Who’s Your Yoga Role Model?

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There’s a belief that magazines and Instagram hold the secret to Yoga – that Yoga role models are the people in the pretzeliest poses, in the fanciest leggings, and with the prettiest flowing hair.

I’m not the pretzeliest one in my class, my leggings are boring, and as those of you who know me know, flowing hair … what?

And, so a flowing-haired pretzelly poser might not be the best role model for me.  And, maybe not for you either.

This is my Yoga role model.

thanks to my friend Tim Black for this awesome photo.

Hi, Mt. Shasta! How are you today?

I’ve come to learn that role models come in all shapes and sizes. And, sometimes a Yoga role model isn’t even a person at all.

Mt. Shasta reminds me of stillness and strength. Mt. Shasta also reminds me that Tadasana, the mountain pose, is more than just standing around waiting for another pose. It is being present, still, and strong. It is its own pose.

When I told a friend that Mt. Shasta was my muse, she got me this tee-shirt …

 

Sure, I like seeing what pretzelly poses they come up with on Instagram. I don’t discount anyone just because they have fancy leggings and many of them tell beautiful stories and share important Yoga tips.  But, I also learn something from everyone who comes to our Yoga classes. So, you, too, are my role models.

So, your homework this week – while Peaceful Hands classes are on break – is to find a few out-of-the-ordinary role models that can inspire your practice and I hope they will nudge you to unroll your mat and see where your Yoga can take you this week.

National Public Radio reported yesterday on a study that found that inactivity today does more than raise the risk of disease, it also reduces the ability to get around at all as we grow older. And, rebounding from prolonged inactivity becomes slower – much, much slower – as we grow older. The story is here.

So, do your Yoga today, so you can do your Yoga tomorrow.

(Fall Session at Peaceful Hands begins Monday, September 11. More details in a couple days … but, first, time to unroll my mat and see what Mt. Shasta inspires in me today.)

Shastafarianly Yours, Jackie

“Team Bunny” Needs You!

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dd5f8-bunny14

Garden Greens Are YUM!

It’s time to activate TEAM BUNNY for 2016!

During the last few years, “Team Bunny” – a dedicated group of the Peaceful Hands Yoga community – has been providing organic greens, clover, and dandelions to patients at the Wildlife Center of Virginia.

The Wildlife Center has come to us for help again this year.

It’s the Center’s annual spring influx of rabbits (many are tiny orphan bunnies) – they arrive at the Center every day, sometimes delivered in shoe boxes, sometimes wrapped in towels.

Last year, the Center cared for 320 cottontails. That’s a lot of bunnies … and each one needs to eat.

These patients don’t particularly like the regular “hospital fare” the Center provides. (And, really, who does like hospital food?) But, what baby bunnies and their friends DO love is snacking on dandelion greens and clover.

Would you be willing to donate a bag of dandelions and clover from your yard?

(Yes, really. I am asking for your garden weeds.)

Peaceful Hands Yoga students & massage clients have provided many, many, many pounds of natural greens to feed Wildlife Center patients. In recognition of this kindness, the Peaceful Hands’ family has been dubbed “Team Bunny.”

In addition to the rabbits, our greens also are used to feed other patients at the Center, including bear cubs and box turtles.

team bunny1 2015

One of the many Wildlife Center patients who enjoyed “Team Bunny” greens in 2015.

“Team Bunny rocks!  … Exposing them to the natural foods that they will eat in the wild is the best way to wean them from formula onto solid foods.  It also acclimates them to hiding in vegetation to protect them from predators.” ~ Dr. Kelli Knight, Assistant Director of Veterinary Services, Wildlife Center of Virginia

Join “TEAM BUNNY” by donating a bag — or 2 or 3 — of greens and help feed the bunnies!

Here’s how …

If you’re out in your yard, garden, or pasture (in untreated, pesticide- and chemical-free areas only, please) and you wander across some dandelions and/or clover, the Wildlife Center would love to have them! Fresh is better, of course, so if you’re coming to class or have a massage scheduled, pull them up in the morning sometime and bring them in with you. Or drop them off at my massage studio any time during the week.

