It's vata season!

Fall is in the air. That means if you’re a vata dosha or predominantly vata you could already be feeling some imbalances in your mental or physical body. The end of summer is a time that brings on hay fever symptoms if you have allergies to ragweed and other related pollens. The air begins to cool down and is dry. You may be feeling anxious, spacey or experience sinus or digestive flare ups. This is when the Ayurvedic diet or a seasonal diet is super helpful in bringing our bodies back to balance. A few things that work for me are giving up dairy (it causes inflammation and increases mucous) and increasing more nourishing foods that are warm, soothing and oily. I am a big fan of Pacifica brand organic soups when I am in a hurry. The vegan tomato or butternut squash are my favorites. I increase my intake of wild caught fish like salmon, yellowfin tuna, cod and shrimp. Sardines or herring in olive oil are great options too if you like those. For an easy lunch I throw them on a bed of greens and have my soups in a thermos so I can sip all day.

I am also a coffee lover, but when it’s vata season and I am feeling anxious or I am feeling off, I sip on herbal teas like organic chamomile, Teechino dandelion dark roast or throat coat tea. These are all caffeine free. I also drink a customized allergy tea blend made just for me by my herbalist, Zen from Within. I also increase my water intake because my skin gets so dry. If you are on anti-histamines for allergies you know that feeling of dryness. If my nose is feeling really dry I use Banyan Botanicals Nasya oil to lubricate my nasal passages before bed-time. It’s an Ayurvedic technique that promotes healthy breathing. You can read more about it on banyanbotanicals.com . My friend Emily at YHL sells a great blend of herbs she calls “Nasal Steam”. This technique has also been super helpful for me in treating my allergies naturally. Lastly, I couldn’t live without diffusing Breathe at night. It keeps me from feeling stuffy in the morning.

I have also adjusted my yoga practice and prefer to practice and teach yin or restorative yoga and gentle vinyasa flows. If we live with nature instead of against it we find ourselves feeling more in sync than out of sync. Mother Earth will take care of us if we take care of her. Fall is when we harvest the labors of summer, we wind down earlier as we lose daylight and move inward. Yin yoga is exactly this. It gives us a chance to pause and dig deep within ourselves to shed unwanted layers of stagnation or energy that no longer serves us. I will be teaching yin throughout the fall at OmBody, 90 West Main Street, Uniontown, PA. You can view my schedule and book classes on https://www.schedulicity.com/scheduling/MYSGQG

In closing, as we welcome fall, try not to get caught up in the turmoil of the world around you. You can only control what you put in and around your body. Feed it well. Surround yourself with positivity and nature. Bonfires, fireplaces and what’s left of the warm sun are your best friends. Take your vitamin C, D, Zinc and elderberry daily to support your immune health. Keep close tabs on your gut health and your mental health. If you are in need of ayurvedic support or guidance I do offer in-person or online appointments. This can include ayurvedic education, resources, customized yoga practices and aromatherapy.

Be well!

Jenny Dayton, E-RYT

Disclaimer: The information on this website is for informational and educational purposes only. If you need medical care or professional medical services, please seek guidance from your medical doctor. Never disregard the advice of a medical doctor for your health or medical condition. If you choose to rely on the information on this website you do so purely at your own risk. External links to products and providers are followed at your own risk. Under no circumstances is Jenny Dayton Yoga responsible for the claims of third party or educational providers.

Ayurveda...What's that?

I am excited to announce I am now certified as an Ayurvedic Specialist! What’s your dosha?

Ayurveda is the sister science of yoga. This ancient healing system dates back to India over 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda looks at the whole body, the subtle body energy and the individual’s ability to connect with the divine and laws of nature. It is now a nationally recognized medical system that is considered the “Mother” of all healing systems. In Ayurveda, your health lives in your digestive track. One must nurture the “Agni” or digestion to maximize overall health. As an Ayurvedic Specialist, I will help you to determine your “dosha” or ayurvedic constitution and develop a plan for you that includes yoga, diet and lifestyle routines. Most of us have a predominant dosha (you can have more than one) and are pre-disposed to certain illness or conditions. Ayurveda teaches us how to balance the dosha(s) and correct imbalances in the body and mind, first by addressing diet.

There are 6 tastes that we must incorporate into our diet daily, sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent. Depending on your dosha, I will help you determine which foods soothe your digestive system and help to balance the gut. Ayurveda is strongly connected to nature and we will discuss the elemental energies that each dosha possesses and how you can connect with the earth elements in your daily life and in your yoga practice.

