For the first day of yoga gifts my true self gave to me… It’s tough to find time for yourself during the holiday season. Much of our energy is directed externally: gifts for others, parties, family, planning how to fit it all in and stay festive in the process. Yoga class? What a gift that [...]

Fall has arrived. It often feels more like a new beginning than New Year’s: that lovely chill in the air, back-to-school time, settling down from summer. It also usually means a big shift in daily schedules, which always takes some getting used to. As you acclimate to the changing of the seasons and all the [...]

How many times has this happened to you: you’re laying in bed hoping to get to sleep, but the more you fret about the sleep you need, the more elusive it becomes. Many times when we get our bodies into bed, they somehow miss the cue, or get mixed signals from our still-racing-like-it-was-midday minds. Also, [...]

Travel yoga has been on my mind lately. Late last year, my family and I temporarily relocated from Montana to London, UK. After getting ourselves settled, my yoga practice also settled into a spectacular daily routine as I took advantage of what the London yoga scene has to offer. But the month-long school holiday for [...]

by Margaret Burns Vap, Big Sky Yoga Retreats | Ever feel like you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders? Well, your head does weigh about as much as a bowling ball. And unfortunately, our neck and shoulders are on the body’s frontlines for the battle against stress. Fortunately, it’s a relatively easy area to access and release on your own with some simple yoga asanas that you can do almost anywhere…

by Margaret Burns Vap, Big Sky Yoga Retreats | One of my first yoga teachers called the hips “the attic of the body.” Like the attic with its forgotten clutter, we frequently forget about the tension in our hips. Hip tension caused by too much sitting, and even by being active if you’re a runner or cyclist, can lead to low back pain and physical and emotional stagnation…

by Margaret Burns Vap, Big Sky Yoga Retreats | Summer’s in full swing, and while that means lots of good things, it can also feel a little too hot sometimes. Most of us love the chance to get outdoors more often to enjoy warmer temps and longer days, but too much heat and humidity can feel oppressive…

by Margaret Burns Vap, Big Sky Yoga Retreats | It’s a bit amusing what some people imagine Cowgirl Yoga to be when they first hear of it: visions of handstands in the saddle, hanging upside down off the horse, or wild arm balances at the gallop all seem to dance through their heads. The reality is, riding and yoga are separate practices on the physical level…

by Margaret Burns Vap, Big Sky Yoga Retreats | I know some of you out there aren’t yoginis. You’d rather lace up your running shoes, hop on your bike, or do whatever other activity calls your name. I know your type well, and I must admit to having a part in bringing many of you to the yoga mat — even if it’s just for a few poses — because my philosophy is that yoga helps you do anything better, and it’s my mission to prove it. This is my attempt to get you to sprinkle some yoga into your workout, the quick and easy way…