Peace, Love, and Yoga: A Special Thank You

The path to peace begins with an open heart. Thank you to those who supported last night's event, Stories from the Mat: From Rwanda to Yoga. It was a special evening of yoga, dialogue, community, and connection. I'm honored to have shared my story of living in Rwanda and how it inspired me to be a yoga teacher. Thank you for opening your hearts.

All proceeds raised will benefit 500 orphaned teens at the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the Genocide Against the Tutsi (1994). Agahozo-Shalom is a residential living and learning community located an hour outside of Kigali. It is transforming traumatized children into the next generation of ethical leaders.

Thank you Lululemon Miami for the generous mat donation. The mat was given away to a local teacher-trainee, Rebecca Lester. I have no doubt she will be a positive force in the Miami yoga community and the rest of the world. A special thank you to FloYo Coral Gables for allowing me to host the event.

LEARN MORE

If you're interested in learning more about Agahozo-Shalom and the work they do, please visit their website.

HOW TO DONATE

If you were unable to attend and would still like to contribute, please click here.

Thank you again. Murakoze Cyane!

Peace and Love,

xoxo

April 8: Special Yoga Class to Benefit Rwandan Youth Village

Stories from the Mat: From Rwanda to Yoga

April is Genocide Awareness Month. Please join me this Sunday, April 8, 5:30pm at FloYo Coral Gables for a donation-based yoga class to benefit the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda, a place dear to my heart and home to more than 500 orphaned teens.

I'll share my journey of how I started practicing yoga after living abroad for six years in the Czech Republic and Rwanda working in higher education and international development. I'll then guide you through a 60-minute vinyasa flow class (all levels) to Rwandan music. We'll end with a dialogue and Q+A. Refreshments will be provided thanks to the generous support of Raw Juce.

GIVEAWAYS

At the end of class, I'll be giving away handmade Rwandan gifts and a Lululemon Mat courtesy of Lululemon Brickell City Centre, Miami. Lululemon was the first company I worked for after moving back to the USA!

HOW TO DONATE

Please bring cash or check donations made payable to the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village. You can also donate online.

LOCATION

The studio is located at 1430 S. Dixie Hwy, Suite 116. Coral Gables, FL 33146, next to Madruga Bakery and Raw Juce.

SIGN UP ONLINE

SIGN UP HERE

LEARN MORE

MISSION: Their goal is to enable orphaned and vulnerable youth to realize their maximum potential by providing them with a safe and secure living environment, health care, education and necessary life skills. Education and service are used to model and create socially responsible citizens in Rwanda and around the world.

For more information about the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda, please visit their website. Check out the video below to see what ASYV looks like.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me at sam@journeysforthesoul.com. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Peace and Love xoxo,

Originally shown at Stand Up & Be Counted 2017

60-Minute Yin Sequence for the Hips

I started practicing yin yoga along with my yang-style flows or vinyasa years ago. I was drawn to the quiet aspect of the practice. I found it to be a wonderful tool to gain greater insight into my own thought patterns and behaviors. I didn't practice to get better at the poses. I practiced to get better at dealing with life. So what is Yin? Yin and Yang, broadly speaking, are Taoist concepts. Yin relates to the calming and cooling side of yoga, whereas Yang is energetic. Yin is about acceptance and Yang is about change. This practice is a more passive approach than the traditional flow classes. It's not a physical workout, but it's certainly a mental workout. Yin poses focus on the lower body and are held typically for 3-5 minutes, though some could be held for 30! In Yin, you come into the pose at your appropriate edge, or that first level of resistance in your body. Hold the poses for a length of time and commit to stillness.

In a city like Miami where I live, a yin practice is essential.

Yin Hip Sequence

This video has been condensed to 12-minutes to give you flexibility for longer holds. If you're just getting started with yin, hold the poses for less time and work your way up to 4-5 minutes. Check out the sequence below.

Yin Yoga with Sam: This 12-minute yin yoga practice can be extended to 60 minutes. Hold each pose for 3-5 minutes. Use props if needed. Enjoy! For more information about yin yoga, visit journeysforthesoul.com.

• Corpse Pose

  • Observe your breath + settle into your mat

• Reclined Hamstring Stretch - Right Side

  • Place a strap around the sole of your right foot and lift the right leg toward the ceiling. Keep your shoulders relaxed

• Reclined pigeon (figure 4)

  • Cross your right ankle just above your left knee. Keep your right foot flexed, toes pointing toward the right knee.

  • Tip: If you feel too tight to bring your legs toward your chest, keep them on the ground.

• Apanasana (knees-to-chest)

• Reclined Hamstring Stretch - Left Side

  • Place a strap around the sole of your right foot and lift the right leg toward the ceiling. Keep your shoulders relaxed

• Reclined pigeon (figure 4)

• Apanasana

• Butterfly (reclined bound angle)

  • If your hips are tight, place blankets or blocks underneath your thighs for support.

• Caterpillar (seated forward fold)

  • Tips: Bend the knees if your low back and hamstrings are tight. Place a bolster on top of your legs so that you can rest your head comfortably.

• Shoelace (cow faced pose) - Right

  • Place the right knee on top of the left

  • Tips: Sit on a blanket to elevate the hips if you're knees are not stacks. Wedge a blanket in between your knees, and if it's still uncomfortable, straighten your left leg on the mat.

• Swan/Sleeping Swan (aka pigeon)

  • Shift the right leg back

  • Find balance in the hips, use a bolster or blanket if needed. Alternative you can lay down on your back and do Figure 4 again.

• Downward Dog and Childs Pose

• Shoelace (left knee on top) - Left

• Swan/Sleeping Swan (aka pigeon)

  • Shift the left leg back. Find balance in the hips, use a bolster or blanket if needed

• Downward Dog + Childs

• Sphinx/Seal

• Twisted Root (both sides)

  • Cross your right thigh over the left and wrap your right foot around your left calf (eagle legs).

• Corpse Pose

If you're in Miami,  visit my public Yin classes. To learn more about yin, check out Bernie Clark's Yin Yoga or Sarah Powers' Insight Yoga.

Love and Peace.

xoxo, Sam

Note: Not all yoga poses work for every body. If you have any injuries, please check with your doctor before beginning.