overcoming fear of headstand

This is my dear friend Cheryl conquering her fear of headstand! If you have fear of this pose or a neck injury, using blocks to prop yourself up is a great option. The blocks provide stability and absorb some of your body weight to take pressure off of your neck. A partner to spot you is also a great thing to help you with the fear. Great job Cheryl! Love you! 

yoga retreat

I was extremely fortunate and grateful to have spent this past week in a yoga retreat with Paula Tursi and Vidya Sykes http://reflectionsyoga.flexibilityapp.com. 

We spent the week practicing yoga in its complete form (the 8 limbs of yoga as compiled by Patanjali) and I feel so balanced and inspired to practice all 8 limbs with more consistency. Most of us think of yoga as the "sport" of yoga... We think of the crazy shapes that people contort their bodies into, stretching, and relaxing and often forget or just simply aren't aware of the bigger picture of a yoga practice. These poses are only one of the 8 limbs of yoga, called asana, or posture. The remaining 7 limbs of yoga are the yamas, the niyamas, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi. 

It can be overwhelming to feel like we have to practice everything everyday. We set up overly ambitious goals for ourselves sometimes that aren't realistic to achieve, setting ourselves up for failure.  Even though I feel really inspired to practice all 8 limbs, it is not realistic to tell myself I will spend all day doing that.  This is not what yoga teaches us. The most important part of yoga is consistent practice. That can mean asana one day and pranayama the next day. It's just about what you need in any given moment. It can be as simple as doing 9 rounds of a simple sun salutation. It can be closing your eyes and feeling your breath for 5 minutes. 

To learn more about the 8 limbs of yoga, I recommend the book "The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali."

Happy practicing! 

Namaste

yogi playtime

Since my friend Marilou and I showed up to the beach in almost identical swim suits, of course we had to take yogi pictures together! It felt like a play date with a childhood friend! I think playtime is so important especially as adults. Life can be stressful and overwhelming sometimes but we should always make time to play. Life is not as serious as we make it out to be. So grab a friend and play! 

handstands at the sandbar

This was an amazing spot for a little yoga and handstand session... it's a skinny strip of sand sticking out of the ocean and the waves come crashing towards each other! Wow!

nadi shodhana pranayama

This morning I began class with nadi shodhana pranayama, or alternate nostril breathing. Besides ujjayi, it's one of my favorite breath controls because it creates balance and helps still the mind for meditation. I love to practice this breath when I feel tired or a little congested, it makes me feel reawakened and refreshed, yet peaceful all at the same time. 

How to perform the breath:

1.  With your right hand, place your thumb on your right nostril at the bridge of the nose, your pointer and middle fingers can be placed at your third eye or curled in resting on your nose, your ring and pinky fingers on the left nostril at the bridge of the nose. 

2.  Closing the left nostril with the pinky, inhale through the right nostril, (pausing for the count of three).  

3.  Close the right nostril with the thumb, and exhale through the left, (pausing for a count of three). 

4.  Inhale through the left (pausing...). 

5.  Exhale though the right (pausing...). 

6.  Repeat the cycle (you'll be starting on the right again) for about 5-10 rounds. 

7.  Return to a natural breath and observe how your mind and body feel (no labels, no judgements, just observations). 

Now you're ready to meditate or dive into a vinyasa flow practice! 

Happy pranayama!

caribbean island yoga retreat

Love yoga? Love the beach? Love adventure? Love meeting new friends?

Join us for a Caribbean Island Yoga Retreat!  It will be hosted at Paya Bay Resort in Roatan, Honduras (http://www.payabay.com/ ) May 3-10, 2014.  We will be practicing a fun Vinyasa Flow, integrating core work, breathing techniques and proper alignment with basic poses and creative sequencing. Each class is designed to energize the body, clear the mind, and cultivate stillness. We will focus on letting go of stressors/ toxins in your life to create space for a happier, lighter you!  All levels are welcome!

In addition to yoga, we have built in other island activities to make your retreat a true island adventure package! We will take a snorkeling trip to Pigeon Cay, a guided hike up the top of Picacho (highest peak in Roatan), and have live entertainment from the Garifunas at a bonfire beach party! 


A Typical Day:
7:00-7:30am        morning fruit/ tea/ coffee 
8:00-10:00am      meditation/ yoga 
10:00-11:00am    brunch

**** free time for hanging out at Bliss Beach, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, etc...***

3:30-4:00pm        snack
4:00-6:00pm        yoga/ personal development and/ or group discussions
7:00-8:30pm        dinner


Prices:
Single: $1850
Double: $1550
Triple: $1450
Quadruple:  $1450
$100 Early Bird Discount if booked by March 1
Email me, brooklynsears@gmail.com or our retreat coordinator, Fernando Castro,Castropolous@gmail.com to reserve your spot
$500 non-refundable deposit due at booking through PayPal
Final payment due April 5
(*prices include 19% Honduras taxes)


What's Included:
Welcome tropical cocktail 
Lodging for 7 nights
Sunset Welcome Party 
Daily pre-yoga snack, breakfast, afternoon snack, and dinner
Pigeon Cay Snorkeling Trip / lunch and snacks included
Daily snorkeling trips to the reef (Mon-Fri)
Guided hiking tour of Picacho (highest point of Roatan)
Bonfire beach party with fire dancers
Garifunas show and vegetarian grill out at the Black Iguana Bar
Transfers: Airport-Paya Bay-Airport
Unlimited bottled water
Wireless Internet
Free Calls to the US & Canada
Daily maid service 
Access to all hotel facilities (kayaks, hiking trails, beaches)


What's not included:
Airfare

Roatan airport code: RTB
Email Brooke or Fernando with your flight itinerary and we will arrange your transfers to and from Paya Bay. 

For further information, copy the following web addresses in your browser:

Paya Bay Resort:  http://www.payabay.com/ 

Paya Bay Resort Blog:  http://myroatan.blogspot.com/

My Blog:  http://lovesunyoga.blogspot.com/

spontaneous yoga at pigeon cay

Spontaneous yoga! One of the many things I love about yoga is that you can take it anywhere! ...Even in the middle of the ocean on a deserted island with nothing but sand and palm trees. Rick and a Jasmine joined me for some playful yoga using a beached log as a challenge and inspiration. So fun!