Green Locus | Tampa, FL

It's been well over a year since I've taken a flow class, and I thought it was about time to get my lazy arse back to it.  

LOCATION: Today I learned there was an upstairs to those charming strip malls set up to look like village squares. Getting to the area was easy, but understanding where the studio was located was a bit more of a challenge. I knew the address number, but couldn't find it anywhere and then I caught glimpse a little sign that stated the studio was upstairs. Parking was free, but limited. I did happen to find parking behind the buildings too. There is an elevator that takes you up stairs and then you follow signs to a long hallway of nothing, but keep an eye on the doors and you'll find Green Locus at the end just fine.    

STUDIO: This small studio is clean, simple, and organized with an entrance for check-in and dropping off your belongings. Then another door takes you into the classroom that has props and mats, a wall of windows, and a bright + airy feeling. $15 drop-in, cash or card.  

CLASS DESCRIPTION: Flow classes focus on a smooth transition of yoga poses connecting the movement with the breath. There is constant movement in these classes for individual looking for more fluid asanas.

INSTRUCTOR: Kerry is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) certified in Hatha, Vinyasa, and Ayurveda Therapy through the Yoga Energy Studio in St. Petersburg, FL. I am also certified to teach the Barkan Method Advanced Hot Vinyasa series as well as Missy White's Hot 108 series.

CONTACT: Green Locus

This will be my second occurrence of trying to "break in" to a yoga studio...Your graceful yoga reviewer, here for your entertainment. So, as you read above, I had some difficulty realizing the studio was upstairs, but once I parked in the back I saw a stairwell and set off to getting to the second level. At this point I'm already running late, so I was glad I parked so close to a stairwell. Until I got to the top, where there was a keypad to get in. What? Ok, I go running back down the stairs looking for another entrance. What's with me not being able to find entrances?! I'm calling it "breaking in" so it's a bit more dramatic and less idiotic—but let's call a spade a spade. Maybe this is why I enjoy doing environmental design so much—because if I create the signage for others, everyone will be able to see it!

Walking back to the store front area I looked around for another stairwell, but no luck. Then I realized I walked pass some mailboxes so I went back that direction when an elevator caught my attention (in my defense, it was hidden by a huge brick pillar—seriously, I'm not as flakey as I'm making myself out to be, am I?). I'm supplying pictures of my trek to the space below so you have visuals, but I'm guessing that will be unnecessary as you probably are capable of finding entrances and reading signs :) 

Once I walked down the bare hallway to the studio space, there was no one at the front desk (note: complete access to everyone's belongings hanging out there, so take your stuff with you into the classroom). I stood there not sure what to do and quickly getting disappointed that I was going to miss this class. I could hear instructor in the other room, but for some reason I just couldn't walk in—not on my first visit to the studio. I snapped a couple pics to sadly share with you all and quietly shut the door behind me—but a regular was showing up late (hooray!). I asked her if it was okay to just walk in, since I was new... she kindly fumbled through some response I took to be as yes. Then I couldn't find a yoga mat, and she let me know they were inside (thank you, kind lady!). So, just like my first class in Florida, I sheepishly followed her into the class room. I'm a dork. 

No idea how Kerry started the class, but I got there during some cat/cow stretches. We followed that up with a few seated twists and then immediately went into flow sequences. I have a love-hate relationship with flow because you just move from pose to pose with little time to sink into each posture properly (for me at least, I'm slow in aligning myself into the pose). At the same time, my heat kicks in fast and I'm sweating like crazy. In fact, it appears some instructors get concerned around me, but I think I just have years of toxins in me from my pre-vegan lifestyle. That shit has to come out! And I'm so grateful it does. 

The room was on the warm side, and I wondered if I found myself in another heated yoga studio (which I don't enjoy), but after talking to Kerry after class she said she didn't think we'd need the AC until we were halfway through class. Apparently we got the room up to 85°F on our own. Go us! I do think if I start to work flow back into my regular schedule I will invest in a yoga towel mat to layer over my current mat, because I sweat so much it drips and I start to slip all over the place. It's dangerous. 

