New Favorite Ad

I recently ran across a new ad campaign from Whole Foods. The ad states: "Treat your body like it belongs to someone you love." Wow! How's that going for ya?? I'll be the first to admit that I use the "holiday season" as an excuse to eat treats and snacks that I typically avoid otherwise. I stay up late at parties, drink more wine, and generally get stressed about stuff that just is not that important. In other words, I'm not paying much attention to treating my physical self well. At this point, with Christmas come and gone and a new year coming in fast, I feel more than ready to use this ad campaign as my new slogan and words to really try to live by.

I hate the idea of dieting....it feels so restrictive. Changing the narrative to 'feeding my body well' and treating myself with deep kindness and respect feels optimistic and full of potential. As the New Year unfolds, I'll be trying to focus on all of the ways that I can treat my whole self with deep love....eating really nourishing food, getting plenty of rest, doing yoga, and finding time for laughter, reflection, and spending time really being present with family and friends. It's not a selfish enterprise....when we are healthy and whole, we bring that to our relationships and into a world that deeply needs examples of living in peace and good health.

I hope to see many of you back on the mat in 2015....let's make this the year that we treat our bodies like they belong to someone we love!

Present Posture

Maybe you are reading this blog sitting in a chair. Consider your current posture. Are you slumped a bit in your chair with your shoulders rolling forward? Are your feet propped up so that you are reclining? If you are in "less than optimal" posture...take a moment to sit up tall. Place both feet on the ground and take your back away from the back of the chair. Take a breath....and then notice what has happened. By bringing your awareness to your body and by activating some muscles to sit up tall, you likely feel a bit more awake and are noticing a change in your body energy. You may feel less sluggish and simply more "present." This is the basis of yoga practice.....to start to be tuned in to the here and now by attending to breath and body sensation.

It's not wrong to relax or melt into a comfy chair from time to time. Rest and relaxation are important.   Being active is also important. Using our bodies and asking them to move and stand tall keeps us alert, grounded, and strong. Our bodies were built for movement. If we don't "use it" we "lose it", so make a commitment now to be more active and more aware of how you are using your body to be at your best each day.

Last week of classes for 2014!

This week (December 8-11) is the last week of yoga for all 3 of my yoga class locations. Lets enjoy one more practice together this week before we take a couple of weeks off over the holidays. See the sidebar for the dates and times for classes in January 2015.

December!

I love summer time....but a close second is the Christmas season! I love lighting candles, sitting by a fire, going to holiday parties, listening to Christmas music, and taking some time for  quiet reflection during the dark days of December. Have you noticed that the sunrise is especially gorgeous when it is cold and snowy out? (Plus...I am usually not awake early enough to enjoy a sunrise in the summer months!!!)

I love both the reflective quiet AND the hullaballoo and hectic nature of December. What keeps me grounded and healthy through it all is my yoga practice! If nothing else, yoga is a practice that works on me to stay grounded and to stay present in the here and now.  I can be still and quiet, or energetic and warm on my yoga mat. I get to practice and enjoy feeling strong, stable and deeply connected to all of creation. Talk about some wonder!

Have a lovely December.....if the crowds and hectic atmosphere of the season start to feel overwhelming...take a walk outside. Make a snow angel. Get up in the middle of the night and enjoy the fact that with the winter snow and some amount of moonlight, you can look out a window to a world that is alight, and quiet and still. May a spirit of peace and wonder be yours this holiday season!

January yoga dates are official!!!

See the sidebar for the current yoga class sessions as well as the new dates and times for yoga in January 2015.  Mark your calendars now to continue your yoga practice in the new year.

Classes will continue to run on Monday's (Advent UMC in Eagan 4:30-5:30pm), Tuesday's (Glendale UMC in Savage 4:30-5:30pm) and Thursday's (All Saints Lutheran in Eagan 7-8pm).

As always, you can do make-up classes at any of the 3 locations.

A fun opportunity!

If you are looking for holiday gift ideas for yourself or for your loved ones, you may want to find time to attend the Dynamic Journey Massage and Wellness holiday open house on Saturday November 29 from noon-4pm. Stop in for info on massage and other holistic healing options (and maybe even some info on upcoming Yoga Moodra class offerings).

Ask me for more details, or just plan to stop in at the open house: Dynamic Journey Massage and Wellness, 1103 W Burnsville Parkway, Burnsville.

Be thankful

Yes folks, while the commercial machine will try to convince us that it is the Christmas season (thus, you should start buying lots of stuff!) it is still November and next week the calendar says it is Thanksgiving.
How will you cultivate gratitude? What if we approached each day with a sense of awe and wonder about all that we have been given? Each day is an opportunity to be thankful. Don't wait until Thanksgiving to open your heart to your gifts and the blessings of the day. Be THANKFUL.

