Bellies and Babies = Blooma!
Sonja's Favorite Studios
1) Easton Yoga (Easton, PA)
http://www.eastonyoga.com/welcome.html
I completed all four modules of my Max Strom 200hr teacher training at Easton, Yoga. It's a small town, the kind where everyone knows each other, and very quaint. The studio owner, Alicia Rambo-Wozniak, is a beautiful, exceptionally kind person who runs a studio that has clearly become many Eastonians' second home. There are a variety of classes, including belly dancing, and many great teachers come through the studio (including Jamie Elmer, who teaches the anatomy segment of Max's training). Massage therapy is also offered. Alicia lives right above the studio in an amazing apartment, where she makes delicious treats that she serves at the front desk of the studio. It's a really wonderful experience, and the student body is unique and so welcoming. It's yoga at it's best.
2) Yoga High (New York, NY)
http://www.yogahighnyc.com/
I went to school in NYC and my parents just recently moved up there, so I visit regularly and constantly check out new studios. Out of all the places I've tried, Yoga High is my favorite. Great classes, with an even pace and calming energy. Not overcrowded at all, which is important in the hustle and bustle of NYC. The teachers are kind, knowledgeable and helpful. No scary adjustments, and a very encouraging, safe environment. Mel Russo is all smiles and so much fun in the classroom. Definitely check it out!
The Yoga Room, Nantucket wth PICS!
For the past several years, one of my favorite parts of our annual summer vacation to Nantucket is to take yoga classes from Paul. He's one of the main teachers here on the Island, and he's fabulous. He really is a wealth of information! I have brought my uncles, step mother and aunt to his classes and have followed him to the 3 studio spaces where he teaches. Tonight, I made my way back hOMe to the Yoga Room. I forgot how lovely this place is, how much I look forward to it's cottage -like space , and how amazing it was to actually take a class ALONE ( sans children!!) It was the first one I remember in a very, very long time.
I am actually SHOCKED at how much work, planning and support from family I needed in order to make this YIN class with Paul happen.
1. pump plenty of milk all day for milo so I could leave for 2 hours.
2. make sure Saylor had a plan she was happy with while I was gone. Today, it was watch little mermaid with her cousins, aunts and uncles, everyone who was watching her so I could go to class. This was NOT as simple as it sounds.. b/c she wanted to watch in the bedroom, then the living room, just with uncle Alex and then with the cousins.. get my point?
3. Prepare myself for my first official class back and LET GO OF THE GUILT I was feeling as we pulled away. It was only 2 hours and the children were SURROUNDED by relatives to take care of them.. so why did I feel so guilty?
I took my aunt and uncle to class and it was so great to do this with them, spend time with them in such a special and sacred place for me.
I have another 5 days here on the island and hope to see and study with Paul at least 2 more times before I leave. I am sure it will be easier now that I have made the leap - back to adult classes.
A Love Letter to Lil Omm by Pam..
Dear Lil Omm,
Thank you for being so much more than a yoga studio. You are an incredible community of inspiring women, men and children. I had the opportunity and pleasure to experience your beauty from a variety of angles: as a student, as a teacher and finally, on the administrative side, as a manager. The view from each angle was breathtaking.
As a student, I saw beginner and seasoned yogis coming together as one curious, enthusiastic, supportive group. It never ceased to amaze me how comfortable I felt being myself within the confines of your pink walls, free to explore my body and my mind, led by a knowledgable and creative teacher. Before and after classes, I looked forward to the warm greetings and conversations that always took place among and between students and staff.
As a teacher, I saw the care and passion that went into the planning of every class, of every event, of every day from my fellow teachers, and most of all, from our incredible leader, Pleasance. I saw powerful, strong women from a variety of backgrounds, in a variety of situations, working together to manage and balance the struggles and the beauty of being a friend, a wife, a girlfriend, a mom and a daughter. I saw them transcend boundaries to provide support and love when support and love were needed by others and to ask for support and love when support and love were needed for themselves. I saw them selflessly check their own trials at the door in order to provide a nurturing home for the women, men, and children who looked to them for relief from life's stresses.
As a manager, I had the privilege of seeing how much hard work, love, and dedication went in to making Lil Omm the home it truly is. I saw how, with constant mindfulness, honesty, and humanity, a business could become a community, a family, a way of life that could be endlessly fulfilling.
Throughout my adult life, I've struggled with all of the competing images of what being a woman means in this society. From the students, the teachers, and the amazing Pleasance, I've begun to see the various examples of womanhood in our society as beautiful and inspiring. I no longer feel the pressure (most of the time!) that there is one right way to be a "successful" woman, but instead see that there are a plethora of ways to incorporate womanhood and femininity into my life and that they can all be beautiful parts of a "right" me.
