Kristin Shepherd on Yoga

"Yoga has given me a completely reliable, delicious, and loving way home. 

It would be ridiculous to ask for more than that." - Kristin Shepherd

I agree completely.

More Movie Yoga - The Muppets

Walter in The Muppets movie got a merit badge in Yoga, instead of the usual Knots:

Ahnu Footwear - The Karma Review

I received an email a couple weeks ago with this shoe review offer and I was really really psyched. This is exactly the kind of shoe I've been waiting for - and just in time for spring. Ahnu is a socially and environmentally responsible company making fashionable shoes for active people. I love it.

The Karma: pictured in Plum. 

About the Company: Ahnu:
Gives Back to the Greater Good
Ethical supply chain standards
Use certified post-consumer recycled fibers in catalogs and packaging

About the Karma:
MSRP $90 with Free Shipping and Free Returns
Available in Black, Mood Indigo, Plum, and Garden Green.
Women's Sizes 6-11

"This active slip on offers style and comfort without compromising any aspect of yoga-chic. Made from soft, supple, full-grain leathers, these travel-friendly flats are made for all day wear, from running errands to traveling the world. The stretchy back heel provides a secure fit while making them easy to pack. The sculpted EVA footbed is wrapped in micro-fiber suede to offer a soft feel with every step." - Ahnu

EVA midsole, 4mm rubber skin, Microfiber sockliner with antimicrobial treatment
Numentum Technology
Comes with a 1-year Warranty

Even in thick grass - super stable.

When I first opened the box the scent was very very strong, but it was just the smell of rubber. These shoes have rubber soles and if yoga mats have taught me anything it's that rubber has a strong smell at first. The smell dissipates fairly quickly once you air them out a bit.

I love these shoes. They are attractive, comfortable, and the back is waaay more flexible than I'd expected.
They're lightweight, flexible, and cool. I've had some similar shoes before that everyone loved, but they made my feet sweat buckets so I couldn't stand them. I've encountered no such problems with these shoes. The whole shoe moves with your foot as you move. Unlike some shoes I've tried that were like walking on planks of wood.

This pic feels Peter Pan-esque.

One Small Issue: 
The front outer edge of the shoe (where the strap meets the front end) rubs leaving a red mark right behind my pinky toes. This is a common issue for me with shoes of this style, so I'm declaring it a non-issue and I am confident it will go away as I break in the leather more. I do have really thin feet though - so people with wide feet might want to try them on before purchasing them.

Overall:
I would recommend these shoes to just about anyone. They Rock!

Buy The Karma Here!

Here's the rubber sole.

Caterpillar - Hoop Dance

I saw this video and I figured I just had to share it here. Some of it is yoga mixed in with the hoop dance which is of course right up my alley.

 

Caterpillar (Full Length) from Luna Breeze on Vimeo.

She is so talented and moves with such grace. I hope to one day be able to do this. Whereas right now I generally feel like my hoop-dancing looks something like this: 

(no matter how much Adam says it doesn't)

 

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Carpe Diem

It's the first weekend of spring, so go out and enjoy it!

photos via Pinterest

Recycled Post: Tree Meditation

It's time for another Recycled Post! This is a Grounding Meditation that anyone can do. It's great for beginners, and you do it in a standing position. I love it, my students love it - it's popular. 

Become one with nature with this Tree Meditation.

All photos via Pinterest

Rasa-Lila Fest Yoga Teacher Search

YogaStage is sponsoring a Yoga Teacher Search for Rasa-Lila Fest in Orlando, FL this October. They secured one teaching spot on the main stage for the person who wins this teacher search.

The grand prize winner will win a teaching slot on the main stage at the October 6th, 2012 Rasa-Lila Fest in Orlando event. The grand prize winner will also receive two nights hotel stay.
The five finalists with the most votes (and approved by Rasa-Lila Fest, LLC staff) will each receive a 1 year Premium membership to YogaStage valued at $119.00 each.

How To Enter:
You need an active YogaStage account to enter the contest
Get an account for 3 months FREE by using the promo code FREETHREE

After you create your profile, submit your YPK* to enter the contest.
Submissions are being accepted through Mar 31, 2012.
Voting will begin via Facebook beginning April 1, 2011.

