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Learn To Teach Children’s Yoga

By Keith Wise

Calling all parents, teachers, coaches, therapists, and caregivers! Radiant Child Yoga is coming to Razz this summer. Learn to teach kids yoga during this three-day workshop, July 10-12th from 8am-5pm.

These days, it seems that everyone is a little anxious. At the fast pace at which our lives move, it’s no wonder. We’re constantly managing daily stresses like work, bills, family and friend obligations, just to name a few. And if it’s difficult for adults to focus, imagine what it must be like for children. Being a kid today is tough for many reasons: the high levels of daily screen time, the increased rigor of education, the increased number of extracurriculars, etc. The bottom line is that today’s children are overextended and overstimulated. However, here at Razz Yoga, we have an opportunity for adults to help children manage this stress.

Radiant Child Yoga (RCY) was established as a formal teacher training program in 1999. Its founder, Shakta Khalsa, is a long-time kundalini teacher who began teaching children’s yoga in 1977 and has written several well-known yoga books. With more than 20 trainers worldwide, RCY has trained over 10,000 parents, teachers, therapists, grandparents, and caregivers in children’s yoga. As such, they are one of the most well-respected teacher training programs in the world.

Beth MacMullan, a Razz instructor, who teaches Hatha Raja yoga on Wednesdays at 5:30 pm and mixed level yoga on Saturdays at 8 am, finds that yoga can be a way to deal with child behavior issues and anxiety. She spends her days teaching at the Jemicy School in Owings Mills. “Some students complain that their hearts and minds are always racing,” she explains, “but doing yoga poses for a few minutes can be a way to relieve that stress.” If the students are in a geography lesson, then Beth will incorporate airplane pose to further engage them. In math, the students might count with frog jumps. She explains that yoga should be effectively incorporated into the day rather than act as a disruptive force.

However, Beth isn’t the only teacher turning to yoga to aid with instruction and behavior issues. RCY shared an article on their Facebook page describing one high school that has a 20-minute free period at the end of each day. Some students have opted to use that time to join one teacher for yoga. Though this isn’t enough time for an entire yoga class, the students spend several minutes in a few poses to really feel the stretch. Sometimes, the free period is student-driven, so that they get what they really want and need from the practice.

Yoga is a way for children to unwind after a stressful school day before they either go home to do homework or head off to extracurriculars or to sports practice. Several student-athletes have said that they perform quiet yoga before practice or games in order to maintain focus when the crowd, coaches, and teammates are cheering and yelling calls. Other athletes perform yoga after games or practice to stretch and decompress.

Beth says that yoga also has a way to pop-up in the classroom in non-traditional ways. “At Jemicy, we begin the day by having students set intentions,” she says. Rather than movement focussed, this yoga principle stems from mindfulness and meditation. At the end of the day, the teachers will allow their students time to rest and reflect. With this mindset, the entire school day becomes like one restorative and refreshing yoga practice.

Interested in learning more about kids yoga? Follow this link to register for RCY training:

https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/ws?studioid=197265&stype=-104&sTG=30&sVT=155&sView=day&sLoc=0&sTrn=100000075&date=07/10/18

We Are More Than A Body With An Ego: Three Tools For Opening Your Heart

By Daina Schnese

Along my yoga journey, I have studied many different religions, philosophies and ideologies. I love learning what different cultures and different people believe in, and what the driving force behind their peace is. My most recent studies have captivated me, as they resonate so closely with what I have been taught by many yoga teachers and mentors alike. The ideology that has resonated closely with me as of late has been Shamanism.

‘We are more than a body with an ego’ is one of the main concepts of modern Shamanism. In today’s Western world, our culture is very much so divided and run by fear, competition, separation and alienation. Shamanism (in a very small nutshell) is about reconnecting with nature, our spiritual self, and providing the healing and assistance we need in life. The idea that peace comes from and is circular via nature is a very humbling thought, but also one that can provide a lot of peace and comfort that can translate right onto your yoga mat.

