Two weeks ago, Journeys In Yoga, LLC Studio hosted a full day of FREE yoga. All of the Journeys In Yoga, LLC teachers and friends pitched in to help. The classes were packed. All day long, the good energy was flowing in and out of the studio. The studio had a huge heart. New and old Yoga community members fell in love with Journeys In Yoga, LLC.
The owner and her husband set up the space perfectly (if anyone else helped, way to go!). There were tables and chairs set up outside the studio for people to socialized and enjoy complimentary refreshments. Participants had the whole day to decide when they wanted to practice Yoga. Yoga classes started at 9:30 a.m. and ended at 5:00 p.m. The two studios helped to provide class variety and accommodate more people. Looking back, it is hard to remember how the studio first looked with only one studio space. Currently, the classes are packed and the Tallahassee, FL community is bringing Yoga into their weekly routine.
It was great to see new faces at the studio. People poured into the studio and everyone was ready to enjoy the complimentary Yoga classes. The studio was packed. When a class was too full, teachers offered to jump in and instruct an extra class in the second studio. The spontaneous and generous help made sure that Journeys could accommodate everyone. Yoga Day USA, reminded us all of how much Journeys In Yoga, LLC wants to give Yoga to everyone who is interested.
On Free Yoga day, I taught a class in the heat, and the room was packed with eager participants. There were new and old participants throughout the room. It was refreshing to teach a class with no expectations. Individuals were just grateful to practice. The class flew by and I loved every minute.
Unfortunately, I was unable to stay for the whole day because I was teaching at FSU in the afternoon. Journeys' Yoga spirit kept my good energy moving forward, and I had a magnificent time instructing a 70 person class. Free Yoga day was one of my best January 2010 memories! Cheers to the power of Yoga and many thanks to Journeys In Yoga, LLC Studio for your endless generosity!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Gluten-Free Banana Pancakes!
As requested here is my only pancake recipe. They are amazing and simple!
Ingredients
2 Mashed Bananas
1/2 Cup Almond/ Soy / Rice / any kind of Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
2 tbsp Ground Flaxseed
1/2-2/3 Cup Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Pancake Mix
1/4 Cup Walnuts (optional)
1/4 Cup Chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 Cup blueberries (optional)
Mix first four ingredients and add the pancake mix. Stir in walnuts and blueberries. If you choose to use chocolate chips add them after mix has been placed on the pan. Cook pancakes below medium temperature. Once bubbles start to form it is time to flip them. The pancakes are delicate and need to be flipped with care.
Enjoy and feel free to provide feedback. Don't forget to use fresh Canadian maple syrup!
namaste
WG =)
Ingredients
2 Mashed Bananas
1/2 Cup Almond/ Soy / Rice / any kind of Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
2 tbsp Ground Flaxseed
1/2-2/3 Cup Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Pancake Mix
1/4 Cup Walnuts (optional)
1/4 Cup Chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 Cup blueberries (optional)
Mix first four ingredients and add the pancake mix. Stir in walnuts and blueberries. If you choose to use chocolate chips add them after mix has been placed on the pan. Cook pancakes below medium temperature. Once bubbles start to form it is time to flip them. The pancakes are delicate and need to be flipped with care.
Enjoy and feel free to provide feedback. Don't forget to use fresh Canadian maple syrup!
namaste
WG =)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Joschi Body Bodega Yoga Studio in NYC
Thank you Cooper, for my holiday gift. Yoga classes in New York City were perfection on a stick!
It is hard to find the perfect gift that is thoughtful, personal, and green. The Yoga classes were all of the above. First of all, I love Yoga. Second, the gift required minimal waste in order to package it in an envelope. Finally, I was completely surprised and more excited for our visit with Cooper's family in NYC.
I had been mulling over different Yoga studios in NYC, but could not make a decision. Unexpectedly, Cooper, took a shot in the dark and picked a studio that was close to his Uncle's apartment and a studio that had good online reviews. It was logical and turned out to be perfect! Yoschi Body Bodega mailed the five class pass to my home in Canada, and made sure that I could open it on Christmas morning. I was given 5 Yoga classes at Joschi Body Bodega, which was perfect for our six day visit.
I loved the cold walks to and from Yoga class. It was a nice change from Tallahassee, FL. The classes were dynamic and full of energy. They found a perfect fusion between Yoga, Pilates, and dance. Each class had a creative flow that appropriately challenged my strength and endurance. It was a nice break to practice Yoga and not have to think about instructing. Everyone needs a break, and time to mentally refocus.
I am now back in Tallahassee, FL and sharing my Yoga experiences.
namaste,
WG
It is hard to find the perfect gift that is thoughtful, personal, and green. The Yoga classes were all of the above. First of all, I love Yoga. Second, the gift required minimal waste in order to package it in an envelope. Finally, I was completely surprised and more excited for our visit with Cooper's family in NYC.
I had been mulling over different Yoga studios in NYC, but could not make a decision. Unexpectedly, Cooper, took a shot in the dark and picked a studio that was close to his Uncle's apartment and a studio that had good online reviews. It was logical and turned out to be perfect! Yoschi Body Bodega mailed the five class pass to my home in Canada, and made sure that I could open it on Christmas morning. I was given 5 Yoga classes at Joschi Body Bodega, which was perfect for our six day visit.
I loved the cold walks to and from Yoga class. It was a nice change from Tallahassee, FL. The classes were dynamic and full of energy. They found a perfect fusion between Yoga, Pilates, and dance. Each class had a creative flow that appropriately challenged my strength and endurance. It was a nice break to practice Yoga and not have to think about instructing. Everyone needs a break, and time to mentally refocus.
