Vino & Vinyasa

How to choose a Yoga teacher

Ivy — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:34:06 +0000

aka Yoga shouldn’t hurt

I selected this topic because it’s one we often discuss with our Vino & Vinyasa guests, especially ones who have had an unfortunate — or even painful — yoga experience in the past. Even with the gorgeous vistas and fresh air that the Vino & Vinyasa experience offers, having a great yoga teacher is really what makes for an outstanding workout.

We can brag all-day long about Nichole’s fitness experience, Registered Yoga Teacher (200 hours) status and ability to flow from one asana to the next, but the odds are good that you are two-timing her with another teacher. It’s OK, we don’t mind, but we do believe you should be an educated yoga student whether you are a newcomer or practicing at an advanced level.
-Ivy

The information below comes courtesy of Yoga Alliance

Choose Your Teacher Carefully
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Here are a few to discuss with your prospective teacher:

Do they practice themselves? How often?
A dedicated, committed teacher practices regularly – at least four times a week.
How long have they been practicing yoga?
At least three years of regular practice is important prior to teaching. This allows aspiring teachers to acquire the experience and knowledge base that helps them to become effective teachers.
With whom did they train and for how long?
Training as a yoga teacher takes a great deal of time and effort. How did your prospective teacher obtain his or her training? Ask about training schools or programs completed and who their primary teachers have been.
Does the teacher have specialized skills?
If you have special needs or a particular health condition, you will want to seek out a teacher trained to work with your needs or condition. This may include prenatal yoga, seniors yoga and even yoga for kids (teachers should be well-versed in the needs of their growing bodies). The International Association of Yoga Therapists (www.iayt.org) is the professional organization for yoga teachers who focus on therapeutic practice.
Are they still studying yoga?
Yoga offers lifelong learning and it’s important that teachers continually broaden their vision by attending classes or seminars taught by more senior teachers. Yoga Alliance requires teachers to complete such continuing education in order to remain registered.
Could your teacher become a mentor?
Teachers bring more than just their asana instruction to the mat. They bring their approach to yoga including their philosophy and tradition. Make sure you study with someone you can trust and respect.
Are they registered with Yoga Alliance®?
An RYT® designation is a symbol of experience, dedication and commitment on the part of your teacher.

Find a Style That Suits Your Lifestyle
When choosing a yoga style, think about what you hope to gain from your yoga class. Helpful questions to ask yourself include:

Do you want a vigorous practice that builds strength or would you prefer a gentle, restorative practice to help you relax?
Is meditation or a spiritual focus important to you?
How do you feel about practicing in a heated room?
Is yoga a cross-training part of a larger workout regimen?
Are injuries, joint problems or other health conditions an issue?

You might ask to observe a class before participating or enrolling. Most teachers and studios offer drop-in classes and some may allow you to attend a trial class, perhaps at a reduced rate, before committing. Health clubs often include classes in their membership fees so you can try yoga in a familiar setting. It’s a good idea to spend some time trying different styles, different teachers and different studios to determine where you feel most comfortable.

Yoga offers tremendous variety and you may find you enjoy more than one style and/or teacher. Take the opportunity to attend workshops and seminars. These can help you broaden your vision and expand your practice.

Check out KPTV’s “Better Portland” on Monday

Ivy — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:17:16 +0000

We just got news that KPTV’s “Better Portland” show will feature a mention of our Vino & Vinyasa at Namaste Vineyards outdoor yoga series on Monday, August 17, 2009. Tune in at 1 PM, the segment will air around 1:15 PM and will include a link on the Better Portland web page. Thanks Amy!

Abundance: First in a 4 week series @ Namaste

Nichole — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 22:28:06 +0000

Our first Vino & Vinyasa event in a series of four Saturdays was held yesterday morning at Namaste Vineyards. After a couple of really *iffy* weather days last week, where it even rained a bit on Friday afternoon, we were pleasantly surprised to wake up Saturday morning and be greeted by completely clear blue skies, and even the moon from the night before. It was cool and crisp..all the mid summer’s dust having been washed away.

