be. calm.

close your eyes and breathe

mind and body drift away

inner calm is yours

Photo taken by me while on vacay in the Riviera Maya 2011.

have you channeled
your inner yogadork lately?

Ready to get "blissed out" baby!

Today will be a great day! 
This weekend, even better!   

Leaving work early to road trip it five hours from Minneapolis to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. I am generally not a fan of road trips {especially as a passenger} but will make the trek with my girlfriend Ginny riding shotgun!  We lucked out and found a last minute room and will be staying at the Grand Geneva, where the Yoga Journal conference is being held.

Ginny and I are both signed up for six sessions, only parting ways once - she will do a chataraunga class {something I'm not quite ready to master and do not wish to make a fool of myself trying} and I will get out of my comfort zone and try yoga with music* instead.  Our weekend ends late afternoon Sunday and then we drive home.  I'll be dragging tail come Monday morning, but this opportunity is soooo worth it!  Time with a girlfriend to zen out, work on our yoga postures and leave the cares of regular life behind us for three days.

M1EZRA | Maty Ezraty
Shoulder Openers and Alignment | Asana practice with discussion.
(Therapeutic, Mixed levels)(Sat, 8:00am-10:00am)

M2JOHN | Sean Johnson & The Wild Lotus Band
The Groove Is in the Heart: Heart-Opening Vinyasa Practice 
Mostly asana with chanting. (Mixed levels)(Sat, 10:30am-12:30pm)

M3CRAN | Jason Crandell:
Opening Your Hips and Aligning Your Shoulders
Mostly asana (Mixed Levels, Beginners)(Sat, 3:30pm-5:30pm)

M4FOLA | Lilias Folan
The Joy Is in the Journey | Teachers welcome to take notes.
(Mixed Levels)(Sun, 8:00am-10:00am)

M5CORN | Sean Corn
Yoga for a Broken Heart | Practice and discussion.
(Mixed Levels)(Sun, 10:30am-12:30pm)

M6CRAN | Jason Crandell
Moving Toward Stillness
Mostly asana with discussion. (Mixed Levels)(Sun, 3:30pm-5:30pm)

*My second session on Saturday will be the one with the music of Sean Johnson & The Wild Lotus Band {playing in the background of the video above}.  Just might have to add a CD to my retail-therapy shopping bag while perusing the vendors this weekend. 

Signing off the blogosphere after midday Friday and blissing out....

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!

Tranquility & Inspiration

Ooooh, ooooh, I just got invited to attend a Yoga Journal Conference in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  I am giddy with excitement.  And as luck would have it, my calendar is completely FREE of obligation this weekend.  So I've got permission to take a mini-vacation with my good friend, Ginny, and away we'll go to find tranquility and inspiration in a two-day conference.  Feedback and follow-up after the weekend.

The timing of this little gem couldn't be better!  I need it. I really, really need it. My body is craving it and my mind is slowly starting to get the picture and follow suit.

Note to self:  Almost four months post baby...  no more excuses!!






 

Temple Yoga

I finally did away with the excuses and distractions and made the trip to Maple Grove for yoga at the Hindu Temple. I had to steal a few pictures to share on my blog. I know, not very zen-like, but for those who have been wondering what I was referring too, now you have a visual.

shhh...  class in session ahead

triangle pose

Yoga at the Hindu Temple in Maple Grove happens regularly at least four times a week. They ask for a $5/donation {cheap cheap cheap in comparison to studio yoga} and now also accept Paypal for a minimum $25 payment. When the weather is nice they take the yoga outside. We had a smaller class last night but sometimes it's packed with both genders and all ages. If you're local and want more information, leave me a comment!

The temple is in the middle of what remains to be farmland in the suburbs...  had to stop {a block away on my way to class} and capture pictures of the cows swimming and grazing!