A quote to share

Just started reading Jon Kabat-Zinn's book entitled "Full Catastrophe Living."


Here's a quote to ponder:
"We are all subject to old age, illness and death. The real question...is how do we live our lives while we have the chance?"


In other words, stop waiting to live. Enjoy today and THIS moment. Make it count.

Travel Light!

How much baggage are you carrying around? How much heaviness do you feel? Physically and materially, are you surrounded by "stuff?" Each day and each moment brings us opportunities to start fresh and release what no longer serves us. Clean out a closet if you need to lighten your load from a material perspective. If you have a lot on your mind and heart, take some time to examine your thinking and let go of worry since it's wasted energy and won't change outcomes!

Whether there is chaos internally or externally, yoga can help you find new clean space. Breathe and remember that each moment is a gift. Enjoy today and decide to travel light.

What kind of yoga is this??

From time to time, I get students asking me what "style" or type of yoga I am teaching in class. While many yoga instructors adhere to just one teaching style, I feel that my classes are a blend of both Vinyasa and Iyengar traditions.

My first teacher when I was a beginning yoga student was trained in Iyengar. We held poses and really focused on alignment and form. Later, when I completed my yoga training through Yogafit, I was taught "how to teach" a vinyasa flow style of yoga. What I appreciated most about my yoga training was the emphasis on safety for students in class. As a result, even though we were learning a vinyasa style flow (matching breath and movement) we also spent a lot of time in poses and we took time to learn proper alignment. After all, proper form is not about getting perfection in a pose, but rather an effort to keep joints stable and the body safe in the various postures/asanas.

I have never had any formal Iyengar training, but the idea that yoga should be accessible to all and that props can help students achieve and get into postures safely is an idea that I have tried to incorporate in my classes. My hope is that my classes are "do-able" for students and that they leave realizing that yes, they CAN do yoga!

Calm in Chaos Workshop

My workshop entitled Calm in Chaos: Yoga Practices for Daily Living is coming up in just 11 days! If you have been considering attending, I hope that you will make the decision to join me. I have found the practice of yoga (the philosophy and teachings along with the physical practice) to be a huge source of healing in my life. This 2 hour workshop is one small way that I can share my passion for yoga with you and spread the word about all of the benefits a yoga practice can bring to your life.

So, if you are looking for some ideas and strategies for finding a sense of calm and focus as you move through this crazy life, please plan to be a part of the workshop on Wednesday Oct 29th. The workshop will include some discussion and journaling time as well as time "on the mat" to practice the skills and ideas that we'll explore together.

Details: Calm in Chaos will be held on Wednesday night October 29th from 6:30-8:30pm and is offered through Burnsville Community Education (ISD 191). The cost of the workshop is only $19!!
To register, go to the community education website or pick up a paper brochure at a local school or library.

New late fall sessions begin next week!

Wow...it's hard to believe that it is already mid October! This week is the last week of classes at Advent, Glendale and All Saints. New sessions start next week (All Saints begins a new session on Oct 30...no class on October 23rd).
Get the new class dates on your calendars now....you will thank yourself later if you have made time for self care and a yoga practice as we head into the last months of the year and the busy holiday season.
Also, you still have time to register for my evening community education workshop coming up on Wednesday October 29th! Let me know if you have questions about the evening. Plan to attend and gain some new ideas about staying focused and calm even in times of stress and change.

Anti-Aging

We had a good laugh this afternoon at the start of my yoga class when a student commented that she wanted to work on "hip issues...maybe I'm just getting old!" Anti-aging postures got a good laugh....but I do believe that yoga can keep us young. After all, the practice helps us heal mind, body, and spirit....and we do all of that while also gaining flexibility, strength, and better posture.

Whether you are hoping for some peace of mind, a leaner body, or a more flexible frame...know that you are working on all of them every time you step on your yoga mat. Feel more confident, feel younger, and feel flexible enough to meet all of life's challenges...its as simple as doing yoga. There's a reason that yoga has stood the test of time and been around for hundreds of years....it is a practice for healthy living that works.

A community ed opportunity

I will be leading a 2 hour workshop through Burnsville Community Education (ISD 191) on October 29th from 6:30-8:30pm. The workshop is entitled Calm in Chaos: Yoga Practices for Balanced Living.
The evening will consist of some gentle yoga as well as time for journaling and discussion about how to find balance and calm even when life is demanding and stressful.
Pick up a Burnsville Community Education Brochure or have a look at the class offering online.
I hope that many of you will plan to join me for an evening of fun and renewal.

Weekend weather

For those of you reading from here in MN.....the weekend weather forecast is promising some summer like temps and sunny skies! YAY! Schedule some time to get outside for a walk or do some yoga on your patio....celebrate the changing season and consider what you might want to release and what you want to embrace as a new season begins.
Be well...breathe deep....be grateful!

Don't wait til January!

