Thursday, May 20, 2010
Kaiden May 9th-20th
I hope you enjoy these pictures of Kaiden :) They were taken between May 9th and May 20th. He is such an amazing little baby. He's very healthy, really sweet, and down right gorgeous :) I feel so very blessed to have him in my life; I want to be the best mother I can be to him so he can grow up knowing that he can do anything he sets his mind to!
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Kaiden James
Kaiden James joined us on Monday, May 3rd at 5:05pm! He weighed in at 7lbs 10 oz and 20 1/2 inches. He is a very healthy, sweet bundle of joy :)
Saturday, May 01, 2010
kaiden's room ;)
Kaiden will join us any day now. Kwang and I are settled into our new home, Kaiden's room is ready, and I'm about to burst at the seam. I'm ready to meet my son, ready to be a mother, ready to begin this next phase in my journey. I look back over the last year of my life and wonder how I've made it to this point. From getting authorized by Sharath, coming back home after over ten months away from Kwang, finding a building and signing a lease for the yoga shala, getting engaged to Kwang, finding out we were gonna have a baby, preparing and opening the yoga shala, experiencing pregnancy for the first time with all its amazing ups and downs, looking for and finding and buying a house, running a business on my own, and now to this point in this day where I sit in front of my computer with my stomach bulging - my little man swimming around inside my stomach - my head racing and my heart soaring....I've never in my life experienced, in such a short period of time, so many fears and worries and little heartaches - nor so much joy and excitement and love. While I don't know what the future holds, I do know that I will give each day all I have to give ;)
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Ladies Holiday
If you practice Ashtanga Yoga you have heard the phrase, 'ladies holiday.' Well what is it? It is the time each month that us ladies have our menstrual cycle. It has come to be known as 'ladies holiday' because Guruji has always taught women to take the first three days of your menstrual cycle as days of rest from your Ashtanga Yoga practice. Hence, a 'holiday' for ladies from Ashtanga Yoga practice.
WHY 'should' we take rest "Ladies Holiday"?
Depending on your own cycle, you should be mindful to take rest from asana practice at least one and up to three days. Length of time off from practice should vary from woman to woman because each woman's cycle is different - if your cycle is very heavy, if you feel intense fluctuations in mood/emotions, if cramping is intense - then three days is advisable to allow the body to do its work without interference. If your cycle is rather mild with little flow, and little cramping, you may opt to take a day or two off as opposed to three.
This is also a good time to rest because your body is undergoing a great amount of work that requires a great deal of your energy. To honor this time and take rest from physical asana practice allows your energy to be directed to the work of menstruation.
It is also advisable to refrain from practice during this time because of the directional flow of energy - through yoga we start to understand that all we do on and off our mat is intended to increase the upward flow of energy, or prana. When we menstruate we are creating or rather experiencing a downward flow of energy, or apana. By doing asana practice during menstruation we are confusing the flow of energy - working to create an upward flow of energy during an unavoidable downward flow. So from an energetic standpoint, it is a time to allow the body to do what it must in expanding the apana, and wait til the body has finished its work to begin again to increase prana via asana practice.
When I do get back on my mat during 'ladies holiday' are there any modifications I should adhere to?
- When you come back to your mat after taking a day of rest or three days of rest it is advisable to refrain from doing any inversions until your cycle comes to an end.
- If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or crampy, refrain from extreme backbending, and leave out any postures that intensify your discomfort until your cycle comes to an end.
- Make a conscious effort not to engage your bandhas during the days of your cycle (although for many of us bandhas become an unconscious part of our practice over time - it is important to work hard to let the pelvic floor and navel area be a soft and supple as possible during this downward flow of energy).
- Alot of deeply dedicated female practitioners find that taking that time off is difficult. Do not ignore your cycle and attempt to practice the full Ashtanga sequence straight through it! Doing so can alter your cycle completely.
- Please remember that every woman is different - so what you may need to do for your body during your menstrual cycle will be different from the next woman. LISTEN to your body and she will tell you what to do and what not to do.
*** As you continue to practice Ashtanga yoga consistently, for a long period of time you will really start to understand your body and what you need to do for your body. Ladies holiday will become a time for you to continue to explore your physical and emotional self from a different perspective; and alot of what happens to the female body will begin to make more sense. This amazing practice provides insights into self that will amaze you! As you practice more, you become more aware; as you become more aware you become more respectful of yourself and the world around you.
At The Yoga Shala, I encourage my own students to listen to their body. There is no one solution for EVERY woman - be mindful of how you feel during your monthly cycle and honor your body.
WHY 'should' we take rest "Ladies Holiday"?
Depending on your own cycle, you should be mindful to take rest from asana practice at least one and up to three days. Length of time off from practice should vary from woman to woman because each woman's cycle is different - if your cycle is very heavy, if you feel intense fluctuations in mood/emotions, if cramping is intense - then three days is advisable to allow the body to do its work without interference. If your cycle is rather mild with little flow, and little cramping, you may opt to take a day or two off as opposed to three.
This is also a good time to rest because your body is undergoing a great amount of work that requires a great deal of your energy. To honor this time and take rest from physical asana practice allows your energy to be directed to the work of menstruation.
