Now and Zen Yoga Studio

07/29/2025

“Talk to yourself like you would to. someone you love”-Brene BrownWellness is being emphasized more and more in society. We live in a stressful world and if we
are not careful the effects of that stress can have negative impacts on our physical and mental
well-being. Stress and unhealthy living is cumulative and as we age its effects can be
devastating.
Self-care is one way that we can face this inevitable phenomenon. Self care is not synonymous
with self-indulgence or being selfish. It means taking care of yourself so that you can be
healthy, you can be well, you can do your job, you can help and care for others, and you can
do all the things you need to and want to accomplish in a day. Anxiety and depression, and just
plain feeling lousy, is on the rise and we all need self-care.
My coaching manual has a brilliant definition of self-care. They define self-care “as a way of
living that incorporates behaviors that enable one to maintain personal health and balance,
replenish energy and motivation, and grow as a person.” Personal health, balance, energy,
motivation and growth.
What does self-care look like for you? Are you practicing self-care enough and if so how are
you doing that? If not, what is getting in your way?
Self-care is individualized and will look different for everyone. It might be committing to a
consistent yoga practice. It might be a daily walk without your phone. It might be a bubble bath
at the end of each day. It might be prioritizing enough sleep. It might be eating healthier. We
need to schedule that time in our lives and prioritize whatever activity it is that helps you
decompress, return to center, calm your mind, and take care of your physical body. I confess
that I am guilty of plopping myself down in front of the TV but I know this is not self care. I
also make time to move my body, find time for sitting and breathing, eating healthier and going
to bed at a reasonable time. I realize that as I age, these activities nourish my mind and body
and as a result I am healthier than if I did not do these things.

07/22/2025

Today I wanted to share a poem that I read recently.The title is “My Symphony”
To live content with small means.
To seek elegance rather than luxury,
and refinement rather than fashion.
To be worthy not respectable,
and wealthy, not rich.
To study hard, think quietly, talk gently,
act frankly, to listen to stars, birds,
babes,
and sages with open heart, to bear all
cheerfully,
do all bravely, await occasions, hurry
never.
In a word, to let the spiritual,
unbidden and unconscious,
grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony.
—William Ellery Channing
Some great reminders of what a good life is.
“To live content, with small means”- reminding us to find our version of enough.
“Wealthy not rich”-reminding us that rich is about money, wealth is so much more. Time,
freedom, people and health.
“To await occasions, hurry never”-reminding us to slow down
“To let the spiritual… grow through the common”- reminding us to find the extraordinary in the
ordinary
“This is to be my symphony”- reminding us that we get to be the conductor in our lives. 🙏

07/20/2025

“Oh how beautifully you are learning the art of release… the courage to breathe deep even in the winds of changing things.”

It’s hard to let go! We take comfort in holding on. When things stay the same we like how that feels to us. Routine can feel safe.

But we all know things change all the time
And they have to.
Life is constantly evolving and changing. We don’t have much control over that but we do have control of release.
Letting go of what doesn’t serve you is key.
We don’t need to carry all that we do. It will weigh you down and cause pain and sickness.
Release what you can.
Breathe deeply.
Go with the flow of energy.
Be grateful for all that you have. Your many blessings.
Practice meditation.
Practice peace.
Have faith in your journey with love and trust.

Happy Sunday!
-CC💖

07/13/2025

🛩️Sometimes we get too comfortable in autopilot and put too much stress on ourselves. We get busy with family, careers, with life.

🍉Sometimes we need to pause, and relax.
It’s so important to take time out of your busy day and relax. Finding the balance between.
🥑Trying to stay present will help you make the time to sit and breathe for 5.
Take a nap if you can.
Take an easy walk.
Have your favorite drink or snack.
Practicing your yoga.
Lots of ideas.

Relax
You have enough
You do enough
You are enough

Happy Sunday!
-CC🍑

07/12/2025

Practicing balance in line at the coffee shop? Why not?! Join Annette as she walks us through hidden opportunities throughout our daily lives to build strength, balance and improve our practice.
Reserve your space online; call or message us with any questions!

07/11/2025

Dharma and Adharma provide a framework for ethical decision-making and living a meaningful life, emphasizing the importance of acting in accordance with righteousness and contributing to the well-being of oneself and the world.
Join us Sunday as we discuss both Dharma and Adharma, and how to apply these ideas to our everyday lives.
Reserve your space on our app, call or message us with any questions.

07/10/2025

The practice of pranayama involves minimizing the movement of the body and focusing on the movement of the breath.

The physical goals of pranayama can be either to recover from sickness, or to maintain health. At the level of the mind, pranayama aids in achieving a base level of mental balance that will allow us to effectively practice meditation (dharana, dhyana and samadhi) which requires progressively greater focus of the mind.

Pranayama is the means to remove mental disturbances and make the mind focused for meditation (Yogasutras II.52, 53). Pranayama helps to achieve the ultimate goal of Yoga practice which is freedom from the mind as well as the immediate goal of freedom from disease.

⭐️ Book link: Yoga Therapy: A Therapeutic Guide to Yoga and Ayurveda for Health and Fitness. See more at: https://geni.us/U4bU.
👉 The Svastha Yoga Therapy Training (IAYT accredited) offers comprehensive 300 and 800-hour programs, now available online. Explore more at: on.svastha.net/3QTTMm3

07/10/2025

07/08/2025

Today I want to talk briefly about something we all need, yet often struggle to find- personal
peace. In a world that is constantly pushing us to go faster, do more, and be more, peace can
feel like a luxury. But it is not. It is a necessity.
Personal peace isn’t about escaping from life— it is about creating an inner stillness that we
can carry with us. It is feeling grounded when everything feels uncertain. Without peace, we get
swept away by stress, anxiety, comparison and fear. With peace, we can respond instead of
react. We can show up more fully for ourselves and others.
How do we begin cultivating this kind of peace?
First, create space for stillness. Finding time for a handful of minutes of silence- no phone, no
tasks— can calm the nervous system and reset the mind. Sitting quietly with your breath or
taking a slow walk with full awareness works well.
Second, limit what drains you. Noticing certain inputs—like endless news, social media or toxic
interactions— that pull us away from peace. Protect your peace.
Third, practice acceptance. Internal tension comes from resisting what is. By accepting reality
peace is more readily available.
Lastly, connect to what centers you—prayer, meditation, journaling, or spending time with
people who make you feel grounded and loved.
Personal peace allows us to move through life with more clarity, compassion, and calm.

07/06/2025

Yoga heals the soul.🧘🏼

🌙Many moons ago I started practicing yoga with my mom, she taught at a local community center.
During that hour of practice I was transcended to a peaceful universe.💫
Such a natural high!
Then the more I practiced the more I felt less stress and anxiety. The more I connected with myself self the more I wanted to practice my yoga. It became an addiction I couldn’t get enough. 🧘🏼‍♂️What I love the most about yoga is anyone and everyone can practice yoga. It excludes no one.
What I love about our studio, what Deb created is exactly that, anyone and everyone can practice yoga. Our teachers are beautifully trained with love. The knowledge and experience we all have is what sets us apart from any other.
I’m so blessed to be apart of this amazing yoga family!
So Yes! Yoga heals the soul!
Happy Sunday!
-🩷CC

⭐️⭐️⭐️

07/04/2025

We wish everyone a safe and happy July 4th! We will see you back in class tomorrow! 🙏🧘‍♀️

07/03/2025

Thank you for voting us #1 in San Joaquin County! We love our community and love our students; we could not be more proud. Stop by and see what Now and Zen has to offer!