The Tea Spot Expands Their Educational Series

The Tea Spot Expands Their Public Educational Talk Series with Tea and Yoga—Piquing the Interest of Many Seeking Solace from the Daily Grind The Tea Spot logoColorado-based tea company The Tea Spot is expanding their health and wellness mission to include an educational component. As a cancer survivor inspired by the power of tea's health benefits during recovery, CEO Maria Uspenski is now trying to educate the public on a topic of growing interest—the integrative health benefits of tea and yoga. CEO of The Tea Spot, Maria Uspenski, and the Founder of Big Sky Yoga Retreats, Margaret Burns Vap, collaborated this week on an interactive presentation on the health benefits of tea and yoga. They presented to an intimate group of twelve attendees at the Winter Wonderland and Wellness Retreat at a ranch nestled in the expansive landscape of the Crazy Mountains in Montana. Throughout the presentation, participants gained an understanding of how yoga and the modern tea ritual complement one another by examining the parallel natures of tea drinking and the practice of yoga. The evolution of the specialty tea market in the U.S. coincides with the rise of a class of consumers who are health conscious and interested in Eastern culture. Where coffee is often looked to as the elixir of efficiency and overstimulation, tea encourages reflection and energizes through renewal. This is not to say that tea culture is antimodern, but rather that modern tea culture often draws on themes of purification and restoration which dovetail with increasingly popular practices like yoga and meditation. Co-presenter and yoga instructor at the retreat, Margaret Burns Vap, commented on the presentation: “Our talk on the connection between tea and yoga was so much fun to prepare and present. Both are mystical and medicinal, both are special practices that take the tea drinker/yogi away from the daily grind for a soothing break. We took two good things and brought them together to amplify their power and potential for healing. Tea and yoga share health benefits and a rich history, and both have compelling stories as to why everyone should make them part of their lives–but uniting them in the quest for better health is even more compelling.” Their upcoming talk titled “Tea and Yoga: A Blend Steeped in History, Health and Spirit” will be presented at the World Tea Expo in Long Beach, CA, on Friday May 8th, 2015, 8:00am - 9:30am. This talk is open to World Tea Expo attendees who register for the class in advance. World Tea Expo is returning to Southern California this year, May 6-8th, boasting an expo floor filled with tea industry leaders, educational sessions led by experts, and a host of networking events. The admission fee to the expo is currently $50, with additional fees required to attend the educational sessions. More information about the World Tea Expo educational series can be found online at worldteaexpo.com. Co-presenter Maria Uspenski of The Tea Spot, commented: “Having our session as part of the first ‘Tea Up for Health’ education program at the World Tea Expo provides us with the ideal platform to present our research on the intersecting demographic in premium tea and yoga in North America. Margaret and I bring a substantial knowledge base on the yoga and tea markets, respectively, and our goal is to impart a solid understanding of these as well as the requirements of how to most effectively present premium tea to yoga businesses.” If you would like to inquire about scheduling a tea health speaking engagement with Ms. Uspenski, please contact media(at)theteaspot(dot)com. About The Tea Spot: The Tea Spot is a leading producer of handcrafted whole leaf teas and the creator of Steepware®—innovative tools that make the premium tea experience effortless and accessible. The company’s focus has held steadfast since the for-profit philanthropic company was founded by Maria Uspenski in 2004, a cancer survivor drawn to the health benefits of leaf tea during her recovery. Her message is simple and powerful: tea in its freshest form renders premium flavor, unmatched health benefits, and is eco-friendly. The Tea Spot's philanthropic 10% Pledge incorporates its mission to foster health and wellness through loose leaf tea. Ten percent of the company’s sales are donated in-kind to cancer and community wellness programs. The Tea Spot is a Colorado-based Certified B Corporation, woman-owned and operated business. theteaspot.com