On Saturday May 8th, I had the opportunity to teach 12 members of the South Shore Anchors Rugby team a Power Yoga class. They are division 2 and ranked 4th in the country and on 5/16/09 they made their way to Columbia, South Carolina to compete in the US Rugby National Sweet 16 Tournament. My goal was to show how yoga can give the athletes a competitive edge over their opponents with cross training and flexibility work. The Anchors finished 10th in the united States, Great Job Guys!!! And even though my new nickname is apparently “the devil”, I think they enjoyed the workout

One of the things I enjoy is learning and using Sanskrit names for postures.  I like to use them in my classes, along with the translations, hoping some of my students feel the same way I do.  The other day I was teaching a segment for the Open Doors teacher training program and a student understandably asked why they should learn the Sanskrit names for postures.  I compared it to being a ballerina.  You know what the the “moves” are in French, honoring the art’s lineage.  You would never take ballet and not know what arabesque or pirouette was because French is the universal language of ballet.  I feel the same way about yoga, it’s honoring our lineage, and honestly I think it’s fun!  (It’s sort of like how I wish I knew a second language…which is on my list!) (more…)

Balance best describes the way I approach my life both personally and professionally. I seek growth physically, mentally and spiritually. I embrace challenges that come my way and use my strength, creativity and perseverance to meet them.

One of my favorite quotes is “remember that a rock in your path is a stepping stone to a better place”.

I believe in being physically fit and living a healthy lifestyle and adding fun to both. I incorporate the 3 components of fitness into my own life and with my clients; resistance training, cardiovascular activity and flexibility. Beyond this, my yoga teaching and personal practice keep me grounded and focused on what the priorities in my life should be (as we all know, don’t sweat the small stuff). (more…)

On Tuesday mornings I teach Hatha Yoga for Norwell Recreation (this class is not limited to Norwell residents). I love how peaceful I feel afterward. I teach and/or practice Power Yoga 7 days a week which I love, but there is something so calming about this slower and gentler flow. If you’ve never tried a hatha class, know that each class and each teacher can be quite different. Some classes might be mostly stretching and breathing, others like mine may also include Vinyasa. If you don’t connect to this style with your first class, try again! If you have any questions and would like to know more about it…contact me! If you would like to register for the summer session at Sparrell School, 9:30am to 10:45, call Norwell rec at 781-659-8046. Have a wonderful Day, Shanti (Sanskrit word for Peace)