why i love teaching yoga

Well there's the obvious in that I get to spend most of my day with barefeet. But in the winter I do have to wear socks. Really though, most of what I love about teaching yoga is sharing with people little tips and techniques that help them to feel better throughout their day. If I'm teaching you how to be kind to yourself AND teaching you that your knees that don't to ache during the day, then I am one happy gal. Add to that the power of intention, the breath, and the present moment and you've got one big practice with a mighty punch! So much of yoga helps us just to operate and a higher level physcially and mentally, and that's really good stuff.

I'm off to do a training for myself the next three days....thai yoga massage. The lazy woman's (or man's) yoga. I'll keep you posted on how it goes!

Have a wonder-full evening....

big faith

Doubt is the prose of the mind.
Faith is the poetry of the heart.
Aspiration is the song of the soul.
Realization is the dance of life.

Sri Chinmoy

I'm trying to make a great effort to doubt less and have bigger faith these days. Somedays it's not so easy. I guess that's where faith comes in again. I find myself falling into old habitual thought patterns at times....looking at things in a distorted way. Thinking "I doubt this....I doubt that" Blah, blah, blah.

I'm replacing it today with "I have faith...."

Care to join me and give it a go?

get out of your head

As a yogi, these words speak to me.

Have a happy Monday. I hope that each of you can find the time and the ability to get out of your head (mind, thoughts, ego) and into your heart a few times today. :-)

first day of spring

I'm not sure what it was that brought the yogi's out in packs yesterday evening. But I sure loved it! Was it the first day of spring? The free class? Or perhaps the creme filled egg that awaited everyone after class?



And this picture was taken on my way to work yesterday morning. The 25 minute drive isn't so bad when you get to look at the sun rising, the cows grazing, and the horses playing. Yesterday was a pretty perfect day (with the exception of that UK loss of course). I think it's a good sign for good times to come for all of us. :-)

And those very cool yoga socks that I've been wearing, if you would love a pair send Lori an email at lolashepherd@hotmail.com. She will accommodate peoples choice in color to the best of her ability and depending on what yarn is available at local yarn stores. If you have wool allergies or just prefer cotton, cotton blends are available. In order to properly size the sock, it is best if she can get the measurement around the arch of the foot. Depending on how much time she has, it will usually take 3 to 5 days to complete a pair of socks and they will be pre-washed before she delivers them. And at only $12 a pair, you can't beat it!!

free class today

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"
~Robin Williams

I love that!! I'm pretty happy that today is the FIRST day of spring and the sun is shining brightly upon us here in central KY.

I'm feeling happy so I would love to share this happiness with you. Come in this evening for a FREE yoga class. The easter bunny may in fact come a bit early and leave a sweet treat for you. Maybe, just maybe. ;-)

Offerings for the evening are Level 1 at 5:45 and Yoga Basics at 7:15. So gear up and get on in to celebrate the arrival of spring here at Barefoot Works!

If you're no where near Lexington I hope you'll find some time to take some deep refreshing breaths, bend, stretch and twist your beautiful body, think happy joyful thoughts, and say "it's spring, party time"!

girls rock

"Go girl, seek happy nights to happy days."

William Shakespeare

I've had the best girl time this week. Really, it's been pretty awesome! I got to spend some time with my best gal pal Liz on Monday. We did a little shopping at the mall and had lunch at PJ Changs. And have you seen was they're doing with their deserts?? They bring eight samples out in little shot glasses and you can choose which ones you want (check them out). The little shot glass samples are just the perfect size. You get just enough.

On Monday I taught my last class to a great group of teachers (here's a few of them). They're funny. Really they crack me up. And sweet they are. It's been a pleasure spending over three months with them, getting to know them, and helping them to feel more comfortable in their bodies.

Yesterday I had the good fortune of spending much of the day with my sister-in-law. This all turned out to be a bit of surprise, but my schedule was pretty open so lunch we had, shopping we did, and coffee we sipped.

I'm seeing a theme.

Today I spent an hour an a half with a cancer survivor group and felt pretty happy just being in their presence. Opening Barefoot Works had allowed me many cool opportunities in meeting people that I would have never met otherwise. I was honored and excited to share with them a bit of what I love so much, yoga. And they may come to the studio sometime for a class.

