Yoga related updates (what else would you expect?)

Hi internet land!

How has your week been? Things are good her in Georgia. The weather is changing and fall is really upon us. I love Fall!

Some updates:

I received my new Jade Harmony Travel Yoga Mat! I won it by entering a Yoga Joke Contest.

My joke was: Why couldn't the yogi vaccum his carpet? He lost all his attachments!

Silly I know but it got a few laughs and I ended up with a brand new nice lovely mat. I mean for a yogi a new mat is exciting!

I've had my previous Jade mat for about 3 years. I was told by a good friend that the quality was great. She was right. It is the ONLY mat that takes the ware and tear of an Ashtanga/Vinyasa practice (for me anyway)

Here we are:

Also, tomorrow evening from 7-9:30 is the Grand Opening of Lotus Yoga & Meditation.

The only yoga & meditation in Newnan...and in the surrounding area to my knowledge.

It is a cute place with great charm. I will be teaching a few beginner vinyasa classes.

There are 3 other yoga teachers and I hope the community embraces the center!

Check out the cute cute website: http://www.lotusnewnan.com/

Okay- I am off my lunch break now. Back to work.

This weeks practice so far...

So we are journaling our daily yoga/meditation practice. Thought I would just share some notes here. This wont be a daily post. Just a starting point to reference.
Just some notes from my practice this week:

Monday:
Asana 30 min
Did a varied vinyasa pracitce incorporating Sun Salutes (low lunge) with vinyasa in between. Also working in Shalabasana.
Trikonasana and Parvritta Trikonasana.
Utkatasana into Squatting
Dandasana
Pashimottanasana twice for low back pain
Janu A
Pigeon on both sides
5 min. sivasana

10 Min Seated meditation counting the breaths

Tuesday: Took my 1 day off for this week (too busy with work)

Wednesday:
Asana 45 min
Seated Neck rools
Cat/Cow
Down Dog with kapalabhati breathing
3 Sun Salutes - 1 moving into Prayer Twist (Parsvakonasana)
In between sun salutes I did a vinysasa incoporating Shalabasana (this is my assigned pose)
Squat 6 breaths
Trikonasana
Parivritta Trikonasana
Vrikasana (Tree)
Vinyasa into Bow 2 times
Paschimottansana (forward fold)
Janu A
Ardha Matsyendrasana
Gomukasana to Navasana
Urdhva Dahnuransana 3 times
Forward fold then Baddhakonasna
Shoulder Stand
I worked on Sirsasana and Pincha

Meditation 10 min. mediation in easy sitting pose counting breaths from 50 to 1.

Notes from today: Upper back was very tight and tense. Did not allow for me to move into Plow Pose. Forward folds were rough.

Yoga Teacher Training- Weekend 1

Well this weekend was the 1st weekend of the 9 month Yoga Teacher Training in Asheville.
It was...well amazing. I could go into detail about each workshop and everything that took place; but I seriously doubt any of my descriptions would really portray how truly amazing the whole weekend was.

The weather was cold but not so harsh you couldn't enjoy how beautiful Ahseville was. I had a really awesome roommate- who I believe I will be rooming with for the remainder of the training.
There were several asana clinics and I learned a lot about yin, anatomy, adjustments, & 8 limbs of yoga according to Patanjali. We did a lot of seated meditation as well as journaling about the meditations.

We went over our papers and reports that are due during the training. The reading list is endless. :)
It was wonderful to see my teacher Stephanie. She was the first face I saw when I walked into the Yoga Center. She got up and gave me the warmest hug and I knew at that very moment this was where I needed to be for my training.
Shala taught a great hip opener class. I heard a lot of wonderful things about Shala and her classes; she is such a calm and kind teacher. She also lead us through the meditations on Saturday.
I could keep going but that may bore you. I am just so happy...and it was weekend one! I have a lot of work to do for the training. Including daily asana & meditation practice (we must journal about them as well to turn in at the end of the training) plus I have to evaluate 1 yoga class between each weekend. It must different levels and different teachers.
Looks like I need to start searching out the local schedules! :)

Regarding my job; granted I had some added stress from work this weekend due to, trining part of the week in North Ga. then my computer crashing Thursday night before I was supposed to head to Asheville.
That did add some additional stress.

I am doing the best I can with my new job. Trying to learn the system and also get quick at everything. It is a challenge but one I think I can overcome. I am liking it so far; I just want to get faster and more productive!
Luckily I am working from home; which allows me to work longer hours and not get as irritated. I can get up and walk Chai, stretch a bit, make lunch. I am putting in a lot of hours; but the breaks keep it manageable for sure!
Plus who wouldn't love to work in Yoga pants all day?

Okay--off to bed!

