I told my students this morning that I am feeling nostalgic.  They assured me that they are, too.  This second annual journey is about to come to a close.  

This year has gone much smoother than last year.  I am thrilled by the amount of people returning each morning.  Everyone feeling the benefit of yoga in their own lives.  I encourage people to work to their own ability, and learn to listen to their own bodies.

Whether you are on a mat or in a chair, come to class. Whether you prefer to rest in child's pose or downward dog, come to yoga. if you are brand new or been on your mat for years, come to class :) There are no rules.  Everyone is welcome.

I will be teaching throughout the year, of course, but there are only 2 days left for FREE!!!!! YOGA!!!!!!

Week 4 Totals
Students-96
Money Raised-$266
Organizations-Horace Mann Community Closet, Rainbow Gardens Neighborhood Association, WAWM PTA Council, WA Celebrations Committee, West Allis Special Olympics, St. Johns Breakfast, Interfaith Older Adult

Learning how to sit quietly was the biggest challenge for me in my yoga practice. My mind didn't understand the concept.  At all.  My thoughts would race, my mind would wander.  I would bring it back into focus, only to have it race off somewhere again. And believe me, I still have my days.  Just because I'm a yoga teacher doesn't mean I'm immune to my own unique form of crazy :D

This is VERY common.  In a world where we are constantly stimulated, it can feel impossible to sit still and be quiet for even a moment.

However, you can train your brain to listen to you.  You can train your brain to gently quiet itself, and guide it back when it wanders off again.  It takes practice, sometimes for a lifetime.  Your brain WANTS to be quiet.  It has enough to do without all the chatter :) 

Here is an excerpt from a book that really helped me in the beginning, when I was learning how to sit quietly.

Excerpt from: Buddha In Blue Jeans, An Extremely Short Simple Zen Guide to Sitting Quietly and Being Buddha by Tai Sheridan, Ph.D**

Weather-60 & Drizzling (inside)
Students-11, 1 chair, 10 mat
Organizations-St. Johns Breakfast
Money Raised-$38

**Tai Sheridan is the author of several books that helped me on my path.  One of them I never even read.  The title alone helped bring my entire life into a new perspective.  It's called "Relax, You're Going To Die".  Somehow, those words helped me realize that this beautiful life is TEMPORARY.  We all have a limited time here. Please make the most of it by doing the things that make you happy.  Let go of your worry, anxiety and fear, one breath at a time.  

Sending LOVE to the Universe <3 <3 <3 

(Repost from Year One, Day 5)

Eight beautiful people joined me this morning at Franklin Fieldhouse.

Yoga has given me the very special skill of rooting for EVERYONE I meet.  When I drive past strangers on the street who are jogging or biking, or walking their dog, I silently cheer for them.  They are out moving their bodies. You go, Lady!  Awesome job, dude!  I cheer for them because I have finally learned how to cheer for myself.

That's the community I am hoping to build by offering these classes.  People who want to cheer for each other, and for themselves.  If you need encouragement, I am here, silently (and often verbally) cheering for you.  

It's one of my special skills :) 

Slowly but surely word is getting out about these classes.  It fills my heart with gratitude to see people returning day after day, or arriving for the first time. 

All are welcome. 

Day 26 Totals-
Weather-65 & Sunny
Students-8 mat
Organization-WA Special Olympics
Money raised-$33

Sending LOVE to the Universe, one class at a time

See you tomorrow!

30 Days is quickly coming to a close.....don't miss your chance!!

(Repost Day 25 last year, one of my favorites :) )

Breathe

I have a friend that used to have that one word written on a post-it, stuck to her computer at work.  She put it there to remind herself to take deep breaths every once in awhile.  It's advice we can all use;.

When is the last time you took a long, deep, inhale? Had an exhale so full that you felt tension release from your whole body?  Learning this classic technique is an easy way to incorporate a deep breath into your day wherever you are.
 
