Toasty Tootsies in Yoga Class

There's a chill in the air and winter will be here before you know it. But don't let your legs and feet freeze in yoga class. Leg warmers, yes the same kind we rocked in the 80's, provide leg warmth and while in Savasana, you can roll them down over your toes.


A simple Google search "yoga socks" or "yoga leg warmers" will do the trick. Prepare to be amazed. 

Warning: Cute socks can be addictive. 

There are many talented artists, crafters, & knitters 

who will even do custom orders!
(Links for each under image)

Eco Threads Clothing

Find these on Etsy!

Or choose a pair that goes all the way to the foot, leaving toes and heels exposed for stability in poses.

Find These on Etsy!

No Slip Yoga Socks

Order Here!

Gaiam Yoga Socks

So, keep those tootsies toasty. Order your pair today!

~Namaste

HISD Offers Yoga in 12 Schools

As a certified yoga instructor who'd jump at the opportunity to teach yoga to children, this is amazing news!

In the past, I've blogged about teaching teen girls here, and I've also expressed my desire to teach yoga to children on my How & Why I Became a Yogini page. 

On September 23, 2014, the Houston area newspapers and news channels featured stories about the Houston Independent School District bringing yoga into a dozen schools. The benefits of yoga in schools are endless. Really. All I can say is...

I am able.

I am willing.

I am ready!

Here are just a couple of the articles published yesterday, Sept. 23, 2014. Way to go, HISD! 

HISD Hopes Yoga Classes Will Boost Students' Health (Houston Chronicle)

HISD Offering Yoga at 12 Schools (KPRC Ch. 2)

The Sonima Foundation is the California based foundation who helped fund the wellness program with HISD.

Bent On Learning is another non-profit organization based in New York who also assists schools bringing yoga to the classrooms.

Bent On Learning will be one of the presenters on Sept 27 at the first annual National Kid's Yoga Conference.

Good stuff is happening, folks!

~Namaste'

Yoga Aids Vets

US soldiers participating in the Yoga For Veterans program. (Photo: Give Back Yoga Foundation)

As a former military wife, this subject is all too real. The results of time served, wartime or not, can and will leave lasting effects on our heroes. Good or bad. And yet, I'm quite certain it would be difficult to find any one of these folks who would take back one moment of their time spent in the military. It's just they way they are. 

But what happens when they come home?

(Does that rhetorical question need be answered?)

I've known and heard about those who suffer from PTSD and other stress-related symptoms. Anxiety. Depression. Panic Disorder. Anger. Fear. The list goes on. Sure, there are medications and therapy, and then, there's yoga. 

Yoga can help. It's been researched. The proof is in the results. 

Article on NPR. 

If you know a veteran who's in need, please pass this information along. Here's a great resource link listing various sources for yoga organizations to aid veterans.

~Namaste

Yoga Classes in Downtown Brenham

Isn't this the best news ever?! The darling owner of Top Floor Academy of Dance has graciously offered me the use of her studio, located downtown in Brenham, just across the street from KTEX radio station. The address is 216 E. Main Street. It's spacious, has a mirrored wall, and a bar for balance. It's perfect! Classes begin next week!

Here are the details: 

Beginning September 9th...

Tuesdays & Fridays 12:00 - 1:00 (lunchtime yoga) 
Cost: $12.00
*Please provide your own yoga mat. 
*Please dress accordingly, comfortable work out attire.

*If you arrive a few minutes late, please be courteous and come in quietly & set up in the back. :)

If all goes well, a morning class will be added, too.

Help spread the word by sharing the news with your family & friends!!

Namaste~

Feeling Stressed? Stop. Focus. Breathe.

Yes, it's just that simple.

Most of us live busy lives. We're always on the go. We overbook our schedules. Some of us never stop. When this happens, stress builds...and builds...and builds, until you feel like you'll explode (or implode). During times like this, we tend to shallow breathe, leaving us oxygen deprived, which only causes health issues, more tension, and guess what? More stress.

Answer?

Focus and take some deep breaths. Control it.

