Hey Everybody! It’s time for another edition of everyone’s favorite column, Santa Barbara Yoga Buzz. What’s happening these days in SB’s yoga world, you might ask? Well, we have 3 pieces of news to share with you today.
News Item #1:
For starters, yoga instructor star Deb Dobbin injured her shoulder while she was teaching a class the other week. That’s right – we said while she was teaching a class. The full story is that she actually woke up that morning with a funny-feeling shoulder (maybe she tweaked it while she was sleeping that night or somethin’.) But the strange feeling seemed pretty mild to her, and so she decided to teach her 5:00pm class as usual. However, partway through her class that evening, her shoulder took a seriously painful turn as she was demonstrating a yoga pose and she was forced to stop teaching that very moment! She asked one of her students, Mike Reyes, who often subs her classes for her anyway, to take over the class, and he accepted the on-the-spot request without hesitation. Word has it that he did a very competent yoga-teaching job – way to go, Mike! The other noteworthy news about this story is that Deb’s shoulder healed itself amazingly quickly, and she was back to teaching classes as usual a mere 48 hours after ‘the incident’.
News Item #2:
Another yoga development of interest is a new weekly class for Santa Barbara’s firefighters taught by the amazing Emily Kligerman that commenced on October 3rd. These wonderful-sounding classes are being held at Santa Barbara City College, where many of the firefighters partake in their physical fitness training. Here are a few words that Emily shared about her new yoga offering to this important population:
“This job [firefighting] requires intensive physical and mental training, as well as extensive hours on duty. This is a unique opportunity for some of the firefighters to receive group instruction to address the stress that can develop over time in both the body and the mind and will hopefully contribute to improving job performance as well as improve the quality of life when they return home after a long shift.”
In addition to her work with the firefighters, Emily also leads the yoga program for the United Cerebral Palsy/WORK Inc program in town. We applaud and admire Emily for truly embodying the concept of yoga as service in these ways.
As a random side note, when Emily recently decided that she wanted a dog in her life, she chose to contact a local dog rescue organization, through which she found Cheeto, a 6-year-old chihuaua whose previous owners were unable to continue caring for him. This is yet another example of Emily’s caring, service-oriented nature. Here is a photo of Emily and Cheeto:
-Isn’t he cute??-
If you’re interested in taking a yoga class with Emily, you can find her at Santa Barbara Yoga Center, or you can contact her directly for a private yoga session.
News Item #3:
And last but nowhere near least, Santa Barbara’s newest yoga studio, Iyengar Yoga Studio of Santa Barbara (IYSSB), recently celebrated its 1-year anniversary! Richard McLaughlin and Emma-Jane Huerta, IYSSB’s owners, had this update to share about their studio:
Certified Iyengar teachers Richard McLaughlin and Sue Elivique continue to draw classes of students to this De La Vina Street studio dedicated to the yoga of B.K.S. Iyengar. Sunday, September 7 saw the first annual Birthday Workshop – taught by both teachers – drawing a sold-out crow to the studio. The teachers – and Emma-Jane, the manager – all donated their time. Proceeds from this special 2-hour class will be sent ot Mr. Iyengar towards his ongoing projects in the village of Bellur, India, which is where he was born.
IYSSB has had a great first year, and has enjoyed a growing loyal community of students. More workshops are planned for this next year. Also planned is a monthly movie night, with movies projected onto one of the big white walls in the studio! December 2008 brings B.K.S. Iyengar’s 90th birthday – and this man maintains a daily yoga practice that is awe-inspiring – you can be sure it will be celebrated at IYSSB!
IYSSB’s owners, Richard McLaughlin and Emma-Jane Huerta, feel very fortunate to have had such a welcoming first year, and look forward to the next adventure. Thank you, everyone, and namaskar!
