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Namaste!
From early childhood, we were set up to understand that summertime is playtime. All year long we wished and waited for the end of the school year, dreaming of hot and lazy days with friends and family; spending time in the water and the woods, in parks and new places, nowhere else to go and nothing else to do.Along the way we grew up and got jobs, where time off means a week or long weekend, playing, resting, relaxing. And the older I get, the more I think this is a really bad deal. I liken it to a lesson learned from Rod Stryker: it's great if you spend time on your mat or meditation cushion every day. But if that's where it ends, you aren't going to get very far, very fast. In other words, if you spend 20 minutes sitting and watching your thoughts and then the other 900 or so waking minutes letting the mind-monkeys run wild, well, you do the math. And so it is with play. Taking a week or a long weekend to rest and recreate, doing the things you love to do with those you most enjoy is wonderful and essential. But if that's the only time you're doing it, well, you do the math. I have spent the last several days in staff training for my trip to India, and had a wonderful reminder about playtime. We had a full schedule- starting at 8am and going until past 9pm on most nights. But in those moments of breaks--ten minutes here and twenty minutes there-- the moment we were set free, you'd see games of tag, frisbee, kickball, hula hooping, you name it erupting all over the field. I was amazed and inspired by this group's dedication to play. And it was a reminder about how far away from my mind and daily life it often goes.
So do go do something fun. Silly. Something you did when you were a kid. Something to make you laugh out loud. Grab a friend or co-worker and be reminded of the pleasure and healing power of play.
For those who have asked, I'm leaving for India on Thursday, June 9, and I'll be back on July 7. See you in class tomorrow or next Wednesday morning!
Peace,
Jill
learning from the sutras |
comfort and steadiness
In Yoga Sutra II:46, we learn Asana is a steady, comfortable posture. Although yoga is an ancient practice, its fruits continue to yield in a timeless manner, and its truths are ever current. Sri Swami Satchindananda writes, "Asana means the posture that brings comfort and steadiness . . . but in how many poses are we really comfortable and steady?" Unless the body is healthy and free from toxins and tensions, a comfortable pose is not easily attained. And so we practice so our bodies can become supple yet strong. Only then, when we sit down to meditate in such a body, we'll forget it, allowing the mind to settle and find peace.
To explore the sutras on your own, check out The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with translation and commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda. Copies are available in the Boo-tique at the blue lotus studio.
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our teachers & peeps |
meet nicole folk
 Favorite Asana: Sirsasana (headstand) and Adho Mukha Vrksasana (handstand). I'm an inversion junkie. It's amazing how much right side up can come from upside down.
Little Known Fact About Me: I was a vocalist in grade school. Some of my fondest memories are of those days when I played in Fiddler on the Roof, Camelot and Godspell.
Words That Describe My Teaching: My intention for each class is simply to help students relax and hit the "reset" button. If we can slow down negative thought patterns and listen into the body along the way, it's a beautiful thing.
Who Inspires Me: My Grandmother, Esther Flellwyn-Brittson. She was a strong, independent and very loving women with a huge heart. She was born in 1903, got a degree at Northern Illinois and supported herself as a teacher until she married the love of her life at age 38. She blazed her own trail and lived life fully until she was 94.
Favorite yoga music: Some of my favorites are "Be Here Now" by Ray Lamontagne, "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong, "Bookends" Simon and Garfunkel and "Peace Train" by Cat Stevens.
Favorite yoga book: How Yoga Works by Geshe Michael Roach & Christine McNally and The Power of Now by Ekhart Tolle. They changed the way I walk through the world, reminding me to be more mindful. The Alchemist because it helped me find courage to follow the path that brought me to North Carolina and ultimately *here.*
Favorite Quote: People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. ~Maya Angelou
The best thing about being a yoga peep: I love welcoming everyone into the studio. I get to meet and and begin to know every person who comes through the door.
