MAY THE JOY OF SPRING INSPIRE YOU

May 16, 2021 by Claudia Fountain, posted in karma yoga, newsletter

“A little flower that blooms in May,
A lovely sunset at the end of the day,
Someone helping a stranger along the way,
That’s heaven to me.”
–Sam Cooke

Karma Yoga is the yoga of service, to act for others and to give back. My hope for this month’s post is that it is of service to you. I’ve put together a set of small offerings designed to provide you with resources that help you share joy and compassion, reduce stress, and engage/increase nourishment for body, mind and soul.

I would like to highlight one area in particular. India, the birth country of Yoga, is in crisis. As they suffer, so do we, so do I. India has given me more than I can repay in this lifetime. If you feel moved to help, I have a list of trusted organizations (find them HERE) you can donate directly to. During the month of May, I will also be donating 20% of all sales in my ETSY shop in support of India’s Covid-19 crisis. LINK: MADE WITH MANTRA SHOP

Please feel free to share any links!

In peace,
Claudia

QUICK CORE CHALLENGE

A short dynamic sequence that builds core strength, and explores dynamic hip rotation. Repeat each side 1-5 times. Great for warming up the body as a whole. Good plank mechanics are a must. Remember to keep the hips from sagging to the floor or pitching up to the ceiling. Find the video here: https://vimeo.com/545742757

MY MORNING MEDITATION SERIES

My Morning Meditation Series 7: Perceptional Borders. This 15 minute meditation links observation of the elemental qualities with finding our perceptual borders. Notice where one hand ends and the other begins; where your body ends and the chair or floor begins. If we look closely enough, we will notice that our perceptual borders begin to slowly dissolve and awareness rests in the elemental qualities (warm, cool, soft, hard, etc.). When we rest in the awareness of these qualities, there is no thought, no feeling of separation.

HEALTHY KITCHEN TIPS

A Healthy Kitchen Begins With Organization. From my colleagues at IDEAFit, here are some fantastic tips for a healthy kitchen clean out. It begins with a literal kitchen cleanse, and finishes with a lighter and healthier you.

Karma Yoga

April 29, 2021April 29, 2021 by Claudia Fountain, posted in Compassion, Yoga

To give back, to act for others. The birth country of Yoga is suffering, and as they suffer so do we. We are all neighbors sharing this beautiful planet. If you were wondering how to be of service, here is a list of trusted organizations that some colleagues of mine have put together.

[From Anjali Rao:]

Milaap – an online crowdfunding platform that enables anyone across India to raise funds for healthcare, education, sports, disaster relief, and other personal causes. https://milaap.org/fundraisers/help-mumbai-dabbawala…+

The Akshaya Patra Foundation – an organization striving to eliminate classroom hunger. https://www.akshayapatra.org/+

Association for India’s Development – a volunteer movement promoting sustainable, equitable, and just development. https://aidindia.org/+

Asha for Education – a secular organization dedicated to change in India by focusing on basic education in the belief that education is a critical requisite for socio-economic change. https://ashanet.org/join-us/covid-19-relief-fundraiser/…+

Hemkunt Foundation – a non-government organization aiming to provide humanitarian aid to marginalized sections of society. https://hemkuntfoundation.com/

[From the folks at Moxie.xyz:]

American India Foundation

The American India Foundation (AIF) provides frontline health worker interventions, helping those who are at greater risk of getting infected. They also provide community screenings, personal protective equipment, nutrition needs, awareness on vaccinations, and more. Submit Your Donation.

Association for India’s Development

Association for India’s Development is a volunteer movement promoting sustainable, equitable and just development. AID supports grassroots organizations in India and initiates efforts in various interconnected spheres such as education, livelihoods, natural resources including land, water and energy, agriculture, health, women’s empowerment and social justice. Submit Your Donation.

ActionAid India

ActionAid responds to emergencies as soon as it strikes. As a part of our first level of intervention, in coordination with local authorities, we focus on providing immediate support in the form of food, shelter, medical aid, hygiene and other non-food items for the survivors, such as sanitation kits for women. We also organize health camps, safe spaces for children and women, and provide psychosocial care to the survivors wherever required. Must select NRI & Foreign Citizen to submit your donation. Submit Your Donation.

PM Cares Fund

The ‘Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) is a public charitable trust aimed at strengthening the fight against COVID-19. Its goal is to further the availability of quality treatment and encourage research on ways to beat Coronavirus. Submit Your Donation.

