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Namaste!
I've been asked to talk about my trip in this newsletter. But as I sat down to write it seemed more relevant to share a lesson learned/remembered along the way...
How many times have you been in a challenging situation and grumbled, strained or just wanted to up and quit? To be sure, I did my share of grumbling, complaining and wanting to quit while on my month-long adventure. But wow...am I ever glad I saw it through.
And that's the key. When you're in a spot that is difficult or painful; when life is rubbing you the wrong way; when things aren't going how you want them to go...remember that what you can't yet see is the other side. And just as looking forward might appear to be the light of a high-speed oncoming express train right now, you can't know how this very spot will appear to you when you are looking BACK at it.
What to do with that? Think of your asana practice and what you've learned on the mat. Those poses you, well, don't LOVE. Grumbling about them; cursing the stupid teacher who is keeping you there; hating on the person next to you with the sweat-free brow and enlightened expression; desperately looking for a distraction, an exit, an alternative... it makes the situation worse, and not better. It makes the experience full of struggle and pain, instead of sensation and possibility. In short, you're missing it. And chances are, you'll carry that negativity on past that one pose.
So while the Eternal Plank Hold might give rise to some of the emotional responses named above, remember the ease, the relief, the aliveness and grace you felt coming OUT of that pose. It's the same experience whether it's a yoga posture, a place, a relationship or a situation. You have to go through it to get there-- to have perspective.
There's only one way to the next thing. And that's through this place you're in right now. Don't miss anything along the way!
Peace,
Jill |
Chakras: Seven Energy Vortexes
| | An introduction to your body's energy centers
Perhaps you've been in a yoga class when the teacher mentions something about a chakra, and you think,"Huh? What is she talking about?" If the terminology is new to you, you are not alone. We are going to take some time in the coming months to shed some light on these subtle energy centers. For the skeptics among us, remember simple physics: energy precedes matter. The very basis of the physical body is actually energetic in nature.
 Chakra is the Sanskrit word for wheel. There are seven major chakras arranged vertically from the base of the spine to the top of the head. These chakras or "wheels" were thought of traditionally by the first yogis as spinning vortexes of energy. Imbalances in the chakras, it is thought, can inhibit one's health and happiness as well as one's path to higher consciousness. These imbalances may develop in the short-term with situational challenges, or they may be chronic, for example, brought about by a childhood experience, ingrained cultural values or long periods of stress or strain.
Each energy center corresponds with a major nerve plexus and/or gland center in the physical body. They have relationships with different body functions (internal) as well as issues we face in the world and how we deal with them (external). As energy centers of force, chakras can be thought of as portals where we receive, absorb and distribute energy brought into our lives, in whatever form. How we process that energy impacts our chakras.
An imbalanced chakra can be deficient of energy -- when it stops receiving, or can have excessive energy -- when is so overloaded it cannot operate. We'll look at examples of these imbalances as we explore each of the seven chakras throughout this year.
In our next issue, we'll discuss the Root, or Muladhara Chakra, located at the base of the spine, at the tailbone, and how certain yoga poses can help to balance that foundational energy.
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Kids Summer Yoga & Art Camp
| | Inspire creativity on and off the mat!
Yoga and art are fun ways for children to develop important, creative, healthy skills in a fun, non-competitive environment. Exploring yoga and art can teach kids valuable lessons -- that being right or wrong, or being best or worst is not important. Yoga and art bring unity to one's life -- and that is a valuable lesson all by itself!
Help
your child enhance his or her imagination and feel confident about creativity through yoga and art. In our summer camp, we'll use books, songs,
games and poems to explore meditation, breathing practices and yoga
poses appropriate for kids. And we'll play with
art, and let our creative juices flow!
Kids Summer Yoga & Art Camp with Jen1:30-4:30 pm Monday, June 14 through Friday, June 18 Open to kids ages 6 to 9 Fee: $120 per child Register here at the Workshops tab. Healthy
snacks and drinks will be provided throughout the week during this
drop-off camp. Camp size is limited to 10 children, and
pre-registration is required.
