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

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A Yoga Village | Clearwater, FL

First class of vacation—flew into Tampa this morning and I'm already getting on my yoga mat <pats on the back>. This is also my first time taking a kundalini class—I had no idea what I was getting myself into! 

LOCATION: A Yoga Village has four locations—two in Clearwater and two in St. Pete. I'm referring to the Daniel St. location in Clearwater, which is very easy to get to with it's huge name on the side of a yellow building that faces N. McMullen Booth Rd. There's a free parking lot right when you pull in with extra spaces just across Daniel St. too. This place was packed probably 10 minutes before class started, so I would recommend showing up earlier than your average yoga class.

STUDIO: There was good energy the second you pull into the lot. The brightness of the building, greenery everywhere, prayer flags at the entrance, everyone's shoes hanging out before you even enter the building. Once inside there is a check-in desk and then I believe two class rooms to the left and two class rooms to the right. I was to the right. Separating the two class rooms was a great sitting area with cushy furniture, tea, and people actually using them. From here you can see the back courtyard that is absolutely stunning + I immediately wished we were having class out there. The classroom I was in was simple—carpeted floors, plenty of props, a slightly raised/staged area for the instructor with pillows, and a huge gong. One wall was doors leading out to the courtyard, two walls had windows that were out of eye shot but brought in more natural light, the last wall was props and the door to get into the room. $15 drop-in cash or card. 

CLASS DESCRIPTION:  Kundalini Yoga is the Yoga of awareness. It teaches posture, breath, mudra (hand postion), movement and mantra (sound current). Each class begins with a tune in, breathing exercises, warm ups, then a Yoga set followed by rest time and meditation. Kundalini Yoga strengthens and balances the glandular and nervous systems while it energizes and revitalizes!

INSTRUCTOR: Gail Dutton (Updesh Kaur) is a 200-hour KRI-certified Kundalini teacher and a member if the International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association. Since 2008, Gail has interned with the Aquarian Trainer Academy. As she pursues her goal to become a teacher trainer, she has participated in four Level I Trainings. Gail serves on the Professional Development Committee of the Aquarian Trainer Academy where she shares her years of corporate management and training experience. She graduated from Eckerd College with a degree in Business Management.

CONTACT: A Yoga Village

This begins my week of trying to "break in" to yoga studios... The first being the confusion of seeing the arrows meant for drivers to turn right into the lot, not for me to go to the wooden gate into their gorgeous outdoor oasis. The gate was locked, but I'm quite sure it said Entrance on it... thinking back, it may have said Not an Entrance? I immediately assumed I was the idiot who couldn't figure out how to open a door (instead of an idiot who can't read a sign), until someone walking up said, "It's probably locked." Oh yes, that could be a reason. I sheepishly told her it was my first time here and thought it was the entrance. If I would have taken maybe five more steps to the deck with prayer flags and everyone's shoes hanging out and, oh I don't know, the HUGE glass front doors that are obviously the entrance... I would have figured it out. Not an Entrance... I'll scale the shit out of these walls if I have to! But I didn't—thank you kind lady, for showing me how to get in and for not rolling your eyes (to my face, at least). 

When you enter (the huge stupid glass front doors, lol) you immediately are greeted by the front desk. They were incredibly friendly in getting me set up. This is also when I discovered none of my credit/debit cards worked (my bank was being extra cautious, why don't I ever remember to tell them I'm going on vacation before I leave?!?!?)—but they do take them, and cash. While one person was checking me in, the owner was checking someone else in and explaining Kundalini to them. So I sent my attention her direction to hear her speak on breath work mostly, before I had to go back to checking in.

I snapped a few pics and then sat down in the furthest back corner (my favorite place... easy for people to fill in the rest of the room + no one can see my butt, lol). This is when I realized everyone was wearing all white, even white hats, and I was all in black. The Johnny Cash of yoga? Perhaps. As one of the students, who I guess showed up in all-white for the first time, exclaimed to a couple friends, "I drank the kool-aid!"—I thought, oh good, a sense of humor, while at the same time I also feared I joined a cult or something. 

