tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29178019356181891702024-03-13T03:59:07.166-07:00StillMotion YogaReach In Stretch Out
with Stephanie Perry-BushStephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-17279003293545560542020-09-11T10:00:00.001-07:002020-09-11T10:00:38.986-07:00Yoga for Better Sleep<div style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 28px;">
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Getting enough quality sleep is crucial to health and wellbeing. Most health professionals recommend getting 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night for optimal health and increase longevity. But studies show that 35% of Americans do not sleep well.</div>
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We live in a fast paced seemingly ceaseless moving society. Some people even wear their sleep deprivation on their sleeve as a badge of honor. But not getting enough sleep or poor quality of sleep can lead to weight gain, low energy, bad moods, decrease cardiovascular health and decrease cognitive function.</div>
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Stress and Fatigue</h3>
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There are two common types of sleep problems. The first one is difficulty falling asleep. This form of sleep issue is driven mostly by stress. Our mind is so active that we can not quieten it enough to fall asleep. </div>
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The other common type of sleep problem is trouble sleeping through the night. This form of sleep issue is driven by deep fatigue. The body is so tired, restless, and depleted that it does not have the energy needed to soothe the nervous system enough to sleep through the night.</div>
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Yoga Can Help</h3>
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Yogic techniques like postures, breathing techniques, and meditation can address both types of sleeplessness. Yoga activates the relaxation response from our parasympathetic nervous system by calming the mind, restoring the body, soothing and balancing the nervous system. This allows the body to relax and sleep. Yoga helps us transition from a busy day to a night of peaceful sleep.</div>
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Bedtime Ritual</h3>
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In addition to yoga techniques, creating a bedtime ritual can go a long way in promoting healthy sleep. Here are some suggestions to help create your own bedtime ritual and align your inner rhythm with nature’s rhythm:</div>
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<li>Have a light and early dinner</li>
<li>Mind your diet - reduce intake of caffeine, alcohol, and sugar.</li>
<li>Create a wind down time - decrease stimuli (TV, internet, exercise, video games, etc) at least an hour before bedtime to allow the body-mind to slow down and relax.</li>
<li>Start your bedtime ritual between 8pm -10pm</li>
<li>Create a peaceful setting to promote sleep- Light candles, take a warm bath/shower, play soothing music, put on Pajamas, remove the TV and computer from the bedroom, make the bedroom dark and a comfortable temperature. Remember to put the candles out before bed or use candles with timers.</li>
<li>Practice slow, deep breathing. See this week's practice videos - <a href="https://youtu.be/9vl5mxH446o">Yoga for Better Sleep</a> and Breathe Into Relaxation.</li>
<li>Yogic postures and/or meditation.</li>
<li>Go to bed at the same time every night.</li>
<li>Be in bed by 10pm-we tend to get a second wind at 10 pm. </li>
<li>In the morning, do not linger in bed. Get out of bed as soon as your eyes naturally open - even if its 5:30 am.</li>
<li>Repeat - Make it a new way of being.</li>
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This week's yoga practice is designed to promote better sleep. Each pose, the breathing technique, and meditation was selected for its individual ability to trigger the body-mind's relaxation response and for the collective effect on the nervous system. This week's practice includes:</div>
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<li><strong>Same Vriti</strong> (Equal Breath)</li>
<li><strong>Ananda Balasana</strong> (Happy Baby Pose)</li>
<li><strong>Supta Padagustasana</strong> (Reclining Big Toe Pose)</li>
<li><strong>Setu Bandha Sarvangasana</strong> (Bridge Pose)</li>
<li><strong>Vparita Karani</strong> (Legs Up The Wall Pose)</li>
<li><strong>Savasana</strong> (Relaxation Pose)</li>
<li><strong>Seated Meditation</strong>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-27398890257850436502017-11-12T00:00:00.000-08:002017-11-12T00:00:00.141-08:00Yoga for Better Digestion<div style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; margin-bottom: 28px;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We've all heard the old saying, </span><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">“You are what you eat”</b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. And while this is generally true, I now believe it's not the whole story. Many eastern approaches to health and wellness believe that a healthy digestive system is the cornerstone to healthy living.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You probably have a friend who eats whatever she wants and never gains weight or ever complain of symptoms of indigestion like bloating, gas, or heartburn. While another friend or perhaps yourself seems to eat a healthy and balance diet and constantly experience the discomforts of indigestion. </span><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">What’s up with that? </b></div>
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Digestion</h2>
