Yoga Cowgirl Retreat News - Let's Giddy Up

Hi Ladies,

For those of you that have expressed interest in participating in the Yoga Cowgirl Retreat here's the latest scoop. This past week I have been in communication with a couple of cowboys and outfitters to organize a fabulous women's retreat that combines wilderness adventure, horseback riding, gourmet food, yoga and other outdoor activities. The original plan of a three day weekend at the Wagon Trail Ranch in Smithers has been postponed until further notice as there are major preparations underway for the crew to depart for camp in Dease Lake. This retreat may run in the fall and will most certainly be happening in June 2011.

One other opportunity has presented itself that could prove to be a life-changing experience. Think 'City Slickers' and imagine yourself on a FOUR DAY Remote Wilderness Adventure of a lifetime trailing a herd of horses from Dease Lake to Turnagain Lake. Now I realize the timing is a little quick but we have negotiated a 'last minute' discount rate and a little spontaneity in life can be a good thing.

Here's the proposed itinerary:

Wed. July 14th - Arrive Dease Lake, Dinner and Overnight (accommodation not included)

Thurs July 15th - 11am - Depart on Trail Ride, ride for 7-8 hours and Camp (Yoga breaks throughout)

Fri July 16th - Continue Trail Ride through spectacular valleys and mountains (7-8 hours) and Camp

Sat July 17th - Trail Ride to Turnagain Lake Lodge where we are met with cold margaritas, hot sauna and gourmet meals

Sunday July 18th - YOGA, Canoeing and Relaxation

Monday July 19th - Fly out on a float plane back to Dease Lake and return home

This trip includes:

~ All Gourmet meals, wine and booze

~ Wilderness Guides, Cooks

~ Horses and tack

~ All camping equipment

~ 2 nights stay at the lodge / use of canoes, etc.

~ Yoga Breaks and Classes

For more information on the outfitter, check out http://www.bcsafaris.com/index.html

The cost is $1000 per person plus tax. If you are interested please let me know by Monday July 5th so we can begin to make the necessary arrangements.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yeehaw - Naomi

Summer Specials @ Wild Lotus

Dear Friends of Yoga,

The lazy days of summer are approaching with an abundance of beauty surrounding us, warm weather and longer days. A great time to get out in nature and play, toil in the soil and soak up some rays of sunshine.

~ Yoga Flow Challenge ~

In the spirit of summer, Naomi will be offering a THREE WEEK YOGA FLOW CHALLENGE pending registration.

Rise, shine, stretch and strengthen for all levels of practitioners.

THREE MORNINGS per week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 7:00am - 8:00am) for THREE WEEKS.

Don't hesitate ... call or email and register TODAY! Your mind and body will LOVE it!

Session ONE (Beginning next week)

Week 1: June 29, 30, July 1

Week 2: July 6,7,8

Week 3: July 13,14,15

Session TWO

Week 1: August 10,11,12

Week 2: August 17,18,19

Week 3: August 24,25,26

Cost: $80 per session (our sizzling summer special)

~ Yoga COWGIRLS ~

Naomi had a rip roarin' good time at the Wilderness Guiding and Wrangling Program in Smithers through the Northwest Community College this past month. She is now a bona fide wrangler with a pocket full of new skills and stories. There was lots of horsin' around, working with horses and of course yoga amidst the stampede of fun. With new contacts on the ranch and a herd of amazing horses at her fingertips, Naomi intends to host a YOGA COWGIRL weekend retreat at the Wagon Trail Ranch in Smithers.

Imagine waking up in a cozy cabin on the ranch and heading over to the cookhouse for an invigorating yoga session and sumptuous brunch. Add in exciting trail rides with fabulous views of the Bulkley Valley, educational workshops on the ranch, campfires, more food and fun.

At this point, Naomi would like to take a POLL to see if anyone is interested in taking part. This weekend could potentially happen July 16th, 17th and 18th. Cost TBD (pending interest). Get back to us if you are interested so we can turn this dream into reality and make it happen within the next few weeks.

~ Spiritual Consultant Coming to Wild Lotus ~

A special friend of Lonna's will be visiting Terrace August 3 - 10th. If you are interested in having your tarot cards read, Virgilio will be taking appointments. Visit www.myspiritualconsultant.com for more information and contact Lonna to book your appointment.

~ The Wild Lotus Boutique ~

It's in the works! Be on the look out for great yoga gear and active wear. If you have any suggestions or feedback on what you would like to see in the WL Boutique we are all ears. We look forward to serving you with these new products in the fall.

