Personal Yoga

Things that I am working on

Curious About Starting a Yoga Practice

on Monday, 21 January 2019. Posted in Personal Yoga

dana lyn at beach

Curious About Starting a Yoga Practice?

I remember the earliest stages of when I had decided to take the training to become a yoga teacher. It was a really interesting experience as the feedback I was getting from friends and family was everything from excited to scrutinizing. One comment made that I’ll never forget was “oh god are you going to become one of those yogis that thinks everyone should do yoga”. This really stuck with me because it was such a strong reaction. It was also a great lesson from the beginning not to force or talk too much about my experience because it is simply mine, not anyone else's. As more time passes I can also relate to this comment in that we all have a path, we all find things that we enjoy, we all are attracted to different outlets and don’t want to be judged or persuaded into something that doesn’t bring us joy.

Yoga brings so much more than joy to me personally; mental health, physical health, and community to name a few. All of which I would like more of our society to experience especially in a day and age where so much stimulation, chaos, and expectations are thrown at us. My first thought is knowledge what if people just don’t know about yoga. Who are the people and what do I do to connect to those that simply are not aware of what yoga is. I myself stumbled into my first class on the cape I can’t even recall how other than it was on a Friday night and had Jammin in the title which did seem too “serious”. The second class was in Cambridge and I come to find out later in life was one of the most famous westernized yoga teachers home studio, and boy was that intense. I am finding on a more frequent basis that men in my life are asking and wondering what yoga is all about. I am inspired to write this piece for them!

The questions or gatekeepers that I have come across include:

  • Are there classes for men? There are workshops, which means it is a special class in addition to a studio regularly scheduled classes. Workshops are less frequent than a regular class schedule and they can center around just about any topic. A great opportunity coming up is: January 26th from 1:30 to 3:30 join Luke in Harwich at Power Yoga of Cape Cod for a special Intro to Yoga for Men Class. Also here on the cape just about every studio has well trained, talented, mindful of the body male teachers who might be ones you connect with. Teachers will offer classes based on what they are trained in but also what they feel. A male teacher might offer something you are also in need of, areas of the body specific to men. I find there are also studios or classes on a weekly schedule that is more heavily populated by men which I believe would be given anyone new to the practice a level of comfort.
  • I need to be more in shape before I go to a class.  I would say exactly the opposite. One of the foundational elements of yoga is putting the ego aside and simple step into it.  The class will be lead and there may certainly be things that are said that don’t make sense or exercises that you can not do, the purpose is to do what you can!  Whether you are a beginner or an experienced yogi I would say “find the edge of what you can do, and stay there, breathe into the pose” also “I am offering to teach you to do it if you can and skip it if you can not”.  
  • What if I am not flexible at all? Yoga is NOT about touching your toes or any other sign of flexibility. It is about so much more! There is the work of quitting the mind, moving your breath with intention, moving the body, building strength, and so much more.
  • Is it expensive? It can be. $20 per class if you are just dropping in..but I have some great news to share.
    • Off Season NEW Student Special. The best deal in town if your new is at Orleans Yoga & Pilates, now through March 31st if you sign up at your FIRST class you can get one month of unlimited yoga for $50! (not listed online, ask about it on your first visit there) PS with a drop in class is normally at $20 if you take 3 or more classes in a month you are getting a great deal :)
    • Class passes are also like buying in bulk, every studio will offer them. 5 classes, 10 classes or 15 classes are a great way to take classes for less money per class.
  • What to wear? Attire is basically like any gym clothes. Loose waistband, shorts, tee shirt, secure underwear, and consider layers in the winter months. Really nothing fancy!

When it might be appropriate?

  • If you have a sore, stiff, achy body
  • When experiencing anxiety
  • After a relationship break up
  • When feeling stuck in your life; work, relationship, location
  • Loss of a loved one
  • Depression
  • Weight gain
  • Desire for being a part of a community or meet new people

January is a time that many of us find new routines or explore new activities I hope that if yoga is something of interest this has been helpful. My contact information is all on my website if you have any further questions I would be happy to connect.

The love and the light within me honors and bows to the love and the light within you!

Namaste,
Dana

All You Need Is One

on Friday, 29 September 2017. Posted in Personal Yoga

IMG juice w flowers1944IMG before 1966Cape Cod is a beloved summer destination to many. What’s not to love?...the pristine beaches, the seafood, and the people. Given the influx of summer visitors one might see it as a transient corner of the world but in fact, it’s the place I feel most connected to the community. To date, my journey has presented the opportunity to live and travel worldwide but it was not until I found my community here on Cape Cod did I feel I belonged to something beautiful. Moving to Cape Cod also coincided with a deep dive into my yoga practice a little more than four years ago.  I believe that yoga is powerful in fact magical. Some of the many ways in which I’ve experienced that magic includes spontaneous dance parties, holding hands, crying when you don’t know why, and bursting out into laughter. Even if you don’t know anyone in class the simple act of breathing together and creating an energy with movement in synch is pure simple perfection.

When you then take this simple idea but everyone in the group that has gathered is connected by one common thread, love for one person, it’s a whole other level.IMG 1964 flower heart bread 250 This past weekend I was honored to be a part of a very special Cape Cod bachelorette weekend for Tara and her bride tribe. Included in the girl’s weekend Tara’s tribe gifted each other a private yoga class led by yours truly (blushing). In the warmth of the living room we rolled out 10 yoga mats and flowed together for a class filled with breath, stillness, giggles, grace, and great music - followed by a very fun champagne bubbly bar. To complete this girl’s afternoon post-class, I hosted a flight of three champagne cocktails to continue the celebration of love. One was paired with a lovely cold pressed juice, the flavor was Harvest from The Local Juice...a match made in heaven!

IMG Childs Pose 1959 250Hanging around the girls this weekend got me thinking about some of my favorite things to do here on the Cape. Whether you’re planning a bachelorette party, a girl’s weekend, or dream wedding I think you will enjoy a few of my favorite stops. A day in the sun, sand, and surf at Wellfleet Cahoon Hollow Beach is pretty epic, followed by a Goombay Smash and dozen oysters at The Beachcomber of course. Provincetown is going to give you street wondering, live music, and of course a tea party. The best kind of party! You can be sure there will be a great DJ, dancing, and as much fun as you can stand! Provincetown is known for a daily “Tea Party” hosted at the Boat Slip when that party wraps just next door and down the boardwalk starts “After Tea”. Complete with a dance floor overlooking beautiful Provincetown harbor The Pied Bar has all your dancing needs. “After Tea” is hosted daily starting at 6:30 with a live DJ spinning great music and no cover. This is a dance floor not to be missed!

IMG after1978In addition to teaching yoga, selling corporate events, and bartending on occasion I am true to the core a hostess. I have a passion for planning parties but for many, it’s a daunting task and something you might want to maybe, as a dear friend says, “throw a little money at it” in order to make it happen. If that is the case I’ve got you too.

Jamie from Cape Cod Celebrations is all you need to know. Whether your best guy friend is trying to plan a very special Cape Cod proposal, your family is hosting an engagement party, you have recently been honored with the title of bridesmaid or you are planning your dream wedding call Cape Cod Celebrations! Jamie and her team are top notch from small and simple to large and extravagant!

IMG drinks 1972Thank you for reading this post! I was honored to hang with this group of Cape Cod ladies for a bachelorette heart opening class then continue to celebrate by popping the bubbly! I love what I do, I love where I live, and I would love to share it with you. Let’s connect!

Namaste, Dana

Spring Yoga

on Saturday, 16 April 2016. Posted in Personal Yoga

Spring is here - hope you enjoy it.