Consultations can be booked in-person or virtual. The cost is $90 for one hour and $45 for follow up visits. Call or text Jenny at 724-550-3661 to schedule your Ayurvedic journey!

September news and reflections of summer

As summer is coming to an end, I will never forget this one. In the midst of a pandemic, a group of yogis gathered on the mountaintop to let go of their fears, worries, stress and maybe even shed some layers of themselves. As we came out of spring quarantine we were eager to breathe fresh air. We longed for socialization and fellowship. We longed for a sense of normalcy. We found ourselves again.

Now more than ever the world needs yoga. We cannot cope or heal without a means to clear our heads and our bodies from clutter. Yoga is a vehicle that drives change. It changes the way we see ourselves and the way we react to situations. We learn how to be proactive rather than reactive. We learn how to cultivate peace in the midst of chaos.

As fall approaches, the intentions you set now will stay with you through winter and carry you into spring. As the days grow shorter, you may find yourself going inward, and listening to your own inner voice. You could feel the need to slow down a little bit, to appreciate the moments outdoors while you still can, and to spend time in quiet reflection while you watch the seasons change. That being said, my yoga schedule will begin to wind down. Our last outdoor class will conclude on the last day of summer, September 21. Here's a snapshot for September 1-21:

Week 1

Sept. 2 Outdoor yoga @Summit 6:00 pm

(Full moon gentle yoga flow)

Sept. 4 Vino & Vinyasa @C.Klay Winery 5:30 pm (meditation hike & yoga in the vineyard) $15 must pre-pay & register online.

Sept. 7 Labor Day Outdoor Yoga @Summit 9:00 am (No 6 pm class will be held)

Weeks 2-3 @Summit:

Mondays (vinyasa flow)

Sept. 14 & 21* at 6:00 pm

Wednesdays (Gentle yoga)

Sept. 9 & 16 at 6:00 pm

Saturdays (vinyasa flow)

Sept. 12 & 19 at 9:00 am

*The last day of summer, Monday September 21, will conclude our classes at the Summit Inn for the season. I will be teaching a special class that evening to celebrate the Autumn Equinox. Stick around to enjoy the sunset!

Registration on schedulicity is still required for all of the above classes. Space is limited to 25. Click the schedule now button to reserve your classes. Thank you in advance!

Namaste,

Jenny

Nourish to Flourish

They say you are what you eat. This has been proven to be true for me at least. I’ve struggled with digestion issues for the past year. I have tried many elimination diets but none leave me satisfied. I have seen doctors, none who have the answers. What I have discovered is that when I eat well, I feel well. I used to be able to eat whatever I wanted in moderation. These days dairy and gluten make me feel horrible. I have also cut way back on essential oils, not because I don’t believe in their healing properties, but because overexposure to fragrances of any kind can really damage your endocrine system and wreck your hormones. I also have reason to believe my hormones were way out of whack to the point doctors thought I had endometriosis. I never got a formal diagnosis but my monthly cycles were tragic. My low back and tailbone pain required pelvic physical therapy. Not even yoga was cutting it. I also have had chronic sinusitis and allergies my entire life. These are all inflammatory conditions. For me, following an anti-inflammatory, whole foods based diet is key to healing. I’m still a work in progress.

After working with a holistic nutrition practitioner and doing a ton of research on my own, I have found that what I eat truly affects how I feel on a daily basis, that I can actually have a normal period and be pain free. What I’m getting at here is that food is medicine. I don’t have a degree in nutrition, but I do have the inner wisdom to listen to my body. I can no longer eat the way I used to and in some ways it sucks, but on the other hand I acknowledge that the deep fried chicken strips and french fries I had over the weekend no longer serve me. I love the saying “Life is short. Eat the cake.” It’s just that now, that cake needs to be a healthier version for me. I really enjoy vegan baking and experimenting with different gluten free flours. I enjoy cooking new recipes and eating whole foods from local farmers who practice sustainable farming. I no longer rely on the grocery store, especially during summer. Another thing that is really important to me is knowing if my food is NON-GMO and organic. Don’t be afraid to ask your farmer and read labels. We all love corn on the cob in the summer, but if your veggies are coming from GMO seeds and are being sprayed with harmful pesticides it’s probably not the best option. We can do better. We are human. We must support humane methods of farming. Eating processed, chemical laden food isn’t doing you or the earth any good. If you care, do your research. Use your voice. Buy local.

