BLOGS

What got you into yoga?

After struggling with addictions for many years, I joined a recovery program and achieved sobriety. As a result I gained a sense of well-being and some clarity of mind. But I was still misssing some sort of connection or belonging until yoga found its way into my life. It gave me purpose. Read more

I don't know about you, but any excuse to eat cookies is welcomed. This is a favorite of mine and my family's. Who could have Christmas without baking cookies? I recommend using Black-strap molasses, because it has lots of nutritional value as a great source of calcium and iron. Read more

Share the love this Valentine's Day with a recipe that is sure to please. This creamy soup is brimming with healing anxtioxidant rich properties. Beta-carotene contained in carrots, which in our bodies then converts to Vitamin A, helps to strengthen the immune system and is a great cleanser for the body.  Also, if your feeling the effects of winter weather and are in need of some comfort and healing,  ginger is an aid in soothing common cold syptoms.

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Yoga Mix on Fridays @ 6-7:30PM; Regular group prices and passes

Yoga Mix is a regular group class with a different teacher and theme each week. Mix it up for maximum mental, emotional and physical well-being. Read more

I couldn't resist sharing this recipe as I have been inspired to cook for the first time since spring. Cool nights and mornings have put me in the mood for chili and this happens to be the best chili I've ever eaten...and it's vegan! Read more

What got you into Yoga?

In the early 90's, I was living on our sailboat in St. Maarten. With not a lot of space for stretching and exercising, I looked to fellow sailors in the anchorage. A woman who had been a teacher at the Kripalu Center was anxious to get a class together. We rounded up about 7 students and bartered a practice space in a local restaurant. We practiced four days a week from 7am to 8:30. It was such a wonderful experience that I was hooked. Read more

Yoga Village is growing by leaps and bounds. We have two new affiliate locations in Saint Petersburg at Sunken Gardens and Unity Campus. All our members will be able to use their memberships or class passes to attend any class on the schedule. Click here for info on our memberships. Sunken Gardens classes are ready now and Unity classes will be on January 2. Read more

Sunder's classic Southern side was a hit at our Friday gathering on September 30. We know you'll enjoy it as much as we did.

2 cups of dried Black-Eyed Peas, cooked then water drained off
1 Red Bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 large jalapeno, minced
3/4 bunch of Cilantro, chopped
Juice of 3 or 4 limes
Braggs and Tabasco to taste
Stir together serve room temp or chilled. Read more

By Kerry Porter Wills

Yoga has come to mean many things to many people. Our growing numbers attest to the growing interest of mainstream America. We are showing up for group classes in studios and gyms by the millions. We are buying videos, props, Eco-friendly mats and snazzy yoga pants. We want a yoga body and a yoga mind. We want our lives to live up to the glowing reviews of yoga professed by celebrities and renowned gurus. Read more

2 Shallots, thinly sliced

2 Cans chick peas (garbanzo beans), drianed and rinsed

1 Can of artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1 TBL coconut oil

1 TBL chopped fresh rosemary

Juice from 1 lemon

1/4 cup of sundried tomatoes

1 large roasted red pepper, diced

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These days the whole family can play yoga together. Many yogi bambinos have been practicing yoga from conception. Women are using yoga to stay healthy in pregnancy and recover from childbirth, making yoga play dates at local studios with their toddlers and graduating them to kids yoga classes by preschool.

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A kriya is a sequence of physical exercises, combined with breath work, sound and meditation that produces an intended result. The Sanskrit word means "action, deed or effort" and most commonly refers to a "completed action" meant to achieve a specific result. Read more

Yoga is a non-competitive activity which one can pursue throughout life and its stages. However, to pick up a Yoga Journal or walk into your average Power Yoga class, many students get the impression that one must already be flexible and strong to practice. Read more

A local blog writer, Terri Carr, and client at Yoga Village sent us this link to her recent post. She attended Lisa's Tuesday class and wrote a complimentary piece about both Lisa and our studio. Check it out here.

Anyone who has been to Yoga Village when a Kundalini class is going on has seen the teacher and some of the students wearing white clothing and/or wearing a turban or head covering. It might look a little strange, but there’s a science behind it.

