Sacred Streams | Blog

2012-01-20T15:04:00.000-08:00

I am so honored to be a guest and to share with you my thoughts on nourishment. Thank you for the invitation, and for all of those whose amazing words came before mine. They have been inspiring and enlightening!

I found myself excited by all the ways nourishment presents itself. In an attempt to reel in my enthusiasm, I head to the dictionary. The dictionary helpfully systematizes my understanding of nourishment with these words: “the substances necessary for growth, health and good condition.” I must add love.

For me, nourishment encompasses being purposeful in all facets of my life. It can be simply showing up for myself and others, fully present with the courage to lead with my heart and the intent to be kind, compassionate, and loving…(I could go on forever here). Nourishment has many faces and often changes with the seasons.

In my life, nourishment begins with reverence, gratitude and grace whether it is in the form of prayer, meditation, journaling, blogging, speaking, practicing, (physical activity – yoga, running etc.) or simply being. It is followed by what I put in my mouth and what comes out of it. It knocks on the door in the form of breathing (not the in and out repetitive non-conscious breathing, the kind that fills you with sustenance…more on this) food(the kind that is produced from the earth) and dialogue (inner and outer stemming from loving kindness). It materializes in my lifestyle choices.

Being mindful of what goes in and out of my mouth is not easy. Sometimes convenience presents itself and I want to give in by choosing foods that are not nourishing but fast. It’s easier to drive through, just throw any ol' thing into the cart without understanding what is in it or where it came from or by letting the kids buy prepackaged food that is sold everywhere. It can be tiring contending with society and good marketing vying for the girl’s (all of our) attention to make healthy choices. Then it hits me; isn’t it worth the fight to provide and seek knowledge so my family can continue to make healthy nourishing choices throughout life? Giving our bodies the best possible growth avenue? Will what we are about to consume provide my family with the nutrients needed to live a healthy active life? Is it made with love? The same goes for what comes out of my mouth. It is mostly in the way I talk to myself (condemning, judging, shoulding) but can sometimes extend to what I say to others. Can I nourish others with my words? Can I nourish myself with my thoughts?

Nourishment can surprise me by making a guest appearance in the form of letting go or the act of surrendering what no longer serves my mind or body. I sometimes find it while taking the first sip of coffee (not saying coffee is nourishing -- I’m aware of its faults) in a quiet house with only a glimmer of light and the auspiciousness of a new day. It kicks me out of bed on a cold morning with the promise of nourishing my family and to sip said coffee. It envelops me in the form of my husband’s loving arms around me. It lures me awake in the middle of the night in the form of my child snuggling so close her nose touches mine all the while knowing I will not get an ounce of sleep but will feel nourished with the notion that I provided love and security for her. It’s ever present in my children’s words, laughter, and actions (even in when naughty creeps in -harder, much harder to feel nourished with affirmation that every situation is a teachable one). I am most comforted in knowing that when I feel depleted there is so much nourishment that surrounds me. It’s available for me to grab hold of. Below is a practice in nourishment. It can be done when you feel depleted OR mindful...

Nourishment practice:

You can do this anywhere (a car, a chair, in your bed, on a cushion, at the grocery store). Begin bringing awareness to your breath (just as an observer – leaving judgment at the back door). Inhale more deeply let it fill your entire mid section extending to your spine, side body all the way to your lower belly. Exhale (slowly) all of your air out through your nose. Continue to breathe deep adding nourishment every time you inhale. Let it be expansive. Exhale what no longer serves you (negative self talk, anything that resides in the form of toxicity). You can do it 3 times or 300. It’s always accessible no matter where you are. Nourishment is a breath away.

Gratitude, love and all smiles, Michelle

2012-01-10T12:30:00.000-08:00

The new year can bring a lot of intention for the upcoming year including resolutions for dieting, exercise, and getting rid of bad habits. My teacher, Craig Williams, shared an interesting article from the Harvard School of Public Health. They took the old USDA food pyramid and updated it to reflect a more accurate view of nutrition. It has some great information about the types of foods we should eat, how much we should eat, and what types of foods we should limit. There is also a "Healthy Eating Plate" which some find a little easier to "digest" (ha!) with advice as to what we should be putting on our plates. Especially check out the little blurb about Vitamin D! Click here to view the entire article. And bon appetit!

