SALUTATIONS
Sunshine Salutation September 25th, 2022
Practice and all is coming, are the words of K. Pattabhi Jois. These words of wisdom hold great weight and value. No matter the skill you are working on, you will always improve with practice. The more you practice, the more you train your mind and your body to develop a skill.
During yoga on your mat, you will see the benefits of the practice as your plank pose becomes easier, the balance becomes stronger, and you begin to breathe easier during all aspects of your life. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation September 18th, 2022
How do you feel? What makes you feel good? What makes you feel bad? What makes you feel proud? What makes you feel happy?
Do you feel all of your feelings, or do you allow them to come and go without notice?
When we practice yoga, it’s not only about the poses. There is so much more to yoga than standing on your head. When we look deeper, we begin to study the eight limbs of yoga and yamas and niyamas. This week let’s look at self-study or svadhyaya. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation September 11th, 2022
How do you measure progress? In life, we get comfortable with the easy and hang out there. As we sink into comfort, we forget about progress. We are never really staying the same. Either we are moving forward toward the life we want, or we are moving backward. Our yoga practice can mirror life. We see how our body and our mind can change with consistent practice if we are pushing ourselves past our comfort level. We can see progress with each practice. Progress with our physical body and progress with our health and happiness. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation September 4th, 2022
Let’s celebrate yoga this week at Sunshine! September is Yoga Awareness month. I feel an obligation to make you aware of some of the wonderful benefits of yoga. We all know yoga helps improve strength and flexibility. Did you know that yoga also helps promote improved mental health, and less stress and anxiety? Yoga is a mindful practice and with consistent practice, awareness improves. Awareness of yourself and your health. We understand what is good for us and what makes us feel our best, which leads to better choices. When we make better choices, we become the best version of ourselves. Check out more details and some science-based information here from Healthline. Read the article here.
Sunshine Salutation August 28th, 2022
New moon, new day, new opportunities. Say yes to what comes next! We never know what tomorrow will bring but meet each day with an open mind and an open heart. We said yes to an opportunity to perform for the Fort Worth School of Performing Arts Annual Gala and had an amazing time. We also started this year’s teacher training with a full house of inspiring yoga teachers. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but we can’t wait to see what comes next at Sunshine. What comes next for you? Read more…
Sunshine Salutation August 21st, 2022
How do you vanquish a demon? You take away its power. In ancient yogic texts, there is a tale of the Goddess Kali. In a great battle, there was a powerful demon and when he was injured and his blood hit the ground, it would create a clone of the demon. This made it impossible to destroy the enemy. After great hardship and casualties in the battle, the Goddess Kali drank all the demon’s blood and destroyed him. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation August 14th, 2022
Somedays, you feel on top of the world, and some days you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders. With School starting this week for some, a variety of emotions can be felt by all of us. Are you excited? Are you anxious? Maybe a little of both. Take time this week to feel your feelings. Being aware of how we think and identifying our emotions can go a long way toward keeping us grounded and balanced. We all have ways to cope or to pick ourselves up when we feel heavy. What is yours? When I feel heavy, a great Yoga practice can turn things around. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation August 7th, 2022
As the last few weeks of summer speed by, what is your plan to stay calm and cool? Of course here in Texas, the heat will be with us until mid- September but we can find ways to be chill. Yin yoga is a perfect way to slow the heart rate and cool the body. Yin is the Moon practice whereas our Power and Heated would be the Sun practice and warm the body. You may have noticed in our Yin and Yoga Nidra classes, as class starts, you may feel warm but the more we move into the practice a coolness and chill spread through the body. This is due to the slow breathing and the stillness in each posture. As the heart rate slows and the connective tissue releases energy and tightness our body will lower in temperature. The physical benefits of yin yoga will help lower stress and anxiety and the guided meditation with Nidra helps you feel more grounded. These classes are very popular so please book your class online. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation July 31st, 2022
Greetings from Turks and Caicos. I’m home now but I spent the last 7 days on the beautiful islands of Turks and Caicos at Club Med. Teaching yoga gives me the opportunity to travel the world and teach yoga. We get an amazing deal on an all inclusive resort in exchange for teaching some yoga. All meals and cocktails are covered, and at Club Med all water sports and Circus fun are included as well. On this trip I taught yoga to people from all over the world, France, Brazil, the UK, Germany, Mexico, Canada, Italy, and from all over the US. Yoga really is universal. When you teach yoga on the resort, you develop a connection with everyone who joins your class making for a great time. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation July 24th, 2022
