Happy New Year!! 2010 will ROCK!!

Happy Holidays!!!

I hope you all were able to get out and play with your new toys!!

Wow, what a sunny and beautiful end to an intense and challanging year. I am expecting 2010 to ROCK!

I am teaching the "hangover" yoga class, Jan. 1, at Seattle Athletic Club from 10-11:30. ALL are welcome, and if you are a non SaC member, tell them you are my guest and slip 'em a $ 5er.

It's an all levels power Vinyasa class and will challange all practicioners. Please bring pen/paper for a 2010 Goal setting practice at the end of class!

Let's hear it for some awesome unexpected surprises in 2010!!!

Winter Thai Yoga Massage and Vinyasa Workshop with Tonja Renee Hall
February 6, 2010 at Rivendell SnowCreek Dance and Yoga Studio

We welcome Tonja back for her second workshop in the lovely Levenworth valley!! She recently returned from a 3 month Yoga Tour throughout Croatia (http://tonjasyogatour.blogspot.com). Tonja is an Ambassador for Lululemon Athletica in Seattle,(www.lululemon.com Pacific Place Store) and currently teaches at Seattle Athletic Club and is the Yoga trainer for the Seattle Sounders. She is an avid cyclist, traveler, horsewoman and artist. Please join Tonja for a full Saturday of Yoga.

10:00-11:30am Vinyasa Power Yoga Class $10

Tonja teaches a high energy power yoga style class that will challange any level of practicioner. She mixes her fun sense of humor with a physically demanding class that will have you sweating and laughing. Please come dressed for yoga, well hydrated and on a light stomach. All levels welcome, some yoga experience recommended.

1:00pm-3:30pm Thai Yoga Massage $ 35 per person

Thai yoga is a partner assisted yoga class, so please come with a friend! Tonja had the privilege of living and teaching yoga in Bangkok, Thailand 2003-05, and brings her knowlege of yoga and Thai massage to this workshop. Thai massage is called "passive" yoga and is used extensivly as a type of sports massage, with elements of accupressure. NO experience required. If you joined us last summer for the first Thai Yoga session, expect to expand on your skills and take home some new ways to impress and relax your friends!! This class includes a short yoga session, Thai massage and partner yoga . Wear comfortable gym style clothing, long pants and a long sleeve top to put on for massage session. Come on a light stomach, and bring water and prepare to relax!

If you sign up before February 1, receive $ 5.00 off price of all day workshop.

Please sign up with Nadege Margaria on: margaria_nadege@yahoo.fr
509-888-0284 ** Cash and Checks ONLY

Rivendell is located at SnowCreek Dance and Yoga Studio 210 Division St. Levenworth, wa.

For questions please contact Tonja on: t.hall43@gmail.com or
www.tonjareneehall.com

Thank you for joining us, and Happy Winter!!!

Pics from my Yoga Tour, Croatia 2009

should i stay or go??

Nov. 2, 2009

Should I stay or should I go now.
The moment I set foot in Zagreb from Lika, I felt free.

Not only free from the challenge of living at the Centre and isolation of farm life, but like I was free to start all over in my life. The delete button had been pushed while I was on the train. I think subconsciously, I went to the Centre to purge the remnants of grief and pain that I was still clinging to from a huge heartbreak last year.

As soon as I hit the streets in Zagreb, I new my luck had changed for great. I even knew the right sarcastic quip to stun the punk ass kids who were harassing me for dragging my bike box. They called out, I called back with something funny and cutting, and they laughed, I laughed, and it’s all going to be fine.

Zagreb has all you could ever want from a big, cosmopolitan city, but only one million people, and the subtle coolness of ex Eastern Block mentality. It is like a manageable New York with all the style, quick pace and cultural infusion. It is a beauty culture and café society, so at noon and five, choose your seat at one of the multitude of outdoor cafes, and watch the promenade.

I love it here. I can’t tell you why, because I have always been drawn to Latin countries. But this place resonates with me deeply, I like there subtle harshness for some reason. I am finding it easy to meet like minded people who share my love of outdoors, and the yoga community is fresh, small and inspiring. I have decided to stay as long as I can.

