Inspire Yoga We Are Getting There!

At the beginning it was a deli. Then I saw the potential for something wonderful. Here in a photo essay is our dream come true - "Inspire Yoga" - Yoga with heart. In the beautiful words from Walt Disney, "If you can dream it you can do it!" And in the fantastic words of Baron Baptiste "Dream BIG!"










Inspire Yoga opens its doors Saturday November 6th at 10am. This is a wonderful day to open since it is also our 17th wedding anniversary that day!

Namaste!

Two Weeks From Today We Open

Inspire Yoga Studio is opening its doors to the public on Saturday November 6th at 10am to 5pm. Please join us for one of the free classes that day. The schedule is listed below, other wise stop in and say hello, look around, pick up a schedule, enjoy some refreshments, check out our yoga special that will be offered and look around our small boutique of yoga related items.

Schedule:
10:30am to 11:45am Power Yoga with Joan
12:30pm to1:00pm Mommy & Me with Joan
2:00pm to 3:00pm Power Yoga with Lou
3:30pm to 4:00pm Gentle Yoga with Joan

Special that will be offered throughout November: Purchase 5 classes for $50 ($10 per class is a 33% savings). This a great way to sample yoga if you are new to it or a beautiful way to continue your practice. Remember the holidays are coming and this makes a wonderful gift for anyone on your list.

Please visit our website www.inspirepenfield.com to read about our schedule, class descriptions and instructor bios.

Photos will be posted of the studio from start to finish this week.

Remember, "Be the change you wish to see in the world"
Namaste.

This ones for you Lynn

After class a week or so ago my friend Lynn, who was in yoga class that evening, loved this reading. Thank you for your patience - you rock!

"One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself or anyone else is inspiration. Inspiration to get in touch with your dreams. Inspiration to seek out your deepest passions. Inspiration to make a difference in the world, a difference that only you can make. This is not about success; it's about significance. It's not about making a living; it's about making a life. It's not about fame; it's about contribution and service. Instead of asking, "What can I get from life?", watch what happens when you ask, "What can I give to life?"

Have a beautiful day!
Namaste.

Change is in the Air Here in Penfield

Wow - I love Mondays!!! I just wanted to announce that I am now the proud owner of "Inspire Yoga - yoga with heart" a new yoga studio getting ready to open its door on November 6st, 2010!!!! The lease has been signed, the LLC in place and construction - remodeling is under way as we speak.

The "before" photos are coming. Lots of cool changes are in store for this old deli. I will be posting regularly.

I wanted to thank all those who believe in me and what I am doing - you are the wind in my sails!!!! And I wanted to thank my husband for all his love, kindness, support and believing that I can do it!!! Michael you are priceless to me and always have been. And to my kids who think this is just "Cool" you two rock!!!!

Stay tuned for all the neat happenings as we create "Inspire Yoga - yoga with heart".
Namaste.

Rain Must Fall That is How We Grow

In every life some rain must fall, it is necessary, that is how we grow. As you can tell last week was challenging for me, many lessons learned and I emerged stronger. The lessons continue to be taught in the most unexpected ways. Kindnesses shown by the people you least expect, notes from friends that encourage, and of course the unexpected smiles that can brighten the cloudiest days. This is truly a gift from God. These gifts are the bright lights of our lives that we sometime don't truly understand until the lights have dimmed for what ever reason. My yoga practice this week has been less physical and more mental as I have become more present in my life. I have taken back my energy for the greater good and have chosen to spend that precious energy on those I love! All in all a good week and a lesson well learned!!!
Namaste.

Bump in the Road

I was just reminded of something that I needed to remember. First that we do live in a beautiful universe and there are bumps in the road.

This past weekend I hit a bump in the road. I became aware that people aren't always what they seem. This is a hard lesson for me since I tend to trust everyone. It is a gift I give freely. I give trust rather than making people earn it over time. Have I been burned in the past, yes, did I get burned again, yes. What will I do about it? Learn. What have I learned? That people's character, no matter what they say, will show through eventually in their actions; that being a bit guarded is sometimes necessary; that karma is full circle; that true friends will always have your back; and that life is still good!!!!!!

This “bump in the road” also taught me that I have great ideas!!!

This “bump in the road” has continued to enrich my love and relationship with my husband - who can see people's true character better than I - and has helps me put things in perspective.

