Best yoga sf, pilates north beach San Fraancisco
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What 100 yo and 70 yo Yogis Are Like
Dear Glow Community,
As September arrives, the air begins to shift, colors soften, and the first hints of autumn whisper at the edges of our days. Traditionally, this was a season of gathering what we’ve grown and then releasing what no longer serves, just as the trees prepare to let their leaves fall. In the Chinese Five Element tradition, autumn is connected to Metal, the element of clarity, breath, and letting go. It’s a time when the lungs (taking in what is new) and the large intestine (releasing what is old) guide us toward balance.
In yoga, we practice Aparigraha, the principle of non-grasping. Aparigraha teaches us to loosen our grip on what we cling to out of fear, habit, or nostalgia, and instead to trust the cycle of life. Just as the earth exhales in autumn, we too are invited to exhale and to let go.
This September, Aparigraha meets the equinox. It’s a season to notice what you’ve been holding onto too tightly, an identity, an expectation, a relationship, or even a version of yourself that no longer feels aligned. The gift of Aparigraha is spaciousness: when we release what we don’t need, we make room for what truly nourishes.
As the yogic wisdom reminds us:
“Non-attachment is not when we own nothing, but when nothing owns our peace.”
As you practice this month, may your time on the mat become an offering of surrender. Imagine your breath as the wind through autumn trees, carrying away the old, clearing space for clarity, courage, and inspiration.
Take a breath. Then ask yourself these 5 Aparigraha-Inspired Reflections for September:
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What am I ready to release in order to breathe more freely?
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Where am I clinging to old stories, habits, or roles that no longer serve me?
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How might letting go create more space for peace and creativity?
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What do I truly need to carry forward into this next season of life?
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Can I trust the cycle - that endings are also beginnings?
We’re here with you this month to practice in presence, gently, steadily, courageously.
I look forward to seeing you in classes this month as we breathe together, release together, and step into the balance of autumn. 🍂
Sending so much love. Let's stay curious about self-care that serves our well-being, connection, and growth in every area of our precious life ❤️❤️❤️
Natasha & Glowing Team
The material on my blog cannot be shared or quoted without my reference. Thank you for reading!
Glow Monthly Curriculum
for Physical & Spiritual Growth
SEPTEMBER STRENGTH TRAINING CHALLENGE:
WIN GLOW JOINT ROLL-ON
Our challenge is your sweet opportunity to gain momentum and build a reliable routine for years to come! We’re here for you: let's make your daily movement your anchor ☀️🌿 Self-Love Challenge lasts through September enjoy our 7:30am Livestream Home workouts scheduled every weekday!
The Rewards:
• Take 16 7:30a Live Strength, Pilates, Myo TuneUp 25-min Classes from Home = get a Joint Roll-On ($34 value)
• Take 12 days of any classes = $20 Glow Gift Card*
• Make it any days = feel like a rockstar
Choose Morning Glow Membership, or Golden Glow Membership >
or start with our 1-Week Trial $49* >
You're ready. Sign Up For Class >>
Measure Your Impact:
During your monthly challenge, we encourage you to journal daily:
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sleep quality
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blood sugar (if you have a device)
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walked steps
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level of energy and inspiration
* If you start with 1-Week Trial, and want to join as a member to continue your challenge, we'll happily waive your membership enrollment fees!
* Everyone who takes 16 zoom home 7:30am classes within September will get a 100% off promocode to purchase a Joint Care Roll-On 1oz within 30 days.
* Please note: to receive $20 Reward - we ask you to take not 12 classes, but 12 days of classes. 2 Classes/day do not count, but you can take and enjoy.
* Rewards cannot be exchanged, only one type of reward is given per month.
LAST MONTH REWARDS WINNERS
It's easy to get rewarded! Enjoy our unique and diverse weekly program: Barre, Pilates, Strength Training, Vinyasa Yoga, Yin Yoga, Restorative + Reiki Touch, Myofascial TuneUp, Chakra Meditation, and SoundBath.
VISIT US 3 DAYS A WEEK, or 12+ days a month for in-studio classes and/or spa appointments to receive a $20 gift credit towards a massage, classes, or to pay forward for a friend. Our mission is to help you establish a lifelong sustainable feel-good workout routine so you never want to quit on your health again!
* Glow $20 Selfcare Rewards accumulate and don't expire. You can use them for any services and products.
* Your monthly rewards will be added automatically within the first 10 days of the next calendar month - no need to request anything.
* Different types of rewards do not combine and are limited to 1 reward per 1 calendar month.
* To see and use your Glow Account $ Balance, please use the yellow Schedule > button above via Browser, not an App.
SUMMER RECIPE: GF PROTEIN PASTA
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Gluten-free (made of chickpeas)
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Packed with protein (20g-50g/serving)
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Full of Fiber (18g/serving from all ingredients)
One of our members introduced me to Banza brand pasta. I tried their spaghetti too, but what I really love is their penne style with homemade walnut pesto and 1 cup of cherry tomatoes. Making pesto is super simple: blend a large bunch of basil with: 1/2 cup of roasted walnuts, 1/2 cup of olive oil, 2 cloves of garlic, 1oz of grated parmesan. This makes enough pesto for 2 days, or 4 servings.
Bake salmon, tofu, or protein of your choice, and mix cherry tomatoes into pasta that are so sweet these days. It tastes like SUMMER!