WINNING! I will not lie, winning feels good. It feels good at a family game night or winning THE BEST of from Living Magazine. Winning is not everything but the entire Tribe at Sunshine is honored by your votes and this opportunity to let everyone know we are the best. A big SHOUT OUT to our teachers for putting in the work to make you feel at home when you come to the studio or if you practice online with us. A big round of applause to our members, the yogis and the aerialist, who put in the work with their yoga practice and show up for themselves. Also, I would like to thank Living Magazine for taking the time to put on this contest each year. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation July 17th, 2022
What’s your superpower? The moon has the ability to change it’s shape everyday being a different version of itself. Sometimes the moon is big and strong and on other days it is weak and wan. All beautiful. All part of it’s complex design. I think my superpower is the ability to find the light in everyone. I can the see best side of people waiting to be discovered. What’s your superpower? Read more…
Sunshine Salutation July 10th, 2022
This week marks mid summer and it is HOT! Some of us might begin to feel the need to fidget and wiggle and get out of our comfort zones. Others might want to turn the AC down low and stay indoors. When the full moon hits on Wednesday this might cause a little restlessness. When you go to bed at night and feel your muscles twitch or you just cannot get comfortable, maybe it’s because you did not move your body enough during the day. Maybe you long to free your wild heart and do something unexpected. Everyone longs for a vacation and a chance to change scenery. If that is not in the cards for you this week there are other things that can help. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation July 3rd, 2022
What does Freedom mean to you? When I was young freedom meant getting to stay out late or eat what I want for dinner. (I usually wanted chips) As an adult I think more about financial freedom and what I will do when I retire. During different stages in our life we will have different definitions on what freedom means.
When I think about freedom as a yogi it expands to a whole new level. As my yoga practice became stronger I would have moments of strength and vitality. Sometimes my yoga practice makes me feel as if there is nothing I cannot do. I feel a freedom from limitations. In my aerial practice I feel freedom from gravity and it feels as if I am flying. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation June 26th, 2022
Sometimes the stars really do align. This past Thursday about 30 minutes before sunrise was the peak of a very cool planetary alignment. You can continue to see this event if you get up early enough or stay up all night for the rest of June. You can see the celestial event with the naked eye as Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn line across the sky. I had to go out and stand in the middle of the street with my coffee and take in the event. (Only one mosquito bite to report.) Read more…
Sunshine Salutation June 19th, 2022
Today we celebrate our Dads. I have been blessed with strong masculine influences in my life. Growing up my Dad was a World War II Veteran and one of the strongest, toughest people on the planet. He also was the sweetest and had a huge heart. As an adult I married a mountain of a man with the most giving and tender heart. Having these influences in my life helped me claim my own masculine energy and build a life to be proud of. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation June 12th, 2022
What do you see when you look in the mirror? As time goes on, I ask myself sometimes, is this what I look like? I remember an advertisement for Dove many years ago that had women describe themselves to portrait artists. At the same time, a stranger also described the same woman to the same artist. The portraits were so very different. The self-described picture was distorted and did not resemble the woman at all. However, the stranger’s image was more attractive and closely resembled the woman. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation June 5th, 2022
Where is your happy place? Some of us will think about our bedroom, the beach or even being with that certain someone. Can we find our happy place within ourselves?
I have often heard happiness is an inside job and I know it to be true. We look for happiness in outside factors. We think that happiness is a destination. Maybe we equate happiness to a goal or a dollar amount. As long as we search for happiness outside of ourselves we will always come up short. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation May 22nd, 2022
A big CONGRATULATIONS to our 2022 graduating Yoga Teachers! You may have seen these lovely yogis in your classes this past ten months, and last week they completed their 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification. I am so proud of each and every one of them.
At the beginning of each training, I ask the new trainees, What does yoga mean to you? Over the next ten months, they think about it, and that meaning transforms into something richer and deeper than they knew possible. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation May 15th, 2022
Where do I start this week? We are in the middle of May and so much is happening in our little community.
First let’s talk about all the crazy energy this week. If you follow the stars or not, you will notice the pull of the moon tonight. It is officially the Super Flower Blood Moon and a total lunar eclipse. It begins at 10:29 pm and full coverage is at 11:11 pm. You cannot make this stuff up. So check out the sky tonight and feel the pull of the moon.
