Sunday, October 13, 2013

Notes From a Yogini Guide to Her Practitioners

10 Things I'd love for my yogis to know:

1. Your yoga mat is your palette. It's your creative space and only yours. Not mine, nor does it belong to the person next to you. Experiment. Don't be afraid to try new things.

2. Yoga isn't a competition. We don't come to class to compare ourselves with others. It's about you. It's about your journey and your practice.

3. The poses are for you. They're about combining mind, body, breath, and spirit. It's not about mastering the postures. It's about their benefits for you, on and off the mat. Don't get me wrong, it's way cool when we finally accomplish the perfect down dog, but striving for perfection can be a trap. Discover what it is from each posture YOU need, and seek it.

4. Don't forget to breathe. Nuff said, right?

5. Yoga isn't the miracle. You are. Yoga is a lot of things, but it isn't a fix-all. You, the practitioner, have to work at it. Each time you arrive on the mat. When you work yoga into all aspects of your life, the magic begins to happen.

6. Ask for help. When an instructor says, "Engage your core, breathe into your lower spine, use your breath to put space between the vertebrae, pull the belly into the spine, lift up out of the rib cage..." if you don't get it, ask for help. I need you to speak up, otherwise I may never know.

7. Yoga isn't a weight loss program. However, it brings awareness and mindfulness to the body and health. Yoga, coupled with a conscious diet, will begin to transform your life.

8. Don't be so hard on yourself. If you don't get a posture right away, give yourself some time. Go easy on yourself. Kindness goes a long way.

9. It helps to practice outside of class. Yoga once a week is good. Yoga twice a week is great. Yoga 3-4 times a week is super-yoga-tastic! If you need your instructor to jot down the class postures for the week, she'll be happy to do so.

10. Think of me as your guide, not so much as a teacher. Remember, I grow, watching you grow. I'm humbled to be a part of your yoga journey. Seeing the joy in your eyes after class, the smiles on your faces as we pull up into Tree, and the peace and serenity in your voices as we say, Namaste, are my rewards. Without you, I wouldn't be the instructor I am.

Namaste~

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

September is National Yoga Month

Happy National Yoga Month!

National Yoga month is a national observance by the Health and Human Services. You can visit the Yoga Health Foundation website to find out more. If you practice yoga, you already know the benefits. If you're thinking of trying yoga, here are a few positive aspects:

  • Stress relief
  • Flexibility
  • Increased strength
  • Cardiovascular conditioning
  • Balance
  • Inner Peace
  • Pain relief 
If you've tried yoga and didn't like it, this month, give it another go. Try a different studio or a different instructor. If you attempted a Vinyasa class, try a Hatha class. Who knows, you may surprise yourself. :)

On September 30 studios, teachers, and practitioners can participate in a worldwide yoga event. The Time for Yoga event will be held in communities all across the globe at 7:00 p.m., local times.

Namaste



Friday, July 5, 2013

Be the Tree Yoga Classes in Brenham

Class Schedule:

Mondays @ 5:30 p.m.
Thursdays @ 5:30 p.m.

Please bring to class: A mat, towel or small blanket, & water.
The studio has extra mats if needed.

What to wear: Comfortable, stretchable clothing. Keep in mind, loose or blousy clothing may be bothersome to you.


Location: Tucked away in the peaceful woods, the *Camphouse is located only eight miles southwest of Brenham. After class, feel free to stay and have a cup of hot / iced tea.



*Please email for directions: bethetreeyoga@gmail.com

Namaste'

Friday, May 31, 2013

New Yoga Classes in Brenham Area

It's been a while since I've posted anything new. Last year, I had spine surgery, and it took me quite a while to recover. I'm happy to report, I'm on the mend and bend. My own yoga practice is back in full swing, and I'll be starting new classes soon. 

For the summer, I'll be teaching out of our camphouse on our property, located about 8 miles southwest of Brenham. It's a bit of a drive for those who live in town, but I believe the tranquility of the location will outweigh the drive. 



Yoga Room at the Camphouse


Enjoy this video Love Yourself Today.

Namaste'