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What your membership looks like in the world of covid

7/1/2020

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We’re moving our platform away from MindBody and into Kajabi.

The main reason for the move is that we have more to offer our community than MindBody allows. As we plan for the coming months and Illinois moves into Phase 4, everyone needs to continue to take the necessary precautions to stay healthy. There is some anticipation that COVID-19 will spike again in the winter months, and with that, we’re looking for ways to keep you connected with each other and to provide you with practices to elevate your immune systems, both physiological and spiritual.

Urban Yoga is cautiously planning how we can be safe, healthy and back in the studio. We’re not sure how this will be experienced as we all move our arms about and do breath of fire. When we do start to come back it will be in smaller numbers with priority given to our memberships.

All members - whether on a membership or 10-class pass, will need to transfer over to Kajabi. Our new site is called HealedLovedFed (our “doing business as” name for Urban Yoga Chicago). We will no longer be using MindBody after July 31st and we'll need everyone to transfer their accounts over to Kajabi by the end of July.

Nothing changes about your membership, except that now you’ll have access to a lot more shared online resources through the HealedLovedFed portal.

Check your emails for instruction on what you’ll need to do to move over to this system during the month of July. 

We are confident that you will find this new portal much more engaging than what we've got going now. We hope HealedLovedFed will connect us in ways that we've lost by not being able to come together at the studio. Let us know if you have any questions.

With love & gratitude, 
Savitree & Jodh
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Why proper breathing is so darn important

4/10/2020

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Listen to Dr. John Douillard and Patrick McKeown discuss the benefits of nostril breathing and how they connect to everything we care about from getting quality sleep and sleep apnea to ADHD, to depression and anxiety, to athletic endurance and performance, to other health issues. It's chock full of substantive information. You can't multi-task this though; while it's easy enough for the layman to understand,  it requires your full attention. 
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A Pandemic of Possibility

4/3/2020

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This is a must listen. Take the time. You won't regret it. 

Rich Roll and MD Zach Bush generously shares real information, both science-based and heart-centered, to connect, inspire, and empower. They are not based in fear nor are they complicit in contributing towards power dynamics and dependencies. They bring to us what we need to hear to heal ourselves and the world. 

​It's 1 hour 49 minutes long. If you want to get right into it, start the video at 14:50. 
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Times like these bring out generosity. Thank you.

4/2/2020

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The word on the street is yogis are flexible right? This flexibility is not just about the body, more importantly, it's about the mind. We need this flexibility now more than ever to be able to be agile, to change and adapt to new situations quickly. To be able to "move with the cheese" (have you read this book?) means we can live with purpose, open to new possibilities without the stress and worry of what's next. Sounds like a yoga & meditation practice to us. This is why we practice, to prepare for times of uncertainty.  

And we see you all doing this! Coming together, supporting each other and us, adjusting to this new virtual way of life with hope and optimism. Thank you for continuing to keep up for yourselves and each other. 

We are grateful for your kind words of encouragement & gratitude as well as your generosity and support of community members who have been financially impacted by COVID-19. Over the last month we received unsolicited donations ranging between $75-$300. These funds go into our Community Growth fund to support clients who cannot afford to pay for classes due to loss of income. 

If you would like to make a donation into the Community Growth fund, please visit us here. 
Or perhaps you know someone in the healthcare or the service industry who could use some self care right now or in coming months. Here we have gift cards available for 10 class passes, Unlimited Yoga, and Bodywork services which can be used at anytime throughout the year.

We are grateful for you. We feel blessed to serve you. We honor and pray for you. 

With love, 
Savitree & Jodh
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An Imagined Letter from Covid-19 to Humans

3/25/2020

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author Kristin Flyntz.

This letter, written by Kristin Flyntz, whom we do not know here at the studio, was passed on to us by one of our instructors, Raj Devjoti (Emily), and we had to share it here. It's worth the read. Please sit down to read this when you have time to take it in. It is poignant and beautiful, and it asks us to take a look at this moment in time to forklift ourselves from the madness. It directs us towards a pathway to healing, not just ourselves, but the entire world. 

Stop. Just stop.
It is no longer a request. It is a mandate. 
We will help you. 
We will bring the supersonic, high speed merry-go-round to a halt.
We will stop
the planes
the trains
the schools
the malls
the meetings
​the frenetic, furied rush of illusions and "obligations" that keep you from hearing our single and shared beating heart,
the way we breathe together, in unison.
Our obligation is to each other, 
as it has always been, even if, even though, you have forgotten.
We will interrupt this broadcast, the endless cacophonous broadcast of divisions and distractions, 
to bring you this long-breakingnews:
We are not well. 

