Yoga Mom
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
A Quick Tidbit on Pure Inspiration
Have you checked out Pinterest.com? It is an Online, shared pin board; an incredible way to organize and keep track of recipes and fun projects for your children. It is pure inspiration, dreaminess, creativity, and is rather addicting. Look me up on there (Val Illg). I have an enticing collection if I do say so myself.
Excuse a Mwa
Pardon my absence! My excuse...three weeks of non-stop watching my rambunctious two-year old son, Sage, while moving into a new home in the dead of Winter (with not as much help as needed), and starting school full-time in Denver (live In Boulder)...lame, I know. Just kidding. I think it is a pretty damn good excuse for not being able to post a blog. But no more excuses from here on out! You will be hearing from me much more often these days. So please stop by!
Once again, I am networking and outreaching with my main medium being the Internet. The SHORT-please contact me, so I can put you - yes you! - on a list of interested volunteers and/or participants, a.k.a, single mamas, dads,or other primary, solo parents who want free yoga. The more folks on my list, the more support I receive to get her rolling. Now read ahead if you want the LONG (more beneficial for the project, if ya have the time:)
Any single mamas in the Boulder/Denver area want a free yoga class with free, yes free!, childcare? We are starting an exiting and much needed project to nourish single mamas with the relaxing and restoring practice of yoga. We need single mamas to let us know they want this service! Actually, we need a long list of of interested mamas to receive the help we need to get this rolling. Please email me to let me know you are interested and to receive more information about our up-coming classes. You will be placed on our email list with minimal emails and no email sharing.
If time allows please answer the following questions in your email. Does Friday night from 5:30 -6:30 PM, followed by dinner 6:30 - 7ish work for you? If not, what is your ideal time and date? How many children do you have, and their ages? Any special needs? Any food allergies or special dietary restrictions/preferences? Do you have your own means of transportation or rely on the bus? Thanks! Email - valovesage@gmail.com
Please check out: http://yogaforsinglemoms.com/ We will be a pilot of their Boston based non-profit eventually. Our own web site coming soon. For now check out my blog:http://nourishmentforsinglemamas.blogspot.com/.
We are seeking the following volunteer positions (there will be paid, positions once we expand into an official non-profit:) We are starting up as an all volunteer/ heart sponsored project!
Yoga Instructors - Commitment of at least one class per month please. Perfect for a new instructor! Also, we can help spread the word & market your yoga business. You are invited to our weekly dinner afterwards, & you may use our childcare during your class.
YogaKids Coordinator - We greatly need a dedicated person willing to coordinate the childcare volunteers for our weekly yoga class - very important. You will be aiming for a 1:4 adult/child ratio, possibly more or less depending on the age levels. If interested, you are encouraged to plan a simple activity for the children. Free scholarship to a Family Children's Yoga training possible in the future. 1-3 hrs. per week commitment. You are invited to our weekly dinner & to join in on our free yoga classes.
YogaKids Volunteers - Love kids? Feel free to bring your own. Commitment of at least one class per month please. There will be simple, voluntary yoga for kids exercises and story themes provided. You are invited to the dinner afterwards, and a free yoga class per month for every three hours of service. All volunteers will be invited to our Bi-Annual Volunteer Appreciation Events...TBA
Nourishment Coordinator- Love to share your passion for cooking and community building projectswant? We are seeking a cook to plan, and then to guide the Nourishment Volunteers to cook for the weekly dinner shared after the yoga class. We would love to have a simple, Vegetarian meal served such as pizza, soup, tacos, etc...using natural & whole foods along with healthy cooking methods. A mama version (flavor!)and a picky eaters' version (bland, mainly for kiddos) would be greatly appreciated. And the food must be low-allergen - gluten-free, possibly dairy free (cheese on the side), no nuts, especially peanuts - a creativity challenge! You will not have to clean-up afterwards:) 2-3 hours per week commitment. You are invited to our weekly dinner, of course, & to join in on our free yoga classes!
