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PEACE on EARTH: Taming the Holiday Mind-Squirrels

Meditation & mindfulness practices for getting through the holiday season in peace and with grace.

Between the constant rush, long shopping lines, travel plans, family dynamics, etc, the holiday season often proves to be a huge cause of anxiety and frustration. This stress takes a toll on our wellbeing during a time that is meant to be full of love and gratitude. With simple shifts in perspective through meditation and mindfulness, we can put the "holly jolly" back into the holiday season...without buckets of eggnog... ;)

In this workshop you'll learn: • how to find stillness within internal and external chaos • deal with difficult people • patience and gratitude practices • mindful eating for the holidays • self-care mini-massage with essential oils

• Treats and beverages will be served and each student will leave with a surprise memento gift.

Investment: $30 advance registration / $35 day of drop in

MOON MAGIC: evening event

Indulge in the energy of the Waning Moon! The Waning Moon is a time of letting go, completion, and putting things to rest. Join me at Mat Happy for a special event with candlelit moon salutations (learning and practicing,) group crystal mandala creating, restorative yoga, and meditation. Tea and snacks will follow.

Participants will take home a bottle of Moon essential oil blend and a moonstone from the mandala. $30 per student

Inhale, exhale...how f'n hard can it be? The Art of Breath Workshop. TOMORROW!

So you might be wondering, "Why a workshop on how to breathe?" Why is conscious breathing so damn important? Well, one thing we were taught in teacher training was to share our own experiences with our students. So here's one I should've shared while promoting my Art of Breath workshop: I didn't give a rat's ass about the practice of pranayama. Seriously. When we got our book list, I resented having to fork out cash for books that were all about "the breath." Inhale, exhale. Inhale to expand/lengthen, exhale to close/release. Fine, yes, the breath helps to form the poses and focus the mind. How do you fill multiple books with how to do what we naturally do about 23 thousand times a day? I didn't even like it much when we first delved into it during training. (And I rolled my eyes at all those "Just Breathe" tshirts.) Next thing I know, the practice at which I'd scoffed became the foundation of my whole yoga practice.

There's soooo much that we can do with conscious breathing. For me, it serves the control-freak aspect of my personality in a positive way. The breath is the only autonomic body function that we can control willingly. And in a world where we may feel we have little control over our lives, gaining some control over our own bodies is a really good start. Through conscious breathing I've learned to increase my awareness, willingly control my reactions to situations that make me want to detonate, cool my body when it's over heating whether from the soupy Ohio summer heat or on my mat in a power class. I've learned to lessen the pain of migraines and stomach aches and stop anxiety attacks in their tracks. I even learned a technique that cures my insomnia where I start, think "this isn't worki-" and I'm out in less than 90 seconds.

So why do I feel like learning pranayama is so important? Because of all the yoga practices, pranayama is the practice that has been the most efficient. I use the hell out of it on my mat and in class, but it's a practice that can be used throughout the day, anywhere, anytime.

Can't wake up in the morning? Do an energizing breath.

Trying to avoid heat stroke in the car while waiting for the AC to kick in? Cooling breath.

Annoying co-worker and don't want to be arrested for punching them in the throat? Calming balancing breath.

Eat too much at lunch or too quickly? Do a breath to increase digestion.

Nervous before a presentation? There's a breath for that!

Stuck in traffic? Patience wearing thin? Calming breath.

Can't stop thinking about tomorrow's tasks, how much sugar was in the donut you ate, or that stupid thing you said on a first date five years ago? I call that breath "Valiama" (as in Valium.)

And the best part: ANYONE can do it. Even if other yoga practices are difficult for you. So please join me tomorrow. And learn how the practice of "Just Breathe" can improve your daily life.

#pranayama #workshops #breath #breathe #stress reduction

Free Event: Smith Farmhouse Wellness Retreat Open House

FREE EVENT: I'm teaching yoga on the deck at this lovely Ohio retreat!

Come visit this charming home just North of Columbus. It is perfect for special events, retreats & girls weekends. There will be food, fun, and lots of special guests! We will have an Essential Oils professional with free samples, Aroma Touch Hand Techniques, mini Reiki sessions, and yoga on the deck for those who wish to join in. Due to the activities at this event it will be adults only please. Please RSVP to the Facebook event or to [email protected] by June 20th.

