It Changed my Life

I'm talking about yoga--and qi gong for that matter. It really changed my life. It started once upon a time in Arlington, Virginia when I was in my 20s. I went to a brand new yoga studio called Sun and Moon. They were so beginner that you paid for your "Level 1" series of ten classes at the start of a session, and the instructor had a clipboard and a pen and checked your name off at the start of each class. The yoga mats were provided. You just showed up and were told what clothing to wear. I moved up to Level 2 eventually. I took a few workshops at this studio, but then I left the East Coast for the Midwest and really left yoga behind.

Fast forward nearly fifteen years, and I found myself working out at the Southdale YMCA all the time, and the manager approached me and said she'd like me to teach there. I thought--really? What will I teach? I opted not to go for cycle or bodypump, and I went the yoga route. Little did I know that it would be the start of something great. The first classes I taught were donated (a requirement of my yoga school) to a group that would otherwise not have yoga. I taught at Weight Watchers. It was a big hit. I was so nervous the first day I brought my training manuals with me and kept them next to my mat in case I ran out of ideas. (Never happened!)

During covid, I started a YouTube channel because one of my corporate yoga clients asked me to record classes for their employees because we obviously couldn't meet in person. I knew nothing about recording, lighting, etc. but figured it out like the rest of the world in 2020. Presently I teach eight classes a week at the YMCA, downtown at two corporate clients and privately in homes and on zoom. I added qi gong to the mix which I swirl into each yoga class whether anyone realizes it or not.

The reason why I chose to teach yoga that fateful day long ago was because I wanted to teach something that I knew I could do forever. And that is definitely yoga and qi gong. No matter what age or stage of life you are at, you can do it.

Which brings me to this fateful moment. On May 2, I am having arthroscopic surgery on my knee. It's a ripped off the bone meniscus that is getting reattached. I will be on crutches with no weight bearing activity allowed, for six weeks. The first thing I thought was that I will teach chair yoga. And so it is.

I will be hosting a thirty minute CHAIR yoga class with a short meditation at the end--PLUS journaling prompts that refer back to poses from the yoga class. This is LIVE. I will have private replays available on my YouTube channel so that you can go back and watch it and do it over again as much as you like. There will also be a weekly "Open Hours" time for questions and connecting.

Who is this for? Anyone who is interested in moving more in a chair.

What if I'm not flexible? Doesn't matter. Practicing yoga is about becoming more flexible. All levels can do this.

Do I need to buy special equipment? NO. Comfy clothes, a stable chair and room to move your arms and legs.

What can I expect? Relief, healthy movement, humor, increased sense of wellbeing and purpose.

How much? $150 for six weeks of classes starting Monday May 8 at 7-7:30PM until Monday June 19 at 7-7:30PM (no class on Memorial Day) Payable by Venmo, Zelle, PayPal or old fashioned check!

Check out the many recordings I have on my YouTube channel to see for yourself:

youtube.com/karenastromskycoachkaren

If you have any questions, just message me. I will keep talking about this until the start date.

What about you? What has changed your life? Made it so much better? Brought more joy to you and the people around you? Think it over. Give yourself a moment to be amazed at yourself. You are worth it.

xo Coach Karen :)) always in your corner and sometimes on the yoga mat!