vol. 5 / issue 3 MARCH 2011
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Namaste!

In a recent conversation with a student, I was told that I often have a theme about honesty in my classes. Interesting that should arise.

One of the “10 commandments” in the philosophy of Yoga (the second Yama) is Satya. Truthfulness. Being truthful is the same as being honest, right? Hmmmmm.

Since this keeps showing up around me, let’s take a closer look. When you are honest, you are not telling a lie. What you are saying is true. However, this leaves an awful lot of grey area regarding what you are selectively omitting! Yes, what you’ve said is honest, but is it complete, whole, untainted? Is it the truth?

The Truth is that which is immutable, and resides within each of us. It is the source of our knowing what is right and what is wrong. It is the inner compass and guide that can take us, if we let it, to fulfillment and peace. The essence of Truth is light.

Take note of your own truthfulness in conversations you have with others. Are you telling the whole story? Are you really getting to the point? Perhaps even more than the partial truths you tell others, what are the half-truths you tell yourself? What are you hiding from and why?

Interesting.

Peace,

Jill

the yoga sutras
understanding mastery over the mind
Very often, when people talk about yoga, many think of a physical practice for stretching and reducing stress. While this is one aspect of yoga, it is actually only a very small part. The physical practice of yoga was actually developed primarily to facilitate the true aim of yoga -- mastery over the mind.

Written by Patanjali in about 500 BCE, the Yoga Sutras is the first text to codify the ancient texts of Yoga in a systematic way. Patanjali described Yoga as the means by which our minds can be made still, quiet and free from all distractions.

Using a treasured source, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with translation and commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda, we will begin to explore various sutras. Since it is best to start at the beginning, we will start with the first two sutras.

Yoga Sutra 1.1: And now the exposition of Yoga is being made. In simple terms, this is Patanjali's preface; he is about to begin direct instruction on how to practice yoga, not only to expound on its philosophy.

Yoga Sutra 1.2: The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga. As Sri Swami Satchidananda writes, "For a keen student, this one sutra would be enough because the rest of them only explain this one." Another way of saying this would be that yoga helps control the fluctuations of the mind, or quiets those wild monkeys. Many factors influence and disturb peace of mind -- ego, intellect, senses, etc. Our yoga practice helps us to steady the mind. If you have control over thoughts, and you change them as you want, you are not bound by the outside world.

As you can imagine, each sutra can be explored much more deeply and with greater detail, this is just the beginning. Patanjali wrote 196 sutras in all, which we invite you to read along your own journey. Meanwhile, from time to time, we will return to this space to delve into another of Patanjali's teachings.
our teachers
meet sandy scherer
Favorite Asana: Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (Pigeon), Utthita Parsvakonasana with a wrap (extended side angle) and Prasarita Padattanasana (wide-legged forward bend). I also love Salamba Sirsasana (tripod headstand).
Little Known Fact About Me: I am a recovered corporate professional.
Words That Describe My Class: Centering, mindful, spacious. An opportunity to do your practice and look at how it moves you off the mat.
Who Inspires Me: I am moved by the written word and love inspirational readings by poets, mystics, sages and just plain folks. Little ones and all of God’s non-human creatures, including our four dogs, are among my wisest teachers.
Favorite yoga music: Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, Rasa and a sprinkle of Lyle Lovett from time to time
Favorite yoga book: Hands down, After the Ecstacy, The Laundry by Jack Kornfield, but Meditations from the Mat by Rolf Gates is always within reach
Favorite Quote: I expect to pass through life but once.�If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.� ~William Penn
Why I love blue lotus: There is this bit in Day 1 of Meditations from the Mat: “Yoga is a lamp lit in the window of our home, 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, that we need simply to awaken from our dream of separation, our dream of imperfection.” Yoga is my home. And blue lotus is my yoga home.
I knew I loved yoga when: I had to step back from my asana practice for almost a full year following a bike accident, and I started to understand what it meant to practice off the mat.

