Enjoying the Today

My today's mantra: Keep being challenged, but stay grounded and true to yourself, on and off the mat.

Recent YJ article on perfecting asanas (poses) and discovering your new body after the birth made me feel a bit dualistic... hmmm!

It sounds not very promising for me when I start thinking and imagining myself having a postnatal break of getting joy and happiness from a regular teaching and practicing Yoga.... But I do realize that instead, I'm receiving the biggest joy in my life, a new arrival of a precious little one ... very soon.

So, as a closing line, it's really hard for the mind, but I'm trying to stay grounded, conscious and thankful of the present moment and expect nothing from the near future. Just enjoy fully what you are doing and having right now!

Peace & Love to All,
-LK-

What is Vinyasa really about?

I love the full and firm explanation of what Vinyasa is about by Tim Feldman. Specifically, that he talks about the importance and integration of body locks (bandhas) in your class.

Postures are linked together through flowing movement (vinyasa). Vinyasa means breath synchronized with movement. In Ashtanga Yoga the movement is always synchronized with the breath and there is never a separation between the two actions. When the synchronization of movement and breathing is an integral part of the yoga practice and the three body locks (Moolabandha, Udiyanabandha and jalandarabandha) are applied, an internal, purifying heat is generated in the body. Unwanted toxins are released and disposed of, vital hormones and minerals flow into the bloodstream and the nervous system is purified. The result is a light and strong body.

Text written by Tim Feldmann and approved by Pattabhi Jois, and his grandson, Sharath Rangaswami.

From Core work to Firefly

She is my inspiration - her strength and flexibility rocks!

Ready to come closer to Tittibhasana (Firefly Pose)? Benefits of the firefly pose are inner groins and back torso stretch;  arms and wrists strength and belly toning. But without the intensive core work (which I love to teach in my classes) we will be far from the goal...

Love you body, mind and yoga and enjoy a beautiful flexible and strong body in the demonstration below.

Candlelight Yoga on the Roof

Can't wait for the next Sunday, May' 20th!

We will start at 8:30. Sunset is perfectly on time, at 8:18pm; temperature is 81°/ 64°! Candles are just ordered! A special music compilation and smoothing yoga sequence write-up is in my plan for the week! Oh, and treats... will be a secret surprise to my guests ;-)

The event is open to friends and family members of 425 Mass residents only. Pre-booking on the reservation site is a must, is free and donations are welcome. Contribution will go to YoKid nonprofit  that helps to bring the benefits of yoga and meditation to under-served children in DC-MD-VA.

Easter Roll in the White House Garden

I really appreciate how the first lady supports and promotes the healthy lifestyle and fitness to kids.
Happy Ester to all!

Rooftop Class. Mosquitoes. Unconditional Love

Theme of today's Yoga on the Roof class is legs-legs-legs. Summer is ahead, right?

• 3-legged downdog, chair, standing splits, warrior III, eagle poses, goddess, etc. -> toning of upper and low leg muscles and opening tight hips. 
• And our closure is about the Universal Love....

Universal love means to see the same Self in everything. Unlimited, unconditional love is universal. If you have universal love, there is not even a single thing you dislike. You love everything, even the mosquitoes that bite you. You don't dislike them; you simply say, "Well, mosquito, that is the purpose for which you were created. You are doing your job in biting me. I am doing my job and saying, `Please get out."' You don't stop loving the mosquito. But loving the mosquito doesn't mean allowing it to bite you. Often people think, "Because I love that mosquito, I can not chase it away." That's not so. You can love the poison, but you don't have to swallow it. Om. by Sri Swami Satchidananda ©

Yoga on the Rooftop

1. A survey - defining demand for yoga classes on the rooftop, preferred schedule and level of students - is sent out. 
2. Roof top ad poster is done.
3. Next steps, by Fri. Mar. 23rd: To analyse survey results, print posters and distribute it with RSVP mails to students.
4. Official start: Mon. Mar, 26th.

To see online schedule and rsvp your spot on the Roof click here:

8 min. of full radiant Flow by Janet Stone

Beautiful and powerful sequence by Janet Stone, launching her powerful Svadharma Immersion in YogaTree @ Castro, SF ($375, 10 days, 20 hrs. Mar, 16 - 26).

Enjoy practicing it,
-LK-

YoKid Challenge

I spent a great-sunny Sunday on March 4th, 2012 working with YoKid ...Stretch your limits.
We practiced yoga, specifically challenged kids, their parents and friends with 108 Sun Salutation! Then everyone was awarded with healthy eating presentation by Cathy Burke that followed with juicy coconut water, fresh fruits & snacks.

I sincerely encourage those who do not have kids running around in house (like I do 'as for now') to find the TIME and dedicate it to little ones! You will get SO SO MUCH back... It may sound a bit simple, but really, kids (even when they scream loudly and do not behave well:-), they energize you for weeks and bring youth - joy - easiness to your mind! Just give it a try and see how it feels :)


P.S. May be these ecstatic feelings only happen when you spend only once or twice a week with kids...I don't know, but, as for now I just enjoy the moment!

Love,
-LK-

Tax Breaks for Yoga Teachers

Employee vs. independent contract?
As an independent contractor, you can deduct from your taxable income any necessary expenses related to your business. According to the IRS, a "business expense," to be deductible, must be "both ordinary and necessary." An "ordinary expense" is one that is common and accepted in your industry. A "necessary expense" is one that is helpful and appropriate for your trade or business. For example, if you use wood or foam blocks as props, or throw a vegetarian party to discuss a new contract, rent payment of your own home, where you do privates - all those costs would likely qualify as a deductible business expense; so too would your yoga mat, folding chairs, blankets, and straps. .>>> Sounds good.

Full story read here:  Yogajournal

P.S. Love the image of this lady on the right. :-)

Namaste travelers!

SFO opens airport yoga room

I can't believe my eye and I love how the mind generates ideas too. Thoughts really come to reality one day...

I was telling to my husband on our international flight in Sep 2011, that it would be so cool to teach yoga at the airports. We discussed how people would appreciate the feel and benefit from the blissful stretch after or before their long flight....

And here it is, 20K investment and San Francisco International Airport introduces the first this beautiful service to their travelers... Bravo! Let me envision this offer will roll further...

60 min about second chakra and ways to keep your students coming back

Listen to Amy Ippoliti's interview. Expires on Friday Jan 27 at midnight!

Topic: Creative ways to keep your students coming back.

 >> Link to listen the interview.

P.S 

Interesting fact about 2nd chakra:
The crocodile represents the Sacral Chakra. When we think about the associations this has, we can see that the crocodile moves excellently in water, it may be hidden under the surface but then it can leap out with great power and strength – at any time!. Again this can be compared to your emotional energy, at times things may ripple under the surface and at others they may just erupt!

Teaching videos on Flow yoga

Thanks to Debra for sharing a great source where you can find video description on adjustments of down dog, warrior 1 and 2 and extended side angle and can get different level classes ($).

http://video.seanecorn.com/video-class-353-Teachers-Forum.html