Gratefulness for Yoga, Massage & Good Friendship

I had to share this note from ThxThxThx today. Leah honestly has the best notes and such an awesome sense of humor, don't you think? I love the combo of comedy and gratitude :)

I also want to send a big thank you out to my friend Lindsay Paige of Omai Bodyworks for the best massage ever yesterday. I was only in there for 30 minutes, but Lindsay managed to work out all of my knots and kinks in my neck and shoulders. No more pain! I am so, so grateful. :)

For those of you in Evanston who need a good massage, Lindsay is your girl. She's got a ton of experience, a wonderfully chill style and comfortable studio, and some of the strongest biceps you'll find. If you'd like to contact her about her massage services, let me know and I'll put you in touch. She's located in the basement of Bikram Yoga Evanston and has super flexible hours.

Finally, I hope all of you Chicago readers are all ready for this big blizzard! Stay warm and be safe. I know I'll be drinking some extra hot chocolate and apple cider in the next few days...

SNOWPOCALYPSE, a photo via Northwestern University's Twitter account.

Restful

Photo via Coffee and Yoga.

Hey lovely yogis. What are you up to this weekend?

I hope you're having fun and relaxing lots. Lately I've been learning the importance of resting. There's nothing better than a lazy, rejuvenating Saturday spent with family and friends.

Even on days like today when the Hubs and I wake up early and get some chores done, it's nice to know we've earned a break after a week of hard work.

And tonight I'll be enjoying a laid-back celebration with fellow Bikram addicts at the grand opening at 105 Yoga in Oak Park, Chicago.

Good times!

Enjoy your weekend, and take a break. Clear your mind. Do your yoga.

Do those things that truly make you happy!

Photo via Coffee and Yoga.

Real Men Do Yoga: Rich Krzyzanowski + TruHarmony Yoga in Chicago

Next up in the Real Men Do Yoga series comes a dedicated yogi from TruHarmony in Chicago. The studio is located in River North and features heated classes based on Baron Baptiste's Vinyasa classes.

TruHarmony has been reviewed by TimeOut Chicago as offering classes that will burn more calories than other types of yoga, and Chicago Now calls it one of the best studio spaces in an office building.

Thanks to Rich for mentioning the blog at TruHarmony, I will be joining some of their talented instructors for class in the next week or so. I am stoked to meet studio owner Megan Chappell and try out a 90-minute vinyasa flow class. They've also got incredible candlelight yoga classes! Check out TruHarmony's site for more info.

Photos via this review on Chicago Now. 

Rich practices often at TruHarmony in Chicago. He is a dedicated yogi with a passion for all things yoga, and he's recently gotten more involved at the studio by working part-time to help around the space. He loves the community there, and the stellar classes that have transformed his mind and body. This is his story.

Photos courtesy of Rich Krzyzanowski, a yogi at TruHarmony studio in Chicago, Illinois.

I got involved with yoga in early August of 2010.  I practice at TruHarmony Yoga at 900 North Franklin Street in Chicago.  It is a hot vinyasa studio.  

My sister got me a mat and some private lessons for my birthday.  She and I went to the lessons and I was easily the weakest one in the room!  I was also the only male.  Needless to say, I am hooked now.   


I love to see where my body will go on any given day.  I am also really impressed with how quickly the progression from not knowing how to do anything or not being able to do anything to feeling like I can do anything has come to pass.  


I love looking at what someone is doing and being able to say, "I can do that."  I may not be able to do it right now, but I will practice some and get there when my body is ready.  

Through yoga, I have discovered meditation, too.  I am just embarking on that journey, but I am really excited about where it will go.

Namaste,
Rich

Booty Time!

All photos by Kara Schultz, a talented Chicago photographer.

You love your body. You love your hubby (or boyfriend).

So why not surprise him with the results of a super sexy photo shoot?

It doesn't have to be Valentine's Day. It doesn't have to be his birthday. It can be just for fun, and all about you, because you're worth it. :)

Kara's work can reveal how fiery hot, or romantic, you are. Book a shoot with her today! 

I recently discovered the talented and sassy work of Chicago wedding and boudoir photographer Kara Schultz. Kara's work is stunning, sexy, and all around empowering to the women who she documents in creative and gorgeous ways.