We all know breathing is an involuntary respiratory function, but controlled breathing is intentional. Here's an example:

Those who know me will tell you I don't deal well with high stress. One of my big stress inducers? Traffic. In Houston. Yeah, it's pretty awful, right? When driving in Houston, during traffic, I deep breathe. Fill the belly on my inhales, empty the belly on my exhales. It only takes a couple of minutes to calm the mind, reduce the blood pressure, and the occasional thoughts of road rage. You can also count your controlled breathing in your head, such as, "Inhale, 2, 3, 4...Exhale, 2, 3, 4" and so on until the stress is reduced.

Yes, sometimes even yogis get stressed out. It happens to the best of us.

This article in Forbes had some great information about controlling the breath.

Another great article about breathing to reduce stress.

Remember, the next time you feel yourself stressed out, stop, focus, and breathe.

~Namaste

Be the Tree Yoga in Brenham Celebrates

Last week, I filed for my DBA with Be the Tree Yoga, as a sole proprietorship with the county clerk's office in Washington County, Texas. 

It's official! 

This legal accomplishment may be small for some, but it's huge for me. It's validation. Be the Tree Yoga is my business. It's in the books, well, at least in Washington County, that is. :-)

Help me celebrate and take a class soon! If you'd like to see another day / time offered, please let me know.

Schedule:

Mondays 5:30-6:30
Thursdays 10:30-11:30 & 5:30-6:30

"Wicked Lovely" 

Namaste~

Brenham Area Yoga at the Camphouse

This month marks the 1yr. anniversary of yoga at the Camphouse! To celebrate, we (and by that I mean the hubby) have done some renovations by taking down a wall to create more space. Luckily for us, the wall removal was easy since it wasn't a structural wall and had been added after the construction of the house.

*During June, if you bring a friend (who hasn't been to Be the Tree Yoga before), you each pay 1/2 price for that class! That's right! For one class, you and the friend only pay $5.

My how things have changed over the past 12 months! As the owner of Be the Tree Yoga, I'm thrilled to see the growth, in both clients and space, we've made. 

Before, the Camphouse could only hold 8 mats (and it was a tight fit!). Now after the renovations, we can comfortably hold up to 15 mats, and yes, with room to move about. No more stretching out only to hold hands with your mat neighbor! :-) 

If you live in the Brenham or surrounding areas, come check out yoga at the Camphouse. We'd love to have you! Email me for details. bethetreeyoga@gmail.com.

Class schedule: Monday & Thursday 5:30-6:30 p.m.
                         Thursday 10:30-11:30 a.m.
1 hour class only $10!
All levels welcome. :-)

Before

After

After

Namaste~

Be the Tree Yoga in Brenham: Happy Hips, Happy Body

*In addition to our evening classes, Be the Tree Yoga now has a day class available! 

Thursdays 10:30-11:30 a.m. Email bethetreeyoga@gmail.com for more information.

Keep your hips open and healthy, it'll save more than you realize! Here's a great article from Yoga International about healthy hips and knees.

Here are a few fabulous hip openers... 

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Be Well, Yogis ~ Namaste

Be the Tree Yoga now offers a day class in the Brenham Area!

New Day Class:

Thursdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Evening classes still availiable: 

Mondays & Thursdays 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Classes are held at the camphouse, situated in the peaceful woods, 8.5 miles southwest of Brenham.

Please email for more details: bethetreeyoga@gmail.com

Namaste~

Day Yoga Class in the Brenham Area Coming Soon!

Be the Tree Yoga is adding a day class. If you're interested, please note day / time of choice in the comment section below. If you know of anyone who might want to join us, please pass on the information.

Current Schedule: Mondays & Thursdays @ 5:30 p.m.

Be the Tree recently acquired this gorgeous wall hanging of Buddha, carved by Indonesian artists. It represents peace of mind, clarity, and quietness in the soul. What a lovely addition to the yoga room in the camphouse.

 ~Namaste

New Year, New Yoga Classes

Be the Tree Yoga will again offer classes through Brenham Community Education beginning February 6, 2014. You may sign up for the full session (Feb - May) or sign up for a single month. Please click on the link above for more information. 

Meanwhile, classes are still underway out at the Camphouse. Current schedule is as follows:

Mondays & Thursdays @ 5:30 p.m.

For more information, you may email me at bethetreeyoga@gmail.com.

~Namaste~