Author: Love Yoga Studios

Teddy Bears, Photography, Magic, Maui and Yoga

Believe with all your Heart

I had a teddy bear named Omar when I was young.  (no idea why). I distinctly remember talking to him as if he could understand me. I believed that wishing wells and wishing on a star mattered. I practiced magic tricks, telling jokes and taking pictures. I had a Kodak 110, a disc camera and a Kodak Colorburst Instant camera. I don’t know why I’m not a photographer. My point here is that I did not understand how these things worked and I believed in them whole heartedly . . . a lot of things that seemed like magic at the time.

Yet, I’ve always looked at Yoga through a very practical and scientific lens. Finding and exploring yoga as an adult seemed like a very ‘woo woo’ thing to do. So I’m always looking for the science behind the magic. I’ve spent the last 8 years presenting all the evidence as to why it helps, why it works and why it feels so good. And then Harvard wrote a book to support my efforts. Sweet of them.

(Every one of our teachers has this book – you’re in good hands. Scroll down for the latest schedule and check them out!)

We discussed this in teacher training over the weekend…how yoga has for centuries been a practice for overall health, wellness and peace of mind. Centuries! Without any medical research to back it up.

As yoga evolves and is integrated into the health and wellness industry the research just keeps rollin’ in! Lower blood pressure, boosted immune systems, lowers stress, increases circulation and bone density, better breathing and balance and the big one…LONGEVITY…because we are born proficient procrastinators and welcome an opportunity to procrastinate the inevitable!

BUT WHY does it matter? To me?  It doesn’t. Not anymore. I woke up this morning feeling amazing. Again. Happy, Healthy, Strong and Brave. That’s all the evidence I need. Magic or no magic. Stars, teddy bears, instant cameras…and yoga. I believe in all of them with all my heart.

Suzanne Davis circa 1978

Suzanne Davis circa 1978

Quote from linked article: “It may sound like magic that posing like a proud warrior or a crow could have such extensive effects, but it’s not magic.  It’s neurobiology.  This next statement may sound to you either profound or extremely obvious, but it comes down to this: the things you do and the thoughts you have change the firing patterns and chemical composition of your brain.  Even actions as simple as changing your posture, relaxing the muscles on your face, or slowing your breathing rate, can affect the activity in your brain (beyond, of course, the required activity to make the action).  These changes are often transient, but can be long-lasting, particularly if they entail changing a habit”.

Alex Korb, Psychology Today
Yoga. Changing the Brain’s stressful habits

Next Up: Maui!

Maui Relaxation Trip with Love Yoga Studios

8 days of getting a healthy and empowering yogic start to your day of pure island rejuvenation. Contact Suzanne or Cady Campbell for more info. Details on our website and the FB event page.

IF YOU’RE COMING TO MAUI WITH US PLEASE LET US KNOW! Email Love@loveyogastudios.com with any questions or concerns! Deadline for reserving your space is Feb. 14th!

This is a RELAXATION RETREAT with Suzanne (relaxation guide) and Cady Campbell (adventure guide). There are plenty of adventurous opportunities if you’d like them…and/or plenty of beach/pool time if you prefer. Every morning offers an all levels yoga  & meditation class, any level, every level.

Ard Working Hands Massage

Ard Working Hands Massage, Massage Therapist

Kelly Ard has been a Licensed Massage Therapist in Albany Oregon for over 11 years. She specializes in Ashiatsu DeepFeet massage and Prenatal massage. She also offers a basic integrative massage by hand that combines Swedish Massage with some Deep Tissue, Trigger Point and Myofascial release. You can learn more and schedule directly with Kelly at ardworkinghandsmassage.net

Burnett Bodywork

Burnett Bodywork, Massage Therapist

Before to moving to Oregon, Anna Burnett worked as massage therapist in Alaska, Tennessee, and California. She was trained in 2005 in Palm Springs, California and her massage style is a creative and energetic blend of Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage, and Lomi Lomi. When she is not at Love Yoga Studio for yoga or massage therapy, Anna is a homeschool mom to four fantastic little people. You can learn more and schedule appointments directly with Anna at burnettbodywork.com.

Suzanne Davis, Owner, E-RYT1000

I first experienced yoga in my mid 20s after almost a decade of struggling with anxiety. I credit my parents. Not for the anxiety…  🤔… for finding yoga! (My Dad first recommeded I try meditation and later, my Mom co-founded the studio with me).

But nobody talked about anxiety back then. So I had to do a ton of secret research which led me to yoga, meditation, nutrition, energy work and breathwork. All of that led me to discover the simple thing that changed my life: The Science of Breathing.  