2011-12-14T15:07:00.000-08:00

Next week we are having a holiday gift SALE! Get 10% off gift certificates, malas, T shirts and our newly arrived semi-precious stone bracelets made by Jennifer. We have some really unique and meaningful gifts for your friends and family. Been eyeballing that mala? Send your honey in here to buy it for you as a Christmas present! Have a friend who always wanted to try yoga? Get your friend a gift certificate and bring 'em to class with you! The sale runs from Sunday, Dec. 18th through Friday, Dec. 23rd. Happy holidays to you all!

My friend posted this great little article about bone health on Facebook and I thought I would share it with you. Bone issues are close to my heart lately! There are some great tips on simple things we can do (including yoga!) to keep our bones in tip top shape. Enjoy!
View the article here.

2011-11-22T11:27:00.000-08:00

My favorite new snack is crunchy, addictive, so healthy and even easier to make. I introduce to you – Kale Chips! Yes, that’s right, this vitamin powerhouse bakes up for the ultimate in guilt-free snacking. I have followed this recipe from Smitten Kitchen every time and it always comes out perfectly. I highly recommend the flatter Dinosaur Kale as it bakes up more crispy and evenly than it’s curly breathren which can tend toward the chewier side. For some added flavor try adding garlic granules or paprika to the mix.
1 Bunch Kale (dinosaur if you can find it)
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
Sea Salt & Pepper to Taste
Preheat oven to 300°F. Rinse and dry the kale, then remove the stems and tough center ribs. Cut into large pieces, toss with olive oil in a bowl then sprinkle with salt. Arrange leaves in a single layer on a large baking sheet (I needed two because mine are tiny; I also lined mine with parchment for easy clean-up but there’s no reason that you must). Bake for 20 minutes, or until crisp. Place baking sheet on a rack to cool.

Have a safe and wonderful holiday!

2011-11-10T12:33:00.000-08:00

Our very own Liz Belile has a poem coming out in the new anthology, "The Poetry of Yoga"! A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book go toward the editor's charity, One Common Unity. Along with Liz, the book has contributions from Seane Corn, Shiva Rea, John Friend, Krishna Das, Judith Lasater, and many many more! To find out more about this project, visit http://thepoetryofyoga.com. Go Liz!

Founded in 2000, One Common Unity is a grassroots, 501(c)3 non-profit organization—an inter-generational community of artists, educators and peace builders-supporting the building of non-violent culture and nurturing sustainable, caring communities through a variety of local and global arts initiatives, omni-media programming, and innovative social-emotional education services.

Don't forget that Liz teaches her amazing Therapeutics class on Tuesdays at 12pm at Sacred Streams!

2011-11-01T15:16:00.000-07:00

You may already know that I geek out on Vedic Astrology. The science of Vedic Astrology was part of an integrative approach to healing and health in India, working hand in hand with Yoga and Ayuveda. Through Vedic Astrology, or Jyotish, one learned of the planetary influences affecting lifestyle choices, diet, career, family, wealth, health, karma and much more. Your birth chart holds vast amounts of information that can shed light on your life patterns and light the way to a more spiritual and rewarding life. The planetary influences in your chart are there to be learned about. By managing their influences, we can get the most out of our existence in this lifetime, and work our way to spiritual enlightenment, or moksha.

Beginning in January, I will be offering birth chart readings to the public. Stay tuned for more details in the next few weeks! I would love to begin offering gift certificates closer to the holidays for readings in the new year. How cool of a present would that be?

Talk to you guys soon with some mantra for working with the waxing moon! Did you howl at it last night?

Love,
Susan

2011-09-27T11:35:00.000-07:00

Learn to read your birth chart

Hi all!

Most of you know I am studying Vedic Astrology and pretty much like to geek out on that whenever I can. So what I would like to do for the month of October is a series on Indian Astrology and how to read your birth chart! The cool thing is that for the month of October, we have a special...$99 for unlimited yoga with no commitment! We will also put your current pass on hold while you use your unlimited in October. Now folks, learning the basics of how to read your own birth chart is big bucks if you take an intensive on the subject! Believe me, I know. So this is my gift to you! If you do the special, you can do my class plus any other classes, as much as your little heart desires for the whole month of October! Saturday is the last day you can purchase this so give us a call, or go online.

****If you are planning on coming to class (of course you are!), send me your birth information so I can have your birth chart printed for you on the first day of the series, this Saturday at 3pm! I need your date of birth, time of birth (as exact as you can get it), and the place of birth.

