The Zen of Jungle Eye, when art and yoga unite

While teaching in NYC, I came across a beautiful artist rendition of a fellow Yogi (Bibi McGill) online.  I thought the work was luminous and spiritual.  Somehow synchronicity happened, and I made the connection with the incredibly talented artist who creates such consciously creative pieces of art.  His name is Ashley Christudasan and his art work receives growing acclaim under the name "Jungle Eye".

Unified Dimensions of consciousness are woven into this artist work in a way that makes each piece yoga for the eyes.  With detailed graphic layering, a rainbow of colors, black and whites, beautiful soul portraits, paintings, a depiction of yogis, or depiction of deities, their is a beautiful spiritual  richness that captures the infinite in each piece.

Grateful for a new piece of art _ Kaivalya

To my surprise Ashley "Jungle Eye" sometimes invites his fans on Facebook to compete for a chance to win a print of his work by giving a name for the piece.  Somehow a dark and mysterious piece caught my eye, and I felt it resonated with the word Kaivalya (Sansrkit for liberation).  To my great fortune, I won the contest, and Ashley felt this name was the right match for his work!  What an awesome day. I was so thrilled to receive my print of Kaivalya, which is now framed. 

For Yogis who are interested in making their photos luminous, multidimensional, and captivating, perhaps getting a soul portrait or promotional photo done with Jungle Eye, it is the best way to go.  Many well known yogis are adding the conscious flare to their photos with Jungle Eye!

After Jungle Eye recreated photo of me in Crescent Lunge pose, it soon became an internet meme with Zen 2 Zany on Facebook.  What an awesome surprise!!!  Thank you Ashley for sharing your talent!  For those who want their promotional photos, yoga photos, any precious photos immortalized into a "soul portrait", or to purchase prints of some of the conscious elevating prints of his vast collection of art, you can find more information at http://www.jungle-eye.com.  or perhaps connect with him on Facebook.

We are one - z2z

Exploring Yoga and Pranayama at Tathaasu Magazine Wellness Expo

Last weekend, I had the honor to share in the international Tathaasu Wellness Magazine's Expo.  The expo was held in International Center in Missisauga, Ontario.  With some Amazing teachers, exhibitors, vendors, and delicious food, the weekend was a beautiful success!  The expo had 3 or 4 main rooms with invited speakers including myself giving their respective workshops throughout the day, and a host of vendors with booths that shared healthy teas, crystals, crystal healing, shiatsu, vaastu, ayurveda, astrology, and much more! 

On Saturday a brave group of yogis pulled out their mats to engage in a gentle yoga flow, and some fun partner yoga.  It was my first time having to teach with a hand held mic, with some yogis on mats, and with some yogis seated in chairs, which meant I had the chance to give some chair yoga cues for those seated while keeping the flow for the yogis on their mats.  It was lots of fun.  Some beautiful beads of sweat were shed, some new found joy was experienced, and laughter was exchanged during the partner yoga. 

The Sunday I had the chance to teach an intimate group of yogis some Pranayama (regulation of breath).  Pranayama is one of the 8 Limbs of this beautiful practice of yoga, and a vital part to our existence.  The group worked through a guided healing meditation, and pranyama techniques including ujjayi, bramhari, alternate nostril, kapalabhatti and sitali. 

We closed class feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.  It was beautiful. 

Special thanks to Tathaasu Magazine for this amazing opportunity to share Yoga & Pranayama with the participants.  The weekend also had an amazing Fashion show, great prizes, and Kirtan!

For those who have not picked up Tathaasu Magazine, it is a wonderful periodical that  highlights yoga, ayurveda, astrology and much more with relation to Holistic Health and Wellness.

For those who missed the event, be sure to check in with Rogers TV, Access Weekend, as they interviewed me and a few guest speakers at the expo.  It should be on today, and throughout the weekend. 

