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Namaste!
I'm a bit of a word geek. I love new words, quotes, foreign languages, you name it, I love it all. So I'm always excited to be introduced to a phrase I've never heard before. Festina Lente.This little phrase showed up at the end of an e-mail message from a friend, who is a fellow logophile. Not to be in the dark for a moment, I immediately consulted our ever-present guide Google-ji to find the definition of this little Latin gem: Make haste slowly. Yes, that's right. Make Haste Slowly. How much do I love this little phrase? Let me count the ways. First, it's got the lovable charm of an oxymoron: hurry up and slow down, already, you might say. And as someone who is regularly in a hurry for absolutely no reason, it's sound advice. It is relevant to note that we're not saying lente lente (though also good advice) and so Festina Lente carries the suggestion that even those things of an urgent nature be seen through with patience and care. This brings to mind my grandfather and his "if you're going to do something at all, you may as well do it your best" ways. There's the faint aroma of diligence and patience hidden in the phrase. But my favorite slice-let of Festina Lente showed up in Wikipedia, "Work is best done in a state of flow in which one is fully engaged by the task and there is no sense of time passing." Ahhhhh...The Zone. In the moment. The eternal now. The timeless space in which we are at one with the task at hand, moving with Grace. The goal of our practice is this savoring, fully present place where we are so completely right here that we miss nothing. Yes, please. As you move through your December, and its parties, travels, shopping trips, visits, hurries and stresses, Festina Lente, friends. Festina Lente.
Peace,
Jill
sahasrara: crown chakra |
connection with the Divine
 The ancient Hindus associated the seven chakras with the sleeping serpent goddess, Kundalini. She waits dormant, coiled around the base of the spine until awakened. Once stirred, she travels upward and pierces each chakra, bringing successively higher states of awareness that culminate in enlightenment at the crown chakra, located at the top of the head.
The Sahasrara or crown chakra is represented by a thousand-petaled lotus, the symbol of purity and spirituality. Not to be taken literally, the number 1,000 implies the infinite nature of this energy center, which provides our most direct connection with the Divine. Although often associated with the color violet, it is more accurately associated with white, a combination of all colors, just as this chakra synthesizes the other six chakras.
Sahasrara symbolizes the highest state of enlightenment and facilitates our spiritual development. Associated with the highest functions of the mind, Sahasara chakra is the home of belief systems that control our thoughts and actions. As the mind thinks, so we create our lives.
Excessive energy here may be seen as one being overly intellectual or displaying feelings of spiritual or intellectual elitism. Deficient energy here can manifest as difficulty thinking for yourself, apathy, spiritual skepticism and materialism.
The best yogic practice for bringing this chakra into balance is Meditation. Just as the physical body needs a shower, the busy mind, filled with so many thoughts and concerns, also needs to be cleansed. Meditation practice trains the mind to become more present, clear and open to insight.
Many people seeking higher consciousness have disregarded the importance of the lower chakras and focused primarily on the crown chakra. Yet we need strong and solid support of our base chakras in order to open to the spiritual life in a healthy and integrated way.
All of our chakras affect one another and ultimately work together. As we learn to use this ancient Indian system to understand ourselves, we can gain insight into personal issues that require our attention—and we can use the techniques of yoga to bring these subtle energy centers-- and lives-- back into balance and harmony.
Source: Yoga Journal
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our teachers |
meet alison darch
 Favorite Asana: Savasana. This is where my practice all comes together. It is the asana of letting go.
Little Known Facts About Me: I am an introvert.
Words That Describe My Class: In my Level 1 class: basics, alignment, modifications, connecting the bodymind through awareness, letting go of ego and working in our own place of strength. In my Restorative classes: quieting the bodymind enough to be present, letting go mentally and physically, surrendering.
Who Inspires Me: Of those who continue to inspire me, Jill Sockman has been at the forefront for the last several years. I am inspired by her knowledge, words, grace and humanness.
Favorite yoga music: I don’t really have a favorite artist. I have favorite pieces from many artists of different genres. A few of my favorites are Ben Leinbach, Jai Uttal, Alexi Murdoch, Chinmaya Dunster, Deva Premal.
