Great Yoga Giveaway For the Workshop Participants

Photo by Sarah Rhoads.

Friday night I had a great time teaching a little yoga workshop at Northwestern, mostly with newbie yogis. We had a lot of fun trying out the warm up postures from Bikram, meeting each other and sharing what our favorite poses are, and then finishing up class with some great relaxation.

It was beautiful!

Class proved especially helpful because I left with a calm and clear state of mind... only to find a circus of car troubles at home! The Hubs and our friend Nick had suffered a bad jump to the trusty Subaru, so we were racing around trying to decide if we should cab it over to AutoZone, try for a ride, or get another jump. Turns out we have amazing neighbors and we ended up being saved by the lady who's parking spot we stole for a few minutes. She was so kind-hearted and didn't call the tow truck on us, thank goodness!

Anyway, I wanted to offer a sweet little yoga giveaway to all those lovely yogis I met on Friday. If you guys follow the blog, follow me on Twitter, and post a comment below with your contact info, you'll be entered to win:

• An incredible Bandha Yoga anatomy book (wonderful reading before you get started on a safe practice and a great way to protect all your muscles and joints!)
• A copy of Julie Rader's meditation (featuring yoga nidra, which is a 45-minute meditation that makes you feel like you've slept for hours)
• A copy of Maya Fiennes' Kundalini yoga class for detoxing and de-stressing 
• An introduction to your first Bikram class with me! I'll give you helpful tips before class, treat you to a revitalizing VitaCoco coconut water after class, and take you out for coffee afterward to discuss your experience. Doesn't get any better than that!

    

Again, to win please:

• leave a comment below with your name and email
• click "Follow" on the blog
• add me on Twitter!

Thanks and namaste. *Note: you must be a workshop participant from Friday's class to enter.

Gratitude

Photo via Kirsten's awesome yoga blog.

A while back (on Black Friday to be exact!), fellow Bikram yoga blogger Kirsten won this kick-ass sarcastic "some like it hot" towel from me (via Yoga with Style).

Look at this sweet graphic she made!

Such a lovely thank you "note."

I love when people show their gratitude in creative ways. Happy weekend everyone!

Giveaway Winners

Congrats to Nina. You win the Get to Yoga giveaway #2! 


Congrats to Marysza. You win the rabbit giveaway!


Ladies, please contact me at aliveinthefire at gmail dot com with your mailing address so I can let the sellers know where to ship. Thanks!

Bunny Says Hi + A Giveaway for Rabbit Lovers

It's been far too long since I've posted about Nora. Tonight she couldn't resist saying hi to all of you. 

She also wanted to tell you about some bunny products she has been loving, like her Busy Bunny hay rack. She seriously gets excited every time I fill it up with snacks for her. She'll run around the cage, tip it over, jump on top of it... and then start the process all over again.

If you have a bunny, check out Busy Bunny for a ton of adorable products, toys and great bunbun snacks. It's one of Norah's favorite sites!

She's also been obsessed with her amazing set of hammocks. Seriously, a spoiled bunbun, right? Two hammocks?!

She loves them both. Because some days are better suited for her pink one from Quality Pet Hammocks on Etsy. 

And others really just call for a brown/yellow hammock from Gotta Spoil 'Em Gems on Etsy. Plus she has a matching carrying bag! (It fits Nora, or some of her food and accessories, depending on the occasion.)

Again, if you're a bunny owner, you should head over to Quality Pet Hammocks and Gotta Spoil 'Em Gems and pick out a treat for your rabbit. They are pets that love to explore and jump up on things, so a place to lounge around is perfect!

Now, even if you don't have a bunny you can participate in this awesome giveaway featuring three rabbit-y items. 

The first is a cute bunny ring from Hoolala on Etsy.

The second is a mini canvas of a super sweet bunny's ears from Marathon1981 on Etsy.

And the third is a bunny poster calendar from Photography With Heart on Etsy that will melt your heart!

To win, please check out each shop for some unique gift ideas. Then leave a comment below about your favorite finds. I myself could go for these crazy awesome salt and pepper shakers, or the Peter Rabbit earrings!

It's The White Rabbit! Photo via Hoolala's Etsy shop.

Bunny sneak peek. Photo via Marathon1981's Etsy shop.

Who can resist this fluffy bunbun?! Photo via Photography With Heart's Etsy shop.

Get To Yoga Giveaway, Round Two

Photo via Dudes Doing Yoga. 

2011 is a great year for yoga. Are you practicing regularly?


Whether you've been on the mat every day in January or you are in need of a push in that direction, I've got a special giveaway today for you.


Calling all sexy, motivated yogis and yoginis!

Enter below to win one piece of clothing from PhatBuddha. Photos via the PhatBuddha site. 

