YOGA by LGB

PreNatal Yoga Now in San Elijo Hills

2011-12-22T15:51:00.000-08:00

Beginning January, I am excited to be offering PreNatal Yogaclasses in San Elijo Hills on Tuesday nights at 6:00pm. This will be inaddition to the City of San Marcos Community Center classes on a new night andtime, see schedule below.

· Tuesdays at 6 PM at San Elijo Recreation Center

· Thursdays at 6:30 PM at Community Center

Pricing: PreNatal Yoga twice a week, through the City of San MarcosParks and Recreation, comes with a discount! Classes are available in5-week sessions for $55 per session – choice of Tuesday or Thursday session.Sign up for both nights for thediscounted rate of $85*. That comesout to be $8.50 per class for 10 classes! Drop-ins are available for $12 a class(cash or check only).

FREE Classes January 3 & 5: In addition to the extra class,the City of San Marcos Parks and Recreation is once again having a FREE previewweek for its Enrichment Classes. These enrichment classes are for all ages,types and sizes. The PreNatal Yoga classes are as follows:

· January 3 at 6:00pm at the San Elijo RecreationCenter, 1105 Elfin Forest Road

· January 5 at 6:30pm at the San Marcos CommunityCenter, 1 Civic Center Drive

Registration: Register for classes at the City of San MarcosParks and Recreation ActiveNet site. Clickon “Activities” and select “Classes –Adult PE” under Activity Category.

It has been a pleasure serving the San Marcos Community inthis capacity, and it has been a great pleasure to guide local mothers throughthe special practice of prenatal yoga.

*Discount can only be obtained at the Community Center front desk.

My Daddy is a Pretzel - book recap

2011-09-09T16:27:00.000-07:00

I purchased this book to read to my toddler yogis as afollow up to the yoga pretzel cards made by the same publisher. I like to readthis book in yoga class when I have mostly preschool aged children (3-5 yrs).The pace and tempo of this book is much more in line with the 3-5 year oldsrather than the younger toddlers. There are several sentences per page beforethe pose instruction, and requires a patient child who can sit for a bitbetween poses.

That being said, I love this book! I love having a yoga bookthat isn’t to babyish for the preschoolers. It is sweet how it uses parentoccupations and then relates it to yoga. The book is written in the voice of achild whose father is a yogi. For instance, one parent is an oceanographer, butthis child’s parent is a fish. The book, then, demonstrates step by step on howto do a fish pose. Brilliant!

This is a great book for teachers and is a great book forparents to read to their children. I love sharing this with my little one. Theyoga pretzel cards (future post coming) compliment this book and as a teacher Iuse them both in class.

Free Pre-Natal Yoga Class

2011-08-18T21:38:00.000-07:00

Sleepy Little Yoga - toddler yoga book recap

2011-08-18T20:19:00.000-07:00

This is my second favorite toddler yoga book. It is the follow up to Little Yoga: a toddler's first book of yoga by Rebecca Whitford. She follows the same format as the first book making it accessible for the youngest of yogis and easily read by their parents. Sleep Little Yoga has yoga poses geared for nighttime needs, and, yes, there are yoga poses to help us sleep at night. Whitford always incorporates breathing poses into her books, which is the key element to yoga!

I use this book in my toddler yoga class with lots of success, and the families always enjoy it. My daughter absolutely loved it for bedtime reading. Again this book is on the affordable side, but it is difficult to find locally in a bookstore. Buy both of the books as a gift set with a toddler yoga mat, and you have a little yogi in the making. Enjoy!

Donatation-based Toddler Family Yoga: next class July 9

2011-06-24T11:20:00.000-07:00

mkpimages.com

ToddlerFamily Yoga is now a donation-based class making classes accessible to all families no matter their economic status. These are tough economic times, but the value of a toddler yoga class incorporating family participation is invaluable. Research shows that family yoga and toddler yoga reinforces a healthy lifestyle, provides an emotional outlet and tool for families, and builds loving relationships.

What is donation-based yoga? It allows families to enjoy the benefits of yoga naming their own price, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Donation-based yoga, also, gives those who are fortunate the option to pay it forward for a less fortunate family.