Please note that the diaphragm is a muscle.  If you find this breath technique hard to maintain, you're not alone!  Keep at it and soon it will be easier.
A seated position works for this, but I find lying down on my back is the best way to feel my stomach move in and out.

Diaphragmatic Breathing
-Place one hand on your belly, one hand on your chest.  The hand on the belly  should rise and fall with your breath.
-Inhale deeply through the nose, feel the belly push out 
-Exhale and feel the belly relax back down

That's it.  I recommend 1 - 5 minutes to begin with, adding more time as you can. Lifting the belly away from the body on the inhale engages the diaphragm, flattening it out.  It takes a little effort and attention to detail in the beginning, so keep trying!  

Day 25 Totals
Weather-62 & Sunny
Students-12, 2 chair 10 mat
Organization-WA Celebrations Committee
Money Raised-$22
​

Sending LOVE to the Universe!!

(Here's DAY 1 from last year....oh, the nerves I had!!)

I had my alarm set for 5am, but I was still up at 4.  Oh, the anticipation.  Would
anyone show up?

I got to the field at 7am.  No one else was there yet.  I spent time sitting in the sunshine, visualizing the class ahead of me.  Months of planning, weeks of advertising and passing out flyers, countless deep breaths and it was finally here.

​Would anyone show up?

I wanted this series of 30 classes to be successful.  Having one person show up to do yoga with me, and feel better in their body and mind....that is success to me.  Of course, I want more than one, .I want 100!  That's why it's free!

Fourteen people showed up!!  Eleven for mat yoga, three for chair yoga, and one who did both!** A wonderful mix of my regular students and newcomers, including two people who never did yoga before!  Perfect!  

Yoga has been a huge source of healing in my life, and I know that many people out there suffer everyday, either with physical or emotional pain.  Yoga helps with both better than anything I have ever tried.

Things yoga has taught me:

To have patience with myself, which helps me have patience with others.
To love myself, which helps me love others
To give is to receive

Please join me one of these days!!

**My student who did both mat and chair yoga today is one of my favorite regulars.  She was coming to 3 mat classes and 1 chair class every week before she injured her arm and found out her cancer was back.  She hugged me after class, told me she loved me and said "That felt like coming home".  

This is why I view what I do as a calling, not a job.  I am grateful for the healing powers of yoga.  I am grateful for everyone who shows up to a class and leaves feeling better. 

Day 24 totals
​Weather-60 & Drizzling (inside)
Students- 12, 2 chair, 10 mat
Organization-WAWM PTA Council
Money Raised-$28

Here's the thing about life.

Sometimes it gets too busy to write a blog post a day and you have to let it go for a little while.  

I'll be posting totals only for a few days.  See you towards the end!

Day 23
Weather-62 & cloudy
Students-17, 4 chair, 13 mat
Organization-Rainbow Gardens Neighborhood Association
$45

Big things on the horizon...stay tuned!!

Our second to last Saturday felt bright and beautiful after being inside two days in a row,

Today's Info-
Weather-62 & Sunny
Students-22, 2 chair, 20 mat
Organization-Horace Mann Community Closet
Money Raised-$39

See you tomorrow xoxo

My regulars and I have started feeling nostalgic as the end of 30 days approaches, causing me to reflect on another reason I started this "fundraiser".

The fundraising part of this adventure has been an interesting lesson.  My main goal has always been to offer free classes to my community, but I felt that the fundraising idea would attract more people to the event.  I've always had the goal of having people return again and again.

Luckily, that has turned out to be the case.  Many people who heard about the event through their organization have been returning over and over again, often bringing friends and family with them *GRATEFUL*

Seeing my "regular" student base grow has been tremendously rewarding.  Having people take time out of their mornings to improve their physical and mental health has filled me with such a sense of, well, physical and mental health :) 

Sending LOVE to the Universe, one class a time xoxo

Weather-56 & COLD (inside)
Students-14, 12 mat, 2 chair
Organization-HEAR Wisconsin
Money Raised-$40

Yet another rainy morning.

