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

 

Yoga for Runners Workshop with Erin Hardy

Sunday, June 16th

2:30pm – 4pm

Learn yoga poses and principles for preventing injury and making your runs more efficient and fun.

We’ll be practicing a full 90-minute class full with yoga poses you can use pre and post run. Come ready to learn and stretch!

$25 per person // Groupons not valid for this workshop

Register as “unpaid” here: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/adm/home.asp?studioid=11719

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

Help Support Yoga Programs in Denver Schools

Hey All, I’m participating in a 108 Sun Salute challenge this April to support The Wellness Initiative. The money raised from this great event goes into creating and sustaining yoga programs within the Denver Public school system. Click below to donate and support them and myself in the challenge OR even better, create a page for yourself within The Yoga Mat team page and show our community some love!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE 

 

Wednesday Workshop – Ayurvedic Empowerment: An Introduction to Ayurveda

with Annalise Ozols and Erin Hardy

RMT, Ayurved Vaidya Visharad, Pancha Karma Therapist

Wednesday, March 13th from 7 – 9pm

From the Sanskrit roots ayus meaning life or longevity and veda meaning knowledge or science comes the word “Ayurveda”. Most commonly translated as the “science of life”, Ayurveda is a traditional and holistic system of medicine that originated in India some 5,000 years ago and has been consistently practiced since that time. Other holistic modalities now common in the west such as polarity therapy, homeopathy, aromatherapy and naturopathy have their roots in Ayurveda.

In this 2 hour class we will explore the following:
Brief overview of Ayurveda & the doshas
What is your unique Ayurvedic constitution?
Learn simple diet & lifestyle choices and yoga asanas that support your constitution
The importance of strong digestion

Register as unpaid here

$35 per person

March Student of the Month: Sarah Afanou

This month we honor a student that works hard both on her mat and in life. Sarah is a mother, a wife, a student, an employee of a demanding job and an amazing yogi.  Sarah has been a regular at our studio for a long time. She’s determined to push herself every class and make the most of the hour. Watching her from our first private lesson together to now, I am continuously impressed and in awe of her evolving practice.

Next time you see her in class, say, “hey,” and tell you admire her for all she does. She’s pretty rad.

Sarah’s Story

“Well I won’t lie it’s pretty cool to be yoga student of the month, especially when I see all the other awesome yogi’s show up to their mat on a regular basis with me!

I’ve only been practicing yoga for about a year and a half and all that time with Erin at The Yoga Mat.  I decided I needed to do something for me after going back to grad school while being full-time night and weekend nurse and a stay-at-home mom during the day to a rowdy 3 year-old.  I had done it all before yoga: aerobics, running (hated that), and Crossfit.  Nothing made me feel good when I was done and I had to force myself to workout each time.  My husband encouraged me to find something I liked, and thought I should give yoga a shot.  After doing a Yelp search I found The Yoga Mat was close by and had an awesome special with 2 private classes and 2 weeks unlimited so I decided to try it (I encourage anyone new to yoga to try this first since it gives you a feel for what your class will be like and the personal attention allows you to understand the pose and go at your own pace).  I was super nervous to start but Erin was an excellent teacher and I found it easy to follow her cues to find the right position.  

Making it to my mat for an hour during the day is something I crave and I find myself out of sorts when I don’t get the chance to practice.  I enjoy taking that hour to focus on something I truly enjoy doing and continue to push myself to sit deeper in the pose, focus on my breath, sweat a little (actually a lot), and as Erin always says smile.  I’m anxious and excited to participate in this year’s 30 day challenge, and look forward to see how much my practice and my body changes during that time!  It’s great to practice with such an awesome group of yogis who encourage each other and keep me coming back to my mat each week! Namaste.”

– Sarah Afanou

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.

FEBRUARY SPECIAL: Two 90-minute Thai Massages for $120

So you may have heard that we have a new in-house Thai Massage Therapist at our studio. Her massage room is located downstairs from the studio and what a better way to relax than to take a yoga class followed by an amazing massage. I got my first Thai Massage yesterday and was blown away. I think it’s safe to say that I may never spend money on a normal sweedish / deep tissue massage again. I walked into the massage with crazy tight hamstrings and a slightly sore back and left feeling not only relaxed and happy but pain free and more flexible.

I highly recommend Thai Massage and Clare and what better time to try because she is running a special for the month of February, so check her out or give it as a Valentine’s Day gift!

Two 90-minute Thai Massages for only $120 – just be sure you book in February!

Email her to book an appointment at lionheartwholeliving@gmail.com or check out her website for more info here.

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