Here’s where I buy most of my food:

Mountain Harvest Farm, LLC (Morgantown, WV) for organic produce

Footprints Farm (Gibbon Glade, PA) for pasture raised, grass fed meats

Red Range Farm (New Salem, PA) for grass/pasture raised meats and organic produce

Tips (I’ve learned over the past year):

Eat to support your gut health. Our gut is tied to our immune system. If you want to strengthen your immune system cut way back on sugar (avoid sugar substitutes), drink spring or mineral water or filter your tap water (bottled water in plastic bottles is harmful to your health), eat whole un-processed foods, reduce caffeine, eat less meat (this one was hard for me at first, but now meat only makes up a small portion of my plate. The rest is veggies). Fat is good for you (healthy fats like nuts, olives, advocados, olive/advocado oil). If you eat gluten/grains, try to buy breads and pastas that are organic and NON-GMO. I can tolerate sour dough. Maywood Grill in Chalk Hill, PA makes me homemade sourdough upon request. It’s amazing! As an alternative to pasta, I really love lentil or chick pea pasta.

Disclaimer: These are just my personal opinions. I’m not a nutritionist. I am simply stating what works for me.

Eat well. Exercise. Get outdoors. Enjoy your summer! Be safe!

Nourish to flourish,

Jenny

COVID-19 Wellness

March 25, 2020. Week 2 of quarantine: Yesterday I had a total meltdown. I cried for a solid hour. My stomach was in knots. I felt as if my world came crashing down. It took me hours of meditation, hot tea and yoga nidra with a weighted blanket to calm my anxiety. At 1:00 am I finally fell asleep. Today is a new day. Time to hit the re-set button.

Like me, many of you are feeling the effects of this COVID-19 crisis. It is extremely heavy for those of us who suffer from anxiety, depression or PTSD. Know that you are not alone. We have the tools to come out of this stronger than we came in. We have this time for self-care and nurturing our soul. We know how to calm this storm and use the tools in our toolbox to stay grounded. My current toolbox consists of online yoga classes, meditation recordings, the CALM app, herbal teas, nourishing foods (yes I will risk going to the grocery store if I need to get fresh produce-currently not a hoarded item by panic shoppers), cozy clothes, essential oils like doTERRA Balance, Lavender and Deep Blue and my friends and family who are just a phone call or text away for support. We also have nature. Spend some time outside to breathe in some fresh air, take a meditation walk, forage or gather spring flowers. I am also so thankful for my dogs. I do not know what I would do without them. Pets = Joy. Learn from them. They are so happy you are home. And last but not least, do some spiritual work. We must have faith. Whether you believe in God or a divine power, know that something bigger than us is out there to answer our prayers. If we use all of these tools we have the ability to regulate our emotions, sustain our mental and physical health and we will get through this together.

If you would like to practice with me I am teaching Yoga for Stress Relief on Thursdays at 4:15 pm Live on Facebook @jennydaytonyoga and Saturdays, vinyasa flow at 10:00 am. Classes are 45 minutes and all donations can be made via Venmo to @OmBody. Classes are archived on my Facebook page as well under the videos tab or scroll through my news feed. I can also schedule private online lessons via Zoom at a reduced rate. Email mountainyogashala@gmail.com to schedule.

My homework for you today is to set an intention that honors your truth. Plant seeds for new beginnings. We are going to unleash all of our grit once this is all over and come out of this stronger than ever, stronger for ourselves, stronger for mother nature and stronger for humankind. We got this!

Namaste,

Jenny

It's flu season...drink up!

With flu season in peak it’s time to boost the immune system with vitamin C and ward off germs with doTerra OnGuard products. It’s also important to eat healthy, stay hydrated and get enough rest. Opt for a more restorative yoga practice if you are feeling tired and take hot baths with lavender essential oil and epsom salts to draw toxins out of the body. If you are like me and get sinus infections often or have upper respiratory issues, cut out dairy from your diet and use eucalyptus essential oil (a few drops in a steaming hot pot of water or a few drops on your shower floor) to open the airways. I also love to diffuse doTerra Breathe at night so I wake up without sinus congestion. Ayurveda diet recommendations for this time of year is to eat warm soups and stews, cooked root vegetable or leafy greens and daily oil massage on your skin. Use herbs and spices such as ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, clove and cardamom. I also love to drink hot tea or make golden lattes this time of year to replace my coffee. Here’s the recipe. Enjoy, stay warm and well. Happy New Year.

https://www.mapi.com/ayurvedic-recipes/beverages/golden-milk.html (substitute milk with your favorite non-dairy milk if you are dairy free or vegan)

Summer Essentials

Summer Essential Oil tips:

*Natural fruit wash-soak your berries in a bowl of water with your favorite essential oil for a few minutes (I love  to use doterra lemon and wild orange), then rinse & enjoy! 

