Student of the Month: Jennifer Oury

Jennifer and daughter, Jacqueline

Congratulations to Jennifer Oury, for being a loyal 9:30am Flow Yogi!  We are proud of her dedication to come to class, regardless of holidays or rainy days!  Way to go!!

Name:  Jennifer Oury–I’m a stay at home mom with a 5 year old daughter. I’ve lived in DC for about 10 years with my husband, Pierre, who is a DC native with French parents. We are raising our daughter to be bilingual.

Years Practicing Yoga:  off and on for around 12 years

What Makes Me Smile Everyday:  my daughter

How lil omm has inspired me:  My yoga practice has grown so much since meeting Pleasance and joining lil omm. I’m putting yoga on my schedule now and get cranky if I have to miss a class–just ask my husband! It’s such a welcoming low key atmosphere. I’m inspired to just keep practicing and improving.

Hobbies, Pursuits, Inspirations:  travel, cooking, improving my French, yoga, shoe shopping

Favorites:

•  Yoga Pose:  Downward Dog & Savasana
• Season:  Spring in Washington; Fall in Vermont (we lived there before moving to DC)
• Food/Cuisine:  Mexican, French, chocolate, spicy
• Travel Destination:  Hawaii
• Quote:  “Whatever you are, be a good one.” – Abraham Lincoln

Teacher Feature: Michelle Cohen

A  doula, wife, mother of 2 boys, yoga teacher, and writer we are so grateful to have Michelle as part of our lil omm team.  A natural conversationalist, Michelle is the go to source for tips on natural birthing, babies, and inspiration!  Just check out her blog!

Name: Michelle Cohen

Years Practicing Yoga: 8

Class Schedule & Highlights: Mondays, Baby & Me 10:45 to 11:45 am, Fridays, Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Babies, 10:45 to 11:45 am (session based, pre-registration required)

What Makes Me Smile Everyday: My boys being silly

Hobbies, Pursuits, Inspirations: I love pursuing and celebrating creativity in any and ALL forms–photography, mixed media art, memorykeeping, blogging, dancing, singing, etc.  I am incredibly inspired by empowered women who are living life boldly, authentically themselves, creating opportunities and carving out their own path.  I LOVE to read, and love to spend time with my family going on mini-adventures!

Favorites:

• Yoga Pose: Currently Utthita Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)
  
• Season: Fall
  
• Food/Cuisine: Mediterranean, Italian, Japanese (I love to eat!)
  
• Travel Destination: Any beach with sparkling water and cool cultures to explore
• Quote: Even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth “you owe me.” Look what happens with a love like that, it lights the Whole sky.  –Hafiz

Don’t miss Michelle’s upcoming 6-week session of Itsy Bitsy Yoga, starting on 6/8 @ 10:45am with a FREE demo class on 6/1.  She also has an upcoming Partner Prenatal Workshop on 7/8 @ 1pm.  For more information and to register, click here.

Buddhafest. Why you should go.

When GOOD people, but together an amazing event, it’s up to us to join them.

If we CARE about the loving and caring peaceful work and messages that are being presented in film, community and talks, then it’s up to us to support them.

We ALL have reasons why we would miss the entire event. life is busy filled with choices.

Will you CHOOSE to support this amazing event, all the hard work and heart work that goes into this film festival, teachings, talks, MUSIC, meditation, community and love – really? how could you miss it? ( I get no money, discount or anything for posting this. I just LOVE LOVE the mission and vision for this festival . I have gone for the past few years and found it deeply moving. this year, I bought a pass for the entire weekend, and can’t wait to see all the teachers and events. )

http://www.buddhafest.org/

 

 

See ya 33.. here comes 34.

And in one moment it’s over. as I move from 33 to 34 I say goodbye to a year and say hello to the next chapter. 33 brought lots of challenges AND joys…

loosing a lease, a complicated pregnancy and childbirth, a new baby, my first experience with natural childbirth, a best friend overcoming cancer, a new yoga space, a new neighborhood, house on the market- house off the market, TRANSITION, TRANSITION, TRANSITION.. finding my way.. finding my way back…

parenting 1 kid…and then parenting 2 kids. opening a new yoga studio with an infant and a super hero husband to LITERALLY demolish walls in the new space in order to OPEN OUR DOORS faster. RE- dedicating our lives and our commitment to lil omm yoga in DC..