Doors are opening for me, and I don’t have to struggle. My new friends have overwhelmed me with graciousness. I have been offered classes at Divya (www.yogazagreb.com) and more workshops, my new yoga teacher friend Danijel (www.ashtanga.hr) is helping me teach and supporting me in so many ways to make my experience here incredible. Marija from Linden is helping also, (www.lindenretreat.com) I have been offered cell phones to borrow, free places to stay, and jobs to contact, biking buddies, running groups. Hrvoje and his mates take me rock-climbing, and his band practice. I am utterly overwhelmed with everyone’s generosity, and real desire to help in any way they can to make my stay so pleasant.

I have decided to stay another month. And in that time not only will I continue my workshop and yoga teaching schedule, but look for a more permanent job. I checked with the American Embassy and there is a bunch of paper work, temp immigration and blah,blah stuff that will be about $500 USD to start. That.s when I got my first wave of fear, and alone-ness. Can I do this, with no money, leaving my friends and my fancy shoe collection?? So scary to step out on your own. Someone once told me to do something once a day that scares the shit out of you. I did my part for today.

I will give it a month of working to put things together, and watching to see what unfolds and which doors keep opening if I am supposed to stay….

The time feels right to follow my heart….
Wish me luck!!

Xo, Tonja

What goes up must come down....

What goes Up must come Down….

Isn’t that just simply the darned law around?

Being a person that is easily addicted to fun and pleasure and the “do it again, ‘come on!” skoool of life, it is always such a tough thing when not everything is, like, fun and goin’my way.

I am sure that no one else can relate.

But, the equal and opposite law is in fact true, what goes Down must also come Up!!! Love that ole Law of Attraction.

So, as much as I appreciated the Centre’s experience for what it turned out to be, it was high time for me to skeee daddle and fly sola.

My good friends Laura and Steffen had just left, and that punctuated my desire to pack up and hit da rode for Zagreb to re unite with the little yoga community at Divya (www.divyayoga.com) and my new friends Sandra and Petra. And also stay with my hostess Katrina and her daughter who have so graciously offered there home to me.

I had also picked up some other new friends along the way too. Namely Hiroe and Lovero, rock-climbing, ex-mad chemist and meteorologist respectively, divinely handsome, hilarious and good company. Danijel, so ruggedly good- looking I want to applause, new friend and devoted yoga teacher, AND the Croatian Special Forces special rock-climbing force. More on these later….

Fall is turning to a riot of blazing colours in the Velebit Mountains, where I spent some of my most favourite days in Croatia, aboard Attilla the horse, tromping the hills with Medoh the dog. We have been the three musketeers companions, the horse, dog and me. The air is crisp like cool spring water, and the sky a sharp clear blue, further illuminating the blaze of colour in the Hills.

Anyone who loves nature would love it here, and in a few years once Linden Retreat completes its vision, it will be a lovely, restful retreat .

Now Zagreb is home base and also the Capital city of Croatia. Croatians are a very tall, refined and very handsome race of folks. Zagreb is cosmopolitan, and everything that you could want from a large city is here. Museums, art, theatre, dance, music, and cafes. I haven’t experienced the nightlife yet, but I am sure they have enough to keep a girl busy. Unfortunately, everyone smokes everywhere, and that makes me gag, but oh well, this is Europe. There are also excellent Ex-Pat groups like the Hash House Harriers running group (www.hashhouseharriers.com/croatia) and various café Meet Ups for different countries. I could be quite happy here I think if anyone offered me a contract. Anyone???

So, here’s where the Croatian Special Forces come in.

Hrvoje ( hero-way) and Luvero (Luv er oh) invite me to go rock climbing with them in Rijeka. If you haven’t heard, the mountains are incredible right now, and this region is known for its great climbing rock. As we approached the base of the Climb, two army jeeps roll up, and out pile the most fit, handsome young army men I have seen in a while. Not that I hang around bases much, but believe me, if you’ve been on a farm for a month and the best thing in town is a nearly blind, 65 year old farmer and his nearly blind horse, you are pretty stoked to see some rugged young men. Turns out, they were climbing for Special Forces training, and were delighted to entertain a nice young lady. I thought I had died and gone to Man Heaven. I’m not exactly sure if H and L were so excited about the Men as me, but at the end of the day I could have had 5 new boy friends and we all had a good laugh.