THE ART OF BREATH: Pranayama Workshop

DISCOVER: • the joy and benefits of conscious breathing both on and off your mat!

Do you feel stressed and find yourself holding your breath? Do you feel exhausted during your work day or find it hard to focus? Join me at Love Yoga Flow for this Pranayama workshop where you'll... LEARN: • the basics of breathing anatomy • how pranayama works (how it can combat the "fight/flight" response and jump start the "rest/digest" reaction in the body & mind) • when to use what technique for certain specific desired effect for mindfulness, meditation, yoga asana practice, and in daily life PRACTICE: • five pranayama techniques with explanations, usage, and tips to ensure success Investment: $30 early bird price through 6/13, $35 after. No yoga experience is necessary to attend this workshop.

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Yoga Girl

War & Peace: Virabhadrasana Workshop (aka How to Not Hate Warrior Poses)

I hated Warrior poses. Absolutely hated them. Tiresome, tedious, annoying. They became less despicable once I learned proper alignment, but I didn't actually like doing them until I learned why we do them.

Many of the poses we do aren't named only for what they physically resemble, but how they make us feel, which is ultimately more important. Take cat pose for example. Sure, round your spine to the ceiling, fine. But pretend you're a cat stretching after waking up from a nap, pressing down through the paws, stretching the limbs out long, reaching the back toward the sky, waking the body up...and it's a different experience. Same for the Virabhadrah (Warrior) poses. In my vinyasa classes, I can cue physical alignment along with adjectives such as "powerful" and "elated" to try to inspire students to feel into the pose, but what I still see is a lot of lethargy, shaking, and tortured faces just waiting for the transition to the next pose. I feel their pain. Upon understanding the origins of the Virabhadrasana poses, I've seen students' practices change drastically, including better balance in Warrior 3 - much more so than simply understanding the physical mechanics.

So it's workshop time! WAR & PEACE: Virabhadrasana Workshop. Warrior poses are meant to challenge us so we can slay the ego and find balance and peace. In this workshop, we'll cover the mythology and meaning of the warrior poses (STORY TIME!!!) followed by a practice including alignment variations of the lower and upper body as well as meditation techniques during the poses to achieve the feeling of the inner warrior. Even if you don't end up loving the Virabhadra poses, at the very least you'll have a deeper understanding of your practice and have a better experience while practicing them in your classes!

War & Peace: Virabhadrasana Workshop (aka How to Not Hate Warrior Poses)

I hated Warrior poses. Absolutely hated them. Tiresome, tedious, annoying. They became less despicable once I learned proper alignment, but I didn't actually like doing them until I learned why we do them.

Many of the poses we do aren't named only for what they physically resemble, but how they make us feel, which is ultimately more important. Take cat pose for example. Sure, round your spine to the ceiling, fine. But pretend you're a cat stretching after waking up from a nap, pressing down through the paws, stretching the limbs out long, reaching the back toward the sky, waking the body up...and it's a different experience. Same for the Virabhadrah (Warrior) poses. In my vinyasa classes, I can cue physical alignment along with adjectives such as "powerful" and "elated" to try to inspire students to feel into the pose, but what I still see is a lot of lethargy, shaking, and tortured faces just waiting for the transition to the next pose. I feel their pain. Upon understanding the origins of the Virabhadrasana poses, I've seen students' practices change drastically, including better balance in Warrior 3 - much more so than simply understanding the physical mechanics.

So it's workshop time! WAR & PEACE: Virabhadrasana Workshop. Warrior poses are meant to challenge us so we can slay the ego and find balance and peace. In this workshop, we'll cover the mythology and meaning of the warrior poses (STORY TIME!!!) followed by a practice including alignment variations of the lower and upper body as well as meditation techniques during the poses to achieve the feeling of the inner warrior. Even if you don't end up loving the Virabhadra poses, at the very least you'll have a deeper understanding of your practice and have a better experience while practicing them in your classes!

