Yoga For Grief

My first really deep experience with grief was when my mother past away in 1998.

Recently, in August 2013, I lost my cousin, Kelly Williams and my Aunt Marcelette. It was back to back, cross country funerals.  Once the initial shock of the reality of death and the funeral activity calmed down the real grief set in.

I totally related to the picture "Grief clouds the mind" and found the following:

4 Tasks of Mourning

1.  To Accept the Reality of a Loss

2.  To Experience the Pain of Grief

3.  To Adjust to an Environment in which the Deceased is Missing

4.   To Withdraw Emotional Energy and Reinvest It

The last task is where the Yoga For Grief comes in.  I can relate to the concept To withdraw the emotional energy of grief and reinvest it in a Yoga practice.

My first video Yoga Flava For Relaxation is the perfect guide to reinvesting the energy of grief.
Calming and relaxing poses. This is a holistic approach to healing with yoga postures designed for those who are going through the process of grief.  The poses open the chest to breathe.

The wisdom of the yoga tradition can be enormously helpful. Asana, breathwork, meditation—and, especially, the perspective on loss and death taught by the ancient yogis and sages of the East—can not only mitigate pain and expedite the grief process but also transform your experience of life after loss.

Then class becomes an exercise in self-compassion. Yoga helps you live in your body with your emotions." Check out the Yoga Flava TV clip "Aura Energizer".

Check out Facebook event page Fall Fresh Start with Yoga Flava 2013 to schedule your private and personalized sessions (NYC in-person or via the internet / anywhere via Skype)

Check Out These Yoga Flava Posts:

 

Judge Rules Yoga Is Not A Religion In Schools [VIDEO]

 

Go Zen | Living Yoga Dreams [VIDEO]

Tone Arms With Yoga [VIDEO]

Summer 2013 Yoga Flava Program | Living Yoga Dreams! [VIDEO]

Yoga For Weight Loss | Fat Ass Accountability | Yoga Flava In The Park [VIDEO]

Yoga Flava In The Park NYC, Spring Into Summer Series 2013

Forgiveness, Prayer, Meditation | Shaliek THE PAST

Continue your home study practice: Click Here For The Link To Your Yoga Flava Home Study Products  

Check out my recommendations : Wellness Products

Please "LIKE" the Yoga Flava Facebook page! 

Sign up for the FREE NEWSLETTER - http://www.YogaFlava.com/ 

Yoga Flava TV - Free Online Classes - http://www.youtube.com/yogaflava

Enjoy the journey!
Not just YOGA also the FLAVA of life!
PRIVATE SESSIONS AVAILABLE IN-PERSON FOR WOMEN AND VIA SKYPE FOR ALL!
EMAIL: robin@yogaflava.com

 

Yoga Flava at the Dwight School Athletic Center NYC

Dwight School, one of Manhattan’s oldest independent schools, is delighted to introduce Robin Downes' Yoga Flava as part of thier sports and fitness programs for adults living in the community where the new, world-class Athletic Center is based. 

 

Robin Downes'  Yoga Flava,  a hip holistic hatha yoga practice, which will be an excellent compliment to this newly renovated upper east side adult fitness facility.  The Athletic Center, located at the East River Landing complex at 2116 First Avenue, between 108th and109th Streets will host Yoga Flava sessions on Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm and Wednesday nights at 6pm. $15.00 per session for non-members.

 

Check out Facebook event page Fall Fresh Start with Yoga Flava 2013

 

NEW Yoga Flava Sanctuary at the Dwight School Athletic Center

 

 

The Dwight School Athletic Center also featurs a six-lane indoor pool, two roof-top tennis courts, and a gym, along with fitness and exercise rooms, our 40,000-square-foot center is the perfect place to enjoy the benefits of exercise and maintain an active lifestyle.