STUDENT INSPIRATION SPOTLIGHT:
Meet Nina
‘I started coming to Glow regularly about 9 months ago, when I had just left a toxic job that had torn me down and my stress levels were insanely high. I was determined to slow down and find a way to manage my stress and anxiety. I always focused on high-intensity workouts and heavyweights in the past, so Glow helped me find balance and a different kind of strength.
The sound baths have been the most healing for me. Sitting still and meditating are very hard - my mind is always racing. But now I don’t worry about where my mind might go while I meditate. I’ve become much more in tune with my body and less in my head. Although I continue to work a high-pressure job, continuing to come to the sound baths and yin classes has been non-negotiable for me - and I’m handling my work stress 100x better now.
I am also convinced that slowing down and doing yoga regularly helped me get pregnant. During a sound bath back in June I had this sudden realization that I was pregnant. But I brushed it off, figuring I was just crazy (lol). Sure enough, about 1-2 weeks later I had a positive pregnancy test. Continuing to come to yoga has helped me manage my anxiety throughout my pregnancy. And I feel confident that practicing yoga has helped prepare my body too - opening my hips/pelvis and keeping me virtually pain-free throughout pregnancy (except now - these final weeks are no joke...).
I’m so grateful to you for providing a peaceful, judgment-free place for me to come to. I couldn’t have gotten through the last 8+ months without Glow.’ - Nina
Please join me in wishing beautiful Nina the sweetest meeting with her adorable mini soon! I’m so touched and inspired by her wisdom, and determination to be a healthy mom and a human. Also, she and I share our favorite book 📖 by Cheryl Strayed and a 🎶 band, woot woot! 😍😍
Nina’s Membership: Silver Glow
Her Routine: 50 classes in 9 Months
Attended Classes: Yin+SoundBath, Yin+Hot Stones, Glow Flow
Email Glow Gift Card:
$25 | $50 | $100 | $150 | other
Take a Course: Self-Awareness, BreathWork, Meditation
North Beach Organizations To Follow and Take Part In
Salesian Boys & Girls Club (at St.Peter & Paul): please contact them and see how you can contribute to our local kiddo's inner growth and development, they will be grateful for your participation. Also, I am personally inviting certified yoga instructors to teach there once a month with our team. >
NEXTVillage SF - you can volunteer 1-2 hours a month to pick up groceries, drive a neighborhood senior to a doctor's appointment, or any group activity >
Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center: you can help with children or adults within this organization, please check here >
Glow Yoga & Wellness: we are looking for 4h weekly desk volunteers to support our students. Please email us to join & get Free Membership >
Thank you for reading our blog, and please let me know how else we can help you feel better. We are always grateful to you!
Natasha, Glowing Team
7 Ways to Heal Your Feet and Improve Your Balance
Our feet are some of the most used and abused parts of our bodies. They carry us through life, absorb shock, distribute our weight, and adapt to surface changes when walking, running, and climbing. After years of teaching yoga to thousands of people, I have noticed that most of us have incredibly weak feet, ankles, and frozen toes. Just like Acme bread turns stale on the next day, our feet become immobile and rigid wearing shoes most of our life. This immobility is widespread and unfortunately contributes to many injuries, falls, and chronic back, hip, knee pain. Lack of foot strength and flexibility contribute to fallen arches, plantar fasciitis, and many other foot conditions. While knee and hip surgeries have been skyrocketing, most doctors would agree that the only way to prevent the surgery is to keep your body stable by making your feet strong.
Each foot is made up of 28 bones, 30 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments, all of which work together to provide support, balance, and mobility. The only way to strengthen and reclaim the mobility of our feet is to perform focused barefoot exercises and stretches regularly. The great news is that all our classes at Glow are barefoot, helping strengthen, stretch, prevent deterioration, and undo the damages the shoes cause. In the video below, Jordan shares one simple way to activate your feet and toes at home. She also mentions an interesting fact: when your pinky toes are inactive - some of your leg muscles are inactive too. Using our toes turns on the vital supportive muscles in our legs, meaning that our balance and strength completely depend on the use of all of our toes. I find it fascinating; our body is intelligent in so many ways. Please remember, that knowing about it is not enough: transformation comes from regular practice.
7 Steps for Your Feet To Unleash Your Body's Potential:
1. Avoid wearing any pointing shoes, and shoes with hard inflexible sole on daily basis.
2. In yoga classes, please pay closer attention to your feet: stretch your toes and press all of them into the floor in every standing pose, use them! If you have any special physical conditions and can't leave your house, please join our daily livestream classes @home
3. The best way to strengthen your feet is in one-legged poses: Half Moon, Warrior 3, Standing Splits, Tree Pose. While your standing foot is getting super strong, don't forget to flex or point your lifted foot, and stretch its toes; you can activate all 100 of your foot's muscles while it's free of shoes.
4. Add 1-2 weekly Barre and Yoga classes to your routine: with careful attention paid to feet and toes, there are many opportunities to activate and strengthen. Barefoot classes are a must!
5. Try our Yin classes to release all tension and myofascial congestion in legs and throughout your body. Long holds in Yin classes restore your posture, and release long-term stress.
6. Join our Saturday 11:30a Tuneup + Massage Class, where we explore our body and use tools like Therapy Balls to get deeper into the tissues.
7. Create a new habit of stretching and flexing your toes for one minute after you take your shoes off.