Tuesday, November 29, 2011

My current schedule

SUNDAY
9:00 am AT THE YOGA SOURCE
GENTLE YOGA

MONDAY
9:00-5:00
PRIVATES
6:30 pm AT TPC EAGLE TRACE COUNTRY CLUB

TUESDAY
6:30 pm AT MY HOME STUDIO-Call for directions
HATHA LEVEL 1

WEDNESDAY
HATHA LEVEL 1

THURSDAY
4:30 pm AT THE YOGA SOURCE
HATHA LEVEL 1

FRIDAY
11:00 am at TPC EAGLE TRACE COUNTRY CLUB
HATHA 1

I offer private and semi-private sessions in my studio or your home. Contact me at claudiasyoga@gmail.com or 954-815-8727 for more information.

Peace, light and love to all
I bow to the divine light in all of us
Namaste

Friday, June 3, 2011

Saying hello!

My life has been a whirlwind of yoga lately. I am teaching almost every day and sometimes twice a day. I am a very lucky girl. :)

Teaching yoga is a blessing in my life. I learn something new each and every time I teach class. Becoming a yoga teacher was one of the best things I ever could have done. I am happy every time I teach a class whether it is a group class or a private session. Peace and light to all. :)

Monday, May 16, 2011

My current schedule

Juliana is leaving on Wednesday and my subbing starts. As of now I'll be teaching for Juliana on Monday at 10, Tuesday at my home studio at 6:30, Thursday for Juliana at 10 and at the Yoga Source at 4:30, Friday is the day I do privates, Saturday for Juliana at 10 and at the Yoga Source at 10 two Saturdays while Juliana is away and then there is Sunday at the Yoga Source at 9:00 and my home studio at 11:00. Wow! I'm thinking I am going to need a vacation from Juliana's vacation. LOL LOL I am honored to be subbing for the most wonderful teacher on earth. :)

Sunday, May 1, 2011

One of my favorite things in yoga.

Loka Samasta Sukhinu Bhavantu. I often end my classes with this ancient chant. It is very meaningful to me. It means may beings everywhere be happy and free and may the actions of our own lives make that happen. I love that. May beings everywhere be happy and be free. The dogs, the cats, the people. ALL beings everywhere. I hope someday it happens. Namaste :)

Thursday, April 14, 2011

My Thursday Class At The Yoga Source

I am teaching today at The Yoga Source on Wiles Rd in Coral Springs. I have to take some pictures of the studio and put them up here. It is such a wonderful peaceful place not only to teach but also to take a class. I feel as if I am able to breathe deeper just by walking in the door.

I love my 4:30 class. It is a weird time and it's not the largest class that they have at the Yoga Source but the students that come are really into it. Most of them are people who are just off work and they need to come down off the wall a little. I always make sure there is time for pranayama (breath control) even if it is just a few minutes. Pranayama helps us come in contact with our bodies and become aware of the changes in the body from moment to moment. It also allows us to slow down and really breathe deeply. I can't even think of starting a class without pranayama.

I usually start on the back but maybe I'll start in seated today. It's always good to shake things up a little. I am going to do some balance postures today. I have been neglectful with balance lately. It is not my strong suit so I tend to not do those postures but I need to be more mindful about incorporating balance postures in my classes. I'm thinking today I will do tree pose and dancers pose. I may even bring in standing stick. I'll see.

I always end my classes with by rubbing lavender essential oils in my hands and walk to each student and place my hands over their faces so that that can smell that wonderful relaxing small. I do that in my home classes as well. It always helps the students to get in the mode of letting go.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

My first hot yoga flow class and I was the teacher!!!

Yesterday at about 5:20 pm my cell phone rang with an unfamiliar number. I picked it up and it was Collette from the Yoga Source. She told me she had recently been in a car accident and wasn't feeling well. She then asked me if I would sub her 6:00 class. I wildly thought what kind of classes she taught when she told me that my students would be "upstairs". Upstairs is the hot yoga room. Then I realized that she was one of the hot yoga teachers. She sounded so desperate that I decided to do it. Yep, I taught my first hot yoga flow class and it was quite the unusual experience.

I introduced myself and one of the students asked me who I was and where was Collette? Sandee who is also a hot yoga flow teacher came to me before class and told me that this person might very well get up and leave and not to be upset. He was a difficult student who wanted what he wanted. I told him my name and that I was subbing this class. He said "I don't know you. Where is Sandee?" I told him that Sandee was downstairs teaching a class right now and maybe he wanted to go there. He agreed and left. It really didn't bother me even a little bit. That happened to me at Juliana's and I've already realized that if someone leaves your class it's their problem not yours. I was kind of glad that I was able to get him to go.