 

Check Out These Yoga Flava Posts:

 

Judge Rules Yoga Is Not A Religion In Schools [VIDEO]

 

Go Zen | Living Yoga Dreams [VIDEO]

Tone Arms With Yoga [VIDEO]

Summer 2013 Yoga Flava Program | Living Yoga Dreams! [VIDEO]

Yoga For Weight Loss | Fat Ass Accountability | Yoga Flava In The Park [VIDEO]

Yoga Flava In The Park NYC, Spring Into Summer Series 2013

Forgiveness, Prayer, Meditation | Shaliek THE PAST

Continue your home study practice: Click Here For The Link To Your Yoga Flava Home Study Products  

Check out my recommendations : Wellness Products

Please "LIKE" the Yoga Flava Facebook page! 

Sign up for the FREE NEWSLETTER - http://www.YogaFlava.com/ 

Yoga Flava TV - Free Online Classes - http://www.youtube.com/yogaflava

Enjoy the journey!
Not just YOGA also the FLAVA of life!
PRIVATE SESSIONS AVAILABLE IN-PERSON FOR WOMEN AND VIA SKYPE FOR ALL!
EMAIL: robin@yogaflava.com

Robin Downes Of Yoga Flava™ Partners With Lucky Ant For Crowdfunding

New York, Sept.10, 2012 Yoga Flava, the award winning Yoga program created by Emmy Award Winner and certified Yoga Instructor, Robin Downes, announced a partnership today with Lucky Ant, a crowdfunding platform that helps small businesses reward themselves and their customers.

Yoga Flava is gearing up for a fresh start for Fall 2013. Renovations are needed for the Yoga Flava Sanctuary Studio, which offers private sessions on NYC's upper west side. Updated technical equipment is needed for Skype Yoga sessions and Yoga Flava TV (http://www.youtube.com/user/yogaflava). Management Fees are needed for the 2014 Yoga Flava Events and Retreats.  

Over the next twenty (20) days, Yoga Flava has set three (3) milestones; looking to raise a minimum of  $1,000.00 for business development, $2,500.00 for Yoga Flava TV Equipment and $5,000 for Yoga Flava studio renovations.

Rewards range from $10.00 Yoga Flava Hats and T-Shirts to $2,500 for a featured episode on Yoga Flava TV with a sponsorship campaign across all Yoga Flava platforms.

Log on to https://www.luckyant.com/project/view/2208 to help fund Yoga Flava’s Business Development / Fall Fresh Start 2013.

Also Read: The Crowdfunding Spirit

The Yoga Flava brand is seeking additional partnerships with brand managers, licensing agreements, sponsors and advertisers. Ms. Downes is also available for speaking engagements, Personal Yoga Instruction in person or online via Skype, Host/ Guest instructor for workshops and retreats.

About Yoga Flava

Yoga Flava is a Hatha Yoga based tasteful blend of ancient moves to contemporary grooves. Ms. Downes is also an Emmy™ Award winner for “Outstanding Individual Achievement In News and Documentary for “ABC News “20/20”.   Since 1996, founder Robin Downes is Hollywood's certified Yoga Instructor to the stars (actress Vanessa Williams, actress/singer Brandy, NBA Champion John Salley, actress LisaRaye McCoy, Hip-Hop Mogul Russell Simmons and many more).   The first African American woman to have an internationally distributed video through Wal-Mart, entitled "Yoga Flava™ for Relaxation", Vol.1 . Essence Magazine recommended Robin Downes' Yoga Flava™ in the "2010 Wealth and Wellness" issue. She has also been featured in the “The New York Times”, “Yoga Journal”, “Shape”, “Heart and Soul”, “Black Enterprise”, “Ebony”, “UPN News” and “CBS News” to name a few.   Additionally, she is a syndicated health and wellness digital journalist,  servicing various media outlets. Additional information can be found at (http://www.YogaFlava.com)

About Lucky Ant

At Lucky Ant, we love small businesses. So much so that we've made it our mission to help them. Over the years we've worked with countless businesses and built this platform specifically to your business' needs. Everything from the design to the features was put in place for you! That's why our success rate is higher than most platforms. (http://www.LuckyAnt.com) 

For More information email: robin@yogaflava.com

FREE Yoga Flava Session - September Is Yoga Month

FREE YOGA FLAVA SESSION
♥ - Sign up on the "Fresh Start For Fall With Yoga Flava 2013" to get all the upcoming details... https://www.facebook.com/events/1412309332318620/# 

FREE YOGA FLAVA SESSION (Live Online One-On-One) ... for the first 10 Yoga Flava Playas to sign up for the "Fresh Start For Fall" Campaign on Lucky Ant.

