Aerial Yoga @ Om Factory

Last Sunday after teaching some classes, my lovely students at Bamboomoves Bronx, informed me I was joining them at Om Factory for Aerial Yoga. My students take my classes, and sign me up to take classes with them, how amazing! I was reluctant because my recently fractured toe was still sore, and I also had to teach my evening Yoga class, but I still ventured with them to fly. We walk into the Om Factory and see the room filled with lovely draping orange sheets that hang from the ceiling. Then we are greeted by a kind spirit at the front desk, sign up and ready ourselves for class. I have tried Aerial Yoga before in Brooklyn, but this was my first time with this particular teacher and studio. One of my lovely students, Latesha, loves it so much she wants to get certified in Aerial Yoga, and based on how awesome she was at Aerial Yoga, I am sure she will, and be wonderful at it! In walks our lovely teacher Ameilia. She introduces herself to us, and invites us to all enter the room and pick a Hammock. She gives the health concern questions, and instructs us where to place our hammock in relation to our body. Soon we sit in meditation in the hammock. I was taken back to my childhood days when most every child would hang in a hammock in India to fall asleep. It was very relaxing (both back then and on this day at Om). One at a time, Ameilia leads us in the Aerial Yoga flow she had designed with Handstands, Hasta Padangusthasana, lunges, downward dog and much more. It was a lot of fun. Unfortunately for me, I had accidentally hurt my toe placing it into the Hammock early in the class, so I was in my own world of "Oh Noooo Did I break my toe again?". I kept focusing on sending loving energy to my toe, rubbing it, and pretending not to be in pain, which all distracted me from listening to cues and even at times trying poses. When we straddle our legs out to the side, the length of my legs was enough to hit everyone around me, and my concern was my sore big toe. Ameilia was amazing at adjusting and assisting, I probably should have mentioned my toe to her, but I just kept going on my own. The class was a lot of fun! At one point in the end of class, I was upside down in downward dog, and I had to ask my amazing student Latesha what to do next, luckily she was able to cue me what to do next. Thanks Om Factory and Ameilia for giving a fun class!

Yogi Beans @ Earth Day 2009

On April 24th 2009, myself and Sam represented Yogi Beans at Earth Day.  The Earth Day festivities were held at Grand Central in NYC.  The Green Pavilion had Holistic Health, Yoga, Eco-Fashion, Organic Food, Live Music, and much more.  We had a great time introducing parents, kids and other participants to the Yogi Beans program.  The weather was a glorious sunny spring day and a few groups of kids participated in some Yogi Beans fun activities.  We had small and large groups of kids from various visiting schools participating in warm ups, tree pose/group Forest, sun salutations, feather breathing and many more fun activities.  It was so wonderful to see the positive energy in the smiles of all who participated.

YUMMY YOGINI - Eating Veggies

Vegetables are low in calories and fat and loaded with fiber.  It is no secret that many people who practice Yoga are vegetarian/vegan.  I myself practice a vegetarian lifestyle. Growing up, my mom used to prepare a lot of vegetarian dishes since she also preferred the veggies, and her and my daddy grew their own in our garden.  Taste and veggies go hand in hand in Indian culture.  With the right spices to give yummy flavor, not necessarily "heat" but flavor and a whole lotta LOVE....anyone can create some yummy veggie dishes.  With any recipe, LOVE, should always be the key ingredient, only then will you and your guests want more.

Two of my favorite dishes - "CAULIFLOWER POWER" & "EGG VEG"

CAULIFLOWER POWER (my personal knock-off version of mommy's aloo gobi)

3 cups organic vegetable broth

1 Cauliflower (made into mini flowerets)

1 potato (cubed)

1 onion (small/diced)

4 garlic cloves (diced)

1 tsp curry powder

4 tsp tumeric

4 tbs sour cream or vegan substitute

Add Sea Salt & Pepper to taste

Add Love

GARNISH: 1 leafy stem of cilantro & a few narrow pieces of ginger cut julianne style

STEPS: 

Sautee garlic, onions.  Add Spices and potato.  Add Broth till potatos are soft then add flowerets.  Cook till soft.  Add sour cream at the end or Vegan substitute.  Add love & remove from stove top.  Finally, share with people you love and ENJOY the YUMMINESS!!!!

EGG VEG is also in the picture but it is a family secret, that I am sworn to secrecy for....all I can say is.....YUMMINESSSSS!!!!!!

