Last summer I got dumped, unceremoniously and without warning. Within five months of moving to New Orleans to start our new life together, my beautiful future bride had moved out and into the suburbs. I was left alone in a big house with a lot of pets and a lot of self-pity. I had some […]
Vacation is over. School is in session. Your task list at work is mounting. Your kids have tons of after-school activities that demand your attention. You had strong intentions of keeping your summertime workouts, yoga and light eating. You knew that you’d be very busy in the fall. The big, lurking, looming problem is many […]
I’m beginning the fourth week of the Teachers’ Intensive with Richard Freeman. Intensive it is. I had the idea that I would have time to write weekly or even bi-weekly inspiring blog posts. Just being able to attend the sessions with my little one has been intensive. Each day we’ve broken down yoga postures, practiced […]
In a hot and sweaty Mysore Yoga Class, I’m strolling around, watching, giving hands-on adjustments and verbal cues, the Hot Yoga of East Nashville is one of the best classes, those who come fall in love with the class . I notice that a student is skipping the jump backs or vinyasa between sitting postures. I […]
June 1 – 3oth we are challenging a group of you to practice 5-6 days per week with one home practice allowed. One of the nicest parts of practicing yoga is connection and unity. You will notice that as the challenge starts to progress you might be able to pay more attention to your mind […]
A practitioner for almost 15 years, in three continents, through job and life changes, including childbirth. An authorized Level 2 teacher from the direct lineage of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, these are some of my reflections on why Ashtanga vinyasa yoga is unique. 1. What you do in class has nothing to do with the […]
We are delighted to welcome Amanda to the teaching team at Balance. Come and meet her Thursdays at 7:30pm, donation based class until 5/29, then an Intermediate Level Vinyasa class. She will also teach Saturdays 10:00 Vinyasa on alternate weeks, starting 5/24. And stay tuned for more starting in June! Last February I came to […]
This Tuesday at 7:30pm Balance Yoga & Wellness will be hosting a Candlelight Yoga Fundraiser benefitting a new and growing non-profit, Fund 17. As the founder of Fund 17, I am excited that other community organizations are interested in supporting our work. Fund 17 strives to fight opportunity inequality by providing financial tools for self-empowerment […]
Balance owner Jessica Blanchard was recognized this month as one of New Orleans’ wellness experts. “To me, living well is finding a healthy balance: eating a whole-foods, plant-based diet, cooking most of my meals, finding the time to do yoga, taking care of my business and also spending time with family,” Read the rest of […]
Why all college students should do yoga… When I first started practicing yoga, I had a teacher who would begin each class by asking us to dedicate our practice. We could dedicate it to a goal we were trying to achieve, a person we knew, or we could dedicate it to ourselves. I always liked […]