How do you like our yoga cake from the SNY five year anniversary celebration? I really enjoyed eating cake and drinking bubbly with all of my yoga friends. Thanks so much for your continued support and here's to at least five more!

Namaste,

Noele

Support Louie's Kids

Louie's Kids Annual Yoga Marathon is coming up...October 10th from 12-3PM.

Join us in raising funds! Louie's Kids mission is to fight obesity one child at a time, and they make an amazing difference for kids in our community. Click the link listed below to see my fundraising page, where you can view my progress toward my fundraising goal and sponsor our efforts with a donation of your own!

Thanks in advance for your support. Hope to see you at the marathon.

Click here to go to the fundraising page

Namaste,
Jordan

New class in September

We've added a new class to the schedule for September, and it starts on Labor Day.

Join me for a "Beat the Monday Blues" Yoga Class from 8:30-9:30AM every Monday. This beginner/intermediate level class is designed to start your week right with an inspirational reading, an asana practice designed to help you let go of any weekend overindulgence, and a guided meditation to steady your mind for the week ahead.

All levels welcome. Bring your friends!

See you on the mat,
Jordan

The Five Tibetan Rites

The Five Tibetan Rites workshop is filling up fast! Join Tricia on Saturday, 8/22 at 12:00 Noon to learn the exercises that Tibetan monks claim can lead to a reduction in the aging process by helping to normalize hormonal imbalances. Once learned, the rites take about 20 minutes to perform and can be practiced anywhere - making them invaluable to those who travel and have time limiting schedules. Class concludes with final relaxation.

Call us to reserve your spot.

Workshops this weekend

Don't forget this weekend we're hosting Arline Jernigan for a weekend of vinyasa flow workshops. Scroll down for the workshop schedule and description.

To accomodate the workshop, our Saturday and Sunday morning classes will be cancelled on august 8th and 9th. All other classes are on as usual.

To reserve your spot in the workshop, call the studio or stop by the desk on your way to class. Full payment is required to reserve your spot.

Have a namaste,
:) Jordan

Vinyasa Yoga Weekend with Arline Jernigan

Friday, August 7th, 6PM - 9PM
All levels class concentrating on flow, moving seamlessly through space, and standing poses.

Saturday, August 8th, 9AM - 12 Noon
A challenging, vigorous, yet accessible class working in stages to build up to more advanced poses. We will explore hip opening as well as arm balances and inversions.

Sunday, August 9th, 9AM - 12 Noon
The first hour will consist of warming into a backbending practice followed by two hours of a relaxing and restorative practice.

$40 per session or $100 for all three. Payment is required in advance to reserve your spot.

When you practice yoga with Arline, it’s clear that she values connection. She’s an energy maven, reading and moving the energy in her classes with ease. And, she’s fully aware of the power of her own energy. The girl has got some mamma jamma shakti going on. Her teaching style is pure vinyasa – linking each yoga pose together in a flow of grace, strength and stamina.

A graduate of Memphis College of Art and a long-term physical fitness instructor before coming to yoga, Arline brings a unique blend of physicality and artfulness to her teaching. The yoga mat serves as a different kind of canvas for Arline, who continues to paint and exhibit her work in Memphis art galleries. Through her teaching as well as her art, she inspires others to feel more and move beyond preconceived notions of personal limitation.

She draws her primary teaching inspiration from Shiva Rea, “Shiva opened my eyes to the beauty of flow, the freedom that personal power offers us, and the gateway to it on the yoga mat.”

Arline received her teaching certification through Yoga Alliance. She teaches both public and private classes, and takes students on yoga adventures around the world. Keep your eyes out for details on her future retreats and workshops which are great fun, highly energizing, and deeply restorative.

www.arlinejernigan.com

July 4th Weekend

We are open for all of our regular classes on July 4th and all throughout the July 4th weekend. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Smoothie Recipes from Tricia

Hi all, here are two smoothie recipes I have been loving lately!
Enjoy! Tricia

MMMMMMM Mango
2 TBSP OJ
2 Pineapple rings
1 Cup Frozen Mango
3/4 Cup org. milk
3/4 Cup org. Vanilla Yogurt
1 TBSP (or less) Agave Nectar
5 Ice Cubes
Blend it all up!! serves two

Blueberry Bliss
1/2 Bag froz org. Blueberries
3/4 Cup org. milk
3/4 Cup org. Vanilla Yogurt
2 TBSP Pineapple Juice
Agave Nectar -to taste
Lots of Ice Cubes
Blend and enjoy!