Let’s Get Fresh!

April 6, 2021 by Claudia Fountain, posted in etsy, Meditation, Recipes, Yoga

Springtime is all about renewal, growth, fertility, and …. blossoming!

This past weekend was spent getting ready for a new season in the backyard–emptying out the winter water from the pond, plugging the fountain pump back in, cleaning out dead ornamental grasses, pruning my blueberry bushes, and discovering the first push of new iris greens coming up. The air was so fresh, the sun warm on my shoulders. Spring this year feels so different from last year, the urge to go outside being stronger than ever. And, after over 12 months of “sheltering”, I feel like a she-bear emerging from her den–ready to expand and move, explore and grow.

This month I’m excited to share some new things with you!

New class on Tuesdays – Yin Yoga, 8:00-9:00am PDST

“We don’t use our body to get into a pose, we use the pose to get into our body.” -Bernie Clark Yin yoga is a quiet, slow, contemplative practice; its essence is yielding. Poses are held for longer periods of time so that you–the student–may go deeper. Props are highly suggested: mat, blanket(s), bolster, blocks, and strap.

New meditation offering: My Morning Meditation 6 – Four Elements

In this session we connect with and explore the Four Elements—earth, water, fire and air. These four elements can be experienced and observed within the living body, and are doorways into resting in the present moment. Earth is our foundational ground; water holds our fluid emotions, intuition, and is an essential element of life; fire is the creative life force; while air connects us to the universal life force.

Find it here: https://vimeo.com/502383760
Cost: FREE!

A quick 3-minute core conditioning sequence. Depending on the comfort of your wrists, this can be done with blocks (easier on the wrists) or without.

Find it here: https://vimeo.com/533736863
Cost: FREE!

A delicious, and colorful, twist on a plant-based burger, packed with protein, fiber, and flavor: Mushroom-Quinoa Curry Burgers

And, finally, I have added some fun NEW gemstone bracelets to my little shop on Etsy – Made With Mantra. Colorful, fun, designed to stack and share. Choose the gemstone who’s energy most resonates for you!

In closing, I wish you many new adventures, time spent on self-care (…may I suggest yoga?) and sharing/spreading love, and good eats!

Finding Equilibrium

March 5, 2021March 5, 2021 by Claudia Fountain, posted in newsletter, Online Offerings, Uncategorized, Yoga

“Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.”
–Rumi

I suddenly realized yesterday morning as I was wrapping up a guided meditation class I had just taught, that it has been almost exactly a year since I taught my last live yoga, cycling, or meditation class. The first week of SIP was a bit of a scramble–do I wait for it to end, do I jump into training and teaching virtually, how long can I sustain this, what equipment do I need? The questions were endless. Eventually of course, as it happens with all new things, a new pattern, a new rhythm was established. I continued to work privately with clients, albeit in a new way. I was thrilled that they were still there, and willing to continue working with me in the new paradigm. What didn’t stay were the yoga, cycling, and meditation classes. What also fell away were my visits to the sport club for my own personal workouts. Yikes! Somewhere along the way I needed to find equilibrium again.

Over the past year, through (some BIG) changes, I’ve slowly begun to find the sweet spot. I think, in many ways, this process of managing balance in my life in all ways–mentally, emotionally, physically, creatively, spiritually–is actually fun. Yes, I said fun! I believe quite a few of us would agree that new things are fun (like traveling, new house, new job, new car, ……). The challenge is to find that sense of positivity, and fun, in those events or moments we would ordinarily not consider fun. It’s like a “Road Closed” sign. Instead, go this way, or that way, or turn around, or go up, go down. There’s always another way to get where you are going. Stop, pause, find center, and feel your way into the next step.

And so, circling back to the loss of group classes, I have finally stepped back into the teaching world. (It can take me quite a while to make decisions some times!) Last month, I started teaching my first series of yoga vinyasa classes on the Moxie.xyz platform. It was a soft launch, and to my complete JOY it has been FUN for me to teach yoga again. Next, I added a guided meditation class (20 minutes, short and sweet). This month, I am adding a Yin Yoga class to my schedule. (If there is interest, I am thinking of adding a strength/core conditioning class also. More to come on that.)