There is such a different feeling when you are able to practice out in nature. That wasn't the case for the people who gathered Thursday morning for yoga.  It was by far our quietest morning, and our smallest class.  

I was so happy to see Lynn, Jessie, Jean and Dianne. These ladies, along with several other folks, have been to almost every morning practice so far.  

They are why I teach these classes.  YOU are why I teach these classes.  To give people a chance to explore their own practice, their own breath.  A chance to do yoga consistently in a way that isn't overwhelming.  

All your mat asks of you is that you show up.  See you tomorrow!!

Weather-60 & Rainy (wah-wah)
Students-4, 3 mat, 1 chair
Organization- Holy Assumption Food Pantry
Money raised-$12

Here's reason #994 that I love yoga:

Yoga has taught me perseverance.  As you know, 30 Days of Yoga is first and foremost a  part of my own practice off the mat.  Can I commit to something for an extended period of time?  Can I be there wholeheartedly, or will it start to feel like work?  I am continually working on expanding my attitude of gratitude, which is considered by some to be the highest form of yoga.

Part of my practice for the 30 Days is committing to writing these blog posts.  I am currently four posts behind. No one holds me accountable for these posts but myself.  They aren't something I am paid for, or have someone waiting to edit.  I have decided to keep a post a day as part of my yoga journey with this 30 Days of Summer commitment I have made.   A written reminder of the things I struggle with, the things I can do better next year, the memories I want ingrained in my heart forever.  I have fallen behind, and am working on getting caught up.

I could choose to rush through, or feel overwhelmed by being so behind.
Instead, I look forward to the feeling I will get when I am done :)  Already got one down, three to go.....Gratitude expanded.

Stay tuned xoxo

​Weather-65 & Sunny 
Students-9, 8 mat 1 chair
Organization-Student Support Services
Money Raised-$18

See you tomorrow!!

You are the answer

I have thrown myself into on-the-job training since before I graduated from Yoga Teacher Training.  I take many different classes from many different teachers (thanks, internet)  There are multiple branches of yoga, with innumerable variations of each.  As a student of yoga, and in turn as a teacher, here are the disciplines that I am drawn to:

Vinyasa Flow-Sun Salutations.  Variations on Sun Salutations.  Linking movement with breath.  Healing the body through the breath and alignment.

Ashtanga Yoga-More regimented, but wonderful for establishing discipline while trying to hold poses.  Healing for it's variety of poses, and length of holding them

Kundalini Yoga-The weirdest, most intense yoga I have experienced, focusing on quieting the mind and accessing the invisible energies that flow through all of us. The most powerful "medicine" I have ever had.  To be done slowly, gently, with serious attention to detail.  This is the yoga that taught me how strong we can be if we practice, practice, practice. 

Restorative/relaxation yoga-The lost art of moving slowly and gently with the breath.  Of learning how to quiet the rest of the world.  Stretching into the body and allowing the mind to clear.  Sometimes it's the only thing I can handle in a crazy day.

These types of yoga combined in my head to create my favorite class, Chair Yoga for Healing.  

I can't explain Healing Class fully.  The level of support that my students give each other is unlike anything I have ever seen.  They know when someone is missing for an appointment, they know about each others favorite recipes and grandkids.  The way they sign up over and over again to continue to work on their health is very inspiring to me.

They are all there to heal.  They are all there because they believe that the body innately knows how to heal, and the more attention they bring to that process, the better.

They believe in the healing power of yoga.  So do I. xoxo

Weather-65 & Sunny
Students-8, 7 mat, 1 chair
Organization-WAWM Adaptive Recreation
Money Raised-$17

See you tomorrow!  Sending LOVE to the Universe, one class at a time.

(see the schedule and description pages for more info on this and all my classes)



​

There is a concept in yoga called "setting an intention".  I really struggled with this when I first found yoga.  Setting an intention consists of thinking of a problem, or a goal at the start of your practice and then set it aside while you move through your practice. Or even more bizarre,  to send someone else "the energy you create through your practice". I tended to shy away from any teacher that brought such things up.   To me, yoga was and is a science.  I didn't want to hear any of that mumbo-jumbo.

