Hi everyone! This week I would like to take a little time to let you know how much I my appreciate each of you and the effort you make in coming to yoga class.

You see, for me it’s pretty easy: all I have to do is lie down and kick back in my little pink house, and I get chauffeured to the studio. But I realize that it’s not always that easy for you. Some days traffic is bad, or maybe you have a sick kiddo at home. There are some days you just feel really tired, yet you still make it a priority to get to class. I want you to know that I understand that it’s not always easy, and I really appreciate the effort you make in coming to yoga. I certainly hope that between my encouragement from the sidelines and the teaching from my mommy and her friends, the effort is worth it every time!

Each one of you brings such a unique and wonderful energy to the studio, and your energy is what makes the studio such a special place. As you know, I love spending time at the studio because it feels so uplifting, fun, and comfortable, and you are the main reason why it feels that way.

So this week, if find yourself tired, stressed out, or are generally feeling unappreciated, just remember that there’s a Tiki-dog out there who appreciates you for the special person you are and is so grateful that you share that special energy with all of us at the studio.

Namaste,
Tiki

It’s Tiki here, sharing a little bit of wisdom that I gained on a walk to the park this week!

You see, I love going to the park, and this past week, my mommy took me on a nice walk to my favorite park near our house. For the entire walk, I was so excited that I was practically bouncing down the sidewalk. All I could think about was how much fun I was about to have at the park and what a great time I would have running and exploring. By the time I actually arrived at the park, I realized that I hadn’t taken the time to enjoy the lovely walk we had just been on. I had been too focused on the goal, and missed all the beautiful details along the way.

From all the yoga classes I’ve watched over the years, I’ve noticed that it’s very similar with your yoga practice. I can see that you get so intent on accomplishing a certain pose - whether it’s the crow, headstand, or the splits - that you forget to take a breath or two and enjoy where you are right now. Just like my walk was physically moving me closer to the park, you know that each time you practice the headstand, you’re moving a little bit closer to actually performing that pose. But somehow we tend to become impatient and want that headstand or that park right this instant. Just as the walk to the park was part of the fun of the whole trip for me, so practicing that headstand can be part of the fun of actually performing a headstand.

When we think about our practice from this perspective, we learn to enjoy the process and give ourselves a break for not being at the park, or being in a headstand, fast enough. We also begin to realize that we are all different and unique, and each of our yoga practices will be unique, and this takes the pressure off of having to hurry up and accomplish certain poses. For me, I suddenly realized that some dogs are bigger and have longer legs and will arrive at the park faster than I will on my short little legs, and this is no reason for the short-legged dog to become discouraged – it’s part of the beauty that is me!

Now think about how this carries over into our every day lives: if we’re constantly wishing we were at the park, rather than enjoying the lovely walk, we’re going to be wishing away a large part of our lives. This is not how we live our lives to the fullest, in a way where we truly enjoy each and every day. Part of enjoying our lives is enjoying where we are at this moment, right now. Whatever your destination, you know that you are on your way there, and this realization allows us to just relax and enjoy the walk!

Namaste,
Tiki

Yoga Facial Toning Workshop
led by Rose Tran
Saturday June 26th 1:00pm-6:00pm
Joy Yoga Center
713-868-YOGA(9642)
Earlybird tuition: $250 (by June 20th), $275 thereafter.

Register TODAY by calling Joy Yoga Center at 713-868-YOGA (9642) or logging on to www.JoyYogaCenter.com!

COURSE INCLUDES:
*** 1 YOGA FACIAL TONING EXERCISE BOOK (2nd Edition)
*** 1 YOGA FACIAL TONING DVD
*** 1 YOGA FACIAL TONING CD
*** INFORMATION ON:
> Exercises you can perform on your own to dramatically define and tone your face, neck, and double-chin.
> Acupressure points, massage tips to improve eyes' vision.
> Breathing to balance your body.
> Right food for great looking, youthful skin.
> Information on inexpensive vitamins and anti-aging supplements.
> Natural ingredients for facial and skin care.

Learn how you can exercise your facial muscles
to look years younger!

For more information, visit www.YogaFacialToning.com.

Hello, fellow yogis and yoginis! I hope you are all having a great holiday weekend! With it being Memorial Day, it feels like an appropriate time to reflect upon and appreciate everyone who has helped us along our journey.

When I think back to when I was just a tiny, young pup, I remember being in a living situation that wasn’t ideal and dreaming that things would change. Before I knew it, certain people and certain doggies came into my life to guide me and help me make these changes. They all were a huge encouragement to me as I started my exciting journey. Each one of those people and every animal I talked to were brought into my life because they had some lesson to teach me; none of this was an accident. When I started to pay attention to the lessons they had for me, I felt guided and supported on my journey and things fell into place easily. As you can see, as I incorporated all they taught me, my journey became fun and joyous - I ended up finding my mommy and getting to be a yoga dog!

Even now as I continue my journey and continue to grow as a yoga dog, I have so many mentors and still so much to learn from each of them. Every one of you I see in yoga class teaches me something - whether it’s learning to be patient or to have courage when things get tough - and I appreciate each and every one of you.

We all have so many people that have helped us along the way. We should always remember how important it is to hold onto that feeling of gratitude for all the teachers, friends, and family who have shaped our lives and touched our hearts. These people have guided us and still help us become all that we are meant to become.

Have a great Memorial Day holiday, and while you’re getting some of that much-needed rest, take a little time to reflect and appreciate all those who have helped you along the way and made you the wonderful person you are today. And be sure to share this appreciation with these people in your life – it will give them that encouragement they need in their journey, too!

Namaste,
Tiki

OTM uses the power of yoga to inspire conscious,sustainable activism and to ignite grass roots social change.

Global Seva Challenge 2010: South Africa

Each year, OTM sponsors an international service project called the Global Seva Challenge. The Global Seva Challenge is a transformational journey that builds community, provokes critical consciousness about global issues of social justice and equity, and raises significant funds to support communities in crisis. In our first two years, the Global Seva Challenge has raised over one million dollars for NGO’s in Cambodia and Uganda and has left a powerful legacy in the communities we have served. In 2010 our Seva Challenge will be focused on HIV/AIDS prevention and education in South Africa.

TEAM CICADA
HANNAH UNDERWOOD MANDY WRIGHT SUSAN UNDERWOOD
108 x TRUTH
Workshop

Please join Team Cicada in a celebration of yoga as we journey through 108 sun salutations. In the yogic traditions, 108 is a sacred number, By moving through 9 sets of 12 sun salutionsto complete 108 we will create a moving meditation uniting breath, movement and intention.
This offering of yoga will contribute to raising awareness and funds for the Off the Mat Into the World Global Seva Challenge 2010 South Africa. Participation is donation based with all proceeds benefiting humanitarian efforts in South Africa.

Where: Joy Yoga Center located at 4500 Washington Ave. Suite 900 Houston, TX 77007
When: Saturday June 5, 2010
Time: 3:00-5:00pm

If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation to our team, please go to http://www.offthematintotheworld.org/ways-to-give.html
Click on “make an online donation” and choose “TEAM CICADA” from the drop down menu.