As we begin another year, actually another decade, the all important question of resolutions has once again arisen. Now I know we are already almost half way through the month - my how time flies...but we are still at the beginning. For me I am starting a new journey, and I cannot be more excited, as I am on a personal path to self discovery. This means many things to me: eating better, taking care of my physical body, as well as my mental body, and most importantly - learning to accept and love myself and those around me, no matter what the circumstances. This is no easy feat for someone like me, who is a borderline neurotic, sometimes selfish, body-obsessed, nothing-is-good-enough type A personality. This is exactly why I need yoga in my life.

There are many of us who are always on the go. Whether it's work, play, working out, or traveling...the point is we do not take time for ourselves. There is always some excuse we make for ourselves: no time, no energy, nowhere to practice yoga, it's raining - you name it...there is an excuse for not taking care of ourselves. This is why I am so excited about YogaVibes.com. It really removes the excuses, at least for me. I am new to yoga, and sometimes going to a studio can be a bit intimidating, especially when I am surrounded by graceful, flexible bodies. Now, just for the record, I am not out of shape, but I am carrying a little extra weight around; one of my goals is to drop those 10 extra pounds. At any rate, graceful is not an adjective I would use to describe myself. Powerful, strong, energetic, sure...but graceful - NOPE!!

To have a venue where I can stream a class, roll out my mat, and practice for an hour, on my time, and at my pace is integral to my success at keeping my resolutions. I also travel quite frequently, which puts a strain on maintaining my yoga practice, let alone improving it. I am hoping through this blog, and through YogaVibes.com, I will be one step closer to becoming more self-aware. I hope to grow through yoga, and through this community. It is a challenge to put my ego aside, and try something new - maybe fall on my face attempting crow pose - but how else will I learn? And what better time of year to start on this exciting journey, than at the beginning of a new decade?! I don't know how this will go, or if I even have anything to offer, but I am going to try. Oh, maybe I should introduce myself...my name is Laura K., and I invite all of you to embark on your own journey as well! Join me at the Beginner Vibe section of YogaVibes.com.

YogaVibes.com (www.yogavibes.com) would like to thank Carol Stall, owner of Awaken with Yoga (www.awakenwithyoga.us) and her students in Plano, TX for filming with us on November 19th, 2009.  Carol's class, entitled "Breathing Your Spine Awake," is designed for intermediate level students who prefer traditional hatha yoga practice.  A discussion of yoga philosophy, significant pranayama work and a meditation practice are featured.  You will be able to practice with Carol and her students in this full-length, online yoga class at YogaVibes.com in the coming weeks.  This class will be a great addition to some of the more physical, vinyasa-based classes already available.

Carol Stall is the founder of Awaken with Yoga in Garland (Dallas), Texas.  She has been practicing yoga since 1975 and teaching since 1980.  Carol teaches traditional hatha yoga, based on the teachings of Donna Farhi and Vanda Scaravelli.  Her style of teaching is designed to foster deep yoga practice, supportive of individual needs.  It is most suitable for students who are looking for a more internally referenced and meditative approach to yoga.  In Carol's online yoga class at YogaVibes.com, the practice of asanas and pranayamas will provide an opportunity to explore the qualities of movement and stillness, steadiness and ease, strength and flexibility, postural balance and inner silence.  Please join Carol on YogaVibes.com.

YogaVibes.com (www.yogavibes.com) would like to thank Kristina Berano (www.shootingstaryoga.org) and Star Soleil (www.soleilhealingandarts.com) in Torrington, CT for filming with us on November 12th, 2009.  We are so grateful to have Star Soleil as our first Kripalu-affiliated studio.  Kristina's "Beginner's Moderate Kripalu Flow" will be available in the coming weeks on YogaVibes.com, and will be a great addition to our other online yoga classes.  

