by Jasmine | Feb 1, 2020 | Couples Yoga, Date Night, Valentines Day
When was the last time you got lost in your beloved’s eyes?
When was the last time you had an endless loving full body embrace?
Get that 5th date feeling back with a spicy and soulful Yoga-licious night.
As you go through the motions together, you and your partner can expect a closer, more romantic and more soulful relationship than ever with each other through giggles, movement and massage.
Start off the class with a guided meditation where you are your partner will form an intention together.
You and your partner will do a silent blessing of gratitude to each other.
As we progress, you will do poses where you mirror each other, juxtaposing your bodies.You’ll start to synchronize your breath and then slowly move in unison.
You will be assisting and adjusting in each other in poses in simple easy-to-follow instruction.
The poses are sometimes silly, sometimes challenging and sometimes restorative.
After we are done with partner yoga poses you will then receive a guided Thai massage from your partner emphasizing loving intention.
You won’t be worrying about technique or skill.
Your partner will do moves that relieve pain and stiffness and leave you feeling like you are blissfully floating.
After you both have received loving massages you will relax in stillness curled up in your beloved.
Connect in a revitalizing, strengthening, energizing and uplifting wayThe class ends with you in a loving and lingering full body embrace with your beloved.
- Release stress and stiffness.
- Explore playfulness, nurturing and buoyancy.
- Learn how to guide, honor, encourage, support and receive support from each other
- Yoga virgins, the stiff and inflexible are especially welcome.
- Ideal for Birthdays, Celebrations, Anniversaries, Proposals and Romantic Date Nights
Our Couples Yoga Classes voted Best Valentine’s Day Spot by Patch and VisitPhilly.com!
Cost: $100 Per Couple. Pre-Registration with payment required via online purchase.
Jasmine’s yoga classes are relaxed and comfortable. She teaches to the level of all the students in the class so the poses are accessible to everyone and no one is left out. Jasmine is a kind and patient teacher who is committed to the growth of each student. She also plays a great mix of music during her classes! Cindy
“Whole New Yogic Trip”
“We really enjoyed the class. It was a gift for our
relationship and so badly need. So thank you for your gift of yoga. Because for a (yoga) newbie, my husband really felt comfortable and wished we could have done more. The class you lead last week really touched our spirits which was amazing! And for me partnering is a whole new yogic trip!” Summer
“Exactly What Our Relationship Needed” Barbara
We really enjoyed your class today. We will be seeing you more…I can’t wait to tone my body, mind and spirit (not necessarily in that order). I think your class is exactly what our relationship needs too, we needed a way to re-connect. I just graduated and was busy 24-7++. Now I have a business and am busy 24-7+++ so we hardly ever see each other or even have meals together anymore. It was good, quality time with my best friend.
4 ways to get the right start in partners yoga
1. Don’t assume partner yoga is only for couples.
Some partner yoga classes allow you to sign up as a solo participant and seek out a partner in the class itself. If you go this route and you’re new to partners yoga, try to pair with a student who’s about your height and weight. Mahoney notes that as you get used to the practice, learning to adapt the postures to two different body types is a rewarding challenge. How do you feel about it just being couples doing yoga and not strangers or friends?
2. Don’t expect miracles.
If you begin a couples yoga class with an existing partner, talk with each other before going to the first class about what you want from this. Try not to let your expectations get overblown in terms of how the class can remedy any specific relationship challenges you’re having. Go in with an open mind and heart — not with a sense that this is going to fix something, but a willingness to learn and grow together by sharing and connecting through yoga.
3. Be ready to be giving.
As a supportive partner, your role is to listen as well as share openly, and to treat the person you’re practicing with as you’d like to be treated. Sound familiar? By exploring physical give-and-take, you and your partner can dive deeply into the principles that govern successful, supportive friendships and loving relationships.