Ok, so my dad took me rock climbing a few times when I was young, but I am terrified of heights. I don’t know if it was the day, but, I had such a great climbing experience, I am hooked!!

Yoga really helps climbers, and now I can vouch for that first hand!!

I am teaching class at Divya where the girls have asked me to teach some classes for them in the next few weeks. I am absolutely delighted, and I am also giving Thai Massage at the studio as well.

Danijel, local Ashtanga yogi and teacher is taking me on a Hash run tomorrow and to practice some Acro Yoga. He and Marija will assist me in my next workshop in Rijeka November 7th at the Ashtanga studio (www.ashtanga.hr)

I almost have a schedual now!!!

Heads up next time for a Yoga Review as I see it in Croatia……you will be delighted and amazed….plus, a glowing review for Lululemon clothing, which I am an Ambassador for. There travel backpack that is laptop friendly is all you really need on your Euro Holiday

Xo,

Tonja

Tonja and the Pirate, tales from a gypsy yogi and her bike.

They always say, when you stop searching, you find what you’ve been looking for.

A Pirate.

Not just any Pirate, mind you. A swashbuckling, Johnny Depp look alike, complete with sparkly bandana, baggy trousers, boots, and weather worn face---Pirate.

My story starts innocently enough.

After a very successful Yoga workshop in Dubrovnik, the ancient walled city in southern Croatia, I had a week before my next gig in Zagreb.
They all say head to the Islands when in Croatia, so, panniers packed on my bike, I set out on the next ferry to Mljet, a jewel like island about two hours Northwest from Dubrovnik by boat.

Mljet is known for its natural beauty, secret coves, clear turquoise waters, lush forests and clean empty beaches. I felt like I was on the movie set for Blue Lagoon, it was so beautiful. The humid warm air and foliage also reminded me of islands I have visited in Thailand, so I felt like I was really having a double holiday.

I spent a blissful day, hiking the trails in the National Park that was near my accommodation.

That evening I decided to treat myself to dinner, and as I was settling in with my first glass of wine, when a French woman about my age, who seemed to be travelling alone, appeared in the deserted restaurant. I invited her to join me.

Alex turned out to be fantastic company. She is an artist and Marine archaeologist who dives on Wrecks for a living. She dives, tracks the eco sustainability of the wreck, then in her spare time, between sailing around the world, and her horse in France, draws the old wrecks in pen and ink. Sounds a little like someone else’s life I know. Physically she is very similar to me, and we both were delighted to find each, kindred spirits with a similar Esprit de Vie.

She was just inviting me to visit the boat, when in saunters her most unusual and captivating co-worker, the Pirate.

Enter, Oliver. French Pirate Extraordinaire.

He was a perfect storybook Pirate, and all that was missing was a slight “arggh” and the damn feather in his hat. Now, I have attracted some very interesting characters in my story of men, a Cowboy, a brilliant Iconoclast that was fond of wearing my dresses, Rock stars, Black Giants, Russian Circus Freaks, and men with all manor of piercing, tattoo’s and alternative lifestyles, but I never ever thought I would meet a Pirate.

Not only is he a Pirate, but also Oliver designed, built and currently travels with the research ship wherever it goes. Absolutely charming, and a bit mumble in that Depp Pirate way, he bought us dinner and drinks, and soon a suggestion of me hitching a ride back to Dubrovnik on there boat circulated.

Now, as fun as a sailboat ride might sound I do need to tell you that boats et moi don’t mix. I have a very weak stomach for rollercoaster rides that don’t have a saddle and four hooves.

But, never one to turn down adventure with a Pirate, I conceded.

The next morning, we set sail.

Bike firmly ensconced in the Cargo Load, and Directions given in French to the crew (I guess that some how included me) in case of mishap, we were off.
How wonderful to stand at the bow of a sailboat, feeling the breeze brush my face, and the mist from the Adriatic blow through my hair. But as we left the safety of the Island Archepegalego, the wind started to pick up, clouds loomed overhead, and sea turned bruise blue.

Suddenly, with a loud “crack” the sky opened up and the waves swelled in great valley’s to meet the deluge. It was in a moment total chaos. The wind was so strong we had to hang on to the ropes as the waves crashed over the bow of the boat. The sea became like a giant rollercoaster set on the devil’s course, careening and bucking in all manor straight to hell.