Why is the class changing to this format? I have always struggled putting a price on Toddler Family Yoga and charging for that value. Instead having a set price, we leave it up to you to decide what the value of the class was for you and your family. If you need help determining a suggested amount, then we suggest donating in the range of $10.

I truly love teaching Toddler Family Yoga since the program began in February 2010, and I hope you will enjoy this new format as much as I am excited to offer it. I would like to acknowledge and thank Rochelle McLean, owner of Babies inBloom, for whom I could not provide this service without her support!

RSVP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=196849850366385

PreNatal Yoga Extends Class Time Beg. Summer

2011-04-20T23:04:00.000-07:00

The City of San Marcos has just approved a longer PreNatal Yoga class. Beginning this summer, classes will be extended by an additional 15 minutes. They will still begin at 6 PM and they will end at 7:10 PM instead of 6:55 PM. This will mean more mat time, more meditation and more time to nurture the nurturer!

Visit my web page for registration links: http://lgbyoga.blogspot.com/p/pre-natal-yoga.html

Health Experts Say Child-Focused Exercise Programs Should Integrate Fun Activities

2011-03-24T23:23:00.000-07:00

Article: Child-Focused Exercise Programs Should Integrate Fun Activities

Are you looking for a FUN family activity? The next Toddler Family Yoga 3-week session begins on April 9.

Join us March 19!

2011-03-03T20:31:00.000-08:00

Meditation for our ‘Moody Cows’ – book review

2011-02-21T22:52:00.000-08:00

Here is another one of my posts about another great children’s yoga book. Moody Cow Meditates is a fun and interactive book by Kerry Lee MacLean to help our little one manage anger through yogic teachings. Heck, this book has lessons and tools that we can all use to help us manage our anger. I found that this book is more useful for the older toddlers 4/5 years old and up as it describes in detail how our main character has a pretty terrible day. Bloody scrapes, falling off a bike, throwing a ball through the window are all part of his awful day, and that is why I would recommend it for the older toddlers. My first expectation of this book would be an interactive story about how to teach meditation to a toddler, but instead this book went into detail about what made the cow so moody to need to mediate in the first place. Getting beyond how he got to his moody place, his mother then calls up old grandfather to help set this calf straight. It is here that I find this book so wonderful and helpful. The wise old grandfather with his cool goatee takes the calf on an accessible meditative journey. He gives Master Moody tools in which helps dissolve his anger and watch them calmly fall away. Moody Cow Meditates gives our main character, and the readers, the skills needed to help us let go of our anger. Acknowledge and release. These are big concepts for the younger toddlers, but a great book for parents to have on hand when children have their first bad day. Additionally, I think this would be a useful book for high functioning autistic children and children with Asperger’s syndrome.

“I Can Be” - A children’s book about yoga

2011-02-13T00:38:00.000-08:00

How can today’s parents teach their children to slow down when they themselves are typing on their laptop, constantly using their smartphone, or “unwinding” in front of a television bombarded by product placement and savvy commercials? I know that I am guilty of trying to get in one more post on Facebook or typing a “quick” email on my blackberry. Yoga can be a great resource to help both parents and children learn how to slow down and bond together as a family. But, how to squeeze a family yoga class into the already jam packed schedule? Read a book or two. I started a project about highlighting my favorite children yoga books on this blog for parents looking to introduce their families to the teachings of yoga.

Today, I had the pleasure to use I Can Be: A Child's Whimsical Introduction to Yoga by Christine Sumner in my toddler family yoga class for the first time, and the response to the book from both the parents and the little yogis was phenomenal. I Can Be is a great tool for parents and teachers to introduce children to the wonders of yoga. It goes through obvious poses like downward facing dog, but the most impressive pose was a simple practice of meditation and the title of the book. As we got to the page about “being,” the yogis and parents all sat down with legs crossed and stayed silent for...a moment! We could have heard a pin drop in that short wonderful moment! In a class with toddlers with lots of energy, that was quite a feat to have accomplished. We reinforced this accomplishment cheering the little yogis on with positive reinforcement that it is great to just “be” for that moment. The little yogis are special indeed and taking time to slow down and read to your yogi about how great it is to “be” is a sound investment to bond with your child in the ancient art of yoga.