Please come to every class if you can, we will be going in order and if you miss a day you might be really lost the next time! The series will be laid out as listed below. Please note that class is cancelled the day I teach at the Austin Yoga Festival.

October 1: Getting your birth chart and the planets
October 8: Cancelled for Yoga Festival
October 15: The signs
October 22: The houses
October 29: Putting all together!! Reading celebrity charts too.

If you know someone who might be interested, please pass this blog along!

2011-09-21T14:10:00.001-07:00

Mantras and Malas

Those of you who have taken class with me know how much I love to talk, which may explain why I like mantra so much. In my opinion, as well as the opinion of some pretty amazing teachers, mantra is one of the most powerfully transformational practices you can have. This can be a daunting topic just because of the sheer countless numbers of mantras out there. Where do you begin? You can start really simple and chant "OM" or "Shanti". One fairly simple mantra I work with is to honor the god Ganesh, the remover of obstacles. It is Om Gum Ganapataye Namaha (gaa-naa-paa-tye-YAY). Do not worry so much about getting the pronunciation of every syllable spot on, it is more about the intention behind the sounds. One essential tool for practicing mantra is a mala. Mala beads are used to keep track of the number of repetitions of mantra. Typically, malas come with 108 beads and central bead called the guru bead. When you chant, you move along with your fingers until you hit the guru bead. Then you have completed a cycle of 108 repetitions of mantra! You also see malas that are smaller, but always in divisions of the sacred number 108, such as wrist malas of 27 beads. Our beloved Jennifer has made some gorgeous malas which are for sale at the studio! She has used different stones and styles. Come check them out and see which one calls to you! Once you get your mala, keep it sacred. Try not to let anyone else use it or touch it. It is a powerful tool to be charged with energy from your mantras!

2011-08-24T12:54:00.001-07:00

Our new fall schedule begins on September 1st and is ready to view online! There are some changes so make sure you check it out. Our Thursday 7:30pm is changing to a regular Restorative class with Krista. Susan's 3pm Saturday class is now Explorations in Yoga which will explore topics such as mantra, astrology, meditation, Yoga Nidra and more. Jason's Saturday class is moving to 10am. Go to our online schedule to see the full class listing for the fall. It's been a great summer and we are looking forward to cooler weather (please!) and seeing all of you soon!

CLICK HERE TO SEE UPDATES

2010-08-24T17:26:00.000-07:00

Another reason to update our weekly postings! Sandhya, dog trainer extraordinaire and dedicated SSY student, has shared with us her need for zzzzz's and the success she has had with sticking to her weekly Sound Restorative sessions.

2010-08-20T09:38:00.000-07:00

Wow! It has been a while since I hopped on here to share the news of Sacred Streams! We have been extremely busy meeting new friends and neighbors. Our new and improved website will be launching in the next few weeks!

Erika, one of our newest additions to the SSY family is sharing her knowledge about Yoga Psychology. Great reviews on her last series so check out this video if you want to learn more.

2010-04-05T12:08:00.000-07:00

New Sacred Streams Yoga Schedules are in! Wonderful new classes and times.
CLICK HERE TO SEE UPDATES

Spring your Diet into Balance

A Yogic Diet is an essential aspect of a yoga practice and nourishes the mind and body for clarity and optimum energy.

Aspects of a yoga diet focus on moderation and balance:

Changing your diet can be difficult if you are used to eating the same foods. With determination and knowledge the transition for a better diet can become easier. Educate yourself on proper nutrients and be aware that your diet might vary from others around you.

Fasting is a part of yogic history. The practice of fasting is a matter of discipline and self-control. The benefits of clearing the body of toxins left from poor eating habits and environmental factors can leave you feeling rejuvenated and energized. Pay special attention to the fast you wish to follow and always decide how to break the fast.

The three Gunas are energies that ideally exist in equilibrium. Sattva (purity), Rajas (activity, change), and Tamas (darkness and inertia) are qualities of a yogic diet. To learn more about the gunas click here.

Should you wish to pursue Yoga practice which includes changing or complimenting your food patterns, make sure that you are comfortable with this shift. Consult your physician if you have some medical problems that can be affected by changing your diet or if you are not sure about the right food patterns that you may need to take.

