HOW would you like to feel stretched, toned, relaxed and calmer in 2009? If the answer is 'yes', join one of GetCalmers' six week yoga courses starting in January.
Rebecca of GetCalmer will be returning to yoga teaching after the birth of her daughter and will be offering two yoga courses, one for the complete beginner and one specifically for pregnancy.
The complete beginner's six week course will commence on Thursday, January 22 at 7.30pm, and is aimed at people with no prior experience of yoga and will incorporate breathing techniques, gentle poses and relaxation.
Pregnant? Rebecca's Birthlight pre natal yoga classes adapt classic yoga poses and incorporate gentle stretches, effective breathing techniques to aid relaxation and ease labour pains, along with guided relaxation.
The six week pre natal yoga course will begin on Tuesday, January 20 at 7pm. Classes can be taken from 15 weeks right up to when you give birth. Spaces are limited, so make sure you book soon!
Classes are held at the Friends Meeting House in Henley. To book a course, or to find out more, contact Rebecca Dobson on 0781 561 5803, email rebecca@getcalmer.com or visit www.getcalmer.com
Bywww.henleystandard.co.uk
THE LATEST TOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Saturday, 13 December 2008
THE BENEFITS OF YOGA
Tucked away among the Catskills, ashrams and monasteries promise to recharge the mind and spirit with a combination of simplicity and meditation, served up on a tight schedule.
At Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch, a picturesque 77 acre spot surrounded by woods in Woodbourne, days begin at 6 a.m. with meditation and chanting, a two hour yoga class and an hour of chores around the property.
By www.nytimes.com
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
At Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch, a picturesque 77 acre spot surrounded by woods in Woodbourne, days begin at 6 a.m. with meditation and chanting, a two hour yoga class and an hour of chores around the property.
By www.nytimes.com
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
Thursday, 11 December 2008
PILATES DVD
The holidays are such a busy crazy time that I recently decided to 'unplug' a little and get some exercise/meditation, to appreciate those gifts of the season that money cannot buy. A few days ago I said to my husband, who was working in his home office, 'I think I need to slow down and expand my consciousness a little. My yin needs to align with my yang, my Kama has lost its Sutra, my Barney needs some Rubble. All this online shopping is exhausting, I'm just tired thinking about all the packing, shipping and mailing people are having to do to send out my orders.' My husband just stared at me from behind a mound of paperwork (I am pretty sure there are many times he would love to have to punch in somewhere, anywhere, instead of working at home).
'You seem pretty relaxed,' he responded, reaching for another pile of papers, some falling to the floor. 'Every time I look out there, you and James are baking something, or playing something, or coloring something for the holidays. That doesn't seem too tough.' I rolled my eyes. My third son James's two older brothers are 22 and 19, and not really into coloring. Unless it is coloring with beer. 'Like I've explained,' I said patiently, 'At times I am James' sibling. It's not like I always want to be building snowmen or licking candy canes or playing hide and seek, it's just part of my dual role as both mother and buddy. Now I'm exhausted; and I am going to go do my new Pilates DVD and try to connect with my inner me.' (Usually all I get is a dial tone when I do this.) I turned on my heel, annoyed, and stalked away from him, it's kind of hard to stalk in baggy flannel pajama bottoms with reindeer all over them and a Notre Dame sweatshirt, but I did my best.
'OK,' I yawned, popping my new Pilates DVD in the DVD player, 'let's just see what's what here.' I took a sip of coffee and stood, waiting, I have never actually done Pilates, but I figured it wasn't anything too hard, like Yoga, only more celebrity like, I figured. A few poses with a few chants of 'my moons are in the houses of my fathers' and I'd be good to go, more relaxed than ever. A very toned woman about my age came on the screen and smiled at me. I smiled back. She was on a beautiful green lawn at the edge of an ocean, people in exercise DVDs are always working out on mansion lawns and not in gyms, where they belong. 'I knew Joe Pilates personally,' she intoned gently to the camera, her ponytail flicking in the ocean breeze, and I felt encouraged, there was actually a person who developed Pilates, it was not just named after a Greek god whose name was available. 'Now please, get onto your mat, and stretch your legs in front of you.' She breathed in deeply, sucking up all the peace in the universe, apparently, from the beatific smile on her toned face.
