Moving to a New Home and Discovering New Yoga Spaces

Hi, yogis :) How are you? 

Recently I moved from the Sacramento area to Eureka, California. What a whirlwind month it's been!

I'm still getting settled and checking out yoga studios in the area and wanted to share a few reflections from the last few classes I've taken.

It's wild how much I've learned being in a new environment with teachers who come from different schools of yoga. In the last week I've experienced my first Forrest and Anusara practices and I've enjoyed picking up on small yet impactful differences in the language, cuing, and pacing of the classes.

Do you ever mix up your yoga routine? Or try classes at local studios when you travel? I highly recommend getting out of your comfort zone and taking a class where you aren't quite sure what to expect... open yourself to learning, and being a beginner again!

Tosha Yoga, Arcata, CA

This is a breathtaking space on the top floor of the building that I'll definitely return to. I love the natural light, the collection of lovely succulent plants around the room, and the calm, uplifting energy of the space. The Forrest yoga class I took here involved some awesome core work, grounding meditation, and new flows and movements that felt nourishing to the body (lots of Eagle arms, which I even felt the next day in my upper back!). 

The teacher Janine was very clear and precise in her teaching, and I appreciated the few hands-on adjustments she offered which helped me relax my neck and take tension out of my shoulders. At one point I could hear the sound of the rain on the rooftop. Very peaceful. I felt spaciousness, grounding, and openness. Even a little glimpse of blissful

samadhi

during Shavasana.

Om Shala Yoga, Arcata, CA

Om Shala offers a diverse range of yoga classes on their schedule. So far I've tried a basics Anusara class, a Hatha 'align and flow' class, and an all-levels Power Vinyasa class. The teachers here certainly have a wealth of knowledge about alignment and I've picked up some awesome tricks and tips about my practice. I love having reminders to pay closer attention to what my 'bad' habits are in class, or just to notice something new. This week I've been working on:

• Knitting the low ribs in. Drawing energy into the center of the body really allows me to move from a place of more power! This helps in every pose - in foundational poses like Tadasana and Downdog, and especially in backbends and balancing postures.

• Waking up the feet. Keeping the feet alive and the toes active brings more prana into the lower half of the body and the legs, giving more stability and grounding. Pada bandha, engaging the arches, is a subtle but very useful technique that makes a pose feel more balanced. I noticed this one in Half Moon. I also realized that metaphorically and energetically for me at this moment in my life it's very important to keep the feet awake so that I can feel more grounded in these new spaces I'm in!

• Using props and the wall for support. I learned an awesome trick for using three blocks on the wall in Dolphin pose (beautiful, supported way to open the upper back and chest). I also worked on Ardha Chandrasana (Standing Half Moon pose) on the wall-- I was able to see how my hips needed to be more engaged in order to access more opening in the pose. Also started to work on wall walks in Wheel (!!!!) and practiced Forearm stand. So excited to incorporate these new 'tricks' into my home practice!

Sasha's power flow class at Om Shala was my favorite local yoga class so far since I moved. I loved her simple, direct cuing, her upbeat playlist, and the way she reminded us to send our breath into the area where our bodies most needed to heal. I definitely felt challenged and inspired, and was surprised by how many arm balances and sun salutations I was able to fit in!

Redwood Strength, Fortuna, CA

This class was an hour-long hot vinyasa practice in a new gym that's a mix of Crossfit-style workouts and hot yoga. I enjoyed the heat and thought of my friends and colleagues at CorePower Yoga and how I miss that beautiful room and its humidity ;) I enjoyed the teacher's enthusiasm and sense of humor and felt at home listening to the sound of Krishna Das' voice.

HealthSport, Eureka, CA

I took a Hatha class and was easily the youngest yogi in the room. One of my favorite moments was about 15 minutes into class, looking over at the gorgeous gray-haired yogini next to me take on full Hanumanasana with her arms overhead and a smile on her face :) The teacher Francis had a unique way of getting me to try more depth in the poses and I loved the mindful, intentional sequencing. At the end of class my body felt open and my mind clear.