As Lil Omm prepares to move, just down the road, to a new space, and as I prepare for a new journey in my own professional life, I wanted you, the extraordinary Lil Omm community, to know how much you mean to me, how important you've been in my life, and how much I love you. I am inspired and humbled by your beauty.
Thank you for everything you have given me so far. I look forward to all that is yet to come!
xoxo,
Pam
LO in Clarendon/Arlington starting Sept 6
*****lil omm to offer yoga for the whole family in Arlington Starting Sept 6***
lil omm will launch its first Virginia classes in Clarendon this fall with playtime classes for the whole family, postnatal yoga, Itsy Bitsy Yoga and yoga for toddlers and preschoolers.
Drop-in classes begin September 6, 2011
Monday
• 9:30 - 10:30 am - adult yoga PLAYTIME ( all ages welcome) see our blog post on playtime to learn about this class! Watch the video on our playtime classes here!
• 11:00 am - noon - postnatal mom & baby
Tuesday
• 9:30 - 10:30 am - adult yoga PLAYTIME
Friday
• 9:30 - 10:15 am - lil omm Movers, crawling babies to 2-year-old toddlers with parent or caregiver
• 10:30 - 11:15 am - lil omm Preschoolers, 2- to 4-year-old children with parent or caregiver
• 11:30 - 12:15 am - Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Babies, newborn to pre-crawling babies with parent or caregiver
Saturday
• 9:15 - 10:15 am - Prenatal yoga
• 10:30 - 11:15 am - lil omm Movers and preschoolers! crawling to 4 years old with parent or caregiver
All September classes are drop-in. But space is limited, so reserve in advance online.
**Expanded schedule and sessions will begin in October.
Arlington classes are held in the Saffron Yoga studios near the Clarendon Metro stop at 3260 Wilson Blvd. FREE PARKING!
What is adult yoga PLAYTIME?
Adult Yoga PLAYTIME is a energetic vinyasa flow class that everyone can enjoy, children can join in the flow or play with others in the playroom while mom and/or dad get a challenging work out. Join us for this invigorating and cleansing practice that the whole family can enjoy as you recharge for a new week. Adults and Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers, and children (all ages welcome, all levels of experience). Sweet video: http://lilomm.blogspot.com/2011/08/playtime-yoga.html
lil omm Movers, Preschoolers, and Itsy Bitsy Baby Yoga
Children derive many of the same benefits from yoga that adults do. These classes are focused on them. Yoga class for babies, toddlers and preschoolers help increase strength and flexibility, improve body awareness, and relaxation. Yoga encourages children to move creatively in a noncompetitive environment while honoring each child's unique expression of the poses and having fun with other children and their parent or caregiver.
Reserve your space now or find out more about lil omm's Friday and Saturday classes for children from newborn to age 4.
For even more information, check out the lil omm website or email info@lilomm.com.
lil omm is a community dedicated to engaged, inspired and connected families! From the womb to the wisdom years, we offer more than yoga. Our mission is to create a place where everyone can learn and grow. lil omm is excited to offer its first Virginia classes this fall, including our signature PLAYTIME class for the whole family.
thoughts from an "inspired place"
I wrote this a few weeks ago.. I'm away now, not as close to the space as I was when I wrote this. It was quite a special place.. that V St.. and I look forward to what the future holds for us. love and light to you all-
"I'm here now, alone.
Actually, I came to clean up a bit and of course Milo woke to nurse. So while nursing him at the desk, the lil omm slide show of opening day pictures, itsy bitsy yoga baby pictures and prenatal yoga pictures opens on the computer while I am sitting here looking around. It's so quiet right now. I can hear the vacuum from Blacksalt. My mind floods with memories of families and friends who have come in these doors, shared yoga and a smile. Opening day pictures , a smiling Kristin, teaching a crowded room, Rebecca, Lisa and Oliver, ( saw them today) Dan , Dana and Jake ( saw them yesterday), Jessica and Annie ( just had their 2nd baby last month, Saba) , and a host of other smiles crowd the screen.
Then baby Elisa pops up, her mom, Erika took prenatal yoga classes at Gtown lulu and then IBY babies with Elisa for many, many sessions.. looking at Elisa so small, when I just saw her running around Guy Mason Park last week, I can't belive it! I think my favorite thing about lil omm is the progression that WE get to observe.. typically.. first time new mama comes in for prenatal, stays for a few Itsy Bitsy Yoga Sessions before they head back to work, and then we see them at MOVERS on the weekends or Adult Yoga for themselves.. it's amazing to share in these most special years with families. To see the ENGAGED , INSPIRED AND CONNECTED Washington DC families..
