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PREMA YOGA

PREMA YOGA

by | Oct 15, 2023 | CALIFORNIA PARTNERS, PARTNERS -

PARTNER

PREMA YOGA

PREMAYOGAFLOW.COM

Welcome to Prema Yoga
Yoga is an amazing practice. It builds strength and flexibility. It relieves stress and calms the mind. It can be a powerful tool for recovery – helping manage or even eliminate physical pain. Yoga is a great addition to any workout regime or as a standalone practice. There is yoga for every body, at every stage of life. The practice of yoga can always meet you right where you are. If you are not sure, let us reassure you – yoga is for you!

Our Mission is to bring this amazing practice of yoga to our beloved community, using the highest quality instructors and offering a wide variety of classes to accommodate the diverse needs of our growing community. Through our class offerings, workshops and teacher trainings, we seek to help our students develop not only physical strength and ease, but clarity of mind and a joyous spirit. Additionally, we strive to hold a safe space where people feel free to explore, learn, laugh, and grow.

Our studio is home to our yoga family (Kula). We value our connection with each other. We strive to embrace each member with open arms and open heart. We look forward to welcoming you and expanding our yoga Kula.

FOUNDER: Christine LaMonica
Yoga changed my life. It helps me slow down, breathe and be present. It is still helping me and changing me after 20 years! As your life evolves, the practice evolves with you. Such a gift to have it in my life!

Prema Yoga

17639 Chatsworth Street
Granada Hills, CA 91344
17639 Chatsworth Street
Granada Hills, CA
91344

info@premayogaflow.com
818.360.4060

Meet founder of Prema Yoga, Christine

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WHEEL HOUSE San Francisco Yoga Studio
Escape Velocity

Escape Velocity

by | Oct 11, 2023 | ARTICLES, Book Club

Escape Velocity

Review by: Donna Amrita Davidge

BOOK CLUB

BIG BEAR YOGA FESTIVAL
A book of Poems by Cate Mcnider
Published by Atmosphere Press 
Release July 18,2023

Some years ago my ex husband and I were in Cate’s small New York City apartment. She had invited us to view her paintings, and her very aged dog sticks in my memory. Cate is someone I have known in passing from the yoga community of New York City. We both have been with the same Iyengar teacher for many years and she is also an Alexander Technique practitioner.

In 2005 I brought her first book of poetry, and initially it was to show my support of artists in the city who do not get the recognition as some of the more “famous ones” do. I can relate, owning a small yoga retreat in Maine since 1997, and also being among the “small businesses or artists of the world.” I cannot say exactly how, but somehow I was led to keeping the book in the yoga studio at Sewall House during our summer season, finding myself opening to a page at the end of yoga class to repeatedly find a most perfect introspection to end the class.

Cates’ new book of poetry is chock full of chronological poems, dating from 2011 to 2022 and she shares “reading progressively through it does give a passage of the deepening of letting go. In general, though, poetry allows any page to be entered as the perfect page, as serendipity often reveals what one needs to hear/read in that moment, as you did for your yoga students.”

When I asked Yoga Love Magazine if I could offer a review, I decided I had better read all of the poems and there are many, 98 in all! The poems range from 3-4 lines to a few pages long. Some I find fabulous as meditations for students at the end of class, like this one on page 80:

Process
To see what  it IS
You have to see what it is not
Then you’re free to live

In this world where so many think their message is so important and so much information is available to us it is refreshing to read the chronicle of this poet’s thoughts through time. Some of the poems are quite abstract while others, like Black is a Feeling on page 66, are wonderful offerings for contemplation, even suggesting subtle instruction for our life journey. 

This book is for yoga teachers to share readings from, as well as spiritual seekers who ask the questions about the mystery of existence living and loving. As writing often is, we wonder if pieces of Cate’s life are here. The title poem Escape Velocity, one of her longer poems I really like (as well as By Interior Design and Captivating Bling, all toward the end of the book) says “the beating not to have happened, the abuse not to have happened.” Whether her story is in her poems (and some are more clearly so) her insights are universal. 