My brain went into puffy cat mode. 
>POOF!<  There's nothing wrong with my Goodwill yoga clothes. 
>POOF!<  Don't you think all white is a little extreme? 
>POOF!<  Crap, will this be all chanting—I don't like chanting. 
>POOF!<  Whatevs, I'm the Johnny Cash of yoga. 

Yep... I know what this is. This is what I end up loving the most about checking out new yoga spaces. I'm uncomfortable! Good, I'm right where I need to be. 

Our instructor, Gail, waited patiently as we tried to fit as many students in the room as a possible (which included other people in non-white clothes... with dyed hair... and covered in tattoos. My Johnny Cash status... immediately revoked). Gail made an effort to acknowledge the new students, letting us know that it was a gentle class and she would be sure to explain things along the way. Which was great! Every pose we went into came with an explanation. And I tell you what, pairing that pose with some form of pranayama (breath work) was incredible. Something as simple as a cat/cow stretch while sitting on your heals was explained as firing up the spine, and if done correctly your spine should actually sweat... Good for energy, digestion, and the heart chakra.

via

I didn't think much of all this work—as far as feeling any different—until I went into a forward fold. Forward folds are one of my weak poses because I have tight calves + hamstrings. But towards the end of class we were instructed to go into one and hold it—hands linked by thumbs, pointer fingers linked to big toes—and I went right into it, comfortably, and wanted to stay there when Gail instructed us out of it.

I already know breath work is beneficial in yoga, but up until this class I just assumed the goal was a calm and even ujjayi breath (also known as ocean breath—think of it as the sensation you get when you try to fog up a mirror/window with your breath, that narrowing of the throat passage is used when inhaling and exhaling). I know that's not entirely wrong, but it never occurred to me to do some of the more intense breath work while in a pose. For instance, we did breath of fire (done by pumping the navel point in and out while breathing rapidly through the nose—reminds me of hyperventilating through the nose, which is why it can make beginner's dizzy when they first try it) while holding a pose. From a beginner's perspective, I like it distracted me from the fact I was holding a pose for a long time because I was focused on breathing a certain way, but obviously does much more that that. I wish I could remember all the poses we did, matched with a certain breath work. 

We also worked with mantras. I've only recently started to personally work mantras into my yoga. It's a great mental tool to stop me from judging myself. When I'm feeling horrible because I can't get into a pose or my brain is all over the place—I repeat I am loved to myself. No need to judge at that moment, it will only make things worse. Observe where I am and remember to be kind to myself. When my ego is looking at other mats in envy instead of awe—I repeat this is enough. Keeps my yoga present instead of drooling over where I could be. In class today, we used the term Sat Nam. Sat translates to truth. Nam to name. Or truth is my name/identity. I like this description from the link I provided: 

The vibration of the mantra itself is important. Sat has a vibration that reaches upward through the crown chakra.  It is an etheric vibration, as the meaning of Truth here correspondingly isn't tangible but is more etheric.  If you meditate very carefully upon the vibration of Sat Nam, you can feel the flow of energy moving from the Etheric (Sat) to the Material (Nam).  Nam is name but more importantly it is a vibration.  The word itself carries a vibration that makes the divine manifest into the earth plane.  So Nam is a grounding vibration, a manifesting vibration.

At some point we also did a humming meditation—where I believe we were in a comfortable sitting position. Deep inhale and then hum as long as you can possibly hum—repeat. Everyone has different timing in this practice, so it created a swirling room of sound. Gail said it helps initiate a deeper meditation faster. This works for me like walking meditation, because I like having a stronger focus than sitting quietly. It shuts my brain up a little faster.

