Guest Teaching Yoga On The Big Island At There’s No Place Like Om, Hawaii
I met Karunamayi, Kathryn Wiese, Director of There’s No Place Like Om Yoga Studio on the Big Island of Hawaii, almost 2 years ago. We were both attending a yoga workshop on Maui and I admired her dearly from our very first meeting.
Her warm greeting made me feel honored, partnering with her and practicing along side of her was such a joy. Her compassionate nature flows out of her effortlessly and eloquently, and her eyes sparkle with a childlike enthusiasm.
I will always recall one lunch shared together with another yoga friend of ours, we were all talking story and sharing our worlds. Karunamayi tells us that she truly wished for everyone on the planet to open to their fullest potential, to be the best they can be, and to be genuinely happy. I forget her exact words, but that was the gist of it. It was her sincerity that really, really stuck with me. How beautiful is that?!
So, it is with great honor that I invite you to come play with us both! I will be guest instructing a yoga class at her studio late this month. And she leads weekly public classes on the island of Hawaii. Soon coming, we will be instructing yoga teacher trainings together!!! More on that to come.
Come join the fun. May 31st, 5:30-7:30 pm at There’s No Place Like Om.
Let Your Love Light Shine
I absolutely love this short poem by Hafiz: “Even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth, ‘you owe me’. Look what happens with a love like that, it lights up the whole sky.” It is such a sweet reminder of the power and beauty of unconditional love.
We used this quote for prenatal yoga today as a recognition of unconditional that a mother has for her baby during meditation. It seems so fitting doesn’t it?
I also used this inspiration in my other yoga classes this week. (more…)
A Welcoming Meditation For Pregnant Mamas
When I was pregnant I loved sitting in meditation and silently honoring and welcoming my baby. What a blissful way to connect to, and pour love into, our little one who has not even set foot on this earth yet!
Especially if your pregnancy was an unplanned suprise, this meditation will help transform any negative emotions into positive-for you and your baby! Even if your pregnancy was 100% planned and welcomed from the start, this inner offering will bless your baby with a deep knowing of unconditional love and support from the very beginning!
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John Friend in Maui Deepens Our Raw Power And Refinement
I had the pleasure of attending John Friend’s workshop this past weekend in Maui. The workshop took place in Haiku, at a very beautiful studio called The Studio Maui.
John Friend, the founder of Anusara® yoga, always has a lovely way of guiding his students directly to their hearts, while encouraging them to life life fully. This weekend was no exception!
I joyously partook in the Intermediate-Advanced portion of the workshop, and assisted John during the all-levels sessions both Saturday and Sunday. We opened each morning with a powerful practice including a potpourri of standing poses, some arm balances and deep backbends. In the late afternoon session we grounded down with seated hip openers, twists and forward bends.
Descriptive words such as “raw power” and “refinement” were used to help guide us to the essence of our hearts and this amazing practice. Sometimes we need to be more powerful, sometimes we need to be softer. Refining our understanding of these 2 principles in our practice helps us create balanced action, and helps to systematically align our bodies, in an orderly fashion, so we can express our freedom and beauty.
Global Mala: Yoga For World Peace Worldwide And On Kauai
Global Mala is an event for world peace that weaves together the yoga community of the entire world! Global Mala is the uniting of millions of yogi’s hearts and deepest wishes for peace on earth for all. This is prayer in motion, prayer in action!
Inspired by Shiva Rea a few years back, this is an inspiring and connecting event for all yoga practitioners.
A couple years ago I witnessed this event, with my one year old on my hip, at the Staples Center in L.A. Live music and hundreds of colorful yogis being lead through salutes from great teachers such as Shiva Rea and Sean Corne. Just last year I partook in the 108 salutes at Equinox Fitness Center in Manhattan Beach, CA where I was an instructor. There is just something so special about coming together with local community in this blessed light.
North Shore Wellness Fair
This Saturday, September the 19th, I will be teaching a FREE Bodhi Boot Camp class to open the North Shore Wellness Fair line up of free classes!
All-levels welcome to this yoga fusion. Just bring your own yoga mat and be ready to move your body in graceful expressions of balance and power.
There will be free classes, on the hour, all the way through 3pm. These free classes consist of Pilates, yoga and tai chi classes. Bodhi Boot Camp will be the only class fusing all of these disciplines into one out-of-the-box, non-traditional invigorating flow. This is a fitness class for you mind, body and heart!
Live music will also be happening!
Hiking To Hanakapi’ai Beach
The other day a friend and I hiked part of the Kalalau Trail to Hanakapi’ai Beach. This trail is one of my absolute favorite. OK, my FAVORITE trail that my feet have had the privilege to walk. Being back on the trail reminded me of that, and along with that comes the gift of being embraced by all the beauty nature has to offer.
The hike into Hanakapi’ai Beach is a 2-mile hike. Depending on the weather will determine the terrain that one journeys through. This particular day we had lots of sun, and even some rain (which felt amazing!) So, the trail was pretty muddy in places. For this reason, I am one for wearing my most comfortable pair of hiking shoes for the hike.