I looked around doubtfully; several half finished projects were scattered on the floor because of my traditional holiday ADD. I shrugged and put my coffee down, and sat on the floor, hitching up my sweatpants. I breathed deeply and it actually felt weird; was I some robotic loser just living on the tense, shallow edges of life, not even breathing deeply? Very sad. I started trying to pretend I was with the teacher on that green lawn. Next, my Pilates hostess wanted me to lie down, for 'extreme leg kicks.' I was already pretty tired from all the deep breathing and all the attempts at imagining things, and I was beginning to sweat in my Notre Dame sweatshirt. But I gamely lay down, pushing rolls of wrapping paper, dog toys, scissors and a pile of clean clothes out of my way. I noticed that every time I breathed in deeply while kicking, I was attracting baseball sized dust bunnies from under the couch, dust bunnies comprised of dog fur, ornament hangers, candy and other couch minutia. With each inhale, they were moving closer, like villainous characters in a Pixar production. As I avoided the dust bunnies moving toward me, my Pilates teacher was speeding up, before long, I was doing knee bends, arm windmills and every once in awhile, just, as my teacher put it, 'giving my legs a hug.' How come I was feeling sweaty, hot, and completely unrelaxed?
By the end of the 40 minute DVD, I was snarling at my relaxed, toned teacher and fighting the multiplying dust bunnies with a giant candy cane I was able to reach during a 'downward thrust.' I was sweating in my flannel while fighting off my dogs (who apparently think arm windmills and graduated leg lifts are the universal signal for 'play'). I am back to coloring, baking and waiting for snow, and appreciate it all the more now that I have sweated to Pilates and avoided giant dust balls. Play is relaxing if you just let it be play, and nothing more. Still, just for the heck of it, about once a day I stop and give my legs a hug!
By Deirdre Reilly
THE LATEST PILATES NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
'You seem pretty relaxed,' he responded, reaching for another pile of papers, some falling to the floor. 'Every time I look out there, you and James are baking something, or playing something, or coloring something for the holidays. That doesn't seem too tough.' I rolled my eyes. My third son James's two older brothers are 22 and 19, and not really into coloring. Unless it is coloring with beer. 'Like I've explained,' I said patiently, 'At times I am James' sibling. It's not like I always want to be building snowmen or licking candy canes or playing hide and seek, it's just part of my dual role as both mother and buddy. Now I'm exhausted; and I am going to go do my new Pilates DVD and try to connect with my inner me.' (Usually all I get is a dial tone when I do this.) I turned on my heel, annoyed, and stalked away from him, it's kind of hard to stalk in baggy flannel pajama bottoms with reindeer all over them and a Notre Dame sweatshirt, but I did my best.
'OK,' I yawned, popping my new Pilates DVD in the DVD player, 'let's just see what's what here.' I took a sip of coffee and stood, waiting, I have never actually done Pilates, but I figured it wasn't anything too hard, like Yoga, only more celebrity like, I figured. A few poses with a few chants of 'my moons are in the houses of my fathers' and I'd be good to go, more relaxed than ever. A very toned woman about my age came on the screen and smiled at me. I smiled back. She was on a beautiful green lawn at the edge of an ocean, people in exercise DVDs are always working out on mansion lawns and not in gyms, where they belong. 'I knew Joe Pilates personally,' she intoned gently to the camera, her ponytail flicking in the ocean breeze, and I felt encouraged, there was actually a person who developed Pilates, it was not just named after a Greek god whose name was available. 'Now please, get onto your mat, and stretch your legs in front of you.' She breathed in deeply, sucking up all the peace in the universe, apparently, from the beatific smile on her toned face.
I looked around doubtfully; several half finished projects were scattered on the floor because of my traditional holiday ADD. I shrugged and put my coffee down, and sat on the floor, hitching up my sweatpants. I breathed deeply and it actually felt weird; was I some robotic loser just living on the tense, shallow edges of life, not even breathing deeply? Very sad. I started trying to pretend I was with the teacher on that green lawn. Next, my Pilates hostess wanted me to lie down, for 'extreme leg kicks.' I was already pretty tired from all the deep breathing and all the attempts at imagining things, and I was beginning to sweat in my Notre Dame sweatshirt. But I gamely lay down, pushing rolls of wrapping paper, dog toys, scissors and a pile of clean clothes out of my way. I noticed that every time I breathed in deeply while kicking, I was attracting baseball sized dust bunnies from under the couch, dust bunnies comprised of dog fur, ornament hangers, candy and other couch minutia. With each inhale, they were moving closer, like villainous characters in a Pixar production. As I avoided the dust bunnies moving toward me, my Pilates teacher was speeding up, before long, I was doing knee bends, arm windmills and every once in awhile, just, as my teacher put it, 'giving my legs a hug.' How come I was feeling sweaty, hot, and completely unrelaxed?