Near the end, we also had a gong bath. Cue Angela Shelton saying gooooong! No really, you need to watch this bit from my client's, That's What She Said, first event (it's only 45 seconds):

full video here

This was, honestly, pretty great (and not hovering over our vaginas). We just laid in savasana while Gail played continuous sound from the gong for... a really long time? It felt like an über subtle massage... on your inside. I usually like the sounding of a gong or singing bowl at the end of class, I can sense the vibration in my hands, specifically. I wonder what it does physically for our bodies, but have yet to research it any further. I know, from a yin yoga workshop I took, quantum mechanics is constantly working on us... so, of course, gong vibration is doing something. What? I dunno, but it feels good.

I know that Gail couldn't explain everything in full detail (which chakra it worked and the result, areas of the body detoxed, etc.) because there just wasn't enough time for all of it, but I wanted to know more. I wanted to drink the Kool-Aid too... while still wearing my Johnny Cash yoga gear. :)

I'm so glad A Yoga Village is near my mom's place—because I look forward to visiting them on all my future trips to Florida! Highly recommend for beginners—and if kundalini is a little too intimidating for your first studio experience of yoga, they offer all sorts of classes. My mom's neighbor has been here also, and shares the same excitement over this location!

Thank you for an incredible experience on my first day of vacation, Gail!
Sat Nam

See that gate there... and that arrow? Yeah.

Entrance Schmentrance

No wonder I wanted to break in—look at this courtyard!

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7 Things I Learned On Love From Yoga…

This year will mark five years in my relationship with yoga, or more accurately, my relationship with me. I could tell you all I learned on love from the good/bad/ugly relationships with family, friends, or partners, but let’s be honest… What I learn based on my perception with other people will never be as fruitful as what I learn from turning to me. And... focusing on myself gives strength to how well I play with others. 

So! 7 things I've learned on love from yoga...

1/ Breath

When you focus your breath into a location of the body that is more tense it brings space into that spot. Then, when you exhale, the tension lets go a little more and you melt closer to relaxation. It’s that melting moment that could only have existed with a little space and patience. 

Every time my temper sneaks up, I remember this. I’m a person who has to fix everything immediately. The thought of someone walking away from me with out resolving an issue tears me apart. But, I’ve learned, a little space allows the temps to cool and for people to see things more clearly—and hopefully become closer as a result.

2/ Stretching + Finding Your Edge

The fastest way for me to hurt myself in yoga is usually during a stretching moment when my ego competes to be better. I’ve learned the hard way that not respecting your edge (the push to challenge yourself without hurting yourself) will end in pain and actually move your yoga practice backwards in time.

Know your edge in other parts of your life too. When is that very moment that someone has crossed your line or, equally important, when you have crossed someone else’s line? At the same time, challenge a healthy relationship—if you don’t reach out to someone (or yourself) how will it evolve?

3/ Strength + Weakness

It’s ok to recognize where you want to improve and where you’re strong. A “weakness” is not a bad thing—it’s good to put that ego into check, and it’s an amazing starting point for tracking your progress. I can’t do push-ups. I can’t do even one push-up. Instead of being hard of myself in the yoga studio for weak upper body strength, I celebrate that moment. How exciting to watch myself progress through a challenge. How exciting to recognize potential in myself.

This one is hard for me to take off the mat and into the rest of my life. I’m my worst critic… and instead of immediately celebrating a starting point I’m defeated by my weaknesses. My ego has been checked so many times, I should live permanently in the penalty box. Often I need to stop, visualize myself working through a challenge on the mat, get into that positive mindset, and then return to whatever I'm up against outside of the studio.

4/ Balance

Some times you feel like a nut, some times you don’t. No seriously—some days you will stick it and be as strong as a mountain. Other days you’ll be all over the place like Bambi on ice. Most days… it will be both.

Balance, as we all know already, is so valuable in all parts of life. It’s also really hard to achieve at certain points in the day, or the week, or during a year (or more) of transition! Grow strong, deep roots—so when the wind picks up, you bend and sway, but don’t blow over. And while we're on the tree metaphor—remember there are seasons too. Moments to come to life and burst with energy, but also moments to hibernate and retain energy. Both are times to respect and enjoy.

