Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! Sending a big hug to all you moms, stepmoms, grandmas, aunts, wives, teachers, dog moms, yoginis, and lovely women of the world!

Thank you for your compassion and your love, and for making the world a brighter place.

An especially big 'I love you' goes out to my own mom, and my sister!

  

May your Mother's Day be relaxing and fun, and may you cherish spending time with those you love.

And if for some reason a day like today brings worry, sadness or fear, may you find peace by taking a deep breath... or enjoying a tasty donut ;)

Namaste.

Clarity and Focus

Today, direct your energy in ways that benefit you.

If you are lacking clarity, pause. Notice the breath. Are you holding your breath?

If you feel scattered or distracted from the task at hand, take a step back. Pause to notice what is occupying your attention. 

Refocus, and begin again.

Photos by Lucid Reflections.

Moving to a New Home and Discovering New Yoga Spaces

Hi, yogis :) How are you? 

Recently I moved from the Sacramento area to Eureka, California. What a whirlwind month it's been!

I'm still getting settled and checking out yoga studios in the area and wanted to share a few reflections from the last few classes I've taken.

It's wild how much I've learned being in a new environment with teachers who come from different schools of yoga. In the last week I've experienced my first Forrest and Anusara practices and I've enjoyed picking up on small yet impactful differences in the language, cuing, and pacing of the classes.

Do you ever mix up your yoga routine? Or try classes at local studios when you travel? I highly recommend getting out of your comfort zone and taking a class where you aren't quite sure what to expect... open yourself to learning, and being a beginner again!

Tosha Yoga, Arcata, CA

This is a breathtaking space on the top floor of the building that I'll definitely return to. I love the natural light, the collection of lovely succulent plants around the room, and the calm, uplifting energy of the space. The Forrest yoga class I took here involved some awesome core work, grounding meditation, and new flows and movements that felt nourishing to the body (lots of Eagle arms, which I even felt the next day in my upper back!). 

The teacher Janine was very clear and precise in her teaching, and I appreciated the few hands-on adjustments she offered which helped me relax my neck and take tension out of my shoulders. At one point I could hear the sound of the rain on the rooftop. Very peaceful. I felt spaciousness, grounding, and openness. Even a little glimpse of blissful

samadhi

during Shavasana.

Om Shala Yoga, Arcata, CA

Om Shala offers a diverse range of yoga classes on their schedule. So far I've tried a basics Anusara class, a Hatha 'align and flow' class, and an all-levels Power Vinyasa class. The teachers here certainly have a wealth of knowledge about alignment and I've picked up some awesome tricks and tips about my practice. I love having reminders to pay closer attention to what my 'bad' habits are in class, or just to notice something new. This week I've been working on:

• Knitting the low ribs in. Drawing energy into the center of the body really allows me to move from a place of more power! This helps in every pose - in foundational poses like Tadasana and Downdog, and especially in backbends and balancing postures.

• Waking up the feet. Keeping the feet alive and the toes active brings more prana into the lower half of the body and the legs, giving more stability and grounding. Pada bandha, engaging the arches, is a subtle but very useful technique that makes a pose feel more balanced. I noticed this one in Half Moon. I also realized that metaphorically and energetically for me at this moment in my life it's very important to keep the feet awake so that I can feel more grounded in these new spaces I'm in!

• Using props and the wall for support. I learned an awesome trick for using three blocks on the wall in Dolphin pose (beautiful, supported way to open the upper back and chest). I also worked on Ardha Chandrasana (Standing Half Moon pose) on the wall-- I was able to see how my hips needed to be more engaged in order to access more opening in the pose. Also started to work on wall walks in Wheel (!!!!) and practiced Forearm stand. So excited to incorporate these new 'tricks' into my home practice!

Sasha's power flow class at Om Shala was my favorite local yoga class so far since I moved. I loved her simple, direct cuing, her upbeat playlist, and the way she reminded us to send our breath into the area where our bodies most needed to heal. I definitely felt challenged and inspired, and was surprised by how many arm balances and sun salutations I was able to fit in!

