The Yogi At Home {Natural Inspiration}

Living in San Francisco, I am always inspired by the beauty of nature. Whether looking in awe at how the fog slowly creeps across the Bay, watching sea gulls fly overhead in a cool breeze, or just looking to the mountains in the far-off distance, natural elements inspire me each and every day. They can also be inspirational in your home decor. Here are a few things that can bring the beauty of the outdoors into your abode:

1. I love this porcelain Owl Lamp. Absolutely beautiful and with just a little bit of whimsy.

2. These hand blown Sea Urchin Vases are reminiscent of warm days by the sea.

3. A Driftwood Vase pays homage to wood's inspirational form.

4. This Dove Coral Pillow will bring the beauty of coral into your home without harming any reefs.

I hope you will find as much inspiration in these finds as I do, and bring a little nature home. read more...

The Yogi At Home {Sanctuary}

{Image from White Webb}

Happy New Year to all of you! It is a new year and a time for new beginnings. For many of us we take this time to think about the future; we try to steer away from the mistakes of the past; and will make impossible resolutions like starting an all grapefruit diet in hopes of losing the weight gained from holiday delights.

With an entirely new year in front of us, it is also an important time for deep, inner reflection. For many of us, we will reflect inward during yoga class, at our place of spiritual worship, even at work (depending on what you do), but this year I invite you to focus on home as a sanctuary for deep reflection. I am the first to admit that I am guilty of using the yoga studio as my only place for inner reflection. I will go to class, really get to the core of my being, and by the time I have made the evening commute home I am completely flustered and have lost the sense of peace I once had.

This year it is my resolution to make home the inner sanctuary I seek. Whether by creating an alter for meditation, creating a small space for morning and evening asanas, or simply removing distractions like TV from the bedroom, I am ready to make my home the place where I can find and maintain a sense of peace.


{Image from White Webb}

This year I invite you to make your home a sanctuary. And please, share with other Yogi Times Blog readers what you are doing to bring a bit of peace home this new year. read more...

The Yogi At Home {It's Holiday Time!}

The holidays are upon us. For many, right now you are finishing up holiday shopping, preparing your home for guests in the new year, and some are even preparing to do 108 sun salutations for the Winter Solstice this Friday. It is truly the busiest time of the year, which is why it is so important to remind ourselves to sit back and enjoy the true spirit of the season.

Here are some holiday gifts to truly lift and refresh your spirit: Peace Cards from Five to Five Photography; Lions and Leaves Yoga Mat Bag in grey velvet; Organic Full Moon Polkadot Eye Pillow filled with organic lavender and flax seeds.

Wishing you peace for the holidays! I will be back and posting in the new year. read more...

Completing 2007 Powerfully

Powerfully complete the year by asking these three questions:

1. What did I love about 2007?

2. What will I miss about 2007?

3. What did I learn from 2007?


Draw the year to a close using these additional strategies:

Declare it Complete:
Most likely there are things that sounded like such good ideas, great goals, and inspirational intentions that just didn't get done this year. Instead of allowing those to dangle around you like threads of yarn slowing you down, cut yourself free by declaring them complete. Simply say, "I declare ____ complete."

Acknowledge Yourself:
Even accomplishments can hang around our consciousness as incomplete when we don't acknowledge them. Allow yourself the gift of feeling the success of your accomplishments. Pause and take a moment to appreciate yourself, your efforts, and your gifts. Do this by making a list of 100 things you acknowledge yourself for in 2007. Once you start, you'll be surprised how many come flowing out onto the paper. read more...

Sanskrit Made Accessible

Do you chant Sanskrit mantras in yoga class, but regard the classical language of India, as, well, ungraspable? Fortunately for Bay Area yogis, Sanskrit becomes that much more accessible as longtime yoga practitioner and Sanskrit scholar Josh Michaell offers "The Sanskrit Training" at Yoga of Sausalito, February 9-10, 2008. Michaell's training demystifies the ancient language which is nearly as fundamental to asana practice as breathing: correctly pronouncing Sanskrit and increasing sensitivity to the sound vibration it creates provide another key to creating "calm and clarity in meditation."
By the end of the 14-hour training, students will be able to read basic Sanskrit words and gain a new appreciation for the language so as to better support their yoga practice.
The Sanskrit Training with Josh Michaell
Yoga of Sausalito
110 Caledonia St.
Sausalito, CA 94965
Saturday, 1pm-8pm
Sunday, 12:30pm-7:30pm
415/332-9642
www.americansanskrit.com read more...

Introduction to the Primary Series @ Ashtanga Yoga San Francisco

Noah and Kimberly Williams will be subbing for AYSF owner/teachers Heidie Lender and John Wilhelm while the duo is traveling in India, December 14-January 4. The Williams' ran a popular studio in Silver Lake for many years before relocating to Hawaii. During their time teaching in San Francisco, Kimberly will also lead an Introduction to Primary Series class

Introduction to the Primary Series with Kimberly Williams
"This special four-day workshop will introduce beginning students to
the principles and practice of Ashtanga Yoga including the foundation of Ujjayi breath, bandhas, and drishti. These classes will prepare students for AYSF's morning Mysore program. This 4-class workshop is being offered twice."

Monday-Thursday, December 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th - 5:00pm-6:15pm

OR

Wed-Fri, December 26th, 27th, 28th - 5pm-6:15pm
and Sunday December 30th (10am-11:15am)

$45 (pay before December 10th); $55 (after December 10th). Checks or cash only.

To register, email info@ashtangayogasanfrancisco.com.
Send payment to:
Ashtanga Yoga San Francisco
1009 Page Street
San Francisco, CA 94117 read more...

The Yogi At Home {Re-Nest}

Green design lovers must visit Apartment Therapy's newly designed green home site, Re-Nest. A daily blog that's dedicated to all that's new in green design, this site is chocked full of sustainable and environmentally friendly ideas for the home. For the month of December, visit their Home for the Holidays Kit from method. Enter by Thursday night and you could win a five-piece set from this eco-friendly brand. Bring the holidays home with scents of holly berry, peppermint vanilla and cinnamon bark, and create an environmentally friendly home for the holidays. read more...