Thanks again to all who participated in this incredible weekend.  Special thanks to my Daddy for driving me and snapping some beautiful pictures.  Many people who met my dad were amazed by his calm peaceful nature, and some were quick to tell me how he has the essence of a Yogi.  He does indeed.  To all the yogis who shared in this magnificent weekend, keep enjoying your yoga practice, keep a heart of gratitude, and keep sharing smiles everywhere you go.  ~ Namaste

Recap of Yoga & Reiki from Ireland to New York

The past few months have been a glorious adventure of Yoga, Kids Yoga and Reiki.  From Ireland with three beautiful Goddess (Mia, Mielle, and Donna) as they immersed themselves into the transformative 200Hr Yoga Teacher Training, to New York City where Sandi took the same journey, then Joseph, David, and Anthony embarked on the incredibly fun and exciting Kids Yoga, and Stephanie, Mike, Dana and Doris all found healing and light in Reiki Level 1.  I am so grateful to have been invited to share and inspire new Reiki Healers & Yoga Teachers, and Kids Yoga Teachers.  Congratulations to these amazing individuals!  Keep shinning and spreading this beautiful holistic practice, inspiring more people to love & light.  Thank you all for being receptive to the practice of Yoga.  Special thanks To Sun Moon Yoga Healing Center in Limerick, Ireland and Yoga Nidra Studio in Brooklyn, New York.

 

 

 

 

Kids Yoga TT & 200 Hr Adult Yoga TT in New York

Reiki Level 1 @ Yoga Nidra Studio in Brooklyn, New York

200Hr Yoga TT in Limerick, Ireland @ Sun Moon Yoga Healing Center

Kids Yoga Teacher Training in Ireland

Though I left Ireland last month, I realized I never posted about the incredible Kids Yoga Teacher Training.  For me Kids Yoga is one of my most favorite things to teach.  Kids are the most pure teachers of the 8 Limbs (Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samdhi).  I generally teach kids yoga with story, play and of course music.  While I have so much respect and gratitude to the amazing Kids Yoga Schools/Yoga Schools that I have had the honor to teach and share with like (Yogi Beans, Karma Kids, Little Flower, Bent on Learning, Bamboomoves, HMS, HBK, and the few youth shelters that I have taught at in Canada and India), I was so grateful to share this new RIYA YOGA KIDS program to inspire people different ways to bring Harmony to Kids through Yoga.

This incredible group of 7 yogis explored Partner Yoga, Yoga sequencing, Behavior Modification, Yoga Music, Yoga Stories, Yoga Adventures, Pranayama, Meditation, Yoga Games, and much more all geared to teaching kids yoga.  It was so fun to watch and share, and witness all their unique gifts and talents.  When we teach kids we truly should be able to be a kids too.  Have fun, smile, and consider everyone.  The group had so much amazing energy, and shared such beautiful ideas and insight when we discussed methods to work with kids.  Some of the group already works with kids, and this just provided different tools whether it was original music, my Kids book, or the manual that offered a variety of different ways to create a discipline that is both structured and fun.

Caravan of Camels (Partner Camel Pose/Ustrasana)

Bee Breathing - Pranayama

While I have had extensive experience with Children with Special needs, and this program works with all kids regardless of special need.  Kids do yoga naturally, and if you teach a child anything with a song they will remember it for their whole life, hence why we all remember our "ABC's.





That being said, I always recommend students to study further with other trainings and keep on learning.  Sonia Sumar is the lady I always refer students to, who want to specialize in Kids with Special Needs, as her experience and course are an incredible asset to the Kids Yoga Teachers tool box.  Radiant Child offers more brilliant music and tools, Yogi Beans, Karma Kids, Little Flower are all based in NYC, but provide awesome resources for those who want to share yoga to kids.

