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news from the blue
monthly happenings at blue lotus yoga & movement arts
Vol. 3 / Issue 8
  September 2009
In This Issue
Asana: The Third Limb of Yoga
Teacher Spotlight
Global Mala Weekend
Bhakti Vinyasa Project
September Happenings
Quick Links

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Online Class Schedule
 
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Namaste!
 
I met a very wise woman yesterday and she told me a story of the rabbit and the eagle.
 
Rabbit was going through his life in his rabbity ways:  watchful, cautious, fearful.  Each day he would wander out of his warren into the meadow and while munching on fresh grass he would look furtively to the sky and say, "Eagle, I know you're up there!  Don't you swoop down on me, Eagle.  I'm just small Rabbit, munching greens and minding my own way.  Stay away, Eagle.  Stay away!"
 
And each day was the same.
 
One morning Rabbit hopped out into the sunshine, and nibbled the dew-covered grass.  He looked up and saw Eagle flying straight down toward him.  Eagle caught him in her talons and lifted Rabbit off the earth. 
 
"Why??!!!  Why!!????  I'm not doing any harm!"  cried Rabbit.  "Leave me alone!!"
 
"But, Rabbit," replied Eagle ever so gently, "Every day I hear you calling my name!"
 
This story calls to mind the aphorism "be careful what you wish for" or just the notion of self-fulfilling prophecy or manifestation.  But what a great reminder it is.
 
I love that story.
 
Peace,
 
Jill

Asana:  The Third Limb of Yoga
Postures Practiced in Yoga
 
Yoga is a steady, comfortable posture. ~ Patanjali, Yoga Sutra II:46

The third limb of yoga, Asana, is likely the one with which most people are familiar, and how they "define" yoga. Asana is the postures practiced on your mat in yoga. But yoga, as we've seen with the exploration of the first two limbs already, is much more broad than the practice of physical postures. However, Asana is an important part of the whole.

Like the other limbs of yoga that weave one into the other, Asana is woven into the Niyama of Tapas, which is the heat or zeal that requires self-discipline to produce results. Asana also helps us to develop the ability to concentrate, which is necessary for meditation, or Dhyana, the seventh limb. And the Yamas and Niyamas can always be applied on the mat.

In the yogic view, the body is a temple and caring for it is important to our physical health and spiritual growth. Asana is one of the ways in which we honor the temple that is our body and use it as a tool on our practice journey.

You can learn more about Asana by reading Yoga: The Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness by Erich Schiffmann, or explore how Asana weaves into the whole of the yogic journey with Bringing Yoga to Life by Donna Farhi. Check them out at the blue boo-tique!

"In asana practice we learn to cherish each breath, to cherish every cell in our bodies. The time we spend on the mat is love in action." ~ Rolf Gates, Meditations from the Mat
Our Teachers
Meet Julee Snyder

Julee SnyderFavorite Asanas: Supta Baddha Konasana (reclined bound angle) and Urdhva Prasarita Padasana against the wall (legs up the wall)

Little Known Facts About Me: My partner calls me "bok choy"

Words That Describe My Class: Luscious, organic, slow flow

Who Inspires Me:  My students

Favorite yoga music:  Silence

Favorite yoga book: All About Love by Bell Hooks. My yoga definition is broad. When I was exploring the fourth kosha, I began to ask questions about the discriminating mind, and determined the thing that allows me to discriminate -- the basis of which can sometimes appear so random --  was to make choices that move me towards love. I found this book helpful and inspiring.

Favorite Quote:  "There is no passion to be found playing small -- in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." - Nelson Mandela

Why I love blue lotus:  I love blue lotus because of the community and the willingness of some students to let me go on and on about anatomy and actually be fascinated. What a treat!

I knew I loved yoga:  ... after taking a daily class for two weeks, I began to do new things spontaneously:  buy vitamins, boldly assert my opinions, and burst out into joyous cackling in random and unknown times. 