Yoga Teapot

2011-01-25T22:21:00.000-08:00

No toddler/family yoga on Jan 29. In its place is this fun video. Enjoy.

This video is of a young yogi who took class the day before this video was taken. She retained both the sun saluation and the teapot triangle pose even though she spent most of the class running around. There is even a small expression of tree, too. The lesson is that the toddlers do take away from yoga class even if the don't paricipate during class. BTW-this is my child.

The Gandhi Rap - be the change u want to see

2011-01-04T22:15:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Here is some inspiration for your new year!

Help Support K-12 Arts Program

2010-12-05T01:12:00.000-08:00

Center Artes-Storytime Fundraiser
Barnes and Noble, Oceanside
December 11 & 12
FREE

Center Artes, a K-12 arts program, is hosting a childrens storytime all day December 11 & 12 at Barnes and Noble Oceanside. They will earn a percentage of the weekend's sales, so come out and do some holiday shopping while supporting this great program.

FREE Toddler Yoga Demo: Dec 11 at 12:30 PM
I will be reading a book and hosting a toddler yoga demonstration for Center Artes. Come and join me!

10 Good Reasons to Try Yoga

2010-11-06T18:04:00.000-07:00

Some of my friends and family members have asked my why yoga is so great. Yeah it can make you more flexible and help you get in shape, but there are other great reasons to try yoga. Here is an article from Tri-City Wellness Library with their medical reasons to try yoga: 10 Good Reasons to Try Yoga

I like yoga because it brings me in touch with so many wonderful people and it helps me understand that we are all unique and individual. Yoga practice is as individual as you can get and the more that I immerse myself in yoga the more I realize it. From home practice to family yoga to enjoying a restorative yoga class while still craving the power vinyasa style, then stopping and enjoying the benefits of breath-work. I hope more people will try yoga and enjoy the benefits that it provides.

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-29T13:24:00.000-07:00

Wishing you and your family a wonderful and safe Halloween. Enjoy all the great treats that life lends you!

Family Yoga Schedule Change

2010-10-21T23:02:00.000-07:00

The class scheduled for October 23 has been rescheduled for October 30.

Next 3-week session begins on November 6.

Free Yoga October 16

2010-10-12T22:59:00.000-07:00

Babies in Bloom is hosting a Birth and Baby Fair this Saturday, October 16, and I will be hosting the Toddler/Family Yoga class at 10:15 AM for FREE! There will be several other free classes offered that day as well as lots of giveaways. Come and join us for this awesome event!

Daily Insight -- Family Meditation

2010-10-05T22:27:00.000-07:00

Ever thought about a meditative practice? While not make it a family affair? This article is a great resource to begin a family meditative practice. Enjoy the calming effects of mediation with your family! Daily Insight -- Family Meditation

Help Your Children Chill Out

2010-09-22T20:36:00.000-07:00

Help Your Children Chill Out
I found this article from Tri-City Hospital's wellness library, and it really spoke to me. I hope you find it as enlightening as I did, and can help with your own parenting. Specifically, reminding parents to incorporate active play into their everyday lifestyle. Enjoy!

Daily Insight -- A Family Affair

2010-09-15T21:20:00.000-07:00

credit: mkp images

Daily Insight -- A Family Affair: Yoga Journal provides these daily insights into yoga and how you can bring them into your everyday practice. This article talks about making yoga a family affair. They note how parents should encourage breathwork and to check in with your child during the practice. There is also a link for a home practice for parent and child. Enjoy!

Toddler Yoga/Family Yoga Fall Schedule

2010-09-04T14:51:00.000-07:00

I am excited to announce that the Fall Schedule for the Toddler Yoga/Family Yoga is now set! There are two 3-week sessions that are being offered.

Session 1: September 18, October 2 & 9, 2010
Session 2: November 6, 13, & 20, 2010

Please visit the Toddler/Family Yoga page for complete information! I look forward to seeing you and your family on the mat!

