Hello, Yogi! Angela here.
Maybe you’ve noticed I’ve been away from the studio. Or maybe you didn’t. If you’re new to the studio, it’s possible we haven’t even met yet. In any case, . . .
My husband and I have spent the last few weeks in Florida. I know how that sounds. Maybe your mind conjured up memories of partying during spring break or lying around on a beach all day. But that’s not how we roll . . . . No trip is ever a true vacation. As small business owners, work never stops. Nevertheless, these trips help us incorporate a little more recreation between work duties and help us improve our health – his by lowering stress levels and mine by increasing Vitamin D and non-yoga activity like walking (there’s a lot of walking). I also get to practice yoga as a student in a tiny studio that is packed with talented teachers and welcoming students!
I’ve also used my time here this year to learn new things. I completed more of my qigong coursework (Yes, I’m studying qigong! I find it to be a powerful complement to a yoga and meditation practice.), and I’ve read two books.
Now, my idea of a “beach read” is a bit different than most . . . .
The first book I read is Somatics: Reawakening the Mind's Control Of Movement, Flexibility, And Health. Somatics is a field within bodywork and movement studies that emphasizes internal physical perception and experience. While I’ve instinctively been teaching this way for a while now, I plan to immediately start incorporating the specific practices I’ve learned into my Saturday morning class (“Bhakti Flow & Yin”) as well as into two upcoming workshops: “Yoga for Low Back Pain” and “Yoga for Neck, Shoulders, and Upper Back.” So, if you’ve attended either or both of those workshops in the past, just know that I’ll be sharing new information this time, including a daily routine for eliminating chronic pain and tension in these areas.
The second book I read is Radiant Rest: Yoga Nidra for Deep Relaxation & Awakened Clarity. This isn’t my first study of yoga nidra. I completed an online course with Rod Stryker a few years ago. Tracee Stanley, the author of Radiant Rest, studied yoga nidra with several teachers (including Stryker) and has been teaching it for 20 years. I actually had the pleasure of practicing yoga nidra with Tracee at Wanderlust in 2016, and the experience was nothing short of transformational!
Yoga nidra is both a technique and a state of consciousness that is expansive, supportive, and nurturing. Tracee’s approach to the technique of yoga nidra is a beautiful integration of the knowledge and wisdom she’s accumulated through her decades of study and practice, and I’ve found it inspiring enough to start formulating a plan for a series of yoga nidra workshops that will serve as a sort of “yoga nidra club” to teach you how to begin a regular at-home practice. So stay tuned for more info on that! In the meantime, check out my “Intro to Meditation” workshop in which I’ll provide an introduction to the technique as well as a short practice.
As for qigong, I’ve already started incorporating it into my Saturday morning class (which at this point might need a name and description change), and I’ll be blending it into the reboot of “30-Minute Refresh,” which will be offered on Tuesdays and Fridays at 12:15 beginning February 6th. I’ve also started putting together an introductory workshop-like series for it too. Again, stay tuned!
ALL of this information will be woven into my upcoming teacher trainings. Basic 200-hour training begins March 17th. (There’s a discount on tuition if you pay in full on or before February 17th.) Advanced 300-hour training begins March 10th. The deadline for applying to either training is one week prior to the start date. In case you’re wondering - anyone is eligible to apply for basic training; advanced training is for those who have previously completed a 200-hour training.
In closing, I want to express how much I appreciate each and every one of you - those who have been with us since we opened nearly 8 years ago; those who are just now finding us; and everyone in between. I’ve missed you these past few weeks, and I can’t wait to get back and share my ever-evolving practice with you!!