Dallas Hot Yoga, Pilates, Barre & Fitness

How to Sit

Focusing on body alignment in fitness classes is great, but ideally, that awareness would not be confined to just workouts. SunstoneFIT's vision is to become one of the world’s most influential fitness associations who transforms the very idea of fitness from isolated physical activity into an integrated body, mind and life practice.

Our classes bring awareness to the body and stimulate a mindfulness that is rooted in our yoga foundation, allowing students to take these lessons "off the mat." Alignment of joints, muscles and bones affects the way you live in and relate to your body every day.

An easy example? Learning how to sit.

Clear Your Mind

Are you stressed? It's no secret, of course, that modern lifestyles often go hand-in-hand with cluttered, unsettled minds. Chances are, if you are not experiencing stress right at this moment, you have recently or will soon. Eager to find a "fix," well-intentioned folks advise slowing down and taking time for what's important--while simultaneously giving constant tips for fitting more into already packed schedules. But HOW?

Many Different Types of Love

It would appear there are many different types of love.

Most of us have felt the thrill of new love: that exciting rush of a new relationship. Parental love is, at its best, unconditional, all-encompassing, unending and at times, overwhelming. Sibling love is perhaps as powerful as parental love, though sometimes tumultuous and unpredictable. Love between friends, both male and female is usually a more patient, supportive love. However, are these many versions of love really any different?

The Importance of Savasana

“Lie down, heels together, palms up. Close your eyes.” Your teacher has put you into your final Savasana. She turns out the lights and leaves the room. Do you:

1. Open your eyes immediately, hop up, hang up your mat, and flee the room?
2. Lie there for a few minutes, worrying about “to dos” still on your list?
3. Acknowledge the effort you just exuded and allow your breath to assist in clearing your head and calming your body?
4. All of the Above.

Why We Teach Yoga

One word: change. It's why we teach yoga.

We chose yoga because of the changes that occurred when we brought yoga into our own lives. Many people, even your teachers, began practicing yoga hoping to lose weight or affect some other physical change in their bodies. But months (and years) later, we find that we stuck with it because of the amazing mental and life changes that have come out of our practice.

Be Engaged Throughout Your Class

Last week, we introduced Sunstone’s vision as well as the Five Teaching Principles that guide our teachers in helping our students cultivate their very best selves. These principles are our core values, the foundation on which we've built our studios.

They are equally valuable for you, our students. They create the landscape for what your experience with us can be like. Whether you're in your second class, or well on your way to building a body, mind, and life practice, these words describe behaviors that can turn what seems to be the simple action of taking a yoga class into something truly life-changing.

Preventing Injury: Accept Your Body

“Set your intention before you begin, and accept where your body is in your practice today.” If you regularly attend Sunstone Yoga, you know we consistently tell you to listen to your body and honor it. Do you truly hear those words . . . and do you listen? Accepting where your body is each day--whether you are attending a Fire class, walking up stairs, or just bringing in the groceries --is key to preventing injury.

Workshops and Yoga

What is it about workshops and yoga? Every yoga-centric magazine you open contains pages upon pages of ads for yoga workshops and retreats enticing you to practice with X guru in Y exotic location, attend a quick weekend “detox,” expand your horizons at a R & R retreat, and so on. Each one sounds better than the last, so how do you choose among them … or are you even ready?

Whether you’re a regular workshop attendee or just wondering whether attending one is right for you, there are several key questions to ask yourself:

Be an Accountability Partner

Ac·count·abil·i·ty Part·ner \ə-ˌkau̇n-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē ˈpärt-nər\

One who as an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility for the actions of another with whom they are associated.

Accountability Partners: Not just “yoga buddies”

Here we are, seven weeks into 2012 … perhaps you started out strong on your New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier, lose ten pounds, or take five hot yoga classes a week. Often times we make resolutions with great ambition in the moment, but we tend to lose perspective (and the eagerness to follow through) as time passes — sleep right now sounds so much better than getting out of bed to take a 6 a.m. Fire class.