Hello Dear Ones & Happy August, 

Just a quick check-in to thank you all for your support these last few months...
Saluda is a welcoming & beautiful community that I am so pleased to be a part of; my deepest gratitude is extended to you all. 
New late summer hours (beginning Monday August 5th) are as follows:
Fridays Community Yoga in the Park @ 10 - 11 am (Free/Love Donation) 
Appointment times & shop hours are 11 am - 3 pm
Saturdays by appointment only 
Sundays Kundalini Sol Yoga @ 10 - 11 am ($10/per class) 
Mondays by appointment only
Tuesdays appointment times & shop hours are 10 am - 3 pm
I am happy to be available other times on individual & as-needed basis, so please feel free to ask if you need a specific time or day!
NEW SPA OFFERING!
Per several requests, I am adding Thai Reflexology Treatment (for Tired Hands & Feet) 
$40.00 (40 minute treatment)
Similar to acupuncture theory, Thai Reflexology identifies that the hands & feet has as many as 7,200 nerve endings. These nerve endings are connected to the body’s internal organs. Thai Reflexology works on the belief that certain zones of the hands & feet correspond to these organs. It focuses on the reflex areas in these zones to bring the client improved blood circulation, relaxed sleep & an overall enhanced mood.
The Thai Reflexology technique involves applying gentle pressure to the hands & feet using a combination of the entire hand, fingers, thumbs & Thai wooden stick.
​Focusing on the lower arm (below the elbow), hands, lower legs & feet, a typical session includes gentle, rhythmic movements & stretching. There are 10 major energy lines running throughout the body. These create specific pressure points in the hands & feet that can be effectively stimulated. The entire body & all its internal organs can be mapped by skillfully manipulating these pressure points.

Contact me at 828.577.8660 or via the Contact Form to schedule your booking 

May happy August days be yours & hope to see you all soon! 
​xoxo

Warmest Springtime Greetings, Friends! 
Thank you for your interest in Botanica Belize Wildcrafted Skincare & Holistic Aesthetic Spa & Shop, as well as, the upcoming Saluda Sol Yoga classes in the park next to my shop @ 144 US. 176, Saluda, NC. beginning Friday May 17th. 
Each week, I will be hosting yoga sessions (weather permitting) on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays & Mondays.
Schedule & description of classes as follows:
​
Fridays 5-6 pm Community Yoga (free of charge/love donations accepted) 
Community Yoga is a perfect way to unwind at the end of the week or start out your weekend & connect with Saluda community members, business owners & visitors to the area.
Classes combine a variety of yoga modalities (emphasis on hatha & vinyasa styles); open to all levels of experience, genders & ages (12 & up). 
Saturdays 9-10 am Sol Yoga ($10/per session)
Sol Yoga is a dynamic & therapeutic style that emphasizes personal intention, breath, proper alignment, body flow, chakra (energy center) activation & core stabilization. 
All classes open to all levels of experience, genders & ages (12 & up). 
Sundays 10-11 am Kundalini Sol ($10/per class)
Kundalini Sol practices are physically and mentally challenging sessions that aim to break through our internal barriers, release untapped latent energy & help to bring a higher level of self-awareness.
All classes open to all levels of experience, genders & ages (12 & up). 
Mondays 9-10 am Sol Yoga ($10/per session)
Sol Yoga is a dynamic & therapeutic style that emphasizes personal intention, breath, proper alignment, body flow, chakra (energy center) activation & core stabilization. 
All classes open to all levels of experience, genders & ages (12 & up). 
​

Greetings Loved Ones, 
I have to share a real gem that I found out there via the World Wide Web, it is the work of Raja Choudhury. 
Have a look yourself - he is, according to his website, a "Modern Mystic, Filmmaker, Digital Media Creative & Inner Explorer". To me, he just jived with all that I do & teach. 
Please take the time today to watch this video - it is 25 minutes of greatness & connection! 
Prana (life force) is within & it is all about, be sure to tap in to yours!