This “bump in the road” has brought me to tears and I felt cleansed afterward. I released my sadness and am moveing on lighter.

This “bump in the road” gave me clarity.

I could go on and on about how this “bump in the road” has effected my life positively but it all comes down to this, it was put there by God to help me slow down, observe others and their motives, and for this I am grateful.

Let me leave you with a smile and these two quotes:
1. "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it then change how you think about it."
2. "Takers may eat better, but givers sleep better."
Namaste.

Wow Lots to Tell

Wow, lots to share since I last wrote. I will quickly recap our summer in less than 1,000 words! It was GREAT!!! We went to Cooperstown, Howe Caverns, Outer Banks, camped in the backyard, read lots of great book, did tons of yoga, and the list just keeps on going!

The kids went back to school and I have been preparing for my art show this weekend at the Memorial Art Gallery here in Rochester, NY. I am very excited and have completed over 100 new pieces. I am exhausted and thrilled at the same time!

Here are some photos from the summer and new work. I will write soon!
Namaste.

Just in the Mood to Write

Wow lots has happened over the last two weeks. For starters I taught religion school for 5th graders at our church St. Joseph's in Penfield. At times it truly was a practice in patience but all in all I loved it! I was whipped everyday I came home, so I let the laundry pile up and took an hour nap on most days. That helped refresh me so I could do the lesson plans for the next day, get the kids where they needed to go and to teach more yoga. Each day we would get there at 8:15am to set up and the kids would get there at 8:45and leave at 12:00. By the time we cleaned up and headed home it was generally 12:30. Note I teach yoga at 6am and am usually up by 5am! Nick was my helper which was wonderful and my son Timmy said it was the best religion school ever. Hearing those words made all the work and effort worth it - and I would do it all over again for him.

Speaking of Timmy he turned 10 last week - it doesn't seem possible. He was thrilled as everyone came over to celebrate. We had 27 for dinner that evening!!!! Mike and I gave him a tent which he was thrilled to receive! We were suppose to have a camp out over on Saturday but the heavens opened up and it poured all day and we were not able to get the tent up. Timmy took it all in stride and we went out to an awesome Mexican restaurant called "The Blue Cactus"!!! When we got home we gave Timmy his last present which was a scrape book I made for him of his first decade - he said it was the best present - wow I am on a roll - Timmy is good for the ego! Ha Ha!!!

Now onto Monday - which I love Mondays, they are like mornings when everything is possible and fresh! This week we hope to hear some great news about something we have been working towards - so please pass your prayers and positive thoughts this way! When it is a go I will tell you all about it! Meanwhile I have lots of laundry to catch up on along with grocery shopping so you know what I am up to now!!!

Make it a positive and peaceful week!
Namaste.

I Believe....

As I was sitting here waiting for my decaf coffee to brew I started thumbing though the book "All I Really Need to Know I learned In Kindergarten" by Robert Fulghum. I was looking for something to share with the children I am teaching over at St. Joseph's summer religion program. I have often found thoughts in this book very inspiring and was hoping I would find one that will complement my lesson for today. And it just so happens that I was lucky and did. Here is what I found!

"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death!"

Here is to another gift from God - today! Must be going - my coffee is ready!
Namaste.

Toy Story, What a Tear Jerker

Well last night the four of us went to see "Toy Story 3" - Timmy picked out the movie. What I wasn't prepared for was how much of a tear jerker it was and I had no tissues!

The movie brought back beautiful memories of our own boys when they were little guys and how they played with their toys. Some favorites included Buzz Lightyear, Woody and of course all the characters from Thomas the Tank engine. When they played you could see their wonderful imaginations at work. It was such an innocent time of life and there was great beauty in it as I witnessed it.

What the movie illustrated so perfectly was how quickly time passes and that being there for one another is truly the top priority. In other words staying present is key!

After the movie we all came home and hung out in the family room and just talked. No TV just the 4 of us talking and then of course a wrestling/tickling match broke out between the boys which is typical and I have to admit quite funny. Then everything seem to settle again and we found ourselves in the middle of the floor hugging as we had a major pill up on top of Mike.

This truly was one of my favorite evenings ever spent as a family. For that moment we were all truly present and appreciating each other in the simplest ways!

Namaste.

Note: The photo I used was taken over 3 years ago and illustrates how the wrestling/tickling matches begin with the two of them screwing around. How they crack me up!