Cheryl Thomas Yoga Newsletter 2/12/12

Cheryl Thomas, RYT
www.cherylthomas.com
yoga@cherylthomas.com
415-308-3377

You are Perfect

You're Amazing

You are Perfect with a capital P. You are Smart and Strong. You are Glorious just the way you are. Do not change a thing, not one hair.

Has anyone told you these things lately? Was your first reaction to reading this "No, I'm not" with a bit of a gasp? I know you can find scads of reasons why you're this or that. You don't have to look very far from your local newsstand to see how quite inadequate you are (hi Cosmo, Shape). For some, you need only check in with your Mom or partner or boss. It always seems someone, maybe close to you, volunteers more, meditates longer, runs farther, or grows greener kale.

But, seriously. We only feel the way we do about ourselves by what we or others tell us. Suppose you love to sing. There is no better joy than to blast out "Like a Virgin" or some Streisand ballad to put a smile on your face and a swing in your booty. Then, someone (often yourself) rains on your parade with "Ugh! You sound terrible" and smirks or laughs or leaves. This self or outer criticism goes on and on and on throughout our lives. Yes, we can blame our parents, teachers and the media, but we do a lot of it to ourselves.

Most importantly, you are human with all the quirky tendencies and unavoidable foibles, Milk spills. Dings happen. Wrinkles appear. Deadlines pass. Please be super easy on yourself. And while you're at it, give a big toothy smile to the checker at Whole Foods. Dang if she doesn't give you the same back.

Try this: For a day, just a day pretend you are the most awesome You possible--just the way you are. You're caring, compassionate, capable and strong. You fulfill your commitments and and have plenty of time to call your Mom. Life is just as it should be and so are you--perfect. Are you smiling? I hope so. Enjoy your perfect day.

Did you want to read some of my past columns? You can right here.

Bravo Yoga Journal Magazine

Think what you want about Yoga Journal Magazine. Too many photos of Kathryn Budig with just her socks on? Check out the March issue. Yep, that's her. Sonoma County's own Anne O'Brien, looking beautiful in her Ubhaya Padangustasana. Why not send Anne a note saying "Congratulations, Anne!" or Yoga Journal telling them "Thank you for putting inspiring women like Anne on your cover". Or, better yet, buy the issue and send the message that not only 20-somethings sell magazines."

Yoga Cats

Are you a cat lover? Who isn't (well, lots of people). They're adorable sacks of hair with sharp nails and teeth. A crude sense of humor they have. They bug you then ignore you. Beg for caresses, then swat you down. Check out a few of these fun videos here, here and here. They came from YogaDork's greatest of 2011.

Restorative Yoga

I love the response of students to their first or second or hundredth restorative yoga experience. It's the moment when their nervous system shifts from "yikes!" to "ahhhhhh." They leave with relaxed shoulders and brightened attitude.

It's easy to forget that the body knows exactly what to do. The relaxation response is a built in function of our amazing central nervous system. We just have to let relaxation happen. I know, it seems impossible sometimes. Thus, the popularity of restorative yoga where we learn to put the body in positions and let it do it's thing.

In these workshops you will be allowed to relax and let go while your body is supported with bolsters and blankets and lots more. We will do a bit of movement, chat about stress and the relaxation response and then spend 90 minutes in positions that we will hold for 15 to 20 minutes. This practice is for everyone. Go ahead and put the dates on your calendar now so you won't forget. And, while you're at it, invite a friend.

Sunday, February 19, 2012**

3:30 - 5:45 p.m.

BodyWorks in Petaluma

**The third Sunday of each month

March 18, April 22 (4th Sunday)

Private Yoga Classes

There are lots of reasons why going to a public yoga class is not always right for you. Maybe the class times are wrong or the location is inconvenient. Maybe you're new to yoga and feel intimidated by a public class or you have an injury or condition that requires some individual attention. Private or small group classes at your location at your chosen time can be the perfect answer.

