It’s Tiki here, and I’d like to thank all my yogi and yogini friends for inspiring me this week!

You see, this week I had my annual check-up at the vet’s office. Normally I dread going, and once I get there I do my best to ward off the vet (who happens to be one of our Joy Yoga yoginis!) and her assistant with lots of scary growling and biting. However, this year was different. I thought back to all those yoga classes I’ve watched, and I remembered how yoga teaches us to be happy, even when we’re practicing a challenging pose. I’ve watched you guys practice, and I see how you’ve learned to be content, even when you’re working on a Warrior II or Chaturanga. Yoga teaches you to stay peaceful and content, no matter the circumstance.

So, when we got to the vet’s, I remembered my yogic breathing, and practicing the breathing really calmed me down. Once my mind was calm, I realized that I had a choice – I could go the usual route with the scary growling and the biting, and the whole experience would be a miserable one, or I could keep in mind that this vet visit was keeping me healthy and that it was ultimately for my own good, and this attitude would probably make the visit a little more bearable. So I decided to apply some of my yoga principles, and I chose the latter. I chose not to bite the vet or her assistant, and I only growled a tiny little bit, but only to keep them on their toes! And guess what, it was a much more enjoyable experience for everyone.

I learned a really valuable lesson: life is meant to be enjoyable, and the degree to which we enjoy it depends on our own attitude, not on the circumstances. Practicing yoga and learning to stay happy and have fun, even in the challenging poses, teaches us to be happy and have fun in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. When we look for the best in any situation, we can learn from it and grow from it, the same way we grow stronger by practicing those Warrior poses, and this perspective makes every situation a little more fun.

So no matter what situations come at you this week, remember that you have a choice: you can approach your life by reacting to circumstances, by growling and biting those who annoy you, or you can look at every experience as an opportunity for growth. This will allow you to take a step back and remain peaceful and happy in every situation. And remember that we are meant to be happy and that we can choose to enjoy each and every moment of each and every day, even when we’re at the vet!

Namaste,
Tiki

Good morning from Tiki, the yoga-dog! This past week, my mommy and I were busy at the studio having fun with lots of Zumba and Transformational Breathing! So after all this booty-shakin' and breathing excitement, I was pretty exhausted and was reminded how important it is to take some quiet down-time all for myself.

These days, we all spend a lot of time running around, staying generally busy, and wearing ourselves out. If we keep running around like crazy all the time, we forget to enjoy all the fun things that life has to offer because we're too focused on just getting stuff done. Sometimes it is very beneficial to sit, be still, and recharge our batteries.

Now I know for myself, it's hard to just sit still because I love to run and leap and play. But I've learned from lying down quietly when I watch all those yoga classes how great it makes me feel to relax and be still. After I've spent the class quietly breathing and relaxing, I feel completely recharged and energized, and I know you've seen the results - I feel so energized that I just have to run as fast as I possibly can around the studio.

So, remember as you go through each day and each week, not to mindlessly perform your tasks. Remember to take quiet time to relax and recharge, and then notice how much more efficiently you can do all that you need to do. And the funny thing is, when you do take that time to relax, you really enjoy doing all that you need to get done. So sometime today, take a little time all for yourself to breathe, relax, and enjoy the moment!

Namaste,
Tiki

As a special treat, J.D. will be leading a full session of Transformational Breathing tomorrow night at 6:15pm, the time I normally lead the meditation class.

If you have not yet experienced Transformational Breathing, sign up now for this powerful, liberating, and exhilarating experience!
(You can't really even describe in words the experience of Transformational Breathing, but let me say that I cannot recommend it highly enough!)

And if you've already experienced this wonderful technique,
you know you won't want to miss this!

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: Friday, May 14th: from 6:15-7:30pm

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

Investment: $15
(or you can use a class from your class package)

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

Cultivating the Life Forces: Intro to Tantric Philosophy (May 15th) and
Intro to Transformational Breathing (May 11th)
with J.D. Thomas!

Intro to Transformational Breathing
When: Tuesday, May 11th; 8:15-10:15pm
Investment: $39 pre-registration, or $45 day-of
(See below for more information about the amazing benefits of Transformational Breathing!)