What is Lucky Ant? The campaign kicks off on Tuesday, September 10, 2013. Sign up on the Facebook Event
https://www.facebook.com/events/1412309332318620/#
to get all the details!

CALL TO ACTION FROM YOGA FLAVA PLAYAS!

For the Fall 2013 season (Now until December 21st) , the focus will be on inner work and meditation. Robin Downes will work with you, personally customizing a Yoga program particularly for your needs.

You pick the dates and times that work best for YOU! Cultivate calm to sustain you through the holiday season.

Skype or in-person at private NYC Yoga Flava Studio. (Individual Private Personalized Coaching)

*Reduce Stress
*Cultivate a youthful vitality
*Cleanse your mind, body, breath and spirit
*Stretch
*Strengthen
*Sensual Healing
*Manifest your desires with mindfulness.
**Yoga Flava's signature style of ancient moves to contemporary musical grooves.

Still the best "recession buster" deal for 4 private sessions - Only $100.00 investment, upfront in advance, toward your well being. Otherwise, travel to your location is negotiable.
Single private session (in person or via skype) $30.00

Leave a message on this event page and / or Email: robin@yogaflava.com or call 310-266-7362 to book your appointment. I will invoice you and once I receive the payment we can begin.

The spirit in me honors the spirit in you - Namaste

You can also order home study Yoga Flava DVDs and CDs for yourself and / or your loved ones. Give the gift of wellness
Check out the following link to order now:
http://yogaflava.blogspot.com/2011/03/yoga-flava-home-study-resources-and.html

Sign up for the FREE NEWSLETTER at:
http://www.yogaflava.com/

Sending positive vibes - Robin

4 Tips For Summer Spirit Revitalization

Approaching the end of August, the enthusiasm I had at the beginning of summer is waning.  There are a few more official weeks to enjoy Summer, which ends for some on Labor Day - 2nd of September or officially September 21st. 

I've recently had two deaths in the family that were announced in two consecutive days and that stopped me ...  in my tracks.  My next post will focus on tools to cope with grieving. 

Today, I am getting back on track with this "4 Tips For Summer Spirit Revitalization."  Let's focus on bringing new life and vigor to the rest of the summer.

1. Plan A Vacation or Staycation

• Have you made your plans for Labor Day Weekend?  
• Have you been to the beach this summer?  
• Have you had a picnic / Bar-B-Q in the park / backyard?

2.  Get Up Early, Get Out and Get Moving

• The lazy days of summer might have kept you inside with the air conditioner.
• Have you done your Yoga / Meditation practice outside.
• If you can't get out at least get moving via Skype Yoga Flava

3. Keep It Fresh

• Indulge in fresh fruits and vegetables to keep you energized.

4. Unplug

• Take a break, connect with friends and family in person - what a concept :-)

Practice this "Aura Energizer" to get the slump out of your back (mind and spirit).  Check out the Yoga Flava TV Snack to revitalize yourself:

Check Out These Yoga Flava Posts:

 

Judge Rules Yoga Is Not A Religion In Schools [VIDEO]

 

Go Zen | Living Yoga Dreams [VIDEO]

Tone Arms With Yoga [VIDEO]

Summer 2013 Yoga Flava Program | Living Yoga Dreams! [VIDEO]

Yoga For Weight Loss | Fat Ass Accountability | Yoga Flava In The Park [VIDEO]

Yoga Flava In The Park NYC, Spring Into Summer Series 2013

Forgiveness, Prayer, Meditation | Shaliek THE PAST

Continue your home study practice: Click Here For The Link To Your Yoga Flava Home Study Products  

Check out my recommendations : Wellness Products

Please "LIKE" the Yoga Flava Facebook page! 