5/ Being Present

When we do our centering work at the beginning of class, regularly we are told to acknowledge the thoughts of past and future but then let them go. Now is your time, for you, on the mat. What happened has happened—what you have to do after class, you should do after class… not now.

Learning to take each day as that day presents itself is an incredible lesson. Pay attention to what it’s saying—maybe you need detach from the outside world and focus on some personal nurturing. Or maybe you have so much energy today you can use it to help someone else. Maybe, who cares about any of that, and you just enjoy watching a squirrel play in your back yard for the next 20 minutes. Being present you learn to appreciate all that is beautiful around you, all you can be grateful for.

6/ Awareness

Tuning in to yourself is incredible.  Having awareness of pain—you take it easier on yourself. Having awareness of strength—you celebrate yourself. Having awareness of ego—you humble yourself.

I’m pretty sure awareness is half the battle—to retraining the brain out of bad habits, to recognizing unnecessary tension in a moment and letting it go, to allowing yourself to be what you are being at that very moment instead of deflecting, repressing, or judging.  

7/ There’s Always Another Level + This is Enough

I love yoga because it never bores me. There’s always a different variation — a larger pose your mind can’t even process yet. It is always new. It is always exciting. And you welcome it through the eyes of a child on her birthday morning. But you welcome it, when it's time to welcome it. Until then, what you're doing on the mat is enough and really rewarding. 

Oh my gosh—where is this lesson when I'm wishing I had more. I want to live in the country, I want to be married, I want to have kids, I want to make more money, so I can travel more. More, more, more... bleck! When it's time to take life to the next level—you'll do it. Until then, right now is more than enough and, btw,  it's fan-freaking-tastic!

This week in my yoga class with Jodi, she read a poem called Being Home by Danna Faulds—the last line is what brings me to my mat every time:

BEING HOME
by Danna Faulds

Where can I soften

in this posture?
Where is the edge
between opening
and force, the line
between stretch and
too much effort?

The mind and body
serve up a feast of
feelings, each breath
another chance to
deepen and release.

The smallest motion,
or even just a quiet
sigh could be all that
I require to shift my
focus from the outer
to the inner realm,
a change from feeling
lost to being home.

 •••••••••••••

In the end... it's not so much that yoga taught me to love myself. No, I've loved myself this whole time. Accepting myself is what I'm really learning, and I will be learning it for the rest of my life as I change and adapt through time.

These past five years of yoga and learning to accept Anni has been a journey of tapping into my ferocity and my kindness. It’s my larger-than-life starting point really, and I’m so grateful to be here… Taking really good care of myself by stepping onto that mat, and attempting to use those lessons through the rest of my day. That is, indeed, everything. 

Namaste.

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ARC | Champaign, IL

So! For Christmas I got a gym membership to ARC (Activities and Recreation Center at the University of Illinois) so my partner and I could encourage one another to get off the couch and back into shape. Since he is working on his PhD, he already has a membership there... Otherwise we would be going to a gym off campus, for sure. I'm not sure how after living in this college town for almost 18 years (holy cow, what?!?! When did that happen!?) I still get irritated with driving and parking on campus. But I do. ANYWAY! A couple of his colleagues are checking out the group fitness classes offered, so I thought I'd join them for one called BeamWork. Sounds all ballet and pretty and... well, like something I'd giggle falling off of a lot.

LOCATION: The ARC is 340,000 square feet—one of the country's largest on-campus recreation centers. Your standard gym schtuff plus indoor and outdoor pools, a climbing wall, massage, athletic training, cafeteria... it's like a mini-google or something. Parking is free after 5pm, but good luck finding a spot in that lot—and if you're anything like me, you'll curse at about 5 people who you want to Tuwanda the hell out of for being rude. I eventually found a street spot, but be sure to go early so you can park, walk, and still make it to your class on time. <shakes fist at campus>   

STUDIO: The space is like an industrial yoga room—exposed beams/ducts painted black with lights. There are cubbies for leaving your coat/shoes if you don't use the locker rooms, and a small room off of it for the beams, yoga mats, and gliders. This room also does nice at buffering the room on the other side... so you don't hear the music/instructor coming through the walls. Although our instructor was on a mic with loud music, so maybe a gentle yoga class would be different? You face a wall of mirrors, which I'm not a fan of, but I aligned myself up nicely behind the person in front of me so I didn't get distracted by it. Behind you is a wall of windows—I bet that would be pretty during the daytime.      