4. Enjoy the moment.
Be present and focus on each other during your partner yoga class or practice — and try not to take anything too seriously, cautions Mahoney. “Take a deep breath and relax. Laugh together. Partner yoga is full of the hilarious and the divine.1. How is partner yoga different from traditional yoga? Traditional yoga is an internally focused experience while partner yoga is about connecting, trusting, supporting, balance in relationship and play. Some poses challenge your balance, strength and flexibility, others require your total trust and surrender. You need to be mindful of your boundaries and limits while being sensitive to your partner’s boundaries as well.
Each exercise and breathing technique uses the power of the partner dynamic to achieve more than one person could alone. From creative exercise to profound spiritual work, Partner Yoga delivers a diverse range of benefits to a wide array of people. This well rounded practice requires no special equipment and can be done in any open space (the living room, gym, or park). Working with a partner can also help you move beyond your own self-limiting ideas of what you can and can’t do. You experience being able to support and also be supported, trusting that someone will be there for you and letting someone trust you to be there for them, letting go and holding on as well. You can focus on your inner awareness and spirit and enrich your partner’s as well.
2. How does partner yoga enhance intimacy and communication? The poses are simply a doorway for you both to step deeper into your connection. When you stretch with you partner, your bodies melt each other’s tension and tightness. As a supportive partner, your role is to listen as well as share openly, and to treat the person you’re practicing with as you’d like to be treated. By exploring physical give-and-take, you and your partner can dive deeply into the principles that govern successful, supportive friendships and loving relationships. Be present and focus on each other during your partner yoga class or practice — and try not to take anything too seriously, Partner yoga is full of the hilarious and the divine
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by Jasmine | Jan 29, 2020 | Amrita, Couples Retreat, Couples Yoga, Date Night, Partner Yoga, philadelphia romance, Valentines Day
If you are just thinking expensive dinner and a movie this year, then you will be doing what most couples do and it will be over-priced, over-crowded and rushed…. not exactly a romantic recipe.
Go on a photoshoot – So many scenic spots to choose from such as the Art Museum, Love Park or Society Hill. Try on different moods that range from silly, brooding, sexy to serious. Take the best shot and frame it for your sweetie.
If you are going to celebrate with the kids then decorate the house in red and pink, break out the arts and crafts and make Valentines cards for each other while listening to sappy romantic songs.
If you want a kid-free night, then drop the kids off at grandma’s house, turn off the phones then decorate the house in red and pink along with candles, soft music, and herbal tea or red wine. Start off with a long bubble bath together then get some almond massage oil. We usually do something like this every year and we make a special dinner at home with lobsters we bought at the market.
Have a electronic free night. No phones, computers and no tv. Just doing this will be treat enough for your loved ones. Conversations won’t be constantly interrupted by dings, pings and rings. Just giving someone the complete gift of your presence and attention is quite special.
Can’t get away anywhere, even local for a special night out? Decorate the house with lawn chairs, beach towels, have reggae music on and serve pina coladas and make plans (again, device-free) on your next special trip. Get magazine and books of the places you want to go and talk about what you will do and where you will go together.
Still have the need to get out and about? Make a scavenger hunt. It can be some of the special places you had dates together – your first date, your first kiss, your first %#$#$. It can be g-rated with the kids or x-rated without them.
Need to have a racy Valentine’s day? For women, go out somewhere elegant such as a Tea House, nice restaura or fancy bar and wear a short skirt or dress. Shortly after sitting down at the table, let your man know you are not wearing panties.
