Inspiration! This is just simply beautiful…….
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Jul
20
Over these past several years, I’ve dedicated more than one post to the wonders of Baptiste. I’ve read and followed his books, been to a Bootcamp (which I loved!) and generally, let the Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga dictate my practice for the better part of a decade… and love it!
However, recently, I’ve let myself succumb to the charms of another… whose methodology has opened a new door into a whole new way of practicing yoga.
Yes, I’d heard of him. I’ve even written about him here.
But… I’ll be honest, I never really took him seriously. What with the yoga competitions and all… he just seemed like just another egomaniacal one-named guru cashing in on the trend.
I mean, really.
But then, thanks to an extended trip to the city and the modern wonders of the Groupon… I received an offer I couldn’t refuse. An inexpensive opportunity to experience that known simply as Bikram…
And, lo and behold, I’m hooked.
The first class nearly killed me… sending me into a claustrophobic anxiety attack, gasping desperately for fresh breath in the suffocating heat- never has savasana been so welcome. But damn! Even after that first class I felt transformed.
Cleaned, pulled and emerged, not unlike the slimy pupa freeing itself from the restriction of her shell.
And sweat?! Holy moly… I felt purged from the inside out. All the yuck seeping out through my pores. Not to mention the 600 calories I supposedly burned!
And more wondrous, throughout the rest of the day, the experience stayed with me, so much so that I enjoyed a heightened consciousness and deliberateness in everything I chose to put back in, from food to media. Weird.
Everything about my day felt different… true renewal. A feeling I want everyday.
But alas… my return to the sticks. And trying to recreate Bikram on my own.
May
09
It is festival time folks, and here’s one to kick off the season that is bound to inspire and enlighten while getting you movin’, groovin’ all at the same time. In amongst the music and vendors, yoga, speakers and workshops will be in abundance at the fast approaching and much anticipated 6th annual Lightning in a Bottle Music and Arts Festival 2011, presented by The Do Lab.
Yoga plays an integral role in Lightning In A Bottle, lead by the likes of Shiva Rea and Micheline Berry, but what sets this festival apart are the unique series of workshops to satisfy any number of interests. Want a cool way to make use your old clothes? Check out the Revolutionary Remix Upcycled Fashion and Costuming with artist Sara Rodriguez. Interested in a new way of looking at your connections to yourself, your relationships and your community? You’re bound to find a new perspective with Jessica Viola and The Life Garden. Wanna eat algae? Learn what spirulina can do for you and how to grow it at home.
Lightning In A Bottle is also family friendly where, in addition to the music, food and fun there is also MagiKids Village and Mystic Family Circus. There they’ll find a fun, magical place to experience the festival. From exciting activities and little shows geared towards children, to arts & crafts tables, the Kidz Village is the place for parents to go with their kids. It also provides a safer zone for children to play and roam more freely and playful educational activities to engage in. With arts and crafts, a play area with fun circus props, face painting and more along with entertainment suprises, your kids are sure to have a great time of their own at the festival.
Click HERE to see the multitude of interesting and inspiring workshops available at Lightning In A Bottle in only a couple of weeks!
Get educated, enlightened and inspired this Memorial Day weekend (May 27-30) and will be returning for the 2nd straight year to the beautiful Oak Canyon Ranch in Irvine, Ca.
This is a definite must see! Head over to Lightning In A Bottle for more info!
Category: Destinations, Events, green, health, instruction, news, people, Spirit, yoga
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Feb
03
A yoga mat is a very personal thing. It’s covered in your sweat, your smell, your belly button lint and toe jam, your cleaner… it doesn’t get any more “yours”. Tried explaining this to hubby to no avail… thinks we just have a collection of random, interchangeable yoga mats and just grabs ‘em willy nilly. Argh!
I’ve since removed mine from the collection!
Also hiding from indiscriminate hubby is my Yogamatic Travel Mat/Yoga Towel, which I received a couple of months ago and fell in love with immediately. It’s surprisingly light and thin, with a towel-ly soft top layer, complete with a design that I love, and a sticky rubber bottom that grips the floor.
I sometimes use it on top of my usual yoga mat for a little extra padding and absorption, but what I really love is how convenient and perfect it is for travel. It folds up light and compact in a convenient little envelope, easily sliding into a carry-on. No more packing around bulky yoga mats for me! It could even fit in my purse, for Christmas sake!
As wonderful as the versatile Yoga Towel is, what makes Yogamatic truly unique is that they are all about making your yoga mat all that much more yours.
Whether you choose from their huge selection of wonderful designs or upload your own image or graphic, it’s all about suiting your practice, your personality and your passion for yoga and beyond.
Perhaps you’ve already heard about Jennifer Anniston recently gifting Oprah a puppified Yogamatic of her own!
Whether your after a handy-dandy Towel or customizing a for real, thick and cushion-y mat, Yogamatic is doing it best!
Category: Destinations, Events, news, people
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Nov
22
If you’re looking for a pair of bodies to get you motivated to hit the mat, I suppose you don’t have to look much farther than the Beckhams.
Style icons for sure, but the picture of yogic marital bliss? Who knew?!
With the help of twice a week couple sessions at The Sports Club LA in Beverly Hills, not only are their bodies kept enviably beautiful but their relationship too, is apparently made that much stronger.
According to an insider, “It’s a very intimate experience. You have to learn to become one entity entirely. You stretch, breathe and move as one – it’s great for couples and is probably better than talking in a way.”
