Channel 8 Covers Yoga on the Deck

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Watch it here: Yoga on the River Video

Read about it here: Yoga on the River Article

Yoga on the Deck

Beginning Tuesday August 2, join me for Yoga on the Deck at Blue Rose Cafe. Greet the day taking in fresh air and beautiful river views.

Classes are ongoing through fall, every Tuesday 8:00-9:00AM. All are welcome, classes targeted for beginner to intermediate levels. $10/drop in, or 6 classes for $50.

Enter through south side of the building, meet on lower deck. Space is limited, so be on time to get a spot! Contact me with any questions.

Hope to see you there!


*Photo by Lewis Pond

Flexibility Not Required

"Oh, I could never do yoga, I'm not flexible enough." This is the most common response I get when I tell people I teach yoga. "You don't understand, I'm REALLY inflexible. I can't even touch my toes. Plus, I'd be too embarrassed."

It's a frustrating dispute; what we need most for our bodies are often the things we avoid because we don't want to leave our comfort zone, feel pain, or risk looking stupid. And that may be all fine and dandy for now, but if you stick with that mentality your range of motion will continue to deteriorate, leaving you unable to bend, reach, or extend your body because you neglected to do anything about it when you had the chance. We're not getting any younger here (unless you do yoga, then maybe you are).

If you find your body to be stiff as these guys cocktails, there's hope for you yet. One of the biggest misconceptions about yoga is that you have to be flexible to participate. Au contraire, mon frère, flexibility not required. We practice yoga to gain flexibility, just like people lift weights to gain strength. You don't have to bench 250 to lift weights, and you don't have to touch your toes to do yoga. Whatever your level of flexibility is (or isn't), you go from there. You benefit from the practice by working with your own body resistance as you gradually improve your range of motion.

Besides, being flexible doesn't necessarily make you 'good' at yoga. Yoga is a practice that involves strength, balance, breathing, meditation, alignment, mindfulness....the list goes on. Each person has their strengths, as well as areas that could use improvement. If you're lacking in the flexibility department, chances are you're able to compensate somewhere else. We all show up to our mats with different bodies, levels of experience, and flexibility. Keep in mind that although you might not look like the person next to you, you're working just as hard.

But what about the other people in class, the ones who can do this? Won't they be staring, judging, wondering why you had the audacity to join their class? Frankly my dear, they don't give a damn. What they do give a damn about is keeping their focus on their own mat, and you should do the same. One of the worst things you can do in a yoga class is look around and judge yourself based on what others are doing. This will absolutely 100% NOT help your practice. Compare leads to despair. Yoga is not a competition; that's why it's called a practice. There's no score, no winners, no trophies. Just practice.

I've been practicing for 5+years, and I'm no Gumby myself. I'm rarely the most flexible person in the room (not that I would know cause I don't look, ahem). To be a yogi, you don't have to be flexible in the body, but you do have to be flexible in the mind.

Photoshoot

Here's one of the pictures from my recent photoshoot with Colin Huntley. Check out more photos on my facebook page.

Partner Yoga Workshop

Looking for something unique to do in Tulsa for Valentine's Day? I'll be leading a Partner Yoga Workshop at Inner Peace Yoga on February 13. This is a great opportunity to connect with a friend or loved one while moving through a playful sequence of partner-assisted poses. This workshop is designed for students of all levels; no yoga experience is necessary. Bring a partner, or come on your own and get paired up with someone. Prepare to laugh, breath and have fun while exploring yoga through this unique experience. This workshop will be held from 6:30-8:30pm on February 13th at Inner Peace Yoga, located at 7718 E. 91st St, Ste 160, Tulsa. Pre register $22/person, $40/couple. Drop in $25/person, $45/couple.

Sunset Yoga

Join me at the day's end for a rejuvenating yoga class in a beautiful sunset setting.

Unwind and de-stress as you increase your energy while using your breath to flow in and out of poses that build strength, stamina, balance and flexibility.

Follow yoga class with an optional silent meditative nature walk.

Every Mon & Wed 7pm-8pm
Chandler Park Community Center
$5/class, drop in anytime



Artwork by Vanna Mcallister

Yoga For Beginners

Walking into a yoga class for the very first time can be a little intimidating. If you are someone who's considering trying yoga or are just starting out, here are some tips to make your practice easier and to encourage you along your path.

What to wear: You want clothes that are comfortable and don't restrict your movement. Inverted postures are often done in yoga, so don't wear a shirt that's too baggy, as it will fly over your head while upside-down. Also, exceptionally short shorts are a bad idea cause they tend to ride up in various poses, exposing more than you intended. Hats and glasses are likely going to fall off or get in your way, so avoid wearing them if you can. Your body temperature will change throughout the practice, and chances are you'll sweat, so layering can be helpful. Yoga is done barefoot.

How to prepare: Do not eat a big meal before attending class. Yoga is done best on an empty stomach. Do not wear any overwhelming fragrances. Bring a bottle of water if you think you'll need it, and a yoga mat if you have one. Most facilities will have mats you can use if you don't have your own. Arrive to class 5-10 minutes early so you'll have time to fill out any necessary paperwork and ask any questions you may have. Let your teacher know if you have any injuries. Many studios request you remove your shoes before entering, and always turn off your cell phone. Place your mat in a spot preferably in the back row so you'll be able to see what the rest of the class and the teacher are doing.

Choose the right class. Everybody has different needs, and everybody starts from a different place. Just know that where you are, whatever shape your in, you are in the perfect place to begin a practice. There's a multitude of yoga styles/classes out there, so just find one that suits your needs and show up! Also know that nobody is going to force you to do anything in the class you're not capable of. If you need to rest in class, it is perfectly acceptable, even encouraged in yoga. You're not letting anyone down; yoga is not a team sport, it's an individual practice.

What to expect: The majority of yoga classes will consist of breathing, stretching, strengthening, and balancing in a series of standing and seated postures. Your instructor may use Sanskrit words, the ancient language of yoga, but don't let that confuse you. Experiencing the poses is what really matters. There will likely be people of varying levels in your class. Most of them will likely be women. Do not expect that your poses will look like theirs; remember every body is unique. Remaining focused and present during your practice will make you feel calm, peaceful, energized, and centered. Yoga is designed to give your body immediate and lasting benefits. With regular practice, you will notice an increase in flexibility, strength, and self-awareness, to name a few.

Often, the most difficult part is just walking through the door. I would highly encourage you to take this step and attend a class. As the Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu said, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. You never know, it just may change your life.