YOGA DAY USA is today

It only comes once a year.  No, I’m not referring to your birthday. 

Maybe a few of you are lucky enough to share a Jan 27th birth-date with this year’s YOGA DAY USA day.   Celebrate today by participating in YOGA DAY USA.  Check out a free or reduced-price yoga class at your local studio.  Need more info?  http://www.yogadayusa.org

lululemon D.C. showroom to open in Feb

via email from lululemon today: 

In mid-Feb, lululemon will open its showroom at Wisconsin Ave and M Street.  The showroom will be open to the public for shopping on weekends only. 

Stay tuned for exclusive details on the opening! 

It’s Good to Get Away…

It is my month of travel.  Of course, my mat is venturing with me.  Though I may not be on it practicing yoga everyday, I’m remaining PRESENT every step of the way.  Being present, whether you are on or off the mat, is part of the yoga journey. 

I just returned from the Yoga Journal Conference in San Francisco.  As a yoga teacher, I opted for the teachers’ track.  I was blessed with the opportunity to listen to and learn from many renowned teachers:  Judith Lasater, Aadil Palkhivala, Julie Gudmestad, David Swenson, Patricia Walden, Carlos Pomeda, Rodney Yee .  They were all  very down-to-earth, informative and full of life.  They are true people.  It was also very refreshing to be surrounded by and exchange ideas with yogis from around the country.  Hello to my roommate Kristy in Pittsburgh, PA and my new friends:  Trista in Alaska, Lori-Lee in Arizona and Tim in San Jose, CA. 

Next trip:  I leave on Sat for a week of skiing in Breckenridge, CO.  What a sight it is to ski down ”real”, snow-covered mountains and what a delight.  Talk about being present.  You don’t have a choice!   

Travel is meditative and a yogic experience —that’s if you let it show you the way.   Keep your mind and heart open every step of the way.  I know I’ll be doing this as I slide down the slopes next week.  Namaste.  
 

Why do yoga teachers always say “roll to the right” when coming out of Savasana?

A student posed this question to me after class this past Tuesday.  I chose during that class to leave the decision up to the student to “roll to their favorite side” of the mat after savasana.  My first response was “well, it creates organization in the room when everyone rolls to the same side”.  Though I recall being told by a prior teacher of mine years back that rolling to the right side of the mat allows the heart to remain open (i.e. less pressure is put on the heart) as you come out of savasana and move forward into your life. 

In search of a more philosophical answer, I turned to my trusty friend Google.  Here’s what I found at http://www.yogaeverywhere.com/ask_the_yogi/asktheyogi.html. 

1. Rolling to the right side of the body is rolling away from the heart (less pressure and weight on the rested and open heart).

2. Pausing on the right side allows the students natural blood pressure to reach it’s potential homeostasis.

3. Resting on the right side allows the energy to be redirected in the present moment as needed and circulated appropriately.

 

Ahhhhh, so I did remember something about the heart   I should mention that the day my student asked this question I simply said  “roll to your favorite side”.  I tend to do this in some of my classes depending on the size and energy of the group.  Doesn’t the body need to be balanced out?  If you always “roll to the right” there is never balance. 

 

My online search didn’t address balance.  Since I’m not completely satisfied with the top 5 results my friend Google produced, stay tuned…

Tips for Getting the Most Out of your Yoga Class

Below are a few tips to get the most out of your yoga practice. 

·        Arrive a few minutes early.  Give yourself a few minutes of time to decompress from the traffic, your workday, etc. ·        TURN OFF your wireless devices –and don’t put them on vibrate.  If you can’t take 1-2 hours for yourself, this is a signal of an imbalance in your life. ·        Avoid wearing perfume.  Perfume can be offensive to your neighbors on the mat.·        Practice on an empty stomach.  Many say you shouldn’t eat at least two hours before practice.  Though for most, a light snack such as fruit, a nutrition bar (under 250 calories) or yogurt (at least 45 minutes prior to the start of class) should be fine.  ·        Your yoga practice is about you!  Keep your eyes on your own practice and abandon your competitive mindset.  Remember, accidents happen when you’re not paying attention.·        Be okay with where you are in a pose.  Yoga introduces us to a realm of physcial and mental limitations.  We all have them.  Some of them may be familiar to you while others crop-up for the first time in the midst of class.  Learn to accept and view your limitations as opportunities to grow and expand your body, mind and life.·        Smile.  ·        Don’t be shy.  If you have a question about a pose or something you experienced during class, ask the teacher when class is over.

Feel free to post any additional tips that have served you and your practice.