Fun and Freedom

The 4th of July is almost here. May you have a safe and happy holiday weekend! Celebrate and be grateful for all the freedoms you enjoy here in the US.  Have some fun with friends and family.

I will hope to see you all when the summer yoga session begins at Advent UMC in Eagan on Monday July 13th. And don't forget about the summer FREE Outdoor Community Yoga class on Tuesday July 21st from 6-7pm.

Until then, breathe deep, soak up some of the July warmth and sunshine, and find a moment or two for your favorite yoga pose.

See you on the mat.....

Updates

The end of June is fast approaching! Yikes, time sure does fly by in the summer! As a reminder, this week is the last week of class for the current yoga session at all 3 locations. My Tuesday class at Glendale and my Thursday class at All Saints will be "on hiatus" after this week for the remainder of the summer and will re-start fall sessions in September.

I will have one class session in July and August at Advent United Methodist Church in Eagan. The class meets Monday's from 4:30pm-5:30pm. We will take 2 weeks off around the 4th of July, and the new class session will begin on Monday July 13th. Class dates are July 13-August 24th (no class on 8/3). Cost for the 6 class session is $50.

Finally, if you have not done so yet, please mark your calendars and plan to attend my first ever FREE Outdoor Community Yoga Class on Tuesday July 21st from 6-7pm. We will practice on the lawn at Glendale United Methodist Church and donations for the local food shelf will gladly be accepted. The event goes on rain or shine (we will move indoors if the weather turns nasty). Bring your friends and neighbors and lets have a fun-filled fabulous outdoor practice as a community of yogis!!

See you all on the mat!

Micro and Macro

Ever wonder what your yoga teacher thinks about as you are resting in final relaxation?? Perhaps each class and each teacher may bring to mind something different, but here are a few of the things that typically float through my mind in the last minutes of class:

I pause to count the number of students in the room and feel blessed to have folks that show up for my classes each week

I call you each by name in my mind and ask that you are blessed and that you take a peaceful loving  heart with you as you leave class

I am in awe of the power that yoga has to transform lives and the world

The bottom line is this: come to class for your own personal needs (whether it is for some peace and relaxation, some added flexibility, or to gain strength or a firmer backside) but remember that yoga is not just powerful on a micro or individual level....it is a powerful practice on the macro level too!

When you leave a yoga class feeling calm, centered and aware, it has a profound impact on those you interact with. Maybe you're calmer as you wait in line at the grocery store, or maybe you feel a bit of compassion for someone who might not be making good choices in traffic, or you are less likely to take the bait when a co-worker tries to press your buttons. When you think about yoga in this way, the idea that yoga can be a change agent to bring about more peace in the world is not some whoo-whoo idea. When you are healthier, calmer, and more peaceful with your self and share that with others, the ripple effect is felt far and wide.

Thanks for being in class. Whether you realize it or not, you are bringing some peace and light to your own life, and you can share that peace with your family, your community, and your world! COOL, eh??

Staying Present

Without going into a lot of detail, let me just say that today was a challenge. Our dear family kitty has become quite ill and we are really uncertain about what is best for her and for all of us. I guess lots of things in life are like that....you try to make the best choices you can, given the information that is available, while trying to listen to your own heart.

Thank goodness once again for yoga practice! I can't tell you how many times I had to remind myself to just "stop and breathe" today. I know that so many people are facing challenges and decisions much larger than the one my family struggles with today. Whatever problems or decisions you face, remember that the present moment is all that we really have. Enjoy, feel some gratitude, and resolve not to waste a minute!

Teaching Beginners

I had an opportunity to teach a brand new group of yoga students this weekend. Many in the class had never done yoga before. Believe me, I love and adore my long-time dedicated yogis, yet it is always refreshing and fun to introduce new people to the powerful practice of yoga! Nothing brings me more joy than a surprised and delighted beginner that makes comments like, "I never thought I could do yoga" or "that was really fun" or "the tension I came in with has totally disappeared." As I have said before, I have found deep healing for myself on the mat, so when I hear new people getting excited about how the practice might help them physically or emotionally, it is a true thrill.

Thanks to those of you who have been with me in yoga class over the long-term. Your continued practice is an inspiration to me and such a great example to those that are just considering the idea of trying yoga. When you invite a friend to class, you are offering them an opportunity not only for some fun and relaxation, but potentially opening a door to better long term health for them. What a gift!

Breathe deep this week and enjoy the first week of June!! Thanks for sharing your yoga journey with me!