Thanks to all who came out for Yoga Day this morning. What a spirited community turnout it was. After all, the temperature was hovering in the teens but that did not stop our yoga team from coming out in full-force.
We began the day at 8am with gentle yoga and a meditation – and the hall was full. 40+ people participated in that session. It was a mix of young and old, regulars and first-timers, the old faithful and new guard. We stretched and formed our bodies – leaving behind any and all stiffness. At the end we sat for a 10 minute meditation – expanding the mind, connecting within.
We concluded with a tale about a keen young man who overcomes the odds & escapes execution even when the king himself was the one who framed him. He thought (and ate) his way to innocence.
After class many stayed for tea and talk, seeing old friends and speaking with neighbors, and perhaps doing a bit of window shopping. And what about Kate’s homemade bread with blackberry jam – totally wonderful!
Soon it was time…
Fair warning was given accordingly but many brave souls attended Absolutely Abs, around 20 or so. And in a flash there we were working the abs in all kinds of ways. Everyone held steady in this fast-paced, core-kicker – save for a few moans and groans. And just as quickly as it started, we came to a peaceful halt, massaged the core and called it a session. Everyone promised to come back next week for more torture, I mean practice.
Shortly after 10am, Strength & Fitness was underway, with around 20 in the hall for this vinyasa experience. A gentle start and then we rallied our way through strength sequences, lunges, arm balances and so much more. Everyone had an energetic practice and a courageous outlook.
After S & F, people were kind enough stick around and chat about the comings and goings of life. All in all it was a wonderful yoga day – thanks to all of you for coming out!!
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
Free Yoga Class!! ~ All Are Welcome!!
Fri, Jun 4 @ 7pm
Unitarian Universalist Church
333 Dubois Rd, Annapolis
Get Directions
Absolutely all are welcome at this free yoga event this coming Friday. The style will be slow & gentle (with maybe a challenge here & there!) – the class will be suitable for everyone. I do not teach up in the Annapolis area too often – please tell your friends & family, and invite all the yoga enthusiasts you know. All levels welcome – including those who’ve never done yoga before. All that is needed is a human heart – so come on in as we seek to spread the spirit of universal benevolence amongst one and all!!
Well what a Yoga Day we had!!
View all the photos…
There was yoga (of course), great music performances by our local elementary schoolers led by their music teacher Ms Cheryl Logan, a raffle extraordinaire (thanks to all of you!) and other joys like yogi tea (thanks Michelle!), frosted vegan “yoga day” cupcakes, certificates & organic apple juice which we totally forgot to serve – that’s how much fun we were having!!
All in all more than 100+ people stopped in for Yoga Day!
Our gentle yoga class got it all going at 8am – 20+ participants were on board and ready to set sail in their yoga journey. We calmly progressed through our moves and sequences. Some of the attendees were new, some were experienced, yet all moved together. A neat start to the morning – bending, breathing, extending & ideating.
After class we talked for a moment about nandan vijiana (aesthetic science) and how to make the world beautiful through artistic expression – including music.
And then – amazingly – our 4th & 5th graders from Lothian Elementary and Shady Side Elementary performed!! And you can hear some of what they did by listening to the podcast below.
(Right now I can only get one sound file into a blog post – I have 14 short sound files and I will continue to try and get more up onto the site .)
Suffice to say here that our young musicians. were AWESOME!
There were strings, flutes, clarinets – all for our listening enjoyment. They did great…They more than deserved their certificate of participation and vegan “Yoga Day” frosted cupcake.
After that it was back to our yoga practice with Yoga for Strength and Fitness. And what a turnout we had – 30+. There were newbies, oldbies and ones in between and everyone worked hard, played hard, rested hard, and then again lunged forward and did their best. Shavasana, meditation, and a story about a boy saving the starfish reminded us that with inspiration and coordination all kinds of problems can be solved.
Then we were treated to another musical performance by 3rd – 5th graders from Lothian and Shady Side featuring clarinets, flutes, and strings, followed by a grand vocal performance by first and second graders from the aforementioned schools. And how beautifully they sang! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the performances – which were followed by more cupcakes and certificates!
Then came the free raffle – a raffle like no other!! Special thanks to all those who donated a most unique array of items.