Favorite yoga book: The Spirit and Practice of Moving Into Stillness by Erich Schiffmann and The Tree of Yoga by B.K.S Iyengar
Favorite Quote: Everything in moderation.
Why I love blue lotus: It is not just another studio, it’s a sanctuary . . . a home . . . a deep breath.
I knew I loved yoga when: It carried me through a very rough patch in my life by keeping me grounded and strong.
My Classes:
Vinyasa Level 1
5:30-6:30 pm, Wednesdays
11:30 am-12:30 pm, Thursdays
Stretch & Restore Assisting
5:30-6:30 pm, Thursdays
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karma yoga: building hope |
join us for a Habitat build december 18
Join the blue crew for our next Seva project, where we take our yoga off the mat and into the community. We'll be working with Habitat for Humanity of Wake County on a home in the Braemar community in Zebulon, N.C., just outside of Raleigh, where we'll help with framing, roofing and siding.
We'll meet at the build location at 8:30 am, Saturday, December 18, and work until 4:30 pm. (Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age to work on a Construction or DeConstruction site. Youth ages 16 and 17 are require a signed consent form.)
To register as a blue crew volunteer for the Habitat Build Seva project, visit the online scheduler and click the Workshops & Events tab!
For those who missed the most recent karma yoga outing at the Moore Square Clean Up, check out the photos on our Facebook page.
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give the gift of yoga |
new blue gear and gift cards for the yogi in your life
 It's that time of year -- making a list and checking it twice. If you're stumped about what to get your favorite yogi or yogini, we've got a few ideas that just might be the perfect fit. Come by the Wee Boo-tique and see what's new -- including four new fabulous blue lotus tees for men and women. Don't know what size will fit? Then get the size that fits all -- the blue lotus Gift Card -- and specify the dollar amount of your choice. They work just like cash for all items in the boo-tique, as well as for classes and workshops.
The gift of yoga ~ it's one of the few gifts that truly keeps on giving.
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say "hey" to our neighbors |
we're studio of the month at lululemon athletica!
 Throughout December, we are happy to be recognized as Studio of the Month at Lululemon -- our neighbor just two doors down. That means free classes taught in the lululemon loft by our very own blue lotus yoga teachers. Be sure to check out the classes from 10:00 to 11:00 am, Saturdays, December 4, 11 and 18. While you're there, check out lululemon's variety of yoga and running gear.
And in case you were wondering, we'll welcome 2011 with the return of free community classes at the blue, so stay tuned for the schedule in next month's newsletter.
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december happenings |
yoga mala, trance dance, new year's eve yoga and more!
We're sending 2010 out with a bang with all your favorites, like with moon sequence, juicy flow, budokon, yin intensive, deep stretch, power flow and more! Check out some highlights below as well as the full schedule online!
Flow & Stretch returns to Wednesday nights!
7:00-8:30 pm, starting December 1
Trance Dance
7:00-9:00 pm, Friday, December 10
Explore free-form, breath-driven movement to liberate your creative life-force and cultivate embodied freedom. This minimally led class guides you beyond thought to the pure sensation of music.
Yoga Mala
4:00-6:00 pm, Sunday, December 19
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.
Hot Mini-Mala
9:45-11:00 am, Tuesday, December 21
Can't make the Yoga Mala on Sunday? (Or even if you can. Join us again!) We'll do a shorter version of the mala with a hot detox twist.
Y-O-U Flow & Stretch
9:30-11:00 am, Saturday, December 25
On a day that tends to be about giving to others, come escape into yourself and GIVE to nourish the inner Y-O-U.
Midnight Yoga on New Year's Eve!
10:00 pm - Midnight, Friday, December 31
Yoga into the New Year with this unique and uplifting experience. Challenge yourself with a vigorous vinyasa sequence, then enjoy deep stretch and extended savasana. Start your 2011 with a clear mind and a strong and open body!
Be sure to visit the online scheduler for more information or to register for classes and workshops!
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