WAR & PEACE: Virabhadrasana Workshop

Virabhadrasana Workshop: the story behind the warrior poses and how to find peace through (and during) their practice. If you've ever struggled with the Warrior poses, this workshop is for you! Warrior poses are meant to challenge us so we can slay the ego and find balance and peace. In this workshop, we'll cover the mythology and meaning of the warrior poses followed by a practice of proper alignment of the lower and upper body for the six main Warrior variations, as well as meditation techniques during the poses to achieve the feeling of the inner warrior. This workshop is beginner friendly and also for those who would like to deepen their understanding of their practice.

Fee: $33 / Mat Happy members: $30

A daughter "just like me."

You know that mother's curse? The one that goes "I hope you have a child just like you!" Well...every time my mom would buy me a new pair of motherf*ing cardboard Toughskins jeans, I'd try to destroy them right out the door. It usually backfired. Like when she came home with a pair of purple bell bottoms and I responded by promptly putting on my roller skates, barreling down the sidewalk, and dropping to my knees into a full on skid out. Well, the Toughskins lived up to their name, my knees not so much. At least there was a tiny bit of payback in which I could bask: my mom having to scrape all the skin of my right knee cap off the inside of the newly purchased abominable pants. I still look at the scar with pride.

Well, our cat Sascha has big fluffy pants. She lets me brush her fancy princess pelt everywhere but her pants, which desperately need it. So last night for the first time in her eight years with us, I groomed her pants by force, ignoring her protests and the forlorn song her her people. When the humiliation was over, her pants were glorious. I could tell she was proud of them (she loves her fanciness) but I was unforgiven.

So this morning, I can only assume her retaliation for the disgrace of having her butt brushed last night was the totally annihilation of her well groomed derrière by what can only be described as popping her pants. It was like she just backed up against some wall and let the bunny out of the cage. But just like my attempts at Toughskins demolition, there was blow-back for poor Sascha. I guess she didn't understand that while yes, Momma would spend her morning de-pooping and gagging, it was she who would also have to withstand the disgrace of having her highly guarded nether regions pulled at and shampooed over and over.

I'd like to think she's learned her lesson, but I'm pretty sure she feels she got the last word, as I now have another wound that is sure to scar, a nice long scratch across my chest, a momento of my fuzzy daughter who is much like me.

What does this have to do with yoga? Not a damn thing. Except maybe the fact that I'm the years before my yoga practice, this would've ruined my day. And I'd have been mad at her for the trouble instead of feeling horrible for her and trying to sooth her hurt pride. But who am I kidding... I just think poop is funny. :D

A daughter "just like me."

You know that mother's curse? The one that goes "I hope you have a child just like you!" Well...every time my mom would buy me a new pair of motherf*ing cardboard Toughskins jeans, I'd try to destroy them right out the door. It usually backfired. Like when she came home with a pair of purple bell bottoms and I responded by promptly putting on my roller skates, barreling down the sidewalk, and dropping to my knees into a full on skid out. Well, the Toughskins lived up to their name, my knees not so much. At least there was a tiny bit of payback in which I could bask: my mom having to scrape all the skin of my right knee cap off the inside of the newly purchased abominable pants. I still look at the scar with pride.

Well, our cat Sascha has big fluffy pants. She lets me brush her fancy princess pelt everywhere but her pants, which desperately need it. So last night for the first time in her eight years with us, I groomed her pants by force, ignoring her protests and the forlorn song her her people. When the humiliation was over, her pants were glorious. I could tell she was proud of them (she loves her fanciness) but I was unforgiven.

So this morning, I can only assume her retaliation for the disgrace of having her butt brushed last night was the totally annihilation of her well groomed derrière by what can only be described as popping her pants. It was like she just backed up against some wall and let the bunny out of the cage. But just like my attempts at Toughskins demolition, there was blow-back for poor Sascha. I guess she didn't understand that while yes, Momma would spend her morning de-pooping and gagging, it was she who would also have to withstand the disgrace of having her highly guarded nether regions pulled at and shampooed over and over.

I'd like to think she's learned her lesson, but I'm pretty sure she feels she got the last word, as I now have another wound that is sure to scar, a nice long scratch across my chest, a momento of my fuzzy daughter who is much like me.

What does this have to do with yoga? Not a damn thing. Except maybe the fact that I'm the years before my yoga practice, this would've ruined my day. And I'd have been mad at her for the trouble instead of feeling horrible for her and trying to sooth her hurt pride. But who am I kidding... I just think poop is funny. :D

A daughter "just like me."

