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If you've hung around a yoga studio with any regularity, you've probably heard the word ahimsa before -- usually translated as non-violence or non-harming. Seems pretty simple, as the "thou shalt not kill" of the yoga world. And that's not incorrect, of course. Killing is pretty much off the menu for any spiritual tradition that I know of, and the notion of doing the least amount of harm seems to fall right in line with a kindly "love thy neighbor" approach to life.
Unlike the Niyamas (observances), which are more personal and address how you treat yourself and till the inner soil, ahimsa is one of the Yamas (social restraints) in the Yoga Sutras. It is meant to be an instruction about how you deal with the world around you, as part of a universal code of ethics. Now, I'm not trying to challenge Patanjali or stir the Yogic Pot, but if you're anything like me, ahimsa on the outside is pretty easy most of the time. Well, except for when I'm in traffic, but you've heard all about that before.
The real challenge for me, and I think Patanjali could get on board with this if we could have a chat, is ahimsa on the inside. If we could make an expanded Yama and Niyama list, I'd like ahimsa in both categories, please. Yes, it's absolutely necessary in terms of how we operate in the world on the obvious level (not maiming/killing others) and on the subtle level (showing kindness and compassion to all). But how about some non-harming and non-violence toward self? From what we eat, read and watch, to the way we overwork, overpractice, overtrain, and overstimulate, to the disempowering, unkindly, ungenerous ways that we talk to ourselves, I'd say ahimsa as a Niyama would be a welcome addition to the practices.
You with me on this? Can we make a collective move toward a total non-harming attitude -- not just to others, but to ourselves? As you move through your day, be watchful for the little insidious unkindnesses you put upon yourself. Choose something else, whether a healthier snack, an uplifting book, a couple of hours off to just relax and unwind, or a kind and compassionate word to yourself when you stumble, struggle or fail. After all, I think the full line was "love thy neighbor as thyself" and that last bit makes all the difference.
Blessings,
Jill
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fall retreat to the nc mountains
october 17-19
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Finding YourSelf Through Community
This year our fall retreat to the Prama Institute in Marshall has two options! You are welcome to join us for the usual retreat format, which includes plenty of yoga and also lots of spacious time for you to have adventures (or naps!) on your own or with friends, around Prama or in nearby Asheville. 
We're also offering Jill's Satsang workshop during the retreat, for those who are interested in some in-depth study.
What's Satsang?
This Sanskrit word is derived from the roots sat, or truth, and sangha, which means community. Satsang means true community, or a gathering of people who seek, discuss, and embody the truth.
We believe that to walk the yogic path successfully, you cannot do it alone. You need a teacher-and just as important-you need a community of like-minded seekers to support, challenge, and enhance your practice and process. This workshop invites you to immerse yourself in a weekend of supportive, inspirational Satsang, surrounded by the beauty and tranquility of the Prama grounds in full fall color.
No matter how you choose to join us at Prama this month, it's our intention that by stepping away from the daily grind with mindfulness, you will return to the world more powerfully, an even greater force for Good-able to more fully share the Yoga in all areas of your life.
Register for some relaxation today!
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global mala:
thank you, blue community!
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 We're so pleased to report that the blue community donated $664 to Global Breath's Yogathon, helping them reach their $5,000 goal to donate to the Ingrid Education Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.
Many thanks to our wonderful Julie for leading the good-and-sweaty mala September 21, and all those who joined us for practice and donated throughout the week. We also collected, by official count, a boatload of eyeglasses to give to the students in Kenya!
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Join Leilani for an Ayurveda-inspired practice October 25
According to the ancient health science of Ayurveda, autumn is vata season: as the elements of air and space increase in the world around us (cue the crunching leaves, crackling fires, and crisp winds), they also increase in our minds and bodies, creating the potential for imbalance.