Breathing smarter eliminated the anxiety completely. And 25 years later… I’m still completely anxiety free. (Ask me how to check your breathing, it’s a simple 60 second test).

You see now why I MUST share this practice with anyone and everyone who’s interested.  I was destined for a life of fear and anxiety and this practice saved me. It gave me tools and tips that made me strong, resilient and brave. 

 

So in 2010, The day after I completed my 200 hour Yoga Training, I found myself unexpectedly unemployed. Talk about diving into the practice of being okay with uncertainty! It must have worked because 9 days later, we opened Love Yoga. 

We wanted to share how to ease pain and stress and how to find joy through yoga, breathing and meditation. Even in unexpectedly, uncertain and difficult times. 

After opening the studio, I went on to create the LoveStrong Teacher Training and LoveStrong Adventures to inspire others to encourage themselves. To learn the tools and tips that would make them strong, resilient and brave. 

These programs have evolved into an amazing yoga community that does even more to reduce stress, relieve tension, inspire laughter, create connections, share music and make friends. 

We encourage a functional fitness approach to yoga with a nourishing and soulful practice that includes all things wellness, relaxation and connection. 

I infuse my classes with as much humor, science, breathwork and meditation as I can because those are the things I love most. And If that’s not working I’ll simply let you simmer in silence.  No problem.  I’m not afraid of awkward silences… at all.  

I’ll give you plenty of opportunities to challenge yourself, deeply relax and encourage you to improve your strength and flexibility naturally. 

Classes: 
Thursday 5:30pm Gentle Yoga / Guided Meditation
Saturday 9am Vinyasa Flow

Training: 

2006  Yoga Fit Training Weekend/Beth Shaw

2010  200 hour Yoga Alliance certification

2012  500 hour Yoga Certification @ Mark Stephens Yoga

2013  Yoga Anatomy Fundamentals w/ Leslie Kaminoff

2013  MBSR Certified (Mind Body Stress Reduction)

2014  Off the Mat, Into the World Certification w/Seane Corn

2014  Strala NYC Training w/Tara Stiles & Mike Taylor

2015  Yoga Teacher Refresher w/Jason Crandell

2017  Functional Joint Movement Certification w/ Jory Serota

2018  Spirit Speak Certification w/ Seane Corn

2019  100 hour Guided Meditation Certification w/ Guided Medit. Framewk.

2020  Transformations, The Science of change w/ Trevor Blake

2020  Inner Engineering Yoga Philosophy w/ Sadhguru

2020  Intuitive Energy Course w/ Marie Manuchehri

2021  Yoga Therapy Foundations, Yoga Therapy Institute

2021  Intuitive Energy Medicine Healing w/ Marie Manuchehri

2021 100 hour Adv. Meditation Cert w/Guided Meditation Framework

2021  Stress & the Relaxation Response w/ Dr. Herbert Benson

2022  Certified NLP & Hypnotherapist for Stress Management, IBCP

2022  Certified Buteyko Breathing Instructor/Oxygen Advantage Methods 

Additional trainings & workshops with Seane Corn, Jason Crandell, Leslie Kaminoff, Jory Serota, David Williams, Paul Terrell of Yoga on Yamhill, Bryan Kest, Rudy Mettia, James Nestor, Patrick Mckeown. 

Every Breath you Take & Somewhere over the Rainbow

Why this title? Because these are the last two Love Notes we sent out and I forgot to post them here on the website. I try to make our Love Notes entertaining as well as educational and engaging to some degree. I try to find songs and videos that relate to the topic. I try because I think myself to be fairly clever and creative and it’s fun!  ; )

So if you haven’t seen our past few Love Notes (weekly newsletter from Love)… here are the links. You can also sign up from these newsletters to get future ones. We make them brief and we only send them out once a week – occasionally twice – if we have an update or a special event. We promise not to inundate your email with fluffy memes and yoga photos. That’s what Instagram and Facebook are for!

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL OUR PAST ISSUES & SUBSCRIBE IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE

Or copy and paste this link: http://bit.ly/2DB6vVV

When you subscribe to our newsletter you’ll get a welcome email from me…Suzanne…that tells you a little more about why we’re writing these Love Notes (basically to keep you in the loop and stay connected). I really do hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.