Here it is September....and the last full week of September in fact! As the leaves begin to put on their colors before winter, September can be the perfect time to set a goal or intention to be healthier.
I often chuckle to myself when people try to set "new year resolutions" in January. To me, it seems like such a set-up for struggle. Who wants to go outdoors for a walk or run when there is very little daylight, the days are cold, and the roads and sidewalks are icy?? Let's face it.....the dead of winter is hardly the time when our bodies want to try something new. We are much more likely to continue to exercise and move if we have a habit going before winter begins. Why not start an outdoor activity now, when cool crisp days with lots of sun are available and the farmers markets are still open and selling the last goodies of summer?? There's still time to strike a yoga pose or 2 on your deck or porch!!
September is a beautiful month in MN.....get out and enjoy the spectacular show that mother nature provides and boost your mood and heart rate all at the same time! Be well!

See you in September!

September has arrived! For many of us, we switch gears at this time of year and a new schedule emerges from the lazy hazy days of summer. I hope that many of you will find time in your busy lives to join me on the mat in yoga class again this fall. New dates are established and fall classes start next week!
As always, call or email me if you have questions or concerns about your yoga practice.

Here are the class details:
Monday: Advent UMC in Eagan 4:30-5:30pm Sept 8-Oct 13
Tuesday: Glendale UMC in Savage 4:30-5:30pm Sept 9-Oct 14
Thursday: All Saints Lutheran in Eagan 7-8pm Sept 11-Oct 16

Peace!

August is here!

As we roll into state fair season and the time that many of us buy school supplies.....if you're like me you start to get a bit panicked about summer's end! I intend to really enjoy each day, since I know too well that this lovely season of summer is fleeting and goes by all too quickly.

In a few more days, I should have dates for fall yoga sessions confirmed and ready to post. I will look forward to re-connecting with all of you in September. Enjoy what remains of summer.....lay down in the grass, really notice the flowers and weeds that grow in the ditches, soak up that precious vitamin D!

Breathe deep....celebrate each day!

Last class of summer

Thursday evening's class at All Saints Lutheran is the last scheduled Yoga Moodra class for the summer! It's hard to believe that we have already reached the end of July! Hope to see lots of you in class on Thursday night (7/31) at 7pm. Watch for details soon about fall yoga sessions that will begin in September. Til then, soak up some sun and take every opportunity to play and enjoy the great outdoors.
Peace!

Have to....or want to???

Thought for the day...consider how you view and "talk to yourself" about yoga, exercise, or self care. Do you "have to" take care of yourself...."should" you be on a diet.....do you feel you "must" control yourself??? Maybe you need to think of it all in a new way.....treat your body well....not as an obligation but as a delight and an honor. Give yourself the gift of good health simply because you deserve to live your best life. You "get to" do yoga....you are blessed that you are able to bend and breath....you are lucky to live in a country where you can choose healthy foods that are plentiful and abundant.
Live fully and well.

Freedom

A few days ago, we celebrated our country and our independence as a nation. The freedoms that we cherish are a unique part of our identity and a part of our collective experience as Americans.

Yoga is such a wonderful way to practice freedom. We can choose to let go of ideas that might hold us back or create personal pain and find release and freedom from mental anguish. We can build strength and body awareness to allow a release from tension and tightness....finding our way to more space and a feeling of freedom in the physical body. We can work on being fully present and blessed with a sensation that we are part of something bigger...finding spiritual connection and a sense of our place in the world.

Celebrate your freedom today. Remember that each day is a new start...a new opportunity to let go of  old hurts or worries. Today we can prepare ourselves for a day full of richness and freedom to be at our best.

Just breathe

The next time you wonder where all your time went, take a break and take a breath. We get so consumed with busyness and day to day activities and stressors, that we miss all the beauty that is right in front of us.
Focusing on the breath calms us and keeps us in the present moment. The next time you start to feel that things are swirling out of control....slow things down and BREATHE. After 2-3 breaths, your perspective and attitude should start to shift.
Your breath is the very best tool that you have for living each day to the fullest and avoiding that sense that somehow time has slipped away. Remember the quote from John Lennon: Life is what happens when we're busy making other plans. Make the decision to be aware and be an active participant in all that is in front of you....right now. You'll feel more connected and more alive as you stay in the present moment.
Yoga classes of mine this week (and really every week) will be focused on the breath....come and practice breathing and living a full life....full of joy and awareness.

Peace for the Planet??

Creating peace in your own life helps to bring peace to the planet. I read these words the other day in my horoscope!! It seems so true....if we can cultivate our own sense of peace and contentment, then we start to interact with others in a whole new way. So, while it may seem a bit lofty to consider that your yoga practice contributes to world peace....in actuality it truly does!