You know that mother's curse? The one that goes "I hope you have a child just like you!" Well...every time my mom would buy me a new pair of motherf*ing cardboard Toughskins jeans, I'd try to destroy them right out the door. It usually backfired. Like when she came home with a pair of purple bell bottoms and I responded by promptly putting on my roller skates, barreling down the sidewalk, and dropping to my knees into a full on skid out. Well, the Toughskins lived up to their name, my knees not so much. At least there was a tiny bit of payback in which I could bask: my mom having to scrape all the skin of my right knee cap off the inside of the newly purchased abominable pants. I still look at the scar with pride.

Well, our cat Sascha has big fluffy pants. She lets me brush her fancy princess pelt everywhere but her pants, which desperately need it. So last night for the first time in her eight years with us, I groomed her pants by force, ignoring her protests and the forlorn song her her people. When the humiliation was over, her pants were glorious. I could tell she was proud of them (she loves her fanciness) but I was unforgiven.

So this morning, I can only assume her retaliation for the disgrace of having her butt brushed last night was the totally annihilation of her well groomed derrière by what can only be described as popping her pants. It was like she just backed up against some wall and let the bunny out of the cage. But just like my attempts at Toughskins demolition, there was blow-back for poor Sascha. I guess she didn't understand that while yes, Momma would spend her morning de-pooping and gagging, it was she who would also have to withstand the disgrace of having her highly guarded nether regions pulled at and shampooed over and over.

I'd like to think she's learned her lesson, but I'm pretty sure she feels she got the last word, as I now have another wound that is sure to scar, a nice long scratch across my chest, a momento of my fuzzy daughter who is much like me.

What does this have to do with yoga? Not a damn thing. Except maybe the fact that I'm the years before my yoga practice, this would've ruined my day. And I'd have been mad at her for the trouble instead of feeling horrible for her and trying to sooth her hurt pride. But who am I kidding... I just think poop is funny. :D

A daughter "just like me."

You know that mother's curse? The one that goes "I hope you have a child just like you!" Well...every time my mom would buy me a new pair of motherf*ing cardboard Toughskins jeans, I'd try to destroy them right out the door. It usually backfired. Like when she came home with a pair of purple bell bottoms and I responded by promptly putting on my roller skates, barreling down the sidewalk, and dropping to my knees into a full on skid out. Well, the Toughskins lived up to their name, my knees not so much. At least there was a tiny bit of payback in which I could bask: my mom having to scrape all the skin of my right knee cap off the inside of the newly purchased abominable pants. I still look at the scar with pride.

Well, our cat Sascha has big fluffy pants. She lets me brush her fancy princess pelt everywhere but her pants, which desperately need it. So last night for the first time in her eight years with us, I groomed her pants by force, ignoring her protests and the forlorn song her her people. When the humiliation was over, her pants were glorious. I could tell she was proud of them (she loves her fanciness) but I was unforgiven.

So this morning, I can only assume her retaliation for the disgrace of having her butt brushed last night was the totally annihilation of her well groomed derrière by what can only be described as popping her pants. It was like she just backed up against some wall and let the bunny out of the cage. But just like my attempts at Toughskins demolition, there was blow-back for poor Sascha. I guess she didn't understand that while yes, Momma would spend her morning de-pooping and gagging, it was she who would also have to withstand the disgrace of having her highly guarded nether regions pulled at and shampooed over and over.

I'd like to think she's learned her lesson, but I'm pretty sure she feels she got the last word, as I now have another wound that is sure to scar, a nice long scratch across my chest, a momento of my fuzzy daughter who is much like me.

What does this have to do with yoga? Not a damn thing. Except maybe the fact that I'm the years before my yoga practice, this would've ruined my day. And I'd have been mad at her for the trouble instead of feeling horrible for her and trying to sooth her hurt pride. But who am I kidding... I just think poop is funny. :D

A daughter "just like me."

