September Kunga Theme: The Power of Positive Thinking!
Over 50 years ago, a book called The Power of Positive Thinking became an immediate best-seller. The author Dr. Normal Vincent Peale, offered a variety of psychological practices to support the individual in developing a daily optimistic mindset for viewing life’s challenges as opportunities.
October Kunga Theme: Volunteering
The Kunga Yoga Inspiration of the month is volunteering. The heart of Kunga Yoga lies in approaching yoga as a path of service, with opportunities to view our personal practice as a time for self-inquiry and growth, so that we are more available to then serve others. All Kunga Yoga programs work to raise awareness for orphanages in developing countries. This year’s Kunga Journey fundraising volunteer service retreat is to the Home of Hope Orphanage, India.
November Kunga Theme: Expressing Gratitude through the NVC Model
The intention of this month’s Kunga theme is to learn to express gratitude using the model for appreciation within the methods of “Nonviolent Communication.” Nonviolent Communication was developed by psychologist Dr. Marshall Rosenberg. The NVC model is a concrete set of tools that help us to manifest mindfulness in our lives. Practicing Nonviolent Communication relates to our Kunga theme of yoga as service because the goal of Nonviolent Communication is to increase understanding, cooperation, and respect in relationships.
December Kunga Theme: 10 Minutes of Savasana
Relaxation is one of the primary benefits of a hatha yoga practice, as well as one of the sweet gifts of life itself. When our body and mind are relaxed and at ease, we can function optimally, allowing a balanced, calm and harmonious state throughout. However, a relaxed body and mind can be challenging for many to attain.
Noelle Whittington, ERYT500 leads 200 and 300 hour Kunga Yoga Lifestyle Teacher Trainings. Noelle is also a Professional Level Kunga Yoga Leader, completing a 350 hour advanced apprenticeship certification with Kristin Cooper-Gulak; and is currently pursuing her 1000hour Kunga Yoga certification.
Co-Director of Village Yoga, Jessica Moody, began practicing yoga in 2007. Ever since discovering Yoga, she has taken her practice around the world and lived seasonally on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. In 2013 she co-founded Village Yoga, a social entrepreneurship and yoga studio on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Growing up on the Outer Banks, Village Yoga C0-Founder Katie Kennis first discovered yoga in 2003 through the loving guidance of her yogini mother, Maggie. From then on she was hooked. Through a dedicated daily practice and a love of travel, Katie found herself completing a 200-hour Hatha/Vinyasa Yoga certification through School Yoga Institute
Jessica Bichler has a rich yogic history, steeped in a variety of trainings and lineages, bringing a wealth of knowledge to her classes, workshops and teacher trainings. Jess came to yoga in her teens, recognizing it as a path towards staying active and healthy throughout every stage of life and began teaching in 2001.
Jamie Annette, ERYT500, is an instructor for the Kunga Yoga School as well as for public classes. She completed both her 200hr and 500hr certifications at the Kunga Yoga School at Wilmington Yoga Center. She is also certified in Mat Pilates and loves to incorporate core work into her classes.
Growing up in a small town of North Carolina, the performing arts came to be an outlet Keegan found to express herself. Winning a scholarship to UNC-Charlotte, she went on to earn a B.A. in Dance with an emphasis in choreography and music.