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The teachings of Ayurveda would say it’s all about digestion. Ayurveda is the sister science to yoga and an ancient and wholistic healing tradition. Ayurveda teaches that it's not only what we eat that determines the quality of our health and well-being but how well we digest what we take in. </div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #1b1b1b; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> "Even nectar can be poisonous if our digestion is weak and poison can become nectar if our </span></strong><strong style="background-color: white; color: #1b1b1b; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">digestive power </span></strong><strong style="background-color: white; color: #1b1b1b; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">is strong ." - </span></strong><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Ayurvedic Saying</span></h2>
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This applies to the physical digestion of food as well as for our life experiences, and emotions. But we'll leave that for another post.<br />
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A healthy digestive system breaks down what we ingest, absorbs the nutrients , convert it into energy, and eliminate the rest. But often our digestive system functions less than optimal. Which leave us feeling sluggish , bloated, and uncomfortable.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, we are also what we digest. </span></h2>
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Digestion discomforts usually come in two varieties. One is from having too much digestive fire which takes the form of indigestion, acid reflux, and heart burn. On the other hand, when our digestive fire is weak, we often experience constipation, excess gas, and bloating. </div>
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What to Do?</span></h2>
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According to the teachings of Ayurveda, there are simple and practical lifestyle choices that supports healthy digestion. Here's a list of some of them to gently and gradually bring harmony to your digestive system:</div>
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<li data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left;">Eat whole, real, and seasonal food </li>
<li data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left;">Relax, eat slowly, and chew your food thoroughly</li>
<li data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left;">Sip on warm water with lemon and/or ginger or hot tea through out the day, including with meals</li>
<li data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left;">Avoid ice-cold beverages with your meal</li>
<li data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left;">Eat your largest meal at lunchtime, preferably before 2 pm </li>
<li data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left;">Eat a light dinner, preferably before 8 pm</li>
<li data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left;">Take a 15 minute walk after eating</li>
<li data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left;">Get regular exercise</li>
<li data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left;">Practice yoga<br /><hr style="background-color: #d1d1d1; border: 0px; cursor: default; height: 1px; margin-bottom: 28px;" />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Why Yoga? </span></h2>
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A well-rounded and consistent yoga practice can do wonders for digestive health. The yoga asanas and breathing exercises can be utilized to address specific digestive woes. </div>
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This week’s yoga practice is designed to address constipation, bloating and excess gas in the system. Right from the beginning of the practice, we tap into the healing power of the breath with deep breathing to stimulate and soothe the digestive organs. </div>
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The practice consists of two forward bends and one twist to calm the nervous system, cleanse, and stimulate the digestion process. The reclining backbend, included in the practice is to cool the system and relieve pressure. This pose, supta baddha konasana, can be helpful with relieving indigestion, acid reflux, and heart burn after eating. The poses and techniques included in the practice are:</div>
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<li><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><b>Dirgha Pranayama- </b>3 Part Breath/Complete Yogic Breath</span></li>
<li style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><strong>Pavanamuktasana</strong> - Wind Relieving Pose</li>
<li style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><strong>Dandasana</strong> - Staff or Stick Pose</li>
<li style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><strong>Marichyasana</strong> - Spinal Twist Pose</li>
<li style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><strong>Sputa Baddha Konasana</strong> - Reclining Bound Angle Pose</li>
<li style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><strong>Uttanasana</strong> - Standing Forward Bend Pose</li>
<li style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><strong>Inverted V Meditation</strong><br /><hr style="background-color: #d1d1d1; border: 0px; cursor: default; height: 1px; margin-bottom: 28px;" />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Your Daily Challenge:</span></strong></h2>
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1. Watch the video.<br />
2. Practice the poses and techniques as instructed.<br />
3. Post a photo in the Facebook Group of you doing one of the poses OR of you on your yoga mat.<br />
4. When posting your photo share how the practice made you feel.<br />
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You can practice the sequence anytime throughout the day that's convenient. </div>
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Remember to allow 3-4 hours after a large meal and 2 hours after a light meal before practicing yoga. Enjoy!</div>
Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-51586078746760319732017-11-05T00:00:00.000-07:002017-11-08T17:00:40.347-08:00Yoga for Better Focus<div style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 28px;">
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In our modern, fast-paced, and multitasking society, our attention is constantly being pulled outward in many directions. Some of this is normal as we live in the world. But sometimes we can become overwhelmed with the happenings of the outer world and loose our ability to focus on any one thing for any significant amount of time.</div>
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<strong>The good news is that focus is a skill and a habit. And we can cultivate it. </strong></h2>
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A current scientific study confirms what ancient yogis knew experientially. Yoga can help us cultivate our focus. One way yoga helps us steady our attention is by teaching us how to draw our energy back into our bodies. So, we can be in the world honoring our responsibilities and enjoying all the joys the world offers without being over taken by its demands or distractions. </div>
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Practice</h2>
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And you are well on you way to increasing your capacity to steady your attention. The poses you learned this first week of our 21 Days of Yoga Challenge will help you become alert and yet grounded in your body. Today, day 5 of the challenge, we will put all the week's poses together along with breath awareness and a guided meditation at the end of the practice to form a short, complete, and effective practice. The practice will help you gather your energy and draw it inward. Once your energy is collected within, you can direct it as you choose. This can be powerful in becoming free from constant distraction and grant access to an inner peace. </div>
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<strong>Pulling it Together</strong></h2>
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This week's practice contains the following asanas and techniques you can use anytime you feel scattered or frazzled. </div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Breath Awareness</strong></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Tadasana</strong> - Mountain Pose</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Urdhva Hastasana</strong> - Upward Hands Pose</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Vrksasana</strong> - Tree Pose</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Prasarita Padottanasana</strong> - Wide-Legged Forward Bend</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Adho Mukha Svanasana</strong> - Downward-Facing Dog</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Savasana</strong> - Relaxation Pose</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Prana Shuddhi</strong> - Mental Alternate Nostril Breathing</li>
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Often the postures and techniques are referred to by their sanskrit name. Sanskrit is an ancient Indian language. Many ancient scared text were written in sanskrit and it's considered the language of yoga. But not all techniques have sanskrit names.</div>
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Each pose and technique was chosen for its individual effect as well as for the collective impact they have on cultivating better focus.</div>
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<strong>Your Daily Challenge:</strong></h2>
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1. Watch the video.</div>
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2. Practice the poses and techniques as instructed.</div>
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3. Post in the Facebook Group a photo of you doing one of the poses OR of you on your yoga mat.</div>
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4. When posting your picture share how the practice made you feel.</div>
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You can practice the sequence anytime that's convenient for you. But remember to allow 2 hours after eating a light meal and 3-4 hours after a heavy meal. <br />
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Enjoy!</div>
Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-21637889672758889032017-10-29T10:16:00.004-07:002017-11-08T16:58:15.314-08:0021 Days of Yoga<br />
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<li><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">Are you interested in learning yoga but don’t know where to start?</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looking to reboot your yoga practice?</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">Want to enjoy the upcoming holiday season stress free?</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I have a special opportunity for you. I’m offering a FREE 21 Days of Yoga Challenge. The purpose of this challenge is to introduce the practice of yoga, show how yoga can be integrated into your daily life, and to form a habit of consistent practice. Let’s do this together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> The Challenge </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Creating new habits are often challenging. So, we'll ease into the practice of yoga. During the three week challenge, I will Introduce a new pose each day for the first four days of the week. On the 5th day of the week, I will put the week's poses together with a breath exercise and a meditation to form a short but complete practice.
Each practice will be designed to address a common concern of our time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The first week the sequence will be designed for better focus, the second week it will address better digestion, and the third week it will address better sleep. Each of these practices will hold the potential to improve your daily life.
