Moonflower Yoga’s One-Year Anniversary written by Nancy Weshkoff
Moonflower Yoga’s One-Year Anniversary
Written by Nancy Weshkoff
This week marks the one-year anniversary of the opening of Moonflower Yoga. As I write this, I cannot believe how quickly the year has flown by!
When I decided to embark on this new phase of my life a year ago, I knew it was a life-changing event. Leaving behind my former life in corporate America and opening my own special yoga studio in Bellmore, New York, on Long Island’s Nassau County was a giant leap. I remember all the planning that went into that grand opening: hiring a great staff of teachers, building a website, ordering supplies, preparing the space, developing the class program, etc. Yet, even as I made all these plans, I did not fully comprehend at that time what would happen over the course of the next year.
What happened over the course of Moonflower Yoga’s first year is that I met some of the most amazing people in my life. People who I never met before walked in the doors of Moonflower Yoga to try yoga for the first time. These students come from all walks of life, with interesting and fascinating backgrounds. I look forward to seeing them each week and catching up on what is happening in their lives. And, of course, watching these students grow stronger and become more flexible each week is very gratifying and inspires me as a teacher. I have also witnessed the strain on the faces of many students as they first enter the doors of Moonflower Yoga from a crazy day filled with stressful obligations. When they leave after an hour of a renewing yoga practice, they are once again smiling and are better able to cope with life’s challenges.
I have had fun planning and designing the class program and workshops. I am pleased with the variety of great yoga classes that we now offer at Moonflower Yoga. I also love putting together the workshop programs which give people an opportunity to learn something new as they kick off their weekend. In our first year, we have had some varied and interesting topics ranging from dealing with neck/shoulder pain issues, to understanding the principles of Ayurveda and your unique “dosha” type, to astrology, crystals, and Feng Shui. I’m busy working on new workshops for Moonflower Yoga’s second year.
Most of all, I feel truly blessed. Blessed to be waking up every day to do something that I love. Blessed to have incredible students walk in the door each day to practice yoga at Moonflower Yoga. Blessed to have the support of an amazing husband, family, and friends who have encouraged me in my new journey. Blessed to have a great staff of teachers who put their heart and soul to teach at Moonflower Yoga and who have helped Moonflower Yoga become a success.
I send out a big thank you to each of you who have supported Moonflower Yoga in its first year! If you are in the area of Bellmore, in Long Island’s Nassau County on Sunday, September 15, please stop by the Moonflower Yoga studio as we celebrate our one-year anniversary. And if you haven’t tried a class or fascinating workshop at Moonflower Yoga, come give us a try! Your first class is always free. You will gain strength, flexibility, balance, and feel better. Check out one of fun yoga classes or workshops and join the growing community of wonderful students at Moonflower Yoga.
Onward to year two!!
The Importance of Relaxation by Nancy Weshkoff
The Importance of Relaxation
By Nancy Weshkoff
Doesn’t it often seem that life has become even more challenging? Children have assigned “play dates” and lots of other scheduled activities where we are rushing back/forth to drop them off and pick them up. Many employers expect you to be available online through the use of portable devices. There are more cars on our congested roads which causes the aggravation of waiting in traffic. And these are just a few examples of why we have more stress today. Medical professionals all agree that stress has a very negative effect on us, and it can be a contributing factor to health issues.
At Moonflower Yoga in Bellmore, on Long Island, New York’s Nassau County, we recognize the importance of reducing stress for our clients. We have a wonderful candlelight restorative class where you are pampered for an hour with soft music playing in twinkling candlelight. There are other great yoga classes too such as Unwind and Relax, where you will do a bit of movement to release muscle tension from the day but then we restoratively end the class to help you have a great night’s sleep. In October, we have added a meditation workshop at Moonflower Yoga to help you feel better. And, for something more energetic, there is the popular Stress Reducing Vinyasa Flow class on Monday and Tuesday nights where you will move your stress out and then end the class in quiet restoration.
Although these are all great yoga classes that will make you feel fabulous, sometimes we need to take the additional step of going on vacation and leaving everything behind for a week and exploring a new destination. For us at Moonflower Yoga, our staff of great yoga teachers is taking a one-week break and the Moonflower Yoga studio will be closed the week of Labor Day, returning on Sunday, September 8th. We wish everyone a wonderful Labor Day week. For those of you who are returning back to school, have a successful school year.
And if you would like to try one of our great stress-reducing yoga classes at Moonflower Yoga in Bellmore, New York, in Long Island’s Nassau County, you can reserve your space online from our website, www.moonfloweryoga.com. See you all soon!!