Why wear white in Kundalini Yoga?

It’s simple: the color white expands a person’s aura, or the electromagnetic field that surrounds every one of us. When our aura is big – we can expand it up to nine feet – we feel strong, balanced, grounded and radiant, and can more easily handle the challenges of our daily lives with neutrality, peace and calm.

When our aura is small, we feel depressed, weak, off-center and ineffective. It is believed that a strong aura can also help to protect us from diseases. Read more

Why does practicing yoga makes us feel less stressed, not only for the rest of the day but sometimes for the rest of the week? Scientists are finding that yoga asanas, or postures, actually help to reduce the stress hormones that are produced by the adrenal glands, including epinephrine and norepinephrine. According to WebMD, yoga also helps the body produce oxytocin, known as the “love hormone” since it builds trust and bond with each other.  Read the article here. Read more

Our Yoga studio has been vandalized on three separate occasions. All of the attacks happened recently. At least one of the incidents seems to have been directed at a single individual; it may be that all three were. We have notified the police and filed an official report. Read more

“Revolve your life around summer and winter solstice and everything will be taken care of.” -Yogi Bhajan

The summer and winter solstices are highly regarded within the Kundalini tradition. Here's a few fun facts about the solstices which have been the cause for celebrations in many cultures across the span of human history. Read more

What got you into Yoga?

Like many others, injury brought me to yoga. I was an avid tennis player, runner and 'over' trainer.  I was reluctant to try yoga and decided to try it out of frustration. My injury was preventing me from normal, everyday function and my usual fitness routine, so I went to a class.

I knew after one practice I had found just what my body needed to heal and then stay healthy. It was like I found home. Read more

I want to personally thank the community for all the support we received regarding the past incidents of vandalism at Yoga Village. We have taken extra precautions to secure the facility and we will implement additional measures based on your suggestions in the next few weeks. We have also filed a police report, and are ready to press charges if this happens again. Of course, we prefer that the person responsible for acting out violently and damaging our property will find peace and simply move on. 

Sat Nam,

Jamie (Sunder) Luber Read more

Life will always challenge us with financial strains, physical illness, job changes and family issues. Maintaining a regular yoga practice helps build the reserves we need to stay present and calm through these challenges. With the new, lower prices at Yoga Village, it’s easier to begin or maintain a regular yoga practice. Read more

Sautéed onions and peppers tossed with seitan, spices, and chopped cilantro makes a vitamin C–boosting supper that the whole family will love. Serve with salsa and guacamole. Read more

Deepening Your Connection to Your Soul

The primary focus of Kundalini Yoga meditations is to clear the subconcious mind. There are thousands of meditations passed down from Yogi Bhajan on all manner of life situations, health conditions and general habits worthy of cultivation or resolution. Read more

Spring seems to bustle with business and beaming good weather. Who wants to be in the kitchen over a hot stove? Serve this delicious, grilled sandwich with a side of your favorite healthy chips or fresh salad. Read more

What got you into yoga?

When I was 15 I became interested in natural health, world religions, spirituality—that type of stuff. Naturally, yoga fell into those categories. Some friends and I would practice yoga postures in the living room, outside, or wherever we happened to be hanging out. Read more

"I've been invited to many book group meetings, but never have I experienced
such a delightful gathering of souls coming together to share the joys of
deep soul writing. The food was incredible. The people were delightful. The
space was beautiful. I need to hurry up and write another book so I can be
invited back!" --Janet Connor Read more

What got you into yoga?

In Haifa, Israel at a young age, I would watch my mother teach yoga classes in our living room. It had large windows overlooking pine forests and the Mediterranean Sea. Mother would assemble her students, teaching them with the belief that their improved physical health and well-being would come about by their practicing yogic breathing and exercise. Read more

The Fallout of Bad Posture

Poor posture, slouching and slumping cause our bodies to absorb the daily stress of poor body mechanics. These stressors can result in muscle spasms, spinal misalignment and pain.