Redwood Strength, Fortuna, CA

This class was an hour-long hot vinyasa practice in a new gym that's a mix of Crossfit-style workouts and hot yoga. I enjoyed the heat and thought of my friends and colleagues at CorePower Yoga and how I miss that beautiful room and its humidity ;) I enjoyed the teacher's enthusiasm and sense of humor and felt at home listening to the sound of Krishna Das' voice.

HealthSport, Eureka, CA

I took a Hatha class and was easily the youngest yogi in the room. One of my favorite moments was about 15 minutes into class, looking over at the gorgeous gray-haired yogini next to me take on full Hanumanasana with her arms overhead and a smile on her face :) The teacher Francis had a unique way of getting me to try more depth in the poses and I loved the mindful, intentional sequencing. At the end of class my body felt open and my mind clear.

Home practice

My home practice has been really key in the last few weeks, too. Rolling out a mat in the kitchen or in my backyard has given me space to be completely comfortable, to relax, to release stress, to breathe loudly and sigh heavily, and to cry a little. Moving is incredibly draining and exhausting work, and it hasn't been easy.

During the weeks leading up to moving, I felt overwhelmed by to-do lists and I benefited greatly from having a restorative yin practice. Since we arrived here on the coast, I've felt a little down and lonely on some days, so a more vigorous practice with inversions and backbends has helped me stay positive.

I can tell that in the weeks and months to come, as I take a little break from having classes to teach, my home practice will be a great way for me to stay creative, to keep up my self-confidence in my teaching, and to play with new flows and ideas for what I love to teach.

I'm still struggling a little bit to find where my new yoga 'home' is, and I'm certainly grieving the loss of having weekly classes to teach in beautiful communities, but I'm doing my best to keep a positive attitude and stay open to whatever opportunities come my way.

A Book for Finding Peace and Letting Go of Disappointment

Do you find it challenging to manage your expectations? How do you react when things don't turn out the way you hoped they would?

In her book Expectation Hangover, author and life coach Christine Hassler explores these questions and other ideas related to accepting disappointment, going through life transitions, and finding emotional healing. The book is filled with useful exercises, guided meditations and personal stories.

Today on the blog sponsored yogi Yani shares her review of the book :) Enjoy!

A Review of Expectation Hangover by Yani

I'm a person that fills her time with the many things she obsesses about and is passionate about. I'm also a person that is really bad at slowing down to read, drink warm lemon water, and kind of just slowing the fuck down (though sometimes I do love to relax, be a homebody, and kick it). Another note about me, I have a hard time finishing an entire book through- unless I have absolutely nothing to do, and can get lost in a new world. I read it part by part, slowly. I tend to read when it's calling me; I don't like to force a good read. 

Expectation Hangover: Free Yourself from Your Past, Change your Present & Get What You Really Want had been sitting on my glass table, along with a few other books, waiting to find their way in my to mind. I picked it up one day and carried it around with me so that when the moment called, I would be ready. I drove up to the DMV, without an appointment, grabbed the book in my AmeriCorps bag, and got lost in a new world while I waited in line and sat awaiting my number. 

As always, I read what was destined to find its way in to my mind. I felt moments of epiphanies; I felt my worlds coming full circle. One of the greatest lessons I took away from my short escape was: holding onto expectations is setting the heart and mind up for failure. Goals and ambitions are in place to guide you, but to expect is to put all your eggs in one basket. Create, have faith, and see what finds its way to you as a reality in your world. We have full control of ourselves, but limited control of life.  

In my reading I found a humbling mindset, a mindful way of being. It allowed me to make peace, let go, and ground myself. 

I love that this is an interactive reading, encouraging you to journal and reflect. I look forward to moving onward with this journey, and what this book shall reveal to me. 

One of my favorite quotes from the book:

"We all love control because the unknown is downright scary. In fact, I think control has become the master addiction. But the truth is we really don't have complete control over our lives, and nothing illuminates that truth more brightly than an Expectation Hangover."

