HudsonValleyGoodStuff

Firewalking in the Hudson Valley: The Yoga of Firewalking on July 8th at Chichester Yoga

Photo credit: Mattias Lundblad 

Chichester Yoga will be offering a Firewalking workshop with Firewalk Facilitator Dan Glynn on July 8th, 2012 at 6:00pm. The cost is $100. Not everyone who attends will actually firewalk, but the opportunity will be there.  For more info contact Megan Leigh (845) 688-9769 or chichesteryoga@yahoo.com.   If you go, report back and let me know how it was. I'm fascinated by the idea, but I've got permanent cold feet! Visit FireWalkYoga.com to learn all about the 3 hour workshop.

Where to take Mom on Mother's Day in the Hudson Valley: 10 Ideas for all kinds of Moms

 

Brunch for 4 at Duo Bistro in Kingston 

Photo credit: Suzanne Wald-Balsamo of Partition Street Wine Shop

If you are spending Mother's Day Weekend in the Hudson Valley, you are in luck. There are plenty of places to take Mom whether she wants to relax, eat, do yoga, or even plant a tree.  Here are a 10 ideas:

 

1) Red Hook Curry House in Red Hook has a scrumptious Indian buffet Tuesday and Sunday night,  for $12.95. Kids are $7.95 from 5-10PM.. If your mom loves Indian food, she will be very happy! 

 

2) Yoga Mom:  Chichester Yoga offers heated classes on the weekends. The yoga classes are toasty at 85F, but not broiling like Bikram Yoga. It's a happy medium. Chichester Yoga is now offering a Mother's Day special and is doing a 50 for 50 Mama Massage.  This is a 50 minute intuitive deep tissue massage with a senior therapist on Mother's day (50 minutes, 50 dollars, 50 percent off.)  Or buy a gift certificate for 3 massages this week for mom for 135.00) So that's 3 /50 minutes massages that can be used between now and Memorial Weekend. Gift certificates can be mailed or emailed. For Paypal or credit card purchases add 5 dollars to the total. They also have cool yoga events happening on Memorial Day weekend.

 

 

3) River Rock Health Spa in Woodstock offers a variety of massages including thai massage, hot stone, deep tissue, swedish, and prenatal as well as holistic and traditional facials. Not to mention, a great steam shower!

 

4) Stroll along the Walkway over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie. I blogged about my stroll here. After your power walk, take mom to Brasserie292 for delicious French cuisine. (You might want to make a reservation ahead of time here).

5) Swing by Overlook Mountain Bikes in Woodstock to rent a bike for the day ($40).

 

6) Plant a tree with mom! Scenic Hudson is sponsoring a Plant a Tree with Mom event on May 13th at 10 am. Plant a tree along the Fishkill Creek. Click here for more info.

7) Duo Bistro, a new restaurant in Kingston serves delicious breakfast and lunch. (Their breakfast is served until 3:30pm when they close). Click here for breakfast review. Duo Bistro will be having a special prix fixe for $25 for Mother's Day. (Reservations only).  On the menu will be Crab Cake Benedict, Spring Morel Souffle, and Strawberry-Rhubarb French Toast. The $25 includes beverages and baked goods. If your mom loves Moroccan/Mediterranean cuisine, take her out for dinner at Fez Cafe in Saugerties.

 

8) If mom is more of BBQ Ribs kind of woman, I'd recommend Hickory BBQ Smokehouse for their wings, barbecued meats, and decadent comfort food.

 

9) If you are looking for a fun place to eat that is  informal where the kids can run around, I love the Hurley Mountain Inn. They have great video games, a pool table, and a pinball machine. It is a sports bar/restaurant, but very family friendly and perfect for spontaneous gatherings of large family groups. The place is huge so you rarely have to wait even though it is very popular on holidays.

10) If you are spending Mother's Day in Rhinebeck, why not take mom to Gigi's Trattoria after you sample the goodies at the Rhinebeck Farmers Market.  My favorite dish is the Skizza Bianca, but everything is good! Take it from famous mom Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who dined here during Chelsea's wedding weekend. Click here to see Gigi Trattoria's Mother's Day menu. Lots of yummy dishes and special Mother's Day cocktails.

Chichester Yoga: Heated studio, beautiful views & invigorating yoga classes!

Chichester Yoga is a beautiful yoga studio right near Phoenicia and about a 15 minute ride from Woodstock. I took a Lalita Level II class there on Sunday at 9:30 am. I have taken many wonderful yoga classes in the Hudson Valley, but I think what sets Chichester Yoga studio apart is the spectacular view of the Esopus Creek. The Lalita class is always heated as are a few other classes there (to 85 degrees so it is toasty warm, but not overly hot like Bikram yoga).  There were about 10 students, all were more limber than me. (I know I'm not supposed to judge myself in yoga class). My yoga practice is a bit sporadic though so I always give the instructor my "I'm rusty" disclaimer when I show up.   

I took a Forest Yoga with yoga instructor and owner Megan Leigh last year, and I loved it. Megan's approach is light-hearted, but she's serious about making sure you are getting the most out of the class.  It was an intense class, but somehow I think the new setting and the country views helped me through the poses.  Check out their website or Facebook page for their coming events. There is a lot going on. On Memorial Day Weekend they have will Yoga, Detox, Dancing and Drumming. This week there is a juice and detox theme  already in progress. Every other Sunday, they offer an African Dance class with Assane.(Check the calendar).  In July there will be Firewalking event.  I'm not quite brave enough for that, but I imagine that could unblock a lot of clogged up emotions! 

Follow Route 212 from Woodstock to Phonenicia and turn right after the quirky Phoenicia Pharmacy or you can take Route 28 to Phonenicia. Chichester Yoga is next door to the Chichester post office.  Megan Leigh is offering a $5 discount for a Basics or Yin yoga class to first time student who mentions HudsonValleyGoodStuff.com now through the end of April 2012. Come enjoy the views and the heat!