Fast-forward a couple of years....

Upon much reflection, and research, I have discovered that setting an intention is a legitimate way to retrain or refocus your brain.  We are creatures of habit and when we bring our focus repeatedly to setting goals or solving problems or even sending someone else energy, we start to build new pathways for change.  

How it started making sense to me......

The science of yoga teaches that everything in the universe is connected through vibrations and light.  The science of quantum mechanics agrees, observing that it is impossible to  completely separate the observer from what is being observed.  That discovery was made almost 100 years ago, and they're still trying to figure it out.

I've decided I don't mind that they can't explain it.  I've noticed in my own life that like attracts like.  What you send out comes back.  What you give, you get. <3

Today's intention:
"How can I improve my life today?  If I can't improve my own life, how can I improve the life of someone else?"  

Like Ron Popeil says "Set it and forget it" :) The answer will come to you.

See you tomorrow xoxoxoxo

Weather-65 & Sunny 
Students-11, 2 chair 9 mat
Organizations-JR's Pups-n-Stuff
Money Raised-$33

I get hugged about 20 times every Thursday morning.  It's one of the highlights of my week.

I have been teaching a weekly chair yoga class at the West Allis Senior Center for about a year and a half.  We started out with about 8 people the first couple of weeks, but have steadily grown our group to 20-30 people who come in regularly to breathe, stretch and smile with me.

This class is one of those examples of how I teach yoga as a way to improve your life, not just your body.  I give tips for breathing exercises at home, ways to adapt the postures in different ways around the house, as well as balance and wellness tips. People often gather early to chat and exchange ideas and recipes.  I am truly lucky to teach there.  What an amazing group of people.

How did the hugs come about?  My dad attends almost every class, and he hugs me as he arrives and leaves.  About a year into class, those hugs started to go through the whole group. (*grateful heart*)  Not everyone wants a hug, and that's ok.  Everyone is respected.

Hugs are healing.  When you give a hug, you get a hug.  Hug yourself! Hug someone else! 
Repeat as necessary xoxoxoxo
Sending LOVE out to the Universe, one class a t a time <3 <3 <3

If you want more information on this 30 minute chair yoga class (additional 15 minute brain-boost meditation immediately follows), see the schedule and description page or call the Senior Center at 414-302-8700.  This class is free for members of the center, $20.0/year to join Thursdays- 10:30am

Weather 65 & Sunny 
Students 23 (WOW....our best Sunday yet!) 4 chair, 19 mat
Organization-West Allis Senior Center
Money Raised $97

Special thanks to my students at the center who couldn't attend the class, but donated money anyway....we raised $45 before class even started!

Half-way through <3

This year is so much more FUN than last year.  My nervousness has faded.  I am more solid in my teachings.  I have more confidence in sharing my voice.  

QUIET
One of the things I love most about my yoga practice is how quiet and still my mind has become.  I have had to train and retrain my brain to focus on the task at hand. I was one of those people who had a television show playing no matter what I was doing.  Cooking; cleaning, playing a game on another screen. I always needed SOMETHING in the background.  I couldn't be alone with my thoughts.   I also watched a lot of bad TV :D

Cultivating the quiet part of my practice has been both a challenge and a joy.  I have found that the more that you need something, the quicker your body responds.  I NEEDED that quiet.  My brain was craving it.  The quiet side of yoga quickly went from something I dreaded to something I craved (much like sweet potatoes :D).

If you have trouble with the quiet part of yoga, or the quiet part of life, come down and give these classes a try.  45 minutes in nature is an awesome way to start to cultivate your own quiet mind.  Having someone give you permission to sit still and breathe is a great way to allow yourself to do so.  These classes are for the community.  Everyone is welcome.  Everyone can work at their own pace.  15 days left!

