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Namaste!
From
Webster's:
WANT:
(v) To feel a desire or wish for
NEED: (v) To
require, to be necessary
Some
examples from my own life: I WANT to
open the pint of Ben & Jerry's Mint Chocolate Cookie ice cream and find my
way to the bottom of the carton. I NEED
to close the freezer, leash up Miss Padma and go for a walk. I WANT to stay out
a little later on Saturday night and have another glass of wine. I NEED to go home, save a little money, and get
to bed early so I can rise with the sun and start my day feeling clear and
bright. I WANT to continue to sit at the
computer, burying myself in work so I can tick some things off the
"to-do" list and therefore feel "productive."
I NEED to shut it down and go for a hike in the woods, see a movie with
friends, go swimming, climbing-- ANYTHING but work.
And never
the twain shall meet? Not
necessarily.
This
little lesson (like most that I am here to learn) cycles around from time to
time as a reminder. Freedom and the
happiness that freedom creates is not so much about doing whatever I want to
do, whenever I want to do it. Rather,
it's cultivating discipline (tapas) in the areas of life where it is most
difficult to do so. My yoga practice teaches
me about real honesty and shows me again and again that when I get clear on
what I truly need (in order to be healthy, happy, loving, open, etc...) I make
better choices. And when the table
turns, I know I'll find that what I want actually, delightfully, miraculously IS what I need.
Peace,
Jill
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Yama: The First Limb of Yoga
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Living a life of universal morality
As introduced in our June issue, the Eight Limbs of yoga are instructions on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life. They are a sort of road map for moral and ethical conduct and include a detailed list of practices through which anyone can find profound happiness and Self-realization.
The first limb of yoga is the Yamas, a universal social and ethical code of disciplines. The Yamas allow us to take a close look at how we conduct ourselves in the world. What are our ethical standards? Do we have a sense of integrity? There are five Yamas.
Ahimsa or non-harming. Ahimsa is a rule of conduct which asks us to do the least amount of harm to ourselves and to others. It is closely connected with the notion that all kinds of
violence entail negative karmic consequences.
Satya or truthfulness. Satya is not only speaking the truth, but recognizing that withholding
information, stretching the truth, exaggerating, gossiping or retelling a
story with possible inaccuracies are all forms of
untruth, and they are harmful.
Asteya or non-stealing. Asteya refers to not stealing, as well as to not obstructing other people's desires in life. This includes not taking anything that doesn't belong to you on physical, mental or emotional levels as well as "things."
Brahmacharya or continence. Classically, brahmacharya is translated as celibacy. But a broader interpretation asks aspirants on the path to discipline the use of sexual energy, the result of which is unbounded vitality.
Aparigraha or non-covetousness. Aparigraha is the practice of non-possessiveness, meaning to limit possessions to what is necessary or important, inviting us to have only what we need.
While the Yamas generally comprise the "shall nots" in our dealings with the external world, Niyama, the second limb of yoga, addresses the "shall dos" of our dealings with our inner world. We'll take a look at those in the August issue.
To explore more on
your own, next time you're at the blue pick up Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison.
As Gates writes in his meditation for Day 1: Yoga is a lamp lit in the window of our house, dimly glimpsed across the spiritual wilderness in which we wander. At a time when we could not feel further from our home, yoga reminds us that we are already there . . .
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Our Teachers
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Meet Conni Sithes
Favorite
Asana
At the moment, it's Natarajasana (dancer's pose). It's one of my favorite places to play since my
spine, shoulders and quads are all extremely tight. It feels wonderful to allow
all of these places to breathe.
Little
Known Facts About Me
I have always been involved with health and fitness in some way, which may not be surprising. But the most
challenging was working with the Air Force and bringing those boys into shape!
Words
That Describe My Class
Energetic and playful
Who Inspires Me
I would have to say the student who comes into class knowing very little
about Yoga or himself or herself, and leaves class with a completely different
perspective . . . hopefully positive.
Favorite
yoga music
Shaman's Dream. I love everything they have.
Favorite
yoga book
Bringing Yoga to Life by Donna Farhi
Favorite Quote
"Let the beauty that you love be what you do." ~ Rumi
I knew I loved blue lotus from the first moment I took a class. Everything from the space to the
people was very inviting, and being able to experience all of the different teachers
was very inspirational.
My Classes
Power Flow
7:00 - 8:30 pm, Tuesdays
Spring Training
9:30 - 11:00 am, Thursdays
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Why take a Private Yoga lesson?
