Yoga with JackieClick the buttons below to explore the opportunities to work with Jackie. | This month we’re featuring one of our most dedicated, energetic, and caring instructors currently teaching at Roswell Yoga Life: our very own Jackie Kaminer! When she’s not thriving in a yoga class, you can find her spending quality time with her family, her husband, and maybe having a drink! She knows how to dedicate herself to practice and let some fun and play sneak in, too. Learn more about Jackie and her fun-loving attitude in life in our exclusive interview below! Tell me a little bit about your yoga journey from the beginning. I have been a group exercise instructor since 1992, teaching spinning and aerobics. I discovered yoga about 11 years ago and was hooked immediately. It gave me a peace that no other exercise could. When my third child was born with special needs I realized how much I really needed yoga. It taught me how to go through life one breath at a time-- sometimes those breaths need to be extra deep! What's it like to be a part of the RYL community? Gretchen has created such a beautiful community and I am honored to be a part of it. I also live in Roswell so it’s been wonderful to connect with so many local folks. I get so excited when I see a friend walk in the studio! Did you ever see yourself teaching yoga when you started practicing? When did you know that you were called to teach? I was already teaching fitness classes, so I moved right into teaching yoga. I was self-taught for many years going to as many training opportunities and workshops that I could, leading up to my 200 hour certification in 2012. What does yoga mean to you? Yoga is all about the practice, not the perfection. It’s about allowing yourself to be where you are on a particular day and being okay with that. It’s knowing that you don’t have to nail a pose to be successful. It’s about accepting yourself for who you are, and remembering that yoga and life are journeys with ebbs and flows along the way. What is the most magical thing about yoga? For me the most magical thing about yoga is the breath. Whether you are in a stressful situation on your mat or in your everyday life, you can learn to breathe through it to get through it. Life truly mirrors our yoga practice. Why do people especially need yoga in their lives? On a physical level we all need yoga in our lives as we age to keep our bodies healthy. On an emotional level we need yoga to keep our minds healthy. I believe that if we can take our yoga practice off the mat and into our everyday lives we become nicer, calmer, and more patient. This month we are raising awareness of paralysis. How can yoga support and benefit those living with paralysis, both mentally and physically? That question hits so close to home for me as my cousin, and best friend, has recently become paralyzed. Ironically, she is not a huge fan of yoga (☺ - I keep trying)! This is a new world for me, and I am very interested in learning how to help those with spinal cord injuries. What is your favorite music to practice to, and why? Music is a huge part of my practice. Music motivates me to move. Music has an imprint on our memories and can take us back to another time and place. Music fills all of our different moods. My music taste in yoga runs the gamut. I have many favorite yogi artists, such as Trevor Hall and Girish, but at times I can be found practicing or jamming out to Bruce Springsteen! What 3 words would describe your life outside of your yoga practice? Nonstop, crazy, and loving! What is your greatest guilty pleasure? My husband and I are laughing at this question. He says I “need to get some more vices!” I love a good Black Russian cocktail and Extreme Moosetracks flavored ice cream. Anything your students ought to know about you? I too struggle with many many poses. I have to constantly remind myself that I don’t have to nail a handstand in the middle of the room to be a good yogi. I just keep trying and practicing and maybe one day it will come-- and maybe it won’t. And that’s really okay with me! It took a long time to accept that. Join us. Explore your opportunities to work with Jackie: Jackie's Yoga Class Schedule |
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“Yoga is the unifying art of transforming dharma into action, be it through inspired thought, properly nurturing our children, a painting, a kindness or an act of peace that forever moves humanity forward.” -Micheline Berry With the arrival of a new year, we’re feeling excited about the potential for transformation in the next 12 months. New Year’s Resolutions, intentions, and goals are fresh on our minds and we’re ready to tackle our obstacles with strength and resiliency! The beauty of transformation is inherent in the process as well as the conclusion. Many of our most accomplished moments came from begrudgingly painful circumstances and unfortunate setbacks. Could it be that our exposure to the tough, the not so pretty, the devastating moments are what drive us to take that leap forward and push through? Just like a caterpillar, we are striving to find a place for our cocoon; the place where our transformation happens. The hard work comes in weaving the outer shell to protect us as we grow, change, and