In short, I have missed connecting with my yoga peeps, and those who used to take my classes at the YMCA, and other locations. I am inviting you to drop in and connect with me, either on your yoga mat or on your meditation seat, for FREE! Click this link for a 1-Class Pass: https://moxie.xyz/claudiafountain/subscriptions?t=2712-19a9079f-3e9c-47e8-9829-246167418805
Use the link for access to my Wednesday Glow Flow class, or the Yin Yoga class when it begins (launching 3/16/21). My Morning Meditation is a “Flex Pay” class–it’s FREE (skip the payment portion at end of class), or pay if you feel moved to! If you have any questions about how the MOXIE platform works, please don’t hesitate to drop me an email: claudia@physiquebyfountain.com

In closing, I would like to leave you with this poem by John O’Donohue:

For Equilibrium, a Blessing

Like the joy of the sea coming home to shore,
May the relief of laughter rinse through your soul.

As the wind loves to call things to dance,
May your gravity be lightened by grace.

Like the dignity of moonlight restoring the earth,
May your thoughts incline with reverence and respect.

As water takes whatever shape it is in,
So free may you be about who you become.

As silence smiles on the other side of what’s said,
May your sense of irony bring perspective.

As time remains free of all that it frames,
May your mind stay clear of all it names.

May your prayer of listening deepen enough
To hear in the depths the laughter of God.

Lay a little loving on yourself…

February 5, 2021February 5, 2021 by Claudia Fountain, posted in Mantra, Meditation, Online Offerings, Self Care, Yoga

There is a community of the spirit.
Join it, and feel the delight
of walking in the noisy street,
and being the noise.

Drink all your passion,
and be a disgrace.

Close both eyes
to see with the other eye.

Open your hands,
if you want to be held.

Sit down in this circle.
–Rumi

I can only speak for myself, but I feel… lighter, hopeful, as though there is room to breath again. As Emily Dickinson said it, “Hope” is the thing with feathers – that perches in the soul – and sings the tune without the words – and never stops – at all.”

I have a row of seedling pots ensconced in the warmest/sunniest place in the house (the bathroom!). They are just starting to sprout–the first seedlings are Bristlecone Pine, a very long, lived and hardy species of pine. The goal is to eventually shape them as Bonsai, a Japanese art form that takes patience, and daily mindful care.

My goals this month are two-fold. Just as I nurture and care for these seedlings, my first goal is to lovingly cultivate my creative pursuits. Whether it is designing and making hand-knotted malas and jewelry, recording and creating new meditation videos, or launching my live-streaming class platform–I am creating and tending to my online presence in a slow and patient way.

My second goal this month is to acknowledge and hold my anxieties and doubts about this growth period with loving kindness and awareness. Success or failure–it’s the effort and presence that truly matter.

My hope for you is that you lay a little loving on yourself. Spend time moving your body. Eat nourishing foods. Give yourself a little gift–just for you–whether it’s time with a good book, yoga, a piece of really good chocolate, or anything else that speaks to you.

The next installment in the series, “My Morning Meditation”, is up on Vimeo. This one is all about sound and mantra. Think of it as a 20 minute immersion in the sound of the Universe. If you have never used mantra, it is a nice introduction. As always, these are FREE. Find the meditation here: https://vimeo.com/504972237

In closing, I do hope to SEE you on the mat! My first virtual class offering on Moxie is Vinyasa Glow Flow, Wednesdays @ 12:00pm. You can drop-in LIVE, which is a wonderful way to connect with other human souls. Or, subscribe for monthly access to my VOD library. Live classes are recorded, and can be watched OD when it best suits your schedule. Right now, the monthly price is only $18. Register here: https://moxie.xyz/claudiafountain

LOKAH SAMASTAH SUKHINO BHAVANTU
May all beings have freedom and happiness; and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my life contribute in some way to that freedom and happiness.

VIRTUAL CLASSES BEGIN 2/3/20!

January 27, 2021January 27, 2021 by Claudia Fountain, posted in Yoga

My first yoga class series is here!

vinyasa glow flow

What: Flowing vinyasa yoga class, grounded in breath and alignment. Be ready to breathe, build some heat (tapas), and move. Each week the focus shifts, but the essential elements of breath, heat, and movement will remain. Finish with a soothing and relaxing savasana.
Where: https://moxie.xyz/claudiafountain
When: Begins 2/3/20, Wednesdays, 12:00-1:00pm, for eight weeks
Cost: $10 drop in
Monthly VOD subscription: $18 (includes recorded live classes + bonus sessions)

Don’t Look Back

January 5, 2021January 5, 2021 by Claudia Fountain, posted in New Beginnings, newsletter, Uncategorized

“You’re not going that way.”

