient!" I have a daily 'to-do' list and take great satisfaction from crossing off the items as I go. It positively drives me nuts when I have to carry over chores and details into the future (and put them on a new list!). What a control freak! I often find myself impatient and in a hurry, even when there is no need to rush. Yikes!
No wonder yoga is so appealing to me!
I've said it before, and can say it again, that while I appreciate the physical aspects of yoga, what really hooks me about the practice are the benefits that I notice related to finding patience, reducing stress, and getting some clarity to my thinking. Yoga brings me back to what's important...like, What will I do with the gift of the time I've been given today? Do I want to spend it dashing around at a frantic pace, or do I want to move through the day more deliberately and planfully? Most of the little details of life are just that...little things! How we conduct ourselves while we are doing all the little things is the challenge and the key to a day that feels well spent.
Have a mindful and peaceful day!

Time

One of my favorite yoga teachers was talking about the concept of time. We value our time and often are seeking ways to save time, make good use of time, have more free time etc. This week, try to cherish the gift of time by being fully present. When we are rushing or attempting to multi-task, we are not really present and we end up feeling stressed and scattered. It is easier said than done, but try to catch yourself when you start to rush, or when you are 'getting ahead of yourself' and not paying attention to what is right in front of you. Breathe, notice, and give your full attention to each task and see if it helps you feel a sense of calm and productivity and a greater appreciation for the little joys in life.

meditation

Recently I was reading an article on meditation in Yoga Journal. In the article it states "a meditation technique gives your mind a simple, repetitive task that will ultimately slow down its movements and lull it into a calm and even state." (page 100 February 2012)

There are lots of meditation techniques to try. Simply focusing on and following your breath is a way to slow down your thinking. Gazing at a flame from a candle or visualizing a calm scene can aid us in finding a quieter more meditative state. We will never stop our minds from thinking....instead, we simply hope to "quiet" the chatter a bit and be still.

Reminder

Just a reminder for my Monday yoga class....no yoga tomorrow for the Martin Luther King Jr Day Holiday. Do some stretching and practicing on your own....and do one small thing to make your world (your own home or your community) a more peaceful place.
See you next week!

Is Yoga Safe?

You may have seen news reports or read recent newspaper stories that outline all of the possible injuries that can result from yoga practice. Here's the way I see it: Here in the West (America) we are an intensely competitive group of people and we are pretty preoccupied with comparing ourselves and our bodies to those of others. Yoga, like any other activity, can cause those involved to push themselves "to be their best" and to try to master what appears to be the perfect yoga pose. Sadly, there are also lots of yoga teachers out there with limited training that do not provide options and modifications to students and they often teach to their strongest students rather than the beginners. All of this focus on complex and difficult physical postures (asanas) can lead to injury for students.

In actuality, yoga is not exercise! Yoga traditionally has been a practice for living. In a traditional yoga practice we are working on creating a calm mind, being present, and finding ways to link body/mind/spirit so that we can learn about and appreciate our true nature. Yoga recognizes that health in the body is important to our overall well being, so we stretch, bend and move to stay healthy, supple and ready to meet the challenges of everyday life. When we turn yoga into simply an exercise routine, we invite competition, pushing, comparisons, and thoughts about how many calories we may be burning into a practice that should be about finding peace, health and clarity.

What can be hard for all of us is to find a place of balance. We either give up and give the minimum effort, or we work at the other extreme, competing and pushing ourselves to our limits (or past them!).

As you practice yoga, consider how you can find that perfect balance between effort and ease. Let go of thoughts that lead you to believe that you "ought to" look or feel a certain way. Be patient...let your practice, your strength, and your flexibility improve over time. What's your hurry? Slow down, breathe...and feel content in this moment...just as you are! Namaste

It's January!

Time for new yoga sessions! It's not too late to get in on the fun. I have 2 new sessions starting: Thursday night January 5th is the first class of an 8 week session at All Saints Lutheran in Eagan and Monday January 9th is the start of a 6 week session at Advent United Methodist Church in Eagan. See the sidebar for more details. Please call or email me if you have additional questions!
651-681-1672
karenyogam@gmail.com
Hope to see you on the mat!
Karen