More Info:
Yoga Teachers will judge and vote on entries via Facebook based on who they would like to see gracing the stage of Rasa-Lila Fest. Of the top five finalists with the most LIKE votes, Rasa-Lila Fest team will choose a grand prize winner based on yoga teaching skill, personality and suitability for Rasa-Lila Fest.
A runner-up will be selected in case the Winner cannot attend the event.

Voting begins 04/01/2012 at 9:00am and ends at 11:59:59 pm ET on 08/01/2012.
Limit one entry per yoga instructor for the entire Contest Period.
*YPK - Yoga Press Kit created on YogaStage.

Spring Cleaning for Yogis & Hoopers

Today is the first day of Spring! A little more sunshine and a little rain to wake up outdoor life. I officially started my home spring cleaning two weeks ago... then I lost motivation and stopped about halfway through. Hopefully I'll finish this week. Today I want to cover a little spring cleaning that tends to go overlooked. Sping cleaning for your hoops, mats, yoga accessories, and practice space.

Source: http://visboo.com/smiling-owls.html

Hoop Care:
Reshaping: If your hoop has gotten out of shape, if you can, let it sit in the sun for awhile. At the very least, get it to room temperature. Once warm, push down on your hoop gently to reshape it. Be careful not to press down with your toes by standing on the hoop as you CAN crush it.

Cleaning: A slightly damp sponge or washcloth with a small amount of soap is the best way to get smudges off. Be careful not to use anything abrasive on decorative tapes.
- via YourHoop

Source: http://wins.failblog.org/2011/01/03/epic-win-photos-snowman-cookies-win/

Mat Care:
Even if you regularly wipe it down - give your mat a little extra TLC for spring. Maybe treat it with a nice essential oil cleaner. If you haven't been cleaning it regularly - then please take a day to give it a BIG WASH. Having a clean mat is like slipping into crisp clean sheets at night. For detailed mat care info click here.

It's also the perfect time to assess if your mat or accessories need replacing. If your practice is leaving you covered in bits of mat, your non-slip yoga towels are looking stained and losing their grip, or your strap is looking threadbare - it's time to find new uses for the old items and bring in new (hopefully eco-friendly) gear.

Clearly from Desperate Housewives

Yoga Accessories Care:
Straps: Usually washing machine safe. Throw it in with a load of towels.
Blocks: Give em a good scrub with a damp cloth and essential oil spray just like your yoga mat.
Non-slip Towels: Hopefully you wash these often - make extra sure to do it today.
Blankets: Wash/Dry just like any other blanket.
Bolsters: Most have a removable cover that can be tossed in the washing machine and hung to dry. The inside can usually take a ride in the dryer to freshen. Especially if you have a steam sanitize option.
Eye Pillows: Most have a removable cover that can be washed. Otherwise you can try spot cleaning them with a damp cloth. Careful though - most are filled with something you really don't want to get wet.
Make/Buy: a new bottle of mat cleaner.

Source: http://pinterest.com/

Dedicated Yoga Space at Home:
Take special care when cleaning your sacred space. Put on some kirtan tunes or chant a mantra while you clean it. You've infused everything with good sacred energy - don't throw that away by getting haphazard with your actions today.

Take everything out and give the floors a hardy cleanse. Wipe down altar figures and shelves, cleanse all the ashes from your incense holders, wipe the pictures, freshen the candle supply, and hand wash any delicate altar cloths or curtains. Sweep out your prop closets and make sure your light bulbs and windows aren't grimy. Make sure your prayer flags aren't gathering cobwebs and rinse/wipe your offering bowls. Remove any funky plants and bring in some fresh marigolds or something. Open a window to allow some sunshine and fresh air to circulate through if the weather allows.

Bonus Tip: Asana!
If you've made it this far then you will likely enjoy a little asana detox work. Spring is a great time to incorporate more TWISTS into your sessions.

Enter to Win - the Ultimate Escape to Wanderlust

I bought my tickets to Wanderlust California a month or two ago. You may recall I attended a couple years ago, and I was thrilled to plan another trip to Squaw Valley this year. If you've never been - maybe this contest is just the push you need. Read on for details.