It's fun to get friends together. Treat your friends to Yoga and Tea rather than Food and Booze. Inviting friends to come together for a Gentle or Restorative Yoga class is a perfect way to enjoy each other's company and do something good for yourselves. Many yoga parties end with tea or champagne and some munchies. Your friends will thank you!

Please call on me if I can help you book a private yoga class or answer any questions. I can be reached at cheryl@cherylthomas.com.

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Schedule of Upcoming Classes

Week of February 12, 2012

Monday

9:15 - 10:45 (Ann Austin's Class)

Yoga Studio Ganesha

Intermediate

5:30 - 7:00 (Ann Austin's Class)

Yoga Studio Ganesha

All Level

7:30 - 8:30

Westside Yoga Studio

Restorative Yoga

Tuesday

9:15 - 10:45 (Ann Austin's Class)

Yoga Studio Ganesha

Beginning

11:30 - 1:00 (Mirka Kraftsow's class)

Westside Yoga Studio

Gentle Yoga - Level II

6:00 - 7:30 p.m. (Mirka Kraftsow's class)

Westside Yoga Studio

Gentle Yoga - Level I

Wednesday

9:15 - 10:45 (Ann Austin's Class)

Yoga Studio Ganesha

Intermediate

5:30 - 6:55 p.m.

Yoga Studio Ganesha, Sebastopol

Vinyasa Flow + Restorative - All

Thursday

8:45 - 9:45 a.m.

Graton Community Club, Graton

Gentle Flow - All Level

11:30 - 1:00 (Mirka Kraftsow's class)

Westside Yoga Studio

Gentle Yoga - Level I

6:00 - 7:30 p.m. (Mirka Kraftsow's class)

Westside Yoga Studio

Gentle Yoga - Level II

Friday

9:15 - 10:45 (Ann Austin's Class)

Yoga Studio Ganesha

Intermediate

Week of February 19, 2012

11:30 - 1:00 (Mirka Kraftsow's class)

Westside Yoga Studio

Gentle Yoga - Level I

Yoga Studios

Anjenaya Yoga Studio: http://www.anjenaya.com/Anjenaya/YOGA_IN_OCCIDENTAL.html

Yoga on Center: www.yogaoncenter.com

Yoga Studio Ganesha: www.yogastudioganesha.com

Westside Yoga Studio: www.westsideyogastudio.net

Body Works Yoga: www.bodyworksyoga.com

Graton's Got Yoga: www.yogaingraton.com

Sonoma Community: www.yogacommunity.net

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In This Issue

You're Amazing

Yoga Cats

Restorative Yoga !

Private Yoga

Bulletin Board

Bulletin Board

Want to Join me for Yoga?Now's your Chance

Check it out....I'm always honored to be subbing for Ann Austin and Mirka Kraftsow. Check my schedule for dates and times. Thank you, Ann and Mirka, for entrusting your students to me. We promise to be good.

Westside Gets It. Westside Yoga Studio in Sebastopol gets the importance of balancing the active class with restful, rejuvenating restorative classes. Find me there on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. for an hour of laying around. Please come, your nervous system will thank you.

North Bay Yogies Unite

Want to connect with your North Bay yoga community. Here's two chances: http://northbayyoga.

blogspot.com/ and North Bay Yoga Happenings newsletter. To sign up, click here.

Work Hard then Rest Hard.

My Wednesday night class is the perfect combo of a 60 minutes of flow and 30 minutes of restorative yoga. How sweet it is!

Graton Yogis Info:

Did you know your class pass (get these from your instructor) are good for any class in our YogaInGraton family. We make it easy to go to any or all of our five classes offered per week.

We Gratonite Yogis have a place to call our own. It's www.

yogaingraton.com. There is information about current and new yoga classes offered in Graton. Don't live in Graton? No problem. We want you to come anyway.

"Not to have what we want is stressful; to have what we do not want is stressful." Buddha