But when self-loathing is such a fundamental part of day-to-day life, where do the plus-size go to enjoy the effects of yoga but would rather not have to stare into a size-4 behind for 90 minutes?

Unfortunately, there aren’t many choices.  But, seeing the need, and knowing first-hand the difficulty, Texas yoga instructor Abby Lentz came up with a plan.

As an active plus-size woman, Abby knew the importance of not only a safe place in which to allow such physical vulnerability as learning postures in a body that would be perhaps less than receptive, but also founding principles that would facilitate participation.  She refers to them as the Three A’s-  awareness, acceptance and affection.

For people to start the program, and more importantly continue, Abby’s goal is to encourage women to accept and love their bodies NOW, not when they finally manage to lose pounds or shrink jeans sizes.  It’s about influencing the self-loathing before the weight-loss.

Read more….

It can be tricky adding regular runs, that can last an hour or more, to an already busy schedule without compromising my practice.  It’s all about remembering how integral regular yoga practice is, not only mentally and spiritually, but to the ol’ bod… that in these advancing years needs it more than ever!

Running is a sport that can, in fact, shorten and tighten muscles.  Stretching is encouraged after warming up before embarking on the main running workout as well as after the run itself to ensure proper muscle recovery and prevent injury.

As we all know yoga enhances our flexibility, loosening, lengthening and strengthening with each posture, and for runners flexibility is key to preventing injury and allowing for full range of motion and increased agility.  Where running works primarily the lower body and some core, yoga engages the entire body, strengthening other important muscle groups that ultimately serve to make a stronger runner.

Often runners fiind meditative benefits to their workouts.  Their is a rythm in the breath and the pace that offers some element of calm and presence, though that is not the focus to running.  Certainly, however, many runners are more likely to find diversion in their thoughts and music pounding through their heads from earbuds allowing the time to pass seemingly faster. Conversely, the goal of yoga is to quiet the mind and focus on the breath offering  a different, deeper, level of meditation providing a valuable spiritual aspect combined with the athleticism.

If runners are looking for an effective cross-training option for their off-days, yoga is a superior choice targeting not only strength and flexibility but also a good semblance of peace, tranquility and quiet in an otherwise hectic day.

In the spirit of the first full day of summer,  The World’s Largest Free Yoga Class in Central Park takes place in less than nine hours, beginning at 6pm, and will have the remarkable distinction of being the only yoga class to actually be visible from space. Yikes!

The class will be led by uber-instructor, Elena Brower and hosted by Reggie Watts.  Clearly, an event such as this, it’s not just the 10,000 ujjayi breaths you’ll be hearing throughout the class… the likes of Buddy Wakefield, Grammy nominee DALIEN, aka 13 Hands, WAH!, O’Nkosi Rhythms and others.

Here’s a little more info… grab your mats and jump a plane.  You’ve got only nine hours to get to New York’s Central Park to get your breath on… with only another 9,999 other people!

Yoga. Music. Nature.  That about sums up this amazing combination of landscape, live rock & roll with music greats Moby, Yard Dogs Road Show, Pretty Lights and others providing the soundtrack to the best in yoga led by such names as Shiva Rea, Baron Baptiste, Doug Swenson, Elena Brower and so many more!

Wanderlust is a one-of-a-kind festival bringing together the world’s best yoga teachers and best performers in rock & roll, all in a setting of breathtaking natural beauty.

It is a place to relax, unwind, bend, dance, revel, and contemplate. It’s a community of like-minded people who share a common set of interests and values.

It’s a chance to escape the mundane and dwell in the extraordinary.

It’s healthy hedonism and spiritual exploration. Most of all, it’s a long weekend of satisfying, stick-to-your-ribs fun.

For families, another unique aspect to this wonderful festival:

The Wanderkind program, presented by Om Kids Yoga, Truckee, will be the number one spot on site for kids to have an exceptionally cool experience, custom tailored to the interests of Wanderlust families.

The program, held on site at Squaw Kids, will run from 9:30am-4pm Friday through Sunday, and include activities like kids’ yoga, music, henna tattoos, hula-hooping and crafts.

Kids and parents will be responsible for their own lunches, but can enjoy samples from kid-friendly snack sponsors and peruse offerings at kids’ vendor booths.

Drop your child off to hang with the other Wander-kids while you hit up yoga class, or stay and enjoy some of the awesome family activities.

Wanderlust/Kind tickets are available now!   Join us.

Here’s a little beginner’s guide to achieving the Ujjayi, more fully realized- read: done correctly- in your practice.

But, dear readers, it’s springtime… fresh, bright and inspiring… breathing new life into my yoga practice and into this here ol’ blog, MommyOm.

And so, in the spirit of fresh and new… have you considered your yoga space?  Perhaps it needs a little pick-me-up and, through the wonders of Etsy, I have a unique idea to spruce up your walls with a little yoga folk art.

The Willies offer the cutest, most folksie and interesting yoga themed prints to dress up your walls and offer a little hand-made inspiration.  Aptly named Ms. Yoga, these prints “are the whimsical, handmade creation of Sam Willoughby. Each Willie has its own character and no two are the same.”

“The Willies like being around nature therefore, many accompanying objects of art have been created: flowers, trees, birds, rabbits and such. Many of the smaller pieces could sit on a table top and perhaps brighten up a small space in your home or office.”

Ms. Yoga would love to be a part of your inspirational space just as I am happy to be back as part of your yoga surfing!

10.

9. The fog in my head that lasts till my second cup of coffee is all comfy-cozy… like one of those Snuggies they advertise on TV.

8. My stiff joints mean I can stay home and watch sports on the tube… I don’t actually have to DO them.

7. I’ve been breathing since birth, thank you very much… like I need to LEARN how!

6. Tranquility is over-rated.  How would my kids possibly get anything done if I wasn’t yelling at them?

5. My extra body fat keeps me warm in winter.

4. I don’t do any heavy lifting… that’s why I have kids.

3. Stress gets me to work in the morning… without it, I don’t know that I’d be motivated to get out of bed.

2. Counting the days until my next poop is my new hobby.

1.5 There’s no bigger compliment than when people mistake me for my mother.

1. Do you think I’m even going to think of putting another dime in the pockets of those glorified pyjama jockeys?

A British Columbia school district has approved, among other courses such as Musical Theatre and Outdoor Pursuits, yoga in an effort to address kids’ interest and demand.

According to Superintendent Jan Unwin, “the wide variety of courses is intended to keep kids in school by offering them something they will be interested in.”

This marks a new era in education (finally!?) as those interests that were once considered ‘alternative’, particularly given the spiritual component to something like yoga, are now seen as so positive and constructive as to be considered part of a public school curriculum.

Yoga has proven benefits in the areas of self-esteem and healthy body image, two critical aspects of children’s development, particularly for girls.

Introducing adolescents to the power and beauty of yoga really only introduces and reinforces the power and beauty in themselves…

which is something everyone needs!

Good on School District No. 42 for recognizing it!

But, as a homeschooling mom of three- two of them active, boisterous boys- I will certainly look at my otherwise under-utilized orbs (minds out of gutters, people!) a little differently after reading this.

It’s remarkable, really…

Kids learn better balancing on yoga balls.

The yoga balls provide cross-lateral movement as the kids’ bodies makes small adjustments to stay balanced on the balls. These small movements engage both sides of the brain, which makes their memories work better and helps them to stay focused.

Right on… from pummelling each other with them to actually sitting and learning on them.  Hello, Monday!