Sign up for the FREE NEWSLETTER - http://www.YogaFlava.com/ 

Yoga Flava TV - Free Online Classes - http://www.youtube.com/yogaflava

Enjoy the journey!
Not just YOGA also the FLAVA of life!
PRIVATE SESSIONS AVAILABLE IN-PERSON FOR WOMEN AND VIA SKYPE FOR ALL!
EMAIL: robin@yogaflava.com

Judge Rules Yoga Is Not A Religion In Schools [VIDEO]

Earlier this month, a California Judge ruled that Yoga poses are not religious in nature and do not violate the establishment of clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits any law that would establish one religion over another.

Also Read on Elev8.com: "How Does Yoga Compliment My Religion?"

Parents of two children sued the Encinitas Union School district in San Diego County, California, on the grounds that offering Ashtanga yoga classes in lieu of more traditional physical education like track and field or volleyball were meant to indoctrinate children into a religion. The parents’ attorney told NBC 7 San Diego that yoga practice is inherently religious, and its practice in a public school violated the separation of church and state.

In his ruling, judge John S. Meyer acknowledged that yoga “at its roots is religious,” but the modern practice of yoga, despite its origins in Hindu philosophy, is well established in secular U.S. society and “is a distinctly American cultural phenomenon.” He also noted that the school district had developed its own version of yoga that was not religious but distinct and separate from Ashtanga yoga by altering the names of some of the poses and removing any chanting. “A reasonable student would not objectively perceive that Encinitas School District yoga does advance or promote religion,” he said.

The decision means that yoga can continued to be offered during gym class at all nine schools in the Encinitas school district that participate in the program, which launched last fall and is completely funded by a $500,000 grant from the K.P. Jois Foundation, according to NBC News.

Check Out The Video Below: Yoga Instructor, Robin Downes of Yoga Flava reports from the Yoga Journal NYC Conference 2011. She interviews Faith Hunter, Maya Breuer, Nadine McNeil and LaToya Conner about how Yoga’s spirituality is actually a compliment to religion. Why black people need to overcome the fear and lack of knowledge about the history and benefits of Yoga.

Check Out These Yoga Flava Posts:

Go Zen | Living Yoga Dreams [VIDEO]

Tone Arms With Yoga [VIDEO]

Summer 2013 Yoga Flava Program | Living Yoga Dreams! [VIDEO]

Yoga For Weight Loss | Fat Ass Accountability | Yoga Flava In The Park [VIDEO]

Yoga Flava In The Park NYC, Spring Into Summer Series 2013

Forgiveness, Prayer, Meditation | Shaliek THE PAST

Continue your home study practice: Click Here For The Link To Your Yoga Flava Home Study Products  

Check out my recommendations : Wellness Products

Please "LIKE" the Yoga Flava Facebook page! 

Sign up for the FREE NEWSLETTER - http://www.YogaFlava.com/ 

Yoga Flava TV - Free Online Classes - http://www.youtube.com/yogaflava

Enjoy the journey!
Not just YOGA also the FLAVA of life!
PRIVATE SESSIONS AVAILABLE IN-PERSON FOR WOMEN AND VIA SKYPE FOR ALL!
EMAIL: robin@yogaflava.com

 

Go Zen | Living Yoga Dreams [VIDEO]

Certified Yoga instructor, Robin Downes gives an update in this episode of "Living Yoga Dreams." The episode takes on the theme to "Go Zen."

The actual definition of "Zen" is a Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing the value of meditation and intuition. The yogis featured in this episode let go of outside stimuli and use their intuition for their decisions toward simplicity when thinking about "Living Yoga Dreams" in a modern society to feel rich in mind, body and spirit.

