Julianna Vermeys

Yoga makes me feel better

Our next series will feature the hips. Yes, that means lots of hip openers and strong Warriors. As always, our approach will reach beyond the physical and into our energetic and emotion/mental bodies to release, restore, empower and rejuvenate. And while we will incorporate much of what we’ve learned over the past couple of months, new folks are more than welcome! Tell a friend, bring a loved one.

The dates for our next series are February 8, 15, 22, and March 1.

Classes will always be a well-rounded flowing class with sun salutations, standing and seated poses as well as Pranayama (breath work) and mindfulness meditation.

If you haven’t yet signed up for February, and would like to do so, just send me an email and I’ll save you a spot. Class was almost full last month, so reserve your spot now! Classes are $48 prepaid for the full series. If you are not able to come to all four sessions, a prorated rate may be available. Please contact me with questions or special circumstances (i.e. days you cannot attend).

If you don’t feel the series class is right for you, but you’d like to do some yoga with me, I’m always available for private and couples yoga sessions.

I’ll look forward to seeing you this month for a deep and restorative journey.

It’s hard work being present. Be okay with it being hard. It’s not science, right? It just is. That means being okay with feeling however you feel when you feel it and not trying too hard to process it away. Take a deep breath in and slowly exhale into the next moment. I’m trying, too.

Tonight, as I sat down on my mat, I felt such a huge feeling of relief. I’m so thankful for yoga to remind me to take a deep breathe and let go for a moment.

To begin the new year, I’ve decided to restructure my website in an effort to open a dialogue about life, yoga, personal growth and wellness. As a mother to a toddler in a competitive, ambition-centered culture, I’m faced daily with the choice of looking at the big picture and looking at the moment by moment existence of daily life. Do I choose to look at what I am making of myself and how I’m helping my daughter grow from a big picture perspective or revel in the moment of experience? This is not a rhetorical question. Truly, some days, I think looking at the big picture is very important. How do my actions and reactions, my choices, affect how life will unfold for me and my family?What’s in there is the mindfulness that if I live presently and consciously, I will make choices that serve me and my family in the moment and positively (hopefully) affect our lives as a whole.

For me, this is yoga. So how do I take this into my own practice and teach it?

A new series begins tonight. I’ll be focusing the next four weeks of my yoga class (Mondays, 5:30-6:45 at 1715 East Burnside) on freeing the side body. This class will be more physically oriented, however, in my experience, freeing up by stretching and strengthening the sides of the body touches deeply into my spirit and energy, uplifting and generating power and life.

It may be a new year, but really, it’s a new moment…and a new one…and a new one. Change is constant. As we free ourselves from the past year, can we free ourselves from the notion that what we thought was “right” before has to be “right” now. I, for one, am committed to honoring my ability to adapt and change as life and my heart desires.

Classes are by registration only. No drop-in is currently accepted. Space is limited. If you are interested in joining me for this or any future series, please email or call me with more info.

Thanks for visiting. Check back often for more updates.

And, Happy New Year!

Namaste,

Julianna