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Free Sahaja Yoga at Quincy’s Thomas Crane Public Library!

July 30, 2020February 9, 2017 by Lisa Johnson

*Updated 4/3/2017*

There must have been a good response to the first few classes, because they have been extended until May! Classes are from 3pm – 4pm.

The types of yoga and the locations of free yoga classes in the Boston area continue to expand.

Starting this Saturday (February 11th – March 4th) and for the next four consecutive Saturdays, the Thomas Crane Public Library will offer free Sahaja Yoga sessions. The classes will be from 2pm – 3pm and you don’t need a yoga mat.

In this video, Shruti Bansal talks about Sahaja Yoga and what to expect. Below is a description of the yoga from the Sahaja Yoga website.

Sahaja Yoga is the Spontaneous Connection/Union with your true inner being i.e the Spirit through the awakening of a residual energy called Kundalini which resides dormant at the base of our Spine in a triangular bone called the Sacrum.

Based on the video, this not a regular yoga class where you are moving around on a mat. It appears to be more focused on breathing and meditation.

I meditate regularly, but have never tried Sahaja Yoga, so I plan to get to at least one of these classes. Hopefully many of you will too!

Thank you to Thomas Crane Public Library for offering these classes!

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Screenshot: YouTube

Growing My Yoga Practice

July 30, 2020February 4, 2017 by Lisa Johnson

So how are we doing friends? It’s been an “interesting” couple of weeks. A new tag on my blog is authoritarianism. Cool. Yeah? No. Lots of yoga needed at this point.

When I first started blogging in 2006, my personal experience with politics was one of the main things that I wrote about. I was a Delegate representing Quincy for Deval Patrick at the 2006 Massachusetts Democratic Convention. Below are some of my words from back then.

Overall, this was a great experience. I met and shook hands with Deval Patrick and his wife, Kitty Dukakis, George McGovern, and some of my local representatives. The voting process surprised me. It wasn’t secret. We shouted our choices to our local teller, who was surrounded by a crowd of people who were making sure everything was taken down correctly. I felt proud being there and giving my votes. I so strongly feel that we all really need to participate in the political process if we want to make changes.

When he became Governor Patrick, I was so excited! I felt so much hope for this state. Then when President Obama was elected just a couple of years after, it was bliss. I felt like the political process was really moving us forwards as Americans. The arc of our country was moving toward justice. Or it seemed to be.

Back to the present. Now when I wake up each day I wonder what devastation has befallen our nation and Constitution. And it’s not even by outside forces or influences. The devastation is from within.

Our own president is assaulting the very fabric of this country. He considers most of us enemies. He berates us. Disrespects us. Puts us in actual danger. It weighs heavy on me.

I am trying to figure out how to stay physically and emotionally strong. Resilient. Seeing the goodness and strength of so many helps. The protests and rising up of so many encourages me. We are at a pivotal time in this country. We are redefining what it means to be American. Taking a stand.

There is a shifting inside of me. I am looking to do different types of work. Trying to find ways to better serve than I have in the past. Learning what I can and cannot do. This requires self-examination. Introspection.

I recently read an article that I posted onto the Free Yoga Boston Facebook page. The article on Shape.com is about how women have been taking more yoga classes since Trump became president.

Many women have turned to yoga to help them deal. “With so much doubt and uncertainty following the election, I found myself craving an outlet that allowed me to completely detach from it all,” says Andrea Kravitz, who’s a fan of the classes at Y7 Studio and considers herself a moderate Democrat. “In the last 26 days, I’ve been to 17 classes and did some more yoga at home on my own.” …

Leslie Zerbe, an American who lives in New Zealand, turned to yoga when she needed an escape from all of the inauguration news. She felt so stressed—which she previously only felt as a result of work—that she attended a four-hour yin yoga session the day after the inauguration.

I have mostly been doing a home practice and recently have been feeling like I needed some guidance. Needed a change. I felt a shift.

A co-worker, who also lives in Quincy, has been raving about a Restorative Yoga class that she takes at Healing Tree Yoga. So I went on their website, and found that as a new member, I could take an unlimited number of classes in seven days for only $20.00. Since I had some time this week, I signed up and so far have taken three classes in two days. I feel great!