Robin shares the inspiration behind the "Tone Your Arms With Yoga Flava Flow" video.  This episode includes Yoga Flava Playas: Malcolm-Jamal Warner, ElectroYoga, Karen McMillan, Sherri Culpepper, AJ Calloway, Simone Kelly, Rolando Hudson and how they are "Living Yoga Dreams"

Watch This Week's Episode of Yoga Flava TV: Go Zen | Living Yoga Dreams

Check Out These Yoga Flava Posts:

Tone Arms With Yoga [VIDEO]

 

Summer 2013 Yoga Flava Program | Living Yoga Dreams! [VIDEO]

Yoga For Weight Loss | Fat Ass Accountability | Yoga Flava In The Park [VIDEO]

Yoga Flava In The Park NYC, Spring Into Summer Series 2013

Forgiveness, Prayer, Meditation | Shaliek THE PAST

Continue your home study practice: Click Here For The Link To Your Yoga Flava Home Study Products  

Check out my recommendations : Wellness Products

Please "LIKE" the Yoga Flava Facebook page! 

Sign up for the FREE NEWSLETTER - http://www.YogaFlava.com/ 

 

Yoga Flava TV - Free Online Classes - http://www.youtube.com/yogaflava

Enjoy the journey!
Not just YOGA also the FLAVA of life!
PRIVATE SESSIONS AVAILABLE IN-PERSON FOR WOMEN AND VIA SKYPE FOR ALL!
EMAIL: robin@yogaflava.com 

Tone Arms With Yoga [VIDEO]

Join certified Yoga instructor, Robin Downes, to tone your arms with a lovely Yoga Flava Flow sequence.

The sequence includes a slow flow of sequenced yoga poses, set to soothing music.  The poses tone and strengthen the upper body, especially the arms and include: Downward Facing Dog, Cobra, Plank, Chaturanga.

The flow from pose to pose will get your heart rate up and is also great for a weight loss program.

Check out the new Yoga Flava TV episode: Tone Arms With Yoga Flava Flow | Weight Loss

Check Out These Yoga Flava Posts:

Summer 2013 Yoga Flava Program | Living Yoga Dreams! [VIDEO]

Yoga For Weight Loss | Fat Ass Accountability | Yoga Flava In The Park [VIDEO]

Yoga Flava In The Park NYC, Spring Into Summer Series 2013

Forgiveness, Prayer, Meditation | Shaliek THE PAST

Continue your home study practice: Click Here For The Link To Your Yoga Flava Home Study Products  

Check out my recommendations : Wellness Products

Please "LIKE" the Yoga Flava Facebook page! 

Sign up for the FREE NEWSLETTER - http://www.YogaFlava.com/ 

 

Yoga Flava TV - Free Online Classes - http://www.youtube.com/yogaflava

Enjoy the journey!
Not just YOGA also the FLAVA of life!
PRIVATE SESSIONS AVAILABLE IN-PERSON FOR WOMEN AND VIA SKYPE FOR ALL!
EMAIL: robin@yogaflava.com

Affirmation For Today: "I have confidence in me!" [VIDEO]

Wear your confidence like a badge of honor.

Affirmation For Today: "I have confidence in me!"

An affirmation is a great way to start training your mind toward a positive way of thinking.  Coupled with other positive thinking exercises, a positive affirmation will help you overcome any obstacle that is put in front of you.  The object of these positive thinking exercises is to ensure that you train the most powerful muscle in your body: your brain.

Here is your affirmation for today which can help keep your day in alignment with your desire to  have confidence in you!

Affirmation For Today: "I have confidence in me!" from the book The Wealthy Spirit by Chelle Campbell

Check out this Yoga Flava TV episode: Mountain Pose (A Yoga Pose For Confidence)

Check Out These Yoga Flava Posts:

Summer 2013 Yoga Flava Program | Living Yoga Dreams! [VIDEO]

Yoga For Weight Loss | Fat Ass Accountability | Yoga Flava In The Park [VIDEO]

Yoga Flava In The Park NYC, Spring Into Summer Series 2013

Forgiveness, Prayer, Meditation | Shaliek THE PAST

Continue your home study practice: Click Here For The Link To Your Yoga Flava Home Study Products  

 

Check out my recommendations : Wellness Products

 

Please "LIKE" the Yoga Flava Facebook page! 

