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Melissa Mitchell

@ayogikitchen

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Yogi 🧘🏽‍♂️ who cooks 👩🏼‍🍳
Delicious Yoga, Mindful Food
Join us to feed ppl, learn and open your heart in a love-based community. Zoom and in-person.

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Let's feed people!

Our 3rd Annual Steven Brandt (@slimzadie) Memorial Pizza Party Fundraiser is underway. Baby Chicago-style stuffed pizzas are par-baked and delivered or pickup fresh or frozen.

You get a taste of Chicago, we get funds to buy groceries for grocery boxes, buy ingredients to cook meals that we handout and share with Free Coffee and Pastries at @ecmku on Tuesdays 11-2p. We also have an opportunity to attend to much needed upgrades, like a new computer battery so we can host Zoom yoga by donation.

We are making a trip to Kansas City next week and would be happy to deliver for any orders over 5 frozen pizzas.

Website link is in the bio. Click on Mindful Food to see the full menu.

Thanks for being a part of our selfless service practice and our community!

Share with your friends, family, neighbors and coworkers.

💚💚💚

#pizza #fundraiser #lfk #chicagopizza #kansascity taken in Lawrence, Kansas by @ayogikitchen

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2 days ago

Happy Monday Loves!
Thank you so much Cathy who sent cash for our emergency grocery box last week.

Our word is Presence and we're in the midst of the Pizza Party Fundraiser to help feed people. Additionally all of our classes are by donation so that we can be of selfless service to the community. That includes classes like tomorrow's Stretch! and our contribution to Free Coffee and Pastries right after class.

However, the shelves are a bit light and we have a family in need. Over the last year as I deliver grocery boxes to her, I've become friendly with a young mom who right now is really in the depths of it. She just got a new job and her car broke down.

Today we're just trying to get her some funds for a few necessities cause her money is going into her car and getting to a nearby town for her new job. I am delivering her a grocery box later today.

I've spoken to a few of you about hiring A to do some house or yard work. Once she does some work for me I'll be able to fully endorse her. Keep her in mind, tho.

Today, if you just have a few dollars we can get her set up to start her new job with gas and baby wipes.

You can Venmo or PayPal me. Any amount really helps! Thank you so much! You all have the best open hearts. 💚

#donation #seva #community #ayogikitchen #lfk taken in ECM at KU by @ayogikitchen

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6 days ago

Happy Monday!

The Steven Brandt Memorial Pizza Party is here! We make Chicago-Style Baby Stuffed Pizzas to order so that we can keep feeding people in our community.

A Yogi Kitchen makes and delivers grocery boxes to local families. We make easy to eat nutritious meals to hand out and the yogis bake sweet treats for the boxes and to share with the community at @ecmku Community Center for their weekly Free Coffee and Pastries on Tuesdays after Stretch! community yoga class.

This is our Seva practice, a practice of selfless service that is core to who we are as a yoga community.

Steven, my late love, was new to the concept of Seva, but he had a big, generous and tender heart. He wasn't a cook, but he loved the idea of providing fresh, made from scratch food to people who possibly don't eat everyday.

After his death in 2024, I took a break from the pizza party. Our pantry shelves are getting low and the need is increasing. I imagined what Steve would want to do and I knew it was time to bring back the pizza party and to rename it in his honor.

The menu is on the website under Mindful Food. Take a look and think about stocking up on frozen pizzas for family time this holiday season. You'll be happy you did!

#pizzaparty #pizza #chicagopizza #stuffedpizza #fundraiser taken in Lawrence, Kansas by @ayogikitchen

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6 days ago

Happy Friday!

Our word is Presence and we're taking time this session to step back into ourselves. A Yogi Kitchen and I are asking who are we and what space we're taking up.

That means we're exploring new ways of practicing like Gen X Yoga, which invites you to tap into your wild and free energy.

Even more exciting, though, is stepping into ways we used to be. So we're heading back to West Middle School for Yoga in the Park. We haven't played in the sun since Steve died, almost 2 years ago.

