November 21st, 2019 - DHARMADOG YOGA - TIPS FOR SURVIVING THE HOLIDAY SEASON!!

,Happy Thursday!  I decided to create a weekly blog to update you all on studio news, as well as share yoga, mediation and health & wellness information.  Instead of highlighting one of my lovely dogs each week I decided to gather pictures from all of you!!  Please feel free to send me pictures of any pet(s) in your life.  I will make sure I use all of their pictures at some point!

The handsome boy in this picture is Truckee.  He is a mixed breed rescue who lives in Virginia.  He is the grand-dog of Pat McGrath!  For those of you who do not know Pat, she has been a regular yoga practitioner with me (us) for years.  If you do not know her and you are a "hot person" you definitely need to connect.  She is the controller of the fan/windows/AC in our studio.  We love Pat SO much that we routinely make the class "all about her"!  Truckee is a good boy who has two little babies at home with him in Virginia.  Pat has showed me a few videos and pictures of Truckee with the kids.  He is so gentle with them!  He is wearing the Cone of Shame in this picture, but he looks very contemplative which he must get from Pat's yogic energy.  Thanks Pat for your continued commitment to DharmaDog Yoga.  It would never be the same without you!

It is hard to believe but Thanksgiving is one week away.  Here are some helpful hints to think about over the next few weeks.  In addition to a regular yoga and meditation practice, there are quite a few things we can do this holiday season to reduce stress and create some tranquility as we approach the new year.  The following are some really simple tips:

1.  Slow down and breathe!  If you are someone who normally practices vinyasa or engages in high energy physical activity, take some time over the next few weeks to try out a Restorative/Gentle or Yin class.  If you feel stress shopping for holiday presents or in traffic - stop and take a few slow deep breaths.  Focus on deep belly breathing, as well as 1:1 breathing.

2.  Don't feel obligated to attend every holiday gathering.  Thanksgiving is late this year and as a result there are very few weekends before Christmas.  Be mindful of your schedule.  Winter is the time to rest and reflect.  If you are out and about attending many large gatherings, please take the time to light some sage in your house, meditate or even take a long hot bath with some essential oils.

3.  Take some time to feel grateful.  Start a gratitude journal naming three things you are grateful for each morning is a great way to start.  Even better, verbalize your gratitude towards others whether it is your spouse, children, family members or pets!  It will lift both of you up!

4.  Appreciate the little things.  Take time to notice the leaves, the sun, the moon, the snow falling.  These are the little things you can connect with in nature when you are walking your dog!  It is so easy!  At some point in life we will all realize that these little things were really the big things.

5.  Share your kindness!  Donate time or money to a charity, buy coffee for the person behind you at Starbucks or compliment a stranger.  Acts of kindness will increase endorphins and reduce stress in both of you!
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Shortly, I will post the schedule for the rest of the year.  You will see that both Colleen and I will be gone most of the first half of December.  Unfortunately, many of the classes will be cancelled.  This will be the perfect opportunity to spend time with some of our new instructors such as Kasia (Functional Movement), Darlene (Meditation) and Christine (Chronic Pain Management and Meditation).  Margo will be teaching a couple of the Functional Flow classes.  Christine has graciously offered to teach some of the Yoga for Health & Longevity  and All Levels classes.  You will not want to miss any of her classes as she is a true healer!  I know you all will be in good hands while Colleen and I are gone.  

As always, we are so thankful for each and every one of you!
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