Cheryl Thomas, RYT

www.cherylthomas.com

yoga@cherylthomas.com

415-308-3377

Yoga Out The Door

You know I'm a big supporter of community and a promoter of yoga. Meeting together for a yoga class does both. Practicing together "in community" fulfills the needs of the body and the natural desire for connection.

I love practicing next to and with my friends and colleagues. They share my pain (er, sensation). They challenge me and inspire me and remind me to check my ego at the door. Practicing together is a bunch of different bodies doing the same thing differently. It's a beautiful thing.

In order to build and elaborate on this togetherness, I've started something called Yoga Out The Door. It will be for the purpose of continuing to spend time with our yoga buddies, but doing stuff "out" of our regular studios. We'll explore something new or interesting--together. Most likely these gatherings will involve some socializing afterward with munchies, tea, or wine.

Our first two events were super fun. Event Number 1 was Stand-Up Paddle Board Yoga in Richardson Bay, Sausalito. The day couldn't have been brighter or warmer and the water was divine. It's a new welcomed sensation to take savasana under the sun and then dip your fingers into the cool water. We came, we conquered and only one of us went in (hi, Carol!). Lunch together rounded out our experience.

Event Number 2 was yoga on the Labyrinth in the auspicious setting of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. Joined by 100+ yogies under the leadership of Darren Main, we moved in harmony with a diverse collection of seasoned, budding or first-time yogies. It was inspiring to OM together in such a sacred space. Dinner was Indian, cheap and bountiful at Shalimar.

Now comes Event Number 3. A relatively new form of movement (you can call it fitness) that involves rehydrating and activating the connective tissue or fascia. Need a refresher on fascia? Here's the Fuzz Speech by goofy guy, Gil Hedley. This movement is called M.E.L.T and uses a roller and/or balls to work into the fascia bringing hydration and movement. It's considered hands-off body work. The website says it's simple and easy (yay!).

M.E.L.T. trained instructor, Beth Richman, will lead us in a 90-minute class on Sunday, February 2 from 4:00 - 5:30 at Yoga Studio Ganesha in Sebastopol. I'm looking forward to unfuzzing my fascia! Of course, we'll hang out afterward for some "refreshments". Let me know if you want to join us, as we are limiting attendance.

I've got some ideas for future outings, like sharing a Rusty Wells class in San Francisco or taking an Ayurvedic cooking class. What about getting a group together for the new yoga exhibition at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum?

Have some suggestions for future Yoga Out the Door events? Let me know.

Want to read some of my previous articles? You can do it here. Enjoy.

Bulletin Board

I am out of town this week and all my classes will be subbed by amazing, inspiring teachers. See my schedule below for subs.

Yoga in Graton adds a gentle yoga class. Ashae

Snider will focus on self care and well-being through yoga postures, breath practices and relaxation techniques. It's Thursday 5:30-6:45 at Stone Creek Zen Center in Graton.

I'm thrilled to be back at Yoga on Center in Healdsburg. Tuesday and Thursday at Noon-- Gentle Yin/Restorative combo. Double Yum!

Molly and I are taking Kusuma's Ayurveda cooking class on Monday 2/3 at 9 a.m. This is hands-on original South Indian recipes and techniques for
cooking stemming from Ayurvedic and Yogic traditions. Want to join us? Get more info here.

Shy Sayer, Yoga Therapist and #1 Guru at YogaOne is having a 50-hr immersion on Tadasana & Standing Poses, Feb 1-March 2 at Yoga One Santa Rosa, Saturdays & Sundays, 12-5pm.

More of the Ann(e)s. Ann Austin is adding 2 classes at Westside Yoga Studio--Thurs and Sat at 9:15. Anne O'Brien is adding 3(!) classes at YogaOne, Petaluma--Tues/Thurs 7-8 a.m. and Thurs 9-10:15. Check all websites for details.

The San Francisco Asian Art Museum is presenting the world's first major exhibition exploring yoga, revealing the practice's 2,000-year history called Yoga: The Art of Transformation. Opens Feb 21 with an impressive list fun stuff like MC Yogi, Acro yoga demonstrations and yoga with Stephanie Snyder.

"Like any chemical reaction, when 2 things make contact, both are transformed", says Hediyeh Bell about her upcoming Flying Partner Yoga Class at Yoga on Center. It's 2/8 from 1-4. Note: Handstand practice VERY helpful and you don't need to bring a partner (yay!).

More partnering (it must be Valentine's month) with Amy Charnay and Jeannie Gartin as they present Aerial Partner Yoga on 2/1 3-5:15 at Devi Yoga Center. Space is limited.