Nourishment Volunteers - Are you a supporter of community and a lover of cooking? Cook with a team of volunteers to give single mamas a much needed night off! There is no commitment other than the meal you sign-up for (and some clean-up with help:) You are invited to the dinner afterwards, of course, and a free yoga class for every three hours of service. All volunteers will be invited to our Bi-Annual Volunteer Appreciation Events...TBA
Share the Love Coordinator - Unleash your innovation for Outreach & promotion. Coordinate ShareLove Volunteers to assist you in promoting the project and find single mamas to join our program. 1-2 hrs. a week commitment. You are invited to our weekly dinner & to join in on our free yoga classes!
Share the Love Volunteers - Unleash your innovation for Outreach & promotion. There is no Commitment other than following through on the work you sign up for. One free yoga class & dinner per month for every three hours of service! All volunteers will be invited to our Bi-Annual Volunteer Appreciation Events...TBA
Creativity Coordinator - Develop and implement creative ways to raise money for the project (especially for the dinners!) and enhance the overall program. Seek and organize Creative Volunteers to aid your efforts. 1-3 hr. a week commitment. You are invited to our weekly dinner & to join in on our free yoga classes!
Creativity Volunteers - Develop and implement creative ways to raise money for the project. There is no Commitment other than following through on the work you sign up for. One free yoga class & dinner per month for every three hours of service! And all volunteers will be invited to our Bi-Annual Volunteer Appreciation Events...TBA
Seva Outreach Coordinator - Seva means "service" in Sanskrit. Inspire others to practice seva by volunteering with our project. Outreach for volunteers within communities of interest (yoga, spiritual groups, students, etc...) and by representing this project at events. Become the contact point for all potential volunteers to let them know about existing opportunities for service and to connect them with the Coordinators. 1-2 hr. a week commitment. You are invited to our weekly dinner & to join in on our free yoga classes!
Seva Outreach Volunteers - Simply put, you help spread the love of seva for our project by helping the Seva Coordinator outreach for volunteers and represent the project at events. One free yoga class & dinner per month for every three hours of service! And all volunteers will be invited to our Bi-Annual Volunteer Appreciation Events...TBA
Website Designer/Virtual Helper - We need help with some basic online work and website development and maintenance. 1 hr. or less a week of commitment. One free yoga class & dinner per month for every three hours of service! And all volunteers will be invited to our Bi-Annual Volunteer Appreciation Events...TBA
Note: All Coordinators must be able to meet together once a month & have internet access.
Interested? Want more info? Have questions?
Email: valovesage@gmail.com
Much Appreciation to All Interested in Co-Creating a Supportive Community for Single Mamas and their Children, From My Radiating, Grateful Mama Heart to yours,
Val
Once again, I am networking and outreaching with my main medium being the Internet. The SHORT-please contact me, so I can put you - yes you! - on a list of interested volunteers and/or participants, a.k.a, single mamas, dads,or other primary, solo parents who want free yoga. The more folks on my list, the more support I receive to get her rolling. Now read ahead if you want the LONG (more beneficial for the project, if ya have the time:)
Any single mamas in the Boulder/Denver area want a free yoga class with free, yes free!, childcare? We are starting an exiting and much needed project to nourish single mamas with the relaxing and restoring practice of yoga. We need single mamas to let us know they want this service! Actually, we need a long list of of interested mamas to receive the help we need to get this rolling. Please email me to let me know you are interested and to receive more information about our up-coming classes. You will be placed on our email list with minimal emails and no email sharing.
If time allows please answer the following questions in your email. Does Friday night from 5:30 -6:30 PM, followed by dinner 6:30 - 7ish work for you? If not, what is your ideal time and date? How many children do you have, and their ages? Any special needs? Any food allergies or special dietary restrictions/preferences? Do you have your own means of transportation or rely on the bus? Thanks! Email - valovesage@gmail.com
Please check out: http://yogaforsinglemoms.com/ We will be a pilot of their Boston based non-profit eventually. Our own web site coming soon. For now check out my blog:http://nourishmentforsinglemamas.blogspot.com/.
