Thank You for Joining us in 2012. We had a great season with lots of Down Dogs, Up Dogs, and Groundhogs (a few squirrels too).

See you in 2013!

YIP has been so lucky in the ever flowing fountain of support it has received in Washinton Heights/Inwood since 2010, its first summer of yoga fun. 2012 has not been short on blessings either and true to our grassroots, YIP continues to strive in finding ways of encouraging healthy lifestyle and community building by tapping into the wonderful people and resources in our vicinity.  With this philosphy in mind YIP was able to offer classes throughout the winter for the first time, thanks to a partnership with Beloved Yogi Harlem.  And now...well, now...lets just say the YIP summer is about to take a most musical turn as our very own WAHI cellist in resident, Sara Cortinas will grace some of YIP's summer classes with her talented and melodic interpretations of beloved composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach.  Starting this Sunday, June 10th at 10:30AM prepare yourself for a yoga practice like no other as you transcend yoga poses with the deep heart warming sound of the Cello.

About Sara...She began learning the cello at the age of ten and has studied at the Juilliard School with Harvey Shapiro and David Soyer, Indiana University School of Music with Janos Starker and at Stony Brook University with Colin Carr.  She has participated in numerous music festivals, including the Gregor Piatigorsky International Cello Festival in Los Angeles and the Perlman Music Program in New York, and she has also played for many renowned musicians such as Steven Isserlis, The Emerson Quartet and Donald Weilerstein.

Sara has been a prize-winner in the Holland-America Music Society Cello Competition, the Concurso para Violoncello Carlos Prieto and the Olga Koussevitzky Competition for Strings in New York. She has performed in festivals and concerts in Germany, Switzerland, and the United States. She has played chamber music in Alice Tully Hall and the Mendelssohn-Saal at the Gewandhaus zu Leipzig.

From 2009 to 2011, Sara was teaching assistant and cello instructor for undergraduates at SUNY Stony Brook while pursuing a doctorate in music.  She is also offers lessons to students of all ages and abilities, from beginners to advanced level. You can visit her website cello-instruction.com for more information and to inquire about lessons.

Sara...YIP thanks you from the heart for giving us the pleasure to hear you play.  Namaste

YIP Opens this Sunday 4/8 @ Fort Tryon Park with a YOGA Mat Giveaway!

Hello! We are Back! and we are so excited that we are going to be giving away yoga mats (new and used) during our first two Sundays (or until there are no more mats left).  So if you don't have a yoga mat of your own to practice at the park (or anywhere for that matter), this is a great chance to scoop one up.

If you can't remember your way to our Yoga spot at Fort Tryon Park, checkout the map at the bottom of this page.  We are located where the red flower is (same as last year).

See you soon under the new green foliage and Spring Sunshine.  Make sure to dress in layers as we are not in summer yet.

Namaste!

YIP @ Beloved Yogi Harlem starting November 2011

Dear Friends of YIP,
We have A LOT to be thankful for this November.  YIP has found a Winter home thanks to Beloved Yogi Harlem, a donation based Kundalini Yoga studio @ 145th Street and St. Nicholas.  That's just a 5 to 10 minute hop and stop away for us A train connoisseurs [or 20 minutes if you dare brave the cold in your bicycle].  Checkout the studio's website BYHyoga.com to get acquainted with the space, directions, and the other donation based classes being offered throughout the weekdays.  YIP classes begin next Sunday, November 6th at 10:30AM.

YIP @ Beloved Yogi Harlem

Sundays 10:30 am to 12:00pm

BYH Studio suggested donation $7 - $10

October 22nd Special Discounted Yoga Getaway!