We closed  lil omm Palisades. ( Pam and Kate and Melissa. You are true gems)

We created  lil omm Clarendon. ( thanks Syliva, Anna and Saphira… hugs and love love love)

lil omm Tenley opened on November 6 with the most dedicated, talented and loving teaching staff AND the most fabulous manager, Neda.  Gratfeul, grateful, grateful .

And it all happened. it all came to be. as it was. as it was and IS meant to be.

A DEAR, DEAR friend moves away next month. My baby will turn 1 while I am 34 and my older baby will turn 5. At 33,  I established regular phone chats with my own mother after many years of not communicating. Who knows what the next year will bring.

that’s it friends. connect.  disconnect. re connect.and we keep on keeping on. For all those who read this. may you BE well. may all those you love BE well. and if for some reason they are not.. may you find peace in this moment. this day. this week. this lifetime.  B/c it’s all changing.

Favorite moments from this past year. in love and gratitude for this blessed life.

Coming to DC: MC YOGI & The Sacred Sound Society!

<a href="http://mcyogi.com/about/">ABOUT MC YOGI</a> 

 

https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/adm/home.asp?studioid=8811

https://www.facebook.com/events/407749862593080/

What is Jivamukti? Heidi explains!

What is Jivamukti yoga? It’s: 

• BALANCED.  A vigorous flow-based vinyasa, but always stays in touch with your own breath, being where you are, finding steadiness and joy in each pose. Devoting your practice to a high intention.
•  Being CONNECTED to the earth.  Having respect and compassion for all living beings.
• SPIRITUAL. We look at scriptural studies, for example the theme this month is on the art of dying, so we’re looking at a verse from the Bhagavad  Gita.  We also look at Yoga Sutras.
• CHANTING – yoga of sound, or nada yoga.
• MEDITATION.

Experience Jiva @ lil omm every Sunday from 9-10:15am.  Childcare available.

Watch Heidi as she supports her student

 

Upcoming Jivamukti Workshop Saturday 6/9, 5-7pm.  Practice basic asanas from four groups: standing, forward bending, backbending, and inversions. Understand alignment, common problems, correct ways to use props, and spiritual corollaries for each asana. Perfect for beginners or those looking to deepen their experience of the poses. Cost: $30 per person, $50 per pair.  To register: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=8811&stype=-8&sView=day&sTrn=100000028

Getting CRAFTY

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In a whirlwind of inspiration.. thanks to The Right Brain Business Plan!!!

WOW!  I have been crafting away since I got the book, I EVEN when to Paper Source for supplies… which I NEVER do. I have been putting all of my visions and dreams and growth plans and ideas out in the world. Creatively showcasing what I want lil omm to be, and what it is.

Old fashioned business plans NEVER made me feel as  excited about representing who we are , what we do, and what our own goals and aspirations are.

GREAT ideas of ways to get crafty… And I think the best part is this could apply to your family. lil omm is one of my babies- but you could TOTALLY do this for your family as a unit, and as each individual member. In fact, Saylor helped me with these. she helped pick colors, glue, cut, and glitter!

( I put in a few pics of some things I have in progress.. this one above is the initial draft of my 2012 intentions)

1. a BIG vision board. ( for bness OR your family) everyone participates in adding what they connect with, what is the BIG vision for what you are doing? how you are living?

2. VALUE cards. what are your values? I wrote an LO value down on one side of an index card and then cut out an image that reflected that value? I grouped my value cards, and tied them up with ribbon like a deck of cards. I think these will be GREAT when I have a big decision to make . I can glance at the cards and see if they align with lil omm  values.

