Come see, hear and meet Katie as she is our latest student spotlight. Watch her short video and be sure to listen to her podcast below…
Katie as you will hear in her podcast (below) has a lot going on in life, but you would never know it by her practice where she is the essence of “calm, cool & collected.” Katie is a regular in our Yoga for Strength & Fitness classes in Galesville, and when not totally immersed in life’s callings, she has been known to go to Bermuda to visit family…
Listen to Katie’s below podcast, hear her tales, and find out what she is hiding within…
The only adjustments I suggest are 1 T. of tomato spread on each cutlet (instead of 2) and I brushed on a bit of EEOV instead of using cooking spray. If you want to make it richer, a slight sprinkle of grated mozzarella cheese under the pistachios is nice. Cook time of 15 mins was perfect, 20 made them a bit too mushy. 3 slices per person with a small salad made a nice, quick dinner or lunch. (After peeling and slicing eggplant, I always lightly salt both sides, set aside for 30 mins on cookie sheets to let them sweat, rinse off all salt and pat dry to remove bitterness before beginning any recipe-but you can skip it if short on time.) Enjoy!
This is the tale of how the Giannini’s & Johnson’s visited the new Basmati Indian restaurant which opened last week in Annapolis. Here goes…
Last weekend, a new Indian restaurant had a very successful grand opening in Annapolis.
Already Basmati, as it is named, is brimming with positive reviews on-line.
And Annie, one of our resident yoginis dined there last Sunday with husband Kirk, and the foursome was rounded out with Coni and Bob.
Here is Annie’s description of her meal and dining experience:
We spent a delightful afternoon at the grand opening of Basmati, near the Harbor Center. In order to sample as much as possible, we opted for the lunch buffet: delicous alu methi (spicy potatoes), vegetable korma (mixed vegetables in yogurt sauce), saag paneer (cheese and creamy spinach), warm, toasty naan, vegetable biryani (fragrantly spiced rice)…and my favorite, dessert: gulab jamun (deep fried cottage cheese balls in honey) with rice pudding! We washed it all down with mango lassi (a yogurt and mango smoothie!)…a real treat, and we can’t wait to go back…
Here is Coni’s review…as you will see – she (& Bob) actually went there twice – first on Saturday as invited guests for the open house and then on Sunday with the Johnson’s.
I have never had Indian food before and had no idea what to expect. We were invited to their open house where a wonderful variety of food was available buffet style. I didn’t read the descriptions and tried a little bit of almost everything. There was not a dish there that I would not have gone back to order. So the next day with good friends from our Renaissance Yoga family, the Giannini family returned. All at the table opted for the buffet. My personal favorites were the vegetable pakora and the chicken tiki masala. Mango lassi was served by the owner, Debendra Sapkota, and were a great addition to the meal. We all left feeling way too full and already talking about what we will order on our return trip!
Look what opened this week at the San Francisco Airport: The Yoga Room…
And yes in case you were wondering, San Francisco Airport already has a place for meditation known as the reflection room:
“This tranquil space is perfect to get away from the hubbub. There is no eating, sleeping or talking on cell phones so you can be assured some quiet time contemplating planes taxiing silently by.”
So there you have it…coming to south county soon!!
Two Great Restorative Workshops
Presented By Special Guest Teacher: Sara Duke
Restorative Yoga: Discovery & Practice
Sun, April 1, 10a – 12:30p
$30 by Mar 26; Register Now (limited spaces)
Restoring & Rebuilding the Inner Core
Sun, April 1, 2p – 4p
$25 by Mar 26; Register Now
Galesville Memorial Hall
We wish to wholeheartedly welcome Sara Duke of Duluth, MN who will be coming to our area to present two wonderful restorative yoga workshops on April 1, 2012.
Sara and I met a few years ago as bloggers on the YJ blogsite and our relationship grew from there. She was instrumental in helping me develop the restorative workshops that I have presented to date and now we are fortunate to have her come to Galesville.
Sara and her husband are great travelers and are embarking on a mega tour of the US. When Sara contacted me saying that she was coming to the mid-Atlantic region in early spring, I was eager to have her come – for a variety of reasons: To finally meet her in-person, to have her meet our community and join in on some classes, and most certainly to have her share her expertise and present a workshop (or two!)