April Special
Commit to a special 8-week Healing Restorative Class Pass and receive a free 1-hour Sound Therapy session with Jennifer! $120
Choose between Mondays at 7:30pm or Thursdays at 7:30pm or both!
*8 special passes to be used in 8 weeks
*series pass not valid for other yoga classes

Benefits of Sound and Healing

Every structure and form in our physical world carries a unique vibration or tone. Beautiful sounds emitted from the Singing Bowls have been shown to determine the innate nature and essence of that form. The resonant tones act directly through the nervous and biological systems affecting cell function and brainwave frequencies. When experiencing the live sensations of the singing bowls, brainwaves shift from a Beta state to deeper waves such as Alpha and Theta which work to banish dis-ease and disease, healing the body’s systems and enhancing mental focus, relaxation and clarity.

* Releases emotional imbalances; stress & pain relief
* Improves Memory; clarity; vitality, life force energy, immune system
* Decreases Pain, stress related conditions, insomnia, anxiety, depression, exhaustion
* Enhances deep sense of tranquility
* Re-patterns imbalances in the body and mind

2010-03-29T15:40:00.000-07:00

Last week, Vernal Equinox reminded us of where we want to be internally: balanced and harmonized, witnessing any and everything from the center of our own wisdom. On this rare occasion, when day and night are equally long we have an opportunity to look at opposites like light and dark with a deep sense of inquiry.

For me, the teachings of Lord Buddha and The Middle Path hold especially true when considering the relationship between two sides of one coin. The Buddha himself lived two divergent paths (indulgence and denial) before realizing his own divine nature. Ultimately, what the Buddha came to understand and later teach was that a life of extreme does not lead to enlightenment. Why? According to both Buddhist and yogic philosophy the answer is simple: everything is intrinsically equal. From this perspective then, the “middle” describes a neutral center without any perceived view of two extremes.

As the natural world reminds us that even stark contrasts are in truth equal, we can ask ourselves what other seemingly divergent parts of our lives and our world might actually be connected, integrated and in fact One.

~Sarah Smazal
Austin Mobile Yoga
www.austinmobileyoga.com

New Sacred Streams Yoga Schedules are in! Wonderful new classes and times.
CLICK HERE TO SEE UPDATES

Featured class this month is our new 6am Vinyasa Flow with Jenn. Rise to greet the day and pay homage to the sun! Feel more alive as you move through your morning and rest of your day. Jump-start your metabolism, strengthen your muscles, improve circulation and flexibility.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP

Jennifer, MSW, PYT, RYT specializes in mental health, specifically working with individuals who are seeking a holistic approach to healing the mind and body. After 11 years of personal training she decided to marry her social work with the physical form. She became a RYT in 2003 to enhance her knowledge of the body and work in a more mindful way. As she continued to work as both a personal trainer and yoga teacher, she felt there was a vital piece missing -- working with the mind.

Discovering the psycho-somatic connection of the Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy program opened the door to working deeper with her clients. Jenn has recently finished the intense 650-hour therapy program and is now a practitioner. Her private yoga therapy sessions and yoga classes are inspired by the nurturing art of Dharma Yoga

Mind Body Resistance Package, 8 weeks

Commit NOW to tone and strengthen while losing inches off your waistline! This amazing series will sculpt your upper and lower body using resistance training, yoga and creative movement. Trainer will monitor progress through weekly measurements and weigh-ins. Food diary encouraged to track results.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP for your yogi body sculpting today.

2010-03-11T08:41:00.000-08:00

Thank you Sarah for being so gracious to teach our Love Offering Workshop "Opening the Heart: Exploring Anahata". We raised $100 for the Miracle Foundation and look forward to supporting them again for our next Love Offering Event!

Exciting Upcoming Events!

Enhancing Fertility for Couples: Hatha Yoga for Conscious Conception, $65 per couple
Saturday, March 13, 2-5:00PM or May 8, 2-5:00PM

From a yogic perspective, conception and fertility issues should be addressed by both partners. This workshop is designed to offer support as well as holistic practices for couples who may be trying to have a baby, and is especially for couples who are having difficulty conceiving, or who may be undergoing fertility treatments. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Yoga for Couples: Cultivating Union, $60 per couple
Saturday, March 20, 2-4:30PM

“We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.” – Sam Keene
Through the practice of yoga, we learn to love our own imperfections and those of our partners. In this couples yoga workshop, led by husband and wife yoga instructors, Jason and Jodi, we will explore and deepen our shared Yoga connection through partner asana, pranayama, partner meditation and Thai yoga massage. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Moon Salutations: A Salute to the Goddess Within, Suggested $15 Donation
Sunday, March 28, 2:30-4PM

Come explore Moon Salutations, a series of postures that link us to the feminine powers within. This vinyasa practice brings peacefulness and clarity to the mind, allowing us to see the world through compassionate eyes. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

MindBody Resistance Training,
8 Week Series, April 5-May 26
Commit NOW to tone and strengthen while losing inches off your waistline! This amazing series will sculpt your upper and lower body using resistance training, yoga and creative movement. Trainer will monitor progress through weekly measurements and weigh-ins. Food diary encouraged to track results.

