Burn those negative thoughts, emotions, events, situations, etc etc. What ever it is you can think of that was negative about 2011 write it down and burn it. As we end 2011 off with a pop, bang and a jingle of champagne, let’s end on a fabulous note.

A friend of mine emailed me today to wish me a Happy New Year and I asked her what she was doing for New Year’s and she said, “A burning bowl party.” Now what is a burning bowl party? Exactly?
So she explained to me that we write down our negative thoughts and things from 2011 on a piece of paper and make a ceremony out of it by burning it, purging ourselves clean for the new year.

I love this idea. Thank you Nell!!!! As I wrote my own list I looked at everything from 2011 and beyond and wrote down not only a negative list to burn, but a positive list of items that I’d like to attain in 2012. For me, small attainable goals like being financially sustainable in 2012, not something out of bounds with who I am, but something I know I can do no matter what it takes. For me this involves being a lil more frugel and watching where my money goes. For example, all those late afternoon juices that I purchase from Lazy’s I could easier make myself…my excuse…..:) it takes a lot to clean the juicer and get all the pulp and fiber out of the juicer.

As we enter into the new year let’s take a moment to reflect on that which we are ever so grateful for in the year 2011…….

I am grateful for my partner who has shared so much wisdom and love with me.

What are you grateful for and what are your thoughts for the new year?

Namaste

Drea

My first yoga class I was eighteen years old and dying to find a place that offered yoga in the chilly midwest. I saw yoga being offered all over the west coast and east coast, but not formally in the midwest until the YMCA offered it locally. What a relief it was to finally find this class. Hatha Yoga, or yoga 101. This was offered twice a week and then yoga studios began opening up all over the place and it no longer was a mystery in old town Milwaukee.

Yoga now is offered all over the place in Milwaukee Wisconsin, it’s just like the coffee shops on each corner, there is a church on each corner, a pub on each corner, and a yoga studio, religion for all, the yogis, the yoginis, the beer drinkers, and the Hari Krishnas.

Of all the yoga studios in the greater Milwaukee area there are two that stand out the most in my mind and that I cherish the most. YogAyslum located in Brookfield 12 miles west of downtown, and Yama Yoga in the heart of downtown.

YogAsylum is an all green yoga studio, cork floors and a warm ambiance as you walk in. The teachers there are great and fun to be around. You learn alignment and the basics you need to know as a beginner yogi/yogini. Meditation classes are offered and Pam’s meditation class is one not to miss.

Yama Yoga studio is one that has a beauty of industrial revolution to it, you have the old picturesque floors of the 1920′s tannery building it used to be, high vaulted ceilings and a view of downtown.
Two of my favorite teachers there are Tammi and Marietta. A great combination of Anusara and Power Yoga. If your up for a powerful class, Marietta’s your lady, if your up for a fun anusara inspired flow class Tammi is your gal. Both teachers bring elements of their own practice into it to make it a fun yogic journey filled class.

Now a resident of Santa Barbara, where everyone and their grandmother is a Yogi/Yogini, there are classes a plenty here, we are bursting at the seams with yoga classes, which is awesome with so many choices. Every time I do visit Milwaukee, my main stops are YogAsylum and Yama Yoga, along with my favorite coffee joint…Alterra coffee.

Who was your first yoga teacher and how did they inspire you?

Sat Nam

Kundalini Life Yoga
Drea

I’m in the mist of reading a fabulous book by Susanne Morrison called Yoga Bitch. What a great book it is thus far. It defies the mystery of yoga while getting a dose of the real world. It’s a clever antidote to today’s yoga world as well as the eye opening truth of those who follow the path. Whichever path you take, you add in your own 32 flavors of life.

Yoga Bitch available in stores and on amazon.

Get your copy today and discover the heart of those on the path to enlightenment.

Sat Nam

Drea

These special days of winter shine upon us as the days get dimmer and dimmer earlier. Old man winter howls his winds from the north pole as our hats and scarves keep us warm and fuzzy. While in the bustle of the season, yoga can help us manage our stress levels and help keep us calm and content in the face of family, work deadlines, as well as our own holiday plans. Where ever you find yourself this December remember to find your yoga within as well as on the mat and into your life.