Consider signing up for a session with Kara on Saturday, January 22nd in downtown Chicago. You'll get 60 minutes to flirt it up with the camera, plus a resulting disc of 30 beautiful images. This is a wonderful deal at just $300 that you don't want to miss! 

And who knows, there may just be a little surprise from me and Alive in the Fire waiting for you if you decide to sign up. Just sayin! :)

Contact Kara here, and check out her blog for more info and more sweet shots. Be sure to mention that I sent you along, and enjoy your glam time!

January 22nd, 2011 at a sweet hotel downtown. Be there!

Kara also does incredible wedding and engagement photos. I swoon, I swoon!

The kiss.

The bliss. 

I love quiet moments like this caught on camera. 

So whimsical and fun!

Healthy Lifestyles Workshop from Heaven Meets Earth Yoga Studio in Evanston

Ashley, a friend of mine and an amazing yoga teacher at Heaven Meets Earth, is teaching a workshop on healthy lifestyles, weight loss, and mindful exercise and eating.


If you're in Evanston or the Chicago area, consider attending!

Healthy Yoga Body

with Ashley Moran

6 Week Monday night series 

Mondays 7:30-9pm, January 3-February 7.

Starts tonight!

Photo via Heaven Meets Earth.

 Please feel free to share with friends you know who are always dieting or who could use a boost in their body image and self-confidence.


A few details:

Whether you want to lose weight, detoxify your body, or learn more about the ancient art and science of Ayurveda, this class is for you!


Healthy Yoga Body is a mindful approach to weight loss through yoga and the Ayurvedic lifestyle.

Photo via Heaven Meets Earth.

We will explore the basics of Ayurveda, the doshas (body types), and identify appropriate foods and exercises for your type. You will learn how to create a personalized home yoga practice and a community of support. Discover how mindfulness can transform your relationship with food.

Each class will include a lecture, yoga practice, and meditation. Students will leave class every week with amazing resources --delicious, healthy recipes and short mindfulness exercises to support your efforts during the week.

Cost: $120 for six-week series. Beginners welcome! No yoga experience necessary.

Materials: This class will reference texts “Yoga Body Diet” by Kristen Schultz Dollard and John Douillard and “Eating Mindfully” by Susan Albers, psy.d. These books are fantastic resources for your body/mind transformation!

Ashley Moran, CYT, was inspired to create Healthy Yoga Body community after taking a Yoga and Ayurveda workshop with John Douillard. 


Register at Heaven Meets Earth or call 847-475-1500.

Photo via Yoga Journal of a Not Very Calm Character.

Heading Home

The rice fields near my mom's house are a little soggy.

It's been a lovely week out here in California. The Hubs and I are heading home to snowy Chicago!

We're excited to start our new year together -- our first full year as a married couple! We can't wait to clean up our apartment, cuddle with the bunbun, get a regular workout routine going, and of course spend time together and with our friends.

We enjoyed a lovely French breakfast with my mom. Delicious and oh-so-fancy!

I have a feeling 2011 is going to be an incredible year. I am still hoping to do Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in the fall (permitting I can land a scholarship and work out the schedule with work)... but even if it doesn't happen this year, I've got big plans for my yoga practice. 


I've got a lot to work on with my backbends, my endurance during the standing balancing series, and my flexibility during the spine strengthening series. I also want to perfect the art of the headstand and handstand within the year.


I'm also excited to continue practicing the dialogue (and getting serious about memorizing it!) and possibly teaching more small yoga classes to friends in the area so I can gain experience.


What are your yoga goals for this year? Hope you'll join me on the road ahead, and keep in touch about the great places you're planning to go!

Farewell, California! We'll miss you.

Great Buns

Nora is the cutest bunny around town.

I love my bun buns. Just sayin'.

A tasty treat the Hubs and I shared at the farmer's market yesterday.

Oak Park Chicago Yogis: Win Free Bikram!

Photo via Dudes Doing Yoga.

Yogis and yoginis of Chicago, I know you want free Bikram. 

I know you do. So leave a little comment in the box below and you could win!

I never heard from the lady who was picked for this giveaway, so I'm reopening it. 

Get a whole free week of Bikram at 105 Yoga in Oak Park by leaving a comment below with your favorite posture. Then dance and jump for joy like this, because you could win!

Photo via Hello Mr. Fox.