Thanks, Yani, for your awesome review and a big thanks to the team at New World Library for offering the opportunity to check out this book. Namaste.

PS Learn more about the author Christine Hassler and check out her interview with Huffington Post about how to overcome falling short of your expectations. Or take her quiz to find out if you have an expectation hangover.

Just for Today

Just for today, I will not worry.

Just for today, I will not be angry.

Just for today, I will do my work earnestly and diligently.

Just for today, I will live in gratitude.

Photos by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

Just for today, I will be kind to every other living thing.

Namaste.

Note: these are the Japanese Usui Reiki principles that I practice and try to incorporate into my daily life. Aren't they such beautiful reminders to live in the moment? :)

Yogi Surprise April

This month's Yogi Surprise box is themed around nature, which fits perfectly with my recent relocation to the north coast of California :)

I'm living in the coastal town of Eureka, near beaches and really tall redwood trees. It's certainly a gorgeous area and I can't wait to do more exploring as I get settled in.

 

I'm so grateful I had my Yogi Surprise box goodies to enjoy during these last few weeks, especially with all the chaos and stress of moving! I was also happy to use several of my old beautiful lavender boxes for packing small items, like my essential oils and some spices from the kitchen ;) Thanks, Yogi Surprise!

Here were my favorite items from the April box:

Organic tangerine ginger tea from Rishi

This yummy blend is perfect for rainy mornings, or in the evening with a spoonful of local honey mixed in. I love the vibrant color that the hibiscus brings out, too!

Go Raw Choco Crunch Sprouted Cookies

and

Stoneridge Orchards Montmorency Tart Cherries

Healthy snacks for on-the-go? Perfect for a long drive or a long day packing and unpacking boxes. Both of these were delicious!

Rescue Plus Stress Relief Lozenges 

Love the citrus-y taste and the way these instantly make me feel a little calmer. 

How has your April been going, yogis? Sending a heartfelt namaste your way...

On Courage

Photos by Tom Huynh.

Being courageous doesn't mean that I don't have fears.

Courage is about willingness. 

Willingness to work with the fears. To notice them. Not to ignore them but to become very aware of them.

Courage is a dedication. An act of willingness. A choice to say, I won't give up.

When I am courageous, I notice, what do I stand for? What's important to me?

And then I focus on that. I eliminate distractions. I check myself on when I'm being honest, and when I'm letting untrue thoughts creep in. I am courageous when I choose not to let fear run the show. 

Courage is when, instead of caving to fear, I commit to love.

I focus my attention so carefully and I set my intention with such determination that I allow love to fill me, I allow fear to release, and I rise to the occasion.

Love over fear; this is courage.

Life is Good (A Post on Gratitude Lists)

Do you ever make gratitude lists?

This is one simple practice that I find to be immensely helpful, especially during times of transition or struggle. Simply by taking a few moments each day to focus on what I'm grateful for, I can re-center.

Today my gratitude list is inspired by Life is Good, a brand that knows how to focus on happiness ;) I'm a big fan of the new shirt they gifted to me, which says, Dream until your dreams come true.

Life is Good: Today's Gratitude List

1. My yoga community. Feeling loved and supported.

2. Having mentors-- especially strong women who are wise and generous-- and having their ongoing support.

3. Being open to change. In just a few weeks, my family and I will be moved north to the coast in Eureka! More updates coming soon :)

4. Sunshine.

5. Teaching a class and hearing afterward what the impact was for the yogis in the room.

6. Headstands.

7. Being able to talk to friends and family when I'm stressed.

8. Dog hugs.

9. A glass of wine in the evening.

10. Hugs from people I love.

Photo by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

What are you grateful for today?

Have a Happy Monday!

Photos by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

Hi loves! Just wanted to take a moment to wish you a beautiful start to your week.

Be kind to yourself, get to your mat, and keep breathing!

Namaste.

I Love You

Photos by Tom Huynh.

Look in the mirror, look yourself in the eye, and say, 'I love you.' 

