Dancing Mind Yoga

Kristen Hendricks
Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga Teacher

www.dancingmindyoga.com

Dancing Mind Yoga is an affiliate Baptiste studio located in Falls Church, VA

Kristen’s schedule
Sundays, 9:30-11am
Mondays & Wednesdays, 4:30-5:45pm
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6pm-7:30pm + Basics, 7:45pm-9:15pm

What motivates you to practice today? 
I am motivated to practice because of the tremendous growth I have received- physically, mentally and emotionally- throughout my consistent yoga practice during the last two years.  I used to walk with my head hung low, eyes down to the ground, afraid to make eye contact with the world around me.  Every time I practice I feel like my eyes are opened and I see the world differently than I did before.

What effect has yoga had on your students? 
One of my students in particular, a man in his fifties, has lost 40 pounds.  Another student has decided to stop using prescription pills.  Yoga has inspired my students to see the world differently and be the change that they want to see in the world.

What do you enjoy most about the yoga community in Virginia? 
My Virginia yoga community is like a second family.  I have hundreds of brothers and sisters willing to support me and cheer me on in life.

If you are offering karma classes, how/why did you choose the charity? 
People for Haiti is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing long-term support for the people devastated by the Haitian earthquake of 2010. Made up of volunteers, People for Haiti is a group of concerned citizens who donate their time, expertise, and money to getting aid on the ground, to directly impact the people of Haiti. Dancing Mind Yoga established a weekly Community Class as a way to directly support the efforts of People for Haiti and make yoga available to students of all economic levels. Price for the class, on 6/17 at 6pm, is $10.00, and all proceeds are donated to the People for Haiti Foundation.

The DMY community is a “BADASS”, rocking, loving, nurturing community.  We offer classes, workshops, private sessions, massage and acupuncture.  There is something for everyone!

Check out the class offerings from Dancing Mind Yoga during Virginia Yoga Week!

River’s Edge Yoga

Margaret Townsend
Owner, River’s Edge Yoga
Founder, Virginia Yoga Week

www.ashtangadancer.com/riversedgehome
Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Mysore, Bellydance
Silver Sage, Yoga Mom Yoga Baby

” No man can step into the same river twice, he is not the same man and it is not the same river”
Hereclitis

What motivates you to practice today?
There are days when the first breath is a challenge, the bed beckons, 5 am comes early  and yet I come to the mat, take the breath and move forward into the day. The quote above inspires me everyday as I come to the mat. Life is ever changing, yoga is ever constant. A friend, at times a nag, but always a faithful friend.

What effect has yoga had on your students?
Students  often come to the mat weary, stressed from the day to day of life, work, commuting, or past injury. New students are often tentative as they step into the studio for that first class, but as they take their spot on the mat, take the first breath, find their bodies, calm the monkey mind, the aches and pains, stress and mental chatter begin to slip away. The sound of the breath becomes steady and rhythmic, their journey begins. I am honored to be a part of their journey to balance, calm and peace.

If you are offering karma classes, how/why did you choose the charity?
Karma classes are a part of the core philosophy at the studio. The choice  for Virginia Yoga Week was hard as so many folks are doing such good work. I serve on the board of YoKid and see the great work that the organization provides for children who might never have the chance to experience the benefits of practice, for their bodies, their minds and their spirits. The Exalted Warrior Foundation inspires me with it’s work with those coming home after acts of great courage and sacrifice. The work of Annie Okerlin, and all involved with the Exalted Warrior Foundation, is true compassion in action. My choice of Mid Atlantic Pug Rescue was  an easy one;  life was made much brighter by the friendship of a rescue pug named Charlotte who shared the mat with me as we taught yogis at Senior Centers throughout the area.

What do you enjoy most about the yoga community in Virginia?
I have been blessed to work with many studios, teachers, and yogis over the past several years sinc founding VYW and I am eternally touched by the generosity of spirit within the Virginia Yoga community. My awareness of the generosity of spirit within the community inspires me in my work at River’s Edge as I work to create a cozy, green space where all feel welcome to come in and play.

River’s Edge is located in Old Town North within two blocks of the water front with  easy parking and a great community of yogis. I invite all  to come visit us at the River.

Check out the class offerings from River’s Edge Yoga during Virginia Yoga Week!

Tranquil Space Arlington

Mary Catherine Starr
Studio Manager & Teacher

www.tranquilspace.com 

Vinyasa Yoga, Yin, Restorative, Yoga + Meditation
Baby + Me & Prenatal yoga

What effect has yoga had on your students?
Although it varies for each student because yoga is such an individual, personal practice, we often receive feedback about how yoga has helped our students to ease stress, cultivate mindfulness, and increase body awareness, flexibility, and strength. Our students typically start practicing for the physical or mental benefits of yoga, but often find that the practice goes much deeper for them once they begin to make it a regular part of their daily life.

