crater lake yoga

Susan Cox and me in Reverse Warrior

I do yoga just about everywhere I go. Over the weekend, I was camping at Crater Lake when I met this super sweet travel nurse from Asheville, NC. She commented on my pigeon pose, so I asked her if she'd like to join me and she did! Her name was Susan Cox and she had a fun and warm spirit. I love to inspire others through yoga!

monday

This week's class schedule:

• Tuesday, 8/31: McLoughlin Super Sport 24, 5:30pm
• Wednesday, 9/1: Murray Scholls 24, 5:45am & McLoughlin Super Sport 24, 7:30pm
• Friday, 9/3: Murray Scholls 24, 5:45am & McLoughlin Super Sport 24, 5:30pm

Last week was my last week teaching the Friday noon class at McLoughlin Super Sport, and this will be my last week teaching the Friday 5:30pm class there. So sorry to have to let those classes go! I was only subbing, so they were never mine to begin with, but I felt a great connection with all of you who practiced with me during those times and look forward to seeing you in some of my other classes. 

I spent the weekend camping with friends in Crater Lake National Park. I've got some great photos and stories coming very soon!

Namaste!
Tami

wednesday

How To Make A Beautiful Life.

Love yourself.
Make peace with who you are and where you are at this moment in time.

Listen to your heart.
If you can't hear what it's saying in this noisy world, MAKE TIME for yourself.
Enjoy your own company.
Let your mind wander among the stars.

Try. Take chances.
Make mistakes. Life can be messy and confusing at times, but it's also full of surprises.
The next rock in your path might be a stepping-stone.

Be happy.
When you don't have what you want, want what you have.
MAKE DO.
That's a well kept secret of contentment.

There aren't any shortcuts to tomorrow.
You have to make your own way.
To know where you're going is only part of it.
You need to know where you've been, too. And if you ever get lost, don't worry.
The people you love will find you.
Count on it.

Life isn't days and years. It's about what you do with time.
And all the goodness and grace that's inside you.

Make a beautiful life....
The kind of life you deserve.

This poem was on the card my father gave me for my nineteenth birthday. I found it to be incredibly beautiful and it really resonated with me at the time. I was in college, and feeling pretty out of touch with myself. I don't always save cards, but I did save this one. I tucked it away in a box somewhere and eventually forgot about it. A few years later when I was 22, I took a restorative yoga workshop with Arlene Bjork at Grace Yoga in Richmond. It was a blissful two hour practice. At the end of class, Arlene read this poem. Again, I loved it so much, but (silly me) I didn't recognize it. I asked her after class where it came from, and she told me that it came from a birthday card she'd bought for her daughter. I didn't remember that I, too, had received this lovely birthday card until months later when I was sorting through my things just before my big cross-country move. I opened a box and there it was- complete with a hand written note from my dad. It now hangs on my bedroom wall right next to my bed. 

This poem found its way into my life two different times when I seemed to need it most. Are there any quotes, words, poems or stories that really resonate with you? If you're interested in sharing, I would love to hear them!

sunday

Julia & Tami in warrior one

As we were taking this photo, a man walked by and smiled at our little impromptu yoga session on Mississippi Avenue. We're spreading the love! I'm telling you, folks- yoga can be done anytime, anyplace, no fancy clothes, mat or studio needed! We have so many parks and beautiful outdoor areas here in Portland, so why not grab a friend and take your practice outside?

Next week's class schedule:

• Monday, 8/23: McLoughlin Super Sport 24, 7:30pm
• Tuesday, 8/24: McLoughlin Super Sport 24, 5:30pm
• Wednesday, 8/25: Murray Scholls 24, 5:45am & McLoughlin Super Sport 24, 7:30pm
• Friday, 8/27: Murray Scholls 24, 5:45am & McLoughlin Super Sport 24, 12:00pm* & 5:30pm

*This will be my last week teaching the Friday noon class at McLoughlin Super Sport.

fish bowl

If you've practiced with me recently, you may have heard me talk about the fish bowl. It's a pretty interesting little analogy, but I find it helpful (especially when practicing any variation of warrior).

It's quite simple. Let me explain:
Your pelvic area is shaped like a bowl. Imagine that you could fill it with water and place an adorable little goldfish in there (like the one pictured above, let's call him Merv). In poses like warrior two or mountain, we sometimes have a tendency to stick our tailbones out, giving Merv the opportunity to spill out onto the floor. If we tuck our tailbones under and lift our frontal hip points, Merv is safe (and more importantly, we are in proper alignment).

So there you have it. Next time you're practicing with me and I ask that you tuck your tail bone under, I hope you will remember this story and smile.

