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)

During the Thanksgiving holiday, we will be offering all of our regularly scheduled classes except for on Thanksgiving day itself.

Thanksgiving Week

Wed Nov 23: YES, Classes as Scheduled
Thur Nov 24: No Class
Fri Nov 25: YES, Classes as Scheduled
Sat Nov 26: YES, Classes as Scheduled

So come on in for yoga during this great time of year.

In addition here is a special that we are offering:

Holiday Season Special for 18 – 30 Year Olds

1/2 price yoga for all persons aged 18 – 30 from Nov 25 – Dec 25. This applies to single classes and 5-week sessions. Does not include monthly passes or seminars.

This morning after our 8am class we drew the names for our annual National Yoga Month raffle. There were 15 winners overall, 4 of whom were in class this morning to receive their prize. Here following is the complete list:

After each person’s name in parentheses is the class(es) they usually attend.

Renaissance Yoga Thermal Travel Mug: Kirk Johnson (Sat AM, Galesville)

Renaissance Yoga Thermal Travel Mug or CD: Susan Bupp (Seminars)

Renaissance Yoga Shirt of Choice: Nancy Poole (Attended 1st Class Yesterday)

Renaissance Yoga Organic Cotton Tote Bag: Robin Rogers (Herbal Seminar)

Manduka Mat Wash: Patty Inglis (Community Yoga, Galesville)

Manduka Lyrics Hand Towel: Kim Fuller (Tues PM, West River; Fri AM Dunkirk)

2 Herbal Tea Mixes (donated by Green Violet Herb Farm):
Sara Gunther (Tues PM, West River: Wed & Sat in Galesville)

Herbal Heal All Salve (donated by Green Violet Herb Farm):
Sarah Lawhorn (Lives in MT; Fri AM when in town)

Renaissance Yoga Red-Neck Wine Glass (donated by Mark Pierce):
Judy Neighoff (Community Yoga, Galesville)

Renaissance Yoga Red-Neck Wine Glass (donated by Mark Pierce):
Jean Rupard (Tues AM, Lothian; Thurs AM Ches Bch)

Note: In Renaissance Yoga parlance the “Red-Neck wine glasses”
are actually “Yogini Chai Tea Cups”!! Please remember that Jean & Judy!!

Bring a Friend Free to Any Class: Coni Giannini (All classes in West River & Galesville)

Bring a Friend Free to Any Class: Ana Dorantes (Various Classes)

Come to Any Seminar Free: Pam Hawe (Thurs AM, Ches Bch)

A Free Week of Yoga: Dona Haske (Tues AM, Lothian)

Unlimited Monthly Pass: Dave Clark (Community Yoga, Galesville)

POST SCRIPT:
1. Kirk, Coni, Kim and Sara were all present in class this morning and got their prizes;
2. The other 11 winners need to come in and get their prize – except Sarah as MT is a bit far – she will get hers via post;
3. Ms Katy E. picked all the names from the large glass bowl – displeased parties can lodge a complaint with Katy;
4. Sarah L and Pam H are repeat winners from years prior – talk to them to find out the secret winning formula;
5. Thanks to everyone for your spirited participation in National Yoga Month activities. Till next year!!

Ok – my yogi and yogini gardeners – the season is underway. A few have expressed interest in this so I am putting it out there for all.

Are you growing a garden this year? Are you interested in swapping extras of your own harvest for extras of someone else’s harvest? If so, this Great Garden Swap might just be the thing for you.

Just to get you into the spirit – take a look at Mark’s garden. He has got a great looking raised bed. (Note: He claims that this is his “1st time garden”).

Now don’t go blaming Mark for giving me the idea to start the Great Garden Swap. He is totally innocent – actually it is all Tina’s fault. Blame her. Mark’s garden is featured here simply because he was the first to send me a picture of his garden. That’s it – test your luck – send me a photo of your garden and see what happens!

So with this Great Garden Swap, it is all quite simple. Grow plenty of something – submit your name and crop(s) to me – and we will add you to the pool of traders. Then you can check out the extras that others grew.

So the Great Garden Swap is (a) very local, (b) full of good karma and positive vibrations, (c) extremely economical, and (d) very tasty! In that case, why not participate?!?