We are quite partial to what we think makes for an ideal night for this Valentine’s Day in Philadelphia for 2020. We teach gentle and romantic couples yoga classes. The classes are buoyant and bonding, weird and wonderful, restorative and relaxing, We get to meet so many new fun couples this way, some of who we end up becoming great friends with beyond the class and we get to be a part of some very magical moments with people.
by Jasmine | Jan 20, 2020 | Beauty, Couples Yoga, Date Night, Romantic Date Ideas, Valentines Day
I remember a Valentines Day about 15 years ago. My boyfriend didn’t think to make any plans in advance so we called a bunch of restaurants and they were all booked. So we went to a mediocre restaurant and they only had a 5:30 seating available and that was it. We sat down at 5:30 and we were given a prix fixe menu instead of their normal menu and had only a few options of things to order. We were rushed through our dinner so that they could accommodate the next wave of seating at 7 pm. Instead of a memorable, leisurely dinner, we had a rushed, overpriced and limited selection dinner and felt cheated out of what should have been a beautiful evening.
So now, what me and my hottie, hellenic hubby do to celebrate Valentines Day is we go to the best seafood market, get two live Maine lobsters and cook them at home with some chocolate fondue and asparagus by candlelight.
We then give each other warm oil massages… quite a luxurious and decadent night for under $50, instead of the $300 plus if we went out to each at a pretentious restaurant and then to a fancy spa.
It’s evolved into our tradition since it’s just not romantic to eat out at restaurants on Valentines Day. They are so focused on making as much money as they can, that it end up being a price-gouging kind of day for all their customers.
So here are some things you can do with your sweetie… For God’s sakes turn off your phone, tv and no internet either.
10 Wallet-Friendly Things to Do For Day
1. Cook dinner at home together- Make sure it is something decadent that you would not normally eat like scallops, lobster, fondue, oysters, red wine. Ideally they are finger foods that you can feed each other. Total Savings -$150.
2. Spa Night – Oh, how I love to be pampered and fawned over while lounging around in my white fluffy robe. Give each other facials, manicures, shave each other, foot and back massages. Total Savings -$200.
3. Dance like the Stars – Put up your disco ball, turn on some funky music for the beginning and then have some slow music for later. Dress up in your suit and tie and your black cocktail dress to make it more special.
4. Karaoke Night – Is there anything more romantic than being serenaded by your sweetie. Make sure to get nice and liquored up first though.
5. Dessert Party – If you are more inclined to spend Vday with other friends, then invite them over for a dessert and wine party. Everyone should bring their favorite wine and dessert ……..and everyone should come dressed in red or pink. We did this a few years ago to a smashing success!
Cook Dinner Together on Valentines Day
6. Partner Yoga – You didn’t think I was going to leave this out. If you’ve never done this, get some partner yoga DVDs or find some on youtube. Light some incense, crank up the Deva Premal music and twist and bend away.
7. Board Games – If you are going to be home with the kids then get the Monopoly and Clue out and find out who killed Mrs White in the library with a candlestick. Everyone should wear red or pink and decorate the place with hearts to stay in the spirit!
8. Staycation – Can’t afford to go away to Aruba? Decorate your place all tropical, put some beach towels out, get out your tropical attire, Bob Marley music and some margaritas and start planning your next vacation like this.
9. Cook him dinner in your bikini – The kids better be away at Grandma’s. Get some fake spray tan to get that nice golden glow in the midst of winter. Put on your high heels and bikini or lingerie and start cooking your pasta primavera.
10. Watch a Chickflick – Rent a copy of The Notebook, Lust-Caution, or The Lover and turn the lights down to snuggle in close during these tearjerkers.
Any other free things that I left off of here?
by Jasmine | Jan 1, 2020 | Anniversary Gift Ideas, Couples Yoga, Date Night, Partner Yoga, Thai Massage
Yoga for couples is a fun adventure into intimacy, play and relaxation. The poses are simply a doorway for you both to step deeper into your connection. When you stretch with you partner, your bodies melt each other’s tension and tightness. Whether your relationship is new or old, partner yoga will reinvigorate your life and renew your connection.
Partner Yoga is a great way to learn surrender, build trust, and deepen intimacy. Partner Yoga can be practiced by anyone – no previous yoga experience is necessary.
Some poses challenge your balance, strength and flexibility, others require your total trust and surrender.