Sara is a wonderfully warm person and I really hope you will take advantage of this unique opportunity to take one or both of her below workshops. More about Sara is posted below her workshops descriptions…
Restorative Yoga: Discovery and Practice
Sunday, April 1, 2012, 10:00am – 12:30pm, Galesville Memorial Hall
This workshop will explain what Restorative Yoga is, talk about the risks and benefits, and introduce a number of postures that students can do at home. Students will: learn to become comfortable with multiple props; get familiar with how to set up each pose; learn options for using furniture and blankets at home to set up their poses; and learn to feel signs of discomfort in their own body and what to do to make themselves comfortable. Following this discovery process, students will be treated to a Restorative Yoga class which will include a short Yoga Nidra session.
Restoring and Rebuilding the Inner Core
Sunday, April 1, 2012, 2:00pm – 4:00pm, Galesville Memorial Hall
In this introduction to the Inner Core we will discuss the main elements of the Inner Core, what can cause Inner Core dysfunction, and what you can do to gain or regain positive function.
How do you know if you would benefit from Inner Core work?
- Do you have back pain, neck pain, a tight jaw, incontinence, trouble sitting or standing still without propping? Any of these symptoms may indicate a need to restore the function of the Inner Core.
- Are you an athlete? Inner core work will help your performance.
- Do you need to “lock” your joints in your Yoga poses to support yourself? Inner Core work will support you from the inside out.
- Are you pregnant or have you had a baby? Inner Core work will help create a stronger support for you and your baby and will help you return to full function after giving birth.
If anything in the above list is true for you, then you are someone who would benefit from learning about the Inner Core.
We will learn exercises to isolate the muscles of the pelvic floor, the pelvic girdle, the respiratory diaphragm, and the deep muscles of the spine. These are the “Core 4″ of the Inner Core. We will also learn to isolate the Core’s “helper” muscles and to stop the “bully” muscles from taking over. (Read More…) Yes I would like to register now for Restoring and Rebuilding the Inner Core.
Sara Duke, E-RYT 200, began practicing Yoga in 1998 as a way to get out of pain. After 3 car accidents as a teenager, Sara’s neck and spine were misaligned and caused pain throughout her body. Sara found a teacher that taught her Therapeutic Yoga and the Inner Core – revolutionary practices that helped her get out of pain. She decided to take teacher training to learn more and completed the 200 hour teacher certification requirements through Yoga North’s Teacher Training program in 2008 (Certified through Yoga Alliance). Since then she has expanded her knowledge and deepened her practice through multiple in-depth trainings: Therapeutic Yoga, Restoring and Rebuilding the Inner Core, Thai Yoga Bodywork, Somatics, the Therapeutic Spinal Strip and Backbender, and many philosophy classes. She has a particular interest in practicing and teaching Restorative Yoga and Restoring the Inner Core.
(Note: In a spontaneous flow, wrote and posted this Sunday night 1/22/12, then noontime Monday had second thoughts & deleted it from this blog and my computer, & created this post. Then that evening, after receiving very positive response from Ashleigh (”great…really funny & creative”), did an emergency retrieval of this original post, and here it is. Now there are two posts, two distinctly different styles of the same topic. Yes, of course, tell us what you think. Moral of the Story: Don’t freak out after writing a blog post.)
For instance, the other day I took Dad to this great park in Savannah, Ga during our recent road trip to Fla. I really dig road trips and I am glad I could show him this park – it is a favorite of mine.
Well, if you don’t mind I’d like to review a bit of ancient history. Oh no, not the Greeks, Romans or Phoenicians. I mean me! You know when I spent all that time rolling around in that pitch-dark cabin, no electricity, no on-line connection, nor wi-fi. Was that the dark ages or what?!? I couldn’t see a thing and thought I would never get out. Oh come on now, you’re not gonna lay that line on me: You don’t remember that movie… Well then what are you waiting for – see it again. Don’t even tell me you did not see it once. Heck, I am a flippin’ and a flyin’ the whole time.
Like I was saying. We took this road trip over the winter holiday as I wanted to get m & d out of dodge. But check this out. After I got the tent set up (by myself!) – down in the Fla. Keys – then they (m & d) got plumb lost. I was looking everywhere – inside the tent, outside the tent. You name it and I checked there. Spent the whole afternoon tracking them down to make sure they were OK. Totally spoiled my afternoon surfin’ plans. But what can you do – that is part of the sacrifice of having parents. It kinda comes with the package – goes with the territory.
