Let's Get Zen

  Upside Down, Girl You Turn Me Inside Out, and Round and Round By Claudia A. Barbieri  March 15, 2023 Diana Ross sang that song about a boy in 1980.  A groovy relatable tune indeed! Yes, we all have experienced a man or woman turning us upside down, usually followed by heartbreak.   This Sunday March 19,  Karen Conicelli, a premiere LGZ instructor, will also turn you upside down, but now, it will be followed by heart health.  Come join the fun when Karen leads an  Inversion and Arm Balance Workshop   at LGZ's Horsham studio.   As I was doing a little research on inversion, I learned how beneficial it is to our hearts, our immune system, and our psychological well-being.  Who knew a handstand could reap such benefits! For me, as may be for you, this yoga practice may seem intimidating.  However, Karen always leads her classes with a very open and non-judgmental vibe.  She will encourage and support you every step...

LGZ Vibes with Ms. Medicine ~ by Claudia A. Barbieri ~   LGZ did it again — promoted women in business and wellness!  This past Friday, October 28th, I had the pleasure of experiencing a free-yoga event hosted by LGZ and sponsored by Dr. Jennifer Kostacos, MD, NCMP, a Primary Care and Women's Health Specialist. Bev Stanton, an LGZ instructor, led the hot yoga class with intensity and grace as smooth tunes flowed from Sarah McLachlan to Sade.  Before class began, everyone unrolled their mats, exchanged names, and chatted with one another which further enhanced this already familial and positive vibe.  Dr. Jennifer Kostacos, MD, was among us yogis in the class.  Hearing about her new practice, Ms. Medicine — "the first network of specialty trained concierge women's health providers . . .that uses evidence-based longitudinal care for mid-life women and beyond"  —  at the meet and greet following class prompted me to say, "Hallelujah!" Haven't we been wait...

"Keep It Zen, Friend!" ~ by Claudia A. Barbieri ~ Yoga class is your escape — from outside forces and from daily obstacles.  When you enter the studio, you seek peace, quiet, and rejuvenation in order that you will have the energy to get back on the hamster wheel tomorrow.  Here are a few tips to keep yoga class Zen for yourself and others around you. 1.  Keep your cell phone away from the studio class space.  Instead, keep it in a cubby in which the studio provides or place it on silent or on "Do Not Disturb" mode.  Answering a call or stopping to send a text is not a welcomed yoga practice. Do you recall a pose called  Upward-Disruptive Yogi?   2.   Be on time for class.  Yoga instructors and attendees are ready to begin at a certain time.  Planning the yoga class choreography and maximizing your client's experience takes thought and care.  This planning begins when the yoga class does.  Being on time, not only help...

  Hometown Healthcare Heroes - LGZ Honors You! ~ By Claudia A. Barbieri ~ Joanne C., RN LGZ is honoring all healthcare workers by offering  free yoga classes to these hometown heroes  in the month of August!!!! Our own LGZ yogi, Joanne C., a registered nurse, tells us how yoga "gives her a sense of calmness." Q:  How long have you been practicing yoga? A:  I have been practicing yoga for almost 4 years, and I love it. Q:  How has yoga shaped your life?  A:  Yoga has helped me to develop an inner strength both physically and mentally. It has become part of my life and helps me to find peace and deal with stressful situations.  Q:  What is your favorite yoga pose? A:  My favorite pose is dancer's pose; it’s a combination of strength, balance, flexibility and concentration. Q:  What is your most challenging pose? A:  My most challenging pose is bird of paradise.  Joanne's reason for her love of yoga: "Practicing yoga has...