PKG 1- One class a week, nutrition consultation, one free yoga class $200 ($500 value)
PKG 2- Choice of two classes a week, nutrition consultation, two free yoga classes $320 ($1200 value)

Choose your days:
Mondays 7:30-8:30AM, Wednesdays 7:30-8:30AM or 12:00-1:00PM Contact 600-4716 for details.

Yoga mat required. Resistance bands provided.

*Sign up by March 16 and receive and additional yoga class for FREE!
Series participants receive 10% off of yoga class passes during the MBR Series.

2010-03-01T11:32:00.000-08:00

Meet Sandi! Sandi, my long time friend, has been with us since the beginning of our sweet studio and has been an integral support system for me. I am so happy to share my love for her with you, our students!

Wednesdays, 7:00p All Levels (6:00p starting in April)
Sundays, 10:00a Vinyasa

"Essentially, yoga saved my life. I did not know it at the time, but looking back, yoga taught me how to know and love myself, truly love myself. Without that love, I would not be living today. Yoga is a practice of self realization, continually realizing who you are in each present moment and accepting yourself in all stages and phases. In the beginning of my yoga practice, I realized things about my physical body: weak arm muscles, strong balancing skills, etc. Then as my practice deepened through breath work and meditation, I started noticing tendencies in my mental body: defensiveness, strong will to persevere, etc. After a five year yoga practice, I have finally begun to see beyond my physical and mental selves, deeper to my true self, my soul, my spirit. I have no criticisms or praises of her: she just is. Without knowing her, I would not be."

~Sandi

Enhancing your Fertility Series Package
This series is specially designed to help support women who are trying to conceive or may be undergoing fertility treatments, which is often an extra stressful or emotional time in one’s life. The classes will be led by longtime yogini and yoga teacher Liz Belile, who gave birth to a healthy boy at age 43 in October 2007 after working with various approaches to her own fertility, and is eager to offer a safe, supportive environment for women hoping to conceive.

Class Dates: Sundays, March 7, 14, 21, April 11, 25, May 2, 16, 23. In addition, you may choose one of the following workshop dates for partners; this special couples workshop is designed to complement the fertility series (see description below). Couples workshop dates: Saturdays, March 13 2-5PM or May 8, 2-5PM. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

New Summer Schedule coming April 1st. Check our website for updates and class listings.

Sandi's Upcoming Workshop
Moon Salutations: A Salute to the Goddess Within
March 28, 2:30-4p
Suggested $15 Donation

Come explore Moon Salutations, a series of postures that link us to the feminine powers within. This vinyasa practice brings peacefulness and clarity to the mind, allowing us to see the world through compassionate eyes. Hatha Yoga is the practice of balancing two complementary energies that affect our lives on earth: the Sun and the Moon. The Sun expresses male qualities, where the Moon expresses female qualities. A similar principle is seen in the Chinese symbolism of Yang/Yin.

More commonly practiced, Sun Salutations prepare the student for masculine strength and power; whereas Moon Salutations develop flexibility and grace for the practice of yoga and life. This Moon Salutations class will bring space into the muscles for greater flexibility and ease the mind to understanding true compassion.

Tapping into your inner Goddess is not exclusive to women. All are welcome to explore his or her intuitive qualities. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!

Other Upcoming Workshops in March

Lululemon has graciously featured SSY as studio of the month! Join us for more Asana every Saturday in March at 8am:

Lululemon Athletica
www.lululemon.com
1016 West 6th Street
Austin, TX 78703-5317
(512) 474-2659

See you there!

2010-02-18T09:48:00.001-08:00

February Share the Love Special

Just a small reminder that you can bring a friend (new student) until the end of February for $1! If your friend purchases a class pass they get a 10% discount and you will also receive a 10% discount on your next class pass purchase!