Hi Yippers! I will be teaching a yoga class for Dynamic Outdoors on October 22nd (Saturday) on a beautiful (no...Gorgeous!) mountain top in Miniwaska State Park, NY.  Dynamic Outdoors has extended the discounted return member price to all my YIP friends, Yey! so you get all of what is described below for $65 instead of $79.  There are 10 spots left for October 22nd, So when purchasing on their website select the return member price option and mention my name to get the discount (I may have this in reverse order, probably makes more sense to email them first, mention my name and then you can select the return member discount when purchasing).....well friends, all I could say is that I've done this hike before and it is absolutely amazing, and to do yoga on the top of a mountain on a white stone edge overlooking a calm lake is, well...something you must experience if you have the opportunity.  All info below, if you can email me if you plan to come would be great.
 
Mountain Top Yoga and Light Hike
All Levels of experience welcome



Join us as we leave behind the busy buzzing of Manhattan and venture into the serene and beautiful wilderness to enjoy a day of hiking and yoga. We start with a 20 minute warm up hike to our mountaintop yoga spot, where we are greeted by calming views and a pleasant breeze.

Our 1hour and 30 minuntes yoga practice will include breathing exercises, flowing yoga postures, and seated stretching asanas. This practice will oxygenate your blood, tone your muscles, and release toxins from your joints. Benefits include increased self-confidence, happiness, and overall health. You will arise from the final sivasana feeling refreshed and relaxed.

From there, we hike to our lunch spot to nourish and refuel our bodies. After lunch, we ramble through green forests and open rock formations, stopping at the best scenic viewpoints for photo opportunities.

We will close our day with a post-hike cool down stretching session, and then celebratory refreshments and snacks. You will return to the city with a renewed sense of self and the energy to make your dreams a reality.

Meeting / Departure:
Departure Time: 8.00 am
Meeting: 3 convenient pick-up locations in Manhattan: 14th Street, UES, UWS
(New Jersey pick up upon request)
Return ca. 6.30 pm - depending on traffic

Cost: $65 to $79


Includes: r/t Transport, fully guided yoga session, water and some snacks for the way back
For you to bring: yoga mat, backpack, lunch, sandwiches, picnic, water... and good spirits !!
Hiking boots always recommended, sneakers ok...
Dress in layers, fleece, etc...

Hot Yoga Cool Weather 

As I was reviewing the blog I realized that we don't really have posts about personal practices and thought it would be helpful to share some of our experiences for all who, specially now that YIP is on hiatus, are looking to keep up their yoga practice.  I guess I'll start if off with my own Fall yoga practice around Fort Tryon Park, this is something I like to do to keep my connection to my community and nature alive even through the cooler weather. My routine is simple: Hiking. I go for really active walks (you can run of course), do a once over loop around the Cloisters and then pause on the Great Lawn for 15-20 minutes of Yoga, by now my body is cozily warmed.  My yoga practice looks something like this:
5 Sun Salutation A (Mountain pose -> swan dive -> flat back -> forward fold -> low lounge -> down dog -> plank -> push up -> upward facing dog -> down dog (for 5 breaths) -> step to forward fold -> flat back -> reverse swan dive -> mountain pose -> And same routine again with the opposite leg going into low lounge.

The Sun A's bit usually takes me about 10 minutes to do and I shed a layer or two in the process.  But don't shed too much though because you can catch a cold this way, no matter how hot you get don't strip down to your t-shirt! You'll cool down soon enough.

After the Sun A's I conclude my practice with: Warrior 2 -> reverse warrior 2 -> triangle -> wide legged forward fold -> and now Warrior 2 on the other side --> reverse warrior 2 --> Triangle --> back to wide legged forward fold.
I like lingering in the forward fold and just beath into the goodness of just hanging out while my heart rate settles down. You can stop here, slowly rolling back up to stand, or if you are feeling very warm move on to the ground for a bridgepose.  I personally love ending my practice with an inversion, it just really grounds me (sounds weird doesn't, being grounded when you are upside down? but the thing is that being upside down for over 2 minutes actually begins to feel very calming; the entire fluid flow of the body slows down while working against gravity). 

