Opening Your Heart

Winter can lead to tightness in the chest & tension in the shoulders. Free your body & open your heart's center with the following:

• In Tabletop Pose, standing or seated (in a chair or on the floor) inhale arch your back to Cow and exhale round your spine to Cat. 
• Interlace fingers behind your back. Inhale to straighten the elbows, lift the head & chest. 
• Roll your shoulders up & back. Leaving them back will open the chest and free the heart. Breathe & be mindful of any sensations.
• Focus your mind on your Even Breath as you focus on the mantra 'Love is within.'

Taking a few minutes throughout the day to reconnect with your mind, body & spirit will provide you an opportunity to relax, refocus & be present.

Open Heart

It is only with the heart that we can see clearly. For what is essential, is hidden from the eyes.
                                                     -The Little Prince


Heart Healthy Living

Learn to Manage Stress & Decrease Your Risk of Heart Disease

Calm Heart Meditation

Heart Opening Poses

Open Heart - The Home of Compassion

I love the child's version of Valentine's Day - passing cards and treats to our friends and maybe even our crush. The cards are hand crafted with glitter, markers and cut outs; these notes are truly tokens of love & compassion. One takes time to put together such a gift. All is done simply to share our appreciation and love; you know the elementary style V-Day.

As I reflect on the joy this version of Valentine's Day brings me, I see an invitation to reconnect with our hearts. The home of love, compassion and a beat so strong it keeps us going even when times seem tough. Yoga invites us to connect with and open our hearts, which leads us to extend this heartfelt compassion to others.

Ron & I created Illuminate Yoga + Natural Solutions to share our compassion with others - with YOU. We believe yoga & natural approaches to health is a gift that can provide many opportunities for healing and wellness. It is with great joy that we look to celebrate with you. I encourage you to mark your calendars for the February 28 Yoga Celebration & Open House.

Join me this week to open & soften your heart's center. I value your friendship & look forward to sharing a treat with you this Saturday.

Enjoy Valentine's Day

Tricks for Meditation

In yoga we observe the sensations of the body & thoughts of the mind without attaching to any of them. If we notice we are in that circular thought pattern, then we acknowledge the thought and let it go. Sometimes it's not so easy to 'let go'. Here are some tricks we can use:

• Blow it out like a lit candle
• Write it down
• Use your breath & a mantra: such us breathing in relax the mind; breathing out release the thought/task/idea
• Hold your palm out and place the nagging thought in your hand. Make a fist and hold the fist & idea tight. Then open your hand releasing control of the idea.

Don't forget that as we observe we neither judge or censor. Relieve some stress & relax by taking some time to observe the items of the mind, body & spirit - letting them pass just as easily as they came in. This is meditation.

Center & Be Present

Did you know that we meditate at class? That time at the beginning & end of practice when we follow our breath & calm our mind... yep that's meditation. Some are surprised to hear this because meditation is often portrayed as an elusive & complicated practice.

Meditation is actually loosely defined as the observance of life. I find meditation helps us to center & be present to our experience on the mat. The links on the left contain information, research, benefits as well as a sample meditation you can do anywhere.

together let's slow down & enjoy the sweetness of life


Yoga is like cake without the frosting: Something's missing. You need meditation. It's the frosting.
                                                     -Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa


Meditation May Soothe Stressed Hearts 

Benefits of Meditation

Meditation to Invoke Joy

Let's Meditate

Simple Movements to Loosen

Loosen your mind & body with simple movements. Take a little break and do one or more of the following:

• Reach arms up & down
• Shoulder circles
• Look side to side
• Elbow circles
• Wrist circles
• Arm across stretch
• Self massage - hands, neck, shoulders, feet or anywhere that needs it

Remember to connect your breath to the movement.

Yoga Benefits All

We've all been there... it's early in the morning & you debate whether you should crawl out of bed to go to yoga class. Marsha Doble said it best, "I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing." Many agree that the best time to exercise is in the morning. Exercise increases endorphin production, enhancing cheerfulness, energy, circulation, digestion, immunity, posture, and elimination.

Perhaps later in the day you resist... you are in the middle of a project and wonder if it is really worth interupting for some yoga time. Once you get to your mat, you find your energy has increased and afterward your creativity flows.

If you feel resistant to practice or are challenged to find time for yoga, then remind yourself of some of the benefits.

• Enhances flexibility and range of motion
• Increases muscular strength
• Alleviates or reduces chronic pain
• Aids recovery from injury or other ailment
• Prevents injury and illness
• Improves and balances your personal energy level

In addition to reminding myself of the personal benefits, I remember that I am my best self (more pleasant & patient) when I practice yoga regularly. Your practice benefits not only your health and well-being, but the happiness of all those you come into contact with. The healthier and more balanced we are, the more help and support we can offer to those in need.

Words fail to convey the total value of yoga. It has to be experienced.
-B.K.S. Iyengar

Dr.'s Orders: Finding a Better Positions to Deal with Disease 
Yoga As Medicine

I love sharing the gift of yoga with you! Meet you on the mat : )