Are you willing to do that? To be loving toward yourself. Compassionate and kind, like you would be to a friend. 

Don't talk shit about yourself. Treat yourself with the respect and forgiveness and generosity you deserve. You deserve greatness! If ever a moment comes along when you forget that this is true, just go find a mirror. 

Look into your own eyes and say it out loud: I love you!

Have a sigh and pat yourself on the back and laugh at how easy that was. 

Have a moment to remember. And then just keep on being you-- loving, imperfect, and beautiful-- and keep forgiving yourself along the way.

I'm sharing this because for the last few weeks I've felt a little out of sorts, and extra hard on myself. My thought patterns can become negative and judgmental and even though I'm aware of it I still struggle to get out of that mindset. 

This week it shifted. I've been taking more classes, letting myself move freely and breathing into the spaces of each pose. When my mat is surrounded by supporting and loving people, I'm reminded of how awesome I am, and how I'm an important part of my community. It also helps a lot when I'm willing to open up to friends and be vulnerable and release some of the shit that I don't need to hold on to.

It's so helpful to teach from this space of feeling empowered and connected. After teaching one of my classes this week, many of the students said thank you with these big happy smiles on their faces. 'They are all so kind to me,' I thought. 'Why wouldn't I want to be just as kind to myself?' 

Just a little reminder that I hope inspires you and inspires me when I come back to read it tomorrow, or 3 months from now, or a year... :)

Being Receptive

I made a discovery while teaching yoga today.

When I am able to be vulnerable, and sit with my students-- when I am willing to get up close, to be seen, and to share space with them -- I receive so much wisdom and healing.

During last few moments before Savasana, I knelt down on the floor, right in the middle of the room, and suddenly I could feel this profound sense of support and love and sacred energy in the room. What an incredible thing to witness-- yogis willing to be with themselves, stretching, taking care of their bodies, releasing.

It felt so simple and pure, in a way. Just being together in a room. I was sitting there watching yogis do a spinal twist and close their eyes and just

be

. Nothing to do. Nowhere to go. Just resting and receiving a much-deserved rest.

And I felt this urgent longing in me to be close to them -- not to be in the back of the room near the music or up in the front on my own mat. I just wanted to be near them. In it, with them.

So I sat down and placed my palms face up and asked that Reiki would move through me and into the room, and help facilitate healing. I asked that their burdens could be released. I asked that they might feel love and healing. I asked for this process of healing to be immediate and profound.

And I could feel the healing come to me, too. For as much as I give when I teach, I also receive. I realized today that the more receptive I can be to the moment, the more healing the moment brings.

One girl in class had been crying while we were doing hip openers. I brought a box of tissues and set it by her mat-- didn't need to say anything or call it out. I offered a simple gesture to show her that she was supported, and in that moment I remembered all the times on my own mat recently when I'd cried.

Her vulnerability offered me the opportunity to be vulnerable. To be more open today.

Student is teacher is student

, I thought.

We are each our own best teacher.

Often I've had this perception that I need to hold the room

, or I've had the goal to create something incredible and breathtaking in a class... to bring in a theme or offer up a song that fits perfectly... but often it seems that the more I try to plan something, the less authentic it feels. 

I've realized how powerful it is simply to show up and to be receptive to what's going on in the moment. To teach from the space I'm in, whether that's a tired and grumpy space, or a joyful one. Even if I'm hesitant, fearful, depleted, overwhelmed... I can still teach.

And from this place of authenticity, my students feel permission to be authentic. To be vulnerable. This is what creates the powerful experience of yoga.

Being willing to sit with what is. Being 

willing to cry, or to lie there silently in a spinal twist and just feel everything that is sacred in the room, and how transformative this practice is.

Teaching yoga today was a gift.

May this practice continue to help me be receptive, and may it touch you to be more open, too.

Namaste.

Yoga Books for Your Asana Practice

Photo by

@the_lost_portraits

.

Calling all yoga junkies! :)

Do you ever read about anatomy and the function of yoga poses to help deepen your practice? 

