Eco Tips: November

November has become synonymous with gratitude and giving thanks. There are actually traditional yoga paths that focus entirely on “karma” (action) and “seva” (service.) Nothing makes us feel better, and brings joy to others, like the gift of giving freely from a place of thankfulness. Try one or more of these tips every day or each week in the month ahead. 1. Make a gratitude list: this is a simple and powerful way to change your mindset and view the world from a brighter place. 2. Donate your money: there are so many amazing causes, both locally (like Treepeople or Read the full article…

November Featured Teacher: Kellie Smith

At Yoga Blend, we are so very proud of the amazing teachers who invest their time & energy at the studio. Each month we feature different teachers, so you can get to know them better. This month we speak to Kellie Smith, who just got married last month. Congratulations Kellie! Hometown: Orlando, Florida.  Most memorable thing I did in the last 12 months: Got married!  What’s something your students don’t know about you?:   I overcame fear and expressed my authentic self when I came out of the closet at age 30. Dream vacation destination: Do I have to pick just one? Read the full article…

November Featured Teacher: Bekah Turner

At the core of Yoga Blend are our amazing teachers. Each month, we feature a couple of teachers so you can get to know them better. This month, we speak with Bekah Turner, teacher and General Manager of Yoga Blend:  What brought you to Los Angeles?: Yoga Blend! I dropped out of community college in Oregon to move to Burbank when the studio first opened in 2005 after Christy and I met at a training in Santa Barbara the summer before. We had an instant soul connection and when she shared her dream for the studio, I knew it was an Read the full article…

The problem with problems…

Yoga Blend, Burbank, Christy Marsden

Happy November! I hope your month is off to a great start.   I wasn’t sure what I wanted to write about this month until yesterday when I was doing something really simple and my back went out. I was just leaning over a sink to wash my hands and it seized up and I couldn’t straighten up.  The rest of the morning was spent moving very consciously trying to keep my core engaged while trying to undo the severe forward folding motion and gently ease the intensity of the pain I was feeling.  By afternoon, I was able to stand Read the full article…

Choose better thoughts

Yoga Blend, Burbank, Christy Marsden

I hope you are enjoying your month and the transition into shorter days and longer nights.  As the earth turns towards my ‘darker’ and more challenging cycle, the mantra I’m incorporating is: Choose better thoughts.  Can it really be that simple? Yes.  And so extremely complicated at the same time.   What do you give your attention to?  Thought has form.  It just happens to be very subtle.  But the more we think something, the more gross it becomes.  Over and over we think thoughts.  And over time, they take shape.  They form into the world around us.  Many thoughts Read the full article…

October Featured Teacher: Jennie Stubblefield

Get to know the amazing teachers at Yoga Blend! This month, we chat with Jennie Stubblefield. Be sure to take a belly dance class with her, because she is pure dynamite in person 😉 Hometown: Temple City, California  My favorite place in LA is… Wi Spa in Korea Town Most memorable thing I did in the last 12 months: Deciding to retire from the spa industry after working as a Massage Therapist for the past 21 years to start my own business, and getting married. What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead?: Continuing to build my wellness business. Read the full article…

October Featured Teacher: Jo Levey

At the core of the Yoga Blend experience are our dedicated, passionate teachers. This month, we feature JO LEVEY! Hometown: LA Native!  My dad and I moved to Burbank when I was 10 years old, and both my parents still live within a couple minutes of Yoga Blend!  I’ve always been proud to call Burbank my home base 🙂  What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead? Continuing to work on my Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, and hopefully transferring from Valley College to University! My favorite place in the world is… My favorite city that I’ve Read the full article…

Eco Tips: October

October generally marks the beginning of “cold & flu” season; but there are plenty of natural ways you can stay healthy and treat illness when it does arise. Here’s to a great Autumn season! 1. Wash your hands, often and well with soap and warm water: seems like a no-brainer but this is the most effective way to prevent transmission of disease 2. Get out in the sun every day for a little while, or take a vitamin D3 supplement to boost immunity (Vitamin C, or lots of organic fruits and veggies; as well as a probiotic are also great Read the full article…