Here’s what the Center can use:

  • Dandelions – especially the green leafy parts
  • Clover
  • Lettuce – dark green varieties
  • Kale, Collards, or other “Greens”

A little bag. A big bag. Every little bit helps.

The rabbits and others will need the bounty for many weeks to come. And, soon the goslings and ducklings will benefit from your donations as well.

And, a happy, eating rabbit is a healing rabbit (or duckling or bear cub or turtle), and that makes the job easier for the Center’s Vets and Rehabbers.

Email me with questions at jackie@peacefulhands.com.

In Yoga, the generous donation of time, service, and gifts to those in need is known as Seva.

Team Bunny is Seva in action.

Thank you for all you do to help the wildlife around us.

Thanksgiving Blessing

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“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”  ~ Albert Schweitzer

This is, by far, my most favorite cartoon of all time … from Mutts

this moment mutts

I am thankful for this moment … and this one, too. And, I am thankful for each of you who share your Yoga with me.

I wanted to share last week’s Yoga class blessing with you. I have looked for other blessings of gratitude over the years, and there are beautiful ones out there, but this is the one that I always come back to. It is from W.E.B. Du Bois, the tireless civil rights leader and author.

Give us thankful hearts … in this the season of Thy Thanksgiving. May we be thankful for health and strength, for sun and rain and peace. Let us seize the day and the opportunity and strive for that greatness of spirit that measures life not by its disappointments but by its possibilities, and let us ever remember that true gratitude and appreciation shows itself neither in independence nor satisfaction, but passes the gift joyfully on in larger and better form.

Feeling Blessed? Here’s a cornucopia of gratitude blessings from our Yoga classes over the years …

Click here for the Gratitude Savasana and Energy Bridge instruction from 2011: Thanksgiving Yoga ~ A Blessing, Part 1

Click here for another beautiful blessing that guided our meditation at the end of that 2011 Thanksgiving class: Thanksgiving Yoga ~ A Blessing, Part 2

Here The Buddha explains why we should be thankful, from a class in 2012, click: So, Let Us All Be Thankful

In 2013, I revisted Albert Schweitzer’s wisdom in “Thanksgiving Yoga: Rekindling Our Light”, click: Rekindling Our Light

And, for a beautiful poem of Gratitude from Harriett Kofalk that served as the foundation of a Thanksgiving Day Yoga practice in 2010, click: I Give Thanks

I’m sharing all these with you again to inspire you (“inspire” being simply the stealthy way of saying … I’m “reminding” you) to unroll your mat sometime this week … and infuse your practice with gratitude and a smile. Even if you do just one asana this week — just one — be grateful that you can.

May you have much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving …

Namasté

Old Pose, New Pose

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I’ll remind you in class from time to time that Yoga poses – asanas – are usually not as old as we think they are. And, while some instructional Yoga guides to asanas are a couple hundred years old, there aren’t any that are truly “ancient.”

As I mentioned in our Sun-Moon class on Monday, the Sun Salutation – Surya Namaskar – is probably only 100 years old or so. The Moon Salutation, Chandra Namaskar? Well, it’s younger than the Internet.

But, there’s nothing wrong with poses being young. They are born of the spirit of Yoga – which is ancient – and the knowledge of modern science, anatomy, and physiology. They are the perfect balance of old and young.

And, that’s what Yoga is, isn’t it? The balancing of energy – sun and moon, right and left, young and old.

Here are two poses for you to ponder. One old and one is so young it hasn’t been invented – yet. But, maybe you can help me with that.

Old Pose

Lilias Folan was one of the great teachers of Yoga in the United States. Her Yoga programs on PBS beginning in the late 1960s introduced thousands to the practice at a time when there weren’t many Yoga studios around.

During Wednesday’s heart opening class, we practiced Gormukhasana. It’s a wonderful way to open the shoulders and stretch the heart center.

I’ve always known it as “cow face pose.”

So imagine my surprise to find it in a book by Lilias from 1972. The pose hasn’t changed. But, the name certainly has …

lilias 1972 warrior

Any guess on what Sponge pose is? (I know the answer … we do it all the time and we call it something else entirely.)

