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August 2017FREE
The Metroplex’sGuy Yogis
www.dallasyogamagazine.com
Warrior Spirit Project
DALLAS
magazineYOGA
Dating a Man Who Does Yoga...PRICELESS
You are welcome ladies!
Yoga for Our Heroes
Upcoming Events:Yoga Peep ShowCosmic Yoga Festival
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Why are some guysafraid to try yoga?
“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an
experiment.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
The stereotypical guy is physically stronger and braver than us gals, howev-er, when it comes to yoga there is often a major disconnect. It’s like guys lose their courage and self-confidence…like
the cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz. Where did that brave stud go when going to yoga class is mentioned?
Here are six reasons why someguys are afraid of yoga.
1. I’m not flexible.How many times have you heard this when you ask
someone (not just guys) to go to yoga class with you? It’s not a surprise when everywhere you look yoga is stereo-typed with young females who are doing poses that look more like a gymnastic class. Those of us who practice on a regular basis know that yoga is so much more than the poses and it’s about balancing and breathing. However, trying to convince a guy of this may be difficult. Remind him there will be a lot of pretty women in yoga pants. Whatever it takes to get him there. Sometimes we have to revert backwards to move forward. 2. Only women do yoga.
It is true that more women do yoga than men. But there are still plenty of men doing it. One out of every three people who do yoga are men. They are incorpo-rating it in professional football and basketball training. Tom Brady and Lebron James do yoga. You can’t get manlier than those guys and I’m confident that no one would make fun of them. At least not to their face.
It’s very odd the idea that yoga is for women has become such a wide spread perception. Yoga was created by men for men. Sun Salutations began to get hormonal teenage boys focused and meditating.3. Yoga is a religion.
This one still baffles me. No, yoga is not a religion. It is completely the opposite and if people who say this would do a little research most teachers (even those from India) believe in one universal higher power who we are all connected to. They stress what you call that power is completely up to you. Yoga means to unite with your inner self and connect to a higher energy. It’s not about
Continued on Page 20
By: “AJ” Amy Jo CrowellPublisher Dallas Yoga Magazine
AJ’s Mat
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When you first start yoga practice or an exercise pro-gram, it’s all about the teacher or the people or the facility or maybe just keeping up with the group. As you settle into your yoga practice, you start asking yourself, how can I improve or
fine tune my practice? Once you get to the place where you’re asking yourself that question, then you might want to start by looking at your focus, your breathing, your muscle control, and your body alignment. The following points might help you improve your practice.
FOCUS - Everything depends on yours. The verb “fo-cus” means adapting to the prevailing level of light and becoming able to see clearly. With yoga (or any exercise practice) the real key is to focus on what you’re doing not what you would like to be doing or what you’re going to do or what you have done in the past, but what you’re doing now.
It’s a proven fact if you focus on the muscles and the parts of the body that you are working, your body will respond much better to what you are trying to accom-
plish. You can think of it like playing tennis, baseball, or any other sport that requires you to focus and be alert. In sports, you focus on the now so you can react quickly and with control in the moment. Yoga is just like that: you set your focus on your pose while controlling proper breath-ing, keeping correct body alignment, and expanding your muscle length in an isometric fashion. It’s a beautiful thing when these elements all come together with your mental focus on you and what you’re doing, and you will love the feeling and satisfaction it gives you.
So why do we all have such a hard time with it? Well, I guess you don’t have a speeding ball heading straight at you, (that would wake anyone up!) which would help you focus on drawing yourself into a self-centered, alert state. But instead of focusing on a speeding ball, set your focus inward on that magnificent body of yours and all its won-derful moving parts that make it work. Now, this sounds easier than it really is and like anything else, it requires practice. It’s not going to happen overnight, but it will never happen if you don’t start working on the concept of inward instead of outward focus. I had a world-class skeet shooter tell me once that I was just as good of a shot as he was, he had just shot more shell than I had. It’s like that with everything. It starts by you pulling your thoughts in on you and your body, not on other things. It’s not easy because we’re busy thinking about our cell phones or our plans or anything else, but in time it will happen and the results will be well worth it.
Give it a try and always remember that they call it a yoga practice, not yoga perfect.
Simple Tools to ImproveYour Yoga Practice
Part 1: FocusBy: Mark Phillips, Yoga & GX Instructor
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Our American heroes are honored and revered now more than ever. Because of the advancements in tech-nology, we are given a front seat experience to their hard work and dedication. We see pasts awash with combat deployments and intense training sessions. We watch hearts break at family time spent apart and share in emo-tion as both victory and tragedy unfold before our eyes. The devotion it takes to fight for a country’s freedom is a rarity. One that we dare not take for granted.
When it’s all said and done, these courageous men and women don’t just “leave it all on the court” or in this case the battlefield. Years spent fighting for freedom can mean a lifetime spent struggling with the harsh aftermath. Do we ever stop to notice the reality of this sacrifice? Hun-dreds of miles away from where the fight is, and still our American heroes continue the battle day after day. No book, movie, or news report could ever do justice to the silent war that rages within.
This is where nonprofits like Warrior Spirit Project play a huge part in the lives and future of our brave men and women. By offering services that accommo-date symptoms of PTSD and TBI, Warrior Spirit Project gives our service members, veterans, and first responders the opportunity to take healing into their own hands. Based on the premise that “a broken spirit can be more harmful than a broken body” they focus on offering a well-rounded healing process that targets spirit, mind, and body. This remarkable organization operates out of the southwest Dallas area and is dedicated to serving the entire DFW metroplex. Founders Charla and David Truesdale and Leslie Cromwell make it their mission each day to ensure that our American heroes are flourish-ing in every capacity of life.
Through three simple components, the mission is simple: to equip all service members, veterans, and first responders with diverse, research-based healing opportu-
By: Elizabeth Renee WillisSteady Warriors Ambassador
Warrior Spirit Project
American Heroes
“Yoga, Dogs & Dirt”
Continued on Page 10
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Dallas
magazinePublisher:
“AJ” Amy Jo CrowellEditor: Erica MestyanekMarketing: Logan BennettMarketing: Erin BrownleeMarketing: Cindi Wuebker
Social Media: Brayan RamosPhotos: Chloe Saltarelli
Photos: Kultered PhotographyWebsite: Mike Haney
214-624-9896DallasYogaMagazine.com
@dallasyogamag
YOGA
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I know what you’re thinking…sounds like fun!
Dallas Yoga Magazine’s Yoga Peep Show gives ev-eryone the chance to take a peek into local yoga studios and other holistic centers all in one day. Each Yoga Peep Show is different and you are chauffeured to an array of classes at studios to expand your horizons. There are many surprises and so much peeping to do! It is open to those who have never practiced yoga to the most ad-vanced.
You may start with an Aerial Yoga class, Wall Yoga or Gong Meditation. Other stops could include Tai Chi, Kundalini, Gong Meditation, Crystal Bowls, Karoake Yoga, Traditional Classes and Holistic Classes. The Peepers end with cocktails, mocktails and hord’oeurves. You can’t forget your goody bag full of samples from our sponsors.
