 March... the month our winter visitors begin their journey and transitions back to their first homes, and onto their next destinations. Here in the desert, our population grows more than 300,000 people during the winter months. Our traffic gets a bit crazy; the golf courses swell; restaurants have endless lines and Fry's is absolute mayhem on the first Wednesday of each month when seniors enjoy a 10% discount. For a native Arizonan, I expect and look forward to "snowbird" season. I love trying to find an ARIZONA license plate in parking lots and on busy roads. It's fun to see how many cars come from other states, and Canada. And I enjoy meeting people from all over the country who come to Arizona for our sunshine and beautiful landscapes. "My" winter visitors, whom I've coined, "my village people," because they live at Val Vista Village, bring me sunny tanned smiling faces, many kind words and embraces, much encouragement and high praise. I could say they are my biggest fans and I will say, "I am sad to see them go!" I wish you all safe travels as you head back to your homes and the next place on the map of your many journeys. Thank you all for a fantastic season at the Village in our new activity center where we truly thrived. I anxiously await your return next fall. And, please always remember, YOU MATTER! “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us." -Anonymous Yoga on the Road I remember all too well how I felt after a long day of travel on our Harley, and in our truck and motorhome. Yes, we've tried them all! I can feel those tight shoulders and legs, sore hips and lower back. To ease your aching back muscles, use a rolled up towel and place it at your low back. Take another one and place it between your shoulder blades. This will keep you from slouching, straining your muscles and ruining your good posture! You can also cross one ankle over the opposite thigh and lean forward from the hip with a straight back while lifting your tail bone. This will go a long way to stretch your hips. Try partner stretches while you're at gas stations. Hold onto each other's wrists, then sit way back as if you're sitting in a chair, bend at your hips and take your back parallel to the ground. Keep your arms straight and pull away from each other. This will relieve your lower back. Remember to do "legs up the wall" and "supported back bends" at the end of your day to feel rejuvenated. Don't undo all the good you've done this past season with your yoga practice. Keep practicing on the road! Yoga Potluck Thank you Village People for the fabulous potluck! We enjoyed hosting 40 people who brought their best potluck dish, and their spouses. We see each other on our yoga mats during classes but seldom do we take the time to meet each other off the mat. I love the community we are building and I love spending time with all of you! My Schedule Meet me on your yoga mat at any of the following locations! Classes continue through March and into the first couple of weeks of April (dependent on student numbers) Wednesdays and Fridays from 9-10 AM Val Vista Village, which is open to the public. 3811 E University Dr, Mesa, AZ 85205 NEW LOCATION!! - the new Activity Center building is on the north side of the resort. Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30 PM - Mercy Gilbert Hospital My classes at Dignity Health Hospitals are open and free to all employees and their family and friends. Surely you know somebody who works at the hospital! Contact meprior to attending one of these classes. Our room is a moving target. I can tell you where to find us at the hospitals. Fall registration at MCC will soon be open! Save your space, classes fill quickly. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-9 AM - Dobson Campus Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 PM and Wednesdays from 6:30-8:10PM - Red Mountain Campus. Mesa Community College is open to anyone registering to attend for the full semester. Spring semester is currently underway and fall registration will be open soon. Check out my Web site for more information on yoga and my schedule. Featured Student Meet Jackie and Vic Martin! They have been attending classes at Val Vista Village for the last few years. Vic often sets the room temperature for us because he is the only one tall enough to reach those thermostats way up high on the wall! Here are Jackie and Vic's answers to my Featured Students questions, where we learn more about our fellow yogis who brighten our path and make our journey joyful.
SJ: Where is your permanent home? JVM: We live full time in our Motorhome right now. When we return to BC (Canada) we split our time time between an RV park in Vernon BC and at a piece of property on Okanagan Lake. SJ: What prompted you to try yoga for the first time, and why do you keep practicing? JVM: I (Jackie) started practicing Yoga many years ago because I knew that it was good to keep my body flexible and my mind focused. Vic started practicing Yoga to help with his troublesome back issues. We keep practicing because it stretches and strengthens our muscles and it also calms our minds which we especially believe in. SJ: How does yoga influence your life outside of classes? JVM: Yoga influences our life outside classes as Vic continues to practice yoga every day for his back and this allows us to pursue an active lifestyle. SJ: Name three things on your bucket list. JVM: Jackie - Cooking school in Italy (which we are doing this September), growing a vegetable/flower garden, learning a new sport (tennis). Vic - Go to a (NHRA) National Hot Rod Association race in the US, complete 20 hikes in the Arizona area, and ride his motorcycle down the Blue Ridge Parkway. SJ: What would your friends say you are most known for? JVM: Vic - Friends would say I am most known for - Mr Fix It. Jackie - my enthusiasm for life. Thank you Jackie and Vic for being the 'Featured Students' and for being part of our yoga community at Val Vista Village. We'll look forward to your Italian potluck dish next year, and Vic can lead us on some yoga inspired hikes! Your presence indeed makes a difference! Send your answers to these questions to [email protected] so I can feature you in my next newsletter.
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Susan Jarvie Our teachers often use just the right words to inspire us on our mat, and in our lives. Here are some of my favorite quotes, thoughts and stories that inspire me to live my best life. Archives
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Yoga with Susan Jarvie | Mesa, Arizona | I love yoga!
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