CLASS DESCRIPTION:  BeamWork is a challenging and complete mind-body workout on a 6-inch wide (padded) balance beam that is just 2-inches off the floor! Whether standing, sitting, kneeling, or lying on the beam, train the body in the way it is intended to move. BeamWork is a core-based workout that focuses on engaging and strengthening muscles, aligning the spine to improve posture, and balancing the entire body. $7 one-time pass (class cards are $50 for the semester for every class, sweet deal). They accept cash + credit cards. Treat this class like a hot yoga class—yoga clothes, no shoes or socks, wear your hair up off your neck to avoid sweat (if you normally would), bring water, and maybe even a towel. No need for your own yoga mat.

INSTRUCTOR: Carla is the regular instructor, but we had Katie as our sub tonight. There is absolutely no bios on the instructors—that's a little disconcerting. Are they certified instructors? Who knows.

CONTACT: ARC

So this review will actually be a conversation between me and my two partners in crime—Kelsey and Toyo. Before I launch into it, I would like to give a little more detail to the class. It's basically an aerobics/calisthenics on a padded balancing beam. It moves quickly, possibly too quick for warming up the body at the beginning, and has no sort of meditation/focus segment. Even the cool down was sudden and short-lived. The instructor is on a headset, and with out it you can't hear her over the music. It all felt very rehearsed. You're definitely in a group fitness class. Lots of people like this setting, but for your traditional yoga classes, this doesn't fit in. I would not recommend this as a beginning yoga class at all. I wouldn't even put it in the yoga category, but it's fun and worth trying. It will challenge your core, work your legs and arms, and give you plenty of balance work.

ANNI: Kelsey's second time—Toyo and mine's first time... That was a total sweat fest. 
KELSEY: <giggle> It was very sweaty. 
ANNI: And not as ballet-y as I was expecting.
K: It was a little more ballet-y last time. We didn't do those circle things, the sliders, last time. 
A: The sliders are evil. 
K: Those were evil. I really like the class though—it really shows how... unfit I am. Like, ugh, I can do three of something and then die. 
A: Yeah! Me too! Please, don't make me do push-ups.
TOYO: I can't balance on my left leg as well as my right.
K: Neither can I! 
A: It's common to be different on each side—my left side is better than my right. Except when we were doing those side leg lifts, I'm pretty sure I almost kicked you in the head 2-3 times. 
K: That's ok, I was flailing all around <giggles>
T: Me too!
K: But it really shows how much... you're... 
A: It makes you much more aware of your body. 
K: Very aware—I guess I've always known I lack upper body strength, which is kinda weird. 
A: I love push-ups for that... I like it for a starting point. So when I stick with it  and can finally do a full push-up... it will feel like quite the accomplishment. I can't do a full push-up. 
T: No... I can't either. 
K: I like this class, I'll go again. I got a pass. 
A: <to Toyo> Did you get a pass? 
T: Yeah, I did. 
A: Are you regretting it? <giggles> 
T: No I'm not regretting it—I like it. 
K: It's $50 for the semester, so you can make your money up fast. Last night we did... 
T: KickFit
K: Oh my gosh, that was so hard! 
A: Wait it's $50 for the semester for all classes?! 
K + T: Yeah, for all of them. 
K: You can go to any class you want, and there's a lot to choose from. Monday thru Thursday are a lot of classes. Friday, not as many. Saturday and Sunday, maybe one or two? So that sucks.
A: I guess that can be a gym focus day. 
K: Yeah... but they have early morning classes. Like 6:30am yoga! 
A:<snickers>
K: I know, it sounds really good... but some people really like that stuff! 
A: It's true—the times I've made the effort for early morning yoga. Best. Days. Ever. 
T: That's true, you like yoga, right? 
A: I do... it's why I'm reviewing this class, because I thought it would be more yoga-esque and less workout class. 
K: Last week was more yoga-like. 
A: It had definite yoga moves in it, but there was no... traditional instruction. And I felt like people could have easily hurt themselves at points...
K: Last week seemed like there was more instruction... well? I don't know, it was the first week and we were all like ahhhh.A: You were all just focusing to stay on the beam, right? Much less on alignment.
K: Yeah, alignment, that's really important. That's why I'm curious to do the yoga classes here. 
A: Maybe I'll get that pass and go with you. 
K: You can join us any time! 