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Each day of the challenge you will practice the pose or technique of the day. You can extend your daily practice by adding the pose from the previous day or you can decide to do one pose a day. On the fifth day of the week, you will practice the week's full sequence. On the 6th day, you will receive a stand alone meditation or breathing practice, and on the 7th day of the week, you can choose to practice the complete sequence provided on Day 5 again or revisit one or more of the practices of the day to refresh and improve your skill with that practice. This format will be repeated for each week of the challenge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Each day you will:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Watch the video.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Practice the poses and techniques as instructed.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Post a photo in the Facebook group of you doing one of the poses or techniques or of you on your yoga mat.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When posting your photo share how the practice made your feel.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">During this challenge you will learn:
At least 12 basic asanas (yoga poses) to strengthen and open your physical body, 3 breath exercises to steady your mind and manage your energy, and 3 meditations to help you access your inner creativity and wisdom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> What You'll need: </span></h3>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Open Mind - get ready to experience all of what yoga has in store for you</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bare Feet </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Empty Stomach - allow 3-4 hours after large meal and 2 hours after light snack</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Designated Practice Space - find a quiet place in your home</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yoga Mat or other non-slip surface</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yoga Block </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yoga Strap - a belt, necktie, or towel will work</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Practice Time- most videos are less than 10 minutes, the full practices are under 30 minutes each</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Join our Facebook Community, if you haven't already</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Practice </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Over time you will build your comfort with practicing yoga and lay the building blocks for a life long practice.
The challenge is open to everyone who wishes to experience the benefits of yoga practice and move into a new way of being. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> I hope you will join me for this 21 Days of Yoga Challenge! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Please leave a comment of commitment to start and finish this journey with me below. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Also, Please leave any questions you may have about the tools you'll need or the challenge it self.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Let's Get Started! <a href="https://pa320.infusionsoft.com/app/form/yesblackgirlsdoyoga">Click here to sign up!</a></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> <b>P.S</b>. Your first lesson starts <b>Wednesday, November 1st </b></span>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-34198827001304748362012-03-10T10:09:00.000-08:002019-11-20T18:57:09.899-08:00Got a minute?Got a minute? Sure you do. Watch this video to see how meditating for 1 minute can shift your state of mind and change your day for the better. Sounds good? Ok. Give it a try. And let me know how it goes.<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/F6eFFCi12v8/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F6eFFCi12v8?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-29882072394234677012011-11-01T14:12:00.000-07:002011-11-01T14:12:37.511-07:00Fish and Possibilities<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zWzciOtvqDc/TrBf6Lqn67I/AAAAAAAAAGM/VwwRG5JCNgM/s1600/cartoon_oscar_fish_tiger_photosculpture-p153125606788020630u3d6_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zWzciOtvqDc/TrBf6Lqn67I/AAAAAAAAAGM/VwwRG5JCNgM/s200/cartoon_oscar_fish_tiger_photosculpture-p153125606788020630u3d6_400.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Certain species of fish grow according to their environment. Placed in a small tank, these fish remain small. But when placed in a large tank or natural body of water, they grow to their intended size. People are similar. When we live in a limited place, physically, mentally, or emotionally, we remain small. These limitations can be self imposed or externally applied. They can be tangible or invisible. But when we live in an open and supportive environment, we can grow to our fullest potential, our intended size. Yoga invites us to Open to Grace- to Open to All Possibilities that we may recognize our potential and experience and share the fullest expression of ourselves in every moment - to be Fulfilled!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The next time you find yourself living or being smaller than you know you are or if you are not sure how big you can be - Soften and bring your awareness to your breath, without strain or over effort, take a deep and full breath in, use your breath to create an inner spaciousness, lift, and fullness, maintain this space on your exhalation and repeat. Now Grow into that space, into more of your potential, into more of who you are intended to be.</span></span></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-70788918804985896812011-05-04T04:43:00.000-07:002011-05-04T04:52:30.087-07:00Only Love - The Actual Quote is Even Better<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: grey; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"></span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_4dc138247b5fd5436361314" style="display: inline;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hZ74NJe2mEQ/TcE77zvoMGI/AAAAAAAAAGE/XwtvaNeTBD8/s1600/DownloadedFile.