Lululemon Athletica is featuring Sacred Streams Yoga as their "Studio of the Month" throughout the month of March! We are excited to be a part of the fun and will be offering free 1hr yoga classes at their store every Saturday morning in March at 8am. Feel free to join us!

Were you unable to make the Valentines Couples Workshop?
Sign up for our lovely Yoga for Couples: Cultivating Union with Jodi and Jason in March! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Other Exciting Events At Sacred Streams

Opening the Heart: Exploring Anahata Chakra 50% of donations offered to the Miracle Foundation. Sign up today!

Enhancing your Fertility Series Package
This series is specially designed to help support women who are trying to conceive or may be undergoing fertility treatments, which is often an extra stressful or emotional time in one’s life. The classes will be led by longtime yogini and yoga teacher Liz Belile, who gave birth to a healthy boy at age 43 in October 2007 after working with various approaches to her own fertility, and is eager to offer a safe, supportive environment for women hoping to conceive. Class Dates: Sundays, March 7, 14, 21, April 11, 25, May 2, 16, 23. In addition, you may choose one of the following workshop dates for partners; this special couples workshop is designed to complement the fertility series (see description below). Couples workshop dates: Saturdays, March 13 2-5PM or May 8, 2-5PM. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

2010-01-26T07:44:00.000-08:00

Yoga Therapy Evening Gathering-FREE!
Saturday, Feb 6 from 4-6pm
Come sip a warm cup of tea and discover the gift of Yoga Therapy. Sacred Streams Yoga Therapists, Jennifer, Naomi (Jai Kartar), & Sarah are excited to share with you the tools to help you focus and calm your mind and spirit.

" After receiving Phoenix Rising sessions clients often report improved physical well being, greater emotional stability, clearer thinking, and a capacity for living life to the fullest.

This makes Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy (PRYT) an effective modality for supporting healing related to the myriad of so called "lifestyle" disorders and psycho-emotional issues. Clients often report the disappearance of physical pain associated with these conditions after receiving sessions or classes or attending groups guided by Phoenix Rising practitioners." CLICK HERE to learn more about Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy

Dear SSY Family,

Sacred Streams is so grateful for the abundance received from our students and staff to raise money for the Haiti Relief Fund. We were able to raise $130 in one day to donate to Doctors Without Borders.

May all of the survivors be filled with much light and courage on their difficult journey.

With gratitude,

SSY Staff

"Flexibility is a law of life. In our common language we call it compassion. "

~Yogi Bhajan, Master of Kundalini Yoga

February Events at Sacred Streams are Filling Up!

Kundalini Yoga for Women in Recovery with Harimandir, $70
6 Week Series on Fridays
Feb 12, 19, 26 Mar 5, 12, 19, 6:00-7:30PM

This healing 4-week series will incorporate principles of Recovery to help unite your mind, body, and spirit with the gift of Kundalini Yoga. Enhance your spiritual journey, increase awareness in the physical body, further your meditation practice on your healing journey. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Valentine’s Partner Yoga & Massage, $60 per couple
Sunday, Feb 14, 1-3:30PM

There is no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than by sharing in the experience of metta, loving kindness, with a loved one. Bring a friend, family member or partner to enjoy two and a half hours of relaxation while learning the basics of Thai Yoga massage. Each partnership will take turns giving and receiving in this ancient practice, believed to nourish and restore the body, as well as remove any energetic blockages present. No experience necessary, bring a loved one, at least one yoga mat, and an open heart with you! Workshop priced per couple. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Give the Gift of Yoga for Valentine's Day
Because Yoga is hard to giftwrap purchase a gift card for your loved one just in time for the celebrated 'Day of Love'!

10% off Yoga Gift Certificates ($65 minimum) OR Sound Therapy Special see below

Call 600 4716 or visit www.sacredstreamsyoga.com for more details.

Share the Love
Existing Sacred Streams students are welcome to bring a first time student for only $1 throughout the month of February.

February Sound Therapy Package
Purchase a package of three Sound Therapy Sessions and receive three FREE Yoga Classes! Call 600 4716 or CLICK HERE

2010-01-12T13:25:00.000-08:00

Meet Sarah! Sarah’s classes are inspired by a combination of Buddhist wisdom, traditional yogic philosophy and the flavor of the day! As a teacher, she hopes to illuminate asana and meditation as transformative vehicles, offering each student an opportunity to experience inner tranquility, outer clarity and universal love. She cherishes the gift of watching students explore yoga as window to their inner strengths and flexibilities.