The discs or cartilage between our vertebrae give our spine the flexibility to perform tasks. Repeated misaligned movements, however, make it easy for our vertebrae to settle into unwanted positions which tug on the muscles. Even small shifts in spinal alignment can cause big pain. Read more

Compassionate Prayer

Our heart goes out to the victims of the earthquake in Japan. It is sometimes difficult to know how to react, what to do, how to feel when something of this magnitude happens in our global community. Yoga Bhajan encouraged us to meditate to keep our spirits aligned in the powerful projection of prayer and healing. Strengthen your nervous system and connect with your breath, as well as the power of healing within you with this meditation offered as a free download on Spirit Voyage. Read more

"Thank you for taking time for you today" is a frequent remark my yoga instructor makes. Giving yourself the gift of a yoga practice is an act of love. Yoga impacts each yogi in an individual way, but there are also many universal benefits.

1. Blood Pressure- Increased circulation and oxygenation of the body through a consistent yoga practice decreases blood pressure. Read more

Continuing our discussion of Kundalini attire, we'll advance the topic of white clothing which is commonly worn by teachers and students. This will require your familiarity with the concept of an aura. Read more

What got you into Yoga?

I first began practicing yoga when I was in college as a way to relieve stress and stay flexible as a runner. My current practice really began when I was pregnant with my first baby and I started to practice pre-natal yoga with Linda Wilkerson. Read more

Dear Community,

Wade, Nicole and Brendan Lane are in need of our help. They are dealing with some health issues while caring for their newborn premature son, Adam. Read more

By Dana Layon

What Does Yoga Mean?

Ok, I know that yoga means union; Om is the sound of Oneness; when we practice we release judgment and expectation; and all yoga styles are born on the same principle of uniting with the Divinity within. Am I missing anything? Read more

Diana Jones in Concert

Thursday, December 2 @ 7PM

Click here to purchase your tickets!

With the release of “My Remembrance of You” in 2006, Diana Jones found her voice and emerged as a major figure in Americana music. Two of the songs were covered by some of the nation's most recognizable folk artists--Joan Baez and Gretchen Peters.

Diana’s lyrics tells stories with the hypnotic repetition and speech of old-time Appalachia .

“I’m constantly interested in other people's stories,” said Diana. “It’s an interesting thing for me to approach my own internal landscape through other people's stories.  It gives me a way to express my emotions in a bigger, more interesting way.” Read more

A Tradition of Service

For dedicated Yoga practitioners, and kind people everywhere, a life of service is the most rational way to leave this world a better place than they found it.

"One of the easiest ways to help ourselves is to help another," said Linda Wilkerson, co-owner of Yoga Village. "As we deepen our practice we naturally want to give back." Read more

Tres Colores Veggie Salad

1 c peeled sweet potato chunks, boiled until tender/firm

2 c broccoli florets, lightly steamed

1 c cherry tomatoes, sliced in half Read more

Leave comments HERE about your concert experience!

Celebrating Peace in Song

Snatam Kaur returned to Clearwater on her 'Celebrating Peace' Tour on October 1. She is known for her crystalline voice and for bringing ancient mantra's to modern audiences. Most of the songs are done in kirtan, call and response. She encourages audience participation and may even lead the audience through a round of breath of fire, a powerful pranayama from the Kundalini Yoga tradition. GuruGanesha played guitar and Ramesh played percussion.  Read more

What got you into Yoga?

I became aware of yoga in the late 1970's, around the time I began a conscious spiritual journey, which includes regular prayer and meditation. Read more

The Power of Voice

If you have ever found yourself lost in the lyrics of a familiar song, singing to your heart's content as you ride idle in a traffic jam, then you've entered the world of kirtan, albeit by metaphor. Read more

What got you into yoga? When Where Why?

I took my first Kundalini Yoga class at a local gym in Clearwater back in September of 2000. I had just received my degree in Business Management from Eckerd College and was starting on my efforts to quit smoking after almost 30 years. I was keeping a promise I made to my younger sister to become a nonsmoker. Read more

In Yoga, commitment is the difference between success and failure. Here is a list of three commitments that will put you on the path to success. Read more

Respond Now to Wildlife Response Team

Who: Save Our Seabirds Oiled Wildlife Response Team

What: Urgent Request for copy paper, heavy duty trash bags, coolers, heavy duty latex gloves, gas gift cards for rescuers, large/deep fishing nets, laptop, sunscreen, gift cards from Lowes, Home Depot and Wal-Mart, lawnmower and cash donations. We DO NOT need Pepto or Dawn; our wish list changes weekly. You can check our website for an weekly updated list. A tax deductible IRS letter is available.