It’s all about being here now. And, making plans for the future. This new year is about forging a new path–a new way of being, because the old ways no longer work, or are dropping away. “Normal,” as we knew it is illusionary and unsustainable–environmentally, economically, socially, morally, ethically.

How do we move on to a better future? By listening, creating, committing, doing, believing, and inspiring.

“Do more than exist—live.
Do more than hear—listen…
Do more than grow—bloom.
Do more than spend—invest.
Do more than think—create…
Do more than decide—discern.
Do more than consider—commit…
Do more than dream—do.
Do more than see—perceive.
Do more than read—apply.
Do more than receive—reciprocate.
Do more than choose—focus.
Do more than wish—believe…
Do more than encourage—inspire…
Do more than reach—stretch.”
–John Mason

So! In the spirit of stretching, creating, and committing to something new, I am in the process of setting up monthly subscriptions and private sessions on the Moxie platform (https://moxie.xyz/claudiafountain). My plan is to offer weekly yoga (and possibly fitness) sessions. I hope to see you there soon!

In closing, the fourth installment in the My Morning Meditation series is up and waiting for you. Let yourself be taken away to a warm, sunny beach as you rest in the flow of your breath. As always, these videos are FREE.

My Morning Meditation 4: Sound. This session continues to build on the foundational sessions of grounding and breath awareness. Here we will expand the focus of our attention to include sound. Noticing sounds, resting awareness on the flow of breath and the gentle susurration of waves rolling on and off shore. Imagine yourself resting on warm, white sand on a sunny beach. Nothing to do but breath–and listen.
Find it here: https://vimeo.com/497091923

May 2021 be filled with things both quietly and gloriously new! 🙏🙏🏼🙏🏽🙏🏾🙏🏿🙏🏻

‘TIS THE SEASON FOR…..

December 4, 2020 by Claudia Fountain, posted in Meditation, newsletter

Gratitude.
Connection.
Sharing.
Reaching out.
Giving. (Look for my gifts to you below!)

As I close out this extraordinary year, I made a pact with myself to remind myself daily to look for at least one thing for which I am grateful. I use the word ‘extraordinary’ very deliberately to describe 2020. Weird, bizarre, and unimaginable could also be inserted, but those would be limiting. Extraordinary covers it all–the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to c r e a t e this year–from recording guided meditation videos, to making hand-knotted malas.

I am completely grateful for the time to l e a r n new things–Zoom snafu management, remote fitness training, bluetooth microphones, and working with wire, crimp beads, and the plethora of adhesives for sealing knots and attaching stones to settings. So much fun!

I am utterly grateful to my private clients who have continued to work with me remotely, sharing fitness, laughs, and my parade of cats wandering through our sessions.

And, I have no adequate words for how grateful I am for my family and friends, staying safe and healthy.

No doubt, it has been a trying year. The key is to remind ourselves continuously of how much we DO have.

May your holidays include love and cheer and connection. See you in 2021!

SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI OM

P.S. My little gift for you–the third video in the “My Morning Meditation” series is up and waiting for you.

My Morning Meditation 3: Breath Practice. Weaving body scan grounding, breath awareness, and a breath count practice (pranayam) into a seamless whole. In this session you will be guided into a 4-6-ct breath technique, including a brief pause at the top of the inhale and bottom of the exhale. This practice is designed to deepen your awareness of breath and body, and leave you feeling centered and calm.

All my videos are FREE to view and enjoy. FIND THE MEDITATION HERE: https://vimeo.com/487036589

P.S.S. My labor of love, “Made With Mantra Shop,” also holds a gift of 20% off on select malas and bracelets. FIND MY SHOP HERE: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MadeWithMantraShop?

Who Doesn’t Love A Good Sale?

November 12, 2020November 13, 2020 by Claudia Fountain, posted in Malas, Sale

Just in time for the holidays! Do you know someone who could use a little love, joy, and peace? Each piece I make is made with love and mantra (tiny prayers of love and peace). Right now select malas and bracelets are 20% off in my shop. At checkout, use the code: HOLIDAY20.

Find them here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MadeWithMantraShop