A great place to stop and have coffee after saturday morning yoga at kiwanis Park!

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A great place to stop and have coffee after saturday morning yoga at kiwanis Park!

today after running errands and getting things in place for saturday (the photo is of the courts where we will be set up), i treated myself to a fantastic cup of java at a sweet little cafe in west view known as the Coffee Buddha (https://www.facebook.com/coffeebuddha) that i had been reading about for months on end. finally, the moment arrived where i could really check it out and see what all the buzz was about. it was definitely “buzzworthy” 🙂

it’s a great cozy little place with lots of good vibes and fantastic coffee. no lie. i had the coronado and it was smooth. every 2nd wednesday of the month at 8:00pm there is a poetry night and open mic night for those aspiring beatniks and closet poets. you don’t have to worry about parking even though there is plenty of street-side parking, there is a lot as well. with the weather really turning a corner, there is a beautiful porch to escape the hub-bub for a little while on. seriously, if you like your star-whatever, all is good but if you really like a good bean without the trek in to the city–this is it. if you love mano-a-mano because of the coffee…you are in the right place. you might just want to bring your slippers 😉

FREE Yoga In The Park @ Kiwanis Park, Shaler | Starts 5/4/13

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FREE Yoga In The Park @ Kiwanis Park, Shaler | Starts 5/4/13

So the big news I have been working on was developing a free “yoga in the park” series here in Shaler. Thanks to the Shaler Township and it’s DIrector Tim Rogers, it was accepted and begins this saturday, 5/4/13 @ 8:00am on the baseketball courts. The program is open to all!!! All you have to do is bring your mat and any props if you use them (blocks will be provided may we may run out!) and come at least 15 minutes early to set-up and sign some initial paperwork and you are good to go!

The class will be a mindful flow with many suggested adaptations and modifications for those who need it. If you have never done yoga in an open air venue, it makes for quite an interesting practice!!! and if you have never done yoga–this is a wonderful place to start. It is an all levels class. So help pass the word along!!!

Due to this program, the 8:00am class at the studio is cancelled but feel free to trek down to kiwanis!

Happy Healthy Hearts Pittsburgh Challenge

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Happy Healthy Hearts Pittsburgh Challenge

this SATURDAY, APRIL 20th, this event is literally running (and walking and anything else where movement is involved) @ North Park!!! There are all kinds of activities that will keep you motivated and interactive. If you are really serious about starting and aren’t sure about the first step…this would be it!

I will be teaching a restorative & very gentle YOGA CLASS from 1:00PM – 2:00PM in the Rose Barn (across from the boathouse). Class cost will be donation-based or included in your registration fee if you sign up for all of the activities.

LLS Practitioner Heather Abramovic

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LLS Practitioner Heather Abramovic

this is one of my star practitioners! to look into heather’s suede blue eyes and know that you “can’t” is just impossible. she is special for many reasons but the article gives you a little glimpse into how much gumption and determination she has. every friday when she floats in–yes, now without her cane–she, her mom and i all get your yoga on in whatever way works best!!! she knows that the most limiting factor sits between the ears. rock on, heather!!! darius may have to learn how to catch up with you!!!!! 🙂

COMING IN MAY…a donation-based fundraising (all-levels) saturday class to help heather on her road to recovery.

New Schedule Starts Today

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A reminder that the new Spring Schedule starts today.  Kristi Coleman will be off for the month of April on Monday nights, so it will be a Lizzie flow and that means it’s a go for all-levels just in case  you were not sure.  you are the ultimate intensity dial on your practice!

The schedule may change a bit on the weekend as we roll into spring.  There are several programs that will be starting up and one is free…so keep your ear to the ground 🙂

Also, a new note on sunday’s meditation.  This was mentioned before but I just want to remind all that the meditation requires an RSVP, as Sumitta donates his time and has to drive a good distance.  As long as there is interest, Sumitta is happy to come.  Please remember that sunday yoga and meditation is donation-based.  it is about what you can afford to pay and if that means nothing, nothing is what it shall be.

Namaste.

