Yoga Festival in Secaucus, NJ

Save the date Sunday June 24th 9am-3pm at the Secaucus Recreation Center and the Sadhu Vaswani Meditation Garden at 1200 Koelle Blvd in Secaucus, NJ for a beautiful day honoring the Summer Solstice sun's peak and International Day of Yoga.


There will be:


    Free yoga classes from 9am-3pm

    A wide selection of local and international food

    Open Air concert at 11am

    Hands-Only CPR class and Homeopathic Medicine Workshop at 12noon

    Games and rides for kids

NEW CLASS: Creative Core Conditioning at Birchwood Center

   I'm leading a New Class at Birchwood Center called Creative Core Conditioning. It's a one hour body sculpting class that focuses mostly on strengthening, toning and stabilizing your abdominal and lower back body otherwise known as your core.

   This class warms you up with Pilates mat inspired exercises followed by a series of plank variations and arm exercises. Stretch exercise bands and your body weight are used for resistance. This will strengthen you while giving your arms and middle body a sleeker look.

   We will also tone and shape our lower body with a series of various lunges, squats and floor exercises. We will finish class with a grounding stretch and a restorative yoga posture. This mindful body sculpting class will enhance your athleticism and yoga practice.

   Please join us Wednesdays at 1:30pm for 1hour at www.birchwoodcenter.com in Nyack, N.Y.

Sharing Yoga Playlists

Thread the Needle Pose Variation

                           "The earth has music for those who listen." -William Shakespeare



    When I took this picture I remember enjoying the hum of the sand in one ear and the wind and waves crashing along the shoreline in the other ear. Recognizing sound is a big part of my mindfulness practice. Playing music is not always included while I practice or teach yoga but in most cases it is. I feel there's a particular musical frequency that assists along with the asanas in opening and healing the energy body. For that reason I take a lot of time in picking the music that goes into my yoga playlists.

     Since friends and students have been requesting that I share my playlists, I've started to share a few on Apple Music. Search @allisonegandatwani at Apple Music.

My Interview with Nyack News and Views

Bharadvajasana 2/Pose dedicated to the Sage Bharadvaja photo credit Michael Hays

      I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Michael Hays who has a column called Nyack People and Places at an online newspaper called Nyack News and Views. Being interviewed on how I chose the yoga path was an interesting and eye opening experience for me to reflect on. Speaking about my career and yoga practice so far gave me a greater appreciation for good, bad and neutral experiences that got me to where I am today.

Check out the link below to read more :

https://nyacknewsandviews.com/2018/03/nyack-people-places-allison-egan-datwani-yoga-teacher/

Spring Cleaning

   I'm pretty good about giving away what I no longer use but as I attempted some spring closet cleaning during this last snow day I noticed there are just a few things I'm having trouble parting with. I guess I identify and feel secure with them. The experiences I had receiving, buying and wearing some things mean something to me. When you clean your space it can feel freeing but at the same time wondering if you did the right thing. Thoughts like "Maybe there's an unexpected party invitation coming up where I could wear those shoes just one last time?" or "I could use this as a costume next Halloween."

   If you're feeling slow to free up your space from unnecessary clutter or you did the let goes and you're asking "Did I do the right thing?" try sending plenty of love and compassion to that part of you that's afraid to let go and grow. These emotions show you a bit of who you believe yourself to be. Seeing plenty of patience and love around these emotions will overtime show you that you are not these things. You are so much more.

   Do some Spring cleaning, release things from the past and move forward just like the Spring season suggests. After all holding on like a tight bud in March doesn't feel so good in April and definitely not in May.


"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was greater than the risk it took to bloom." -Anais Nin

2 Links I Love to Inspire your Spring Well Being

Parsvottanasana/Intense Side Stretch Pose Variation
Self Portrait

    When it comes to ladies yoga wear all you need is a plain old t-shirt, a good bra and leggings that are not see through when you bend over. Yet I've noticed dressing up a bit more for my practice with cheerful colors and flattering body wear can feel good. I'll admit I'm very picky when it comes to purchasing body wear. It's got to be affordable and not overly suction hold your breath in fabric and styling. I've been a customer of Fabletics for the past year and I am beyond satisfied with their products, pricing and service. Become a VIP member and you will receive amazing mix and match outfits that you can wear on and off the mat with great savings. Sometimes they offer promos when you purchase an outfit where a percentage of its price is donated to a charitable cause. Please visit fabletics.com to learn more.

 
      I've been a customer of Pacifica Beauty for a long time. I've been a devoted fan of their lilac spray perfume for I can't even remember how many years. Little by little this very affordable brand has taken over my skin care, makeup and candle burning aromatherapy needs. Pacifica Beauty is a 100% Vegan and Cruelty-Free Award Winning Natural Beauty company. What I love is how their fragrances and cosmetics enhances and illuminates you rather than over does it. This company has a service where you can recycle and reincarnate your empty product containers. Please visit pacificabeauty.com to learn more and enjoy.


      By the way I was not asked to share this info nor am I receiving anything for doing so. I'm simply grateful for these companies and I'm happy to share the love. What's new for you this spring? Do you have well being plans? A new strategy?

Valentine's Day Couple's Yoga Workshop at Birchwood Center Nyack, NY

    My Mother is from Ecuador and to acquaint me with her culture and family I spent my childhood summers in South America. Here I was introduced to yoga sometime in my pre teen years by my yogini Grandmother. She did breath exercises, yoga postures and meditations at home and often referred to and quoted her spiritual teacher Paramahansa Yogananda. I have many good memories of going to yoga class with her. When I returned home from my summers in South America I didn't seek out yoga until later in my life. I believe my early introduction to yoga and having experienced its calming, grounding and empowering benefits made it a first pick lifestyle choice when lets say life's waves got very rocky. I've come to learn having a yoga practice has a way of making you a better surfer through life's highs, lows and neutral moments.

     This February I'm happy to share that I am leading a Valentine's Day Couple's Workshop Saturday February 17th from 2:30-5pm that's designed for couples and partners ages 10 years old and up at Birchwood Center in Nyack, NY.

     This special class is for all levels and will be perfect for someone who is brand new to yoga. In this heart opening class you will ground, center and warm up alongside your partner, followed by easy partner yoga poses that will relax your neck and shoulders and strengthen and stretch your back body. We will conclude our practice with a nurturing restorative pose and final relaxation. Participants are invited to stay for refreshments and community at 4:30pm.


     $60 per couple 

     Early Bird Special! $50 per couple if purchased by February 14th

     Please Visit   www.birchwoodcenter.com   for more information and to register