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Namaste!
Is it possible that being happy is as simple as choosing to be happy?We spend a lot of time talking about contentment, gratitude and the ways in which we can foster habits and attitudes which support a more healthy frame of mind and positive approach to life. And after practicing for all of these years, we recognize that even if we were in perfect health, had the perfect job, the perfect partner, the perfect home and friends and loads of money in the bank, we could still find things to complain about. Furthermore, we understand that those external comforts are just that - on the outside, and ever subject to change. So what if all we had to do to be happy was make a change to our thoughts? And I don't ask that question lightly. Spend a few days really watching your thoughts (not just for 20 minutes in the morning, but all day long!) with the intention of cultivating only the positive ones and you will quickly see just how attached you are to old, unhealthy, negative ways of thinking. You'll also see just how much unhappiness, frustration and discontentment those thoughts create. This observation serves as a starting point and will quickly show you where you are stuck and what you need to change to move out of the stuck place. If your brain is anything like mine (which I hope for you it isn't!) it's a long, long process. I'm certainly not "there" yet- wherever "there" is. But I'm seeing with more and more clarity just how entrenched I am (still!) in old patterns of thinking and how powerful it is to recognize the patterns and begin, even in small ways, to change them. Peace to you.
Blessings,
Jill
our teachers |
meet leilani walker
 Favorite asana: Urdhva Kukkutasana (Upward Cock Pose)
Little known fact about me: My wonderful husband and I live happily across the street from each other.
Words that describe my class: Playful, meditative, evolving
Who inspires me: My husband, who is the most present person I know. His connection to joy makes him a constant source of positive energy. My parents, who gladly give away anything they have if someone needs it. My three lovely children, who teach me more than I will ever teach them.
Favorite yoga music: I am a music junkie and love making new playlists for my classes. Some favorites are Boozoo Bajou, Cat Power, Nikka Costa, Donna De Lory, Toots and the Maytals, and Snatam Kaur.
Favorite yoga book: Erich Schiffmann's The Spirit and Practice of Moving Into Stillness.
Favorite quote: Everyone should see kindness in your eyes, In your smile, In your warm greeting.~Mother Teresa
Why I love blue lotus: blue lotus is a sanctuary, a precious community that nourishes my soul. Love and peace envelope me when I walk through the door.
I knew I loved yoga when: I began to realize its power to deeply impact my life and my relationships. My practice has taught me and helped me to search for the truth. The truth is lovely, it is always on our side. Truth doesn't hurt, it heals. Truth increases our understanding. My practice has also revealed to me that at the core of each of us we are pure divine love.
My Classes
Freedom Style Yoga **NEW**
9:30-11:00 am, Tuesdays
A playful and meditative open level vinyasa practice in the style of Erich Schiffmann, encouraging inner guidance, intuitive alignment, exploration and creative movement within the structure of a guided class.
Yoga & Meditation $10 **NEW**
11:30 am-12:30 pm, Wednesdays
A deep stretch, slow moving practice followed by meditation. Healing and opening, this class is a nourishing, nurturing way to take time out during the day to renew and replenish.
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get your downdog on at salutation nation! |
the neverending OM begins
Take your mat outside! Join yogis and yoginis from the Triangle and around the world for a free practice, organized by lululemon. The fun starts at 9:00 am, Saturday, September 10, at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
 Our own Jill Sockman kicks off the gig, followed by teaching from other Triangle area instructors. Organizers have asked Raleighites and Caryites to don blue shirts for the event, so we're supporting the effort with the sale of blue lotus T-shirts at a 30% discount for those joining us at Salutation Nation.
We'll carpool and caravan from the blue at 7:45 am. If you're joining us for the ride, register and get details at the online schedule, or look for us at the ballpark!
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join us for global mala on sep 25 |
classes by donation to help relieve hunger
 As has become our tradition, the blue community will proudly celebrate Global Mala with a full day of classes by donation to benefit a nonprofit. Hunger is a social issue most of us don't experience personally, but unfortunately many in our local and global community live with it every day. So, this year our Global Mala efforts will support those fighting hunger here in North Carolina as well as those battling the famine in Somalia.
