New Year

What if you could let go?

You've probably heard at least one of the teachers at Awakened Yoga tell you to let go during your practice; maybe during a hip opener, or just during a difficult pose when we can see your jaw clenched.

But really, what if you could and DID let go?

In yoga, as in life, holding on rarely provides any benefit; unless, perhaps, you are hanging on to the edge of a cliff. When you let go, real change can and does happen.

So give yourself permission to let go. Let go of any poison in your life in relationships, thoughts, feelings, or reactions. Release negativity, fear, and harmful habits. Make way for positivity and love for this upcoming year. For every bad thing you let go of, you make way for new, beautiful, and exciting changes in your life.

Let 2012 be the year that you cross boundaries, command your fears to get out of your life, and open your heart to all the good that there is.

Breathe into the difficulty that letting go faces you with. Match the intensity of your breath to the intensity that you might experience. And wait for openness, because it IS there. 

Here's to 2012 being the best year yet-and may you keep all the resolutions you make. 

Student of the Month-Dave Keller

What do you do for a living and/or what is your life’s work/purpose?

       I am co owner of an ocean shipping company based in Houston 

 What keeps you up at night?

        trying to answer overseas clients’ emails before going to bed

How long have you been practicing yoga?

       practicing since 2010, at awakened yoga since October 2010

   What is the TV show you can’t turn off?

        sportscenter

   Have you ever done yoga on the road/while on vacation?  What did you do?

yes I do yoga on the road and on vacation , usually a combination of sun salutations and a series of poses that Sharon Mariani has taught me

   What is the most important physical benefit you have gained from your

   practice?

 I feel  much stronger and have had a much improved posture. I used to have a lot of pain in my neck, back, and shoulders which is completely gone after a year of practicing yoga.

      What is the most important spiritual/mental benefit you have gained from 

   your practice?

I think I am less reactive and  more accepting of things I cannot control

 What is your favorite pose?  Why?

dolphin— it is challenging to me head to toe, and I feel a lot of energy after staying in the pose

 What is your favorite holiday tradition?

      having thai food with my wife Janine on thanksgiving

    What is your favorite class at awakened yoga?  Why?

     i enjoy both the iyengar class and also the private lessons I take— these classes have been very helpful to me to learn the correct posture for poses. And have taught me to ‘breathe’ when a pose gets challenging. The private lessons have helped me get much stronger and to rehab after surgery.

 Do you practice meditation?

         yes- I took a meditation class at the studio. It was a great learning experience.

  What is on your nightstand?

      reading materials ( and glasses :)) 

  If you have purchased any products at the studio for your practice – what   

Is your favorite?  Why?

 have purchased mats and t-shirts and shorts. The t-shirts were made of a nice light weight material that was great to wear in the summer.

Teacher of the Month-Sharon Mariani

  When did you start practicing yoga and what brought you to yoga?

 In 2006, I was pregnant with my 2nd son and I was practicing prenatal yoga 3x/week.  At the last minute I heard about a Mother's day weekend yoga retreat, I signed up with Tracie Brace.  I was 4 months pregnant and I loved the experience.  I remember saying to myself "I can see myself leading yoga retreats".  The seed was planted.  One year after I gave birth, I signed up for Robert Boustany's year long teacher training.  Excited, nervous, breastfeeding, filing for a divorce and not a clue to how my life and my body would change on every level with yoga's influence.

 How long have you been teaching?  What do you love about teaching?

 Not counting past lives... ;-)  I am in my 2nd year of teaching.  I love connecting to others and helping others realize their not alone, we all have issues no matter what we look like, our profession, age, background, religion....  You can feel better and relieve physical and emotional pain.  You can change lousy habits, it's a process.  You can get crazy strong, there is no age limit!  

What do you like about Awakened Yoga Studio and its students?

  I'm thrilled we have a great yoga studio in Sugar Land.  In addition, Grace and the awakened staff are supportive, enthusiastic, creative and organized.  The students inspire me to continue to grow, be compassionate towards everyone and be present.  When I teach I am present, in the moment, in the now, not rehashing yesterday or worrying about tomorrow.  This is where "peace" exists.  It's part of the practice, noticing when the brain/ego won't turn off.  The mind is a useful tool for everyday tasks but the ego's complaints, fears, incessant desires, need for control etc... can cause ourselves misery.  Yoga tells you to bring your attention to your breath and to feel your body, this awareness is presence, presence is freedom from the mind, freedom is the beginning to reconnect to your sweet, young, true self.  yes, I said "young" :) No age limit!

Please finish these sentences:

My favorite rainy day activity is…
     cooking, reading or laying low with my boys

      I wish I could tell my 12-year-old self to…

        Not to be so hard on myself, I'm perfect and beautiful just the way I am.  We are all the same, no one is better than the next person.  Everyone has a story.   

     No one knows that I…

       No one knows that I am a triplet.  Thanksgiving day, my mother birthed 3 turkeys naturally!  5.0 lb, 6.13lb and 7.11lb  I have two, fraternal brothers who are the same age as me.  I love my brothers and I am grateful we were Womb Mates! 

      My guiltiest pleasure is…

        My pleasures:  Homemade cookies  (try not to feel guilty, hard on the nervous system!)

     This morning I ate…

     This morning I ate homemade steel cut oats w/cinnamon, pure maple syrup, splash of milk with a mug of homemade hot, ayurvedic Chai.  

       My advice to students is…

      No one is better than the next person, even it appears that way on the surface.  Even advanced yogis/practicioners have heartbreaks and body aches.  Our strenth in a pose and our strength in our life will vary from day to day.  Every day life will test us.  Even when we master handstand, we will still mess up in life.  My teacher always says "Don't React to the Reaction.  Don't let your mind eat you."  It's a process.  It will get better.  Tomorrow is a new day.