“The Yoga Peep Show is such a great idea, we are so excited to have the peepers practice Wall Yoga with us. It’s a fantastic way to show everyone not only what we have to offer at our studio but at other places as well.” Katherine Galligan, Chikitsa & Ayurveda Center, Richardson, TX
“You have to love the idea! Chauffeuring yogis from studio to studio and giving them the opportunity to try something new and different at each stop is fun but also educational. It’s always wonderful to get people to try something out of their comfort zone.” Tressa Vasquez, Sun Yoga Center, Richardson, TX
“Dallas Yoga Magazine with their Yoga Peep Shows is making yoga fun for everyone. They are offering people a unique experience to see different kinds of practices from the traditional to the more crazy trendy styles. Everyone is sure to be have an enjoyable time.” Lisa Ware, Love 4 Yoga, Ovilla, TX
Future Yoga Peep Shows:Dallas Yoga Magazine will be hosting shows for peepers in different areas of the Metroplex on a monthly basis. Watch for the September and October Peep Shows in your area and purchase your tickets!www.dallasyogamagazine.com www.yogapeepshow.com Face Book, Twitter, Instagram @dallasyogamag
Interested in having youryoga studio or center as a stop then
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Erica is not only the Editor of Dallas Yoga Magazine but is also a Holistic Health Coach. She organizes and balances her personal life with 3 young boys while maintaining a healthy wellness routine. This includes exercise, eating heathy, taking time for herself and using essential oils. Erica is always expand-ing her knowledge of
achieving a healthy lifestyle through her constant re-search. She strives to utilize the best practices for herself, family and clients.
Why did you decide to become a Holistic Health Coach?
When I was younger I was always sick. On average, I was in my doctor’s office every 3-4 weeks for infections or illnesses of some sort. By the time I was 25, I was on 7 prescription medications, 5 of those I was taking on a dai-ly basis. I had learned about the power of Essential Oils from a friend and was just starting to learn more about how changing your diet and lifestyle could truly benefit a person’s health. After my youngest son was born, I devel-oped a full body, blistering rash that lasted over 3 months and 6 different doctors could not help me heal. I finally spoke to a Holistic doctor and she guided me on a new diet. Within 3 days, my rash started going away and I am happy to report today I am on one prescription medica-tion and that is my inhaler that I rarely use.
As a Coach what do you do for people?
First and foremost, I educate my clients on nutrition. There is so much information out there on various diets and what’s healthy and what’s not that it is overwhelm-ing for people to decipher the truth. Next, we work on rebuilding and creating habits to promote a healthy life-style. I also work with my clients on their goals and aspi-rations. People are often surprised at how being unhappy at their job or with their home life affects how they eat.
What do you think are the most common difficulties people are facing when you are contacted?
People contact me for a variety of reasons. Some have chronic headaches or low energy while others are desperate to lose weight and have been overloaded with
Personal TouchHolistic
Health CoachEricaBy: Michael Burns, Fitness Specialist
Continued on Page 22
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nities. Steady Warriors, Pit Bull Partners Rescue Mis-sion and GOOD to GrOw or “Yoga, Dogs, Dirt” are the heart of the Warrior Spirit Project. Steady Warriors “Yoga”
Steady Warriors yoga provides movement based classes in several locations throughout the DFW area. By providing a trauma-sen-sitive approach, clients faced with PTSD, TBI, depression, anxiety, or physical limita-tions find the environment
to be both comfortable and beneficial. Based on the Warriors at Ease research and training program, the core of these classes is to allow for stress and anxiety to be replaced by a sense of calmness and steadiness. This is happens through a series of specific movements, breath patterns, and meditative practices that through research have been shown to “help regulate the nervous system.” All Steady Warrior yoga classes are led by certified and highly qualified instructors and incorporate all skill levels.
The Steady Warriors component also offers two additional strategies when dealing with whole-body healing. The first is called Integrative Restoration or iRest. Based on years of extensive research, iRest was created to target the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of a person through one solid approach. By creating a deeply profound, yet conscious relaxation in the entire body “iRest effectively reduces PTSD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and chemical dependency while increas-ing health, resiliency, and well-being.” iRest is used by healthcare organizations worldwide including the Veter-ans Administration and the Department of Defense. The second strategy is called Memory Resolution Technique. This technique was created and trademarked by Peo-plistic LLC, and is specifically designed to help resolve everyday emotional obstructions and bring relief to trau-ma induced symptoms. Steady Warriors uses this unique guidance and mind retraining to help clients adjust to civilian life, maintain mental health, and tackle any new disturbances that surface. Both of these strategies are offered by highly certified specialists practicing under the Steady Warriors program.
Pit Bull Partners Rescue Mission “Dogs”Pit Bull Partners Rescue Mission works with active
duty military, veterans, and first responders by partnering them up with pit bulls rescued from local animal shelters that have been specially trained as service animals. First and foremost, each dog is temperament tested and must pass several observational tests before receiving any specialized training. Each dog is then trained as a service
animal with primary emphasis placed on psychiatric disability mitigation, emotional support, and compan-ionship. Finally, dog and companion are paired; together they take adequate time to bond, train, and socialize. This unique connection has been tested and proven to provide long-term relief from severe trauma symptoms and helps the service member live a healthier and fuller life. Pit Bull Partners Rescue Mission continues to offer support even after the relationship between the companions has been established. Resources for financial assistance are available on an as-need basis as well as obedience classes and an ongoing community of support. Pit Bull Partners Rescue Mission is dedicated to ensuring that each mem-ber and service dog not only establish a great relation-ship, but continue to maintain a healthy living situation.
Good to GrOw “Dirt” Good to GrOw is a community gardening program
that was established with the sole purpose to give our heroes a tangible, hands-on experience in their personal healing process. Studies show that getting “in-touch” with the dirt provides a sensory experience that helps clear the mind, relieve built-up stress, and enhance mental focus. Research also shows exceptional findings that the microbes in the earth’s soil serve as a natural anti-depressant and stress reliever; making the term “dirt
therapy” notably appropriate. This unique therapy approach contributes greatly to the mental and physical healing process; reach-ing a depth that even the best modern day medicine cannot get to.
Good to GrOw works with the local com-munity in a couple different ways. First, it helps with the upkeep of existing floral, pro-duce, and herbal plots by connecting volun-teers with the opportunity to cultivate these gardens. Secondly, it works to establish new gardens in partnering venues such as schools,
churches, community centers, and neighborhoods. The yield of each plot is given back into the community by serving nearby farmer’s markets, homeless shelters, and local families. By working and maintaining these gar-dens, volunteers are educated and equipped with essential skillsets that prove beneficial to their future. Personal satisfaction and confidence are also gained as each of these heroes is able to participate in a far-reaching, great-er purpose.
On the Front LinesAlthough their prime of service may be just a memory,
our heroes continue to sacrifice for us every single day. The Dallas/Fort Worth area is incredibly proud to be a part of a project and vision that continues to give back to those that have sacrificed so much for us. Warrior Spirit Project offers these incredible resources at no cost to active duty members, veterans, and first responders. By providing “yoga, dogs, and dirt,” Warrior Spirit Project is on the front lines every single day, dedicated to fighting alongside our greatest American heroes.
Find out more about Warrior Spirit Project:www.warriorspiritproject.org
Warrior Spirit Project, Continued from Page 5
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Most of us know that when you suffer from neck or back pain, the most common professional to seek out is usually a Chiropractor. But did you know about the many other possible benefits of Chiropractic? Doctor Catherine Kuiken’s healing philosophy states, “the power that made the body heals the body. Heal-ing begins from above and within. Therefore, removal of interferences from the body’s natural healing
source of the central nervous system is essential for heal-ing and health maintenance.”
After several years of competing in gymnastics and starting her collection of concussions, Doctor Kuiken was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus at the age of twelve. After being told by Medical Doctors that she would need to go through chemotherapy in-cluding steroids and that she would be lucky to live ten years, thankfully Dr Kuiken chose the holistic route of Chiropractic. The Chiropractor directed her to a complete lifestyle change involving clean eating, decreased stress, Naturopathic treatment, acupuncture as well as multiple adjustments each week. After just six months of allowing her body to heal, most of Dr Kuiken’s symptoms went away and her blood tests soon came back negative for the disease.