Yoga is a practice, so it is something we need to keep coming back to and working on in order to establish it as a habit. If we experience a bit more peace and calm after our yoga practice, then we have not just benefited ourselves, but others as well. I personally look back at the times when my kids were young and how impatient and intolerant I often was with their behavior.  I think about and wonder what my parenting would have been like if I had discovered yoga when my kids were small instead of when they were in their teens. I can't get those days back, but I hope that as my practice continues, that I will find more effective ways to deal with my impatient and sometimes irritable nature!

Take some time to practice some lovingkindness toward yourself...and then see if you are in a more gentle and forgiving place in your relationships as a result.  Make a choice about what kind of energy you want to sustain personally and watch that energy ripple out into everything that you do!

Blessed are the peacemakers....

Time goes by.....

I am in a constant struggle with time. I seem to vacillate between boredom and feeling that time is moving way too slowly, or I am racing around feeling that somehow time is about to run out!

Even when I have enough time in my day, I can catch myself feeling rushed and impatient if I decide that others are moving too slowly.

Yoga practice is my best defense against this push-pull feeling that I have about time management. I remember that it's ok to be still, to move more slowly, and stay connected to the present moment. Really, in the end, this moment, right now, is the only one we have. The past is already gone, and the future is not guaranteed! So it boils down to making a decision about how to live in the present and be content with the gift of time that we've been given.

Loving yourself

Each of us is a very unique and special person, created with gifts and talents that were meant to be shared. Sometimes we think it is a selfish pursuit to spend time on self care or taking the time to reflect about what it is we have to offer the world. In fact, if we do not spend some time caring for ourselves, we are pretty unlikely to care effectively for others.

Love and care begin at home....take care of yourself and treat yourself well so that you can effectively be present and available to others. When we can be forgiving of our own mistakes and missteps and recognize that all of us struggle in different ways, we become less judgmental and more accepting. This doesn't mean that we ought to give up on improving or trying to do better, but it allows us to nurture and care for ourselves in a way that promotes growth and change.

Today is a fresh opportunity. Remind yourself of your own inner value and worth. Care for yourself. Care for others. Be the very best YOU that you can be right now.

Honesty

Most of us would say that we are honest people. If that's the case, why do so many of us say yes to things when we'd really prefer to say no?

I know that I struggle with this issue. I actively seek to avoid conflict and will let my need to be "nice" or the idea that I don't want to hurt someone's feelings get in the way of being direct and clear. I am trying to make progress in this area by pausing and simply not talking or giving an answer one way or another. At least then I have an opportunity to go back later to say no! Even this is a stall tactic and not very respectful of my own needs or the needs of the person who was requesting something. By avoiding an answer, I may lead them to think that I agree, and I put myself in the stressful position of trying to figure out when and where to set the record straight.

On our yoga mats our practice allows us time and space to be present. Hopefully we can find clarity and truth that will allow us to grow in our integrity and ability to offer our best to the world. Maybe we all need to seek to find the balance between being brutally honest (which may just be an excuse for being aggressive toward someone else) and being too passive and failing to speak up. Think about your words. Speak with gentleness and truth.

Superpowers

My book club just finished reading a book (A Tale for the Time Being) about a young girl struggling to find her place in the world. Her grandmother Jiko was a wise woman who practiced meditation and tried to help her granddaughter discover her "superpowers". We all have unique talents and gifts. Yet if we are asked, many of us can't articulate what we are good at or what talents we have. There certainly aren't too many of us talking up our "superpowers"!

Nelson Mandela once said "Who are we, not to shine?" Take some time to consider what you have to offer.....and then make sure you offer it! Don't hold back....the world needs people with different skills, talents (and even superpowers) to take action. Allow your yoga practice to become a place to explore and get in touch with your inner capacity and gifts. Find some time to be quiet and reflect about your life, your work and all that you have to offer. Live your best life...breathe deep...stay open to new adventures. Each moment is an opportunity to get started. It's time to use those superpowers!

Summer Yoga....register now!

The dates for Yoga Moodra summer sessions have been set! Please see the sidebar for class details. Monday and Tuesday classes are 4:30-5:30pm and will run for 6 weeks. Cost will be $50. The Thursday night class at All Saints (7-8pm) will run for 8 weeks and the cost will be $65 for the session.
In addition, if you are new or just want to try out a class...you can always attend on a drop-in basis for $10 per class.
Don't forget your yoga practice this summer! See you on the mat!

Summer yoga dates coming soon!

I will publish summer yoga dates next week! If you have input or dates that you'd prefer...feel free to let me know. Typically I try to run yoga classes at the same day/time as the rest of the year and usually run sessions in June and July with some time off in August. Fall yoga sessions will start in September. Thanks to all of you for choosing my classes and for recommending Yoga Moodra to your friends and neighbors!

Clean up

The sun has reappeared and spring seems to have officially arrived. Many of us use the change in seasons to clear some clutter and open the windows. It's time to freshen up and clean out a closet, organize the garage, and rid ourselves of any material signs of winter heaviness.