Community as Teacher

I hope your month is off to a great start.  I just returned from 4 days in Joshua Tree where I was co-leading our 9th annual Chakra Retreat.  The long weekend was incredible in so many ways but the thing that has been resonating the most in my mind is the concept of ‘community as guru’ Guru itself is not a bad word.  Guru means teacher, one who brings light to the darkness, a spiritual guide or leader, a person who mentors or counsels.  All of these are good things.  Finding someone who can help guide us along our path Read the full article…

Autumn Equinox & Libra New Moon

Welcome to Autumn! As I write this, the earth is nearly aligned between light and dark, as she does twice a year. This is a time for reflection, gratitude and re-commitment to the goals we set in the spring, assuming those goals are still true for you. Tomorrow, we have a new moon in Libra, one of the signs ruled by the Goddess Venus and having the new lunar cycle begin so close to the new solar season is pretty potent. There is an amplified call to examine relationships, with self, other and nature, and to re-turn to a heart-centered, Read the full article…

To Happier & Healthier Relationships

Yoga Blend, Burbank, Christy Marsden

Hello and happy middle of the month. I hope you are enjoying the transition of the long days of summer towards the longer nights of fall. One of my teachers, TKV Desikachar, says “One of the best indicators that your yoga is working is that your relationships get better”.  As I look back on the past 2 decades of yoga practice and reflect on my relationships throughout the years, I can say without a doubt, according to Desikachar, that my yoga is working. We are in constant relationship, not only with ourselves (in body, breath, mind, etc), but also with Read the full article…

Celebrating Yoga

Yoga Blend, Burbank, Christy Marsden

Happy September! I hope you had a great Holiday weekend celebrating this beautifully mysterious and challenging life.  September is Yoga Month which is a great time to introduce those you love to the practice of yoga or to re-commit yourself to your own practice in our annual Yoga Month Challenge. Next year will mark 20 years since I started this incredible practice that literally changed the course of my life.  I can’t even imagine what life would be like today were it not for a friend who casually mentioned that yoga might help me with my low back pain.  And Read the full article…

September Featured Teacher: Laura Haug

At the core of the Yoga Blend experience are our dedicated, passionate teachers. This month, we feature LAURA HAUG! Hometown: Bonne Terre, Missouri.  What brought you to Los Angeles? I moved to LA in July 2006 to pursue working in the film industry. The majority of my time in LA has been spent working in Post Production. My favorite place in LA is… I love driving through the mountains and along the PCH to get to Zuma Beach. It’s my go-to place. So peaceful and relaxing for me. Most memorable thing I did in the last 12 months: I quit my Read the full article…

September Featured Teacher: Kim Neer

At the core of the Yoga Blend experience are our amazing teachers. This month, we feature KIM NEER! Hometown: I grew up in Bainbridge, Ohio, a small town just outside of Cleveland. What brought you to Los Angeles? I came to Los Angeles 3 years ago after spending a year exploring South America.  I had decided it was time to return to the US but I didn’t want to live in Ohio or Chicago where I had previously been living, so I chose Los Angeles because my best friend from childhood was living here and we had always hoped we’d get Read the full article…

Eco Tips: September

Since September is National Yoga Month, a celebration of the yogic lifestyle, these eco tips are geared towards creating a greener yoga practice! 1. Use a refillable water bottle at the studio, and whenever possible. 2. Explore buying a natural or hybrid yoga mat, available through most major yoga accessory brands. 3. Find a class you can walk, bike, bus or carpool to. 4. Dedicate your practice to peace and joy for all beings!

Life, Death, and the Present

I hope you are having a beautiful week and are feeling lots of love in your life.  I have been struggling for days with what to write. As some of you may know, and some of you may not,  Marriah who manages the administrative work at Yoga Blend, teaches belly dance, and happens to also be one of my dearest friends, lost her fiancé last week. What to say?  There are no words.  Only feelings.  And lots of them.  Life can be really sad and seem so unfair.  It is in times like these we tend to wake up more fully Read the full article…

New Teacher: Kim Neer

We are proud to welcome Kim Neer, one of Yoga Blend’s Teacher Training graduates, to our teaching team! From next week, Kim will teach “Baby & Me” on Wednesdays, 1:45pm to 2:45pm; and on Friday from 10am to 11am. Both classes are just $9. Kim is also an active substitute teacher. See her schedule at http://bit.ly/YBKimNeer About Kim Kim has been having an affair with yoga for over a decade, but deeply fell in love with the practice during a year traveling around South America.  Establishing a personal practice during this transient time kept her grounded and helped her find her Read the full article…

