R ’n’ R: Release and Rejuvenate

During 5 years of intense preparation for a prestigious promotion at work, I have allowed many things to pile up, both at home (stuff) and at the office (more stuff), in my mind (worries and doubts) as well as in my body (toxins). I felt like my physical and mental clutter were following me around, affecting my ability to swiftly move, levelheadedly reason and profoundly feel. If you are experiencing some or all of these symptoms, try the following recipe: The Release and Rejuvenate Lasagna a la Mat, concocted by yours truly.

Staples:
- 3 or more years of unworn clothes
- 5 years of shelves with random papers never looked at
- 10 lbs of objects whose only purpose is to cuss them out when you have to dust
- 25 lbs of boxes lying in the corner labeled “You never know” or “One day when...”
- 500 g of trinkets given to you by the ex-partner that never crosses your mind anymore
- 5 lbs of toys you keep even though all your kids are juniors in college
- 7 lbs of dishes that would not pass the sanitary inspection
- 8 lbs of sheets in which only the moths sleep
- 1 bag of excuses

Key Ingredients:
- 1 kg of grudge and resentment
- 5 spoons full of worries and doubts
- 4 spoons of vanity and comparisons
- 3 teaspoons of leftover emotions for the person that did not know how to appreciate you
- 8 neck pains
- 2 cups of tears and jealousy
- a pinch of grief

Condiments:
- 3 oz of good will
- 1 bar of laughter

Tools:
- deep inhalation
- even deeper exhalation

Gabriela Vokic Procedure:
Layer the ingredients, taking special care to include the inhalations and exhalations between each layer. Sprinkle with good will and laughter. No stuffing allowed: stop layering when you run out of breath. Once released into the Universal oven, never look back to check how the lasagna is doing. Serving Suggestion: Enjoy rejuvenation by noticing the fresh scent of your house, your step that has become a little lighter, the smile that’s gotten a little bigger, more space in your office, the spark returning to your eye, the soul smiling more frequently, your being becoming a little more content.

It worked for me. I hope it works for you too. Remember: don’t wait for a promotion or for any other “special” moment to do it. Rather fix the R’n’R lasagna when you perceive that your ability to swiftly move, levelheadedly reason and profoundly feel has diminished.

Namaste,
Gabriela

Have a question for Gabriela? Email her at vokic@mail.smu.edu. You can find Gabriela teaching on Saturday mornings at The Mat. Come join her for class!

Challenge 2011 is here!

From May 30 through June 28 we invite you to participate in our 30-Day Yoga Challenge. Whatever your inspiration, the goal is simple – make a commitment to practice 5 days a week (20 classes) for 30 days! Get all details and sign up in the studio prior to June 1, 2011. Challenge 2011 is a great opportunity to strengthen the body, focus the mind, and begin a daily commitment to yourself.

Bring a Friend for Just $5!
As a special treat during the 30-Day Yoga Challenge we are bringing back our Bring a Friend for $5 Special! Bring as many guests as you'd like, as many times as you'd like during the dates of the challenge, and each guest will pay just $5 per class! Guests must attend class with you. Guests who have previously attended class at The Mat are eligible except for those who have a current membership at The Mat.

Holiday and Schedule Changes

Monday May 30th, Memorial Day

On Memorial Day this year, as a small token of our gratitude for the service of anyone in the armed forces, we would like to offer FREE YOGA to veterans and to those currently serving. Simply show ID at the desk on May 30 and enjoy your class as our guest! We truly appreciate your service and sacrifice for our country. We will be open all day and have a full schedule. Thank you, from a very grateful Mat Yoga Studio family.

Wednesdays, 5:45am Mat Open Flow

Effective June 1st, we are canceling the Wednesday 5:45am class. Wednesday, May 25th was the last class. Please continue to join us on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:45am!

Upcoming Workshops and Events!

Bhuta Agni - The Yoga of Spring Cleaning
with Aaron Price
Saturday, May 28th, 12:30pm-3:30pm

Bhuta Agni is an ancient yogic practice of purifying the heart and mind of the demons that posses them. Aaron will empower you to let go of negative habits that may be holding you back in life and access your own incredible personal power. We will work intensively with the Bandhas, so please come on as empty of a stomach as possible.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required, either online or in the studio.

Hatha for Haiti - First Friday Candlelight Yoga Class
with Jennifer Usherr
Friday, June 3rd, 7:15pm-8:30pm

Find a nice groove and build some community in this yin-yang style yoga class taught by Jennifer Usherr, assisted by Danielle McLean, and accompanied by a DJ mixed sound. This 75-minute class is by donation and all proceeds go to Off the Mat, Into the World’s Global Seva Challenge for Haiti. Stay after class to enjoy the blissed-out energy with music and refreshments. Any donation welcome ($20 suggested).

Pre-registration is greatly appreciated so we know how many people to expect. Click here to sign up online now or call us to register at 972-497-YOGA(9642).

Lululemon Dallas Galleria Studio of the Month

The Mat is proud to be Lululemon's Studio of the Month for June. We'll be sharing the lemon love all month long with free classes at Lululemon on Tuesdays from 6:00pm-7:00pm and with lots of window demos on Saturdays. Come by for a free class at Lululemon Dallas Galleria with Julie, Lisa, Jackie, or Samantha, or just stop by to show your support as they demonstrate their yoga love in the window. We hope to see you there!

One Love Dallas is back! Saturday, June 11th, 8:00am

The Mat is a proud sponsor and supporter of One Love Dallas. Register now for the largest outdoor yoga class, taught by 12 of Dallas' most inspiring teachers, and raise funds for a great cause! The Mat instructors Jenn Usherr, Julie Wright, Trina Hall, and Jen Lawson will all be representing.