Yoga Village will now accept your donations and deliver them to the Response Team. Read more

What got you into yoga? When, Where, Why?

I came to Yoga as a recreational athlete looking for flexibility, and the breathing made lots of sense. As I practiced, I learned and realized how much more Yoga could offer. Read more

By Becky Boyle

I recently travelled to Lost River, West Virginia to visit my friend, Margo Pfleger. Margo spends winter weeks in Safety Harbor and started attending my classes last year. After class, we talked about her mountain home, my love of the mountains and her desire to practice Yoga with others. Read more

This is my kids' favorite food, hands down!

1c whole wheat cous-cous

pasta (use shell pasta to make it authentic seashells in the sand, but any shape works well)

corn kernals (fresh or frozen)

butter/margerine

salt/pepper Read more

Hopefully not, but it will increase the size of your brain.

Several years ago, researchers at Yale, Harvard and MIT (no shortage of brains there) scanned the brains of experienced meditators and found it increased thickness in parts of the brain that deal with attention and processing sensory input.  Read more

Eat Fresh, Cooling Summer Salads with This Homemade Dressing

Take advantage of all the seasonal produce and make your own dressing for summer salads. This recipe was shared by our co-op organizer Durga Singer.

1/3 c olive oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

1T grated fresh ginger

2T tamari

2T nutritional yeast

2T lemon juice

1t Dijon mustard Read more

As Summer Approaches, Cool Down With a Classic Indian Treat

This cold, yogurt shake can be served for breakfast, as a snack or anytime. Be creative and try substituting mango juice for water, or other favorite concoction.

2 cups yogurt, 2 cups water and 2 cubes ice Read more

Two Do's and a Don't

Seeing the obvious benefits to those who practice Yoga, doesn't necessarily make forming a habit of practicing easier. "I wish" and "I will" are often an ocean apart. Read more

1/2 cup of water

1 cup organic milk (may use non-dairy milk substitute)

6 pitted dates, sliced in half

Simmer ingredients together on low heat for 20 minutes, or until milk is a pinkish color and the dates are breaking down. Stir occasionally. Strain before serving. Read more

Many practicioners in the Yoga community will tell you that Yoga can relieve back pain. Teachers see it first hand and often have experienced it first hand.
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Golden Milk  is a tasty drink that will lubricate your whole system and work to break up calcium deposits. It's also a good way to eat turmeric, coming to be recognized by modern medical professionals as a powerful anti-inflammatory.

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In exploring the subject of hot yoga, we thought there is no better source than Dick Watts. He's been doing hot yoga for ten years.

"Full bore for ten years." he said. "I got on this schedule about when my kids learned to drive."

His weekly schedule includes five sessions of hot yoga, two sessions of ashtanga yoga and two sessions of kundalini yoga. Watts will be 63 in February.

Hot yoga is a series of poses done in a room that's heated. How hot? Depends on the class, but as hot as 105 degrees.
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To the Lost Forgotten Indigo Children of My Generation by

Dharam Nidhan (Candace Hazelwood)

Candace is a participant in the Level 1 Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training and was captured on video reciting a poem she wrote for her friend.

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Community Outreach a huge success. Yoga Village wants to say thanks to everyone who helped with the Thanksgiving Basket Brigade. Read more

Meditation is a hot topic. Coming with a strong recommendation from the likes of Dr. Oz and guests on Oprah, meditation is something that more and more people want to learn about. Here is a quick summary of the opportunities to practice meditation at Yoga Village. Read more

There is another word for mindful eating: savoring. It is at the opposite end of the eating spectrum from the cram-and-scram style so many of us moderns practice. Read more

The Rodale website offers five benefits to doing yoga. Some may surprise you.

Yoga practitioners experience mindfulness as they manipulate their bodies in various poses. Apparently this mindfulness can translate into mindful eating which leads to eating less and weighing less. Click the "read more" button and watch the video.  Read more