 What's a yogi to do about it? Join Leilani for her new workshop: Exploring the Five Ayeurvedic Elements Through Yoga. This is a deeply healing and balancing practice that will weave together vinyasa yoga, restorative yoga, pranayama, and meditation to highlight and integrate each of the 5 Ayurvedic elements. This flowing, breathing, and meditating exploration will awaken the essence of each element and allow the practitioner to cultivate a deepening acceptance of self and a clearer understanding of how to access balance on and off the mat.
Elizabeth Crisci puts the heart in our backbends November 1
Connecticut-based teacher Elizabeth Crisci will be bringing her workshop, Backbends: From the Heart, For the Heart, to North Carolina for the first time!
 Backbends can be incredibly therapeutic and beneficial postures when done with awareness -- but they can also be scary. Elizabeth says it's because the back of the body represents the unconscious mind; we have less awareness of our back body than our fronts.
"This can make backbending an uncomfortable and even scary experience. It doesn't have to be this way!" In this workshop, Elizabeth will help you move your awareness into your back body with supported postures and forward bends, preparing you for an experience of backbending as it was meant to be: open, strong and free.
This workshop is recommended for continuing yoga students with one year of experience or more. Options and modifications will be given for those working with injuries. Join us and welcome Elizabeth to the blue!
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happenings
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classes
pay-what-you-can yoga October 4, 18, 25
6:00-7:00 pm
weekend extras
Tune Up Your Asana!
Fridays, 7:00-8:30 pm
Headstands with Kathleen
October 3
Crow Pose with Carrington October 17Warrior Poses with Suzanne October 24
Kundalini Yoga and Meditation with Amanda October 5
Yin Yoga with Sandy
October 19 workshops & events
Restorative Yoga for Healing and Balance with Kathleen October 4 Be still, relax, let go! Enjoy two hours of spacious time to relax and regroup Kids Yoga & Art: Gratitude Trees with Jen October 18 An afternoon for young yogis to explore gratitude. No experience necessary! Exploring the Five Ayurvedic Elements Through Yoga with Leilani October 25 Vinyasa, restorative yoga, pranayama, and meditation weave together the 5 Ayurvedic elements in this deeply healing practice. Yoga Foundations with Jen October 26 - December 16 New seven-week series begins October 26; learn the fundamentals of yoga asana. Backbends: From the Heart, For the Heart with Elizabeth November 1 Learn to experience backbending as it was meant to be: open, strong, and free. Eight Weeks of Yoga Philosophy and Asana with Jill November 2 - December 21 Combine your physical practice with yoga's more subtle, complex realms, including relationships, lifestyle, and the unconscious mind. yoga immersion
for all students
Refine Your Asana Posture Clinic with Carrington
October 5
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.
YTT300/RYT200 CEU - 2 hours Satsang: Power of Community with Jill 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. YTT300/RYT200 CEU - 18 hours. Required module for YTT300 certification program.
Refine Your Assisting with Michele
October 26
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.
YTT300/RYT200 CEU - 2 hours What's Next? with Jill November 1-3 Take three days away to dive deep with Jill. Lecture, discussion, meditation and journaling will help you to identify your purpose, your obstacles, and the answer to the question what's next? Hathavidya Weekend Immersion with Will November 14-16 Join Will Duprey, director and founder of Hathavidya, for a weekend immersion in the practice. YTT300/RYT200 CEU - 11 hours. Ground, Heal, Forgive with Warren Grossman December 6 Learn how to create an active connection to the earth and how to bring that energy to the heart to access the healing energy of Love. YTT300/RYT200 CEU available; space is limited. Weekend of Reflection: The Power of Silence with Jill 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.
YTT300/RYT200 CEU - 14 hours. Required module for YTT300 certification program.
The Business of Yoga with Elizabeth January 9-11 Join Elizabeth Crisci for a weekend of practice and lecture diving into the business of teaching yoga. Yes, you can love what you do and pay the bills. Let's talk about how! YTT300/RYT200 CEU - 11 hours |  |
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