This coastline is called the Na Pali Coast. Na Pali means “the cliff” so Na Pali Coast translates as “the cliff coast.” Quite fitting for a trail that runs along side the Kauai mountains, overlooking the expansive blue ocean and sky. For some this can be intimidating. One woman at the beginning of the trail stated she didn’t know if she wanted to do it because of the mud and terrain. But my reply to that is “it is worth every step!”
The Feeling Of Yoga
There is a truth I’ve felt before. The truth of unity, the truth that there is a divine thread that weaves us all together. Yes, ALL of us together. From the earth to the sky, ALL creatures, ALL of nature.
To open to this truth made me feel connected, expansive, still and alive. It feels like your heart is wide open. It reveals to you that divine essence that underlies everything in creation.
I’ve had different experiences that has opened me to this bliss. A few easy to explain examples: guided by my meditation teacher during a meditation retreat, on my yoga mat during practice, chanting at satsang with Krishna Das, and even at a business conference with Dani Johnson. Letting go of ego has always been a factor for me in touching this bliss, of allowing grace to pour in.
Each time this feeling was so profound, never to be forgotten. I remember the sensation of anger dissolving, compassion bursting, and even the amazing enormity of the star-lite sky. In this space there is so much compassion, so much love, so much trust. Ironically enough, waking up the next day becomes just an ordinary day. Sometimes looking for the good in each situation comes naturally, and some days I want to swear out loud to the person cutting me off in traffic. (hee hee, oh the frailness of me.) (more…)
“Oh My”… Yoga On Kauai
Oh My Yoga is a post written by a Bodhi Boot Camp student of mine, Kathleen Macken. She has recently written this post on her Kauai Blog, and I am so tickled by her humor, so brightened by her descriptive expressions, that I have to share. What a beautiful and heart-filled testimonial for Bodhi Boot Camp.
If you would have asked me about doing yoga or anything yoga-ish a year ago, I probably would have rolled my eyes and made some remark about tree hugging, patchouli wearing, psudo “hippies”. Although that remark would have been incredibly uneducated and solely based on the opinion of somebody who has never endured an hour of this unbelievable workout. What can I say? I’m hooked.
My interest in this activity began when a friend of mine started taking pre natal yoga while we were both pregnant. Now I went from somebody that, pre pregnancy, was running 4 miles a day and riding my bike to work, to somebody that resigned to sitting on her super comfy couch with a pint of Ben n Jerry’s for the duration of the 41 1/2 weeks that I was pregnant. Probably not the wisest choice seeing as here I am almost 4 months post natal and pretty unhappy with the way my body is looking. But alas, there is a light at the end of that chocolate coated, cream filled, tunnel.
That light comes in the form of a petite blond named Samantha Fox who for the past 4 Tuesdays, has given me hope that there is a very real possibility that I might glide (without the aid of crisco or pam cooking spray) back into those torn and tattered Levis that give my booty the right amount of lift. (more…)
Steeped In Appreciation For All My Teachers
Tonight is the brightest full moon of the year. The full moon of Guru Purnima is the moon under which we honor our teachers. As I sit and remember all that I have learned and continue to learn from my family, friends, yoga instructors and students, and nature I am steeped in appreciation and love.
My 3 year old daughter who has taught me about unconditional love, my husband who teaches me about being grounded in all circumstances, my mom who teaches me about giving from the heart. My father who teaches me about being calm in all situations, my brother who teaches me about faith and courage, and my sister who teaches me about making the best out of all situations.
My yoga teachers include Behnje Masson, of whom was my first Anusara® yoga instructor, Desiree Rumbaugh, Sianna Sherman and the founder of Anusara® yoga, John Friend. All of these people bring a unique flavor into their teaching style, and I remember their offerings each time I am on the mat. (more…)
What Is Grace?
The first principle of Anusara® yoga is Open To Grace. On a very basic level, in our yoga practice (and in our lives) we can experience this ‘alignment principle’ simply by being breathed. Yes, “being breathed.” Not forcing the breath in or out, but softening and allowing our breath to nurture and nourish all aspects of ourselves.
So when I was recently asked to answer these 3 questions, I was delighted in my process of journaling on them. What Is Grace? What is your role as a teacher/student? How do you remember the “celebration of the heart?”
What great questions to ponder whether you are a yoga student or teacher! I hope you take a moment, or a few, and ponder these questions also. Here I share with you my answers to these 3 questions (and I would love to hear your answers too): (more…)
Toddler Move and Groove
This co-ordination class infuses some of the basics from toddler dance, gymnastics and yoga into a fun-filled experience. Each class begins with basic warm-up exercises that blend into dance and playful movement. Coordination activities will vary each week, using props ranging from balls, floor beams, hula hoops and a parachute. Each class finishes with creative-yoga and quiet time. Parent participation will vary with each child’s needs. Parents will learn invaluable activities to continue nurturing their child’s love for dance and movement at home. Class tuition includes open play immediately following class.
Toddler Move N Groove class – Excellent! Good balance of interaction with teacher and parents…awesome skills they learn…Super fun teacher!
