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Related and suggested reading:

1. Just Breathe! Great Class Music.
2. Great song for Shavasana – Inside it all feels the same by Explosions in the Sky
3. Immerse your senses with the beauty of nature and sound.

One Eskimo from the UK has some beautiful songs and sweet animated videos to match the full electronic ambient sounds. I won’t go so far as to say the best music comes from the UK, but the majority of it does.

Check Out OneEskimO.com

Download the Amazing & Kandi Mp3′s

© 2011 Yoga Studio Decor, LLC
The Happy Blog is your FREE source to keep the fresh fun vibes flowing!

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Related and suggested reading:

1. Listening to: The Only Way by Gotye
2. Listening to: Walkin’ in the Sun by Fink
3. Listening to: I’m So In Love with You by Al Green

Back in the day, I remember when yoga mats were provided to all students and no one charged. Actually, at the first studio I went to (way back in the 90s), I received a tank top with my first class pass purchase. I still have that tank top, but see more and more the pushing of “extras” at yoga studios. Last night, I went to a class with a friend I was visiting outside of Boston. As I paid for the class ($17, ouch), the receptionist asked, “Will you be needing water, towel, or a mat?”It reminded me of McDonald’s: “Would you like to Supersize that?”

I don’t run a studio. It’s not for me. So maybe I don’t understand the need to charge for everything. The truth is, though, is that studios never used to charge for what I consider a basic need of yoga classes: mats and, sometimes, towels. To me, it seems like paying for a gym pass and then needing to pay extra for each type of equipment that you use. When did yoga studio owners shift to not providing everything needed to do yoga? And why?

It reminds me of Spirit Airlines, who I will be flying with on Friday (to Mexico for two weeks). Spirit is a super-budget airlines. This means that they charge $3 for beverages on the plane, make you pay for a new ticket if you miss your flight (or are just checking in late), and– the kicker– pay for carry on luggage. In fact, carry on luggage is more expensive then checked luggage.

There’s a parallel between the airlines the studios. No one is forcing me to go to studios that, as I see it, charge for things that should be included. No one is forcing me to fly with an airline that has been fined mondo bucks by the Better Business Bureau for horrific customer service. But I wanted to go with my friend to her home studio and Spirit had the schedule that worked to go to Mexico. So why couldn’t they just charge more, and therefore be more upfront about the costs that you end up paying anyway?

Recommendation by Happy Yogi for improving Studio Attendance and customer service:  Read “Raving Fans: A Revolutionary Approach to Customer Service” by: Kenneth Blanchard and Sheldon M. Bowles

After a semi-whine session, a sequence is most certainly in order:

1. Begin in Balasana (Child’s Pose)
2. Roll your body through to Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
3. Roll back to Child’s, arching your back through Cat Pose on the way
4. Flow between to poses, rolling forward and back
5. Table pose
6. Thread the needle, repeat on other side
7. Table
8. Downward Facing Dog Pose
9. Surya Namaskar A (Sun Salutation A), repeat 4x
10. Surya Namaskar B (Sun Salutation B), repeat 4x
11. Vinyasa to Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I)
12. Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II)
13. Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle)
14. Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II)
15. Parivrtta Virabhadrasana (Revolved Warrior Pose)
16. Vinyasa to repeat steps 11-15 on other side
17. Vinyasa to Samasthiti
18. Prasarita Padottanasana I (Standing Forward Fold)
19. Prasarita Padottanasana II
20. Prasarita Padottanasana III Note: See Dharma Mittra link for different between poses
21. Vinyasa to seated
22. Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Fold)
23. Purvottanasana (Reverse Plank Pose)
24. Vinyasa to seated
25. Janu Sirsasana (Head to Knee Pose). Repeat other side
26. Jump back and vinyasa to Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog)
27. Inhale and come forward to Plank Pose
28. Chaturanga Dandasana (Four Limbed Staff)
29. Slowly lower to stomach
30. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
31. Slowly raise to Plank
32. Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward Facing Dog Pose)
33. Adho Mukha Svanasana
34. Jump through to seated
35. Marichyasana (Marichi’s Twist). Repeat other side
36. Repeat steps 26-29
37. Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
38. Repeat steps 31-34
39. Ardha Virasana (Half Hero Pose). Fold forward over outstretched leg, bent knee out at 90 degree angle. Repeat other side
40. Repeat steps 26-34
41. Ardha Bhekasana (Half Frog Pose). Repeat other side
42. Bhekasana (Frog Pose)
43. Garbasana (Child’s Pose)
44. Cat/cow spine in table
45. Thread the needle in table for twist and back stretch. Repeat other side.
46. Utthita Shisonasana (Puppy Pose)
47. Come onto back, rolling along spine
48. Supta Matsyendrasana (Reclined Twist). Repeat other side
49. Savasana

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© 2011 Yoga Studio Decor, LLC
The Happy Blog is your FREE source to keep the fresh fun vibes flowing!

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Related and suggested reading:

1. An Introduction to The Joy of Yoga!
2. Yoga in Jeans
3. Sequence for digestion … you know the holidays are coming!

Don’t Over-Extend Yourself

Careful with those stretches!  Be aware of your limits, there’s no need for goose neck or licking your tail feathers in public. We do however highly recommend shaking your tail feathers in public!

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© 2011 Yoga Studio Decor, LLC
The Happy Blog is your FREE source to keep the fresh fun vibes flowing!

Like this post? Click on the buttons below to share the love!

