give back

Campaign of Giving & We Launched our Podcast!

This week we have two exciting announcements to share with you!

The first is that this month we're kicking off a campaign of giving. We love our community, and we want to give back in exchange for all the goodness and joy it provides.

This month First Responders are in our hearts, and we want to share yoga with them! You can nominate your favorite First Responder by telling us their name and the organization they work for, either in a Facebook comment or by emailing us. Please send your nomination by Friday, July 21, and we'll announce three winners of 5 Class Passes the following week.


The second exciting announcement is that we launched our podcast, EveryBody Yoga, last week!

You might be wondering, what is a podcast? That was me too about a year ago. I had a only a vague idea of what a podcast is, and one day, when I was out walking with my kids, I ran into an online acquaintance who happened to live in my neighborhood. She'd been reading our newsletter for some time and she told me I should do a podcast. I was flattered, but I was also like - um, yeah, ok, I'm not even sure what that is.

She took a minute to show me on her phone and I realized it's kind of like a recorded radio show that you access online. Emily and I had long been exploring different ways to share yoga instruction, so I mentioned it to her. Emily is an avid podcast listener and she thought it was a great idea, but neither of us know how to make it happen.

The podcast idea rolled around in the back of Emily's and my minds for a long time, and one day we mentioned it to the fearless Pichi, who immediately launched an enthusiastic technical investigation. The three of us had a couple of planning meetings, and before we knew what was happening we were recording our first episode!

The EveryBody Yoga podcast is a place for both students and teachers to learn more about the practice of yoga. You can find it on iTunesGoogle Play, and Libsyn. Give it a listen and let us know what you think! You can also request topics you'd like us to discuss in a future episode. :)

Have a great week!
Zelinda

Holiday Toy Drive

Holiday Toy Drive Flyer TO PRINTOne day last week I had a pretty tough day. As I drove home in the evening, all I could think about was getting my kids to bed so I could have a relaxing soak in the tub. I imagined a scented Epsom salt bath. I imagined dim lighting. I just needed a little peace and quiet. When I got home, my husband met me with a serious face. “There's no water.” My response was a blank expression – I was confused. He explained that he forgot to pay the water bill. In that moment my hope for my peaceful and relaxing bath was dashed. My disappointment must have been evident in my face. My husband thought I was mad at him, but really I was just sad that I wasn't going to have my luxurious bath.

And then I caught myself. How spoiled am I? So many people live their lives with far less than what I've been blessed with, and I'm going to pout about not being able to take a bath in my tub for one night? Later that evening I borrowed my neighbors' shower and life went on.

This experience of having my water turned off for one night made me think more about people who are less fortunate and what their lives must be like. I thought about what it must be like to be homeless in this freezing weather we've been having. And I thought about what it must be like for the children at The Texas Baptist Children's Home (our neighbors across the street from the studio) who are living without their parents.

This year The Yoga Room is hosting a Toy Drive for the children at TBCH. If you're not familiar with this organization, TBCH provides housing for children whose parents are not able to care for them, and also for single moms who have fled difficult situations and need help with their young families.

I became familiar with TBCH years ago when I worked at Dell – my team did most of our community service projects there. And through that introduction, I was later able to do my student teaching as a yoga teacher at TBCH. I've found the staff and house parents at TCBH to be wonderful people who are genuinely dedicated to helping children. I feel honored to be able to support them with their Toy Drive this year.

If you're looking for a way to help support someone who is perhaps less fortunate this holiday season, please consider donating a toy for the Toy Drive. You can bring a toy to our Grand Opening & Holiday Party this weekend, or anytime before Wednesday, December 18th.

Zelinda

XO, Zelinda

 

P.S. If you decide to help with the Toy Drive, here is the wishlist provided to us by the Texas Baptist Children's Home...

GIFT SUGGESTIONS FOR KIDS Art Kits Baby Alive Dolls Baby Doll Accessories Barbie Car (We have plenty of Barbies) Barbie Clothes Beyblade Toys Cake Pop Maker Craft Kits Dress Up Clothes DVD Movies, G or PG (New Releases) Easy Bake Oven & Accessories Fur Real Friends Hexbugs Warriors Battle Arena w/ Hexbugs Hot Wheels Race Track How to Draw Books Imaginext Toys Kid's Digital Camera Lego Super Heros (age 7-14) Legos Friends Mega Bloks Nerf Toys Origami Books Paint by Number Sets Play Food Play-Doh Kits Popular Action Figure Toys Remote Control Helicopters Remote Control Cars Science Kits Spy Gear Super Heroes Toys

GIFT SUGGESTIONS FOR TEENS Boys Leather Footballs Leather Basketballs Caps (Nike, Adidas, Teams, etc.) Christian CD's Model kits Wallets Watches Hoodies (All sizes) Sleeping Bags Fishing Poles Camping Equipment Duffle Bags DVD Movies, G & PG Itunes Gift Cards ($10) Sonic Gift Cards ($5-10) Starbucks Gift Cards ($10) Academy Gift Cards ($20+)

Girls Jewelry Boxes Watches Photo Albums Scrap Books Scrap Book Supplies (New) Blow Dryers Make-up (Natural Colors) Christian CD's DVD Movies, G & PG Pajamas Sleeping Bags Duffle Bags Hoodies Itunes Gift Cards ($10) Sonic Gift Cards ($5-10) Starbucks Gift Cards ($10) Ulta Gift Cards ($10-20)