What about our own emotional clutter?  Feng shui (while I am no expert) is based on the idea that how we arrange our physical environment will impact our emotions and our ability to be at our best in all aspects of our lives. The idea is that physical clutter and things in disarray in our home can often be a reflection of our own inner turmoil and lack of focus. If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed by "stuff" right now, then some spring cleaning may help you feel a bit lighter,  more relaxed and relieved.

Our internal dialogue and how we choose to think about things can create mental confusion as well. Yoga tradition describes an idea called shaucha which is about keeping things clean and orderly on an internal level so that we can maintain focus and an even temperament. Along with some external spring cleaning, maybe a 'new attitude' and willingness to release old baggage and hurts can also bring a new found sense of calm and peace. Making decisions that we know down deep that are right and true for us, or letting go of old ways of thinking can help us feel clearer. Practice shaucha...live according to your beliefs and values, practice healthy habits, and let go of old ways of being in the world that no longer serve you.

Happy Spring!

Dreams of Summer....

Despite the cool, rainy weather, spring and summer will be here soon! Since May is just around the corner, that means that I need to start planning for summer yoga sessions. I will check on space needs first, but I also need student input from you. Often the summer means travel and a busy schedule of family visits, graduations, and outdoor fun. Please let me know if you plan to take yoga classes this summer. Also let me know if you have some dates that you'd like me to avoid.

Obviously I cannot work around everyone's schedule, but if many of you have conflicts during the same time, then I will certainly take that into account as I schedule yoga classes. One example....I often do not schedule any yoga classes during the week of the 4th of July. This year, the 4th is on a Friday....so perhaps it makes more sense for the Monday class to skip July 7 rather than canceling class on Monday June 30.

Please feel free to email me, or just tell me before or after class if you're planning to attend summer yoga, and let me know if you have any troublesome dates as well.

Thanks so much. It really helps to get feedback so that I can arrange to do what works best for most!

Need a private session?

Did you know that I am available to meet on a 1:1 basis and help you with your yoga practice??

Whether you have an old nagging injury that needs some attention, or an issue with depression or anxiety, I can be of assistance. It is always wonderful to practice yoga in a group or class setting and benefit from shared energy and intention....but sometimes we need to practice in a way that suits our unique needs and issues at the moment. If you feel that you are having trouble starting a yoga practice due to some physical or emotional issues, please contact me. I am a licensed mental health professional and a yoga instructor. Let me help you identify what it is that might be weighing you down or holding you back physically or emotionally.

Make a commitment to be your best self NOW. It will be a gift you give to yourself....and it will be a gift that you give to those around you as you discover small ways to be at your best each day. Self care is not selfish....it is the first step to being fully present and available to truly care for others.

Yoga is a powerful practice not just for flexibility and strength for the physical body, it is a practice that can move us past old emotional traumas, hurts, and self doubt. Call or email me if you'd like more information about a private yoga session.

Take very, very, good care! Peace!

Time for Self Care

What is it that makes it so hard to take good care of ourselves? Why do we push so hard and rest so little? I suspect that if you are like me, that this comes from a small voice within that is convinced that there is not enough time. Even when there is plenty of time, we get impatient and want things to move quickly. We make decisions to work more and sleep less...we respond to the needs of others and put our own needs at the bottom of our priority list.
Make a commitment to slow down a bit. You may just find that with a slower, more thoughtful pace, you actually get more done! Take good care of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Get good rest. Eat well. Move and breathe and approach each day as the gift that it is. If that is hard to do....try some yoga! Yoga will put you in touch with what your body needs. Yoga practice will help you feel more aware of your emotions and thinking. Yoga will bring you focus and clarity, connecting you with the beauty and divine that is at your center. Surely we all have some time for that!

New Yoga Class sessions begin next week!

Please read through the list of yoga classes I am currently offering...hopefully one of them will work with your schedule! The next set of yoga classes will begin next week and it is not too late to join the fun. Contact me if you have questions or concerns, or just be there for the first day of the session.

As a reminder, if you'd like to bring a friend or neighbor to try out the class, they can attend for a $10 drop in fee.

Have a nice Easter weekend.....peace, beauty and love to you all.

Rumi Quote

I shared this Rumi quote a few weeks ago in some of my yoga classes...here it is again:

Raise your words, not your voice.
It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.

More about inner beauty!

Did you see the news coverage last week about Dove's "study" on beauty? They gave women patches to wear on their skin and explained that they contained ingredients that would promote beauty and help them feel more beautiful. In a true example of the placebo effect or a 'self-fulfilling prophecy' all the women reported feeling more beautiful while wearing the patch. The participants cited examples where others were suddenly complimenting them. They reported personally feeling more energetic and relaxed. After finding out that there was nothing in the patch, the realization set in for the women that each of us create our own beauty based on our thinking and perceptions.

