Molly's Yoga Corner

“See You in September”

mollysyoga — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 17:40:29 +0000

As we are wrapping our summer session up, the old classic song comes to mind “See You in September”. As always it’s hard for me to have the summer end since I’m a lover of the sun and warmth. However, with the new season approaching that always brings excitement and anticipation of the new season and for us a new yoga session. Some of our yoga students take the summer off and as you know if you practice yoga at our studio or someplace else, there is that sense of family closeness you experience when practicing yoga each week. And just like family, there’s that feeling one gets when you know soon the family will be coming back together. I always say change is good and with every new season or new yoga session, I look forward to what lies ahead, returning students I haven’t seen since the spring and new students who will venture into the studio.

So instead of thinking that summer is over and feeling sad or disappointed, embrace the new season of fall and the new yoga session! If you remember the old tune “See You in September” you can start humming that in your mind, and if you’re like me you won’t be able to get it out of you mind…sorry

“Never look at the doors closing behind you or you’ll miss the ones opening ahead”

Change can be Good

mollysyoga — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 04:29:24 +0000

So after spending 7+ hours on Saturday and then 4+ hours on Sunday, the ‘new’ studio is up and ready to go. For some of you who may not know, I have moved my studio right next door, to where the Beyond the Body Pilates once was. The space is bigger and with the growing class size it was time for us to have a little more elbow room. I know change can be challenging, and we seem to be creatures of habit, but change can also be very good for us. This past week, while reminding my students about the move, the biggest concern for most of them was, “where will my new spot be”. It’s amazing how we do get into such routines; from what we do when we first get out of bed, to what we do when we get ready to go back to bed when the day is done. But, have you ever thought about creating 1 day and doing your daily routine out of order or maybe in a different way? Instead of reading the morning paper with your cup of coffee, maybe turn on a great song and sip your coffee while moving to the music. I would suggest to even try tea or juice instead of coffee, but I know that’s asking a lot! Where I did my teacher training in Toronto, Esther Myers Yoga, there was one teacher who I admired and loved her energy, she always made our classes different each time we came. We were never allowed to be in the same spot with each visit, one time while we were all in savasana, she went out to the hallway and tied 1 shoe to someone else’s 1 shoe, so when we came out there were pairs of shoes, just not matching ones, she said what better way to get to know someone, by the shoes on their feet. But stop for a moment and really think about it, we all put our socks, shoes, pants, shirts, all pieces of clothing on the same way every day. Try this for me, tomorrow when you get dressed, if you put your sock on your right foot first, try putting it on your left foot first, and then continue on doing everything opposite. You will be amazed just how much we are creatures of habit. But sometimes, when you switch it up a bit, the outcome can really be amazing. It’s so true with so many things in life, switch it up, change is good…wake up your soul and your mind by doing something different each day, try to get out of that same old habit. Trust me, I’m not saying that I’m not a creature of habit because I know I am, and some of you know my story about my spin class and MY spin bike, lol…I also know that sometimes change happens when we least expect it and not always is it a pleasant or good thing, and we have to ’re-adjust’ our ways of living or doing things. But in the long run, I feel change is good and at the same time, change can be fun. With that said, if you have not yet been to the new studio please stop in and come take a class, and for those of you who are changing with me, I have a feeling you will be very surprised at what awaits you at the ‘new’ studio. Oh by the way, we are just one door over from the old space, the new address is now 225 Turk Hill Park…

Peace

Molly

P.S. I have to give a huge huge thank you to my husband Kevin, he was with me every step of the way with my move and helping me make this ‘change’. So the next time you see him, make sure you tell him thanks as well. It was a fun weekend for the 2 of us, we got out of our weekend routine, spent some serious time together and we both came out with no claw marks or hair pulled, just the opposite…he saw just how much it meant for me to make my studio that special place for my students and appreciated what I do for people, and I realized what a great guy I have, never gave it a second thought about being there, helping me every step of the way, from running to Loews and Walmart with me, to hanging pictures so it was in just that right spot. I truly am blessed and grateful to have one of the good ones!

Looking back, wondering ahead, being present

mollysyoga — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 20:40:38 +0000

On this day before the Winter Solstice and days before the Christmas holidays, I find myself gazing out of my home window admiring the snow, the afternoon sun and sorting through the many thoughts flying in my memory. Thinking I should really start baking those Christmas cookies, are all the gifts wrapped, did I buy enough for everyone, hoping my daughter has left VT and will have a safe trip back to NY, the list goes on….