My Classes:
Vinyasa 1
5:30-6:30 pm, Wednesdays
Yoga Foundations I Six-Week Series
Check schedule
Yoga Foundations II Series
Check schedule
Yoga Anatomy Workshops
Check schedule

Global Mala Weekend:  It's Yoga Month!
Celebrate Raleigh Global Mala at Three Area Studios

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blue lotus is teaming up with Evolve Yoga and Gateway Yoga to celebrate yoga month and the Global Mala, September 18 - 20.

Join us for a host of events, including a potluck, drumming, 108 backbends, Mandala Namaskar, Trance Dance, Meditation, Yoga Mala and more!

For details and a full schedule, visit Raleigh Global Mala or visit the blue lotus online schedule.

All classes are by donation and benefit the Piedmont Wildlife Center.
Bhakti Vinyasa Project
Live Music & Yoga Experience

The past four years, husband and wife musical duo Kristin Luna Ray and Joshua Canter have been experimenting with the blending of live music and yoga. Through this musical yoga journey they have found the results to be incredibly deep and powerful. With a blend of instrumental music, mantras, and Luna's original songs, the live musical influence has taken the yoga experience to a whole new level.

Luna and JoshuaThe Bhakti Vinyasa Project comes to blue lotus September 26 and 27, as Kristin and Joshua lead Kirtan on Saturday from 7:00-9:00 pm and perform during an open level Vinyasa flow class Sunday from 9:30-11:30 am.

This collaboration is unique to other Live Musical Yoga experiences, as specific practices have been choreographed to blend the asana, the music and the teachings together in a class like no other.

To register and for details, visit the Workshops tab at the online schedule.
September Workshops & Events
We have a lot going on in September!  Be sure to check the online scheduler for details about these special classes and others this month.

Yin Intensive with Yvonne
12:30-2:30 pm, Saturday, September 5
Yin yoga helps to stimulate and strengthen the connective tissue of the joints with more passive, longer holds in yoga poses. It's a great balance to a more active "yang" lifestyle but also great for all levels.

Yoga Anatomy:  Establishing Roots with Julee
10:30 am-Noon, starts Sunday September 20
Yoga AnatomyThis series explores the anatomy of the lower extremities. Study the bones and other important anatomical features, exploring movement potential and integrate your findings into asana.

Take the classes you choose or all four in the series.
September 20:  Foot and Foreleg
October 18: The Pelvis and Pelvic Floor
November 8:  Hips and Knees
December 6:  Integrating Foot to Pelvis

Yoga Foundations with Julee
10:30 am-Noon, Saturdays
September 19 - October 31 (no class October 10) Up Dog B
If you are new to yoga, this is the perfect place to start! The six-week series is designed for beginners seeking a strong foundation of the basic poses in Level 1/ Open Vinyasa (flow) classes. You also receive a discount on retail items, a yoga book and $20 off a 10-pass card.

Yoga Foundations II with Julee
12:30-2:00 pm, Sundays
September 20 & 27, October 18 & 25
This four-part series is designed for anyone who wants to learn more about yoga basics. Foundations II is for you -- if you have completed Yoga Foundations and would like to explore postures further, if you have been away from yoga for a while, or if you've tried Level 1 and Open classes and need just a little better understanding of alignment and breath. Join us to explore your practice!

FREE Community Yoga ClassesBlueLotus36_DownDog
These free classes are open to students of all levels. Instructors have completed 9 Months of Transformation, the blue lotus Yoga Immersion & Teacher Training program.
  • 11:30 am-12:30 pm, Sunday, September 6
  • 12:00-1:00 pm, Wednesday, September 9
  • 12:00-1:00 pm, Wednesday, September 16
  • 12:30-1:30 pm, Saturday, September 19
  • 12:00-1:00 pm, Monday, September 28
Space in these classes is limited, so please register in advance.
 
Visit the online scheduler in the Classes and Workshops tabs for the complete blue lotus schedule and to register.

See you at the blue!


 

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