You are probably a little confused how Chiropractic allowed her body to heal from Lupus. Chiropractic is just for neck and back pain isn’t it? Chiropractors treat the whole body and are interested in addressing the source of the patient’s dysfunction instead of masking and treating symptoms. Chiropractors should be referred to as Nervous System Doctors because that is what they
Continued on Page 22
Passion ThroughExperience
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Dallas Bake Off’s1st Place Cookie Winner
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Introducing...The Metroplex’sMale Yoga InstructorsIntroduction by: Amy Jo “AJ” Crowell, Publisher,Dallas Yoga Magazine
Being the Publisher of a yoga magazine has ups and downs but our photo shoot at the Dallas Museum of Arts with gorgeous men reinforced why I love my job. Yes, it’s obvious they are all handsome but the most beau-tiful part was watching their inner spirit shine as they concentrated on their postures. It was an extraordinary experience to see such physically and spiritually strong men share their personal practices. We are very grateful for their support and am confident you will enjoy learning about each of them like we have.
How and when did you get into yoga?After many years of intuitive curiosity, I first got to the
mat 4 years ago through a friend’s invitation and a “first week free” offer in a local publication. Oddly enough, it was an elusive “yoga nap” that had initially peaked my interest. I’d heard a tale that promised a 20 minute rest could refuel the body as would 8 hours sleep, and I was convinced this deserved further investigation. Where do you practice and/or teach?
I train 5 days a week at the House of Authentic Pres-ence. There I’ve begun to more deeply explore Tibetan Kung Fu, Thai Chi, and Jiu Jitsu as a means of expand-ing the functional application of awareness in the larger arena of life’s challenges. These arts utilize breath-based movement and body-weight strengthening techniques in ways similar to yogic asanas, and inform my personal practice and teaching style.
I am primarily exclusive to private clientele while progressing through the necessary phases of opening a studio, but can be found hosting classes in the park and for brunch extravaganzas when the mood suits me. What’s your favorite style and do you have a pre-ferred pose in yoga?
I’d like to clarify here that I believe yoga and poses to be mutually exclusive although well paired to serve each other. Yoga is presence. It’s the condition derived by
greater awareness, connection with “now”. Poses are a means of accessing the sensations that clarify awareness, but are not necessary to achieve the latter. Movement is proven to reduce atrophy, reverse aging if you will, and a limber, loved frame will carry the soul lithely on its journey. But even the immovable, broken or slack frame is capable of the yogic awareness.
That said, I generally enjoy a vigorous practice that readily shows me the thin edge of balance and instability, strength of will and body while highlighting the elegant, bold and fleeting nature of this very moment in each permeating breath. I have found this practice in varied expressions and styles of yoga, all credit due to amazing instructors. Do you think there are any advantages or disadvan-tages of being a male instructor?
I think there is an enormous advantage to sharing masculine energy in service of others. We’re role mod-els for physical, mental, and emotional wellness, and it’s necessary for our brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters to witness the possibility of transformation through mindful living. I believe this returns us to our roots as healers and pillars of our community. How do other people perceive you outside of the yoga community being a male instructor?
It’s a mixed bag, others’ perceptions. I’ve had some outrageous questions asked about my reasons for “fold-ing myself in half”, and I’ve heard objectifying remarks about the environment in which I instruct. For the most part, regardless of their affiliation, people recognize the positive changes in my life, and generally express well wishes. Is there anything else you’d like to share with us or our readers?
We’re only here a short while. Whether you find your presence on a mat or in the majesty of the every-day, the beauty is in the seeking, in the limitless joy of “now”. Actively revel in gratitude and appreciation, and lean fully forward into the fleeting, magnificent blessing that is this moment.
Have a breath. Have another.
Joshua Boucher
Photography By: Kultured Photography
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When did you get interested in yoga?Everyone discovers yoga in his or her own way.
However, my introduction to yoga was, in retrospect, a bit odd. At the age of 16, I began studying deep medita-tion, dream yoga and even astral projection. While it was unusual for someone to start with such advanced (and even unconventional) techniques, the experiences ignited my lifelong passion for the practice and deepened my commitment to self-exploration.You are trained in Tai Chi and Kung Fu, can you tell us about those experiences?
Yes, I also trained in Tai Chi Chuan. It’s not a tradi-tional school of yoga, it does teach the use of breath and movement to build internal energy, chi, or prana in order to free up energy blockages from the body and to clear and focus the mind.
In 1993, I continued my journey by training in the Lightning Fire Mountain System of Tibetan Kung Fu. The yoga practices in this system come from Tibetan Buddhism. Most of the physical training comes from llama yoga, which has been used by Tibetan monks for health and flexibility. Now 25 years later I still train every day. Tell us more about your journey.
In 1997, my younger sister Jen expressed an interest in the practice and principles of yoga. As we discussed its power and benefits, we could never have known just how much we would come to rely on yoga in the near future. Because in January of 1998, our mother had a heart attack and drifted into a coma while in my arms. Yoga was the key to helping us cope with the situation. Our practice of yoga made it possible for us to say goodbye to our mother. Can you tell us how American Power Yoga came to fusion?
Fast forward to the days after September 11th, 2001; I longed to find something more meaningful to do with my life. I decided to share all of the powerful tools I had found to help others. The presentations of yoga at that time did not seem accessible to many and not relevant in the “real world” so I created American Power Yoga.
If you’ve made it this far, you’ve undoubtedly real-ized that the practice of yoga is highly personal to me. But you might also have noticed a pattern. Throughout my experience in yoga, I’ve continued to merge and combine everything I’ve learned from so many amazing teachers. To those experiences, I have added an always
friendly philosophy and an atmosphere. And that’s how American Power Yoga came to be.You have been involved in the community for years, reaching out internationally to many. Will you share some of your accomplishments?
I have had the honor and the privilege to create and host Veria’s nationally televised show, Yoga for Life. This has given me the amazing opportunity to share as much as I can with Veria’s viewers around the country and around the world.
I was the official yoga instructor of the Dallas Cow-boy’s Cheerleaders and have hosted a yoga DVD series which was produced and distributed by MTV. I have over 10,000 teaching hours, hosted over 100 hours of televi-sion and certified hundreds of yoga teachers.
End Note: Yes, he said the official yoga instructor for the Dallas Cowboy’s Cheerleaders. Being a male yoga instructor has many benefits.
In the United States 28% who practice yoga are men.That’s 10 million guys!
KurtJohnson American Power Yoga
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Tell us when you first started doing yoga.I first got into yoga in 2006 as a PE class in college
and over the years transitioned from a casual practitioner into a more serious one.If someone wants to take your class, where can they find you?
I primarily practice and teach at the Arlington Yoga Center, which I run with my wife, though I also teach yoga classes at UT Arlington and a local recreation cen-ter. What style yoga do you teach? Do you have a favorite pose?
My biggest teacher and influence is Dharma Mittra and so I almost exclusively teach and practice Dharma yoga. I don’t know if I can really pick a favorite pose... but one that I particularly like is a Shoulderstand. It’s a relatively simple pose that really helps to focus and quiet the mind while benefiting the body at the same time.
Do you think there are any advantages or disadvan-tages of being a male instructor?
I would say one nice advantage to being a male instructor is that other men sometimes feel more comfort-able with another guy leading the class. Starting a new practice can be awkward, and sometimes it’s less intimi-dating to have a teacher with whom you can easily relate.How do other people perceive you outside of the yoga community being a male instructor?
Well…there some people who think my job is kind of odd, of course, but I think most people see me as just a laid back, kind of open-minded guy. It is funny though because I get asked a lot if there are many of us.What advice do you have for other men who are thinking about getting into yoga?
I’d say just jump in! Whether you’re starting out brand new or deepening your practice, the only way to grow is through experience - so take advantage of as many opportunities as you can!Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
I would just like to say thank you for your practice. I think we all would like to see our world continue to change for the better and the way to do that is to start within. Every moment we spend being mindful of our-selves and our interactions with the world around us is a step toward a better future and I look forward to sharing it with all of you.