It is also advisable to refrain from practice during this time because of the directional flow of energy - through yoga we start to understand that all we do on and off our mat is intended to increase the upward flow of energy, or prana. When we menstruate we are creating or rather experiencing a downward flow of energy, or apana. By doing asana practice during menstruation we are confusing the flow of energy - working to create an upward flow of energy during an unavoidable downward flow. So from an energetic standpoint, it is a time to allow the body to do what it must in expanding the apana, and wait til the body has finished its work to begin again to increase prana via asana practice.
When I do get back on my mat during 'ladies holiday' are there any modifications I should adhere to?
- When you come back to your mat after taking a day of rest or three days of rest it is advisable to refrain from doing any inversions until your cycle comes to an end.
- If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or crampy, refrain from extreme backbending, and leave out any postures that intensify your discomfort until your cycle comes to an end.
- Make a conscious effort not to engage your bandhas during the days of your cycle (although for many of us bandhas become an unconscious part of our practice over time - it is important to work hard to let the pelvic floor and navel area be a soft and supple as possible during this downward flow of energy).
- Alot of deeply dedicated female practitioners find that taking that time off is difficult. Do not ignore your cycle and attempt to practice the full Ashtanga sequence straight through it! Doing so can alter your cycle completely.
- Please remember that every woman is different - so what you may need to do for your body during your menstrual cycle will be different from the next woman. LISTEN to your body and she will tell you what to do and what not to do.
*** As you continue to practice Ashtanga yoga consistently, for a long period of time you will really start to understand your body and what you need to do for your body. Ladies holiday will become a time for you to continue to explore your physical and emotional self from a different perspective; and alot of what happens to the female body will begin to make more sense. This amazing practice provides insights into self that will amaze you! As you practice more, you become more aware; as you become more aware you become more respectful of yourself and the world around you.
At The Yoga Shala, I encourage my own students to listen to their body. There is no one solution for EVERY woman - be mindful of how you feel during your monthly cycle and honor your body.
Monday, April 19, 2010
MIA
I've been missing in action on the blog scene for a few weeks now :) Kwang and I closed on our house on April 1st and I've been extremely busy trying to unpack boxes and make our new home homey for Kaiden's arrival! It has been rather exhausting but great fun! And boy did it feel good to get his room unpacked and set up. There is now a place for Kaiden to come home to, and that brings me such joy! I've not taken any pictures of the house yet but when I do I'll post some up for you to see :)
It's also been a busy few weeks at The Yoga Shala - Sati's Ashtanga Immersion workshops went really well the last few weekends, and The Karma Krew April project for Camp Kesem was a bit hit too!
Today was my last day teaching for a wee while - I guess I'm officially starting maternity leave now (sounds odd for me to say that :) Kaiden is due in 2 1/2 weeks but I have my cerclage removed tomorrow and then I'm to wait (off my feet) for Kaiden to let me know when he's ready to join us! I have spent the better part of the last two weeks trying to make sure the shala is full of supplies, product, and the like...I had a new order of Yoga Shala tees made and they look awesome - you gotta come check em out :) Also getting a fresh shipment of coconut water in this week for all my thirsty students.
I wish everyone a wonderful week ahead! Try to get on your mat as much as you can. Even when you are tired or distracted, it is of great benefit to set the intention and do your yoga!
om shanti
It's also been a busy few weeks at The Yoga Shala - Sati's Ashtanga Immersion workshops went really well the last few weekends, and The Karma Krew April project for Camp Kesem was a bit hit too!
Today was my last day teaching for a wee while - I guess I'm officially starting maternity leave now (sounds odd for me to say that :) Kaiden is due in 2 1/2 weeks but I have my cerclage removed tomorrow and then I'm to wait (off my feet) for Kaiden to let me know when he's ready to join us! I have spent the better part of the last two weeks trying to make sure the shala is full of supplies, product, and the like...I had a new order of Yoga Shala tees made and they look awesome - you gotta come check em out :) Also getting a fresh shipment of coconut water in this week for all my thirsty students.
I wish everyone a wonderful week ahead! Try to get on your mat as much as you can. Even when you are tired or distracted, it is of great benefit to set the intention and do your yoga!
om shanti
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Camp Kesem - Karma Krew April Project
On Saturday, April 17th from 11:00am - 2:00pm the Karma Krew will be holding its monthly karma project at The Yoga Shala - 927 North Pennsylvania Avenue, Winter Park, Florida 32789.
The theme for this month is "Giving Back to the Caregivers"...So often, tragedy or disaster is something that we read about in the newspapers, or watch from a distance on TV. But cancer is something that we all know, whether personally or through a family member or close friend, or even a distant relative.When cancer does affect a family, support is often there for the adults, but not always for the children.
Camp Kesem ("kesem" meaning "magic" in Hebrew) is a college-student-run summer camp for kids 6 - 13 who have/had a parent with cancer. Enjoying a week of fun and meeting kids in their same situation, these young children can find the support and attention they need, that might be difficult for the parents to provide at home during this time. What is also so magical about these camps is that each of the college students that run them do their own fundraising each year. And one of them told me their budget each year is $12,000!
For the first two weeks of April, we will be raising funds for two camps, at the University of Florida and the University of Miami. Donations can be made through PayPal or at The Yoga Shala in Winter Park. (More details and donation options to be provided soon.)
On April 17th, we will gather at The Yoga Shala to practice asana and meditation, cultivating the realization that, through our practice and the very acts of living, we can create positive & happy lives for all beings.