Kerry didn't walk around adjusting us—oh! I almost forgot, at the check-in desk they have cards out for students to place near their mats. I thought this was genius. They simply said "no adjusting," which is such a respectful way to handle this for all parties. The student doesn't have to feel awkward requesting to not be touched mid-adjustment, the teacher won't find him/herself in the middle of making a situation tense instead of the intention of nurturing, and the studio makes everyone happy. I love it. I will never need it, as I adore being adjusted... but I love the way of making everyone feeling safe in their own preferred spaces. Anyway! Kerry didn't walk around adjusting us—which may not happen much during flow classes, now that I think of it, because we're moving so much. She did, however, give excellent verbal cues every second of the way. Kerry also offered up lots of variations for the vast levels in the classroom (and that was just with five students). It was cool to see a couple students going into some great arm balances why I happily held my triangle pose (trikonasana). 

We ended in savasana, came back to sitting and chanting a single om, and went on our way. I think this would be a great introduction to flow for all levels—I do still encourage beginners taking a first class ever to go to a beginner's class or gentle class to spend a little more time in the poses, but if you're a sweat junkie who can't wait... this would be the instructor for you! 

Thank you for a lovely intro back into flow, Kerry!
namaste

Here's a little visual walk through of how to get to the studio—for us sign-reading impaired ;)  

see, the elevator is tucked back + blocked by a beam. I didn't have a chance!

This is the door that is a little confusing... do you go in? Yes!
And if you need a bathroom, it's to the left once you walk in.

Loooooong hallway of mystery :)

check-in (those "no adjusting cards" are on the left with a green circle)

Read More

Beach Yoga Pinellas | Madeira, FL

We spent a couple days at the beach, so you bet I was going to look up some yoga classes. When I found a location that offered paddleboard yoga, I was so excited... but quickly realized it was on a day I wouldn't be there. But they did offer up yin yoga on the beach. I love yin yoga—so I was happy to sign up.  

LOCATION: Is there anything I can really say about a location like on the beach?! Of course! Where on the beach is always the biggest question when you're going to one of these classes. Beach Yoga Pinellas does a great job of telling you where to park so you know you'll be nearby. Once you park (which these are metered parking lots for the tourists, but there are pay stations so you don't have to have change)... look for other students, they're pretty obvious on the beach just by clothing and towels/bags set up a little differently. Then set yourself up and enjoy the view while you wait for class to start! 

STUDIO: Soft sand, calming waves of the gulf, blue skies, sunshine, a little breeze. Oh yeah. $15 drop-in—exact cash only if you don't pay online before class. 

CLASS DESCRIPTION: Yin yoga works deeply into the connective tissues (ligaments, tendons, cartilage and fascia), in order to heal joints and increase flexibility through slow, gentle and sustained traction. Yin yoga focuses on slowly stretching the connective tissues around joints, which in turn also helps to strengthen them.

INSTRUCTOR: Lucy doesn't have a bio + no matter how much I google stalk, I can't find any info on her, sorry.

CONTACT: Beach Yoga Pinellas

This was my third beach yoga practice and my second Yin Yoga class I believe, and beach yoga always seems to present challenges that you almost enjoy just by default of location. For my first class it was the experience of balancing on a moving ground for the first time. The second class was learning bug spray was essential for lil buggers and sunglasses for seeing your instructor. This class was being grateful for sunglasses for the sand blowing and constantly telling myself that it was a spa day exfoliation while I lay back and feel sand going across my face. 