MONDAY:  6:15pm Flow (75 min)

TUESDAY:  CLOSED

WEDNESDAY:  9:15am Flow (75 min)  &  6:15p Flow (75 min)

THURSDAY:  9:15am Flow (75 min)

FRIDAY:  9:15am Flow (75 min) & 6:15p Flow (75 min)

SATURDAY:  8:00am Gentle (45 min) | 9:00am Flow (75 min) | 11:00am Basics (60 min)

SUNDAY:  9:15am Basics (45 min) | 10:15am** Buddhist Meditation with Sumitta Hudson

(**MUST RSVP by Sat noon)

Finding the right yoga studio & other stuff you didn’t necessarily ask about

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if you are just learning about yoga and are trying to figure out where to start your yogic i.v. drip, then you need to do some investigation into what styles and places work best for you.  when “styles” are discussed, there are many.  right now, the most popular is “power” yoga.  what is it?  it’s a very intense and heated vinyasa–structured and choreographed movement coupled with breath to create a “flow”.  the power series tends to be a faster tempo and requires fitting more asanas (poses) into the series.  slower flows are just that.  does it mean one is better than the other?  absolutely not!  the real question lies in what is more appropriate for you and what really strikes the personal chord IN  YOU!  these are only questions that you can answer.  so the best way to make the decision is to be your own little lab rat and sample, SAMPLE, SAMMMPPLLLLE!!!   the style of yoga varies just as the teacher’s presentation does…so it’s really hard to know without making the effort to find out.   there is such a beautiful assortment of studios, styles and teachers that this task should really be a wonderful adventure as you not only discover where you feel most connected when practicing.  it’s just another in-road to discovering more about who you are and paying attention to the things that you need.

what style is practiced @ the lounge? well, it’s a really a mixed bag.  power roots with the tempering of the rhythm and pace.  it’s slower, point blank.  it’s also very STRONG.  the slowing down requires a conscious engagement of all systems.   it’s also more organic.  that means that it is not critical that you force everything into alignment.  will the suggestions be made?  yes, along with modifications.  the practice is just that…each time, it’s new and the point of it is to get closer each time.  closer to what?  TO YOU.

what other kind of yoga goes on @ the lounge?  adapted.  big-time adapted.  it’s for bodies who have had life-altering and body modifying experiences.  it’s about making it ACCESSIBLE.  yoga is deceiving.  what we think it’s about…it’s not about.  the movement part is the smallest…negligible if that.  the beauty of yoga is that it crosses all barriers except those made in the mind.  you see, here we are again…this is where yoga works best.  the mind.  mind and breath and then whatever we can get the body to decide to work with, that’s where we start in the adaptive program.   it’s my favorite by far because there is nothing more beautiful and POWERfully AWEsome than the human spirit!

so happy yoga hunting to all those who have wanted to but are not sure where to begin learning about the cult…i threw that in to see if you have continued reading.  the only thing cultish about yoga is that it is a cult-fav now.   it’s mainstream and it works–ON EVERYTHING!!  there is study after study to prove it.  it only requires that you use common sense–not judgement (we yogis are totally against that STUFF as a rule)–and your intuition to guide you.  you know you best and if  you want to get to know you better…welcome to the world of yoga!

dive in!!!  […and make sure you pull your shoulders down. some teacher humor  🙂  ]

Spotlight on the Studio & Schedule Updates (REVISED)

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Spotlight on the Studio & Schedule Updates

REVISED:  please note that the 9:15am monday vinyasa was an error.  it is gone for now.

a dear practitioner featured the studio in her online business newsletter. many thanks to yogi alyssa truckenbrod who practices what she preaches daily and actively works to lift others up along her path!

starting next week, there will be changes to the schedule. if there is something that is not on the the schedule, think about a private class…at your home or business.

effective 4/8/2013:

monday:

6:15pm – 7:30pm vinyasa (all levels)

wednesday & friday:

9:15am – 10:30am vinyasa (all levels)
6:15pm – 7:30pm vinyasa (all levels)

thursday:

9:15am – 10:30am vinyasa (all levels)

Saturday: 

8:00am – 8:45am gentle (for limited mobility)
9:00am – 10:15am vinyasa (all levels)
11:00pm – 12:00pm basics (all levels)

Sunday:     (Donation-based classes…pay what you can afford.)

9:15am basics – 10:00am basics (all levels)
10:15am – 11:15am buddhist meditation

(RSVP is now required for the meditation. you just have to drop me a note via facebook or the blogspot.   sumitta hudson volunteers his time and has to come a good distance, so this courtesy is extended toward him.)