From September 12 - 19, we're holding a Feed Our Children Food Drive at blue lotus. We'll be collecting non-perishable food items for children at the blue to donate to The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. A list of desired foods and additional details will be posted at the studio and on our Facebook page soon. We also are organizing a seva project on Saturday, December 3, to donate time and talents at the Food Bank. Stay tuned for details!
For Global Mala, Sunday, September 25, we have a full schedule of six classes by donation to benefit Hope for the Nations' Convoy for Hope in Somalia. Donations to "Partners in Action" (the U.S. affiliate of Hope for the Nations) will be accepted at the studio September 18 - 25 (check or cash). The full schedule of classes by donation are on the online schedule.
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checking in with CORRAL |
Yatzeni's progress
Your generous donations to CORRAL Riding Academy during our 4th anniversary celebration in February enabled us to sponsor one program participant for the year. We recently received a glowing update from CORRAL on Yatzeni's progress.
 As the school year came to a close, Yatzeni continued to prove her determination and focus, as she put all of her effort into passing her classes with the best grades possible. She chose to dedicate all of her after school time at CORRAL to studying, even though she had earned the right to ride again.
At the year-end awards ceremony, Yatzeni was recognized for her leadership, teamwork, record keeping and academic success -- awards she never would have dreamed of earning when she first started the program.
Yatzeni continued to work on her academics this summer, in preparation for her sophomore year of high school. "Yatzeni is a very special girl who is just discovering all of her capabilities in life," CORRAL wrote. "We thank you for your contribution that has allowed Yatzeni to grow as a participant in the CORRAL Riding Academy!"
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september happenings |
new classes for autumn!
We'd like to welcome our class of 2012 Yoga Immersion & Teacher Training program students. The first session kicks off September 9-11, and, as you may know, the regular class schedule is slightly altered for these YTT weekends. We're excited about starting our fourth year of the program, and welcome your support for the new students!
We also invite you to enjoy your favorite special classes this month, like Juicy Flow Yoga, Deep Stretch, Moon Sequence, Kriya Practice, Vinyasa Level 2/3 and more. Be sure to check the full schedule with class details online!
Vinyasa Open with Yvonne ** Class Change **
Monday's Vinyasa L2 is now Vinyasa ~ Open Level, with a 5:30 start
5:30-6:30 pm, Mondays
 Freedom Flow Yoga with Leilani ** New Class **
9:30-11:00 am, Tuesdays
See Teacher Spotlight above for class details.
Yoga & Meditation $10 with Leilani ** New Class **
11:30 am-12:30 pm, Wednesdays
See Teacher Spotlight above for class details.
Warrior Hour with Margot ** New Class **
9:30-10:30 am, Thursdays
Dive into the deep end of building strength and stamina in this hour-long class designed for all levels. Tap into your inner warrior and find the power to build strength while maintaining flexibility and a conscious breath.
Yoga & Art for Kids (K-4th grade) with Jen
4:00-5:00 pm, Tuesdays, September 6 - October 25
Register for the series or drop-in!
Salutation Nation with Jill
9:00 am, Saturday, September 10
Durham Bulls Athletic Park
See related article above.
Yoga Foundations Six-Week Series with Julee
6:00-7:30 pm, Sundays, starting September 11
Arm Balance & Backbend Super Practice with Kris
12:30-2:30 pm, Saturday, September 17
Prenatal Partner Stretch with Carson and Jen
1:00-2:00 pm, Sunday, September 18
Global Mala with blue lotus teachers
9:00 am-5:30 pm, Sunday, September 25
See related article above.
 Align with Your Purpose with Meaghan and Gil
6:30-8:30 pm, Friday, September 30
Be the Change with Meaghan and Gil
12:30-2:30 pm, Saturday, October 1
Retreat in the N.C. Mountains
October 14-16 at the Prama Institute in Marshall, N.C. Register before September 15 for the Early Bird discount!
Visit the online schedule for details and to register for classes and workshops!
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