After all Mark is not just planting, watering, and nurturing – he is eating too!

Check out this great looking sample from a salad (spinach, lettuce & radish) that came from Mark’s garden! He and his family were indulging in fresh greens this weekend.

The moral of the story is this. If you don’t have a garden, then get going with one. And then get prepared to share your leftover bounty and partake in the fruits of someone else’s loving labor!

Waiting to hear from you as we get the Great Garden Swap off the ground!!!

On the eve of a possible government shutdown, many may be feeling concern.

Please know that whatever may come to pass, yoga remains a constant for all who wish to attend.

Economic circumstances need not be an impediment.

Whether it be tomorrow morning or next week or whenever, our collective yoga program is a resource for all and meant to be practiced in both good times and trying ones.

I very much look forward to seeing you in class.

Namaskar,
Satyam

Our 3rd Annual: Eco Yoga Day

Sun, Apr 17, 2p – 4p

Galesville Memorial Hall

$15 Donation (All proceeds go towards a local green project)

Register Now

Come celebrate the Earth Day season with our 3rd annual Eco Yoga Day. This is a time to engage in plantings, participate in a community, and recognize our inherent connection to the earth. Along the way we will do yoga and meditation to attune our bodies and minds to nature’s calling.

This year our theme will be: Biomimicry. This is a pioneering field wherein nature serves as the inspiration for all kinds of human activity including building construction, technology and so much more. After discussion this emerging arena with Karen McDonald (Environmental Educator), we will plant some heirloom seeds in newspaper pots that we make. This would be mimicking nature’s process by using seeds that can be harvested again and again (not just store bought seeds). We may also plant flower seeds that could be germinated and then planted around Galesville Hall later.

We will begin the afternoon with a short yoga session. In past years, we have always done tree plantings as well. Our gratitude to both Exterior Image (Lothian) and Greenstreet Gardens (Lothian) for donating trees in years past.

So come on out for this great, local, community gathering.

Register Today

Also take a look at pics and read about our past Eco Yoga Day events:

Eco Yoga Day 2010 ~ Eco Yoga Day 2010 Pics ~ Eco Yoga Day 2009

Here is our Tuesday night schedule – starting Feb 22 – as we move into our new site:

Christ Church, 204 Owensville Rd (Rt 255) West River

7pm Yoga Tone

This is a yoga class for anyone and everyone. And the best thing is that on Feb 22 and March 1, the class only costs $5!!

We will skip class on March 8, and our traditional 5-week sessions will begin March 15. Come on out – let’s make Tuesdays another great yoga night – and we’ll take it from there and build on it.

Due to the winter storm warning, our evening classes in Galesville are cancelled for Wednesday evening, January 26.

Please be safe in your vehicles and cars.

Look forward to seeing you when the storm passes.

Our winter shirts have been extremely popular. And many of you have expressed interest in ordering (more) of these great-fitting, bamboo and organic cotton winter shirts. Here is a look at the selection for our upcoming order. We will be placing the order by Fri Feb 4 . Email us ASAP with your selections….

Women’s Shirts

Core 1/4 Zip Mock $35 (image left)

Comfort Layer Mock $32

Selma 1/2 Zip Mock $35

Skinny Racer $25

Note: Our prices are well below retail & include our 5-color logo, tx & shipping

Or you can get any garment you like from their website. Be sure to select your proper size and choice of color.

Kindly know that we have samples of some – but not all – shirts available in classes.

Men’s Shirts

Impact Layer Mock $32 (image left)

Beaver Falls Training Crew $28

Regulator Mock $45

Note: Our prices are well below retail & include our 5-color logo, tx & shipping

Or you can get any garment you like from their website. Be sure to select your proper size and choice of color.

We are proud to announce that Manduka has selected Renaissance Yoga as their studio of the month for January 2011!!

We got the great news last Monday (12/27) and have submitted all the required materials: An extended new bio and pictures of our classes and events. They edited and selected the photo – do check out what is up on the site! The link is below…

Thanks to you and the entire Renaissance Yoga community for your ongoing support – in all kinds of ways. You are the heart and soul of who we are and that was the theme of our presentation on the Manduka website.

Be sure to visit Manduka’s studio of the month page and see our expanded bio and photo under January 2011!!