You know that mother's curse? The one that goes "I hope you have a child just like you!" Well...every time my mom would buy me a new pair of motherf*ing cardboard Toughskins jeans, I'd try to destroy them right out the door. It usually backfired. Like when she came home with a pair of purple bell bottoms and I responded by promptly putting on my roller skates, barreling down the sidewalk, and dropping to my knees into a full on skid out. Well, the Toughskins lived up to their name, my knees not so much. At least there was a tiny bit of payback in which I could bask: my mom having to scrape all the skin of my right knee cap off the inside of the newly purchased abominable pants. I still look at the scar with pride.

Well, our cat Sascha has big fluffy pants. She lets me brush her fancy princess pelt everywhere but her pants, which desperately need it. So last night for the first time in her eight years with us, I groomed her pants by force, ignoring her protests and the forlorn song her her people. When the humiliation was over, her pants were glorious. I could tell she was proud of them (she loves her fanciness) but I was unforgiven.

So this morning, I can only assume her retaliation for the disgrace of having her butt brushed last night was the totally annihilation of her well groomed derrière by what can only be described as popping her pants. It was like she just backed up against some wall and let the bunny out of the cage. But just like my attempts at Toughskins demolition, there was blow-back for poor Sascha. I guess she didn't understand that while yes, Momma would spend her morning de-pooping and gagging, it was she who would also have to withstand the disgrace of having her highly guarded nether regions pulled at and shampooed over and over.

I'd like to think she's learned her lesson, but I'm pretty sure she feels she got the last word, as I now have another wound that is sure to scar, a nice long scratch across my chest, a momento of my fuzzy daughter who is much like me.

What does this have to do with yoga? Not a damn thing. Except maybe the fact that I'm the years before my yoga practice, this would've ruined my day. And I'd have been mad at her for the trouble instead of feeling horrible for her and trying to sooth her hurt pride. But who am I kidding... I just think poop is funny. :D

kuroyuki-deactivated20181126

Japan Guide

Since 2011 I post many pictures about everyday’s life in Japan every day I find on Flickr. For all of you who plan to travel to Japan I would like to create a platform called Japan Guide.

I wrote aome text posts about things which could be helpful or informative if you want to visit Japan. My idea was to collect different websites for a specific topic. Most information are based on guide books I used for planning my own trips to Japan and my own experience.

Getting around Japan

Guesthouses

Entertainment

Weather

Architecture

Japanese garden

Theatre

Sports

Food

Sweets

Documentaries

Vlogs

Hostel NAKASHIMYA in Kumamoto

Japan videos

Starting in late 2015 I will show you a video about Japan that I found interesting every Tuesday and Friday. Like that you can learn something about Japan from different people by watching my Playlist on YouTube.

