Tonja and the SeaHawks

Tonja and the Seattle SeaHawks

I am an artist by nature, and like to live just outside the box. Many of you know me as a Yoga instructor or possibly from the flower shop Young Flowers that is my home base when I'm not off having an adventure somewhere in this big world. One of the places my yoga career has taken me this year is I am now the Yoga coach for not only the Sounders, fc. but also the SeaHawks ( our pro soccer and american football teams here in Seattle, for those of you not from this continent) and I am pioneering yoga programs for both teams. Anyway. How did i get the jobs? Well, I've never lacked ambition, and I was right time, knew some folks that got my big toe wedged in the door, and I have a handful of wonderful friends that coach me and tell me never to give up. Oh, yeah, and I'm a pretty good Yoga instructor that has worked with a variety of elite athletes in the past.

So, this morning, I found myself at a Business Breakfast for Pete Carroll at the Fairmont Hotel in Seattle. Coach Carroll is the new SeaHawks head coach who is well known for his success as a coach and motivational speaker. There I was, little ole me with my "Lionheart Yoga Training" business badge grasping my lapel, trying to make my way in a packed room of fancy pants business men, to my seat near the stage. Now, mind you, I've never worn "business casual" in my life, let alone been around so many Armani suits and Dior ties. I'm an artist, mountain biker, and traveler, and all my friends are very down to earth, with a rather rough sense of humor. As breakfast was being served, Coach was making his way around the room saying "hi" to the business people he knew, and as he approached a table near mine, I stood up and introduced myself.
" Hi Coach, my name is Tonja, and I don't know if you know this, but I am your new Yoga coach for the SeaHawks!" He was surprised, but didn't miss a beat, and shook my hand telling me all about how wonderful it was that the Fitness trainers were bringing me on board, blah, blah..

I sat back down, and he began his speech followed by a Q&A session. One of the questions asked was, " How do you keep your players in balance and prevent burnout?" To which, Coach Carroll called out my name, " Tonja! were are you in the audience, please stand up!! Everyone, this is the SeaHawks new Yoga Coach, and we are proud to have her on board. This is one of the ways we are keeping our players in balance...."

Little ole me!! Standing up in that huge crowd of fancy business men being introduced by their hero, Coach Carroll!!!

One small step for yoga, and a big step for Big Men in tights!!!

enjoy....

xo, Tonja

My life in Thailand. Story

My life in Thailand. Pictures.

Thai Yoga Specials

Thai Yoga Specials::

Brrrr, it's cold out there!! Treat yourself or a loved one to one of my hour long Thai Yoga Sessions!
Thai yoga is assisted yoga stretching that borrows from yoga, Thai massage and accupressure. It is a unique and deeply relaxing form of yoga that will leave you feeling incredibly blissed out.

Mention that you saw the Special on my Blog, Website or Facebook and get $ 10 off your first session!!!

I am running a special right now that if you buy 2 sessions, the second is only $50 bucks, and if you mention this add, the first one is only $60!!

I give Thai Yoga sessions at Seattle Athletic Club and Yoga on Beacon.
Please contact me on : t.hall43@gmail.com to sign up for your session ! Please also check my website
www.tonjareneehall.com for more information.

Hope you are enjoying your winter,

xo, Tonja

Winter Remedy

Stretch....!
Even though we are having a spell of GORGEOUS weather (get outside,now) Winter in seattle can be a long, dark , dreary affair for most of us. Ugh. This is when we look down at the ground, rain runs down the back of our necks, and we pull our Gortex ever tighter against the wind. Not that I have ever worn Gortex , I have heard that, dispite it's utter lack of fashion, it is an excellent protectant against our blustery weather here in the Northwest.

Wanna stay fit in Winter? Amp up your yoga.

This is an excellent time to turn up the heat and challange yourself to do as many Vinyasa's as you can to release toxins and reve up endorphins that ward against winter blah's and sickness. Also, to stay in standing poses like Warrior or Tree for a longer time to build muscle and mental endurance. Experiment with Hot Yoga or taking a 10 minute dry sauna before your yoga class, and if you stay hydrated, you'll be amazed at the difference.

Turn up the heat by attending one of my weekly classes that are focused on building enternal heat, or sign up for a private Thai Yoga session with me!!
www.tonjareneehall.com

Mondays
Seattle Athletic Club
12 noon Vinyasa / 6pm Power Vinyasa
stay and take advantage of our beautiful saunas!
* fee for non members, tell em you are
my guest.
Tuesdays
Seattle Athletic Club 4:30-5:30pm Power Vinyasa
Rain Fitness 7:30-8:45pm Power Vinyasa
Thursdays
Rain Fitness 7:30-8:45pm Power Vinyasa

Often skin can be dry this time of year, so hear's my momma's recipe (swiped from Sophia Lauren herself) to plump dry winter skin.

Teaspoon of warm honey (local honey if you can)
1/2 teaspoon of fresh olive oil.

mix together for a very hydrating facial mask. If you are brave, slide some of the mixture up your nose that is in desperate need of lubrication during the winter. Leave on for 10 minutes, as you rinse with warm water, breathe a tiny bit of water up your nose and blow forcefully out. Not only is honey an astringent to ward off bacteria, but in combo witht the oil, will prevent winter chapping.
Apply daily moisturizer as usual, and walk outside with a smile.

I hope you all are having a great Winter,
and stay tuned for my spring/summer
workshop schedual!!

xo, Tonja
www.tonjareneehall.com

Happy Valentines Week!!

What a perfect week to treat a loved one or friend to one of my Thai Yoga sessions!!
$50 bucks for the second session!!
now THAT'S a Valentine!
Thai yoga includes passive yoga stretching, accupressure, and deep joint manipulation for maximum in relaxation, mobility,toxin release and plain ole feel good!
Please check out my Thai Yoga specials on
www.tonjareneehall.com

If you missed my Thai Yoga Workshop this weekend at Snowcreek Dance and Yoga Studio in Leavenworth, Wa. you have another chance in June to spend the weekend in the lovely Leavenworth valley deeping your yoga practice and enjoying the beauty of Eastern Washington. Stay tuned for details!

xo, Tonja

Reminder: Yoga Workshop this SATURDAY at Snowcreek Yoga and Dance in Leavenworth, Wa.

Hey Yoga Nation:
Just a quick reminder I am teaching a Yoga workshop this Saturday at Snowcreek Yoga and Dance in Leavenworth, and there is still space to sign up!! I am very excited to share what I've been absorbing this year in my own yoga training from my trip to Croatia and recent work with the Sounders. I also have lots of goodies in our Thai Yoga class, so you and a friend can practice the basic Thai Yoga poses with some fun surprises !!

please check my website www.tonjareneehall.com
or the blog post just previous to this one for info.

See you there!

Tonja