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Namaste~
I had the opportunity to spend a little time this morning with a long-time student. She has a successful career, a beautiful family, a strong yoga practice and is now a blossoming teacher of yoga as well. She, like most of us, has a very full life. It wasn't long into our conversation that we turned to the topic of duty vs. desire.How do you live your life? What motivates you? Is it duty or desire? For the two of us, duty wins hands down. From a deep sense of responsibility to share the teachings of yoga, to supporting a growing community of individuals who want to live with mindfulness and purpose, to running a business and a home, duty is what motivates me. It is where I live. And it's a good, good thing. On the other side of that, however is desire -- the questions of who I am outside of these roles I play in the community, what I want the whole of my life to look like, what I do to refuel, my wishes and dreams of adventure out in the world. I've always been very black and white -- perhaps the reason yoga and its technicolor assortment of grays has been so transformative for me. And for that reason, I seem to gravitate always to one end of the spectrum or the other. All work and no play. All play and no work. But as it says in the Bhagavad Gita, yoga samatva. Yoga is balance. And so for today, and this month, and this year (and probably this lifetime) the challenge for me is to find the balance of duty and desire. Living a life of service and purpose AND a life of rest and fun and adventure. And so this month I ask you: Where are you on this scale right now? Is it all about you to the exclusion of others? Or all about everyone else to the exclusion of you? Are YOU at the top of your to-do list or the only thing on the list? What is the balance point of duty and desire?
Peace,
Jill
our teachers |
meet jennifer campbell-overbeeke
Favorite asana: Eka Pada Koundinyasana (Scissors Pose). There is something about finding expansion and lightness in this shape while maintaining connection and center line awareness that makes me giddy every time. It's a beautiful shape that has the opportunity to be both graceful and humbling. Some days I fall on my face, and some days I'm transitioning from this shape directly into chatarunga (low plank) or even astavakrasana (8-angle pose). Either way, there is a lesson. But that is the path isn't it?
 Little known facts about me: 1) I can wiggle my ears and nostrils "better" than anyone I know. My dad and I used to have contests growing up! 2) I like. No. LOVE Okra. I was that weird kid who preferred Brussel Sprouts and Greens over Little Debbies. 3) I prefer to stand in a flamingo stance (well actually tree-vrksasana) rather than on two feet when I'm cooking, working, chatting, or otherwise upright.
Words that describe my class: Active & Introspective. I teach a versatile mix of fluid and focused vinyasa with a particular alignment with the role of breath and sankalpa (sacred intention). It is my intention to offer a space where students can challenge themselves as is appropriate for the moment, so they may leave feeling rejuvenated, balanced, and empowered -- ready to take what was learned on the mat into the greater practice of life.
Who inspires me: Jill Sockman is a huge inspiration on and off the mat. There is a reason she is my teacher, and it wasn't because I was impressed with her asana. The universe opened up and said, "You need this, whether you know it or not." For that I am grateful. I'm also inspired daily by the growing Triangle yoga community, as we begin to harness this collective energy and create momentum for change and awareness. My family and friends aren't too shabby either ;)
Favorite yoga music: I'm a music-du-jour kinda gal. One day I'm all about the global beats with a hint of MC Yogi, the next we're flowing to the modern ambience of Bon Iver with an Iambic background, and a week down the road it's time for an upbeat mix of Mumford & Sons and Trevor Hall. It's all about the mood, the intention, and what moves the spirit.
Favorite yoga book: Meditations from the Mat by Rolf Gates -- lovely pieces of wisdom on every page.
Favorite quote: This was read at my wedding, but I feel like it applies to every relationship as we grow toward a greater collective consciousness: The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere, they're in each other all along.~Rumi
Why I love blue lotus: It is the place I found myself, maybe fully for the very first time.
I knew I loved yoga when: I had my first emotional experience in Pigeon Pose (read: bawling out loud, shivering, shaking, smiling and laughing all at once). It was like a wave I had never ridden before and wanted to be rescued from. While in it, all I wanted to do was leave it, but in the aftermath all I had was curiosity for what else this thing called yoga may hold. The spark was ignited, and from that day on I've nourished the flame.