Since earning her certification at Austin’s Dharma Yoga, Sarah established Austin Mobile Yoga as a vehicle for sharing all the gifts she continues to receive.

Come practice with Sarah! Experience a healing touch as she infuses the gift of Yoga Therapy in her classes.

Mondays, Dharma Yoga, 5:30PM
Thursday, Hatha Yoga, 9:30AM

I got an email recently from a student who said "I'm not flexible and I can't balance on one leg, should I still try a yoga class?" This is such a common misconception, so many of us new to the practice think that in order to "do yoga" you have to be able to get your foot behind your head and stand on your hands. That's simply not the case, and that is one of the great things about starting a yoga practice- there are no prerequisites! Ask students who have been practicing awhile or even your teachers and you'll hear a lot of similar stories. People come to yoga not able to touch their toes, standing on one foot makes everything go wobbly and each asana, or pose, can feel challenging and complicated. But with dedication, practice and breath your hamstrings will lengthen, your hips will open and the idea of balancing on one leg (or even on your hands!) won't seem quite so far-fetched. Most importantly, as the body begins to open, so does the heart, and with an open heart anything is possible.

~Lauren Scott

Kundalini Yoga for Women in Recovery with Harimandir, $70
6 Week Series on Fridays
Feb 12, 19, 26 Mar 5, 12, 19, 6:00-7:30PM

This healing 4-week series will incorporate principles of Recovery to help unite your mind, body, and spirit with the gift of Kundalini Yoga. Enhance your spiritual journey, increase awareness in the physical body, further your meditation practice on your healing journey. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Harimandir’s Kundalini classes are designed for everybody. Students should experience levels of high energy and energetic shifts. Harimandir’s students love to dance and move the energy at the beginning of class, and get very comfortable before moving into a Kriya and meditation session. Expect the full Kundalini experience. Harimander also teaches Hatha classes, which incorporate Kundalini Kriyas and Pranayam breath work into a physical asana practice.

Valentine’s Partner Yoga & Massage, $60 per couple
Sunday, Feb 14, 1-3:30PM

There is no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than by sharing in the experience of metta, loving kindness, with a loved one. Bring a friend, family member or partner to enjoy two and a half hours of relaxation while learning the basics of Thai Yoga massage. Each partnership will take turns giving and receiving in this ancient practice, believed to nourish and restore the body, as well as remove any energetic blockages present. No experience necessary, bring a loved one, at least one yoga mat, and an open heart with you! Workshop priced per couple. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Lauren challenges her students to go inward, focusing on alignment and breath, and most importantly asks students to play and explore with an open heart and mind as we all seek that which brings us joy.

2010-01-06T15:42:00.000-08:00

In Chinese medicine, the Oneness of the universe is said to manifest as two primary forces: yin and yang. Many of us are familiar with the image of the yin/yang, it looks like one of those delicious black and white cookies! But, these energies or prana, as described in yogic traditions, are much more than opposites. In fact, most everything exists as a dance between yin and yang. Cold, receptive, deep and inward, yin reflects that which is hidden and thus less tangible. Hot, dry, active, outward, yang reflects that which rests closer to the surface. Here alone we can see that we cannot have yin without yang nor yang without yin, they are a brotherhood, a sisterhood, a family.

We can see these two forces alternately ebbing and flowing in nature and within our bodies throughout the year. In day and in night, in sun-moon cycles and indeed in each moment with our breath and the beating of our heart. Yin and yang remind us that all is in flux, ever changing and thus impermanent. There is a constant shifting of balance, of focus and awareness in our lives. The trick is to stay open to both dark and light, interior and exterior, positive and negative, as these dichotomies are the truth of our existence. To be human is to feel the full spectrum of life.

Winter, being the most yin time of year, is an opportune time to go inward and explore deep and even dark places. Yoga offers us a wonderful opportunity to get to know our inner cosmos. Even the simple act of bringing awareness to the breath can offer endless gifts. For more information about yin yoga, visit www.yinyoga.com or contact Sarah at sarah@austinmobileyoga.com

~Sarah Smazal

Happy (Yogic) New Year!

The Revolution is in the Resolution: Sankalpa

"You are what your deep driving desire is, as your desire is, so is your will; as your will is, so is your deed, as your deed is, so is your destiny."