If you are offering karma classes, how/why did you choose the charity?
Our karma class will benefit the Tranquil Space Foundation, an organization that we chose because it is closely linked to our studio and it represents our core values of initiative, passion, community, creativity, and compassion. The Tranquil Space Foundation focuses on expanding opportunities for girls and women to develop their inner voice through yoga, creativity, and leadership activities. Its signature program, TranquilTeens, provides workshops for girls in grades 9-12 through partnerships with schools and community organizations. Tranquil Space Foundation also contributes to programs and organizations aligned with its mission. Learn more about the Tranquil Space Foundation and get involved at tranquilspacefoundation.org!

What do you enjoy most about the yoga community in Virginia?
The yoga community in Virginia is very dedicated, compassionate, fun-loving, and giving. It has been exciting to grow with the Arlington yoga community over the past few years, and we feel honored to be a part of it. 

We are conveniently located one block from the Virginia Square Metro at 3528 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201. Our entrance is near the back of the building. There is plenty of free street parking and an adjacent lot exclusively for our students. We hope to see you soon!

Check out the class offerings from Tranquil Space Arlington during Virginia Yoga Week!

Nanda Bondade and Maureen Clyne, Independent Teachers

Nanda Bondade, E-RYT 500 certified teacher
www.yoginanda.com
Iyengar based yoga teacher for adults and children 

Teaches at Durga Temple & Lee District Rec Center
Sunday kids classes at Durga Temple are FREE
Contact info: yoginanda [at] yahoo [dot] com

What motivates you to practice today?
I enjoy my practice every morning. Learning new asanas, discovering deeper meaning in every pose and the curiosity of where my practice will lead me today. I feel rejuvenated after my practice.

What effect has yoga had on your students?
Improvement in health and well being of my students, friendship with like minded yogi/yoginis. Children learn new poses, develop strength and flexibility, they also learn Sanskrit names, yoga games, and stories.

If you are offering karma classes, how/why did you choose the charity?
I have been supporting ‘Chaitanya Child Welfare Trust’, a schools for underserved children in rural area near Bangalore, India.  The school started with 1^st and 2^nd grade classes with plans to expand it to 6^th grade. It is a very well organized school, managed by a group of dedicated people. I love children and this is a great way to help kids who will be able to go to school and have a better future.

What do you enjoy most about the yoga community in Virginia?
There are a lot of great studios in the area and they provide a variety of yoga classes. It is great to be able to attend workshops from the leading yoga teachers right here in VA. Virginia Yoga Week is also an opportunity to meet fellow yogi/yoginis and exchange ideas and learn from each other.

Check out the class offerings from Nanda Bondade during Virginia Yoga Week!

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Maureen Clyne, Founder and Owner
Prasada Yoga/Prasada Presents
www.prasadayoga.com

Teaches at LA Fitness
Private sessions, Kirtans, Special Events, Teacher Trainings
Contact Info: yoga [at] prasadayoga [dot] com

What motivates you to practice today?
Nourish my body
Still my mind
Feed my soul

What effect has yoga had on your students? 
Inspiration. “I am absolutely inspired by your teaching… The discussions we’ve had have changed everything about the way I practice asanas and think about yoga!” – student of Maureen Clyne

If you are offering karma classes, how/why did you choose the charity?
Exalted Warriors: Our country’s Warriors manifest the ultimate Karma yoga by choosing what is often a deadly – or near deadly – path of selfless service out of a sense of duty and passion.  Supporting yoga to help wounded warriors heal is my humble thanks to the gifts and sacrifices they’ve offered on our behalf.

What do you enjoy most about the yoga community in Virginia?
Fun, compassion, support.

Since 1997, Maureen has taught group classes at yoga studios, fitness centers, retreat centers and has collaborated with wellness practitioners.  In her yoga philosophy trainings, Maureen  inspires her students to integrate yoga’s rich teachings into their daily lives.  Find the balance between active practice and reflection, between effort and grace – the essence of Hatha-Yoga.  Whether or not you can touch your toes or stand on your head, take your practice to a deeper level with Maureen.  For private session, contact Maureen!

Maureen has promoted over 40 kirtans, workshops and special events for nationally and internationally renowned Kirtan wallahs and yoga masters.  Artists and teachers include Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, Wah!, David Newman/Durga Das, Sharon Salzberg, Sharon Gannon, Keshavacharya Das, Benjy and Heather Wertheimer and more.  Her teacher trainings topics include Yoga history, philosophy, esoteric practices, spiritual texts, and Indian deities.