Despite what you might think or feel, we are not the enemy. 
We are Messenger. We are Ally. We are a balancing force. 
We are asking you:
To stop, to be still, to listen;
To move beyond your individual concerns and consider the concerns of all;
​To be with your ignorance, to find your humility, to relinquish your thinking minds and travel deep into the mind of the heart;
To look up into the sky, streaked with fewer planes, and see it, to notice its conditions: clear, smoky, smoggy, rainy? How much do you need it to be healthy so that you may also be healthy?
To look at a tree, and see it, to notice its condition: how does its health contribute to the health of the sky, to the air you need to be healthy?
To visit a river, and see it, to notice its condition: clear, clean, murky, polluted? How much do you need it to be healthy so that you may also be healthy? How does its health contribute to the health of the tree, who contributes to the health of the sky, so that you may also be healthy?

None of us; all of us are suffering.
Last year, the firestorms that scorched the lungs of the earth
did not give you pause.
Nor the typhoons in Africa, China, Japan.
Nor the fevered climates in Japan and India.
You have not been listening.
It is hard to listen when you are so busy all the time, hustling to uphold the comforts and conveniences that scaffold your lives. 
But the foundation is giving way, 
buckling under the weight of your needs and desires.
We will help you.
We will bring the firestorms to your body.
We will bring the fever to your body.
We will bring the burning, searing, and flooding to your lungs
that you might hear:
​We are not well.

Many are afraid now.
Do not demonize your fear, and also, do not let it rule you. Instead, let it speak to you - in your stillness, listen for its wisdom.
What might it be telling you about what is at work, at issue, at risk, beyond the threats of personal inconvenience and illness?
As the health of a tree, a river, the sky tells you about quality of your own health, what might the quality of your health tell you about the health of the rivers, the trees, the sky, and all of us who share this planet with you?
Stop.
Notice if you are resisting.
Notice what you are resisting.
Ask why.
Stop. Just stop.
Be still.
Listen.
Ask us what we might teach you about illness and healing, about what might be required so that all may be well.
​We will help you, if you listen.
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"Shelter in place" update on our live, virtual yoga classes

3/21/2020

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Since Governor Pritzker has ordered "shelter in place" beginning tonight, Saturday, March 21, 5:30 pm, our teachers are setting up to teach their live, virtual classes from their respective homes.

Some of us are ordering mics which won't arrive until the latter part of next week, and we are all figuring out how to deliver the best quality experience to you. It will be an ongoing process over the next couple of weeks. 

For this reason, if or when it is necessary, you might see some moving around of teachers from their time slots. 

We are doing our best to continue providing yoga and meditation to you with the least amount of interruption to you as well as to continue to support our teachers in their professional work in the best way that we can. 

We ask for your patience as we do this as well as your feedback, so we know where we might need to direct our attention.  
Thanks so much in advance. 

It's been really great to see many of your faces online! The best part of this is to see those of you we don't often see because you live in other parts of the country. Thanks for tuning in. We acknowledge and appreciate the blessings of (a) being able to connect with our community like this, and (b) witnessing the flexibility and generosity of you, our community members, in taking care of each other. Sat Nam. 
With love & gratitude,

Savitree, Jodh, SachKiret, Raj Devjoti, Kristen C, Seetal Tej, Dhyan Bhajan, Jot Saraswati, Kamal Prem, and Mehtab Kirtan
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YouTube: Coronavirus explained & What you should do

3/20/2020

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This 8-minute video by Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell does a fantastic job explaining
  • what it is and how it spreads
  • where and how it affects the body & your immune system (1:05) (skip to 4:40 if you'd rather not hear this part)
  • how it compares to the flu (4:40)
  • Fast Pandemic (steep slope) vs Slow Pandemic (flattening the curve) and why Slow is better. 
  • what we need to do (6:12)
  • ​how to wash your hands (an alternative to singing happy birthday twice), and why soap matters
  • why quarantining matters (7:19)
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What you can do

3/17/2020

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Suddenly, we find ourselves in un-chartered territory.

We have heard from you - we know you are feeling stressed, worried, uncertain and afraid. Schedules have shifted, life is different. You are doing your best to keep up with it all. 



For some, navigating and managing constant change feels easy, perhaps exciting.  For others, not having that routine and predictability is down right terrifying and anxiety provoking. You may be finding that you have more time on your hands than you know what to do with or perhaps you are working non-stop and are busier than ever before...

Please know we hear you and we are here for you. 