Special thanks to the incredible group of yogis who joined in the fun and adventures of Riya Yoga Kids Training.  It was such a delight to work with all of you.  More photos are on my facebook page.  Namaste ~

Back Pack Pose

Building Bridges (Golden Gate Bridge in Limerick) - Bridge Pose

Mandalas with Jean Ryan in Ireland

So while the trainees are starting to show signs of excitement and exhaustion as we are in the last leg of 200Hr Riya Yoga Teacher Training, as a special treat I invited a local artists Jean Ryan to come and share his love for painting and art with these amazing ladies.  I met Jean with Mia at a local networking event for local artists, and venues in Limerick.  Jean Ryan is a highly respected artist and art teacher, who had a gallery very close to Sun and Moon Yoga & Healing Center.  I had the idea to invite him to share the concept of creating Mandalas with the Trainees.  I have used Mandalas with kids Yoga, and find it to be an incredible meditation tool.  Before I had a chance to ask Jean, he was gone.  However, since this universe is so incredible and we manifest what we put our mind on, Jean had come back to the studio to see Mia.  She knew that I had wanted to ask him. 

My Mandala...it was relaxing to create.

Table of Mandalas

Donna enjoying the relaxation with her beautiful mandala.

Mia creating a breathtaking Mandala

Mielle enjoying her lovely Mandala.

Exploring Mandalas with Jean Ryan

As Jean Ryan was admiring the Yoga Studio for the first time, he casually mentioned to Mia that she should have some Mandalas painted on the walls, and Mia immediately looked at me and smiled.  I stepped up and asked Jean, and like a true artist he was happy to return to share some Mandala painting with the ladies.  We spent the later end of the afternoon with meditation music on, exploring the power of shapes, chakra colors, and concentration while creating our mandalas.  All of us found it to be a relaxing afternoon, and perfect way to spend the later part of our Teacher Training!  Thank you Jean Ryan for your time and talent, we are so grateful for your contribution to our Training experience.  Jean Ryan may return to Sun and Moon Yoga Centre for art workshops and mandala painting, so for those in Limerick please keep your eyes and ears open for this relaxing and creative way to meditate.

Mia and Jean Ryan

Anatomy with Sara in Ireland.

While I love teaching, I am a student to the practice of yoga and love to take classes with other teachers.  I had the special honor to take class with a beautiful young lady named Sara Cory.  Sara teaches Vinyasa style yoga, and learned with a wonderful teacher from Cork Ireland, who I forgot the name, and Sadie Nardini, and Cameron (founder of Budokon).  I always encourage Teacher Trainees and my own students to try different teachers, it allows us to remain humble and receptive to the power of Yoga, without attachment to teacher.  Sara agreed to share her passion for anatomy, and we had a brilliant afternoon.  We were happy to pose with pictures of the periformis and facia after learning so much.  Thank you Sara, so happy and grateful to have connected with you.

Sara and Myself holding a photo of facia.

My first class with Sara was in this beautiful place in Killaloe overlooking the water, the place was normally used for weddings and banquets.  The class was workshop style, alignment based with emphasis on safety of the spine.  I loved every second, and I knew it would be a valuable treat to have Sara share her love for anatomy with the teacher trainees. 

Sara and the lovely trainees so excited about anatomy!

Exploring Rotation.

While I have taught anatomy, and the section is clear in the Manual, Sara is a self proclaimed anatomy geek, with a passion for the periformis that I don't share, so I was so grateful to have her share her wisdom and knowledge with the group.  Thank you Sara for coming to Sun and Moon Yoga Center and sharing your time and incredible awareness of the spine, periformis, psoas, and all other brilliant things related to anatomy and Yoga.

Amazing Angel Workshop with Mary

One of the highlights for me being in Ireland was reuniting with my AMAZING Reiki Teacher, and Crystal healing Teacher, Mary Henry.  Mary was my yoga student in NYC, and one day in class when she spoke about her training in Reiki, I mentioned to her that one day she might be my Reiki Master teacher, and exactly that came true.  I am forever grateful to that life changing experience, and recommend Mary to everyone.  She is a gifted healer, intuitive teacher, and empath.  She has a divine gift to teach and share Reiki, Crystals, and Angel Healing. 
 

 

 

 

 

Angel Healing Savasana

We all explored Angel Healing, experienced divine guidance, and raised our vibration with the help of Mary's brilliant Singing Bowls, which she placed all around us, on our navel and played so beautifully.

Angel Healing Exploration

Crystals and Some Angel Healing