Sometimes reading about the postures can help you understand them in a completely new way. 

Here are two books I'd recommend. 

The Complete Guide to Yoga Inversions

by

Jennifer DeCurtins

, R.Y.T.

The Student's Manual of Yoga Anatomy

by Sally Parkes

I've been reading these books lately for new ideas about how to sequence my yoga classes leading up to a peak pose. They are filled with so much great information!

I'd recommend both of these books to any yogi, especially if you:

• teach yoga

• want to practice advanced poses safely

• are completing a yoga teacher training and studying anatomy

I love that 

The Complete Guide to Yoga Inversions

offers foundational pose alignment (ie downdog, side plank, and forward fold) before getting into the details of more challenging poses. I also love that each pose has a few tips and tricks that help make the posture more accessible-- shifting the gaze or moving the weight in the hands or feet, or an idea for what to do if you get stuck. Truly an amazing book!

The Student's Manual of Yoga Anatomy

 --

this book would be a great starting place for someone in their first teacher training, or if you're a yogi who practices mostly at home and you can't usually get to a studio. I love that the beginning of the book includes information on spinal movement and types of muscle activity. Then the book details each pose with information on how to get into the pose safely, how to modify and use props, and what to be careful of. This is a very thorough, easy-to-digest manual for many poses, and a book I'd highly recommend to practitioners of all levels.

Photo by 

@the_lost_portraits

.

What yoga books are you reading lately?

A big thanks to the team at The Quarto Publishing Group for offering me the opportunity to check out these books. I'll definitely be recommending them to students and teachers, and using the knowledge from each book to inform my own practice!

Namaste.

PS Four of my other favorite

yoga books

 and a book featuring

yoga and poetry

. 

Stay Open

Photos by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

Today, do everything you do with love.

Resist the temptation to close your heart off.

Notice when the impulse to close off comes up, and consciously make an effort to stay open.

Keep practicing, forgiving yourself along the way.

Instant Gratitude (And Yoga Books)

Photos courtesy of Yani.

One of my favorite parts about Alive in the Fire is that this blog has inspired me to read so many incredible yoga books! (And books about meditation, spirituality, relationships, cooking, and more.)

I'm grateful when I receive emails about new books that are coming out, or I have the chance to read them or share them with the Sponsored Yogis team.

We'll be sharing some book reviews soon, but first I just wanted to share this sweet quote from Yani. I emailed her to let her know to expect books in the mail, and this was her response...

My initial response, knowing that these books are on their way... instant gratitude. 

I love personal growth books. I geek out. I often feel that they arrive in my life at the right time, and I will be reading them at the right moment. 

I cannot wait to dig deep and allow this new information into my mind. 

What a beautiful thought, right? Instant gratitude. And, an openness to receiving new information at the exact right time.

Just had to share that with you guys :) 

Maxed Out on Holding Space

Photo by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

Calling all yoga teachers, healers, and empaths!

What do you do when you feel maxed out on holding space for others? When you've got too many classes, appointments or deep conversations hanging out on your calendar?

What helps you rejuvenate?

What helps you release guilt about canceling plans? Or do you emphasize perseverance and reworking your plan to find more balance?

I need some ideas to incorporate into my week... perhaps some that are simple and effective, yet not time-consuming, and perhaps some that require more time commitment.

Thanks in advance for your help! Namaste.

Stay True

Photos by Tom Huynh Photography.

Give yourself permission to be unsteady and uncertain. Remember that you're doing the best you can with what resources you have.

Don't discount all the effort you're putting in. It is incredible, the way you keep moving forward in spite of the setbacks and challenges. 

Stay true to yourself. 

5 Daily Activities You Can Do While Practicing Yoga

Illustration via Pinterest.

Note: This is a guest post by yogi Alberto Güitrón. 

5 Daily Activities You Can Do While Practicing Yoga

Who hasn’t had one of those days when it’s hard to find time to catch your breath? I know I’ve been there. Sometimes it is challenging to relax and be mindful, let alone find time to get on the mat and practice a full yoga sequence.