My weekly schedule is below (scroll down or click here!). Or, you can always go to my website and click on the always up-to-date calendar to find where I might be.

Get boatloads of yoga information and lots of free downloads from YogaU Online. Really, tons. It's a great resource for teachers and students.

Effects of Sitting

I love the graphics and information about the hazards of sitting too much. The Health and Science section of the Washington Post tells us: "W

hat exactly goes wrong in our bodies when we park ourselves for nearly eight hours per day, the average for a U.S. adult? Many things, say four experts, who detailed a chain of problems from head to toe.

Foot Arch or Heel Pain

Living is a problem. With a life comes a "lifestyle" or those things we "do", like eating, walking and talking. Just like lumping over our computers (above), we squish our feet into shoes. Here comes problems. Many folks have had plantar fasciitis (yes, with two i's). There are some recommended stretches to help or prevent PF.

The above video suggests there is a type of plantar fasciitis that this podiatrist refers to plantar fasciosis. This diagnosis does involve inflammation, but tissue death from poor circulation. Find more about our toes and how to restore natural foot function. Lots of good stufff at his website.

Work Out in a Thermal Heat Capsule

Already in Holland, Germany, Switzerland and Argentina, the heated capsule workout is heading our way, no doubt.

"A new 'fitness spa' offers clients $125 classes in which they work out in glass pods that are heated at up to 98 degrees Fahrenheit. High-paced movement in the heated capsules, paired with a good amount of rest, gives participants a detoxifying sweat" says MailOnline.

Here's a video.

5 Happiness Mistakes Parents Make and How to Avoid Them

No doubt, I'm a fan of Dr. Christine Carter, creator of Raising Happiness, Science-Based Tips for Producivity, Success and Happiness. I started following her via The Greater Good. Anyway, she's got a FREE video guide and downloadable audio on Happiness Tips for Parents, like how your sex life can affect your kids' happiness. Really?

The above video is a sample. While you're at Raising Happiness and Greater Good, click around. There's aways something inspiring and enticing. Like today's inspiration: The Power of Empathy.

Daily Dharma - Tricycle Magazine

Jan 24, 2014

The Price of Dignity

Poverty still persists today because we have lost the moral perspective as the polestar of public policy. Instead we follow the law of the jungle, content to abandon the poor to their own devices, demanding that they marshal resources they simply do not possess. And the reason we have moved in this direction, drifting away from the high ideals of the Great Society era, is because the vision and values of corporate capitalism have gained ascendency over those of human solidarity and mutual responsibility. To eliminate poverty, this trend must be reversed. The individualistic vision must give way to one that stresses our essential unity; competition must be balanced by mutual assistance and respect.

- Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi, "The Price of Dignity"

Don't be Miserable on Fridays!

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!

S
Schedule of Upcoming Classes

Click here to jump to my calendar

Week of January 26, 2014

Tuesday (Subbed by Nancy Gaedon)

Noon - 1:00

Yoga on Center, Healdsburg

Gentle Yoga

Thursday (Subbed by Ashae Snider)
8:45 - 9:45

Week of February 2, 2014

Monday

8:00 - 9:00

Private, Sebastopol

Tuesday

Noon - 1:00

Yoga on Center, Healdsburg

Gentle Yoga

Thursday

8:45 - 9:45 a.m.

Graton Community Club, Graton

Gentle Flow - All Levels

Noon - 1:00

Yoga on Center, Healdsburg

Gentle Yoga

Friday

4:30 - 6:00

Westside Yoga Studio

Happy Hour Vinyasa

In This Issue

Yoga Out The Door

Did you Know?

Effects of Sitting

Arch or Heel Pain

Work Out in a Termal Heat Capsule

5 Happiness Tips

Daily Dharma

Happy Hour Vinyasa

Week of January 26

Week of February 2

Bulletin Board

Graton Yogis Info:

New Class: Ashae starts a gentle yoga class on Thursday at 5:30 at the Stone Creek Zen Center.

Did you know your class pass (get these from your instructor) are accepted by all yoga teachers at Yoga in Graton?

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.

You cannot be lost if you don't care where you are.

Judith Lasater

When people ask me what equipment I use, I tell them my eyes.

Ansel Adams

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

Dalai Lama: "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."

"Everything will be alright in the end. And if it is not alright, it's not yet the end!" The Magnolia Hotel movie

If your Food can go bad, it's good for you. If it can't go bad, it's bad for you. Originally pinned by Michael Leaming, Ed.D. onto Fitness, Nutrition & Wellness