For Headstand Try This: from wide legged forward fold open your legs even wider so that you can bring your hands and head to the floor.  Make sure you are making an equilateral triangle with your hands and head.  One good trick is to come to a flat back, making sure your hands are directly underneath your shoulders, then as you bend the elbows to bring the head to the floor, slide your hands back (don't lose their width of separation) to be almost underneath your legs. Now you are ready for tripod headstand, if you are just beginning with headstand practice, bend one leg and bring the knee to the back of the arm, maybe you can get both knees on your arms like this. Moving on, engage your core and see if you can squeeze the knees into your chest (as you do, they will come off the back of the arms and now it is your core strength holding you up).  From knees into the chest you can start playing around with extending the legs up.

Tip for more experienced headstanders: From legs wide position, engage the core and draw the knee caps up as you scissor the legs together into head stand.  To come down, open legs wide again and send your sitbone slightly beyond your shoulders as the feet aim for the same spot from which you lifted off (you might feel like you'll fall, but the weight of your legs in the opposite direction will keep you balanced).  

No matter how far you take this, you'll still be upside down and receiving the aweseome benefits! Then you can go home and settle into a nice cup of hot tea with milk and honey (that's my thing anyways).



Happy Fall and Have Fun!

If you would like to share your experience with how you stay connected to nature and your yoga practice in the cooler months send YIP an email with your story and a picture (optional) at yipnyc@gmail.com

Namaste

A Season must come to an end for another to begin....Namaste

Dear Friends of YIP,


It has been an amazing summer running this program again for the yogis and yoginis of Washington Heights and Inwood. Yes, we did get rained out a few times but we still pushed on with our sunny Spirits to make this second run of YIP another succes. And what I mean by success is that YOU came and participated, shared with friends, or made new friends, and practiced "yoga." I hope that the lessons learned on the grass continue to accompany you on the mat at home or wherever you go as YIP goes back to hibernation after this Saturday. As always, I and many of the participating volunteer teachers are available for contact during this time if you have any questions about your practice, need advice, or just want to say Hi and hang out!

Thank You for your Support and See you in Summer 2012!

P.S. but do visit the blog as I will occassionally put up posts on free yoga events and more!

Arts Salon, A Day of Artistic Expression with New York Insight Meditation

YIP teacher Rebecca Anguin-Cohen will be offering reiki from 3:40-4:30 during this day focusing on the arts, including healing arts offered by the New York Insight Meditation community, 11:30-5 Sunday June 5th. Fee is by donation.

DONATION YOGA UPTOWN

Hatha Yoga and 12 Step Recovery For Women with Rebecca Anguin-Cohen
Certified Yoga Instructor currently teaching with Saturday YIP
Working with yoga as body prayer to embody 12-step principles related to detachment and compassion will include postures, meditation, visualization, breathwork, and energetic balancing for cultivating spiritual surrender and to improve conscious contact with a higher power. No 12-step experience is required and women of all yoga levels are welcome. **Email Rebecca (ranguinco@hotmail.com) by 5pm the night before any of the classes to confirm attendance**

Sunday June 5th Steps 1-4
Sunday June 12th Steps 5-8
Sunday June 19th Steps 9-12
8:45 am-9:45 am
SW corner of Bennett Park
*email RSVP by 5pm night before*
o Will relocate for rain
o Please bring a yoga mat and any props
o Wear loose, comfortable clothing
o Class fee $5, add’l donations are welcome

Yoga Nomads’Anusara Inspired Yoga

An Anusara™ Inspired yoga teacher, Siri's classes combine precise bio-mechanical alignment and practical philosophy, encouraging students to celebrate their freedom and test the boundaries of their ever-evolving potential. Yogis can expect a vigorous and challenging asana practice that combines flowing, dance-like sequences with long holds in order to cultivate a balance between effort and surrender, on and off the mat

As always, if you've never been to a nomads class before, your 1st class is free!

$16 suggested donation.

Classes are held on Mondays at 7:00 pm at "El Rio", 10 Fort Washington at 160th St., Penthouse Floor. *

Please bring mat, water, and a towel or props if you need.