David Weiland
Photography By: Kultured Photography
15
Keith Bautista
How did you get started in yoga?I was working with a guy about 9 years ago and he
invited me to join him at a yoga class at the gym. I had previously spent many years studying dance and I was interested in yoga so I tried it out. Ever since then, I have continued to expand my practice and eventually became a certified yoga instructor.Where do you teach now?I currently teach and practice at The Yoga Factory which is a Baptiste Affiliate studio located in North Dallas and Plano. It offers a 200 hour RYT certification program. I enjoy working there and my students are wonderful.
What is your favorite style of yoga?I really enjoy Power Yoga because it is a huge release for me. I also love bending and twist-ing and using my body to its fullest range of motion possible. I have a lot of favorite poses but if I had to single one out, it would be parivrtta trikonasana, revolved triangle.
Will you share some advantages and disadvantages of being a male yoga teacher?I love being an example that men can also partake in yoga because it is often stereotyped as being only for girls. Also, as a man, I can teach people that yoga takes a lot of body strength to execute poses where men and women benefit by becoming stronger both physically and mentally along with recovering from injuries.
What do people say to you when they find out you are a yoga teacher?Usually people can tell I’m an instructor by my posture. Then a lot of people mostly ask if I can turn my body into a pret-zel. (laughing)What is your advice to other men about yoga?
I deeply encourage men to get into yoga and I suggest that they take a few classes to get the feel of the power and healing of how yoga works. The only thing getting in the way of a person and their yoga mat is them. I believe anyone can do yoga and everyone’s practice is perfect.
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When did you get into yoga?I began practicing yoga in 2000, back home in Minne-
apolis. That was the year I started racing triathlon, and I realized that my body was not going to keep cooperating with me if I didn’t start doing something nice for it. I started teaching in 2005, while I was a graduate student in New Mexico --- I taught yoga and a beginner Muay Thai group at the campus gymnasium, and poetry, com-position and rhetoric for the English Department.Where do you practice and teach?
This summer I’m mostly practicing at the White Rock Y --- lots of Iyengar! --- and I get over to Sync when I can as well. I’m teaching mostly private lessons for adults right now, and then I’ve been teaching classes for the kids at the Kessler School in Oak Cliff for the last five years or so. My son Pharaoh comes with me once a week to help teach the littlest ones for my pre-K class, whom he refers to as the “Marshmallow Cthulhus.”What is your favorite style of yoga? Favorite style would have to be Kundalini, but finding a good teacher in that style is even harder and even more important than in other styles. I studied with Guru Darshan in New Mexico for four years, and was fortunate enough to find Adri-ane Wolf here in Dallas. As far as poses go, my favorites are probably King Dancer (which I can do) and Mermaid (which I can’t.) I just find those two so beautiful.What is one of the most humorous situations that have happened in yoga class?
The kids are always funny --- a few months ago we’re practicing Telephone pose, drawing one foot back to the ear, and I look over and one of the boys has his foot shoved all the way into his mouth, gnawing it like an ear of corn. He pulls his soggy toes out of his mouth with a big “schlorp” sound and announces, very proudly, “This is how I got sick!”What are other people’s perceptions of you as a male yogi?
I’m always trying to get other guys to come to yoga, but there’s that extra mental hurdle for men, like yoga’s somehow not manly. I was very resistant to yoga for a long time --- you get to punch zero people in yoga class
so I preferred to be doing Muay Thai. But I’m a true believer now --- I used to have constant back and knee issues with all the accompanying pain, and yoga has done so much to alleviate all that.
Give it a chance, gentlemen.You bring yoga into your home with your son. Tell us about that. Of course, I also get to raise a male yogi, which is interesting and challenging and an honor all combined. Pha-raoh has been practicing with me (and coming with me while I teach) since he was pretty little. I remember walking into our living room when Pharaoh was about 3 years old --- he had his mat rolled out and some of his stuffed animals on it, he was doing an asana, and got a big grin and said “Look Daddy! I’m showing Duck and Shark how to do Dog pose!” Now there’s a fulfilling moment of being a yoga teacher and a daddy.
On the Cover:Christopher Jones
Photography By: Kultured Photography
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When did you start practicing yoga?I have been practicing yoga since December 2011
while at Penn State for graduate school. The combina-tion of stress and work that is piled on to the average graduate student is enough to make any person want to run away and live as a hermit for the rest of their days… or maybe that was just me. Yoga helped keep me sane. From my first yoga class on I could feel myself relax more, think with a clearer mind, and breathe with greater ease. I was hugely inspired to begin my yoga practice thanks to my amazing advisor and friend. She is a practiced yogi and one of the strongest and most intelligent women I will proba-bly ever meet.Where do you practice and teach?
I currently teach alignment-based yoga at 3Tree Yoga in Fort Worth, and stand-up paddleboard yoga at Just Be Well Yoga in Lake Worth. I try to practice at other studios around DFW and anywhere I travel. I love to learn what new studios and teachers have to offer.What’s your favorite yoga style? Do you have a favor-ite pose?
My favorite style depends on the day and what I’m feeling. I have been exploring aerial yoga, and love teaching restorative yoga. My favorite pose lately has been twisted lizard, parivrtta utthan pristhasana. The combination of a shoulder, hip and quad stretch with a slight backbend feels perfect every time.Do you think there are any advantages or disadvan-tages of being a male instructor?
I think one advantage of being a male instructor is that it encourages men to try yoga. I think men are getting away from the notion that yoga is too easy or only for women, but I still hear this on occasion. I think that male vs. female yoga instructors bring very different energies
to their classes. Not better or worse than each other, but different, and it can be refreshing.
One very small disadvantage comes to mind: yoga clothes! A few stores have yoga-specific clothing for men, but I find that it can be somewhat limited. How do other people perceive you outside of the yoga community being a male instructor?
Some have been taken by sur-prise while others find it interesting when I tell them I have been prac-ticing yoga for about six years and teaching for two.Will you share a funny yoga expe-rience with us?
The funniest thing that I have been asked as a male yoga instruc-tor was by a male student. After class, the student came to me and
asked (in the most tactful way possible) how to get into eagle pose, garudasana, without crushing down on a cer-tain body part. I laughed and offered him a few modifica-
tions for the pose to make it a little more accessible. I was glad that he felt comfort-able enough to ask me, though! What advice do you have for other men who are thinking about getting into yoga?
Yoga is not just sitting and breathing, it’s not just for women, and it’s definite-ly not easy. Yoga is for every one of any body type and any age.
It is a powerful tool for dealing with stress, and improves your physical and mental health.Is there anything else you would like to share with us or our readers?
Yoga is a practice that you can take with you every-where you go. You need nothing but a little spark of determination and kindness.
Daniel Hall
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BrayanRamos
You have just started practicing yoga. How did you get started?
I began my yoga journey a few months after gradu-ating from Sunset High School in 2014. Amy Jo “AJ” Crowell, my freshman year high school teacher, my men-tor is the reason I started practicing yoga. AJ took me to Cosmic Café where I got introduced to Kundalini yoga. After the class, I felt so different; I started embracing my spiritual side who is outgoing, friendly, lovable, caring, happy, and understanding. A side that I would have never exposed and accepted if I had not started practicing yoga.What is your favorite style of yoga? Explain.
My favorite style of yoga, to this day, is Kundalini yoga. The moment I stepped foot in the room at my first yoga class, the energy in the air felt smooth and warm. I instantly felt relaxed and sleepy. My body started sweat-ing as we began the breathing exercises I started seeing this colorful flower. I tried so hard to focus to see the flower with details, it disappeared. Then, I began to walk around and realized that I was in a dream where I had control, it felt so real that I freaked out and opened my eyes because I have never encountered an experience that amazing. I practice Kundalini yoga to master the tech-niques and travel my subconscious world. I understand you like sound meditation with gongs. Why?