Our culture has some pretty deliberate ways of going about getting us to feel inadequate (mostly so that we will then buy a product that will restore us somehow). This is especially true for women, but men are experiencing a pressure to look a certain way as well. We have become obsessed with what is wrong with our looks and our physicality, instead of honoring our bodies and treating them with respect and care.

Instead of spending energy this week on berating yourself or being self-critical, be deliberate about being the very best YOU that you can be. Yoga teaches us that each moment and each breath is a new start....so use your time well. Whatever is true, whatever is lovely, whatever is worthy of praise....think on these things!

You just never know.....

First of all, I am writing this after my Thursday evening class and it is windy and snowing out.  I am so proud of all you "fierce yogis!!" I mean fierce not in terms of anger or aggression, but fierce as in determined, dedicated and consistent! I am so lucky to be your teacher. In all of my classes during this seemingly endless and brutal winter (even early April is feeling pretty wintery!) I have been so impressed by the dedication and commitment that you all have when it comes to showing up for your yoga practice.

So, in honor of all of my students...I will be doing a little promo....that only those of you who check in with my blog will be able to participate in....leave a comment or some sign that you have been reading...and you just never know...you may be the lucky one to receive a discounted session, a yoga prop, or maybe a bit of chocolate. Small tokens of my love and gratitude for all of you!

Spring will be here soon....in the meantime, enjoy the beauty of YOU and look for beauty all around you!

New Habit....day 8!

I wrote last week that I was going to try to re-establish a new meditation practice. I have successfully "sat" on my meditation cushion for the last 8 days! I have tried to make this as easy and accessible as possible: by setting out my meditation cushion and timer and telling myself that the only requirement is to sit quietly and breathe for a minimum of 2 minutes! Not a long time, and it sounds easy, but I am hoping to first build the habit of meditating each day, and then as I get comfortable, adding time to each "sit."
So, that's my progress so far. I hope that by sharing my efforts that I will inspire all of you to try one new healthy habit this spring. Breathe deep....take a moment to see the beauty in today.
Peace,

New Late Spring Yoga Sessions will start in April!

Here's some information about class dates/times and places to try out some yoga!

Classes offered:

Monday:

Dynamic Journey Massage and Wellness (1103 W Burnsville Parkway, Burnsville) from 12-1pm.  $55 for 6 weeks. Class dates: April 21-June 2 (no class Memorial Day 5/26).

Monday:

Advent United Methodist (3945 Lexington Ave, Eagan).  April 21-June 2 (No class Memorial Day 5/26). Class time is 4:30-5:30pm. Session cost is $50.

Tuesday:

Glendale United Methodist Church ( 13550 Glendale Rd, Savage). Class meets from 4:30-5:30pm. Class dates: April 22-May 27. Cost is $50.

Thursday:

All Saints Lutheran Church (3810 Lexington Ave, Eagan). Class time is 7-8pm and class dates are: April 24-May 29. Cost is $50.

*Classes held at church sites include a short bible verse/devotional as part of final relaxation time.

 Have specific concerns or questions? Contact Karen: karenyogam@gmail.com or 651-681-1672

My new habit

Yesterday I wrote about the idea of giving a new healthy habit a try as spring approaches. I figure I need to practice what I preach, so in the interest of full disclosure, I will tell you all now that my new habit will be an effort to get a daily meditation practice started. I made a rather feeble attempt to begin daily meditation in January, but the effort didn't seem to stick. I am hoping that by declaring it a bit more publicly that I will renew my dedication to establishing this new habit and daily practice.

I am going to track my efforts on a calendar as well so that I can see my progress and get back on track if things start to slip. I'll give an update later to let you all know how it is going......

Feel free to share with me if you decide to start a new healthy habit. We can support one another on the path to better well-being!

Peace!

Feel Good

We have just over one week remaining in the month of March and Spring has arrived, at least according to the calendar. Why not use the upcoming change of season to start a new healthy habit?? Maybe it'll be something small like drinking more water or trying a new fruit or vegetable that you've never tasted. Maybe you'll get back to walking regularly outdoors or getting more sleep at night.

Decide that the Spring of 2014 will be your time to put health and wellness at the top of your to-do list. Make an effort to treat your body with the kindness and respect it deserves and then pay attention as you begin to enjoy feeling better than ever. You deserve to live with a sense of vitality and wholeness. You deserve to feel good physically and mentally. Do some things now to improve your well being. You'll be so glad that you did!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

I am not Irish, although I can get away with saying I am since my hair is red and my skin is full of freckles! I really enjoy the celebration of St Patrick's Day I suppose because it is a day of celebration and fun in the middle of what is usually a dreary and cold  month of March.

