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Namaste!
The body speaks. Sometimes in whispers and sometimes in shouts. But make no mistake if there is a message on the inside trying to work its way to the conscious mind, in the words of Aadil Palkhivala: when you're not listening, there's nothing like acute, intense pain to get your attention.
Over the years, my body has created a huge lexicon for communicating with me: sometimes in the bones, muscles and joints, other times in the immune system, and often, in the nervous system. Although it comes in different forms, with various messages, the undercurrent is always the same: you are out of balance; you are out of alignment with the Truth; you are NOT LISTENING!
It happens on the mat, after too many hours of work, after too few hours of play, after gently prodding for weeks or months with an "it would be good for you to..." whisper, then WHAM! a sore throat, my back goes out, you get the picture.
So what is it? What to do? I once read that yoga helps to connect us to the place inside that knows better: the part that makes better choices, and then has the clarity and integrity to act on those choices. But as with cultivating any form of intuition, it takes practice and it takes trust. First to listen and then to act. Over and over and over. You are not doing yourself or anyone else a favor by continuing to plow through with blinders on when you are getting an internal message telling you otherwise. Pause. Listen. Trust. Act.
Peace,
Jill |
The Root Chakra
| | Feeling ungrounded? Could be a deficient Root Chakra
The Muladhara or Root
Chakra is located at the base of the spine and is associated with the element earth. It represents physical and
emotional grounding, and is also associated with the color red, which has a slower
vibration than the colors that symbolize the other chakras.
Circumstances that pull up our roots and cause a first chakra  deficiency include traveling, relocation, feeling fearful, and big changes in our body, family, finances, or business. Some people who tend to live more in the head than the body -- often those with busy minds and active imaginations -- don't need special challenges to become deficient in this chakra. They can feel ungrounded most of the time.
Deficiencies in the Root Chakra can sometimes be experienced as demanding a lot of immediate attention -- as a matter of survival. On the opposite end of the spectrum, excessive energy in the first chakra can manifest as greed, hoarding or gaining a lot of excess weight.
Stretching and strengthening legs and feet and opening the hamstrings can help to bring balance to the first chakra energy. Peaceful restorative poses, like Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining Bound Angle Pose) and Salamba Balasana (Supported Child's Pose), can also help to settle an overactive mind and encourage us to surrender to gravity.
Returning to your body and the earth with poses that balance the Root Chakra can bring you security and stillness.
Next month, we'll explore the Svadisthana Chakra, the second chakra, which is related to the hips, sacrum and reproductive organs.
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Tamal returns!
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Master Class with Tamal June 16
 The blue is so pleased to host
a Master Class with Tamal again this year!
A Master Class offers
practitioners of all levels an opportunity to dive deeper into their
yoga and take their practice to
the next level.
Tamal has been practicing
yoga his whole life, beginning when he was a young boy in his family's
ashram in Hawaii. For the past 11 years, he has been blending
humor, music and meditation into his vigorous vinyasa classes.
All levels of vinyasa students are invited and
encouraged to attend as Tamal guides us on a journey through the body,
the mind and the heart.
Join us from 6:30 to 9:00 pm, Wednesday, June 16, for this two-hour vinyasa flow and stretch practice followed by guided meditation.
Register online at the Workshops tab. Be sure to register in advance, as Tamal's Master Class fills to capacity each year.
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Summer of Service
| | Build a fence with the Coalition to Unchain Dogs!
We've done the postures. We've done the work on ourselves off the mat. In yoga, there comes a time to ask the question, "Now what?" The "what" is to serve.
blue lotus is offering you a series of opportunities this summer to serve. Our first Seva Yoga project will be with the Raleigh Chapter of the Coalition to Unchain Dogs. On Sunday, June 20, we'll build a fence for a dog eagerly awaiting to be set free from its chained confinement, to run and play in a fenced-in yard.
Carrington will conduct a Vinyasa~ Open Level class by-donation from 8:00-9:30 am, Sunday, June 20, to benefit our fence build (and we'll be collecting donations all week prior in the studio). Following the class, volunteers will gather at the dog's home in Raleigh to build a fence.
Register today to join the blue's Summer of Service seva project to free a dog from its chains. You can participate in any way you choose: make a donation, participate in the Vinyasa Open by-donation class (Karma Yoga -- The Yoga), and/or participate in the fence-build (Karma Yoga -- The Build).
If you plan to help us with the fence build, it's important to let us know by registering online so we can plan our volunteers accordingly with the Coalition to Unchain Dogs.
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Join the Blue Crew for the Cure
| | Walk or Run with us June 12 in the Race for the Cure!
Walk, run or sleep in for the Cure as a member of the Blue Crew for the Cure! Join the team by going to this link and choosing to "Join the Team" or "Donate to this Team."
Most of the members of the Blue Crew for the Cure will be participating in the 8:45 am Co-ed Recreational Open 5K Run/Walk, but as a member of the team, you can participate in any of the four races on Race Day, Saturday, June 12.
7:00 a.m. - Competitive Open 5K (co-ed)
7:45 a.m. - Women's Only - Jeanne's Race 5K Run/Walk
8:45 a.m. - Recreational Open 5K Run/Walk (co-ed)
9:30 a.m. - One-Mile Fun Run/Walk (co-ed)
After you register at the Race for the Cure site above, be sure to register online at blue lotus so we can communicate rendezvous information for Race Day with all who join the team!