~ Costa Rica Retreat with Lonna ~

Just a reminder of the upcoming Yoga retreat in Costa Rica the week of November 3 - 9, 2010. Yoga Sherpa is taking bookings until August 3rd. Plan your yoga vacation today. Call Lonna for more information.

~ Class Cancellations ~

Wild Lotus Studio will be offering a reduced schedule for the summer to allow for holidays and family fun. The following classes will be cancelled until further notice:

Tuesday morning Vinyasa 9 - 10:30am

Thursday morning Ashtanga 9 - 10:30am

Friday morning Baby and Me 9 - 10am

Please NOTE: Maureen Hayworth, Certified Yoga Instructor will be taking over Lonna's Monday evening and Saturday morning classes as she goes on maternity leave mid July through August.

And Naomi will be on a family vacation July 19th - August 8th. During this time her Tuesday and Thursday evening classes will be cancelled.

~ Housekeeping ~

Please note, HST is applicable to yoga beginning on July 1^st (arrghh, out of our control!).

Hope to see you on the mat and on the move.

108 Sun Salutations

A special thanks to the ladies who participated in the Yoga Mala Challenge and to Molly McNulty for taking the time to capture our experience.

Spring Intensives with Guest Instructors

SPRING 6-WEEK INTENSIVES
Awaken: Open: Deepen: Strengthen: Align: Restore:

Join Roger Carling-Kelly for a six-week Yoga intensive that caters to both beginner and intermediate students. Develop a healthier body, learn relaxation skills and experience a calmer mind.

Roger has been teaching Yoga since 1969. He has learned various branches of Yoga from Yogis in Canada, Germany and India.

Tuesdays: April 20 – May 25, 2010, 5:30 – 7:00pm
Thursdays: April 22 – May 27, 2010, 5:30 – 7:00pm
Cost: $70 for 6 weeks
Contact Roger @ 635.5018 or 635.9544

Join Kim Ward for FUSION, a powerful blend of Yoga, Pilates and Fitness. Expect a series of flowing postures linked by the breath to stretch, strengthen and tone. Light weights and bands will also be incorporated.

Kim is a certified Fitness instructor and believes everyone should "Experience Wellness". An outdoor enthusiast and avid kayaker, she focuses on training specific muscles so people feel stronger and healthier.

Tuesdays: April 20 – May 25, 2010, 9 – 10:00am
Thursdays: April 22 – May 27, 2010, 9 – 10:00am
Fridays: April 23 – May 28, 2010, 9 - 10:00am (BABY & ME)
Cost: $60 for 6 weeks
Contact Kim @ 641.5705

The Yoga Mala Challenge

So what's it all about? We intend to gather our community together to participate in a moving meditation of 108 Sun Salutations to raise funds and awareness for a local non-profit, as well as, celebrate and demonstrate unity for Earth Day. The Sun Salutation sequence, also known in Sanskrit as Surya Namaskar is a graceful, flowing series of 12 postures which help to improve strength, flexibility of the muscles, the spinal column, as well as, calm the mind. Now mention doing 108 sun salutations in a row to most people, even regularly practicing yogis, and their eyes widen as their mind says No way!

Yes way! Not only can your average yoga practitioner easily complete 108 sun salutations, but it’s such an energizing practice, that at the end of 108, some people actually feel like they want to do more. Keep in mind, Yoga is not “exercise”. It doesn’t wear out the body, but energises the mind, body and soul. On April 18th, 2010 we will give thanks to the sun for it's warmth and nourishment. We will position our mats like rays of the sun outdoors in the park and move in unison while giving and receiving energy from the group.

Why 108 Sun Salutations? 108 has long been considered a sacred number in yoga. Traditionally, malas, or garlands of prayer beads, come as a string of 108 beads. According to yogic tradition, there are 108 pithas, or sacred sites, throughout India. And there are also 108 Upanishads and 108 marma points, or sacred places of the body. Renowned mathematicians of Vedic culture viewed 108 as a number of the wholeness of existence. This number also connects the Sun, Moon, and Earth: The average distance of the Sun and the Moon to Earth is 108 times their respective diameters.

There are so many non-profit organizations that need our help and support. We have decided to support the Ksan House Society through a Pledge-a-thon. This local non-profit empowers, assists and supports people experiencing gender violence, violence, poverty, homelessness and other forms of oppression/marginalization. Participants are encouraged to gather pledges from friends, family, etc. for each sun salutation completed. Upon completion of the Yoga Mala Event, participants will collect the donations from their pledge sheet and Wild Lotus Studio will donate ALL PLEDGES earned to the KSAN HOUSE on behalf of the Yoga Mala Challenge. Yoga in Action!