Earlier this week I was invited on BizTV’s show Create, Build and Manage Daily. We talked about the studio and the benefits of yoga. Check it out with the YouTube link below. While you are there, subscribe to our channel and leave a comment. It would help us out and it only takes a few moments. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation May 8th, 2022
Happy Mother’s Day to everyone this Sunday. If you are a mom, have a mom or are an animal mom, it is a day to celebrate.
When I think back to the day I became a mom in 2001 it was a special day that changed me forever. You are never fully prepared for the love you feel on that day. Having your child placed in your arms for the first time changes your life. You would do anything for your children and to create a safe space for them to thrive. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation May 1st, 2022
What do we do to ourselves? And we all do it. There are days when we are very destructive to ourselves. It may be our thoughts, our habits, or the energy we surround ourselves with. We know better. Most of us realize negative patterns in our life and we plan to make a change. However, it is in small moments, that single second we make a choice or think the thought that can hold us back. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation April 24th, 2022
“There is freedom waiting for you,
On the breezes of the sky,
And you ask “What if I fall?”
Oh but my darling,
What if you fly?†e.h.
Erin Hanson has some wonderful poetry which have inspired me over the years. The words above inspired me to open the studio and are one of the reasons I took the chance. We all hear the little voice in the back of our head that can talk us out of taking a chance, making a move, or going all out into any endeavor. In times of opportunity, list all the cons and listen to all of the difficulties but then think ‘What if I fly?’ Read more…
Sunshine Salutation April 17th, 2022
Are you living life and getting by or are you L-I-V-I-N? This Easter weekend is a time to celebrate life, spring and rebirth. The past few years the world has been so focused on survival we might have forgotten to LIVE life? If you have seen the 1993 movie ‘Dazed and Confused’, which takes place in 1976, you likely heard the quote “You just gotta keep livin’ man, L-I-V-I-N”. These words sound in the back of my head when I get bogged down by the details of life, paying the bills, and doing all of the adulting I have to do every day. So, let me ask you a question. What do you do to feel ALIVE? Read more…
Sunshine Salutation April 10th, 2022
Psychology today describes confidence as “a belief in oneself, the conviction that one has the ability to meet life’s challenges and to succeed – and the willingness to act accordingly.” There is something that happens when you practice yoga consistently. You feel your body become stronger and your mind thinks clearer. You stand a little taller and can speak your mind with conviction. In aerial yoga a skill that you once struggled with becomes simple to you. These are small ways you can build your confidence. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation April 3rd, 2020
The yin and the yang live within us all. Each of us are full of light, yet we have our dark corners as well. In our yoga practice we can do a posture that is the same on both sides, yet it never feels the same on both hemispheres of the body. As we grow from infant to adult the bones and muscles develop differently. The right side of our bodies are the Sun, the heat, the yang. The left side is the Moon, the cool, the yin. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation March 27th, 2022
Hibernation is an extended period of time remaining inactive with a lower metabolic rate. The roots of the word mean to ‘pass the winter’. Winter is over! Spring has sprung! It is time to do some spring cleaning and put away all of the clutter. We know spring is the time to do cleaning around our houses but what do you do for your spirit?
As we welcome the sunshine, what are you doing for your spirit? To clear away the winter blues this week, let’s do some spring cleaning for our spirit. Make a list of the things that feed your soul and do more of that! Make a list of the things (and maybe people) that drain your energy and trim them from your everyday life. You are responsible for what you choose to spend your energy on. Choose wisely.
How do I recharge my spirit? I move my body more, which means more yoga and aerial. I also make more time for mediation. When you quiet the mind the sprit will speak to you and tell you which direction to go
Sunshine Salutation March 20th, 2022
When we practice yoga and aerial together, we create a community as well. In Sanskrit we use the word Kula to describe this connection and forming of a Tribe. Our practice builds a feeling of contentment and peace that we share with those who share this experience.