The other huge challenge was my focus... it was horrible. Not because of the view or the sound of rolling waves, my thoughts weren't on that beach at all. No matter how much I tried to wrangle them back in, away they went running naked through the streets. I did the best I could, and for that I'll just have to be grateful. Now, back to the practice at hand... I was aware enough to share some of it with you :) 

Lucy had us go into poses, holding them all for at least five minutes. She had different names for poses than I'm use to—so it was like taking a class for the first time just for not understanding what she was requesting. She did, like all instructors do, explain the pose or show the pose herself. The first request was banana pose. Banana pose? Yep. We laid flat on our beach towels and scooted our butts to one side, then you'd shape yourself like a banana by moving your feet + head in the opposite direction. This made my sacrum pretty unhappy, but after the tension released a bit, all calmed down. 

The whole class focused in on our hips—which mine tend to be pretty open, but I definitely felt it the next morning. Lunges, laying swan (or, as I know it, pigeon pose), and forward fold and reclining half hero pose or virasana (which my knees didn't like very much and I could have used a couple props for this (although Lucy does bring blocks + straps with her, so all was not lost. This was the one pose she came by to adjust me on the best she could) were a few poses—below you can see examples of half hero pose: 

via

I will say, that this may not be the way I would recommend a first yoga class, as luxurious as yoga on the beach sounds. Mostly because you can't hear the instructor very well (Lucy was losing her voice by the end of the practice, how she does it weekly is beyond me) and poses on a solid ground is really a better place to start. Extra props are always nice to have around, and because the wind was picking up, Lucy avoided walking around a kicking up sand to "exfoliate" our skin. This kept her from adjusting us more, unfortunately.

But for those who have taken a few classes, even, I think you'd find a beach yoga class a great experience. Here's what I recommend to bring with you (links are to my favorite brands): 

Sunscreen

Sunglasses

Bug Spray
A beach towel or two (or your yoga mat, if you don't mind it in the sand)
Something to weigh down your towel in case it's breezy (I use my sandals usually)

And, a couple more pictures of the beach, of course :) 

our instructor Lucy

couldn't resist a pic of a kiddo running into a flock of seagulls sunbathing

Read More

Yoga with Elin | Venice, FL

I've been attempting to do yoga every day in July—ok, I actually was attempting to do it everyday in June. Then June became July... and it feels like July is quickly becoming August. Bleck! I've somehow slipped into this horrible habit where everything else is getting in the way of what I really want to be doing. So, I'm trying to break that habit with this one month challenge. I know I will keep trying, and small successes will just become the way of life again. But geesh... So! When I had the opportunity for some free yoga on the beach, you can bet your sandy bottom I was there.

LOCATION: I had to do a little more sleuthing (sometimes Facebook pages are more useful than websites) to get a specific address besides Venice Beach—type The Esplanade at Venice Beach into your GPS, and it will take you to a free parking lot just North of the corner of West Venice Ave + The Esplanade S.

STUDIO: Can you complain about the beach, a clear blue sky, and the gulf? Nope. But when you go to free community yoga classes like this or yoga in the park remember your mat/water/necessities for your yoga class, because there won't be any equipment or props. Since I was traveling and knew this was going to be on the beach, I just grabbed a beach towel. I would also recommend bug spray (hey, I can plug my mom's new business Poppy's—she's a distributor of a natural bug spray called No No-See-Um™), sun screen, and sunglasses.  

CLASS DESCRIPTION: Increase your energy and learn how to breathe as nature intended. Yoga classes with different levels to fit everyone’s abilities and needs—including beginners who have never practiced yoga before and students with disabilities. 

INSTRUCTOR: Elin, a certified yoga instructor who bring’s her unique style to Yoga with Elin – Venice Beach Florida, to share with all. Her goal is to provide an environment where people feel comfortable and safe to practice this amazing discipline.
CONTACT: Yoga with Elin | Facebook

This is a really nice set up for people curious about yoga. The first half hour is a really gentle yoga, then Elin breaks for a bit so people can pack up and leave if they choose to. The second half hour is a little bit more challenging, although still friendly to beginners. The moves, for the most part, were very basic with little instruction for adjustments. I say for the most part, because during the second half we did sun salutations that led into a balancing star pose (Extended Half Moon Pose or Utthita Ardha Chandrasana)... on the sand. Which takes balancing to a whole new level. I enjoyed the challenge (and giggle, for that matter), but would have been concerned about this pose with my grandmother (who I was trying to get to go to class with me, but opted to sleep in a bit longer). Overall, it was a nice way to start the day, as always! Namaste, Elin!

