Belly, Belly, Stomach Abs ….explore your own Core Power

Yes it’s time for the annual Ab’s week. (Like how I just decided that this is an annual event? Ah, the many benefits of setting the agenda…) We explore our abs not only physically this week, but emotionally and energetically as well. Yes, your belly vibrates energetically…

Physically, our abdominal muscles are at the very center of ourselves. Emotionally, when we have a ‘gut feeling’ about something it literally is a sensation felt in the abdominal area. When something shakes us to our core it can sometimes feels like a ‘punch to the gut.’ When something doesn’t feel right to you, you might say it just ‘doesn’t sit well.’ And by that you mean it doesn’t sit well in your belly. My, my your belly has a lot to say to you!

Energetically, the Manipura Chakra is located in the solar plexus region. The word “Mani” means ‘jewel’ and “pura” means ‘city’ – so a jeweled city it is. How about that for a visual next time you are lamenting the size or condition of your own middle area?? It is also associated with the color yellow and the element of fire. When someone is particularly ambitious they are said to have ‘fire in the belly.’ Truth is we all do, it’s just a matter of degree. And this week we turn up the fire in our jeweled city and tune into the communications coming from this generously supportive area of our bodies. Know what the belly knows and you will be wise….

Mid Summer “Chill-Lax”

Chill and relax yogi style this week. It’s midsummer and time to group. Mid way through summer and your ‘to do’ list is overwhelming. Even your list of ‘fun things to do this summer’ is out of hand and perhaps unattainable. We frantically try and cram every summer activity into our days and still we feel as if it’s not enough. We are reluctant to see the calendar days slip into late July. We tend on one hand to completely enjoy summer and on the other regret how short it is. This mix of feelings can bring us off balance. How can we thoroughly enjoy what we are doing when we know it can’t last? Is there ever enough time? What’s a yogi to do?

You already know the answer to this. Stop. Time is always fleeting. It can never be stopped, but you can. Step into the moment you are in right now and enjoy it.

The end of summer will get here all by itself. But not today. Not now in this moment. Mid way means we are only half way through these long, lovely days of MN summer. So why waste your effort, your emotions on something that is not even here? Take the madness out of mid summer and savor instead each drop of time you are offered. Soak up what you can and realize that it is enough. Yes, the State Fair and the start of school is approaching. It always has been. You can’t change it. So “chill-lax” instead.

This week at Good Life Yoga we let our breath take us deeper into the moment, saturating our spirits with contentment, joy and certainty that the moment we hold will be released and replaced by the next. One breath after another, we ride with time. We savor the sanity of being here right now. Expect some focus on the mid-line, your breath and your state of mind. Stop in and step into NOW.

Recess Redo or “Play it again, Yogi…”

It’s summer and we are feeling rather light-hearted and playful at Good Life Yoga. Last week we indulged in some summer time fun by creating our own classes. In a round robin fashion, each student chose the next pose from a select section of cards placed in the middle of the room. Not only did they choose the pose, but in some cases how long or how many we were going to do. Anyone remember the 30 chaturanga push-ups selected by Puck? Or how about the volume and duration of hand stands back to back? And then there were those who chose lots of hip openers for extended lengths of time… Reminiscent of recess when you just made up games and played – we choose at Good Life Yoga to remember that life can be recess at times and so some of us have to ‘practice’ letting go and just playing.

Perhaps we’ll add music this week and a few more variations on our ‘play cards’. See you soon for play time Redo!

Play time!

It’s summer and time to play at Good Life Yoga. Playing has so many benefits. Physical play – such as yoga opens up your creative juices, puts a smile on your face and offers you endorphins for feeling good. Put all that together with your friends and you’ve got a yoga party. Many of you will be familiar with this type of ‘play.’ This week you will be using yoga cards to create your own yoga class. You’ll have some choices on the poses you’d like to do and of course, there will be some parameters set up; sequences to adhere to and lots and lots of help. This type of class is something we do about twice a year and you won’t want to miss it.

Join your friends for some summer time play with all the fringe benefits of stronger and more flexible bodies and open radiant ‘playful’ hearts. I am looking forward to it!