We felt thankful and blessed to have the members of our Sunshine Tribe join us for the parade. Every day we connect with each other and with ourselves through our yoga practice at the studio. If you have not been to the studio in a while, come in and connect with us, just as you are. Yoga is a practice, it does not require perfection, so if it’s your first class or your one hundredth class, we would love to share a connection with you. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation March 13th, 2022
Sometimes you get lucky but most of the time you have to make your own luck. How do you make your own luck you ask? Hard work dedication and practice play a huge role in achievement. However, mindset might be the biggest asset overall. When we know we can, we will. When we have doubt, we put obstacles in our own path. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation March 6th, 2022
“I came for the aerial (which I absolutely love), but I stayed because of the yoga. I’ve tried so many other types of workouts, but I’m always drawn back to yoga.
It wasn’t until I found Sunshine Yoga Shack that I began to truly practice yoga. Where I truly learned how transformative it can be not just for the body, but for the mind and spirit as well. I learned that yoga comes in many forms from the physical practice to meditation (one of my favorites) down to simply just breathing.”
I remember years ago the first time Te’ came into the studio for an Aerial class. I could tell she was hooked on Sunshine from the start.
Meet Te; This is her story…
Sunshine Salutation February 20th, 2022
When did life begin for you? If you think back you will see many turning points on your journey. No one knows what tomorrow will bring but watch with glistening eyes and see the magic unfold without expectations. Maybe you have been waiting to take the next big step or even make a little change. Now is the perfect time to begin something new. Get out there and do it. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation February 13th, 2022
“To me yoga means freedom. A life free of disease and depression. Yoga gave me the tools to strengthen my mind and body. I have always wanted to help people and I found my calling through teaching yoga.”
I remember the day Mallory came into the studio for the first time, in August 2018, with her beautiful family. After coming in for the first time she signed up for Yoga Teacher Training and now she is a gifted yoga teacher. Her story is one of healing and love.
Meet Mallory; this is her story…
Sunshine Salutation February 6th, 2022
Magic lives within you and all around you. It wasn’t until I practiced yoga for years that I started to see the in me. Let me tell you, once I saw and felt the magic within myself, I could see it in everyone and everything.
The word we use at the end of yoga practice,” Namaste’ “, has many different translations depending on where you look and whom you ask. However, the meaning which resonates to me the most is, “There is a divine light which resides within you, I see your light, I am honored by your light as it is the same light which resides within me. We are connected and united by this light and I bow to the light which lives in you.” The light in the word Namaste’ is that magic. You can feel it when you practice. You can feel it in the studio surrounding you. You can see it in others as they practice.
Our Jessica is full of magic and has always made me believe in unicorns and treasure at the end of every rainbow.
Meet Jessica; this is her story..
Sunshine Salutation January 30th, 2022
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” originally said by Winnie the Poo. I love this quote and it comes to mind any time I see a new yogi beginning practice for the first time.
Yoga helped me find my strength. It also helps me see how everyone has hidden depths of bravery and strength within.
When Angela came into the studio for the first time she came in with strong and big energy. She was confident in her yoga practice and we instantly fell in love with her vivacious attitude.
Meet Angela; this is her story..
Sunshine Salutation January 23rd, 2022
Yoga can give you the confidence to stand tall and be in this moment. This moment is the only place to thrive and find happiness. Find confidence in yourself and your practice this week at Sunshine.
I remember five years ago when Jennifer walked into the studio on Matlock with her mom. She went to the very back of the studio for every class. I could see and feel her need to hide. Now, Jennifer walks tall and never hides. Jennifer is unapologetic about being herself, and that is powerful. I LOVE to see her now.
Meet Jennifer; this is her story..
Sunshine Salutation January 16th 2022
Get to know our Sunshine Tribe a little better. Meet Kayla! Kayla has been at Sunshine since we started at the barn in 2016. She teaches Aerial on Sundays at 6:45 pm.
On February 1st Kayla will be 34 years old. She is lucky enough to have a beautiful 7-year-old daughter, an incredibly supportive boyfriend, and his teenage son. They have a chihuahua and an Alaskan Malamute who are both 11 years old. Kayla works for a cybersecurity company and teaches yoga on the weekends. She was born with Congenital heart disease which has been a continuous battle throughout her life. This is her story…
Sunshine Salutation January 9th 2022
You have to earn it! What are you working towards? This life is an amazing ride and we can all be working towards a goal or aimlessly floating in space. Do you have a destination in mind? Maybe it’s time to refocus and begin a new path in your life.
