Monday, July 22, 2013
Summertime Yoga!
Practicing yoga in the summertime is wonderful for the body and mind! I have invited yoga students to share their reflections about their journey with yoga. I am so grateful for the small classes in the summer and the joy and community they bring into the yoga experience. If you decide to post, thank you for sharing:)
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I started off taking this class in hopes of getting myself back into a routine of regular practice, however that has not actually happened. I still find my home is not an ideal location for practice so enjoying my time in class as much as possible. I have gained back small amount of flexibility and reminded myself to do the breathing exercises when I feel under stress. Overall I enjoyed the class I gained some more insight into myself. Thank you for the great summer class.
ReplyDeleteRori
You have not got yourself back into a routine of regular practice. I did see you showing up, suiting, up, and being present on your yoga mat this summer from 9:10 to 10:40a.m. That is a regular routine if I have ever seen one! I see you as a super resourceful, amazing, courageous, and practical gal. You were not afraid to be present with your pain, your discomforts, your thoughts during class, and I was grateful and honored to be in your presence.
DeleteI know that you will develop a regular practice after this quarter, whether that be taking another class or just doing a couple of yoga postures a day when you think about it, noticing your breath,etc. I know that you are disciplined, creative, and insightful because of the self expression you have brought to the yoga mat.
Have a fantastic remainder of your summer, and just know that I really felt inspired and motivated to be a more whole teacher after having you in my class.
Cheers Ms. Rori,
Kristin:)
We live in an age of fast pace lifestyles and high mental demand and it is becoming more important for people to stop and take a breath, to stretch their bodies and have an excuse to get out of their computer chairs. Taking yoga this summer has given me an opportunity to take that time to this and has made a noticeable improvement in my energy, mood and flexibility. The class has been beneficial for me because it is time that I have set aside to relax and get away from working in my research lab. Western medicine has begun to recognize the importance of relaxation and mental mindfulness. That is one of the reason why I think it is worth while for everyone to at least become acquainted with the practice, so that they can use it as a tool to help manage their stress in this new age.
ReplyDeleteWe do live in an age of fast pace lifestyles and high mental demand. It is important for people to stop and take a breath. The breath is our connection to the moment, to where life is already happening, to what is really important. You are important, your body is important, what you think about, listen to, pay attention to, are all important. You have noticed improvement in your energy, mood, and flexibility.
DeleteYou have practiced yoga to get away from the research lab...hmmmmmmmm.
It seems like you are bringing yoga into the research lab...right?
You show up to class and you give your undivided attention to the present moment with the experience of science. Science is all about yoga, movement, uncertainty,
being curious, and not getting too attached to the outcome. Right?
I encourage you to stay present in the lab a little each day when you think about it. No pressure, but I want you not just receive yoga in class, but in your life. You are in a juicy place for it. Enjoy my friend!
Thanks for being a curious, creative, intelligent, and fierce being in my class. I honor the truth that resides in you. Jai brother!
Kristin:)
above in the paragrah, I meant to say you show up to the lab, instead to class. Just needed to clarify, I don't know how to correct or edit on the blog.
DeleteYour yoga class has been an awesome way to start my day. Regardless of the fact that it's hard to get down there some days (I like sleeping in) I never regret my decision once i'm there doing yoga! You create a great atmosphere with the music and I leave everyday feeling extremely good and relaxed. I came in with the goal of gaining some flexibility, peace of mind, and feeling better in my body. I have achieved all of those goals with this class, thanks for being a good teacher!
ReplyDeleteNo regrets! You left everyday feeling extremely good and relaxed. You have achieved flexibility, a peace of mind, and you have felt better in your body.
DeleteJai my friend...thanks for being a wonderful light in my class! Keep shining so brightly:)
When I started the class, I had no idea what to expect. I had never done yoga before, and was trying to find a new way of relaxing and calming myself. Yoga gave me that and more. Yoga helped me become aware of what was happening around me in the present and not to dwell on the past or future. My balance has also improved a lot since the first day when I couldn't hold a tree pose. Thank you for teaching us these skills, I will definitely make use of them in the future!
ReplyDeleteYoga has helped youf in being aware of what is happening around you in the present over the past six weeks. You have not been dwelling as much in the past or future. You have become more balanced, and you have learned some skills.
DeleteCheers to you!
I initially signed up for this class in hopes that I could regain flexibility and muscle tone, as well as have a nice way to wind down and relax after a week of classes. I have gained that much and more from this summer session.
ReplyDeleteAfter having to take leave from work last year, I discovered that I have mild scoliosis as well as the beginnings of arthritis in my lower back. Any lifting or movement that my body wasn't used to gave me a lot of pain. My doctor recommended that I try yoga, but I didn't get the chance until now, and I am so glad that I have. So, part of what I have gained from this class is the ability to let go of that pain that I have been holding in my body. I find that regular daily practice has given me more flexibility and range of motion in my back than I have had in years, with no pain!