Sightseeing

Gorgeous Shrine in Japan (Nikko’s Toshogu Shrine) by Texan in Tokyo

Hanging Out in Fukuoka City’s Ohori Park by Micaela ミカエラ

Japan’s CAT ISLAND: Tashirojima by Sharla in Japan

Japan’s Rabbit Island: Cute Rabbits, Dark History by Abroadin Japan

Fox Village in Zao Japan! by Rachel & Jun

The Water City | Gujo Hachiman by Rachel & Jun

Tokyo Tower (Day vs Night) by Rachel & Jun

Adventures at Jindaiji Temple in Tokyo! by Texan in Tokyo

Fishing At A Waterfall in Itoshima by Micaela ミカエラ

Tokyo’s Best Cherry Blossom Spot: Meguro River by Sharla in Japan

Namba Parks ★ Osaka’s beautiful architecture! by Rachel & Jun

Culture

Renting a Kimono in “old-fashioned” Japan! by Texan in Tokyo

BEST Summer Fireworks in Japan!! by Sharla in Japan

Matsuyama festival and Matsuyama castle tour by SherryBerry in Ehime

Japan’s Naked Festival by Rachel & Jun

Japanese Culture of BONENKAI by Sharla in Japan

KFC Christmas Japan: A delicious alternate reality by Abroadin Japan

How Japanese celebrate New Year! by Rachel & Jun

JAPANESE COMING OF AGE CEREMONY // Seijin Shiki by Sharla in Japan

Things you CANNOT do at Japanese Onsen by Texan in Tokyo

Shokunin | Japanese Taiko Drums by Rachel & Jun

Traditional Japanese Festival Wear by Sharla in Japan

Food

Traditional Japanese Soba Restaurant by Texan in Tokyo

WHAT TO EAT: YAKINIKU by Micaela ミカエラ

Tonkatsu (Delicious Japanese Food: Fried Pork Cutlet) by Texan in Tokyo

KIT KAT SANDWICH! Japanese Fast Food? by Sharla in Japan

Manga/Anime

How to be a MANGA ARTIST in Japan! by Sharla in Japan

My First MAID CAFE Experience! Akihabara, Japan by Sharla in Japan

POKEMON CAFE in Ikebukuro, Japan! by Sharla in Japan

Japanese Gachapon Capsule Toy Paradise! by Sharla in Japan

Daily Life

LEARNING JAPANESE: 9 Tips for Success by Abroadin Japan

Christmas market in Japan! by Sandra no Sekai

Getting an apartment in Japan! by Rachel & Jun

By Jan Knüsel

The Summer of 1995: How one journey to Japan changed my life

Tokyo Time Travel | Nostalgic Spots in Japan’s Capital

My favourite city in Japan: Kanazawa

11 Views of Himeji Castle

My trips to Japan

Sometimes it can help to read about other people’s trips to get inspiration for your own adventures. Here you can find some travel diary post I’ve written.

2010

11.06.2010 Yokohama & Tokyo

12.06.2010 Tokyo

13.06.2010 Tatebayashi & Nikko

16.06.2010 Tokyo

2012

06.03.2012 Kamakura

08.03.2012 Tokyo

14.03.2012 Kyoto

15.03.2012 Kyoto & Osaka

2014

21.03.2014 Tokyo

22.03.2014 Tokyo/Hakuba

23.03.2014 Togakushi

24.03.2014 Matsumoto

25.03.2014 Nagoya

26.03.2014 Osaka

27.03.2014 Okayama

28.03.2014 Kurashiki

29.03.2014 Miyajima

30.03.2014 Fukuoka

31.03.2014 Nagasaki/Gunkanjima

01.04.2014 Nagasaki/Beppu

02.04.2014 Beppu

03.04.2014 Matsuyama

04.04.2014 Matsuyama

05.04.2014 Hiroshima

06.04.2014 Zentsuji/Takamatsu

07.04.2014 Takamatsu/Marugame

08.04.2014 Okayama/Tanabe

09.04.2014 Tanabe/Nara

10.04.2014 Nara/Tokyo

11.04.2014 Tokyo

12.04.2014 Tokyo/Yokohama/Yokosuka

13.04.2014 Tokyo

14.04.2014 Tokyo

15.04.2014 Kamakura

16.04.2014 Kamakura

17.04.2014 Kamakura

18.04.2014 Kamakura

2015

30.10.2015 Tokyo

31.10.2015 Tokyo

01.11.2015 Tokyo

02.11.2015 Tokyo/Fujikawaguchiko

03.11.2015 Mt. Takao/Tokyo

04.11.2015 Tokyo

05.11.2015 Tokyo/Kamakura

06.11.2015 Kamakura

07.11.2015 Kamakura/Nagoya

08.11.2015 Gujo-Hachiman/Kyoto

09.11.2015 Kyoto/Himeji

10.11.2015 Himeji/Okayama

11.11.2015 Okayama

12.11.2015 Takamatsu/Marugame

13.11.2015 Okayama/Hiroshima

14.11.2015 Hiroshima/Fukuoka

15.11.2015 Fukuoka/Nagasaki

16.11.2015 Nagasaki/Kumamoto

17.11.2015 Kumamoto

18.11.2015 Kumamoto/Kagoshima

19.11.2015 Yakushima

20/21.11.2015 Yakushima/Kagoshima

kittymaer-blog

Even if you feel like your life is a three ring circus, or have a house full of screaming kids, or the boiling rage of a thousand hells burning you up from the inside out, you can learn to center and quell the storm of thoughts driving you mad! Even if all you have is 30 seconds to do so. In this workshop we’ll practice using all our senses to find peace and stillness to help balance out our daily lives. For more info and registration: http://www.nyankoyoga.com/workshops-1/tamingthemindsquirrels #ohioyoga #614yoga #meditation #mindfulness #mindsquirrels #monkeymind #yoga #yogaeveryday #loveyogaflow #lyogaflow (at L Yoga)

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