omontheroad-blog

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[omontheroad-blog]

Emotion?!.

How to make sense of emotion? It's there when you don't want it, It isn't when it should be. It comes and goes on its own accord. There is no rhyme No reason, It just is.

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Stretching & Lengthening Flow to the National.  Perfect for a soothing morning or eve. 

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Power Life Yoga: Des Moines, IA

Through my traveling I am pleasantly surprised when I visit a new place and my stereotypes of what I thought the place was like are completely shattered. The 2-week stay in Iowa did exactly that. While I was expecting cornfields and not much else, I ended up finding an amazing vegan restaurant, a wonderful Whole Foods and one of my favorite studios in the country. 

My usual google search of studios in the area lead me to a studio called Power Life Yoga in West Des Moines. They offered a free week to all new students, which I think more studios should implement. It's a great way to show people the benefits of yoga with no strings attached. I ended up using my free week and also a couple drop-ins after. 

The studio is located in a beautiful, brand new shopping center and is very easy to find. They have two yoga rooms and just a great atmosphere and energy throughout. I took their power yoga, which had some great indie rock music that I am a bit partial to, playing in the background. I also took the power sculpt, with hand weights, and that completely destroyed me. One of the hardest workouts I have ever done! Who said yoga was easy?

I cannot say enough great things about power life yoga. If you live in Des Moines, you must check out their studios. They were just opening a second location downtown also. Also, check out the community events they host! For more information see their website, and don't forget to use your free week! 

5 out of 5 oms

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One thing I thought I would never say...

I could live in Des Moines, Iowa.

Specifically speaking the West Des Moines and West Glen Towncenter. Who would have thought a desert girl with dreams of the beach life (which don't worry have not faded), could see a live in the middle of America? My search for a yoga class while in Iowa lead me to Power Life Yoga. It reminds me of Scottsdale without the snobby attitude. More coming about the yoga studio but check out the photos below for the area! Also, note to travelers there is a Drury Suites right in the heart of the community. I am certainly staying there on my next trip to Des Moines!

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This is great!

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My daily mantra… #create

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#30 Explore tumblr

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I.AM.YOU Yoga with Lauren Imparato in NYC

If I were to sum up Lauren in a few words, "Rockstar Yogi" immediately comes to mind. I learned about her and her I.AM.YOU studio in the heart of Manhattan off of a tumblr recommendation.  Little did I know Lauren's blog is one of the 'top 15 to follow' according to the infinite sources of tumblr wisdom that be. Being a traveler, I was drawn in by her photos from places like Spain to the Cannes film festival. How does a yoga teacher travel like this? I needed to learn more. 

As fate would have it my travels lead me to New Jersey, an hour train ride form New York City. My mission was to learn more about this I.AM.YOU yoga philosophy and see what 'kick your ass yoga' was all about. I went to the I.AM.YOU website from my iphone and found an easy to navigate mobile schedule and RSVP sign up. It was $25 for the class, a matt and a towel. Perfect! As I didn't care to bring a mat on the train and sightseeing New York city was my second priority and I couldn't be slowed down. 

The studio is located in Little Italy and I found a hostel to stay in just a short walk away in the Bowery area. I arrived with time to kill and spent a few moments confused on how to get in the building. My new york tourist was definitely showing. I did find the elevator and found my way to the I.AM.YOU studio. What a place!! I could live here in a heartbeat I thought. (I learned later that Lauren does live here, when not traveling the world). Brick walls, huge windows and funky art on the walls. My kind of place. 

The mats were all set up in nice rows, this is where that little RSVP button shines. The class began shortly after and I will do my best to summarize the hour and a half of intense flow that followed. The class was certainly intense. We began with some chanting which ultimately lead to laughter when we all fumbled over the words. The class was smaller, maybe 8 or 9 of us in total. The guy on the mat next to me was also at his first I.AM.YOU class, and I'm thinking one of his first yoga classes. We all got our asses kicked but the class is a bit fast paced for a beginner.

We got into a nice flow and the pose sequence built on itself each time we moved through it (there is a name for this, if anyone knows, please share!). Which I find focuses me the most, when I know whats coming it relieves the anticipation. The class had diverse music from indie to electronic to a capella. The soundtrack to the classes is put together by a Resident Mixologist and it shows. Everything is well tuned and it creates a space that allows someone to really get into the moment.

This particular class lead me to a real AHA moment feeling completely in sync and connected. I cannot remember ever feeling more in tune with my breathe and body.  The experience left me feeling so connected, so inspired. I wish I could come to this class more often. Until then I will have the I.AM.YOU tumblr, instagram and twitter feeds for inspiration. I also downloaded two audio classes off itunes and learned that she has now released videos which I plan to get also.

Lauren Imparato is a true rockstar yogi and I feel so fortunate to have been able to take a class with her. If you are in the New York City area, this class is an absolute must, I would put it above Times Square on your tourist to do list. 

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Reality is completely neutral. It just is. It is the thoughts and the story I tell myself about reality that is the cause of all my suffering.

Catherine Taylor (@Thinnerisms) 

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Grateful for Gratitude Yoga in Princeton

Today I was enjoying my first Sunday off in a few weeks and thought I would see what yoga classes were offered around my hotel in New Jersey. A google search lead me to Gratitude Yoga in the heart of downtown Princeton. After exploring the website I was really intrigued with their concept. A by donation studio with close knit ties to the community was a quite a novel idea. 

I came to the 4pm Babtiste-Inspired Flow class taught by Annie. The studio is housed within a herb and essential oil store and you enter through the back entrance off Spring Street. I found it easy to find and enjoyed the walk in the downtown area before my class. The atmosphere here was very laid back and relaxed here and the studio is simple and peaceful. 

I found the power/flow class to be both challenging and enjoyable. The class was small tonight, maybe 6 or 7 other yogis in the room. The class left me feeling calm yet invigorated. My only regret is that I did not bring my towel, I sweat a lot during the practice. 

To top off a great class and a blissful day, there was a fresh juice sampling on my way back to the car. Arlee's Raw Blends offers juice cleanses and had some delicious products. I had no idea fresh juices could taste this amazing!! I am really considering doing their 3 day cleanse while I am in the area. 

Thanks for doing what you do Gratitude Yoga, I look forward to another class!

For a schedule of their classes click HERE. 

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Floo-id Yoga - Scottsdale, AZ

I actually discovered Floo-id Yoga in North Scottsdale off of a Groupon offer. I have actually found deal sites like Groupon, Living Social and Deal Chicken to be a great way to experiment with a new fitness program, like yoga, pilates, bootcamps, or TRX classes. I purchased 10 classes with my Groupon and ended up using about 7 while I was in the area. Still a great deal with the discount. 

The thing I most enjoyed about this yoga studio, which can be rare in the Scottsdale area is that it completely lacked the 'pretentious yoga girls'. Which should be an oxymoron but believe it or not is a very real thing. If you have practiced yoga in certain studios in NY and LA you know exactly what I mean. This studio would be great for someone new to yoga as it is a very comfortable place. They offer 'Hot Yoga' which is similar to Bikram and 'Hot Flow' which is different variations of vinyassa yoga with added. Either would be good for a beginner to start but I am partial to the hot flow. I also quickly found a favorite teacher in Jeanette Rosario's hot flow class. She has a way about her that brings you deeply into the present moment and I found great focus in her classes.

They are offering a 2 weeks unlimited classes for $25 for new students and I recommend checking this studio out if you haven't. 

For more information on Floo-id Yoga see their website:  http://www.flooidyoga.com/

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Follow me if you’re addicted to yoga!

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I just love the lululemon Om Finder app for my iPhone.