Yesterday morning I took a Vinyasa Flow Yoga class. It was very similar to a Hatha class that I used to take on a regular basis years ago. There was nice music and I enjoyed the instructor’s guidance. Especially when she talked about how our struggles on and off the mat can be looked at as new information. Instead of thinking how difficult something is or how uncomfortable a situation is, we can just observe and think, “Well that’s new. That’s different.” Then we can breathe and be more objective. We can step back and decide how we will proceed.

The class was in a very large room, but there weren’t that many of us, so we had room to move and stretch without bumping into anyone. There were large windows and the sun was shining in. As I was standing in my poses I could look out and see the blue sky. It made me feel part of nature.

Last night, I went to the Restorative Yoga class and actually saw my co-worker there! It was a great class too. It was very different from the Vinyasa class. Instead of standing and doing multiple poses one after another, we were seated in supported poses using blocks and bolsters. The poses were held for a very long time, so it was like we were in very comfortable long stretches.

Since it was night, there was a different feel too. We were in a smaller room and closer together. It was somewhat dark and there were lit tea light candles around the periphery of the room. After the class, I felt almost the way I feel after a massage. Very relaxed and soothed.

This morning I went to a Gentle Yoga class. It felt like something in between the Vinyasa and Restorative. There were some standing flow poses, but there were also seated supported poses. It was a nice combination. We had an electric fireplace in the small room, which added a nice cozy feel to the class. Hygge.

Also, I learned that our instructor Christine offers spa services on the premises in addition to teaching yoga classes. I signed up for Restorative Spa Yoga class with her in March that I am really looking forward to. It’s a two hour class with restorative poses that includes “a massage, facial, energy work and sound healing.”

I’m going to try adding some restorative poses to my home practice and I’m looking forward to attending many more classes! Tomorrow morning I will be trying Yin Yoga.

Namaste.

Winter 2016 – 2017: Free Yoga Classes in Boston

July 30, 2020December 4, 2016 by Lisa Johnson

This list has been updated a number of times and is current for Spring.

Remember there are Meetups in the area to try out. Hands To Heart Center Yoga – Yoga for the People provides free yoga classes for people living with poverty and trauma in Boston. Check out their website and Twitter for class schedules.

There are also free yoga classes being offered by a new group called Breathe Boston. They offer individual or group yoga and meditation classes. You can sign up for classes at their location or have them come to you for a private class in your own home.

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The Free Yoga Boston Community on Facebook is updated several times a week and more than 1,300 have “Liked” the page. Thank you! Check for all sorts of yoga news!

Sign up for the Free Yoga Boston email list! When you are on the email list, you will be the first to know about changes and updates to this schedule.

Every once in a while, when I learn about one-off special yoga classes and/or related events that might interest you, I will send an email to keep you in the know!

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If you know of other free or donation based classes in the Boston area that are missing from this list or are on the list, but need correction, please let me know.

This “Big List” is always a work in progress. There will be updates, so if you have not signed up for the email list, keep checking back. Namaste!

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MONDAY

Gentle Yoga
ABCD (North End, Boston)
10am

As part of the Coca-Cola Troops for Fitness program, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department is offering a variety of free yoga classes on different days and locations year-round. Most classes last an hour and schedules change every couple of months. For updates and cancellations, check Twitter and Facebook.

TUESDAY

Laughter Yoga
West Bridgewater Library (80 Howard Street, West Bridgewater)
10:30am – 11am

This is a seated chair practice, free and open to all. Even if you don’t live in West Bridgewater. According to a Wicked Local article, the yoga part of the class is the breathing. The class started on September 13th and was scheduled to last for eight weeks. However, according to the website, classes appear to continue indefinitely.

Yoga Classes at Boston Medical Center
Moakley Building (830 Harrison Avenue, Boston)
6pm – 7:15pm

These yoga classes are not just during the summer and are open to community members in addition to BMC patients and staff. They are held indoors and part of the Program for Integrative Medicine & Health Care Disparities. Take the elevator or stairs down to the basement. The classes are free, but there is a suggested donation of $5.00. Currently there is a flyer online [click here], but it is old. If the online flyer is updated, I will link to it here.