We are seeking the following volunteer positions (there will be paid, positions once we expand into an official non-profit:) We are starting up as an all volunteer/ heart sponsored project!
Yoga Instructors - Commitment of at least one class per month please. Perfect for a new instructor! Also, we can help spread the word & market your yoga business. You are invited to our weekly dinner afterwards, & you may use our childcare during your class.
YogaKids Coordinator - We greatly need a dedicated person willing to coordinate the childcare volunteers for our weekly yoga class - very important. You will be aiming for a 1:4 adult/child ratio, possibly more or less depending on the age levels. If interested, you are encouraged to plan a simple activity for the children. Free scholarship to a Family Children's Yoga training possible in the future. 1-3 hrs. per week commitment. You are invited to our weekly dinner & to join in on our free yoga classes.
YogaKids Volunteers - Love kids? Feel free to bring your own. Commitment of at least one class per month please. There will be simple, voluntary yoga for kids exercises and story themes provided. You are invited to the dinner afterwards, and a free yoga class per month for every three hours of service. All volunteers will be invited to our Bi-Annual Volunteer Appreciation Events...TBA
Nourishment Coordinator- Love to share your passion for cooking and community building projectswant? We are seeking a cook to plan, and then to guide the Nourishment Volunteers to cook for the weekly dinner shared after the yoga class. We would love to have a simple, Vegetarian meal served such as pizza, soup, tacos, etc...using natural & whole foods along with healthy cooking methods. A mama version (flavor!)and a picky eaters' version (bland, mainly for kiddos) would be greatly appreciated. And the food must be low-allergen - gluten-free, possibly dairy free (cheese on the side), no nuts, especially peanuts - a creativity challenge! You will not have to clean-up afterwards:) 2-3 hours per week commitment. You are invited to our weekly dinner, of course, & to join in on our free yoga classes!
Nourishment Volunteers - Are you a supporter of community and a lover of cooking? Cook with a team of volunteers to give single mamas a much needed night off! There is no commitment other than the meal you sign-up for (and some clean-up with help:) You are invited to the dinner afterwards, of course, and a free yoga class for every three hours of service. All volunteers will be invited to our Bi-Annual Volunteer Appreciation Events...TBA
Share the Love Coordinator - Unleash your innovation for Outreach & promotion. Coordinate ShareLove Volunteers to assist you in promoting the project and find single mamas to join our program. 1-2 hrs. a week commitment. You are invited to our weekly dinner & to join in on our free yoga classes!
Share the Love Volunteers - Unleash your innovation for Outreach & promotion. There is no Commitment other than following through on the work you sign up for. One free yoga class & dinner per month for every three hours of service! All volunteers will be invited to our Bi-Annual Volunteer Appreciation Events...TBA
Creativity Coordinator - Develop and implement creative ways to raise money for the project (especially for the dinners!) and enhance the overall program. Seek and organize Creative Volunteers to aid your efforts. 1-3 hr. a week commitment. You are invited to our weekly dinner & to join in on our free yoga classes!
Creativity Volunteers - Develop and implement creative ways to raise money for the project. There is no Commitment other than following through on the work you sign up for. One free yoga class & dinner per month for every three hours of service! And all volunteers will be invited to our Bi-Annual Volunteer Appreciation Events...TBA
Seva Outreach Coordinator - Seva means "service" in Sanskrit. Inspire others to practice seva by volunteering with our project. Outreach for volunteers within communities of interest (yoga, spiritual groups, students, etc...) and by representing this project at events. Become the contact point for all potential volunteers to let them know about existing opportunities for service and to connect them with the Coordinators. 1-2 hr. a week commitment. You are invited to our weekly dinner & to join in on our free yoga classes!
