Here I present to you another music video gem by Fog and Smog! If you loved Whole Foods Parking Lot (and who didn’t?) and Yoga Girl (could be my favorite being a yoga girl myself) then you will laugh to your little hearts delight at this new funny music video by our boys from the bay!
Here it is a hilarious music video on the urban annoyance of people glued to their mobile devices (As I pause to answer a text…just kidding) Thank you Fog and Smog for this public service announcement!
Yoga Class Event for Charity! We are Building an Orphanage!
What: Team led yoga class with live music by Daniel Stewart & Friends, followed by an after party with: DJMichael “Jammerz” Callon, food, silent auction, raffle & prizes! Teachers include: Amy Beausang, Greville Henwood, Garth Hewitt, Jamie Horgan, Dice Iida-Klein, Angela Kukhahn, David Lynch, Genevieve Pujalet, Briohny Smythe, Marla Wedge and Shelley Williams.
Where: Hermosa Beach Community Center – Clark Building, 861 Valley Drive, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
When: Saturday, March 31st – Registration 2-2:30pm – Yoga Class 3-5pm – After Party – 5-7pm
If you are unable to attend please make a contribution to our campaign by clicking on the link below and donating through paypal. No donation is too big or too small!
Please visit our website: www.losangelesrocksoperationshanti.wordpress.com
Follow us on facebook and become a fan of the Los Angeles Rocks! Operation Shanti campaign:www.facebook.com/LARocksOperationShanti
We have raised over $30,000 and our goal to build a new orphanage for Operation Shanti is $80,000!
Participate in change! For more information about Operation Shanti visit: www.operation-shanti.org
You just have to watch the video I’ve posted above by Gil Hedley on fascia, stretching and what he calls “The Fuzz”.
“The Fuzz”?
Yes, the fuzz!
(nutshell) “The fuzz” is fascia, and it grows on us at night like moss on an old log. It needs stretching and that’s why yoga feels so darn good.
You see, I fell in love with yoga for the same reason most people fall in love with yoga. (No, it’s not so I have an excuse to prance around all day in stretchy pants instead of real clothes, although that is a definite perk!)That absolutely scrumptious feeling of juicy stretchiness after a few rounds of Surya Namaskara-ing and good ‘ol down dogging.
Aaaahh.
So what causes that feeling and why does it feel so darn delicious anyways?
Well for one thing we are feeling some stretch in our muscles wich release endorphins. Secondly we are stretching the fascia which is connective tissue that actually encases our muscles (The mossy fuzz stuff I was telling you about, it encases our muscles kinda like a thin sock on a foot.)
Here Jill Miller of Yoga Tune Up describes this process and why dynamic stretching is so important…
“When we move our bodies fully, encouraging motion into every joint and muscle fiber in the body, we aid in loosening up adhesions that regularly grow between the sliding surfaces of muscles all over our body. When we are stagnant, we literally grow internal moss all over our musculature. This “inner moss” is fascia, an important connective tissue webbing that strings our body together. However, fascia can grow like an inner scab over places in our body that are not utilized for movement. Sometimes this is helpful, for example in protecting a muscle that has been injured. However, fascia does not distinguish between an injured muscle and a “lazy” or underused muscle. It will just grow and continue to restrict movement unless it is regularly mobilized, as in a massage or specific motions that help activate heat and stretch within the muscles, tendons and connective tissues.
When we dynamically stretch away our restrictions by breaking apart our tension areas, we feel better physiologically and psychologically!”
So keep it moving and stay moss free!
Join Brock and Krista Cahill for their annual yoga retreat! It is going to be AMAZING! I am once again honored and tremendously excited to be one of their lovely assistants along with my friend Gina Jang and Marysia Weiss of the Hot and Healthy Blog. This year they are headed to Aruba June 30th – July 7th. Only a couple of spots remain, so be sure to sign up soon! More information below:
June 30th – July 7th
Year after year we set out on different adventures in life. Brock and Krista are passionate about 3 things: Yoga, Community and the Ocean. Their Yoga retreat will be a celebration and a braiding of these three elements woven into a fine tapestry of laughter and handstands. Early registration is required, so don’t hesitate to save the datesJune 30th, to July 7th 2012.