  Signed, "Sealed," Delivered, the Outdoors is Yours~ By Claudia A. Barbieri ~ Kaitlin L. - Seal Pose ~ Get outdoors! LGZ offers midday namaste classes and Sunday at 5 p.m. yin yoga — wait for it — outside — amidst their beautiful and picturesque setting behind the studio.  Truly the best of both worlds for your wellness!  Just being outdoors offers tremendous health benefits. Yoga practice outside gives you that extra health and mindfulness boost that you will need.  In 1982, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery defined Shinrin yoku  or "forest bathing"  as taking in the atmosphere of the forest.  This eco-yoga practice not only bonds us yogis with nature but reaps phenomenal health benefits. Benefits of Shinrin yoku,"forest bathing" - yoga practice in nature's playground - outside: Lowers blood pressure Lowers levels of cortisol (hormone that causes stress in our lives) Lowers pulse rate Heightens senses and mood Increases Vi...

  LGZ Honors Classroom Heroes - Teachers ~ By Claudia A. Barbieri ~ My child - Take your Daughter to Work Day - 2018 ~   How does the word FREE sound teachers?  Yes, please, right?  However, I want you to stop thinking about how many FREE things you can get for your students, but focus on you — just this once.  LGZ is offering UNLIMITED  FREE YOGA to teachers and administrators during the month of June.   Catherine and Erica, co-owners of LGZ, want to honor you and allow you to decompress and de-stress when the students leave your classroom, and you begin to think about YOU, a little.   As an educator myself, I understand the dedication, sleepless nights, and anxiety of classroom teaching.  However, I also know that your health takes a massive hit if you do not intervene and practice self-care.  June is the month to begin to take care of you.  Taking a free yoga class is one way to start.  This may be the catalyst for yo...

" It's Getting Hot in Herrrreeee, So Take a Child's Pose!" ~ By: Claudia A. Barbieri ~ ~ Glow-Ga Happy Hour ~ Hot happy hour is your new jam!  LGZ offers infrared vinyasa happy hour on Fridays at 5:30 throughout the year. They call it Vinyasa To The Vibe because the flow is set to music not typically heard during yoga classes, and ranges from 50s crooners, big hair-band rock, and modern-day hip hop. The instructor chooses his/her musical theme and often decorates the room with special lighting and props to add to the "vibe" of the theme and creates a "party on your mat" atmosphere. LGZ brings yogis together to celebrate the end of the work week with namaste and Nelly (If it's hip hop night that is!).  What an incredible way to be meditative with a little funky twist!   Hot Happy Hour Highlights 60 minute hot Vinyasa class vinyasa - stringing poses together seamlessly using breath Room reaches 100 and 105 degrees Supplemented by humidifiers an...

Q & A with Maria Eble - Inspiring Young Yogis ~ By Claudia A. Barbieri ~ Q: Can you remember your first yoga session? How did you make the decision to go?   A: I found a 2-week intro to a studio I used to drive past all the time. I had never practiced in a studio before, so I researched as much as possible to know what I might expect. Despite how hot my cotton yoga pants felt, I was hooked! I started practicing every day, and by my year anniversary of practicing regularly, I had signed up to start teacher training.   Q: How would you describe your style of instruction?  A: I like a pretty traditional vinyasa class that builds from a strong, focused base. That is the type of class I want to create for all levels of practitioners to enjoy. I encourage using props to support your practice, whether you are an experienced yogi or someone starting out. That support helps keep your ego in check and helps you have a little more courage to try something new. You will find ...

  Q & A with Catherine  Costanzo, Co-Owner of LGZ - Brains & Beauty ~ Q: How would you describe Let’s Get Zen’s philosophy and approach to maintaining a happy client? A: We have a simple philosophy … creating a safe, judgment-free space in which to practice where clients connect with their inner selves and each other — reaping these benefits both on and off their yoga mats. Our yogis love the positive and accepting energy they find here.   Q: Can you remember your f irst yoga session? How did you make the decision to go?  A: Wow, it has been so long since my first yoga class! I was in my late 20s and had been a part time “aerobic instructor” in college, so I was coming from a very high energy, music-driven workout environment (think leg warmers and Jane Fonda). I always loved staying fit and thought yoga would be a good extension to my routine. I quickly found it much different and very settling. The more yoga classes I took, the more I preferred it ove...