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hZ74NJe2mEQ/TcE77zvoMGI/AAAAAAAAAGE/XwtvaNeTBD8/s1600/DownloadedFile.jpeg" /></a>"The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the t<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">ruth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. So it goes. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." – Martin Luther King, Jr.</span></div><div style="color: grey; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><div class="fsm fwn fcg" style="color: grey; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-90606335648321766452011-05-03T09:40:00.000-07:002011-05-04T04:45:15.399-07:00Only Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lz72CDgMWWg/TcE8LUGXb1I/AAAAAAAAAGI/nJTXpWRlsfY/s1600/mlk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lz72CDgMWWg/TcE8LUGXb1I/AAAAAAAAAGI/nJTXpWRlsfY/s200/mlk.jpg" width="166" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that" --Martin Luther King, Jr. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"></span>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-48769871941068757432011-04-27T13:28:00.000-07:002011-04-27T13:28:45.588-07:00Purnatva<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a wonderful teaching in yoga call Purnatva - Fullness, Wholeness, Perfection. It teaches that within each of us, there is a place where we are full, whole, perfect, complete, lacking nothing. That we have everything we need to live a happy and joy filled life. We practice yoga as a way to reconnect to that place of Purnatva within us and then to express that experience of fullness in our daily life.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This perfection does not mean without flaws or faults. But is a state of fullness at our essence. It's about living and being our best in each moment. It's about getting the most out of each moment and giving our all in each moment. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This fullness is not about over doing or excess. It's about appropriateness - about being totally present and engaged in the moment at hand. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, sure, there are times when we feel less than whole. We feel as if we are lacking something. These are the times when our wholeness is cloaked - covered by the things in life, by living itself. This cloaking leads to a longing - a desire - to feel whole again. Often times, we begin our search in the external world - food, relationships, clothes, cars, houses, yoga poses, - well you get the picture. The most overlooked place is within - the only place where wholeness - fulfillment - can arise. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we finally reconnect to our fullness, wholeness, perfection, then the world seems like a much friendlier, more beautiful place. We feel good, actually, great! Even, if just for a moment.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Living a life of Purnatva looks like a life of creativity, love, respect, integrity, joy, and fulfillment.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Live Fully!</span></span><br />
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</span></span>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-62327291325728851552011-04-14T19:24:00.000-07:002011-04-14T19:24:17.773-07:00Gratification Vs Fulfillment<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XfThzmJRxHE/TaerTISUHHI/AAAAAAAAAF0/uVrl3U6aVLE/s1600/john_bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XfThzmJRxHE/TaerTISUHHI/AAAAAAAAAF0/uVrl3U6aVLE/s1600/john_bw.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">John Friend, Founder of Anusara Yoga, is offering a free Dharma talk on Gratification vs Fulfillment tomorrow night from 7-8 at <a href="http://thewoodlandsanusarayogastudio.com/">The Woodlands Anusara Yoga Studio</a>. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">It's a "can't miss" event!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">See you there!</span>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-24622282697641159482011-01-17T21:46:00.000-08:002011-01-17T22:40:20.605-08:00A Yoga First<div>On Saturday, I attended a workshop in Austin, Texas with Christina Sell and Amy Ippoliti, two outstanding certified Anusara Yoga teachers. Amy is featured on this month's cover of <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/livemag/lmcontent/38">Yoga Journa</a><a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/livemag/lmcontent/38">l</a>.<br />
<a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/livemag/lmcontent/38"></a></div><div><br />
The theme of the workshop was "Radical Self Esteem". The theme was based on the ancient teachings of the malas (cloaks/coverings that prevent us from seeing and experiencing our Best Self). Christina and Amy brought this ancient teaching to life as they weaved it into class as we were skillfully guided through a flow of backbends.<br />
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During the workshop, I reached both hands to my foot in Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana (one legged King Pigeon) for the first time - check it out!<br />
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Enjoy.</div><div><br />