New Pose

California blogger Casey Karp writes about all sorts of things, including technology, the Bay Bridge, baseball, and cats. Every Friday he shares a photo of one – or some – of his cats doing … something.

Today, he featured Rhubarb, curled up and sleeping in what looks to me like a wonderful, brand-new Yoga pose. A pose that hasn’t been invented yet.

rhubarbasana

Photo of Rhubarb from koiscribblings.com Thanks Casey!

Check out the entire post for Casey’s description of the specific alignment Rhubarb is demonstrating: Read here.

Casey believes that cats get short-shrift in Yoga. He knows about Down Dogs, but he doesn’t know about cat tilts … cat-grabs-its-tail … lion pose … tiger in the grass.

I told Casey if anyone could turn his cat’s photo into a Yoga pose – Rhubarbasana, of course – it would be us. Take a look and see what you think.

If you want to share your thoughts on how to make Rhubarbasana come alive on the mat, let me know or comment below.  Or, maybe we’ll invent something new on Monday!

(And, a Friday treat for you. Here’s the Heart Sutra from Wednesday’s Savasana.)

 

“Team Bunny” In Action!

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Ever wonder what happens to all the clover and dandelions and greens that “Team Bunny” donates to the patients at the Wildlife Center of Virginia?

Now, you can see the greens in action — feeding bear cubs on the Wildlife Center’s Live “Critter Cam.”

critter 1See that? That’s kale and greens that were donated just yesterday by Team Bunny members.

If the bear cubs weren’t so busy tussling, I’m sure they would thank you themselves. So, on their behalf, I will … THANK YOU!

Check out the bear cubs LIVE on the Wildlife Center’s Critter Cam 2. They’re awesome to watch. Click here.

And, to learn more about “Team Bunny” and how you can help, click here.

“Team Bunny” Time!

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dd5f8-bunny14

Garden Greens Are YUM!

It’s time to activate TEAM BUNNY!

During the last few years, “Team Bunny” – a dedicated group of the Peaceful Hands Yoga community – has been providing organic greens, clover, and dandelions to patients at the Wildlife Center of Virginia.

The Wildlife Center has come to us for help again this year.

It’s the Center’s annual spring influx of rabbits (many are very young orphan bunnies) – dozens have come in during recent weeks and more arrive every day.

It’s clear these furry patients don’t particularly like the regular “hospital fare” the Center provides. (And, really, who does like hospital food?) But, what baby bunnies and their friends DO love is snacking on dandelion greens and clover.

Would you be willing to donate a bag of dandelions and clover from your yard?

(Yes, really. I am asking for your garden weeds.)

Peaceful Hands Yoga students & massage clients have provided many, many, many pounds of natural greens to feed Wildlife Center patients. In recognition of this kindness, the Peaceful Hands’ family has been dubbed “Team Bunny.”

In addition to the rabbits, our greens also are used to feed other patients at the Center, including bear cubs and box turtles.

team bunny1 2015

team bunny2 2015

“Team Bunny rocks!  I took the attached photos today of a few of the 21 neonatal cottontails currently in our care enjoying their Team Bunny clover. 🙂  Exposing them to the natural foods that they will eat in the wild is the best way to wean them from formula onto solid foods.  It also acclimates them to hiding in vegetation to protect them from predators.” ~ Dr. Kelli Knight, Assistant Director of Veterinary Services, Wildlife Center of Virginia

Join “TEAM BUNNY” by donating a bag — or 2 or 3 — of greens and help feed the bunnies!

Here’s how …

If you’re out in your yard, garden, or pasture (in untreated, pesticide- and chemical-free areas only, please) and you wander across some dandelions and/or clover, the Wildlife Center would love to have them! Fresh is better, of course, so if you’re coming to class or have a massage scheduled, pull them up in the morning sometime and bring them in with you. Or drop them off at my massage studio any time during the week.

Here’s what the Center can use:

  • Dandelions – especially the green leafy parts
  • Clover
  • Lettuce – dark green varieties
  • Kale
  • Collards

A little bag. A big bag. Every little bit helps.

