Good morning! It's Tiki here, with a gentle reminder of how important it is to listen to your body.

Something I've learned from observing you guys practicing all those crazy poses in yoga class is that by using our yogic breathing, we can calm and quiet down our racing minds. We tend to go through each day with so much mental chatter cluttering up our minds, and most of the thoughts aren't even focused or productive. I know my mind is constantly racing, and my mind chatter is always telling me that I need more food and more treats. But the problem is that if I acted on this mind chatter, I would be one fat and unhealthy Tiki-dog! When our minds are always cluttered with anxious or useless thoughts, we're no longer able to listen to what our bodies are really trying to tell us. Instead of being in tune with what our bodies actually need, we dictate what we think they should be doing. By using my yogic breathing, I begin to realize the difference between the mind clutter and what my body really needs, and I realize that I don't actually need food and treats all the time. Sometimes my body needs to relax and take a nap, and sometimes my body needs to run as fast as it can chasing birds.

When we consciously breathe and calm our racing minds, we can listen to the messages our bodies give us. Rather than acting on the mind clutter and being a slave to it, our bodies begin to move back into balance. We're not constantly rushing around and pushing ourselves because we realize that sometimes our bodies tell us that we just need to relax and take a few deep breaths. Sometimes we need to take the time to nap, and sometimes we need to run as fast as we can and chase a few birds.

This week, remember to quiet down your mind and really listen to what your body needs. The more in tune you become with your body, the healthier and more vibrant you'll feel!

Namaste,
Tiki

Good morning, everyone! This week I want to share with you a lesson I learned while on my walk the other day.

You see, my mommy was taking me on my usual evening walk, and we ran across a big black Lab. This really annoyed me because he should have known that this was my sidewalk, so I started barking my head off at him. He was out of line in daring to encroach on my territory, and I felt I needed to growl and bark at him to let him know this. But as I got closer, I could tell by his limp that he had fallen and hurt his leg. I realized that in reacting to him by growling and barking, I was not showing him compassion. He wasn't walking on my sidewalk to purposely make my life difficult - he was taking a shorter route because of an injury. I was shocked to realize that it wasn't about me at all.

Sometimes, dogs, or even people, do things that annoy us. Or maybe they say something that comes across as rude or short, and our first instinct is to bark back. But we have to remember that we never know what they've been through that day - we just don't know what injuries they've endured. So, we need to think about this before we instantly growl and bark at them. We have to remain compassionate because sooner or later, we'll have a bad day and might need a little compassion ourselves.

Have a wonderful, compassionate week! And just remember that when someone walks on your sidewalk, have compassion for them, and think before you bark!

Namaste,
Tiki

Sensational Vision Voyage: A Creative Journey to the Destinations of Your Choice!
Joi of Movement Playshop led by Joi Ross-Moore

Please join us at Joy Yoga Center for an inspiring and liberating playshop with Joi of Movement founder, Joi Ross-Moore!

What type of vision voyager are you?
Do you travel carrying only the necessities?
Do you clearly see your intentions' destinations?
Do you take off and land with ease?
Do you relax and release even when turbulents are present?

Reserve your seat on "Sensational Vision Voyage" and consciously create the journey of your dreams guided by your body's sensation.

During the first leg of the trip we'll sense and discard excess baggage and prepare for a smooth take-off. Next, we'll move freely about the cabin as we part the clouds for clearer vision to attract what we want, sensing support from the earth as we take flight. Then, we'll create our own in-flight publication featuring our intentions. During the final leg of our journey, we'll cruise at our highest altitude luxuriously sipping from "Chakra Cocktail", a delicious Nia experience, landing with ease at the end. Snacks provided!

Book your flight today by calling 713-868-YOGA (9642) or by visiting www.JoyYogaCenter.com!

When: Saturday, March 27th; 2:00-5:00pm
Where: Joy Yoga Center 4500 Washington Avenue, Suite 900
Houston, TX 77007
Investment: Earlybird pricing of $35 before March 20th, $45 thereafter.

About the Instructor, Joi Ross-Moore:

My earliest recollection of joyful movement was wiggling all around doing the "Hokey Pokey" at the age of 2. I then turned our living room into a Broadway stage, singing and dancing my way through all my mother's Broadway and my father's rock-n-roll and folk albums. Driven by the never-ending loop of music in my head and the life-long quest to express what I felt in my body, I voraciously explored all types of movement, healing, and martial arts but wanted it all interwoven with music.