Home practice

My home practice has been really key in the last few weeks, too. Rolling out a mat in the kitchen or in my backyard has given me space to be completely comfortable, to relax, to release stress, to breathe loudly and sigh heavily, and to cry a little. Moving is incredibly draining and exhausting work, and it hasn't been easy.

During the weeks leading up to moving, I felt overwhelmed by to-do lists and I benefited greatly from having a restorative yin practice. Since we arrived here on the coast, I've felt a little down and lonely on some days, so a more vigorous practice with inversions and backbends has helped me stay positive.

I can tell that in the weeks and months to come, as I take a little break from having classes to teach, my home practice will be a great way for me to stay creative, to keep up my self-confidence in my teaching, and to play with new flows and ideas for what I love to teach.

I'm still struggling a little bit to find where my new yoga 'home' is, and I'm certainly grieving the loss of having weekly classes to teach in beautiful communities, but I'm doing my best to keep a positive attitude and stay open to whatever opportunities come my way.

OmStays: HomeStays for the Yoga Journey

Photo via OmStays.

Are you a traveling yogi?

I just discovered a website/ community that will rock your world! OmStays is a reciprocal guest/host program that connects yoga travelers.

Photo via Pinterest.

Picture this: you're planning to hit up a big yoga or music festival, or go on vacation in a spot where you know there are a bunch of awesome studios you want to try. But you'd rather not spend a fortune on a hotel room... and you'd really like to plug in to the local yoga scene and meet some fellow yogis and teachers...

Photo via OmStays.

With OmStays, you can stay the night with an awesome host. You'll spend only $15 as a thank-you gratuity. You also have the opportunity to act as a host for other traveling yogis, a great way to meet new people and support fellow yogis in their adventures.

Here's how it works:

• You join as a member for $35/year, set up your profile, and you can get started searching for other hosts.
• You can use reviews on the website's directory to see what other members thought about their hosts and their OmStay experience.
• Contact a host directly to inquire about availability and work out the details of your stay.
• After your visit, share your experience as the guest or host on the OmStays website.

Photo via Pinterest.

The website also features ride shares, pet sitting, nonprofit opportunities, and an event board where yoga studios and teachers can post info about their classes. SO RAD!

OmStays is on Facebook, too!

I can't wait to try out OmStays. Stay tuned for more info soon...  I met recently with Kathie, the site's founder, and could not be more excited about helping her grow this community. I hope you guys will all check out the site!

Yoga at Lake Tahoe (And Falling More in Love with My Life)

I am a big fan of taking my practice out of the studio. Often being in a new location can bring new perspective. When I am

in nature

, I feel more grounded, more connected to the heart of my practice.

I see my yoga with clear vision.

I am not caught up in the little habits that come with a familiar class.

I allow myself to move freely through the postures, listening for what my body needs.

Yesterday I hiked down a little path not far from Hidden Beach at Lake Tahoe and rolled out my mat on the pine needles. I had an amazing view of the water.

I sat on a flat rock, breathing, letting my mind settle.

I meditated on the power and beauty of the physical world. I let my heart fill with gratitude for the chance to be present in such a gorgeous place. I did not hurry to move from stillness into the postures.

I slowed down my flow between postures, pausing to notice alignment. I let each breath be full and deep, feeling the difference from the elevation and the subtle smell of pine and water.

The sound of the lake lapping at the shoreline.

The sunlight falling through the trees.

I am grateful for days like these, when the yoga feels natural, grounded, true. 

I am grateful to wake up sore the next day, my muscles reminding me of the efforts I made, reminding me that I am strong.

Over and over, I am falling in love with this experience we call

yoga

. Yoga simply teaches me to hold a perspective that is peaceful, loving, aware, grateful.

At the end of a practice like yesterday's, my heart full and my head clear, I realize: the asana is simply a way for me to fall even deeper in love with my life.

The Good Life (Hello from Tahoe)

Happy Labor Day weekend, yogis!

