Just be YOU!
July 19th, 2010 § 4 Comments
This post could bear the alternate title “Practicing what I preach, yo!” In class, I often encourage yogis to listen to their inner guides, to follow their own breath, to bring themselves into each posture. Well, last week I finally had a chance to practice this myself.
For the past year and a half, I have taught a power vinyasa flow class. I was encouraged to follow a certain model in this class (quick transitions, no holding postures, lots of sweat). This went along fine, though I always felt like I was teaching someone else’s class, even though I brought all of my other elements to the class (pranayama, philosophy, subtle-body talk and the like). And although this style of asana practice is very popular in Seattle, this particular class of mine was not as popular as my mellow-flow classes. Well, last week I let go of what I thought I “should” do in this class and just taught the way I practice… and you know what?! it was perfect. Just what students needed, wanted, and enjoyed.
“No kidding,” you might be saying, or “duh,” but this class just completely opened up for me.
And for that, I am grateful!
Namaste, k
Episode 41– Beginner’s Mind, Expansive Heart
July 3rd, 2010 § 2 Comments
Hello dear-hearts,
Episode 41 is an all-levels class recorded LIVE at my Thursday night Hatha Flow class at Community Fitness. We focus on cultivating a beginner’s mind to reap the most expansive experience from this life. I do hope you love it.
Connect
Please do get in touch. I’d love to hear your yoga stories, answer your yoga questions, or just find out who you are! Hello to Kelly, who is thinking of becoming a yoga teacher herself. Hello to readers of Naturally Nina who have found your way here, and to Jayni (who I accidentally called Jayna in the introduction– I am so sorry– my handwriting failed me yet again! I’ll make it up to you next week!) who is en route to becoming a yoga teacher.
- Voice: 503-583-2599
- Email: sunroseyoga {at} gmail {dot} com
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/yoginiinthehood
- Comments here: www.sunroseyoga.com
- A review on iTunes, perhaps?
Listen
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To subscribe to the podcast for FREE, please click here. {Subscribing means you’ll have the latest episode delivered to you as soon as it is published.}
Support
If you enjoy this podcast, please consider donating via paypal (secure). Your support helps make this podcast possible. I truly am honored to have you as a listener and fellow yogi. BLESSINGS.
GRATITUDE
Thank you so much for listening, for your support, for sharing your YOGA with the world.
LOVE to you, always. kelly
Asanas
Beautiful seat.
Bhaktasana-chakravakasana-adho mukha svanasana vinyasa.
Dynamic lunge + twisting ardha hanumanasana.
Uttanasana.
Airplane.
Ardha Uttanasana.
Anjaneyasana.
Sphynx.
Bhujangasana.
Virabhadrasana II. Utthita parsvakonasana. Trikonasana.
Plank. Wild thing.
Rabbit.
Parighasana + closed gate.
Ustrasana.
Upavista konasana.
Twisting Dragonfly.
Viparita karani. Sarvangasana. Halasana.
Happy Baby.
Matsyasana.
Supta padangusthasana.
Windshield wipers.
Savasana
Metta Meditation.
How Allergies Encourage Mindfulness & March teaching schedule
March 13th, 2010 § 2 Comments
Dear Sweet Readers, Although I’m pleased as punch that my husband and I spent our Saturday morning sprucing up the basement, the dusty endeavor has left me with a mean case of the sneezes and wheezes. Drat, right?! Right, except that once the allergies start, there is little one can do but surrender to the flow and accept them. And acceptance can be a fun practice in mindfulness. I focus on my breathing so as to diminish the likelihood of inducing a sneeze. I focus on breathing through the itchiness of the eyes to avoid the cycle of itchy-scratchy-puffiness that begins once I’ve indulged the urge to touch the offending eye. You get the idea. So if you find yourself suffering like me from an environmental woe today, join me in turning it into a yogic art.
peace. + LOVE. always.
k
Also, I have a new podcast up! Please check out this Half Hour of Grace.
& Loves! I’m teaching a ton this spring and would love to see your shining faces in class.
Click here for my March 2010 Teaching Schedule.
Branching out…
February 25th, 2010 § 1 Comment
My mantra for today: You must stretch beyond your present reality in order to grow.
I have made my home in Seattle for three years (next week). This is a yoga city. I am within walking distance of countless yoga studios, yet there are many I have not visited even though they sound fantastic. Why? You might be asking. It’s simple: fear.
I have avoided going to classes that sound amazing because of those little doubts like “What if they are not nice?” and “What if everyone knows each other/ what’s going on except for me?” This sounds crazy, doesn’t it? I’ve practiced yoga for 13 years… and am a yoga teacher! Whether they are nice a) should not be a concern and b) is a ludicrous thought, since we are all the same and all nice and all good, right? Right. I needed a friendly push, though, to help me grow. My friend Michele (a great yoga herself) invited me to check out an Anusara-inspired class at 8 Limbs last night. This was exactly what I needed to break out of my fear. 8 Limbs is one of those studios in my neighborhood that I have been meaning to check out for years, and the Anusara-inspired class with Beth was top on my “to-try” list. Synchronicity!
As I rode my bike down the hill, I felt inspired by this first step. Walking into 8 Limbs, I instantly knew it had been silly to wait so long. The space is warm & inviting, smiles abound. Our teacher, Beth, introduced herself individually to us and also had each of us introduce ourselves and greet our neighbors at the start of class (I smiled and thought… these are my people!!). It was a beautiful class, skillfully and artfully lead by a caring teacher. I drifted into the sea of savasana with a deep smile in my bones.
Riding home after class, I smiled at my hesitation, at what a human experience it is to worry about not fitting in and how easily we can dispel that delusion. It just takes a little branching out.
om. shanti. om.
“Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”
~~ Anais Nin
updates!
July 1st, 2009 § Leave a Comment
namaste, dears.
it has certainly been awhile, hasn’t it?
you have not been far from my mind, that is certain. there are many new projects and offerings in the works.
first, the podcast. it is happening. i recorded my first podcast! you can listen to it by clicking here for now. i will keep you updated on the podcast and where it will be available for free download.
second, WORKSHOPS! i have two runner’s yoga workshops scheduled at 5focus.
Wednesday, July 22, 7:30-8:30pm
&
Wednesday, August 12, 7:30-8:30pm
$16. Register at 5focus.
third, i am subbing next week’s Wednesday power vinyasa flow class at Community Fitness. 11:30-12:30. check it out!
blessings.