I wanted to die.

All I could do was hang on to the side of the boat, and let my guts try and come out my mouth as the waves spit and sprayed over me. I have never been so sick, miserable and soaked in my life. The worst part is, there is no way off this ride. I started to conculate, which would be worse, die in the boat being sick, or dying trying to swim to the distant islands that seemed like a dream away.

Finally, four hours later, we entered the Dubrovnik Harbour, and like nothing had ever happened, the Sea immediately went calm. I just lay down on the deck and started crying.

So much for impressing the Pirate.

I couldn’t unload my bike fast enough and get on that damn boat. They were so sweet and offered to talk me for dinner, but since I could hardly stand, I declined. Plus, I had a bus to catch for a 10 hour over night bus back to Zagreb.

I thought, how the hell am I ever going to teach a weekend workshop the very next day in my condition. It was the biggest workshop we had planned, at a beautiful modern Studio in Zagreb, and where I had the biggest chance of making some really great contacts.

Fortunately the body is resilient, and the Yoga body is extremely resilient, and our workshop at Divya Studio went without a hitch.

Sandra and Petra, owners of Divya, are incredible, wonderful teachers, very grounded and focused yogis and professional hostesses. They made our workshop so easy in their beautiful space. All the workshop attendee’s were familure with Ashtanga, the style practiced in Croatia, which made my job teaching Vinyasa Style so easy.

They loved the partner/Thai massage yoga and we were invited back anytime. I am wishing that at every place in Croatia, I had booked the Studio for a week of classes because the reception of my teaching has been so wonderful. Next tour.

I now have two and half more weeks in Croatia, and frankly I am ready to come home. The yoga at the Retreat Center in Linden never got off the ground, because they weren’t clear that there was actually no usable studio and it is a work in progress. They were not ready for me. The weather has turned cold winter, making cycle touring very difficult. I am learning that I need to set up my classes with not too much space in-between, and stick to either Yoga or Cycling. Both has been exhausting and somewhat of a hassle. Next bike tour, I do with a group in a country that is really set up for cycling. I have met some incredible people, and made some great contacts, and if they paid me handsomely, I would definitely come back and teach at a retreat on one of the Islands. The next time I travel, it will be for a specific purpose, for a class or to learn the language, or to be set up in one location. I don’t need to wander like a gypsy anymore. I am ready to re unite with my community and create a home with lots of color, laughter, warmth, openness, artistic and creative intellectual thought, hugs, and always something delicious on the stove or in the pantry to eat or drink when people come to visit.

I am very very tired and ready to come home, snuggle in my favourite warm coat, take a walk in the Northwest woods, and hug my friends!!

Dubrovnik, Croatia, just do it....

Yoga Nation, Bike Peeps

Ok, if you are in Croatia or anywhere near by, high tail yer tail to Dubrovnik.I am serious. Dubrovnik begain in the 12th century as an important port in the Mediterranean, and as the most fortified walled city in Croatia that until the Balkan wars in the 90's was never breached. It's wealth, diplomatic politics helped art,science, and literature to flourish. It has the oldest known pharmacy. Artists and thinkers of the time flocked to it's protective and peaceful walls. It is still the bigest art center and region of forward thought in Croatia that tends, like all cultures to hang on to tried and true.

Unfortunately, in 1667, D. was nearly destroyed to rubble from a deadly earthquake that killed 5000 folks and destroyed most of its Renaissance art and architecture. Then Napoleon and his boys rolled through, in 1806, made it part of the Austro-Hungarian empire, and it was down hill for ole D-town from there on out for awhile.

Dubrovnik limped back to high life as a Tourist spot of Europe, and it flourished once again.

As things often go,you have a dream, and someone comes along and smashes it to smithereens and you have to rebuild again. Because you can never give up. Enter, the Serb/Bos/Croat wars of the 90's. I ain't sayin who's fault it was, but the Serbs bombed the shizzznit outta ole D-Town once again.

Ok, what does all this have to do with a gypsy Yoga Teacher and Cyclist?? Welp, now-ish times, Dubrovnik is back on it's feet again after 10 years of war, and it is hands down my very fav. place I've been my whole trip in Croatia.

It is an ancient city, but with a heep o culture and i was so relieved to finally get a mani/pedi after a month on the farm and bike touring. You can take a girl outta the city, but you'll never take the vain outta her!!