And I just finished dinner with Tracy. She just got back from a yoga therapy training in San Diego so we had to get together so she could share her experience with me.

There really is nothing quite like good girl time. Happy, lucky me. :-)

easter

Yoga For Stress Relief will be canceled this Sunday for Easter. We will also be rescheduling our "yoga off the mat" discussion series that was set to take place at 12:00. I'll keep you posted!

Also, Liz will be making her teaching debut at the noon class tomorrow. If you are free come out and show some yoga love for Liz! I'll be presenting at the cancer center and will be back next week.

self love

Since I started my 30 day challenge of practicing yoga AND journaling (this has been a key part)everyday, I'm noticing some interesting things about myself and my practice. And being nice to myself is one of those things. I think that we don't stress this enough in our world. We're taught to be nice to others....our teachers, our elders, our children, our parents, our friends, our boss, our barista, etc. But how often do we really think about being nice to ourself.

Last Monday at my yoga class I teach at a school, I tried to teach the concept of self love by pretty much sending a sweet teacher home. She came to my yoga class almost hobbling on one leg. She wanted to know is she should stay and practice even though her knee was swollen and she was feeling pain in her knee. I told her that instead of hurting herself more (not my exact words) I recommend she go home and indulge in a bubble bath complete with a cup of tea and her favorite magazine. Instead of practicing yoga,practice self love.

This is what my practice of self love has looked like this past week:
1. Doing more yin yoga, less vinyasa
2. Sleeping late (and not feeling bad for doing so)
3. Journaling everyday
4. Drinking more fresh green juices
5. Preparing early for presentations I'm giving (resulting in less stress and more love ;-)
6. Meeting a friend and chatting over coffee, having a nice long lunch with a dear friend, hearing and learning more about her pregnancy, and meeting with two other business owner friends and discussing fun and exciting upcoming business ventures.
7. Going for walks....sometimes twice a day.
8. Looking in the mirror and smiling more.
9. Cutting my hair off (well not me, but paying someone to do it)
10. Deciding that instead of taking a yoga teacher training this fall, Andy and I will escape to our favorite place for a beach vacation.

And if you want to join Sark and me in a "self love revolution" then click here.

joseph beth photos

a yogi's a yogi, no matter how flexible

"A person's a person, no matter how small." -Dr. Seuss in Horton Hears a Who

I saw this today with my two neices and three year old nephew. I'm not sure who was more excited to see it, me or them. I love Dr. Seuss. I always have. I imagine I alwasy will. I especially love that all ages, from young to old can read and/or watch his stuff and all be entertained and enlightened. His message comes across so clear and in such a fun common sense sorta way. So quickly, grab a kid, a friend, or a grand parent. Race to your nearest theater. Watch. Be amazed and amused. It's good for the soul.

The title is just my own fun take on the film today. Kinda fun, huh? Maybe this could be a film on the horizon. :-)

joseph beth books

Hi All,

Just a reminder that I'll be at Joseph Beth tomorrow at 2:00. Join me and learn short little ways to add some yoga to your daily life! I hope to see you there. :-)

this to this

Breakfast this morning was a fresh oh so good, green juice. Concocted with celery, kale, ginger, and apple juice (no apples on hand so I just used apple juice). After drinking this up I felt that I could go and and do cartwheels across the street. It does pack a big energy punch. Even more so than the three cups of coffee I had at lunch yesterday with Leigh Ann.

A very lovely gal by the name of Lori gave me this pair of knitted yoga socks last night. They are too cute...and too practical. I can't wait to give em' a whirl during my practice. I think we should all own a pair to keep our little feet warm and cozy during the cold winter months (or just to look cool in yoga class). If you love em' and want to own a pair for yourself, let me know and I'll put you in touch with Lori and she'll custom make a pair for you and your feet! And they are totally affordable. Only $12 and $14. Depending on how long she makes them.

Enjoy your day dear ones!!

picture yourself here this summer

the heart

"What the heart knows today, the head will understand tomorrow." James Stephens

Hi Friends! It's been a while since I've posted on the blog, and I find that I miss it (and you) when I've been away. The last week I've had some funny, insightful, weird and entertaining times. From the call from a local reporter asking me if I could refer her to a place where nude yoga was practiced (Here in Lexington, I inquired!!?) and the waiter at Johnny Carino's trying to convince me that the minestrone soup was vegetarian even though it's made with beef broth (Oh no, sweety you're thinking of veganism). It was all a little comical.