I started the class in seated so pranayama was short. I was already sweating my butt of after pranayama. We did some seated postures and then I brought them into downward dog. Sun salutations and then everything you could think of from there. Knees chest chin, cobra, warrior, arm sweeping just flowing from one move to another. I just kept the class moving.

About 50 minutes into the class I started having trouble. I found it difficult to breathe. I decided to slow it down and bring them into some postures to hold. We did some forward bending and then after a vinyasa I brought them down to the belly. We did locust, flying locust, cobra, bow and anything else I could think of to stay on the belly.

I brought them down to the back at about 7:10 and did some knees to chest and basic stuff. Then relaxation complete with lavander essential oils. All of the students thanked me and said that my class was exactly what they needed. That was nice to hear. I had made it through my first hot yoga flow class and I was a complete success. I am pretty damn proud of myself. :)

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Help! I've Lost My Chakras!

Have you ever felt like you've lost your chakras? Worse than that, have you ever felt as if a situation or person stole your chakras from you? That's how I've been feeling lately. I had a situation happen that made me feel as if I would never be able to feel them again. I'd never be able to visualize the chakra colors again. I'd never be able to chant the seed mantras again without thinking about the afore mentioned situation. Even after spilling my guts about what happened to one of the people involved I still felt tense and tight. Even anxious and I am not an anxious person.

I went to Joy's class at The Yoga Source this morning. It was good to be there. I love it there. I love teaching there and taking class there as well. When Joy came in Ruth requested a restorative class. Everyone in the room was on board except me. I was the only one who went on record to say that I wanted to have my ass kicked but if everyone else wanted restorative I would agree to it. Joy pulled out the bolsters and blankets and guided us through a fabulous restorative class complete with virparita karani (legs up the wall) and supported child.

At one point in the class she started talking about the chakras, their colors, location on the body and had us breathe into them. It allowed me to visit my chakras again but this time with Joy one of the two yoga teachers that I love and adore and respect above all other teachers. She spoke of them gently and calmly and I was able to bring my attention to them and not be afraid because I felt safe with Joy.

I emerged from Joy's class with a renewed sense of well being. I realize now that the wanting to have my ass kicked was tied to the above mentioned situation and now I can really, finally let it go. Yay!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Making The New Studio

The new studio is up and running. It is absolutely gorgeous. The carpet was a disaster to begin with. When the carpet installers came and started to install the carpet I looked at it and knew that I absolutely hated it. It was awful and I was totally upset about it. Michele called and I told her so she told me to stop the workers from installing the dreaded carpet and call the store and tell them. I did just that and they were very accommodating. I chose a different carpet but had to pay an extra $100. It was totally worth it. I was extremely happy once the new carpet was installed.

The right carpet

I love the paint that Michele and I picked out for the walls. It's called Arabian Sands and it is a lovely shade of brown/tan/beige. The trim is white and it looks great.

I also love the blinds that I chose for the windows. They were a little too small but they look great. Pat had a tough time getting them up and even pulled out his back doing it. Its weeks later and he is still having trouble with it but he is very proud of the job he did getting them up. They look wonderful.

Windows before

Windows after

Leroy came over and installed doors at the kitchen entry so that I am able to close them and have some separation between the studio and the house. Once again, this was Michele's idea and it was a great one.

New Doors

Once all of the workers left Pat and I put some mats out and we were both extremely happy with new studio. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I will be posting more pictures very soon. I need to take them. :)

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Everyone Loves My New Studio

Hatha yoga classes have started in my beautiful new studio. My students love to practice there and so do I. I get a very peaceful feeling there. I will be posting pictures of the finished studio soon.

I would like to thank Michele who made this studio happen. She's been my very best friend for 30 years and is the person in my life who makes my crazy ideas become realities . When I got the news that I was being thrown out of the salon I called her crying. I told her that I really wished that I had my own studio so that I would never have to worry about being treated the way I was at the salon. Fast forward three weeks and I was sitting in my new studio. So thanks Michele. You rock!

Last week was the first Tuesday night class and it was wonderful. When it was over Red and Rachel produced the wine, glasses, corkscrew, crackers and we had a party. It was so much fun. I really appreciate that they went to so much trouble. They were so happy that classes were back on they decided that it was worthy of a party. I'm glad they did.

My Sunday students had their first class last Sunday and they really loved the new studio too. I was able to keep the Sunday classes going at Rita's house while the renovations were going on in the house. When class was over they thanked me for the new studio. It made me very happy to know that everyone loves the new place.

Hatha yoga class will begin tonight at 6:30 as usual. We will be practicing with an open heart. The music will be my very favorite Krishna Das. Call me for more directions to the studio.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

The First Class In My Very Own Studio!