Any final bits? What brought me to the practice and eventually to "the blue" was a starvation of the spirit. I needed fuel. What I found was a taste of peace and purpose and a glimpse of acceptance. It all unfolded on the mat, and I now realize it was in me all along. Guess what? It is in you, too. It is the meaning behind the word Namaste: the light in me, the beauty in me, the truth in me . . . I see it shining in you. We are called together for a reason. We are one. Gratitude and Love.
My classes
Vinyasa Open
4:00-5:00 pm, Tuesdays
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giving back |
volunteer a day at the farm!
 Not much is more grounding for the body and soul than digging in the dirt. Combine that with helping a local organization that reduces waste, improves our diets, and re-connects urbanites with agriculture, and you've got one gratifying and supportive seva project.
Play with us in the dirt, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, Saturday, December 1, as we work with Raleigh City Farm to rebuild beds, weed, and work on special projects to prepare the land for its next planting season!
Sign up to join us at the farm, and bring out your inner agriculturist.
we had so much fun it was scary
 The blue crew had a blast running for the Brentwood Boys & Girls Club in the Centro restaurant's Day of the Dead 5K & Fun Run (more photos here), Saturday, October 27.
Play with us at the Raleigh City Farm, and you might just score your own blue crew bandana!
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new morning class |
power hour on mondays!
We now offer early morning classes four weekdays a week! Join us as we welcome Christy Rutan, our newest teacher of the blue community.
 Christy Rutan
Power Hour
7:30-8:30 am, Mondays, beginning November 12
A dancer from a young age, Christy's introduction to yoga was a natural transition for her as an adult. She trained and has taught at Franklin Street Yoga Center in Chapel Hill. Since her 200-hour certification, she has trained extensively with Baron Baptiste. Christy is now one of a handful of certified Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga instructors in North Carolina.
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november happenings |
we are grateful.
This month we pause more than usual to give thanks -- on the mat and off. Make space in your life and on your mat for gratitude with these classes, and check out the full schedule online.
Classes  Thanksgiving Practices
Gratitude Flow with Jill
9:30-11:00 am, Nov 22
White Friday Flow with Yvonne
9:30-11:00 am, Nov 23
Check the online WebScheduler for the full weekend schedule.
Take your yoga to a new level!
Vinyasa Level 2/3 with Carrington
12:30-2:00 pm, Sat, Nov 10
The Friday Night Special
6:30-8:00 pm
Nov 9, Yoga Nidra with Kathleen
Nov 30, Stretch & Restore with Jen
Yoga on a budget
Pay What You Can
6:00-7:00 pm, Sat, Nov 10; Dec 1
November 2-4 weekend schedule
We'll have modified schedule due to Yoga Teacher Training. Check the online WebScheduler for details.
Workshops and Events  Balance your practice with Yin
Yin Yoga Intensive with Yvonne
2:30-4:30 pm
Sat, Nov 10
Yoga & Art Workshop for Kids Ages 7-12 with Jen
2:30-5:30, Sat, Dec 1
Help your children cultivate gratitude when they create a gratitude tree, a visual reminder of the many blessings in their lives.
Be grateful -- in Belize!
Eco-Adventure Yoga Retreat with Jill and Carrington
Feb 23 - Mar 2
Advanced Training for All Students  Weekend of Reflection: The Power of Silence with Jill
Nov 16-18
When we become still and sit in silence, we create space to see what lies beneath the surface: both our greatness as well as what holds us back from our potential. Jill will lead you through an exploration of your inner landscape with meditation, pranayama, restorative yoga, and yoga nidra.
Required module for YTT500 certification program;
RYT200 CEU 14 hours
 Weekend with Warren Grossman
The premise of Warren's work is that by creating an active connection to the earth and learning to bring that energy to the heart, anyone can access the healing energy of Love. Join us for one or more workshops throughout this weekend.
10:00 am-1:00 pm, Sat, Dec 8
2:00-6:00 pm, Sat, Dec 8
8:00-11:30 am, Sun, Dec 9
12:30-3:30 pm, Sun, Dec 9
Visit the online WebScheduler for details and to register for classes, workshops, and trainings!
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