Here are three Shaman principles to help ground you with the natural world around you. Practicing these three concepts daily will help open your heart to the beauty of the world around you:

“Shamans the world over understand that humans are born with a toolbox preloaded with three exceptional tools for healing and accelerating freedom”

  1. Gratitude: This is an attitude and an orientation designed to open the heart. Gratitude is ‘seeing’ through the heart instead of the eyes. Because of fear, hostility, self-importance and depression, people’s hearts are shut down most of the time. Let’s open the heart. For example, if you are grateful for the tree in front of your house, you stop ignoring it and focus instead on its gifts and benefits to you. The world instantly becomes a better place because you are grateful.
  2. Seeing: ‘Seeing’ in the Shaman culture is known as clearing away the projections and distorted thoughts of the conscious mind onto the world at large. Meaning, the method of releasing blame, guilt and shame. The best exercise for seeing is to imagine a time as a child when you did something you were punished for and felt bad about at the time. From your perspective now, you can see that it was simply an error of a young child, and you can forgive yourself and let it go. Now, project that ideology into the future. Forgive yourself, and release guilt, for mistakes you may make as simply a human. Your mind is capable of ‘forgiveness neutrality’ if you look at your present and future self with that same kind of compassion.
  3. Blessing: Many people have been taught to bless things like their food, by mumbling a quick prayer over the meal, but this is hardly what the term means. In a yoga terminology, blessing is just like the phrase ‘namaste.’ Blessing is seeing the light, the divine, the God, or whatever you adhere to, within someone else and honoring it. You can give blessings to your yoga mat, to your friend or spouse, or even that tree outside of your home. It is simply acknowledging that we all have light within us, and we honor it in each other.

 

My blog was inspired by the book “Awakening to the Spirit World: The Shamanic Path of Direct Revelation” by Sandra Ingerman and Hank Wesselman

The Best Mother’s Day Gifts For Moms Who Love Yoga

By Daina Schnese

I remember growing up, my mother would take me shopping for new clothes, and spoil me with nice things. Then, she would see a beautiful sweater or pair of pants on the sale rack, very cheap in price, but remind herself she didn’t need it. I used to think, wow…my mom just spent money on me but wouldn’t’ spend a little on herself. She did much more for me than buy me nice clothes for school, but I will always remember her ability to give a lot to others and little to herself.

Parents sacrifice a lot for their children. One of the things that often gets sacrificed is money spent on themselves. Money isn’t everything, but Mother’s Day is a great opportunity to give your mother or a mother figure in your life something she wouldn’t normally buy for herself. Last minute gift-buyers, here’s a quick Mother’s Day gift guide that will outdo the standard bouquet of flowers (though, you should probably still do flowers, just to be safe ?).

1. A quality yoga mat & towel: I know many women who show up to yoga with cheap mats. There is nothing wrong with that, but these days, there are some high-quality mats that not only help make your practice safer and more comfortable, they last for years. Manduka Eko mats are my personal favorite, as they have no smell (lulu mats tend to) and they aren’t too sticky. I have had mine for two years now and it hasn’t started showing signs of aging yet.  Towel mats are great for super sweaty classes. My suggestion is to wash them as normal, but hang dry every time if you can. That helps the mat last longer and the color keep from fading. They also have a new print out that has roses on it! Perfect for Mother’s Day. You can find them at Razz Yoga or Manduka’s website.

Manduka eko yoga mat: $88-$92

Yogitoes towel mat: $50-$65

2. Yoga jewelry: Now this one tops the list for something someone normally wouldn’t buy themselves…jewelry. My personal favorite ‘yoga jewelry’ is two-fold. My number one is hands down Mala Collective mala beads. My second favorite are Mantra Bands. I have received both as gifts and I can honestly say, they were the best gifts I ever received. I would never purchase them for myself, so when I got them I rejoiced! There are a lot of cheap mala beads out there, but I can tell you from experience…. they break quickly, and the quality is not there. Mala Collective necklaces and bracelets have been featured in Vogue and are the best quality mala beads out there. Mantra Bands are perfect for a more simplistic jewelry wearer. They are smaller, subtler, and are a gentle reminder of one’s ‘mantra.’

