Bend Yoga Charlottesville

Baby showers at bend

bendcville — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:39:56 +0000

Welcome baby!

What better environment for a baby shower?! Mom-to-be and her guests can enjoy an hour Mamaste class plus exclusive use of our studio for an additional hour. We will supply balloons, setup, cleanup of space, and a bend onesie for the new baby!

Price: $300/2 hrs, up to 20 guests ($10 each additional guest)

Selfish is NOT a four-letter word

bendcville — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 20:14:02 +0000

My friend Matt and I enjoying a "Selfish" moment

It seems this little word, ‘selfish’, has gotten a bad rap as of late. We live in a society that preaches we should put ourselves last, help others, sacrifice for those who need it. I am a big believer in all of that, who doesn’t want to live in a world where others are outwardly focused? There is one key left out here though, who takes care of those doing all the caring??

It’s similar to being on a plane. Before we take off we are told “In case of an emergency, the oxygen masks will fall from the ceiling, please put yours on first before helping others”. We have to do it this way, right? Although looking around on airplanes, I notice most people flipping through a magazine, checking their iPhones one last time, not paying any attention to this. I think it is because this is common sense, “Well of course I will put the oxygen mask on first, how else would I breathe??”. When it comes to something so simple, it’s like our brains don’t have to think about the next logical step.

SO – to all you out there who start the day with a long to-do list, have a million errands to run for your family, sacrifice all you have for your children, I challenge you: spend 20 minutes a day doing something extravagent for you. Sit in silince with a warm cup of coffee, stare out the window, daydream, meditate, turn OFF the phone, whatever it is for you. Feed yourself each day, in a way that benefits only you. Do THAT for others, treat yourself well, tell yourself YOU are worthy of a little sacrifice. If we don’t start putting ourselves first, how in the world can we take care of others and continue to give?

A very wise teacher, fellow yogi, and dear friend changed my life during a yoga class – she said “Sometimes you need to be a little selfish in here so that you may be more selfless when you walk outside”. Smart lady!

Today I really took the time to soak up the cup of morning coffee, laughed with mamas-to-be, rubbed some big-mama pregnant bellies, took a yoga class, and hung out with some really cool kids. I may have overdone my selfishness for the day but boy do I feel good!

Paint your own mat parties!

bendcville — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:24:48 +0000

Birthday parties at bend are so much fun and are a really great way to introduce kids to yoga.

All birthdays are between an hour and a half and two hours long. The first hour will be yoga for the birthday child and guests. Yoga activities will be based on the ages of the child and invited guests. Requests from birthday child will also be incorporated. Birthday party activities are similar to our classes. Yoga will be an engaging with a mix of active asanas (poses), games geared at building team work, and lots of music.

Following the yoga class, parents have the exclusive use of the studio for the birthday celebration for a half an hour.

One of the best parties we have had recently was for Laila who invited her friends to decorate mats with her. Check out the artistic expression of these yoginis!

Paint Your Own Mat Party (ages 8 and up): $250 for up to 12 children, $15 per mat (if provided by bend). 15-30 minutes of mat decorating, 1.25 hours of yoga, 1/2 hour for parent-led gift opening and birthday celebration. Price includes exclusive use of our studio, bend balloons, setup, and cleanup of space. Parents to provide food/drink.

Prenatal Yoga is a Wonderful Thing!

bendcville — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 19:23:06 +0000

Great article on the benefits of prenatal yoga.

The Power of Yoga

Our Warriors love yoga!

bendcville — Tue, 31 May 2011 19:52:06 +0000

Our Warrior class is for kids 10-12 years old and tends to be a very active hour! Children are introduced to yoga as a lifeling practice; technique, breath work, strength and alignment are emphasized. Yogis explore partner poses and take turns teaching one another. Emphasis is placed on working together, respecting others and building community.

These yogis take their yoga very seriously and were thrilled to show Sarah what they can do!

Encouraging Individuality

Annelise’s incredible double lotus!

Gorgeous wheels, strong backs

Holland is great at camel

Lizard on a Rock, great partner pose for both ‘lizard’ and ‘rock’

Double Dog!

Everyone in their favorite pose

“I am a yoga Warrior and have been going to Bend for about seven months now. The Warriors class has really helped me with muscle soreness and the yoga techniques that Kelly teaches us have really helped me with destressing my mind after (and in) school. I love it that all the sessions are a little different from each other, every time I go there we get to learn something new. Our teacher, Kelly, does a great job in teaching us new postures and helping us to relax. Whatever we do at Bend, it’s always lots of fun! There are so many things to say about Bend, but one thing is sure – BEND YOGA TOTALLY ROCKS. It’s awesome…seriously.”

- Annelise (age 11)

As always, thanks to the incredible Sarah of Cramer Photo for taking pictures!!

They are doing yoga at the White House too!

bendcville — Mon, 16 May 2011 17:49:59 +0000

Yoga on White House lawn

Let’s get kids moving!

bendcville — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:31:53 +0000

Beyonce has joined the movement to battle childhood obesity, worth a look

Ready to give birth?? It’s worth a try!

bendcville — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:06:42 +0000

Cappellino\'s Crazy Lemon Drop Cupcake

Great article from The Wall Street Journal on yoga for kids

bendcville — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 19:22:10 +0000

The Benefits of Yoga in U.S. Schools

Check out our Inchworms!

bendcville — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 22:13:31 +0000

The Inchworms class is a great way to introduce kids to yoga through use of music, books, animal puppets, and playful adults who are able to leave all inhibitions at the door!

This class focuses on kids who are strong crawlers/early walkers to age 2.5, and their caregiver. As kids this age have very short attention spans, this class is fast paced and involves a number of activities. We read books with kids, teach them yoga through music and the use of puppets, and encourage peer interaction. It seems most days the adults are able to sneak in some yoga while the young ones explore the room and meet new friends!

“My 21 month old daughter and I started going to Bend when they first opened their doors in August 2010. I have been extremely impressed with Kelly and Merrill’s teaching and the environment they create at their studio. My daughter loves the classes and has learned so much in the past 6 months. When we first started at Bend I was worried that she was so young that she would not understand the postures. However, after just a couple of classes, she started doing the postures both in class and frequently at home out of the blue. As we were walking down the downtown mall one afternoon, she stopped in the middle and started doing down dog, which is her favorite posture. She gets excited whenever I tell her we are going to go to yoga. She loves meeting other kids her age and playing and having fun with Miss Kelly. I am now pregnant with my second child and have been taking the prenatal Mamaste classes which I love! I can’t say enough good things about Bend. My husband is in the military and when we have to move away from Charlottesville, Bend is the thing that I will miss the most! “

- Laura

Thanks to Cramer Photo for taking beautiful pictures!