In the Studio With Ambria

In between Yoga & Body Work Sessions, Shiatsu class, Gigs & Session Singing, and time spent in my personal Yoga Practice, I make time to hit the studio for my personal music projects. Many of my songs find inspiration from relationships, daily events and experiences from both my life and those close to me. I am busy recording my latest album for my solo project, Ambria. I am also working hard at the final stages of production of my ZOGA YOGA music collection which will include music for Vinyasa/Hatha classes, Pre Natal/Post Natal, Kids Yoga and Guided Meditation/Pranayama. This is an exciting time, and I am loving the journey.

Music is a universal language that has the power to inspire, heal, celebrate, and capture the Love that lives inside every heart around the world. I am so grateful for the gift of music and I can't wait to share my new material with everyone.

~Namaste~

Please visit my links for samples of music:

www.ambriaonline.com

www.myspace.com/ambriaonline

Yogi Beans in NYC

While it is no secret that Yoga and Music are my primary passions in life.  My zest for maintaining a joyful spirit and positive outlook is the reason why children have always been magnetized to me and vice versa.  My years spent as a teacher in grade 1, 4 and pre-K age classes in NYC was part of my personal journey.  While I believe that the Universe brings people and situations in your life as part of growth, discovery and most importantly opportunity, I am so thankful that the Universe brought me to the delightful Yogi Beans Team.

Yogi Beans is an amazing Yoga program for kids Ages 3-10, created by the lovely Lauren Rosenfeld.  Kids explore the spirit of Yoga, with poses (physical activity), songs (music), meditation (relaxation), and SO MUCH MORE, in a non competitive environment.  Lauren has worked hard to create a wonderful program that cultivates self confidence, body awareness, and appreciation for the special mind-body connection.  Most importantly, this Yogi Beans program is TONS OF FUN!!!!

I am so excited to be part of this amazing team of talented Yogis & Yoginis.  This is a chance for me to use my yoga, music and teaching experience with the amazing Kids Yoga program, YOGI BEANS, here in NYC.  Through teaching experience I have learned that time spent with a child, is precious, humbling, fun and always a new experience.  I am excited to share future posts that will highlight more details about Yogi Beans, Lauren and even the Kids reactions.

For parents, schools, kids and anyone who wants more information about the wonderful YOGI BEANS program please visit : www.yogibeans.com

Aerial Yoga in NYC

As a child I used to spend hours on my backyard swing set on the rings, and hanging upside down on the bar, which led to gymnastics and to the horror of my daddy no "Olympic Gold"  Not even more than 2 cherished 2nd place ribbons, which made me dive deeper into my music and ignore the gymnastic life except as a memory.  Tonight was my time to shine and revisit that lost childhood love with Aerial Yoga in NYC.

I enter into a lovely studio in Bedford, Brooklyn.  Lovely trapeze swings in vibrant colors cascade from the ceiling.  The lush fabric is attached by a giant hook and attached to another giant hook in the ceiling.  Two friendly girls are swinging and chatting away, sharing the same excitement that I have for this new experience.  

Our lovely instructor Michelle, greets me, has me fill out my waiver, and I quickly rest my mat beneath a gorgeous blue swing that reminds me of the beach.  I look up and question "Is this going to hold me?".  I remind myself that this is still a Yoga experience and I need to surrender my fears and just breathe.

Three other veteran aerial Yoga chicks enter the room and we are a class of 6 ladies swinging from the ceiling.  Like most Yoga classes we begin with Om.  Michelle reminds us of the need to breathe throughout the practice.  We proceed into amazing warm ups with the swing that rip my biceps and remind me of the work I need to do on my upper body strength.

Now, WE SWING!  We are taught headstand, handstand, pigeon, and more.  For those with a minimal inversion practice (upside down postures) well....let's just say the swing helps a ton, however eating before an Aerial Yoga class.....NOT THE BEST IDEA.  I did feel a little dizzy and was told my third time doing upside down pigeon may have been a little over ambitious, but it was soooooo fun and Michelle managed to turn me mid pose while my neighbor captured a picture.  On occasion I bumped into my neighbor (A fellow Aerial Yoga Newbie), like Trapeze bumper cars.

We gravitate to our Yoga Mats and flow through some amazing twists.  Class ends with savasana done hanging in the trapeze swings.  This savasana takes me to thoughts of how it must have felt swinging in the typical baby swing when I went to India as an infant.  Every Indian baby usually swings in a hammock-style swing made of fabric and akin to the Aerial Yoga swing.  So I guess this may not have been my first time at Aerial Yoga!!!

This experience was tons of fun, definitely physically challenging, and again tons of fun!!!!  For more information about participating in Aerial Yoga visit: http://www.aerialyoga.com

~Namaste