Allie, Michael and Tristan, Jeff, Rhea and Sloane, Stacy, and Charlie, Janet, Courtney, Jamie, Melanie, Mary Ann and Mack, Elizabeth, Anne and Rose, Jennifer and Catalina, Lucia and Amy, Charlotte, Emily, Abigail, Marion,.... the list goes on and on.. of people WHO HAVE COME AND TOUCHED MY LIFE. I know this space was the perfect home for us for the year and a half. I know we did great things here.. ZUMBA, meditation with Hugh Byrne.. hosting Karen Maezen Miller, our anniversary party, kids classes, birthday parties for friends and neighbors. ( Jonah, Magda, Saylor, Baker)
It's with GREAT PRIDE and LOVE that I look forward to our new space, our new growing family and more yoga, more love and to see you all. You bring so much light to my life, to Saylor's life and now to Milo.
lil omm at home.. with Kate!
From lil omm's beloved itsy bitsy babies and adult yoga teacher.. Kate! Check out the adorable video or her and Julia.
"After a few weeks of heading to Brandice's morning Playtime classes, I started noticing that my little one was doing a lot more yoga, bringing it into her play. But I was really surprised when we were tinkering with the video on my iPad last week and I suggested we sing a song. She stood up, and well, you can see the rest here (our second or third take). It's a perfect example of why Playtime is for grown ups AND the little ones. She gets to see me in action, observe, and find ways to explore it on her own - all at her own pace. Not to mention that it has amazing effects on my own home practice, giving me a chance to learn from her and come back to a beginner's mind. To bring OM into the home? Pure joy, love, and sweetness. XO
Class Locations and Sept Schedule
Hey friends of lil omm,
All of our Sept schedule is up on our live active website..
http://www.lilomm.com/lil_omm/classes.html
if you go to the day/week you are looking for you can what classes are being offered and where!
As we prepare to move out of V st and into Tenley town later in the fall! It's so very exciting!
Please feel free to email info@lilomm.com for more information, questions, comments or concerns or Private classes.
I am SUPER excited about our workshop offerings at my house.. Momme meals tastings AND an essential oils class for families.. check these events out!
https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/adm/home.asp?studioid=8811
cant wait to see you soon!
love, pleasance and the lil omm teachers
Allay Yoga
Our dear friend and teacher, Pam has made the move to Yoga Studio owner! She is opening her new studio in Kensington, MD over labor day weekend. She has great class offerings and DOGA ! ( yoga for dogs) so be SURE to check out her space, classes and many of our lil omm teachers will be on the schedule so be sure to check them out!
We are also co hosting some really cool lil omm style classes for all you MO. CO lil omm followers!
Lil Omm will be offering two 6-week sessions at Allay Yoga starting this September! Join us for Movers, Tuesdays 10:30-11:30, September 6-October 11 and for Baby + Me, Wednesdays, 11:00-12:00, September 7-October 12. Cost: $120 for 6-week session or $25 drop-in per family. To register, please visit Allay Yoga's website allayyoga.com. For questions or additional information, email info@allayyoga.com. Allay Yoga is located in historic Kensington, Maryland at 10419 Armory Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895.
We wish Pam the best of luck on her NEW Yoga Space!
PLAYTIME YOGA!
What is Adult Yoga Playtime... you ask??
Here you go.. it's a fabulous way for you to connect with yourself and your children AND the community!
the best part is..
1 child = $20 drop in
2 children= $20 drop in
3 children=$20 drop in!
Come Join US!
Sleeping in the car!
Thanks Integrative Mom! Love this blog post.. Great tips for August Car Rides.. enjoy and THANKS for the ADVICE MAMA!! ( direct link to quote below)
"Well now I’ve come to the realization that I have a 2nd child who hates riding in the car. He cries the minute we start driving, and doesn’t calm down.On Sunday I ventured out on my own with my baby for the first time. I wasn’t going far, and thought maybe if he couldn’t see me he wouldn’t give me that look as if to say- “how could you do this to me??? Get me out of here!”He cried harder than he ever has in his whole life (all 8 weeks of it), and didn’t stop for the full 15 minutes I was driving- except to take a deep breath for a louder cry.So I decided to find out what other moms of car seat hating children have done. Even though it seems like every other baby on the planet does nothing but sleep peacefully in their car seats, I was relieved to find out this is a very common issue. One community message board thread had 304 posts from moms offering tips and advice on what has worked for them.I read through most of them and there were lots of repeated tips- dvd players, pacifiers, rolling the back windows down. But here is the list of my favorites, and the things I plan on trying.- Photos of my husband’s face enlarged to 8×10 and laminated. I tape them to the backseat so that my son can look at the smiling face while he’s in his carseat. (Ha! I find this funny, but am going to do it anyway)
- Taking short rides everyday to help him learn that he is ok and car rides are going to be a part of his life. (I prefer this one to the person who decided to stay home for a year until she could turn the seat around.)