Donna Amrita Davidge has been teaching yoga in NYC since 1985 and at Sewall House summers since 1997. Cate’s work is available for purchase on amazon.com 

108 Awesome Yoga Poses For Kids

108 Awesome Yoga Poses For Kids

by | Oct 11, 2023 | ARTICLES, Book Club

108 Awesome Yoga Poses For Kids

Book by Laura & Brian Chaitoff

Review by: Tashya Knight

BOOK CLUB

BIG BEAR YOGA FESTIVAL
As a kid’s yoga instructor, I’m always searching for resources that will help me enhance my classes. So, I was very happy when 108 Awesome Yoga Poses for Kids landed in my mailbox. This book is designed to be used by kids themselves who want to practice yoga or adults who teach them.

Bright colorful pictures fill each page showcasing different poses along with directions on how to complete the pose, age recommendations, and a value to focus on. This book is divided into several themed sections to help with planning out classes. If a teacher is stuck on time, they can pull out this book and use it as a reference when planning fun classes for their students, such as a trip to the farm, blasting off to outer space, taking a wild safari ride or going under the sea. I find that most helpful as teachers are always searching for innovative ways to expand their classes. Children are encouraged to use their imaginations and their bodies in these adventures. Giving children choice of where they would like to go allows them some flexibility and builds their independence. It also builds their love of yoga as they begin to explore more. 

Children can use this book on their own as well to practice one pose each day or choose a new theme each week. They can practice alone, with a partner or with their whole family! This allows them time to warm up to creating their own yoga practice and finding ways to share with a friend. They can explore the poses, make mistakes, try different ways to express themselves all without needing to be in a class. The hope is that this will eventually lead to a daily practice of their own. 

Why 108 poses? Is that all there is available to children? Of course not! But Lauren explains the significance of the number 108 in different cultures and traditions. And I think it’s a wonderful way to give children choice but not overwhelming them all while connecting back to spiritual and significant meanings. 

Teachers, I highly recommend bringing this book into your next class and who knows maybe you will even inspire the next set of yoga teachers! 

Tashya Knight is the founder of Wellness 13, a Wellness Lifestyle Coach, Yoga Teacher and member of the Yoga Love Magazine team. Learn more about Tashya here

LATINX IN WELLNESS

LATINX IN WELLNESS

by | Oct 10, 2023 | ARTICLES, LATINX IN WELLNESS

Latinx Community & Wellness

By: Ingrid Baquero

PROFILES

Welcome to our three part series celebrating the Latinx healers, creators and wellness advocates making an impact in our communities. Wellness is multi-dimensional, as it consists beyond the physical, but also mental, spiritual, financial, environmental, and social aspects of our lives. These are the stories of role models making bienestar (wellbeing) una prioridad (priority) for all. 

I recently attended a community run to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, NY. Our guide, Nicole Espinosa, took us through several iconic Hispanic/Latinx landmarks to share the history behind each one. She made a remark que me impacto (made an impact) and inspired this piece.

“There’s a space for everybody, and if it doesn’t exist, create it”. 

It is important to share the stories of Latinx individuals beyond Hispanic Heritage Month, as it inspires others to create their own narratives. This series consists of real stories of inspirational Latinx individuals creating safe spaces for connection, community, and self-care through the power of wellness. Before we kick this off, let’s start with some self-reflection.

How does wellness show up in your life? 
How are you creating spaces of wellbeing for others? 
What does the future of wellness look like? 

Creating Safe Spaces for Connection, Community, and Wellbeing:
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY THROUGH RUNNING

Spotlight: Julia Azcona

Julia Azcona

@athomewith_julia
@ridgewoodrunners
Founder of Ridgewood Runners

Dominican Born
Brooklyn Raised
Living in Ridgewood, Queens, New York

COMMUNITY ROLE:
I lead a community-based running group in Ridgewood, Queens where we welcome all pace levels.

WELLNESS JOURNEY:
I did not fully understand how impactful wellness was until experiencing two traumatic events in my life: my father passed away due to a brain tumor and two years later I miscarried twins at six months.  When a woman goes through a miscarriage, one often carries a profound sense of guilt and an overwhelming grief that is not only beyond comparison but also truly impossible to put into words.

