Sweetness for the Soul
Annie's Musings on Vata Season
I just have to picture my two dogs Ponder and
At a recent weekend workshop at Two Dog: Gentle Yoga and the Nervous system, Charlotte Neussel invited us to spend 10 second 6 times a day “steeping” in a pleasant image or thought. She said this practice can help build resilience in our nervous system so as to orient toward relaxing and releasing into a more parasympathic (rest and digest) state of being. Another woman reflected on her new red raincoat and filled out the picture. She loves the warm color, it feels so good to wear and it was a bargain at the store! Another student reflected on the pleasure of raindrops on her face… and within a few seconds of lingering felt gratitude for water being plentiful in the NW, for the the sensation of gentle circle plops on her face and the childlike play of getting wet!
This sweet reflective practice is right in line with the seasonal suggestions of Ayurveda, Sister science to yoga.
In Ayurveda, to maintain optimal health, we are invited to respond to our natural environment by balancing the natural tendencies of a season in our choices of foods, activities and practices.
With the late October windy, erratic, dry and cool nature of the weather we are now deep in the midst of Vata Season. Trees and plants are pulling in their resources, we are turning the heat on in our house becoming more isolated. It is time to eat warm soft foods, linger a little longer in the sweetness of a Yoga Nidra practice or take a meandering walk with a trusted friend….in your favorite raincoat!
Or one of my favorites I learned from my 90 year old father.. eat a date stuffed with a pecan instead of halloween candy, not only do I enjoy the taste but I think of my beloved father when I eat it! Check out the best in
So many ways to practice sweetness each day… send me an email and tell me what is yours?
More info on VATA season
Annie Stocker, November 2019
Our Community
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Two Dog Tales
Enjoy these highlights from the Two Dog e-newsletter and other writings contributed by and about Two Doggers over the years. It's a story archive that tells the tale of the Two Dog community: its teachers, students, neighbors and friends.
| Through Seva, Two Dog Connects with Neighbors by Annie Stocker |
Seva-Selfless Service, Chair Yoga |
| Yelapa 2019 by Annie Stocker |
Benefits of attending the Yelapa retreat, held February 2019 |
| Aging with Wisdom and Grace by Wendy Groesbeck |
How we greet life's obstacles with wisdom and grace. |
| Seva at Two Dog by Annie Stocker |
The volunteer, giving back to community, that Two Dog supports |
|
Therapeutic Yoga: Annie's Journey |
Annie's journey to discover the benefits of yoga and the Therapeutic offerings at Two Dog |
| Three villages: Beloved Communities by Annie Stocker |
Yelapa in Mexico, Vaidyagrama in India, and Lake City in Seattle |
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Gratitude Flows Over at Two Dog |
Unexpected sources of Gratitude |
| Generosity of Two Dog Community by Annie Stocker |
Two Dog Generous community |
| Annie's Om From Home by Annie Stocker |
How Annie found her voice |
| Mothers and Daughters at Two Dog by Valerie Sasson |
Sharing the experience of sore muscles on Sunday mornings |
| A Dog A Day? by Roxi Smith |
A home-practice story shared by a long-time Two Dogger |
| Turning the Kaleidoscope: Bringing Things to Light by Sarahjoy Marsh |
Bringing awareness to the ever-shifting materials of our inner kaleidoscope |
| A Year's Journey by Shannon McCall |
The story of a milestone year in the life of one Two Dog teacher |
| The Two Dogger Next Door by Jan Mikus |
Read about the life and healing experience of a studio regular |
|
To Plan or Not To Plan |
A reflection on how much our habits press on our thoughts, actions, reactions |
| The Space in Between by Wendy Groesbeck |
What are we really asking for when we want more time in our lives? |
| Why "Two Dog" by Annie Stocker |
Musing on the name of the studio |
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Favorite Poses |
Wendy, Annie and Shannon reflect on their favorite poses |
|
Teen Kumbha |
A mother/son yoga experience |
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About Gentle Yoga and Me |
Coming into yoga in the best possible way |
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Yoga- Another Universe? |
How Yoga made me a better person |
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Curve Balls and Fowl Balls |
Sometimes things happen |
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Ayurveda |
Self-care |
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What Yoga Means to Me |
Musings... |
| Coming Home by Annie Stocker |
Returning from Sri Lanka |
| Healing in Kerala by Annie Stocker |
A story of healing |
| Loving Lake City by Annie Stocker |
Reflection of a spring evening in Lake City |
Lovin' Lake City
Annie Stocker, Two Dog studio owner, has lived in Lake City since 1986 and feels a warm kinship with the ever-emerging neighborhood. Two Dog students bump into each other at local restaurants, the Lake City Farmers Market, the local hardware store, post office, parks and restaurants. More and more people now make Lake City their permanent home in which to grow their families and friendships. Two Dog is proud to be a part of the growth of this healthy, thriving community. Come explore!
Two qualities of life that we sometimes give low priority to are surrounding ourselves with beauty and developing community. These are being practiced at Two Dog Yoga studio. The gorgeous unfolding lotus mural secures the room where yoga, singing, dancing, eating, talking and more are offered with open arms to the Lake City neighborhood.
— Cynthia Lair, author of Feeding the Whole Family
Two Dog Yoga is a compassionate, supportive and nonjudgmental community of teachers and students which has benefitted me in ways I did not expect. I have been able to apply these experiences when I am off the mat to enhance my life as well as help me cope with everything from day-to-day stresses to more difficult times of loss and grief.
—Jodi McClain, Educational Audiologist