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</div><iframe frameborder="0" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fkJnU0uyt1M?fs=1" width="480"></iframe>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-55196860400038115772010-12-21T12:31:00.000-08:002010-12-24T08:06:43.114-08:00Isvara PranidhanaIsvara Pranidhana - yielding, opening, making our selves available to the Power of the Universe to unfold into the next phase of our Greatness!!Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-49483204742352051722010-11-23T12:57:00.000-08:002010-11-23T14:51:13.217-08:00Giving Thanks<div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it gives everyone permission to look for the good in their life, to appreciate the wonderful gift of life, and to express gratitude to others. It's actually cool to show your appreciation! </div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Thanksgiving invites us into Svadhyaya -the practice of self-reflection. It encourages us to go within to examine our lives and our selves, to reflect on what we are thankful for, to find the positive in those things that may not seem so good at first glance, to grow the feeling of gratitude, and to express it - to share it.<br />
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Thanksgiving is a celebration of what is good and the growth we've made along the way. This celebration becomes fertilizer to help grow more good.</div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Here is a funny video about gratitude or lack thereof:</div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8r1CZTLk-Gk?fs=1" width="425"></iframe><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Check it out and then go Give Thanks for something or someone in your life! Make everyday Thanksgiving!</div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-76748884944956165332010-11-15T11:45:00.000-08:002010-11-15T13:03:33.414-08:00Svadhyaya - Part 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Svadhyaya, as with many sacred teachings, offers many levels of wisdom. On one level, it is the practice of Self-Study, of Self-Reflection. On another level it teaches us that we must do our own study - we must make our own effort - to do our own work. No one else can do it for us. We can have teachers, parents, family, friends, gurus, scriptures all guiding and supporting us, but in the end, we must do the devoting, the contemplating, the learning, the practices, the choosing, and the living for our selves. When we do, we become strong enough to soar above, around, and through any potential pit falls we may encounter. </span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TOGO9tsu1dI/AAAAAAAAADA/e6hYoSQLEOA/s1600/DownloadedFile.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TOGO9tsu1dI/AAAAAAAAADA/e6hYoSQLEOA/s200/DownloadedFile.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The teaching of svadhyaya reminds me of the story of a little boy who while playing outside saw a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. The little boy saw the butterfly struggling to get out and wanted to help. So, he opened the cocoon and released the butterfly. But he soon found that the butterfly could not fly! His mother later explained that it is the butterfly's self-effort to get out of the cocoon that makes its wings strong enough to fly. And only the butterfly can do the work necessary to build its wings strong enough to fly. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, too, only each of us can do what it takes to be strong enough to fly!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will you?</span>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-44922575673674534312010-11-09T20:02:00.000-08:002010-11-15T11:52:39.163-08:00Svadhyaya<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Svadhaya is the fourth of the five Niyamas as outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali. The Niyamas are practices offered to us that when we accept the invitation of their practice lead us to the knowledge and experience of our essential nature.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sva</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Self</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One's Own</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Adhyaya</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Study</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Going into</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Education</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Svadhyaya</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Self -Study</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Going into Self</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take into and Make One's Own</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bring out the essence of Self</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bring out One's Own</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One's Own Study</span>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-55570178005636194092010-10-27T10:57:00.000-07:002010-10-27T11:17:16.671-07:00Street Yoga<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> watched a video today of homeless youth who practice yoga and it opened and moved my heart. I feel so tremendously blessed to have found yoga and to be able to share it with others through teaching. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's so amazing how moving the body in sync with the breath while focusing the mind on the movement can ease pain, restore a feeling of wholeness, and increase our experience of joy. And that's just the start. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you haven't tried yoga yet, please do. You too will be amazed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And check out the video at </span><a href="http://streetyoga.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">streetyoga.org</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> - that your heart may be opened and moved as well!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yogamazing!!!!!!</span>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-23578665759409903472010-10-07T12:41:00.000-07:002010-10-08T10:24:20.327-07:00Art of Pure Food<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday started smoothly with my morning practices and rituals but that would all change when I arrived at The Yoga Institute to teach the wednesday morning 9 am class. The lock was ajar so my key wouldn't work. Students began to arrive to find the teacher locked out! But with some ingenuity and persistence, we got the key to work - late but we were in! So, I taught a 50-55 minute class instead of the usual 75 minute class. It went well. I attended Nancy's 10:30 yoga basics class and enjoyed a long savasana - just what I needed after the bumpy start to my class.