<and then we go on about our work out schedules and timing of things for a bit> 

A: The parking is horrible. 
K: We were circling for awhile before I remembered the lot on Pennsylvania. Did you go there? 
A: I found a street spot on fourth... I think it was a spot. I'm testing the parking gods today. Earlier I parked at a failed meter. <giggles>

<back to schedules... Kelsey would work in the field over the summer for her grad work and then go to the gym after. She's crazy. And I go on about timing out the gym around students' schedules so you can avoided a packed gym. p.s. That's at 9am>

A: Thank you for inviting me a long. It was great incentive to try out a class! 
K: If you ever want to go, seriously, I'm trying a bunch of different classes. 
A: The yoga classes I'm definitely interested in. I guess the other classes too, I need something to push me a little more. Or I just go do the rowing machine, stretch, do the elliptical machine, and then go to the hot tub. <giggle> 
K: It's nice with the classes, because you can't just stand there <giggles>, and you can see yourself in the mirrors! I've been wanting to do the classes for years, but it's kind of intimidating to go by yourself.
A: I like going by myself, because I don't know those people so I don't care if I look stupid. <giggles> 
K: True, but it's nice to go with someone else too. 
A: You're right, I couldn't talk myself out of the class, because I knew you two were waiting for me in the lobby. It never even crossed my mind to skip! 

Then we decided to take pictures! After listening to the recording of our conversation, I realized that Kelsey and I are chatter boxes and should have given more space to Toyo to speak up. Sorry Toyo!!! 

Thank you so much, ladies, for a fun night at the gym. Maybe we'll do a review of the yoga class together too!  xo

Kelsey, Anni, and Toyo

FACES!

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Anita Purves Nature Center | Urbana, IL

I'm baby-stepping back into my reviews with a local class. It's been a rough go at getting my yoga mojo back, but writing a review again feels good. So hopefully that will help motivate me! 

LOCATION: The Anita Purves Nature Center is in a woodsy part of Urbana, IL. Even after living here since '96, I still somehow manage to never get there the same way twice (and I took a bee keeping class there back when I wasn't vegan, for Pete's sake!). I think what throws me off is you see the Urbana Park District Pool and not the nature center set further back, but pull into the parking lot... it's back there (and not even that far back there, so maybe I'm just being an idiot, lol)! Parking is free.   

STUDIO: It's winter-time here in good ole C-U (Champaign-Urbana, IL), and I'm pointing that out because that means it's dark at 5:30pm. But when that sun starts sharing more time with us, what a view they'll have, as the front of the room is all windows looking over the forest preserve. The space itself is very basic, as this isn't a yoga studio. But what do you really need? There are mats, straps, and blocks to use (I would grab my personal eye pillow and blanket to roll up, next time, but that's me) and an incredible instructor to guide you through your evening.     

CLASS DESCRIPTION:  Rising Spirit Yoga is suited to all levels and is designed to deepen one's personal practice. Emphasis i on the importance of alignment, the breath, and the mind/body connection. Hatha aims to bring into balance opposing forces of energy, and Vinyasa flows that energy throughout the body, incorporating breath and synchronized movement. Each class is tailored to meet the needs of the student with modifications and variations offered to accommodate each practitioner. The first class is free, but it sounds like the flex passes are quite reasonable. That being said, they do have a registration deadline on the site, but I think they can work with you if you're getting in late. 