Headed to Asheville

Tomorrow I head to Asheville!

I embark upon my 230 hour- 9 month long- teacher training.

I am very excited and looking forward to a nice road trip and being completly open to the experience. I will be staying at the cutest little home in Asheville with other teacher trainees as well. Looking forward to what awaits!!!!

Yoga stuff....

Today was my first day at my new job. I am getting used to the software. I will be traveling to North Georgia tomorrow to meet the underwriters and the team members and to get a little more insight on the software.
All in all I think I can handle this pretty well!

It was nice to be at home, practice, shower on my lunch break. Make lunch, and I put in over 8 hours :)
Then I made chili and headed to meet with Anne about the Studio. I hope things work out for her studio!!
We went over a few things and I hope she is okay with taking on some classes. Because there is no way I can teach everyday.
I am getting very excited about my training!!!

Anyway, here are a few photos from today. I think they will be putting them up on the website





Yin/Yang - Me backbending/Anne Meditating

Work & Yoga

So much is going on! Many good things and tryign to get my head around them all.
Friday was my last day at the office. It was a ghost town. It was very hard to tell my close friends and co-workers bye. But we will all cross paths again.
I received many sweet hugs, some yummy cookies from my boss' wife and we went to lunch.

What else. I went to Ashtanga class on Friday night after work. It was wonderful. My practice was rusty but being back at Balance was lovely and seeing my teacher just gave me the extra energy and inspiration I needed. I am so lucky to have an amazing teacher. I am also lucky to have my BFFL Nicole.
I've been going through some rough times and my teacher is helping me through practice and Listening. Nicole is helping me by being there and talking with me and just being my amazing friend.

I am just filled with love.

OH yes....teacher training next week! NEXT WEEK! I will be traveling to Asheville and loving the fall weather and new beginnings and learning soo much!

Also, I am set up and ready to roll on my new job. I am doing some online training and have to go up to North Georgia later this week to meet the team.

I am also helping out a fellow friend as she begins to open Newnan's very first and only Yoga & Meditation Studio!!
I was very blessed because she has asked me to teach a few classes at the studio. The studio is lovely and has wonderful charm. It is in the perfect part of Newnan and she is giving the place a wonderful feel.
The grand opening of Lotus Yoga & Meditation is October 29th! The first classes begin November 1st. We are trying to iron out the schedule. But please if you are in the area come by for the opening or a class!
It is less than 15 min. from my home and I am so happy for her. She is going to make it a wonderful place to practice yoga and meditation!!


Anyway! Here are a few photos from the studio. More to come!
It is a very old building on the Square in Downtown Historic Newnan.

Looking towards the front of the Yoga/Meditation Room


Corner of the front of the room (where you would be teaching from)


One of the alters

A Challenge

So..I thought I would participate in this 31 day yoga challenge via Cyndi Lee's Blog
Considering I start my teacher training in less than 2 weeks I figured why not join in. I am trying to get on my mat daily and with the recent changes with my job now is the best time to start new healthy habits.

Over the last 3 weeks with the stress from work and the unstable feelings I've had; well it took a toll on me physcially, emotionally and affected my practice. Pretty much...I haven't practiced. I've fit in maybe 1 practice a week.
I needed yoga these last few weeks but just couldn't seem to get on my mat. So many other things were pressing and unsure and just left my mind numb.

So. New job, Teacher Training, New perspective on a lot of things.

So here is the recap of my last fews days on my mat.

Using some of the sequences from the back of Yoga Body/Buddha Mind and incorporating the fundamental poses reviewed in Erich Schfifmans Book Yoga: the Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness

Thursday October 1st:
I arrived to the gym about 20 min. prior to teaching my class. I turned on one of my relaxing playlists and flowed. I did a very basic beginners sequence. At the end I added in some hip openers for good measure.

Friday October 2nd:
I was pressed for time really. I was able to fit in just 15 min. I did 3 sun salutes, Warrior I & II and headstand.

Saturday October 3rd:
I slept in on Saturday so I opted for an evening practice. I went with Erich's book going over some of his fundamental poses: Standing Forward Fold, Standing Side Stretch, Down Dog, Bridge and Sage Twist.

Today--I haven't practice yet. I spent the morning cleaning my house which really needed it. Remember I was super stressed these past few weeks...the house suffered during that time. But the house is spick and span and I am showered and feeling okay. Feeling like things are falling into place.
So tonight I intend to get on my mat in full gratitude for what has unfolded these past few days. I intend to do the fundamental poses from Erich's book (since his book is part of my teacher training I want to focus on that)

I will do my best to post my daily practice. But if you are joining in on this challenge best of luck!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekened.
I am off to eat home made salsa and chips while reading.