Through out these days of December and the holiday preparation, I tend to look back on my childhood days and remember what a joyous time it truly was. The spirit of Christmas was still innocent and kind in my years growing up in the 60′s and 70′s. Times have changed and that spirit seems to have been somewhat lost. Is it because everything is all about ourselves and our desires and wants, or is it we are trying to hard and trying so hard to keep up with everyone and everything.

My thought for this new Winter Solstice is that it’s good to remember the days gone by and ok to wonder about what’s ahead, but to really and truly allow yourself to be in the present moment. It’s easy to say Be in the Moment, but much more diffcult to truly allow yourself to Be in the Moment. We all put way to much pressure on ourselves, the way we are ‘suppose’ to live our lives, the worries we have for our families and friends…so I ask you during these winter months that may be dark and long…take the time to look back, wonder ahead and then allow yourself to be in the present. You may surprise yourself as to what you might discover when all 3 come together.

Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. That’s right I did say Merry Christmas because that is what it is! And to all of you who celebrate other traditions during this season, Happy Holidays to you! Most importantly, Peace on to You and Peace on Earth!

Becoming Grounded Again

mollysyoga — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:49:42 +0000

So here it is the Autumn equinox, and once again this time of year always is a good reminder what it means to be grounded. Summer is the time to be foot loose and fancy free, enjoying the sunny warm days, lakes and pools to cool us off, the lazy days of summer. Autumn on the other hand, for me, is a time to become grounded again. The mornings are cool and crisp, some days the glow from the sun shines the trees brilliant colors, the evening becomes darker sooner and back to the cooler nights. This is the time to come inside (from the outdoors and within yourself), reflect and reconnect with our own inner being. Yoga can help you make that reconnection or rediscovery. We all begin to settle back into our routines and hopefully yoga is part of that routine. With so many different styles of yoga popping up, keep in mind that yoga should never be a competition with yourself or anyone around you. It should always be your own personal journey finding your way to your inner peace and balance. As I write this, a friend of mine informed me that there is a club somewhere in the area that is going to start offering ‘competitive yoga’, I have to take a deep breath and let it all go. It makes me sad to think that this wonderful, pure, beautiful, practice is turning into something that if the founders of yoga 5,000 years ago saw what yoga has turned into, they to would have to take a deep breath and sigh. I know yoga has become very commercialized everyone wanting to jump on the band wagon, but ask yourself, what is yoga to you or what do you want out of a yoga practice. What makes me sad, is that so many yoga styles are approaching yoga as a ‘workout’, from my perspective and what I was taught by incredible world renowned teachers, yoga was never intended to be a ‘workout’. Yoga is a union, between body and mind, and the way we connect those two is through the breath, grounding, and through yoga poses that enable us to have the deeper release within and not something that looks cool from the outside. I truly feel, that if you want a deeper sense of yoga and yourself, we all need to take a step back, rediscover our breath, and allow ourselves to become grounded so that union of yoga can take place. This world is filled with so much stress and high pace moving, wouldn’t you think if everyone just relaxed and chilled out, maybe life wouldn’t pass us by so quickly. As I tell my students as they begin to relax, go inside of your own self, rediscover your own inner peace, your own well being, and allow your heart to be open….you will be amazed of what you might find or rediscover. So with Autumn upon us, take some time and reintroduce yourself with your own being, and become grounded again….

Om Shanti Shanti Om Peace ~ Namaste

Summer Memories

mollysyoga — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:42:36 +0000

So here we are the day after the summer solstice…so summer has now officially begun! Summer is the time of leisure days, soaking up some sun, ice cream, corn on the cob, fresh picked strawberries, and of course a hot sizzling afternoon by the pool or the lake. As with all seasons, summer brings back many wonderful memories for me growing up in Michigan. Kid Rock’s song ”Sweet Home Alabama” brings back memories, especially when he sings about the summer in Northern Michigan…love his version for that reason. My family was lucky enough to have a family summer cottage on one of the Michigan lakes and we spent many days and weeks there. I loved going to the cottage, and that it was, a cottage…not one of these fancy summer homes you see now, but a good old rustic cottage. Had that certain smell and feel, at night all the screen windows were open and we could smell the sweet summer air and lake…my great grandfather built it, so it had an even more special feel. After my grandpa retired, my grandparents lived there year round, so it was always fun to go spend a week with G&G…and of course every family celebration was always spent at the lake. Eventually my dad took it over as my grandparents became to old to live there, so as a teenager that was the spot to be…meeting those summer ‘loves’, water skiing every day, skinny dipping every night, and sleeping in the bunkhouse w all my girlfriends spooking each other out during the night.

As a mother now of young adults, I often wonder what their memory will be of their youthful summer days. We do have a pool in the backyard and spent many days and nights with the neighbor kids in the pool…but I wonder if they will have the same innocent memories of summer as I did. We didn’t have soccer tournaments to attend, or weekly camps to go to, or computers/cell phones to take up our day…it truly was a lazy, hazy summertime.