Kristina is the co-owner of Star Soleil, which is one of only 35 Kripalu-affiliated yoga studios worldwide.  Kristina's online yoga class is appropriate for all levels of students, including beginners.  The class includes holding of postures as well as moderate movement.  Additionally, you will experience basic Pranayama, basic meditation and a 10-15 minute Savasana.  Kristina's class and vignettes will be a great addition to our beginner Vibe section, which will be coming in early 2010 on YogaVibes.com.

Additional thanks go out to Samuel Faraci (www.samfaraci.com) for allowing Kristina and YogaVibes.com to use some of his music for the class playlist.

YogaVibes.com (www.yogavibes.com) would like to thank Sadie Nardini (www.sadienardini.com) and The Fierce Club (www.thefierceclub.com) in New York City for filming with us on November 14th, 2009.  In addition to filming a "Core Transformer" class on the 14th, Sadie's DVDs are now available on YogaVibes.com.  The live "Core Transformer" online yoga class will be available in the coming weeks and will be a great addition to Sadie's other live class and streaming DVDs.

Sadie Nardini is the co-founder (along with Shannon Connell) of The Fierce Club in New York City.  She is also the founder of Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga, "a yoga system that will transform your entire body in less time, help you lose weight, feel great and access your inner strength more fully."  Sadie's newest DVD, "Total Body Transformation and Weight Loss," is currently #1 on Amazon.  Sadie has divided this DVD into three hour-long classes - one focusing on detox, one on deep stretch and one on core strength - that you can now practice with on YogaVibes.com.  Sadie's "Power Hour" DVD class will be available in the coming days, as well.  If you want to build core strength, you will love Sadie's classes available on YogaVibes.com.

YogaVibes.com (www.yogavibes.com) would like to thank Sloane Park and Yoga Island (www.yogaisland.com) in Flower Mound, TX for filming with us on October 16th, 2009.  Sloane filmed a beginner-friendly flow class that will be available in the next couple of weeks.  This class will make almost 50 full-length online yoga classes available on YogaVibes.com!

YogaVibes.com (www.yogavibes.com) would like to thank Jocelyn Gordon (www.hoopdancedc.com) and LoveMovement Healing Arts (www.lovemovementhealingarts.com) for filming with us on October 8th, 2009.  Jocelyn and her students filmed the first hoop dance yoga class for YogaVibes.com, which will be available in the coming weeks.  This hoop dance yoga class will be a great addition to the other full-length online yoga classes already available on YogaVibes.com.

YogaVibes.com (www.yogavibes.com) would like to thank Gary and Melissa Margolin and Home-Simply Yoga (www.homesimplyyoga.com) in Santa Monica, California for filming with us on September 30th and October 2nd, 2009.  Gary and Melissa co-led two Ashtanga classes, which will be a great addition to our other full-length online yoga classes.  These two new classes will be available in the coming weeks at YogaVibes.com.

YogaVibes.com (www.yogavibes.com) would like to thank Gary Margolin and Home-Simply Yoga (www.homesimplyyoga.com) in Santa Monica, California for filming two Yoga for Recovery classes with us on September 30th, 2009.  Gary's classes will be a great addition to our Recovery Vibe channel (www.yogavibes.com/recovery-vibe/).  You will be able to practice with these, and our other yoga for recovery classes online, at YogaVibes.com in the coming weeks.

YogaVibes.com (www.yogavibes.com) would like to thank Laura Schneider (www.ocyogagoddess.com) in Newport Beach, California for filming with us on October 6, 2009.  Laura taught a fun, invigorating Vinyasa yoga class that offers an exciting, new take on the idea of linking breath with continuous movement.  Laura's class will be available soon, along with many other full-length online yoga classes, at YogaVibes.com.

YogaVibes.com (www.yogavibes.com) would like to thank Jennifer Beyt Coffin (www.jenniferbeytcoffin.com) and Hollis Church, owner of The Glowing Body (www.glowingbody.net), in Knoxville, Tennessee for filming with us on October 3, 2009.  Jennifer led a wonderful Yinyasa class that she says is her favorite practice!  Jennifer's class, along with many other full-length online yoga classes, will be available soon at YogaVibes.com.