Stargazer Yoga Co.

09/22/2024

Class is canceled today, 9/22/24 for the *much needed* rain! We'll see everyone for Park Yoga next week 🧘‍♀️

07/28/2024

🌧 The forecast is calling for a 60% chance of rain all morning, so to avoid soggy mats (and people), Park Yoga will be canceled 7/28. I hope everyone stays dry and I'll see you all in August (dates will be posted soon!)

07/14/2024

Last week we wrapped up our thematic exploration for the first limb of yoga - the yamas. These are often paired up with the niyamas and are thought of together as the "ethics and morals" (or sometimes observances) of yoga.

Now, why are we bothering to talk about this? Most folks don't know that there is so much more to yoga beyond the asana (pose) practice. For instance, did you know your vinyasa yoga classes evolved from Ashtanga (Eight-Limbed) Yoga? So we have 8 facets of the practice we can explore on and off the mat. This month, we'll go deeper into the niyamas!

07/14/2024

Hi all! Sorry to post this so late, but Park Yoga is cancelled this morning due to the rain about to roll through Lemont! I'm processing any Eventbrite refunds now, and I hope to see folks next week instead.

Send a message to learn more

07/13/2024

Last class we explored the last of the 5 yamas - aparigraha.

Aparigraha is often translated as "non-greed" or "non-attachment." This can show up in how we move on the mat, and how behave in our daily lives.

🌺Are we super attached to having our yoga practice look a certain way?
🌺Do we take more than we need?
🌺Do we find ourselves preoccupied with success, status, or other ephemeral desires?

OR

🌺Can we let go of the "should" thoughts that come up?
🌺Can we allow our practice to grow naturally, and take our time on this yoga journey?

07/07/2024

I fell a bit behind posting our theme of the week, so in case you missed class last week, we explored Brahmacharya!

Brahmacharya is often translated as "moderation of the senses" (or the right use of energy). Traditionally, this included a practice of celibacy, but many modern or "householder" practitioners often think of it more as using our energy and time to focus on the internal journey to peace, as opposed to external validation/wealth.

How does this show up in our practice?
🌼 Are we spending what energy we have to reach for poses that might not be for us?
🌼 Are we reserving some of our practice space/energy for the more subtle practices/limbs of yoga? (Beyond asana!)
🌼 Are we performing for others/ourselves in class?

05/19/2024

This week we move on to our 3rd yama - asteya (non-stealing).

This one, again, might seem really obvious on its face based on the English translation. Asteya isn't "I don't steal, so I can check this one off the list!" It's much more subtle that that. Asteya can show up in how we take credit for thing that are not ours, or take more than we should.

Some questions to consider
⭐️How do my actions take things from others that are not freely given (ex: time, resources, emotional labor)?
⭐️Does cultural appropriation show up in my practice or in my daily life?
⭐️Do I express gratitude (an opposite of asteya) when I receive?
⭐️ How does generosity show up in my daily life? (another antidote to asteya!)

05/14/2024

Last week we introduced the 2nd of the 5 yamas - satya (truthfulness).

Satya isn't just not telling lies (but that's a great start!), but also focuses on the truth of inner selves and the world around us.

Some questions to consider:
🌸Are we communicating the truth to ourselves and others?
🌸Are we able to see the world as it is, not as we wish it could be?
🌸Are we living in alignment with our own, personal truths?

05/05/2024

Thank you so much for all of the folks that came out for our first Yoga in the Park this morning! We had a great time moving through our asana practice and started in on our new themed classes. This week's theme centered around Ahimsa, one of the 5 Yamas (ethics) in our yoga practice.

Ahimsa is the practice of non-violence or non-harm in our thoughts, words, and deeds. While it may seem fairly straightforward to say "Well, I'm not violent, so I'm good here!", we can take a deeper look at how violence and harm does show up in our day to day, and even on our mat.

Some examples might include:

1. Do you find you thinking negatively about myself ("Gosh, I'm so stupid for not being able to do that pose")
2. Do you wish harm (or even bad luck) on folks around you? (Maybe a driver cut you off, or someone criticized you)
3. Do you work to relieve suffering in your community (no matter the size), or ignore it to hope it goes away on its own?

These are some of the questions we can ask ourselves to explore how harm can creep its way into our lives. Ahimsa is the practice of working to reduce or eliminate that harm to effect positive change. But again, it's a practice - not a perfect, so be gentle with yourself working through this one.