two cats fighting inside a bag?  These days it is NOT uncommon for me to train upwards of *10* clients per day at the gym. Yes you read that right. Ten personal training clients. Couple that with teaching at least 2 and usually 3 classes per day, by the end of the night I'm usually completely fried. And because most of these folks that I train go for the economical 30 minute session option, it's like a revolving door at a dentist's office. If I get off just 5 minutes, it just gets worse and worse as the day goes on. But I'm training all kinds of people which is fun. Young, old, overweight, injured, weak, strong, sweet, funny, and even CANTANKEROUS! Knowing how to deal, react, and train each of them is a challenge and an adventure all at the same time.

Indigo Wellness Center is expanding. We've got a 2nd location opening up this weekend in downtown Salem. Chock full of new classes, new instructors, and new formats it's sure to be a hit! Join us for a grand opening celebration tomorrow night, Friday October 2nd from 4pm-7pm. There will be wine, live jazz music, a drumming circle, and special deals on class packages, massage, and more! 155 Liberty N, next to the Reed Opera House. See you there!

PS-Well hello! Yes dear readers Yogagirl is alive and well! I will continue teaching my Sunday 9am class at the original Indigo location in South Salem. Join me for 90 minutes of pure eclectic yoga fun every weekend!

Even though we've officially got almost 20 more days of summer there is already a nip on the air. Classes at the gym have been very quiet, and I think most people are trying to get that last vacation in before Labor Day. We've wrapped up our four Saturday yoga classes out @ Namaste Vineyards and we're looking forward to two new Vino and Vinyasa events this month. Sunday September 13th brings us back to Left Coast Cellars for a "Twilight yoga and sunset wine pairing dinner" and a brand new event is scheduled at Dobbes Family Estate (Wine by Joe) in Dundee for a "Friday night unwind" candelight yoga class in the barrel room with small bites and wine tasting to follow.

I've been keeping very busy with training clients at the gym and we're currently running a smokin' special to get people into our programming. For just $49 you meet with a trainer for 30 minutes, once a week, for a full month. I've already graduated two women from this routine who both lost about 8 pounds and almost 2% body fat.

And in other news, I'm flipping my teaching schedule around this fall and adding back in a regular step class to my weekly routine. It's been almost *7* years since I've taught step (and not just subbed it) so I'm busy putting together new combos and buying new music.

We just got back from an impromptu week-long vacation to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks. The floors at the gym were getting refinished and it was a perfect time to get away, without fear of getting subs for my 8+ classes. We traveled 2000 miles roundtrip and visited 5 states (Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Oregon) in just 6 days... camping to, from, and at our destination.

Grand Teton National Park, Monday August 17, 2009

Firehole river, geiser basin in Yellowstone National Park  Wednesday August 19, 2009

hoping local Oregonians might join us tomorrow for Vino & Vinyasa @ Namaste Vineyards!

Our first Vino & Vinyasa event in a series of four Saturdays was held yesterday morning at Namaste Vineyards. After a couple of really *iffy* weather days last week, where it even rained a bit on Friday afternoon, we were pleasantly surprised to wake up Saturday morning and be greeted by completely clear blue skies, and even the moon from the night before. It was cool and crisp..all the mid summer's dust having been washed away.

Namaste Vineyards is located in the Van Duzer corridor, a narrow path in the Oregon Coast range that runs eastward from the beach and allows cool afternoon breezes to stream in from the Pacific Ocean. It creates the perfect environment for temperamental Pinot Noir grapes to grow. The vineyard is small but has some of the oldest grapes in the area since they were planted in the early 1980's when the wine industry was just in it's infancy here in the Willamette Valley. Namaste designates certain plots and varietals in the vineyard into block names: 4 of them are Abundance, Prosperity, Harmony, and Tranquility. A perfect set of 4 in which to "hang our hats upon" this month. Yesterday morning our theme was Abundance, named for the Pinot Noir block behind the tasting room.