*All natural bug spray-in a small spray bottle, add ¾ witch hazel, 10 drops lavender, 5 drops eucalyptus, 5 drops lemongrass, top off with distilled/purified water

*Sunburn remedy-Lavender is great for burns. Add a few drops to a spray bottle filled with distilled water and spritz on the skin, or add a few drops to a cool bath!

<Only use pure therapeutic grade oils like doTERRA>

Join my group Essential Oils: A Path to Wellness on Facebook 

https://m.facebook.com/groups/129036844407966?ref=share

A Seasonal Approach to Yoga

Ayurveda tells us to follow a seasonal approach to our diet to balance the doshas. https://www.joyfulbelly.com/​ is one of my favorite Ayurvedic resources. Discover your dosha & recommended diet on this site!

We can also approach yoga the same way. Rather than practicing postures that build heat in the body, we can practice poses in the summer that are cooling such as moon salutations, twists, forward bends and sitali /sheetali breath. 

https://kripalu.org/resources/cooling-breath-sheetali-pranayama-balance-pitta-summer​

Peace, Love, Namaste, Jenny Dayton, E-RYT

New locations...New possibilities

Dear friends:

The Shala is changing directions. The physical studio, brick and mortar storefront, located in the Chalk Hill Plaza is closing. I have to make the best financial decision for me. Unfortunately keeping the space open this long has been difficult financially to say the least.  That being said, we are so fortunate to live where we live and we yoga teachers are able to teach yoga in so many awesome locations. The website and schedulicity account will remain up and running so you know where to find me. Pay attention to the “location” when scheduling classes on the app and viewing the schedule. Mountain Yoga Shala will be a traveling studio with Jenny Dayton as sole operator of Mountain Yoga Shala, LLC.

I will be moving my weekly core balance class and my warm vinyasa flow class to OMBody located downtown Uniontown, 90 W Main Street (next to the Titlow), which will also be my home-base studio. Erin Green and I will be holding all of our Yoga/CBD massage classes at The Avenue Center for Healing Arts, 59 S. Gallatin Ave. Uniontown.  

In the summer months I will resume teaching outdoor yoga at The Historic Summit Inn, poolside, and hope to offer more outdoor yoga events in the mountains summer through fall!  Stay tuned by continuing to follow Mountain Yoga Shala on Facebook and checking your email by the first of every month for my newsletter. I will continue to sell doTERRA essential oils and CBD products and be your wellness advocate! I can deliver those to you personally. Private lessons can also be arranged at OMBody or The Summit (May-October only). I will update this on the website. All of my contact information will remain the same.

Thank you to all of my teachers and students for your support.  I couldn’t do it without you! Peace, Love & Light!

Jenny Dayton, Owner of Mountain Yoga Shala, LLC

Insights for the new year 2019

We often hear “new year new you”. However, we should not be seeking a new version of ourselves, rather how can we reveal our true selves? How can we live from an authentic place? How can we learn more about ourselves so we can live a better, healthier or simpler life? What do you need the most to achieve your goals? Perhaps, it’s more alone time to connect with nature, or perhaps it’s more time with your spouse or kids. Think of things that you need the most that don’t cost money, that aren’t material that make you truly happy. Sometimes we get stuck in our comfort zone or we acclimate to things as they are. Reality check: you can step outside your comfort zone. You can do one thing a day that scares you. You have a voice. You have the power to do anything you want or be anything you want. Stop making excuses and replace them with the words “I am”. If you want to be happy, then your mantra for 2019 is “I am happy”. Mantras are phrases that are repeated over and over to yourself daily. I like to take 5 minutes in the morning to meditate (this includes my coffee at 5 am) and say my mantra. Your mantra can also be something you are not. For example, “I am not anxiety”. In other words, anxiety does not define you.