By the end of the 40 minute DVD, I was snarling at my relaxed, toned teacher and fighting the multiplying dust bunnies with a giant candy cane I was able to reach during a 'downward thrust.' I was sweating in my flannel while fighting off my dogs (who apparently think arm windmills and graduated leg lifts are the universal signal for 'play'). I am back to coloring, baking and waiting for snow, and appreciate it all the more now that I have sweated to Pilates and avoided giant dust balls. Play is relaxing if you just let it be play, and nothing more. Still, just for the heck of it, about once a day I stop and give my legs a hug!
By Deirdre Reilly
THE LATEST PILATES NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
Monday, 8 December 2008
AFTERNOON YOGA CLASS
Saturday afternoon you can join 8 Limbs Yoga Centers and Maygen McGrew for a donation based yoga class at the Northwest Film Forum. This is a great chance to take a yoga class from Maygen outside the usual studio setting, as well as support a local non profit!
8 Limbs Yoga Centers and Maygen McGrew continue their Karma Yoga Series, bringing yoga to alternative urban spaces to benefit local non profits. This installment: Maygen will lead a by donation only flow class in Northwest Film Forum's very own Lobby. Maygen's relaxed approach is suitable for all levels and all ages. 100% of proceeds will benefit Northwest Film Forum.
Sliding Scale Donation: cash or checks made payable to NWFF.
Located in the heart of Capitol Hill, Northwest Film Forum is Seattle's only true cinematheque embracing the full range of film arts from exhibition to production to education. For more information visit: http://www.nwfilmforum.org
Karma Yoga, the Yoga of selfless service, is action without attachment. This duty of service is an integral part of the spiritual discipline of yoga. It opens our hearts, teaches us compassion and humility, and aligns us with our duty to serve one another as creation itself.
By blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com
THE LATEST YOGA CLASS NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
8 Limbs Yoga Centers and Maygen McGrew continue their Karma Yoga Series, bringing yoga to alternative urban spaces to benefit local non profits. This installment: Maygen will lead a by donation only flow class in Northwest Film Forum's very own Lobby. Maygen's relaxed approach is suitable for all levels and all ages. 100% of proceeds will benefit Northwest Film Forum.
Sliding Scale Donation: cash or checks made payable to NWFF.
Located in the heart of Capitol Hill, Northwest Film Forum is Seattle's only true cinematheque embracing the full range of film arts from exhibition to production to education. For more information visit: http://www.nwfilmforum.org
Karma Yoga, the Yoga of selfless service, is action without attachment. This duty of service is an integral part of the spiritual discipline of yoga. It opens our hearts, teaches us compassion and humility, and aligns us with our duty to serve one another as creation itself.
By blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com
THE LATEST YOGA CLASS NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
Thursday, 4 December 2008
YOGA FOR THE SOUL
I have returned to my yoga classes. After a couple of years away, I finally got back to the serene, quiet studio where my favorite yoga teacher guides us through stretches and poses that make up the ancient practice.
Try to imagine this. I finish a long day at work. I drive to get to my yoga class like I'm the conductor of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride Through London at Disney. I arrive, typically nearly late, and a little bit wild-eyed from the traffic. I walk into a darkened room filled with ladies of all ages and an occasional open minded man who are quietly doing stretches to the sound of ocean waves embedded in some gentle music. There are candles flickering. I find a spot, unroll my mat, sit down and begin to do some gentle stretches.
In the process my breathing slows, my blood pressure drops, and I begin to feel the sense of peace that my teacher has created in the room.
And that's just the start of it. After about an hour of stretching and holding different positions, the class ends in a ten minute relaxation exercise where she guides us towards absolute and complete relaxation.
I had pretty much forgotten how great that feels.
And it really isn't the yoga class itself that impacts my life. It's how I feel on the days between classes.
In this round of classes my teacher, Christine, is really emphasizing the relaxation part. Sometimes, we'll hold a posture for a little longer than what feels comfortable, but after we release the hold, she encourages us to relax and really feel the impact of that posture on our bodies.
This stuff works great for me. And I'm going to be using it this holiday season as I try to check off all the things on my 'To Do List.'
Heading in the heart of the holiday season I am more determined than ever to use what I am learning in the class to keep myself calm and peaceful during traffic jams, gift shopping, party planning, and the other duties where I am acting as a fill in for Santa Claus.