Friday, March 26, 2010
baby bump
I'm now about 34 1/2 weeks pregnant - and my little man is getting bigger by the second! I've been practicing through my entire pregnancy, but I've modified to some degree since the day I found out I was having a baby. As the weeks have progressed I've continued to modify my practice even more. In the last four weeks alone I've had to let go of about five postures in the primary series, and several inversions. Even though my current yoga practice is something very different from a full fledged ashtanga practice; there is nothing better than doing my yoga during my pregnancy. I'm quite achy all over if I don't do my practice; and I mentally and physically feel out of sync without getting to my mat. I give thanks each and every single day for this special and sacred practice - for all that it gives me on and off the mat! I plan to and hope to be able to practice up until I give birth in six weeks. At that point I'll take 8-10 weeks off of all physical activity. While I'll miss my asana practice very much, I'm eager to give my body a much needed break and time to heal. When I do return to my mat after Kaiden's birth, I know I'll be refreshed, rested, and ready to embrace my asana practice again :)
I now have about a month left teaching my morning and lunchtime mysore classes at The Yoga Shala before having my cerclage removed and beginning maternity leave. If Kaiden comes when he's due I'll be welcoming my little boy into the world in six weeks :) Next Friday Kwang and I close on our home, and begin moving! I'm very eager to get settled in the house, finally get Kaiden's room ready, and prepare to welcome Kaiden into our lives!!!
I now have about a month left teaching my morning and lunchtime mysore classes at The Yoga Shala before having my cerclage removed and beginning maternity leave. If Kaiden comes when he's due I'll be welcoming my little boy into the world in six weeks :) Next Friday Kwang and I close on our home, and begin moving! I'm very eager to get settled in the house, finally get Kaiden's room ready, and prepare to welcome Kaiden into our lives!!!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Kino MacGregor comes to Orlando
Kino MacGregor Weekend Workshop
The Yoga Shala
927 North Pennsylvania Avenue
Winter Park, Florida 32789
May 22-23, 2010
Saturday May 22
10 AM - 12 PM Guided Full Primary ($40.00)
2 - 4 PM Workshop ($50.00) Inversions, Handstanding & the Art of Balance: Turning yourself upside down challenges the body’s sense of spatial orientation, the limits of physical strength and the mind’s outer edges of fear. In this class you will learn to approach inversions with sound anatomical principles, an open mind, excitement and fun. You will experience first hand that it takes much more than brute strength to steady yourself on your hands. You will see how easy it really is to let yourself slide into postures, positions and inversions that you think are impossible with just the slightest change of perspective. Everything from shoulderstand to downward dog to handstand is part of the game.
Sunday May 23
8 AM - 10 AM Mysore Style ($40.00)
12 PM - 2 PM Workshop ($50.00)Lengthen the Hamstrings, Relax the Hips:
Unlock the secret to open hips and long hamstrings and solve the riddle of these two seemingly incorrigible areas of the body. Without your hamstrings and hips in place the yoga practice sometimes feels like a dead end with no hope in sight. Turn that thought around in this fun, practical approach to working with your legs, hips and pelvis. This workshop gives you the foundation for healthy forward bending, easy hip rotation and a new understanding of your legs. Delve into the inner world with solid anatomical explanations, easy-to-apply techniques and in-depth understanding.
REGISTER NOW
ENTIRE WORKSHOP by April 5: $150; $170 thereafter. For more information and registration contact mailto:krista@ashtangayogini.com or call The Yoga Shala 407-506-4626.
Workshop Cancellation Policy/Refunds:All cancellations must be made 10 days prior to the start of the workshop. Refunds will be given in the form of studio credit only (less a $15 processing fee). No credits will be given within 10 days of the start of workshop.
Kino MacGregor is one of a select group of people to receive the Certification to teach Ashtanga Yoga by its founder Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India. The youngest woman to hold this title, she has completed the challenging Third Series and is now learning the Fourth Series. Without any background in movement training Kino MacGregor tried her first yoga class when she was nineteen. Three years later, she joined Govinda Kai's Mysore-style classes in New York City and became a dedicated Ashtanga yoga practitioner. After seven months of traditional Ashtanga practice Kino traveled to Mysore, India to meet her true teacher, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois ("Guruji"). Upon her return she began real self-practice by practicing alone and devoting herself entirely to the study and teaching of Ashtanga yoga. After seven years of consistent trips to Mysore, at the age of 29, she received from Guruji the Certification to teach Ashtanga yoga and has since worked to pass on the inspiration to practice to countless others.
After spending a major portion of her life actively engaged in personal growth work, Kino returned to Miami Beach to create a space dedicated to the integration of yoga, holistic health and consciousness. In 2006, she and her husband Tim Feldmann founded Miami Life Center, where they now teach daily classes, workshops and intensives together in addition to maintaining an international traveling and teaching schedule. Miami Life Center is a community built around yoga, holistic health and consciousness on Miami Beach http://www.miamilifecenter.com/. She has produced three Ashtanga yoga DVDs (Kino MacGregor – A Journey, A Workshop; Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series; Ashtanga Yoga Intermediate Series), an Ashtanga yoga practice card and a podcast on yoga. She is currently working on one more DVDs and book about her personal experiences in yoga.