When you are feeling stressed or perhaps even bored try on one of these suggestions:

  1. Put your phone down, turn off your notifications, turn off the news and stop with the social media scrolling. If you feel the need to check news/social media, set a timer for 15 minutes and limit yourself to that time frame once or twice each day. You can get all of your updates during that time. Trust us, if there is something you need to know - you will find out!
  2. Blast your favorite dance music and dance wildly! Mood dancing, baby! Let yourself go for 5-10 minutes. Moving your body in this way helps you release stress and tension in your muscles, it gets your heart rate up and the endorphins flowing. Invite whoever is home with you to join in. 
  3. Pull out a board game and play with your family. In our house, there is nothing like a friendly game of Scrabble. Playing will keep your mind focused, its fun and who doesn't want to debate if YOWZA is an acceptable Scrabble word? (It is according to the Scrabble Dictionary.)
  4. Fold your laundry. Seriously, it can be quite meditative and relaxing and a basket of laundry doesn't take long to fold. Take your time to fold each article of clothing mindfully. Breathe deeply. Feel gratitude for it. Show it care and put it away neatly. You will feel calmer and have a sense of accomplishment once it's done. 
  5. Finally, stay hydrated (its a great time to resume your hot water sips), rest, move your body, get fresh air, breathe deeply, meditate and practice yoga, take a class with us (they are all virtual right now), be around people you love, check in with your friends and family. And find something to be grateful for each and every day. 

Take care and be well. 
​

With all my love, grace & gratitude,
Jodh Kaur


In the coming days, we will be sharing recipes & tips to strengthen and maintain healthy immune and nervous systems on our UYC blog, Facebook and Instagram. Please check in there for ways to keep yourself healthy and uplifted. 
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Virtual Classes Update for the week of March 16

3/15/2020

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Dear UYC Community,
 
We know there are a number of stressors that are impacting you right now and we want you to know: your health and well-being matters and we are here for you. 
 
Over the coming days and weeks we will be sharing a variety of ways that you can keep your immune and nervous systems strong and your mind calm and relaxed using a variety of lifestyle tools including mindfulness, meditation, yoga, food and Ayurvedic practices. 
 
In addition, we received positive feedback from our community members who attended virtual classes on Friday and Saturday and we are pleased to share that all of our adult classes for the next 2 weeks will be 100% virtual. 
 
We have created a special webpage with information on how to access the classes, tips on making the most of virtual classes, our tune in mantras and commonly used terms. Please click here for that webpage. We encourage you to bookmark it for easy reference. 
 
As we move forward, we are open to feedback about your virtual classroom experience, so please email us to share what is working well and any challenges you are experiencing. 
 
We look forward to seeing you in classes on Zoom. 
 
With love & gratitude, 
Savitree, Jodh & Team UYC
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Staying healthy - UYC response to flu and coronavirus

3/9/2020

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Dear UYC Community,
We are writing today to address the growing concerns about the flu and coronavirus, and how we can work together to keep them at bay.  
 
  • SIGNING IN TO CLASS: For the time being, instead of asking you to sign yourself in to class, we will sign you in to reduce the amount of hands touching the sign-in screen. If you arrive late, however, you will need to sign yourself in at the front desk as you have been. 
  • TOWELS & HAND WASHING: We will add disposable paper towels in the bathroom as an option to dry your hands, replacing cloth towels for the time being. Please do your part and take a good 20 to 30 seconds to wash your hands with soap and warm water. This is said to be the best prevention method for killing germs. Infuse your hand washing with mantra. Reciting Mul Mantra twice takes 20 to 30 seconds. 
  • YOGA MATS: Spray bottles for yoga mats will be available for you to spray down your mat after usage. If you are spraying down a studio mat, please hang them over the banister to dry, or leave on the floor if there isn't room on the banister. Important note to consider: the yoga mats that we provide are technically there for those that are new to yoga and haven't yet invested in a mat, and also as a courtesy to clients who have forgotten to bring their own mats. As a regular yoga student, it is ideal to have your own mat to practice on for reasons including practicing on a mat that is infused with only your own personal energy as well as for good hygiene practices. While we won't stop you from continuing to use studio mats as a regular attendee, we want to take this opportunity to strongly encourage you to invest in one for yourself, or bring a long towel to lay over a studio mat.
  • TISSUES & EYE PILLOWS: As you know, we have tissue boxes all over the studio space; if you are using a studio eye pillow, it is imperative now to place a tissue between your eyes and the pillow. Also, please remember to throw used tissue into the garbage. 
  • CLEANING CUPS & MUGS AFTER YOGI TEA: For the time being, please leave your cups and mugs in the sink when you are finished with them. Teachers will be washing them thoroughly with hot soapy water after class.
  • KEEPING A STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM: The very best way to stay healthy is to keep your immune system strong and spirits high. Being in community, moving the body, and staying hydrated are ways we can naturally do that. That said, if you are not feeling well, please stay home and rest. If your child is in the Sacred Playground program as is not well, please keep your child home. If you feel like you want to practice, we highly encourage you to check out our Urban Practice page for yoga and meditation videos.

Let's take care of ourselves and each other. 
 
With love & gratitude, 
Savitree, Jodh & Team UYC
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