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So, it's July 7. This is definitely the latest I have ever sent out the first-of-the-month message to the blue community. And while nobody has been sitting at their computer repeatedly clicking the "get messages" icon wondering where? Where??? WHERE??? I have been feeling the pull and not a little bit of angst to get it out. While I recognize the not-deepness of the timing of our little newsletter, it points to a pattern I carry in many other areas.
I got some good advice a while back about timelines. And I am not talking about work deadlines where others are relying on you to complete one part of a whole, but rather the self-imposed "I should be X by Y date/time/age." The advice was this: if YOU are the one making the timeline, then be sure that you aren't using it as a measuring stick to determine your worth as a human being. Whether it's sending out a newsletter, getting out of an unhealthy job situation, breaking or creating a habit-- really anything that elicits the "I should be xxxxx by now" followed by feelings of remorse, regret, abject failure, whatever-- don't use your self-imposed timeline to be a(nother) way to critically assess where you are on your journey.
Not being where we'd like to be at any given time doesn't mean we are bad, useless, a failure. It means we are in a process, and a process is something that occurs over time. And, as far as I know, that timeline is something over which we have little-to-no control. So go easy, take a breath, see where you are, and instead of looking at how far there is to go, perhaps look over your shoulder and smile at just how far you've come already.
Peace,
Jill
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schedules are shifting
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Margot heads West (and home) for new adventures in the Great State of Texas.
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We wish our magical Margot Martin the most marvelous of journeys as she relocates to Dallas, Texas, this month.
We will miss her presence, but her spirit will always be a part of the blue space!
Margot's departure is only one of the shifts in our schedule.
For new classes, new workshops, and advanced study options, check out the happenings section to the right as well as our online schedule.
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spotlight on julie realon
Julie Realon knows firsthand how effective that post-savasana "ahhh" can be at improving one's mental, physical, and emotional well-being.  She is also a practitioner of another powerful tool for bringing happiness into life: volunteering. "Long before I discovered yoga, I experienced the joys volunteering," she says. "I was fortunate my parents modeled service; so, grew up understanding serving others is a natural, expected way of life." Among many volunteer positions over the years, her main posts now are at Rex Hospital -- as a yoga teacher at the cancer center and as an infant hearing screener.  | |
Julie also gets to volunteer some time to her young grandson, born last year.
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"Working with cancer patients is especially meaningful to me," Julie says. "I am a fellow cancer survivor. In 2008 I was diagnosed with uterine and ovarian cancer, which fortunately was caught early and successfully treated. "And working with the newborn babies is a joy!" she adds. "I've been involved with the hearing screening program for more than 15 years. It's gratifying to know the difference it makes to offer early intervention for little ones who may have a hearing loss. But the best thing is telling parents their baby has passed the hearing screening." Studies have documented that, like yoga, volunteering has direct, long-lasting, and positive effects on an person's mental health. If volunteering interests you but is not a part of your life, it's never too late to start (again, just like yoga!). "The key is to find an organization or way to help that matches your abilities and interests," Julie advises. "If you want to explore what yoga and service have in common, you can check out Carrington's workshop in August. It's all about yoga of service, or Seva. I promise, you won't regret it!" Julie's class: Gentle Yoga, Mondays at 4pm |
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refine your practice:
understanding sthira and sukha
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explore yoga's "yin and yang" concept the next time you're on the mat
One of the fundamental concepts behind good yoga practice comes from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a source text for many of today's popular styles of yoga. In the Yoga Sutras, the sage Patanjali defines the physical postures of yoga (called yoga asana) this way: Sthira sukham asanam (2.46), which is commonly translated from Sanskrit to read "Asana is a steady, comfortable posture.
 In other words, every yoga pose should be done with the qualities of both s teadiness (sthira) and comfort (sukha), effort and ease. The esteemed yoga teacher and scholar TKV Desikachar adds a few more helpful words to the interpretation, advising that our asana practice should have both alertness without tension and relaxation without dullness.
The concept sounds simple enough-until you consider your last practice. Of the time you spent on the mat, how much of it would you say you spent in a state of both alertness without tension and relaxation without dullness? Trust us-you're not alone if you'd rather not say, or if you have no earthly idea.
Read on for the rest of Kathleen's blog ...
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the blue lotus 40 Days of Yoga:
dedicate your practice
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mark your calendar for september 21
You've seen yoga challenges before, and maybe you've done a few. Maybe you've heard of 40-day practices before (and maybe you've done a few). This September, the blue brings you a 40-day challenge with a few different features.