What I am encouraging you all do this year, if you haven’t started already is to keep a daily journal with 3 simple prompts each day: 1. I am/I am not….(Fill in the blank with a word. This is your mantra for the day); 2. My intention for the day is to… (this may be a goal you have for the day or may be related to your daily mantra); and 3. I am grateful for…(fill up the gratitude jar!). It’s much easier to stick to daily goals than it is to long term goals (although those are OK to have too), but yoga reminds us to BE PRESENT!

Lastly, take time for self care. Go to a yoga class, go outside to walk or hike, take a day off from work, go get your nails done or get a massage, sit on the couch and read a book, whatever it may be that brings you peace, do it often! You can’t pour from an empty cup! A yoga teacher, who studied in India, once told me this: “In the east it’s BE BE BE. In the west, it’s DO DO DO. To be balanced it’s DO BE DO BE DO BE!”

From my desk to yours,

Jenny Dayton, RYT

Give the gift of wellness!

Looking for a special gift? Gift certificates are available for private yoga, personal training and massage therapy. Providers Jenny Dayton (yoga instructor), Jamie Lewis (personal trainer) and Leann Beatty (massage therapist) can be contacted directly to book services. Gift certificates can be purchased in any amount. Pick up during class times or contact Jenny 724-550-3661 to schedule pick up during non-business hours.

Wishing you a joyous, happy and healthy holiday season!

Team MYS

A Decade of Yoga by Jenny Dayton

As my third wedding anniversary approaches, I was thinking back to when my husband and I first began dating.  It was in 2008, the same year I completed my 200 hour yoga teacher training. As long as we’ve been together I’ve been teaching yoga...a decade! I can’t believe it! I couldn’t help to sit back and reflect on the past ten years of my life as a yoga teacher. Here’s 10 lessons I’ve learned, in no particular order, all of equal importance:

1. The opportunity to teach yoga is a gift.  Yoga is an ancient practice, a science, an art, a tool for mankind to find peace.  My hopes are that future generations of yoga teachers stick to the roots of yoga when sharing it with others.  So much of what we know as yoga today has strayed away from the authentic teachings of yoga. The business of yoga has become competitive and at times cruel.  That's not what yoga was ever meant to be. Whether you're a student of yoga or interested in becoming a yoga teacher, practice and study authentically with authentic teachers. If you can go to India! It's on my bucket list! Yoga is a gift.

2. Practice Yoga daily. If you’re like me, you have so much going on your life and struggle to find time to practice.  Although my dream has always been to teach yoga full-time, it’s not a realistic goal for me.  I have a full time career as a high school spanish teacher.  Often I come home from school feeling emotionally and physically drained. The last thing I want to do is get off my couch and go to the yoga studio (to practice or to teach), yet in the back of my mind, yoga is what I need the most.  It’s why I can’t quit. Yoga is a part of my life and always will be. Dedicate time each day to practice yoga, meditation and self-care. Live by the yamas and niyamas. Live your yoga! (Yoga is more than asana-the physical postures) https://kripalu.org/resources/yoga-s-ethical-guide-living-yamas-and-niyamas

3. Do what you love.  Do I love owning a yoga studio? No. If anyone can testify to the struggles of owning a yoga studio it’s me.  I’m on my third yoga studio. I’ve opened and closed studios because at times I feel a void in my life where I believe I have to have a dedicated space to practice and teach.  Then at times, I struggle to find the time and finances to keep the space open. Although I currently own a studio, I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. All I know, is I won’t quit teaching. For those who have been practicing with me for the last decade, you know I’m always here, maybe at a different studio, maybe under a different name, but I’ve always been here and I’m not going anywhere.  Teaching yoga is what I love.

4. Be present.  All we really have is the present moment. “If you must look back, do so forgivingly.  If you must look forward, do so prayerfully. However, the wisest thing you can do is be present in the present.”-Maya Angelou  

5. You can’t please everyone. Learn how to make yourself happy first.  No one will ever understand the true you but you.  It’s none of your business what other people think or say about you. Just be you. Live by the mantra “Sa Ta Na Ma” which translates to “truth is my name”. Speak and practice the truth even if it hurts.

6. Never stop learning. In life, there’s always something to learn.  Whatever you’re into, learn more about it. Whatever you’re not into, learn something new.  Whatever you learn can’t ever be taken away from you!

7. See the world.  Traveling outside the U.S. gives you a deeper appreciation for what you have and changes your perspective on life for the better.  Most of the world doesn’t live like us. Travel with gratitude. Respect each other’s differences, and most importantly eat their food! It also helps if you learn a second language, or two!

