The Texas Yoga Conference had an amazing first day! Thank you to everyone who has been volunteering and helping everything run so smoothly!

As a special treat, Joy Yoga is going to be hosting one of the presenters at the conference, Etan Boritzer, on Tuesday, Feb, 23rd. Etan has traveled from L.A. to present at the conference, and has graciously offered to come teach at Joy Yoga this coming Tuesday from 7:00-8:30pm. You can even just use a class off your regular class package to attend this master class, or $15.

Etan teaches in the Bryan Kest Power Yoga style, but don't let that name intimidate you - his style is beneficial for all phyiscal levels. This is a really great opportunity to take from a world-class teacher, right here in our studio - hope to see you there!

Namaste,
Joy

P.S. Here's some more information about Etan, or visit his website: www.yogainsight.net!

"I started teaching hatha yoga and meditation in 1971 after returning from an intensive 3 month training at Gitananda Ashram in Pondicherry, South India.

I taught classes in the few early yoga studios located in the New York City area, Berkeley, Amsterdam and Prague before yoga became YOGA!

I have studied with and attended Bryan Kest's classes since 2002. (www.poweryoga.com) I basically teach Bryan's techniques combined with insight garnered from the intensive 10 day vipassana retreats I have attended.

I teach mixed level classes so there is something for everyone in the class. I do not use heat but I like to keep the windows closed so that the body gets warm and flexible. We do not do headstands or any sort of acrobat pretzelization.

I try to infuse the postures we use with insight (vipassana). Therefore, we meet the posture halfway, then go to meditation which is simple observation based on awareness of breathing.

From this breathing platform we begin to observe bodily sensations, and mental processes. Through the personal insights gained here, we start to release our habitual unwholesome reactions to all the stimuli in our daily lives.

Hopefully we leave the class re-energized and with better tools to engender positive change within ourselves and in the world at large."

I just found out that we still need volunteers to help out with the Texas Yoga Conference. There are two tasks that need covering:

Meeting at Joy Yoga Center tomorrow (Friday, Feb. 19th) at 6:30am to pack goodie bags into cars and drive them to Unity Church by 7am. Even if you can just meet to help pack up cars, it would definitely be helpful. I think we're going to need 4 or 5 cars to drive out there.
Volunteers are needed to man the Joy Yoga Center table. Duties will include passing out flyers and letting people know the amazing benefits of Joy Yoga, and selling Joy Yoga DVD's, shirts, and other merch that we'll have there. Transactions are really easy to do on the laptop, and I can show you how. We'll need people at the booth from 7:30am-8:00pm on both Friday and Saturday. Even if you can just help out for an hour or two, I would really appreciate it. I just found out this morning that we're going to have our own booth, so I'm scrambling a bit!

Here's the link for the Texas Yoga Conference if you'd like more info:
texasyogaconference.com

Thank you all for your support. Please call or text me directly at 713-819-9390 if you can help out. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your sharing your time and energy! Have a great day!

Namaste,
Joy

Hi everyone! I hope you are feeling inspired and encouraged by your Tiki-grams!

I've been watching you practice this week (and you all are doing great, by the way! I'm learning ways to improve my downward dog just by watching you!). In watching you practice, I'm also learning something else: that "yoga" isn't just striking those cool poses; "yoga" is each and every breath. It's all that great stuff that's hidden in transitioning between the poses, too. When we realize and experience this, we can start to see the potential for enjoying each and every breath and movement in our yoga classes, and not just rush from one pose to the other.

As we learn and experience this in our yoga practice, it will carry over into our daily life and translate into us enjoying every moment of our lives, and not just rushing through life to get to the exciting parts. Just as in yoga, there's tons of joy and potential for growth in those transitions. And believe me, this is something I need to work on, too. Sometimes I feel like I'm just waiting until I get my next treat, instead of fully enjoying the time in between treats. When we just rush around all the time without that sense of appreciation for life, we're missing out on lots of fun. When I live only for my next meal, I sometimes forget to enjoy my naps, my walks, and wrestling with my kittie-cat little brothers. And when I enjoy each moment, it makes the treats even more special!

So this week let's remember to enjoy each moment of each day. Let's choose to enjoy all the time in between treats and between the poses!

Namaste,
Tiki

Tiki here again, wishing you a great week! Today, I would like to remind you to take the time to enjoy each and every moment of each and every day. Approach each day with gratitude. When we approach each day from this perspective, we realize what a privilege it is wake up each day, to breathe, run, dance, and maybe even do a Downward Dog or two (that happens to be my favorite pose!).

Remember that our energy extends far beyond our own bodies and affects everyone around us. So, we have a choice - do we want to extend negative energy and bring down everyone around us? Or do we want to exude joy and peace and be a positive force in this world? When we feel this sense of happiness, no matter what else is going on around us, we radiate joy and peace. We can share the joy! I know sometimes I feel so joyful, especially after watching one of my mommy's classes, that I can't help but run and leap all around the studio. And if I were to guess, based on the responses from you guys, I would say that I have shared my joy with you.

So this week, think about how it makes you feel to watch me run around and play after class. Better yet, come by the studio and let's share a Downward Dog together. When this makes you smile, remember that you have this same ability to bring a smile to someone's face. Let your exuberance and joie de vivre radiate and brighten someone's day!

Namaste,
Tiki

Unleash Your Unlimited Potential for Love, Joy, & Abundance Through the Power of the Breath!

Join us for an Intro to Transformational Breathing and Full Breath Session, led by J.D. Thomas. Release limiting beliefs and blockages on all levels, and experience how liberating this powerful healing technique can be!

Joy Yoga Center will be offering an introduction to Transformational Breathing on Tuesday, Feb. 9th, from 8:30-10:30pm. This session will include a breathing analysis, discussion of how and why Transformational Breathing works, and a full breath session.

What is Transformational Breathing?

Transformational Breathing™ is one of the fastest growing healing and self-enrichment techniques available today. As a state of the art healing and regenerative process, Transformational Breathing utilizes a specific breathing pattern that clears past repressed traumas, revitalizes the physical, and transforms emotional and mental traumas on the cellular level. Maximum physical and emotional benefits along with expanded states of awareness are the natural products of increased oxygenation that Transformational Breathing brings.

The process begins by learning how to open your breath and utilize the entire respiratory system. This results in more energy and increased brain function that leads to more enjoyable mental and emotional states. Higher frequency energies created by the breath entrains (changes) the lower frequency energy patterns stored in body and subconscious. This process results in permanent transformation of pain and denser energies in the system and enhanced feelings of clarity and lightness.

How Does It Work?
By using a deep, fully connected breathing pattern to access the subconscious mind, new path ways and greater levels of energy flow are opened within the body. Constricted breathing patterns are removed and the body becomes re-oxygenated with vital life force. This is achieved by using a combination of cyclical breathing, sacred sound, affirmations and focused intent. The method is very natural, easy, and self-fulfilling. No special skills or effort are required - beyond the personal desire to outgrow limitations and become more positively empowered.

Additional Benefits:

* More strength and power in your asanas
* Better circulation and energy to the muscles
* Clearer mind for your yoga practice
* An awareness of the movement of prana in the body

When: Tuesday, February 9th, from 8:30-10:30pm

Where: The Joy Yoga Center
4500 Washington Avenue, Suite 900, 77007

Investment:$39

Call 713-868-YOGA (9642) or visit www.JoyYogaCenter.com to register for this exciting and transformational experience today!
For more on Transformational Breathing, visit JustGoBreathe.com