Kino is dedicated to carrying the torch of Ashtanga yoga throughout the world and sharing the amazing tradition of Ashtanga yoga with everyone who is inspired to practice. In her unique, inspirational and playful approach Kino helps all her students expand and deepen their understanding of yoga and life. Yoga found its expression through her message of spiritual strength, balanced flexibility and emotional peace.
Passionate about the environment, Kino pledges a monthly donation to Go Zero! to make her heavy travel schedule carbon neutral. As life coach and Ph.D. student in holistic health with a Master’s Degree from New York University, Kino integrates her commitment to consciousness and empowerment with her yoga teaching. She has been featured in Yoga Journal, Yoga Mind Body Spirit, Yoga Joyful Living, Travel & Leisure Magazine, Ocean Drive Magazine, Boca Raton Magazine, Florida Travel & Life Magazine, Six Degrees Magazine as well as appearing on Miami Beach’s Plum TV and the CBS Today Show.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Kaiden's Baby Shower ;)
The Amazing Cake :)
The amazing cake decorator - Jessica does this as a hobby people!
Kelli's artistic creation for Kaiden :)
Sasha, Alea, Krista, Connie, Jessica, and Leah - the women who made my baby shower a success!
Me and Miss Leah!
My beautiful decorations - Thanks ladies!
The party!
My baby shower was last Saturday, March 20th at the College Park Community center in Orlando. My closest friends worked very hard to plan and execute the shower - and it was so much more amazing than I could have ever dreamed! I had invited a combination of long time friends, family, and yoga students who were near and dear to my heart! It really meant the world to me that so many people made the time to come celebrate the coming birth of my little man!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Sati's Ashtanga Immersion Workshops at The Yoga Shala
The Yoga Shala's very own Sati Chmelar will be working her Ashtanga Yoga magic again in April. Don't miss out on this fabulous workshop series - immerse yourself in the Ashtanga Yoga Practice!
Sati's Ashtanga Immersion Series
April 10th and April 17th, 2010
Ashtanga Immersion Part 1: The Beginning (3.5 hours)
April 10th and April 17th, 2010
Ashtanga Immersion Part 1: The Beginning (3.5 hours)
Saturday, April 10th 11:30am-3:00pm ($35.00)
This is a very thorough introduction to the tradition of Ashtanga Yoga with an in-depth lecture on the history of this lineage, its founders, practice protocols and underlying philosophical foundation. The lecture will also lead students into the practice of the breath of this tradition (ujjay pranayama) as well as the internal muscular locks (bandhas) and gaze directions (drishti). There will be plenty of time for dialogue with students and questions will be encouraged. After this initial section of the practice, there will be a step-by-step breakdown and practice of the asana of the primary series. The level of the class will inform how far into the series we cover, but it usually to go Janu Sirsasana A.
Ashtanga Immersion Part 2: Seated Asanas (3.5 hours)
Saturday, April 10thth 3:00pm-6:30pm ($35.00)
After a short introductory lecture and Q&A, there will be a short, guided asana series to warm the body up. Afterwards we will begin a step-by-step breakdown and practice of the asana of the primary series from the Janu Sirsansana series to Garbha Pindasana. There will be plenty of time for dialogue with students and questions will be encouraged.
Ashtanga Immersion Part 3: Maneuvers (3.5 hours)
Saturday, April 17thth 11:30am-3:00pm ($35.00)
After a short introductory lecture and Q&A , there will be a short, guided asana series to warm the body up. We will then enter into an in-depth exploration of jump-throughs, jump-backs, chakrasana, lotus-jumpbacks, and other fun transitional maneuvers in the Ashtanga Primary Series! There will be plenty of time for dialogue with students and questions will be encouraged.
Ashtanga Immersion Part 4: Reclining, Backbending and Closing (3.5 hours)
Saturday, April 17thth 3:00pm-6:30pm ($35.00)
After a short introductory lecture and Q&A, there will be a guided asana series to warm the body up. Afterwards, there will be a step-by-step breakdown and practice of the asana of the primary series from the Baddha Konasana to the final asanas of finishing sequence ending with Uth Pluthi. There will be plenty of time for dialogue with students and questions will be encouraged.
INFO & REGISTRATION: $35.00 per session or $125.00 for the entire series. Pre-registration is required! Each session meets at The Yoga Shala. You can pre-register in person at 927 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Winter Park, Florida, 32789; or online at http://www.theyogashala.org/. For more information and registration contact Krista@TheYogaShala.org
Workshop Cancellation Policy/Refunds:All cancellations must be made 10 days prior to the start of the workshop. Refunds will be given in the form of studio credit only (less a $15 processing fee). No credits will be given within 10 days of the start of workshop.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Make time for yourself
I have a wonderful student visiting Orlando, Florida with her husband and children. She has a dedicated practice and has spent the last month studying daily with me at The Yoga Shala. She leaves soon and I'm going to miss her because she is a full time mother of two, but makes sure to find time to do her practice - a real inspiration to me! Just the other day she came to me after practice and told me she was feeling guilty - guilty for taking this time each day to drive to Winter Park, and do her yoga practice at The Yoga Shala. I simply reminded her how important it is for her to take that time for herself each day in order to be of benefit to her children. I truly believe that we must take care of ourselves in order that we can take care of others. If we don't make the time for our own well being, we will lose our sense of self...She smiled and said, "I needed to hear that today, thank you Krista!" I hope you hear my words too - do not let your job, your family, your obligations and life responsibilities make you feel guilty for taking time each day to feed your soul - THERE IS TIME FOR IT ALL!