Read More

The Lotus Pond | Carollwood, FL

LOCATION: Who knew when I was driving down the street, only a few turns away from my starting point... I'd end up in a wooded area, with a dirt road leading back to a log cabin (and lots of free parking)!?! I do have to say, at the major intersection just before arriving at my destination there was a bench with advertising on it that Lotus Pond scooped up and used as signage, saying to turn at the next stree... with the word YOGA big enough to see from far away. Smart, smart, smart! 

COST: $15—cash & credit card—not sure about checks

STUDIO:  I'm so glad I opted for a class at their Carollwood location, because this is their retreat center for classes, teacher trainings, and workshops. As you can see from the pictures, it's the gorgeous log cabin tucked back in the woods in the middle of suburbia—you'd never know wandering around the grounds or during your class. When you enter (after you kick off you shoes on the front porch) there's a small entrance (stairs up to the right that lead to... I dunno? #curious) with a check-in counter and ayurveda supplies (from what I can tell there's a ayurveda practitioner there with a small room located under the stairs (note to self: review that some day). And I remembered! The bathrooms were to the back, left—for women, I don't know about guys... I assume maybe back right? It was big enough for changing with possibly a couple toilets, definitely one, and a sink. To the direct back was another studio (where teacher training was going on). Our class was moved to the front left room (right before the check-in counter) due to the teacher training. So I believe we ended up in a smaller room—we somehow packed 30 people into it. If you read my first review in Tampa—I mentioned that yoga always manages to fit one more yoga mat in... well, I was proven right today as I watched us all pile in and somehow still comfortably do yoga with a few modifications. There were fans and windows, which we started/opened right away because we knew the heat would rise quickly with this large group. Props were supplied, including mats. 

CLASS DESCRIPTION: Hatha—The most widely practiced form of yoga in America, it is the branch of yoga which concentrates on physical health and mental well-being. Hatha yoga uses bodily postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation (dyana) with the goal of bringing about a sound, healthy body and a clear, peaceful mind. There are nearly 200 hatha yoga postures, with hundreds of variations, which work to make the spin supple and to promote circulation in all the organs, glands, and tissues. Hatha yoga postures also stretch and align the body, promoting balance and flexibility. 

INSTRUCTOR: Shari Feldman is a certified yoga instructor who has studied yoga for nearly 15 years, receiving her certification as a Hatha Yoga Instructor in 2009. She is registered with Yoga Alliance as an experienced teacher at the 200 hour level, and is always seeking ways to expand her yoga experience and knowledge. Outside the realm of yoga, Shari's professional background is as an Anthropologist. She combines her profound understanding of human behavior and culture with her intuition and sensitivity to a subtle energetic level. She approaches each student and group as a unique entity, carefully tailoring each practice to suit that particular moment. Her belief is that every person is born a yogi, and the practice of the yoga postures allows us to uncover the pathway back to our yogi-spirit. She believes that by integrating yoga into our lives, we embark on a transformation of body, mind, and spirit; depending on what the individual student wants or needs in his/her own life. 

CONTACT: The Lotus Pond

Well, once the room was packed in tight—she comforted everyone with awareness of heat and space as a new experience... not a bad experience. Shari normally doesn't teach this class, so she also made her best effort to make the group comfortable without morphing into the other teach they're use to. She was very present walking in and throughout the whole class, being as I wasn't aware of what was "normal"—I definitely picked up on the change of tone based on her concerns for her students. It was a kind effort that was well-received, from what I could tell. We started laying back (with the reminder that this wasn't a time to release the mind, but to actually bring it into the present), focusing on our breathing for some time. And I feel like we spent more than the first third on the mat to warm up. It was a nice extended period that I always enjoy, even as she challenged our core muscles with some yogi crunches and water wheel motions. 