Seva Outreach Volunteers - Simply put, you help spread the love of seva for our project by helping the Seva Coordinator outreach for volunteers and represent the project at events. One free yoga class & dinner per month for every three hours of service! And all volunteers will be invited to our Bi-Annual Volunteer Appreciation Events...TBA
Website Designer/Virtual Helper - We need help with some basic online work and website development and maintenance. 1 hr. or less a week of commitment. One free yoga class & dinner per month for every three hours of service! And all volunteers will be invited to our Bi-Annual Volunteer Appreciation Events...TBA
Note: All Coordinators must be able to meet together once a month & have internet access.
Interested? Want more info? Have questions?
Email: valovesage@gmail.com
Much Appreciation to All Interested in Co-Creating a Supportive Community for Single Mamas and their Children, From My Radiating, Grateful Mama Heart to yours,
Val
Thursday, December 15, 2011
i am bliss-blessin' & manifestin' for single mama community, love, & yoga interconnection, in boulder & beyond this 2012!!!
Disclaimer: sleepy, sleepy mama alert, please forgive all typos and sillyness;)
After realizing I have about five different names for my blog and for this project listed throughout my postings I wanted to make it loud and clear that the official name for my blog is "Nourished Mama." The official name for this project is "The Free Yoga for Single Mamas Project , Boulder." We are not yet affiliated with "Yoga for Single Mothers, Boston," but someday soon I hope to be part of their enfolding non-profit organization. In fact, I spoke with Chanel Luck, the Founder of Yoga for Single Mothers, about her organization's plans and overall vision earlier today. And I was pleasantly surprised and elated to hear she also wants to include a community dinner as part of the program! Great big hearts dream alike!
Imagine this... it's Friday, you just get out of work, and you go pick up the kids. You are feeling really drained from a long week, both at work and at home. You swing by home, walk the dog, feed the cat, change into your comfy clothes, & head on over to some cool location (I have yet to find) for a yoga class! You drop your kids off at this beautiful childcare room, under the care of a couple friendly mamas. Your wee ones are super stoked about playing, dancing, and practicing yoga with other wee ones of all ages. At the class, you are surrounded by single mamas who totally understand why you have food stains on your clothes & why you let out a huge heavy sigh as you collapse onto your mat. You melt into the poses, releasing all the built up tension and stored emotions of your week. You breathe deeply, your mind expands - you finally have an hour all to yourself! This hour feels like an eternity, as if times stops just for you, as you become completely embodied and comfy in your own skin again. By the end of the class you are feeling restored, replenished, recharged & ready to eat! You meet your content (yet wiped out:) kids at the community dinner table and share a healthy, delicious meal with the other blissed-out, relaxed single mamas and their kids, like one big, happy unconventional family! You chat. connect. make friends. learn. relate. exchange numbers. make plans. build community. You feel less isolated. You feel more connected. inspired. empowered. grateful. appreciated. Nourished. By the end of evening you are one happy mama with a smile in your heart chakra, a twinkle in your solar plexus, and a hop in your when transitioning into your next yoga pose! .. and best of all it won't cost ya a single, pretty penny! How does that sound?
So I have to confess that this project will not be started by the New Year as planned. My lamo excuses are...babby-daddy drama, the holy-days, heading back to school, job searching, the crazyness of single mamahood, and the moving process! I was accepted into a Family Self-Sufficiency Program, so I am moving into one of their units in Boulder. If you have not heard of this program, please check it out. The wait list for Boulder County is currently closed, but it will reopen again so keep on checking. There are similar programs throughout the U.S. This five year program aids low-income families in accomplishing their career goals, with the long-term goal being that of home ownership. They provide affordable housing, a supportive caseworker (I am viewing this as my motivational coach!), parenting and budgeting classes, and this part is just amazing - all my rent money will be returned to me at the end of the program to be used as a down payment on my home (and my vision of total family self-sufficiency - off the grid style - earthship/yurt/hobbithouse dwelling!)
Back to the project...it will happen. I am still totally dedicated to The Yoga for Single Mamas Project! It is just taking a bit more time than I thought to put all the pieces together. In the mean time nourish thy self always. Please make the mama-time mamas. You take care of everything, so don't forget to take care of your radiant self and creative spirit. Mini-retreats everyday for even ten minutes can make a significant impact on your quality of your life and lower your stress levels. Happy mamas = happy kids = happy mamas and so forth. More to come soon on "DIY Nourishment for Your Radiant Self & Creative Spirit in Ten Minutes or Less!!!"
