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Cheryl Thomas, RYT
www.cherylthomas.com yoga@cherylthomas.com 415-308-3377 |
Mat Etiquette*
I did a spate of articles about mats and props last year. If you're interested, they're here, here, here, and here. I thought it was time to give the mat conversation(s) a much needed, juicy savasana. Then, in one of Ann Austin's always awesome class, a fellow yogini suggested to me that I roll my mat incorrectly. Well, I'll be. This spawned some conversation about mat rolling and general mat "etiquette". So here goes.(1)
Wet Mats - Do not roll your mat if it is damp, dewy or wet. It gets stinky and gross really fast. (Did anyone notice that the Westside Yoga Studio's note singling out the Mysore folks?) Yes, if you're using public mats at a studio, be thoughtful and either leave them out to dry or wipe them off. Better yet, bring your own.
Mat Rolling - I roll with the top side of my mat facing up. This keeps the surface of my mat off the floor, which I think is preferable (not that it makes much difference, since my feet have been on the floor, then on my mat). My sturdy and not-too-heavy Manduka Lite has two sides, so figuring out the "top" is easy. Most mats now have tags or labels indicating the up side. There is a whole other group of "rollers" who turn their mats over and roll with the bottom topside. This smartly manages the curve of the mat when you unroll it and keeps the ends from curling. OK, two camps.
Feet on Your Own Mat - It's considered impolite to step on another's mat. Some people think this is being a bit anal, but try to be considerate. When you are doing poses with a partner, it doesn't hurt to ask "may I use your mat?" Avoiding your classmates mat is often impractical. In crowded mat-to-mat workshops, the teacher invariable says "gather around". It's almost impossible to tiptoe and squat with your notebook without landing a toe or heel on someone's mat. And, as a teacher, it's unavoidable.
Keep your Sweat to Yourself - I recall talented yogini, Carol King, and I having a laugh when sharing our experiences about packed sweaty Anna Forrest and Rusty Wells classes. These teachers attract strong students and pack 'em in. You have personal space of about 5 inches on all sides of your mat. If you're a heavy sweater, try to avoid dripping on your neighbor's mat in uttitha padangustasana b or any other pose where you're overhanging onto the next mat. A towel to wipe around your mat during and after class would be nice. Of course, if you're in a Bikram class, you have carpet and pad to soak up the body fluid (uh, ewwwy)(2)
Did I miss anything? Is there anything else to be said about a simple yoga mat? Please let me know. There's nothing like working a topic to death.
(1) In case you're curious, all of this is my opinion. Some of it I make up, read about or hear first, second or third hand. I avoid lying, cheating or gossiping, at least most of the time.
(2) I'm sure many Bikram studio owners keep their carpets clean, but still.
*This article is from last year. I've updated and reworked it, eventually (maybe) working out the typos, misspeaks and the like.
Want to read some of my previous articles? You can do it here. Enjoy.
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Did You Know?
Heh, Sebastopol. This week I'm at Westside Yoga Studio subbing for Collin on Monday night at 6:00. Hope to see you!
Tassajara in July anyone? I'll be assisting Britt Fohrman at her retreat, Listening to the Voice of your Body, A Gentle Yoga and Zen Retreat July 10-14. See below for info.
Let the summer specials begin!! New students to Westside Yoga pay $100 for 10 classes. Get 15 free days at MyYogaWorks (online classes). YogaOne Petaluma has 30 days for $49 for new students. You and a friend can share a 1 month membership for $110 at Post Wellness by Design. Whew, I need to exhale! That's a lot of cheap yoga classes. Take advantage while you can.
International singer, Jai Uttal, is coming to Sebatopol, bringing his kirtan passion on July 18 at the Dhyana Center. I've got my tickets. Get yours at Milk & Honey in Sebastopol.
Are you a Trance Dancer? Halli Bourne, Certified Yoga Trance Dance Teacher, will be at YogaOne Petaluma on September 20. Sign up here.
Have PD or know someone who does? Parkinson's Disease can be greatly helped with yoga. Sebastopol's own Stephanie Lawrence is offering a class for those with PD at Yoga Center of Marin on Wednesdays from 12:30 - 2:00.
