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. :)

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!

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. :)

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

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. :)

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. :)

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!