Plus, this was the first of Marija and my big weekend Yoga workshops, and we were met with great success in Dubrovnik!! The space at Lazette Art Center is an art collective, rehersal space, and studio's for visiting artists that is funded by the Gov. Let me say that again. A 12th Century ART CENTER that is FUNDED by the g.d. GOV!!!... Hello!!!

Our yoga space was gorgeous on the top floor with the window's over looking the Adriatic Sea. All the students were so excited to have us, and as far as I can tell, I am the very first visiting Yoga Instructor from the States!!! Pretty cool, huh!

They don't have much yoga here, and were so hungry for new info.

I am very pleased with our first effort, and looking forward to our next weekend workshop that starts on the 23rd at Divya (www.divyayoga.com) in Zagreb.

The cycling comes in here.

The winter has started suddenly, early and coldly. I planned to island hop back to Split, then catch the Train to Zagreb, but looks like that is going to be difficult on a few levels. In the summer, the ferry's are plentiful, but winter, it's like twice a week. Plus, i have been facing a lot of resistance to put my bike on public transport, and the ferry schedual warns that bikes go on ONLY at the Cap's ok, and his price.

So, Marija's folks, who live in D. have graciously offered me to stay til i need to take the bus up to Zagreb, so i can do day trips.I hate halting my bike tour, but sometimes you have to say, "Stranja" (shit happens)

Chao, Bella's.....i'll have some pretty pics next time I am near my computer,

Tonja

a few photo's of my goofy fellow workers at Linden.

Steffen doing his version of "up dog"

our New Zealanders, Laura and Michael

our yoga studio. living room/kitchen with the chairs pushed aside

home, sweet home.

Have yoga mat and bicycle, will tour for food.

Well, like so many plans in life, not all goes exactly as you’d planned or imagined it. Especially teaching Yoga in a country where the concept of yoga is like a weird exercise their granola-eating neighbours friends of friends do. And also, not all goes as planned as a cycle tourist either

So, some days one must start with a tall espresso, and a shot of Jack Daniels.

A quick catch up. I have been touring by bike and teaching yoga in Croatia for the past month as a 3 month yoga workshop tour I have been invited on. For most of the past month I have been living at a Retreat Center that had originally “hired” me to help develop there yoga and Thai massage program for staff and guests.

What was failed to be mentioned or perhaps slipped through the cracks in my mind is that actually the Center is still being developed, and is a working farm. Like, the Yoga Studio that leaks is being used as a hay barn, the lodging I am sleeping in is the guest tepee, and every time there is a guest I have to clean it and move to the couch or cram in with other workers, and since I am also a horsewoman and the best rider, I am also the best poop scooper.

Alas.

The first week I spent a lot of time grumbling in my head and wondering what the hell I was doing here wasting my time. But, once I let go of what I thought my trip would look like, and started going with the flow, it’s been just fine. I get to ride everyday, teach yoga in the living room with the chairs pushed aside, and am quickly making life long friends with my two other long-term workers, Steffen and Laura. German and New Zealander respectively.

We are laughing all the time. Even the some what demanding workload and the creatively driven but sometimes challenging director, seem light because the company is so good.

So far, the guests at the Center have been few and my payment has been great food, company and warmth.

So, nearly a month has passed, and I am restless, and need to ride my bike and meet some of the Yoga Studio’s where I will teach at the end of the month.

Panniers packed, yoga mat and snacks and I am off.

I first visit the Ashtanga yoga studio in Rijeka where I will teach a workshop at the end of the month and get the lay o the land. These people were so warm and welcoming, I immediately felt at home. Benedikt, the owner and teacher are amazing. Powerful teacher, and well loved by his students. His other yoga teacher from LA invited me to stay with she and her flat mates in the US Embassy apartment where they live. She is a dancer, choreographer, masseuse and yoga instructor on contract with the Embassy to help bring cultural events to Croatia. How do you get that job!!

Then down the Coastal route of Istra, northwest of Croatia. Some call this region the New Tuscany. It looks so similar to Italy, beautiful Mediterranean climate, red soil, olive trees, and vineyards. Beautiful.

