Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Toddlers and Preschoolers

I was very flattered when the folks at Da Capo Lifelong Books contacted me to see if I could help promote their new release, Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Toddlers and Preschoolers. I'm all for people starting yoga even at a very young age, the younger the better! I wish I discovered yoga much earlier in life.

Named the “Baby Yoga Expert” by Newsweek, Helen Garabedian, a certified yoga instructor and founder of Itsy Bitsy Yoga, offers an illustrated guide to simple, health-enhancing yoga sequences for 2- to 5- year olds.

Yoga can help your child have:
● Fewer tantrums
● Better and longer sleep
● Increased motor coordination
● Improved listening and ability to follow directions
● Better self-expression
● Higher self-esteem
● Easier relaxation
● A healthy and physically fit lifestyle

Praise for Itsy Bitsy Yoga:
“Many adorable and loving ways for parents and young children to spend quality time—interacting and learning—together. Fun, creative yoga movements coupled with songs, games and say n’ play encourage healthy times for moms and tots!”—Marsha Wenig, Founder, YogaKids®

To learn more about the book and its author visit:
www.itsybitsyyoga.com.

Mindful Yoga, Mindful Life, Fat Lip

I just started reading Mindful Yoga Mindful Life by Charlotte Bell. I'm still pretty early in the book but I am enjoying it so far and feel like she is speaking to ME. Don't you love when that happens? I'll write a real book report once I'm finished.

My face met the floor last night in what seemed like one of the most challenging classes I have ever taken. The theme seemed to have been "What can't Marilyn do?" and I walked out with a fat lip, nothing too crazy, my face was closer to the floor than I thought at one point. I wish I can tell you the name of the pose I was working on when it occurred but I can't. It was an arm balance that didn't quite happen. But it's all good. Happy Wednesday!

The Wild...

The Wild...
Originally uploaded by Anita Jamal

There is a cupcake in there, I promise!

Have a good weekend!

Moo???

Savasana in class today was so nice but the weirdest thing happened. While I laid there, I had an image, and it was an image of two cows getting married. It was very cute, it was a cartoon, in the style of the cartoons I watched when I was little like Woody Woodpecker and Bugs Bunny. It was very bizarre! While usually in Savansana I try to use it a chance to clear my thoughts and meditate, I decided this time to not push this cute imagery aside and just let it ride out. I mean of all things, why this???? This must be a what "trip" feels like.

Anyone ever had weird visions or thoughts while laying in Savasana? Share your experience and please tell me I'm not the only wacko.

Cozy Winter Yoga

The other night the city was cold, wet, snowy, and pretty messy. I was certain it was going to be a small class but it turned out a lot of folks showed up. I was glad. It was a wonderful, winter night's class. To see the snow falling outside was so calming, even in a revolved Triangle.

One of the things we worked on, which I have not done in a while, was Tripod Headstand. I can't remember if I have posted about this pose before, I am sure I have but I can't seem to find it. I'm not very good at tagging my entries. Anyway, I love going upside down but I was not distributing my weight properly in this pose. My neck was really hurting afterward. Unlike regular Sirsasana A, in Sirsasana B your head IS feeling some of the weight but it shouldn't feel all of it. Anyone have any insight to share? Where can I find a good balance in this pose?

The best part of the class was Savasana, I know that's the best part of every class, but in this case, the snow and frozen was tapping on the window and to me it sounded like the crackle of a fireplace. I laid there with my blanket over me and enjoyed every moment, it made it much easier to be present.

Transition

Chinese New Year 2008
Originally uploaded by Trish CupcakeMomma

The latest Yoga Journal has an article about how to make transitions gracefully and how to handle change when it is not so graceful. This was comforting to read. I mentioned in my previous entry about looking to leave my job this summer and not knowing what lies ahead. Of course I'm a little nervous about my decision, cold feet if you will, but I'm sticking to it.

In case you are not aware, Chinese New Year just passed and it is the year of the Rat. Daily Om had an entry about this, Promise Of Prosperity. Do you see a pattern?

Looking beyond Western culture’s distaste for rats, we may be able to appreciate their ability to thrive in less than ideal conditions. This quality might offer us hope that whatever challenges we may face will only serve to make us stronger and more able. The rat’s ability to solve problems is well-known, so we can choose to enjoy any challenge that helps us keep our minds sharp while also making life more of a game.

Going back to the YJ article, it also mentions that choosing to change should not be taken lightly. Yes it is wonderful to hear stories of people who took that risk and prospered but there is more to the fairy tale than that. I honestly don't know what I am going to do. I have a history of making rash decisions I end up regretting. I need to, must find time to meditate on this. I want a new start, to go on a new path, but I'm not sure what path to take. I am at the point where I feel like I have struggled so much I just don't want to anymore. Yes, I want the easy path but I know that doesn't exist. The easy path is to just stay where I am and continue to drown.

Rusty Dusty

I practiced last night for the first time in about two weeks and boy did it feel like it. This is why I could never do those 21 day in a row commitments, I can't commit. My legs just felt incredibly tired where even the Warrior poses were a challenge. I know it's my own fault for lacking discipline and making up excuses. Early on in my practice I use to go to class a lot more and then once I moved further away from work my priority became "Get home at a decent time!!!!" My priorities are just stupid I tell ya. I tried looking for studios closer to home and the pickings are slim. It doesn't help that I do not drive (another excuse). One of my goals this year is to finally get my drivers license.

My head is just in a very weird space right now. There are things going on at work (I'll spare you the details) and I know I am not going to be here for much longer, maybe by the summer I'm out. It is kind of voluntary but it's also not because I can kind of see the direction my job is going and I don't see myself a part of it. I am actually excited as I am seeing this as a positive change but I'm also scared of what lies ahead. *breathe*

Giants Cupcakes!

Giants Cupcakes!
Originally uploaded by Roxie's Cupcakes

WOOHOO!

I'm not a football fan but I know what's going on. :)

I'm having a giveaway soon so stay tuned! I hope all of you are well!