End of the Year!

WOW! Really it's the end of 2014 pretty soon? Every year I say, "That was a fast year!" And every year they keep getting faster. Does that mean I'm not slowing down to enjoy the moment? Quite possibly.

I hope this Holiday Season finds you well and doing things that bring joy into your life! As we all know, our days can get by us without really appreciating all the good that has come into our day, our week, our lifetime. In the hustle and bustle of life we tend to focus the negative things instead of the positive.  I'd like to share a quick story about positive feedback.

Last week I kept getting compliments from my clients. They would stop me in the gym or studio and commend me for what I do and my teaching, etc. I was just really humbled by all of this positive feedback, coming out of the blue. It's always such an honor for me to have someone come up to me after class to tell me about their experience in class and how yoga has changed their life, etc. Such a great feeling for me!

Anyway, that same week I was training a new client. She was waiting for me when I walked into the gym. I introduce myself to her and she says to me, "Oh my goodness you are young! I thought I was getting an older trainer. Your picture on the wall makes you look old. I thought you were 60 years old! You really need to change that picture." (Taking a deep breath here…yes, she really said all of these things in one breath, it felt like, anyway!) I'm smiling as I type this because it is kind of funny when I'm enacting it out in my mind.

Okay, I do not like the picture that is up on the wall of me. So I will be changing that, however, I was a little speechless…to say the least…after she was done ranting about my looks. I just laughed it off and said well, "I don't like taking pictures of myself." We got through our appointment and she was really a nice young woman. She was 35 but looked younger, to me. HA How's that for ironic?

That night I go home and tell my husband my story and we laughed a bit, but I kept reflecting on her comments. Can I let this one negative scenario affect my positive comments I've had all week? Well, I could have but I didn't. I brushed it off.  I guess, I would never in a million years express myself the way she did to a friend, let alone a stranger. Maybe she is a "call them like I see them" type of personality. Which can be refreshing sometimes.  And do we really see ourselves as other see us? I'm pretty sure most of us do not.

With this story, I hope to promote Positive Feedback.  Let's focus on all that is positive in our life, seriously. If something negative pops into your day…TURN IT AROUND! If you look at the bigger picture…we really have more POSITIVES in our life than NEGATIVES.  I feel that negatives are there just to ground us to make us humble and remind us that we are, in the end, humans who seek love, kindness and acceptance.

With love and positive feedback,

Your Humbled Yoga Teacher and Practitioner -

Tina

DECEMBER CLASS SCHEDULE:

The studio will be

closed

December 20, December 24, December 27, and December 31st.

(We will have classes as scheduled on Monday, December 22)

Our regular class schedule will resume Saturday, January 2, 2015!

All right!  HERE IT GOES….ahem….

       H A P P  Y      N E W      Y E A R!!!!!

Cheers to peace in our world, love in our world, and joy in our world. Let's teach our children all of these, as they are our future. 

Love and light,

Tina

Seasons Change

Happy Fall Everyone!

It's hard to believe that October is here! My favorite season, FALL! My mother always said that the older you get the faster time flies, and yes, moms are always right - whether we want them to be or not.

Wolverine Lake, Palmer, Alaska:  Fall colors, picture from my mom's front porch.

Wolverine Lake, Palmer, Alaska: Fall picture from my mom's front porch.

September was my 8th Anniversary of the opening of The Chi Room.  EIGHT YEARS! Cheers to that accomplishment. I have all of you to thank for my success and I appreciate you all so much. Some of you have been practicing with me for 13 years, now. You've been a part of me transitioning, growing, finding my groove as an independent yoga teacher.  You all have been an important part of my growth along the way. Thank you!

The Chi Room, 2009: Great friends!

I would like to announce some changes happening this month. Starting Monday, October 13th, Monday and Wednesday's lunch hour class will be held at Women's Fitness Company off of Stevens and Biddle.  It will be the same time and days:  Monday/Wednesday 12:10 to 1:00 p.m. The drop- in fee will be $5 through a punch card. You also have the option to join the facility and have access to all of their classes and fitness equipment.  They have graciously offered to waive the enrollment fee for you if you decide to join. So you have a choice to keep paying as you do now or join the facility.  It's nice to have options.  The address is 549 Stevens St, Medford, phone number is 541-776-5200.

I am also teaching at Women's Fitness Company on Tuesday/Thursday at 8:00a.m. if you are interested in more yoga classes and earlier times!