Namaste Vineyards is located in the Van Duzer corridor, a narrow path in the Oregon Coast range that runs eastward from the beach and allows cool afternoon breezes to stream in from the Pacific Ocean. It creates the perfect environment for temperamental Pinot Noir grapes to grow. The vineyard is small but has some of the oldest grapes in the area since they were planted in the early 1980’s when the wine industry was just in it’s infancy here in the Willamette Valley. Namaste designates certain plots and varietals in the vineyard into block names: Four of them are Abundance, Prosperity, Harmony, and Tranquility. A perfect set of four in which to “hang our hats upon” this month. Yesterday morning our theme was Abundance, named for the Pinot Noir block behind the tasting room.

Dr. Wayne Dyer, a leading authority on mind/body, metaphysics, and meditation says “Abundance is not something we acquire, it’s something we tune into.” For me, a big part of any yoga practice is taking the time to slow ourselves down enough, tuning out the world’s entertainments, distractions, and stimuli, so that we can actually observe, notice and be able to “tune in.” Out in the grass, with sun on our faces and bird songs in our ears yesterday morning, we couldn’t have had a better venue in which to find and discover the abundance and bounty around us. I closed with a reading of this poem by Laura Barrette Shannon:

You can not own
a shimmering sunset,
or crystal stars of night.
You can not own
a brilliant blowing breeze,
or the spark of sweet sunlight.

You can not keep
a fragrant floral scent,
or an infant’s sleepy sigh.
You can not keep
love’s first embrace,
or life’s ecstatic highs.

You can not possess
that time which went by
before you were even born.
You can not possess
those memories made
long after you are gone.

So experience enjoyment
in each moment,
immerse in sight, sense, and sound.
Appreciate this world
for all that it is,
that’s where abundance is found.

Left Coast Cellars photo album

Ivy — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:03:20 +0000

We here at Vino & Vinyasa are still reeling from the wonderful time we had last Saturday at Left Coast Cellars. Our debut event accomplished everything we hoped and so much more. It was such a delight to chat with all of our guests as we shared the five “E”s: Escape, Entertainment, Education, Enjoyment and Experience!

And the best part is the fine folks at Left Coast have invited us to host another one-day retreat in September. We are going to fine-tune our time line, offer some new wine selections and we will announce the date as soon as we settle on one. Thank you for supporting our efforts.

Until then, click here for the Left Coast Cellars photo album on Facebook.

Left Coast: We let it flow

Ivy — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 01:41:36 +0000

What a fantastic day! A huge thank you to everyone who came to Vino & Vinyasa at Left Coast Cellars, we couldn’t have asked for a better day. We made new friends, stretched our bodies and had an all around fabulous experience pairing wellness and wine. Now it’s time for us to unwind with a bottle of 2006 Willamette Valley Chardonnay.

Cheers, photos will be posted soon!

It’s hard to practice what you preach

Ivy — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:14:59 +0000

I hate to admit it, but over the past week I’ve been stressed out by yoga. Not actual yoga, mind you, but the lack of yoga practice coupled with the pressures of organizing our debut Vino & Vinyasa event. From sending press releases to confirming reservations, I felt like I was spending every waking moment in front of my computer.

I knew this wasn’t the way things should be, so I forced myself to take a 20 minute break; time just for myself. I grabbed my yoga mat and headed for the backyard. Somewhere between the Downward Dog and Warrior asanas I became acutely aware of bird songs and the sound of the gentle breeze rustling the fir trees. I took another deep breath and let the sunshine wash over me.

Suddenly, my mat transformed into a magic carpet of solitude and peace, and I remembered exactly why Nichole and I began this endeavor. I hope everyone who attends one of our yoga classes can experience that same moment of zen.

And so it begins

Ivy — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:46:14 +0000

The first press push for Vino & Vinyasa has been launched! Whew, it’s been a long day in front of the keyboard, writing press releases, editing photos, uploading info to online calendars, putting together a Facebook page, and I can’t even remember what else.

So far we have scored seven reservations for the 30 spots available at our July 11 debut at Left Coast Cellars. Book soon if you want to make sure you get a place. I know you are going to have a fantastic time because there’s a bunch of people working hard toward that goal.

Now it’s time to visit some more vineyards and get some more confirmed dates on the calendar. It’s going to be a busy and blissful summer!