Once we were up off the mat, Shari didn't slow us down one bit with holding poses that targeted some nice hip opening postures by holding them longer than usual. Which also nicely activates the core (as do most poses, right?). I could tell, because I'm still sore from my Swing Yoga class—which I love that feeling. There wasn't much direction in how to hold the pose, short of the direction to face your hips—she did say remind us to activate the core, which I often need the reminder, so I appreciated it. 

After probably an hour and fifteen minutes were up (of the hour and half class), Shari realized we had gone a bit late... so she worked us back to the mat. With plenty of time to still let go in Savasana, we were reminded of our breath once again. When she brought us back to sitting she read a poem from Mala of the Heart—I'd love to share it with you, but can't seem to find the poem specifically from it. It was relating the subtle kindness of animals in nature. It was quite lovely. 

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the fun connection between the three of my classes this vacation—the first two having training or currently teaching in Asheville, NC (#mustgo), and Shari in this class... her bio I pulled from the Yogani website, where I had class yesterday. Love it! Definitely enjoyed my time with Shari and at this beautiful location—namaste, Shari and The Lotus Pond! 

Read More

Michael Johnson Workshop | Yogani | Tampa, FL

LOCATION: Easy drive into downtown Tampa once again—in one of my favorite locations, SOHO. I literally turned down the final street and there it was —great signage, near the street, easy to see. I learned from yesterday and looked up to see if they have free parking. Their contact page says in the back, but there were a few spots in the front—I grabbed one of those and didn't get towed (sweet!). There was the Gasparilla Children's Parade going on today, so they had extra signage (I saw when I was leaving) to direct yogis to free parking, which was very kind of them.

COST: $45—This is a workshop, so I paid online last week to save my spot. They had a beautiful set up that appeared to take credit cards. I assume cash is ok, not sure about checks. This was a full weekend of workshops with Michael, so I believe there was a discount if you signed up for multiple classes. 

STUDIO:  Yogani's space is HUGE! Grrr, I just realized I forgot to check out bathrooms again—to see how convenient it is for people to change. I decided I needed to add that information to the mix, because I normally show up in yoga clothes. But yesterday three ladies showed up in street clothes and changed in the back room—which made me wonder how the changing rooms were, was there enough space for three ladies back there, what's the bathroom like? You know, standard information to help you know the space better when you arrive—less confusion gives you more time to focus on yoga, right? So... sorry, I promise to do this in the future. I have another place to check out tomorrow, let's see if I remember! Anyway, back to the space: Huge entrance/foyer where the bathrooms are located, opens up to the check-in space with cubbies for your personal belongings, a yoga store, informational table, and check-in/register. To the right there were two practice spaces—the lunar room and the solar room (our workshop was in the lunar room), and I believe there were more spaces to the right and back. Amazing! When I walked in one of the instructors was talking to a yogi about their Bikram classes—but they seem to offer all sorts of yoga—best to check out their class descriptions. The lunar room was a large studio (with all props included, minus mats), the back wall was all mirrors (which, for me, was a great option since I'm not a fan of mirrors—but some are, so during a class they could still turn around to see their alignment... or say hello to themselves in a forward fold... ok, I may have done that—what?), there was something interesting happening around the edges with curtains, but they were pulled up—not sure what was going on there, in the center were different lanterns, and one side of the room had windows with shades on them to soften the sunshine coming in. The walls are all painted neutral—it was really a clean—but not sterile in the sense you still felt like it was home-y—and serene surroundings. 

CLASS DESCRIPTION: Compassion Meditation & Yin Yoga: Meditation is an essential key to happiness. In this relaxing workshop we will discuss some scientific studies that demonstrate how people who meditate 30 minutes a day not only live longer and get sick less often, but report having healthier relationships and a higher quality of life. We will also combine compassion meditation with yin yoga, which is a gentle method that targets connective tissues and the hidden rivers of energy that flow throughout our subtle body and mind. 