It was in my first Nia class where I experienced that long-desired union and heard my (not so) still inner voice sing, "This is IT!" My Nia journey amazes and inspires me and each time I step into the space, whether as a student or teacher, I feel tremendously grateful to be in community with the beautiful souls with whom I share space. I currently fund my Nia passion with employment as a counselor but "Joi" comes from my career as a life-long student of The Body's Way. I invite you to join me as we move with a sense of self, a sense of community, and a sense of humor!

Joy Yoga to be offering NIA classes & discounted private sessions of Transformational Breathing!

Beginning Monday, March 1st, the Joy Yoga Center will be offering Nia classes every Monday, from 6:00-7:15pm, led by Joi Ross-Moore!

Nia is a wonderfully liberating and super fun cardio workout (this is Joy speaking from experience - I've taken Joi's class several times and it was amazing!!!)
What is Nia?
"Watch out - this can change your life!"
-Carlos Rosas, Nia co-founder

Nia is a path to condition, heal, and express your self through movement and sensation. A dynamic blend of dance arts, martial arts, and healing arts, Nia revolutionized the face of fitness in 1983, and has since changed millions of lives and bodies across the globe. Balancing technical precision with free-form expression, Nia brings the body, mind, emotions and spirit to optimum health through music, movement and self-expression, guided by the sensation of Pleasure.

Nia is designed for any body. It is ageless and limitless, transformational and effective for every person everywhere, from athletes, dancers and fitness instructors, to children, special needs groups and the elderly. With the philosophy, Through Movement We Find Health, Nia addresses the whole person through music and movement integrated from nine traditional movement forms.

For more information on The Nia Technique, visit www.nianow.com.

About the Nia Instructor, Joi Ross-Moore:
My earliest recollection of joyful movement was wiggling all around doing the "Hokey Pokey" at the age of 2. I then turned our living room into a Broadway stage, singing and dancing my way through all my mother's Broadway and my father's rock-n-roll and folk albums. Driven by the never-ending loop of music in my head and the life-long quest to express what I felt in my body, I voraciously explored all types of movement, healing, and martial arts but wanted it all interwoven with music. It was in my first Nia class where I experienced that long-desired union and heard my (not so) still inner voice sing, "This is IT!" My Nia journey amazes and inspires me and each time I step into the space, whether as a student or teacher, I feel tremendously grateful to be in community with the beautiful souls with whom I share space. I currently fund my Nia passion with employment as a high school counselor but "Joi" comes from my career as a life-long student of The Body's Way. I invite you to join me as we move with a sense of self, a sense of community, and a sense of humor!


Discounted Private Sessions of Transformational Breathing

When:
Sundays, Noon-5:00pm - with Dana Shamas
Wednesdays, 11:00am-3:00pm -with Mary Oppermann
Fridays, 10:00am-3:00pm- with Mary Oppermann
(Please note that when availability ends at 5:00pm, last appointment must be scheduled for 4:00pm)

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

Investment: $65 (50% off the regular price of $130 per session)

To set up your private Transformational Breathing session, please call the studio at 713-868-YOGA (9642) or contact Dana or Mary directly.

Dana Shamas: danashamas@yahoo.com

Mary Oppermann: 832-647-6067, or moppermann@sbcgobal.net

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

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

Good morning from your favorite yoga-dog, Tiki! This week I learned a lesson about perseverance and in the process got a nice surprise!

You see, the other day my mommy brought home a new toy for me. At first, this crazy thing just seemed like a lot of work - I gave it a good bite and it wouldn't crack open. But I could tell that if I kept after it, I would get the treat that I could smell waiting inside. So, I kept biting and kept batting it around, but it wouldn't budge. So, I kept biting and batting it around some more until even I was wondering if it was worth it - I mean, all this time and effort for one little treat. How delicious could one little treat be?

Finally I remembered that this was supposed to be a toy, not work for me. So, when I changed the way I looked at it, I suddenly started thinking of new ways to crack it open, and guess what, it was fun! I was still putting in the same effort, but it wasn't drudgery anymore. And to my surprise, I really loved playing with it and it just seemed effortless as I finally managed to ease my new toy open. And I was in for one more surprise: inside, I found not only one, but three treats inside - way better than I had even imagined! And after all that effort and perseverance, those treats tasted better than any other treat my mommy had just given to me. I guess all that hard work I had put in made the reward even tastier.

So this week if things seem overwhelming and you're working and working away on cracking open your own treat-toy without seeing any results, just think of me. Remember that we can choose to enjoy those tasks in front of us, rather than just enduring them. When we start to relax and not just endure our tasks, life becomes more fun and joyous. And who knows, the reward for all that fun work and effort might be even greater than you can imagine. Take it from me, all that hard work will make the treats taste even sweeter!

Namaste,
Tiki