Why I love blue lotus: Since blue lotus opened its doors, my life has changed in profound ways. Not only am I stronger and more flexible, but I also found a community of like-minded people, changed my career and am living in a way that is closer to my true self, from the heart.
I knew I loved yoga when: I realized the unrelenting voice in my head that was never satisfied was not real and didn't need to be in the driver's seat anymore.
Nicole is a 2009 graduate of the blue's first Yoga Immersion & Teacher Training program. She teaches regularly in Raleigh and is a substitute teacher at blue lotus.
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ask the teacher |
your questions about yoga
Do you practice every day?
 I do practice seven days a week for the most part. Of course, life sometimes presents its time management challenges, and some days my practice is shorter than on other days. When time seems to be limited, I might do a practice that includes some Sun Salutations, a few seated poses to ease the hips and a short meditation. Whether it's a full on practice or abbreviated, each time I come to the mat, I am reminded just how essential it is to spend even a few minutes finding center each day.
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congrats class of 2011! |
third teacher training class graduates
We are so proud and happy for our new blue lotus yoga immersion & teacher training graduates!  They successfully completed the 9 months of transformation program and experienced all of the bliss, challenges, insights and growth it entails.
Weekend sessions for the Class of 2012 start this September, and there are still a few spaces left for interested yogis and yoginis. Whether you simply want to immerse yourself in your practice, pursue your teacher certification or further your yoga teaching education and experience, learn more at the FAQ on the blue lotus website.
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blue crew at it again |
yoga off the mat
 Much gratitude goes out to the blue karma crew, our inspiring leader Carrington Jackson and all those who donated to the AIDS WALK+RIDE on May 21. It was an absolutely beautiful day to be out on foot or on the bike. The blue crew raised an amazing $2,065. Nicely done!
Later that same night, the blue was honored to again partner with another fantastic organization, the Coalition to Unchain Dogs, as a sponsor for its 2nd Annual Fashion Unchained event. It was an evening of fun for those who love fashion, canines or simply a night out -- all for a very worthy cause.
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june happenings |
new yin & meditation class, yoga therapy workshops, and more this month
Enjoy all of your favorite special classes, like Moon Sequence, Juicy Flow Yoga, Yin Intensive, Deep Stretch, Trance Dance, Kriya and more. Be sure to check the full schedule with class details online!
**New Class** Yin & Meditation with Yvonne
8:15-9:15 pm, Wednesdays
Whether the yang force in your life is an active yoga practice, a hectic work schedule, or a type-A personality, it is essential in finding balance that you complement the dynamic movement of yang energy with the passive, introspective flow of yin. Incorporating lessons from the book, Leap before you Look, the class will start with 30-40 minutes in Yin postures to open the hips to prepare the body for sitting. Learn various meditation techniques for focusing the mind and prepare to transition seamlessly into sitting in silence and stillness for the remainder of the class.
Yoga of Gratitude Retreat with Carrington and Julee
June 3-5 at the Prama Institute in the North Carolina mountains
Yoga & Qi Gong with Anisha and Paul
6:30-8:30 pm, Friday, June 10
Yoga Therapy for Knees, Hips and Spine - Workshop with Kris
12:30-2:30 pm, Saturday, June 11
Flow & Create with Jen
4:00-5:30 pm, Saturday, June 11
Foundations 2 (drop-in) classes with Julee
6:00-7:30 pm, starting June 12, Sunday evenings all summer long
Kids Summer Yoga & Art Camps with Jen
(ages 6 to 9)
1:30-4:30 pm, June 13-17
1:30-4:30 pm, August 8-12
Yoga Therapy for Shoulders, Neck and Arms - Workshop with Kris
12:30-2:30 pm, Saturday, June 18
Yoga Mala with Yvonne
4:00-5:30 pm, Sunday, June 19
Mini-Mala with Julie
9:45-11:00 am, Tuesday, June 21
Leadership & Yoga Workshop with Anne and Sherry
1:00-4:00 pm, Saturday, June 25
Visit the online schedule for details and to register for classes and workshops!
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