Occasionally, though, he drives me nuts! I mean, what is it about men that they can switch on a light but can’t switch it off? Or they can open a cupboard door but can’t close it?

Oh, and if they open the fridge and what they want doesn’t jump out at them, is it beyond them to move a few things around until they find what they want? (Yes….) And don’t even get me started on men and their remote controls!

I guess it doesn’t help that I’m going through my mid-life “magic” right now, which means anything and everything can get on my last nerve. But that said, he doesn’t have to encourage me to lose it, does he?

Sigh… I now know why it’s called “MENopause.”

Of course, having spent half of this blog complaining about him, I’m now going to defend him. (As a Libra, I always have to consider both sides, even when I’m arguing with myself – which is kind of fun, in a perverse way)! I have to admit that he’s easygoing, patient, and has a very high tolerance level – but he’s definitely no pushover!

I’m sure there are tons of endearing things I do that irritate the heck out of my husband (not that I can think of any) and on any given day we can disagree on a multitude of issues. But there is one thing that we both agree on – and that’s how much yoga has improved my (lately) thorny disposition.

Whenever I go to my yoga class, I find that all my frustration just melts away. Going through my yoga poses enables me to focus on finding that essential balance in mind, spirit, and body. I always return home feeling refreshed, at peace, and in love with the world again. And for this reason alone, my husband says he’s eternally grateful to yoga. It turns his mid-life wife back into someone vaguely familiar, someone with a sense of humour who’s tolerant of others, especially him!

Now, if I can only persuade him to sign up for a yoga class….

Tags: men, husband, wife, mid-life, irritation, balance in life

Kimberly Fowler, creator of “Yoga for Runners,” will be offering a workshop on December 7th from 1 to 3 pm at the YAS Venice location. Having practiced yoga for many years and competed in marathons and triathlons all over the world, Kimberly was able to apply her unique expertise to create the “Yoga for Runners” program.

From her own experience as a runner and athlete, Kimberly understands a runner’s need for proper body alignment, balance, and flexibility. She wants runners to be more conscious about how the inflexibility of their bodies can lead to injuries. During the workshop, she will talk about how to apply the flexible aspects of yoga to help alleviate injuries to the body.

Participants will also have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the ways that yoga can help to provide added endurance and strength while releasing tense joints and muscles.

Kimberly explains that “I am an athlete first, a yogi second, I want to help people who are just starting to run, or my favorite, want to run a Marathon.” She continues by expressing the hope that she can “give you the tools and inspiration to start a great training program to help you run faster and keep you injury free!”

The cost of workshop – $35 for advanced booking and $50 at the door – will include a Yoga for Athletes® DVD, a towel, wristband and entry to a raffle draw. All proceeds from the workshop will help fund the Women’s Sport Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is “to advance the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity.”

The following website will provide you with more information on the workshop: Yoga for Runners Workshop.

Tags: yoga for runners, yoga workshop, athlete for yoga, body alignment, balance, releasing tense joints and muscles, Women’s Sport Foundation

QiYoga, a unique new style of yoga, blends these two traditional practices and adapts them to suit today’s lifestyle.

Yogini Fiona Kaczmarczyk, creator and founder of QiYoga explains that, “As healing is their main aim, visualizations are employed to integrate the mind and the body of its practitioners.”

Given that each practice has value in increasing flexibility, balance and energy, the joining of the two seeks to provide added benefits such as Chakra balancing, energy harnessing, and improving the immune system.

QiYoga’s instructors are all highly qualified and trained in the two ancient practices. They offer a variety of classes, including a unique fertility course that focuses on strengthening the reproductive system in order to improve fertility. In these sessions, instructors work with women to remove any energetic or emotional barriers that may be causing infertility, and individuals who have participated in this course can attest to the beneficial results.

QiYoga is located in southwest London and offers a full range of classes and training. Check out their website at www.qiyoga.org.uk for more information on this unique style of yoga.

Tags: new style of yoga, yoga from China, Hatha Yoga, fertility yoga course, yoga for infertility

When Stacia realized that her advertising career wasn’t challenging her any longer, she looked to her own circle of women friends to find inspiration and rejuvenation. Their strength and confidence, combined with their innate femininity, inspired her to set up a yoga apparel company for women. As Stacia explains, “Women do so many cool things when they grab the reigns of their lives. And for my business I wanted to celebrate these women. To me, each of them is a goddess.”

