May Student of the Month: Stacey Hoksbergen

Stacey is the perfect example of a positive person. Her practice reflects her ability to see the good in even the hardest poses and believe it or not, she’s normally smiling in her practice. After she completed the 30 day challenge back in March I expected for most participants to take a break while Stacey made it back to her mat for days on end. Her commitment to her practice and her amazing spirit make her a great choice for our May Student of the Month. Say “hi” next time you see her smiling face on the mat!

Stacey’s Story

” For years when my friends would ask me to go to a yoga class I would give them the “are you seriously asking me this question again?” look and then give a very strong no. However, about four months ago I decided I would try just one class. One class turned into a week of classes, a week of classes turned into a month of classes and four months later yoga has become such a crucial part of my lifestyle. My mat has become the one place that I can be quiet and no one is expecting anything of me. It also has become a place where my stress level has decreased significantly. I have been encouraged to push myself and not let fear keep me trapped in what is comfortable. I am also more in tune with my body. When something is sore or tight I now know what I can do to relieve that rather than simply holding on until its over. And I know my limits. 

I have particularly loved practicing at The Yoga Mat. I love walking into a class where the instructor greets me by my first name. I love the different styles of teaching that are represented by the instructors. I appreciate the willingness of the instructors to answer questions about how to make my practice better and the encouragement given throughout class that helps me hold for just one more breath. From starting my yoga practice four months ago, The Yoga Mat community has been an awesome place to explore and grow in my practice. It is a place where people come from all walks of life with the same goal- to take care of themselves and explore places they have never been before.” 

– Stacey Hoksbergen

 

April Student of the Month: Randy Johnson

Congrats to my buddy and fellow yogi, Randy Johnson on becoming the April Student of the Month! Randy has made one amazing transformation since first meeting him. He came to us with a terribly sore back, limited range of motion and feelings of doubt about his overal health. His hard work, dedication, and willingness to try any pose with attention to detail and alignment has made his practice strong and his love of yoga insatiable. It’s inspiring to watch his journey on the mat and I have no doubt that he will be practicing for a lifetime. Check out his story of how he came to find yoga and how it has change his life below.

Randy’s Story

“I began my journey with yoga in November of 2011, seeking relief from lower back pain that was preventing me from leading the active life I desired. For years I learned to ‘deal’ with it and modified my lifestyle, bit by bit, to accommodate. One day, I finally grew tired of coping and decided it was time for a permanent solution. Upon the wise suggestion of a close friend and devout yogi, I found my way to The Yoga Mat. 

From the moment I opened my eyes after my first Savasana I was hooked. I left class feeling invigorated and alive – and for once, a workout didn’t feel like a workout. I loved that I could check all my baggage at the door: to-do lists, relationships, uncertainty about the future – and just be in the moment. I soon discovered that yoga brought a much-needed balance to my life.

As I look back, I am amazed at how much my practice has evolved over the past year and a half. Having recently completed the 30-day yoga challenge in March, I feel more drawn to my mat than ever before. 

Yoga has transformed my life in many positive ways. It continues to be the rock that keeps me grounded and has prepared me to take on anything. Not only am I in better shape than when I started, I feel better than I have ever felt. My practice has fueled an interest in nutrition and healthy living. I am stronger physically, mentally and emotionally. I am more patient (something I have always struggled with), kind and self-aware.  Oh, and low back pain is now a thing of the past. I guess I got a little bit more than I bargained for. Namaste.” 

– Randy Johnson

Want to become our next student of the month?

To be in the running we have to see you in class 10+ times the month before. You receive your photo and yoga quote on our blog and Facebook pages, $5 off the next yoga package of your choice and your yoga practice will improve by showing up on your mat!

 

Thai Massage Partner Workshop // 4.10.13

Wednesday, April 10th from 7 – 9pm

Taught by Clare Anderson

Bring a partner and join us for an hour of Thai Massage followed by a rejuvenating hour of restorative yoga!

Thai Massage, also known as “Lazy Man’s Yoga, is an ancient form of bodywork that comes from Thailand. Thai Massage has qualities rooting in holistic Ayurveda and Yoga that extends many preventative techniques to healing. With this kind of massage comes many modalities. Many people ask, who is Thai Massage good for? The answer is everybody! It combines stretching, myofascial release, acupressure, and work along Chinese meridian lines. Many different techniques are used with the hands, elbows, forearms, and knees. This line of bodywork was founded by Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, or Dr. Shivago. Thai Massage creates openness of body, mind and spirit, and is a special form in and of itself.

$30 per person

Register here as unpaid

30 Day Yoga Challenge Kicks Off Friday 3/1

Our 2nd 30 Day Yoga Challenge kicks off this Friday 3/1!  If you want to participate let me know by emailing me at ontheyogamat@gmail.com.

The rules:

The 30 Day Yoga Challenge starts this Friday, March 1st – Sunday, March 31st (yep, you have one freebie day to use as you see fit

Make it to 30 classes within that time. If you are sick, out of town or just don’t feel like it one day just be sure to double up somewhere else in the month to make up for it.

Sign up for classes in advance. As you guys know, we’ve been super busy so PLEASE SIGN UP FOR YOUR CLASSES AS FAR IN ADVANCE AS YOU CAN.

April 1st I will announce 1 person that wins a free month of yoga, you must have completed the 30 day challenge to win.

I’ll also be sending out inspirational / encouraging emails throughout the month. Please let me know if you would like to be removed from the email list.