Over the next few weeks, our Sunshine Salutation will highlight a Teacher at the studio. Get to know us a little better and see where we are on our path. To start us off, a little bit about me. Meet Lynn…
Sunshine Salutation January 2nd, 2022
Are you ready? 2022 is here. What will you do with it? Start today with a clean slate, a blank page to write your hopes and dreams. Many people start the year with big resolutions to change their life. Instead of an overhaul, find something simple and small you can change. Wake up a little earlier or decide to move your body more. I have the same resolution every year, and it works great for me. Do a little better than I did last year. Put more energy into my efforts today, and tomorrow I will reap the rewards. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation December 26th, 2021
Feeling festive this week and hoping everyone is merry and bright after a wonderful holiday. This is the last week of 2021 and a wonderful time to look back and reflect on the past year. As you reflect, start with the highlights and the great things that happened in 2021. As we count our blessings we will watch them grow. Then turn your attention to 2022 and what you would like to accomplish. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation December 19th, 2021
No matter how you celebrate the holidays, the week leading up to Christmas has people full of holiday cheer. Spending time with family and friends is the spice of life and everyone from the studio is sending our yoga family all the love of the season. We have a special class Friday with Jessica in honor of Christmas eve and we will be closed on Christmas day. Read more…
Sunshine Salutation August 29th, 2021
Find your inner COMPASS as we explore Satya or Truthfulness at the Studio this week. Over the years learning how to be an adult in this world is hard and a challenge. One thing I find necessary in life is being real. Yoga has helped me peel the different layers of myself so I found my true north. When I follow that path nothing can hold me back. Join me in classes this week to get back on your true path or just for a little practice.
Sunshine Salutation August 22nd, 2021
Let me tell you a secret… You are stronger than you know. Deep within yourself, there is a power many have never had to use before but it is there. We all face challenges in this life and we have the opportunity to rise up and accept the challenge or we can shrink back. The choice is yours.
Sunshine Salutation August 15th, 2021
So many are ready for school this week and others continue the daily grind. Let’s get back to a new routine and get back to our yoga practice. To help get started we will offer a FREE yoga or aerial class at the studio. Anyone can use the discount code STARTNOW. Simply book your class and enter the code at check out. Check out our pose of the week when you need to slow down this week.
As school and Teacher Training start this week I will be discussing Ahisma nonviolence and non-harming. This is the first of the Yamas and the first step on our journey through the eight limbs of yoga. Of course, we do no harm to others but what do we do to ourselves?
Sunshine Salutation August 8th, 2021
Tonight is the new moon and an excellent time to start something new. Mansfield Schools start in 10 days’ time and our 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training begins in 13 days. Maybe you have been too busy to start something for yourself. There is no better time than today. Right now!
A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Take that step today. Set your intention on something new or maybe return to something you have been missing.
Sunshine Salutation August 1st, 2021
Sunshine Salutation, Job Well Done! The Tribe and I feel great pride in the experience we offer you with every visit to the studio. Every teacher at the studio cultivates a new class every time they teach. We want you to have the BEST experience and we want you to feel accomplished after each class you take.
I know for myself when I feel accomplished I feel a sense of pride and happiness. Whatever endeavor I attempt even if I don’t master the task at hand, trying something new is an accomplishment of its own.
What makes you feel accomplished? It could be completing a yoga or aerial practice, preparing a healthy meal, rocking at your job, or spending quality time with a loved one. When we accomplish we raise our vibration and create harmony.
Sunshine Salutation July 25th, 2021
How is your summer so far? Are you enjoying every moment or are you letting it slip by without taking time to enjoy the sweetness of life?
I was fortunate enough to start my yoga journey when my children were babies. The oldest is now 20 and I can tell you from my heart, I enjoyed every moment. The challenges and the joys of every small detail. It goes so fast. Just like summer. Sometimes I feel outside of my body and I get to watch all of the beauty to sear it in my memory.
This is the act of mindfulness. Taking time to sense and feel life instead of staying in our mind to only focus on each task we are given. Yoga is a mindful practice and helps train your brain on how to be mindful.
Sunshine Salutation July 18th, 2021
You might have noticed the heat. Well, Summer is Pitta Season. If you study the science of Ayurveda you know Pitta is the body type or constitution for FIRE. If you live in a home and someone who always wants the air set on artic, they are probably Pitta dosha.
Our Doshas help us understand the body’s rhythm and guide us to find balance in our everyday life. We study Ayurveda (the sister science to yoga) in Yoga Teacher Training’s November module.