The rabbits and others will need the bounty for many weeks to come. And, soon the goslings and ducklings will benefit from your donations as well.

And, a happy, eating rabbit is a healing rabbit (or duckling or bear cub or turtle), and that makes the job easier for the Center’s Vets and Rehabbers.

Email me with questions at jackie@peacefulhands.com.

In Yoga, the generous donation of time, service, and gifts to those in need is known as Seva.

Team Bunny is Seva in action.

Thank you for all you do to help the wildlife around us.

The Perfect “Giraffe Pose”

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My Yoga classes and I will, on occasion, rename Yoga poses.

Not because the original  names are wrong, but because sometimes they’re dull or just not the right fit for us. Sometimes we come up with something better.

Like Giraffe-asana. Which is standing wide-legged fold. It just feels so much better when you imagine yourself stepping wide to allow your long, long graceful giraffe neck to reach down and down and down in order to take a cool sip of water.

Really. It’s a totally better pose when you channel your inner giraffe.

You can see Giraffe-asana here … if you watch this through … done to perfection.

 

Peaceful Hands Yoga ~ New Location in Orange, VA

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mats mats matsPeaceful Hands Yoga has moved!

We’re now located at 228 Warren Street, Orange, Virginia at the Sedwick Racquetball Courts.

A deep bow of thanks to those who came out yesterday to help move the studio and set it up again in its new home ~ Barb and Donnie and Dotty and Joe and Randy and Sandy and Susie.  While moving a Yoga studio is a pretty easy endeavor (very little heavy lifting), it still takes time and love to get things set up “just so.”

I will miss the little studio that served us well for the past two years.

one last lookOne last look. One last goodbye.

all packed upIf you think moving a Yoga studio is easy … yes, you’re right. Roll up the mats, pile up the pillows, and don’t forget to pack Shiva!

blocks are packedThe blocks are stacked. The mats are rolled. And, Buddha is down from his perch near the ceiling. Time to go … 

mat cleaningOnce everything was moved to the new space, we cleaned up the loaner mats … and when we unrolled them all, we realized just how much more space we will now have!

the unpackersThe Unpackers!

the hanger uppersThe Hanger-Uppers!

ocean cornerThe Ocean Wall includes a little nook for tucking away blocks and straps and mats and peaceful things.

wall o matsWe have so much more space that I ran out of my strands of colored lights before I ran out of wall.

shiva in the houseShiva’s In The House!

And, after only a couple hours of moving and stacking and moving and unpacking, Peaceful Hands Yoga Studio is ready for you. The mats are ready. The room has been smudged with incense to bless it. And, all that’s left now …

time to ring the bell… is to ring the bell.

Special Classes This Week:

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31

4:30 p.m. ~ Level 1

6:00 p.m. ~ Level 1 / Level 2

 
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1
9:30 a.m. ~ A Kundalini-Inspired New Year’s Class

$13/Class

If you sign up for the 8-week/8-class session ($72/8 classes) … take either the New Year’s Eve OR New Year’s Day class FREE.

OR … Sign up for the unlimited 8-week session ($120) and take BOTH the New Year’s Eve AND New Year’s Day classes FREE.

Eight-Week Winter Session begins Monday, January 5, 2015.  Regular classes are:

Mondays & Wednesdays
4:30 p.m. ~ Level 1
6:00 p.m. ~ Level 1 / Level 2

 

I hope to see you on your mat!

I’m beginning to transition to this website for my Yoga schedules and updates. In the meantime, if you need additional information, click here for general information about my classes or contact me at jackie@peacefulhands.com or 540.672.9528.

Namasté

Peaceful Hands Yoga ~ New Location on Warren Street in Orange, VA

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Peaceful Hands Yoga has moved!

We’re now located at 228 Warren Street in Orange, Virginia at the Sedwick Racquetball Courts.

The move was smooth and easy … You can check out some photos of Moving Day and of our new studio.  Click here.

All that’s missing now … is you!

Special Classes this week on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day! Winter Session Begins Monday, January 5.

Details are here.