Aquarius Full Moon: One Mind

Fixed energy has one job and that is to sustain. The fixed signs, Taurus, Scorpio, Leo and Aquarius, are what hold the world together. They are the four sides to the square of stability in our lives. This is not an easy task with mutable energy swirling around and Cardinal energy starting things up. I think this trio is best described using Hindu mythology where there are three Gods, Brahma, the creator (cardinal) Vishnu, the preserver (fixed) and Shiva, the destroyer (mutable.) We are reminded that all three are part of the divine plan and in order for life to Read the full article…

August Featured Teacher: Courtney Sauls

Hometown: Houston, Texas. What brought you to Los Angeles? I moved to Los Angeles from New York to pursue acting 8 years ago this month! My favorite thing about LA is… This little place called Yoga Blend. Ever heard of it? It has the best people and I always leave feeling wonderful. It literally changed my life. Most memorable thing I did in the last 12 months: I went to the Sundance Film Festival this year to support a film I was in! It was the first time I’ve ever seen myself on the big screen! It was AWESOME! Favorite food: Read the full article…

August Featured Teacher: Susan Quon

What brought you to Los Angeles? I’m a native daughter of Los Angeles. My grandfather came to California in the 1890’s to work on the railroads in Northern California, Sacramento or the “2nd City” as it was known to the Chinese contract laborers. San Francisco was the “1st City.” Dad came to Los Angeles with his cousins to work as cooks at the resorts of Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear, Hemet, and the San Jacinto Valley. Mom shortly followed. My favorite thing about LA is… the Hollywood Bowl. Music, stars overhead, picnics with good friends and family. A great evening out. Favorite Read the full article…

Create Your Happiness

Yoga Blend, Burbank, Christy Marsden

Happy August! I hope you are enjoying your summer and that it is filled with lots of love, laughter, celebration and excellent food. We are just past the midway point between Summer and Fall known in earth based traditions as Lammas.  It is the time of reaping the first harvest which is an excellent time to check in, reflect upon and receive the benefits of the intentions, projects and seeds you have planted this year. Life is up to us to create.  Beyond our basic survival needs, circumstances have very little to do with how happy we are.  Instead, our Read the full article…

New Teacher: Laura Haug

Laura underwent 200- and 300-hour Teacher Training here at Yoga Blend. Beyond that, she has long been a member of our community, practicing here for the last 7 years, and continues to be a valued member of our front desk staff. From this week, Laura will teach $5 Flow on Thursdays, 6:30am to 7:30am. She is also an active substitute teacher: see http://bit.ly/YBLaura for her weekly schedule. About Laura Laura started along her yoga path in 2008 when she took her first class at Yoga Blend. She found that yoga was the one place where she allowed herself to just be. No comparisons, Read the full article…

Eco Tips: August

As we move into the last month of summer, it’s important to take time to appreciate nature. With the heat and busy schedules, it is easy to hang out indoors and in the AC, but as yogis, being on the earth in a conscious way is healing, both for us and the planet. Here are some eco-yogi tips for enjoying the outdoors: *Get to the beach: Bring an extra trash bag. Enjoy the sand, surf and take a long walk, picking up some trash as you go, to leave the beach better than when you found it. *Get under the Read the full article…

Live, Love, Let Go

Yoga Blend, Burbank, Christy Marsden

I hope you are enjoying your summer so far! The following quote is hanging in my bathroom and I see it at least 2 times a day if not more: In the end what matters most is How well did you live? How well did you love? How well did you learn to let go? It has become a mantra for me, causing me to take pause and reflect on a daily basis. Am I living well? Yes, I truly feel that I am. Check. Am I loving well? Definitely. I do my best to show love to all parts Read the full article…

Eco Tips: July

Summer is here and in full swing! As yogis, we want to find balance in every season on every level. Here are some ways to stay healthy, aware and happy in the long days and hot nights: 1. Drink lots of filtered water, as well as herbal iced tea or coconut water, rather than sugary or alcoholic beverages. This will keep you hydrated and clear headed! Check this site for ideas: www.care2.com. 2. The sun is hottest between 10am and 2pm. Be mindful to wear long sleeves, hats or use sun block, as well as keep kids and pets shaded Read the full article…