Related and suggested reading:

1. Happy Pic – Acceptance
2. Happy Pic – Balance
3. David Beckham’s Hidden Camera Fun with Ellen

On a personal note, I’m now 29 and was 18 when introduced to Steve Ross. I grew up dancing and taking gymnastics and had been to a couple hot yoga classes. As much as I liked stretching and sweating and the amazing energy that comes from a great teacher it wasn’t til I found ‘Inhale’ that I really fell in love with yoga. My mother also grew up dancing but when I was 18 and she was 36 she was over weight, living in the desert (even though she’s inlove with the ocean) and in a job that sucked the life out of her. Basically she wasn’t happy and our relationship was not good and had not been good for years. She too had tried some yoga dvd’s but found herself very bored with them …. and then one day I told her about Steve Ross and Inhale!

My mom fell inlove with Steve Ross’s style of teaching. She began doing yoga regularly and turned her friends onto as well. The side affect from this was life changing for both of us. She got happy, lost a bunch of that extra weight, started inspiring others to have fun and be happy and our relationship became the best it had ever been. Steve Ross was in Las Vegas for a book signing for Happy Yoga: 7 Reasons Why There’s Nothing to Worry About . I went there to thank him for making my mom happy which made me love her more then ever, she became an inspiration. Soon after she moved to Southern California to be near the ocean! But wait it gets better … !!!! …. WAY BETTER!!! She then quit her very lucrative job in Corporate America and flew down to the Bahamas to live in an Ashram for a month and became a yoga teacher!

My mom is Denise Wells she is a Registered Nurse and a Certified Yoga Teacher.  She lives in Mission Viejo, California and goes by Om Sweet Om Yoga! She loves being outside and does guided yoga hikes, yoga in the parks and on the beach. She also does private in home sessions for all those busy Corporate America types who don’t have time to leave.

Yoga Studio Decor and The Happy Blog was completely inspired by Steve Ross and my Mom! They’ve both been an inspiration and a support system in my life. When I’m facing my hardest challenges or I’m in the worst mood, either Yoga w/ Steve or a call to my Mom gives me the strength to be happy.

I am Kiesha Jean.   I am a photographer who loves yoga and life!  All of the images in the Yoga Studio Decor store were taken by me on my travels.  I currently live in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.  I hope for the Happy Blog to be someplace you can always come to when you need a smile, a laugh, inspiration, love and wisdom. If you have a story you’d love to share email happyyogi@yogastudiodecor.com

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

© 2011 Yoga Studio Decor, LLC
The Happy Blog is your FREE source to keep the fresh fun vibes flowing!

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Related and suggested reading:

1. Inhale with Steve Ross {second recovered episode!}
2. Happy Pic – Acceptance
3. Happy Pic 1.17.2011

© 2010 Yoga Studio Decor, LLC
The Happy Blog is your FREE source to keep the fresh fun vibes flowing!

Like this post? Click on the buttons below to share the love!

Related and suggested reading:

1. Enjoy the beauty of Light & Sound
2. Great song for Shavasana – Inside it all feels the same by Explosions in the Sky
3. Happy Pic 1.17.2011

The Asheville based artist Steve Bartalsky aka Order of Elim strives to make sounds that inspire.   He’s studied music and is currently studying physics and astronomy at UNCA.  This combinations translates into some seriously amazing music!

FREE DOWNLOAD :: A BRIEF ROMANCE

FREE DOWNLOAD :: A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH

© 2010 Yoga Studio Decor, LLC
The Happy Blog is your FREE source to keep the fresh fun vibes flowing!

Related and suggested reading:

1. May you enjoy a transforming stretch today!
2. Listening to: Amazing by One EskimO
3. Listening to: Walkin’ in the Sun by Fink

A Return To Love:
Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,

we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Much thanks to Julie Umbach owner of Gratitude & Co. for sharing this inspiring quote.

© 2010 Yoga Studio Decor, LLC
The Happy Blog is your FREE source to keep the fresh fun vibes flowing!

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Related and suggested reading:

1. Celebrate What’s Right with the World
2. Work, Love, Dance, Sing, Live
3. come alive!

:: Buy Fink Walkin’ in the Sun on Amazon Mp3′s ::

© 2010 Yoga Studio Decor, LLC
The Happy Blog is your FREE source to keep the fresh fun vibes flowing!

Like this post? Click on the buttons below to share the sound!

Related and suggested reading:

1. Listening to: Amazing by One EskimO
2. Happy Pic 1.17.2011
3. Listening to: The Only Way by Gotye

57 Asians  /  21 Europeans  /  14 Americans (North, Central and South)  /  8 Africans

There would be:
52 women and 48 men
30 Caucasians and 70 non-Caucasians
30 Christians and 70 non-Christians
89 heterosexuals and 11 homosexuals
6 people would possess 59% of the wealth and they would all come from the USA

80 would live in poverty
70 would be illiterate
50 would suffer from hunger and malnutrition
1 would be dying
1 would be being born
1 would own a computer
1 (yes, only one) would have a university degree

If we looked at the world in this way, the need for acceptance and understanding would be obvious.

But, consider again the following :
If you woke up this morning in good health, you have more luck than one million people, who won’t live through the week.

If you have never experienced the horror of war, the solitude of prison, the pain of torture, were not close to death fromstarvation, then you are better off than 500 million people.

If you can go to your place of worship without fear that someone will assault or kill you, then you are luckier than 3 billion (that’s right) people.

If you have a full fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are wealthier than 75% of the world’ population.

If you currently have money in the bank, in your wallet and a few coins in your purse, you are one of 8 of the privileged few amongst the 100 people in the world.

If your parents are still alive and still married, you’re a rare individual.

If you are reading this message, you’re extremely lucky, because you don’t comprise one of those 2 billion people who can’t read.

AND SO?

Work like you don’t need the money.

Love like nobody has ever hurt you.

Dance like nobody is watching.

Sing like nobody is listening.

Live as if this was paradise on Earth.

Related and suggested reading:

1. We Live in a Beautiful World
2. Live for the Moment!
3. A Return to Love