Take Your Yoga Teacher on Vacation with You!

The other day while looking for some yoga resources online, I came across a great website. Do you ever feel challenged by doing yoga on your own? Does your practice wane when you are travelling? Now you can take your yoga teacher with you wherever you go! Take a moment and check out Yogaglo online. 

They have a wonderful array of classes for all levels, taught by famous yogis/yoginis. The styles range from Yin Yoga to Ashtanga, Hatha, Vinyasa and more. They currently have a 15-day FREE trial period, after which the cost is only $18 USD per month (approximately 66 AED). That's less than the cost of one class in most studios in major international cities. All you need is a computer and internet access. The site is VERY user friendly and you can see previews of most classes.

I'd love to hear your feedback about the Yogaglo site if you are already using it. Feel free to comment below or email me at fieldsofyoga@gmail.com.

Enjoy!

Summer is Upon Us!

The first official day of summer is almost here. With that comes a pause in the yoga classes that I currently offer at Fraser Suites. From 20 June until 26 August 2012 Yin Yoga and Hatha Flow classes will be on hold. If you have purchased a package of classes from me, the validity period will freeze during the time I'm away and will resume after 26 August.

It is difficult to believe that June is well underway.  This time last year I was preparing for huge life changes. My wedding was 2 months away and after 15 years in my career, I had resigned my post as a full-time language teacher and head of department. I was looking forward to taking a year off to reflect on the changes in my life and to pursue certification as a yoga teacher.  The idea was to deepen my practice, focus on my new marriage and return to the classroom in fall 2012 well rested and ready to face the next couple of decades in the classroom before reaching retirement age.

The joy and peace I have found as a yoga teacher cannot be matched. The prospect of working in a room full of desks and books instead of yoga mats and bolsters doesn't hold the same appeal for me as it did a year ago. I am passionate about sharing the practice of yoga and I never want to give it up. My dilemma is that the salary and benefits that most language teachers enjoy go far beyond the income of a yoga teacher.

There are many more important things in life than money. Peace of mind, maintaining good physical and mental health and overall happiness are just a few examples. However, no one can deny that keeping food on the table and a roof over one's head are an integral part of maintaining your physical and mental health and require money...quite a lot of it if you live in Dubai.  Was it naive of me to think that I could put aside the traditional teaching career for the dream of teaching yoga and maintain the same lifestyle? Do I even want to maintain the same lifestyle?

During the summer, I will have time to contemplate these questions as my husband and I travel to the Caribbean and Panama. I hope to find a way to continue to teach yoga and contribute to our household coffers. (Feel free to chime in via the comments section below in if you have any thoughts/ideas on the matter)

Speaking of Panama, I'm eager to explore yoga studios and teachers in Panama. If you have any recommendations, please add them to the comments below or email me at fieldsofyoga@gmail.com.

I wish you a very peaceful, joyful and rejuvenating summer holiday!

Saturday Sunrise Beach Yoga is Back!

Saturday Sunrise Beach Yoga has returned! We now meet from 7am-8am in Jumeriah 2 on the beach at the end of 23A St.  Bring your swimsuit and join us for a refreshing dip in the sea after the practice. The Hatha Flow practice will wake up your body and mind and leave you feeling energized and ready for the day. Join us on June 2, 9 & 16 2012 for this FREE yoga class. Your body will thank you later! 

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Check out Fields of Yoga's NEW Website!

Click on our name to take a look at the Fields of Yoga's new website! Class schedules, rates, photos and Dubai's yoga happenings are featured on the site. Your feedback is welcomed and encouraged. 

Scenes from my Classes at Fraser Suites

Chatting before class begins

Some scenes from the demo Hatha Flow Class (with a touch of Yin!) at Fraser Suites last night with Noura's Outdoor Yogalates Bliss. Join us for Yin Yoga on Sunday evenings and for Hatha Flow on Monday mornings and Tuesday evenings.  Pre-booking essential: fieldsofyoga@gmail.com or on my Fields of Yoga Dubai Facebook page.

Ahhhhhh.....letting go of the stress of the day

Practising under a clear blue sky!

Class Schedule, Yoga for Men, and so much more!

NEW Class Schedule

Sunday:
6:45pm-7:45 @ Fraser Suites YIN YOGA  students should please bring 2 yoga blocks, a mat & a thick towel or blanket. (Blocks, blankets & mats can be purchased at Adventure HQ in Time Square Mall or ordered in advance from Julie)
Monday:
10:30am-11:30 @ Fraser Suites HATHA FLOW
Tuesday:
6:45pm-7:45 @ Fraser Suites HATHA FLOW
Saturday:
7am-8am @ end of 23A Street in Jumeirah 2, SUNRISE BEACH YOGA this class is free of charge
10am-11am in Warqa'a, YOGA PLUS!

Rates: 1 class = 70 aed, 10 classes = 500 aed

          Men + Yoga = Ahhhhh....        

Yoga classes always seem to be dominated by female students. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that but I find it ironic given that originally, yoga was developed for men, not women. Men tend to have tight hips, shoulders and hamstrings and suffer from the effects of high stress. Therefore, they could benefit greatly from a regular yoga practice. Today I came across a great article in Men's Health about how & why yoga can benefit men. Click here and take a look at the article!

Yoga Simplified

Do you ever feel intimidated by yoga enthusiasts? There are those that feel if you do yoga, you must also lead a raw-vegan-gluten-free-non-dairy lifestyle and spend a significant amount of time chanting, meditating and fasting in order to become 'One' with the universe.  At the other end of the spectrum are the hard-bodied folks that focus mainly on doing asanas (forgoing the diet, chanting & meditating), bending like a pretzel, seemingly balancing on one finger, whilst every muscle in the body is flexed. I've heard students and friends suggest that they have 'failed' at yoga if they don't fit into one of those ends of the spectrum. And I have to admit that as much as I enjoy reading magazines and journals focused on yoga, those periodicals often feature the yoga 'extremes' and have at times, left me feeling somewhat intimidated. 

The five principles of the Sivinanda Yoga Centres are fairly simple: Exercise (Asanas), Breathing (Pranayama), Relaxation (Savasana), Diet, and Meditation (Dhyana). Anyone and every body can incorporate these principles into their lives.  We may not all incorporate them the same way or at the same level of intensity but to some degree, I believe that every person is able to practice the five principles. To help define these principles take a look at this article . One does not need to follow an extreme diet or have a perfect body to benefit from regular yoga practice. The only thing one needs is the desire to try. As Arthur says in this incredible video, "Just because you can't do it today, doesn't mean that you won't be able to do it one day. Never give up." Take five minutes and check out his courageous and incredible transformation through the practice of yoga.

New Yoga Classes Offered at Fraser Suites DMC

I'm very excited to announce that I'll be teaching classes at Fraser Suites in Dubai Media City with Noura's Outdoor Yogalates.  As of 20 May 2012 classes will be offered Sunday and Tuesday evenings from 6:45pm-7:45pm and on Monday mornings from 10:30am-11:30am.

This is your chance to tell us your level of interest. Go to my Fields of Yoga Dubai Facebook Page and click on the class(es) that interest you. Alternatively, write your comment below. Yin Yoga, Hatha Flow and Yoga Plus are on the horizon but what actually appears is up to you!