Enjoy & namaste xoxo
​Click the title below.
Raja Choudhury 'Bringing Prana In Through Energization Exercises'

Happy August, Dearhearts! 
I am here again with my ramblings on the eve of another Full Moon, the perfect time to evaluate current & past experiences & to set intentions for future. 

In this post I want to share some yoga wisdom with you about the mysterious "Mula Bandha" -if you are new to yoga you may have never heard of it, if you practice regularly it may still be an alusive mystery, for me it has taken 13 years of practice - Pilates training, Hatha Yoga training, Pranayama training & most recently Kundalini training to fully undertand the magnitude & deepth of this technique. 

Last October a new student requested that I teach him some basic Kundalini Yoga techniques to further his personal journey & connection to meditation & Kundalini. I had a bit of fundamental knowledge of this lineage of yoga & knew some general teachings of Yogi Bhajan (the man who brought Kundalini to the US), but in order for me to feel good about my teaching Kundalini Basics, I had to do some major exploration to do on my own. That in depth research has impacted me in some of the most profound ways, too many to discuss in 1 post, but it also reintroduced me to the Mula Bandha/Root Lock. 
Mula Bandha, is a "posture" in which the body from the anus to the navel is contracted and lifted up & towards the spine. It is a technique used not only in asana/posture practice, but in pranayama/breathing & meditation as well. For me to describe the root lock, I like to think of it more in terms of energy rather than just physical practice. The Chakra System is the 7 energy centers running through the center of your body.This system of energy starts at the base of your spine (the root) & runs up your spinal column to your skull (the crown). By using the 3 Bandhas, you can control the flow of energy within you. The 3 Bandhas are the Mula, the Uddiyana & Jalandhara. Again, for this post we will just focus on the Mula. 

To activate or engage Mula Bandha, we have to start at the root of the body, to find the root we locate it & then practice contracting & relaxing that area. The root lock is located at the base of your spine/at the pelvic floor. Anybody starting in this practice should begin with generalities & after practice can get more specific & define their practice. Mula Bandha can be hard to pin-point so its easiest to start with our concentration on the anal sphincter & all the muscles around that area. First, contract the anus, the perineum (the area between the anus & the genitals), the muscles in the pelvic floor & the lower abdomen to the navel & lift them all in & up. Contract & hold as if you were stopping the flow of urination & at the same time, draw your tailbone down. Also, try not to contract your larger buttocks muscles, but instead, engage your abdominal muscles. Not that easy, but work on it for a few days & you'll be surprised how much "connected" you can actually become with a little practice. Once you are able to contract & relax these muscles freely you can add in some deep pranayama/breathing & later add in some breath retention at the end of each inhalation & exhalation ... You may now be asking, "okay, but why am I doing this?"...
well, on the physical level, practicing the root lock creates support in the musculature of the pelvis. This increases the stability of the pelvis & since the pelvis is the seat of the spine, its stability creates a safe environment for spinal movement. Regular practice of root locks aligns your posture & fortifies your core muscles. Mula Bandha strengthens & teaches the importance of the foundation that should underlie any  & all movement, whether on or off the mat. Mula Bandha also lifts and compresses the bowel and lower abdominal region, aiding in digestion & reproductive organ health, in men & women. 
Spiritually speaking, Mula Bandha is said to help us break through our resistance to change, to allow us to be more energetically open. It is believed that when you are able to contain & control the life force inside you, you need not look for enjoyment or happiness elsewhere. You are able to recognize that all that you need, you already have within. Now, that sounds pretty good, right?!