Join us Sunday at 1p at the field between West and Sunset Elementary Bring your mat, your open heart, your empty belly and your bare feet. It's going to be a Magic Sunday.

Before we get there, though, don't forget to take a moment to celebrate your wins. How did you take up space and show up this week, most importantly for yourself? Do something super nice and kind for yourself to celebrate today.

Do you know that all of our classes, pop-up and regular, special events like the Pizza Party Fundraiser happening right now and everything that's upcoming is on the website.

Find the Zoom ID, how to order pizzas in the Lawrence area, latest blog posts, IG posts, pop-up requests and more at AYogiKitchen.com, links in the bio.

#yogainthepark #yoga #genx #lfk #zoomyoga taken in Lawrence, Kansas by @ayogikitchen

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9 days ago

Happy Friday, Happy October, Happy Presence!

Our word is Presence and on Fridays the yogis celebrate the wins. What are you celebrating?

I invite you to breathe into your week. Close your eyes and let your mind wander over the last seven days. What felt right? What went well? Breathe.

This week after a powerful full moon, the Harvest Moon was spectacular. I felt a huge energy shift and have stepped firmly into this new chapter. You know that I've been feeling it coming. It's here!

So, I rolled out pizzas, cause it's time for the Pizza Party Fundraiser. This is my first time doing it without my sweet Steve who died at the end of 2024. It used to be an event that we did together to raise money for the grocery boxes @ayogikitchen distributes in the community. It felt better than I expected.

I catered and donated food to @ecmku Community Center. That felt like I'm back in the game!

So look for all our exciting upcoming events, classes and workshops. We're on Zoom tomorrow morning for Pop-Up Somatic Yoga at 8:30a and then at ECM for Gen X Yoga. Both classes are by dination and help us feed people in the community.

Coming soon, Yoga for Anxiety and Depression Workshop and Free Beginning Yoga on the 2nd Sunday and a Free Soup Monday the next day with a grab and go affordable option.

This karmic cleanse of the Harvest Moon is so delicious. I hope you're getting still with how it's affected you and how you're stepping forward.

Don't forget to celebrate the wins!

Listen to the last podcast to hear more about the endings that the Harvest Moon brought, check out the Pizza Party Fundraiser on the website.

All links in the bio.
Happy Fall Y'all! 💚

#yoga #pizza #fullmoon #popupyoga #zoomyoga taken in Lawrence, Kansas by @ayogikitchen

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16 days ago

Good morning and happy Tuesday loves!

This is going to be a magnificent day. Your Presence in this world matters. You make people smile and you make their day better! You got this!

Join us at 10:30a for Stretch! at ECM Community Center with coffee and pastries after.

I won't stay today, BUT I'll see you Thursday evening on Zoom for Gen X Yoga at 7:15 and a Restorative Pop-Up for the 3rd week in a row at 8:30! This is becoming my favorite combo ever! It is so powerful to let your wild energy flow and then sink into yourself with deeply healing relaxation and stillness.

Want a pop-up? Text separately and let's make this week better and better!
See you on the mat!

#yoga #lfk #ecmku #ayogikitchen #stretch taken in ECM at KU by @ayogikitchen

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19 days ago

Happy Monday!

The best thing about yoga at @ecmku is the views! It feels like we're practicing in a treehouse. I always invite you to turn away from each other for Vrksasana, but now I'm inviting you to turn towards the windows for half the practice, cause it's such a treat.

How are you feeling after the full moon weekend? It was intense wasn't it?

On Saturday I felt loopy. No alcohol or substances. I hadn't even used my CBD cream for arthritis all week.

I didn't think much about it til my fabulous massage therapist, Nicole, told me that she felt high on Saturday night and didn't get it til she was in bed and saw the full moon thru her window.

What?!? It's a testament to the wild, fierce energy of this letting go moon. Usually the full moon means I wake often and don't sleep deeply.