But hey! We don’t have to be on a peaceful yoga retreat to practice. Because even surrounded by the constant hustle in which we live in, we all still have to take a shower, right?...I sure hope so :) We all still have to eat, sleep, get dressed, and go about our day. So, why not fit in some yoga during the activities we do each day?

These simple poses can help you create awareness, soften any muscles in your body that are tight, and help you keep a positive attitude.

Here are the five activities that can help you fit asana in, even during your busiest days:

Image source: Power Living

1. Practice yoga while taking a shower
I will share a brief personal story for this one. Before bringing yoga into my life, I used to find it hard to wash my feet. I had to balance leaning against the wall and grab my foot trying not to slip and fall. Until one day it occurred to me: Why don’t I try it in a Standing Forward Bend? Voila! Now I can easily reach my feet and wash in between the toes in Uttanasana without worrying about the slippery floor. Then, a Halfway Lift is ideal to wash the legs, and whenever I feel adventurous, I even try the Reverse Prayers Pose to reach my back with the sponge. I encourage you to do the same. Just pay attention to your breath or the water will run down your nose.

Image source: Storyteller Within.

2. Practice yoga while writing

Even if writing is not one of your main duties, I’m pretty sure almost everyone sends an email, writes a memo or just types on a laptop at least once a day. How about doing it while sitting in a Lotus Pose or a Hero’s Pose? Just put a flat surface on your lap to hold your notebook, laptop or whatever you’re using to write, and feel like a hero in your Virasana.

Also, if you’re on a chair behind a desk and are too shy to sit on the floor in the middle of the office, you can try to grab one ankle and bring it over the opposite thigh (something like a Figure Four but sitting down). Send the chest forward a little bit and feel the juices flowing in your hips and hammies without the shame of your coworkers staring at you.

Image source: Elemental Embrace.

3. Do yoga while reading

Since you are such a busy person, you may not have the time to read a good novel. However, there might be some boring reports waiting to be read. Motivate yourself with a Sphinx Pose! Grab those papers, lie on your stomach and put them in front of you. Enjoy the backbend and you’ll be done with the task way faster.

Image source: Yoga Shala.

4. Get dressed while practicing yoga

How about dressing up in a fun yoga-ish way? You can put on a t-shirt while transitioning from Warrior I to Warrior II, both arms would escape through the holes at the same time avoiding the usual struggle. You could adjust your shoes practicing Triangle Pose; and if you feel brave enough, you could even try to put on your pants in a Headstand... gravity will do most of the work.

5. Sleep and yoga

This one is easy. At one point you will have to sleep no matter how big of a workaholic you are. Therefore, go to bed in Shavasana, relax your body, focus on your breath and let your body move deeper until you fall asleep. You’ll wake up feeling fresh, energized and with no back or neck pain.

Now, those who claim not to have time for yoga have run out of excuses. And even if you do have time for your regular practice, these poses are fun to do and will help remind you to carry your practice with you no matter where you are.

Alberto Güitrón is a Community Manager at BookYogaRetreats.com. He is a committed yoga practitioner who still can’t touch the ground with his heels in Downward Dog. One day he’ll do it and he will probably write a story bragging about it.

Love is In the Air (Plus, a Yogi Surprise February Box Review)

Photo by Tom Huynh.

Hi, yogis! Hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day weekend.

Mine felt like a little stay-cation... it was so nice to rest and relax, get in the spa, go for a sushi date, enjoy heartfelt conversations and long hugs, and take a few yoga classes.

What did you do to celebrate? I hope you included some celebration of YOU and that you took some time to cultivate self-love! Whether or not you're in a partnership, it's so important to love yourself.

Photo by Tom Huynh.

I've also been enjoying my February Yogi Surprise subscription box. When that beautiful little purple box arrives each month, I'm reminded to take some time for myself to rejuvenate.