Note: Leaving a comment on the studio of the month page is easy as pie. Please do share a few words and let them know about our Renaissance Yoga spirit!!

Thanks to all of you, 2010 was quite a year at Renaissance Yoga. So many wonderful things happened; so many new programs came to life; and so many of you came and made the year a successful one.

I’m not a “numbers person” per se – more of the “events and story” type, keeping in mind that the ordinary can be just as noteworthy as the extraordinary.

2010 started out voiceless – the worst case of laryngitis of my life. No, not because of any late-night partying and screaming at New Year’s, it was due to an ulcer on the tongue and swollen glands in the neck. So there I was totally voiceless on Sunday Jan 3 with a huge week of yoga ahead of me: Pre-season with Loyola’s winter track team on Jan 4, my corporate class at Vocus with Fox News on-site Jan 5, an evening with the Girl Scouts Jan 7, along with my other 15 – 20 regular weekly yoga classes. So it was an extremely busy start to 2010. And you know what, with your good graces & support we made it through!!

And that is how the whole year transpired. Despite personal limitations, one wonderful interaction, event, and seminar flowed into the next.

There was National Yoga Day on Jan 23rd where we got a huge turnout at Galesville and had some of Lothian & Shady Side Elementary Schools’ finest ensembles and musicians to perform. They got Yoga Day cupcakes and certificates, and there was free classes all morning long – not to mention Michelle’s wonderful homemade brew of Yogi Tea.

Thereafter the Abs class took birth on Saturday’s & it is still alive even though one of the regulars, Linda, told me today that “I still don’t like this class!” January was capped off with our initial Restorative Yoga workshop – something we offered twice more (April & Nov) in 2010.

So we got started on the right foot – all working working (karma yoga), meeting new people (satsaunga), and sharing with one another (seva or service).

February featured huge snows, snow yoga, and the shooting of our first-ever  yoga videos: An introduction * Testimonials I * Yoga For Strength & Fitness * Gentle Yoga * Music Video. Wow! What a scheduling fiasco that was! In the end, the snow gods and goddesses granted us a pathway to move ahead. And what a great day of shooting we had! Thanks to all who participated – and much gratitude to our videographers: Paul & Nancy.

Once calmer days (i.e. less snowy) prevailed I was fortunate to spend a morning with the Calvert County Librarians – all of them! No it was not my annual reading test – we did yoga (what else!). And they behaved just fine, though I will say they were noisier than expected. But I did not tell them “Shhhhh” – even though as  kid I was on the receiving end of that countless times, deservedly so no doubt.

After finally making it through one of the snowiest winters on record, spring arrived – and with it Eco Yoga Day!! Here is the tree we planted this year. And we also got ready for the good weather with a large order of new short-sleeve shirts! Another spring event was Women’s Day at Jug Bay – which we did again in September.

Before totally jumping into Fall, let’s talk late spring and summer – especially since this past week (Dec 12 – 18) has been so frigid & blustery! Our second-ever Eating Healthy seminar in June was just what the body ordered: Neat recipes, fine fare, and nutritious offerings. Once summer got into full swing, it was off to the Naval Academy for our 3rd annual yoga session for their National Cross Country Camp. Here are pics from our 2nd annual X-C camp at the Naval Academy.

Through the first half of the year, all was well in our community-based classes in and around south county and northern Calvert county. Tight hamstrings got stretched, spines got twisted, and minds became calm. In addition, the summer of 2010 was informally dubbed the season of the arm balance as a number of new poses and variations came into play. Still need to put some of the informal videos up!

And indeed what would summer be like without Yoga and Live Sitar. I tried to get everyone warmed up by watching this. Though as always, Mr Anthony Malatesta was right on the mark and all the devoted aspirants who came needed no external inspiration – it all flowed from within. The Live Sitar and yoga program was very vibrating, and newsworthy too as it was written up in the Chesapeake Current.

And what would summer have been like without vacation – your vacations filled with yoga poses!! Thanks so much for sending your yoga pose photos from your travels.

Featured here is Jean with two of her grandkids taking in life at the beach. But there were so many other excursions including Sara’s wonderful X-C tour. Be sure to scroll through all the yoga vacations blogs for great pics!