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Manju Jois Teacher Training and Weekend workshop at The Yoga Shala, Orlando, Florida
Kelli and Me 7 months pregnent :)
Manju's led class (maureen and alea doing their practice)
Manju
Saturday Led Class
Saturday Led
Led Batch in Navasana
Miss Sati
Led Practice
Monday Mysore - Hi Mona :)It's been a great week with Manju Jois here at The Yoga Shala doing his teacher training. We have one more day of the weekend workshop - then Orlando bid's farewell to Manju until next year. I've got a couple really great photos of this week - hope you enjoy!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
What's going on at The Yoga Shala
Happy Saturday :)
It has been a really exciting month at The Yoga Shala and March promises to be even more exciting!!!
For those of you who don't know much about us - The Yoga Shala is a traditional Ashtanga Yoga Studio located in downtown Winter Park, Florida (just outside Orlando). We are open seven days per week and offer classes to beginners and advanced students.
In addition to our current Morning, afternoon, and evening Mysore Program, our sunday night led class, saturday morning led class, and sunday morning Mysore; we have now added Level 1 Ashtanga Classes Monday-Friday from 9:30-11:00am; Level 1 Ashtanga Yoga Classes Tuesday and Thursdays from 6:00-7:30pm; and beginner series course Wednesdays 6:00-7:15pm and Sundays 2:00-3:15pm. Check out our full class schedule here
Along with these new classes we welcome several new teachers on board: Jaime Shearer, Anat Taggart, and Linda Walker ;) - for full bio's please see our website
Anat Taggart
Jaime ShearerThe first week in March, The Yoga Shala will be hosting Manju Jois's teacher training and weekend workshop. Both events are sold out so it is sure to be a week of amazing energy in the Shala! 
And we have been given the most amazing gift: My dear friend Alea has done a life size painting of Gurjui on one of the walls of the Shala - it is truly incredible to do your practice every morning in his presence :)
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Happy Valentines Day :)
Good morning from sunny Orlando, Florida ;)
It's about 6:30am and I'm sitting in my cozy apartment with a cup of decaf coffee in my pajamas ;) Kwang is snoring in the bedroom, no sign he'll wake anytime soon. It's Sunday, February 14th - both Moon Day and Valentines Day.
I got home on Tuesday - sick as could be. It seems I ate something not so good about two days before I left India; I started having trouble on Sunday, the day before I left Mysore. Needless to say, the plan rides, layovers, transits, etc from Mysore to Orlando were, well, they were hell on earth! I've never in my life felt so sick or annoyed....But I made it :) And when I got home I called my OB and he had me come to see him asap. He warned me about getting too dehydrated, and said if I did to go to the hospital. Kwang took me to Walgreens to get tons of Pedialite and I went home and drank as much fluid as I could. Yet come Wednesday I felt even worse - so around 12pm I went to the Winter Park Memorial hospital where the pumped me full of IV fluid, ran some tests, and six hours later and a well-hydrated Krista, I was allowed to go home! I've been perfect since then!! Don't know what I had, but whatever it was it is gone now. I was extremely dehydrated and it seems that two bags of fluid was the magic potion I needed to feel better. Little Kaiden man was perfect the whole time :) He was kicking around inside me on the plane, at the hospital - and the doctors joked that he was in a mighty protective shield. My OB told me the next day that it didn't really matter what mama was dealing with, Kaiden was gonna get his nutrition from me, even if it left me with none - that made me feel a lot better!
We had another ultrasound on Thursday too - posting pictures here of Kaiden at 19 weeks, 22 weeks, and 28 weeks :) enjoy!
Kaiden James Park - 19 weeks 
Little Man - 19 weeks
Kaiden - 22 weeks :)
Kaiden - 28 weeks!
My little Angel - 28 weeks!Friday, February 05, 2010
my last friday in mysore
Today has been a really wonderful day! I did have a bit of trouble getting up this morning – my body is tired from the week and I definitely slept as long as possible. Plus with it being led practice today, my mind was very difficult to convince to get out of bed. But I did, and I’m glad I did. It was a rather good led practice; as good as they can get for me at this point in my pregnancy…
I had two lovely coconuts after practice and then hunted down some bread and eggs before heading home to make some delicious breakfast. I got to speak to Kwang for a little while, have some food, and check emails…I did all that before taking a glorious 1 ½ hour nap! Being tired has been a real constant theme in my life as of recent, so that nap today was a true gift from the gods J
Once I got up I took another shower and made my way to Anu’s internet café to do another hour worth of work. Mona met me there so we could head to meet up with Rachel and Ben and Faith for lunch at the stand up. To my total surprise the gang had planned a little going away party for me and Kaiden!!! Isn’t that the sweetest thing ever? Mona told me we absolutely had to stop by Tina’s house before meeting everyone for lunch; and I agreed. When we got there Ben, Rachel, Chris, Phillip, and Tina were waiting for me J We had a feast at Tina’s for lunch and it was quite literally the best meal I’ve had in Mysore! And after lunch Rachel pulled out a delicious chocolate cake she picked up from the Southern Star. It was really so sweet and it touched my heart that they went to the trouble.