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After yoga, Nancy and I enjoyed lunch at Houston's only raw/living foods restaurant, </span><a href="http://artofpurefood.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Art of Pure Food</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. Art of Pure Food serves vegan raw/living food. What is vegan raw/living food? Vegan raw/living food is fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, & sprouts prepared without heating the food above 108 degrees to preserve the enzymes. </span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had the spinach, arugula, and pear salad to start and the red beet ravioli with "goat cheese". Of course, since this is a vegan restaurant, it really wasn't goat cheese!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TK4eY2WUc-I/AAAAAAAAAC4/98-PGLyOrxI/s1600/IMG_0460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TK4eY2WUc-I/AAAAAAAAAC4/98-PGLyOrxI/s320/IMG_0460.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">red beet ravioli with "goat cheese"</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I ate the salad before it occurred to me to take pictures! Sorry, I was hungry!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nancy had the "salmon" pate served on a bed of spinach and the Broccoli and "cheese" cannoli - not really salmon or cheese. I'm not quite sure why the reference to animal products. It's vegan!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TK4e7iIoMxI/AAAAAAAAAC8/yACKsJPqGSE/s1600/IMG_0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TK4e7iIoMxI/AAAAAAAAAC8/yACKsJPqGSE/s320/IMG_0461.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Broccoli and "cheese" cannoli</span></span></td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was all delicious! I'm planning a return visit as I write. The restaurant is currently in a soft opening so I recommend calling before making the trip. It' s located on Memorial Drive and Tully (outside Beltway 8).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check it out!</span></div><div><br />
</div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-88422226826503196972010-10-03T11:55:00.000-07:002010-10-07T12:00:43.537-07:00Auspicious Times<div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fall is a time of transition. This transition is apparent in the weather in Houston which has been incredibly beautiful, making it easy to receive the days as the perfect gifts they are. There is also a transition happening at </span></span><a href="http://thewoodlandsyogastudio.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Woodlands Yoga Studio</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> which is under new ownership. The new owner is <a href="http://anusara.com/">Anusara</a>, i.e. John Friend. These are exciting times to be a yogi in The Woodlands and the Houston area in general as Anusara assumes the role of offering yoga at the local level. I’m sure it will be an offering full of Sri and Shakti (beauty and creative power). And I’m excited to be a part of it. Starting October 4th, I will be teaching two classes at </span></span><a href="http://thewoodlandsyogastudio.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Woodlands Yoga Studio</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> on Monday mornings- a 9:00 intermediate/advance class and a 10:30 Basics class. Please join me!</span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stay tune for more!</span></span></span></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-9958628894671727782010-09-27T14:31:00.000-07:002010-09-28T18:55:45.794-07:00Anusara Yoga Grand Gathering<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TKFHqnsSVFI/AAAAAAAAACA/gMKRWHvUvqQ/s1600/grand+gathering3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TKFHqnsSVFI/AAAAAAAAACA/gMKRWHvUvqQ/s400/grand+gathering3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://yogajournal.com/">Yoga Journal</a> hosted the 2nd Anusara Yoga Grand Gathering September 19th - 23rd in Estes Park, Colorado. It was a magical time - 3 1/2 days studying and practicing with my primary yoga teacher, John Friend, 12 of the top Anusara Yoga teachers, and 600 plus yoga practitioners!!! The gathering opened on Sunday night with a warm welcome from John and an introduction of the 12 presenters and the 3 scholars on the program. </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TKFHuweGXJI/AAAAAAAAACE/cmFDHq2oAes/s1600/61527_430864257983_103173912983_5050772_3788239_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TKFHuweGXJI/AAAAAAAAACE/cmFDHq2oAes/s400/61527_430864257983_103173912983_5050772_3788239_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TKFIEe4wVvI/AAAAAAAAACU/c-QSb7jp9ds/s1600/60740_431513902983_103173912983_5062217_352448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TKFIEe4wVvI/AAAAAAAAACU/c-QSb7jp9ds/s400/60740_431513902983_103173912983_5062217_352448_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TKFIALksBnI/AAAAAAAAACQ/MgC-PFMd2kc/s1600/61559_431513747983_103173912983_5062204_3019638_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TKFIALksBnI/AAAAAAAAACQ/MgC-PFMd2kc/s400/61559_431513747983_103173912983_5062204_3019638_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I started the mornings with meditation lead by John, Sally Kempton, and Douglas Brooks on their respective day. After breakfast each morning, John lead a 3 hour master class, each one was filled with asana, wisdom, shakti, and fun. In the the afternoons, I studied with Christina Sell, Christy Nones, Douglas Brooks, and Martin Kirk. It was one great session after the next. The evenings were filled with a thought provoking scholar's panel discussion, a lively