My Classes:
Friday Flow
5:00-6:00 pm, Fridays

Early Bird Yoga
6:30-7:30 am, every third Thursday

Check out class details at the online schedule.
special guest teachers
welcome Master Ou and Kristin Cooper Gulak
This month we welcome two amazing, special teachers to the blue. Kristin Cooper Gulak returns March 4-6 to offer her popular, transformational vinyasa-based practice, guided and inspired by the creative rhythms of live drumming. Rhythmic Flow Yoga, which began in 2000, has evolved as a communal yoga experience that involves five elemental practices: Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Space. A non-verbal "play" evolves between practitioners and the drummers as each elemental practice synthesizes vinyasa sequencing, kriyas, intentional visualizations, instrumentation and rhythms.

We also are deeply honored to welcome Master Ou, Wen Wei, a well known and highly respected Qi Gong Master and healer. Master Ou is the originator of Pan Gu Shengong and has helped thousands of patients improve their health on physical, emotional and spiritual levels. On March 11 & 12, Master Ou will share the benefits of Pan Gu Shengong, the cultivation of Qi, and healing techniques.

See the full schedule for each of these teachers below in march happenings.

For more information about each of the workshops or to register online, visit the online schedule today.
gratitude from Corral
meet Yatzeni!
We couldn't be more pleased with the results from our blueversary weekend fundraiser, and it's all with a big thanks to YOU! Our anniversary weekend of classes by donation raised more than $5,000 for CORRAL, a wonderful non-profit organization in Wake County that offers at-risk girls a chance to change their lives.

The blue community is now the proud sponsor of Yatzeni, one of the girls in the program. We'll provide you with updates on Yatezni's progress throughout the year, and will post photos and notes on the studio bulletin board.

Be sure to check our new Facebook album to read the Thank You notes from Yatzeni and CORRAL, along with stories about the girls and the rescued horses.
march happenings
new foundations series starts this month!
In addition to your favorite, regular monthly specials, it's time again for a Restorative Yoga with Julee and Have a Ball Yoga! with Yvonne, as well as these special offerings. Be sure to check the full schedule with class details online!

Rhythmic Flow with Kristin & the Kunga Drummers
     Earth Practice
     6:30-9:00 pm, Friday, March 4

     Slow Flow Water Practice
     10:00 am-12:30 pm, Saturday, March 5

     Thai Yoga
     1:30-4:30 pm, Saturday, March 5

     Fire Practice
     9:00-11:30 am, Sunday, March 6

Yoga Foundations Six-Week Series with Julee
6:00-7:30 pm, Sundays, March 6 through April 10

Qi Gong Workshops with Master Ou
     Free Lecture: What is Love?
     7:00-8:15 pm, Friday, March 11, 2011

     The Moving Form
     10:30 am – 12:00 noon, Saturday March 12

     The Healing Form
     1:00- 2:30 pm, Saturday March 12

     The Nonmoving Form
     3:00- 4:30 pm, Saturday, March 12

     The Advanced Form
     5:00-6:30 pm, Saturday, March 12
     This class is open to those who have learned and practiced Moving and Nonmoving forms for at least one year.

Moon Sequence with Stacy
6:30-8:00 pm, Friday, March 18

Yoga Nidra with Anisha
6:30-7:30 pm, Friday, March 25

Free Community Yoga
     1:00-2:00 pm, Wednesday, March 2
     11:30 am-12:30 pm, Friday, March 11
     3:00-4:00 pm, Saturday, March 19
     11:00 am-12:00 pm, Sunday, March 27
Space is limited in these free Community Yoga classes; we strongly recommend you register in advance.

Yoga & Art for Kids ages 6 to 11 with Jen
It's a Wake County Teacher Work Day.
Bring your kids to the blue!

Noon-3:00 pm, Friday, April 1 (no joke!)

Plan ahead for Summer Camps!
Kids Summer Yoga & Art Camps for ages 6 to 9 with Jen
     1:30-4:30 pm, June 13-17
     1:30-4:30 pm, August 8-12
Details at the online schedule Workshops tab.

Visit the online schedule for details and to register for classes and workshops!
Blue Lotus Yoga and Movement Arts

401 n. west street
raleigh nc 27603
919.831.2583
bluelotusnc.com
see you at the blue!
Happy Spring!