Toni Kuhn

My dear friend David sent this picture to me on my Face Book page for my birthday. If you do not already know, I collect Bugs Bunny memorabilia. Bugs is the best! He is so witty, funny, and adorable! He makes me smile. Today is my birthday and I feel so much gratitude for all of the people in my life.

I am grateful to my friends. I appreciate all of you and I am so happy to have you in my life.

I am grateful for my amazing yoga students who are so kind and generous. I am honored to be your teacher and share in your yoga journey.

I am grateful for my supportive family. My kids and my hubby have been so supportive during my arthritic challenges. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family.

Thank you to all of you for making my birthday so special!

Love and Light!

One of my yoga mentor teachers posted this picture on her Face Book page. It really struck a cord with me. This past month I have been battling one of my many arthritic flair ups. I get frustrated because as soon as I get one body part calmed down, another flairs up. Sometimes I feel like all my efforts are not working. It is as if one obstacle after another is being thrown my way. This quote helped me get out of this way of thinking. My pain is not an obstacle, it is a pathway to a deeper understanding of my body and a way for me to connect on a deeper level with my students. I have come to realize that this so called disease is a blessing. I have learned so much from my doctors and physical therapists and I am sharing this knowledge with my students. I may not be able to everything that I used to do, but I have come to understand that there is a lot I can still do! I am grateful that I have the tools, knowledge and support to find new ways to help myself and others.

“Regardless of the severity, intensity, frequency, or duration of any condition that would cause you dis-ease, Spirit can and will inspire you to the most perfect cure: self-acceptance and unconditional Love”- Steffany Barton, RN 

If you have arthritis or are recovering from an injury, or you want to take your practice to the next level, I can help you with private yoga lessons! You can contact me through this webpage by clicking on “private yoga lessons”.

I am running a special through June 30, 2013. I am offering 10% off any lessons!

  This week has been challenging for me with my SI joint. It turns out that my body is hyper mobile in some areas and I have limited motion in other areas, This creates an unstable environment and causes my body to became guarded, thus creating pain. I have been seeing a wonderful physical therapist at Henry Mayo Hospital who has not only decreased my pain,  but has taught me how to manage this imbalance in my body. She has shown me many techniques that I can do on my own.

I look at my arthritic issues as a blessing in disguise. Through my own body issues, I have been able to learn about many pain management techniques that I can share with my clients. My experiences  have made me truly understand how difficult it can be to cope with pain and has allowed me to relate to my clients on a deeper level.

If you have arthritis or are recovering from an injury, or you want to take your practice to the next level, I can help you with private yoga lessons! You can contact through this webpage by clicking on “private yoga lessons”.

I am running a special through June 30, 2013. I am offering 10% off any lessons!

Here’s to living pain free!

Namaste.

In honor of my birthday this month I am running a special on private yoga training!

I am offering 10% off ALL yoga lessons! You can purchase one lesson, or as many as you want. The more lessons you buy, the more you save.  Just click on the “private yoga lessons” tab to contact me.

Offer ends June 30, 2013. All lesson must be used by November 30, 2013.

Yoga is much more than a physical practice. It is also a philosophy about the way we should live. According to yogic philosophy, we cause ourselves pain by desiring things we don’t have, but think that we need. In other words, we hurt ourselves by yearning after what’s out of reach.

Santosa is a niyama, or guiding principle of yoga. This principle encourages us to develop contentment. It prescribes the merit of striving to be grateful for what we have rather than yearning for new and different things. The word “santosa” is also sometimes translated as happiness, because, by finding contentment with what we have, we also find joy, relaxation, and peace.

You can practice santosa in all aspects of your life-toward your family, friends, and your career. – Yoga Journal.com

Virabhadrasana II

The past couple of months have been a bit strenuous and emotional for me. I have found that Virabhadrasana II gives me strength, courage, and grounds me when life seems so chaotic.

My very dear friend  has cancer and is going through another session of chemotherapy. This time they are attacking the cancer more aggressively. It has been less than a year from her last treatment. I feel so helpless because she lives in Sacramento and I cannot be there for her like I would like to. I text her,  I call her, and I send her cards of encouragement. I have been dedicating my yoga practices to her and meditating for this treatment to work.  I will be going up to see her when she has her third treatment in July.

Additionally, I just did the Arthritis Walk last Sunday and spoke on stage about my mother’s experience and her death. It is bitter sweet when I talk about her. I miss her everyday and my heart still aches. Yet, I know her story helps people understand their disease better and I know I am touching others by sharing it. My mother has inspired me to help others and to stay grounded in my life. She was such a giving and compassionate person, and I hope that I can be remembered for the same traits. As I come to the close of my Arthritis Workshops next Saturday, I find myself feeling hopeful that I helped my students and provided them with enough tools to help them manage their pain.

Lastly, today is my first day off in 6-weeks! I feel so blessed to have enough work to keep busy and financially stable. But , I am definitely enjoying this quiet and lazy day!

Have a beautiful day today! And tell me- what pose helps to keep you grounded?