INSTRUCTOR: Michael Johnson: Since he can remember, Michael's parents were his first and perfect Teachers in this life. In a way, everyone he meets continues to teach him perfectly by being examples of both how and how not to live. Among the many teachers who continue to teach him, he has learned from Sri Swami Satchidananda, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Sharon Gannon, David Life, Geshe Michael Roach, Lama Christie McNally, Lama Marut, Kimberley Theresa, and his beloved partner, Stephanie.

It is his honor, privilege, and hope to return the kindness that so many people have bestowed upon him, by teaching the highest practices of Yoga to all levels of practitioners... responsibly, joyfully, and in a way that will help others achieve their goals in this life and beyond. 

CONTACT: Clearlight

Part of the Happiness is a Skill series of workshops (Vinyasa Krama, Compassion Meditation & Yin Yoga, and two Jivamukti Yoga classes), I am so very grateful for the opportunity to take one of the workshops: Compassion Meditation & Yin Yoga. If I wasn't in Florida to spend time with my mother (which has been great, by the way)—I would have gone to all these classes. Michael was a breath of fresh air, to say the least.

It's another workshop where as I  describe the poses and timeline of what we did—it all reads silly. It was more about the community that forms in these spaces, the experience we're all sharing, the quality time spent with each other and such an amazing teacher who is kind enough to share his knowledge with us. But I'll attempt to bring you the story of our class, versus the facts.

Michael started with a little background on Compassion Meditation—defining compassion and how it is scientifically tangible thanks to our neurotransmitters (I know, we were getting all sorts of schooling, which I love). Because of that communication we get immune system boosts, better brain functions (decisions), and basically a better grasp on reality—as I see it—happiness. I did not know this... there are 100 million neurons in the small intestine. So when you have a "gut instinct"—there's a reason for it, your second brain is communicating with your first brain... and hopefully they're in agreement. If not... I suppose you barf. And that's sad.

There were and order to which you focus during this type of meditation:

• establish a sense of compassion with yourself 
• organically take that same feeling and show it towards the people you already love 
• then work out to people who you don't know—complete strangers 
• then to people you do know... but upset you (as he put it, your Holy Teachers in life)
• then to all at the same time

Michael said something along the lines at the end of class—when he was reviewing these five focuses to retraining the brain—thousands of years ago our ancestors would hear a noise in the brush and either get the heck out of there (survive) or not think anything of it (not survive). As a result we instantly take on paranoia in most situations. Or as what I'm constantly challenging myself not to do—assuming the worst in a situation. Then he said, "Why can't we treat every single person as if their our family? I mean, if you want to be literal, they are... at some point we have the same relative, if we go back far enough." It's definitely made me rethink how I interact with strangers, even more than normal.

For our Yin Yoga we did only a handful of (gentle) poses, but we held them anywhere from 5-8 minutes.

• Butterfly (Baddha Konasana or Bound Angle Pose) for five minutes
• Knees to Chest (Apanasana)—rock your knees back and forth—Michael called this hammock pose—for a few minutes to recover from the last pose 
• Pigeon Pose, on each side (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana) for five minutes 
• Windshield wipers for recovery from last pose—keep your feet on the floor though, no need to twist all the way over from side to side—you're just loosening up the hips. 
• Reclining Big Toe, on each side (Supta Padangusthasana)—straight up for five minutes, then open it out to its side for 40 seconds, then cross it over the other side for 40 seconds (keeping your hips connected to the ground)
• Legs up the Wall (Viparita Karani) for eight minutes—as Michael said, "I call this the Stairway to Heaven pose... and happen to know the perfect song that lasts for eight minutes." He walked around and tucked our blankets around our feet like a big sock—functioning the same as if you'd bind yourself with your strap, to keep the legs from falling apart. I have to add, this pose is regularly (as it was today) noted as one of the most beneficial poses for your body. 