Locations: If the sun is shining meet at the Skeena View Park on Halliwell. If it is raining we will convene at the Wild Lotus Studio, 4607 Lazelle Ave.

Date and Time: Sunday April 18th, 2010 - 11am – 1pm

Registration Fee: $20 per person to participate

Register today and pick up your pledge forms at the studio!

Wild Lotus Makes Contact

"2010 The Year We Make Contact." I remember watching this epic science fiction film as a youngster and thinking how far off 2010 was into the future. I tried to imagine what life would be like ... the innovations, the mentality, the state of the world. Well guess what folks it's 2010 and it feels like just yesterday that the infamous space expedition was sent to Jupiter to learn what happened to the Discovery.

It is now that very near future and a small group of yogis have set out on their greatest adventure ... to see if there is life beyond the stars and make their dreams come true. In October 2009, Lonna and I decided to embark on a transformational journey and open a new yoga studio and multi-purpose centre in a downtown location accessible to all. We envisioned it to be a dynamic space full of energy and activity. A place where people of all ages and disciplines could gather to learn, dance, exercise, relax, meet and enjoy their community. In December 2009, we officially opened our doors and the support has been overwhelming and most encouraging.

We have lovingly called this new space, "Wild Lotus Studio" in honor of our collaboration and the symbolism of the lotus in yoga ... 'at home in muddy waters'. As for the original "Treehouse Yoga" ... this little company remains near and dear to my heart and will continue to be a creative outlet for my individual endeavors. Stay tuned. I look forward to planning and offering unique retreats with an array of outdoor activities, special treatments, exotic locales and of course yoga.

2010 is looking great! I am super excited about all of the opportunities, transformations, and adventures this year will bring.

The New Wild Lotus Studio is in Full Bloom - 4607 Lazelle Ave

New year. New resolutions. It's January 2010!

We practice.
We flow.
We tremble.
We laugh.

We are a community. Together we strengthen our bodies and balance our minds. We pursue peace and cultivate kindness. At Wild Lotus Studio, we believe that practicing yoga is a catalyst for what we practice in our daily lives.

In 2010, what will you practice? Whether it be focus or flexibility, soaring or slowing down, we want to support you.

Wild Lotus Studio is in Full Bloom with a new name, as well as, a variety of new courses, classes and special events. Read on.

//Pre-Register Sessions//

Pre-Natal with Lonna - Monday February 1st to March 22nd (Noon to 1pm)
This is an 8 week pre-register session. Cost: $80
Gentle, Safe movements and stretches are designed to strengthen and open the body, allowing you to meet the challenges and transformations of pregnancy with confidence and calm. Postures are presented with variations appropriate for all stages of pregnancy.

Yoga Fundamentals with Naomi - Tuesday February 2nd to Tuesday March 23rd (7:30pm - 8:30pm)
This is an 8 week pre-register session. Cost: $80
This course introduces new and continuing students to the principles of alignment, breath work, primary poses, variations and foundational basics, including yoga philosophy. Emphasis will be on standing and seated poses, as well as, improving overall strength and flexibility.

BELLY DANCE with KRYSTYNA for fun and fitness. Starting Monday February 1st - April 5th, 7:30pm - 8:45pm and running for 10 weeks.
To register contact: Krystyna Moss @ rakssharki78@hotmail.com or sign up at the studio.

//Specialty Workshops//

Partner Yoga is Back. Two People. One Mat. Get set to defy gravity, deepen your stretch and have lots of fun.
Friday January 22nd 5:30pm - 7pm. Reserve your Mat today. Cost: $20 / person

//The Wild Lotus LAUNCH PARTY//

Mark your calendars! Join us for light refreshments, music and smiles as we celebrate the opening of our new studio with a gathering of friends and friends of friends. Saturday January 30th, 7pm - 10pm.

//Our Regular Yoga Schedule//

NEW: Early Morning Yoga: Every Wednesday and Friday, 6:30am - 8:15am. By Donation. This is a SELF-DIRECTED open session for yogis to deepen their personal practice and enjoy the warm and relaxed atmosphere of our new space.

Be sure to drop-in to any of our regularly scheduled yoga classes. We offer a variety of morning and evening classes including Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative, as well as, Baby and Me. For class descriptions please visit our web site.

//Future Happenings//

Naomi and the Treehouse will be offering a Spring Retreat.
Lonna and Yoga Sherpa will be offering a Fall Retreat.
Plans are in the works so stay tuned for more details as they unfold. As always, we love feedback! Give us your thoughts and opinions on what you would like to see happening in your yoga community.

Look forward to seeing you on the mat and on the move.