Great Summer Read - The Snow Leopard, By Peter Matthiessen

 Riding on the subway between Yoga sessions, allows for great time to read.  Recently, a good friend lent me an amazing book called "The Snow Leopard".  The vivid account of adventurer Peter Matthiessen and his zoologist friend George Schaller on their search to find the rare Snow Leopard in the crystal region of the Himalayan mountains is an amazing account.  The journey takes the reader into the beautiful scenery of the high desert regions of Nepal and deep into the heart and soul of the characters.  With a Zen backdrop, the story leads the reader into a sense of self discovery, especially with the importance of living in the moment.  

A profound use of imagery draws the reader deep into the journey.  The expedition in this book paints a lyrical and poetic narrative which leaves you eager to turn the page and catch a glimpse of this rare Snow Leopard.  The author takes you into the trials and pleasures of his travels.  You feel as though you are trekking beside him, feeling the snow crunching under foot, withstanding the challenges of blistering sun, witnessing the beauty of the surrounding exotic animals and meeting with the local people in this lonely mystical region of Nepal.  This book is a breathtaking account of an adventure that is both spiritual and physical.  I enjoyed this book so much, and would recommend it to everyone.  This is a classic book that you will love to read again and again.

Super Soccer Star & Yogi Beans Boat Cruise 2009

An enchanting evening with my lovely girl friends from Yogi Beans, courtesy of the amazing crew at Super Soccer Stars.  We are on board a cruise ship sailing around the magical island of Manhattan.  The air is crisp, the view is breathtaking, and the atmosphere is lots of fun.  This was my first time on a cruise, so the initial rocking of the docked boat was something to get used to. Soon the boat began to move, and we took in the wonder of this brilliant city of New York.  The illuminated skyline, the decorated bridges, and even a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty from a distance.  We stayed around the upper part of the boat, outside, enjoying the breeze, and slowly  migrated down to the main floor.  Anxiously awaiting dinner we were entertained by a fantastic tap dancing duo (twin brothers) and a fabulous accordion player.  They were high energy and lots of fun to watch.  Finally dinner, the Yogi Bean ladies made a B line to the Buffet.  After the yummy food, we danced, laughed, shared some drinks, and danced, and danced, and danced some more.  It was a fun night with good times.  The Super Soccer Stars crew know how to party!  Thank you Gustavo & Sara of Super Soccer Stars and Lauren (Founder of Yogi Beans) for inviting us.  This was my first cruise and it was lots of fun.  The picture from left to right is Rachel, Sara, Debbie, Ambria and Lauren, we missed two of our other Yogi Bean instructors Meghan and Lindsay.  

Pigeon Crescent Pose

A lovely variation on Pigeon Pose is Pigeon Crescent.  This pose majestically opens up the hips and facilitates concentrated breath work.  This pose is one of my favorites to end a Hip Opening Class with.  Pigeon Pose and it's variations are especially beneficial for ladies, as many women tend to be tight in this region.  How to safely come into this pose is as follows:

• Begin in Downward Dog, inhale and extend right leg to the sky in one legged dog, bend the right knee and sweep it through to rest beside your right hand. Left leg is extended flat while hips are squared.  Exhale.
• Inhale, Bend your left knee, reach for your left foot with your right hand and place it in the crook of your left elbow.
• Keeping the left foot in the crook of the elbow, raise your right arm overhead and reach to touch your fingers/clasp hands with your left & right hand. Exhale.
• Arch slightly into the pose, open the chest and maintain the weight of the torso over your hips.
• Hold the pose for 3 - 5 breaths and feel the bliss resonating in your body!
• Release hands, exhale and extend left foot back, prostrate forward and slowly step your right foot back into Downward facing Dog.
• Repeat on the other side.

After Yoga Tea Time @ Namaste

After a lovely Yoga class at Namaste it is common to find some members of the class stay for a cup of tea. The tea is a signature Namaste blend of Lavender, Sage, Rose and other lovely herbs. After my last Open Level class that I taught, myself and a few students gathered for some tea and discussion. I was amazed to hear one of my students share a story where she incorporated Ujjayi breathing while under a stressful situation at work. She works at a high end Wine Bar in NYC, as a cook and admitted that the Ujjayi Breathing (pranayama) technique helped her to find a calm sense of peace.

Ujjayi Breathing is the act of expanding the diaphragm, allowing the breath to travel up the chakras, inhaling and exhaling through the nose, and making an audible ocean like sound on the exhale which is done by tightening the glottis. The breath is calming and brings balance to the body while also heating the body. This technique is common in Power Yoga or Ashtanga classes, and especially in transitions between intense poses in a regular Vinyasa Flow class. I was amazed to hear that this student incorporated this popular Pranayama (breathing) technique in her work atmosphere. Once again an example of Yoga at Work.

Toga with Yogi Beans

I love love love to Teach with Yogi Beans.  Yogi Beans offers amazing Yoga classes for kids.  The classes offer structure, pranayama (breathing exercises), Asana (postures), and most importantly FUN!!! Along with the physical strength and flexibility gained, Kids concentration, balance, and focus improve much like an adult experience with a Yoga class.  One of the favorite games that the kids enjoy is TOGA.  Toga involves kids balancing on one foot, as they grab a pom pom with their toe and put it into a bucket.  This games improves concentration, balance, and team work skills.  Kids Love Toga and I love to share it with them!  For more information about Yogi Beans classes for kids and mommy & me please visit: www.yogibeans.com

Ambria Live @ Peoples Lounge

Recently, I was invited to open the show for a lovely artist Shelita Vaughn & her band @ The Peoples Lounge in the Lower East Side of Manhattan.  The charming venue was packed with a friendly group of people enjoying the signature Hurricanes, and the after work ambiance.  This was the first time I met Shelita in person.  After we met, she introduced me to the band and the MC.  I began to do a sound check and jam a little with the bassist and drummer which was too fun!  As the evening progresses, more delightful people trickle in and I decide that I am going to seduce the crowd with a set of my romantic love songs.  Fred, the MC, introduces me to the crowd highlighting that beyond Music I also teach Yoga and belly dance which seems to draw applause and excitement from the crowd.  The lights are dim, the mood is still, and I begin to play the keys and sing my first song.  The exuberant crowd inspired me to share a new song I had just written an hour before the gig called "Love & Laughter".  It was only after the performance that I mentioned the song was written an hour prior, and they showered me with even more applause, which made me feel that the song is a keeper.  After my set, Shelita and her band took the stage.  Her music has a Southern Jazzy Pop feel, complete with keys, guitar, bass, drums, horns and background vocalists.  Shelita looked stunning and has a buttery voice.  The crowd is so great and I look forward to playing this venue again on the last Wednesday of the month.  For more music visit: www.ambriaonline.com or www.myspace.com/ambriaonline

PreNatal Shoulder Stand @ Namaste

Teaching PreNatal yoga is always a wonderful experience.  The radiant energy that women have while pregnant, the humorous attitude, and the natural bonding that takes place in a prenatal yoga class is always beautiful.  Recently, after teaching class at Namaste Williamsburg, my student requested to stay after to do a shoulder stand.  There are many reasons and contraindications why I usually avoid inversions in Prenatal, however my student insisted that she is comfortable with the practice.  She began with legs up the wall, and gracefully lifted off into shoulder stand.  She was amazing!  While it is true that shoulder stand and inversions make women feel good because of the reverse pressure of gravity on their body, it is still something to do for a limited time, with permission of your physician and under supervision.