From my infinite mama-heart, full of dreams, much love, & enduring patience, to yours,
Val
After realizing I have about five different names for my blog and for this project listed throughout my postings I wanted to make it loud and clear that the official name for my blog is "Nourished Mama." The official name for this project is "The Free Yoga for Single Mamas Project , Boulder." We are not yet affiliated with "Yoga for Single Mothers, Boston," but someday soon I hope to be part of their enfolding non-profit organization. In fact, I spoke with Chanel Luck, the Founder of Yoga for Single Mothers, about her organization's plans and overall vision earlier today. And I was pleasantly surprised and elated to hear she also wants to include a community dinner as part of the program! Great big hearts dream alike!
Imagine this... it's Friday, you just get out of work, and you go pick up the kids. You are feeling really drained from a long week, both at work and at home. You swing by home, walk the dog, feed the cat, change into your comfy clothes, & head on over to some cool location (I have yet to find) for a yoga class! You drop your kids off at this beautiful childcare room, under the care of a couple friendly mamas. Your wee ones are super stoked about playing, dancing, and practicing yoga with other wee ones of all ages. At the class, you are surrounded by single mamas who totally understand why you have food stains on your clothes & why you let out a huge heavy sigh as you collapse onto your mat. You melt into the poses, releasing all the built up tension and stored emotions of your week. You breathe deeply, your mind expands - you finally have an hour all to yourself! This hour feels like an eternity, as if times stops just for you, as you become completely embodied and comfy in your own skin again. By the end of the class you are feeling restored, replenished, recharged & ready to eat! You meet your content (yet wiped out:) kids at the community dinner table and share a healthy, delicious meal with the other blissed-out, relaxed single mamas and their kids, like one big, happy unconventional family! You chat. connect. make friends. learn. relate. exchange numbers. make plans. build community. You feel less isolated. You feel more connected. inspired. empowered. grateful. appreciated. Nourished. By the end of evening you are one happy mama with a smile in your heart chakra, a twinkle in your solar plexus, and a hop in your when transitioning into your next yoga pose! .. and best of all it won't cost ya a single, pretty penny! How does that sound?
So I have to confess that this project will not be started by the New Year as planned. My lamo excuses are...babby-daddy drama, the holy-days, heading back to school, job searching, the crazyness of single mamahood, and the moving process! I was accepted into a Family Self-Sufficiency Program, so I am moving into one of their units in Boulder. If you have not heard of this program, please check it out. The wait list for Boulder County is currently closed, but it will reopen again so keep on checking. There are similar programs throughout the U.S. This five year program aids low-income families in accomplishing their career goals, with the long-term goal being that of home ownership. They provide affordable housing, a supportive caseworker (I am viewing this as my motivational coach!), parenting and budgeting classes, and this part is just amazing - all my rent money will be returned to me at the end of the program to be used as a down payment on my home (and my vision of total family self-sufficiency - off the grid style - earthship/yurt/hobbithouse dwelling!)
Back to the project...it will happen. I am still totally dedicated to The Yoga for Single Mamas Project! It is just taking a bit more time than I thought to put all the pieces together. In the mean time nourish thy self always. Please make the mama-time mamas. You take care of everything, so don't forget to take care of your radiant self and creative spirit. Mini-retreats everyday for even ten minutes can make a significant impact on your quality of your life and lower your stress levels. Happy mamas = happy kids = happy mamas and so forth. More to come soon on "DIY Nourishment for Your Radiant Self & Creative Spirit in Ten Minutes or Less!!!"
From my infinite mama-heart, full of dreams, much love, & enduring patience, to yours,
Val
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Nov. 25th Show at Boulder's Fox Theater, 10% of proceeds for The Free Yoga for Single Mamas Project!