Tonight is the first class in my new beautiful yoga studio. It is such a wonderful space and I am extremely happy with the way it turned out. Of course, there are some things that need to be finished. Some painting that needs to be done, the om needs to be finished but all in all I think it is a gorgeous space and I am very proud of it. I will post pictures soon.

Monday, February 21, 2011

My New Yoga Studio Is Almost Ready

The renovations to make a yoga studio in my home are progressing nicely. Pat and I have been painting for days and we don't have too much more to go. It's really looking great. I picked out a lovely light brown color called Arabian Sands for the walls and the trim will be white. I think it will be a very calming color scheme and perfect for a yoga studio.

The carpet is going to be installed on Thursday morning. It is a berber style of carpet with both beige and darker brown fibers intertwined. I think it will be perfect for a comfortable savasana but thin enough to be good for balance postures as well. I am thrilled with the way things are working out.

We will be having bi fold doors installed so that I can separate the yoga studio from the rest of the house. This way Pat will still have some privacy when classes are in session and the doors will help in keeping Rigby out of the studio as well. The doors will be installed on Thursday so the main work should be finished by the weekend.

Speaking of Rigby I am awaiting the delivery of the wire crate that I bought for him. I am going to crate him with a special doggy chew that he will only get when he is being housed in the crate. I am planning on getting a nice comfortable doggy bed for the crate so he can lay down and be happy and busy chewing while I am teaching classes. If that doesn't work I am going to take him over to my friend, Michele's house while classes are going on. It will definitely be a pain in the ass to cart him back and forth but I need him to be either quiet or gone.

There are some decorating things that need to be done. I am having Kerry's very talented artist friend, Jessica paint a big Om on the front wall in brown outlined in gold. I also need to deal with the window coverings. I have bought wood blinds for the windows but I'm not sure it's going to work. Pat and I are going to look at that either tomorrow or wednesday night. If it doesn't work I'll get a pull down shade and put some sheers curtains up around the perimeter of the window.

I took some before pictures and I will take some after pictures and post them here. I can't wait to teach the first class in my new studio. Thank you owners of Etro Salon. Even though you treated me like garbage you gave me the push that I needed to get out of there and build my very own studio. You did me a favor. :)

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Out with the old and in with the new!

I taught a wonderful class last Sunday at the Yoga Source. I even had one student, I think her name is Paula, crying with emotion. I guess that is a good thing. It means I am a good teacher.

I went to Scaryland to teach my last class and imagine my shock when I walked upstairs and the room was blue! All of my blocks, straps and pillows were in the middle of the floor. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was very upsetting.

I had all four students there and they decided that they wanted a class so I taught one on the cold floor downstairs in the salon. It was a great class but I was not very grounded. I was totally upset but Erin, Tim, Rita and Nancy seemed to enjoy the class anyway.

Rita offered me her house to keep the class going and I told her that I would give her free classes if we practiced there. She agreed but also said that she wants her husband to practice too. I'm really not sure how this will work out but it is a temporary fix for sure and I more than appreciate her offer.

I went to Bob's office and spoke to Red and Rachel. They were very upset but I promised them that I would find some alternative place to have our Tuesday class. I actually have an appointment with a guy that I got from Hilda who has a personal training place. I don't know how that will go but I will go and see him tomorrow. Maybe his people would like a yoga class.

In the meantime, Michele has been really pressuring me to convert the garage into a studio. I know she means well but Pat is not a fan. As a matter of fact he is adamant that he doesn't want to do it. He said he would be ok with me renovating the living room and turning it into a studio. I spoke to Michele about it and she agreed to let me house Rigby at her house during classes in a crate. She will be coming on Tuesday and she is gone on Sundays. Pat said that it was ok with him and he would just close the bedroom door. I was actually shocked that he was willing to do it but he knows how much this means to me so as always he is supportive of my endeavor.

Kerry is a total fan of the idea too. She has offered up her room as a storage room so that I have more room around the house to put stuff while I am doing the clean out. She also wants to buy me something pretty and yogic for the studio. She actually said that she didn't like the salon because of the noise and the negative energy. I have to agree with her on that. She also thinks I should take pictures and blog about the renovations so that people can read about it. I think it's a good idea.

I started today by filling up 5 garbage cans with stuff like old videos, old printers, ma's scrabble set, old dvds and just stuff from the blue room and living room. I am going to continue the clean out every day until I'm done.

After the clean out the couch goes, the carpet goes, and then I paint. After the painting is done I am going to get someone in to clean the floor and grout, get some new window treatments and new berber carpet and then I'll be good to go. I will have my very own studio and I will never have to answer to anyone else again.

