Happy New Year! I hope you have been enjoying the holidays. Are you excited about 2020? I thank you all for sharing in this wellness journey. Below are a few upcoming wellness events and resources to help you kick off this new year.
BAY AREA EVENTS
CURVY YOGA
Saturdays 11:00-12:30 pm
January 11-March 14
Ojas Yoga Center | El Cerrito, CA
Everybody, regardless of size can be healthy and enjoy an affirming Yoga practice. At Ojas always welcome people of all sizes and abilities in all our classes, but this Curvy Yoga class is designed specifically around the unique needs of bigger bodies.
Instructor, Susan Weiner is certified in Curvy Yoga and has been teaching loyal groups of students for years! If you or someone you love has been looking for a class like this, now is your chance!
$185
If series minimum of 10 people is met, it will then be open to drop-ins at $20 per class
ODYSSEY – A Deeper Immersion Sound Bath
Sunday, January 12, 2:30-5:00 PM
Heartbeat Collective, Oakland
Kick start the new decade with intentional healing, in alignment and poised for new growth.
On this special day, Pluto, Saturn, & the South Node will align in the sky in Capricorn for the first time in 500 years. Celebrate this rare celestial occurrence in community with an intimate, Saturnian Sound Meditation designed to contemplate what the next ten years will look like.
This special event will have:
- Limited Participation
- Plenty of Mental and Physical Space for Introspection
- Compelling Reflective Questions
- Intentional Time for Journaling & Sharing
- Warm Tea & an Inner Sounds Journal
Smaller Group, Limited Tickets
$65 – Save $5 with discount code BEWELL
PURCHASE TICKETS – OAKLAND
Understanding Doshas for Healthy Living with Sadashiva Stavrum
Saturday, January 18, 3 – 5 PM
Yoga Kula, Berkeley
Ayurveda is one of the oldest continuously practiced medical systems in the world. The beauty of this tradition is that it offers practical advice for how to align with the rhythms of nature and maintain your health and happiness through all of life’s ups and downs.Online Workshops and Freebies
Free Download! A Fountain of Youth: How Yoga and Ayurveda Facilitates Healthy Aging
A Fountain of Youth: How Yoga and Ayurveda Facilitate Healthy Aging
The key? The lifestyle choices we make. How we eat, how we manage stress, how much exercise we get, how well we sleep, how balanced our nervous system is – these factors are ultimately just as important – if not even more – in determining whether we live the last third of our life enjoying good health and vitality – or not.
The lifestyle choices we make, we might say, are indirectly like that secret fountain of youth. And this is where yoga and Ayurveda come in. Baxter and Melina talks about how yoga and Ayurveda takes the science of making healthy lifestyle choices to a whole new level – showing how simple daily habits can help us achieve a whole new level of balance in body, mind and spirit. Click here to learn more and download!
You might also be interested in the upcoming webinar with Dr. Baxter Bell and Melina Meza (details below).
YOGIC & AYURVEDIC TIPS FOR HEALTHY AGING
Preparing for Your Third Act
WEBINAR
Tuesday, January 14 & Thursday, January 16
5:30-8:30 PM Pacific time
Whether you are approaching your Third Act (60 plus years) or already in it, both yoga and Ayurveda have wonderful tools and practices to support your desire to continue to grow as a whole person in this potentially rich phase of life.
With Baxter Bell’s long time focus on yoga as a healthy living and aging system, and Melina Meza’s dual expertise in yoga and Ayurveda, this program will set you on your path for better health and well-being as you reach for those 3rd Act goals!
Registration includes audio lessons, written transcripts, and a practice video.
Register on or before January 16 and save $10 off the course!
Simply enter coupon code: BBMM10 at checkout.
I am a fan of both of these teachers, so I highly recommend this.
Yoga for Osteoporosis Prevention and Practice
with Dr. Loren Fishman and Ellen Saltonstall
In case your New Year’s resolutions include adding more TLC for your body and health, here’s a not-to-be-missed free webinar series on how yoga can help prevent or slow osteoporosis with Dr. Loren Fishman and Ellen Saltonstall.
Did you know that:
- Bone loss is unavoidable as you get older, but osteoporosis is not unavoidable. The earlier you start building up your bone mass, the lower your risk!
- Nearly 60% of adults age 50 and older suffer from thinning bones and are at greater risk of fractures – and yes, that includes yoga students!
- One in two women and up to one in four men will break a bone in their lifetime due to osteoporosis.
- For women, the incidence is greater than that of heart attack, stroke and breast cancer combined.
- Preliminary research indicates that yoga can help – when taught and practiced the right way.
Curious to Learn More? Join Dr. Loren Fishman and Ellen Saltonstall,
Authors of Yoga for Osteoporosis, for a FREE 3-Part Webinar Series!
Introduction to Yoga for Osteoporosis – Research & Practice
Also Enjoy our FREE BONUS Report! Yoga for Osteoporosis: 12 Do’s and Don’ts
Legs Up the Wall Pose Tutorial
I love this restorative yoga pose, also known as “Waterfall Pose” (or Viparita Karani in Sanskrit). Erin Motz, the Bad Yogi, does a good job of showing how to get into it.
http://www.badyogi.com/blog/pose-99-legs-up-the-wall/
This was Pose #99 of her 100 Days of Yoga Poses Tutorials!
Happiness Calendar from the Greater Good Science Center
Let these science-backed tips and tools be your guide this month. You’ll want to bookmark this calendar and refer to it often because there are links to articles and resources embedded in the PDF.
Download happiness calendar for January.
The Happiness Calendar has links to a different article or resource each day!