This year’s retreat will be held on the quintessential desert island, Aruba…
Aruba is known for it’s miles of pristine white beaches that rank among the most beautiful in the world. One of Aruba’s most charming traits is the perfect weather.
Brock and Krista will offer twice daily yoga practices (6/30 evening practice only, 7/7 morning practice before brunch and departure) in a shaded, ocean front pavilion with a brand-new wooden floor! The retreat center offers props and yoga mats for your convenience.
After your morning session each day we will have a full brunch, which is included. Two dinners at the resort are also included in the cost below; the first evening we will dine together at the retreat as a group, this will give everyone a chance to rest after a full day of travel; the second dinner gathering will be on July 4th, as a celebration of our Independence and Community. The remaining dinners will be discovering the many amazing local cafe’s on the island.
They will be arranging different optional day trips to towns and deserted islands to snorkel, dive and explore. Shopping, gambling, nature and late night clubs are also just a short cab ride away from our resort, there will be many opportunities to shake a leg!
There are two tiers of rooms: Ocean View and Garden View (roundtrip airport transfers are included, airfare is not)
Ocean View Rooms:
Single occupancy- $3,300.00
Double occupancy- $2,300.00
Garden View Rooms:
Single occupancy- $3,000.00
Double occupancy- $,1850.00
For more information and registration, email krista@kristacahill.com
Need some help with Handstand? Watch this tutorial with Briohny Smyth. (thanks Yogis Anonymous for this video) !
How does one go about conquering their fear of inversions?
Just do it.
That is to say in yoga, as in life itself, there are no shortcuts.
You have to do the work.
I heard a teacher tell that to a student last week when asked how to get better at a pose and it made the whole room laugh. Mostly because he acknowleged thst on some level we are all looking for a shortcut. A way to conquer our fears that is less difficult, less confronting, and of course quicker.
While there are certainly guidelines and principles that will guide you in being more efficient with your efforts, nothing can take the place of simply stepping onto your mat and doing the work.
Unrolling your mat is half of the battle.
There is a very true saying that goes “Where your attention goes prana flows”. In order to wake up “sleepy” places inside our bodies we have to visit them. We must go about reawakening them over and over again.
It is scary. It kinda feels like walking out to the edge of a cliff and hanging ten of the side preparing for a high dive.
In order for it to feel second nature you have to go to that place where it is no longer comfortable or safe.
This is where the breath comes in. The breath keeps us in our bodies. It keeps us in the moment. It keeps us steady, easy and consistent.
Without the wisdom and guidance of the breath we also may become overly ambitious thrashing about unwittingly without proper limitations. The breath keeps us grounded, sensitive and aware.
photo credit: Marysia Weiss of The Hot and Healthy Blog. Photo by Jasper Johal
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Do you enjoy getting adjustments in yoga class; for example, a nice push on your lower back in child’s pose? Have you ever noticed that with a little assistance you can often go deeper and get more enjoyment out of most yoga poses? If so, you have already experienced the benefits of partner yoga. Making friends in yoga class has many advantages outside of just having a friend to spot you in a handstand kickup in the center of the room however, it’s just plain FUN! Join Angela Kukhahn and Aimee’ Donahue for a memorable night of yoga, play, and a chance to get to know your fellow yogis a little bit better. This class is ALL levels and is part yoga class, part mixer. Come alone or bring a friend, doesn’t really matter as there will be a lot of mixing! Doing yoga poses with a partner can be a little uncomfortable at first, but also can be a great way to deepen your poses and your connection to others. Come with an open mind and a sense of play!
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