Mala Collective: $100-$250

Mantra Bands: from $25

3. Quality essential oils: Though it’s tempting, essential oils are not a product you want to go cheap with. We often forget that our skin is our largest organ of the body. What we put on our skin is just as important as what we put in our mouths. Not only is a quality essential oil better for applying to your skin, the smell is always much richer and more real. doTERRA essential oils are my go-to oils…quite simply, the scents they offer are my favorite! They have a wide range of scents and I don’t have to sign up for any program to buy them. You can buy blends, single oils, collections, and more. These are great for your diffuser or skin application.  Stop by the studio’s testing station or shop doTERRA essential oils online.

doTERRA oils: from $22

Mindfulness In A Mindless World: Balancing A Simple Life

By Daina Schnese

Ahh, the world we live in today. It’s a crazy one, and it’s not slowing down. With social media, technological advancements and an increasing population, one could argue that it’s never been harder to maintain a balanced life.

I recently read a story about how many millennials are going into debt because they have a fear of missing out on life and all it has to offer. Sadly, many people have come to believe more money, more fame, more cars, more clothes, MORE is better. It got me thinking…to each their own, but perhaps a key to a happy life is quite simple, it’s quite simply living more simply.

Living simply doesn’t mean you have to quit your well-paid job, never purchase any designer clothes or forfeit that monthly fancy dinner with your spouse. It’s all about balance. Just as the sun brightens the sky during the day and the moon glows at night, your life needs both darkness and light. Learn to embrace and balance the two, and you will feel so much better.

Balance your tech time: Phones are wonderful, computers are great, and tablets make binge-watching your favorite show on Netflix from bed oh so convenient. But, too much of a good thing can be just that…too much. A great tip I have found helpful is to be done with ‘tech stuff’ at a certain hour each night, allotting at least an hour before bed without anything tech-related. It frees up plenty of time to meditate, read, journal, or any other mindful hobbies you may have. It also declutters your mind and will promote healthier and more restful sleep.

Balance your diet: Listen, the last thing you need is another person coming at you with diet tips. We all have different dietary needs based upon our body, our genetics and even our tummies. Get to know your body…moderation is key to any ‘diet.’ Always remember, never look at your food as a ‘diet’ but rather look at they way you eat as a lifestyle. If you can’t see yourself sustaining your ‘diet’ the rest of your life, don’t jump into a Keto, Gluten free or Vegan diet. Do what’s right for your body, blood-type, and overall health. Also, a gallon of water a day can do wonders in and of itself.

Balance your self-talk: Ahh, easier said than done, right? Just be mindful of the way you speak to yourself. Of course, we want to be respectful of others, but we often speak to ourselves so negatively. Start catching yourself while looking in the mirror, or trying on that pair of pants, or maybe even during a deep yoga pose that makes your skin fold over your yoga pants. Where does your mind go? Are you speaking ill of yourself, to yourself? Love yourself. Speak kindly to yourself. How you treat yourself is how others will treat you, and you are deserving of all the self-love you can possibly give yourself!

“Life Support: Keeping Mindfulness Alive in Our Community”

By Keith Wise

If you’ve taken a look at Razz’s specialty workshops recently, then you may have noticed that we host a few recurring events. However, there’s only one that we host on a monthly basis. I’m referring, of course, to Yoga Nidra. The class, which on occasion has filled up in pre-registration, is in high demand for many reasons, but arguably one in particular. Its popularity can largely be attributed to our yogis’ appreciation for its instructor, Gina Sager.

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Gina and ask her a few questions about not only Yoga Nidra, but also her personal connection to both western and eastern medical philosophies. In 1986, Gina graduated from the University of Virginia’s medical school, before serving a five-year residency at Baltimore’s Union Memorial Hospital. Afterwards, she became one of Maryland’s few female board-certified, general surgeons and opened her own medical practice. In 2000, she was named one of the city’s best doctors by Baltimore magazine. But in 2002, she closed her practice, and walked away from her career as a surgeon. She turned to yoga as a stress reliever, and along the way began learning about eastern medical philosophies. Today, Gina is a well respected, holistic healer.

Now, you might be thinking: but don’t the principles of western and eastern medicine run contrary to one another? The former is characterized as being concerned with pathology and immediacy, while the latter is known to enlist more holistic approaches. Gina has learned to find the balance between both.

“Medical degrees are seen as important in western medicine,” she says. “I’m in a special position because I was a doctor and understand the weak points of western philosophy.” Because of her background, Gina has found that people are more willing to listen to her holistic teachings. She is very aware of this privilege, and uses it to open the minds of those she meets, creating new perspectives.