Weekend Workshop: Yoga for Vata Dosha with Andrea Frazer

Yoga for Vata Dosha

with Andrea Frazer

THIS Sunday, Feb. 10th
2:30 – 4pm

$20

The science of Ayurveda ( the science of life ) has been widely
practiced in India for more than 5,000 years. It offers us a profound
understanding of our bodies, personalities and relationships. This
science states that each human being is born with a certain unique
individual balance of the five elements: ether, air, fire, water and
earth. In each manifested form, including the human being, the five
basic elements combine into three categories called doshas.

The three doshas of Ayruveda are vata, pitta and kapha.
When balanced , the doshas maintain a healthy physiological and
psychological condition; and when imbalanced, they contribute to the
process of physical, mental and /or emotional dis-ease. Balancing out
the doshas facilitates human understanding, compassion and love
and promotes a blissful state of well being.

Vata, which literally means wind, is the primary dosha or
biological force. It is primarily ether in substance and air in motion,
governing sensory, emotional and mental harmony balance, and
promoting mental adaptability and comprehension. Vata endows us
with positive traits of creativity, enthusiasm, speed and agility and
responsiveness that allows us to achieve our goals in life.

The colder months tend to cause an imbalance of vata in all the
doshas. Though this 90 minute session we will pacify the vata with a
peaceful, warming practice specifically designed to calm, balance and
restore.

Workshop will be mostly asana with discussion to follow.

Register as “unpaid” here

February Student of the Month: Lindsey Strickler

Congrats to our February Student of the Month, Lindsey Strickler! You might recognize her as the girl that is always genuinely smiling in the middle of the hardest poses. Her positive attitude, willingness to try new things and overall great energy makes her a great addition to our yoga community. Next time you see her in class say “hi!”

Lindsey’s story

“Yoga for me is Community; Joy; a time to Play; and a time to let my mind, body, and spirit go where they crave rather than where my current situation demands.

Yoga has been an incredible avenue through for me to express and explore who I am at my very core. I love taking the time to go beyond fear, remove my mind, and let my body go in one of Andrea’s classes. I love that when I step into a class with Erin H., the technical elements of my practice will be pushed and I will find a new sense of strength. I love that in a class with Annie I can find my dance, and unity with my breath. In all these classes, I love that I can celebrate those practicing around me and experience their practice. The community of The Yoga Mat is fantastic. The men and women around me, from strangers to my roommate, are wonderful.

At the core is joy, this is my time to play. I love trying new poses, seeing if I can hold an inversion longer, or add a new twist. The mat is my playground to have fun with who I am, body, mind, and spirit.”

– Lindsey Strickler

Want to become our next student of the month?

To be in the running we have to see you in class 10+ times the month before. You receive your photo and yoga quote on our blog and Facebook pages, $5 off the next yoga package of your choice and your yoga practice will improve by showing up on your mat!

Pre-Natal Workshop this Sunday at 2:30pm

Sunday, January 20th 2013

2:30 – 4pm

Taught by Bailey Blumenreich
Spend 90 minutes listening to your Body and your Baby.
We will focus on basic stretches that can be done daily in your home or on a mat.
The stretches will focus mostly on your hips and low back as well as breath work that will guide you through your pregnancy and labor.

$25 per person

Register here

Yoga Mat’s Holiday Schedule

CHRISTMAS EVE

Monday, December 24th

12 – 1pm class with Carie Martin

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CHRISTMAS DAY

Tuesday, December 25th

all classes cancelled

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26th

normal schedule resumes

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NEW YEAR’S EVE

Monday, December 31st

12 – 1pm class with Erin Hardy

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NEW YEAR’S DAY

Tuesday, January 1st

11 – 12:30pm class with Andrea Frazer

*Donation yoga class – all money raised goes to the 

Denver Dumb Friends League

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2nd 

normal schedule resumes

December Student of the Month: Christine Muggleton

Congrats to Christine Muggleton on becoming our last amazing Student of the Month of 2012. Christine has become a key part of our yoga community. Her dedication to her practice and her willingness try new things makes her a great student and friend.

Christine’s Story

“After having my sweet son and finding that quality time for me had quickly become a thing of the past I had a routine physical with my doctor.  She actually “prescribed” yoga on her little pad.  I took it, kept threatening to do something about it and one fated day my neighbor Ashley invited me to join her at The Yoga Mat.  I went and set my intention to simply make it through each class, don’t quit.   It’s funny how you change, I have climbed Mt Kilimanjaro and here I was working hard to make it through one class, taking it an hour at a time.   I made it through those initial 2 weeks and am now approaching a year with Erin.  Yoga gives me something that I just cannot, or will not give myself on my own time – A place to truly focus on one, single piece of my life, precious time to let go of all that  weighs heavily on my mind and a space to breath deeply and with purpose.  Mentally it is fantastic, physically I feel stronger, leaner and personally  I am proud of my accomplishments in the studio.  That is quite a return for one hours work.  I may be the one who gets to the studio and pays my fees, but what goes on inside those walls is a gift given to me by Erin and the practice of yoga that I can’t get anywhere else.” 

– Christine Muggleton

Want to become our next student of the month?

To be in the running we have to see you in class 10+ times the month before. You receive your photo and yoga quote on our blog and Facebook pages, $5 off the next yoga package of your choice and your yoga practice will improve by showing up on your mat!

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: Yoga Mat Gift Cards Sold Online

Need an easy and awesome gift for the holidays?

You can purchase Yoga Mat gift cards online! Name your price and voila, a gift card is sent to your friend via email!

To purchase, click here, login to your account, choose a class, click ‘Make a Single Reservation’, at the top right corner click ‘Gift Cards’ and follow the instructions!

Happy Holidays from you friends at The Yoga Mat!