Wellness Resources and Discounts
Below are a few of my favorite “tried and true” products that I have scouted out. Some are available through affiliate links from companies that have an ambassador program. I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, which helps to cover my costs of hosting and maintaining this website. There is never any additional cost to you, and I always look out for the best deal.
20% Off Banyan Botanicals
This is my favorite wellness supplement company because they don’t add any artificial ingredients, coatings or fillers. I use the Triphala, Women’s Transition, Healthy Bones, and Joint Support formulas.
Enter promotional code JOYFUL1 at checkout to receive discount. Good for 20% off orders over $75. Normal shipping charges will apply. This offer is intended for end users of Banyan products only and is not applicable to health practitioners or resellers. May not be combined with other offers or discounts. Offer expires January 8th, 2020. banyanbotanicals.com.
Learn more about Ayurveda: 6 Ways Ayurveda Will Show Up in 2020
Clever Yoga
I have arranged a 15% discount for anyone who shops at Clever Yoga. Just use the code BEWELL or this link: https://cleveryoga.com/discount/BeWell
Social CBD
I have been testing some products by Social CBD and really like the effects so far. There is currently a 30% discount on drops if you use the code cheer30 at socialcbd.com. Stay tuned for my reviews after testing some of these products.
Poem of the Month
The older I get, the more I dig poetry. To indulge in this, I’ll be sharing a poem each month in my wellness newsletter. Here’s a gem called “Hokusai Says.” You might also enjoy watching the video of a British man reading it (see below).
Hokusai Says – Roger Keyes
Hokusai says Look carefully.
He says pay attention, notice.
He says keep looking, stay curious.
He says there is no end to seeing.
He says Look Forward to getting old.
He says keep changing, you just get more who you really are.
He says get stuck, accept it, repeat yourself as long as it’s interesting.
He says keep doing what you love.
He says keep praying.
He says every one of us is a child, every one of us is ancient, every one of us has a body.
He says every one of us is frightened.
He says every one of us has to find a way to live with fear.
He says everything is alive –shells, buildings, people, fish, mountains, trees.
Wood is alive.
Water is alive.
Everything has its own life.
Everything lives inside us.
He says live with the world inside you.
He says it doesn’t matter if you draw, or write books.
It doesn’t matter if you saw wood, or catch fish.
It doesn’t matter if you sit at home and stare at the ants on your veranda
or the shadows of the trees and grasses in your garden.
It matters that you care.
It matters that you feel.
It matters that you notice.
It matters that life lives through you.
Contentment is life living through you.
Joy is life living through you.
Satisfaction and strength is life living through you.
Peace is life living through you.
He says don’t be afraid.
Don’t be afraid.
Look, feel, let life take you by the hand.
Let life live through you.
So what do you think? Here’s the poem with some nice visuals, read by Professor Mark Williams.
SAVE THE DATE:
Wellness on the Way (Camino de Santiago)
With Laurie Ferris (yes, that’s me!)
Thursday, February 6th, 6-7:30 PM
West Branch Library, Berkeley
Discover the wellness that is inherent on the Camino. Explore the reasons why it makes us pilgrims feel so good, and why we keep coming back. We know that being surrounded by kindred spirits and walking in nature have obvious benefits. What about unplugging, forest bathing, mindful walking, or doing something completely out of our comfort zone? In a world of French fries, bocadillos and churros, is it possible to eat healthy on the Camino? From survival and sustenance to inexpensive luxuries and creative play—Laurie hopes to encourage pilgrims to become their own wellness ambassadors along the Way.
After Laurie’s talk, we welcome other pilgrims to share their own wellness tips learned on their Caminos. Whether you’re a first-timer or seasoned veteran, you’re sure to pick up invaluable info, tips and tricks for your next Camino!
Speaker Bio:
Laurie has walked the Camino Portugués, Inglés, Primitivo, and Invierno. On the Camino, she has led yoga sessions for pilgrims, and has also discovered some interesting ways to enhance wellbeing. As a chapter coordinator in Northern California, Laurie welcomes new pilgrims, organizes events, delivers presentations, and contributes articles for La Concha Newsletter. Laurie is dedicated to keeping the spirit of the Camino alive through her work in the chapter and her blog, thecaminoprovides.com.
At her communications job at UC Berkeley’s International House, Laurie serves as a wellness ambassador where she teaches yoga to UC Berkeley staff and leads lunchtime hikes around campus. Always an advocate for self-care, Laurie is excited to share some Camino tips in this informative and interactive pilgrim talk.
Location:
Berkeley West Branch Library
1125 University Ave. (at San Pablo)
Berkeley, CA 94702
Schedule:
Doors open at 5:30 PM for socializing and setup
6 – 7:30 PM Presentation and Q&A
For more hikes and Camino events, see TheCaminoProvides.com
Yoga for Tension and Stress Relief
Fridays, 2/14, 3/20, 4/10 and 5/1
12:10 – 1 PM
251 Hearst Gym, UC Berkeley Campus
My yoga classes for UC Berkeley staff are confirmed for the following Fridays at noon in 251 Hearst Gym: 2/14, 3/20, 4/10 and 5/1.
May the new year be full of good health, peace, joy, and love.
Laurie
Source: https://www.yourtango.com/2018319844/inspirational-quotes-happy-new-year-memes-2019-best-year-ever
If you would like to subscribe to my free monthly wellness newsletter, sign up here! If you’re interested in hikes, check out the events listed at thecaminoprovides.com.
Please let me know if you have events to consider for future newsletters.
Laurie Ferris Yoga & Wellness 