well, it’s OFFICIAL!  spring, at long last, is preparing to immerse us in all of the splendor around it’s renewal and rebirth.  as we say our good tidings and “welcome” to it–it is time to also bring the focus back to us in a very big way.  each of us, craves the energy and sustenance of long, mild days full to the brim with sunlight, nature’s call to us, if we are able to listen and heed it, and calendars full of obligations and “to do’s”.  as schedules begin to once again shift, we all get thrown into a different rhythm with our school lives, our social lives, our work lives and every other area that asks us to get involved.  so yet again, it time to reestablish balance.  balance where our energies are concerned, where to carefully siphon our efforts and learn when to pull back.  balance where our boundaries are concerned; every relationship needs them.  life without boundaries can be chaotic, unfulfilling and lead to tremendous resentment toward others and most of all, toward ourselves.  just as our practice teaches us to establish and listen to our own boundaries, this must carry over to our lives and with the habituating of this enforcement of boundaries, it will indeed ‘stick’!

let’s welcome spring with the idea that we will move ahead and yet step back and assess continuously, the tweaking of our daily balance.  not letting the full push into spring and summer drown us in our expectations.

As you read the following news, please remember to always check the website (“follow” me so that email gets sent directly to you when any new posts are added here)/facebook (lizzzrrd lounge studios) page.  i am on twitter as @lizzzrrdlounge and do also list real-time cancellations there as well.  social media is the connection to keep you informed on any cancellations, last-minute or schedule.  as much as i hate it, it’s a necessary tool for us all!!!

 

Prison Yoga Project (PYP) – Update

some of you know, and others have no idea that this has been a project i have been very closely working on for almost 2 years here in allegheny county.  although the jail has had, and still has, a program for the women–there is nothing for the men who are there for the duration.  the PYP is an amazing effort started by Pastor James Fox.  “Pator James” as he is fondly known, gave me a full scholarship to attend this program.  as you can imagine, i was extremely grateful and would not have been able to accomplish otherwise.  since much of my work is really geared toward the community and pro bono efforts, income is not usually a big part of this equation.  this is why donations are so important for many like us.  those who are able to give, do–and that is the continuation of paying it forward.  it allows myself and others who work diligently to bring (therapeutic) to the segments of the population that ordinarily, would not be able to experience it.

this week i have a very important meeting to learn how this program can be implemented and sustained.  it is a complete grass-roots effort and i ask that all of those who have been tremendous supporters of me over the years, to send out some special thoughts and prayers for these men to get a program seeded and eventually to bloom.  if we think about how our yoga (all 8 limbs) improves the quality of our lives…the impact on theirs can only be pervasively positive and impactful.

i will keep you all posted!

 

MILLVALE COMMUNITY LIBRARY – News & Important Dates

the program at the library has been going strong all winter.  some of the park devotees have become library devotees until the weather subsides and lets us return to the great outdoors.

saturday, april 25th is going to be a special “SOLAR DAY” at the library.  this day is going to be PACKED with activities for all.  check out the library facebook page and site for more information.  ordinarily, our scheduled yoga time would be 12:30pm – 1:30pm but due to the celebrations, this class has been cancelled.  BUT hang on!!!!  there will be a special “Sun Salutations” session for parents and children from 1p – 1:30p.  Participants must bring their own mats.  if you would like to join, show up or you can give me a ‘heads up’ in advance.

there are some other upcoming dates that are important to note on your calendars where the saturday sessions are cancelled.  they are as follows:

3/28/15, 4/11/15, 4/25/15 (see above note), 5/9/15, 5/31/15 (set your alarm and get yourself to Kiwanis and you’ll get your yoga in still!)

please be sure to bring your own mats when you come, as there are none available on-site.

 

KIWANIS PARK PROGRAM, Shaler – News & Important Dates

just a few more weeks now and the program will begin again for the 3rd year!!  May 2nd is opening day!!!!  if you are new to the program, you must bring your mat and water and anything else you deem necessary to sustain your practice.  we meet EARLY–that means we begin at 8:00AM on the tennis courts.  be sure to come earlier than the scheduled start time, as parking can be a little tricky if everyone is coming at once.  for those of you not sure how to access the tennis courts, you follow the main road into the park and then go right onto the access road that borders the ballfield.  you will see the road turn to the left and go up to the pool changing area and bathrooms.  the parking lot is up there.  its small so if it is full, there is plenty of other parking in the lot behind the jeffery school on your way up to the courts.  there is no shortage of parking for sure, so don’t be nervous!

the “InShaler” magazine is about to be issued and should have all of the dates for the season.  this is the list:

MAY – 2, 16, 30

JUNE – 13, 20, 27

JULY – 11, 18, 25

AUG – 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

SEPT – 12, 19, 26

OCT – 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

this year, much to our own surprise, we again eeked out another season ending clear through to the end of october.  let’s see if we can keep that record going for a third year!!!  there are so many wonderful yogis that i look forward to sharing practice with again this year.

 

SCHOOLHOUSE YOGA – News & Important Dates

my schedule at schoolhouse has changed a little but you can still find me weekly on the schdule.  many of you don’t know that schoolhouse’s strip district studio has relocated to the east liberty area right on baum boulevard.  parking is free on sundays.  just a note that easter classes run as normally scheduled, so get your hippity-hop on at 11:00am! 🙂

SQUIRREL HILL STUDIO:  

Saturdays, 10:00am – 11:15am GENTLE

NORTH HILLS STUDIO (ross park mall):

Sundays, 11:00am – 12:15pm YOGA 1  (this schedule will most likely change in june to an early time!!)

 Tuesdays, 6:30pm – 7:45pm YOGA 1

this saturday and sunday i will not be teaching along with the weekend of 5/9 and 5/10.  

i am subbing other APRIL & MAY dates, times and locations as follows: (SH = Sq. Hill, NH = North Hills, EL = East Liberty)

4/3/15 – Fri, 8:00am – 9:30am YOGA 2 (subbing for Linda Meacci) SH

4/28/15 – Tue, 9:00am – 10:15am YOGA 2 (subbing for Jenn Clark) SH

5/4/15 – Mon, 6:30pm – 7:45pm YOGA 1 (subbing for Diane Dice) NH

5/14/15 – Thu, 12:15pm – 1:30pmOGA 1 (subbing for Monique) EL

5/14/15 – Thu, 6:30pm – 7:45pm YOGA 1 (subbing for Diane Dice) NH

5/15/15 – Fri, 9:30am – 11:00am  YOGA 1 (subbing for Diane Dice) NH

5/15/15 – Fri, 11:15am – 12:30pm GENTLE (subbing for Diane Dice) NH

5/21/15 – Thu, 12:15pm – 1:30pm YOGA 1 (subbing for Monique) EL

5/26/15 – Tue, 9:30am – 10:45am YOGA 1 (subbing for Monique) SH

5/28/15 – Thu, 12:15pm – 1:30pm YOGA 1 (subbing for Monique) EL