This moon was full of fierce, cleansing energy signifying an ending. What needed to end in your life?

Gen X Yoga in the treetops was more wild and releasing than I expected. We did some leap of faith poses, but also big releasing hip openers and backbends like Ustrasana. It was the perfect complement to Zoom Somatic Yoga, during the fullest part of the Harvest Moon, on Saturday morning.

It's not too late to do big ending work.The moon's fullest power has passed, but it's not gone. Take time tonight to do whatever helps you release and process your emotions. Go for a walk, twist over a bolster, take a long bath, put your legs up the wall, sit in silence. This is your time and you got this! It's time to let go of the stuff that's keeping you stuck.

We're back in the treetops Tuesday 10:30a for Stretch! a community class at ECM Community Center. Then we're back w/Gen X Yoga on Zoom Thursday at 7:15, cdt. Right after that we're sinking into a Pop-Up Restorative class at 8:30p. The two together are divine.

The best thing about pop-ups? You can request one for anytime it works for you. Want Wake Up Yoga at 7a in San Diego? Awesome, that's 10a for me and I'm excited to be of service. It's the best kind of teaching I do!

All links in the bio. Text, email or comment below with any questions or concerns. See you on the mat!
#yoga #ecmku #ayogikitchen #lfk #fullmoon taken in ECM at KU by @ayogikitchen

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20 days ago

Happy Saturday!

It's a fierce full moon today! Do you feel it's wild energy? It's a karmic burning today. Things that have needed to end are ending. Today is the day to do a big karmic cleanse. So, get on the mat, journal, go for a run. Do whatever you need to do to process and let it go so you can move on.

Sometimes those leap of faith poses, like supported one legged handstand or Ardha Chandrasana can jump start that move towards a big release. Then a big back bend like supported virasana can really bring it home.

I think it's the wildness of a pose like half moon pose that helps us feel free and be able to imagine what the other side will look like, when we finally allow an ending.

There's lots of talk about wild energy right now. There's a fondness for the wild children of the 70s and 80s. There was such a freedom and feral feeling to growing up then. We were fully present in our lives, mind/body/spirit. There's a nostalgic yearning from those of us lucky enough to remember the Magic.

Tomorrow we're going to tap into that wild freedom with Gen X Yoga. For every single generation, but we're going to specifically practice for the older body, with a Gen X approach. We're working on pelvic floor muscles, not to manage incontinence, but so we can keep having spectacular sex! We're working on shoulder and hip mobility so we can raise our glasses while we shake the night away on the dance floor.

This is not your grandparents' senior yoga.

Join us in person on Sundays at @ecmku at 10:30a and on Zoom Thursdays at 7:15p.

Get ready to feel the Magic of Gen X energy!

#yoga #ayogikitchen #ecmku #genx #lfk taken in ECM at KU by @ayogikitchen

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22 days ago

A little unexpected beet love!

A Yogi Kitchen is back to catering and cooking and it brings me such joy. Look at that color! Can't you just smell the earthy, freshness of that luscious beet?

Thank you to everyone who endured all my recipe testing as I worked to get my cooking muscles back this summer. It's been such a fun, creative time.

Our word is Presence this session and it reminds me that it's time to step fully back into who I am. I am a chef, a yogi and a healer and I'm ready to step back into that power.
The last year has been a time of stillness, rest and deep healing. Thank you to everyone who loved, supported and sat with me as I transformed. I love you all!

My first event celebrating my Presence and my power is The Pizza Party Fundraiser in honor of my sweet @slimzadie! Look for more info coming soon. You can check out the menu list at the website, under Mindful Food. More info on how and when coming soon!