Great Toddler Yoga Book!

2010-08-07T20:30:00.000-07:00

Little Yoga: A toddler's first book of yoga is by far my most favorite book to use when I teach my Toddler/Family yoga class. It has wonderful illustrations, simple descriptions, and toddlers love it! My daughter loves to have me read it to her at bedtime, and my students are always excited to try the poses. It is by far my best tool in my yoga class.

This book is hard to find in stores, and the parents from my class are always asking about it. Here is a link to amazon and it qualifies for free shipping! It is an affordable book that is a great way to introduce yoga to your family. No yoga experience necessary to enjoy!

7/31 Toddler Yoga; Summer Session 2 still room!

2010-07-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

I am confirming that we will have class this Saturday, July 31 and next Saturday August 7 for those families who would like to drop-in or use their Flex plan. Please confirm your attendance no later than Friday evening of each week. This helps me plan accordingly for the class.

Summer Session 2 still has room if your family would like to attend all three classes. See my toddler page for registration information.

I hope you have had a wonderful week and your little yogi is discovering the world with you!

No Toddler-Family Yoga 7/17

2010-07-16T11:18:00.000-07:00

We will not be hosting class this coming Saturday, July 17 as part of our regularly scheduled 'dark days.' This allows Rochelle at Babies In Bloom to have special events. This weekend they will be hosting Birth Stories Event with Natural Baby Pros.

Classes resume again on July 24 and we are now offering 3 week sessions. Sign up early for the next session!

Now Enrolling Summer Sessions

2010-07-12T22:42:00.000-07:00

NOW ENROLLING Toddler Family Yoga
Summer Special $40 (reg. $45)*
Session 1: July 24, July 31 & Aug 7, 2010
Session 2: Aug 21, Aug 28 & Sep 4, 2010

Come meet other like-minded parents and toddlers (ages 18 mos-5 years).
For registration information:
Visit the Toddler Family Yoga page on this blog.

No Toddler/Family Yoga 6/19

2010-06-18T09:24:00.000-07:00

Toddler/Family Yoga class on June 19, 2010 has been cancelled.

The class will resume on June 26, 2010. Thank you!

Two Great Events This Weekend: Jun 5 & 6

2010-06-02T10:01:00.000-07:00

June 5, 2010: is the Escondido's Children's Museum's Flapjack Fundraiser from 8:00-10:00AM at Applebee's. $5 of each $10 ticket goes directly to the museum. My friend and ECM board member is selling tickets, so please email me if you would like to support this wonderful event. My family and I will be attending, and then working it off at Toddler/Family Yoga at 10:30AM at Babies in Bloom.

June 6, 2010: is the Open House event hosted by Yoga Branch Studios and the Shadowridge Jazzercise. This event will be hosting free classes and demonstrations ALL DAY from 7:00AM:00PM. Bring your family and friends-there is a class for everyone!

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
7:00 am BODY SCULPTING Heidi
8:00 am JAZZERCISE Heidi
9:00 am INTRO. TO YOGA Kathleen

10:30 am RAW FOOD presentation

12:00 pm FAMILY YOGA—kids up to 5yrs Lisa B.

1:00 pm YOGA FOR ATHLETES Monica

2:30 pm RESTORATIVE YOGA Debra

4:30 pm JAZZERCISE TBD

5:30 pm BEGINNERS ACTIVE YOGA Lisa B.

6:45pm CHAI TEA RECEPTION
NOTE: All of the Jazzercise classes are one hour. All yoga classes/events are 1 hour & 15 minutes with a 15-minute gap between most classes/events.

I hope to see you this weekend!

No Class May 22

2010-05-19T19:39:00.000-07:00

This is a reminder that there is no Toddler/Family Yoga this coming Saturday, May 22. This happens every 6-8 weeks to allow Rochelle at Babies In Bloom time and space to host special events. I think this weekend is the Ju Ju Be trunk show. I have and love my Ju Ju Be diaper backpack, so this will be a great event to attend.