For kids 10 and over, look ahead to August for another camp! |
Spring cleaning the Wee Boo-tique
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All yoga clothes 30% off the first week of May!
 We are Spring cleaning our Boo-tique closet, so to speak, and you are the lucky beneficiaries!
From May 2 through May 8, full-priced yoga clothes at the blue lotus boo-tique will be 30% off. Sale items will be 20% off of the lowest marked price. Come by and pick up the favorite shirt and yoga pants you've be eyeing all winter. Now is the time!
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| May Workshops & Events | | This month, you'll find a lot of your favorites, including Juicy Flow, Back Care Yoga, Disco Flow, Vinyasa 2/3, Deep Stretch, and Candlelight Yoga & Chocolate! And be sure to check out Carrington's new special class, Hot Detox Flow, Sunday, May 30. It's all on the scheduler!
Early Bird Yoga ($10!) gets even earlier!
Our Tuesday Early Bird Class is now even earlier, from 6:30-7:30 am, for those who were finding the later start just a bit too tight for the morning commute. Join Kathleen, Sandy and Suzanne, who will share the teaching of these early morning classes. Rise and shine, and make Tuesdays your best day of the week by starting with morning yoga!
Sunday Sadhana with Jill
8:00-11:00 am
Sunday, May 2
At the heart of yoga is the belief that a spiritual practice must walk hand-in-hand with life in a busy world. Sadhana is any yoga practice that uplifts the spirit, helps us tune in and clear the cluttered mind. Steady your mind and strengthen your willpower to help you move through this world with compassion and understanding. Join us for an extended practice, including chanting, pranayama, asana and extended deep relaxation. Anyone with a regular vinyasa practice is welcome to attend, as this is not an advanced asana class.
Thai Massage Certification Weekend with Gabriel Azoulay
Thai Yoga: Introduction
6:00-9:00 pm, Friday, May 21
Thai Yoga: The Lower Body
10:00 am-1:00 pm, Saturday, May 22
Thai Yoga: The Upper Body
2:00-5:00 pm, Saturday, May 22
Thai Yoga: Sitting
8:00-11:00 am, Sunday, May 23
Thai Yoga: The Complete Practice
12:30-3:00 pm, Sunday, May 23
Explore the Bandhas with Julee10:00 am-1:00 pm, Saturday, May 29 (Part 1) 11:00 am-2:00 pm, Sunday, May 30 (Part 2) Bandha in yoga means lock or gate. And similar to the locks of the canals in Amsterdam or Venice, we use the bandhas to contain, build and release the flow of energy in the body. Explore the three major yogic bandhas and movement possibilities, as we integrate the bandha into asana, pranayama practice, and meditation.
(Take one or both parts.) Yoga Foundations Six-Week Series with Julee12:30-2:00 pm Sundays, June 6, 13, 20, 27; July 7, 18
 New to yoga? Just want to brush up on the basics? You'll love this six-week course that provides a strong foundation of the basic asanas (poses) and gives you an understanding of the breath and how it links movement. You'll learn correct structural alignment in each pose, including appropriate modifications to suit your body. With this intro to the basics, you'll attend classes with confidence in your ability to safely modify or ramp up the practice according to your personal needs. All are welcome. Come find the joy of yoga!!
Free Community Yoga!Please be sure to pre-register online for these free classes. Space is limited, and classes are often full. 12:30-1:30 apm, Saturday, May 1 4:30-5:30 pm, Sunday, May 2 2:30-3:30 pm, Saturday, May 8 4:00-5:00 pm, Saturday, May 8 for KIDS! 12:00-1:00 pm, Wednesday, May 12 Visit the online scheduler at the Classes and Workshops tabs for the complete blue lotus schedule and to register. |
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Join me and my friends at the blue! |
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