Don't forget to eat your veggies today! 🫜 🫜🫜

#mindfulfood #yogi #ayogikitchen #pizzaparty #fresh taken in Lawrence, Kansas by @ayogikitchen

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23 days ago

Happy Sunday Loves!
For the last few weeks we've been focusing on Worth and I have reached this very delicious and lovely place around Self-Worth.
I recorded the podcast today, hence Xander and me hanging together Off The Mat.
Whenever you see us, it means a new episode of the podcast dropped.
I've spent a lot of time feeling like I'm failing at the podcast, because I never have anyone else. I don't ask for guests. Well, I do, but I don't follow thru on how to make it work. I have never considered filming a podcast episode.
Then we started focusing on Worth. I remembered all the times that you have told me how much you appreciate and love the podcast. I checked in with my numbers, which aren't as good as the used to be, but there's more noise out there. I realized I don't think the lower numbers reflect on my Worth.
That's just ego shit, right? I've been letting my mind just dance around ideas of Worth, which led me to thinking about how Worth helps us connect to authenticity and transparency.
After a few conversations with all of you, I'm completely committed to letting my Freak Flag Fly!
I have so many thought about it, but take a moment to listen to today's episode and I'm going to talk about it more in the next week before we move onto our new word.
Got ideas about our next word of the session? Please comment below or shoot an email to mel@ayogikitchen.com.
All of the links are in the bio.
I hope you become a part of our yoga community this fall. We love new people.
We're on Zoom and in person in Lawrence, KS.
Enjoy the episode.
I love you all!
M 💚

#offthemat #yogacommunity #yogatherapist #ayogikitchen #yoga by @ayogikitchen

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a month ago

Happy Monday!
We're popping up tonight for Zoom Restorative Yoga at 8:30p.

Many of you know that I took some time to teach on Zoom. It was the pandemic and I didn't want to add to the noise. I also wasn't sold.

I will ALWAYS teach on Zoom. I love getting to see people all over the country. I love to teach students who've moved away and have college and childhood friends become my students. I love teaching and then rolling off the mat and into bed. Or vice versa. I know you all like lit too.

When needs increased with the intensity of the pandemic, I decided that Zoom Yoga would be part of my Seva practice. Selfless service is a core part of yoga so I decided that all Zoom classes would be by donation. Your donation goes to help us create and deliver grocery boxes for families. It's one of the best ways we practice Seva!

In our past those grocery boxes included homemade items from our yoga community. After my year off, I'd like to return to that amazing Seva practice. Making something with your hands, in your home to share with others is an amazing love-based act.

Please comment or text 785-760-5412 if you'd like to cook or bake something for our boxes next week. Our families really appreciate it!

If you'd didn't take time to set intention yesterday, take a few moments right now. It's still the beginning of the week. Don't think about to-do lists or goals, set intention.

Memorial Pancake Brunch Fundraiser coming soon!

Happy Sunday!

#yoga #popupyoga #seva #service #pancakes taken in Lawrence, Kansas by @ayogikitchen

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2 months ago

Happy Sunday!

This memory of me at Wilkey Waterfall popped up today. My sweet @slimzadie took it. During the pandemic doing the most simple things felt like wild freedom. Feet in the water, sun on my face, Xander splashing around with all the other big dogs felt like a yoga pose.

This weekend has been the opposite. I sat with my favorite Caramel Latte in town-@thebourgeoispig. It was a beautiful day, there beautiful flowers and I was planning our fall schedule. One of my favorite things to do.

Then Bam. I felt not great and pulled up the radar.

I am slowly recovering from a bigger than usual migraine. I fully anticipate teaching this week.
Join me!
Monday, 8:30p for Zoom Restorative Yoga
Tuesday, 10:30a for Stretch! at ECM Community Center, 1204 Oread. Free parking.
Thursday we're at Veggie Lunch at 11:30a at ECM. Free parking by donation.
Thursday, 7:15p for Zoom Gen X Yoga
Saturday, 8:30a for Zoom Somatic Flow.
Zoom link in the bio. Text 785-760-5412 for info or questions.
It's going to be a great week! See you on the mat!
💚🧘🏽‍♀️🧘🏽🧘🏼‍♂️💚

#yoga #ayogikitchen #thebourgeoispig #lfk #zoomyoga by @ayogikitchen

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2 months ago