Have a wonderful weekend! It's a beautiful day for some outdoor yoga!

Namaste :)

friday

Today's playlist:

• Thievery Corporation- Until The Morning
• Zero 7- Destiny
• Broken Bells- The High Road
• Broken Bells- October
• Thievery Corporation- Lebanese Blonde
• Telepopmusik- Breathe
• Suzzanne Vega- Tom's Diner
• The Album Leaf- Perro
• Sigur Ros- Flugufrelsarinn
• Ryan Adams- Night Birds
• MC Yogi (ft. Sharon Gannon)- Krishna Dub
• Plastic Nebraska- (unknown)
• Willie Nelson- Hallelujah

thursday

Good evening, yogis! Tonight is a good night. I am currently working on a couple of new playlists for class, and am very happy to announce that starting Saturday, September 11 I will be teaching the 7:00 am yoga class at Hollywood 24 Hour Fitness.

I hope to see you at one of my three classes tomorrow:

• Murray Scholls 24 Hour Fitness 5:45 am
• McLoughlin Super Sport 24 Hour Fitness 12:00 pm
• McLoughlin Super Sport 24 Hour Fitness 5:30 pm

"By the practice of meditation, you will find that you are carrying within your heart a portable paradise."
-Paramahansa Yogananda

wednesday

Pose of the day: Vrksasana!

Tree (vrksasana in sanskirt, pronounced vrick-shasana) is a wonderful standing balance pose. There are many variations for the legs and arms, making this pose super accessible to every yogi!

Start in tadasana (mountain pose). Start by lifting the toes, fanning them apart and then pressing each one into the mat to establish pada bandha (foot lock). This doesn't mean we grip the mat with our toes, it just means we're giving ourselves a good strong foundation for the pose. From here, shift the weight into the left leg, and place the right foot on the inside of the left ankle, calf or thigh. If you're feeling unstable, you can practice the pose by a wall for extra support, as well as keep the right toes on the mat!

Think of the arms as your branches, and have fun with it! Palms can be at anjali mudra (heart center), arms can be overhead (although if you struggle with high blood pressure, you may want to avoid this one), hands can be behind the back (either interlaced or in reverse prayer, great chest openers!), or you can get really funky and try garudasana (eagle) arms or gomukhasana (cow's face) arms. The possibilities are endless!

One thing to remember in this pose is that the knee is not a resting place for the opposite foot. The foot should either be above or below the knee. 

Thought for the day:

Do not fight your body. Do not carry the world on your shoulders like Atlas. Drop that heavy load of unnecessary baggage and you will feel better. Do not kill the instinct of the body for the glory of the pose. Do not look at your body like a stranger, but adopt a friendly approach toward it. Watch it, listen to it, observe its needs, its requests, and even have fun. Play with it as children do, sometimes it becomes very alert and swift. To be sensitive is to be alive.

-Swami Karmananda Saraswati

facebook

Hi friends! You can now connect with me on facebook by clicking the 'like' icon to your right.

Happy liking!

tuesday

Last night I tried acroyoga for the first time at Yoyoyogi, a beautiful new studio here in Portland. I was the only one who was new to acro, which made me even more nervous than I already was. The instructor was sweet and welcoming, as were the other yogis in class. We started in a circle with a chant, then moved into some partner twists and shoulder openers, all while holding hands and laughing (it was fun!). This style of yoga is all about trust. Trusting not only yourself, but your partner as well! So essentially, one person can't do the pose without the other.

I left class feeling a bit out of sorts. I've been a yogi for eight years, but never like this. I can flow like a champ, but flying in tittibhasana on my partner's back (who is resting in child's pose) is a dynamic I had yet to experience. ("My fingertips face behind me?" "Am I going to hurt this poor girl beneath me?") My lovely partner assured me that she was fine, as Lila instructed me to come up onto my toes, and then lift and straighten my legs. I flew for about a second. Nerves got the best of me, but it was still fun.

I remember this feeling from when I first started practicing yoga. First I was nervous, then I was excited, and then I was hooked. I am currently in the "intrigued" stage with my acro practice, and look forward to going back soon. It was a very humbling experience. It's so easy for us to get comfortable with our yoga style of choice and just stick with it, whether it be Bikram, restorative, vinyasa, ashtanga, etc. We become good at it, it's what we know. Branching out, as I learned last night, can be like starting over all over again.

So today I challenge you. If you already have a yoga practice, try something new! Many studios have great introductory rates that make it very affordable. And if you've never tried yoga, give it a shot! You will be surprised at its power to transform your life. And while you're at it- send me an email and let me know what your experience was like! I would love to hear from you.