Running became my outlet. Eventually, I started to educate myself about proper training and was introduced to running groups. I joined Adidas Runners NYC and my life changed for the better. I found a community of beautiful humans inside and out, that because of their energy, my wellbeing improved. It was a heartwarming return to a place of pure joy. I loved it.

In December 2022, I felt inspired to create a running community within my neighborhood. By April of this year, Ridgewood Runners came to life.

THE FUTURE OF WELLNESS

In our culture, when it comes to wellness, we still have some work to do and undo. Hay cosas que no se hablan, there are things we’ve yet to learn how to communicate and process. For example, while pregnancy loss is common it’s not often discussed openly or publicly. As a Latina woman I was taught to “stay strong” and move on. Instead in my experience, I was ashamed and kept so much inside for so long which affected my life in so many ways. It breaks my heart to think of women who suffer in silence.

How does the running community come to play? I found a purpose to create a space for people to just be, for women to feel safe, for a community that can come together and support one another. That is a start. I showed up that one day and it changed my life and I hope to inspire others to show up.

About Ingrid Baquero: Ingrid envisions an inclusive, joyful world, inspiring her community through the power of well-being.As a Colombian-American, and Queens, New York native it is an honor to serve the people of Queens through yoga, running and mindfulness. She is a dedicated runner, wellness program curator, community leader and dance and music aficionada.Outside, catch Ingrid on the run. She co-leads a 5k community social run within the Astoria/LIC area. All bodies and paces welcomed. Right now, Ingrid is dedicated to her wellness work, passion project: SOL YOGA PROJECT, and volunteer work with Yoga Love Magazine. 

If you have a story to share or know someone you’d like to celebrate reach out to us for a Latinx in Wellness: solyogaproject@gmail.com

BIG BEAR YOGA FESTIVAL
Creating a joyful community

Creating a joyful community

by | Sep 20, 2023 | ARTICLES, Profiles

Creating a joyful community

Miko Hafez interviews the owner of The Plant Store in Seattle, WA

PROFILES

BIG BEAR YOGA FESTIVAL
The Pandemic was hard. I moved to Seattle from NY during the pandemic in 2021 and at that time it was still hard to meet people and make friends. One day, I came across @seattleplantstore and discovered that they were hosting a “Plant Swap Event.” At this event, I met many plant parents and I didn’t realize how much I was craving connection until I talked to them. I made new friends that day, and honestly I didn’t expect that. The event organizer Miles was working hard to create a joyful and welcoming event and I interviewed him about his plant swap event.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your business?
I am from Ohio and I’ve been in Seattle for 10 years, and started a plant shop about 5 years ago. I’ve always been interested in house plants since I was a little boy and I ended up going to school to study plant science and learn about horticulture and plant production in controlled environments.

I got into plant production and then worked at the Amazon at the Spheres. I also worked in cannabis production and about 5 years ago, I decided to start my plant shop. I really love plants and wanted to focus on sharing the love of that. I wanted to create a shop not only selling plants but also supporting people’s hobbies. That’s why we are doing workshops like making Terrariums and Kokedama.

What is a plant swap event?
A plant swap is where people come together and exchange plants. For example, I like to grow small plants into big plants and that’s sort of my joy. Once they get too big, I can cut this back and maybe give away cuttings, or I can just give the plant away. A plant swap is a great way to get a plant without paying money. It’s also a great way to get a plant that you might be nervous about spending money on because it’s tricky to care for. It is also a great opportunity to connect people and learn about new plants.

Why did you decide to host a plant swap event?
First of all, it is very popular. People really enjoy plant swap events. The last event we hosted in the bar next door. The bar just opened just over a year ago, we were able to collaborate with them to bring people in so their businesses as well, which is really nice for the community. it’s also a marketing opportunity for us. More and more people know that we’re here.We’re right outside of Seattle and it’s a good opportunity for people to learn about us and what we offer as well. The next one that’s coming up we have two vendors that are going to join us. It will be a very exciting and fun event.

Learn more about Miles and upcoming events at The Plant Store in Seattle