Cultivating Life Forces: Intro to Tantric Philosphy
When: Saturday, May 15th; 1:00-3:00pm
Investment: $39 pre-registration, or $45 day-of
(See below for more information about what topics will be covered in the Tantric workshop!)

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

Call 713-868-YOGA (9642) or
visit www.JoyYogaCenter.com to register for this exciting and transformational experience today!

Intro to Transformational Breathing
Breath is Life!

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.

Cultivating Life Forces:
Intro to Tantric Philosophy

Spring is the time when nature opens up to fertility and new beginnings. It is a calling to us all from mother nature, to move with the wind and open our own source of creativity and vitality. Come join us at Joy Yoga Center for an introduction to Cultivating the Life Forces. Learn how to integrate the power of breath and sexuality and take your personal experience of intimacy to whole new level. This class is great for couples and singles alike.

Class includes:
* Introduction to Tantric Philosophy
* Integration of breath and creative source energy
* Learn techniques to opening heart to lover and self
* Coaching on how to integrate male/ female energies within
* How to use sexual energy for higher consciousness
* Detoxification and full body cleanse with full tantric session
* Experience love on a deeper level

The class will be 30 - 45 minutes of explanation and then 1 hour of experience followed by questions and answers, homework (how to practice at home), and what could be next... future classes, etc. Singles can breathe with friends if desired. This is a step in learning how to self- facilitate between two people during full breath sessions.

Note: All clothes are worn. No sexual content is practiced. This class allows individuals to become aware of the powerful energy that is known as sexual energy. It is about raising the life force and integrating it with connected breathing for perosnal use and higher consciousness.

About the Instructor, J.D. Thomas:
J.D. has been teaching Transformational Breathing in Texas and internationally for the past 6 years. He also offers seminars in Relationship Dynamics in the U.S. and Europe.

He began his journey with breathwork over five years ago. In a moment of complete surrender, he asked for guidance and a deep connection to higher self. J.D.'s initial experience was so life-transforming that he has dedicated his time to sharing the power of the breath. After completing the training process with Judith Kravitz, the founder of Transformational Breathing, J.D. continues to travel with her often and assist her with trainings around the world. As a Senior Trainer with the TB Foundation, J.D. also conducts seminars and workshops in both Transformational Breathing and Relationship Dynamics.

Hi everyone! It's time once again for a message from your favorite yoga-dog, Tiki!

So, recently on my walks I started to encounter something that I'm not particularly fond of: a child. I'm sure he's a very nice little boy and all, but whenever he would see me, he would come running after me like a little maniac trying to pet me. This always startled me - it wasn't part of my normal routine, and frankly, I just found it terribly annoying. I started having my mommy walk me at different times to try to avoid the little guy, I tried walking different routes to avoid him, but the more energy I put into trying to avoid him, the more that kid would appear. Sure enough, he'd come running up to pet me, and I was so annoyed that all I could do was snarl and bark at him. This went on for a few days: I was spending all my free time thinking of ways to avoid him, and somehow he would always be there.

Finally, I remembered something I'd heard during yoga class about how everyone we encounter is really a teacher for us. This is especially true of those people we tend to find annoying - they are really just reflecting to us some part of ourselves that may need a little work. For me, I realized I needed to learn from this little boy how to relax and go with the flow, and maybe even get outside my usual routine and let him pet me. I learned that I can choose how I respond to any given situation, so I couldn't blame him for my feeling snarly and annoyed. I was able to shift my perspective and choose a different response. Instead of being annoyed every time I saw the little boy, I looked at it as an opportunity for me to grow as a Chihuahua. And the funny thing was, when I settled down, stopped snarling, and let the little boy pet me, it was actually really nice. It made him so happy, and it felt good to get my back scratched.

So this week if you start to feel really annoyed at that person who cuts you off in traffic or at your overly-demanding boss, remember that that person is there specifically for you to help you grow. Be grateful to them for the lesson they have for you. You might be surprised how much better you feel when you're not just reacting to what's going on around you, and you realize that you can consciously choose to view any situation as an opportunity. So if someone comes running up to you wanting to pet you and scratch your back, stop your snarling and just let them - it might even feel good!

Namaste,
Tiki