8. Spend time with children.  They say that yoga releases your inner child.  When I teach children’s yoga, my heart is full.  For those of you who are parents to young children, you know exactly what I’m talking about.  Kids may drive us nuts at times, but at the end of the day, they’re innocent beings who just want to be loved and are full of curiosity eager to learn.  Cherish time with your little ones. They can actually teach you more than you know.

9. Spend time with animals, particularly dogs.  If you know me I’m a dog lover.  I have no children. My three dogs are my children.  They love unconditionally and are always by your side.  Nothing makes me happier than to come home at the end of the day to be greeted by their slobbering faces! Adopt. Rescue. Volunteer at an animal shelter.  Have you ever wondered why most yoga poses are named after animals? According to Yoga Journal, [“One famous instance occurs near the end of the Mahabharata, India's monumental national epic. The god Indra invites the hero-king Yudhishthira (pronounced you-dish-TEER-ah) into heaven, if only he'll "cast off" his loyal canine companion. The righteous king refuses, saying, "I do not wish for prosperity if I have to abandon a creature who is devoted to me." As it turns out, the dog is none other than Dharma, the god of virtue; upon hearing these words, he assumes his true form and says to Yudhishthira, "There is no one in heaven equal to you."]

10. Believe in a higher power.  God...The Universe... Buddha…There is something or someone greater than us.  Have faith and pray. Prayers come true. Dreams come true. We are governed by nature-the five elements-water, air, fire, earth, space. Everything is a part of you and you are a part of everything. Be one with nature.  When you’re feeling lost go into nature to be found. Listen to the rain. Listen to the birds. Listen to the river flowing over the rocks or the waves hitting the seashore. Look up to the stars, the moon and the sun. Climb that mountain. There’s magic all around us.  

Living yoga off the mat

In June I had the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica with high school students for 10 days.  During these 10 days we traveled from San Jose to La Fortuna to Monteverde to the Pacific Coast to Sarchi to the Saraquipi River.  I had no idea what to expect but was up for the adventure.  Each day we embarked on explorations and adventures...visiting a coffee plantation, kayaking Lake Arenal, soaking in the hot springs of the Arenal Volcano, hiking the Santa Elena Cloud Forest, ziplining in the rainforest, white water rafting and much more! It was the most physically challenging trip I've ever experienced.  Most of the time I had to push myself to overcome my fears... of heights, snakes and spiders! I had to push myself to hike uphill 500 more steps when my legs ached to the point I didn't think I could walk any further.  When I had doubts, fears and hesitations I kept thinking "you can do this...this is yoga off the mat".  Many of us practice yoga for its physical and mental benefits but yoga is more than a practice on your mat, its about taking what you learn on your mat off your mat.  Yoga teaches us all of these sweet little lessons that we can apply to our daily life.  If you learn to overcome your fear of doing a headstand, you can overcome any of your fears! If you can push yourself to get through a challenging power yoga class or hold a pose just a few seconds longer, you can do anything! Don't get stuck in your comfort zone. Take a new class.  Meet a new teacher.  Take more adventures! Meet new people! Try new foods! Live your yoga! Live your life! ...and don't forget to breathe!

-Jenny Dayton, yogi, teacher, foodie, animal lover, explorer

A Dose of Mindfulness....a testimonial by Georgi Ferek

Just a few months ago I was being held hostage by my monthly planner. My table was littered with to do lists, the laptop powered on with multiple web pages opened, my planner laying strategically where I could see it with due dates highlighted and in bold. Just a few months ago if you asked me how I was doing, I may have paused momentarily from checking my inbox with one hand and writing with another. I would have tried to hide the irritation in my voice because you stopped me from multitasking and say, “I’m doing great.” I would have looked straight at your face, but I would have never truly seen you. Because I wasn’t there in that moment, enjoying a conversation between two people. I was somewhere else in my brain saying “Finish that paper, take that test, send out those invitations, clean the kitchen.” Just a few months ago, I had the thought, that life wasn’t always a constant limbo of tasks. So why was I forcing myself to complete each task habitually, just to wake up and repeat it the next day? I was on autopilot, in a constant state of the driven doing mode. I held the irrational belief that if I just kept working towards the task I would survive, meet my goals, and be content. However, while I was busy striving I also forgot what it felt like to live life exquisitely.

