Last Yoga in the Park set for June 19

Our last session for the Spring series of Yoga in the Park is set for Saturday, June 19, 2010. There will be refreshments served after the class. I am reflecting on how successful the last 2 months have really been. When Jessica and I decided to do an 8 week class series, I wasn't sure what to think, or who would come. There has been a great turnout week after week!! Even during some cold, drizzly days, there were a few people who always would come. It has been great getting to know some of the people too, and connecting. When I was doing some of the classes for my student teaching, I would have people fill out some evaluations for feedback. On more than a few occasions, people were just thankful to have an opportunity to attend a yoga class without a gym membership, or going to a studio where it might cost them 10 dollars or so. Our whole vibe is pretty low key, and we remain open to all. There will be more Yoga in the Park classes later on in the summer, after the busy months of July and early August. Until then, I thank the Hamline-Midway neighborhood for being a great place to live, and a great sense of community among neighbors. Hope to see you Saturday! Namaste.

Cloudy and Cool

Mid-May, and it reminds me of October! It is hard to remember that just one month ago we were having 70 degree weather, which was very unseasonable for that time. Last Saturday, it was 37 degrees at 8:30 AM in Newell Park, so we did not have yoga at that time. I am hoping for a nice, sunny, dry Saturday to welcome us into this weekend and the late part of May for this year. I am confidant that yoga will happen this Saturday and hope we have as good of turnout as we did for our first session! This weather is a challenge for me, to be productive and get up early. For some, it is nice cleansing rain, and that is what I am trying to remember. The ground needs that water and moisture, the trees are loving it, and so are all the animals and plants. It is also a good time to remember to be present in the moment, and see that there is beauty in every moment, no matter what is going on at the time. We might be fooled into thinking that 70 degrees and sunny are how things should be every day. Without clouds and rain, there would be no 70 degrees and sunny, because the two are part of an entire circle in which we are all part of. Everything balances eachother out and it is important to be present in each moment, no matter what it brings, because everything changes, all of the time. Namaste and see you Saturday!!

First session of Yoga in the Park

Wow!! I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout at Yoga in the Park this morning. I stepped outside at 7AM, and it was 51 and pretty windy. I said to myself " I hope 5-6 people show up today". I honestly was not prepared for the 20 some people that arrived. It was a humbling experience, to say the least. I have never taught that many people before, and at the beginning, I was quite nervous. I slowly became more confident as the minutes ticked by. We had a beautiful space to work with, all the trees were blooming with leaves and the dandelions made a nice colorful addition to the green floor we had.
Next week in Mother's Day, and I plan to focus on that. It will be a very nurturing class, and at the beginning, I want you to think of your mother, regardless of your relationship with her. It was because of your mother that you are here today. That means different things to different people, but for next week, we will focus on the Yin, the female energy.
I hope that you will come to Newell Park next Saturday, May 8 at 8:30AM. Until then, practice kindness in your actions and words, and let your Inner Light shine.
Namaste,
Sonja

Yoga in the Park Begins Saturday May 1

YOGA IN THE PARK BEGINS SATURDAY MAY 1!!
May Day marks the beginning of our Yoga in the Park series of free yoga classes for the community. I feel excited and nervous, because there seems to be a lot of energy generated around yoga now, which is a beautiful thing! Chris Gordon has been teaching free yoga at the library for a month now, and there is a dedicated group a people that faithfully show up and learn from his brilliant, Anusara style, full of devotion. Several neighborhood people attend yoga on Wed. AM at Oxford Rec Center for the Vinyasa class with Susan Schwartz, who again, is a gifted teacher.
When Jessica and I decided to do a series of 8 weeks, I was worried that it would be too much, and nobody would come. I was wrong! I have had many people ask me about Midway Movement Arts Project, and even some neighborhood parents seem interested in generating some energy around children's yoga, which seems to be a definite need. The energy is brilliant and amazing right now, in the thick of spring, with blooming abundance all around.
I am looking forward to serving the neighborhood in this way, and hope that it will catch on, and maybe we can plan a late summer session as well. Until Saturday arrives, let your Inner Light shine on all who you cross paths with. The Inner Light can be a beacon in a dark place for yourself and those around you. Seek that place of stillness, which can be hard in the lifestyles we create for ourselves. Just a few minutes a day, of quiet relaxation will begin to work wonders on your mind and your body.
See you Saturday. Bring a wrap or sweatshirt to keep yourself warm during subtle work.
Namaste.

midway movement arts project blog!

This is a new blog, created by me, Sonja Ramos, also founder of Midway Movement Arts Project(MMAP). Midway Movement Arts Project was created with the idea of neighbors coming together and doing activities together that promote healthy, active lifestyles. MMAP has evolved into just that, and we discovered that our sole focus is yoga, because yoga is one of those things that makes people feel awesome, but maybe they might not have a membership at a fitness ctr. or a studio, and it might not be available to them, but they really would like to do it. MMAP is about to kick off a very exciting 8 weeks of sharing the love of yoga and making it available to everyone, regardless of skill level. We will offer yoga to everyone in our neighborhood for hour long classes free of charge, because Yoga is such a beautiful thing, and we love it so much, that we want to share that love with others, in a way that is accessible to all.

Beginning May 1, 2010, we will start an 8 week series of Vinyasa and Hatha flow classes in Newell Park from 8:30-9:30 AM. Our hope is that we will start to catch on after a few weeks, and it will be a regular class enjoyed by people in the neighborhood, outside in the fresh morning air, and what better place than Newell Park, with all the gorgeous trees, rolling hills and grassy meadows?

I thought a blog would be a great way, besides Facebook, to connect with people, and write about the experience of the 8 week session, and see what other people think of it too.

Hopefully we will see you Newell Park on May 1 from 8:30-9:30, on the Hewitt Ave. side of the park, tucked into a little meadow close to Fairview Ave.

See you there, and Namaste everyday.