Now, after two years of planning and organizing, Fertile Goddess is open for business. Each line of yoga and athletic clothing bears the depiction of one of nine goddess figures from history – from Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom to Oya, the African guardian of the Niger River and representative of feminine leadership. For Stacia, Fertile Goddess is about “the inspirational connection between real women and the bountiful power and wisdom of ancient fertility goddesses.”

All of the yoga apparel created by Fertile Goddess combines “supple and comfortable fabrics, spa-inspired colors and feminine designs.” The clothing line ranges from tanks and jackets to pants and even tote bags illustrated with the image of the goddess of your choice.

Tags: Stacia Wells, yoga business woman, Goddesses of Yoga, Fertile Goddess, yoga apparel for women

The event was hosted by the New Milford Youth Agency, and several families participated in the relaxing class held in a beautiful outdoor setting. The agency, which is known locally and well-regarded for its unique programming for youth and families, encourages “positive opportunities for our community’s young people.”

Yoga instructor Elizabeth Cotter brought her six-year-old daughter, Olivia, to the class. She took the mothers and daughters through gentle, rhythmic poses, encouraging them to focus on their breathing while absorbing the beauty of nature surrounding them.

One mother, Danielle Sheehan, who came with her seven-year-old daughter, Brooke, said “I think it’s nice just to spend some alone time with my daughter and exercise.”

Tags: New Milford Youth Agency, mother and daughter yoga, Sunset Yoga, breathing focus

In order to alleviate some of the stress and keep yourself and your nearest and dearest happy, why not try this unique gift idea – a yoga class from the innovative company, Yoga for Weddings.

Yoga for Weddings was founded in 2006 by Lisa Helfer, who explains “Yoga has helped my clients get in shape for their wedding, calm their nerves, maintain emotional equilibrium, and gain spiritual balance.” The company has experienced instructors in several cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Tucson, and Miami.

Packages range from private brides-to-be yoga classes, themed bachelorette parties, and even officiated yoga-themed wedding ceremonies. You can also add your personal touches with music, poetry, and your favorite yoga poses.

So if you want to “bring the deep breath to the big day,” why not check out the Yoga for Weddings. It may be just what you and your loved ones need to calm down, stay focused, and enjoy one of the best days of your life.

Tags: yoga for weddings, brides-to-be yoga class, bachelorette yoga, wedding with ease

This would include women who have been abused, are homeless or are in addiction treatment centers.

From her experience she reflects, “The practice of yoga has been shown to produce positive motivational change by helping women regain their vital center of energy, satisfaction, and stability.” In addition to their teaching, they offer a scholarship program for an individual to attend a teacher training certification program from Yoga Alliance. Once they have completed their training they become eligible to work for YogaHope.

YogaHope is a non-profit that has gained wide recognition for its unselfish services and has now extended its work to Seattle, Long Island and North Shore, Massachusetts.

Tags: YogaHope, Yoga Alliance, yoga practice, Sue Jones, homeless women

In an article from India New England Terry Gupta states, “ We both really believe that yoga heals, not cures.” They both have done extensive research and have spent many hours volunteering for the American Cancer Society. While it is certainly a tremendous gesture of support for these women, they too have close friends and family that have been touched with the disease.

In their work they have developed a number of classes and workshops called capsules. Each capsule is individually designed and is based upon the person’s current needs. According to their site “Each of the techniques may include a single aspect of practice or unique combination of information, yoga posture(s), cleansing exercise(s), breathing exercise(s), visualization exercise9s), or a verbal toning of a vowel or mantra.

Tags: breast cancer, yoga for health, Hatha yoga, laughter yoga, yoga postures, YogaCaps

Today we wanted to take a moment to let our readers know about her recent announcement of an audio version of one of her most popular books.

Pranamaya, Inc. and Ms. Devi have created an interactive audiobook of “The Secret Power of Yoga – A Woman’s Guide to the Heart and Spirit of the Yoga Sutras.”

Ms. Devi says, “ I wanted to give women an interpretation of the Sutras that they could relate to and apply to their lives.” “ The Sutras are meant to teach people how to find the harmony, compassion, joy, balance and other qualities that we have within us so we can live more fulfilling, happy lives.”

The 6-CD set is comprised of seven hours of specialized features, with additional information not available in the book. In a couple of weeks we will be posting the engaging interview we had with her at the yoga therapy conference.

Tags: Nischala Joy Devi, yoga sutras, yoga audiobooks, yoga  therapy conference, spiritual growth