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Learn adjustments for your body and reduce injury risk
Traditionally, as T.K.V. Desikachar discusses in The Heart of Yoga, yoga instruction was shared one-to-one between a teacher and student. While Yoga has evolved in the United States to a practice that often involves groups of students, much is still gained by individual instruction.
During a private session, the teacher takes into close consideration your general health, fitness level, experience with yoga, injuries or illnesses, as well as your intentions for practicing yoga. Subtle adjustments to alignment can be addressed that are unique to your body, and the instruction on how to appropriately modify any pose is tailored specifically to your needs. You will come away with a stronger foundation, a clearer understanding of yoga, and a safer practice-- in the studio or at home.
 If you are new to yoga, a few private classes could be just the foundation you need to learn the poses and breathing techniques in order to feel more at ease in group classes.
If you have a busy schedule that doesn't easily accommodate regular class times, private classes may be just what you need to make a practice part of your weekly routine.
Lastly, private instruction allows you to focus on poses or areas of development that are important to you, and can even include a customized series of asanas for your home practice.
Teachers at the blue can provide private instruction in your home or at the studio. If you'd like to explore this option for your practice, give us a call at (919) 831-2853 or shoot us an email. |
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Review the blue! |
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Share your experience
If you want to share your blue lotus experience with others in the yoga community, now is your chance. There are a couple of online sites where you can tell the world what you think of the blue, like Yogi Reviews and Citysearch. Of course, we always welcome your feedback personally and on our blog or via email. Whatever your preferred communication method, we value your thoughts and opinions about your blue community. |
July Workshops & Events
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Mark your calender for Juicy Flow with Yvonne on Saturday, July 25, and join us at the classes below for new ways to explore your practice!
Yoga Foundations Six-Week Series with Julee 10:30 am to Noon Saturdays, July 11 and 25, August 1, 8, 22, 29
 If you are a beginner looking for a strong foundation or have practiced a bit and want to brush up on the basics, Yoga Foundations has found you. Learn about the importance of breath, how it links movement, and much more. Questions are invited throughout class as the basis for discussion and for the benefit of all.
No need to feel intimidated; all are welcome! Vinyasa L 2/3 with Carrington 12:30-2:00 pm Saturday, July 11 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.Back Care Yoga with Michele
9:00-10:00 am
Sunday, July 12
Gentle
and therapeutic by nature, back care classes are a wonderful way to
strengthen the back safely, and they also provide a safe haven for
people with back injuries.
Groove the Collective! 3:00-5:00 pm, Sunday, July 12
Join Jill and special guests Meaghan and Gil as they co-teach a
donation-based class to help Meaghan raise $20,000 for the Seva
Challenge African Humanitarian Tour. This uplifting and inspirational class is a celebration of conscious
collective community. That means you! Together we create the ripples of
change within that become the waves of change we wish to see in the
world. All levels welcome.
Yin Intensive Workshop with Yvonne
12:30-2:30 pm
Saturday, July 25
Join Yvonne for a quiet Yin sequence, where seated postures are
held to stimulate and strengthen the connective tissue and the joints,
and to clear away blockages along the meridian lines relating to the
major organs.
Vinyasa for Teen Girls 3:30-5:00 pm Saturday, July 25 Yoga offers tweens and teens a fun and playful way to increase fitness,
flexibility and body-awareness. Come to learn how the regular practice of
yoga can help you maintain balance in your life and keep the spirit and
soul strong and healthy. Ages 12 - 17 welcome!
FREE Community Yoga Classes
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.
- 5:00-6:00 pm, Sunday, July 5
- 12:00-1:00 pm, Wednesday, July 8
- 2:30-3:30, Saturday, July 11
- 12:00-1:00 pm, Wednesday, July 22
- 6:30-7:30 pm, Friday, July 24
- 10:00-11:30am, Sunday, July 26
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.
Step forward in your yoga journey
9 Months of Transformation
Yoga Immersion and Teacher Training
~ Dive deeper
into your personal yoga practice
~ Earn your teacher certification
~ Explore your yoga journey further
Join the next YTT session beginning 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 [email protected]
or 919.831.2583.
July 4 Schedule
Be sure to check the online scheduler for the July 4 Independence Day holiday schedule details:
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No Yin July 1; substituted with Stretch & Restore
- Regular Thursday schedule July 2
- Morning Vinyasa~Open July 3 and 4 with Carrington (only classes these two days)
- 3:00 pm Vinyasa Open, and 5:00 pm FREE Community Yoga July 5
Visit the online scheduler in the Classes and Workshops tabs for the complete blue lotus schedule and to register. |
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See you at the blue! |
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