dress? check. flowers? check. yoga? ...

last week i reconnected, with tannis kobrinsky, the aunt of one of my dear friends (and summer bride's!), amanda. i was reminded of the great work tannis does in southern california as a pilates, gyrotonic and gyrokinesis instructor. as well as the fabulous domestic and international yoga and pilates retreats she organizes through her company health habitravels.

i had the benefit the morning of my wedding, to have a dear friend gail kennedy lead yoga for myself and bridesmaids. what a fabulous experience!! i want everyone to enjoy this perfect start to one of the most momentous days of your life. deep breathing, elongating, centering and quieting the mind can really help you to focus on the importance of the day. i thought it would be fun for tannis to give a couple of great tips for relaxing the morning-of the wedding. she is available to santa barbara brides for private sessions the morning of the wedding, bridal showers or as part of a santa barbara weekend wedding retreat. see her website for more information and check out these great tips below:

SIT ON THE MAT WITH YOUR LEGS CROSSED and shake off the “should ofs” that lodge in your should-ers and neck. elongate your spine and sit as tall as you can. with your arms straight by your side, inhale, clenched your fists and squeeze your shoulders up to your ears, exhale and drop them plus all the tension you’re holding in your neck and shoulders out through your hands. repeat three times. follow with several BIG yawns. close your eyes. rest your cupped palms over them and imagine all your stresses and strains flowing out of you into your palms. move your palms away from your eyes. blink several times, being as present in that moment as possible and loosely shake your hands to release all your cares and worries.

THEN WAKE UP your deep core energies with this hands-on series: still seated in the same position, press your palms together as if praying. rub them together for about 30 seconds, breathing deeply as your internal chi (life force) comes into your palms. slowly separate your hands and allow the sphere of energy you’re holding to move in and out as you breathe. lift the sphere over your head, then open your hands and let them float down effortlessly to your sides. clasp them together in front of you. with a heart beat rhythm, palpate lightly several across your chest, opening your heart chakra. next, lean forward slightly, and use your fists to gently palpate the muscles on other side of your back bone. DO NOT palpate directly on your spine.

STAND UP FOR “THE HALO” – put your hands above your head, with fingers clasped and palms up to the ceiling or sky opening yourself, elongating your spine and then make a circle with your “halo” shaped arms several times in one direction and then reverse, letting your shoulder blades move as you do this, breathing deeply. open your hands, and let your arms float down to your sides. inhale and lift them back up over your head as if to form a steeple. feel the warm heart centered energy flowing from palm to palm and hold this pose for several deep into your roots breaths. open your arms, stay long and balanced as they move easily down to your side. you’re ready for the love and merriment to begin!after growing up in santa barbara, studying dance and eventually limiting her training due to injury, tannis found herself moving toward teaching. tannis is available for private sessions, group classes, and is a presenter/lecturer on mind-body practices, healthy living and travel. she has written articles in such publications as pilates style magazine, yogitimes magazine, american fitness magazine, pilates pro's "the pulse" and pilates fitness journey and health and goodness.