I hope in the coming months to share more with you about my ever-expanding yogic journey (whether in person or in writing)...but until then, know that I am always sending love & light out & I hope you are able to catch a ray or two for yourselves! 
​Sat Nam xoxoJoanna

aHappy Summer, Beloveds & well wishes to each of you! 
As some of you know, my husband & I have been renovating & upgrading our house in Punta Gorda, Florida over the past 8 months - we are still not quite finished, but it is really coming along nicely. One important space that I needed to create was a practice space of my "Om"... this space was easily carved out for me as we have no need for 2 extra bedrooms & our office is a midcentury modern desk set up in living room. 
My space is serene & incredibly inviting on these HOT & HUMID Florida days when outdoor yoga (which I typically prefer) is almost unbearable!
This post is intended to help describe the best way create the yoga space your "Om" & how that space actualizes a more consistent home practice. 
​
Here are some basics for creating the space: 
1. Find Your "Om"~
Whether you live in a house, apartment or condo, you can use any open space for your personal yoga studio. Ideally it is a quiet & peaceful place (yes, kids, roomates &/or pets can be distracting, but the trade for an accessible & free space to practice is invaluable). Make it a point to always practice yoga in the same spot(s) in your home. You will start to associate this spot or spots with yoga and will automatically get into the right state of mind each time you roll out your yoga mat.
-Bedroom: the bedroom is place of solitude. If you have floor space to spare, yoga in the bedroom can be quite enjoyable as it is the area of the house that you naturally are calm, relaxed & dream. 
-Guest Bedroom, Formal Living Room, Basement: often (like in my house) we have a room in the house that is under utilized, like a 3rd or 4th bedroom, additional Living Room or finished Basement area. Consider repurposing & using tone of these spaces for your yoga sanctuary. 
-Backyard, Lanai, Pool Deck: my all-time favorite place to do yoga is IN nature! To breathe in the fresh air, feel the sun shining & the breeze against your skin. Create a yoga space under a large tree or near flowers & vegetation to become more connected to Mother Nature.
-Make Room: No room to spare?! Make room! You can always move a table or slide a couch to the side. Right now, there's a small space in your house just waiting to become your "Om Sweet Om". Simply clear a small space that is at least six feet by six feet or longer, depending on your height & 4 feet wide. It is vital that you move surrounding furniture out of reach so you have ample room to accommodate all desired postures.
2. Create Your Environment~
It is important to remove all clutter & distractions from your chosen space. No furniture, knick-knacks, papers, or pet toys! If you're converting a small space only to change it back after your session, grab a basket or box to conveniently & quickly store all of the original items. Take your time to develop this personal sanctuary; find items that you truly love & add them to your space until it feels complete.  
-Yoga Mat: you need one, nuff said. 
-Little Altars: an altar is a central place where you can meditate & reconnect. An altar can be anywhere - book shelf, nightstand, room corner, etc. - and can include anything that helps promote spirituality (some items could include flowers, candles, crystals, pictures, vision boards &/or statues).
-Props & Meditation Items: what type of yoga do you intend to practice?! Props (like blocks, straps, blankets & cushions/pillows or bolsters) are great for home practice use & can really help a practice at home or in the studio go deeper.
​-Ambiance: light level & temperature are key to a comfortable space; use windows in your space to let the fresh air in or open window blinds to increase the natural light in the space. Use a light dimmer or candles to create mood & be sure to have good air flow (use AC, heat or fans if necessary) to maintain enjoyable temperatures in your space. Also included here is music, use relaxing or meditative sounds & music to expand your personal practice. 
-Aroma: burn sage, palo santo, incense or use a diffuser to set the mood. You can also create a custom scent/spray (or purchase one from botanica belize ;) that you specifically use for yoga. Each time you use it you will associate the scent to your yoga & relaxation. 

And a few more tips! 
-Sometimes it is helpful to keep your mat OUT in your space. It is a helpful reminder that you have a very important date later!
-Personalize & tailor your yoga routine to fit your own needs. Choose the poses that help you the most; you could decide to improve a different pose each time you practice, use a video/dvd or set up a routine that you follow. Yoga is yours - it’s enough to have you & your yoga mat & a few quiet minutes with which to slow down, breathe, relax & just feel your body in a few juicy stretches. 
-Remember that anything can be YOUR YOGA. You can turn daily & otherwise seemingly mundane tasks into mindful & meditative practices.

Be well. Be wild. Do your practice! 
Hope to see you all soon xoxoJo