Hari Om everyone! This week I am writing from Rishikesh, India. After three years I have decided to go for my 300 hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) with the Rishikul Yogshala Ashram. It was not a light decision, as this would be the first time I have traveled to this side of the World, and alone at that. But from the seed of the idea, I was excited. And now here I am! So, what could I possibly have to…
Life is an adventure. We search, we learn, we grow. It is put together by experiences, emotions and evolving. Do not limit yourself on these. Over this past summer, my journey has escalated quickly. I am sure we have all experienced some big changes in our lives, some underlying current pushing us forward, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not. I will not go too hippy on you {yet} by going into energies and astrology, but I will just…
Nowadays, most of us are familiar with the idea that Epsom salt baths and hot tubs can be beneficial to us in many ways. Other than just feeling fantastic. But what about mineral springs? Not too long ago, I took a road-trip with my friend Austin to Telluride, CO, where I got to experience my first hot spring! It was a neat experience (aside from the deer fly attack), and brought me to pose the question, how do hot springs benefit…
While food is awesome, I should let you know right now that I am not talking about the deliciousness that is the taco. I am talking about my Toyota Tacoma, aka “Taco.” It is funny for me to think back to just a few years ago when I never imagined I would be living in anything but an apartment or a regular house. I have been extremely blessed in my life, able to live in these very nice places with…
Yoga is practiced many different ways in many different places. This week, I thought I would switch it up on how the practice is delivered. The practice above is a beginner flow, designed to help one balance and ground. Flip your way through the poses, pausing, passing and modifying as necessary! Choose your favorite Yoga music and get your flow on! I recommend each pose be held for a minimum of 3-5 breathes. REMINDER: Breathes should be taken in and…
Where there is need, there is a way. Once you establish the need, innovation works its way in and soon enough you have a solution. This is evident in many facets of life. But today it pertains to brownies. As I am getting ready to move, I did not want to go to the grocery and waste money on food I would not be able to eat within the next week or so. I knew I had plenty of stuff…
When I ask students what they want to focus on during the practice, the vast majority of the time the answer is neck and shoulders. In the current lifestyles we are living, we rack up tension in these specific areas and do not really do much to counter act it. Here are a few simple poses that can help you relieve some of that tension! 1: Wide Arms Standing in a wide-legged position, spread your arms out as wide as…
Why Is Shavasana so Important? Shavasana (Shuh-vah-sana), savasana, Corpse Pose, or maybe best yet, “siracha” (as referred to by one of my students) is a pose that every yoga class should include. Some classes even have multiple, working them in between poses and then a longer one at the end. And for good reason. But why even do it? There are many reasons, plenty of which I am sure I am still unaware of myself at this point, but I…
Why do you even need a yoga mat? Well, to be honest, you do not need a yoga mat. They are great for the purpose they serve; setting a space for your practice, adding some support for your body and having some cushion between you and the ground. But, especially if you are just starting off, buying a mat is not completely necessary, and definitely does not need to break the bank. If you are going to a studio to…
When I was getting ready to start offering open yoga classes, I realized that I would have to clean the mats after every class to keep them sanitary. Which in turn meant I needed a reliable and inexpensive mat cleaner. Yet, I am conscious of the chemicals used in cleaners and did not want to use that on the mats, or anywhere for that matter, that would influence my fellow yogis. Over the past few years I have fallen into…