Teresa Crofoot of 1 Tree Yoga: Two Yoga Bags, Glass-Beaded Bracelet; Karen McDonald of SERC: Amarylis Plant; Patti Sachs: Hand-Made Mahogany bowl & 2 rocks from Alaska; Lisa Oswald: Homemade Jam (2) and Apple Butter; Michelle Drake: 2hrs Face Painting; Janel Boises: 3 hrs of Creative Child Care; Dona Haske: Silpada Jewelery Gift Cert $25; Holly & Kerry Pierce: Annapolis Symphony CD, Hot Cocoa Kit, Wall Clock, Candle; Laurie Morin of Health, Prosperity & Abundance: Skin Care & Wellness Gift Package; Nancy Bateman: Karma Free Gift Set featuring Washes, Creams, Soaps, & much more; Kirk Johnson: Hand-Made Hinged Cutting Board; Sharon Brewer of Green Violet Herb Farm: Balms, Salves, Teas, and Lavender; Holly Ross: Candle Holders; Renaissance Yoga: 2 CD’s, Monthly Yoga Pass.
I think all the winners thoroughly enjoyed their prizes as there were a lot of ooohs & aaaahs!!
That’s right – after an exciting free raffle like that it was time for our relaxation segment of the morning. We did a guided seated meditation followed by a lying visualization, complemented by a personal journey of peace and tranquility.
There were some who even stayed for the entire program!
By that time it was time to pack it all in – and what a morning it was! Lots of free yoga, great giveaways, wonderful music, and your spirited participation.
Plus we also raised a healthy sum of $150 for the Haitian Earthquake victims which was donated to Doctors Without Borders via their on-line donation program on Sunday, Jan 24, 2010 .
Thanks to all for coming in and attending!! We look forward to seeing you there next year!!
Here is a list of all of our musicians:
Shady Side Elementary: Melissa Witte, Sarina LeCroy, Destiny Smith, Morgan Stueckler, Delaney Sancomb, Kate Gott, Ellie Broglie, Joshua Baker, Greg Smith, Katie Bedard, Caterina Grandi, Emilee Williams, Fin von Schilcher, Paula Duck.
Lothian Elementary: Jennifer Potter, Caitlin Brumley, Aaliyah Allen, George Carney, Abby Adey, Grace Barber, Ashely Liston, Madison Collins, Ciara Tongue, Shaun Butler, Sarah Webster, Ava Wishnow.
Podcast: Play in new window
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Yoga Day Schedule of Events
Sat, Jan 23, 8am – Noon
Galesville Memorial Hall
All below classes & events are FREE!
8:00am Gentle Yoga
9:20am Music Performance by Shady Side & Lothian Elementary Schools. For more info contact: clogan@aacps.org
9:45am Yoga for Strength & Fitness
10:45am Voice Performance by Shady Side & Lothian Elementary Schools. For more info contact: clogan@aacps.org
11:15am Meditation Circle and Relaxation
Noon: Closing Ceremony & Thank you!
Also Featuring:
* Free Yogi Tea * Raffles * All T-Shirts 1/2 Price
* Yoga CD 40% Off, just $10 * All of You!!
A Call for Raffle Items:
We are accepting give-away type of items to raffle off at this event. This is a great way to promote your business and/or personal skills as well as bring a smile to someone’s face. No item is too small. Please do consider sharing something…Thank you!!!
Join us in celebration of Yoga Day!!
Schedule of Events
Sat, Jan 23, 2010; 8am – Noon
Galesville Memorial Hall
Free Classes * Live Performances * Raffles & Giveaways * Much More!!
This is a special day to enjoy the benefits of yoga and embrace the spirit of community. We are in the midst of planning all kinds of performances and activities for the day – all totally FREE!
If there is something you feel you’d like to contribute, let us know.
More than anything else, yoga is about realizing the greatness of the human spirit. To overcome obstacles and challenges and create a totally positive flow of life. Let’s together celebrate and embrace that spirit on Yoga Day.
Yoga Day is also a BIG thank you to the entire Renaissance Yoga family – it is our small way of expressing our gratitude for your friendship, support, and good cheer!!
