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Cheryl Thomas, RYT
www.cherylthomas.com yoga@cherylthomas.com 415-308-3377 |
Yoga on the Water (again!)
I am lucky I did not fall in. You know when you've done something before, you get a bit cocky about it. Emboldened by the success and dryness of my first paddleboard yoga experience, I gave it a second try while in San Diego. As compared to Sausalito, I didn't have the trepidation about the weather. You know, it is San Diego. And, sure enough, the morning fog had burned off, the breeze was oh-so light and the sun was out.
Somewhat surprising, of my group of 10 other 20-30 somethings, I was the only one that had done yoga on a paddleboard. I expected a more experienced group given the locale. I was in my yoga clothes and the others in swimsuits, and that was fortunate for the one yogini who lost her balance and took a dip. That would have been a bad thing in Northern California, but in Mission Bay, she just climbed back on her board and continued.
What so special about paddleboard yoga?
1. You can take awesome photos and your non-yogi friends will be impressed with your tree-pose on the water! Actually, just telling people you do paddleboard yoga is enough.
2. When is the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone? And, I don't mean ordering a Pinot Grigio instead of your standard Sauv Blanc. It can be exciting and challenging at the same time, without risking your knees to the ski slopes or collarbones to cycling. The biggest downside is getting wet.
3. Yoga on the water (as well as outside) removes the four walls and the stable floor. You take something familiar (yoga in a safe, climate-controlled room) and take it outside with the surrounding weather, sounds, smells, and 360 degree view. Oh, and the floating floor.
4. Focus. There is no checking out your neighbor's triangle pose or contemplating on whether to join Match.com or eHarmony or how much weight you have to lose before your high school reunion. There is no room for error.
5. It puts an extra balance component in all your poses. Your movement is deliberate as you step your foot from downward dog to a low lunge. It is not just done willy-nilly. As you raise your right leg, you must transfer your left foot to mid-line and with control swing the right foot between the hands (or in that direction). The back knee is lowered slowly, always adjusting for balance.
Fortunately, my two tries at paddleboard yoga were done on pristine days and I stayed dry. What will the third time bring, I wonder. If you want to join me, we're putting together a group!
Want to read some of my previous articles? You can do it here. Enjoy.
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Did You Know?
Aren't we lucky! Coming to Alive Yoga in Sebastopol is revered instructor, Tony Briggs. Alive Yoga is Liz Levy's studio a bit south of town in the center by Starbucks. He'll be starting June 10 on Mondays from 9:30 - 11:00.
Jenay Martin, talented owner of Anjenaya Yoga Studio and creator of The Lotus Feed in Occidental is bringing well-known instructor, Sianna Sherman, to Taylor Made Farm for a farm to table brunch on Sunday, June 23! This is a perfect opportunity to do some great yoga on the yoga deck, enjoy a yummy meal and hang out with your yogi friends. More info and registration here. It's on my calendar.
YogaOne in Petaluma as a hard-to-pass-up New Student Special--30 days or $49--unlimited. There are lots of classes throughout the day.
The new community based movement studio, Move2Change is having its grand opening on June 1 from noon to dusk. Their FB page says there'sll be free classes, demonstrations, massage, performances, kids activities, food and beverages. There will be performances by teachers and students throughout the day. Sebastopol's loved Ashtangi, Ann Austin, is on the schedule, bringing her creative and fun teaching on M, T and F at 9 and W at 11. More news when their website is live. It'll be at The Barlow in Sebastopol in the previous Sebastopol Center for the Arts.
Our one-and-only, Iris Lambert, with her brand of Irie Yoga, and her talented daughter, Glory, are leading a retreat to the Xinalani Resort (Mexico) in December. Looks amazing. More info here.
A getaway closer to home, Jeanie Gartin, is offering a Yoga Camping Retreat on June 21st -23rd at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Hiking, eating organic gourmet meals will be part of the offering along with a specially designed yoga workshops for the retreat (one will be under the full moon and stars). How fun, Jeanie! Go to her website for details.
Yay, Guerneville has a yoga studio, Riverbed Yoga. Yes, a real one, props and all. You'll find Ashtangi, Richard Koman, and Cindy Sims on the schedule. Here's their beautiful website. And, my friend, Rachel Lanzerotti.will be offering Yoga for a Healthy Spine workshop on June 22. Jim and Gary love the Thurs. evening class which includes 30 minutes of yoga nidra.
Get boatloads of yoga information and lots of free downloads from yoga online. Really, tons. It's a great resource for teachers and students. There's one NOW, Free,
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Overly Connected Teens
From a 14-year old about social media:
"I'll wake up in the morning and go on Facebook just ... because," Casey says. "It's not like I want to or I don't. I just go on it. I'm, like, forced to. I don't know why. I need to. Facebook takes up my whole life."
This came from the always eye-opening, kottke.org. Read more here. |
 Yoga for Healthy Aging There's a lot of information on this blog from some experienced yogis, many with Phd after their names, including Baxter Bell andTimothy McCall. It's a site to bookmark and peruse often. Lots of great information. There's audio for relaxation and a recording of yoga nidra. What a great resource, I say!. Here it is: http://yogaforhealthyaging.blogspot.com/ |
Daily Dharma - Tricycle Magazine
May 23, 2013
Find the Feeling
You can spend a lot of energy being upset, or you can get with the program-it's that right effort thing-get the beauty of the way it is.
- Jeff Bridges, "The Natural"
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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: This class meets from 5:30 - 7:00 once a month due to teacher training. Check my calendar or Westside's.
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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.
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Schedule of Upcoming Classes
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