“We have to think about the bigger picture,” she says in regards to the western tendency to address only immediate medical concerns. In this case, the bigger picture includes the human body and the mind. One area where western medicine has consistently fallen short is the treatment of chronic diseases, specifically those linked to pain. With her understanding of neurology, Gina reminds me that studies have found time and time again that the placebo effect is real. Eastern medicine has the ability to work with the brain in ways that western practices cannot. “People cannot argue with feeling because there is power to our thoughts,” she says.

Gina talks to me about a project that she once had to complete, which required her to predict what the future of medicine will look like. She explains that patients need to stop giving up their awareness to the expert. “Medicine should be a partnership between the patient and doctor, rather than so patriarchal.” In her philosophy, the doctor serves more as a guide to the patient because at the end of the day, we know our own bodies best. We have to trust ourselves, which is a major tenet in yoga philosophy.

Unfortunately, many of us don’t always listen to our bodies. “We treat our bodies like cars,” says Gina, as if we can just go to the doctor when we break down, have a repair, and then go about our routine as normal, again. Instead, the equation for human health should be more holistic. “If we’re constantly in fight or flight, then something is bound to break.” Then, she told me of a recent study which found that 86% of Americans are sleep deprived. “Our culture is out of alignment,” says Gina. Though she made a complete career change from general surgeon to yoga instructor and holistic healer, there is a lesson to be learned by everyone in regards to living a healthier and fuller life.

If you’re looking for the first step to, as Gina puts it, “clear your subconscious and unprocessed emotions” or “to rest and digest,” then you might want to consider enrolling in a Yoga Nidra workshop. Full class description below:

Yoga nidra is an ancient yogic practice that means “Yogic Sleep.” This guided practice has the physiologic effect of 2-8 hours of restful sleep, balancing the autonomic nervous system by turning off the fight or flight response that is so familiar in our 24/7 existence. By choosing to rest in the relaxation state, we restore resources to areas depleted by our constant stressful existence and restore balance and ease. Yoga nidra offers us the opportunity to reconnect with our truest, most authentic self, and is restorative and healing, calming and of benefit to the immune system. It may benefit those who suffer from insomnia, pain, chronic diseases, life stresses and anxiety, yet we all could use an opportunity to pause, rest and come into greater balance. It is the perfect antidote to the speed at which we live life!


Sources:

http://ginasager.com/

http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/bs-hm-sager-profile-20120229-story.html

Mat Pilates Series

By Keith Wise

If you’ve checked Razz’s schedule recently, you may have noticed that this month, we are offering a couple new classes. Apart from a biweekly beginners yoga series, we are starting mat Pilates! Lauren O’Brien will begin teaching this six week series on Tuesday, March 6th at 4pm. Mat Pilates will also be offered Thursdays at 4pm and Fridays at 1pm, beginning March 8th and 9th, respectively.

What is mat Pilates?

Pilates can be described as “a low-impact exercise that builds strength, tones the muscles, and creates a long, lean body frame.” Borrowing tenants from dance, yoga, and classic calisthenics, the exercise has roots dating to 1920s New York City. The name comes from German physical trainer, Joseph Pilates (1883-1967), who developed the exercise specifically for injured World War I veterans so that they could maintain their strength while bedridden. During the 1990s, teachers in western countries adjusted and widely popularized the method that is most commonly practiced today. In Razz’s class, Lauren will have practitioners use rings, also known as “magic circles,” which provide gentle to moderate resistance during exercise. The magic circles give the body feedback and let practitioners know which muscles are being utilized.

Who should practice mat Pilates?

Everybody! Whether you’re in tip-top athletic shape, a regular yogi, a beginner, or someone suffering from back pain and/or recovering from an injury, Pilates is perfect for you. Because this fitness method is low-impact, it’s great for those trying to strengthen and tone their core, while avoiding too much stress on the joints. Let’s face it: a strong core means a sturdy center of balance for the rest of the body.

What are the physical benefits of mat Pilates?

Mat Pilates specifically targets the body’s core, which includes the abdominals, lower back muscles, pelvis, hips, and glutes. Combined with the occasional utilization of props, floor exercises help build, sculpt, and tone these muscles. Additionally, Pilates increases flexibility and improves posture. Despite its low-impact approach, Pilates helps the body burn fat during and after class as a result of continuous muscle contractions.