Check out this show! 10% of proceeds from this show will go towards The Free Yoga for Single Moms Project. Also I will be serving kumbucha, raw treats, and vegan wraps (possibly). Revolutionary hip hop, art, live dance, and soul food! Featuring The Wandering Monks, The Freedom Movement, Mike Wird, Gaia Experiment, etc... Don't miss this!
P.S The first person to post this link on their wall, visit my blog, Mothering the Mother, make a responsive comment, join the blog, and then post a link to my blog on their wall will receive 2 free tickets! Just send me a FB message that you accomplished all that along with your address, and I will send them your way. Thanx!
P.S The first person to post this link on their wall, visit my blog, Mothering the Mother, make a responsive comment, join the blog, and then post a link to my blog on their wall will receive 2 free tickets! Just send me a FB message that you accomplished all that along with your address, and I will send them your way. Thanx!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Boulder Deals that Can Really Help a Single Mama Out
WOW, it is so hard to just write a single blog when you are the single mom of a toddler! This whole mama thing is ten times more challenging than I ever imagined, yet one hundred times more rewarding as well.
So I was estatic to discover two amazing deals for low-income mamas in Boulder this past week. Yes, there really are deals in super chic Boulder if you seek them out. The City of Boulder Recreation Centers (North, East, and South Boulder) offer a reduced rate for families within city limits. The income limit for a family of two is $35,850, a family of three is $40,350 and so forth. If you have Medicaid or live in Public Housing you automatically qualify. You and your children receive half off on all drop-in rates and reduced rates on punch cards and annual passes (even more savings). You can sign up for one registered class each season for half-off, while your children can sign up for two! Sage and I have signed up for the weekly Toddler Dance class at the North Boulder Rec Center. We got the half off discount making it an affordable $28 for the Winter season. We love it!
So I know this is not free yoga with free childcare but its a start! We will get there eventually, promise. You can nourish yourself with a yoga class for only $3.40! And better yet their is a discounted childcare rate as well. I believe it is half off also bringing the total to around $3.25 for 90 minutes, and $1.25 extra for each additional child. It is a beautiful childcare room with an outside playground and really friendly caregivers. Unfortunately, the childcare hours are not that great for a working mother. There is an wonderful, affordable drop-in daycare center called Children's Alley on Mapleton and 14th that I utilize when needed. They are a deal in themselves.
So I know this is not free yoga with free childcare but its a start! We will get there eventually, promise. You can nourish yourself with a yoga class for only $3.40! And better yet their is a discounted childcare rate as well. I believe it is half off also bringing the total to around $3.25 for 90 minutes, and $1.25 extra for each additional child. It is a beautiful childcare room with an outside playground and really friendly caregivers. Unfortunately, the childcare hours are not that great for a working mother. There is an wonderful, affordable drop-in daycare center called Children's Alley on Mapleton and 14th that I utilize when needed. They are a deal in themselves.
Note: It is super easy to visit the Iris Building on Iris and Broadway (not the North Boulder Rec. Center, right next door, to the north) and fill out the application and get approved right then and there. Please make sure to follow the link below and take a look at the application, so you know what documentation to bring.
http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4029&Itemid=1991
The second deal is from the Farmer's Market and is one that I sadly caught onto a bit too late - but there is always next Spring. Had I known that Red Wagon Farms gives all EBT customers (Foodstamps) half off of their fresh, organic produce my son and I would having been eating like kings and queens for the past six months. Even though the Farmer's Market is over, I wanted to make sure to get the word out to all EBT cardholders to head on over to Red Wagon Farms stand first thing next Spring. We can afford to eat fresh, organic, and local foods. Yay! Thank you Red Wagon Farms for looking out for low-income folks and families. Hoping more shall follow in your footsteps.
Any other deals? Please share.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Comments Please
So there have been about 100 visits to this blog so far, yet there are zero comments! Please let me know what you think of this visionary project. I can not do this without you! I need your input please. Also, I need folks to help make this dream into a reality. Please contact me if that's you.
Thank you kindly,
Val
Thank you kindly,
Val
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