Please note that every Nomad class throughout the week is an Open Level Class; no matter what your level, our skilled teachers seek to provide every student with the appropriate support and guidance they need.
YOGA en ESPANOL
Todos los Domingos en Yoga Caliente
Yoga en Espanol con Isabel Liao
Desarrolla fortaleza, flexibilidad y balance durante 75 minutos de una practica jugosa. Abierto a todos los niveles.
Local: Yoga Caliente - 2035 2nd Ave, 4th Floor, NYC - (entre las calles 104 y 105) Tel: (212) 470-3042
$10 ($5 con volante de Yoga Caliente)

Aqui esta el link en Facebook, tambien este link estara en la pagina de Facebook de YIP.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=201792183191541&ref=nf

May 14, 2011

Rain or Shine, Spring Birds Fly!
Are you ready to connect with the sunshine in your heart?

Somebody or something has predicted rain for this weekend, but is that reason to despair? Of course not! Our beautiful park needs water as much as we do. But guess what? We may still have a chance to practice in dry grounds before Mother Nature pours her libations (I went to Weather.com and checked the hour to hour forecast). So bring your enthusiasm and umbrella (for after class) and prepare to tap into your internal sunshine. I (Grisel)have the pleasure of guiding you through a warm, water-inducing (your sweat) rain dance!
JUST in CASE Mother Nature decides to toast early in the morning then class will be canceled, but otherwise IT'S ON!!

When: Saturday, May 14
Time: 10:30 AM Meditation 11:00 AM Level 1 Flow Yoga
Location: Abby Lawn (directly North of Linden Terrace - where the flags are flying in the park - go to map at bottom of our blog)

YOGA en ESPANOL

YOGA en ESPANOL. Para mis amigos y amigas Latinos que quieren aprender mas Yoga en su lengua nativa, aqui les va una gran oportunidad de estudiar con una maestra fabulosa! Isabel Liao! Isabel ahora esta ofreciendo una clase de Yoga en Espanol todos los Domingos en Yoga Caliente.
Yoga en Espanol con Isabel Liao
Desarrolla fortaleza, flexibilidad y balance durante 75 minutos de una practica jugosa. Abierto a todos los niveles.
Local: Yoga Caliente - 2035 2nd Ave, 4th Floor, NYC - (entre las calles 104 y 105) Tel: (212) 470-3042
$10 ($5 con volante de Yoga Caliente)

Aqui esta el link en Facebook, tambien este link estara en la pagina de Facebook de YIP.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=201792183191541&ref=nf

Free Yoga

FREE / DONATION YOGA. Sonic Yoga offers 4 Community Classes per week that are donation based. Here is their schedule: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 3pm - 4pm. Saturdays 12pm - 1pm. Located at: 754 9th Avenue @ 50th Street. Tel: (212) 397-6344, info@sonicyoga.com
More Free/Donation Yoga classes to be covered in next week's newsletter. Stay tuned.

Spring is finally here!   Get ready for another season of Yoga in the Park!

Here are some of the exciting YIP news!

1) YIP updated its location! Our new and improved spot is tree lined, away from traffic and the occasional ultimate frisbee flyby. The trees provide great shade so you can go easy on the greasy sunblock and we are more elevated so you'll have an awesome 360* view of the relaxing scenery and the river! Find the meeting spot using the map at the bottom of the YIPdaily blog home page (this page).  We'll be by the big Red Flower on the Map.

2) YIP updated its time! We will be offering a Level 1 class (open to all levels) every Saturday at 11AM. Classes focus on Yoga Asana (poses) fundamentals, Pranayama (breath work), and Vinyasa (flowing in poses while connecting to the breath), and more. All classes are taught by Certified Yoga Instructors and range between 1 hour to 1.5 hours. Also This year we are adding a 10:30AM meditation class, but this is not on the permanent schedule yet, so stay tuned to the weekly email for confirmation.

3) YIP wants to stay true to its promise of being accessible to ALL of the community and will be working on a Spanish language version of the YIPdaily blog, weekly email newsletter, and Facebook page. We are looking for Spanish speaking volunteers, so if you would like to be a part of this great opportunity to outreach to our Washington Heights/Inwood Spanish speaking community please contact us.

