Fasly-Kam

it occurs to me that the world "lonely" though has roots to indicate singularity, it really has very little to do with not having company (or a relationship). Of course, if you are in the wilderness lost by yourself you are quite alone and quite possibly lonely as well. But for the most part, the times in my life I've been the "loneliest" have been more about me not being happy with myself, and t herefore craving company of another person to distract me/validate me. You can be alone and happy and content, or in one more relationships and still feel lonely. Learning to be content by myself was a HUGE lesson that required professional therapy, personal therapy, yoga (and yes, some medication), and a willingness to go past the quick and easy solution. I now CRAVE alone time, and if I'm lonely then I enrich myself with a movie, a walk, a yoga class, a museum visit or something that feeds that yen in the most positive way! 

I just wanted to share the love by helping to promote these free, donation,and special deal yoga classes going on around town this month. As always check the actual studio websites for details or to validate class times (schedules subject to change). HAVE FUN - DO MORE YOGA! Note: As someone who tries to make a living doing what I love, but also is well aware that good yoga comes at a price, I need to acknowledge that when you find a studio that you like, it's important to continue to patronize their business(es) to help them continue to provide good yoga, and be part of the community! Yoga with Shawna at Niantic Court in Mission Beach, on the sand (in front of Edgewater) Special Groupon Deal for 1 hour of group Hiking and Yoga - only $35 Free/Donation Beach Yoga every day: HAPA Yoga 4242 Camino Del Rio North #10 | San Diego | CA | 92108 Donation Class Friday 1/23/15 @5:30PM with Lindsey (her last class)  Donation Class Saturday 1/31 @Noon with Angelica (her last class)  Free ...

Short post from my jammies, three days from a plane trip and fighting some sort of virus. Had to commit the unthinkable and cancel a yoga class today - when really my heart needs it so much. On the plus side, my sweet son who is five keeps asking if I'm better and trying to snuggle with me, and would rather "stay home wif you" than go to a Chanukah party with his friends. To more yoga, more mindfulness, more love, more space for all three.

...about the experience, not performance. ...creating a synergistic relationship among the body, the mind and the breath. ...about finding your center and expanding from there. ...about letting go of whatever doesn't serve you. ...more than asana, more than breathing, more than study, more than just getting onto your mat. But some days can be about any one, two, three or all. ...guided self-study. ...practice, not perfect. ...exercise for the body, the mind, and the spirit. ...loving for everyBODY. But not everybody will love it. ...about the process, not the pose. Your comments welcome.

One of my favorite specialty styles is Restorative yoga. In one class, we started with three narrow pranayama bolsters, two blankets, an eye pillow and two blocks. Added as we went: 2 more blankets, 1 sandbag, and a strap. We utilized a timer with a quiet chime at 30 seconds before the 10 minute mark to indicate the time to take three breaths to bring back awareness and prep to move to the next pose. The poses: Asana 1 - Salamba Bharadvajasana (supported twist of the sage Bharadvaja). This one is also safe for prenatal so long as it's fully supported and the body doesn't twist too deeply. Set up the bolsters stacked in line with pelvis, at hip, feet to other side. Lift up to extend spine, gentle start to twist, reach hands down to and around bolster and relax torso front (if possible, else side) on props. To increase twisting, turn head to side away from legs - then sink deeply - no holding! Change sides after 5 minutes. Asana 2 - Salamba Supta Baddhakonasana (supported recli...

So you woke up in a mood, and really wanted to get to your usual active vinyasa class to work out some stress, but the class was cancelled. Or had a sub. Or, you always decompress at that Tuesday night candlelit restorative class but it's full. Or, it's raining and you wanted to take a run. Or it's cold and you wanted to swim. The universe doesn't always cooperate to "allow" us to do what we want in terms of our self-care rituals. And there the lies the rub - the RITUAL. When ritual becomes compulsive, compulsory, obsessive, or unbending, it has shifted into HABitual and (should be) a sign to us that perhaps our kapha dosha is out of balance, or simply, we have gotten into a rut and need to switch things up. So today, drop into a yoga class you've never tried before. Or take a walk instead of a run on a new trail. Or just sit for 10 minutes and meditate if you don't have time for a full class. Observe the differences in your posture, your attitude just...

Folks seem to fall into four (broad) categories. (ok it's more than four, but bear with me on this): 1) those who do yoga and are happy to talk about it 2) those that like the idea but sheepishly laugh and say "Well, I hear it's good for you but I can't even touch my toes/I'm not flexible/I have injuries." 3) those that maybe tried yoga, but now shrug their shoulders and say they can't because "It was too boring/it was too hard/it was too hot/it was too weird/I hate all that quiet time meditating/breathing." 4) those who roll their eyes and give you a crossed-arm down glance while telling you they "DON'T do yoga." Let's acknowledge that Group #4 would be a hard sell, and frankly speaking if someone is dead set against even TRYING yoga, there's no point in trying to convince them (it's like politics). Group 3, well, might not be ready, and are set on the idea that any kind of regimen is to be faced with a frown. They MIGH...