Just a few months ago I stepped inside a yoga studio to practice mindfulness meditation. I signed up for an eight week course where I dedicated every Saturday to meditation practices. It just so happened that I signed up for mindfulness meditation the same semester that I was student teaching. To my surprise, what was supposed to be the most stressful part of my teaching career has actually been the most enjoyable. Mindfulness meditation has taught me to live in the present moment, to accept the things in life that I can’t change, and to trust my own intuition again. I know that I exude confidence in the classroom because of the skills I have gained through mindfulness meditation. I am now midway through my student teaching career and I think about how the old me would have cluttered this amazing experience with worriment and panic. I
look around my environment every day and feel gratitude. Mindfulness meditation has taught me to enjoy things again almost in a childlike manner. Such as the pure bliss of chocolate, taking a walk, the beauty of a sunset, or the excitement of reading a book. I take part in activities that nourish me again, when before I use to cast them away because I was too busy working. I have found the time to paint, draw, and bake because mindfulness meditation has brought back my creativity and mental focus. I feel more readily able to communicate with loved ones which in return, has made my relationships stronger. Most importantly, I view each day as a gift to honor myself and others with compassion. My days are no longer spent following rituals to complete tasks just to wake up and repeat the cycle. It feels as though every day I discover something new to love again, and really that is what life is all about. Just a few months ago I was a different person. This journey has allowed me to not only grow but to flourish and I will always be appreciative for that. -Georgi Ferek

Yoga Therapy with Sarah Nadeau

Yoga therapy is not just a yoga lesson.  Each session begins with client intake (conversation between client and therapist) followed by hands on therapeutic yoga techniques to address the mental and physical needs of the client.  Sarah is currently offering discounted Yoga therapy sessions at MYS.  Contact her to schedule a session at 724-309-5081.

The yoga therapy components of Sarah's instruction are based on her Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy training program, not derived from her status as an RYT with Yoga Alliance. A Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy one-on-one session consists of the practitioner assisted yoga postures and a dialogue process that is client-centered, open ended and non-directive.  The client is facilitated through an experience of him or herself in the present moment, and whatever happens in the present moment-physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually finds richness in relationship to the bigger picture of how that client is being in the world of daily life-work, play, family relationships.  

More about Sarah:

Sarah started practicing yoga in 2009, as a way to help regain flexibility. This practice led her down a path of aligning mind, body and soul, something she never imagined at the start of her journey. She received her yoga alliance RYT200 hour certification through Moonglow Yoga in 2013.

Sarah enjoys a mindful movement style of teaching. Giving her students time to connect with breath, helping it carry them through the poses like a dance. Currently, she is studying towards her 900 hour Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy certification. With this accreditation, she hopes to help her students reach their highest potential through guided poses and meditation. When she isn't practicing yoga, you can find her in nature or traveling with her husband Rob, and two dogs Ollie and Freda.

Welcome Leann Beatty to MYS!

We'd like to formally welcome Leann Beatty, LMT, to MYS! Leann has been a practicing Massage Therapist for the past 11 years, trained in numerous modalities including Thai Yoga Massage, which she is offering at MYS on Tuesdays. Thai Yoga Massage is an ancient practice done fully clothed on a mat or table using acupressure, massage done with hands, feet and elbows, incorporate gentle yoga stretches in a flowing manor. The acupressure point (sen lines), muscles, ligaments and joints are stretched and opened stimulating flow in a meditative, pressing and rocking yoga like manor.  Leann is always learning and incorporating new techniques in clients' care. She also has a passion for yoga and practiced off and on since high school. She has studied Restorative Yoga at Asheville School of yoga, which she also offers on Tuesdays at MYS. She loves to meditate in nature, hike and spend time with her daughters.

Spring into MYS...

Spring is almost here. We have many upcoming events and new happenings at MYS. First we would like to welcome Kari Garber-Hynek.  

Kari is a certified Aromatherapy Acupoint Therapist. Acupoint Aromatherapy uses gentle touch and application of essential oils to acupoints along specific meridians of the body. A single drop of oil is gently held on each point to foster an energetic shift. These oils and acupoints have been carefully selected to create a resonance between the two. By pairing the energetic quality of an essential oil with the energetic quality of an acupoint the body's response can be magnified and is typically more significant than with either method alone. Because Aroma Acupoint Therapy employs only essential oils, it is well suited to those with an aversion to needles or sensitive systems. However, AAT can also be a powerful compliment to acupuncture treatments and other bodywork.

Contact Kari for an appointment!

