Meet Sarah, our Yogi of the month of August and there could not be a more fitting human to honor in this month of sunshine, even when it rains Sarah lights up the studio with her radiant open heart. We have known Sarah through Yoga in many different spaces, youth soccer and school. In all arenas she shines.

I asked her the usual questions and here is what she shared.

Q. How long have you been practicing Yoga?

A. I’ve been practicing yoga for about 9 years.

Q. What fills your time off the mat?

A. Off the mat I have been busy for the past 3 years pursuing a masters in school counseling. It’s been a challenge being a full-time student while parenting 2 teenagers, nurturing my marriage, and managing a house and a dog.

Q. How does Yoga affect your life off the mat?

A. Yoga has kept me sane and grounded and it’s something I look forward to every week. It is one of the only times in my week when I “unplug” from my cell phone and email for an hour or two.

Q. What would you like to share with others about Yoga?

A. In the beginning I worried about doing yoga “right”! As I grew in my practice, I came to appreciate how the practice of yoga is a unique experience for every individual, so it is always “right” for me.

In my experience, yoga has never been about the “place” but about the people– the sense of spirit and the community. It’s been such a pleasure to practice with Elysa and Jen and the community they’ve built over the past several years. I’m deeply grateful to everyone with whom I’ve shared a class through the years. You’ve all been part of my “gift” of yoga.

Jen says… And we are grateful to you Sarah for always supporting us with love, wisdom and sunshine! Join us in wishing her well as she begins a new professional adventure this Fall offering support and guidance to High School students.

If you are interested in seeing more, show some support in the comments, perhaps we can request a local screening and make an event of it.

Your little Yogi is sure to enjoy this after school series to stretch, twist, laugh, play and relax. Come join the fun and let your spirits soar exploring who you are!

Elysa DeMartini is a Dew Yoga teacher certified in the Kripalu tradition and certified by Yoga Ed. for children’s Yoga. Her full bio can be seen at www.dewyoga.net

Pre-registration is required. Minimum 8 participants required. Cost: $120.00 for the series. Contact us to reserve your space or with any questions.

If you missed the first one, here is another opportunity to be introduced to the practice of Yoga!

For beginners or those returning to practice after a time away this two hour class will prepare you to drop in on any Open or Basic class. Learn the fundamentals of Pranayama (Breathing), the foundation Asana (Postures) and enjoy a guided meditation.

Workshop led by Elysa. Questions will be welcome at the workshop, if you have any in advance, contact us.

$35.00/person, please pre-register, minimum 6/maximum 12 participants.

I met Donna Sparan quite a few years ago cheering on our son’s Little League Baseball team. It wasn’t until last year, however, that we connected through Yoga. Donna became a ‘regular’ at Outdoor Yoga at Turn of River and the Beach and I quickly realized that her infectious optimism was not something she reserved for Little League.

To share Yoga space with Donna is to share her Goddess light and her expansive love of Yoga.

I asked her the usual questions about Yoga. Here is what she had to share with us.

Q. How long have you been practicing yoga?

A. I’ve been practicing yoga for about 3 years now.

Q. What fills your time off the mat?

A. Kids, sports, kids, etc. Not much time for anything else.

Q. How does your yoga practice affect your life off the mat?

A. Yoga has totally changed my life since I began. It’s like therapy for me. Being a single Mom with two teenage boys, it’s very hectic. Yoga keeps me calm…gives me the inner strength to take on the day to day obstacles and stress - the good and not-so-good, that life brings.

Q. What would you like to share with others about yoga?

A. Before I began yoga, I was a cardio queen doing aerobics and running. I didn’t love the running, but it was a great way to burn calories and the results were beginning to show - at least I thought the results were good. As time went on, my body took a beating from running and the weights. After my doctor told me that I should take it easy on my knees - I turned to yoga as some friends suggested. I was a little hesitant because I didn’t want to gain weight. 3 years later, my body has changed…I lost inches everywhere…and my body has taken on a totally different shape. Yoga does wonders for your body, skin, and is also a good way to build strength and muscle. Yoga for me, is something that I will never stop practicing. I even do it at home in any room, on any floor. My kids think I’m crazy. I now have some of the men and women in my office stretching while pouring their coffee! Pretty soon it’ll be yoga in the boardroom.

Apparently it’s a bit tricky to find Donna on the lens side of a camera. I hope she won’t be too upset that I picked her out of a crowd at Springdale field 3 years ago.

Of course that means on the mat, we are more than our physical posture. Our Warrior pose is more than a lunge that tones the butt and stretches the hamstrings. Our Warrior becomes an opportunity to be in our power, to bring our inner strength and determination into physical play. Warrior brings us the chance to connect our inner power with the divine power of our community and our planet. A yogi would be hard pressed to lovingly hold virabhadrasana eka (warrior 1) and not feel a sense of inner strength being nurtured as much as their calves and quads working hard.

But what happens when we have a bad day? (more…)

The first class is July 25, 2008 6:00 - 6:30pm. Please arrive atleast 5 minutes before to make yourself comfortable.

No experience is required and no need to register in advance. Bring a mat or blanket if you prefer to use your own.

Yoga Nidra is practiced lying down comfortably. It is the practice of conscious sleep, a guided relaxation that sytematically encourages tension release from every part of the body leaving the practicioner feeling rested, relaxed and recharged.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call Jen 524-2919.

Six weeks to a stronger, leaner, happier YOU!

Two sessions per week of Yoga, conditioning and core strengthening to put you at ease in your swim suit for the summer and beyond!

This is a Yoga workout, be ready to sweat and get strong!

Saturdays 8:30 – 9:15am
Wednesdays 7 – 7:45pm
(Saturday July 26 – Wednesday, September 3, 2008)

Pre-registration is required, minimum of 6 students necessary to blast off.
$150.00/student for 12 classes, cash or check only. Series fee non-refundable.

Dew Yoga at Bobby Valentine’s Sports Academy, 72 Camp Avenue, Stamford, CT 06907
www.dewyoga.net ~ info@dewyoga.net ~ (203) 524-2919 or (203) 246-6163

Ronnie has been a volunteer assistant in Kid’s programs at Kripalu for quite some time. It seems to be the perfect fit for her. In her own words,

“We will do yoga, art, theatre games, swimming, dress up and have lots of fun-
maybe some guided fantasy with art combos (I like to do those - yoga
nidras for kids with art following).”

Ronnie also shared with me that she has been hired by the Friendship Circle to teach yoga to
children who have challenges and their average buddies for next year.

How exciting - way to go, Ronnie!

You can read more about Ronnie here.