With Love,

Suzanne

Aunnie Whittington, RYT500

I take self care pretty seriously. For everyone. My passion for self care extends to my family, friends and others. I’m always happy to create space for self care, whether that’s teaching, introducing someone to yoga or simply sharing my love of this practice with others.  In addition to yoga, I have cultivated strong and consistent meditation and spiritual practices. These practices have enhanced my focus and my faith. They have helped me navigate life’s challenges and tap into my inner peace when I truly need it.  Last year I created a Chair Yoga class that I am honored to say has grown extensively, giving me yet another fun way to create space for those who thought self care through yoga might have been out of reach. When I’m not volunteering, baking, walking or traveling… you can find me here at Love Yoga creating more space.

Classes:
All Levels Flow, Fridays 9:30am 
Chair Yoga, Fridays 11:00am

Click HERE for the schedule and class descriptions

Sneak Peek 2018

We are compiling a list of all the events we know are coming up for 2018.

So far we’ve gotten through March. We might add a few things as we go along because sometimes opportunities come up that are just too good to pass up!

So definitely stay connected to see what’s happening each week. In the meantime, here’s a peek at what’s coming up in the next few months.

This way you can save the dates for the events that interest you the most. We’ll have the dates for our Solstice parties, book clubs, workshops, teacher training dates and our Maui Retreat in November this year! Aloha!!!

Love Yoga Studios Calendar of Events for 2018

FRESH START 2018!

#surroundedbyLove. 2017. More Love coming in 2018.

Start Fresh at Love Yoga with all the following opportunities!

Sugar Shakedown:  Join our Facebook group to connect with us as we kick the sugar for the first 10 days of 2018.  No obligation, no huge commitment plus you get a free class this Thursday to help with the process!  More information on the FB Group.

Bingo Challenge:  Pick up a Yoga Bingo card at the studio and fill out as many squares as possible in the next 8 weeks.  Entries go into a drawing for a New Jade Mat, A Massage or a Month Membership! 3 big winners and a lot of little benefits!

LOVE Jars 2018:  The 1st 20 people to sign up for the Jan. 1st Flow class will receive a LOVE Jar.  Throughout 2018, place your intentions or good things that happen along the way.  Then, on New Year’s Eve 2018 you’ll be able to look back at all the good that happens through the year!  (If you miss out on the class, you can bring your own jar and we can add the LOVE). ; )

Two Classes on Jan. 1st:

10:30am
All levels Flow

12:00pm
Tai Chi & Acupressure

January Highlights:

January 6th 10:30am
Intro to Yoga:  One hour demo and Q&A

January 12th 7pm $10 (limit 10 people)
Albany Art Studio
Scatter Paint project – join Love Yoga to create a splatter painting for the studio.

January 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2nd 6:45pm-7:30pm:
4 part Yoga 101 series.
Breaking down the class into sessions with time for demos and Q&A.

January 20th  10:30am
Yoga Alignment:  Fine tune and adjust postures, flow and sequencing options.

January 20th 12 Noon
Kids Yoga

Coming in February:  Yoga Nidra, Yoga for Back Pain and

 

Give Love

How to give love to yourself and others?

To read and/or receive the newsletter in it’s original form with all the links
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Yep, we’re still here with our ‘UnGrinching with Love’ Project.  How’s it going you might wonder?  Well . . . we started with Halloween…trying to replace the scary side with goofy antics. (you saw the lighted hair and tutus?) But Thanksgiving. That’s a different kind of challenge. Family time, food choices, shopping frenzies and holiday buzz. For some of you this might feel like a dream come true.  For introverts, not so much.  So, below you will find many suggestions for ways to Give yourself Love and also to Give to others:

First! Check out our Upcoming Events for the rest of the year!

Second! See our Holiday Gift Guide below!

Third! Check out the list of FREE options you can use right away to start lowering your stress level and be the one that brings all the Good Vibes everywhere you go!

The Picture below of the crazy kid backflipping off the side of a cliff into the lake – that’s my son a few years ago. Thankfully I knew nothing about this until it was over.  But kudos to whoever go that shot!  Nobody has more Good Vibes than this kid!  

 

 

 

Mental Magnificence & Holiday Cheer

**UPDATE: The link in the newsletter for the book giveaway does not work.
To enter to win one of the 3 copies of the book… click here: http://bit.ly/2zgq8k3

 

If you’re not already receiving our weekly Love Notes click HERE if you’d like to see the full version and you can subscribe there also.
We’ve recently been coping them into posts here, but it doesn’t always work completely.

This week’s Love Note includes a giveaway of 3 copies of John Green‘s book Turtles All the Way Down!
It also includes free classes for Veteran’s all month long and yes, another great Love song from the 80s. Enjoy!

SO CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION:   http://mailchi.mp/loveyogastudios/mentalmagnificence

 

Also, here’s another version of our monthly schedule… just trying out something different.  : )