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Yoga Immersion & Teacher Training:
What's It All About?
| | Get answers to your questions June 13
What exactly is involved in 9 months of transformation, the  the blue's Yoga Immersion & Teacher Training program? Find out during the upcoming info session, when we'll cover all the bases and answer your questions about the program. Join us from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, Sunday, June 13.
Students enrolled or interested in enrolling for September 2010 to May 2011 or even for the following year are invited to ask questions, while current students and recent graduates share their experiences.
Check out the FAQ list or contact us at info@bluelotusnc.com or 919.831.2583.
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The Foundations of Yoga
| | Yoga Foundations I Series now offered on Sundays!
 For all those who have been asking for a different day and time for Yoga Foundations I, check out our two, six-week series offered this summer with Julee from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Sundays!
- Session 1 starts this Sunday: June 6, 13, 20, 27; July 7, 18 (no class July 4)
- Session 2: July 25, August 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
If you are new to yoga or just want to brush up on the basics, you'll love this Yoga Foundations course that provides a
strong foundation of the basic asanas (poses) and gives you an
understanding of the breath and how it links movement. 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.
You also receive a discount on yoga gear, books, CDs and more in the blue Boo-tique as well as a discount on classes. For details or to pre-register (required), visit the Workshops tab at the online scheduler.
Foundations 2 now offered as an ongoing class!
Often
in yoga the focus is on the clarity and alignment of the poses. This
is important for many reasons, but rarely is there discussion about the
principles underlying the transitions in and out of poses. This class
aims to fill in the gap.
Foundations 2 is now offered as an ongoing class that focuses on the principles of flow. We will look at the relationships of
self-to-self, self-to-space, overcurves and undercurves, core to
periphery, gravity and suspension, and other movement themes. We'll spend several weeks on the same theme in order to build skill.
June: Principles of Flow
July: Standing Poses
August: Forward Bends
Classes move slowly and intentionally, working in partners and small
groups to understand the poses. Questions are encouraged!
Brush up on fundamentals in Foundations 2, 10:30 a.m. to Noon, Saturdays, starting June 5. The series was designed for beginners, but practitioners of all levels are welcome!
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Where can I park?
| | With the arrival of our new neighbor, Mirage, across the street as well as the ongoing popularity of Glenwood South, parking has become a premium during some yoga classes. Be sure to pay attention to the signs indicating where you can or cannot park, as the City has not be hesitating to issue citations for violations -- even in places where they have not traditionally done so in the past.
 Note, parking is not permitted on the West side of West Street directly in front of our building. However, you are permitted to park in any of the three lots for 401 N. West Street patrons, including: the lot in front of the studio, the lot just North of that (down the hill), and the lot on the South corner of West and Tucker.
Additionally, there is available street parking on West, North, Tucker, Harrington and Glenwood and surrounding streets. Be sure to check the street signs for where and when parking is permitted!
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| June Workshops & Events | | This month, you'll find a lot of your favorites, including Juicy Flow Yoga, Deep Stretch, Explore and Restore, Power Flow, Vinyasa 2/3, Trance Dance, Back Care Yoga and more! Check the scheduler for dates and times!
Yin and Bare It (Yin II) $10! with Yvonne
*NEW CLASS*
 7:00-8:00 am, Thursdays, starting June 3
In this early morning practice, we incorporate silent mindfulness and breathing techniques with the Yin poses (which are held for longer periods of time) for a deeper experience of Yin Yoga. Experience with Yin Yoga is not required, but may be helpful.
Partner Stretch with Yvonne
6:30-8:00 pm, Friday, June 4
Deep Stretch? Partner Yoga? Enjoy two of your favorite classes rolled into one! Sign up with a friend, or be paired up at the studio for a Friday evening of assisted deep stretch. Only one person of the partner pair needs to register.
Have a Ball with Yvonne
2:00-4:00 pm, Saturday, June 5
Join us for self massage with tennis balls intermixed with some yoga asanas to find deeper release of the muscles and tendons in the body.
Yin Intensive with Yvonne
12:30 - 2:30, Saturday, June 12
Yin yoga is the perfect complement and balance to our more active, "yang" lifestyle. New depths in postures, deeper ranges of motion, or an increased flow of energy may only be achievable by focusing on the deeper tissues of the body.
This practice consists of a quiet Yin sequence where seated postures are held to stimulate and strengthen the connective tissue and the joints.
Kids Summer Yoga & Art Camp with Jen
1:30-4:30 pm
Monday, June 14 through Friday, June 18
Open to kids ages 6 to 9
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!
Heads Up! In August we'll offer a Kids Yoga, Art & Service Camp for kids ages 10 to 13, from 1:30-4:30 pm, August 2-6. Details at the Workshops tab on the scheduler!
Advanced Restorative with Julee
10:00-12:00, Sunday, June 20
Intermediate and advanced students currently practicing active asana will enjoy this class that requires a certain level of spinal flexibility and familiarity with the active version of poses. We'll practice in a supported way. Students should have experience with backbends & shoulder stands. Bring your sandbags, eye pillows and head wraps if you have them.
Yoga Mala! with Jill
4:00-6:00 pm, Sunday, June 20
 It has become tradition to mark the passage of time and celebrate the change of seasons with a Yoga Mala-- 108 Sun Salutations. As we embark on a new season, we invite you to join us for this symbolic ritual.
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 pm, Saturday, June 5 2:30-3:30 pm, Saturday, June 19 12:30-1:30 pm, Wednesday, June 23 6:00-7:00 pm, Sunday, June 27 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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