The only problem is, someone told me Istra is flat. If they had ever gotten out of the car, perhaps they would have discovered Istra is anything but flat, especially when I am carrying my house on my back. Then, trucks, buses, BMW’s that are stacking up behind, give a friendly blare of the horn, just two inches from me ear. I nearly dove off a cliff a few times from fright. And there is no road shoulder. Talk about Yogic breathing!

I decided the major roads in the mountains were not safe for me to ride so, I decided to bus it from city to city, and ride in the local area. You wouldn’t believe how much head shaking, bribing and tusking and rolling of eyes I got from the bus drivers to load my bike at the very bottom of the bus cargo. I am used to cycling in countries where you can put your bike on anything and folks help. Here, I meet resistance. The worst day, was of course the last day of my week tour, dead tired, panniers extra heavy, lonely, pouring rain, slogging for hours up a mountain to catch the only bus that day back to civilization, and plus started my fucking period. At the top of the mountain just before the bus stop, I did what any grown woman would have done. Started bawling, of course. Then, to cap it, the bus driver actually kicked my bike to emphasis the fact that no way was he putting my bike on the bus, because there was a little road grime on it.

Time for an espresso and whiskey.

Stay tuned…. more stories from the road as I start my Yoga teaching tour for real. First stop, the ancient walled city of Dubrovnik, then the capital, Zagreb and finally Rijeka. I am excited to finally start teaching!!!

One way ticket to Croatia, and a bottle of Wrinkle Cream.

It all started with my Croatian friend, and fellow Yoga Teacher, Marija , casually mentioning the Retreat Center she and here husband had just bought in the Gospic region of Croatia. Linden Tree Retreat Center. " Ya, shurrrr" she purred with her beautiful Croatian accent. " We would love you come out and help us develop the Yoga and Thai Massage program. It is already a 'horse adventure tour' retreat and we wants the Yoga."

Oh, and bring my bike.

There is Mountain Biking. You may as well set a Choc-o-holic loose in Godiva chocolates, for how excited i am!! Horses, Yoga , biking, home made beer???

Nummer's Duhhh!!!

That seed began the last 8 months of planning, saving and support gathering. Of course, Lululemon was on board right away , with blog and post pics of my trip for there website. Then Marija and i started getting offers to teach Workshops in Studio's and Women's centers around Croatia. Yoga is big in Zagreb , the Capital City, but in the smaller cities, it is a new concept. So, in some places, we are like on a ReCon mission, spreadin' the goodness !

But, before i go to Europe, I am going to the Bay Area for my sisters wedding, Sept. 12th. My little sis (42 years) finally tying the knot. I am also a Florist , and doing her flowers and acting Maid of Honor. We were having a family engagement party two months ago, and congratulations were going around for Gina and Norm on there engagement, and also that they are buying my folks house, and being gifted a work truck for construction. To add to her bounty, my dad generates a heirloom diamond ring, that has been in the family that none of us new about. Of course she cried and Norm breathed a sigh of relief that he didn't have to fork out for the wedding ring. And my mom, bless her heart, in an attempt to balance the evening for me, produces a makeup sized bag and says, " Tonja, we'd like to help you with your ticket to Croatia, and we have another gift." and hands me the bag. Thinking there might be a bauble in it for me, i eagerly open it, and it is filled with wrinkle cream!!! " Oh my GAWD, mom, you are kidding , Right??? Gina get's the man , house, car and i get a one way ticket to Croatia and WRINKLE CREAM???"

Thus, is the glamorous and exotic life of an Adventure Yogi.

Stay tuned.....

Tonja Yoga Tour--Final countdown

My first blog, good lawzz, i am so Urban Amish!!! I am getting ready to hit the road again on Yoga Tour 2009. This time, destination, Croatia!! I have been invited to teach in Croatia by Linden Tree Retreat Center. They have set up other workshops for me to teach in Zagreb , Dubrovnic and Split. I am getting so excited!

Packing up my house for my sublet, don't forget to pack my Lululemon yoga clothes  chocolate, bike, passport and i'm ready !!

Has anyone ever cycled in Croatia?? I'd love your stories or advice.

I invite you to "friend" me on Facebook, on Tonja Renee Hall to keep up with my trip or check my website, www.tonjareneehall.com or blog http//tonjasyogatour.com. Blog info on Facebook.

Have a great week!!

xo, Tonja