Comment below to win the Get to Yoga Giveaway (round two!), featuring:

• One piece (top or bottom, guy or girl) from Phat Buddha Wear.
• Some HuggerMugger mat cleaner via Yoga With Style.
• A couple of fancy soaps, including one from Sharilynn Studios on Etsy.
• Handmade/ handrawn note cards from DrawnbyNatski and ElisaAnn.
• Personalized inspiration for your new year from me! That's right, I'll be writing you a little note and mailing it myself. You'll also have the chance to ask me questions about poses you need help with, advice on how to take your practice to the next level, and anything else you can think of. I'll include a general guideline for trying Bikram (if you're a beginner) or stepping up your advanced class (if you've been in the heat for a while).

Win these notecards from ElisaAnn on Etsy by entering below. 

Win this lovely any-occasion greeting card from DrawnbyNatski on Etsy.

Win the yoga mat cleaner at right from Yoga With Style (made by Hugger Mugger).

Win a handmade soap from Sharilynn1999 on Etsy.

With this giveaway, you'll be all set to practice your yoga, keep clean after class, write to friends and family via snail mail (a fun way to keep in touch), and ask your favorite yoga blogger for new ideas on deepening your practice!


It's a pretty big win-win situation: a whole new year, a whole new you.


Plus, an incentive for all readers: get FREE SHIPPING on your order with Iluka Activewear if you enter the coupon code "ALIVE" when you check out. Comfortable and sexy outfits with free shipping... it doesn't get much better than that :) 


To win, please visit each shop and comment below with your favorite item you found. Also please note your yoga goals for 2011!

Winners!

Apologies for the delays on these! We've got a winner for both the Transform Your Space (round two) and the Spa Day giveaways!


A big congrats to Sara Selle, who wins the Violintide print, om magnets from OmMama and Naturcraft incense. Please send me an email at aliveinthefire at gmail dot com so I can put you in touch with the sellers!


Also congrats to Laura, my twin sis, for winning the Spa Day items! And just to prove I didn't cheat, here's the photo from the randomizer I entered the names in:

Hope you lucky ladies -- and all the readers out there -- have a beautiful day. I'll leave you with a Tracol quote from one of my favorite yoga bloggers, Julia Yee:

"The deliberate attempt to produce moments of clear, undistorted perceptions - and sustain them and deepen them - is the first line of work."

May your mind be clear and your heart open today.

More to Win: Wednesday SPA DAY Giveaway!

Photos via Coffee and Yoga.

Ready for a spa day?

I don't know about you guys, but all that vacation has made me me ready for... another vacation :) This week's been a little tough getting back into the swing of things at work and at home. Back to cleaning the bathroom, late nights working, plans and goals galore. What about reading books on the couch by the fireplace? And long, hot baths?

In time, in time.

If you're ready for a little at-home spa treatment, this giveaway is for you!

Win this lovely spa package for a day of R&R from Alive in the Fire.

Enter below to win:

• Emollience hair and body butter (from Spiral Solutions).
• Handmade peppermint soap (from CindysSuds). Ingredients: Saponified coconut oil, organic palm oil, olive oil, peppermint essential oil and peppermint leaves.
• An Om hand towel (from Nyemay Collectibles).
• One "Lock the Knee" shirt (from Shavon at Teach Bikram or Bust).
• Peace, happiness & relaxation for the day (your prerogative, which you so deserve!)

To win, please visit all of the above shops and leave a comment below about why you could use a little rest and relaxation after the holidays. Also, please include your shirt size (S, M, or L) for the Lock the Knee shirt!

 

Here's a little more info about Shavon at Teach Bikram or Bust. I love that she is selling these fun shirts as a way to raise money for Teacher Training! Please consider supporting her in her journey by purchasing a shirt. They make great gifts for yoga friends and studio owners!

I have one, too, and am loving it :)

From Shavon: 
I started my Bikram yoga journey about seven years ago while I was living in Oakland, CA. A good friend of mine talked me into going and I'm so grateful she did. Originally, I went just to check it out, not really expecting to start a practice... but before I knew it, I was hooked. As Bikram says, "Tell them to come to class to firm up their asses. In six 6 months, their lives are changed!"  


That was definitely true for me. I found, and continue to find, everything that I didn't expect to in my practice. Bikram yoga has helped me understand grief and loss, Bikram yoga has been there through drug addiction and getting sober, and Bikram yoga has helped me love myself and the path I am on.  

I have cried in yoga, laughed in yoga, learned in yoga, been angry in yoga. I have been all of it in yoga. Yoga has taught me to let go of all of it, to love life for what it is, a moment.  

The most unexpected path I have stumbled upon during my Bikram practice is Teacher Training. The thought has crossed my mind more than once over the years, but I didn't feel "good enough" to commit to it until now. I just can't ignore that voice anymore.  

Yoga has given me so much and it is time to return the favor.  

I want to hold that space for others. Whether you want to firm your ass or explore your heart, it's all part of the process. Teach Bikram or Bust is my blog where I explore the trials and tribulations of my Teacher Training journey. I'm going to attend the fall 2011 training and have started selling shirts to help raise funds for this endeavor. To purchase shirts you can visit my Etsy shop. Shirts sell for $15/shirt or 2 for $20.

