| Join Our List
|
|
|
|
Namaste!
On Saturday in Carrington's L 2/3 Vinyasa class, we worked our way up to Pinca Mayurasana (Peacock Feather Pose, or forearm balance). It's one of my favorite postures, and even after working on it diligently for a couple of years, it almost always takes a couple of tries for me to kick up into the full pose in the center of the room. And not all that infrequently, I kick up too hard and go sailing right over the top. So often, in fact, that I will often put a bolster on the floor behind me to soften the landing.
Rather than work at the wall, we partnered up in the middle of the room. It was the job of the assistant to put their arms out after you kicked up into the pose-- to help you find your balance-- one arm to keep you from falling onto your back and the other to keep you from dropping back to your feet.
Liisa, my partner, stepped up and as she did, I felt her solid presence by my side as I prepared to enter the pose. I walked my feet in toward my elbows a bit, stretched my right leg up, and lifted my left leg to meet the right. Effortless. Liisa didn't have to catch a flying leg or bring me back to center. Just knowing that she was there to catch me was enough to quell my fear and insecurity so the graceful expression of the pose could simply BE.
Huh. Friends. Lovers. Family. Partners. Colleagues. People in our lives who are a solid Presence. People who stand by us, and don't have to do a thing but be there-- the people that we trust will catch us if we start to fall; the people who will guide us back to center if we falter. As important as it is to BE that person for others is to recognize those people in our lives whose simple presence allows us-- in big ways and small-- to step up with Grace.
Thanks, Liisa.
Peace,
Jill
|
Eight Limbs of Yoga
|
|
Guidelines for a meaningful and purposeful lifeThe practice of yoga is an art and science dedicated to creating union
between body, mind and spirit. Thousands of years ago, Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutras, documenting guidelines on how to live in peace, good health and harmony with the
greater whole. The sacred text provides eight-steps to enjoying lasting peace. These eight limbs of yoga serve as a prescription for moral
and ethical conduct and self-discipline; they direct attention toward
one's health; and they help us to acknowledge the spiritual aspects of
our nature. In practicing the eight limbs, no one
element is elevated over another in order-- each is part
of a holistic focus. And each person's journey through the eight limbs is unique. - Yamas -- how we conduct ourselves in life or universal morality
- Niyamas -- self-discipline and personal observances
- Asanas -- body postures
- Pranayama -- breath control
- Pratyahara -- sensory transcendence; controlling the senses
- Dharana -- concentration
- Dhyana -- uninterrupted flow of concentrations; meditation
- Samadhi -- state of ecstasy; union with the divine
In the next issue of our newsletter, we'll explore the first limb, the Yamas. If you would like to explore more on your own, pick up The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, translation and commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda next time you're at the blue. |
Our Teachers
|
|
Meet Carrington Jackson
 Favorite
Asana
I loves me a good pigeon. Eka Pada Rajakapotasana
Little
Known Facts About Me
Facebook excerpts~
1. Nickname in high school -- Zook.
2. Before I was a stay-at-home mom, I was a research scientist in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics.
3. My mom
has a picture of me twisting my hair when I was in the incubator, just after
birth, and I still do it. Must have been a bad habit carried over from a previous life.
4. Five people I'd invite to dinner: Bono, Queen Noor, Desmond Tutu, Seane Corn and Oprah.
5. Five people I'd invite to dessert: Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, Miranda and Stanford.
Words
That Describe My Class
Let's put it this way... Intentions I try
to infuse my class with are inspiration, truth, energy, presence, awakening,
wisdom and thought provoking. I tend to bring real life into yoga, which often
brings humor as well. On a 1-5 scale with 5 being a serious ass-kicking, my classes would tend to be in the 3-5
range.
Who Inspires Me
Seane
Corn was the first yoga teacher to show me yoga was so much more than
asana. In two hours she changed my practice from a personal practice into a
global practice. Children also inspire me with their effortless ability to stay
present.
Favorite
yoga music
Frequent
guests on my playlists are Ziggy Marley, Coldplay, U2, Jai Uttal, Beck, Michael
Franti and Me'Shell Ndegeocello.
Favorite
yoga book
Yoga and the Quest for the True Self by Stephen Cope.
Favorite Quote
"My heart holds within it
every form, it contains a pasture for gazelles, a monastery for Christian
monks. There is a temple for idol-worshipers, a holy shrine for pilgrims; There
is the table of the Torah, and the book of the Koran. I follow the religion of
Love and go whichever way his camel leads me. This is the true Faith; This is
the true Religion." ~ Ibn Arabi
Why I love blue lotus
yoga
I've taught at a handful of studios in the area, and
the blue is unlike any other. We often speak of intention in our classes and
that is exactly what you feel when you walk in the blue... Jill's intention for
the space and yoga community is palpable when you step in the door.
I Knew I Loved Yoga
When I walked out of my first class.