Another aspect of this class that has improved my daily life is the breathing exercises and meditation. I'm the kind of person that gets easily stressed out and worried over little things, especially when they have to do with school, my future, and my family. Now when I feel that anxiety or stress starting to build in my body, I sit down cross legged somewhere and bring my focus to the present moment as best I can. That paired with the three part breath, or simply focusing on my breath, has helped me to re-center myself, and afterwards I feel so much more free and happy!! It has helped me to focus on the present moment and how blessed I am to be living in it.
I want to thank you, because the practice of yoga has already added so much to my life. I feel stronger, not just in my body, but I feel like a stronger person when I practice. I am going to continue to practice and look forward to being able to take more education about yoga in the future!
You have been able to let go of that pain you were holding in your body. Horray!
DeleteYou have been doing your own yoga practice on your own, wonderful:)
You have been able to re-center yourself, and feel so much more free and happy!
You are stronger.
Wow, I am so glad you made that happen for yourself in my class.
You are a miracle!
Have a great summer!
Summer yoga initially sounded like a good way to stay physically fit and regain some flexibility. Stretching and posing definitely helped me with those goals, and doing them each morning in class gave me a routine to follow. My favorite poses are the balancing ones. I really like exploring and focusing on my center of gravity. Even more importantly, I learned to calm myself and exist in the moment through meditation and Shavasana. If I'm feeling anxious or stressed, I can relax, focus on my breath, and meditate and let my anxiety disappear.
ReplyDeleteI think I will continue yoga throughout the year. I'm very happy that I chose to take this class, and I'm sure that future students will feel the same.
You like to explore your balance and center of gravity. You have learned to calm yourself and exist in the moment through meditation and Savasana. If you able to focus on your breath, meditate, and let anxiety disappear. I am super excited that you want to continue to practice yoga.
DeleteYou are a bright light shining bright in the class!
Kristin:)
Hi Kristin,
ReplyDeleteSummer time yoga has been a great experience. I came into the class seeking stress relief. I found stress relief and pain relief. I found some of the postures were difficult at first but I feel somewhat better at it now. I feel that learning to meditate was a great new skill for me and something new that is good for me. I really like the balancing poses, it reminded me of gymnastics and cheerleading. I feel that continuing to do yoga in the future will be very beneficial to my health. I really enjoyed the class.
~Shakeila Jones
I am glad you had a good experience with summer time yoga:)
DeleteYou found stress relief and pain relief, Horray!
You learned to meditate and how to be good to yourself. Balancing poses help you get in touch with energy of mastering your body in an enthusiastic, graceful and positive way!
You enjoyed the class, and I enjoyed you!
Thanks for bringing your wonderful spirit to class,
Kristin
I had previously taken your yoga class and enjoyed the relaxation feeling I got from it. I find many of the postures provide a lot of relief. I enjoy the breathing exercises as well as the meditation. I am trying to gain I regular routine that will provide a sense of stress relief.Yoga calms me down after a long week of work and school.
ReplyDelete-Andrenika Davis
Yoga calms you down.
DeleteWhat a powerful awareness you have.
Taking yoga this summer has done so much more for me than I expected. I initially went into the class seeking to gain more flexibility and to help my lower back gain strength. Not only have I achieved that, I have also learned techniques to help me stay calm and relaxed. Whenever I feel stressed or overwhelmed, I practice the breathing exercises I learned, and it always helps me to be less anxious. I am so grateful for what I have learned this summer from Kristen, Thank you :)
ReplyDelete-Elizabeth Brooks-
You have achieved, you have learned methods to stay calm and relaxed! You have gained more flexibility and lower back strength. You have a grateful heart!
DeleteKeep open my friend!
Kristin
Yo, this class is the bomb. No pressure and tons of positivity. I'm always down to spend two hours doing stretches with some homies in this class, and this studio is the place to do it. You get to kick it in an art gallery, and check out all the dope paintings that are in there for that exhibition. It totally helps you avoid awkward eye contact with the other yoganites. The prof is all nonjudgemental and is always willing to you to correctly do the poses. And damn! it feels good if you're sore from working out. I can't stress enough how off the chain this class is. If you're a beginner, then it's the perfect environment to get a relaxed introduction to some intermediate yoga poses. I had never done yoga before this class, but I will definitely be able to do my own routines for now on thanks to the instructor. Her classes teaches you how to do yoga on your own because she describes what each pose is and the locations of the muscles and how they feel when they're being stretched. It's amazing. Om for life dawgs.
ReplyDelete