Dear friends & fellow practitioners,

as the new OMICRON variant swept through our little mountain town, my husband and I also contracted COVID and were out of order the most part of the holiday season. Considering how severe this virus affects some, our course was mild and yet, I was sick for some days. The initial cough, congestion, shortness of breath, body pain disappeared after a couple of weeks and what I am still dealing with are more lingering neurological effects that manifest in forgetfulness, the so-called “brain fog”, lethargy, lack of motivation and energy, and depression. For the most part, I think I was in denial about these symptoms and feelings. I am young, healthy, I take care of myself so why should I feel this way, right?! I don’t care to talk about my personal dealings on such a public platform but this is an extraordinary situation and I want you to know that Covid sucks. And it’s real. And it affects humans in so many different ways, for longer or shorter periods of time. Especially in these times of distress and global turmoil, it is most important to lean on your friends and support groups, ask for help, and take care of yourself. Do what makes you feel good, get the help you need (in whichever form), spend time outside in the sun, snuggle with your favorite animal and/or human, journal, take deep breaths, eat healthy and vibrant foods, go to your favorite yoga and/or movement class. The simple realization of what is going on with you is incredibly empowering. I was able to call upon a support system for help and within a very short period of time, I regained some control over my recovery and felt significantly better within a week.

Until my departure to Costa Rica towards the end of February, I am teaching Ashtanga Yoga on Mondays & Wednesdays 8-9am at Practice Telluride. Online pre-registration is required and the maximum capacity is 10 ppl. per class. If you have an established Ashtanga Yoga practice, contact me directly if you want to join the Mysore group. My last Ashtanga class will be on Wednesday, Feb. 16.

While in Costa Rica, my dear friend Melissa Friedman will be teaching Monday mornings at Practice Telluride. You can find details below. Melissa is an extraordinary human inside and out. Her touch is pure magic and she is very well established in her practice. If you don’t know this longtime local yet, scroll down to learn more about her. I really encourage you all to take class with her.

And last but not least, I am so excited to announce my upcoming specialty class at Practice Telluride on the Fundamentals of Form on February 17th at 5:30pm. We will take a closer look at postures in the practice of Sun Salutations and in particular, Chaturanga Dandasana. Online pre-registration is required and you can find all the details and a sign up link below.

I hope that you and your loved ones are doing well. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

With love,
Babsi x

Don’t forget to stack up on Ghee!
The online shop is open: www.glanzghee.com/shop

Ashtanga Yoga Classes at Practice

How did you get to Telluride?  I fell in love with Colorado the summer after my freshman year of high school when venturing here for the first time on an Outward Bound type of experience. When one of my big sisters moved to Telluride a few years later, I couldn’t wait to visit. Upon setting my feet in this valley for the first time in 1997, I knew Telluride was home. A year later, I packed up my bags and have been here ever since. 

What’s your astrological sign? Triple Gemini. (Taurus in Vedic.) With a lot of earth in my chart to ground me.

What brings you the most joy? Being in nature with my daughter, Beatrice Opal and my dog, Frida. Enjoying beautiful food with loved ones. Creating things of beauty. Dancing to soul-shaking music. Reading. Writing. The simple things and being present with Life. 

Who or what influences your teaching style? I have so many wonderful teachers to thank for my yogic “upbringing”, both through human transmission and life experiences: Lee Joseph in Kauai with and his transformative teachings on psychosomatic and structural bodywork; Ashtanga yoga through Victoria Laws in Telluride, Annie Pace in Crestone, the K Pattabhi Jois Asthanga Yoga Institute for Ashtanga Yoga in Mysore, India; the teachings of BKS Iyengar; yoga therapy in the Bihar tradition and Ayurveda with Ruth Adeline Hartung “Sraddhasagar”at Seven Centers Yoga Arts; homeopathy and shamanic studies with Christopher Beaver… Just to name a few.

How do you apply practice to your life? Everything in life is Practice, from the way I do dishes to navigating human relationship to how I raise my daughter and speak to my dog. To me there is no separation between what I learn on and off the mat. The symbiosis between the two is inevitable. 

About Melissa: I was born and raised in Massachusetts, where my natural passions developed through a love affair with horses, a propensity toward visual art and writing, philosophy, and as an impassioned advocate for Mother Earth. My interest in self-empowered forms of healing took me on a path of what is bound to be lifelong study in structural bodywork and psychosomatic philosophies, yoga, yoga therapy, Ayurveda, child birthing, spiritual philosophies, meditation, and homeopathy. I opened my healing practice, Honey Bee Bodyworks, in Telluride in 2002, which I devoted myself to wholly for 18 years before going on maternity leave in 2019. In my incarnation as a mom to a two-year-old, my interest in healing has poured its creative energies into The Medicine Beads, a jewelry company in the interest in bringing symbolism and healing to the wearer of my pieces. 

What to expect from a practice with Melissa: I bring into my teaching my love of healing touch, Sanskrit, yoga philosophy, structural body awareness, Ayurveda, meditation, and a desire to meet my students where they are.

Upcoming Specialty Classes & Workshops

A MASTERCLASS ON DEMYSTIFYING THE FOUNDATIONS OF PRACTICE
Sun Salutations & Chaturanga Dandasana

Why we do it? How we do it?

Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskara), Four-Limbed Staff pose (Chaturanga Dandasana) and their variations are the foundation of any Yoga practice. During this specialty class, we will take a closer look on what they are, why they are practiced and how to move through them in a safe and appropriate way in case of injury or oddity. Key elements, their primary action, and foundation will be broken down and correct modifications explored. The intention is to empower you to practice in a safe and healthy manner, no matter the Yoga class you take. Open to and recommended for any level practitioner.

Cost: $25