We concluded summer with an Intermediate Yoga workshop in order to review, refine, and move ahead. Another thing that one cannot help but notice when in class, summer featured a huge interest in Manduka mats, in particular the Black Mat. It seemed like each week a new box was on order.

With our footing assured we rolled into fall.

September was National Yoga Month: Filled with specials, discounts, free yoga and the ever-popular end of the month Yoga Raffle with lots of prizes: Manduka yoga accessories, free seminar passes, and much more. And what a great week we had with the Southern High School X-C team doing yoga at Coach Ellmore’s farm.

September also featured our TV interview with Wendy Rieger (NBC-4) on her new show: Pier Review. Thanks to all for your wonderfully supportive comments. The show aired in October, but as you can see it was distinctly an end of summer type of shoot.  And along the way a darling kitty was saved!!

Partnerships were also key to getting fall going – and really an on-going theme throughout the year. In September, we also offered our first-ever Yoga Anatomy seminar (Back & Hips) with Shawn C. O’Neill (DPT) – and even produced a short video from it. In fact our videographers captured the entire afternoon which we hope to turn into an educational yoga video series. BTW, our next Yoga Anatomy seminar (Neck & Shoulders) will be Feb 20, 2011.

Enter October, with fall truly upon us, and classes in full-steam ahead mode, we escaped summer’s heat and experienced one of the greatest falls ever – absolutely wonderful weather. Live Sitar was our October seminar – well attended once again and then…

…Then we had a huge Halloween Yoga Bash!! The costumes were fantastic – and a record was set for yoga in Galesville Memorial Hall. We had 42 participants – totally great!! Now do you remember how at the beginning of this post I said I was not into numbers. Well now you can tell me to stuff it. Our first Halloween Yoga in 2007 had 8 people, 2008 had 16, 2009 had 24, and then we hit 42 in 2010. It was a real community event – full of spirited people as well as spirits!! And yes, it was free to all who came, with healthy light fare served afterwards!! Watch Frankenstein introduce himself…

Hitting our stride in November we eased into a calm – once again with Restorative Yoga. Ms Mary Flora played a wonderful flute and our facilitators – Annie & Sharon – kept it flowing smoothly. In today’s world of rush, rush, rush, Restorative Yoga is truly a savior. We feel we have come up with just the right chemistry to create the desired effect. (Thanks also to our good friend Sara in Minnesota for all her help & encouragement!)

Fall was also full of life stories: Bob’s license, Yogini in Texas, a near fall, and countless other stories that never made it into the blogosphere. As we all know it is often the unseen and untold that is most significant: our own thoughts, feelings, and reflections as we journey through life. Our great hope is that yoga offers you a medium to touch base with those very real experiences – not missing a beat, a breath, or a moment.

And now here we are in December. New Bamboo winter shirts have arrived; stainless steel water bottles are due in, but mostly it is about us all taking the year in and preparing for the grand finale.

Last week we did offer our 3rd Eating Healthy seminar where we were all treated to great ideas on health, food, and tasty tidings. That has been yet another fortuitous partnership that is turning into a semi-annual tradition (June & December). Thanks Bethanne and Kenny for coming down!

We will be offering classes through the end of December and we certainly hope to see you in the New Year. But before getting ahead of ourselves, let me simply say: Thank YOU!

In a million years I never would have guessed that I would be so fortunate to share yoga with such a great community. The other day I was speaking with someone out in front of the Galesville Hall and we were discussing various parts of the country – places we have been to, seen, & lived in. That talk only reinforced in mind one of the great things about our locale: people are as they are. The posturing, the “scene”, the bravado are all left by the wayside – and what is left is the nectar: a community of human beings.

Perhaps it is like that everywhere – I certainly hope so – but that we certainly have here. And that is what yoga is all about – Samgacchadhvam spirit: Moving together in a natural and collective manner where all get the opportunity to explore their inner wealth.

My very best wishes to you in this holiday season – looking forward to seeing you again soon, as always. Namaskar.

Well we have been working hard in creating and perfecting the brand new Renaissance Yoga stainless steel thermal mug – and we believe we have it!! Well almost…

It should be completed today! It is of course high-grade stainless steel perfect for both hot and cold beverages and it is insulated, plus it is perfectly designed and styled to fit in a standard travel holder. And yes it has our logo as well. Embroidered!!