Visit  www.karmahessentials.com  or contact her by email at  karigh.aat@gmail.com   

NEW CLASS-CHAIR YOGA begins Thursday March 1 at 9:30 am...Laura Scoville, RYT will be offering Chair Yoga.  This class is for beginners, seniors and all levels beneficial to those with limited mobility and flexibility. Wake up the body with our morning all levels, all ages stretch class.  Gentle standing and seated poses will be taken using props such as chairs, cushions, blocks and blankets. All levels welcome! Seniors 55+ enjoy a $10 drop in rate or use your class pass!

Be sure to check our events page to register for our Spring line up events! There is something for everyone! Music is our theme for Spring! Tune into the sounds and to your soul!

January 2018 News

Click below to view our January newsletter! Sign up for our emails via constant contact to stay informed! Happy New Year from MYS! May you prosper and be well! 

November News

Thanksgiving

Where we do we begin! We are so grateful! When we opened our doors in August we really didn't know what to expect. It had been an awesome journey for both of us prior to MYS, but we finally made it home, to our "shala"! We are overjoyed with the love and support our community has given us!  Our intention at MYS is that when you walk through our doors, you feel at home and at peace. It is a place to cultivate joy within yourself. As the holiday season approaches, there's no better time and place to practice yoga! OM for the holidays...

Thank you!-Mandy & Jenny

Upcoming Events

View our featured events below or click on our events page! We recommend downloading the MindBody app to schedule classes. Flow & Glow this holiday season! 

Staff news

Welcome Deborah Sharp Molchan, Ph.D. to our guest staff. Deborah will be leading mindful meditation courses at our studio. Deborah is a licensed psychologist with over twenty years of experience in private practice facilitating therapy and teaching mindfulness meditation to adults, children, and families. She has been an adjunct professor at Pennsylvania State University and California University of Pennsylvania graduate school psychology program. Her personal meditation practice has spanned over sixteen years, and she incorporates Mindfulness -Based Cognitive Therapy and mindfulness practices into her psychotherapy sessions. She has completed the required training in MBSR and MBCT, and she is currently enrolled in the UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness for MBCT teaching certification. When Deborah is not at her practice, she enjoys spending time with her husband playing in nature, skiing, sailing, golfing, practicing yoga, listening to music, and mindfully laughing with her daughters, family, and friends.

Deborah Sharp Molchan, Ph.D.

Farewell Taryn! MYS Instructor Taryn Graf is moving to Colorado! We are so sad to see her go, but we wish her the best on her new journey. Taryn's last class at MYS is Yoga Basics on December 1 at 6:00 pm. Be sure to stop in and see her before she leaves! 

Thank you Taryn! You'll be missed!

Closing remarks

As we wrap up November, check back for December news. We'll be publishing the newsletter once per month! Feel free to share our news on social media! We'd love to hear from you too! Email us at mountainyogashala@gmail.com. Happy Holidays! Peace, Love, Light, Namaste!

Therapeutic Yoga for Children

Jenny Dayton, RYT and Co-owner of Mountain Yoga Shala, completed a 50 hour intensive therapeutic yoga for children training with Global Family Yoga and Mira Binzen, E-RYT, RCYT in July 2017. Jenny is now certified to teach therapeutic applications of yoga to children and families and implement Anxious to AwesomeTM (A2A), a program created by Mira that has helped thousands of children cope with stress and anxiety.  "I learned more in a week about myself and about yoga than I ever have in my life.  Mira's program was so authentic and she was so knowledgeable about all aspects of yoga.  Through this certification Mira has given me all the tools I need to support children, families and professionals who work with children on a daily basis through yoga.  Most people associate yoga with the physical postures (asana), but there's so much more to yoga than the physical practice.  Mindfulness practices such as meditation, breathing techniques and the use of essential oils can make a world of difference in our crazy world.  I suffer from anxiety and even though I am a yoga teacher, suffer from stress. Everyone does! What's important is we learn the techniques to manage stress and learn how to improve our quality of life no matter what our diagnosis." -Jenny Dayton

Therapeutic Yoga sessions can take place in the studio, at your home, school or workplace.  The Anxious to Awesome program is a 6 week program and is limited to 8 participants.  Age groups for the A2A program are 5-7, 8-12 or 13 & up (teen). If you would like to learn more about the A2A program or would like to schedule private sessions with Jenny, please contact her directly at 724-550.3661.  Jenny is also a Wellness Advocate for doTerra Essential Oils.  If you would like to learn more about the use of essential oils in your home, contact Jenny.