After lunch Chris and I headed back to my flat so we could do some training on the mind body online software he’ll be using when he comes to Orlando in April to teach. He caught on super quick and we were finished in no time! So we chatted for a while and also picked out a bunch of really good asana photos of him for our website. It’s always so lovely to spend time with Chris – he’s a truly beautiful spirit and real friend. I feel really blessed to have him coming to Orlando to sub for me while I’m on maternity leave – and I feel even more blessed that my students will get the chance to work with him!
Mona got home a little after 4pm and we headed to town to the bookstore so she could get some kids books for some friends back home. I scored big by finding a nice map of India in English, and two great little books (one on Hinduism and one specifically on Ganesha). We spent a little time trying to find a calendar, but gave up as it’s been impossible to find a wall size calendar for 2010 with nice pictures for the shala. I realize now that I really hit the jackpot last year when I stumbled (quite literally) upon a wee little shop during my travels through North India that had a fabulous wall size calendar for 2009 with different and gorgeous pictures of Ganesha for each month of the year, complete with moon days and all! No such luck here in Mysore – Mona and I have searched high and low throughout Mysore since I arrived. Oh well, poor shala will be barren of a wall calendar from India this year…
I cannot believe how quickly this month in India has flown by…I have two more full days in Mysore…two more practices at the Shala…one more conference…one more breakfast at Tina’s…one more ride to Bangalore. I will leave Mysore pretty early in the day on Monday because the day time traffic to get to Bangalore is rather hairy. I will arrive home in Orlando Tuesday night. I’ll take Wednesday and Thursday to re-coup, address jet lag, unpack, unwind, spend time with Kwang, and go to my doctors appointments with my OB and high risk OB…I shall return to teaching bright and early Friday morning!
That’s all for now…
I had two lovely coconuts after practice and then hunted down some bread and eggs before heading home to make some delicious breakfast. I got to speak to Kwang for a little while, have some food, and check emails…I did all that before taking a glorious 1 ½ hour nap! Being tired has been a real constant theme in my life as of recent, so that nap today was a true gift from the gods J
Once I got up I took another shower and made my way to Anu’s internet café to do another hour worth of work. Mona met me there so we could head to meet up with Rachel and Ben and Faith for lunch at the stand up. To my total surprise the gang had planned a little going away party for me and Kaiden!!! Isn’t that the sweetest thing ever? Mona told me we absolutely had to stop by Tina’s house before meeting everyone for lunch; and I agreed. When we got there Ben, Rachel, Chris, Phillip, and Tina were waiting for me J We had a feast at Tina’s for lunch and it was quite literally the best meal I’ve had in Mysore! And after lunch Rachel pulled out a delicious chocolate cake she picked up from the Southern Star. It was really so sweet and it touched my heart that they went to the trouble.
After lunch Chris and I headed back to my flat so we could do some training on the mind body online software he’ll be using when he comes to Orlando in April to teach. He caught on super quick and we were finished in no time! So we chatted for a while and also picked out a bunch of really good asana photos of him for our website. It’s always so lovely to spend time with Chris – he’s a truly beautiful spirit and real friend. I feel really blessed to have him coming to Orlando to sub for me while I’m on maternity leave – and I feel even more blessed that my students will get the chance to work with him!
Mona got home a little after 4pm and we headed to town to the bookstore so she could get some kids books for some friends back home. I scored big by finding a nice map of India in English, and two great little books (one on Hinduism and one specifically on Ganesha). We spent a little time trying to find a calendar, but gave up as it’s been impossible to find a wall size calendar for 2010 with nice pictures for the shala. I realize now that I really hit the jackpot last year when I stumbled (quite literally) upon a wee little shop during my travels through North India that had a fabulous wall size calendar for 2009 with different and gorgeous pictures of Ganesha for each month of the year, complete with moon days and all! No such luck here in Mysore – Mona and I have searched high and low throughout Mysore since I arrived. Oh well, poor shala will be barren of a wall calendar from India this year…
I cannot believe how quickly this month in India has flown by…I have two more full days in Mysore…two more practices at the Shala…one more conference…one more breakfast at Tina’s…one more ride to Bangalore. I will leave Mysore pretty early in the day on Monday because the day time traffic to get to Bangalore is rather hairy. I will arrive home in Orlando Tuesday night. I’ll take Wednesday and Thursday to re-coup, address jet lag, unpack, unwind, spend time with Kwang, and go to my doctors appointments with my OB and high risk OB…I shall return to teaching bright and early Friday morning!
That’s all for now…
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Manju Jois Workshop and Teacher Training
I've been very busy preparing for Manju's coming visit in March. He'll be at The Yoga Shala March 1-7th. I am really honored to have him visit us, and eager for my students to get to experience working with him. Details are below :)
Manju Jois Teacher Training & Workshop
March 1-7, 2010 
Students Should Bring: A well hydrated and well rested body, refraining from eating at least 2 hours prior to the workshop. When eating, select foods like fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains. Low acidic food choices are optimum. Wear loose comfortable clothes. Bring your own mat, towel, and an open mind, body and spirit.
WEEKEND WORKSHOP: March 5-7, 2010
If you opt to do the teacher training and weekend workshop you will receive a $100.00 discount.
