Acro Yoga

From home foreclosures, loss jobs, and depleting 401-K accounts, the bad economic news just continues to pile up. The stress of these situations can take a toll on our physical and mental health. But there is a practice aimed at helping people find peace during stressful times - YOGA!

In the wake of an economic depression, more and more individuals are turning to donation yoga classes in San Francisco.

So check out the latest "yoga class you can afford"- Acro Yoga!

"AcroYoga blends the spiritual wisdom of yoga, the loving kindness of Thai massage, and
the dynamic power of Acrobatics. These three ancient lineages form the foundation of a unique new practice that cultivates trust, connection, and playfulness." - www.acroyoga.org

Acro Yoga Teacher, Tara Quinn

Tara Quinn is continually inspired by the magnificent, beautiful, and amazing abilities of the human body. She has enjoyed exploring movement in her own body as a Competitive Gymnast,
Professional Contortionist/Circus Artist. She also draws a scientific understanding of Anatomy and Kinesiology from her BS in Exercise Science received from Ithaca College. As a teacher of AcroYoga she cherishes having the opportunity to connect with and inspire her students.

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day 2009

Started on 01 December 1988, with each year, World AIDS Day increases awareness, while fighting prejudice & improving individual's educations. The World AIDS Day 2009 focuses on 'Universal Access & Human Rights'.


According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.2 million people living with HIV, including 2.5 million children. During 2007 some 2.5 million people became newly infected with the virus. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35.1

A vast majority of people with HIV and AIDS live in lower- and middle-income countries. But HIV today is a threat to men, women and children & gay, bisexual, heterosexual and transgender individuals on all continents around the world.


Traditionally on 01 December, in memory of those who went before us & those who are sitting next to us, I visit the San Francisco General Hospital's Impatient AID Ward 5A - B.

Question: "WHY?"
Answer: "Because it's important for an individual to know that SOMEONE CARES!"




Each year, I bike around town collecting shampoo, toothbrushes, lotion, bath salts, deodorant, cookies, echinechea, chocolate, green tea, soy milk. water, ankle socks, Probars, and then some, from my yoga students, friends, co-workers & enemies. ... (But this year, I've convinced everyone to "bring the donations to designated locations.").



Following the collection of the donated items, I access the products & divide them into individual care packages (taking note of what would supplement each gift package). Having an idea of what would make each bag complete, I rush off to Trader Joe's and get individually wrapped items. And then, depending on budget, I visit the San Francisco Flower Market for gift bags & flowers.

And then, on World AIDS Day, 01 December, in the hopes of making their day a bit brighter, I deliver donated gift bags to individuals who have been confronted with the AIDS Pandemic - letting them know, that "YES, we care."


As the holiday season begins & the end of the year approaches, we begin to contemplate our New Year's Resolutions. We reflect on Xmas Past, Xmas Present, and Xmas Future. We may even contemplate our purpose in life. And, if we're really lucky, we'll begin to think of others (a practice of Karma Yoga).

Iyengar Yoga - Melissa MacDonald

Yesterday, as I cycled from San Francisco to Fairfax, I was reminded that "48 is NOT the new 24." Also, I remembered my 1st training ride of 1994 (traveling from 8th & Folsom Streets to Hayes & Steiner Streets -1 mile). And in a flash, I fast forwarded from the image of that first ride to the present day. WOW! (My cycling experiences have truly empowered & changed my way of life).

• From Chardonnay to cocaine to Shimano to Campagnolo.
• From Bianchi to Salsa to Soulcraft.
• From 1 mile to 127 miles to 575 miles to 6325 miles to well over 32, 725 miles.
• From Start to Finish to Mike's Bikes to Sport Basement & American Cyclery.
• From my first yoga class, to becoming a yoga teacher.

Question:
Who would have ever thought that an adventure that started off as merely "something to tell the grand children" would bring me onto such a positive & life changing path?





Well, I'm not the only one who has risen from road cycling to becoming an Iyengar trained yoga teacher.

• In 2002 Melissa MacDonald sold her Toyota Corolla and became a dedicated SF bike commuter.
• In 2005 Melissa MacDonald rode from SF to LA.
• In 2006 Melissa created her own fund-raising ride, raising $2,000.00 for Trips for Kids.
• In 2007 Melissa & her boyfriend rode a tandem mountain bike along part of the Great Divide Ride.
  

And now, Yoga Teacher, Melissa MacDonald has completed the 2 Year Advanced Teacher Training of the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco and is offering classes in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Yoga Bear

"I believe there needs to be a greater focus on improving quality of life for cancer survivors through holistic and complementary treatments like yoga. Few survivors receive help after treatment for the physical and emotional toil it takes on them.” - Founder, Yoga Bear, Halle Tecco



After reading a study about how yoga can help people recover from the affects of cancer treatments, budding entrepreneur Halle Tecco founded Yoga Bear to provide free yoga classes for cancer patients and survivors. A life-long cancer advocate, avid yoga enthusiast, writer for the Huffington Post and a full-time MBA student at Harvard Business School, Halle’s unique skill set enabled her to establish and expand Yoga Bear into a vibrant, national organization.

Increasingly, scientific and medical research demonstrates the beneficial effects of yoga as complementary therapy to cancer treatment. But cancer treatment can cost upwards of $100,000, so the price of yoga therapy, which can be expensive and is rarely covered by insurance, often prevents survivors from taking classes. Yoga Bear partners with hospitals, yoga studios, cancer centers and support groups to offer free yoga classes to those who need it most.



With Halle’s leadership, Yoga Bear has grown from a small nonprofit organization partnering with a handful of San Francisco based yoga studios, to a national nonprofit working with 190 studios and four hospitals – in just three years. By leveraging a set of talented volunteers and studio partnerships, this innovative organization operates on a small budget and uses all donated funds to develop programs, which is key to its growth.

Now operating in 26 states, Yoga Bear has touched the lives of more than 2,000 cancer patients and survivors and has provided more than $100,000 worth of free yoga passes to survivors since inception. Its online community serves as the largest portal for information and dialogue on yoga and cancer.

Halle Tecco is a 2009 Woman of Worth.

Yoga Bear’s founder, Halle Tecco has been selected as a 2009 L’Oreal Women of Worth honoree! The honoree with the most online votes gets a $25,000 donation for their organization. This would be the largest donation Yoga Bear has received to date, but they really need your help to make this happen. VOTE!