Each exercise and breathing technique uses the power of the partner dynamic to achieve more than one person could alone. From creative exercise to profound spiritual work, Partner Yoga delivers a diverse range of benefits to a wide array of people. This well rounded practice requires no special equipment and can be done in any open space (the living room, gym, or park). The classes are not official tantra workshops although people that have done a tantra workshop before will appreciate the yoga and meditation.
Couples Yoga is a medium created to build stronger communication and intimacy between human beings in a relationship. These Yoga Postures which you can learn on couples yoga DVDs and couples yoga videos videos, have breathing exercises and meditations are designed specifically to bring communication into a tangible form. We are here to help you to discover and experience the dynamics existing within your relationship.
Couples Yoga compels companions to lay aside their differences while working to achieve a common goal. The simple act of breathing together and participating in a practice grounded in acceptance, unity and love translates to more open and authentic communication between partners.
This practice re-establishes weakened bonds. On the mat partners must have complete faith in each other. Postures are dependent on showing up for one another and giving equal effort. It is developed on trust and is a great metaphor for the nut and bolt aspect of all relationships.
There’s no finished, perfect pose or situation. This is about learning new methods to connect, and cooperate, while finding new ways to support each other.
In these sessions you will learn a combination of the following practices:
- Yoga postures
- Breathing exercises
- Partner Meditations
- Massage techniques
- Affirming your partner and Being Affirmed
- The Power of Intention
by Jasmine | Sep 8, 2018 | Couples Retreat, Couples Yoga, eStore, Meditation, Romantic Date Ideas, Stuff I like, Yoga Music, Yoga Teacher training
Top Yoga Meditation Music and Yoga Songs I play in Class
In a yoga class setting up a vibe with lights, music and space is such a key part of the experience. It really takes you to a sacred place and I tend to get all bejiggety is my sound system is not working. Whenever I am teaching at a new place or subbing I make sure to spend awhile understanding how their music system works (I’m not technically inclined and tend to panic when the music won’t start)
I tend to play the same 30 CDs all the time but I love picking up new ones all the time ( a few years from now this list will be very different) Even if you don’t practice yoga, these CDs will work well if you want a sacred vibe for meditation or a special ceremony. A few of them will work well for cocktail parties too. Since I work a lot with couples yoga, I am always looking for couples romance products to review and awesome yoga meditation music.
Shamanic Dream – When I play this in my classes, I almost always get a student come up and ask me what the CD is. It is hypnotic, ambient and a bit tribal all at the same time but with a fairly even tone. I teach a lot of couples yoga classes and I usually play this at the end so people can drop into a very deep space when the lights are very low. This will transport you.
Sound Sleep for Infants -Another CD you won’t usually find on your top ten yoga music CDs. I don’t know if I would play this during the entire class but it works stunningly during Shivasna. It is some ambient music with a heartbeat in the background. This doesn’t work well if there is background noise like an AC in background though. I also play this CD for 40 minutes at night when I have insomnia. This CD makes me feel like I am in the womb.
Dessert Dwellers – One of my students suggested this to me a few months ago. I tend to have a lot of CDs that are not just Sankrit chants and Ooommming. I like the chill, funky vibe but the tone is even enough to play in a class. A good one to play at cocktail hour as well.
Snautam Kaur – I discovered her when I was at Omega a few years ago. She was part of the Ecstatic Chant weekend. Don’t let her turban scare you. She does a few songs in English as well. She has a voice like an angel and you can feel her soul pouring into all of her chants. This is one of the CDs that my yoga students ask me about the most in my yoga class.
Rain – Another CD you won’t usually find on your top ten yoga music CDs. This is acoustic guitar and piano and I remember playing this when I driving around in the mountains of Vermont during the changing of the leaves. I still see the leaves whenever I listen to this. The music just matched the mood so well – melancholically beautiful.