My Classes
Vinyasa Open Level
9:30-11:00 am
Mondays and Fridays
Vinyasa
Level 2/3
12:30-2:00
pm
Offered
one Saturday a month; check schedule for dates. |
Let the Rhythm Move You!
|
|
Put a little more passion in your practice
Rhythmic Flow Yoga, a transformational Vinyasa-based practice, has evolved as a communal experience developed by Wilmington, NC-based, Kristin Cooper Gulak and guided and
inspired by the creative rhythms of live drumming.
 Join us June 19 - 21 as we delight in Earth, Water, Space and Fire practices in a synthesis of Vinyasa
sequencing and kriyas, along with intentional visualizations, and
instrumentation.
As the practice and rhythms build, the action of movement and sound
create the power to transform -- revealing passion, power and presence
in your practice.
If you're feeling stagnant in your yoga practice, this is an
opportunity to break through and enjoy the evolution of your
body through rhythm! Beginners are welcome,
especially those who may feel nervous but have that curious spark ... this
is a special, live, liberating, creative, juicy, evolving practice.
Come play!
Visit the Workshops tab in the online scheduler for schedule details and registration information. |
"Welcome Summer" Sale at the blue
|
|
 Class Pass and Retail Sale!
We're celebrating summer's arrival with a sale a the blue!
This week only, buy a 10-class summer pass for $100 (in the studio or online), and take advantage of some great savings in the boo-tique. Buy one regularly priced item, get the second regularly priced item at 40% off. Plus, be sure to check out the $10, $15 and $25 sale baskets!
|
June Workshops & Events
|
|
|
Mark your calender for Deep Stretch with Yvonne on Sunday, June 7, and join us at the classes below for new ways to explore your practice!
Pilates Flow with Denise
6:30-8:00 pm
Friday, June 5
Pilates provides a mind-body experience that improves body awareness
and coordination. Start your weekend by joining Denise for this flowing Pilates
class that will take you through a classical
repertoire of Pilates and also offer some more challenging exercises! All levels welcome.
Refine & Align Your Practice
Posture Clinic with Jill
1:30-3:30 pm
Saturday, June 6
 We love vinyasa flow yoga! It gets the body moving, the juices flowing,
the heart open. But have you ever been in a class feeling like you're
not sure what goes where? Or maybe working in certain poses makes your
back/hip/shoulder/wrist hurt and you don't know what to do about it?
Spend a Saturday afternoon with Jill working on proper alignment in
your postures for a safer, more enjoyable vinyasa practice.
Mind, Body, Soul Day at Ten Thousand Villages
10:00 am-7:00 pm
Saturday, June 6
blue lotus partners with Ten Thousand Villages in Raleigh's Cameron Village for this event at the non-profit, fair trade store.
Events and activities are scheduled throughout the day, including a Yoga Benefits & Demonstration session conducted by blue lotus Yoga Teacher Training students Suzanne Weiner and Kathleen Yount. They will
explain the stress reducing, meditative and physical benefits of yoga
and offer a short class featuring breathing exercises and
basic poses that can be done in street clothes.
Yoga Mala with Jill
7:00-9:00 pm
Thursday, June 18
It has become tradition to mark the passage of time and celebrate the
change of seasons with a Yoga Mala -- 108 Sun Salutations. We invite you to join us for this symbolic ritual. Get inspired by the group energy, be uplifted
by the great world music, and re-set your intention for a regular yoga
practice!
Vinyasa L 2/3 with Carrington
12:30-2:00 pm
Saturday, June 27
 If you are looking for a little more challenge in your Level 2 Class,
you've come to the right place. Join Carrington as she leads this
advanced level Vinyasa class. You should be working towards poses like
bakasana, urdhva dhanurasana and adho mukha vrksasana to participate in
this class.
FREE Community Yoga Classes
12:00-1:00 pm, Saturday, June 6
11:30 am-12:30 pm, Sunday, June 7
12:00-1:00 pm, Wednesday, June 10
10:00-11:00 am, Saturday, June 13
12:00-1:00 pm, Wednesday, June 24
2:30-3:30, Saturday, June 27
6:00-7:00 pm, Sunday, June 28
These free, 60-minute Community Yoga classes are open to students of all levels. Instructors are currently enrolled in 9 Months of Transformation, the blue lotus Yoga Immersion & Teacher Training program. Space in these classes is limited, so please register in advance. Please arrive at least five minutes prior to class start time; otherwise your space will be
offered to another student.
Starting in September . . .9 Months of TransformationYoga Immersion and Teacher Training Interested in diving deeper
into your personal yoga practice?
***
Curious about earning your teacher certification?
***
Already a teacher, looking for more experience in your journey? The next YTT session begins in September 2009. Contact us to learn more about 9 Months of Transformation, Yoga
Immersion and Teacher Training at blue lotus, visit the FAQ page on our website, or contact us at info@bluelotusnc.com
or 919.831.2583.
Visit the online scheduler in the Classes and Workshops tabs for the complete blue lotus schedule and to register. |
|
See you at the blue! |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