Manju Jois Teacher Training & Workshop
March 1-7, 2010 
TEACHER TRAINING: In this intense week-long training, Manju will introduce and teach powerful healing elements and techniques that make up the Ashtanga System, including:
•The traditional Ashtanga Yoga practice, a series of asanas (postures) known as the Primary Series of Yoga Chikista (Yoga Healing), followed by the Intermediate Series entitled Nadi Shodhana (Nerve Cleansing). Daily Practice of the asana purifies the mind and body while also healing the nervous system.
•The Nadi Shodhana Pranyama’s traditional breathing exercises, taught using original Sanskrit so that students will benefit from the traditional form.
•Vedic peace chants (Shanti Mantras)
•Meditation practice (concluding each day)
Teacher Training will begin Monday, March 1st and run through Friday March, 5th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm each day (6 hours per day) with a one-hour lunch break and typically includes:
•2 Hours of practice every day
•1 hour of hands on training
•Breathing exercises
•Vedic Chanting training
•Pranayama
•Yoga Therapy (includes teaching adjustments)
•Questions & Answers
•The Nadi Shodhana Pranyama’s traditional breathing exercises, taught using original Sanskrit so that students will benefit from the traditional form.
•Vedic peace chants (Shanti Mantras)
•Meditation practice (concluding each day)
Teacher Training will begin Monday, March 1st and run through Friday March, 5th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm each day (6 hours per day) with a one-hour lunch break and typically includes:
•2 Hours of practice every day
•1 hour of hands on training
•Breathing exercises
•Vedic Chanting training
•Pranayama
•Yoga Therapy (includes teaching adjustments)
•Questions & Answers
Manju Jois’ dedicated life long mission is to provide training for students and teachers in the ancient traditions of authentic Ashtanga Yoga. He is honored to offer guidance to all who wish to learn and benefit from Ashtanga Yoga’s ancient and time-honored practices. By the end of this week, each student should be able to present the Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga in the traditional form (using Sanskrit commands) as well as teach some of the fundamental pranayamas and chants.
Students Should Bring: A well hydrated and well rested body, refraining from eating at least 2 hours prior to the workshop. When eating, select foods like fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains. Low acidic food choices are optimum. Wear loose comfortable clothes. Bring your own mat, towel, and an open mind, body and spirit.
COST: $750 
WEEKEND WORKSHOP: March 5-7, 2010
Friday Evening: 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm Ashtanga Introductory Class (light practice), Pranayama, Chanting, Discussion / Questions & Answers
Saturday morning: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm: Led Class, Primary Series; followed by 1-hour lunch break
Saturday afternoon: 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm: Pranayama, Chants, Discussion / Questions & Answers.
Sunday afternoon: 12:00-2:00pm - followed by a 15-minute break - Mysore Class (Manju will assist with postures)
Sunday afternoon: 2:15-3:45pm: Pranayama, Chants, Discussion / Questions & Answers / Farewells & Pictures
Students Should Bring:A well hydrated and well rested body, refraining from eating at least 2 hours prior to the workshop. When eating, select foods like fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains. Low acidic food choices are optimum. Wear loose comfortable clothes. Bring your own mat, towel, and an open mind, body and spirit.
Students Should Bring:A well hydrated and well rested body, refraining from eating at least 2 hours prior to the workshop. When eating, select foods like fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains. Low acidic food choices are optimum. Wear loose comfortable clothes. Bring your own mat, towel, and an open mind, body and spirit.
COST: $175
If you opt to do the teacher training and weekend workshop you will receive a $100.00 discount.
Week Long Teacher Training and Weekend Workshop will both take place at
The Yoga Shala
927 North Pennsylvania Avenue
Winter Park, Florida 32789
407-506-4626
My usual ramble
It's nearly 4:30pm Thursday afternoon here in Mysore. My morning students should be up by now getting ready to head to the shala :) My fiance is surely sleeping deeply in our bed at home - Thursdays are his days off so he doesn't even move a muscle til around 10:00am. I am personally quite exhausted today, both mentally and physically. I think its been a long week for me here and I have a lot on my mind getting ready to head home in a few days. I am certainly looking forward to the day of rest of Saturday - my body needs the break and my mind craves a lie in ;)
I'm at my friend Faith's house now working online...I'm sitting next to my friend Ben whom I'm trying to convince to do a new brochure for me ;) He's got some photoshop talent, and tons of time, so I'll let you know if he sucumbs to this pregnant woman's pleas!
I've been very bad this trip and not taken ONE single picture! I don't feel too bad though guys, this is my fifth trip to Mysore and I would have taken photos of the same exact things, just in a different year! I may grab a few of the shala before I leave b/c I could use some new ones for the website - but other than that you can always scroll back through the blog here to years past when I've posted tons of photos!
And regarding pregnant photos - I've been bad with those too - some people do the monthly belly shot to see the progression from beginning to end - I am sorry to say I have not! BUT, I will be doing some lovely photos with a great photographer around month 8-9 and I'll post some big ole belly pictures here and on facebook - I promise!