INSTRUCTOR: Jodi Adams has been practicing yoga since 1991, and believes in the restorative benefits of yoga. No matter one’s age or flexibility, she offers a practice to awaken strength, balance and a mind/body connection.

CONTACT: Anita Purves Nature Center

I was rushing all over my house this morning trying to get to Jodi's 10am gentle class today at Living Yoga Center. As I ease my way back into yoga, Jodi has been there with nonjudgmental, open arms to nurture me, but when I went to feed the cats before I ran out the door, I glanced at the clock... it was 9:50am. I had to admit I just couldn't make it across town in time. And, as many of you know, when you're trying to get back into the groove of things and finally find the energy to get you there... it's incredibly disappointing to still not make it. Defeated, I sat down to look at my email, and there was a message from Jodi saying, "I hope to see you tomorrow, either at LYC or APNC." Oh yeah! Jodi is teaching a yoga class at the nature center... I have another chance! 

As I mentioned before, what a fun location! If you go a little early you can check out some of what the center offers—I mostly force myself to look at the ginormous snake as a way to confront my fear of snakes. It never seems to do much good. Oh well, off I went to set up my mat and watched everyone trickle into the room. I'd say most of the class was new to yoga or have been off their mat for a while. So this is an excellent class for beginner's to not feel intimidated at all. Jodi started us with my favorite centering pose—we had the blocks at the lowest level, I believe. So it wasn't as deep of an opener (like image below) to start us off.

from Half Moon

 

 

 

She walked us through some breathing and centering—getting the day's cobwebs out of the way so we could focus on our practice. We did some seated stretching to wake up the neck, back, trunk, and legs. Once standing, we did a few shoulder openers using our strap. You hold the strap out in front of you—straight across, hands further than shoulder width apart. You slowly raise your hands up and over your head, keeping the strap straight the whole time (and widening your hand placement if your shoulders need more space to rotate). The first time we did this is a slow motion, but the second time we lowered our arms behind us in 1" increments to hold the stretch a little bit longer. Felt good.

Next was a few sun salutations... I had to remind myself not only had it been a long time since I've practiced, but I was also really sick last week, so take it easy already! Oh how we compete with our ego <shakes fist at ego>. Then we did a couple of balance poses—the first, Jodi said she saw Seane Corn do, and since it's not an actual yoga pose I'm having a hard time finding an image. I'll piece this together though. Basically it's a forward fold—then you grab your big toe and lift your leg to be perpendicular to your body. Or... it's this pose below only you're bent over (with the free hand touching the ground or a block). 

from Yoga Pose Weekly

 

 

I did not get my leg out that far, but in the process of trying to get there, we activated all these muscles in our core, butt, and hips. Pretty great. We also went into parsvottanasna (pyramid pose) to open up the hamstrings, although that usually gets my calves for me, since they're tighter than my hammies. 

But the big take away (for me) was this amazing movement that activated all the core, my back included. Usually when I do core work, I activate my stomach and not my back. Which is why my back hurts, because I'm not using it and therefore it's weak. This trick, for the first time, was one of those mind-body connections—when your brain goes, "Oooooooh, I get it." I love those moments! So you start in sphinx pose and peel your stomach through thighs slowly up off the mat—like you're going into a child's pose—but hold it before you go into child pose.

from Embrace Yoga

What got me to activate my back (and protect it) was Jodi's cue to round my back. Holy muscle shake, batman! She had us do this three times, so I'm curious to see how I'll feel tomorrow on that one... and I'm hoping my excitement over this carries in to actually doing this on a regular basis—finally that movement from up dog to down dog (or floating from downward dog into a forward fold) will make a little more sense! 

I have to admit—after being sick—it was great to be using my body again. Thank you, so much, Jodi—for a much needed Thursday accomplishment!
Namaste

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