On the whole though the trip was pretty great – I mean what’s not to like about going south in wintertime. Besides, I worked out a deal where I actually got them to do most of the driving – so I could just chill in my captain’s chair. When I am in that seat, I just totally call all the shots. It makes Captain Kirk look like a water boy.
Well you saw how I took the D-A-D to the park. Well, he just could not keep the dang thing secret. Next thing I know, the M-O-M is fussin’ this way and that about why she didn’t get to go to no park. She was prancin’ about saying: “I did not get to go to the park!”.
At that point my options were few…
To settle the score, my sole and only recourse was to take the M-O-M to the beach. Pretty killer spot!! Yep, she was much happier. See her smiling again. Still I could not get her to listen to a thing. I told her six times to wear her sun-hat, but the girl would not listen. Again, all part of the hassle of doing anything with the ‘rentals.
Well what can I say, at least they have come a long way in the last 9 months!! For that I am ever-grateful.
So that is life in a nutshell. Tell me what is up with you…
P.S. Oh wait, one last thing, I have recently enrolled the M-O-M in baby sign language classes because up until now she & Pop do not get all my lingo. Like most parents, they are just behind the times – communication breakdown! So I have sought to nip the problem in the bud! Is there any other way.
Many of you may recall the pregnancy and birth of Eliza Jane (b. 4/23/11) featured here in this video. Well here she is 9 months later, thereabouts as some of the below photos are from late December.
Here is Eliza along with her father, Matt, at a park in Savannah, Ga (I believe). They took a family car camping trip from Maryland to the Florida Keys over the holidays.
Personally, I was very taken by Eliza’s posture and positioning, looking extremely steady and ready for a 9 month old. Not to mention her keen, clear-eyed gaze toward the camera. See this larger image.
While in Florida they did some sleeping out-of-doors. And here below is Eliza taking care of things in and around the tent.
So Eliza is being exposed to all kinds of life experiences including winter camping – even if it is in the south!
Some of you may also recall that Eliza came to a yoga class not too long back – and a very short video clip was made of her time in class.
Finally, here we have mom, Ashleigh, along with Eliza at the beach. A great mother-daughter combo.
When Ashleigh and I spoke after yoga last Friday, she also informed me of a class she & Eliza are taking: Sign Language for children (or a similar type of title.)
The yogis say that there are 6 stages to language / communication. The first four are 100% non-verbal: Based on aspects like thought, ideation, inspiration, and feeling. Then it is only the 5th and 6th stage (vocal cords & tongue), where sound is involved. Teaching sign language then to an infant seems like an ideal way to further that unspoken communication link between parent and child.
Absolutely wonderful to receive this update on Eliza and family and we look forward to more in the future! Thanks so much for sharing…
In our on-going Student-Spotlight series, meet Linda and hear her dramatic account of how she has just recently made it back onto the mat after a traumatic injury.
Below please find a short video of Linda in action PLUS an audio file where she recounts her story.
As you will hear in her below audio file, Linda has had to work hard for an entire calendar year to get back onto the mat after a fateful injury. She shares her story with full candor, sincerity and courage.
For years, Linda was very regular in our classes attending 3+ sessions a week with her unlimited pass. Not only did she progress in her practice but Linda also became an integral member of our yoga community. Everyone appreciates her kind, warm, and joyous spirit.
I knew Linda had a long road in recovery, so when I saw her walk in the other day – fleet afoot and looking light and bright as can be – I was truly taken and moved by her presence.
Meditation, or sadhana (literally meaning “effort”), is the foundation of all yogic practices. The vast arena of yoga stands upon the realization gained from meditation. In this seminar we will explore the ancient roots of this great practice from a historical, cultural, and spiritual perspective.
Why did those yogis of old meditate and what did they aim to achieve? In addition, we will apply those age-old principles to modern day life. Alas, theory without practice is but a meaningless pursuit, so say the yogis. Hence we will interweave meditative techniques and practices throughout the session.
This seminar is a time to deepen your understanding of yogic thought and learn how meditation can become a more active element of your life. Whether you follow a regular meditation practice or not, this is a seminar for you to come and explore the intuitional and spiritual foundations of yoga. All are welcome.
