Yoga in Mirrormont: Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.~Henry James

Time for a summer hiatus. Yoga in Mirrormont classes will resume in the fall. Enjoy your home practice and practice yoga outside whenever you get the chance. Taking time to enjoy nature is one of Ayurveda's (Yoga's sister science) important tips for all seasons. Here are some Ayurvedic tips for staying cool in summer:

Drink room-temperature water infused with fresh, organic steeped mint leaves and fennel seeds throughout the day.

Practice abhyanga (oleation/self-massage) with cooling coconut oil - warm the oil first - in the morning before your shower. After your shower, mist your body with cooling rose water.

Practice yoga in the early morning or near sunset. Diminish the intensity of your practice. (Not so deep backbends, less intense twists.)

Take your biggest meal of the day around noon when the digestive fire is high.

Eat pitta-pacifying foods: limes and cucumbers (bitter), apples and quinoa (astringent), fruits and juices (sweet) and refrain from eating salty, sour, and spicy foods, which aggravate pitta.

Swim, stroll by the water, or take a moonlit walk.

Dab lavender or sandalwood oil on your wrists and temples for cooling aromatherapy. Burn lavender or sandalwood incense.

Chillax (I've been hanging out with my teenagers too much! Paddleboard yoga, anyone?)!

Madeleine in Urdhva Dhanurasana on Alki Beach

Terra Yoga, owned by my beloved teacher and mentor, Carina Terra, will be closing its doors at the end of June and I will begin teaching at Village Green Yoga in Gilman Village on Monday and Wednesday mornings (9:30 - 10:45 - subbing for the divine Diana Bonyhadi) through September and on Friday evenings (5:30 to 7 - Candlelight Hatha followed by Yoga Nidra), if you would like try a studio class. Check their schedule and class offerings for diverse classes and teachers. Jean Massimo, the lovely owner and wonderful yoga teacher, also has a beautiful eco-boutique. In September, I will also begin teaching Prenatal Yoga on Tuesday evenings at 5:15 in the Loft at Village Green, if you know of any expectant mamas who might be interested.

Enjoy the sunshine!

Blessings,
Bonnie

Bonnie Dike, Certified Yoga Instructor, E-RYT

Bio: Bonnie (Certified Yoga Instructor, E-RYT) has been practicing yoga for 14 years and teaching for 10. She trained under Catherine Munro at Yoga Tree in Fremont and participated in teacher-training classes with Aadil Palkhivala. She taught at Terra Yoga for many years and regards Carina Terra as her mentor. She has taught yoga to many high school athletes, including the Liberty High School Football Team. The experience of natural homebirths led her to teach Prenatal, Mama/Baby, and Mama/Toddler classes. Bonnie teaches Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Nidra, and Restorative styles of yoga. She studies and embraces yoga’s beautiful sister science, Ayurveda, and is pleased to offer seasonal workshops. Grateful for the opportunity to serve as a Board member for Yoga Behind Bars, she has been blessed to bring yoga classes to maximum-security incarcerated teens at Echo Glen Children’s Center. Off the mat, Bonnie enjoys hiking, boating, cruise-biking along old railroad beds, hula and bellydancing, learning jazz cello, and playing chamber music with her husband, 11 children, and grandchildren. She is a professional cellist and recently retired Children’s Director at the Academy of Music Northwest. Over the years she has taught Music, Art History, Shakespeare, Penmanship, Etiquette, and other classical subjects, including yoga, to tots through teens at her children’s supplementary homeschool center. She is certified to teach the Essential Low Back Program, having trained under internationally recognized yoga therapist, Robin Rothenberg. She is honored to assist Robin's yoga for MS and Parkinson's classes. Bonnie’s teaching style is calm and encouraging. She takes joy in sharing the compassion, gratitude, and realization of abundant blessings that yoga engenders.

Bonnie lives with her husband, Bruce, and their large family in beautiful Mirrormont. She is honored to bring yoga classes to the neighborhood as a way of encouraging great health and well-being.

Yoga classes are offered on Monday evenings from 7 - 8 at the Mirrormont Country Club. Please bring a yoga mat and a blanket and arrive 5 minutes early.

Find joy and serenity as you build strength, balance, and flexibility in the body, mind, and spirit with yoga!

1 hour class ~ $10

Married couples ~ $10

Teens and children ~ No charge

Families (regardless of size) ~ $10

Class changes or cancellations will be posted here.

Group lessons are available in the convenience of your own home. Invite your friends! Host a yoga party!

Private lessons are also available in the privacy of your home. Email me at bonniedike@gmail.com for details.

I also teach at Village Green Yoga in Gilman Village in Issaquah. Come and be moved!

Count the ways in which yoga can change your life!

Yoga for High School Athletes!

Yoga Behind Bars!