3. Financials. this one is SO big for me. being CLEAR about projecting numbers/ members/ growth rates AND setting intentions that I WANT lil omm to THRIVE so we have this amazing community, we can offer services to all sorts of folks, AND that I have a viable business to pass to my babies if they want it.  ( SO HARD for some  women to talk  about money.. and especially in terms of putting out in the universe what we NEED and WANT .. ) it does not make us greedy.. it makes us help to SPREAD OUR LOVE AND GIFTS TO MANY MORE people. Being financially grounded allows us to have freedom to help charities, volunteer to teach classes and contribute to our own families expenses. WOW.. can’t believe I just said all that.. ( yeah for me! I’ve come A LONG way) The past few days I have LOVED making my financial life CREATIVE!  I glued envelopes on my chart for revenue and income streams, visually set intentions to get my projects moving along and  collaged/listed  places I want to travel, trainings I want to take, learning opps I don’t want to miss all  with the income I will have.. and just in general totally SHIFTING my energy and attitude about money so that it CAN  be a positive influence on my life. I didn’t start LO b/c of money.. but that is how it’s going to sustain. and I’m taking it VERY seriously now.

4. Who are you and what do you want to do with your life? I have made many vision boards for things I want to manifest in my life. But I have NEVER spent time creating art to represent me , what I offer, what I WANT to offer, what I want to contribute in the world .. and this one I can’t wait to do. I’ll start it next week.

There are SO MANY More ideas in the book.. which I think is a true GEM.. If you are running your own bness, OR running your own family- I think this is an amazing way to tap into our creative energy to get excited about the offerings and services that we are putting our in the world AND how we live our lives.lilommyoga

If anyone has done any of the projects- send me a picture! I’d love to see the ways you are creative with your bness or family planning!

OR if you need/ want help to start..email me( info@lilomm.com) , happy to help.

artomatic.org

artomatic.org

artomatic.org

Check out artomatic.org! They have awesome family friendly stuff!!

Growing Up Yoga

These babies will grow up surrounded by love. Our kids are growing up in a yoga studio with sweet mamas and families everywhere. With teachers who know them and love them.. who care about them as individuals in this society. All of our children we come through the doors at lil omm are given space to be themselves no expectations to demands just space, room to breathe , yoga and love.

What will the impact be?

Will we create unique , creative, mindful individuals who contribute to society because they care about themselves, their neighbors, all living things and the earth?

On a daily basis, we can find excuses as why to not make it to yoga, to not show up for an event, or just fill our day with meaningless errands , cleaning and tasks OR we can invest in ourselves and our connection by making an effort and showing up. Showing up for our kiddos on a nature walk, or on an afternoon with no plans , or on a yoga mat.

Kiddos surrounded by Kirtan, chanting, love , parents, community members… just taking time out of our lives to be in the space together,  devoting our afternoon to something bigger- the light that shines within us all.

Amy Dara On Yoga for Women Cancer Survivors

Women cancer survivors now have their own class, a specially tailored gentle flow and restorative practice that takes place every Friday at 6:30pm. These women share the practice within a safe and nurturing community, which has grown over the two and a half years since I began teaching Yoga for Women Cancer Survivors in Washington, D.C.

Amy Dara, teacher of Yoga for Women Cancer Survivors

I had been teaching yoga for nearly a decade when Tari Prinster, a former colleague from OM Yoga Center in New York City, developed Yoga for Women Cancer Survivors after having fought the battle with the disease herself. I am one of the first graduates of her teacher training program for certified yoga instructors. From June 28 to July 1, 2012, I will assist Tari in this teacher training at Circle Yoga. (While Tari Prinster is in town, she will host a fundraiser screening of the documentary, “Yogawomen,” in which she stars. Stay tuned for more details.)

Yoga for Women Cancer Survivors is supported by an increasing number of clinical studies. Benefits include preventing the onset of osteoporosis, alleviating neuropathy, depression, and cancer-related fatigue; preventing and managing lymphedema, improving the range of motion of the affected areas, reducing stress and anxiety, and the list goes on. Last but not least, women cancer survivors – who I affectionately call “warrior women” – appreciate the opportunity to practice yoga with others who completely understand them. After class, they hang out to share experiences, support and referrals. 

Even when a warrior woman feels extremely fatigued, she will come to class. I will guide her into a restorative yoga pose and check on her during class. There is no pressure to do anything; sometimes simply breathing with like-minded warrior women is all she needs. Every warrior woman is welcome.

Hope to see you on Fridays @ 6:30 pm,

Amy Dara

The minimum fee for this class is $10, with the option of donating more.

Lil’ Omm donates 25% of the proceeds to Living Beyond Breast Cancer (http://www.lbbc.org), which supports and empowers women cancer survivors.