A central theme of yoga is doing what is most natural for your body – this brings vitality, strength, and longevity.
In the above video, Professor Pig brings forth many salient points in his endeavor to lead humans onto the point of health and well-being through food choices that are suited towards their (i.e. human) biological & anatomical make-up.
Of course there are many reasons for choosing a plant-base diet – human health, environmental concerns and ecology, animal well-being, and more. This particular video looks at human anatomy and physiology.
Yoga Day – 2012
Sat, Jan 21
Galesville Memorial Hall
Free Yoga All Morning Long!!
8a Gentle Yoga
9:15a Absolutely Abs
9:45a Yoga for Strength and Fitness
Last year we had a great, great turnout for this event where so many from the community practiced together in one flow, one heart, and one mind. Your presence is highly needed so please do come on out and spread the word to all…
Special Deals on Shirts – Just $5 & $10!!
New People Buying A Monthly Pass Save $15!!
And More…
Everyone is welcome – Bring Your Friends – Enjoy this Day of Practice
This is the third seminar in our Yoga Anatomy series, and once again we are pleased to welcome Shawn C. O’Neill D.P.T. to serve as our guide. This particular workshop will be a highly interactive session as we apply fundamental anatomical concepts to our yoga practice, with lots of time for experimentation and dialog.
We will use the functioning of the spine and hips as our starting point and then take a careful look at injury prevention of the wrists, knees, and more (as time allows). Learn how proper alignment enhances and strengthens your joints, what to avoid, and how to rehab areas of pain or weakness.
Shawn and I (Satyam) aim to create an open forum for inquiry and practice. Gain insight into the inner workings of your asana practice or come to learn how to relieve some nagging aches and pains. This is a workshop for everyone; all are welcome. Do register early as these seminars fill quickly.
Handouts given; please bring a pen; notebook, i-Pad or journal (optional).
What to Bring: Yoga mat, block (if you have one), strap (if you have one), PT band (if you have one), water bottle, yoga wear, long-sleeve top for warmth, writing utensil.
About the Presenter: Dr. O’Neill (Bayside Physical Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation) holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from University of Maryland – College Park, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from University of Maryland – Eastern Shore.
Well, it is that time of year when Carolyn R retreats to her yoga, island getaway, i.e. Carriacou, for about a month or so. It happens every January and then again in July/Aug.
This is the view from her yoga mat as she does her daily practice on her “front porch.”
Quite a sight!
Earlier in the week our Maryland weather was blowy, chilly and blustery and today was quite grand for January, but really now does it / can it compare to this? Well at least we have the pictures to at least contemplate.
In case you thought the above photo was a fluke or a lucky shot, here it is again from a slightly different angle. Seems pretty authentic to me!
Two years ago we posted about her island getaway, “Yoga with a View!!“, see that blog post here…
Carolyn, have a great stay, and maybe – just maybe – we will allow you back in class when you return. We shall think about it
Thanks for sending the pics & see you soon!
Updated 11 Jan 2012: I asked Carolyn to send some pics of the Pelicans and here they are:
Is this not an incredible looking bird?
In this modern, digital, techno-everything era, we can sometimes forget about the natural wonders and how we share this earth with some remarkable creatures.
Here is what Carolyn writes:
I am enjoying the pelicans so much, it’s hard to send just a few pictures. They are huge, really, as they fly low over your head when you’re in the water. They dive from the air, and just as they hit the water, their wings spread like a parachute to slow them down. Otherwise, they’d get stuck in the sand, beak down!
Way back as freshmen in college, after our evening workout and run, my friend said, “You know, beforehand you may not feel like working out and running, but afterwards you are never sorry you did it.”
His advice was well-taken, although I probably should have done a bit more of this in college.
Here the point is that a commitment to one’s well-being is perhaps the most sound investment a person can make. All too often though, in this grossly materialistic era, investment strictly refers to money.
Yet now more than ever when the economy is so murky – and good financial investments are hard to find ( if one has the money to invest in the first place!) – then this is as good a time as any to reconsider what we mean by investment.
Money after all is but a human invention / convention that has no natural value or universal meaning in and of itself. It is a medium for the exchange of goods & services – nothing more & nothing less.
As human beings, as aspirants, as travelers on the path, when we invest we should seek out ideals that are lasting across time and space. Two immediate ones which come to mind are happiness and peace.