On September 21, we'll launch 40 Days of Yoga, an opportunity for anyone from students new to the blue or new to yoga, as well as to seasoned practitioners to embark on a 40-day practice that is both unique to them and supported by community.
Dedicate your 40-day practice to starting or breaking a habit, exploring a challenging yoga pose, or reinvesting in a job or relationship.
Stay tuned for details, coming here in August!
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studio notes: flip your chip for assists
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A new & discreet way to tell your teacher: hands on or hands off!
Many yoga teachers give hands-on adjustments in their classes for a variety of reasons: to offer a more helpful alignment, to help a student deepen his/her experience, or to offer a little TLC. Touch, especially when given with kind intention, is a potent tool; while it can be delicious and helpful during some practices, there are some days -- or years or lifetimes -- when a hands-on assist just isn't the right tool for you. It is a completely personal preference, and there is no right or wrong about it. However, not all students have either the opportunity or the comfort level to share their preferences before class with the teacher. So we're very glad to
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Assist or no assist? Use our yoga flip chips to let us know your preference!
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beadding our yoga flip chip to help you tell us, from class to class, whether you are interested in hands-on assists. The flip chips are at the front desk, and you are encouraged to place one at the top of your mat -- "assist" side or "no hands-on assists" side up. If you choose the latter, your teacher will still offer verbal cues if needed. We hope the new flip chips help you get the most out of every class at the blue. And remember, any time you have questions, feedback, or special requests, your yoga teacher wants to hear them. Even though in class we practice as a collective, your teacher always wants to help you make your practice an experience that is unique to you.
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happenings
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classes Lunchtime Flow (only $10)
Fridays at noon with Nicole, beginning July 11 and Mondays at noon with Mary, beginning July 21
Meditation (free!)
Thursdays at 8:30am with Leilani, beginning July 10 Independence Day Class! 9:30 am, July 4, Freedom Flow with Yvonne, by-donation to support CORRAL Riding Academy for at-risk girls (only class that day)
pay-what-you-can yoga Every Saturday in July, 6-7pmweekend extrasYin Yoga with SandyFriday, July 11 Yoga Nidra with Kathleen Friday, July 18 workshops & events
Travis Eliot's Holistic Yoga Flow Master ClassJuly 10Join the creator of the Ultimate Yogi DVD series for a dynamic and sweaty Holistic Yoga Flow practice that will leave you purified, awakened, and inspired.Yoga Foundations 8-Week Series with Kathleen July 19-September 13 Learn the fundamentals of yoga practice in this series, open to new students and anyone who wants to spend some time with the basics. Kids Yoga & Art Summer Camps with JenOpen to kids ages 6-10. Let your young yogi's creative juices flow! 2:00-5:00 pm July 28-August 1yoga immersion
for all students
Refine Your Asana Posture Clinic with Carrington July 20 A workshop open to anyone with at least six months of consistent yoga practice, designed to answer those lingering thoughts, questions and concerns about the who, what, and where of yoga postures. You get to decide which poses we play with! YTT500/RYT200 CEU - 2 hours Anatomy Essentials Weekend
July 25-27
Add confidence and depth to your teaching by augmenting your knowledge of the body. YTT500/RYT200 - 15 hours. Required module for YTT500 certification program.
Refine Your Assisting with Michele August 16 This workshop is open to all yoga teachers and teachers-in-training of any style as a means to learn more about the art of hands-on assisting. YTT500/RYT200 CEU - 2 hours
Seva: Yoga In Action August 22-24 Join Carrington Jackson for a weekend exploring life as service. YTT500/RYT200 - 22 hours. Required module for YTT500 certification program. Boot Camp for Teachers September 25-28 Heather Tiddens helps you hone your skills in communication, intuition, and hands-on assists. YTT500/RYT200 - 30 hours. Required module for YTT500 certification program. Satsang: Power of Community October 17-19 in N.C. mountains To walk the path of yoga successfully, you need a community of like-minded seekers to support, challenge, and enhance your practice and process. Immerse yourself in this community and its inspiration and support for a weekend of Satsang in the beautiful North Carolina mountains.
YTT500/RYT200 CEU - 18 hours. Required module for YTT500 certification program.
Hathavidya Weekend Immersion November 14-16 Join Will Duprey, director and founder of Hathavidya for a weekend immersion in the practice. YTT500/RYT200 CEU - 11 hours. Weekend of Reflection December 12-14 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.
YTT500/RYT200 CEU - 14 hours. Required module for YTT500 certification program.
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