The Creative Path

     Creating content be it choreographing a yoga flow, designing a yoga workshop, creating a flower mandala or preparing dinner for my family is art to me because to create I access what's deep within my consciousness and name it as something. A yoga selfie, a post on my blog and that perfectly sautéed assortment of veggies always comes from deep practice and meditation. Once it's created it is there to be seen and experienced.

     As the days grow warmer and nature's blossoming inspires so much creativity, I felt it was time to go through my photo files to motivate my current creations. I hope you enjoy the photos I'm sharing and feel to dig deep and take the creative path. 

    Please connect to me on Instagram @allisonegandatwani to see more. Peace, Practice and Love, Allison

Beltane: The May Day Holiday

Garudasana/Eagle Pose Variation

     

   Beltane, the May Day holiday is a festival of love, fire, flowers and fairies. It is the shift from spring to early summer. A time to acknowledge what you are passionate about and start taking those bigger steps towards it. That may mean stepping into a little radical action. Where you don't only visualize what you want but you also let go of a few things in your life to have the room to move closer towards the life you've always dreamt of.

    The fire aspect of this holiday which embodies the energies of passion and transformation may help you in the letting go to grow process. On this day, April 30th (May Eve) ancient Celtic people would extinguish their hearth fires then relight the fire in the morning from a community bonfire. This ritual signified letting go of the old and igniting the new. You could do your version of this ritual by lighting a candle tonight then blowing it out while holding the intention of what you are letting go of. Tomorrow morning relight that same candle while visualizing your next steps forward.

    There's so much more to Beltane, the May Day Holiday like the symbol of the Green Man, representing the God of the woods and all growing things. For the next 2 months we will energetically dance with the Green Man, the May Queen, the fey and all we are inviting into our life. We will explore how to grow more mindful of our environment and create together so much beauty. We will make flower crowns, flower mandalas, yoga flows and meditations that will heal your soul and raise the energy of all that surrounds us.

    I'll be posting my early summer offerings on the blog soon. In the meantime please connect to me on Instagram @allisonegandatwani where I post more frequently. Peace, Practice and Love, Allison

Flower Power Healing Meditation

       Stretch the beauty of your springtime blossoms out just a little bit more before they fade by making a flower petal mandala. Taking the time to sit and create with nature's mandala, a flower, reminds you of the great beauty, strength and grace that's always around you in the natural world. The time it took for these flowers to blossom is no different from your efforts to create that fab presentation for work, cook that delicious holiday dinner or show up on your yoga mat this morning. We are all creators, creating different things to contribute to the good of this magical and equally difficult world. 

      If you are looking to blossom, pick what your heart desires and with this intention sit with a flower or two. Pull off each petal and place them down into a pattern. Notice what you see, feel and how time disappears. You can add crystals, shells, pebbles or glitter. There is no right way to do this. Simply allow your concentration on the flower help you to dive deeper into yourself. Notice the loveliness unfold.

     Sunday June 9th at ROCA/Rockland Center of the Arts in West Nyack, New York I will be creating a Flower Power Healing Mandala that you just may want to experience. Details are coming soon! In the meantime, do check out the many lovely events that are taking place at www.rocklandartcenter.org 

Happy Spring and Super Moon!

     Today's Full Moon is the last of the 3 powerful Super Moons we've had since the beginning of the year. Today is also the Vernal Equinox, the 1st day of Spring which means plenty of growth and change is on its way. Allow this transformative energy to move through your mind, body, heart and soul. For the next 2 months plant your seeds, clean your closets and let in the light and fresh air. This is a time to see your projects grow while balancing letting the kid inside of you out to play. Enjoy watching the earth and yourself awaken.

This Spring March 4th to a Fit and Fearless You-March Schedule

     It's three months into the New Year and with Spring coming around the corner it's time to revisit your New Year's wishes. In some way it must have included reducing stress in your life. How do you get rid of stress? Cortisol? That stress hormone. Start by moving your body and exercising.

     When I'm practicing yoga and or exercising fitness style my neck and shoulders loosen, my lower back feels free and my mind slows down. With all this space and freedom moving through me, I'm smiling again, feeling confident and floating on a cloud watching my thoughts and emotions move like clouds passing by.

      It's time to get to know your body and take care of it so you can have an inner body healing experience. Practicing yoga and exercising regularly releases stressful emotional blocks and makes your energy move freely throughout you. When you move, you heal yourself, feel good and then you're ready to experience what's next in a calm manner.

     Here's my teaching schedule. I hope I can see you on the mat!


Mondays 10am Level 1 Creative Core Conditioning 1hr 
An upbeat barefoot body sculpting class which focuses on strengthening your abdomen and lower back as well as toning your buttocks, chest and arms.

www.birchwoodcenter.com Nyack, NY



11:45am Gentle Yoga Flow 1hr 15min
A step up from gentle yoga with easy to follow yoga flow sequences and meditative moments. 

www.birchwoodcenter.com Nyack, NY




Tuesdays 9:15am Level 2/3 Vinyasa Yoga 1hr 30min
Vinyasa flow style yoga with Iyengar Yoga style peak pose breakdowns. 

www.birchwoodcenter.com Nyack, NY




12noon Gentle Warrior 1hr 30min 
Like a level 1 posture class with Sun Salute variations, restorative yoga, meditation, breath work and no inversions. 

www.bamboomovesenglewood.com Englewood, NJ




Wednesdays 11:45am Gentle Yoga Flow 1hr 15min 

www.birchwoodcenter.com Nyack, NY




Thursdays 9:15am Level 2/3 Creative Core Conditioning 1hr 

www.birchwoodcenter.com Nyack, NY




12noon Gentle Warrior 1hr 30min 

www.bamboomovesenglewood.com Englewood, NJ




Fridays 9:30am Level 2/3 Vinyasa Yoga 1hr 30min 

www.birchwoodcenter.com Nyack, NY

Valentine's Day Couple's Yoga at Birchwood Center

     This past weekend I led the Valentine's Day Couple's Yoga event at Birchwood Center in Nyack, New York. It was such a joy seeing students I know and their loved ones, who were ages 10 and up practicing yoga together. I could feel the love and healing in the room. There were many moments that touched my heart as I witnessed the partners express patience, respect and compassion towards one another as they moved into postures, held the postures and moved out of them together.

     The most significant teaching of Couple's Yoga is that it takes the spotlight off of yourself when you practice and notice how to relate with greater mindfulness towards your partner. This looking outside of yourself and yoga mat is a powerful practice that hopefully will bring more love into your relationship and our world.

     The next time we offer this event please consider giving it a try and do check into www.birchwoodcenter.com for all the wonderful events they host. Also Rebecca Kittle shown above back bending with me was the most perfect teacher's assistant. I'm so grateful and honored! I hope to see you at the next event!

All About Love! A Valentine's Day Couple's Yoga Workshop at Birchwood Center Nyack, NY

     All About Love! is a Valentine's Day Couple's Yoga Workshop for you and a special person to connect heart to heart in a deliciously sweet yoga practice. This special class is designed 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 after class.


     This practice is for couples and partners ages 10 and up.


     Saturday February 16th 3-5pm at Birchwood Center in Nyack, NY


     $65 per couple


     Early Bird Special $55 per couple if purchased by February 10th


     Please visit www.birchwoodcenter.com to register