So if you have children and when they start saying how bored they are…let them be bored, let them figure out some adventure to explore in the backyard, or make up some silly game to play w friends…keep summer innocent and fun…go out and look for shapes and figures in the clouds, catch fire flys at night, smell the sweet summer air.

We are all so busy now in our lives that we do need to step back and just enjoy each day that the summer brings us, let’s face it, around here summer is short, so don’t rush through it…I think of summertime as the time to let anything fly, school is out so if the kids want to stay up a little later let them, instead of taking a bath; go jump in a pool or lake, just allow yourself and everyone around you to be that kid that you use to be….it’s Summer!!!

Soak it all up and enjoy the moment!

Molly

So What is Yoga?

mollysyoga — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:37:44 +0000

By traditional definition, yoga means union or yoke. The joining of body and mind through breath, asanas (poses), meditation, chanting, relaxation…many different ways to join the body and mind.

When people call inquiring about classes many ask what exactly is yoga and how do you teach it? I begin by telling them that yoga is an experience that only the participant can truly answer that question. What is yoga to you and what are you looking to gain from the practice? Sure, I tell them the ‘style’ of yoga I teach and what to expect from classes, but the true essence of “what is yoga” really begins with the student.

Today there are so many different ‘styles’ of yoga that it is confusing and for so many years yoga had a reputation of being something you did on a mountain top secluded away from life. When I was in my early 20′s living out west in a mountain ski town, a dear friend of mine asked if I wanted to start practicing yoga with him. He was very devoted to the practice and I remember telling him “Are you crazy? Me do yoga? The one that runs, skis, rides, swims, why in the world would I want to practice something like yoga”. Little did I know at the time that 10 years later I would find myself practicing this thing called yoga!

For me yoga is about finding that place within ourselves so you can reconnect with your own inner peace, your own well being and allowing yourself to open your heart to what surrounds you and your being. I have experienced different ‘styles’ of yoga, some were great experiences, some not so great. Now that I have been teaching for over 12 years and I have seen many people come and go, new ways of teaching yoga, yoga now the popular ‘thing’ to do…everyone carrying around yoga mats and having to have that yoga ‘look’…I stop and wonder to myself…what is yoga? Does it mean that since it’s the hip thing to do one practices it, does it mean that the clothes are hip looking and all the ‘stuff’ now that one needs to practice is cool, and the whole Hollywood scene practices some sort of yoga? I think we are all guilty of getting caught up in the moment, but then you need to allow yourself to step back, take a deeper look around, and honestly ask yourself, what is yoga and what does it mean for/to you?

I believe that 5,000 years ago when the priests in India were practicng yoga they were in the moment, truly connecting to body and mind. I believe that yoga wasn’t intended to be cool, hip or even a workout…I believe yoga is meant to be a personal practice with proper guidance from a qualified teacher who is there to guide you safely down along your path of yoga. Not to judge you of what you can and can not do, or what kind of person they ‘assume’ you are. I also believe that there needs to be a balance…after all balancing poses should be part of the practice. Do I think one should have some sort of daily practice, yes…but do I think one needs to change their life for yoga, no…balance in life is what keeps life going.

So here I am back to the beginning…So What is Yoga? Yoga is the joining/union of body, mind and spirit, yoga is a journey, yoga constantly is changing your thoughts, your body, your being, yoga is fun and should be full of laughter, yoga allows you to find your place, your balance in life, yoga is your personal practice and allows you to embrace whatever you need to experience from the practice….so the answer to the question…you tell me!

Peace and Love…Molly

Merry Christmas…Happy Holidays!

mollysyoga — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 04:14:30 +0000

Christmas…means different things for everyone. When I think of Christmas I go back to my childhood days, Christmas was huge at my house…my mom loved the Christmas season. Although at times it was hectic, she always knew how to make each Christmas better than the last one. I remember the cut out cookies that would take hours to do, but it didn’t matter…going to our local Santa Shop with live reindeer, the carolers that would come by and actually sang, caroling with my friends when we were old enough to go out at night, remembering when Christmas was truly a holiday and a time to reflect and enjoy family and friends. I have tried to duplicate that for my own family, but at times it has been difficult, seeing how Christmas has become so commercialized, the true heart of Christmas has been somewhat lost throughout our time. But….tonight that true spirit of Christmas came back. I just spent an incredible evening with some incredible ladies who have been practicing with me for just over a year now. We have decided to call ourselves the Ya Ya Yoga Sisters…we laugh, share funny and sad stories, have shed tears, and have created this bond that has so much spirit and life to it. We decided to have a small Christmas gathering at one of the gals home, we exchanged gifts and had some very good chocolate martinis, thanks to her husband. As I was sitting there looking at each one of them, I realized just how blessed I am to have these women in my life. We have grown to be ‘sisters’ on so many different levels. I know that if I needed any one of them, for any reason, they would be there for me. As a teacher you are taught to have boundaries with your students, but this group of ladies there are no boundaries. We are one, one spirit, always looking out for each other, always there for each other. So to my Ya Ya Yoga Sisters, thank you…thank you for allowing me to guide you on your path of yoga…it truly has been a blessing in my life.