inevitably evolve into a new person; a butterfly. Reaching any goal can be incredibly difficult, and the payoff is greater than any challenge we may ever face. "We need to realize that our path to transformation is through our mistakes. We're meant to make mistakes, recognize them, and move on to become unlimited." -Yehuda Berg How does yoga play a part in transformation? It permeates the layers of our mind, body, and spirit to support and uplift when we’re undergoing the tough work of changing from caterpillar to butterfly. Being present on our mat, hands held up high, feet constantly moving forward, energy sprouting from our fingertips; it all becomes part of the journey. Each asana we practice centers our mind and relaxes our nerves to make room for joy and inspiration, which is the gasoline to achieving our goals and dreams. Think of your yoga practice like a stop at the gas station; in order to put forth energy in your life, you must take time for yourself to recharge and fill up the gas tank. It’s not just the transformation within that fulfills us, but the relationships we maintain throughout our journey that have the capacity to transform. “It seems as if [the yoga sutra's] wisdom just hang in the air preserved in time and space. So much of our world is more connected than ever, yet more superficial. It’s like our world is expanding outwardly, but we don’t take the time to expand inwardly.” Infinity Yoga owner Becky Nickerson emphasizes the role that community plays in a person’s personal transformation. “Today’s societal norms put so much pressure and anxiety in our daily lives that people really need a break; whether it comes from ancient texts, your yoga practice, or daily meditation, I think that the yoga community is a vital part of people’s lives and I am happy to contribute to that.” Allowing ourselves the opportunity to unplug from YouTube yoga sessions and get real on the mat with other human beings can radically change how we show up in our day to day lives. “The physical signs of success are not required for growth to occur, they are reflections of that growth along with intangible reflections, such as peace of fulfillment.” Once you’ve reached that finish line, crossed that last “to-do” off your list, or completed the final work out, the internal reward will remain long after the external feelings will. Yoga supports our lives with incredible rewards each time we are present on the mat, and will remain to so long as we give back what the practice continually offers to us. Explore your opportunities to transform this year at Roswell Yoga Life:
Yoga reaches all people at any age, size, disposition and physical location. The beauty in a regular practice captivates and supports those who frequently do yoga. For good reason, it continues to touch those who may not normally have the opportunity to access it.
We’re highlighting important and research based reasons that children need yoga, and why Kid’s Yoga is the next big thing for families all over the world! Check out our 5 reasons Kid’s Yoga is vital for health and wellness in little ones everywhere! Growing Bodies Need Support Children grow faster than boiling a pot of water! Their bones are frequently expanding and contracting to lengthen, muscles are growing, breaking apart and taking shape, and their organs are strengthening while their physical size continues to extend! Sounds like a tough job for a little one, doesn’t it? Yoga is the perfect practice for anyone at any age, however, it particularly benefits those who are elderly and those who are young because it focuses on musculature and tissues. While the body grows and changes, these areas may experience soreness or inflammation. Counteract any growth spurt pains in kids using asanas and yoga to support and help them stay strong and flexible throughout their lives! Happy Child, Happy Parents Every parent knows the beauty in a moment with a happy child. Whether it’s a good night’s rest, a loving smile, or sharing a favorite hobby together, happy children make very happy parents. Yoga can relax the mind and body to ensure that you are centered and feeling positive. Yoga Benefits Kids is a foundation dedicated to providing the strength, resiliency, flexibility, and personal growth that accompanies a regular yoga practice to children. While many of us appreciate the effects and benefits of yoga, children may need it the most! Stress of school, peers, growing older, and learning responsibility can weigh heavy on the lighthearted nature of a child. Deep breathing, stretching, and staying in the present moment provides a beautiful moment for quiet and relaxation. As your child prevents more stress during yoga, this makes for a pleasant and healthy child-parent relationship! Even better, practice alongside your little one to double the effects of this boost of positivity! Yoga Smarts = Book Smarts Research continues to show, in both children and adults, the incredible source of focus that yoga provides for those who practice it. Productivity reaches sky high levels when corporations introduce workplace yoga, because of the emphasis on the present moment. This same idea applies to all research done with kids who have experienced yoga. Their minds are calm, centered and