Free Beginner Yoga
Sonas Wellness (200 Weymouth Street, Rockland)
6:30pm – 7:30pm

Join Courtney Bell for a beginner Vinyasa class, where she uses her training to help students discover a piece of themselves previously thought unattainable. She works to strengthen the core and finding balance to help navigate life. It looks like this may be a new studio and classes are free for their first three months. Check with them to confirm.

Teen Yoga
Boys & Girls Club (Dorchester, Marr Clubhouse)
6:45pm

WEDNESDAY

Prenatal Yoga
Whittier Wellness & Fitness Club (1290 Tremont Street, Roxbury)
9:30am – 10:30am

Connect with your unborn baby at these prenatal classes, which are open to the public. You don’t have to be a club member to attend. Classes are indoors and year-round.

Gentle Yoga
ABCD (North End, Boston)
10am

Yoga For Men
Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry (10 Putnam Street, Roxbury)
6pm – 7:30pm

Instructor Lucilda Dassardo-Cooper is a certified Iyengar beginning/intermediate teacher and a professional artist who has studied and taught yoga for more than 30 years. There is free parking and all levels are welcome. The class is donation based and free if you cannot pay. Questions: Lucildadcooper@gmail.com. 617-825-9760.

THURSDAY

Yoga Classes at Boston Medical Center
Moakley Building (830 Harrison Avenue, Boston)
4:30pm – 6pm

These yoga classes are not just during the summer and are open to community members in addition to BMC patients and staff. They are held indoors and part of the Program for Integrative Medicine & Health Care Disparities. Take the elevator or stairs down to the basement. The classes are free, but there is a suggested donation of $5.00. Currently there is a flyer online [click here], but it is old. The Thursday class starts at 4:30pm. If the online flyer is updated, I will link to it here.

Community Yoga
Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry (10 Putnam Street, Roxbury)
6pm – 7:30pm

FRIDAY

Gentle Yoga
ABCD (North End, Boston)
10am

Relax and Renew Yoga
Harvard Ed Portal (224 Western Ave, Allston)
6pm – 7pm

Part of an ongoing series of classes presented by the Harvard Ed Portal and the Center for Wellness. Each class incorporates flowing, intentional vinyasa-style movements, stretches, and breathing practices. Modifications are offered to ensure the maximum benefit and healthy alignment. Classes are scheduled to start Friday, March 3rd and last through Friday, April 7th. Walk-ins are allowed, but advance registration is encouraged.

Mike Massey Yoga
Sustainability Guild (260 Washington Street, Dorchester)
7:30pm – 9pm

After being severely injured playing semi-pro football, Mike Massey required surgery. Trauma from the surgery resulted in depression. In order to beat his depression, he tried yoga. Now he teaches all over the Boston area. An enthusiastic student recommended his classes, so I have pieced together the information here. Check his Instagram for class updates. Double check the address of the class location.

SATURDAY

Complimentary Saturday Yoga
The Liberty Hotel (Charles Street, Beacon Hill, Boston)
10am

Back in 2009, The Liberty was one of the first hotels in Boston, or anyplace in the area for that matter, to start offering free yoga classes in the summer. They set the trend and still offer free classes in collaboration with Equinox. Guests of the hotel and members of the community are welcome to take the class for free. Classes are year round. In the summer, classes are outside in the courtyard. In the cooler months, they are indoors. Check with the concierge to find the exact class location, since it appears to change.

Hands to Heart Center Yoga
CityPOP Egleston (3195 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain)
11am – 12pm

Beginner level yoga classes for ages 16 and up take place through March. Classes are inclusive, accessible and inspiring. Yoga mats are provided.

