Good times - roller derby!

So it's not "yoga", but every yogi(ni) needs to have a rip roaring good time every once in a while. I give a big stamp of approval to the Minnesota Rollergirls. Just be warned... you may violate a couple of yamas/niyamas somewhere along the way...
Every month or so, thousands of people (hipsters, kids, average Minnesotans), gather together at Roy Wilkins Auditorium to cheer on some bad-ass ladies in fishnet stockings, glitter helmets, and rollerskates. These ladies are true athletes. And there is a full bar and polka during half time. What else do you want from your Saturday night?! We are totally sitting track-side! See you there.

Saturday, March 8
6:30pm doors, 7:30pm bout
Atomic Bombshells vs. Dagger Dolls & Garda Belts vs. Rockits
Featuring half-time entertainment by Dance Band. Pre-show by the Irish dance group Rince Na Chroi.

Chakras

The chakras are energy centers in our bodies aligned in an ascending column from the base of the spine to the top of the head. They are thought integrate our physical, emotional and mental nature. In many traditions they are visualized as lotuses of differing colors with a different number of petals on each chakra. If you ever wanted to know more about your chakras, take advantage of this exciting series at the Yoga Center of Minneapolis where Tanya Boigenzahn will explore one chakra a month. You will learn about yoga asana, pranayama, meditation, mudra, kriya and more to help get these energy centers balanced and feeling great. You do not need to take the workshops in order. Each workshop is $30.

2008:
March 9: Root Chakra - Get Grounded
TBD: Sacral Chakra - The Pleasure Center
September: Solar Plexus Chakra - Inner Power, Outer Strength
TBD: Heart Chakra - Spread the Love
TBD: Throat Chakra - Speak Your Truth
2009:
January: Brow Chakra - Spark Your Intuition
February: Crown Chakra - Get Connected

Fighting the “Shepna Syndrome”

Walking down the road towards enlightenment / contentedness / Oneness with the Divine is an ever evolving experience. Sometimes it is a breeze and fits like a glove. A lot of the time it feels hard and unpleasant and the last thing in the world you want to do. Sometimes you conveniently forget you are even on the path. But at the end of the day, once you start, you just can’t stop. Once you’ve glimpsed the light that really does exist in and among us, you can’t turn back.

As I walk this path, I struggle daily with the negative chatter in my head telling me I’m not good enough or that those around me aren’t either. But these negative thoughts and words are my way of blocking myself from reaching something deeper. They are what Pema Chodron, an ordained Buddhist nun in the Tibetan vajrayana tradition, calls my “shepnas.” They are my bad habits, my addictions that I do to over and over again for some type of short term relief. It is Chodron’s contention that first and foremost we must recognize our own shepnas. It is only when we SEE these attachments and feel how they are limiting out potential that we can choose to refrain from going there, relax into our true selves again, and resolve to keep working at it. I think there are some great lessons here about the practice of asana, meditation, and life in general. Take 15 minutes today to read Chodron's talk on this topic: The Shepna Syndrome - Learning to Stay ( Berkeley Shambhala Center, September 2002). Namaste.

Yoga Mats

A yoga mat is like your home away from home. It is YOUR space - a sanctuary that you can bring with you wherever you go. There are many different options when it comes to a good mat. It’s more than just choosing a cute color. You need to think about your desired weight, length, stickiness, and if you want it to be kind to the earth. It’s a big decision! So here’s a round-up of some mat options. Let me know your favorites:

Manduka Black Mat: the ultimate yoga mat. It gives you a firm foundation and provides all the cushioning you need for your practice. It is super heavy so you might want to consider this for your home practice. Also, it is a little pricey, but deals can be found on Amazon.

Manduka Eko Mat: from the makers of the famous Black Mat, an eco-friendly alternative.



Prana E.C.O Stickey Mat: an eco-friendly mat with a textured surface and natural anti-slip properties.



Barefoot Yoga Sticky Mat: a classic non-slip surface for your practice. It is lightweight and durable and can be rolled or folded for use in poses.


Plank Yoga Mats: a truly a unique (and eco-friendly) mat option. Choose from Snake in the Grass, Pills Broken on a Bathroom Floor, Plank (like a piece of wood), or Hand Prints in Shag Rug.


Leopard-Print Yoga Mat: really. Leopard print!. An ode to Catherine. For that unique someone special in your life.


Gaiam Earth Meets Sky Yoga Mat: it's just cute. I am a big fan of baby blue and chocolate brown!




Hugger Mugger Earth Elements Mat: one of the first earth friendly mats on the market. They are not made with yucky chemicals and they have the same anti-slip properties as the original Hugger Mugger mats.


Hugger Mugger Cotton Yoga Mat: a great choice for restorative yoga.


Eco Yoga Mats: made of jute and natural rubber, both renewable resources. Plus, the materials are fairly traded.

Yoga and weight loss

We can all relate. It has been a cold dark winter and it is just oh so tempting to get home from work, put on your PJ’s (yes- cute yoga sweatpants are really just pajamas), pop in a pizza, and spend the night in front of the television. The result is that one ends up feeling a little… shall we say… husky …this time of year. So with spring around the corner, and dare I say it, swimsuit season around the bend, the time has come to get motivated again. And apparently yoga really can help! So get off that couch, roll out your mat, and get your Om on.

Read more here: Study suggests overweight people may benefit most from yoga's fat-fighting potential

Required reading: JOY

Please take a minute today to read this beautiful article written by Sally Kempton about finding one's true joy. Kempton, also known as Durgananda, is a meditation guide and spiritual teacher. In the article she talks about the journey to recognize that "Joy Is Inside You". She uses the yogic concepts of Sukha (fleeting pleasure), Santosha (contentment), Mudita (spiritual happiness), and Ananda (the bliss that passeth understanding) to teach us that happiness is always available to us, no matter what our circumstances. The point is to move away from grasping at fleeting pleasures and really tap into what is inside. She urges us to make the practice of attracting and cultivating joy our life's work. What else is there?

Leg warmers ... and they're local!

It's a little late in the year to make this recommendation, but one of the best yoga clothing products around are Foat leg-warmers. These are a must have for traveling to and from class on a cold winter night. They keep your legs toasty and look cute too. Plus, the company is local, woman owned, and earth friendly! You can buy the leg-warmers on their website or at many of the bigger studios around town. I've worn mine for two winters now and would not know what to do without them.