Who is a Yoga Sister? A Yoga Sister is a female who realizes the value of taking care of herself. She knows that in order to take care of her family and friends and to excel at her job, she first needs to nurture herself.
She is a compassionate being. A female who leads with her heart. She is strong and secure. She embraces her perceived weaknesses and laughs at her mistakes. She is a leader and yet exudes a quiet grace.
If you question whether you are deserving of being a Yoga Sister, ask yourself this: Should you nourish your mind, body and soul with just as much priority as you feed your pets? Should you fuel your body just as much as you fuel your car?
You know the answer.
Who is Sisters Yoga?
As seen on Ksee24 NBC, CBS 47, Fox 26 and featured in the Fresno Bee,as well as named as Fresno Magazine's 50 Favorite Things, 2007, Sisters Yoga is located on the border of Clovis, (NW corner of Willow/Nees.) Sisters Yoga is Fresno's first all-female yoga studio. Unlike traditional yoga studios, Sisters focuses on a happier, looser, less traditional form of yoga which includes music that runs from R&B to pop to World. Instructors also incorporate props such as blocks and straps to help students attain correct alignment regardless of their skill level. Classes range from Happy Hour yoga which is more of a "workout", to "chill out" which is restorative, gentle yoga. Also offered are a pilates/yoga mix and "Yo-God!" which is Christian-based, free to the community and half of donations go to the Marjaree Mason Center. Belly dance and "Go-Go Sisters" (pole aerobics/yoga) are also offered.
Chasmar “Chaz” Russ, who is registered with Yoga Alliance (and Trent Russ, husband and co-owner) believe all females need a place where they can nourish themselves away from relationships and responsibilities. Sisters Yoga provides a space where the female yogi (age 7 and up) can tune into her unique melody, the same melody that serves as the soundtrack to her life. This is a place where women can “let their hair down,” learn how to laugh at their misfortunes, tend to the garden of their self-esteem, and amaze themselves with their growing inner and outer strengths.
Sisters Yoga and The Marjaree Mason Center
Sisters Yoga has linked with several local Fresno charities including
The Marjaree Mason Center and forwards them a portion of their class donations. Our Yo-God! class, (a Christian yoga class that is free to the public and is donation based) has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Half of the proceeds each Tuesday evening are donated to the Marjaree Mason Center. Together, the Marjaree Mason Center and Sisters Yoga are helping women find a sense of "self," realizing that they are worth all of the love in the world. Sisters yoga is: All-female, Fun yoga, Philanthropic and Female-empowering!
What is yoga?
Yoga is the oldest system of personal development in the world. Literally meaning to "yoke" or "unify," yoga little by little blends the mind, body and spirit into a savory concoction that truly is worth sipping. By focusing on strengthening the body, calming the mind, and controlling the breath, we evolve into happier individuals. Several people misunderstand yoga's intentions; yoga is not a religion. Indeed, some have said they become closer to God when doing yoga, as all common distractions melt away during a pose. EVERYONE can do yoga. You don't have to "be flexible" to practice, nor be able to put your foot over your head (We are still working on that one!) Can you laugh? Are you open to change? Then you can do yoga. Yoga is a practice, so the more you "do" it, the better you become. However, even after 11 years of study, if I don't get into down dog for about a week, it's like I never did yoga before. Patience is necessary. Yoga is also not an aerobics class, it is a lifestyle. There is a direct coorelation with what we eat and how we look and feel. If you don't believe me, try doing "down dog" after eating a double bacon cheeseburger! With yoga, our compassion becomes contagious. We realize we are more than just skin and bones, but rather energy. Doing yoga=good energy. Not doing yoga=grumpy and old. People can choose to delve into the deeper, spiritual aspects of yoga. But the time is Now. Do Yoga. Be Yoga. Live Yoga.
Sisters (sent in an email)
A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As they talked a bout life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.
"Don't forget your Sisters," she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. "They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them."
"Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women... your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. "You'll need other women. Women always do."
What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'
But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life.
After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:
THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes. Life happens. Distance separates. Children grow up. Jobs come and go. Love waxes and wanes. Men don't do what they're supposed to do. Hearts break. Parents die. Colleagues forget favors. Careers end.
BUT.........
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are betweenyou. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life! The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other.
Every day, we need each other still. Pass this on to all the women who help make your life meaningful. I just did.
Short and very sweet: There are more than twenty angels in this world.Ten are peacefully sleeping on clouds. Nine are playing. And one is reading her email at this moment.
I Am Woman
I am Woman
a thousand limbs
taking in the life around me
feeding my soul, complexifying
spinning out of my own being
that which will surpass me.
Though they may bind my feet
I shall always walk
and if they sever my legs
I will fly,
the power of my Mysteries
deathless as the Phoenix.
I am Woman
birthed and birther
wrapped together as one
prolific process.
My arms reach out
pulling in life,
offering back my love.
--Jasmin Cori
Sisters Yoga (NW Corner of Willow/Nees) 2940 E Nees Ave, Suite 103 Fresno, CA 93720 (559) 298-1444