Yes, the logo has been done by a local embroiderer and she is doing a fabulous job. We hope to have a few sample mugs completed and done today and thereafter mugs will be available for anyone interested. Stay warm this winter with your brand-new, Renaissance Yoga insulated mug!!

Our bamboo winter shirt order is coming up soon. What is great about this order is that you can get whatever shirt you want at great wholesale pricing – and we will be putting our 5-color logo on the back with Renaissance Yoga and the bird on the front.

If you would like a shirt – you must inform me and order ahead of time. Extras will not be ordered. Email me with your (1) choice of style, (2) size, & (3) color.

The following are shirts we are certain to order:

#1: Core 1/4 Zip Mock

A great shirt for winter wear…high quality bamboo and moisture wicking materials. A sample of this shirt can be seen at any class. Available in womens. Colors: Black, White

Read more about this shirt here

Pricing: $35 approximately (incl screen printing, shipping & taxes).

Here is another shirt we are seriously considering:

#2: Racer Tank Top

Another high-quality active-wear shirt that transfers well to our yoga practice. Made from bamboo and other moisture wicking materials.Womens. Available in six colors (see below link.)

Read more about this shirt here

Pricing: $25 approximately (incl screen printing, shipping & taxes)

Here is the men’s shirt we are looking at:

#3: Training Crew

Lightweight flex-fiv fabric (bamboo / cotton) wicks moisture and regulates body temperature, keeping you dry and comfortable. Reinforced seams at the neck and shoulder offer durability and style. Men’s. Available in six colors (see below link.)

Read more about this shirt.

Pricing: $28-30 approximately (incl screen printing, shipping & taxes)

Or go to this website, and pick out any shirt or garment you like – let me know – and I will look into getting it.

Ok, this is it – we should be on TV this week!!

As many of you know, Wendy Rieger (NBC4 Anchor, Washington DC) has started a new show called “Pier Review”. Renaissance Yoga was the first subject for this upcoming series which is due to start airing this week.

Wendy interviewed me on her pier: We talked, did yoga together and demoed a few poses. And then Wendy came to a class and shot some scenes.

She tells me the producers were quite pleased with the audio and video sections and that it has all come together nicely into a very dynamic package. And it is due to air this week.

It should start this Wednesday or Thursday on channel 208. I say “start” because it will air multiple times in these next two weeks. Will keep you posted.

And yes, much gratitude to Wendy and her staff!!

Join us for our 4th Annual Halloween Yoga Gathering!!!

Wed, Oct 27, 7:15pm

Free to ALL in Costume

Refreshments Served

This is a great occasion to be enjoyed by all and do come in costume – that is the way to go.

The first year I was a laundry basket; the second year I was Abe Lincoln; the third year (last year) I was a pirate; what will I be this year?? What will you be?? These are the pertinent questions of the day.

Remember those who show up for this one – and we do normally get a full house – get good karma for life. Totally guaranteed not to be attacked by goblins ever again!!!

See you there – unless you’re too scared!!

Photos  Halloween Yoga 2008 —–  Photos Halloween Yoga 2009

Here are the winners of our September 2010 National Yoga Month Drawing:

Raffle Item: Name of Winner (Class they attend)

Manduka Stainless Steel Water Bottle: Rebecca Watson (Sat S & F in Galesville)

Manduka e-Qua Hand Towel: Sarah Brewer (Wed S & F in Galesville)

Manduka e-Qua Hand Towel: Sarah Lawhorn (Daughter of Julie Corneiller and lives in MT; comes to Tues & Fri morning when in town.)

Manduka Zipper Case: Gina Berube (S & F Mon nite, NECC)

Manduka Mat Sling: Sharon Brewer (S & F & Gentle, Tues / Wed / Fri)

Renaissance Yoga Shirt, Bag or CD: Nicole Fitzgerald (Community Yoga)

Renaissance Yoga Single  Seminar Pass: Jean Bellegarde (Community Yoga)

Private Yoga 1hr: Patty Inglis (Community Yoga)

Unlimited 1-month Yoga Pass: Val Bolger (Community Yoga)

Thanks to all for making this a great National Yoga Month!!