I am enjoying great vibes in Tahoe...having an amazing time listening to live music on the beach, hanging out with friends, going for walks at King's Beach, playing a little guitar, and definitely checking out a new studio tomorrow.

Thankfully the air has cleared a little today. A couple days ago it was pretty smoky around here!

I hope you're having a peaceful, energizing time wherever you are. Wishing you much love and happiness!

Yogi on the Move

Hey lovelies! Hope you've been having a beautiful weekend. 

I just returned to California after an amazing road trip to Chicago. It was quite an adventure driving all the way across the country (solo on the way out, and with my sister on the way back)! I woke up this morning feeling so grateful to be back and to have had the chance to do some summer traveling.

4,000 miles of driving definitely did a number on my body though...let's just say my sad, sore upper back and shoulders and my tight hips were very excited for a hot vinyasa class today!

Stay tuned for a post on yoga for long road trips. I'll give you some advice for postures that will help keep you limber and give you great energy for those long days of sitting.

This week I plan to share a mix of exciting posts... highlights from the road trip, updates on my new job and upcoming yoga teacher training (!!!), and some reflections on recent insights from teachers during class.

Thanks for your patience and see you around the blog again soon!

Namaste.

Insanely Cool Yoga Video

I watched this yoga video and immediately wanted to watch it again. And again.

Not only is Phillip Askew's control of asana downright impressive, but the sense that comes through in watching his flow is that he has a sincere dedication to his practice.

He is a devoted yogi.

How many hours has he spent holding a headstand? How long before he could do Hanumanasana? The point is that he's lost track of the time it took, but he knows the patience required to reach that place in the journey.

I love the humble moments in the film, too: at eighteen seconds, when he sits quietly on the bridge, and at four minutes, when he thoughtfully places each ankle behind his head before a well-deserved savasana.

At no moment in watching his practice do I get the sense that Phillip is trying to impress others by practicing yoga in public places. He is simply exhibiting his truest self: the one that moves effortlessly between the poses, the one that honors his own body and spirit on a regular basis.

Thank you, Phillip and the filmmakers, for sharing this beautiful example of what yoga really is. Namaste.

A California Adventure

Friends, yogis, beautiful ones: I'm back from my camping adventure! My friend Yoel and I had an amazing time in Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite.

We spent the days relaxing, hiking, eating picnic lunches, building campfires, making smores, telling stories, and just generally enjoying the beautiful California landscape. We also spent a few days in San Francisco exploring and riding bikes.

I did a little yoga out in nature, too :) I will definitely post some of those photos soon!

I feel refreshed and grateful to be back home.

How have you guys been? XO!

Yoga for Boston

Photo by Cara Brostrom.

 

This weekend I am dedicating my yoga practice to Boston. I've only visited the city once, last summer, and I absolutely loved it. My heart goes out to all of those who have been affected by the tragic events this week.

My intention is that every effort I make on the mat would go toward your benefit.

To all those suffering, may you find peace.

To all those who have experienced grief and loss, may you be uplifted by those around you.

May there be healing, renewal and courage for all who have been affected by the violence.

Even in great despair, we have a chance to love each other and support each other. May we stand strong together and remember who we are as humans, deep down. 

A heartfelt namaste.

Photo by Cara Brostrom.

Feeling Wanderlust-y

Photo via Tyler Branch.

Lately I'm craving an adventure. A long drive to somewhere new.

A chance to get out of town and enjoy nature. To travel into the mountains or forests. To be away from technology.

Photo via Tyler Branch.

I've got my eye on Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah as a possibility. The landscapes there are so breathtaking, so bracing. 

Don't you think the place practically looks ethereal, otherworldly?

Photo via Flickr.

Photo via Flickr.

I'm sure I'd fall in love with the gorgeous terrain, the long hikes, the sunrises and sunsets. And I bet a trip there would generate some great poetry, too.

Have you traveled anywhere exciting lately? Do you have any summer trips planned?