The reason I love sound meditation with gongs is as you lay and focus on your third eye, you begin to feel the waves similar to a light drizzling day, and a day at the beach as you let the water hit you as it reaches the shore. As the waves connect with your skin, it starts a spark that connects me to my second world. Do you desire to expand your practice?
Yes, I will expand my practice. I got introduced to a whole new world that helps me see life clearly in a way that my Guru, Mata Amritanandamayi the reincarnation of love, also known as Amma would want her children to see and care for the world. Have you thought about someday becoming a yoga teacher?
I have thought about becoming a yoga instructor, and I will because I wantto give back to my community; the perfect way to do it is by becoming an instructor to con-tribute in a spiritual way that will help other beginning students understand who they are and embrace everything in their path to help others in the community succeed.
Brayan is Dallas Yoga Magazine’sSocial Media Guru & Yoga EnthusiastFollow him on Twitter, Instagram &
Facebook @dallasyogamag
Photography By: Kultured Photography
19
Snap Kitchen
RestaurantSpotlight
Interview with Snap KitchenClaire Siegel, Lead Registered Dietitian and Strategist By: Erica Mestyanek, Editor, Dallas Yoga Magazine
It’s hard enough to find time to take the kids to school & practice, make it work in time and get a good daily workout in, much less finding time to prepare a healthy meal for the family. With 16 DFW locations and delivery options available such as UberEATS, Snap Kitchen has taken the hassle out of deciding on and preparing a quali-ty meal for the whole family.
How did Snap Kitchen start? Snap Kitchen really started as a love story. Snap’s
founder, Martin Berson, is a restaurateur by trade and is a total foodie with an impressive palate. His wife is a Type 1 Diabetic so, as a couple, they were frequently faced with the challenge of finding meals that were both deli-cious and healthy. So, when Martin founded Snap Kitch-en in 2010, it was a gift to his wife Robin. The Triangle location in Austin was their first store/kitchen location.
Where do you source your ingredients from?The procurement process is one of the most important
parts of our business. As Lead Registered Dietitian, I work with our procurement team to vet every incoming ingredient and third party food/beverage item that we offer to ensure that they meet our nutrition & ingredient quality standards. With a menu as expansive as ours, we source from a long list of suppliers. For specialty ingre-dients, we seek out product from small companies with unique products that share our values. When we can’t find an ingredient that meets our standards, we work directly with suppliers to create something to our quality standard specifications.
What sets Snap Kitchen apart from other similar concepts?
We don’t separate really tasty from really good for you. We believe that by pairing the two, we can abso-lutely change the way people eat. That’s why I work directly with our Chefs on menu development and recipe analysis from the outset of every dish. Nutrition isn’t a simple stamp of approval that a meal gets on its way out. The quality of ingredients and quantity of nutrients is discussed at each tasting, in between bites of our Chefs’ newest, delicious concoctions.
What’s the most important thing you want people to understand about your restaurant?
Snap is unique in that we’re not just a restaurant or grab-and-go concept. We’re a solution for people who want to enjoy the healthy food they eat without sacri-ficing all their free time in the grocery store or kitchen. We’re removing friction from healthy eating by creating a space-- whether that’s on our website, iOS app, or in store—that makes it easy to navigate and stock up on all good choices.
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AJ’s Mat, Continued from Page 1a religion…it’s about the universal truth inside of all of us. Whatever religion you do or don’t want to partake is completely up to you. How can prayer and medita-tion with a higher power of your own understanding be viewed and perceived as something negative? Baffling.4. Yoga is too easy.
Ok, then give it a try. Let’s see how long that attitude lasts in a hot yoga class over 100 degrees for an hour and a half. I assure you, most will quickly change their opin-ion as they are laying on their mats after 30 minutes.5. Yoga will not build muscle.
Really? Check out the guys pictures and interviews in this edition. The camera does not lie.6. I’ll embarrass myself.
No matter what we do in life, we embarrass our-selves. I remember tripping and falling down face first at the mall, having my dress blow above my head on my college campus, my bra coming undone in yoga class, running into a truck with my car when I was staring at the hot air balloons floating in the air, my pants zipper breaking open while teaching a class of high school students, throwing up in my dates new car, should I continue? That’s why having a sense of humor is so important. However, during yoga class we are focused on ourselves and not on looking around and seeing what the new guy in the back corner of the room is doing. You will be fine. Everyone in yoga has had to endure walking into their first class. We have all been there and understand. The beautiful thing about yoga is that no one is expect-ing anything from you. It’s about what you strive for yourself. Remember yoga is a process not just about the postures, but learning about ourselves and part of that is being comfortable in uncomfortable situations.
I read this quote recently and I thought it was perfect for the guy who was objecting to trying yoga: “Life is about taking chances, trying new things, having fun, making mistakes and learning from it.” Come on guys, give it the old Nike try and “Just Do It!”
Amy Jo “AJ” Crowell is the Publisher of Dallas Yoga Magazine and can be reached at [email protected].
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Obviously, I’m not suggesting to anyone to use yoga class like it’s match.com but dating a guy yogi definitely has benefits. The following are 10 reasons dating a guy who does yoga is an advantage.
1. COURAGEOUS: It’s difficult for a new guy to wander into a yoga class and have no idea what to do. He is in a situation where he could embarrass himself…in front of a group of women. Yes, it takes guts to walk into a yoga class and just go for it. This means he will be open to fun activities and trying things out of his comfort zone. A great reason to date a guy yogi!
2. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: He knows that yoga is a process and takes practice to get the posture. It takes patience and who doesn’t want to date someone who has patience? Not to mention the “Practice Makes Perfect” mantra could be beneficial in other areas of your relationship.
3. SELF IMPROVEMENT: Once anyone gets involved in yoga on a regular basis we strive to improve ourselves not just on the mat but off the mat as well. You just gotta love that!
4. ALREADY SEEN YOU WITHOUT YOUR MAKE-UP: Class is not a place where women are con-cerned with their appearance. For most, it’s a “no make-up” and “who cares about my hair” zone. So, the guy yogi has already seen you sweaty and glowing in your natural beauty. There’s nothing else to hide.
5. CALMER & MORE RELAXED: Yoga often leads to either a new spiritual connection or a stronger one. This is often accomplished in the relaxation at the end of class or added meditation classes. Every woman wants a calmer and more relaxed guy. They tend to be better listeners and more understanding. Also, they have come to the realization that there is a power greater than them.
6. CLASS TOGETHER: It’s an incredible experience to attend yoga class together. It’s always an adventure, exhilarating and you can encourage each other. There is no better way to bond with someone than when practicing yoga together.
7. UNDERSTANDING: If he’s into yoga then he’s going to understand the importance of a $100 yoga mat and $85 yoga pants. He’ll probably have a mat that costs the same.
8. HEALTH IMPROVES: Don’t you want to date someone who is striving to take better care of themselves and who is healthy? Yoga has been proven to improve a person’s overall health in numerous ways. For the major-ity of yogis, we eat better and feel better than the average person. This makes for a happy yogi guy who will make you smile!
By: Amy Jo “AJ” Crowell, Publisher, Dallas Yoga Magazine
9. COMFORTABLE AROUND EVERYONE: If he’s going to yoga class, women do not intimidate him. This means he can handle your friends and family. Let’s face it, that is not often an easy task. Bonus points!!!
10. CAN HANDLE HOT SITUATIONS: If the guy yogi is going to hot yoga class then he is used to the heat. This means he can handle sticky situations including when you’re heated up, upset and “sharing”. Priceless.