- Mom of 3 year old daughter
Mommy and Me
A class designed to bring moms together in a supportive environment, with their new babies, to recover, celebrate, and get their bodies in shape. We will focus on yoga postures in combination with other strength training disciplines such as pilates and gyrokenisis. Babies are not expected to “behave” in any way, so mom’s can relax in this supportive environment. Please bring a blanket for baby and quiet toys.
Pre-natal Yoga
Classes support hip opening postures, strengthening, flexibility, breath work and visualization exercises to connect to baby. This is a fabulous way to join with other pregnant moms in a very supportive and enjoyable environment geared specifically towards pregnancy.
We are currently in between sessions for pre-natal yoga on kauai. Please email me with your interest in days and times.
I enjoy taking Samantha’s class for because it’s easy enough to do, but not to easy. I enjoy the stretches combined with the meditations to connect with our babies and my body feels much lighter afterwards, especially my back which has been hurting a lot from pregnancy. I would definitely recommend Samantha’s prenatal classes. She is a joy to be around and learn from and has a gift of explaining clearly the movements more than any other yoga teacher I’ve taken class from. And you’ll feel so much better especially in the later stages of pregnancy.
- Miranda Dornfeld, Kauai
Bodhi Boot Camp
This class combines YOGA POSTURES with MAT CONDITIONING exercises, strategically chosen from a multitude of disciplines such as Pilates and gyro.
Samantha designs each class to be extremely efficient & effective. You’ll awaken large AND small muscle groups, explore the balance between stability and mobility, and delight in playing your edge.
Choreographed to soft music, each class ends with a relaxing meditation. You’ll leave feeling physically integrated, energetically expanded, and mentally clear. All levels welcome!
The class is so unique and special that I drive 20 miles each way to take it. Combining yoga, tai chi, gyrokenisis and pilates makes the class challenging and more enjoyable then just taking one of the styles. I get a good stretch, workout and a good sweat. The mental and spiritual part of the class is great also. I wish you the best in Hawaii and I will make sure when I go to Hawaii I will take your class there.
- Richard, L.A., California
Thank you so very much for an inspirational and extremely positive class format that encouraged me to stretch and strengthen my physical body, while maintaing a positive and heart felt energy flow thru my emotional being. I sincerely enjoyed Bhodi Bootcamp and look forward to experiencing class with Samantha Fox again. It was truly an enjoyable experience.
- Marni Kaduce mother, LMT, dancer, & vibrational healer, Kauai
Thank you so much for your yoga class!! I’ve been feeling very disheartened by my post baby body as I have always been the athletic type and feel that I should be rebounding quicker. Obviously the powers that be have other plans…. and I think THIS is it. Although I have only done three of your classes I feel tremendously uplifted mentally (and REALLY sore physically, but in a good way!) I think the difference between this and my usual exercise routine of jogging and bike riding is there isn’t that competative element and I am allowed to be “in the moment” where as with running or riding I’m always pushing my body to go further or faster. So I just wanted to say THANK YOU!!!
- Kathleen
What an awesome work out. I was definitely feeling it after class, but in a good way. Samantha is an inspirational teacher who guides you to push yourself at your level. I would definitely would do it again!
Jadah, Kauai
Anusara Yoga
Samantha’s extensive studies, personal experience and dedicated practice are evident in her teaching. It’s the very thing that fuels the fire her classes seem to take on. Samantha is a master at gently guiding you to your threshold and inviting you to consider going further. I find myself not only physically challenged but also, tapped into something bigger. I seek out Samantha’s classes to, reconnect with mySelf, build strength and flexibility, and to feed the inspiration to live a happier healthier life. Namaste.
- Kaelyn J. Globig, Austin, TX
Samantha earns respect from her students by treating them as individuals. When Samantha is your Anusara yoga instructor, you can expect to feel that you and she are alone in the studio, working as one. Taking time to be sure that her students are properly aligned and understand the methods and meaning of the Anusara yoga practice, while instilling confidence in each individual, makes Samantha Fox a leader in her vocation.
- Patti Burke Gunderson Grandville, MI
For the last 15 years I felt that Yoga was “not my thing.” After trying one of Samantha’s classes, I soon learned that the instructor that teaches the class makes all of the difference in the world. Samantha’s knowledge of the body and yoga technique made taking her class a privilege. I have taken other yoga classes from instructors that do not correct technique, when your technique is corrected and the proper pose is achieved one’s whole sense of being is improved. Simply stated; learning from Samantha has made Yoga “my thing.”
- Laurie Tallman, Southern CA
Teacher, hope you are well and are very homesick. Just kidding, we were talking about you over the weekend and decided that we miss you very much. You are a great teacher and we appreciated the way you took the time to explain all the poses, breathing, and thought that goes into the practice of yoga.
- Bryant, Grand Rapids, MI
Samantha Fox is a yoga and fitness instructor on the Garden Island of Kauai in Hawaii. She is a Certified Anusara Yoga Instructor and holds a Diploma in Ayurveda Sciences. Samantha has been practicing yoga for over 17 years and began teaching in 2002. » Find out more about Samantha Fox.
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