I am now back in Tallahassee, FL and sharing my Yoga experiences.
namaste,
WG
Monday, February 1, 2010
Public Speaking
The art of public speaking has always been a personal challenge. I will never forget my grade seven French speech. I chose to talk about what my dog does when no one is home. I did not chose a mature subject matter and I was embarrassed from the start. I think we all know what our dogs do when we are not home, but I thought I would make up a story. It was super silly.
Speeches are a big part of grade school. I never liked them but tried my hardest to be creative and embrace maturity. Kaitlin, my good friend, was fortunate to witness my memorable tween event, the French speech in Madame Gadbois' class. Picture this, I am standing in front of my class, ready to finish my speech, and I burst into tears. My teacher did not know what to do when I broke into tears. I had so many tears in my eyes that I could not see my audience. She had me immediately sit down, and on the third day of presenting, I was able to finish the speech. During my final presentation, I presented my last paragraph with a gentle rainstorm down my face.
My nervous public speaking energy rooted from my lack of confidence and understanding of the situation. I was happy in my own world of Dizzy Design jumpers (over-sized, one-piece, cotton outfit, decorated with puffy painted pictures of me dancing), a Mayan Craft headband, and the lack of upper undergarments. I did not feel like an outcast; I knew that I was a little different and super quiet.
Today, I practice public speaking on a daily basis and I love it. Instructing Yoga has improved my self confidence and allowed for me to overcome my fears of public speaking. I have not reach Obama's ultimate stage, but I enjoy sharing my insights during practice. Every new space that I teach in provides a challenge but I have yet to shed tears.
Every once in a while I find myself stumbling over my words. Some how, I seem to find a way to overcome my nervous energy. Last week I could not remember how to say anything. I kept mixing up the difference between your hands and feet. I could barely separate words so that my instructions were easily understood. After a week of stuttering, today I spoke clearly. My words were heard and my public speaking was renewed. No tears, no fears!
namaste yogis!
WG xx
Speeches are a big part of grade school. I never liked them but tried my hardest to be creative and embrace maturity. Kaitlin, my good friend, was fortunate to witness my memorable tween event, the French speech in Madame Gadbois' class. Picture this, I am standing in front of my class, ready to finish my speech, and I burst into tears. My teacher did not know what to do when I broke into tears. I had so many tears in my eyes that I could not see my audience. She had me immediately sit down, and on the third day of presenting, I was able to finish the speech. During my final presentation, I presented my last paragraph with a gentle rainstorm down my face.
My nervous public speaking energy rooted from my lack of confidence and understanding of the situation. I was happy in my own world of Dizzy Design jumpers (over-sized, one-piece, cotton outfit, decorated with puffy painted pictures of me dancing), a Mayan Craft headband, and the lack of upper undergarments. I did not feel like an outcast; I knew that I was a little different and super quiet.
Today, I practice public speaking on a daily basis and I love it. Instructing Yoga has improved my self confidence and allowed for me to overcome my fears of public speaking. I have not reach Obama's ultimate stage, but I enjoy sharing my insights during practice. Every new space that I teach in provides a challenge but I have yet to shed tears.
Every once in a while I find myself stumbling over my words. Some how, I seem to find a way to overcome my nervous energy. Last week I could not remember how to say anything. I kept mixing up the difference between your hands and feet. I could barely separate words so that my instructions were easily understood. After a week of stuttering, today I spoke clearly. My words were heard and my public speaking was renewed. No tears, no fears!
namaste yogis!
WG xx
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Yoga in every conversation
Recently, my conversations seem to always include the topic of Yoga. It is one of my main passions but it is not my only interest.
For instance, while out for a friends Birthday celebration I kept finding myself talking about Yoga. I told a friend, in midst of our conversation, that I was not to talk about Yoga for an entire hour. Ten minutes later, the topic of Yoga was back in business. I did not even realize that I was talking about Yoga, again. Yoga is taking over my life=)
On a side note, I could very well be having a conversation about Yoga with myself. I might think people want to hear about breathing and asanas, but really they are not even listening. Needless to say, it is time to avoid the conversation completely. I need to have certain questions that prompt the topic but if they do not ask I do not bring up the subject. A simple question regarding my day or form of employment will not be prompts. I am currently a student and I can default by saying that I go to school full-time.
Yoga is an easy topic of discussion and people seem to be genuinely interested. It is not political and it is meant to be a peaceful activity. It is not like Yoga is a private topic but it does not need to bombard conversations.
How does one spread Yoga without talking about it?
Lazy Sunday,
WG
-xx-
For instance, while out for a friends Birthday celebration I kept finding myself talking about Yoga. I told a friend, in midst of our conversation, that I was not to talk about Yoga for an entire hour. Ten minutes later, the topic of Yoga was back in business. I did not even realize that I was talking about Yoga, again. Yoga is taking over my life=)
On a side note, I could very well be having a conversation about Yoga with myself. I might think people want to hear about breathing and asanas, but really they are not even listening. Needless to say, it is time to avoid the conversation completely. I need to have certain questions that prompt the topic but if they do not ask I do not bring up the subject. A simple question regarding my day or form of employment will not be prompts. I am currently a student and I can default by saying that I go to school full-time.
Yoga is an easy topic of discussion and people seem to be genuinely interested. It is not political and it is meant to be a peaceful activity. It is not like Yoga is a private topic but it does not need to bombard conversations.
How does one spread Yoga without talking about it?
Lazy Sunday,
WG
-xx-
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