Despite being the most wonderful time of the year, the holidays can also be rather stressful. With cookies to bake, trees to trim, gifts to purchase and wrap, friends and family to visit, and much more, it can sometimes seem as though there aren’t enough hours in the day! This holiday season, consider taking a break to relax and recentre by attending a festive yoga class. Besides getting some much needed exercise, you should also feel more mindful, tranquil, and composed after participating in one of the classes I’ve highlighted below.
YogiWino’s event this Thursday is part yoga class, part holiday market, part party! After an hour-long yoga session, you can sip on local wine and enjoy appetizers while you peruse the wares from some of YogiWino’s favourite Ottawa vendors and artists—all while listening to live Christmas music. They will also be accepting donations for the local food bank, and anyone who makes a donation will be entered into a drawing for a prize from Busy Bees Home Organizing.
Atlantans can head half an hour southwest to attend Holiday Presence: A Restorative Offering in Newnan, GA. This workshop focuses on self care during the busy holiday season. Calm your nervous system in a gentle 75-minute restorative yoga session. Afterwards, make a custom holiday aromatherapy blend in a roller, dropper, or spray that will help keep you relaxed all the way to Christmas. Then learn about healthy holiday snacks from Chef Nichole Langford, try some tasty samples, and take home some recipe cards.
A post shared by Goat Yoga Nashville (@goatyoganashville) on
Yoga… and goats? Yep, that’s right! De-stress by doing yoga on a farm while baby goats cozy up next to you, climb on your back, or simply make you smile. What’s more, the goats will be in festive costumes, and the farm will be decorated for the holidays. This would be a fabulous event for the entire family. Goat Yoga Nashville is hosting 10 more events between now and Christmas, so you can find one that fits your schedule. Naaa…maste!
Wear your tackiest holiday sweater and hop on your mat with the Arlington Yoga Centre for an all-levels session. After class enjoy a pint of beer—perhaps the brewery’s own Legal Holiday Ale. If that weren’t enough, they will also be giving out a prize for the best sweater, have a backdrop for snapping some photos, and be accepting donations for Toys for Tots.
If you live in London, Christmas Yoga, Cocktails & Canapés would be a fun festive activity to partake in with your friends. Start the evening with a power yoga class; you will be lead through a dynamic flow that is suitable for all levels while listening to Christmas tunes. After the session, join your classmates for a private cocktails and canapés party at Farm Girl. Pre-booking is essential, so make sure to buy your tickets today.
While I would love to feature loads more holiday yoga classes, I have to get back to my other elfy duties. But, since I really just can’t help myself, after the jump you’ll find info on a handful more yoga workshops happening this month.
Earlier today, I shared some Christmas themed origami tutorials inspired by the Holiday Origami Tree in New York City. Since I had paper decorations on my mind, it seemed fitting to feature this fun origami star garland kit. The stars are already folded and arrive packaged in a mason jar with twine and a needle. Simply string the stars together, and you’ll have a lovely strand of garland to hang in your home!
A few years ago, I discovered the Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. That towering Christmas tree stands 13 feet tall and is covered with more than 800 paper models, hand-folded by origami artists from all over the globe! If you live in New York City or are traveling to the Big Apple this winter, stop by the museum to see this magnificent tree. (Click here for hours and directions.) Even if you won’t be in NYC to take a gander at this amazing display, you can make your own origami models at home. I’ve rounded up some videos of various holiday origami projects you can hang on your Christmas tree or display around the house.
Which one will you make first? Let us know in the comments below!
Stamps are so fascinating; they are tiny pieces of art that reflect bits of a country’s culture, as well as the period of time in which they were designed. If you too are a philatelist [person who appreciates and collects stamps], then feast your eyes on this lovely necklace. Made from a 1993 Swedish postage stamp, this festive necklace features a julbock along with the words “God Jul” [Merry Christmas]. It’s a unique and subtle way to add a bit of holiday cheer to your outfit. Also check out necklaces made with a surfing Santa stamp from Australia and a partridge in a pear tree stamp from the USA.
Poverty doesn’t take a holiday. And neither does Upper Valley Haven.
The outstanding folks at Upper Valley Haven have been showing compassion in their Vermont community for more than 35 years. They understand the grief and emotional toil people endure when hard times strike. That’s why they are open 365 days and serve 14,500+ people every year. Watch one family’s story of how the Haven impacted their lives.
As you saw in the video, Upper Valley Haven is so much more than a food shelf. The Haven is also a shelter for those experiencing homelessness, and they provide services that help families get back on their feet. Want to know something else? They never charge for their services! How is this possible? The Haven is sustained entirely by private donations given by generous people like you.
If you’re wondering how you can help, keep reading. There are several ways you can support Upper Valley Haven.
Virtual Food Drive
Donate food online through the Haven’s virtual food drive. You can select the item(s) you want to give, be it cereal, milk, eggs, produce, baby formula, or other items. You can even donate larger gifts, such as food for an entire day in the Food Shelf. And, if you wish to remain anonymous, know that any gift given through the Virtual Food Drive can be given anonymously. Simply click the check box that says “I would like this gift to remain anonymous.”
Custom Holiday Cards
When you purchase holiday cards via Picaboo with code CARDS4CAUSES, you will receive 50% off your cards AND Picaboo will donate 50% of the proceeds to Upper Valley Haven. Sounds great, right? But that’s not all. On the back of your custom cards, there is information about Upper Valley Haven, so whether you’re sending cards to friends, family, or colleagues, you can spread the word about this organization.
Tribute Gifts
Making a donation in someone’s honor is a great way to give a Christmas present to someone who has everything. When you donate to Upper Valley Haven’s virtual food drive or support services, you can elect to give in someone’s honor, memory, or in support of an individual. This holiday season you can gift something that gives twice—once to honored individual and once to the person receiving help from the Haven.
Purchase a Limited Edition Print
If you or someone you know likes to collect art, then you may be interested in this limited edition print by Vermonth artist Sabra Field. The painting displays the warmth of the Haven and has become the company’s logo. You can acquire this art by making a donation to the Haven here.
More Ways to Get Involved
If you live near the Haven and are eager to roll up your sleeves, there are many more ways to help. Here are just a few ideas: organize a food drive, volunteer at a service day (yard work at the Haven), or lead a workshop (teach on a variety of topics such as interviewing, parenting, and more). You could even volunteer at the Vermont Food Bank and “earn” food bank money for Upper Valley Haven. Learn more about volunteering at the Haven here.