I came across this quote from one of the most ancient bodies of wisdom in the yoga tradition, the Upanishads, while considering what it means to make New Year's resolutions, and I realized: I always start out full of good intentions, but by the end of the year my good intentions have usually gone bad. So I wanted to make a shift this year (really!) and actually, consciously enact change. But in order to enact change, I need something more than "just" my good intentions. I need to cultivate and fortify my resolve. I need to set my sankalpa.

"Sankalpa" is a Sanskrit term that means "Will; purpose; determination." To take it a bit further, we can think of it as "thought, intention, or will directed toward a specific outcome." In other words, by setting a sankalpa to bring about a specific outcome, we bring about real change.

There's also that famous quote from Mahatma Gandhi: "We need to be the change we wish to see in the world." Hmmm. That implies a certain amount of Work. The changes we wish to see can happen over long periods of time, or they can be immediate. It is said that it takes 40 days in order to develop a habit...good or bad. I've known yogis who will take on a 40-day challenge, practicing every day until it's become a new samskara, or habit. I've noticed in my own life that I can develop new habits pretty quickly; unfortunately they are not always healthy for me. I wonder what would happen if I practiced something small, every day, that fed my sankalpa to know my heart's deepest desire in order to live my true destiny? What if that became a habit?

So instead of merely setting best intentions for the year, why not get real and sit down and contemplate the Big Questions: Who am I? What do I REALLY want? And HOW can I manifest my deep, driving desire in such a way that helps me bring about my destiny? Who knows, I might even lose a little bit of weight while I'm at it...

I believe it is totally worthwhile to start with the Big Questions at the beginning of the year. Who knows, it may be the seed I need in order to fully bloom. Almost every sacred text starts with the very biggest concepts. For hatha yogis, consider the very first word in the Yoga Sutras: "atha." It means "now." In a way, why go any further than that? Imagine "now" as your sankalpa. Enlightenment? Now. Cultivate more patience? Now. Eliminate sugar from the diet? Now. Do more yoga? Now. Love more? Now. World Peace? Now.

Several years ago, when I began to consciously set a sankalpa for my life, I wanted more than anything to be in love and find a life partner. After much deep contemplation, unwavering dedication to my asana and meditation practices, and lots of love and therapy, I found him. And I married him. And then we had a baby. So it goes. I've been reflecting on this as I look back on the decade. This decade, my fourth, has truly been about my yoga practice maturing in a way that is so welcome to me, and it's also been about me manifesting my deepest desires. So now I'm ready to go even deeper, and get to the core, tap into the root, open into another layer of the lotus in 2010!

~Liz Belile

Liz’s Suggested Meditation:

Here's a meditation I suggest to my students who have set the sankalpa to connect to their heart's deeper desire, all while obtaining some valuable skills and information along the way:

Take a nice, comfortable seat. Rest your hands on your thighs or knees. Turn up the brightness on your inner light. Soften your skin and your facial features, even as you grow bigger and more expansive inside. Turn your attention toward your heart center, said to be the seat of the True Self, the Inner Teacher. Soften the muscles around your ears. Soften your ears. Begin to listen to the sound of your breath. Take note of your breath's natural flow, without trying to change it. Observe the sounds in the room around you. Simultaneously listen to the sounds inside you. Ask your heart the question: What is my deepest desire? And then...listen. Know that the answer may come as a feeling, or an image, or a word. Note if the mind or ego tries to answer the question; the True Self will respond to your wooing the way a wild deer might. You must tread lightly and be open. The False Self will want to answer the question immediately and start making plans to achieve it. This is your work, to discern between the two. Take your time. Practice this meditation often. Just wooing the Inner Teacher will bring clarity. You can also tell if the True Self (your "intuition") is answering the question if it results in goodness for you.

On a more mundane level, it can be quite helpful to consciously resolve to make changes with outcomes we can measure. For example, I have a handful of yoga teacher friends who have a "pose of the year," where they vow to achieve a certain asana by the end of the year. I think I may do that myself, and I'll make it...visvamitrasana.

I've done this pose before, many times, but it requires an openness in the shoulders that eludes me more often than not. However, I know I can do it if I RESOLVE to do it.

And therein lies the revolution in my resolution, and one of the more beautiful aspects of how our asana practice can reflect our more profound spiritual aspirations; I can be the change I wish to see.

This year, Liz Belile resolves to create more, enjoy more time and space with her family, and bring about planetary healing. Oh yeah, and lose weight, quit coffee, and publish a new book of poems.