Meditation with Dogs

My dogs, Zen and Rocco, have been inspiring me to write this article. Recently, I moved my meditation room to the N.E. side of our home, in accordance to Vaastu principles. It so happens that this N.E. sun room used to be my meditation room when we first moved in, but then became my dogs' bedroom for a while.

Every morning, as I start to prepare my seat for meditation, my dog, Rocco, gets all comfortable on top of my blankets. Zen, likes to sit on the area rug nearby. As I move Rocco off my blankets so I can sit to meditate, he decides to sit right behind me, making sure he can still touch me with his head to my lower back. So adorable!

My dog, Zen, unlike the name, doesn't stay so still as I start to meditate. He likes to sit in front of me and lick my face. Okay, so maybe this isn't exactly considered meditation for me, but at least they are happy and relaxed in the surroundings of my meditation room. It is truly special!

After a while of this, I decide to move them out of my meditation room so I can be still and present. They keep themselves just outside the room, lying down to sleep. Once I do my meditation and some yin yoga sequences, I walk over to my dogs to love them and pass the positive energy of my practice to them. It is a beautiful experience!

Finally a VEGAN

As of Thursday, April 2nd, I have converted to a VEGAN diet, and it isn't an April Fool's Day joke. I have been thinking about making this change in my diet for a long time now, and finally became strongly inspired after reading enough articles and information on endometriosis and how vegan diets are a strong recommendation for endometriosis patients. I also had an appointment with a vegan nutritionist named Dr. Pam Popper who truly inspired me to take this step. I am thankful for her guidance.

Let's see how it goes. So far, I am feeling great! My skin even feels better on my face already, and it hasn't been that long. I also feel less bloated. I have found it to be a bit more challenging ordering food at restaurants, but not impossible. I had a delicious vegan pizza at Northstar Cafe yesterday. Yummy!

If you have any recipes you would like to share, please do! I will need them.

What do you enjoy most about your yoga practice?

I would love to hear what you enjoy most about your yoga practice. I have to ask because when I see how much my yoga practice has done for me over the years, I hope that yoga has blessed all of you in many ways as well.

What I enjoy most about my yoga practice is the spirituality it has brought into my life, the calm it has brought to my mind, and the health it has brought to my body.

FREE YOGA Presentation at the Old Worthington Library

Date: Saturday, April 11, 2009

Time: 2:00 PM

Place: Old Worthington Library - Meeting Room

Address: 820 High St., Worthington, OH 43085

Come join us to learn ways to incorporate yoga breathing and stretching techniques into everyday life.

April 2009 Yoga Session in Worthington/Dublin, Ohio

Mondays, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Dates: March 30, April 13, 20, 27
Prepayment due: Monday, March 23rd
Level: Beginner & Intermediate Students
Vinyasa Yoga: An active and challenging class including breath- synchronized movement through a series of postures that cleanse and strengthen the body while focusing and calming the mind. Though the classes can be quite vigorous, time will be spent in each class on pranayama and relaxation.

Thursdays, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Dates: April 2, 16, 23, 30
Prepayment due: Thursday, March 26th
Level: Beginner & Intermediate Students
Yin-Yang Yoga: This class is the perfect balance of Vinyasa and Yin Yoga. Experience an active and heated practice to tone and strengthen the body, while synchronizing the breath with movement. As a great compliment, release further tension from the body and stimulate the flow of chi (energy) by holding floor postures for 3-5 minutes.

Monthly Pricing for April 2009 Yoga Session:
$96 for 8-class pass ($12 per class)
$52 for 4-class pass ($13 per class)
$15 for drop-in / single class

*Need to pre-register and pre-pay session before attending by calling or emailing:

(614) 271-3913 / kathy@katicayoga.com

Practicing Yoga during this financial crisis

Are you finding it hard to spend money these days due to your job situation or worry about your financial future? What are your priorities when you decide to spend money at a time like this? For me, as a yoga instructor and a daily practitioner, I really can't imagine doing away with my YOGA. It is what keeps me sane and relaxed in the middle of all this chaos. I also know that there aren't too many things out there that cost $15 or less, that will give me an hour of sanity. If I can take a one-hour yoga class for only $15 or less when I buy a frequent class pass, I think it is well worth it. Everyone needs to take care of themselves, especially during these stressful times. As I have always said and experienced, there isn't a lot out there that will give you physical, mental, and emotional benefits like yoga does. Remember, it is more than a physical practice. It is a LIFESTYLE.

When I think of the things I find to be a priority no matter what, they are eating healthy and exercising. These are the things that will keep you going not just for yourself but for your family. When you are happy and in harmony, your family can be too.

FREE YOGA TALK

Date: Saturday, March 21, 2009
Time: 2:00 PM
Place: Down the Garden Path
Address: 2108 Arlington Ave., Upper Arlington, OH 43221

Come join us to talk about the following topics:

• Kathy's yoga journey: How and why I started yoga and how it has helped me in my every day life
  
• Breathing exercises: Tips on how to help you stay calm in the midst of chaos
  
• Yoga Demos: Vinyasa Yoga and Yin Yoga
  
• Question & Answer Session