a new thursday morning

I'd been looking forward to my usual Thursday morning yoga class all week, only to find out this morning that the studio's schedule had changed. Somehow it always feels so personal when "your class" is the one that's moved, cancelled, or altered in any way. I have to admit that my first reaction was a mix of anger, disappointment, and that sensation of "how will my Thursday mornings ever be the same?!!!" But after that initial emotional reaction, I realized it was really just a matter of perspective. My Thursday mornings will not be the same, but they'll be great in other ways! This is not the end of anything but the opportunity to try something new, to explore what Boston has to offer on Thursday mornings, to take a new class with a new teacher and to practice being flexible, open, and willing to move with this ever-shifting life as opposed to resisting it :-)

The power of yoga - on your mat or in your chair!

When an opportunity to challenge myself presents itself, either in my own personal practice or in a teaching capacity, I almost always take it on. Such was the case when I was recently invited to teach yoga at a conference in Rhode Island. As more details came to light, I realized that I had agreed to teach a section on "Transformation from Within" with the main focus being on yoga postures that can be done sitting in a chair. As I began researching "chair yoga" I was blown away by all of the articles and material that resulted from my google search. I was able to put together almost a full class for my seated friends (only without all of the "funky" transitions that I normally sprinkle in to keep things interesting!)

I had absolutely no idea what to expect - were these people with physical or mental limitations? Or were they just so busy working at a desk all day that they couldn't find time to exercise? I came to find out that it was neither really. They were people who worked at a desk all day and just needed some sort of release; something to ease tense necks and anxious minds, something to help keep them energized and focused throughout the day. They were just as much in need of yoga and just as capable as all of my students and friends who have the luxury of making it to their mats on a regular basis, only my new friends needed something different than one 60-90 minute experience. They needed to learn how to practice yoga throughout the day, when their eyes could no longer focus on a computer screen and their shoulders needed to be chiseled away from their ears. And even though my new friends practiced almost entirely in their chairs, they still had to work through mental and physical challenges and they still had to remain present and focused on breath, presenting the same opportunity for growth and observation as my regular vinyasa classes.

In the same way that a mat-based class warms up, peaks, and cools down, all the while challenging students' minds to relax and anxieties and stresses to lessen, so did this chair yoga class. We were a bunch of blissed-out yogis leaving that conference center on Friday evening... but there were no mats, no "yoga clothes", no expectations. I was once again reminded of how yoga is SO MUCH MORE than just physical exercise. It's a complete experience, whether you're sitting at your desk, stuck in traffic, running errands, or on your mat. It's a time for you to focus solely on uniting your mind, your body, and your breath. No matter where you are, you can always bring a little more yoga into your life and move through your experiences with a little more openness in body and mind and a greater appreciation for your self and for all of your blessings.

The million dollar question: which mat should I buy???

I started practicing yoga nearly 10 years ago, and I had one well-used and beloved mat up until a couple of years ago. It was a bright pink Wai Lana mat purchased on a whim from TJ Max or Marshall's. That mat had (and still has!) such a special place in my heart despite it's deficiencies (way too soft, incredibly slippery, narrow, etc.), mostly because it had supported me through my whole yoga journey from the very beginning. But I'd known for a while that it was time for a "big girl" mat... something that could withstand hours of hot yoga, something that could support me through inversions and balancing postures without the added not-so-easy-to-balance-on cushioning. Plus, I sweat a LOT and I really need something that keeps its stickiness. Wheels and arm balances are challenging enough; worrying about whether one hand would slip out from under me was something that I was ready to let go of! So I finally threw in the towel (in some ways) and started exploring the world of yoga mats.

In the past few years I've developed quite the mat collection, but I return to the same two mats over and over again: my Manduka eKO (www.manduka.com;http://www.amazon.com/Manduka-5mm-Eco-Friendly-Yoga-Acai/dp/B001HX36QE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1295824724&sr=8-5), and "The Mat" made by Lululemon (http://reviews.lululemon.com/7834/The_Mat/reviews.htm). They both have a very strong smell as both are made from rubber, but the smell does fade quickly if you leave the mat unrolled for a few days. Just a little sacrifice that comes with being eco-friendly! Both are also slightly longer and wider than than most mats you'd find at sporting goods stores or department stores.

The eKO mat is thinner, and has a patterned surface which is a little sticky and has some grip, but in a hot yoga class it does become slippery and I still need a towel (my favorite: the manduka towel by far!! Sold at lululemon or online). The great thing is that the manduka towel fits perfectly on the manduka mat and really sticks to the mat, so it doesn't slide around and I feel completely grounded through my practice. On the other hand, The Mat does has a smooth surface but is much stickier than the eKO. The Mat is designed to be used without a towel as it absorbs sweat and therefore should provide a dry, sticky surface throughout your practice. Normally The Mat is true to its design, but if I'm in a really hot class I simply sweat too much and too fast so I still need a towel, only the towel doesn't stick to the mat that well.

So bottom line: if you are someone who doesn't practice in high heat (or you do practice in high heat but you are one of the lucky ones who still doesn't have to ring your clothes out after class no matter how hot the room) then I would recommend The Mat. If you practice in high heat and sweat a ton (or even if you practice in unheated rooms and sweat a ton) then I would recommend the eKO along with a Manduka towel. Honestly though, I don't think you could go wrong with either option! Happy mat shopping!

Complimentary Alignment Series - Saturdays starting 1/8/11

I am so incredibly excited to announce that Lorraine and I will be co-teaching a 4 week alignment series sponsored by Lululemon starting this Saturday! Come to one or come to all of them and learn a ton about your body, how it's meant to work, how it's not meant to work, and how to use this knowledge to deepen your practice. It will be workshop format and we will break things down, offer tons of assists, and time for discussion. Hope to see you there!

Title: Power, Intention, and Alignment in the New Year!
Date: 4 Week Series: Saturdays 1:30-2:45pm, 1/8/11 - 1/29/11
Place: Prana Power Yoga, Winchester

Join us for our COMPLIMENTARY January Yoga Class Series!! Ambassadors Lorraine and Amanda are teaching a fun and informative alignment series at Prana Power Yoga in Winchester, starting THIS Saturday January 8th! You will learn how to deepen your yoga practice and experience your own strength and power in each posture. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, they will help you experience strong alignment through practice and hands on assists!! Get ready to ground your self in strength and lightness - 2011 is your year!