Dr. Wayne Dyer, a leading authority on mind/body, metaphysics, and mediation says "Abundance is not something we acquire, it's something we tune into". For me, a big part of any yoga practice is taking the time to slow ourselves down enough, tuning out the world's entertainments, distractions, and stimuli, so that we can actually observe, notice and be able to "tune in".  Out in the grass, with sun on our faces and birdsongs in our ears yesterday morning, we couldn't have had a better venue in which to find and discover the abundance and bounty around us. I closed with a reading of this poem by Laura Barrette Shannon

You can not own
a shimmering sunset,
or crystal stars of night.
You can not own
a brilliant blowing breeze,
or the spark of sweet sunlight.

You can not keep
a fragrant floral scent,
or an infant's sleepy sigh.
You can not keep
love's first embrace,
or life's ecstatic highs.

You can not possess
that time which went by
before you were even born.
You can not possess
those memories made
long after you are gone.

So experience enjoyment
in each moment,
immerse in sight, sense, and sound.
Appreciate this world
for all that it is,
that's where abundance is found.

I think you'll be able to view these photos on facebook even if you don't have an official account, and if you are on Facebook please become a fan of Vino & Vinyasa and keep up with what we're doing around the Willamette Valley!

LEFT COAST CELLARS JULY 11, 2009

A local vineyard is in the process of completing a 1000 square foot "yurt" that views the Willamette Valley to the east. The owner says it should be finished by the middle of August and he's very excited to finalize a Vino & Vinyasa event (or 2 or 3) there. Overlooking a large east facing slope of grapevines, it's high enough up on the hill to see right past a huge grove of Douglas Firs to the valley floor beyond, and it would be a perfect venue for a recurring yoga class even as the rains start in late fall. Check it out! (oh and the two specs of people hiking up the hill are Mr. Yogagirl and a friend..just to give you perspective on how big it all is!)

Tonight we're attending the Ty Curtis band (great blues music) at Kathken vineyards, tomorrow the wine club member "pick up" party at Namaste Vineyards, and Sunday in conjunction with my fellow Indigo Yoga Studio instructors, I'm doing a FREE yoga class in the park for the Salem Art Fair. 8am to 9am Bush Pasture Park, SW side in the trees near High Street.

All fantastic venues in which to promote and hand out fliers for Vino & Vinyasa, and hopefully sell our gorgeous Namaste logo yoga mats. We've also got our newest press release finished today and out to all the major publications in the state. August is shaping up to be an awesome month!

Attn: Wine/Drink/Food, Health/Fitness, Local Travel Editors and Events Calendar Listings

For Immediate Release

Salem, Ore. (July 17, 2009) – Vino & Vinyasa gives you the five "E"s: Escape, Entertainment, Education, Enjoyment and Experience! Join us at Namaste Vineyards in August and discover for yourself!

It couldn't be a more perfect pairing as certified yoga teacher Nichole Taylor presents a four-week outdoor yoga series at Namasté Vineyards from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday, August  8, 15, 22 and 29, 2009. Shed your busy lifestyle and reflect on the simple pleasures of life, from echoing bird songs to the the gentle sway of trees; this is a much appreciated chance to connect with nature before indulging the senses with carefully crafted wines. Students of all fitness levels from beginner to advanced are invited to nurture mind, body and spirit.

Vino & Vinyasa at Namaste Vineyards features 90 minutes of yoga, a light breakfast of CKC Catering's That Oatmeal and Zbeanz coffee, and concludes with a complimentary wine tasting (must be 21). Namaste Vineyards Yoga Mats will be available for purchase if you don't have your own.

For more information, please visit www.vinovinyasa.com

Saturday, August 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2009
9 am - 1 pm
Vino & Vinyasa at Namaste Vineyards
A four-week outdoor yoga series featuring 90 minutes of yoga, followed by a light breakfast of locally produced products, and a complimentary wine tasting (must be 21).
Namasté Vineyards
5600 Van Well Road, Dallas, Oregon, 97338;  503-623-4150
$15 in advance; $16 drop-ins
$40 for one class and a Namaste Logo Yoga Mat (save $5)
$55 for all 4 classes (save $5), $80 for all 4 classes and a Namaste Yoga Mat (save $10)
http://www.vinovinyasa.com

If you are running this as a news item, high-resolution images are available for download at
http://vinovinyasa.com/press/hi-res-press-photos/