Mike Massey Yoga
Sustainability Guild (260 Washington Street, Dorchester)
2:30pm – 4pm

Yoga Meditation
Thomas Crane Public Library (40 Washington Street, Quincy)
3pm – 4pm

Sahaja Yoga is a meditative yoga technique to help reduce stress and bring balance and well being to your life. This type of yoga focuses on meditation and is not a physical class, so you will not need a yoga mat. The classes take place take place each week through May. Sahaja Yoga sponsors free stress reduction and meditation workshops around the country as well as in over 90 nations around the world.

SUNDAY

Brewery Yoga
Night Shift Brewing (87 Santilli Highway, Everett)
11am – 12pm

These yoga classes take place at the brewery every so often. Take a look at their event calendar for confirmation and sign up! Kat O’Leary from CorePower Yoga teaches the vinyasa classes.

Yoga For Athletes
Boston Marathon adidas Runbase (855 Boylston Street, Boston)
6:30pm

These free vinyasa yoga classes on select Sundays are customized to bring balance to overworked muscles used when running. All levels of yoga experience are welcome, but you may need to register each week.

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Cook like a Tico: A Costa Rican Experience + Recipe

July 30, 2020October 9, 2016 by Lisa Johnson

It’s hard to believe that we’re in mid-October already! This post is a quick flashback to summer. June 29th to be precise. I attended a food blogger event at Boston University called Cook like a Tico: A Costa Rican Experience.

“Tico” is a slang word that Costa Ricans use to describe themselves according to the Urban Dictionary. The word captures a care free outlook on life along with the saying “Pure Vida” meaning pure life.

That feeling is expressed in the food of Costa Rica and there is an emphasis on fresh local ingredients.

We helped with some of the simple food prep for our meal that was prepared by Chef Randy Siles of Hotel Tropico Latino.

The hotel’s website has quite a lot of information and gives more details about Chef Siles and his way of cooking.

Our chef Randy Siles, recently named the ambassador of the sustainable and healthy cuisine plan for Costa Rica, has a fusion style called “Author’s Cuisine,” which is a free-style way of cooking that lets him create original recipes from his imagination. Like an artist with a blank canvas, Siles skillfully creates gourmet art fusing flavors into delicious, fresh and healthy dishes that tantalize your taste buds.

I also noticed that the hotel has beach yoga and yoga retreats as well. With winter approaching, the thought of a warm getaway with great food and yoga sounds idyllic!

The squash and farro salad was one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. The fresh mint and basil really make the flavors pop. The crunch of the cashews, with the cucumbers and squash add to the wonderful texture. I can’t say enough about this dish, which is a meal in itself.

On top of the taste, you can tell by the ingredients that it’s good for you too. What more could we ask for?

I was given the recipe and hope to make it at some point. Unfortunately, the measurements need conversion for us North Americans. But I’m sure we’ll figure it out. Enjoy!

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Squash & Farro Salad

INGREDIENTS:

50 g squash (chopped)
250 g farro
40 ml of olive oil
1 large fennel bulb (chopped)
1 green cucumber (chopped)
40 g basil (chopped)
40 g mint (chopped)
100 g of cashews (chopped)
3 limes (in wedges)
2 orange units (peeled and chopped)
200 g of feta cheese
30 g coriander (chopped)
15 g microgreens

INSTRUCTIONS:

Rinse and drain farro. Place in a pot and add enough water or stock to cover. Bring to a boil; add salt to taste and 20 ml of olive oil and blend. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 30 minutes. Once farro is cooked, just blend it with the rest of the ingredients and squeeze in the lime wedges for flavor.

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Disclosure: The meal was compliments of Cheryl Andrews Marketing Communications and the Costa Rica Tourism Board in North America. Thank you!

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{Video} Free Yoga Boston on the Boston Common

July 30, 2020August 1, 2016 by Lisa Johnson

Wondering what it’s like taking a free yoga class outdoors? There are some videos by Michelle Garcia that will give you an idea. Take a look at Free yoga classes at the Boston Common 2.

In another video, Garcia interviews yoga instructor Genevieve Oba about the classes. Oba also teaches at Yoga Mandala in Winchester and at Gold’s Gym in Arlington.

She says that everyone should try yoga. Yoga is for everyone! Even if you don’t think you’re flexible!

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Screenshot: YouTube

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