Almost forgot. We've got a winner for the lovely White Iguana leggings and fun Clive Does Yoga print. (Can you tell it's giveaway fever around here at Alive in the Fire?! I feel like my brains are on fire with giveaway excitement on a daily basis.) 

Anyway! Congrats to Pam. Please contact me with your email and I'll put you in touch with the sellers!

How to Make a Happy Yogi: Christmas Gift Ideas for Your Awkward Friends & Downward Dogs

Time to glow. Photo via Scout and Catalogue.

 

All tangled? Simple gift ideas here. Photo via Wikstenmade.

Still shopping?

Here are some quick ideas for what to get your yogi friends, and your not-yet-yogi friends who need converting.


And a holiday reminder to all: it's about the love, not the cash you spend!

• A Pranayama breathing app. Ever wished you could take a moment to breathe and not freak out? Well, here you are. Yoga breathing techniques on-the-go. Recently reviewed over at Daily Cup of Yoga.

• Cozy things from Wiksten like this chunky scarf, or these boot socks.

• Red Leaf bar soap for guys. This Etsy shop has the best masculine suds around. Packaging comes in holiday colors, too!

• For those first-row kind of sexy Bikram girls you know: a ruffle bra from Need Supply Co! This looks super comfy, too.

Photo via Couture Boudoir.

•  A sexy boudoir session from a local Chicago photographer like Couture Boudoir, Laura Meyer or Kara Schultz. Give your man some sexy photos as a surprise!
• Grey bootie shoes from Osborn that make a comfortable and cozy alternative to winter boots.

• A beautiful Le Creuset french oven pan for the foodies you love (and love to invite over for potlucks!) via Cookware.

• A yoga music CD.
• A yoga shirt for your puppy, and a visit to this dog-friendly studio / cafe. I wasn't kidding about the gift ideas for your downward dogs thing! :)

• A gift certificate to your favorite studio so you and your friends can yoga together.
• Some VitaCoco, Ultima Replenisher and Kashi bars for a pre- or post-workout snack that replenishes and rehydrates.

What yogi gifts are on your wish list this year?

Snuggle up out there! Photo via Scout and Catalogue.

Bunnies and Chicago Holiday Adventuring

The Hubs and I had a lovely weekend full of holiday cheer and time at home with our bunny. She makes life at the apartment so much more entertaining and fun :)

Nora the nibbler.

Nora the explora!

Nora loves to explore everywhere, and get cuddles from everyone.

Nora loves Nick.

She's a true cuddle bunny!

Nora loves Hubs, too.

Tonight, traveling up the Sears Tower and to the Christkindl Market was breathtaking! Many thanks to Nick and his lovely parents for taking us on the trip. We love you, Chicago!

Sears at dusk: incredible.

Like a different world up there.

This phone pic doesn't do it justice, but check out that grid! 

Keep an eye out for my sweet Sears Tower yoga pic, coming soon to a blog near you. Not to mention: more giveaways (are you sick of them yet?!), New Years ideas, and more entries in the Real Men Do Yoga series!

Have a wonderful week, yogis!

Back to the Windy City

It's blizzardy here in Chicago, but we're glad to be back.

We made it home! It is wonderful to be back to Evanston even will all the crazy weather. Hubs and I actually marveled at the way we felt excited to see the snowflakes this morning :)

From the sunny beaches to freezing weather, I've been having a blast documenting my Standing Bow since Thanksgiving. It's getting there... :)

On the beach, baby. See that little island out there? We swam to it.

Sunset in Minnesota.

Nothing beats yoga on the beach but I can't wait to hit the Hot Room soon. Coming up, I'll be posting about several outstanding studios, including the one in Minneapolis I visited over Thanksgiving and the one in Granite Bay, CA where I first practiced Bikram with my mom.

Ooooh, backbend!

Even in the frosty weather, we'll be dreaming of Puerto Rico and remembering all the fun times we had drinking pina coladas, kayaking the bay, exploring the private island, and even building a sandcastle!

Our favorite drink in Puerto Rico: the pina colada of course!

Keep your eyes out for more Christmas-y and New Year's posts here on Alive in the Fire as the month goes along. Tomorrow I'll be featuring a sexy party top and a beautiful painting you won't want to miss!

Our Christmas tree!

Snuggle up out there, yogis. Namaste!