Weather 65 & Sunny
Students-20, 18 mat, 2 chair
Organization-Reflections on Wellness for Women
Money Raised-$53.50

​See you tomorrow!! <3

They say your vibe attracts your tribe.....

This group of people continually inspires me.  They are showing up day after day, committed to their health and their bodies.  Arriving first thing in the morning, ready to connect to the day through gentle movement of the body and focusing on their breath.   Today is Day 14 and most of the group here has been to at least half of the classes.  Many of them are also with me in other classes throughout the week!  

If these classes work for your schedule, I really encourage you to check us out sometime.  Tomorrow marks the halfway point....don't miss your chance!  Join a friendly, growing community :)

Week 2 Totals are AWESOME!!

Students-94! (up 17% from week 2 last year)
Money raised-$328.63 (up 80% from week 2 last year)
Organizations-Disabled American Veterans, WA Christmas Parade, WAPD Chaplains, DWABID, Shining Strings, WAWM Champion for a Child, Hunger Task Force.

Weather-65 & SUNNY
Students-12, 10 mat, 2 chair
Organization-Hunger Task Force
Money Raised-$25

See you tomorrow! 

​​Day 13.  Take 2.

My computer crashed just as I was about to post today's blog post and I lost everything but the picture.

I was not amused.

I am smack dab in the middle of this yoga marathon where I double my work load, teaching 14 classes per week instead of 7.  Not to mention the time I spend on these posts and advertising the event.  Without a day off in between. I was tired. It was Friday evening.  I wanted to be finished.

Usually, I love every minute of it.  These classes are part of my own practice off the mat, and something that I absolutely am choosing to do. I want to learn everything I can about communicating effectively, both in my teachings and in these posts.  This is where I practice that.  I want to see people getting healthier and stronger, and that's happening, too.  I am offering my version of world peace with every class I teach.

Yet, for about 10 minutes, I was completely DONE.  I was taking the computer crashing as a sign to turn it off and turn on Netflix.  

From experience, I recognized the signs of one of my oldest patterns...quitting when a problem comes up.  Walking away and changing the subject, maybe coming back to it tomorrow, maybe not.  Maybe Day 13 just didn't get written about.  Who would notice?

Through trial and error, I've learned what to do when I want to quit.  I allow myself to walk away long enough to take some deep breaths. This time I also pressed my hands to my sternum, releasing oxytocin* in my body.  This allowed my boyfriends calming words to sink in.  He reminded that I am mainly writing these posts for myself as a journal of sorts, that it's just a fun thing to do.  He also gave me the idea to use the crash as part of the story.  Thanks, baby xoxo

My original post for today included ten reasons why you should try out my classes. After my computer crashed, I offer you one reason: RESILIENCE 

This morning, one of my new students asked me why I am so enthusiastic about yoga, why I am so willing to get up early and give it away for free.  

To put it succinctly, before I found yoga, I was a mess.  Physically, mentally, emotionally, a mess.  A person that no one wanted to be around.  I was always sick, or in pain, spending hours at the doctor, going from one specialist to another, getting this test done, recovering from that procedure.  I was sick and in pain and no one could really tell me why.  I had plenty of diagnosis, plenty of medications.  I still felt like crap, ALL OF THE TIME.

Bottles of pills and miserable pain seemed to be the only life I was going to live.  

Thankfully, I had a moment of insight.  When my body had finally worn itself out so much that the simple act of coughing caused me to break eight ribs, I knew something had to change.  While I was at the specialist getting a scan done to see why the bones of a 37 year old were just breaking inside of her body, someone said, "you must drink a lot of soda.  Soda causes the minerals in bones to break down".  

I had literally never considered that.  I drank soda because it tasted GOOD.  I never thought it was harming me.  Water was boring.  Even if I got thirsty overnight, I sipped soda.  In examining my diet, I discovered I was mostly eating chemicals masquerading as food.  The only produce I bought were bananas and onions (don't laugh....it's an epidemic in this society).

