Discover Yoga Reminds Me of Chocolate

What have I been up to? Starting my own business for one! That has definitely kept me busy, but that doesn't take away from the fact that I Love my community.

As a business owner, I'm finding that I need to make it a point to relax and keep myself on a schedule of when I'm working and when I disconnect from work to spend time with my family or do that favorite thing that I love to do…yoga! I have talked to so many people about their favorite Yoga hangouts, and as I was researching where I wanted to try first, I found myself looking for more than just another yoga place. I wanted a yoga community that cared about the community and their environment.

I know I wasn't expecting much, right? Well, guess what! On 's Facebook page they had a planned event to clean up their hillside with volunteers to come in and do gardening and clean up, and then I noticed a family yoga class that I could take my daughter to. Win, Win and a Win! I immediately created an account, and signed up my daughter and I for the class and we made plans to go and do some gardening to better our community.

Have you ever had a sense of calm as you walked into a place of business and you just knew it would be as decadent and soothing as chocolate? OK, I know you understand where I'm going with this one, but let me tell you, the room was warm and there was a hint of moisture to aid in your breathing and the room held an ambiance of Zen. By Zen, I mean the colors, the elements of nature all worked together within the space allocated between the greeting area and the yoga practice room.

The beautiful lady behind the counter, our family yoga instructor, was in fact the owner, Alison Eliason. Her calm and relaxing voice had me at a meditative state as soon as she said, "Hello!" I wonder if that means that I would be easily hypnotized? Let's not find out, okay?! If I bark like a chicken tomorrow, someone is going to hear about it. Anyway, you get my point, you walk into a place of business that reminds you of chocolate and a happy meditative dreamlike land, and you have a yoga party! Next you add some beautiful music and a group family dynamic that is not only fun, but also very relaxed without having the expectations that you are bendable like Gumby. I literally watched a family become a family tree using the Tree Pose. It was absolutely amazing to watch the creativity that developed in this class, especially with the toddlers and preschoolers!

I know a ton of people want to try yoga but think that they can't do yoga because they're not bendable. What I can tell you is this, I went from so completely not limber (aka bendable) to more limber, and in a few years I hope to be even more limber! It's a limber kind of thing, and it is great for your health, so why not try it out at least once?!  If you are worried about how you'll look in a starter class, don't worry…there will be others in the class losing balance and looking as goofy as you do. For me, I use a ton of blocks and props to get a yoga pose, and a good teacher will help you find the tools that you need to safely do the pose, and take the time to walk you through it. Always make sure you let the instructor know your weak areas and problematic areas—this includes injuries!

This is definitely one of those places that I highly recommend, for any fitness level and any yoga practice level. I think that the bottom line is that there are no expectations that you are an advanced yoga practitioner that can do a (pose of leg behind the ear), which is basically where your legs go behind your head. Yes, I know…I'm right there with you! My thoughts exactly of "You want me to put my foot where? Why? What? Why?" So case in point, if you're curious or you are looking for a new place to practice/try out, I highly encourage you to check them out at . They have several levels of classes to suit just about everyone. And Mamas, if you're expecting, check out their prenatal classes! Make sure to be on the lookout for their FREE Yoga Fridays, they fill up fast!

Click here to go to their website!