Batch of Sky Yoga

I visited Avnet today to check out their new space. This electronic components company recently moved to a bigger site that includes a fitness center for employees.

I got to meet the Pilates and weights instructors, and we are all excited for our first classes next week.

I love when employers offer their employees this kind of benefit. Here's hoping folks take advantage and show up for classes!

We saw a few roadrunners on our bike ride this morning, and my friend told me that in Native American culture the roadrunner is a protector. I found this really sweet and did some more research when I got home.

The Hopi and other Pueblo tribes believe that roadrunners are medicine birds and can protect against evil spirits. Their unusual X-shaped footprints are used as sacred symbols to ward off evil in many Pueblo tribes-- partially because they invoke the protective power of the roadrunners themselves and partially because the X shape of the tracks conceals which direction the bird is headed (thus throwing evil spirits off-track.)

Roadrunner feathers are traditionally used to decorate Pueblo cradleboards as spiritual protection for the baby.

In Mexican Indian tribes, it's considered good luck to see a roadrunner.

So next time you see a roadrunner, you might want to thank him or her for looking out for you. 🙏🏻

This class was born so that I could share yoga with my parents who live across the country, but I'm grateful that others join us each week. Research indicates yoga may help prevent cognitive decline and may even prevent further decline once it has begun.

Movement is essential, especially as we age. Slow and mindful movements that can easily be done in a chair are some of the most beneficial to support brain health, and these fun, novel, and interesting yoga practices not only strengthen and stretch our muscles but also stimulate both hemispheres of our brain to support focus, interoceptive awareness, and memory.

This class is held on Thursdays at 8:30 am Arizona time. We normally start and end sitting in a chair, but there's an option to stand up for a few movements in the middle.

All ages are welcome; it can be a good idea to be proactive about our cognitive health before we begin to notice any issues. Register here:

https://batch-of-sky-yoga.offeringtree.com/offerings/yoga-to-support-cognitive-health

I left Tuesday's yoga practice at LA Fitness feeling lifted and peaceful, but when I got to my car the radio announced that Dolly Parton had died. A wave of sincere sadness washed over me.

I don't follow country music or know all her songs, yet I always understood she was an incredibly talented singer and songwriter. More important though, she brought so much good to our world. She was strong, caring, generous, and allowed her inner light to shine through at all times. It's as if she breezed through the process of peeling away all the layers of herself and found her purpose with ease.

It can be a challenging thing to do, but Dolly made it look effortless.

She was unapologetically her authentic self. She knew who she was, never forgot where she came from, and walked her path in a way that firmly aligned with her values. And she encouraged others to be themselves as well, offering up no judgment, shame, or gossip. She humbly had faith in something greater and seemed to live in a state of constant gratitude.

What an inspiration she was and still is.

Henrietta is a star! 🌟

I taught a virtual seated Pilates class to the St. Louis Public Library this week. The feedback was good, but the gist is the participants want more Henrietta. 😻

They are so chummy calling her Henri, too. I don't even call her that! 😄

I teach flexibility and mobility classes for Firstgevity, a Phoenix company that serves first responders and their families. Classes are designed to help prevent injuries and reduce stress.

It's rewarding work, bringing my kind of support to those who are constantly protecting our communities. 🙏🏻

I teach once or twice a month to each of three local police departments, and today I got to spend time with a large class of new hires.

Twenty "kids" showed up dressed in blue shorts and white t-shirts, and I felt like I was teaching to my son's ROTC detachment. They were so respectful, polite, and good listeners. The future is bright with these young adults as our next generation of law enforcement professionals.

Thank you to all the men and women who choose this career and commit to serving their community.

Through Vitality in Motion, I get to teach chair yoga in several active adult communities and assisted living centers near my home, even though this employer is based in St. Louis.

I also occasionally teach virtually for the St. Louis Public Library. I can't see anyone while I'm teaching these classes, so I'm never sure how it's going in real time. But their feedback is always so positive and appreciative.

It's remarkably rewarding to support aging adults. It's not just about increasing lifespan anymore. The focus on functional fitness, mental health, and emotional health can help improve "healthspan."

Being able to move around, having a positive attitude, and feeling like you belong are like gold in our golden years. Yoga is perfect for this. 💛

Never stop learning!

I recently spent an evening at a corporate yoga training with . I earned my YTT 300 certification through this program years ago, and I often return for continuing education credit requirements as well as to teach for their YTT 200 program.

led this training, which was so fun because we graduated together as RYT 500s! It was wonderful to reconnect with her and absorb her good ideas that I can take into my corporate yoga classes.

I also went to a workshop about fine minerals at a local museum. My daughter is a geological engineer, so I thought I should know something about rocks and gems and minerals. I learned a lot since I practically knew nothing about this going in, but I don't think she's out there in the field gathering astheticly pleasing and valuable gemstones. Darn. haha

It's fun and good for us to expand our horizons. Maybe challenge yourself to sign up for a class, lecture, or workshop. Don't be afraid to be a little nerdy. 🤓

I'm still thinking about our sound meditation from last weekend with deep appreciation and gratitude. Events like these are such meaningful ways to get together with your friends.

Kris and I offer these in-person events once a season, so please stay tuned for our Fall event.

In the meantime, if you're interested in bringing yoga and/or sound to your circle of friends, we'd love to set something up for you.

I enjoy sharing the benefits of yoga through private, in-person events, and have been to backyards, pools, and living rooms across Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Phoenix.

What's fun to see is how much hosts enjoy sharing their beautiful spaces with their friends, especially for something so peaceful. And even the host is able to relax!

So as we anticipate the return of cooler temps soon (hopefully), please message me to set something special on your calendar. You provide the space and invite your friends, and we take care of the rest. 🥰

I teach for Yoga's Arc - a mobile yoga studio that provides yoga in some of the most unlikely places. They offer yoga classes in restaurants, schools, shelters, breweries, prisons, behavioral health centers, parks, hospitals, universities, farmers markets, stores, housing communities, and more.

This Sunday, August 9th, I'm teaching a slow flow and relaxation yoga class inside the tasting room at Aridus Winery in Scottsdale, right in the heart of the Old Town Arts District.

Your ticket to this 11 a.m. class includes a glass of w**e of your choice afterwards. Gather friends or a loved one and treat yourselves to a luxurious yoga class, w**e, and maybe lunch and shopping in Scottsdale.

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased using the link below. A portion of the proceeds helps to support bringing yoga to communities who would normally be unable to afford yoga.

https://www.yogasarc.com/tickets/p/aridus-scottsdale