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By Halle Wangler,  former U-M women’s basketball student-athlete Every single day we are faced with choices. The magnitude of these choices could be as small as choosing to eat the last slice of pizza, or as profound as deciding which career path you want to pursue. We all have choices, even when we think we do not. It is easy to get caught up in…

At 37 years old, I can still do some pretty sick yoga moves. I say that tongue in cheek, but from the outsider’s perspective it is true. I often joke that I was blessed with genetics that made me dumb strong and ridiculously flexible. Not to mention, I started gymnastics at three years old because I was also fearless and my mom was tired of…

A few months ago, I had a coffee date. It was nothing too out of the ordinary, just catching up with someone without any real agenda. I was sitting with Mallory McMorrow, a friend, creative director, activist, and long-time Citizen, when our conversation drifted over to our professional lives. Slowly, we began to notice a trend, and then we couldn’t escape the similarities: despite working…

Female Empowerment is a mending of inherited inadequacy and passivity. It is a common occurrence for me to hear, you are intimidating (Definition: frighten or overawe (someone), especially in order to make them do what one wants.), strong (Definition: able to withstand great force or pressure.: “cotton is strong, hard-wearing, and easy to handle”. Synonyms: secure, well-built, indestructible), straightforward (Definition: uncomplicated and easy to do or understand.: “in…

When we are sick, or in pain, we often turn to medicine to ease the symptoms or heal what hurts us.  Medicine regulates the systems in our bodies that are not functioning optimally – it can clear a blocked pathway, strengthen our bodies’ defenses, and soothe our body back to healing. In its own very powerful way, yoga is often described as medicine (#YogaAsMedicine, in…

Nominated not once, but twice Chelsea Marshall is our good citizen of the month, and winner one month of unlimited yoga. Read her nominations below: Chelsea does good. She is a teacher for the some of the most physically and mentally challenged elementary school children in her school district. She transferred into this position after teaching 2nd grade because she saw a gap in education for…

I would like to nominate Jennifer Johnson.  She and her family are the most kind and genuine unit I have ever met. She and her husband empower me in a parental sense. They have two wonderful girls and their creativity, patience, and love inspires and reminds me of the potential in myself to be a great parent and husband. Aaron (her husband) doesn’t do yoga unfortunately,…

Last week, I went on Citizen’s retreat in Tulum and our group shared the resort with women doing a Bikini Boot Camp. We did (a lot of) yoga, ate (a lot of) guacamole, and slowed down to spend time with each other. They seemed to be constantly moving, rushing between circuit training and jogging on the beach. I don’t know if they ever took the…

We live our lives behind a veil of our own perception — a convoluted set of opinions and values that shape our views about each other and ourselves. We are influenced by the culture we choose to surround ourselves with, and often make judgments according to the ideals we’re fed through the media. The largest and most powerful facet, social media sites like Facebook, Twitter,…

Name: Kristen DuBois Position at CY: Administrative Coordinator What is your idea of perfect happiness? I think that pure happiness exists when we are completely immersed and wrapped in the present moment.  There is a lack of want and no distracting thoughts.  There is only joy and the appreciation for everything happening in that instant — babies and animals are really great at it. What…

What is your idea of perfect happiness? A leisurely morning with good music, and a long shower What is your greatest fear? Hurting others Which living person do you most admire? My mom What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Perfectionism! What is the trait you most deplore in others? Narcissism When and where were you happiest? I’ve been at my happiest at…

Meet Lauren Meier: R.E.C. & Teacher Lauren was the first official employee hired at Citizen Yoga Royal Oak.  She started as our beloved receptionist, took teacher training, became an AWESOME teacher and is now in-charge of CY Retail, Events and Culture! Check out her class times and learn more about her below: Classes: Monday: 9:45am Vinyasa CYRO & 8pm Slow Burn CYD Tuesday: 9:45am Blend CYD…

This month is Suicide Awareness Month. As many of you know, the seed of inspiration for Citizen Yoga was my sister who committed suicide in 2007. Last week, while perusing Facebook I came across a post made by a young girl who lost her mom to suicide a year ago. My first thought was, I’ve been there; then how far I’ve come, and how far…

Imagine yourself looking into a mirror, and sensing something is wrong: for some reason, you can only see one half of your face, one half of your body.  You know that there is more to you than what the mirror shows – but somehow, you aren’t getting the full picture. Now imagine going through life with half of the world around you faded, featureless. You…

Name: Kayla Mouser | Alias: Kayla Kayla Position at CY: Receptionist What is your idea of perfect happiness? Remaining blissful even in a hell storm. What is your greatest fear? I don’t know yet. I’m thinking if I ever have a child, it would have something to do with worrying about them. That statistic about eating spiders in your sleep is pretty terrifying though. Eating…

A Zoo Reflection Clarity of practice is an extremely powerful experience. Last weekend, 900 people came together for Yoga at the Detroit Zoo, representing every level of experience with yoga.  Everyone worked through their practice to find an edge – whether it was their first time in downward facing dog or they were midway through teacher training. Because our students worked to find patience and…

Name: Molly Grunewald Position: Photographer & Citizen Yoga Receptionist What is your idea of perfect happiness? Perfect happiness to me is being content with where I’m at in my life because that’s exactly where I’m meant to be.What is your greatest fear? Losing someone I love. And Netflix freezing during a show. Which living person do you most admire? My dad. He’s the most selfless,…

Elephants all over the world are held in captivity by chains bound around their ankles. Imagine a 15,000-pound creature with all of its force and strength, held docile by a flimsy shackle and a little peg that would break in an instant if they tried to run.  The elephants never attempt escape, though – they don’t believe they can. As babies, elephants are kept in…