relaxed. This frees up space and resources to expand and spend more energy on knowledge based activities. Yoga could turn homework nightmares into a beautiful dream! School performance is a common concern among parents, and yoga battles the discomfort of many children attempting to focus in school. Being in the present moment, a pinnacle theme of yoga, is the key to school smarts! Let their Imagination Run Free Children are equipped with one of the most powerful tools a person could have: a ripe imagination. Stories, art, dance, expression and speech are all ways that children use their imagination to learn more about themselves and the world around them. A traditional yoga class tends to focus on achieving the perfect pose and holding it while breathing deeply. Kid’s Yoga is set up a bit differently to nurture their imagination and allow them to express their lighthearted nature: Kid’s Yoga focuses on imagination, using plenty of language to spark ideas and images in the mind. Stretching and breathing are a main focus, but are not required to be “successful.” A child will never feel disciplined or wrong for practicing yoga, they will only be supported and encouraged. It’s About More Than Just Exercise Children frequently active with sports and school activities especially need a supportive yoga practice to protect and condition the entire body for an easy repair throughout life. This prevents any damage to the bones, muscles and nerves while lubricating the joints! Foundations like Yoga Benefits Kids gives children in all communities the chance to experience the one of a kind transformation through a yoga practice! While exercise is vital for overall health and wellness, integrating yoga themes and poses into your child’s life will keep their minds sharp and full of joy! Yoga remains to be one of the most exciting and rapidly growing forms of exercise for the world. Over 20 million Americans practice yoga regularly -- this is more than the entire population of Netherlands! Whether you prefer fast flowing Vinyasa or slow and steady Yin, it’s clear that the benefits of this unique practice reach far beyond the physical. According to Examined Existence, yoga provides incredible relief to those suffering with anxiety and depression. The concentration on breathing with conscious movements create a positive feedback loop that reprograms your internal stress response. Over time, your stressors become less impactful and your resiliency boosts dramatically. You can’t apply yoga to your taxes, but you can apply the benefits of doing yoga to handling stressful situations with an increased strength. What about yoga at work? Business Insider uncovered the surprising ways that practicing yoga improves your productivity, focus and more:
These are just a few of the many beneficial opportunities that yoga creates in your life. Imagine if everyone in your office were exposed to the same benefits? Scientists, yoga teachers, and social psychologists have explored the benefits of workplace yoga with fascinating results!
RYL owner and Yin Yoga instructor Gretchen Griffin has a direct relationship with yoga in the corporate environment, including a personal transformation through embracing yoga and overcoming the stress of endless work days. We interviewed her to learn more about how yoga can transcend a challenging job or career: What are the three most unexpected ways yoga has helped you in the workplace? It helps one to gain clarity when making decisions, become calm and centered - less reactive to stressful situations, & have more energy throughout the day. When did you discover that yoga could be a powerful tool in corporate settings? Yoga is more than just exercise for the body, it is really a guide for interacting with the world at large. There are eight limbs to yoga and the first three are yamas, niyamas, and asanas. Most people are familiar with yoga postures, or asanas. These postures, when practiced regularly, condition the body to create resilience to deal with the physical, emotional, and mental challenges that are inherent in the workplace. The lesser known aspects are the yamas and niyamas, which are ethical and personal observances that allow us to be at peace with ourselves and our community. The yamas (ethical considerations) are compassion, truthfulness, non-stealing, controlling our senses, and non-attachment. Think of companies that you have worked at. My guess is that if you were unhappy in any way within a company, it was because one or more of these ethical considerations were missing. Just think of what would be possible from an employee and customer satisfaction standpoint if all of the yamas were just part of the regular operating procedure within a company! The niyamas are personal observances or guidelines about how one treats themselves. It is the concept of "be the change you wish to see in the world" or "change starts with you" because we all impact those around us by how we treat ourselves. The niyamas are cleanliness, contentment, mindful use of our energy, self-study, and having a connection to something greater than ourselves (inspiration). These observances foster growth, personal development, and happiness within each individual employee, which then radiates out into the world - workplace, customers, and community. Do you see more companies integrating yoga as a daily work activity, such as a lunch break or meeting? Yoga in the workplace is growing because it is seen as an affordable tool that increases employee satisfaction, health, and overall well-being. With excessive demands on employees to stay connected 24/7, skyrocketing healthcare costs, and a rise of workplace violence and bullying, employers have a lot to deal with. Implementing a regular yoga program is an affordable and sustainable tool to reduce the devastating impacts of the elevation of stress in the workplace. How would workplace yoga benefit one's stress levels at work? Yoga allows one to quiet the mind by using the breath to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which reduces the stress response in the body. By utilizing the breath to work through physically stressful yoga postures on the mat, one builds the resiliency needed to deal with stress off of the yoga mat in positive, productive manner. When an employee is able to operate from this calm, centered place, they are less likely to react to stressful situations, such as intense deadlines, upset customers, and unexpected issues. What insights would you like to share regarding yoga at work and the importance of taking "asana breaks?" The key is to assess the long term impacts that stress is having on employees and the work environment and then choosing a sustainable, affordable intervention. Yoga is just one of many options, but in my opinion it is the key to creating a healthy, sustainable work environment that supports employees in being productive and satisfied. Loving these yoga benefits? Take advantage of our exclusive FREE Lunch Yoga and partnership with the Roswell Farmer’s Market! Take a free Lunch Yoga class at RYL December 8th-12th and the Roswell Farmer's Market will deliver a healthy, organic lunch to the studio. Be sure to pre-order your lunch 24-hours in advance by calling 770-702-0109. Learn more about special events & offers on the Roswell Yoga Life Facebook page! We know the benefits of yoga on adults, so why is teen yoga becoming so popular?Yoga is a big business, and over the last 25 years we have seen the impact that a yoga practice has in anyone's life. At Roswell Yoga Life, we're dedicated to offering multidimensional and accessible yoga classes to the community, which means that we offer classes that may seem uncommon: Yoga for Athletes, Pre-Natal Yoga, and Kid's Yoga to name a few. This month, we're highlighting the importance of our Teen Yoga classes by allowing all teens who bring a friend to our Teen Yoga class to come for FREE! It's more than just giving teens a chance to experience yoga, it's also about opening their minds to how yoga can transform their lives.
Teenagers are active, fast paced, growing individuals with no shortage of expression and energy to use. Yoga can channel the energy positively, and intentionally, to dramatically improve any emotional or stress-related ailments such as migraines, mood swings, and chronic back pain. Sitting in a school desk all day can wreck havoc on anyone's posture, but especially teens, so practicing the flowing, flexible art of yoga postures can reinforce a healthy posture and spine. This makes entering adulthood much easier on their back and joints. Research has shown that teens who practiced yoga before an exam had reduced stress versus those who did not. There are many other positive aspects of teen yoga as well. Only 25% of American teens are exercising, which means that cardiovascular disease, obesity, and lowered quality of life are all potential threats to take cautionary action against. With the rising rates of heart attacks in young adults, yoga can be a positive step in the right direction to reversing any development of our country's most devastating disease. What about teens that already do sports or exercise regularly? Would yoga be a good option for them? The answer is a resounding YES! Though these teens are getting a healthy amount of cardiovascular exercise, making the time to properly stretch their limbs and ligaments can prevent any sports related injuries, as well as restrengthen their muscular tissues and hasten muscle repair. Whether you're an exercise newbie, or a seasoned athlete, yoga is a beneficial addition to any teen lifestyle. Looking for more information on Teen Yoga? We're loving this Elephant Journal blog post, "A Teenager's Thoughts on Yoga for Teenagers," that's filled with honesty and beautifully written reflection on what it's like to be a teen in the yoga world. Check out Prissy Tomboy, the Karma Yoga foundation for the month of September! This local group of women work to empower girls through being active and making exercise a beautiful, not brutal, addition to a young girl's life! Don't forget: any teen that attends our Teen Yoga classes during the month of September will get in for free with a friend! Both teens can practice yoga at the beautiful RYL HQ for FREE with our wonderful Teen Yoga teacher, Kate Burgess! We look forward to seeing you there. |
About the AuthorKayleighWriter, energy healer, astrologer, nerd, animal enthusiast, naturopath in training. Archives
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