4) YIP is thinking of a sustainable future! This year we are putting into action a fundraising campaign. At each YIP class you will see a donation box, but YIP is FREE and donations are not required for participation. You will never be asked to make a donation when signing-in or at end of class. If making a donation just drop it into the box at any time. Also, feel free to use this box to drop-in written suggestions and comments for YIP. The YIPDaily blog now also has a Donate button that can be used for credit card donations, the transactions are safe and secured by PayPal. Finally, we are going to have some super cute t-shirts with Masumi Kishikawa's designs (the creator of our beautiful YIP logo) for sale over the summer!

What will the funds raised be used for? Equipment such as props and mats to be used at the park, volunteer expenses such as transportation to and from the park, and community projects under development.

We hope to see you Saturday, April 30th at 11AM for our Spring season kick-off class! Namaste!

Happy Holidays from YIP!!

Here is a funny video produced for Sonic Yoga Studios that I would like to share with you in light of the Holiday Spirit.  Sonic has been a supporter of YIP and facilitated the recruitment of volunteer yoga teachers and donation of yoga mats to be used at the park.  Happy Holidays and Enjoy the video!!!

Winter Solstice Celebration

So, what is Winter Solstice? The winter solstice occurs exactly when the Earth's axial tilt is farthest away from the sun at its maximum and lasts only an instant in time marking the turning point to midwinter or the first day of winter. This time of the year is also marked by high-energy activities around the themes of holiday gift shopping, parties, cooking, and other forms of entertainment.  Although this may be fun for some, it can be very unbalancing for others as anxieties go on the rise.  The Winter Solstice, the darkest longest night of the year, is the planet's own little holiday where it gets to sleep in, even if it is just for a moment.  This is also a reminder for us to slow down, close our eyes, and take our own little holiday to go within and nurture ourselves.  This holiday season is not about spending it outside 24/7 shopping for the latest gadget (you can do that online now), it is more about spending it indoors, hibernating with your loved-ones, slowing time, and staying under cozy covers just a little longer.  As humans and inhabitants of this Earth, our physical bodies are programmed to do this anyway, so why not indulge?  

Our very own Sara Alvarez, who guided us through some amazing and inspiring YIP moments this past summer, is having a Winter Solstice celebration at Sonic Yoga.  Let go of the frantic shopping and stop by for some heart opening asana (yoga postures) and your support of this blossoming Yoga Teacher.  

Winter Solstice Celebration with Sara Alvarez

Holiday music and heart opening Asana.

Sunday December 19th 7-9 pm at Sonic Yoga! 51st and 9th Avenue 

$10 suggested donation or pay what you can

Sonicyoga.com

artisticwellnessny.com (Sara's new website)

YOGA in SOHO

We are still a few months away from free yoga in Fort Tryon Park, but in the mean time checkout the following discount class:

Gravitate Yoga + Diamond in the Rough Beauty Bar

Join Grisel Olivo in transforming this spaciously zen SOHO Beauty Bar into an after hours Yogi Paradise (with Tea and YOGA).  SOHO is just FuN and this space is so neat!

What - Vinyasa Flow - Open

When - Thursday, November 18

Where - 249 Centre Street, New York, NY 10012 (between Grand St, and Broom St.)

Time - 6:30PM

Price - $12.00

Please bring Yoga Mat.

Hope you are all having a lovely November and please don't be shy to reach out to YIP with other fall/winter group event suggestions.

Namaste!

Oh yeah, the picture above is an embodiment of SoHO not the Beauty Bar :-)

Kirtan (Sanskrit: "to repeat") is a call-and-response chanting performed in India's devotional traditions. A Kirtan practice involves chanting hymns or mantras to the accompaniment of instruments such as the harmonium. The melodical repetition of mantras in a kirtan can carry us effortlessly to a place of quiet and stillness; making this a great method to explore meditation, specially for those of us for whom closing our eyes and being still for long periods of time feels like an impossible task. Meditational practice is very beneficial to training the mind to achieve better concentration and focus and cultivate feelings of peace and contentment; not to mention the countless benefits of communicating with your inner-self.  There are serval yoga centers and studios throughout NYC offering free or donation based Kirtan events which are ideal for whether your interested in exploring Kirtan for musical pleasure or meditation or both.  Check these out and sing to your heart's content.