Check out the class offerings from Maureen Clyne during Virginia Yoga Week!

Pies Fitness

Staff Members @ Pies Fitness

Marsha D. Banks Harold, Owner
www.piesfitnessyoga.com

PIES=Physical, Intellectual, Emotional & Spiritual

What classes do you teach?
PIES Fitness offers a variety of Yoga Classes: Hot Yoga, Flow Yoga, Senior Yoga, Kids Yoga, and Spiritual Yoga.  In addition, we offer a Community Yoga Class on Sundays (1^st Sunday of each month is FREE and every other Sunday is only $5).  We also offer Cardio Classes: Boot Camp and Kick Boxing.  And, we offer Dance Classes:  Zumba and Belly Dancing. 

What motivates you to practice today?
My motivation to practice today is simple-I just can’t live without Yoga!  As a biological mother of two sons, ages 7 and 12, a legal guardian of two additional sons, ages 7 and 11, a husband, a full-time job as an Electrical Engineer, and the owner of PIES Fitness Yoga Studio, I must practice in order to stay balanced and centered.  The PEACE that I receive from daily practice allows me to be at my best in all aspects of my life.

What effect has yoga had on your students?
Yoga at PIES Fitness has helped so many students to learn how to be at peace in all aspects of their lives.  PIES Fitness students are constantly sharing how Yoga has positively changed their lives.  The students rave about the community that exists at PIES Fitness.  

If you are offering karma classes, how/why did you choose the charity? 
All of the classes at PIES Fitness are karma classes as the proceeds are used to provide for the day-to-day living expenses of the two sons in which my husband and I serve as legal guardians.  We chose to become legal guardians to these kids because their grandmother (our biological kids babysitter of 9 years), who had custody of them, passed away suddenly three years ago.  Their grandmother was an awesome role model in terms of helping anyone that had a need.  PIES Fitness exists in her honor. 

What do you enjoy most about the yoga community in Virginia? 
I most enjoy the fact that there are so many types of yoga to choose from.  There is so much yoga to choose from that everyone is able to choose the environment that best suits their needs.  This so cool!

PIES Fitness prides itself in being a patient and community oriented studio open to all skill levels.  We would love to have you join us for some awesome classes.  Namaste!

Check out the class offerings from Pies Fitness during Virginia Yoga Week!

Soaring Spirit Yoga Studio

Nancy Talley, Owner
Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, Hatha
www.soaringspirityogastudio.com

What motivates you to practice today?
The ever-changing journey that a yoga practice takes me on is what motivates me to get onto my mat.

What effect has yoga had on your students?
If my students enter the studio with stress, it is my hope they leave feeling refreshed and more balanced. I love guiding them to begin the transformation of themselves.

If you are offering karma classes, how/why did you choose the charity?
I do not buy animals, but rather adopt animals in need. When one of my instructors came up with the idea of a karma class for the Last Chance Animal Rescue, it was a natural choice.

What do you enjoy most about the yoga community in Virginia?
We have such an eclectic mixture of folks, all ages from all over the country with different backgrounds. Our community is a diverse cross section of our beautiful country.

We are not pretentious or fussy – come as you are and enjoy a great class. I try to make SSYS a studio that feels personal and fosters an environment of love and appreciation for yoga practice. We live in a difficult time and yoga gives us the opportunity to remember what we are grateful for as we go about our busy lives. Yoga allows us to slow down, to be in the moment and embrace the quiet joy of knowing that we have everything we need to be joyful, radiant and alive and that the rest are the wondrous gifts of life. I feel gratitude for having this small space to share with our community. When we stop reaching for what we believe makes us happy and we let go of the illusion of thinking happiness comes from something outside of ourselves we can experience heaven on earth.

Check out Soaring Spirit’s class offerings during Virginia Yoga Week!

Hot Off The Presses!

Our gorgeous poster courtesy of Marissa Chapman!

See it here:  Virginia Yoga Week poster 2011

80 Classes!

That’s right, 80 FREE, $5, and karma (donation-based) classes for you to enjoy during Virginia Yoga Week 2011.  To view all the offerings see our events page.  Like to add your events to Virginia Yoga Week?  Just visit our Join page!

Are You On Our Mailing List?

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We Love Our Sponsors!

Check out the fabulous sponsors of Virginia Yoga Week on our Sponsors page! We are so grateful for their support. If you’d like to help provide health and wellness through yoga to the Virginia community, and be involved in the VYW Karma Project, please download our sponsorship form.