In fact, Santa, himself, would have made a great yogi. Always relaxed, unfazed by the stress of delivering all those presents all over the world. And surely yoga would help him jimmy down all those chimneys.
The rest of us, and me especially, can surely benefit from what my yoga teacher calls 'yoga off the mat.'
It involves, mostly, the idea of remembering to breathe. Consciously breathing. Full rich breaths from the belly, not from the lungs.
So, when I am feeling stress creep up on me, when I late, or working on a deadline, or not meeting someone else's unreasonable expectations, I am now remembering some of the lessons I learned in yoga class.
If you see me in the supermarket checkout line, five carts back, you might notice I am standing taller than usual. Actually, I just might be in a yoga pose, with my shoulders back and relaxed, my spine straight, my chin lifted. Trying to remember to breath slowly and consciously from my diaphragm. And hopefully, smiling, peaceful, calm and content. With plenty of reserves to enjoy the real reason for the season, and hope in my heart for peace on earth and good will towards all men.
Pipe dream? Maybe. But, it's really all I want for Christmas.
Contact reporter Michele DeLuca
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
Try to imagine this. I finish a long day at work. I drive to get to my yoga class like I'm the conductor of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride Through London at Disney. I arrive, typically nearly late, and a little bit wild-eyed from the traffic. I walk into a darkened room filled with ladies of all ages and an occasional open minded man who are quietly doing stretches to the sound of ocean waves embedded in some gentle music. There are candles flickering. I find a spot, unroll my mat, sit down and begin to do some gentle stretches.
In the process my breathing slows, my blood pressure drops, and I begin to feel the sense of peace that my teacher has created in the room.
And that's just the start of it. After about an hour of stretching and holding different positions, the class ends in a ten minute relaxation exercise where she guides us towards absolute and complete relaxation.
I had pretty much forgotten how great that feels.
And it really isn't the yoga class itself that impacts my life. It's how I feel on the days between classes.
In this round of classes my teacher, Christine, is really emphasizing the relaxation part. Sometimes, we'll hold a posture for a little longer than what feels comfortable, but after we release the hold, she encourages us to relax and really feel the impact of that posture on our bodies.
This stuff works great for me. And I'm going to be using it this holiday season as I try to check off all the things on my 'To Do List.'
Heading in the heart of the holiday season I am more determined than ever to use what I am learning in the class to keep myself calm and peaceful during traffic jams, gift shopping, party planning, and the other duties where I am acting as a fill in for Santa Claus.
In fact, Santa, himself, would have made a great yogi. Always relaxed, unfazed by the stress of delivering all those presents all over the world. And surely yoga would help him jimmy down all those chimneys.
The rest of us, and me especially, can surely benefit from what my yoga teacher calls 'yoga off the mat.'
It involves, mostly, the idea of remembering to breathe. Consciously breathing. Full rich breaths from the belly, not from the lungs.
So, when I am feeling stress creep up on me, when I late, or working on a deadline, or not meeting someone else's unreasonable expectations, I am now remembering some of the lessons I learned in yoga class.
If you see me in the supermarket checkout line, five carts back, you might notice I am standing taller than usual. Actually, I just might be in a yoga pose, with my shoulders back and relaxed, my spine straight, my chin lifted. Trying to remember to breath slowly and consciously from my diaphragm. And hopefully, smiling, peaceful, calm and content. With plenty of reserves to enjoy the real reason for the season, and hope in my heart for peace on earth and good will towards all men.
Pipe dream? Maybe. But, it's really all I want for Christmas.
Contact reporter Michele DeLuca
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
PRICING A YOGA STUDIO
The Gold Line extension from downtown to East L.A. has long been hailed as a turning point for the predominantly Latino areas, 'transit equity' for residents who heavily use mass transit but until now have had only one option: the bus.
But as the opening of the line draws closer, there is growing angst about how it will change development patterns in Boyle Heights and East L.A.
The construction of rail across Los Angeles over the last three decades has helped transform some neighborhoods. The area around the Red Line subway terminus in North Hollywood has become a hip arts and theater district with a growing skyline of loft and condo projects. The Red Line has also helped fuel the revival of Hollywood, with dense mixed use developments popping up next to subway stations. The Blue Line helped foster downtown Long Beach's resurgence.
But the Eastside is different. Residents there have much more ambivalent feelings about gentrification than the neighborhoods to the west and north. Some have high hopes for the Gold Line, expecting it to bring some of the better chain shops, Borders, Trader Joe's, that have avoided the Eastside. Others are more suspicious, fearing that an influx of money and outsiders will change the area's character and push out the poor.
