Balancing Life on a Paddle Board

Last week I tried paddle boarding for the first time.  It was 6:00AM on Lake Ossipee and the water was very still.  I was alone and did not have any instructions on using the board.  I just went for it.  

Paddle boarding requires balance.  I learned two things about balancing on a paddle board which can apply to how we find balance in our life.

1. It is easier to balance when I am moving through the water. In life, balance comes easier if  my body and mind are moving in a direction as opposed to floundering in one place. A teacher told me once that balance is not about trying to stand still, it is about how gracefully we can continually move ourselves back to the center.
2. Keep the body soft (especially my knees). A ridged structure created an unstable and wobbly foundation. A ridged mind and inflexible body can quickly create an imbalance in our lives if things don't go the way we planned.

Next Wednesday, August 21st from 6-8PM I will be offering a workshop through Blue Moon Yoga, Exeter entitled: Gateways to Balance In this workshop we will Explore some of Yoga’s gateways to balance. Sometimes we know we are out of balance but have forgotten or cannot see our way back. This workshop will provide the space to explore our unique pathway back to balance and offer tools to light our way.   Tools like alternate nostril breathing to stimulate a balanced mind, balance poses to experience the feeling of balance in our bodies, and the Gunas to determine which direction will lead us back will be discussed.
Gateways to Balance Workshop Details and Registration

Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing)

Here is a link to a great article that I found in Yoga Journal on Nadi Shodhana.  It offers a good description of the Nadis: Nadi Shodhana

Enjoy and Be Well!

Movement of Energy in Yoga

Join me in attending this workshop this Friday 6/7 at the Blue Moon!  It is a fascinating topic and Brian is an excellent instructor with a very calming presence.
Movement of Energy in Yoga

Inspirational Quote

My daughter belongs to the Exeter Swim Team and their Team T-shirts always sport an inspirational quote. Here is my favorite and it seems to fit very nicely with Yogic philosophy:

"We are what we repeatedly do so excellence then is not an act but a habit."

It's a practice, not an accomplishment.

Fundraiser for Autism at Drinkwater Flowers, Saturday, Dec. 8th

Drinkwater Flowers & Design is hosting a Holiday Centerpiece making event to benefit autism:

Saturday December 8th,
Schedule project time to work with a designer and create your own beautiful Holiday decorated boxwood tree.
Purchase your creation to help fight autism.

http://www.drinkwaterdesigns.com/

Art and Yoga Camp for Children

Check out the Art and Yoga Camp that I am co-leading with Jena Roberts, owner of Sangha Yoga and Michelle Graziano, Licensed NH art teacher! My daughter, Sydney will be participating and we would love to have some inspired artist and yoginis join us right here in Stratham at Sangha Yoga.
Tell your friends who have children ages 8-12.

Sangha Yoga Studio Presents:

&

Camp

We are sooo excited to offer a Summer Camp for Kids. Yoga is an amazing tool to promote self-awareness, self-esteem, and body awareness. Similarly, these attributes are necessary for artists. Art and Yoga go hand in hand. In this day camp, we will discover the relationship between self and the production of artistic expression. Great for beginning yogi or yoginis, yoga will feature vinyasa flow, group activity and meditation/relaxation. Art projects range from exploring the naturalists, expressionists, impressionists and more. The program is developed and taught by Michelle Graziano, licensed NH Art Teacher, Jena Roberts, RYT-200 Yoga instructor & Nicolle Casey, RYT-500 Yoga Instructor. ill feature vinyasa (flow), group activity and meditation/relaxation. Art projects range from exploring naturalists, expressionists, impressionists and more. The program was developed and is taught by a licensed NH Art teacher and a RYT-200 yoga teacher. Runs July 16th – 21st, 10-2pm. $100. Per student, $15. Materials fee.

Who: Children Ages 8-12

Date: July 16-20, 2012

Time: 9.15am-2.15pm

Place: Sangha Yoga, 108 High St. Stratham,  

 Cost: $100. + $15. materials fee

www.facebook.com/SanghaYogaStudio

Contact: Jena Roberts, (603) 770-0473 jenap@comcast.net

One Day - Spring Renewal - Yoga Retreat!

Join me and a wonderful group of Yogis, May 12th - for a lovely day of great food, good folks, a lovely setting, yoga, meditation, chanting, nature walks, silence.... One day but it will feel like a week!
Yoga Retreat at Aryaloka - Newmarket
http://www.aryaloka.org

Namaste,
Nicolle