In addition to regular practice of deprivation yoga to keep their bodies lean and lovely, thanks to the classes which include the ancient hands-on healing energy technique of reiki as well as meditation where the pair chant mantras to one another, Becks, 35 and Posh, 36, married 11 years, are able to better weather the persistent accusations of David’s infidelity that seem to plague them.
Keeping a man like David Beckham, and his various appetites, satisfied has got to be a full-time job… let’s hope the power of yoga can help out a little.
Category: beauty, health, news, people, weight loss, yoga
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Nov
21
Wanderlust is a retreat unlike any other… and it ain’t just for California gurls anymore.
The two-year-old yoga-slash-concert extravaganza will offer two locations for the summer of 2011, appealing to the green-, yogi-, and folk- hearted on both coasts. If you can’t make it out to California, maybe you’ve a hankerin’ for maple syrup and an extra excuse to get to Vermont is in order! An added bonus, they are a month apart, so you’ve plenty of time to save your pennies not missing one in favour of the other.
The details, instructors and musicians, are still to be announced next month, but if last year’s line-up is any indication (the likes of Shiva Rea, Baron Baptiste, Doug Swenson and Moby, Bassnectar, Brazilian Girls, respectively) then these retreats will be sure NOT to disappoint.
The beautiful thing about Wanderlust, it isn’t just a retreat for yoga-loving singles. Families are welcome and encouraged, with the Wanderkind Kids Program, presented last year by Om Kids Yoga, Truckee. It was the number one spot on site for kids to have an exceptionally cool experience, custom tailored to the interests of Wanderlust families.
Category: Destinations, Events, green, health, instruction, Kids, news, people, yoga
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Jul
16
Celeb songsters belly-up to the mic to offer an incredible mix of original tunes not only to inspire not only all of us all on to the mat but also at-risk-youth.
In an ohm-worthy effort, artists such as Sarah McLachlan, Ziggy Marley, Peter Gabriel, Michael Franti, Sheryl Crow, Krishna Das, Anjelique Kidjo, Seal & Guru Singh, Donna De Lory, Anoushka Shankar & Sting come together with a remarkable musical collection “to promote the benefits of yoga, music and a healthy and balanced lifestyle and to support yoga and fitness programs for underserved youth.”
In conjunction with partners, partners – EarthTones (“Healing the World through Music”), Yoga Health Foundation, National Yoga Month, Nutone/Nettwerk Music and Time Life the ambitious effort hopes to “reach millions of people through the national awareness campaign, inspire thousands more through the music, provide free yoga and fitness classes to the public at over 1,000 participating studios throughout North America and provide in-school yoga-based heath enrichment programming.”
After listening to the samples, I’m in and will enjoy adding the first of the series to my own collection of practice tunes! Take a listen….
Category: Kids, Meditation, news, people, Trends, yoga
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Jun
22
Personally, I can’t imagine I would get into a class of 10,000 people… but clearly, for at least 10,000 people this is exactly what blows their hair back.
In the spirit of the first full day of summer, The World’s Largest Free Yoga Class in Central Park takes place in less than nine hours, beginning at 6pm, and will have the remarkable distinction of being the only yoga class to actually be visible from space. Yikes!
The class will be led by uber-instructor, Elena Brower and hosted by Reggie Watts. Clearly, an event such as this, it’s not just the 10,000 ujjayi breaths you’ll be hearing throughout the class… the likes of Buddy Wakefield, Grammy nominee DALIEN, aka 13 Hands, WAH!, O’Nkosi Rhythms and others.
Here’s a little more info… grab your mats and jump a plane. You’ve got only nine hours to get to New York’s Central Park to get your breath on… with only another 9,999 other people!
Category: Destinations, Events, health, news, people, yoga
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Jun
21
Summer means sunshine, gardening, taking practice outdoors and, come July 29th, the annual Wanderlust Festival in Squaw Valley!
Yoga. Music. Nature. That about sums up this amazing combination of landscape, live rock & roll with music greats Moby, Yard Dogs Road Show, Pretty Lights and others providing the soundtrack to the best in yoga led by such names as Shiva Rea, Baron Baptiste, Doug Swenson, Elena Brower and so many more!
Wanderlust is a one-of-a-kind festival bringing together the world’s best yoga teachers and best performers in rock & roll, all in a setting of breathtaking natural beauty.
It is a place to relax, unwind, bend, dance, revel, and contemplate. It’s a community of like-minded people who share a common set of interests and values.
It’s a chance to escape the mundane and dwell in the extraordinary.
It’s healthy hedonism and spiritual exploration. Most of all, it’s a long weekend of satisfying, stick-to-your-ribs fun.
For families, another unique aspect to this wonderful festival:
The Wanderkind program, presented by Om Kids Yoga, Truckee, will be the number one spot on site for kids to have an exceptionally cool experience, custom tailored to the interests of Wanderlust families.
The program, held on site at Squaw Kids, will run from 9:30am-4pm Friday through Sunday, and include activities like kids’ yoga, music, henna tattoos, hula-hooping and crafts.
Kids and parents will be responsible for their own lunches, but can enjoy samples from kid-friendly snack sponsors and peruse offerings at kids’ vendor booths.
Drop your child off to hang with the other Wander-kids while you hit up yoga class, or stay and enjoy some of the awesome family activities.
Category: Destinations, Events, green, Kids, people, Spirit, Trends, yoga
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