- Making sure baby has a full stomach before leaving home
- Getting an adjustment at the chiropractor- maybe it’s an alignment issue
- Using a Swaddle Me
(which is car seat approved) so baby can’t claw at his face while crying, and also to cut down on the Moro reflex
- Playing a white noise cd- I ordered For Crying Out Loud!
. It had many mentions on the message board, and rave reviews on Amazon.
- Folding a receiving blanket and wrapping it around his belly then put him in the car seat (not sure why this will work, but will try)
- ‘Fisher Price Precious Planet Deluxe Auto Mirror with Music
- Playing a few songs at home over and over and dancing to them with baby, then playing those same songs in the car
- Softer car seat cover made with moisture wicking fabric
For the direct link..
http://integrativemom.com/prevention/ten-ways-stop-crying-car-seat/
(which is car seat approved) so baby can’t claw at his face while crying, and also to cut down on the Moro reflex. It had many mentions on the message board, and rave reviews on Amazon.Yep, it happened.
in my inbox, this arrived. just what I needed today. .. I spent ALL day rushing. to a playdate, to the studio, to the doctor, to the laundry, to saylor, to get on the phone, to get off the phone, to get to work , to spend time with my kids, to walk the dog, to workout, to sit down, to be quiet, to rest, to work, to plan...all for the future. all for what is to come....
The rest is easy
Let the future come to you. – Momma Zen
The future haunts these dwindling days of summer. Around the corner, school starts, if it hasn't already. Ready or not comes the rush and tumble of fall, the holidays – bam! – and the year's over. Or at least, we live that way. Are you living that way today? Racing toward the end of something? Getting ahead of yourself?
My daughter turned 12 last week. Yes, the baby in the book turned 12. She said to me "Mom, this year has gone by so fast!" Then I knew she had merged into the fast lane, the lane I'm trying to exit, where the days whirr past the window like tumbleweeds.
Here is your invitation to slow down for a day, to focus on the scenery and not the road. Ready or not the future always arrives on schedule. And this way, you might notice what is right here.
Mother yourself – Do you give yourself permission to rest?
Look at me – "What have you done with your life?"
Making a pie – The principal ingredient to human healing.
Taking some shots – Before the bus comes.
Showing up – To right here.
- Karen Maezen Miller
the bottom line is , there's nothing I would rather do. YES, I am overwhelmed right now, today, but it will pass, all in preparation for our family vacation, all in trying to plan and schedule yoga classes around town, provide support and community for our amazing students and teachers ( clarendon! Gtown! Glover PArk! Tenley!) . there is NOTHING I would rather do.. so even when I hear myself rambling, short tempered, exhausted .. I smile to myself. bring myself back into the present moment, BACK to reality. "look at this amazing washing machine and dryer that I am so lucky to have filled with clothes for my beautiful ( messy!) children. look at my incredibly packed day filled with people I love, food that's delicious, and too many blessings to count". I re- focus, re- energize and create a new plan, back on track. Today I had to do 2 things I don't like doing.. reschedule a few meetings , and get off the phone b/c of a crying Saylor. And you know what, life went on.. I will reschedule, people will understand. This 2 kids, running a yoga studio thing is tough, no doubt and filled with many more days/words and experiences I do not even know yet that we are going to have... but it's all good. I am going to ask for help, I am going to take a break when I need to and read to SAylor, and hug mr. milo, and be a mom, and work out ( for 14 mins today!) and then get online and work my butt off to create the most AMAZING yoga home for families in Washington, DC.
In Memory of Jayna
lil omm family ,
I have a VERY special request. Will you please consider joining me and my children on this very special dedication 5 K run/walk on September 18, 2011 in honor of the adored Jayna Murray.
We would love to gather a lil omm team of families , strollers, mamas, runners and walkers to show our support to Jayna's family and close friends. Let's get out and show our support and love for this life lost too soon. If you are not up for running/walking the 5K , I know they could use your help as a volunteer.
I do hope to see you there.
Register here http://jaynamurray.bisglobal.net/
Share on FB here ...
