Lotus Leaf Yoga LLC

At Lotus Leaf, we started the year talking about Pantajali's Eight Limbs of Yoga, starting with the Yamas. Specifically, we have been talking Ahimsa. This first Yama speaks to non-violence and non-harming. A lot of people think Ahimsa means you have to be a vegetarian or vegan. No. It is so much more than that.

Practicing Ahimsa gives us the opportunity to rid ourselves of hostility, hatred, negative thoughts, anger, etc. Essentially anything that is not nice and/or unkind. Toward others but also toward ourselves.

In my family, we practiced ahimsa but didn't know it was called that. If anyone said anything negative about themselves ("I am so stupid.") we called them out on it and then they had to say at least two positive things about themselves. I remember my mom's number one positive thought was "Well, I have pretty blue eyes." She really did.

My friends have heard me ask them to say two positive things about themselves if I hear them say unkind, negative words against themselves. In these moments, I am trying to practice Ahimsa while helping my friends see what I see - how utterly extraordinary they are.

So as we travel through this week, let's give ourselves a break from the anger and hostility and negative thoughts. Toward others AND toward ourselves. Let's be kind. And allow ourselves to find a state of peacefulness. If only for a moment.

Let's practice Ahimsa and see where that leads us.

Namaste, my friends.

A Beginner's Guide to the Yamas and Niyamas Yoga is more than bending, breathing, and meditating. These core principles of can help you expand your understanding of yoga and yourself.

Happy New Year from Lotus Leaf Yoga ! We hope your holidays were full of family and friends who knew when it was time to head home interspersed with love, laughter, and happiness.

We look forward to practicing with you in 2023. Our doors are open wide providing a safe and nurturing environment to explore your yogic journey.


Where: Everts Center, 129 Mill St, Circleville, OH 43113 (enter through the double doors on Court St)

When: Tuesday and Thursday beginning at 4:30 pm. Classes usually last a little over an hour.

Cost: $15.00 per class. Monthly options available.

I recommend bringing one or two yoga mats and two blocks.

If you have thought about yoga, consider giving us a try.

We look forward to seeing you on the mat !

Tomi

Just a reminder ................

Lotus Leaf Yoga LLC will be at Everts Center this week on Tuesday and Thursday. Class begins around 4:40 and runs about an hour.

Hope to see you on the mat.

Taking a few minutes each day to breathe, really breathe, helps reduce the stress that comes with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. It really does.

Oh, and for me ...................... chocolate !! 😁

How about you ?????

It's beginning to look a lot like the holidays !

Camel Pose, Deconstructed: 9 Exercises to Access Expansion in This Posture Trina Altman demonstrates how her Yoga Deconstructed method can be used to access your expansion in Ustrasana (Camel Pose).

I saw this post and read it several times before I decided to share it. It made me think of all my friends, past and present, who have waited for me to catch up to the sound of their bell. Bless each and every one of you.

"Just up the road from my home is a field with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing.

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.

If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.

As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray.

When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those whom life places in our lives. Other times, we are the guide horse, helping others see the way.

Good friends are like this. You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

Please listen for my bell, and I'll listen for yours."

- Author Unknown

Peace and love, my friends.

I don't often share things like this but this I wanted to share.

About this time last year, I signed up for a virtual running challenge. The challenge was (officially) to run 2,022 miles in 2022. Ok, that's A LOT of miles for this ol' body so I modified the challenge for me. (Yogi's choice !) Make it hard enough that I had to work to accomplish it but easy enough that I could see an end to my efforts. My goal was run/walk 1,000 miles in 2022.

Yesterday, November 13, 2022, I completed my 1,000 miles. 6 weeks ahead of schedule ! And almost every mile was run or walked with this pup by my side. Many days he was the only reason I put my running shoes on and went outside. Hot summer days. Cold, snowy winter days. And some days we got caught in the rain and came home soaked.

I'm sharing this because ........................

We are all capable of doing amazing things beyond our wildest imagination. Some days it just takes a good friend to urge you to put on your running shoes.

Peace and love everyone. Peace and love ........................

Thanks to everyone who has joined us at Everts Center for a gentle yoga class on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 - 6:00 pm. We have been catching up with each other and remembering why we love our yoga practice.

Thinking about yoga? Come see what Lotus Leaf Yoga has to offer. We'd love to see you.

When: Tuesday and Thursday

Time: 4:30 - 6:00 pm. (The actual yoga class is about an hour in length and we begin about 4:40 pm)

Where: Everts Center, 127 Mill St, Circleville, OH (You can park on S Court St and enter through the double doors on S Court St)

Cost: $15.00 per class (Cash, Check, Venmo accepted)

I recommend bringing one or two mats and two blocks.

Come join us and see how yoga can transform your life !

Thank you everyone who joined us at Everts Center last Tuesday and Thursday for an hour of a gentle yoga flow. It was great practicing with everyone and I loved being around the laughter, love, and friendship again.

If you're interested in beginning a yoga practice for the first time or coming back after a time away, you are welcome at Lotus Leaf Yoga.

Days: Tuesday and Thursday
Time: 4:30 - 6:00 PM. The practice runs about an hour.
Location: Everts Center, 127 Mill St, Circleville, OH. (Enter through the double doors off of S. Court St).
Cost: $15 per class

I would suggest bringing one to two mats and two blocks.

Hope to see everyone again next week !

Namaste.

Just a reminder ...................

Lotus Leaf Yoga will be guiding yoga classes again beginning Tuesday, November 1, 2022, and continuing each Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 - 6:00 PM.

The location of our class is Everts Center at 127 Mill Street, Circleville, OH. (For those of you who have been in Circleville a while, it is part of the old Everts Middle School, across the street from the Dairy Queen. It's the one-story building that houses the basketball court.) We can enter Everts Center through the Court Street double doors.

I suggest bringing two yoga mats (the floor is not carpeted) and two yoga blocks. For those of you who have practiced with me before, you know how much I love my yoga blocks!!! You can find mats and blocks at Walmart or Five Below on Bridge Street in Chillicothe.

Cost of each class is $15.00 per class and can be paid by cash, check, or Venmo.

Think about it. Our classes are inclusive, motivating, and fun. I look forward to meeting everyone and joining you on your journey.

Now is the time to be good to yourself.

Wonderful and exciting news !!!!

Lotus Leaf Yoga will resume teaching yoga beginning Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at Everts Center, 127 Mill Street, Circleville, OH !!! Additional details below.

Days: Tuesday and Thursday

Times: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Location: Everts Center, 127 Mill Street, Circleville, OH

Cost: $15.00 / class

If you've ever wondered whether yoga was something you'd like, give us a try. We are very inclusive and can modify poses to any level of practice.

Questions? Feel free to call Tomi (614) 306-7715.

Check out and follow the Everts Center page ! See the amazing renovations being made to this iconic historical piece of Circleville's educational history.

Exciting news is in the works for my fellow yogis. Stay tuned to Lotus Leaf Yoga for upcoming announcements on new classes.

The feel of fall is in the air ! Crisp, cool mornings. Warmer afternoons. The feel of the warm sun on our faces. Apple cider and pumpkin doughnuts. Does it get any better than this?