Sonic Kirtan (next date: Sun 8/22)  Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM (Sonicyoga.com)
Raise your voice and vibration and illuminate your heart with our monthly Kirtan. Includes call and response chanting, original music and perhaps if inspired some spontaneous dance! Bring shakers, drums and any musical instruments you like as well as your free spirit. By Donation! Every 3rd Sunday of each month.

Dharma Yoga Center (next date: Wednesday 8/4) Time: 8:45 PM - 9:30 PM (Dharmayogacenter.com)
Community Kirtan with Devadas - Join a special night of spiritual singing. Everyone is welcomed, just come! Suggested minimum contribution $5-10.

Kirtan at Jivamukti  (next date: Wednesday 8/11) Time: 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM

841 Broadway, 2nd Fl. btw 13th/14th Sts. at Union Sq.
Read more: http://events.myspace.com/Event/1596167/KAMANIYA--May-ALL-beings-be-happy--free-#ixzz0v5K4VQNQ

Yoga Podcasts

Sebastien Queney, a super YIPper, was going through his usual everything Yoga research and found a free Video Podcast by Yoga Journal (a leading Yoga publication).  The Video Podcasts include 15 to 30 minute sequences on everything from sweating your b*** off to restorative self-spa time. Definitely worth exploring if you are looking to build a regular home yoga practice.  For more information go to YogaJournal.com or type in Yoga Journal or Yoga Practice in iTunes podcast search.

Namaste!

Support a YIPer Walking for a Cause

Our very own YIPer, Stacey Alfonso, will be walking the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer on October 16-17, 2010. Inspired by YIP Teacher Sara Alvarez's wise words on risk taking, she has committed herself to walking the distance of a marathon and a half and raise at least $1,800 in donations. According to Stacey, this is the biggest challenge she has ever taken on, but I believe that no challenge is too big for a person with the support of a united and caring community.
        The fight against breast cancer continues, a lot has happened in the ways of advances for treatment and detection, but there is still much left to be done.  The statistics, as Stacey points out, are "shocking...every three minutes, another woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer." If you, like Stacey, cannot ignore this simple fact, then please help to support her efforts for this critically important cause by making a contribution. You can Click here to View Stacey's Personal Page for the walk and make a donation. If you are not comfortable making an online donation then send Stacey an email (sma301@gmail.com) and she'll send you more information on how to donate.  Stacey is a regular at Saturday's YIP 10:30AM class if you'd like to say hello. 
"Always be generous with your encouraging words, you may find they will inspire others to be the best they can be."   -  Catherine Pulsifer

Outdoor Yoga for [almost] Every Day of the Week

As promised YIP researched what else was going on with Outdoor Yoga and Fitness events this summer in the Washington Heights and Inwood area. Here is what has been discovered:

* Bread and Yoga is offering Free yoga at Inwood Hill Park every Tuesday from 6:45PM to 8:15PM starting June 22nd. http://breadandyoga.com/wp/

* The Fort Tryon Park Sunset Yoga started on Wednesdays at 6:45PM in the Abbey Lawn at Fort Tryon Park (see map). You can call 212-795-1388 for more information http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/forttryonpark

* The Fort Tryon Park also has a Tai Chi class on beautiful Linden Terrace (see map) on Wednesdays at 6:30AM.

Finally, there is us [YIP] every Saturday at 10:30AM and Sunday at 1PM. If you know of any other community yoga or fitness events please feel free to add to this post via comments or email yipnyc@gmail.com

And please remember to take care of yourself when engaging in any sport activity during the summer, always have water with you and apply sunblock if you are planning to be out in the sun for prolonged periods of time.

Namaste!