Dating a Guy Who Does Yoga...PRICELESS
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so much conflicting information from the internet and friends. I always guide my clients to communicate their dietary changes with their doctors as well. It’s important that there is an open line of communication with other providers caring for their patients.
Do you find people think they know how to eat healthy but they really do not?
Absolutely! Unfortunately, some of the information that is available about diets are from people who have no training on the matter. They are everyday people who found advice from a random website or person and followed the steps and recipes for a couple months and lost weight and thought “What a great diet, I will share it with my friends!” The truth is some of these fad diets are finally being studied. They are showing the long-term effects instead of being good for people they are actual-ly harmful. Bad Cholesterol levels in healthy adults are increasing while the good Cholesterol levels are decreas-ing. When I was studying for my Holistic Certification, even I was baffled at the study results of diets I had followed years prior. It’s scary that this information is out there, but people do not dig in deep enough to understand the long-term effects.
Do you make specific healthy meal plans for peo-ple to follow?
My clients who enroll with me in my 6 month pro-gram receive 3 weeks of recipes to get them started. After that, we work together so they feel empowered to create their own meal plans. In the very beginning when I set the tone for my time with my clients, I give them all the information they need to obtain optimal health. I guide them to decide how far they want to use the information to incorporate into their dietary and lifestyle changes. Not just for them, but for their families as well.
How important is it to get to know your clients per-sonally?
It is extremely important for me to know and under-stand my clients as best as possible. If I don’t understand the little things that upset my clients or their natural habits when something goes wrong, then it is much harder for me to help them long-term. I establish trust and confidentiality by sharing my journey and my pain. I share freely with them so they feel comfortable and share their struggles with me. It’s important to have that personal touch. If you would like to take the first step to living a hap-pier and healthier life, call Erica to schedule your free 30 minute consultation. 469-766-7125. www.intuitivewellnessbyerica.com
Holistic Health Coach, Contined from Page 9do; they remove interferences from the Nervous System. Chiropractic is the perfect form of treatment for Lupus if you really think about it. There are no drugs involved, which we all know can often cause further harm to the body. Chiropractic allows your Central Nervous System to work at full potential to function free from interference so our body can heal itself and stay disease-free.
Our entire body is controlled by our Central Nervous system. Our nerves are responsible for everything from ear function to being able to wiggle a toe. A subluxation is when one vertebra in your spine is misaligned from another one, either above or below it, and when this happens you now have pressure on that particular nerve, which then causes decreased function, pain, tingling, and more. There are three possible ways we can get sub-luxations and those are thoughts, traumas, and toxins. Thoughts consist of things like stress, negativity, or an-ger. Traumas can range from anything including a major car wreck to even sleeping improperly. And finally, toxins include things as bad as drug or alcohol use or even con-suming unhealthy food or inhaling toxins in the air that we breathe. So, no matter how we get these subluxations, the longer they are there, the more severe the problems will become. Chiropractors are trained to detect and gen-tly correct these subluxations in your spine. A lot of people say, “Oh I don’t want to go to a Chiro-practor because when you go once, you have to continue going for the rest of your life.” Well it has taken years for your vertebrae to become subluxated, so how do you think they can be put back into place in just one treat-ment? By the same token, when you get braces put on your teeth, do they move the very next day? No, it takes months and even years to get them the way they should be. The same goes for maintenance of your spine. In order to take responsibility of your health and prevent future illness, regular Chiropractic checkups are neces-sary just as brushing your teeth are necessary for good oral health. Do you brush your teeth to keep them clean and healthy or do you brush them only when they hurt? So why would you go to a Chiropractor just when your back hurts?
No, Chiropractors do not “cure” anything. Imagine a garden hose with a kink in it. A Chiropractor simply comes along and removes that kink on your nerves. Chiropractic is not always the only answer, but wouldn’t you want to try a more conservative approach first before damaging your body further with treatment that results in other harmful side effects?
Dr.Catherine Kuiken, DC The Joint Chiropractic6761 N MacArthur Blvd #100, Irving, TX 75039972-831-1111
Passion for Chiropractic, Continued from Page11
Did You Know?You can Download the entire print edition online...
www.DallasYogaMagazine.com
23
My family and I love to visit the North Texas Outdoor Pursuit Center. My boys like to challenge themselves each time to see how much higher they can climb. It’s a terrific workout that takes incredible focus. Recently, I had the chance to sit down and talk with the Manager, Ben Wright. When did NTOPC come to be and how?
Over a decade ago our owner, Chris Gibson, was looking to change his lifestyle. He got a warning from his doctor if he contin-ued down the same path he wouldn’t be around much longer. After that, he began to take things outside with back-packing. Shortly after, he started our company Frisco Wilderness Adventures and turned his new-found passion for the outdoors into a career. Years later, he was introduced to rock climbing and was presenting with an opportunity to lease the Historic Grain Silos of Carrollton. The silos we’re constructed in 1950 and ran until 1974. Other businesses have occupied the silos here and there. After a couple years of sitting vacant, in 2010 Chris purchased the lease and with the help of Dusty Pilgrim and Jeff Lee, they rebuilt the facility and reopened Aug 5th, 2011 as the North Texas Outdoor Pursuit Center. Since its opening, the NTOPC has been Dallas’ only true connection to outdoor rock climbing. Every single aspect of the silos is geared towards teaching you how to climb on real rock. It is the tallest indoor climbing gym in the world so it gives us the ability to train for top-rope, sport/lead climbing, multi-pitch, anchor construction, trad climbing, and aid climbing. So, if you want to train how to climb El Cap in Yosemite, we’re the only gym in the world where you can.What level climber does someone have to be when they attend for the first time?
Regardless of age, skill level, or phys-ical ability rock climbing is for anyone willing to try it. Every single one of our instructors climb outdoors and we pass those tech-niques learned on the real rock to everyone. Beginning with our 30 min Basics Course in the silos training room, we can teach outdoor top roping. Our only age
restriction is that the belayer must be 14 years or older, while climbers can be any age.I understand you have outdoor ac-tivities too, tell me about those.
While most climbing gyms run 3-4 outdoor trips a year, we run 3-4 a month. We have local trips to Mineral Wells State Park, Reimer’s Ranch in Austin, and the Wichita Wildlife Ref-uge in Oklahoma. These are standard rate trips that are great for beginners or the experienced climber looking to get out of Dallas for a day or two.
These are also perfect locations for scout troops, group events, outdoor team building, and classes in our out-door climbing school. Our intermediate climbing trips are for those looking to take their skills to the next lev-
el with locations like El Protrero Chico in Mexico, Clear Creek in Colorado, and Yosemite in California. Our backpacking trips are also a terrific way for scouts, families, school groups, and corporate groups to take things outside. We can run trips all over the country, practically any location you choose, and they go for 3 or 5 days. What perks do your members receive when they sign up?
We have two memberships at the silos. The indoor membership covers full-access during our operating hours. As an indoor member, you’ll receive 10% off gear and apparel as well as free classes such as our core skills clinic and technique class. Soon we hope to offer
fitness and yoga classes as well that will be included with the membership. We are currently looking for instructors for those classes. As an outdoor member at the NTOPC you’ll receive all the benefits of indoor membership along with free local climbing trips, discounted intermediate climbing trips, and even more discounts in our outdoor climbing school. If learning everything from top-rope to trad climbing and everything in between is what you’re looking for, being an outdoor member at the silos is where you want to be.
NTOPC is located in historic downtown Carrollton, 1003 4th Ave. You can’t miss the silos. Take a walk on the wild side and check it out!
Interview with Ben Wright ofNorth Texas Outdoor Pursuit Center’s
By: Erica Mestyanek, Editor, Dallas Yoga Magazine
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NTOPC is looking for yoga instructorsto start teaching classes.
