|
|
Cheryl Thomas, RYT
www.cherylthomas.com yoga@cherylthomas.com 415-308-3377 |
There are many ways to while away the hours browsing through the eye-catching, jaw-dropping sites like ThisIsColossal. Or, there's Mr. Kottke, (www.kottke.org) who trolls for us and brings us just the ripest, "have you seen this?" posts. Somewhat like Huffington Post for aggregate news junkies, there are sites just for us yoga types. The articles have eye-catching, flirtatious titles and generic photos, like the ones I get off of Google Images.
There are ads, of course. All of these sites have been monetized, just like, well, everything, everywhere. You can find pitches for yoga retreats, festivals and the like. There are celebrities like buff and tattooed Adam Levine on YogaDork's splash page. There are blogs, yoga news, on-line classes, and general health and wellness.
Here are a few I'm familiar with.
Elephant Journal.
Elephant Journal was one of the first. I remember when it was a print magazine, somewhat like Common Ground. Out of Boulder, founder Waylon Lewis, tells how he struggled trying to make a living with the magazine before becoming web-based. Their "mission statement" is: "Elephantjournaldotcom is your guide to what we like to call 'the mindful life': yoga, organics, sustainability, genuine spirituality, conscious consumerism, fair fashion, the contemplative arts...anything that helps us to live a good life that also happens to be good for others, and our planet."
A few of their articles today are "5 Ways to Get Old..... Fast", "How Yoga Cured my Coffee Addiction", "How Many Bunnies Did You Torture This Morning?", "Why Everyone Should Get Divorced Before Marriage" and "Make Your Body Your Temple, Your Asana Your Ritual, Your Breath Your Prayer."
YogaDork.
I only became familiar with YogaDork during the John Friend, Anusara, scandal. They offer YogaDork Ed, featuring articles like "Ankle Pain, Twists and Sprains--Try These Wheelies", by Jill Miller (with accompanying video), and "Lost in Translation: Adho Mukha Svasana". A "feline expert" attempts to show his cats joining in his yoga practice (at 5:16 on the video) . It's not related to anything, but if you're a cat lover, you'll enjoy it.
Under their News headline, they offer such enticing links as "Yogopinions", "Yogi Quotes", "Public Display of Yoga", and "Celebriyogis". Also find "The Comfort and Sexualization of Yoga Pants", "Does Your Inner Child Need a Time Out?", and "Dance Party Yoga Gone Wrong". There's more. How much time do you have?
Yoganonymous.
Not as developed as Elephant or YogaDork, there's Yoganonymous. They found their way to my in-box and I gave them a look. With the same look/feel as the others, it seems heavier on yoga events, like travel and festivals. Gaiam.TV has joined them and you can take a class right from your computer (for a fee). Their stated mission is: "The YOGANONYMOUS mission is to provide the most legit resources for the modern day yoga practitioner...and we're not just talking about lavender oil and granola here folks. Information on your favorite teachers, workshops, retreats, and events. New music, free downloadable playlists, and concert information. Hip new clothing, free giveaways, and tons more; the sky is the limit."
Find enticing lists like, "13 Excuses for Not Practicing Yoga and Why They Won't Fly" and "6 Ways to Tell if Your Favorite Celebri-Yogi Teacher Can Actually Teach". There is yoga practice info like "Conquering Fear Through Halasana (Plow Pose)" and a Video on "Strength Flexibility & Balance".
Take some time, but not too much, to browse some of these sites. It can be for information and education or just plain entertainment. Yoga is not all about whether to point or flex your feet in headstand. We can have fun, laugh at ourselves and others. Want to see? Check out the " Inappropriate Yoga Guy" here on Youtube. See you next week!
Want to read some of my previous articles? You can do it here. Enjoy.
|
Did You Know?
The Self-Massage/Restorative Yoga Gathering at Yoga on Center is being rescheduled. I'll let you know when we have a date.