I have a dear friend, Julia Skerry (of Skerry Art, find her link to your right) who has been coming over in the mornings before she goes to work to practice yoga with me. We keep the mood light, and of course have a blast! This morning, I shared my experience at Yoyoyogi with her and asked if she'd be interested in trying some acroyoga with me. She happily obliged. Here's the video:

Have a wonderful day, and I look forward to hearing about your adventures in yoga soon!
Namaste,
Tami


PS- Come flow with me tomorrow! Two chances:

• 24 Hour Fitness, Murray Scholls, 5:45 am
• 24 Hour Fitness, McLoughlin Super Sport, 7:30pm

drink up, buttercup!

hy·drate

–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)

to combine chemically with water.

It's hot outside, y'all! Are you making sure to drink plenty of water? You should be drinking at least 64 ounces of water each day. That's 8 glasses. Drinking soda, coffee, tea, milk, juice and other beverages will not do the trick. So before you read this next paragraph, why don't you go grab yourself a crisp and refreshing glass of water? You'll be glad you did! I'll wait...

The benefits of drinking plenty of water are many. Just to name a few:

• weight loss
• more energy (for yoga!)
• healthier skin
• assists in flushing waste and toxins from the body
• fewer headaches

Some alleged "thirst quenching" bevvies can have upwards of 200 calories, not to mention their sugar and high fructose corn syrup content. So skip the Gatorade and for Pete's sake, have a glass of water! If you find it difficult to drink enough water throughout the day, I recommend purchasing a reusable water bottle (mine holds 20 ounces) and be sure to drink up and refill at least 4 times every day, even more if you're active or work outside in the heat. 

Happy hydrating!

Next week's class schedule:

• Wednesday, August 18- 5:45am Murray Scholls 24 & 7:30pm McLoughlin Super Sport 24
• Friday, August 20- 5:45am Murray Scholls 24 & 12:00pm McLoughlin Super Sport 24 & 5:30pm McLoughlin Super Sport 24

If you are a member of 24 Hour Fitness, but do not have a Super Sport membership, please keep in mind that you are allowed to visit a Super Sport location one time for free. 

 

feedback

Have you practiced with me before? I want to hear from you! Tell me what you liked/disliked, and why! Anything you want to see more (or less) of? Please let me know. Your feedback is valued and very much appreciated.

Or, have you been wanting to start practicing yoga, but haven't yet? Why? What are your fears? What's holding you back? Let's talk!

Email me at yogaseedpdx@gmail.com, or leave me a comment here.

I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Namaste,
Tami

friday

This morning's playlist:

• Thievery Corporation- Le Monde
• Thievery Corporation- Indra
• Thievery Corporation- Lebanese Blonde
• Thievery Corporation- Focus On Sight
• Thievery Corporation- Air Batucada
• Thievery Corporation- So Com Voce
• Thievery Corporation- Shadows of Ourselves
• Thievery Corporation- Illumination
• Thievery Corporation- The Mirror of Conspiracy
• Thievery Corporation- Heaven's Gonna Burn Your Eyes
• Thievery Corporation- Facing East
• Thievery Corporation- The Outernationalist

Thought for the day:
Every breath can be a practice. With the inhalation, imagine drawing in pure, cleansing, relaxing energies. And with each exhalation, imagine expelling all obstacles, stress and negative emotions. This is not something that requires a particular place in which to sit. It can be done when in the car on the way to work, waiting for a stop light, sitting in front of the computer, preparing, cleaning the house, or walking.
-Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche

thursday

Did you know that Yoga Journal recommends that you spend 5 minutes in savasana for every 30 minutes of practice? In my 60 minute classes, 6 of those minutes are spent in savasana. Seem a little long to you? Do you get bored? Fidgety? Does your mind wander? Let me break this pose down for you.

First of all, what is savasana? Savasana, also known as corpse pose, is the final resting pose in your practice. Some yogis struggle to quiet their minds in this pose and completely let go, allowing both the body and the mind total relaxation. Some yogis skip savasana all together, leaving class when it starts. Bad idea! Savasana is arguably the most important asana in your practice. It calms the brain, rejuvenates the body, and gives you a chance to reflect on your practice. Even though 6 minutes may seem like a long time to "just lay there", it can actually take 2-3 minutes just to get both the mind and body to reach stillness, so why get up just when it's starting to get good?!