Wah! – The ! is not a typo. I discovered Wah! when I was working at the Chopra Center in San Diego a few years ago. We used to play her CDs in the store to give it a Chopra Center vibe. I’ve seen her play a few times and it always shocks me that she is is not in bigger venues ( she usually leads a Kirtan at a yoga studio) If Natalie Merchant and a chanting Indian guru had a baby then this is who they would produce.
Yoga & Meditation Music and Song Reviews
Le Spa Sonique – Don’t let the purple flowers scare you. This had a euro chill kind of vibe to it, sweet, sultry and sexy. I think I discovered this at Kripalu a few years ago.The beat can be a bit funky and might not work that well during shivasana. This is a great CD to play for a cocktail hour as well.
Deva Premal & Mitten I don’t think you can call yourself a yoga teacher unless you have at least 2 of their DVDs. Deva’s voice is like an angel and their tunes are soulful, sensual and penetrating. I get plenty of students that come up to me after class asking what the music is. I remember the first time I went to one of their concerts. They think of their concerts more like a group of people getting together and singing…very interactive and the way that they lead some of the mantras you’ll feel incredibly connected to the ether of the universe. My favorite song is in English though, “There is so Much Magnificence”. http://www.devapremalmiten.com/ I love Deva Premal yoga music and her songs are so soulful.
Krishna Das What Bruce Springsteen is to Modern Rock, Krishna Das is to the kirtan (group chant) scene. I saw him perform at Omega a few years ago and have been a fan ever since. His songs are in Sankrit which could turn off some of your students ( or could turn the other ones on…everybody’s different). His CDs are good to play in class but attend one of his live shows and watch yogis jump and twirl around in delirium to his music.http://www.krishnadas.com
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by Jasmine | Apr 2, 2018 | Couples Retreat, Couples Yoga, Yoga Retreat
Snowy AM arrival for Valentine’s Weekend retreat
We decided to teach a private couples retreat near Philadelphia for beginner yoga students at the Temenos Retreat Center in West Chester, PA. We got to the farmhouse early and it was snowing out. It was quite a scenic drive and even driving outside of the city starts to transports you since you are surrounded by rolling hills, meadows etc and can feel yourself getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Temenos is a Greek word that means “sacred space”. It is a bit confusing for new students to visit us at Temenos since there is a main meeting space which is very clearly indicated with signage and then there is a small farmhouse that is 1/4 mile down the road that is not that clearly indicated with any street signage. We had a few students that were confused about which space to go to so the next time we do a private couples retreat 2012 near Philadelphia for beginner yoga students I will also call in addition to emailing the directions about where to go.
We restrict the amount of couples to 4 at the most. The space is nice and cozy so we want to keep an intimate feel and not crowd everyone so only 4 couples for each one. We encourage people to get there early for coffee and tea and to settle in. It’s a bit awkward at first since no one knows each other. Then after about 20 minutes of this we all start to make our way to the practice room. We then start to do the couples yoga and couples massage practice. Some of the poses are deep and meditative, others are silly and fun, other moves are very physically challenging and require a lot of balance and concentration.
As we transition to the massage part of the practice, we do a few restorative poses that help people to let go of some of the mind chatter and so they can start to drop down into a deeper place of stillness and relaxation. During the massage part of the practice, we are emphasizing intention and not focused on technique or massage therapy skills. I keep giving signals for the receiver to let them know how they like the pressure such as the thumbs up sign to let their giver know they are really loving the massage. They can also wave their fingers down if they want less pressure and wave their fingers up if they want less pressure. I also tell the givers to watch their partner’s diaphragm. If their breathing is slow and rhythmic that means they are really relaxing and enjoying the massage. I also tell them to periodically look at their receiver’s forehead to make sure it is not wrinkled up. They also can just feel if the muscles are tightening up under their hands or fingers.
After the massage part of the class, we then have a guided relaxation and then couples are all cozy together. We then close with a short meditation to get people present to their intention for their relationship as well.