Here’s your opportunity new teachers!Call 972-446-0105
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There’s a divisive political climate in the country today, and though retreat-ing from difficult conversations might seem to be the path of least resistance, it makes me wonder. Are we truly com-
fortable living in a country where about half the people don’t interact honestly with the other half? I hope not.
Though it may seem that there is no path forward in these conversations, I assure you that often there is. Here are five tips for conversational intelligence – the Five As.
Accept Before you engage in any constructive conversation, you need to accept that your feelings are your temporary “truth of the moment” – and so are the other person’s. Acceptance is important, even if you don’t understand the why.
Aware Can you notice what you are feeling and the feeling being expressed by the other person? Begin by tuning in to the emotion. Be aware that emotion is motivation, and until it is honored there is no real communication. When that emotion is anger, you may want to take a breath and choose not to become defensive. Reassure yourself of
your safety and manage the feeling of threat.Ask
If you have given attention to the first two As, you will be in a good place to inquire. Inquiry is the heart of true dialogue. Where do we get our perspectives? What experiences have we had that led to the feelings we have about them? Is there a goal involved that we are trying to accomplish? If so can we name it? What are you hoping for? Why?
Allow Let go of the outcome. Allow what emerges to emerge – let it be what it is. Perhaps you will be surprised. Inti-macy, the sharing of our true selves, involves as much conflict as it does harmony. Sometimes, we need to just let it be without forcing the other person into our boxes and categories.
Appreciate No matter what happens, we can appreciate the willing-ness to engage, no matter how limited or defensive. The goal is to appreciate the other’s experience and journey regardless of what little common ground we may share.
Please note, there are times when we should walk away from angry and defensive conversations. There are those who are incapable of dialogue at times. But, if you try the 5 As, you may find it more likely to regain real communication. The goal is honest interaction. Charles Gaby has 25 years of experience in counseling and consulting. He’s an author, yoga instructor and the co-owner of Sync Yoga & Wellbeing in West Dallas.
By: Charles Gaby, Counselor, Consultant, Author, Yoga Instructor, Co-owner of Sync Yoga & Wellbeing
5 A’s of Communicatingin a Conflict
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Calendar of DFW Upcoming Events
August 4 - 6:30pm - Sacred Salty Sound & Yoga Ceremony - Join Logan Bennett for Restorative Yoga while Kenny Kolter leads a Gong Meditation all while experiencing the wonderful benefits of salt therapy. Light appetizers and complimentary wine will be offered. Cost is $60. The Salt Cave of South-lake, 200 N Kimball Ave, Suite 206, Southlake. 817-965-7258.
August 4-6 - 8am-5pm daily - Paddle Yoga Teacher Training - Just Be Well Yoga is offering a special SUP Yoga Teacher Training for yoga teachers so their students can enjoy a creative, grounding, & renewing yoga experience on the water. Completion of training offers 25 hours of Yoga Alliance CEUs. Email [email protected].
August 5 (and every Saturday following) - 10am - Yoga at Dallas Farmers Market - Start your Saturday morning off right with yoga! Offered by Agile Kinetics. Cost is $10. Dallas Farmers Mar-ket @ The Shed, 1010 S Pearl Expressway, Dallas. To purchase tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com.
August 5 - 8:30-9:30pm - Full Moon Paddle and Meditation - Join Just Be Well Yoga and spe-cial guest teacher Kasey Bell for an evening under the moon for a paddle and meditation. Cost is $25. Lake Worth Boat and Ski Club, 4001 Marina Dr, Fort Worth. For more information and to register, visit www.facebook.com/justbewellyoga.
August 6 - 12-6pm - First Sunday at SoulTopia - Messengers and Healers - 15 minutes for $20, Join Michelle Welch for Crystal Messages, Angel Card Messages, Oracle Card Messages, & Intuitive Messages. Marsha Denise for Akashic Records, Soul Purpose, & Past Life Messages. Empowered Living for Chair Massage, Reiki, & Steller Gateway Healings. SoulTopia, 3414 Midcourt Rd, Suite 100, Carrollton. For more information, visit www.soulto-pia.guru.
August 6 - 6:30-8pm - Calm SUP Yoga - Join Just Be Well Yoga for this peaceful class that in-cludes gentle, slow flow positions accessible to all those new to SUP and yoga that will prepare us for calming restorative poses, guided meditation, and a long savasana with a beautiful view. Lake Worth Boat and Ski Club, 4001 Marina Dr, Fort Worth. For cost and to register, visit www.facebook.com/justbe-
wellyoga. August 9 - 6:30 - 8pm - Permission to Pause -
Meditation Class - Athleta, Preston Oaks is inviting you to pause, breathe, and unplug. Brand Ambassa-dor Brook Cheatham will be teaching a short yoga class before everyone is ready to unplug and medi-tate. Admission is free. Athleta, 10720 Preston Road, Suite 1007, Dallas. To register, visit www.eventbrite.com.
August 10 - 10am (or anytime on-demand) - Stepping into the Wisdom of not Knowing with Estelle Frankel on Uplift your Life: Nourishment of the Spirit with Dr. Paula Joyce, Empowerment Channel on VoiceAmerica Talk Radio Network. www.PaulaJoyce.com
August 12 - 2-4pm - Movement & Mantras to Overcome Daily Stress with Ebony - In this work-shop, Ebony will help you learn techniques for ban-ishing the negative chatter and fostering the positive thoughts through movement, yoga and breathing. Cost is $35 advance or $45 at the door. Sync Yoga, 1888 Sylvan Ave, Suite F-250, Dallas. For more in-formation and to register, visit www.facebook.com/syncdallas.
August 12 - 6:30pm - Restorative Yoga, Reiki, and Gong Meditation - Yoga led by Lisa Nichol-son and Gong Meditation led by Kenny Kolter. Blue Anjou, 427 W Main St, Lewisville. For more infor-mation, visit www.blueanjou.com
August 13 - 12:30-1:30pm - Nama’Stay and Have a Beer! - Come for yoga by Arlington Yoga Center, then stay for a beer. All levels welcome. Cost is $10 for yoga, or $15 to include a pint of beer. Bring your own mat. Legal Draft Beer Co, 500 E Division St, Arlington. For more information and to register, visit www.eventbrite.com.
August 13 - 6:30-8pm - Stress Relief: Sacred Sound Journey - Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Chairs are available at most events, or bring your yoga mat or blanket & pillows. Bring whatever you would like to make yourself comfortable on the floor. Cost is $30 per person. The Yoga Factory Dal-las, 19009 Preston Rd, Suite 117, Dallas. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/theyogafacto-rydallas.
Saturday, November 11th 10am-6pmCosmic Yogi FestivalA movement for all yogis to unite
Every hour:Yoga Classes & Speakers with Vendors & Much More!
www.cosmicyogimovement.com Addison Convention CenterPresented by: Dallas Yoga Magazine
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August 13-15 FREE OPEN HOUSE Krama Yoga Center. Friday, 13th from 9am to 10am. Sat-urday, 14th 11am-12pm and Sunday, 11am-12pm. Come explore our center and learn about our classes, workshops and teacher trainings.
August 17 - 6:30-9pm - Sunset Yoga at Omni Dallas Hotel - Join Dallas Fitness Ambassadors for a free sunset
August 23 - 7pm - Warrior Wednesday with City Yoga at Athleta Preston Oaks - Come enjoy a free yoga class with City Yoga. Athleta, 10720 Pres-ton Road, Suite 1007, Dallas. To register, visit www.eventbrite.com.
August 24 -27 - See website for times - Holo-graphic Sound Healing: Levels 1 & 2 Practitioner Certification Training - Take a quantum leap now! You will learn and experience: Healing the body with sound, state-of-the-art
Body rejuvenation techniques. Dhyana Yoga Center, 3131 Custer Rd, #265, Plano. For cost and specific times depending on the level, visit www.dhyanayogacenter.com.