A little inspiration for all you bakers out there

Courtesy of The Kitchen Yogi….

Happy Baking….

Sat Nam

Drea

When I find myself stressing and the body uncomfortable, I think of deep breathing and the power of the word OM. Not just another phrase but another way to find that deep peace within. Singing the highest note of OM my body releases the tension of the day while my mind comes into ease. Getting my OM On, Got OM?

What do you do to get your OM on?

~Namaste~

As I was doing my daily walk I came across a beautiful message…..

I wanted to share this picture with you because it is a reminder to us in our daily lives to stop, look, listen, embrace, accept, and enjoy the possibilities that lay ahead on our journey’s through life. One famous poet wrote: “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.”

So as we walk through our lives, our yoga classes, our relationships, our career we find that it’s not the final destination that will be the change in our own world but about the stumbles upon that journey. It’s about the people in our lives that give us joy daily, weekly, monthly. It’s about finding ourselves in the present moment and finding that happiness within that present moment and not in the future. I’ll be happy when I have that career after college, I’ll be happier when I get that promotion, I’ll be happier when I can do a hand stand and switch into chatarunga……. The list goes on and our expectations get higher and higher.

When we can stand in the face of our regular lives, yoga practices, careers, relationships and embrace where we are and who we are that is the journey worth living.

What is your daily yogic message?

How will you bring your yogic practice into your life?

Namaste~

looking for a great mat to take on your travels this summer, well look no more, manduka has the lightest, sturdiest, yoga mat to pack in your suit case and take with you. They come in all funky colors and textures on your mat that are non-slip, thin, and compact. This one is called the eKo Lite Mat. And Guess What? The Price is Right too….$46 dollars and you got yourself the one and only true love…yoga mat.

What I love about my eKo Lite is that I can also use it at my home practice and get the same satisfaction out of it while traveling on an air plane, by car, or by foot (great for the beach as well). Multiple uses, economic friendly, eco friendly, and lots O fun. What more could you ask for in a mat………help you do hand stands?

What can you do with your yoga mat?

~Namaste~

A happy Friday to you and a Happy Fourth of July as well.

Recently in my classes I have begun to incorporate more mudras especially the lotus mudra and have found everlasting rewards. The lotus mudra is for the heart symbolizing the unfolding of the heart, the opening of the heart. It is a sweet mudra for all classes any time and more charging when done with a meditation. While it is also a peaceful mudra with calming benefits upon the mind and body my hands feel so rejuvenated afterwards. I work a lot with my hands, whether it’s designing marketing pieces on the computer or making jewelry the lotus mudra is wonderful after a hand massage, all the meridians in the hands get activated.

Give the Lotus Mudra a try and see where it takes you…….

Yoginis and Yogis,

I was swimming in tomatoes these past few days and found a tomato slice that was in the shape of a heart and it got me thinking about yoga and our hearts and where we put our hearts when we are on the mat and off the mat.

On the mat it is so easy to be heartfelt and full of love because we are doing our passion…YOGA! But when we are off the mat, we need little reminders such as this tomato heart. Where is our heart when we are in the middle of work? Where is our heart when we are in the middle of an exam? Where is our heart when we are steaming and need a cold shower to simmer down? Where is our heart naturally?…….and the list goes on…..

Off the mat we get stuck in our old habits and way of doing things, on the mat it is easier to be upfront in our downward dogs and bark because we are in the present moment. When we step off the mat we have all sorts of things coming at us…bills, relationships, friendships, marriages, roommates, work-ships, bosses, emotions, the economy….etc. So where do we put our hearts in these?

Good Question! Lil reminders to bring us back to our heart of all hearts on the mat and off the mat. Find your heart and dive in which ever way works best for you…..post it notes…love letters to yourself…..writing on your hands….quotes in your car….a hanging heart…..

Hearts all around

Swami G Nanda

A happy Monday to you on this beautiful start to our week.

This weeks Mantra is Healthy Am I, Happy Am I, Holy Am I. This mantra is a very positive affirmation that works to increase the happy feeling in your brain and thus in your body. Let’s all try this one on for this week and see where we are at the end of the week.

Breathe in
Breathe out
Be the mantra you wish to be in your life.

Namaste

Drea