"Om"-work Part Deux  ~ By Claudia A. Barbieri ~ Welcome back!  A few weeks ago, I had discussed some "om"-work you would love to do.  Who tried the walking meditation or the compassion meditation?  Maybe you did, or maybe it's on your future agenda.  Spring is here, so maybe the walking meditation will be the easier one to squeeze into your routine.   "Om"- work, in the yogi world, should enhance your well-being and mindfulness not hinder it.  So, do not stress if you have not scheduled the time for yourself just yet.  You will.   Today, I want to add another way to reach mindfulness that you may want to try.  Meditation is simply silent time in which you schedule for yourself to disconnect and decompress from life's distractions. Five to ten minutes is all you need to start.  Once again, I am referencing my little gem of a book, Mindfulness and Meditation  by  Venerable Thubten Lundrup. Before you begin your med...

Q & A with Brit Burns —  Meditative & Challenging     ⁓ By Claudia A. Barbieri ⁓                                             Q:   Can you remember your first yoga session? How did you make the decision to go?  A: I went to my first yoga class in 2012 with a friend who found a Groupon for a Bikram studio. While in class, I was pushing myself to the point of overheating and was about to leave the room. Then, the teacher came over and told me to just take a moment, sit on my mat, and breathe deeply. After a couple of minutes, I was able to return to the practice and finish out the class.  I had tried other workouts, but that class was the first time I felt energized and calm after working out — even with my moment of panic. After that day, I was hooked! My mat soon became my favorite place to be. Whenever I am overwhelmed...

  "Om"-work You'll Love To Do By:  Claudia A. Barbieri 〜 - - Kristin Hannings -  Did you ever find that $5.00 bill at the bottom of your purse or pocket and think you hit the lottery?  What a feeling!  Recently, I came upon a little book that collected dust on my bookshelf for years that gave me that same feeling.  It's called Mindfullness & Meditation  by V. Lhundrup[1], a book that explains the basics of Buddhist principles .  Fittingly, Let's Get Zen's logo mantra is " Yoga + Mindfulness."   In 2022, achieving mindfulness, or our ability to keep our attention on an object, is a challenge for even the most emotionally strong individuals.  Practicing yoga, mindfulness, and meditation help us find this ability and inner peace.  So, after dusting off Mindfullness & Meditation,  I am discovering  delightful chapters and excerpts that help you do just that!  Two types of meditation - your "om" - work:  ...

Monica Lynn - Passionate and Supportive Q & A with Monica Lynn By Claudia A. Barbieri Monica strives to create a safe and supportive environment for all. Q:    Can you remember your first yoga session? How did you make the decision to go?  A:    My very first yoga session was with my mom. I was a senior in high school (I'm 33 now!), and she had been trying to convince me to go with her for quite some time. I was a teenager who was hesitant to believe that her mother could suggest something she might enjoy! I remember the instructor's calm, yet clear, instructions as I tried to figure out each posture. I immediately knew that I liked it and wanted to try again. I felt challenged, yet peaceful at the same time - something I had never experienced before! Q:    How would you describe your style of instruction?   A:    I would describe my style of instruction as intentional and balanced. My classes are structured in a ...

Style & Grace Tara Cuff - Tara has had a love for the body in motion for many years. She's had a passion for dance over four decades, as well as ZUMBA for over ten years. She knew something was missing in her life and quickly realized that it was Yoga. Tara loves being encouraging, sharing inspirational quotes, leads with clarity and focus. You'll find Tara's style to be both athletic and graceful. Let's Get Zen - Instagram Let's Get Zen - Facebook Our website

                                                                5 Major Health Benefits from Infrared Heat for Yoga -  Infrared radiant heat is much more beneficial to your health than traditional forced air systems.  It offers a safe, clean, and allergen-free way to experience hot yoga at its   optimum.  Let's discuss the five health benefits for a minute.  First , infrared yoga practice increases flexibility.  Because infrared heat is directly warming the muscles, it opens them up and allows for a greater range of motion.   Second , it increases circulation.  Infrared heat has been shown to increase blood flow by opening up the body's capillaries.  It can help lower blood pressure and oxygenate the organs.   Third , it reduc...