Here's a little Irish poem for all of you:

May there always be work for your hands to do. May your purse always hold a coin or two. May the sun always shine on your windowpane. May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of a friend always be near you. May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

March Madness

March is a tough month in Minnesota....we get the occasional glimpse of springtime weather, and then typically get hit with more snow and cold. Spring can be slow to arrive and winter can feel endless.

What to do?? Yoga!! Seriously, yoga is not exercise for me....but a practice that helps me find peace of mind. Returning to the mat is what helps me find clarity about what's really important and helps me move beyond feeling crabby or impatient with the little things in life.

If you've been away from yoga for awhile, or if you have never taken a step to try it out....March is probably about the best time to start. Actually....any day or time is the perfect time to try something new.

Do something out of the ordinary in March.....Go a bit "mad"....get out of whatever rut you may have been in this winter and start fresh. Breathe....do something new....roll out the yoga mat and begin.  Contact me if you need more information or reassurance to get started!

And the survey says.....

As many of you know, I did a survey of current and former yoga students of mine last fall. It was great to get so many positive responses and ideas about what people like about the practice of yoga.
If you missed the opportunity to take the survey, or even if you did complete it....please know that I am open to and appreciate your feedback! My goal has always been to provide a yoga experience that leaves students feeling refreshed and renewed.

Here are some of the results and comments from the survey....email me or respond here on the blog if after reading you think of other comments or ideas that you'd like to share!

A few Yoga Moodra Survey results:

81% of you feel comfortable and welcome in class.

89% of you agree that the intensity level of the class is "just right."

47% responded that you would be interested in a half day retreat.

Many of you listed words such as peaceful, relaxing, serenity, and well being to describe what the practice of yoga brings to your life.

As always....I am so delighted to be your yoga teacher each week! Yoga has been a gift and a healing practice for me, and it is my hope that I can provide a yoga experience that is meaningful and healing in the lives of my students! Thanks for your participation in class.

Peace, Love, Happiness, and Good Health!

Wishing

I have been thinking lately about the passage of time and how I spend my time. More specifically, I have been thinking about how to be more mindful and aware in the present so that I don't look back and say to myself "Where did the time go?"

It's a pretty daunting task to try to fill up and really live in each moment. With the seemingly endless winter, I often find myself wishing for summer and warmer days. Wishing for things to be different doesn't change anything, and it often wastes time and energy that I could be using to really do something more productive in the here and now. It is human nature to seek pleasure and try to avoid discomfort and pain...I guess that explains my frequent fantasies about running away and moving to a warmer climate! As much as these thoughts entertain me and allow me to escape briefly...they are ideas that take me out of the present moment and leave me feeling dissatisfied with the present.

I am seeking out my yoga mat as a spot to work on being patient and accepting of what is by enjoying the breath and by trying to let go of my knee jerk response that tells me to try to escape and avoid anything that I deem uncomfortable or unwanted. I do think that yoga helps me to "mellow out" and let go of things that take up time and space in my day. Yoga helps me stay present and more content each time I let go of wishing for circumstances to change.

Today I'll try to be aware of the cold, how the wind feels, noticing the beauty of the sun against the cold blue of the winter sky without trying to change it (I wouldn't have much luck doing that anyway!) and simply accept the gift of this moment in time. I'll try to use my time well and see if I can bring some warmth to myself and to others with a smile or a kind word. Instead of wishing for things to be different, I will work to create moments of peace and joy right now.

New classes are scheduled!

Hello Yoga students!
I now have dates set for yoga classes to follow the currently scheduled classes. See the left sidebar for class locations, dates and times. All 3 classes will begin a new session the second full week of March. I have yoga class options on Mondays at 4:30pm, Tuesdays at 4:30pm and Thursday evenings at 7pm. Please remember that if you end up missing a class, you are welcome to come to one of the other class locations to do a make-up class.
If you have a friend or neighbor that would like to try the class, they are always welcome to attend for a $10 drop in fee.
Also, if you have not yet purchased a copy of my home practice yoga DVD, I still have a few available for $5 each.

Yoga class promotion!

I am planning to offer a promotion to current yoga students for my upcoming class sessions. Here's the deal....Invite a friend, neighbor, or family member to join you for the next yoga class session...your friend gets $5 off the 6 week session cost, and you receive $5 off your session as well! I will be posting my updated class information on the blog shortly, as most of my current classes will be ending in February.
Remember...if your friend would like to try a class before committing to the 6 week session, they can attend a class for a $10 drop in fee.
Namaste!

Effort and Ease

Effort and ease are ideas that I mention occasionally while leading yoga. I am always curious about the ways in which I hold myself back from actions or asanas due to fear or some faulty assumption or belief. For instance, a thought about injury in a particular pose always makes me wonder...am I being reasonable and appropriately cautious, or am I allowing worries and fears about getting hurt to hold me back from practicing fully "at my edge?"

