Last month I was contacted by a writer - Vawn Himmelsbach - from IT World Canada. We chatted on the phone one afternoon, about geeks and yoga and why it matters, and today I was sent a link to the published article!

No Lululemon required, in Yoga for Geeks, Pullman keeps it simple. She includes postures for head and shoulder mobility, opening up the connective tissue in the upper body and opening up the hips, which get tight if you’re sitting all day. She also includes breathing and relaxation. “That’s usually enough for beginners,” she said. “I want them to leave feeling empowered rather than overwhelmed.”

I'm really happy with it. I feel like it does a good job summing up what I feel so passionate about these days. It's not about getting fit or even particularly flexible... it's about finding balance, finding comfort, and taking care of your body so that it will support you, rather than hinder you, over the long haul. I get so many people telling me they know they need to do *something* but are nervous about starting... and I just want them to know that it doesn't have to be scary, and it's never too late to start making simple changes in a positive direction.

Thanks for the write-up, Vawn! :)

I loved this photo so much I had to post it.

With gratitude to Ashley...

I Can Has WiFi Now?
Originally uploaded by thomasetaylor

This made me laugh out loud really hard. But if you've never seen http://icanhascheezburger.com/ it probably won't make you laugh quite as loud as me...

It's a photo of me in March 2006, leading one of the first Yoga for Geeks sessions. That was a room full of 20-some geeks, at Penguin Day. They even did an Om with me (at their request).

Awesome :)

I realize I haven't been blogging much. A few reasons for this:

1) I've been getting ready for my rapidly approaching move to Toronto. Oh yes, it's true. So I'm busily wrapping things up, packing, cleaning out, and psyching myself up. I leave Vancouver in 4 short weeks.

2) Anonymous threatening phone calls regarding content you posted on your blog don't really lend themselves to a feeling of comfort about *having* a blog. And no, I'm not saying any more than that.

3) I'm less than inspired by my site these days, though haven't really had the energy to put into making it better. Someone sweet built me a new template for my birthday... look for the unveiling soon!

By way of quick updates...

1) I love Byron Katie. Check her out and watch the many video clips. She's just great. If you're tired of suffering because other people won't change... then take her teachings to heart.

2) I got do do Yoga for Geeks on The Lab with Leo! Airing May 4th (or was it 5th?)

3) Spring is coming and I'm glad. :)

I just wrote a little something over at Yoga for Geeks... about how to breathe. You might think you know how, but I bet you could use some practice. Years of bad posture, emotional tension, and never having been reminded how to do it naturally lead to chronic bad breathing habits. Computer users need to be aware of this, as a forward slouched posture tends to constrict the diaphragm and inhibit natural and full breathing.

Cruise on over there if you're interested in practicing something that you've probably largely taken for granted... and probably could be doing with a lot more ease and comfort.

You might remember that a while back I blogged about WorkSpace – the awesome membership-based office space getting ready to open in Gastown. Well, WorkSpace is now open, and it's beautiful, and yoga classes – taught by yours truly – begin on Tuesday!

From the Workspace website:

Starting Tuesday, September 5, 2006, WorkSpace will be offering twice a week yoga classes in the space. Check out the schedule here.

Taught by WorkSpace friend and member Sarah Pullman, these classes are open to any and all WorkSpace members, regardless of experience or ability. Until further notice, friends of WorkSpace members are also welcome for a nominal fee (see pricing).

Classes will run for 1 hour and 15 minutes – long enough to stretch our your body, deepen your breathing, check in with the sore spots resulting from too many hours spent bent over your laptop at WorkSpace, and then relax deeply.

Please come a few minutes early for your first class, and inform the instructor of any concerns or injuries you have.

Equipment is provided, though you are welcome to bring your own mat if you'd prefer. Wear comfortable clothes, but don't sweat it – this is a low-fashion yoga scene.

Questions? You can email Sarah at info@yogaforgeeks.com.

Namaste!

(thanks to Megan Cole for her gorgeous Yoga for Geeks photo from BarCamp!)

For anyone who missed yesterday's CBC interview (sorry for all the confusion about the time), I've got an MP3 of it (thanks to a loyal FOYFG). Pardon my babble, and thank you Cameron Phillips for remembering to plug my URL, because I completely forgot. ;)