Source: http://squaw.wanderlustfestival.com/

Wanderlust partnered with lucy Activewear and Flavorpill to give away the ultimate Escape to Wanderlust! Enter for your chance to escape to the most epic yoga + music event of the summer and choose your Wanderlust: Vermont, Colorado, or California. The winner will receive two 4-day tickets to the Wanderlust of their choice, airfare for two, four nights accommodation, plus $1,000 shopping spree to lucy Activewear!

Click here to enter!

Winners will be selected on June 7, 2012 and notified via email. Feel free to enter even if you've already bought your tickets. If you win, they'll refund your ticket purchase. Good luck!

There's also a runner up contest lumped in there with entering the big contest if you want to submit a new tag-line for the festival for the chance to win one 4-day ticket to Wanderlust.

David Magone PranaVayu DVD Review

Apparently David Magone has been featured in places like Yoga Journal, Travel + Leisure, The Wall Street Journal, and more. Some might say he's kind of a big deal. I, however, had never heard of him before I got an email asking me if I'd review his Intermediate PranaVayu DVD. To keep things as concise as possible I'm not going to say much about what I learned about him or this style of yoga. I'm just going to talk about the DVD.

Learn about David and PranaVayu by visiting the website - here.

What is PranaVayu?
A style of vinyasa yoga that skillfully combines physical and spiritual practices into one effective style.

David’s work has been heavily influenced by Ideokinesis pioneer Mabel Todd, the Periodization theories of Tudor Bompa, the yogic discipline of Yoga 23 founder Andrei Sidersky, and the Tibetan approach to meditation under the guidance of his guru, the venerable Khenpo Lama Migmar Tseten Rinpoche.

What I thought:

• Labelled Intermediate. I'd call it Beginner-Intermediate.
• Speech is rhythmic and calming. Avoids over-instruction while remaining informative. 
• Music amplifies meditative aspect of practice rather than distracts.
• Practice opens with nadi shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) - love it! 

• Keeps neck safety at the top of the priority list. Uncommon and Appreciated.
• A couple poses I've never done before which is always fun.
• Gives plenty of options for students to decide if they want to practice with more or less intensity.
• Camel pose was spacious and light. 
• Agnistambhasana is under-instructed for the more beginner of students.
• Final meditation in savasana - What can I say - it made me feel really happy.

Ultimately: 
I'd gladly recommend this DVD to anyone that has been practicing long enough to be well-versed in beginners classes, but are a little scared of the Advanced classes. 4.5 Stars (out of 5).
Buy it HERE for $20 + shipping.


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Liberation

"We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?…Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you….And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." - Marianne Williamson

Love the Process

I ♥ this video. It is obviously about hooping, but I find that it also applies to yoga. Whether it's hooping, yoga, or any other activity you're up to - you have to learn to love the process. Then you can stick with it and make progress beyond your wildest dreams. Enjoy!

 

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Barbaloots Do AcroYoga

The Lorax: My Favorite Treehugger

Since the 2012 version of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax somehow managed to ruin my favorite story by inaccurately telling only a fraction of the story with 5 times the running time - I was watching the 1972 animated version of The Lorax on Monday. I noticed that these Brown Barbaloots appeared to be doing AcroYoga. Just thought I'd point that out.

Barbaloot Utopia: Do Yoga

Simple Illustrated Guided Meditation

Source: http://www.qualitypeoples.com/image-pile-up-207-2

Try Something New Today

"Better to try all things and to find them empty, than to try nothing and leave your life a blank." 

-Charlotte Bronte

Why Do We Lie on the Right Side After Savasana?

I came across this little post recently about WHY we lie on the right side after savasana. Everyone in yoga wonders it eventually because it's consistent across pretty much all classes. It's a great discussion to have, and a nice concise post about the topic.

The articles lists three reasons, and I'm going to make you go there to find out what they are because I try to avoid all out plagiarizing of content. Personally I've always heard we did it because it balances out the masculine and feminine energies. I've always been content with that answer even if there's not exactly a lot of scientific evidence to back it up. I'm going to just stick with that because the other reasons given, to me, just sound like a bunch of trumped up hokum. Maybe all three reasons will resonate with you... or maybe you think the whole thing is BS.

Read the whole thing for yourself at International Orange.

11 Tips for Being Remarkable