Happy New Year (Almost!)

On this last day of 2010, I find myself looking forward to a New Year. It is tempting to think about setting a bunch of New Year's Resolutions and goals, but what about adding ONE healthy new habit, with the option to add others as you go?
When I say add one thing, it can be as simple as deciding to buy a water bottle and drink more water each day or making a choice to try a new food once a month. For me, adding something positive is so much easier than "taking away." I guess I tend to be stubborn and oppositional by nature, because as soon as I do a "takeaway" I immediately rebel and begin to obsess about whatever it is I am now depriving myself of. A recent article (in Experience Life) about people and goal achievement described research that found participants who asked the question "will I ____?" did better than those that made statements like "today I will___". It seems strange, but maybe many of us do better when we can feel empowered by a choice, rather feeling obligated by a restrictive demand.
I also like the idea of setting new goals and intentions throughout the year. Let's face it...the dark days of January are not often the time when we feel charged up and full of energy. It's really a time of year to rest, stay warm, and find gentle ways to keep your mood and energy stable. I really believe that this is why so many folks fail at their exercise "resolutions". They decide to get up 2 hours earlier to hit the gym at 5am each day and then feel badly when after about 2 weeks they feel depleted and tired and simply give up. There's nothing wrong with early morning exercise, but maybe the winter months are not the best time to begin.
Whatever you may decide...to set resolutions or not....may you have a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!!

A Very Merry Christmas!!

I am thankful this Christmas for friends, family, good health, and the practice of yoga! Thanks to all of you who have been a part of my classes this year. Enjoy your friends and family today....and see you soon in class!
Karen
P.S. there will be a make-up class for the cancelled class at Advent on 12/20..... the make up class will be on Monday Jan 3rd at 4:30, and the new January session will begin the following Monday 1/10/2011.

No Class at 4:30!!

No yoga class today at Advent United Methodist (4:30pm). Watch for an email for a make-up session in early January!
Stay safe out there....it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

Patience is a Virtue!

This time of year, it seems that patience is in very short supply. I myself, admit that I am not exactly the world's most patient person....this is why I do yoga!!!
In my classes this week, I have tried to interject some ideas about patience, waiting, and trying to find time NOT to rush. This past weekend's snow forced most of us into some waiting...for someone to jump start our car...to push us out of a snow bank...and so on!
May this week bring you moments of peace and quiet. May you find ways to be patient with the "tiresome tempers of your neighbors" as the nuns at Visitation used to say! Take a breath, slow down, and take good care of you and yours.....

New Sessions for 2011!!!

I have set some dates for new winter yoga sessions for 2011!

Class at Advent United Methodist Church in Eagan: Monday's 4:30-5:30pm, January 10-Feb 14. Cost is $50 for a 6 week session.

Class at Hamline United Methodist Church in St Paul: Tuesday's Noon-1pm, January 11-Feb 15th. Cost is $50 for a 6 week session.

A couple of new classes may be in the works....stay tuned!!

As a reminder, If you have a friend who would like to "try" a class, they are welcome to attend one class and pay a drop in fee of $10.

Also, with winter snow and slippery road conditions, please allow a few extra minutes to get to class. I am committed to honoring our time together, so I want to start and end class on time. Thanks for your help with this!

If there is inclement weather, I will send emails cancelling class at least 2 hours prior to a class start...and will post any cancellations here on the blog as well.

Enjoy the day!

Classes in 2011

I hope to have information about dates/times/places for yoga classes in January 2011 very soon. I should have a new year schedule for classes available by the end of next week. If you'd like some classes as a Holiday gift, have your friends and family email me for details.

Peace,

Karen

An intentional holiday

The holiday season is officially underway (the retailers were trying to convince us of this since Halloween!) and things can get hectic. Take a moment to reflect about the kind of holiday season you'd like to have. Set an intention that helps you call to mind the kind of season you want. Perhaps this means building in some health and wellness time ( yoga class??!), time for sleep and relaxation, or time well chosen to re-connect with people that are important to you.

Just as we do in class on the mat....see if you can develop a one or 2 word intention that you can use to bring focus and clarity to all of the hustle and bustle. Then breathe and repeat that intention to yourself as you wait in lines at the post office or mall, or when you find yourself spread thin with so many places to be and events to attend.

Remind yourself that once the season is over, most of us do not recall the gifts, what we ate, or how clean the house was....instead, we remember our interactions with others and times that touched our hearts. Think about what touches you, seek to create some memories, and enjoy the holidays!!

See you in yoga class!