This month's card inside read:

"When we're loving ourselves, we're loving the life that's right here; caring for the patterns and emotions that emerge moment to moment. Let your intention to be to hold yourself with an unconditional and accepting presence. It is through this open acceptance that unconditional love flows."

Couldn't have said it better!

Photo by Tom Huynh.

My three favorite items from the February box:

1. The Dive-In Deck. These awesome cards are meant to inspire inner dialogue, so I've been using them as journal prompts. These sparked my interest: 
- "Whose radiant inner beauty inspires you?" 
- "What adventure would you embark upon if there were no limitations?" 
- "How does mindfulness create a sacred experience out of the seemingly mundane?"

Graphic from @diveindeck on Instagram.

2. Joshua Tree Skin Care Healing Salve. This stuff is amazing. I put it on my feet right before bed and it leaves my skin feeling nourished and soft after a long day of being on my feet.

Photo via Joshua Tree Skin Care.

3. Emmy's Organics Raspberry Macaroons. Delicious!!!

Photo via Emmy's Organics.

Keep loving yourself! XO

Sacramento Seva Yoga: Yoga Reclaimed

Photos  by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

What does 'yoga' mean to you?

In my eight years practicing and two years teaching, I've come to discover yoga is about union. Unifying the body, mind, spirit. Uniting the breath with movement. Showing up together as a collective, empowered community.

Yoga means uniting forces with other like-minded, high-vibration, compassionate humans and spreading love and kindness out into the world. Yoga is about learning to love more, feel more, and experience life more fully.

So with those things in mind, I recently launched a project with Respiro Photography and Sac Sierra Yoga where I'll be blogging about seva, or selfless service, and all the local Sacramento yoga studios where you can take free yoga classes.

I want to get out into new spaces, talk to yogis I've never met, learn from the amazing teachers in my local community, and say thank you.

 

As an added and incredible BONUS, Brynna of Respiro Photography is also giving back to our community by offering one lucky yoga student or teacher a free photo shoot this summer. During our travels around the area and our visits to local classes, we'll be talking to yogis to try and find someone who could benefit from having head shots taken, so if you might be that person, feel free to email me (aliveinthefire at gmail dot com) and I'll send you the application.

Photo  by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

Sacramento Seva Yoga: Yoga Reclaimed

My second stop on the tour was Yoga Reclaimed in Auburn. Full disclosure: in January, I started teaching the Tuesday and Thursday noon classes at Reclaimed...so you could say my deep love and appreciation of this studio is a somewhat biased perspective on the space :) But let me just say that even though I'm on staff, and therefore not necessarily a 'neutral' point of view, I'd still love to tell you about Reclaimed's free community class and believe it definitely belongs on the Sacramento Seva list.

The Saturday morning community yoga class at Reclaimed is a truly unique and wonderful experience. Studio owner Ryan Bailey teaches an upbeat, inspiring, and challenging 90-minute balance class. To me it feels like a cross between a sacred kirtan gathering and a dance party you'd have with friends-- the music is loud, the energy is intense, and the yogis all around you are working really hard, so you feel motivated and encouraged. 

The space has the energy of transformation. You leave the studio feeling a lot different than when you arrived -- sweatier, more lighthearted, and more connected. 

Vibe of the space: Sacred, grounded, authentic (and during class, fierce)

Favorite moments from class: I loved immediately grounding and joining together as a community with the call-and-response chant to Ganesha. Very powerful mantra, and great drumming :)

I also loved the intensity of the warm up sequence, and all the core work we did to get our bodies ready for twisting and backbending. Ryan teaches the kind of class where you can't run and hide from what's going on -- a lot is being asked of you, physically, and at the same time you have the opportunity to connect inwardly on an emotional and spiritual level. As he described it, it's like being at a buffet... you get to pick and choose what you want to eat, and you don't have to choose everything. And the poses that you do participate in, those are the ones to savor.

My favorite moment was toward the end of class, when Ryan offered a profound reminder to become a witness to our own experiences. Not only on the mat, but also in our lives -- to be willing to step back for a second, see ourselves and our reactions for what they truly are, and to go from there.