One Vision: To inspire all yogis to expand their asana (physical) practices by reaching beyond posing on a 3′X6′ mat and into underprivileged communities throughout the world.
One Community: Yogis throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, from a variety of studios and traditions, join hands, hearts, and consciousness to create the strength that comes from sangha, from togetherness.
One Cause: 100% of donations support the Global Seva Challenge of Off the Mat, Into the World, whose 2011 efforts will directly support grass roots organizations in Haiti, where over 1 million people are living in tents following the devastating earthquake on 1/12/2010.

This is an amazing event that should not be missed! You can support your favorite Mat instructor by registering online now and selecting their name as your inspiration.

**Photo courtesy of Margie Woods Brown.

Our Yoga Story - Mike & Alison Mahnich

Mike has been practicing at The Mat (and formerly APY Richardson) since 2007, and Alison joined him in September, 2010. They are an integral part of our Mat family, as Mike graciously lends his mad DJ skillz to all of our events. We are so grateful that they are sharing their Yoga story with us this month!

Why do you practice Yoga?
Mike: I practice yoga to clear my head. My mind is the type that is “always going” and I need to take the time to actually switch it off. In the past, I have tried various things, but my self-discipline isn’t high enough for me to stick with it. That is why I practice at The Mat. When I was in my mid-30s, I suffered a spinal injury while roller skating with my kids at a birthday party. I left the roller rink in an ambulance after what seemed like a minor fall. It is a funny story now, but it was at that moment that I started to take my health seriously. Within the next year or so, I met Lisa Coyle and started my yoga practice.

Alison: I practice yoga because I like the way it shapes my figure and calms my soul at the same time.

How were you first introduced to Yoga? And, when did you begin your practice?
Mike: Not knowing a thing about yoga, I asked a friend at church about her practice and she recommended Lisa. At the time, I was about 30 pounds heavier than I am now and could not even touch my toes. I was also on medication for high blood pressure. That was about six years ago. Lisa was very kind to me and really took the time to make me feel comfortable even though I only came to class once per week. Eventually once per week, became twice, and then eventually more often than that.

Alison: I was first really introduced to yoga in October, when my husband Mike suggested (forced-ha!) that I come to a gentle yoga class on a Sunday morning. Mike had been taking yoga for years (five) and I never really understood what the excitement was all about until I took that class. I really liked it and continued my Sunday morning practice until I was brave enough to take a regular flow class. My first regular flow class was with Ginger and I just went from there. I love the instructors and staff at The Mat and I would really never think of going anywhere else.

How often do you practice?
Mike: My weekly schedule keeps me busy with entertaining in the music and disc jockey business (see www.mikemahnich.com for more information), so I have to put it on my calendar or I will never get to the studio! I aspire to practice 3 – 4 times per week, some weeks are more, some less.

Alison: That has been a challenge lately, but I usually practice 3 times a week.

What are a few of the benefits that you have experienced? How does your practice help you in your daily life?
Mike: The best benefits are the new friends I have made as a result of practicing! But beyond that, I have become a more healthy, patient & calm person. Yoga has also helped me to become a more empathetic person and see the world as a larger whole-being. In the past six years, I have lost approximately 30 pounds, changed my eating habits permanently, and become more educated about health & nutrition. Most profoundly, in the last 60 days, I have completely gotten off all medication that I have been taking for almost 12 years.

Alison: Yoga has been very beneficial in many ways. It has really sculpted my body in ways I could not have imagined. It gets my day off to a good start and it really calms my soul.

What is one tip you would give to a new practitioner of Yoga?
Mike: For male practitioners (or really anybody), I would recommend giving it a try. Flexibility is the key to staying young in my opinion and nothing is better than yoga for helping with that. Set a goal to practice regularly (once per week) for at least six months.

Alison: BE PATIENT and open-minded. You should also go more than once before you decide that yoga “is not for you.”

Why do you practice with us, at The Mat?
Mike: Lisa Coyle introduced me to the studio when it was under a different name. I practiced there for a couple years, but frankly I had started “shopping around” when I found out that The Mat took over. The change in ownership a couple of years ago really breathed a refreshing breath into the studio and changed the attitude to one that makes everyone feel welcome and happy to be there. Every once in awhile, you just find a gem among the rocks of the world and The Mat is one of them!

Alison: I feel very at home and comfortable with The Mat family I have created. I feel like I can really let go and freely practice without judgment.

What others are saying about Gabriela's classes...

"Gabriela’s strong, smooth energy wraps you up like a soft security blanket... and then she makes you work really hard! I so enjoy her calming voice and her practice is challenging and intense while still being nurturing and peaceful. I definitely recommend anyone that hasn’t had the pleasure yet of practicing with her on Saturday mornings to get in to class as soon as you can!" -Lisa

"Gabriela has an energizing yet calming presence in class, she clearly puts a lot of thought and care into what and how she teaches. Her detailed instruction and beautiful messaging are powerful for experienced and beginner yogis; she explains not only what to do, but why. I left her class feeling stronger physically and emotionally and eager to practice with her again." -Tracy

"Gabriela's class is physically challenging and calming at the same time. Her beautiful voice compliments her unique style. A real treat!" -Julie

"I really enjoy Gabriela's class. She has a calm and soothing voice and uses visualizations to help keep the mind focused on the present moment. The sequencing was beautifully orchestrated and left me feeling relaxed and open both in mind and body." -Samantha

Do you have feedback about Gabriela or any other teacher at The Mat? Email Becky at becky@thematyogastudio.com.

Visit us at www.thematyogastudio.com for studio information. We look forward to seeing you on The Mat!

The Mat Yoga Studio
670 N. Coit Road, Suite 2381
Richardson, Texas 75080