What is it then that makes us happy? Here we are not talking about a temporary or fleeting high, but that more lasting feeling of joy or bliss (a’nandam). What brings real joy in life? And what provides us with a sense of inner peace and contentment?
When we discover avenues that lead us in this direction, is this then not the investment we should make? Should we not focus our energies, time and commitments in this direction.
As we collectively march into this New Year, let’s take time to consider what really makes us happy, as well as how we can make joy a more stable presence in our lives.
Feel free to share your thoughts and reflections – what will be the cornerstones of your journey into 2012 & beyond?
I trust this note finds you in good health and enjoying the holiday cheer, in whatever way you may be celebrating. This is a great time to reflect, rejoice, remember our goal(s), and take aim for a spectacular entry into 2012!!
Here is a bit about what I have been up to and how this week will unfold.
Mom came into town from NC last Thursday and attended our Friday morning class in Dunkirk. She enjoyed seeing the many familiar faces in class. Then of course we held classes on Saturday, Dec 24, as well.
The last few days have been full of conversation, visiting, cooking, eating (though Saturday was a fasting day as someone did inquire), long walks, and all kinds of joyous activities.
Today, mom and I are headed up to NY for our annual sojourn and shall return Wednesday evening. So there will not be classes today, tomorrow or Wednesday.
Our public classes resume Friday morning, Dec 30, in Dunkirk at 9am for our Yoga Flow class and our normal Saturday schedule will be in full swing on Dec 31. All are welcome to join us in any or all of these classes. Come on now, don’t you think Dec 31 is an ideal time to embark on our Abs class!!!
Starting Monday, January 2, we will be back into our regular class schedule and we look forward to starting the new year with all of you and rolling out more new programs and offerings in 2012!!
Namaskar,
Satyam
Tell us your tales and how you have been passing the holidays…(comment below)
Here are two thoughts or tales to keep in mind as you move through your day…
Smiles per Hour
Speed is calculated as “Miles per hour”;
but life is calculated as “Smiles per hour”.
So live in such a way as to increase your smiles,
and get extra mileage in life.
Comment: Indeed the yogis speak of how the attainment of sukha (happiness) and a’nandam (bliss) are the key aims in life, not anything else. With that one achieves everything. Whereas all other so-called attainments (wealth, status, power etc) are mere side-shows in the hope of becoming happy and being ensconced in bliss. We should always be true to ourselves and follow our most innate desire: Achieving happiness and experiencing bliss.
What Have You Gained
Someone once asked Buddha, “What have you gained from your years of meditation and mental training?”
Buddha answered, “Nothing at all. However, I will tell you what I have lost through my years of meditation and mental training: Anger, depression, insecurity, burden of old age, and fear of death.”
Comment: Through meditation and focusing the mind on a high ideal, then naturally those less desirable qualities (fear, shyness, greed, anger etc) fall by the wayside. The goal is never to overcome fear or anger, yet by meditating on a sublime ideal then those degrading attributes automatically loosen their grip on the mind until they are gone from your personae entirely.
Last weekend, a new Indian restaurant had a very successful grand opening in Annapolis.
Hi 
Well you saw how I took the D-A-D to the park. Well, he just could not keep the dang thing secret. Next thing I know, the M-O-M is fussin’ this way and that about why she didn’t get to go to no park. She was prancin’ about saying: “I did not get to go to the park!”.
Here is Eliza along with her father, Matt, at a park in Savannah, Ga (I believe). They took a family car camping trip from Maryland to the Florida Keys over the holidays.
So Eliza is being exposed to all kinds of life experiences including winter camping – even if it is in the south!
When Ashleigh and I spoke after yoga last Friday, she also informed me of a class she & Eliza are taking: Sign Language for children (or a similar type of title.)
Yoga Day – 2012
Yoga Anatomy:
Well, it is that time of year when Carolyn R retreats to her yoga, island getaway, i.e. Carriacou, for about a month or so. It happens every January and then again in July/Aug.
In case you thought the above photo was a fluke or a lucky shot, here it is again from a slightly different angle. Seems pretty authentic to me!
Is this not an incredible looking bird?
Way back as freshmen in college, after our evening workout and run, my friend said, “You know, beforehand you may not feel like working out and running, but afterwards you are never sorry you did it.”
What Have You Gained