FREE, really. At YogaU Online (yogaUOnline.com) download an audio of
Yoga for Women's Health - Learning to Adapt Your Yoga Practice to Different Phases of Life.
Start purging your Yoga clothes. Coming soon is a Yoga Clothing Swap in at Alive Yoga in Sebastopol. Starting setting aside your extra yoga mats, mat bags, tops and bottoms.
Ruth Bracken is starting an 8 week Intro to Yoga class at Alive Yoga Studio (Hi, Ruth!). Also find talented instructors, Liz Levy, Richard Koman, Cindy Sims and Beth Lambert at Alive.
Want to know more about Restorative Yoga? See below for 2 opportunities.
Find me at Solage in Calistoga every first Friday of the month from 11-1 with lots of other smart yogis as we enjoy a class with the popular, Anne O'Brien. After (or before) class you can hang out and enjoy the pool and amenities. By the way, she's got lots of great workshops coming up.
More Yoga.......Exciting hook-up in Petaluma. BodyWork (recently closed due to fire damage) is joining with Yoga by Design. Come to the open house on 3/23. Even more.....The Dhyana Center' Body Temple is open Check out the schedule at http://dhyanacenter.com/body-temple/body-temple-calendar/.
Get boat loads of yoga information and lots of free downloads from YogaU online. Really, tons. It's a great resource for teachers and students.
|
 Restorative Yoga Training
Want to know more about Restorative Yoga? Maybe you're a yoga teacher and are curious about the physiology of the relaxation response and how to modify the positions for your students. Maybe you're a student and think what we do is just "laying around".
Restorative yoga is showing up on lots of schedules at yoga studios and students are beginning to appreciate the time to rest and rejuvenate.
As part of the teacher training program at Yoga by Design, I'll be offering two trainings open to the public. That's you!
Saturday, April 13
1:00 - 4:00
Yoga by Design, Petaluma
Physiology of the Nervous System,
Set-up and Fine-tuning of Basic Poses, Modifications
$55
Saturday, April 20
1:00 - 4:00
Yoga by Design, Petaluma
Additional Poses, Modifications, Q&A
$55
This is perfect for everyone, especially yoga instructors or caregivers who want to know the hows and whys or offering Restorative Yoga.
Questions? Email me at cheryl@cherylthomas.com
|
|
Ashtanga Yoga Confluence 2013, Panel Discussion- The Legacy of Sri K Pattabhi Jois | Changes
|
Ashtanga Confluence
I did not attend the Ashtanga Confluence in San Diego this year, But, thankfully, the beginning puja and panel discussion were "unofficially" recorded. Enjoy the section entitled "The Legacy of Sri K Patthabi Jois. Miller and Williams are a hoot.
|
Daily Dharma - Tricycle Magazine
March 15, 2013
Keep Your Balance
Just as a person mired in quicksand cannot help another until he has himself reached firm ground, our ability to help others depends chiefly on keeping our own balance.
- Andrew Olendzki, "Keep Your Balance"
|
Be Happy on Friday's
Instead of shots of tequila and fried artichoke hearts, spend your Friday happy hour moving and grooving at an
most-levels vinyasa flow class.
On Friday's from 4:30 - 6:00, we'll end each week with an energetic vinyasa flow class. Through building heat from the inside, we'll strip out the stress hormones from the day. A long rest at the end of class will reset our nervous system and prepare us for our weekend.
You'll be done at 6:00!! That'll leave plenty of time for dinner with friends, a movie or a relaxing evening with your pooch. Or, maybe a Chia filled Kombucha or that 100% agave margarita!
NOTE- Due to scheduled teacher training, the time will change to 5:30 once a month. Please see either my schedule or Westside's site.
|
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.
Every Monday
7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Westside Yoga, Sebastopol
|
|
Get Your Girlfriends Together
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.
|
Schedule of Upcoming Classes
|
| | | |