Ryan teaches yoga in an incredibly powerful, raw, and authentic way. He meets you right where you are, whether it's your first time rolling out a mat or you've been to his class for years. He acknowledges and sees his students, and he is willing to push you to be the best version of yourself. Thank you, Ryan, for sharing the love and devotion of Bhakti yoga!

Above photo by Adam Perron.

Reasons I can't wait to come back: The community at Reclaimed is vibrant. The yogis here are open-minded and open-hearted, incredibly willing, and committed to their practice. The teachers bring their heart and soul each time they step into the room to teach, and often the classes are blessed by generous, mindful assistants too, meaning that your practice will be enhanced by touch and sometimes even a massage of your temples or feet during shavasana. Most days I leave the studio having hugged someone and/or laughed wholeheartedly, too, and that is a beautiful thing.

Studio location: 530 Grass Valley Hwy, Auburn, CA 95603
Phone: (530) 305-9408
Seva (free) community class offerings: Saturdays from 9:30am-11 am

Photos  by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

At Yoga Reclaimed, all are welcome. Come kick off your shoes, roll out your mat, and dive right in!

Namaste.

Stay tuned for the next update in the Sacramento Seva Yoga series, and as always feel free to reach out to me with feedback or any questions.

Sacramento Seva Yoga: Studio Lotus

Today I'm honored to bring you my first Sacramento Seva Yoga studio review.

In case you hadn't heard, I'm teaming up with Respiro Photography for a project all about local Sacramento yoga studios. Over the next few months, my friend Brynna and I will be attending classes all around the area, learning more about the community offerings, thanking teachers for the incredible work that they do, and searching for one lucky yogi who will be given the chance to do a free photo shoot this summer.

I'd love to hear your feedback on the project, and if you're a yogi or yoga teacher who is interested in doing a photo shoot, please feel free to contact me at aliveinthefire at gmail dot com for more details.

My first stop on the tour was Studio Lotus in Rocklin. I took a Sunday morning community class with Lucy Somers. Lucy teaches an empowering and encouraging all-levels flow, and the energy of the group for this class felt enthusiastic, warm, and lighthearted. Thank you, Lucy, for sharing your passion for yoga and your kind heart with your students!

Sacramento Seva Yoga: Studio Lotus

Vibe of the space: Cozy, welcoming, down-to-earth

Favorite moments from class: Before Child's pose, Lucy asked us to meet our neighbors and say hi to someone we didn't know. I love when teachers offer the opportunity to get to know other yogis and build a supportive environment in the room! I also loved Lucy's cue about Halfway Lift / Standing Half Forward Bend pose (Ardha Uttanasana)-- she said to pretend like her favorite Starbucks drink, a matcha green tea latte, was resting on your upper back. Later she reminded us, "Don't spill my latte!" It was a clever and memorable way to cue engagement of the upper back :)

Reasons I can't wait to come back: Not only is the community at Studio Lotus welcoming and fun, but the people there are very genuine and just happy to be able to practice together. I chatted with several other teachers who attended the class, and each person I talked to invited me to come back. I left feeling uplifted and grateful, and I'll definitely be back!

Studio location: 1150 Sunset Blvd #154, Rocklin, CA 95765
Phone: (916) 624-9642
Seva (free) community class offerings: Sundays from 9am-10:15am
Is this studio on the Sac-Sierra Yoga list? YES (see all participating studios here)

  

Thanks for following along, and if you feel inspired to share, please send the link for this post to any local Sacramento yoga students, teachers or studio owners you think might be interested in being part of Sacramento Seva Yoga!

Our goals with this project are to:

• explore the local Sacramento and northern California yoga community
• experience classes from teachers who are making a difference in the world and have the opportunity to thank them for what they do
• meet new yoga friends
• give back to our community with blog publicity and the photo shoot offering
• share love and kindness

Stay tuned for the next studio visit at Yoga Reclaimed in Auburn.

Namaste.