Mindfulness Training Article

Vivian Scarborough sent me this article about mindfulness training.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/01/mindfulness.training.stress/index.html

Enjoy!

Noele

K Pattabhi Jois Passes Away at 93

Revered yoga teacher K Pattabhi Jois passed away May 18, 2009. He was one of the world's most influential figures in shaping the way we practice yoga today. See the link below for more information about him and videos of his teaching.

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/05/sri-k-pattabhi-jois-founder-of-ashtanga-yoga-passes-away-at-age-93/

Food Matters

Hi all you yogis and yoginis out here! As you all know yoga is about making conscious educated decisions. Well, I stumbled upon a movie trailer for "Food Matters." I had never seen nor heard of this movie before, but it looks VERY INFORMATIVE! I will be downloading and watching it. Please take the time to watch the trailer and if you are still interested you can download the movie from foodmatters.tv for just $4.95!! Or buy it on their site for $24.95. Let me know what you think!

Namaste, Tricia

Green Dharma

This is a link to a free down-loadable book by Georg Feuerstein, my favorite yoga author and his wife Brenda. The topic is Buddhism and environmental sustainability.

http://www.traditionalyogastudies.com/green_dharma.html

Another Great Way to Recycle

Clothing, Jewelry, and Handbag Exchange at Serenity Now Yoga
Tuesday, May 5th at 1:00PM

Doing some spring cleaning? If you have anything nice that just doesn’t suit you or fit you anymore, bring it by Serenity Now for our First Annual Clothing Exchange. Here are the rules:


1.You are responsible for everything you bring. You must cart anything of yours still remaining at the end of the event to Goodwill (right across the street). Please don’t leave anything at the studio!

2.Please only bring something you think someone might want. Nothing dirty, stinky, or gross. Clean and folded clothing only, please!

3.Please give (or try to give) as much as you take. The idea is to reduce and reuse, so if you want to leave with a bagful of items, give a bagful of items away first!

4.Have fun!

Post & Courier Doga Article, Photo Gallery and Video

Thanks to David Quick for covering our Doga fundraiser. Great article David!

http://postandcourier.com/news/2009/apr/16/yoga_dogs_breaks_workout_rut78801/

Yoga Journal Article on Vegetarianism

Interesting article about the yogic history of vegetarianism

http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/999?utm_source=MyYogaJournal&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=myj_357

Avocado & Quinoa Salad

Hi everyone. I want to share a recipe I discovered recently (although I have tweaked the original a bit for us vegetarians!) I would recommend this a side to some veggie burgers on the grill, serve over mixed greens or it makes a nice refreshing side to anything!!

Also remember I don't always keep track of time and sometimes "eye" amounts!!

AVOCADO & QUINOA SALAD
1 1/2 c quinoa
2 1/2 c organic veggie broth
cook these together until broth is absorbed and quinoa is soft. (maybe 10-15 minutes) Let cool.
2 Haas Avocados, diced
2 stalks org celery, diced
1 med or 1 cup org grape tomatoes, diced
1 lemon, juiced
salt and pepper to taste (I also like to add a touch of"spike")
Toss the veggies in the lemon juice then add to the quinoa. Season to taste. You can serve immed or store in the fridge until ready to serve.

Enjoy!!! Tricia

Stay tuned for some smoothie recipes-just in time for the warmer weather!!!

Calculate your carbon footprint with this fun online quiz

The Earth Day Footprint Calculator...Find out how many planets it takes to support your lifestyle. Awareness is the first step.

http://www.earthday.net/footprint/flash.html

Challenge Testimonial from Elyse Waple

My husband, Paul, and I both successfully completed the February Yoga Challenge: 25 classes in 28 days! We have enjoyed practicing yoga at home for years and moved our practice to Serenity Now last year - being consistent as we feel like being.