You heard it here. YogaOne in Petaluma is expanding to Santa Rosa in August. Heh, Santa Rosa! Located on Mendocino Avenue near College, Yoga One will offer a variety of classes all day long. I'll be on the schedule, yes me! I'll be offering two classes on Tuesday and Thursday around the noon hour). What a line-up! Ann Austin and Beth Robert will be on the schedule also. We're excited about offering yoga in Santa Rosa. More to come, of course.
Aren't we lucky! At Alive Yoga in Sebastopol is revered instructor, Tony Briggs. Alive Yoga is Liz Levy's (rhymes with Chevy) studio a bit south of town in the center by Starbucks. He's there on Mondays from 9:30 - 11:00. See you there!
Pinch me. Not only do we have Mr. Briggs in town, but the much loved, Anne O'Brien, is starting 2 classes at Westside Yoga Studio in Sebastool. Find her there on Wednesdays 9:15 and 11:00.
Ann Austin is back and rockin' her challenging and inspiring classes at Move2Change at the Barlow (behind to Guayaki). Find out about all the classes and offering at M2C here.
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.
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 Gentle Yoga & Zen Retreat - July 10-14 I have always wanted to go the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. It was founded by Shunryu Suzuki, the Japanese Buddhist priest who founded the San Francisco Zen Center, it is a place for western students to study Zen in a monastic setting. The monastery is open to guests from April to September. The setting is magical with hiking, hot springs and pool and vegetarian meals.
Imagine my excitement when the fellow restorative yoga instructor, Britt Fohrman, asked me to assist her at her Listening to the Voice of Your Body: A Gentle Yoga and Zen Retreat (thanks, Britt!). I'm getting relaxed just thinking about it. There are still a couple of spots open if you want to join us.
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 Lean In To Yourself Do you know Karen Gifford? If you're a regular at Thrive Yoga, you've seen her. Maybe you know her husband, Raj. Maybe you saw them both at our table at last year's Ceres fundraiser. She's co -founder of Broad Ventures Leadership with the "goal of supporting women to become exceptional forces of political, economic and spiritual transformation".Karen has written a smart article in the Huffington Post that I know you will appreciate, entitled Lean In To Yourself. Following the success of Cheryl Sandberg's book, Lean In, Karen brilliantly makes a compelling case for meditation and getting ahead. Read and share it. |
The F-Word and Other Profanities
The brilliant and I assume somewhat twisted, Dan Piraro, founder of the comic, Bizarro, gives his take on the F-Word and other profanities (Thanks, Barb, for the link!). Here's a bit:
"Clearly, it isn't the idea behind the word or the context in which it is used--we can see that with the innumerable ways people use the F-word, without it having anything to do with copulation. It isn't what it means, in fact, it is completely socially acceptable to use any other word that refers to the act of sex without offending anyone. Clearly, it is the F-word in and of itself that holds some kind of spell over us."
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 Intense Core
YogaWorks has online yoga classes. Find them at myyogaworks.com (15 days free right now). Yikes, check out this "advanced" core series. The first words out of Jesse Schein's mouth are "I'm not going to sugar coat this. This is a very challenging core sequence." No bull. Speaking for almost 20 minutes while doing some serious core work, the yogini barely broke a sweat. It's Impressive. You've been warned. It's here.
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Volunteering Helps Older Adults
They really didn't have to tell us this, but it's nice to hear it again. Doing good for others is healthy for you, them, everyone. It's a win-win for all. Science Daily just reported on a study with the headline, "Volunteering Reduces Risk of Hypertension in Older Adults".
With hypertension or high blood pressure being the leading cause of death in the US, this study shows that older adults who volunteer for at least 200 hours per year decrease their risk of hypertension by 40 percent. Oh, sorry Big Pharma. Read the entire article here. |
Daily Dharma - Tricycle Magazine
June 21, 2013
While There's Still Time
Stop fighting with your family members, spouse, or friends. Start appreciating. Enjoy each other. Stop looking at the other's faults. Start to appreciate each other's qualities. Life is short. Even if you live one hundred years, how long will you live with all your faculties intact? The period we have to appreciate each other is quite limited.
- Gehlek Rimpoche, "An Interview with Gehlek Rimpoche"
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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 once a month at 5:30 - 7:00 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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Week of June 30, 2013
Sunday
9:30- 11:00 a.m.
Yoga One, Petaluma
Hatha Flow - All Levels
Monday (Collin Thuss's class)
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Westside Yoga Studio
Level 1-2
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