I'm really getting excited about heading home and getting ready for Kaiden's arrival. Kwang and I hope to make an offer on a home soon, and if things work out we can move in before Kaiden comes and I may even be lucky enough to prepare his little baby room too :) A dear friend and student is giving me her crib and another is giving me her matress. For all the other baby items I'm hoping to get some help with that from friends at the baby shower, which Connie, Jessica and Sasha are planning for me ;) I'm super excited - its gonna be at the College Park Community Center on March 20th! I have no idea what they are planning but I'm very grateful.
Have a most fabulous day ahead, or evening :)
xoxoxoxo
krista and kaiden
I'm at my friend Faith's house now working online...I'm sitting next to my friend Ben whom I'm trying to convince to do a new brochure for me ;) He's got some photoshop talent, and tons of time, so I'll let you know if he sucumbs to this pregnant woman's pleas!
I've been very bad this trip and not taken ONE single picture! I don't feel too bad though guys, this is my fifth trip to Mysore and I would have taken photos of the same exact things, just in a different year! I may grab a few of the shala before I leave b/c I could use some new ones for the website - but other than that you can always scroll back through the blog here to years past when I've posted tons of photos!
And regarding pregnant photos - I've been bad with those too - some people do the monthly belly shot to see the progression from beginning to end - I am sorry to say I have not! BUT, I will be doing some lovely photos with a great photographer around month 8-9 and I'll post some big ole belly pictures here and on facebook - I promise!
I'm really getting excited about heading home and getting ready for Kaiden's arrival. Kwang and I hope to make an offer on a home soon, and if things work out we can move in before Kaiden comes and I may even be lucky enough to prepare his little baby room too :) A dear friend and student is giving me her crib and another is giving me her matress. For all the other baby items I'm hoping to get some help with that from friends at the baby shower, which Connie, Jessica and Sasha are planning for me ;) I'm super excited - its gonna be at the College Park Community Center on March 20th! I have no idea what they are planning but I'm very grateful.
Have a most fabulous day ahead, or evening :)
xoxoxoxo
krista and kaiden
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
a few days left
I'm tired! It's a few minutes after 7pm wednesday evening and this day has been quite full. I had a wonderful practice this morning - not only got a great spot in the shala in the very back row next to the wall, but then randomly the person to end up right next to me was the fabulous Chris from Scotland (my dear friend who will be subbing for me in orlando while i'm on maternity leave) - this is a random act you understand, and one i won't quickly forget. Today was one of those days when the mind - the thoughts just keep coming - monkey mind as some call it...I knew I couldn't stop it, so I consciously decided not to allow it to ruin my practice...Instead, I allowed these thoughts to come and go like the wind, like the inhale and exhale of my breath...and by doing so i didn't hold on to any single thought, just kept breathing, kept moving from asana to asana - and before I knew it I was in the ladies locker room doing my finishing postures..
As I was going to give my respects to Sharath and Saraswati, I entered the office to find Saraswati chanting -- I nearly cried -- it was just such a beautiful moment for me!
When I left to get a coconut I spoke to a lovely lady (don't know her name though) who is here with her child and was here when she was pregnant with him...she asked if I was still doing inversions. I told her yes and she advised me to stop around 8 months and once he moves into position with his head down. I noted her good words of wisdom and thanked her! Not something I'd even thought of yet - good to know! She said she did everything else she had been doing, just left out the inversions.
My morning was filled with work online for the shala of course...8am-1pm flew by in the blink of an eye and before I knew it I was packing my computer away, paying Ganesh for my internet usage, and heading to the coconut stand to meet some friends for lunch!
After a fabulous meal, Faith and Ben and I headed back to Faith's place so both of them could help me ;) Faith with quickbooks and Ben with a graphic thingie ;) And about two hours later ben had created a fabulous graphic for me, faith had helped me with quickbooks (although I must admit i feel slightly dumber after our session - by no fault of faith's - I think I'm just think I'm utterly doomed when it comes to this damn software and accounting in general)....
I'm really at a loss for words about the fact I'm leaving in a few days! Where has time gone??? But, I'm excited to have four more practices at the shala ;)
I wish you a wonderful Wednesday ahead....Sending my love from Mysore!
As I was going to give my respects to Sharath and Saraswati, I entered the office to find Saraswati chanting -- I nearly cried -- it was just such a beautiful moment for me!
When I left to get a coconut I spoke to a lovely lady (don't know her name though) who is here with her child and was here when she was pregnant with him...she asked if I was still doing inversions. I told her yes and she advised me to stop around 8 months and once he moves into position with his head down. I noted her good words of wisdom and thanked her! Not something I'd even thought of yet - good to know! She said she did everything else she had been doing, just left out the inversions.
My morning was filled with work online for the shala of course...8am-1pm flew by in the blink of an eye and before I knew it I was packing my computer away, paying Ganesh for my internet usage, and heading to the coconut stand to meet some friends for lunch!
After a fabulous meal, Faith and Ben and I headed back to Faith's place so both of them could help me ;) Faith with quickbooks and Ben with a graphic thingie ;) And about two hours later ben had created a fabulous graphic for me, faith had helped me with quickbooks (although I must admit i feel slightly dumber after our session - by no fault of faith's - I think I'm just think I'm utterly doomed when it comes to this damn software and accounting in general)....
I'm really at a loss for words about the fact I'm leaving in a few days! Where has time gone??? But, I'm excited to have four more practices at the shala ;)
I wish you a wonderful Wednesday ahead....Sending my love from Mysore!
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