I never looked at soda the same again.  I began to view it as a cup of chemicals designed to keep me sick and addicted,  Although I have never quit anything cold turkey, soda is the closest I came.  I switched to another brand, allowing myself one mini-can a day until I no longer wanted it (because addictions work on multiple levels, you have to break the pattern on multiple levels.  I also switched brands when I quit smoking).

Several months later, I found my way to my mat for the first time.  Since I was already becoming more aware of how my choices were affecting my health, I was motivated to keep going.  

I currently eat a mostly vegan diet (NO!!!!! dairy) and am off all medications. I couldn't tell you the last time I had to go to the doctor. I am stronger and healthier than I have ever been in my life and I want the same for you.  

That's why I teach these classes :)
 
Stayed tuned for more on my journey to my mat.....

Weather-Cloudy &70
Students-9, 1 chair, 8 mat
Organization: Shining Strings
Money Raised-$22

I teach so I can learn.  I teach so I have people to do yoga with.  I teach because yoga has been the biggest source of healing in my life, and I know others need to heal, too.

A word about one of my teachers....

A man named BKS Iyengar died two months before I started yoga teacher training. At the time I started my training, I was still fairly new to the yoga community and had no idea who he was (much less how to pronounce his name...)

Little did I know how much I would learn from him.  My instructor used his book "Light On Yoga" to teach from.  As an almost complete newbie, his straightforward descriptions, pictures and rating system made SENSE to me.  To this day, I still refer to it when I need to clarify something. I often paraphrase Iyengar's advice on Savasana by telling my students that it is considered to be the hardest and the easiest pose all at once, and for the same reason.  You have to lay there motionless, quieting your mind.  
​Practice makes perfect, even if it takes a lifetime :) 

Who inspires you?

Sending LOVE to the Universe, one class at a time <3 

Weather 62 & Sunny
Students-12, 10 mat, 2 chair
Organization-Downtown West Allis Business Improvement District 
Money raised $40

PS....I write these posts mostly for myself.  A journal to remember how I stopped hurting the world with my anger and started helping the world with my love.  I am not a writer, so forgive the errors and run-on sentences. <3 <3 <3  

Monday morning.  7am.  Soggy ground.  Cloudy sky.  Chilly air.  The recipe for staying home in bed if I ever heard one.

And yet, 12 people showed up for class.  

Let's face it, there are days we are in the mood to work, and days we want to sleep in.  How do we find the motivation to show up for ourselves instead of hitting the snooze button?  

Here are some tips that help me when my motivation is low:

1- Stop thinking of exercise as a punishment for what you ate.  Think of it as a celebration for what your body can do for you.  Think of it as a way to improve not only your physical body, but also your mental health.  Learn how to cheer for yourself :) (I co-teach spin/yoga with my cousin.  I'm really not a fan of spin.  However, I've learned to love it, to come to class with all my enthusiasm and go all out for 30 minutes.  Because attitude matters.  And it's worth it.  And my quads feel strong :D)

2-Know that yoga itself is a science, and just by showing up on your mat, you are starting to change your DNA on the cellular level.  The more work you put in, the more benefit you will see.  

3-By exercising first thing in the morning, you are setting the tone for your whole day.  Stretching into your body and mindfully breathing is a wonderful way to care for yourself, and typically, when we mindfully take care of ourselves once, it becomes easier to implement the new pattern.

What motivates you?

Weather-56 & cloudy
Students-12, 10 mat, 2 chair
Organization-WAPD Chaplains
Money raised-$49

What goes around, comes around.  It's a basic truth of life.  We learn it on the playground, we learn it from our parents, we learn it from the Universe through trial and error.  

If you're anything like me, it's a lot easier to see other peoples karma than your own.

For most of my life, I thought of karma as something that happened to people, not really something anyone could control.  I also thought of "karma" in terms of my relationship with others, not with myself.  I had almost zero regard for my health and well-being, but wanted everyone else around me to. I found myself stuck in the same, depressing patterns, wondering why no one was interested enough in coming to help me out of my misery.  Wondering what I had to do to get a little help around here.....