Healthier You written by Nancy Weshkoff
“Healthier You”
Written by Nancy Weshkoff
When I made the decision about a year ago to create Moonflower Yoga in Bellmore, on Long Island, New York’s Nassau County, I wanted to have a wonderful yoga studio with personal attention and great yoga teachers where people of all ages and fitness levels could practice yoga in a loving environment. But I also wanted Moonflower Yoga to offer something else: an opportunity to learn something new, meet interesting people, and learn tips to help you move towards a healthier lifestyle. The Moonflower Yoga workshop program was then formed, and we have recently introduced our new “Healthier You” series.
The first of these “Healthier You” workshops was “Healthier You: Moving Towards a Plant-Based Diet”, taught by Moonflower Yoga’s Laura Lipari, who has a degree in nutrition and a passion for healthy eating. I, too, have a love for a plant-based diet. About 35 years ago, my husband and I decided to become vegetarians. It was a bit comical back then to try and find vegetarian options when eating out. We laughed when we saw the scene from the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” when it was discovered that the groom was a vegetarian and didn’t eat meat. Not eat meat? No worries was the thought – the groom could have lamb instead. Things have definitely changed since then.
Laura’s workshop was very informative, and even for me as a seasoned vegetarian I learned something new. The participants also were able to eat some delicious foods including the very yummy cold melon soup which tastes soothing and comforting on a hot July day. I received positive feedback from those that attended, and the participants are trying some of the great ideas they learned in the “Healthier You” workshop.
We have two other “Healthier You” workshops in the immediate future. There is “Healthier You: Learn ‘Tapping’ (EFT)”. Tapping is a wonderful way to reduce stress and anxiety and help release negative emotions. It is a safe, easy, self-administered technique that stimulates acupressure points while focusing on the issue that is causing your stress, fear, etc. It has been used by returning members of our armed services to help them cope with the emotional aftermath of combat duty. And on September 27th, Moonflower Yoga is pleased to have author, wellness expert and nutrition coach Jovanka Ciares speak on the topic “Supercharge Your Health: Self-Care Practices to Look Your Best, Lose Weight, and Feel Great from the Inside Out”. Jovanka also has regular spots on Fox News, NPR, CBS Radio, Telemundo, The Huffington Post, and MindBodyGreen. Stay tuned as there are additional “Healthier You” workshops being planned for the fall.
If you would like to try something new, have fun, meet new people, and learn some tips on how to live a healthier lifestyle, come try one of our “Healthier You” workshops at Moonflower Yoga in Bellmore, Long Island (New York). You will be happy that you did. And, of course, a great yoga class is also part of a healthier lifestyle, and if you have not yet tried at yoga class at Moonflower Yoga, you can do so for free, as your first yoga class at Moonflower Yoga is always free.
Hope to see you soon at a “Healthier You” workshop or a great yoga class!
Crystals written by Nancy Weshkoff
Crystals
Written by Nancy Weshkoff
About a year ago, I attended a crystals workshop and have been hooked on crystals ever since then. You will find yourself drawn to these wonderful gifts from the earth. Many crystals have been used for centuries for their healing powers.
But what exactly are these crystals? Simply put, a crystal is a solid stone that was created when the earth was formed, and crystals have continued to change and develop as the earth changes and develops. Some crystals developed in deep underground chambers or from the fiery gases of the earth. They come in different geometric formations and a beautiful variety of colors. Crystals can be shaped and polished and make excellent jewelry. But they should also be appreciated in their rawer, non-polished state. Amethyst, citrine, rose quartz, amber, and jasper are just a few examples of crystals.
Each crystal can help you in a different way. Clear quartz, for example, has many wonderful properties including the ability to aid concentration and help with problem solving. One of my dear friends was having difficulty with an elaborate Excel formula. After spending a few minutes with a clear quartz crystal, he was able to return to the formula and determine what was causing the issue. When I feel stressed or high strung, I use my favorite black tourmaline to help ground me. During meditation and in restorative classes, I often bring crystals into the room to facilitate good energy.
It is because of the ways that crystals can help you that I wanted to make more people aware of crystals. Moonflower Yoga is proud to be hosting its own Crystals Workshop this Friday evening, June 14th, from 7-9 PM. During this workshop, participants will learn more about the history of crystals, and each person will be given for free a basic crystal stone to keep for their personal use. The workshop will also include a meditation using crystals.
If you are in the area of Bellmore, in Nassau County, Long Island, New York, please join us at the Moonflower Yoga studio for this wonderful Crystals workshop. You will be amazed at the history of crystals, and you will receive your own crystal stone to bring you positive energy.
And stay tuned for more information on future workshops at Moonflower Yoga, as well as information on our great yoga classes!