'I would love to have a yoga studio that's affordable,' resident Sandra Martinez, 40, said with a half guilty laugh. 'The problem with a yoga studio is when that moves in, that's the end, that's the definition of gentrification.'
Even before the Gold Line started nearing completion, there were growing signs of change.
By Hector Becerra
THE LATEST YOGA STUDIO NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
But as the opening of the line draws closer, there is growing angst about how it will change development patterns in Boyle Heights and East L.A.
The construction of rail across Los Angeles over the last three decades has helped transform some neighborhoods. The area around the Red Line subway terminus in North Hollywood has become a hip arts and theater district with a growing skyline of loft and condo projects. The Red Line has also helped fuel the revival of Hollywood, with dense mixed use developments popping up next to subway stations. The Blue Line helped foster downtown Long Beach's resurgence.
But the Eastside is different. Residents there have much more ambivalent feelings about gentrification than the neighborhoods to the west and north. Some have high hopes for the Gold Line, expecting it to bring some of the better chain shops, Borders, Trader Joe's, that have avoided the Eastside. Others are more suspicious, fearing that an influx of money and outsiders will change the area's character and push out the poor.
'I would love to have a yoga studio that's affordable,' resident Sandra Martinez, 40, said with a half guilty laugh. 'The problem with a yoga studio is when that moves in, that's the end, that's the definition of gentrification.'
Even before the Gold Line started nearing completion, there were growing signs of change.
By Hector Becerra
THE LATEST YOGA STUDIO NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
Monday, 1 December 2008
YOGA AND SURFING
Fueled by a passion for community, Dan Mori, a competitive surfer, had a progressive vision of what a training center for surfers can be. Soon the dream became reality. Fulcrum Surf Studio, located in Solana Beach, CA was born in June 2003, offering surf lessons with a commitment to professionalism, a quality product and steadfast work ethic. Just as important is Mori's manner of conducting business from the heart. When he began the studio, his intention was to create a professional, high quality service that dispelled the typical bad reputation of surfers who show up late with a lackadaisical attitude. At the same time, he wanted to balance it with the good side of the surf culture: creating positive vibes and having fun.
Fulcrum Surf Studio began with six young students and has grown to become a sizeable group of surfers of all ages and goals, whether grooming for professional surfing, or just learning the basics. Mori found a niche for Fulcrum Surf by creating specific programs depending on levels, needs, and goals while keeping it personal and family oriented for his students. Mori says if you really pay attention to what's going on with the students, you can hear what they need and from there, encourage and teach them in the most appropriate way.
Throughout the school year, Mori and Fulcrum Surf can be found out in the community coaching the competitive surf teams within the school systems of San Diego, including Torrey Pines High School, Canyon Crest Academy, Carmel Valley Middle School, Earl Warren Middle School and Cathedral Catholic High School.
Mori’s motivation and inspiration to work hard comes from his mother, who was the most supportive person in his life. She left this earthly life just last year, but not before empowering him to work hard to build his business, take care of his employees, and contribute to the North County San Diego community that he loves so dearly.
We've all heard the advice, 'Don't follow the money, follow the passion and the money will show up.' Dan is a staunch believer in this idea. When asked about the future of Fulcrum he responded, 'I feel it in my bones that it will be successful.' He is willing to work hard to build upon the success he’s already experiencing and eventually sees the business franchising. He’s not afraid to spend some money to do what needs to be done. His instructors and employers are paid better than most industry standards and his coaches follow his philosophy to go the extra mile when needed. If a student doesn't have a ride because his/her mom has to work, a Fulcrum instructor or Mori himself will pick the student up. The employees of Fulcrum Surf may not be blood related, but it is truly a family business.
So where does yoga fit in with Fulcrum Surf Studio? While I was in Costa Rica and Mori was in San Diego, we both had a simultaneous idea to bring yoga and surfing together as a business. Together we worked to create the yoga program at Fulcrum Surf in June 2008 and it is now in full operation.
The concept has taken off outside of the U.S. as well, becoming popular in exotic surf destinations for retreats combining the two activities. However, here in San Diego, Fulcrum Surf and Yoga Studio is one of a kind.
Most of the surfing community knows both the physical and mental benefits of yoga. Surfing and yoga have many similar qualities. People who regularly surf and/or do yoga generally have a better outlook on life and feel energized and happy. This could be attributed to the fact that both are 'moving meditations,' giving people a chance to be present and not engaged in the continuous chatter of the mind (the “monkey mind” as we say in yoga). The body on a physical level reacts positively when the mind is given a chance to rest each day.