Weather-62 & cloudy
Students-10, 8 mat, 2 chair
Organization-WA Christmas Parade
​Money Raised-$13

Week One....DONE :)
​As with any process, the way that I plan my classes has slowly evolved over the years.  I used to sit with pen and paper, writing down my sequence and keeping notes with me so I could refer to them throughout the class.  Soon, I stopped needing my notes, and would often change what I had planned anyway :)   After that, I started meditating before my classes.  For me, the quiet side of yoga has always been HARD! Having something to focus on while doing it, instead of just trying to force my mind to be quiet, has always been helpful for me.  I bring my attention and focus to who will be attending, what they might need, and plan accordingly.  :) 

That process has had to go out the window for these classes!  I never how many people will be there.  I have to be prepared to teach a wide variety of ages and skill levels, including helping people modify for limitations  Before yoga, I would have been thrown by so many unknown variables. Now, I've learned to embrace the challenge.  

​Yoga helps you find steadiness in your breath and in your body, which translates into steadiness in life xoxo

Week One Totals-
$222.50 raised
87! Students 
Organizations-WAWM Healthy Lifestyle Coalition, CAAD, WISH, Sodexo Backpack, Community Based Transition, Survive Alive House, Cat Network

Day 7 
Weather-68 Sunny
Students 13, 12 mat, 1 chair
Organization-Cat Network 
Money Raised-$31

*Yesterday I posted that this years attendance has already doubled from last year. That turned out to be a little overzealous (numbers are not my strong suit) :)  16 percent is the actual number....that's still pretty amazing to me. Even more impressive is the growing number of people dedicated to being there everyday.

23 more classes to go...it's not too late!!!

Weather- 65 & Rainy (indoors)
Students- 15, 13 mat, 2 chair
Organization- Survive Alive House
Money Raised- $27

Slow down, you move too fast....
There is something special about an early morning outdoor yoga class.  Connecting to nature for extended periods of time, especially when you are moving mindfully with your breath, is one of the most healing things you can do.  

I recently found last years' class description.  I'll post it now, because it hasn't changed :D

First, we sit and breathe in the sunshine.
Then, we move and breathe, but only as much as our bodies want to (slow sun salutations, standing poses, stretching)
Finally, we lay down and breathe in the sunshine.

Come join the growing number of people committed to being there over and over again!!

Weather 65 & Sunny
Students 8, 7 mat 1 chair
Organization: Community Based Transition
Money Raised $24

Sending LOVE to the Universe, one class at a time xoxo

The answer is always yes.  You should go to yoga.  Even if "going to yoga" is "resting in childs pose for an hour", I encourage you to take time to take care of yourself, each and every day.

The other day I posted two quotes from my website.  Today, I offer two more.
Again, these are words I live by, words I aspire to, words that remind me of why I fell in love with yoga in the first place.  I hope they inspire you, too <3

"May we uplift and elevate all those we come in contact with"-Kia Miller

i take these words seriously.  They are often the words that one of my favorite teachers ends her classes with.  Kia Miller is such a role model to me, spreading her light and love wherever she goes. She inspires, encourages and makes the crazy world of Kundalini Yoga accessible.  kia taught me to believe in myself, and I hope I help you do the same!  

The second quote is from me.  Yep.  A little shameless self-promoting here :D

"Thank you for taking the time to take care of yourself"-Susie Melott
 
From almost the first time I took my place in front of students, these were the words that I ended each class with.  They kept coming back to me.  Thank you for taking the time to take care of yourself.  From years of experience, I know it's easier to stay home and eat cookies.  I know there is often something else to do, somewhere else to be.  Choosing to show up on your mat, taking the time to improve your mood, flexibility and breath control is the stuff that world peace is made of.  Seriously.  Creating ease and peace in your body creates ease and peace in your life.  

It's the ripple effect :) 

   <3 What goes around comes around.....spread love, starting with yourself <3