Yoga...In a Word!

September is National Yoga Month. That means creating awareness of yoga and trying to get people off the couch and onto the mat!

In honor of the celebration of our favorite thing...YOGA...our Jade Apple Teachers & Sevas each spent time contemplating what yoga is to them, in just a word.

It is often the simplest ideas that are the most meaningful. To take all the reasons and rewards we each receive in yoga and boil it down to one word can take on a profound exploration for the core of yoga.

These words are delightful to contemplate. Come on by the studio over the next few weeks and see some of these words pop up around the space.


Observer
Intuition
Stillness
Internal
Bright
Love
Open
Connected
Peaceful
Zerplactic
Integrated
Stillness
Balanced
Flexible
Serene
Effervescent
Complete
Grounded
Humbled
Strong
Alive
support
Freedom
Joy
Understanding
Awakened
Happy
Still
Light
Evolving
Harmonious

I'd love to hear what words resonate with you?

:)

Babies on Board!

We have so many beautiful & kind students in our community, it's always a joy to see the smiling faces, open hearts and divine light shining through everyone. But some of our most adorable students come to one class in particular - Me n' Mommy Yoga on Fridays!

It is such a joy to see the tiny humans who come in with their parents on Friday mornings. The big, expressive eyes - filled with wonder and newness - remind us all what a miraculous experience it is to be NEW.

These tiny babies; with the small fingers, the intoxicating baby scent & their tiny little socks remind us of the possibilities life has to offer. A newborn baby has so much to learn, experience & seek during their lifetime. Those of us who have reached adulthood often forget the joys of learning something brand new. We don't remember what life was like before words, before money, before responsibility. The freedom we once had to start with a clean slate, getting to make choices and form ourselves as human beings is easily forgotten when we are adults.

But babies can remind us that we do still always have choices. We can always make the choice to be new, to look at life through the eyes of a newborn - experiencing everything with curiosity and fun - having high hopes and low expectations. This outlook will help us to find the joy in simple things.

Thanks to the babies for choosing to practice yoga. They leave that new energy and remind us all of the possibilities yet to come.

Go baby, go!

If Nothing Changed, There'd Be No Butterflies!

There's a small plaque in the office with this wonderful phrase on it. The metaphorphosis of the caterpillar into butterfly is such a beautiful, powerful image that many of us can relate to for all kinds of transformation.

When we are in the cocoon, it can be a dark & uncertain place. We are looking inward, working on ourselves - really experiencing change. The caterpillar knows when it's time to create the cocoon, but she has no idea what the final outcome will be. She uses her instinct and trusts in the universe.

Sometimes, we get scared. We know things are changing, but we have no idea what awaits us on the other side of the change. If you are afraid...if things are up in the air...if your world is becoming almost unrecognizable...acknowledge to yourself that you may be in the midst of a transformation.

And then remember the butterfly. It's beautiful colors, expansive wings & breathtaking beauty.

Let yourself work through your transformation, trusting the universe, knowing that soon you will spread your wings and embrace your new self.

reVITALize yourself!

The definition of the word VITAL is, "existing as a manifestation of life".

Those of us on the path of yoga, come to find an awareness and a connection deep within ourselves that becomes a vital part of our lives. Yoga becomes like food or water - something vital to our experience on this earth!

Some of us are away from yoga for a period of time, or we have strayed from our regular practice. Coming back to that practice will bring new life to our bodies, minds & spirits. A revitalization occurs when we connect to the divine that resides within.

Doesn't that sound good? Meet yourself at your mat today, and discover your own neccesity for life - the vital need of a yoga practice.

Go ahead...Do NOTHING!

Work. School. Dating. Exercise. Family.

We all have more things to do than we can actually get done at any given time in our very busy lives. And most of us forget to do one very important thing - Nothing.

Do nothing, otherwise known as relaxation, can be a crucial aspect to our sanity and our health. Rarely do we remember to take the time to just sit, whether it be in a hip opening yoga posture or just in a chair.

Yoga gives us a chance to practice the art of doing nothing. When we practice our asana, physical yoga, we put ourselves in poses that will take us down the path of being present. In the present, we don't have to do anything. We can just be.

As the saying goes, we are human beings...not human doings.

Come on in for a class, or just find a quiet space and take a little time to do nothing. The benefits will be vast and plentiful.

Building Confidence Through Yoga!

Shorts....Tank Tops....Yellow Polka Dot Bikinis....Summertime can leave us feeling less than confident about our physical selves.

Through yoga, we can build our own self confidence. Practicing strength in poses helps us build the confidence we need to find our fullest expression. Rooting our energy, grounding and extending, engaging in muscle energy - these physical aspects can inspire an inner bliss and empowerment.

Finding your confidence comes from within. Having sculpted abs or really tan and buff arms may make your summer wardrobe look good and will make you feel good about your physical self - but feeling a deep sense of true ownership for your life and embracing exactly who, what and where you are in this moment - that is true confidence.

DAYS OF SUMMER ARE HERE!!!

It is that time again...Summertime!

We celebrated the summer solstice here at the studio on Tuesday with 54 Sun Salutations in Karen's 4:30 class. The students were all incredible with their focus, dedication and perseverance. It was an impressive feat for us all - and was a beautiful way to kick summer into gear. It brought every students attention to their body. Summer is the perfect time to pay attention!

Summertime means bright colors, warm weather, more daylight. People buzz with energy and our bodies crave movement. Yoga is the perfect balance of physical exertion and mental centeredness. It is easy to get distracted and tired by the heat of the season. Yoga helps restore balance and provides mental clarity.

Incredible author and teacher, Christina Sell, talks about paying attention to the body and says, "In the practice of yoga we develop a set of communication skills that deepen our ability to pay attention - to speak, to listen and to respond to the sensations of the body. This practice of communicating with the body and the mind, creating union, or "yoga".

Let's all make the commitment to pay attention to the body this summer. We can do that by enjoying a day at the beach, an evening stroll, a summer concert in the park, an afternoon in the pool, and by practicing yoga. Deepening our commitment to our own personal yoga practice will create the union and make us whole.

Summer gives us opportunities, unending...