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jayna-Murray-Foundation-5K-Bethesda-RunWalk/193342537374982
with love,
pleasance
Balance on and off the mat
Many women come to yoga during pregnancy and/or for a mom/baby class and have not had the pleasure of studying for years before parenting.. I really feel the BENEFITS of studying yoga are just fully coming into bloom NOW!
Backbends, balancing, heart openers, inversions, forward bends, mediation.. all have implications for our physical mat practice, our parenting practice and our OWN self awareness..
After a recent conversation with a friend about balance.. I wrote some thoughts about the connection between our balancing postures and our lives.. no.. this is not a polished essay.. more just thoughts. love for you to share your as well. ( See the beautiful Yanna balancing so well below.. )
How do you want to BALANCE your precious time ? I want my children to have plenty of mommy time but see me working in a way that helps this world. That creates peace and healthy living for families- where I am connected to others and working on service- giving my life in a meaningful way to things that are important to me.
There are many benefits of practicing balance postures such as an increased awareness strength our in our physical body starting from the feet and moving up the body to an increased awareness of our own thought patterns and tendencies. For example, while standing in tree pose we can notice how we stand, where we lean and bring ourselves back into alignment. The same is true in our lives, we can step back when we feel out of balance and see what areas are pulling us down or off of our center, and we have a chance to re-align ourselves.
In yoga, our postures often represent more than just what physical arises on the mat. In balancing postures, we “ground down” with our feet in order to rise up with our heart and to align our skeletal system, bring ourselves into a full expression of the pose and ourselves. Balancing poses give us a chance to notice our patterns and practice new ways to come into the pose and new strategies to come FULLY into our life.
When you come into a poses there are often has physical and mental implications. One benefit of yoga is the centering and realigning that occurs with your body and your life. Balancing postures help us to center our selves physically and mentally. Able to help clear the path of intuition for raising my family, living with intention, what do I want to do with my time? Who do I want to spend it with- living with intention and clarity and returning to the mat, cushion, nature, movement to help give me space and clarity.
For me, Yoga is as Judith Lasater has said, “When one is deeply in the state of yoga, who you are really is most evident, and when we are most truly ourselves, we express what yoga truly is.” She went on to liken yoga to the actions of a sculptor uncovering the shape already present in the stone, removing the obstacles to letting whatever is present reveal itself, shine forth."
Dear Palisades,
Dear Palisades,
It's been amazing. lil omm yoga has LOVED being such a big part of your community and your families. We have so many fond memories of this little space on V St.. the beautiful tree lined neighborhood. So many smiles and hugs and tears shed in our home in the Palisades. We EVEN have a lil omm video clip with Palisades resident Stacy Kerr, commenting on our connection to the neighborhood.
We didn't want to leave the area. I have searched on Macarthur and side streets for something that would make sense for the lil omm community and for my own family and situation. We couldn't find anything that seemed like the best fit.
The good news is we WILL continue on.. and in a number of ways. Right now we are working on a home base in Tenleytown DC to open in Sept/Oct... and various satellite classes in Glover Park, Georgetown AND the much requested, Arlington.
I wish we could stay and play in the Palisades. I do hope that you'll come with us and stay an active and vibrant part of our community and I also know that some of you will move on to something that makes sense for you. And I wish you the best.
I just want to send our sincere love and gratitude for all that your community has given to our lil omm family and that for one brief moment in time, we were integrated .. one in the same, Palisades and lil omm were connected deeply. Thank you for the amazing memories and for the opportunity to practice yoga, breathe together and share conversation and friendship.
Be well and take good care,
Pleasance and the lil omm family
Starting Over...
What's truly amazing is how much I missed the poses. This week, Milo turned 4 weeks and I returned to yoga classes. We took 2 classes this week together. This week I laid on my back and played with happy baby. It felt so good. I forgot what it was like to be on my back , playing like that- rolling around and opening my hips.. I did a supine spinal twist and breathed a sigh of relief, it felt so good to be home.
The thing about pregnancy is ( especially with a difficult one) you never feel like you are NOT going to be pregnant.. my mind had drifted away from how great my physical body felt in certain poses and movements. But, the truth is, it does end and your baby is born, and you get your body back and your ability to lay on your back AND your tummy. amazing.
The next few months are going to be a re introduction to the poses, all of them. The most simple of movements can be challenging for a new mama, with a changed body and a sleep deprived system. It's like coming into it all as a beginner.. which I am. I have never practice yoga as this Pleasance, with 2 kids, with this body haven carried and birthed two babies. Things will be different. Softer perhaps? slower? I am not sure.. right now taking it day by day. I notice my hips are adjusting back and my old tight pirfiormis injury sneaks it's way into my body.
Here's a picture of Milo relaxing after Leslie's postnatal class on Friday!
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