Here are some tips from Cindy at CindysSuds for yogis who want to keep clean and small nice after yoga class:

• After your yoga class, try to take a shower as soon as you are able. Not only will you want to wash off any bacteria created by sweat, but the warm water will help sooth your muscles and aid them in the "cool down" phase.
• Prior to taking a shower or bath, dry brush your body with a natural bristle body brush to remove dead skin cells and encourage new cell growth.
• Always wash your workout clothes after a class and wipe down your mat with warm soap and water regularly. It may be tempting to keep your workout clothes in your gym bag and re-wear them on another occasions, but bacterial growth runs rampant in a warm, dark gym bag that has dirty workout clothes tossed in.

Plus, a great deal exclusively for all you readers:

Use the coupon code "yoga2011" at CindysSuds and you'll save 10% on your total purchase price during the entire month of January. Happy New Year!

Photos via Coffee and Yoga.

Winter Extravaganza: Tuesday Giveaway!

Ready for a space that makes you feel at peace? Photo via The Spinning Plate.

Transform your space with today's giveaway! (a follow up to this post)


Choose a print of your choice from Etsy seller Violintide.

 

Violintide Design features artsy superhero prints. I love the zany and wild style!

Spruce up your fridge with some Om magnets from OmMama.

OmMama's magnets remind you to keep calm and carry on. 

Check out her meditation cushions, too!

Enjoy a packet of handmade incense from Etsy's Naturcraft featuring the scents of geranium, frankincense, myrrh, and other authentic herbs. (Just so you know, I have been enjoying some by my desk -- near where Nora's cage is-- and the stuff works wonders!)

To win the print, magnets, and incense, please leave a comment below with one of your goals for the new year and which print you'd choose from Violintide. Also be sure to visit all three shops for Violintide, OmMama and Naturcraft.

Finally, the winner for the Mika item from the Get to Yoga giveaway is Kirsten. 


Update: The Grateful Yoga post is closed. Congrats to Emily, our winner!

Get to Yoga Giveaway

Mika Yoga Wear in action via the company's Facebook profile.

If you're like me, then practicing yoga is one of your biggest resolutions for 2011. In fact, the entry on your list probably reads: 

More yoga, more yoga, more yoga!

Are you ready to hit the Hot Room for some Bikram sessions? 


Signed up for some Hatha, Yin, Ashtanga and Kripalu classes to balance out your fire?


Maybe you need a little push toward your mat. Perhaps a hot top from Mika Yoga Wear would help? This line is inspired by dance wear and is made to hold up especially well in the heat.

Who wouldn't want to wear outfits that allow you to do this?! Mika Yoga Wear in action via the company's Facebook profile. 

Evanston yogis, maybe you could use a free week of classes, and a little break on your bank account? I've got you covered. Nick and Lela Beem, the generous owners at Grateful Yoga in Evanston, are donating a free week pass to today's giveaway.

Lela and Nick Beem of Grateful Yoga in Evanston are incredible teachers and some of the best studio owners I know.

Today's giveaway features one item from Mika, plus a free week of classes at Grateful Yoga in Evanston, IL! (Open to Chicagoland residents only, please.) 

To enter, please check out each site and enter a comment below about why you're excited to get back to your mat & which Mika piece you'd love to have.

Double your chances of winning by doing any of the following. Be sure to note this in your comment below, so I enter your name twice!

• Check out Mika's social media sites and leave feedback on their Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube site. While you're at it, read owner Laura's stellar LinkedIn profile and connect with her there.
• Read Nick Beem's blog about all things yoga and the way he balances being a teacher, business owner, and loving husband.
• Connect with Grateful Yoga on Facebook.

 

More about Mika Yoga Wear, the supportive, sexy line you've got to try:

Developed by a Hot Yoga yogini, each piece in the line was made with the right understanding and care. We make flattering hot yoga clothes that move with your body & hold shape during perspiration. Bonus? Most pieces in the collection can be worn numerous ways, allowing you to get creative with your yoga wear. The Mika line offers women comfortable, durable & flattering yoga wear looks at affordable prices.

Get to know Lela and Nick Beem at Grateful on Davis Street! You can tell from their teaching style and their interaction with each other that their relationship is like their yoga: all about love, love, love.

More about Grateful Yoga, one of the best Evanston studios:

We've been in business for five years, supported by students who value a mindful practice that's a balance of effort and ease in a peaceful, non-competitive environment.  Our teaching is informed by the full breadth of the yoga tradition, as well as the modern insights of growth psychology, kinesiology and neuroscience.  Come try one of our 13 weekly classes, which range in level from Basics to Intermediate. We also offer private instruction, yoga therapy, prenatal yoga, and 8-week stress relief groups.

Grateful Yoga is located at 1108 Davis Street in Evanston. Email info@gratefulyoga.com for more info about their class offerings.