I guess the problem in part for me is that I have been injured in yoga before. In some situations I am aware that I took things too far, or wasn't fully present at the time...but in other instances, small injuries have happened and I really cannot pinpoint why. As we age, our bodies get a bit less pliable, so some caution is necessary I suppose. Injury and ill health are a part of our existence, but as humans we always seem to be looking for ways to avoid pain and discomfort.

Effort and ease can be difficult to manage in daily life too. Sometimes, I know I am taking the easy way out of a situation rather than giving it my full attention and energy. At other times, I know I can get too intense and single-minded and then I have to work on finding ways to 'mellow out' and release my need to control outcomes.

In my yoga practice, I find myself returning to this idea of finding a middle ground, a place of balance between effort and ease. For me, it helps to take a deep breath and get grounded in the present rather than getting stuck in some old idea from the past that  I am trying to make right, or some outcome I am reaching for in the future. It's not a spot you arrive in and then are finished. It's a day to day, moment to moment practice to try to really "be there" and live life at just the right intensity, finding that balance of effort and ease.

Decisions, Decisions.....

Here it comes....yet another cold blast that is resulting in schools closing! Most of you know that I am not a big fan of winter, especially this bitter cold one! In these circumstances, I am finding my yoga practice to be a balm and an ever-so-soothing practice that grows more important with each wintery cold day that goes by!

I am hoping that many of you feel the same.....so as a result, I am not planning to cancel yoga class (Monday or Tuesday January 27/28th) at this time. If you are feeling that MN spirit that says the weather will not keep you from doing the things that bring you joy....know that class is ON and we will breathe, move, and enjoy each other's company and energy.

As always...take time to listen to your body and do what is truly best for you.

I hope to see you on the mat tomorrow!

Peace and warmth and good health!

No Yoga at All Saints Tonight!

Just a reminder that we do NOT have class tonight, as I have another commitment. (Turns out well, since it is bitter cold....again....and schools are closed today with people being encouraged to just stay in!)

Hopefully this frigid winter weather will be ending soon. Until then, breathe deeply and stay healthy and warm!

Peace!

Courage to act with conviction

Since it is Martin Luther King Jr Day, I am thinking about the ideas of conviction and standing up for what you believe in. Certainly MLK Jr was a man who was unafraid to challenge the status quo. He  encouraged others to speak their truth in ways that were bold, yet non-violent. MLK Jr could speak of injustice, but also dared us to be our best.

Good stuff to work on in a yoga class and in daily life...how to be bold, but kind and gentle at the same time.... How to stand tall and feel strength in stillness...how to feel shaky and weak...and still continue to act with focus and awareness.

In yoga tradition, the word Tapas refers to commitment and discipline. Being willing to make sacrifices and to move forward with 'fire' and conviction. Get in touch with what inspires and motivates you today and get started. Move forward with strength, determination and courage. Make it count.

Moving forward!

Gosh,
I hate canceling yoga classes! I hope it didn't inconvenience any of you when I cancelled class last Monday and Tuesday. Sometimes in Minnesota, you just have to adapt to the weather!
Anyway, Yoga Moodra classes for January 2014 are up and running...and it's not too late to join in!
See the class list on the left for details about class locations, times, etc.

Remember, if you have a number of conflicts with the class sessions as scheduled, you can still attend on a drop in basis and pay $10 per class (that also goes for newcomers that simply want to try the class before committing to the full session fee).

Here it is...the middle of January already! I hope to see you all soon.

Peace, happiness, and prosperity to all of you in 2014.

Still COLD!!! No Yoga on Tuesday Jan 7

Since many schools in the area will be closed again tomorrow (Tuesday January 7th), I will stay with my usual procedure, which is to cancel yoga class when schools are closed due to inclement weather.
If you were planning to attend my yoga class at Glendale United Methodist tomorrow, I will plan to start the new session of classes there next Tuesday, January 14th at 4:30pm.

Stay warm and safe!

Yoga Moodra Classes Monday January 6th are CANCELLED

Due to the forecast for extreme cold and school closings state-wide, I will NOT be holding yoga classes this Monday January 6th as scheduled.
The sessions set to begin on the 6th will start one week later on Monday January 13th.
Stay warm and safe!

Plenty of time....

As we look ahead to a brand new year, many of us make new year resolutions and set goals for how we will hope to behave and how we will spend our time.

Sadly, sometimes our healthy habits take a 'back seat' and are pushed aside by other demands on our time. Yet, we all realize that we have some choices about our behavior and how we decide to use our time. Let's make 2014 the year that we actively choose how we spend our time.

Here's a quote from an editorial by Brian Konkol from the Star Tribune today:
"...we do have time for the lives we wish to live, and we do have time to be that which we wish to become."

May we all breathe deeply....may we be focused and present...may we live the life we wish to live!