August 26 - 1-5pm - Manifesting Mr./Mrs. Right - This interactive workshop will help you attract Mr./Mrs. Right, to help bring them into your life and help you be ready to embrace them and all that comes with a committed long-term relationship. We will help you understand why and how this pro-cess of attracting a true life companion works. Cost is $50 per person. SoulTopia, 3414 Midcourt Rd, Suite 100, Carrollton. For more information, visit www.soultopia.guru.
August 26 - 2:30-4pm - Kitten Yoga for a Cause - This class led by Dr. Tiffany Denny will have real, adoptable kittens running around during the class. Best of all, the class benefits Spay Neuter Network. Registration is required and space is limited. Cost is $30 or $25 for 3Tree Yoga Unlimited Members. 3Tree Yoga, 620 S Jennings Ave, Fort Worth. For more information and to register, visit www.3treeyo-ga.com.
COMING SOON IN SEPTEMBER & OCTO-BER: A Yoga Peep Show in your area! Take a peek into local yoga and holistic centers. There’s so much to explore. This is an afternoon long event where you are chauffered to a variety of places to expand your horizons and have a great time. You never know what to expect except you know you’ll have fun! Beginners to the most advanced yogis wel-comed. Sponsored by Dallas Yoga Magazine www.YogaPeepShow.com
September - Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Program - For the first time ever in the southern central part of the US, Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman Yee are bringing their program to Fort Worth at The Sanctuary Yoga Room. The UZIT program is designed for individuals who are already established in one or more of the Urban Zen modal-ities (yoga teacher, Reiki practitioner, doctor, nurse
or other allied medical professional, essential oil therapist.) To apply and for more information, visit www.thesanctuaryyogaroom.com.
September 2 - DFW Free Day of Yoga Kick-Off Festival - 9am-2pm - Join the celebration at the 11th Annual DFW Free Day of Yoga Kick-Off Festival. Trinity River Audubon Center, 6500 Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas. For more information, visit www.dfwfreedayofyoga.com.
September 6-10 - 200 Hour Classical Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training - This training will include classical Ashtanga Yoga as inspired by Baba Hari Dass including asana, pranayama, meditation, man-tra, mudra, shat karma, and Yoga Sutras. For cost and more information, visit www.elementalyogath-erapy.com
September September 16th & 17th - 10am-5pm - Uncover Inner Strength; 2-Day Workshop with Jeff Haller, PhD, GCFP. At this workshop, you’ll get the tools to re-discover: skeletal support, your con-nection with the ground, and how your breath can support better movement. For cost and more infor-mation, visit www.dallasfeldenkrais.com/events
September 16 - 9am-5pm - Living Your Best Life North Texas Cancer Expo - This is a free education event that consists of workshops conduct-ed by top Hematology and Oncology experts. Omni Dallas Hotel, 555 S Lamar St, Dallas.
September 22-25 - 9am-6pm - Rodney Yee & Colleen Saidman Yee 500 Hour Advanced Teach-er Training - This advanced training at The Sanc-tuary Yoga Room in Fort Worth will focus on pran-ayama, sequencing, manual adjustments and practice teaching. Class size is limited. Students must have completed a 200-hour training and are expected to have a daily home practice. Cost is $1750. To apply and for more information, visit yogashanti.com/ad-vanced-training-application.
September 23 - 9am-2pm - Yoga Digest Fest - Join Yoga Digest and the City of Carrollton for this free non-profit yoga event for the whole family. This fest will include a variety of yoga classes and offerings including Crystal Bowl meditation, an all levels yoga class, Doga, Acro Yoga, Ayurveda, Essential Oils class, and more! Plus a vendor village with plenty of sips and eats, shopping, sampling and activities from Henna tattoos, chair massage, arts and crafts, live music, and more. Historic Downtown Carrollton, 1106 S Broadway St, Carrollton. To reg-ister for your tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com.
September 8- 200 Hour Teacher Training, Dhyana Yoga Center, Plano. Traditional path and well rounded education, focuses on ancient knowl-edge of Yoga, Knowledge of Sanskirt, Concepts of Ayurveda, Future Teaching Opportunities. Call to reserve your spot today 972-750-1419,
DhyanaYogaCenter.com
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September 11- 200 Hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training with Ricky Tran, E-RYT, BBA, CBA. Two trainings to choose from: 8 weeks intensive or 9 months weekends. Deepen your knowledge and advance your practice, share your passion. 469-324-9642, Carrollton location, KramaYogaCenter.com
October 7 - 12-6pm - Blue Anjou Yoga, Music & Wellness Festival - Featuring Kenny Kolter & Bhakti House Band. All proceeds go to free yoga classes through Yoga Bridge Yoga for Cancer and Blue Anjou. Food trucks & vendors. Blue Anjou, 427 W Main St, Lewisville. Contact: [email protected] or call 469-645-8555.
October 14-15 - 11am-6pm - Wellness Expo - For every body, mind & spirit. Over 100 exhibitors featuring products and services. Shop energized jewelry & stones, experience bodywork, Reiki, Re-flexology and Intuitive Readings. Admission is $7, Children under 12 and Adults over 65 are free! For more information, visit www.wellnessexpo.net. Visit Dallas Yoga Magazine’s booth!
October 21 - 11am-6pm - Texas Veggie Fair - A free event celebrating plant-based lifestyle options of every kind. Food, speakers, live music, vendors, chef demos, kids activities, dog friendly & giveaways. Riverchon Park, 3505 Maple Ave, Dallas. For more information, visit www.texasveggiefair.com.
October 28-29 - 10am-4pm (ends at 3pm Sun-day) - Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo - The show is not 100% free from any potential al-lergen, as it is hosted in a multi-use venue. Attendees can sample hundreds of products, meet with local & national brands, receive coupons, and attend infor-mative presentations by top-notch speakers. Cost varies. North Dallas Market Hall, 2200 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas. For tickets and more information, visit www.gfafexpo.com.
November 11 - 10am-6pm - Cosmic Yogi Move-ment - Join Dallas Yoga Magazine at the Addison Conference Center for our Yoga Festival. Be pre-pared to try a variety of different types of yoga, listen to speakers, enjoy a yoga inspired fashion show, and visit a variety of vendors from the DFW yoga community. Whether you have never tried yoga before or are a pro or a studio owner, you will love this event. For more information please email for vendor booths: [email protected] or for sponsorships: [email protected]. Cosmicyogimovement.com
December 3 - Holistic Festival of Life and Well-ness - There is always so much happening at this festival. Vendors, readings, workshops, speakers, music, & yoga! Plano Event Center, 2000 E Spring Creek Parkway, Plano. For more information,
holisticfestivaloflife.com.
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Calendar, Continued from Page 27
Love is the undistributed balance that guides the universe together. Babajii
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More Articles & Calendar of EventsExclusively found
Online at DallasYogaMagazine.com
Love4Peace.comcool yoga stuff
ClothingMatsPropsBags
Acupuncture Works Fast to Heal InjuriesBy: Nena Watkins,Lac, Oak Cliff Acupuncture
Getting to know some of my friends and colleaguesBy: Kenny Kolter, Gong Meditation & Sound Therapy
Yoga Foundations: Down Dog & Up DogBy: Anna HummerRYT 200 Teacher atThe Yoga Movement
(cute dog not included)
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November 11thSaturday, 10am-6pm
Every Hour!Yoga ClassesMeditation ClassesArray of SpeakersStage Demonstrations
Vendors:New ProductsYoga PropsClothing & JewelryOils & Crystals
Contact Us! Vendors & [email protected] [email protected]
214-624-9896
Location: Addison Conference & Theatre Center15650 Addison Rd, 75001 CosmicYogiMovement.com
Food Trucks
FestivalPresented by: Dallas Yoga Magazine