While some students dislike savasana because they can't seem to find the off-switch for their minds,  others may dislike it because they physically can't get comfortable. Having something to place over the eyes (an eye mask or pillow, extra points if it's scented with something calming such as lavender or chamomile), may help you find relaxation. Also consider bringing a sweater with you to class, so you can cover up and avoid getting cold! It can also be helpful to roll a blanket up and place it under the knees, as well as placing 10 lb sand bags on the hips (which isn't always an accessible option).

Happy resting!

Thought for the day:
Death is unimportant to a yogi; he does not mind when he is going to die. What happens after death is immaterial to him. He is only concerned with life- with how he can use his life for the betterment of humanity. -BKS Iyengar

wednesday

Yoga can be done anytime, anyplace, mat or no mat!  Regardless of your experience level, you can always take a minute to strike a pose and take a breath. Check out these sweet yoginis after a morning coffee date! (Emily in crouching pigeon (left) and Monique in utkatasana (right)).

This morning's playlist:

• The Album Leaf: Perro
• The Album Leaf: Blank Pages
• The Album Leaf: There Is A Wind
• The Album Leaf: Within Dreams
• The Album Leaf: Falling From The Sun
• The Album Leaf: Stand Still
• The Album Leaf: Summer Fog
• The Album Leaf: Until The Last
• The Album Leaf: We Are
• The Album Leaf: Almost There
• The Album Leaf: Tied Knots
• The Album Leaf: We Need Help

tuesday

Currently working on some new play lists! I will post them on here when finished, check back soon! Until then, how about a dose of inspiration, brought to you by Jalal ad-Din Rumi?

“Oh soul,
you worry too much.
You have seen your own strength.
You have seen your own beauty.
You have seen your golden wings.
Of anything less,
why do you worry?
You are in truth
the soul, of the soul, of the soul.”

Om shanti, shanti, shanti! Happy Tuesday, friends! Make it a great one.

monday

Hey Portland, did you know that Lululemon offers free yoga classes every week? This week, check out classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 at the Pearl District location. 1231 NW Couch Street. And don't forget to check out my class schedule in yesterday's post. If you're not a member of 24 Hour Fitness, you can pay a $15 drop in rate, or sign up for a 7 day guest pass for free.

Thought for the day:

Once we accept a bad thought it is difficult to remove it, for it enters very deeply. So be yourself, and then see yourself. This is the first step in creating amity toward yourself, and when you have amity for yourself, naturally you have amity for all. A person who does not harm himself or herself is not going to harm anybody else, for in order to harm somebody, one has to harm himself first. Think of a matchstick. When the matchstick tries to ignite something, first it must burn its own face; it is not going to burn others if it does not first burn itself.

-Munishree Chitrabhanu

sunday

This morning's play list:

• Pixies- Where Is My Mind?
• Coldplay- In My Place
• Coldplay- Strawberry Swing
• The Velvet Underground- Sunday Morning
• The Velvet Underground- Oh! Sweet Nuthin'
• Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers- Breakdown
• Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers- Refugee
• Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers- Learning to Fly
• Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers- Free Fallin'
• Pearl Jam- Yellow Ledbetter
• The Velvet Underground- Ocean
• Plastic Nebraska- (Title Unknown)
• Iron & Wine- Flightless Bird, American Mouth

Next Weeks Class Schedule:

• Monday 8/9- Tualatin Super Sport 24 5:30pm
• Tuesday 8/10- Clackamas 24 6:30pm
• Wednesday 8/11- Murray Scholls 24 5:45 am & McLoughlin Super Sport 24 7:30pm
• Thursday 8/12- Clackamas 24 6:30pm
• Friday 8/13- Murray Scholls 24 5:45am & McLoughlin Super Sport 24 12:00pm & McLoughlin Super Sport 24 5:30pm
• Sunday 8/15- Hollywood 24 8:00am

Thought for the day:
Whether life in itself has a meaning or not: it is up to us to give it a meaning. In the hands of an inspired artist a worthless lump of clay turns into a priceless work of art. Why should we not likewise try to make something worthwhile out of the common clay of our lives, instead of lamenting about its worthlessness?
-Lama Anagarika Govinda

welcome!

Tami Apland is a yoga teacher from Richmond, VA. After completing her 200 hour teacher training program through YogaFit in 2008, she moved to Portland, OR and has been teaching there ever since. Her mission is to inspire every yogi and yogini who crosses her path, one breath at a time.

In addition to yoga, she also enjoys traveling, strong black coffee in the mornings, her fat orange meow machine, dancing in her living room, and most recently- baking!

Check this blog regularly for lots of updates.

Tami can be reached via email at yogaseedpdx@gmail.com. She promises not to write you back in the third person.

Namaste!