What are the mental benefits of mat Pilates?

Breathing is strongly connected to proper Pilates practice. Because you are encouraged to breathe from the stomach rather than the chest, the deepness of breath makes practitioners more adept at completing each movement. Deep breathing requires focus, which in turn has been linked to increased mindfulness, relaxation, and stress reduction. Therefore, the long-term benefits of Pilates are exponential, including decreased feelings of anger, anxiety, and depression.

Sources:

https://classpass.com/blog/2016/08/30/benefits-of-mat-pilates/

https://www.livestrong.com/article/401592-what-is-mat-pilates/

https://www.verywellfit.com/before-you-buy-a-pilates-magic-circle-2704340

http://peakpilates.com/education/certifications/mat/

What’s Going Down?

By Keith Wise

If you found us on the Mindbody app, great!  However, we recommend that you switch over to our branded Razz Yoga app so you receive updates directly from us.  Often it takes several hours for our changes to take place on Mindbody, but they are instant on this app.

From there you can create an account and view a list of our classes or any special workshops and promotions that we’re offering. Sometimes our classes can fill up, but on the Razz Yoga app, you can register early and reserve your space. Registering in advance will also make check-in when you arrive at the studio, faster and smoother.

Another benefit of downloading our app is that you will receive our push notifications. We often send out special promotion codes, deals, and event announcements. With our app, you’ll always be the first to know! Lastly, if there is ever a change in the schedule, then you will quickly be alerted.

Download the Razz Yoga app today! The process is easy. Just go to the App Store on your phone and search “Razz Yoga”  or click on the links below.

Razz App on Google Play

Razz App on iTunes

Yoga Buddy

By Keith Wise

With the start of the new year, you may have noticed that we’ve adjusted some of our packages. We’ve already introduced our unbeatable intro offer: 30 days of yoga for just $30. Well now, this February, Razz Yoga is thrilled to introduce buddy passes!

What is a buddy pass?

Beginning this month, all of our auto-renew members will receive one-week long buddy pass! That means seven free, blissful days of yoga for a guest of your choice. Plus, you’ll get a new buddy pass each month! We already know that you love it here at Razz, but now we’re giving you a chance to show off your happy place to someone different every month. However, this offer isn’t just for our auto-renew members. Anyone on our introductory offer will receive a free one class buddy pass to be redeemed anytime during their 30 day trial period.

Why practice yoga with a buddy?

Yoga by yourself is always a treat, but everyone knows that yoga can be more fun when you share the experience with friends and family. Sometimes a yoga buddy gives you that extra push. Most of us didn’t come to yoga on our own. You probably had a friend or family member push you into trying yoga. Though you love it now, it may have taken a little convincing at first. (For some of us, a lot!) So think of the buddy pass as a way to introduce a friend to yoga, without any added monetary pressure on their first visit to Razz.

Yoga buddies are also nice because they keep us accountable. Have you ever planned on going to a class, but then thought, “I’m too tired tonight”? We’ve all been there. Skipping class might feel good in the short-term, but think of the long-term rewards that you’ll gain by attending that class. A buddy will incentivize you to put forth that extra effort.

Apart from keeping us accountable, yoga buddies are reliable. We can learn from them. If you feel that you can’t quite master a pose, look to your buddy. Ask their advice. Not only are buddies meant to comfort us, but they’re also looking out for our best interests, just like we’re looking out for theirs. With a buddy by our side, we’ll all become more confident in our practice.

And of course, the buddy pass is a great way to spend time with friends and family. Sure, meeting up for happy hour or catching a movie can be fun, but think of the physical and spiritual benefits that you’ll experience if you choose to get together for yoga instead. Yoga is all about unlocking the joy within us. When practicing with friends, yogis are better equipped to feel the universal connectedness all around us.

Sources: https://www.artofliving.org/us-en/yoga/yoga-for-beginners/yoga-buddies

http://thedailylove.com/why-practice-yoga-with-a-friend/

http://thechalkboardmag.com/the-power-of-practicing-with-friends

https://www.yogajournal.com/blog/yoga-with-friends