Yoga Begins on May 29
This is a reminder that Toddler/Family Yoga will be held on Saturday, May 29 (Memorial Day Weekend). I have three families who have confirmed attendance, so please let me know if you plan to attend.

Regular Class Schedule Returns

2010-04-19T10:53:00.000-07:00

This is a reminder that my regular class schedule has returned. Please see the schedule listed above and note that there is no Toddler/Family Yoga on May 22.

I look forward to seeing you on the mat!

No Class March 13

2010-03-12T16:21:00.000-08:00

I am sorry to report that I will not be hosting Toddler/Family Yoga class on March 13 due to illness.

But, I am excited to report that I will be hosting a Free Toddler/Family Yoga Class on March 20 to celebrate Babies In Bloom's Birthday. See BIB's facebook link for more info. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=333809051965&ref=nf

I hope to see you on March 20!

Adding Toddler and Pre-natal Yoga to schedule!

2010-01-15T22:51:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to announce that I will be adding both Toddler and Pre-natal Yoga to my teaching schedule. Both classes will be held in the community room at Babies In Bloom in Vista, CA right off Highway 78 next to David’s Bridal. Please help me spread the word about these exciting new classes to your families and friends.

Toddler Yoga: Saturdays, 10:30-11:10 AM
I will teach toddler yoga on Saturday mornings beginning January 30 following Liza Janda’s pre-natal yoga class. Toddler yoga is geared towards children ages 18 mos to 5yrs and their parents. Toddlers are natural yogis and already demonstrate many yoga poses while discovering the movement of his or her own body. Together, parents and toddlers can discover a playful introduction to yoga. Enjoy moving into a favorite animal pose. Play and interact with each other during this 40 minute class and receive the benefits of a fun workout. Class price includes all members of the immediate family (mom, dad, and children).

Pre-natal Yoga: Mondays, 6-7:15 PM
I will teach pre-natal yoga on Monday evenings beginning on January 25 as a complement to the already established pre-natal classes at Babies-In-Bloom. The other classes on Wednesday evenings (6-7:15p) and Saturday mornings (8:45-10a) are taught by Liza Janda. I am looking forward to share my passion for pre-natal yoga with expectant mothers and fathers, and I am so honored that Liza has asked me to teach the additional Monday evening class representing Yoga Janda.

Women supporting women
I will be working with two of my favorite people who gave me and my family so much care, knowledge, and support during my pregnancy and after the birth of our daughter. I feel truly honored to be working with both of these wonderful women who have a strong passion to educate the local community about the wonders of pregnancy, birth and parenting. I am greatly looking forward to giving back to community that so warmly supported me and my family.

Rochelle, the owner of Babies In Bloom, opened this wonderful and unique store several years ago to “educate and support growing families.” Along with her family, she has expanded Babies In Bloom to the current location and has partnered with local educators to expand class offerings.

Liza Janda, owner of Yoga Janda, is a local childbirth educator that has been coaching new parents in the Bradley Method for the past 14 years as well as a pre-natal yoga for over 25 years. She was both my pre-natal yoga instructor and our Bradley Method childbirth instructor.

Who's Body is this Anyways?

2009-09-03T21:22:00.001-07:00

She is now 17 months, and I am still trying to re-discover my body after having a baby. As you may know, it took us about 5 years and numerous procedures to finally get pregnant naturally. I welcomed each day of change that this pregnancy brought to my body. Many pictures and at least two journals document the journey. I kept up with my weekly yoga practice: two nights of power yoga and one night of pre-natal. I kept that up until my body beckoned for rest around my sixth month and I happily listened to my body. I continued taking pre-natal yoga twice a week up until the day before I delivered. I felt like a champ. My delivery was easy relatively speaking, then came the recovery. We happily welcomed our new daughter into our lives and the daily discoveries that comes along with becoming new parents. Everything was going well with figuring out our new lives, and my body was in its recovery phase.