Did I mention he would play guitar and sing to us while we held the poses? Oh I didn't? <smirk> What a talented man—I can't tell you how therapuetic it is to have live music going on while you relax your body into a pose. Complete bliss. And when he wasn't singing beautiful music, Michael would talk to us about different research results or ancient text or fascinating stories revolving around compassion. It was so inspiring. And we hold these poses for this long, because we're not relaxing the muscle (though we need that to happen first)—we're relaxing the fascia or connective tissue throughout the body.

One study—which I hope to find in one of the books he recommended to me after class (I had to read more of what he was telling us—I respond strongly to reading... I'm Ovo-Vegetarian thanks to The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone. These books may be just what I need to get off my lazy brain and do some meditation!)—what was I talking about? Oh yeah, the study I wrote down, because I liked it so much. There is research going on about heart communication. If you are within 10 feet radius of someone else... your hearts are communicating. Think quantum mechanics—as in ripples. Ok, how often do we just think in terms of quantum mechanics, sorry, lol. Actually I was watching this amazing series with my Uncle (hi Steve!) over the holidays called Through the Wormhole (may have to own this one). It talked a lot about how if quantum physics current studies are true—we basically need to throw out all science we grew up learning out the window. Insane. I'm all over the place today—sorry. So! We communicate through waves. It's like the other story he told: If you take a bunch of grandfather clocks and set their pendulums to rock at different times... in a short time, those that are close to one another will adjust and swing with one another. Ladies, you may be familiar with this when you have a group get together for a long period of time and your cycles all start to match up. This sort of communication happens with our hearts too. What an amazing way to connect with someone and not even know it. And if you spend quality time with someone... eventually your heart pendulums will sync up. Which makes my heart pendulum smile.

Another great tidbit he left passed on to us—was the class Tal Ben Shahar teaches at Harvard. Apparently the most popular class taught at Harvard in all its history. It's a positivity class, and there is a top five to being happy (easy, right?):

1. Accept Pain—it's going to happen, there's no avoiding it 
2. Stop Texting People When You're Having Dinner with Your Friends—aka, spend quality time with the people you interact with each day 
3. Thirty Minutes of Exercise Everyday—mental and physical 
4. Practice Gratitude
5. Do Less

I'll leave you with that—because that alone is an amazing lesson. If you have the opportunity to spend time with Michael Johnson, I highly recommend you take it. He oozes genuine kindness—enjoying his connection with every person he interacts with. It's incredible to watch. I had to chat with him after class, because I wanted to ask about these readings he was referencing. I, of course, dorked out... it's like talking to your favorite band after you watched them play. Just a nervous energy that makes me say stupid things... or not even think to just be normal and introduce myself. <blush> But he didn't miss a beat—asked my name, gave me the name of the books to read (first two in the list below, the others he mentioned during class), and wished me safe travels. Thank you Michael, namaste. 

People/Books Mentioned: 

Buddha's Brain by Rick Hanson
The Emotional Life of Your Brain by Richard Davidson (due out in March 2012)
The Grand Design by Stephen Hawking
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
The Bhagavad Gita

Read More

Yoga Downtown Tampa | Tampa, FL

Hello travel + yoga—I've missed you both so.

LOCATION: And GPS—I miss GPS too (mine broke, and I borrowed my mom's to get to yoga). This was an easy drive to downtown around the lunch hour (and this is the start of Gasparilla to boot). I just got off at the exit, took an immediate left and parked. I paid for street parking, but once I went in I realized they have a lot in the back—I guess you grab one of their business cards and place it on your dashboard so the owner knows you're taking a class at the studio.

COST: $12.50—they take cash, check & credit cards (all but Amex)

STUDIO:  I had the opportunity to take a few pictures—a small space with great design and they packed in 10 set-ups for Swing Yoga, which was the perfect amount of space for each yogi. The entrance was bright with big windows—and the practice space was calm and urban. 