I'm excited to be partnering with such an amazing facility and I appreciate all of your support! If you have questions, please let me know!

So here is the NEW SCHEDULE beginning OCTOBER 13:

Monday/Wednesday:

12:10 - 1:00p Lunch Hour Yoga (Women's Fitness Co.)

5:45p - 6:45p Power Vinyasa (The Chi Room Studio)

Tuesday/Thursday:

8:00a - 9:00a  Yoga Flow (Women's Fitness Co.)

Saturday:

8:30a Power Vinyasa (The Chi Room Studio)

Again, feel free to contact me with any questions! 

I am still thinking of bringing back the 10:00a Yoga Fusion class on Saturdays if there is enough interest.  I will run it as a four week class and you pay for the four weeks. There will be 4-5 Saturdays each month (depending on the month) and you pay for the 4-5 Saturdays whether you can make it our not. There would be no refund. The cost would be $35 for the month.  How does that sound? Let me know through email or Facebook and we can plan to start up soon!

As always, the light within me honors the light within you. 

Blessings to you!

Tina Tonkin

Me, 2003: This was a photo shoot I did right before I did my first fitness competition. Glad I took pictures to remember what I looked like back then! : )

Reflection/Labor Day Week(end) Schedule

Hello Friends,

It was our last yoga in the park class this morning. What a beautiful morning!

I decided to ride my bike to the park and I am so glad I did. I'm not typically a morning person and I can be slow-going in the morning, but I thought before I know it the season will be changing and it will be cold and rainy, so get your tush going and get out there. AHHH, what a gift! It was such  a gorgeous ride along Bear Creek with the fresh morning salty air and the warm sun on my body. Other bikers, joggers, walkers all saying "good morning" as we passed.

I showed up at the park with my fellow yogis and yoginis ready to practice. Shelley brought her iPad and played great music. There was a slight breeze with birds chirping and the sky was so blue. The time passed so quickly that I just wanted to bask in the glow of our practice a bit longer. The glow is still with me as I type this passage.

On the ride home, I felt so grateful and my heart was full. Getting out in nature really renews my spirit and clears my mind and allows for positive things to transpire throughout my day. I hope that you find time to get out do something that lifts you and creates balance within your day. You won't regret it.

As I approach my 8th year anniversary of the opening of The Chi Room, I'm reminded what a great community we have created within our practice and outside of our practice. I appreciate all of you who have come through the doors and all of you who have continued your practice with me. Thank you!

Please note the studio schedule for Labor Day Weekend:

August 25, Monday Classes (studio)

12:10p Lunch Hour Yoga

5:45p Power Vinyasa

NO CLASSES:  August 27 through September 1

Classes resume Wednesday, September 3

12:10p Lunch Hour Yoga

5:45p Power Vinyasa

See you on the mat and in life!
xo Tina

What? Almost August?!

Smiling Chi Room Yogis and Yoginis (2013)

It's hard to believe August is almost upon us. Where did June and July go? Seeing back to school stuff and fall decor out in the stores already, reminds me that time ticks to quickly; I have to stand still for a moment to make sure I am not missing out on anything important.

How about you? Are you having a  wonderful summer, doing fun things and being present in the moments of your life? I hope the answer is a big fat YES!

As the month of August sweeps by, I will be in and out of the studio throughout the month.  Below is my class line-up for August:

August 1 - 10  NO CLASSES

I will be visiting my sister in Idaho and taking some yoga training! ; P

Classes On-going August 11 through August 25th: 

Monday/Wednesday (Studio)

12:10p Lunch Hour Yoga

5:45p Power Vinyasa

Saturday (Bear Creek Park Amphitheater)

8:30a Power Vinyasa

August 27 - September 1 NO CLASSES Labor Day Weekend

This will be my last holiday before school starts and for the rest of the year! Yikes!

Note that some of the classes will be at the Bear Creek Park amphitheater, off of Highland Drive, Medford. I will be revisiting the schedule for September and adding more classes back in. I hope to be adding a whole new fitness class! Stay tuned!

In the meantime, I look forward to practicing yoga with you in the next month! I hope you find time to put yoga, or any form of exercise, at the top of your list of things to do for yourself. You are worth it!

Cheers to you and your breathing space!
Tina xo

Schedule Change

Hi Yoga Friends,

Due to low participation, I've decided to cancel both Saturday yoga classes at the studio beginning Saturday, August 2, 2014.