Patience. I keep telling myself to be patient and listen to my body-the body that I trusted to keep my child safe and bring into this world. This is not the same body that entered into motherhood, instead it is a transformed body that is ready to take on the next challenge. Patience. My yoga practice still consists of power yoga, and I have discovered that I can do poses that I couldn't do before. And some of the poses that I could do previously don't come to me as easily. Getting to the studio to practice has its challenges-mostly the guilt of leaving my daughter to go to an evening class after a full day's work. She is so cool and mellow that she handles my absences easily, but I wonder does she really.

I enjoy the Saturday 6:50AM class for its convenience. Normally, this is a class time that I would never consider, but in order to recover fully from this pregnancy and delivery, it is a wonderful welcome. And, bonus, it doesn't affect my family time!!!

My hips and body image have been the hardest issues to overcome. A beautiful full round pregnant belly is so lovely to look at, but the belly left over is, well, empty. And it looks empty. I don't know why I thought my body's recovery would go quickly, even as I chose to invest my every moment with my child. I nursed her and carried her around in my various wraps-one on one time that would reap the rewards of both bonding with my child and a healthy body. My hips have never been the same, always moving in and out of position, and my daily foot pain caused by extreme weight loads (i.e. carrying a 20 pound baby) makes me feel mortal.

My body is recovering in its own time, empty belly and all. I work with various medical practitioners to assist with my body's aches and pains. I constantly discover my new sizes of clothing and complementary styles for it. I am blessed to have gone through the transformation of motherhood, I just need to listen to you, body, and get reacquainted.

Summer of Inversions

2009-07-22T21:21:00.000-07:00

After six years of practicing yoga, I am finally able to invert into pincha mayurasana and headstand. Yippie!!! I have been struggling with inversions for so long, and to be able to do both of them is amazing.

Now,competitive me, I am already thinking about playing around with handstand and scorpion, but I shouldn't get to ahead of myself and enjoy my current accomplishments!

I was in Sue's ashtanga based class and I was practicing L-pose at the wall. Then we were asked to invert into headstand. I remembered what Sue told me last week-use my hands as a wedge for my head and, voila, I was up in headstand. After all this fear of going up by myself, I was finally there and doing it on my own. Too cool.

Adding June 30 to my schedule

2009-06-23T20:27:00.000-07:00

Tina Medina has asked me to sub her class on June 30 in addition to July 7. These are Tuesday night classes that begin at 7:30 PM at the Shadowridge location. Come on in if you can make it. Reminder, the first class at Yoga Branch is $5! I hope to see some of you there.

Schedule Update: June 9, 2009

2009-06-08T10:43:00.001-07:00

Just to update you on my schedule: I will not be subbing on Tuesday, June 9 as planned. If you do happen to go to the class, then you will be taught by the regular teacher there, Tina Medina. She is a wonderful teacher and has a very active class! I am still scheduled to sub for her on Tuesday, July 7. My regular scheduled class is on Sunday from 5:30 PM -6:45 PM.

$20 Unlimited Yoga for June!!!

2009-05-28T10:38:00.001-07:00

Here is a wonderful offering for unlimited yoga for the month of June-only 20 bucks! The Yoga Branch membership fee is waived ($39 savings ) on top of it. If you were waiting to take classes because of budget issues, then wait no more!

Reminder-I teach on Sunday evenings from 5:30-6:45 PM at the Shadowridge location. AND I am subbing on Tuesday, June 9 from 7:30-8:45 PM.

See you on the mat!

Laying the Foundation to OM

2009-05-22T14:22:00.000-07:00

I decided to use a blog to post my yoga teaching schedule for my friends and family. I thought this would be a great way to lay down the foundation of my profession as a yoga teacher and to have a place to post my yogic thoughts. I greatly enjoy where my yoga journey has taken me and I look forward to sharing it! I have added some fun "gadgets" to my sidebar as well as my current teaching schedule. I hope they are found useful and will be enjoyed.

I have already begun my Sunday Yoga Flow classes at Yoga Branch Shadowridge. The students there have been terrific and such an inspiration. Every week I look forward to building upon the previous class' teachings and incorporating them into the next class. I will be teaching the Sunday Yoga Flow class at Yoga Branch Shadowridge through August.

First class at Yoga Branch is $5! Please come try my class out and see if you like it!