CLASS DESCRIPTION: Flying Asana/Swing Yoga—Take your practice on and off the mat. We won't be swinging from the rafters, we will be using the yoga swing to get deeper into postures, increase balance and strength, and to pattern inversion. Everyone is saying it's nothing like what they expected... It's lots more fun! Of course just like our Swing Core Class, savasana is the best you've ever experienced, as you hang weightless in your personal cocoon. Please have a nutritious snack a half hour before class. We recommend a granola bar, banana, or peanut butter. Bring your mat and a towel—or we have mats for rent for $1. 

INSTRUCTOR: Francine Messano is the founder of Tampa's first urban yoga studio, yoga Downtown Tampa. With a Masters in Architecture and intense study into the practice of yoga, her devotion to design, urban life, and yoga led to the opening of the studio. It has enabled her to bring the benefits of yoga to those who live and work in downtown in a creative and unique setting. She is dedicated to improving both the quality of life of those who practice at the studio and the vibrancy of downtown. Yes. She likes hanging upside down.

• 200 RYT Shiva Rea's Samudra School of Yoga
• Children's yoga teacher certification—Asheville Yoga Center 
• Workshop study includes Tim Feldman, Bryan Kest, Manju Jois, and varios aerial yoga programs. 
• Certified Spin Instructor

CONTACT: Yoga Downtown Tampa

First off—Laura—where ever you are/whoever you are—thank you for not showing up to class today. It allowed me the chance to check out this studio. I should have known better than to do a drop-in on a Swing Yoga class, because unlike traditional yoga where you can always fit one more yoga mat in... there are only so many swings set up. So! Thank you, again, for hopefully taking time to do other kind things for yourself, I really appreciate it. 

I checked out swing yoga before, in Chicago at I.D. gym, and I loved it. Needless to say, I was pretty excited to get back to this practice and play some more. The music wasn't traditional yoga music—but modern picks by the instructor (that she'd charmingly sing to every once in a while). Being that this class is a little more intense, the music seemed appropriate—but when it came to savasana I would still opt for the new age-y chanting gongs sounds o' nature music (I think it's track 7, lol)... Especially while you float freely in your blue, silk cocoon. <bliss!> 

We did a nice warm up, including the wrists for  longer than usual, and now I know why. This class focused more on arms than the last class I did—starting with some plank work and crunches. Once we switched up to more standing work we also had to depend on our arms to hold us up as we did (or as I attempted) crunches again. We did some stretches once we were standing—folding into one leg at a time and what I would say is some great prep work for splits. There was the opportunity to go into Svarga Dvidasana (Bird of Paradise) from a different position using the swing—I always like new ways to enter a pose—it's good for my brain, more than anything—having to rethink how my body can work. 

There were quite a few of us that were new to this class, so we did some modified flips into inversions and then watched a few other girls do more challenging poses. So exciting to witness someone else do the work I will be able to do in the future—helps for seeing myself there. Honestly, you should go to my last review of fly yoga—to get pictures and detailed descriptions of this type of yoga. These classes were very similar in poses. As for this location to check out a new class—yes! Francine was a wonderful instructor (who leaves tomorrow for some aerial silk rope training in NY, so exciting—happy and safe travels Francine!), the space is quaint and comfortable for a new experience, it veers towards a gym sort of personality in the sense that we didn't open up with chanting om or any sort of meditation... the closest we got to those pieces of yoga was a simple namaste from and to the instructor at the end. 

I'll continue to dream of/wish for fly yoga classes in Champaign-Urbana—it would be fantastic to have this in the mix of my classes each week to really push my strength forward. I believe I said this in the last fly yoga review, but definitely worth repeating—this doesn't replace traditional asana in any way, but definitely compliments it. 

Thanks for sharing your time with me—I'll have two more reviews coming up for you while I'm visiting in Tampa. So grateful to be traveling and reviewing this weekend! *heart*

Read More