However, I will continue to teach the 8:30 a.m. class at Bear Creek Park for the month of August. All are welcome to participate. Regular class prices will apply.

I will revisit the schedule in September and will add Saturday classes back in if there is enough interest.
I'm also taking a look at cancelling the lunch hour classes, too, as attendance is also low. Please check back for updates.

It's hard to believe that September will be 8 years since I started The Chi Room. My deepest gratitude goes out to all who have supported me through these past 8 years. Your friendship, patronage, and love have always lifted me up to continue with my passion.

Thank you!
Tina

AUGUST YOGA SCHEDULE (effective August 2, 2014):

Monday/Wednesday

12:10 Lunch Hour Yoga (studio)

5:45p Power Vinyasa (studio)

Saturday

8:30a Power Vinyasa (Bear Creek Park)

Fourth of July Schedule

CLASS SCHEDULE for the FOURTH of JULY WEEKEND

Wednesday, July 2 CLOSED-No Classes
Saturday, July 5 CLOSED-No Classes

Our regular class schedule will resume Monday, July 7th!

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Yoga in the Park 2014

Greetings!


It's that time of year where we take our practice out of the studio and into nature. Saturday, June 28th starts our YOGA in the PARK season! Yay!  Join us one Saturday a month at 8:30a at Bear Creek Park in Medford. We'll be at the amphitheater.  Bring your mat, towel water, sunglasses, hat and a smile as we bask in the ever loving bliss of nature!

Here is our YOGA IN THE PARK Schedule:

Saturday, June 28th
Saturday, July 31st
Saturday, August 23rd

Namaste'
Tina

A Little Time

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are enjoying the nice spring-like weather we've been having the past couple of weeks and you have gotten past the spring forward time change! It took me a week to reset my internal clock, but I am loving the extra hour of daylight at night, especially since my last class is over at 7:00 each evening.

I love the clean spring smells, the beautiful blossoms on the trees and the awakening of flowers popping their heads up to say, "Hello." I wish daffodils and tulips lasted just a bit longer, but I guess it makes me appreciate them more when they are bright and beautiful. You just can't help but feel joy when you have those in your garden or in your home as a bouquet.

'Tis the season for me to recharger my batteries and take some time off with my beautiful family.  I will be away April 2 through April 5. There will be no classes Wednesday, April 2 and Saturday, April 5.  Classes will resume Monday, April 7th (which also happens to be my mother's 71st birthday!)

 What do you notice and like about springing forward? What are doing to recenter yourself in your daily routine? I hope you find time to enjoy all that is around you and find the art of just BEING!

See you on the mat!
Tina

Yoga in Medford, Oregon

Welcome to The Chi Room's Yoga & Fitness blog! My name is Tina Tonkin and I have been teaching yoga for 13 years! I started The Chi Room 8 years ago and through all of its transitions, I am happy to say I am loving what I do!


I have been in the fitness industry for 16 years now. I hold a bachelor's of science degree in Health and I am a Certified Personal Trainer and Yoga Teacher.

My yoga training background is through the YogaFit principles.

 I teach mostly a flow-style yoga, linking breath and movement. Some classes are a level 2-3, but can be tailored toward your level.  Options are always available.

The LunchCrunch Yoga is great for beginners. It's a 50 Minute class that flows through the three mountains of yoga with a meditation at the end. Great if your schedule allows for a break in your day.

Power Vinyasa is a flow yoga level 1-3. It is an active class that also flows through the three mountains of yoga. You will work, sweat, and create a harmonic balance throughout your body and mind through linking your breath with your movement. Emphasis is on core, strength, flexibility, balance and breath work.

Yoga Fusion is a fun class that incorporates three fitness disciplines: tai chi, Pilates, and yoga. This is a full body stretch-workout: core, hips, back, hamstrings, balance and more!

Here is our current schedule!

Monday/Wednesday

12:10p    LunchCrunch Yoga ($7 drop-in)

5:45p      Power Vinyasa

Saturday:

8:30a      Power Vinyasa

10:00a    Yoga Fusion (Pilates, Yoga, Tai Chi)

Class Prices:

1 Class $15

5 Classes $60

10 Classes $100

Monthly Options:

2x Weekly/Month $60

3x Weekly/Month $75

If you have any questions, feel free to drop me a line!  You can also find us on Facebook!
I hope to see you on the mat!

Tina Tonkin, BS, CPT, CYT