Sign up for the FREE NEWSLETTER - http://www.YogaFlava.com/ 

Yoga Flava TV - Free Online Classes - http://www.youtube.com/yogaflava

Enjoy the journey!
Not just YOGA also the FLAVA of life!
PRIVATE SESSIONS AVAILABLE IN-PERSON FOR WOMEN AND VIA SKYPE FOR ALL!
EMAIL: robin@yogaflava.com

 

Affirmation For Today: "I visualize and create marvels in my life."

Visualizing having the goal is the first step.

Affirmation For Today:  "I visualize and create marvels in my life."

An affirmation is a great way to start training your mind toward a positive way of thinking.  Coupled with other positive thinking exercises, a positive affirmation will help you overcome any obstacle that is put in front of you.  The object of these positive thinking exercises is to ensure that you train the most powerful muscle in your body: your brain.

Here is your affirmation for today which can help keep your day in alignment with your desire to visualize and create marvels in your life.

 Affirmation For Today:  "I visualize and create marvels in my life." - from the book The Wealthy Spirit by Chelle Campbell

Check out this Yoga Flava TV episode: Meditation Minute: Feel Rich Now 

Check Out These Yoga Flava Posts:

Summer 2013 Yoga Flava Program | Living Yoga Dreams! [VIDEO]

Yoga For Weight Loss | Fat Ass Accountability | Yoga Flava In The Park [VIDEO]

Yoga Flava In The Park NYC, Spring Into Summer Series 2013

Forgiveness, Prayer, Meditation | Shaliek THE PAST

Continue your home study practice: Click Here For The Link To Your Yoga Flava Home Study Products  

 

Check out my recommendations : Wellness Products

 

Please "LIKE" the Yoga Flava Facebook page! 

Sign up for the FREE NEWSLETTER - http://www.YogaFlava.com/ 

Yoga Flava TV - Free Online Classes - http://www.youtube.com/yogaflava

Enjoy the journey!
Not just YOGA also the FLAVA of life!
PRIVATE SESSIONS AVAILABLE IN-PERSON FOR WOMEN AND VIA SKYPE FOR ALL!

EMAIL: robin@yogaflava.com

Summer 2013 Yoga Flava Program | Living Yoga Dreams! [VIDEO]

What are your plans for the Summer?

Check out Yoga Flava's Summer 2013 Program on the Facebook Event Page.

Yoga Flava (Robin Downes) and ElectroYoga  (Nina Roshelle and Nicole Hauk), team up, to chronicle their journey  “Living Yoga Dreams” during the Summer of 2013.  Not just Yoga, also the Flava of Life  … 

Join us on the journey and watch the first Yoga Flava TV Episode of "Living Yoga Dreams":

  Related Videos:

Mind Over Summer Madness 2007 Yoga Flava 

Yoga Flava in Times Square and Up In The Club 2007 

Check Out These Yoga Flava Posts:

Yoga For Weight Loss | Fat Ass Accountability | Yoga Flava In The Park [VIDEO]

Yoga Flava In The Park NYC, Spring Into Summer Series 2013

Forgiveness, Prayer, Meditation | Shaliek THE PAST

Continue your home study practice: Click Here For The Link To Your Yoga Flava Home Study Products  

 

Check out my recommendations : Wellness Products

 

Please "LIKE" the Yoga Flava Facebook page! 

Sign up for the FREE NEWSLETTER - http://www.YogaFlava.com/ 

Yoga Flava TV - Free Online Classes - http://www.youtube.com/yogaflava

Enjoy the journey!
Not just YOGA also the FLAVA of life!
PRIVATE SESSIONS AVAILABLE IN-PERSON FOR WOMEN AND VIA SKYPE FOR ALL!

EMAIL: robin@yogaflava.com