kirtan with <a href="http://shantalamusic.com/">Shantala</a>, a fun talent show, and hanging with friends from Houston, Arizona, and Colorado as well as meeting new friends. </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TKFH6QQ-C1I/AAAAAAAAACM/g_5YDoDCMdw/s1600/60740_431513907983_103173912983_5062218_6834916_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TKFH6QQ-C1I/AAAAAAAAACM/g_5YDoDCMdw/s400/60740_431513907983_103173912983_5062218_6834916_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TKFH0KCb7OI/AAAAAAAAACI/PFUEbwxS4gI/s1600/59466_431131932983_103173912983_5055719_7315272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TKFH0KCb7OI/AAAAAAAAACI/PFUEbwxS4gI/s400/59466_431131932983_103173912983_5055719_7315272_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What a wonderful time - yoga, great teachers, good friends, and the Colorado Rocky Mountains, one of my favorite places!! </span></span></span><br />
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</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TKELNsO9vrI/AAAAAAAAAB8/WgDJXozfzh8/s1600/IMG_0455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YumBmo_CtYM/TKELNsO9vrI/AAAAAAAAAB8/WgDJXozfzh8/s400/IMG_0455.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good Times!</span></div><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-42913246604852835912010-09-07T20:02:00.000-07:002010-09-08T12:05:15.956-07:00Day of Free YogaThis was my first time participating in the <a href="http://fdoyhouston.com">Free Day of Yoga</a> and it was great! I started the day teaching a Flow Class at 8 am at <a href="http://yogainstitute.com">The Yoga Institute</a>. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many people get an early start to their day. I attended Raye Lynn's Backbend and Inversion class at 9:30 which was great fun. The studio was buzzing all day with lots of first time practitioners, seasoned yogis, and everyone in between. I stayed to help with the sign in for the 11:30 Yoga Basics class with Molly Donovan which was a full house. Then it came to me - How great it would be to capture this yoga-full day with pictures. So, I whipped out my iphone and went to work (well, it really wasn't work). But you know what I mean. We concluded the day with a Rock and Roll Vinyasa Class with George Sroka. Please check out the scenes of Molly's and George's classes in the video below.<br />
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Raye Lynn, owner of <a href="http://yogainstitute.com">The Yoga Institute</a>, gave away 4 one-month unlimited yoga memberships to 4 lucky yogis - one winner per class. What a wonderful gift- the gift of yoga.<br />
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Some students spent the entire day with us practicing yoga - a yogathon of sorts. Others took an early class, grabbed a snack, and returned for another class. It was fun to watch. <br />
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Visit <a href="http://yogamonth.org">Yoga Month</a> to find more free yoga classes through the month of September.<br />
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<object style="background-image:url(http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/qX59rVxmiMM/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qX59rVxmiMM?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qX59rVxmiMM?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="425" height="344" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-8204444175470472852010-09-03T15:32:00.000-07:002010-09-10T14:32:00.604-07:00September is National Yoga MonthSeptember is a great time to learn more about yoga, try a new method, a new studio, or to try yoga for the first time. Many studios around the country including <a href="http://fdoyhouston.com">Houston</a> are offering free classes on September 6th and offering a pass for a Free Week of Classes. Please visit <a href="http://yogamonth.org">Yoga Month</a> to find events and participating studios in your area!<div><br />
</div><div>The <a href="http://www.yogainstitute.com">Yoga Institute</a> is offering four free classes at both the Houston and Clear Lake studios on September 6th. Come join me at the Houston location at 8:00 am for a Flow Class!</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="http://www.lifetimefitness.com">Life Time Athletic City Centre</a> is offering a pass for a Free Week of yoga classes. Get one from <a href="http://yogamonth.org">Yoga Month</a> and join us for yoga.</div><div><br />
</div><div>See you there!</div><br />
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HTML CODE: <a href="http://www.yogamonth.org"><img src="http://www.yogamonth.org/2009/images/yogamonth2010_160_600ani.gif" alt="Free Yoga Classes and Event during National Yoga Month 09.2010. Be inspired by TITANS OF YOGA DVD" width="160" height="600" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.yogamonth.org"><img src="http://www.yogamonth.org/2009/images/yogamonth2010_160_600ani.gif" alt="Free Yoga Classes and Event during National Yoga Month 09.2010. Be inspired by TITANS OF YOGA DVD" width="160" height="600" border="0" /></a>">Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-17291426589441326842010-09-01T10:43:00.000-07:002010-09-01T14:20:55.637-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Seek The Highest and you'll find how Great you are!</span>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917801935618189170.post-22512733508048305582010-08-31T15:33:00.000-07:002010-09-07T14:30:36.306-07:00Christina Sell teaches Anusara Yoga at Sundance Yoga Studio in Friendswo...<div><br />
</div><object style="background-image:url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/OtJZmBWKsK4/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OtJZmBWKsK4?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OtJZmBWKsK4?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Check out these scenes from a fun filled yoga weekend!</span></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08012375181664585008noreply@blogger.com2