Fulcrum Surf has now implemented yoga in its surf trainings and camps that are designed to groom young surfers for professional and competitive surfing. In addition to providing surf instruction from qualified competitive coaches, the training camps include video analysis and physical fitness training. Young surfers, especially the 'grommets' (young male surfers between the ages of ten and 14) love the yoga!
Mori's philosophy of keeping it personal now extends into the yoga part of the business. He had once been hurt in a yoga class because it was too large for the teacher to help him or notice that he was doing one of the postures incorrectly. Because of this experience, Fulcrum offers yoga classes to the public by reservation only to keep classes small in order to give individual attention. Fulcrum is also offering 'on call' classes where you can make reservations for yoga outside the designated class times according to the availability of the teacher and client.
The energy at Fulcrum Surf and Yoga studio is about creating those 'good vibrations' while offering something professional, refreshing and exciting. In yoga and surfing, we create peace and self awareness during our practice or session; we take that out into the world and make it a better place.
By Fiona Gale
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
Fulcrum Surf Studio began with six young students and has grown to become a sizeable group of surfers of all ages and goals, whether grooming for professional surfing, or just learning the basics. Mori found a niche for Fulcrum Surf by creating specific programs depending on levels, needs, and goals while keeping it personal and family oriented for his students. Mori says if you really pay attention to what's going on with the students, you can hear what they need and from there, encourage and teach them in the most appropriate way.
Throughout the school year, Mori and Fulcrum Surf can be found out in the community coaching the competitive surf teams within the school systems of San Diego, including Torrey Pines High School, Canyon Crest Academy, Carmel Valley Middle School, Earl Warren Middle School and Cathedral Catholic High School.
Mori’s motivation and inspiration to work hard comes from his mother, who was the most supportive person in his life. She left this earthly life just last year, but not before empowering him to work hard to build his business, take care of his employees, and contribute to the North County San Diego community that he loves so dearly.
We've all heard the advice, 'Don't follow the money, follow the passion and the money will show up.' Dan is a staunch believer in this idea. When asked about the future of Fulcrum he responded, 'I feel it in my bones that it will be successful.' He is willing to work hard to build upon the success he’s already experiencing and eventually sees the business franchising. He’s not afraid to spend some money to do what needs to be done. His instructors and employers are paid better than most industry standards and his coaches follow his philosophy to go the extra mile when needed. If a student doesn't have a ride because his/her mom has to work, a Fulcrum instructor or Mori himself will pick the student up. The employees of Fulcrum Surf may not be blood related, but it is truly a family business.
So where does yoga fit in with Fulcrum Surf Studio? While I was in Costa Rica and Mori was in San Diego, we both had a simultaneous idea to bring yoga and surfing together as a business. Together we worked to create the yoga program at Fulcrum Surf in June 2008 and it is now in full operation.
The concept has taken off outside of the U.S. as well, becoming popular in exotic surf destinations for retreats combining the two activities. However, here in San Diego, Fulcrum Surf and Yoga Studio is one of a kind.
Most of the surfing community knows both the physical and mental benefits of yoga. Surfing and yoga have many similar qualities. People who regularly surf and/or do yoga generally have a better outlook on life and feel energized and happy. This could be attributed to the fact that both are 'moving meditations,' giving people a chance to be present and not engaged in the continuous chatter of the mind (the “monkey mind” as we say in yoga). The body on a physical level reacts positively when the mind is given a chance to rest each day.
Fulcrum Surf has now implemented yoga in its surf trainings and camps that are designed to groom young surfers for professional and competitive surfing. In addition to providing surf instruction from qualified competitive coaches, the training camps include video analysis and physical fitness training. Young surfers, especially the 'grommets' (young male surfers between the ages of ten and 14) love the yoga!
Mori's philosophy of keeping it personal now extends into the yoga part of the business. He had once been hurt in a yoga class because it was too large for the teacher to help him or notice that he was doing one of the postures incorrectly. Because of this experience, Fulcrum offers yoga classes to the public by reservation only to keep classes small in order to give individual attention. Fulcrum is also offering 'on call' classes where you can make reservations for yoga outside the designated class times according to the availability of the teacher and client.
The energy at Fulcrum Surf and Yoga studio is about creating those 'good vibrations' while offering something professional, refreshing and exciting. In yoga and surfing, we create peace and self awareness during our practice or session; we take that out into the world and make it a better place.
By Fiona Gale
THE LATEST YOGA NEWS, FROM IT IS YOGA
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