Committing to the challenge gave us "permission" to do what we always intend to do: practice yoga everyday - guilt-free. As adults, other responsibilities tend to pull us from doing things for ourselves (which truly is the most important responsibility). Participating in the challenge provided social acceptance when we say, "We HAVE to go to yoga class - the challenge," (enough said).

Mind, Body, Spirit! Oh, yes. It has been awesome to be committed to giving time to turn inward and quiet the mind, be on the mat and nurture body and soul. The variety of classes offered allow us to listen to our bodies and attend classes suitable for that particular day.

Just like every aspect of health, yoga practice is like an onion - a continuous process of peeling away layers, some easier than others, constantly adjusting for balance, harmony and health.

Needless to say, when the March Challenge - Double or Nothing was suggested, we were quick to be in on it. I already had intended to continue the pattern established in February. I have read that it takes 21 times for something to become a habit. What an awesome habit!

As a Doctor of Chiropractic, I cannot say enough about the positive benefits of yoga. Consultations with patients seldom conclude without the question, "Have you ever tried practicing yoga?" One of my favorite opportunities to adjust is following yoga practice.

41 out of 48 Completed the Challenge - Nice Work!

Share Your Experience

Many students have been sharing their experience with respect to the February challenge. We would love to hear from you. Email me if you'd like to post your thoughts on the blog.

Namaste,

Noele

Yogi, Bogi or Rogi - You Decide

This was an interesting article

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ed-and-deb-shapiro/are-you-a-rogi-a-bogi-or_b_167098.html

Enjoy!

Photos from the partner yoga class

Thanks everyone who came out for our partner and group yoga workshop! Enjoy the photos!

Yoga Immersion Program starts Feb. 26th

Many of our students have expressed interest in learning more about yoga, it's history, philosophy and practical applications. Serenity Now Yoga will be offering a five week immersion program taught by studio owner Noele Pace that is designed to help any student of yoga deepen his or her practice. This is not a teacher training, but an educational program suitable for all levels of experience. The program is designed as a whole and is not intended to be taken in parts. The sessions will be held from 7:30PM until 10:30PM five consecutive Thursday evenings beginning Thursday, February 26th and concluding Thursday, March 26th. Each session will consist of a lecture/discussion and an asana class which will be tied to the evening's topic.

Week One - History and Philosophy of Yoga
Week Two - Classical Yoga and the Yogasutras
Week Three - Tantra, the Chakras and Pranayama
Week Four - Hatha Yoga Pradipika Theory and Practice
Week Five - Teachings from the Bhagavad Gita

Cost $150

Those interested please email Noele at noele@serenitynowyoga.net

Sign Up for our February Challenge!

Keep Your New Year's Resolution Challenge begins February 1st. Sign up now!

If you sign up by February 1st to take 25 classes in 28 days during the month of February, you can earn a free one month unlimited pass, valued at $90. What a great way to deepen your practice and strengthen your commitment to your yoga practice!

Remember we offer many different types of classes (beginner, intermediate, warm, gentle, yin, etc) and they all count! Meditation also counts! And we're offering two partner yoga workshops on the weekend of February 21st which also count toward your total...one requires you to bring a partner and one is no partner required.

So don't be afraid to shake up your routine in February. When you realize that we offer a total of 142 classes throughout February, 25 sounds like a very reasonable number.

See you on the mat!

Inspiring Video from YouTube

Tricia found this video on YouTube about a long-time MS survivor and wanted to share it here. Although it's not specifically about yoga, the concepts he talks about will sound very familiar to anyone who practices yoga. This is a truly beautiful and inspiring video.

Ring in the New Year Yoga Class

Thanks so much to all of you who joined us the morning of January 1st. There's no better way to start the new year than a sweaty, crowded yoga class! It was a joy and a pleasure to start 2009 by teaching such a wonderful group of students.

Love to all!!

Noele