And after agonizing about the snow on most of the day Friday, I decided to cancel teacher training and make my way in the box-mobile to Owensboro where my sister-in-law was visiting with a sweet little baby boy. Andy was already there. I had sent him off in a frenzy earlier in the day, scared that if I made him wait too long he would miss out on seeing his sister that he only sees a couple times a year. What started out as a crazy weekend, ended with me feeling quite blessed and happy to live the life that I do.

I also had an amazing massage today. I went in for the dull ache I've been feeling in my low back and walked away feeling much more clear and awakened. Today, I'm once again reminded of my heart. All that it does. All that it endures. All that it is. And all that it allows me to be. Today I'm challenging myself to live deeply in the space and to make decisions that resonate most truly and most authentically with my heart.

That's what's going on in my world. What about yours?

saturday class

Hi All,

The Saturday morning class has been canceled. Give yourself some yoga love by practicing at home and following it up with hot cocoa....and lots of marshmallows! Enjoy the snow and be safe....

30 day yoga challenge

"When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life." Jean Shinoda Bolen

I've presented myself a little yoga challenge. For thirty days straight I will do my yoga practice then I'll follow the practice up with journaling in a pretty pink and brown striped journal titled "My Yoga Practice" (very creative, I know ;-) In the past I've always been pretty good about teaching yoga and keeping up with the physical (asana) part of yoga, but it's been tough the last couple of months. It's a very common thing that happens to yoga teachers....especially when you're teaching a lot of classes. It seems that the more you teach, the less time and effort you give to your own practice. I've noticed this happening since teacher training started in January. I've been giving so much thought and effort to what it means and how best to teach people to teach yoga that my own practice has gone a little downhill.

So no more! March is here and it's the perfect time to get back on track, with whatever it is we've let slide during these cold winter months. So I'm putting my intention out there...sharing it with you and the universe:

I intend to spend 30 days cultivating a healthy body, an awakened heart, and a clutter free mind. I intend to pay attention to my yoga practice on and off the mat. I intend to listen to my intuition. I intend to connect with everything...you, the clerk, the trees, the wind, and most things between. I intend to ignite my practice and light a spark in my life. And I intend to write about all of it in my pretty pink and brown striped journal. :-)

a yogi confesses

When I tell people that I'm a yoga teacher, I usually get a variety of responses and reactions. Here are a few common responses:

"Oh, you must be the most relaxed, zen-like person ever!"
"I bet you are sooooo flexible. I can't even touch my toes!"
"I bet you are the perfect example of a yoga teacher. You always seem so calm."
And my personal fave...."That sounds fun. What else do you do?"

So today dear friends, I come clean about myself and what it means to be a yoga teacher (at least for this gal).

1. I'm not a saint. I am not always calm and relaxed. Just ask my husband, friends and family. Ask that person driving that wouldn't let me get over in a lane to take my exit the other day. Yes, I try to make an effort to let the small things go most of the time. But there are times that I swear.....and I've been known to swear like a sailor.
2. When I practice yoga in the morning (like this morning for example) I myself can barely bend over and touch my hands to the floor. I'm not the most flexible of yogi's. And I'm pretty certain I never will. It's ok, I've moved on. Just don't expect me to bend over and walk my torso between my legs when you're practicing next to me at the studio.
3. I'm not a guru. I've never had a guru. And I'm 99% certain I never will be either of those. I'm all about discovering and living my own truth. Some days I know what that means. Other days I have no clue.
4. I've been known to make judgments, say horribly mean things, and act in rotten ways. Saying rotten things with a yoga teacher's voice doesn't change the fact that they are evil, evil words.
5. I've been known to question many things. People that I love, people that I don't know, people that I respect and people I felt didn't deserve my respect. I've questioned my beliefs and my life. And possibly yours. There have been times that I've thrown my arms in the air and told the universe to "kiss my asana".

Whew!! I feel better now. For just a brief moment, I wanted to back this up with all the ways that yoga helps me to speak more clearly, love more clearnly, and live more clearly. But I don't think I will. I need to clean the house. We have friends coming over. I think we'll order pizza, chat and catch up. Maybe even drink a beer...or two. :-)