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!

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. :)

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.

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.

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. :)