It is going to be a huge job but I am going to do it. I'm going to make it beautiful and I will be happy and always have a place to teach. I just have to not ever give up on this dream. I have to make it happen and when it is all finished I am going to invite Juliana over to see it and bless it. That will make everything right!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Teacher of the Month

I was named Teacher of the Month at the Yoga Source in yesterday's newsletter and I am thrilled to death. Shocked but thrilled to death. I can't believe that this happened only one month after starting my regular Sunday classes. It is a real honor to be the Teacher of the Month at such a wonderful and prestigious yoga studio.

The Yoga Source has over 35 people that teach all different kinds of yoga including Hatha, Hatha flow, Gentle Hatha, Hot yoga, Kundalini yoga, partner, yin yoga and other kinds as well. I teach a Gentle Hatha Yoga class on Sundays at 9:00 am and a Hatha Yoga class on Thursdays at 4:30 pm. I hope you will come and practice with me...you know...the Teacher of the Month of February. :)

Friday, January 28, 2011

Give and Take

As yoga teachers sometimes we forget that we are first and foremost yoga students. Although teaching is very rewarding in many ways, it is a giving experience. We give our energy, our experience, our attention and love to our students. We must remember to receive as well and in order to do that we must take classes as opposed to teaching them.

My birthday is tomorrow and my present to myself will be an early morning class with my yoga person and guru Juliana. I will soak up all that Juliana has to give us and be present in class. It is the very best birthday present that I can give to myself. It's the perfect way to start my 59th year.

My 58th year was a fantastic year for me. I took my yoga teacher training, got certified by the Yoga Alliance and started teaching my own classes. Before I knew it I was subbing at the Yoga Source and then I was offered my own Sunday class and now I am also teaching at the Yoga Source on Thursday afternoon at 4:30 in place of Francie who broke her leg. This means I am teaching my own two classes at the yoga loft upstairs from Etro Salon and two classes at The Yoga Source. How could 59 be any better? Well, we never know what the universe will bring to us. :)

Our yoga teacher training graduation on the beach. Top row left to right is Wendi, Juliana, Courtney, Stacy. Bottom row left to right is me, Ruth, Hera, Veronica


Thursday, January 20, 2011

Teaching at The Yoga Source

Yesterday was a wonderful day to teach yoga. I was subbing for Joy at The Yoga Source and I had been looking forward to it ever since Joy had asked me to do it. I love teaching there so much and I'm hoping to remember to bring my camera and take pictures so you can all see this gorgeous studio that I am lucky enough to be teaching at.

The skies were gray and it looked as if it was going to rain. I really tuned into the weather before I went to teach class and I think the gray skies and slight drizzle helped me as I went along in this Wednesday morning class. I felt as if the weather was telling me to slow down and really feel the poses so that's what we did.

I was very happy to see new people in class as well as some of the regulars from Joy's Wednesday class. One of the Yoga Source teachers named Tamara was there as well. I have taken some classes with her through the years so I'm hoping she enjoyed my class yesterday.

Yes, yesterday was a wonderful day to teach yoga but then again any day is a wonderful day to teach yoga. I will be teaching today at 4:30 at The Yoga Source. Come join me as we transition from day to evening in this late afternoon hatha yoga class. :)

Friday, January 7, 2011

Yoga in nature

I stepped outside in the backyard and realized that it was really a beautiful day. I sat on my yoga mat and started breathing and slowing down. The next thing I knew I was in a full pranayama practice really feeling my breath. It seemed very natural and right. I started to lengthen my body and really filling up my lungs and feeling it maybe more than ever before.

I continued a long yoga session practicing all of my favorite standing postures. Triangles, warriors, side angles, sun salutations. Each posture really felt good. Wonderful in fact. I couldn't stop my practice. I just continued until my body told me to stop.

I ended my outside practice in savanasa on my mat on the grass. I could feel the sun on my face as I relaxed every muscle in my body. It was the best savasana I've ever experienced. I have no idea how long I stayed there but I do know that it felt right to be there. :)


Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone. I will be teaching Sunday mornings at 9:00 at the Yoga Source starting tomorrow and then at the yoga loft upstairs at Etro Salon at 11:00. Both of these classes will be gentle yoga classes. If you are interested in the 11:00 at the yoga loft please contact me (either email or cell phone) so that I can wait for you before starting class.

I will also be teaching on Tuesday nights at 6:30 at the yoga loft upstairs from Etro Salon as usual. This class is a hatha yoga level one class. It will help strengthen you, teach you body awareness and challenge you with breath work and asana. At the end my classes you can look forward to a nice long relaxation with aromatherapy for your senses.

I am looking forward to getting back to my regular classes and seeing my students from last year. I am also excited about my new classes and new students. Namaste to all!