I am lucky for what I do and feel blessed each time I step into my studio, all my students bring such joy to me and although you may not know this, you all have enlightened me in ways that I can’t even begin to say. So thank you for putting your trust in me and allowing me to part of your yoga journey.

My hopes for the New Year, that we all can continue to grow as one spirit…our hearts always open…allowing ourselves to be in the present moment. I truly love and appreciate all of you…my students, my teachers…

Namaste,

Molly

Just a side note….we now have a Ya Ya Yoga Barbie that one of the gals created, so if you want to travel with Barbie on her Yoga adventures keep checking back…she will have her own special blog page…never loose sight of the child within each of you…the gift of being creative, laughing, and just having fun with life….peace

Change of Season

mollysyoga — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:16:10 +0000

September 22, Autumn begins….moving from the hot summer days to the cool brisk autumn nights. I love the summer but there is something mystical, magical and even romantic about the fall. The colors, the smell, the changing temperatures, the preparation for the winter months awaiting us.

Change of Seasons always bring about interesting transitions. For me, this time of year is a time of reflection; falling back into time, falling forward to the future and falling into the present. There’s nothing like that perfect fall day, a cool but warm brisk in the air, the leaves gently falling from the trees, the sun shining creating brilliant colors, those are the days to get outside and embrace the beauty of the changing season. Remembering your childhood days, wondering what’s next to come, but most importantly enjoying the present moment.

Change of Seasons can also be sad and even a feeling of loss or loneliness. Having to say good bye to both my kids and sending them off onto their own paths has been difficult. I have been reflecting back on their childhood days, remembering the wonderful times we had as a young family during this time of year, but knowing also that this is their time to take flight and soar through the falling leaves taking them who knows where.

It’s these times of reflection that I remind myself that change is good…it may be hard to let go, but what awaits us, who knows, that’s what makes it thrilling and majestic. It’s sad to say so long to summer but it’s also exciting to say hello to autumn. There’s a freshness in the air, a feeling of being grounded, the summer flowers are fading but the bright colors of fall are illuminating.

So embrace these fall days, go out and just be with the changing of the season, keeping in mind that when you allow life to be, it will be. ” Commit to the process then release your attachment to the outcome….”

Namaste,

Molly

Open Heart

mollysyoga — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:58:51 +0000

This past week I was blessed to have experienced the meaning of an open heart. If you have been to my classes, during relaxation/savasana I speak about having an open heart.

What exactly is an open heart, for me it is a way to look, feel, embrace, change, how you or other’s feel about life. So much of the time, we walk through our days not thinking or feeling about others. We need to get through our day and our day only. Of course if you have a family you are concerned with their well being, but can you go through your day with a completely open heart. Can you accept people for who they are and not what they are, can you find patience in other’s around you, can you understand other’s feelings, which might be pain, sadness, joy….can you truly have an open heart to life?

I visited my daughter at her ‘new’ place of residency…college. She in the beginning was scared and unsure of her college, I was as well. Her first couple days were tough, a few tears, but then it all clicked for her. For me on the other hand, I was still scared and unsure. So, during the Labor Day weekend my husband and I drove up to see her. I had all sorts of visions and judgements of her new friends, I was convinced that we were going to bring her back. And then it hit me….have an open heart. As I met her new friends from all different walks of life I learned from her what it truly means having an “open heart”. My fears were totally wiped away after meeting these kids, each one of them had a uniqueness about them and what they brought to the college was just as important as what my daughter brought with her.

I have for years tried to teach my kids to see other’s as they are and not what they are, again…opening your heart to other way’s of life. I was in awe of my daughter’s inner and outer beauty that day. She embraced her new friends for just that, friends.

So the next time you come to a conclusion thinking you have it all figured out, take a step back, open your heart, you will be amazed at what you will see, feel, and find.

peace….

Molly

Hello world!

mollysyoga — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:23:34 +0000

Welcome to Molly’s Yoga Corner. This is our new site! Please be patient while we work out the bugs.