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I'm writing to you on Sunday afternoon, looking out to another grey and drizzly, icy day. There's the part of me that loves this weather as an opportunity and excuse to lay low, nest, and generally ponder the State of Things. There's another side, however, that's just kind of tired of the wet, cold and grey days of winter. I've found that this extended southern hibernation is feeding the indecisive characters who take up residence inside of me from time to time: The Procrastinator, The Rationalizer, and The Malcontent. In this unscheduled time out from the usual grind, I've planned a dozen times (at least) to tackle undone projects, clear items from the long term to-do list and give a good solid effort to make this "extra" time productive. I have failed miserably.
What happened? I'm pretty sure I wasn't listening to the instructions coming through the Soul Loudspeaker (which I really wish was a little louder sometimes). I'm placing bets that my current state is a result of listening instead to the Voice of Shoulds. And THAT voice, my friends, is a loud, bitchy, pushy, cranky, critical character. And for whatever reason, I'm most apt to listen to her when I have extra time on my hands.
Instead of taking some hibernation time to read a novel, watch some movies on Netflix, do extra delicious, blanket-swathed restorative practice, nap, dream and generally lie about and enjoy a break, my inner taskmaster set me to work. But so resistant was the rest of me- so desperately in need of having a break- I landed in a really unfulfilling limbo. I was neither uber-productive, crossing off long lists of tasks
nor basking in the relaxation of unplanned, open, free time. #snowmageddonfail
And so I hereby vow to return to my regularly scheduled program of listening in and aiming for the ever-elusive bullseye called BALANCE. In the days ahead it is my goal and pledge to work and play in equal(ish) measure and find a middle ground between precision planning and free-for-all spontaneity. And more importantly, recognizing that that real, sustainable balance isn't always found in the perfect 8-hour split, but rather a subtle wave that requires soft attention and flexibility to ride with grace.
I hope you fared better than I during these odd weeks. But if not, I invite you to take stock of what happened and why, and what is needed to get you back in balance. One day at a time.
Blessings,
Jill
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spotlight on nicole folk
Always a great way to end your week, Nicole's Friday Lunchtime Flow offers a little bit of something for everyone's yoga palette. Outside of the blue, Nicole's life is equally as lovely, dabbled with design projects for her business, walking her dog Lily, and feeding her love of cooking.
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Nicole's N.C. farm fresh breakfast, complete with eggs, kale, tomatoes fire roasted with spices, and homemade cinnamon ginger applesauce
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"There's something very healing about coming home after a long day and cooking up healthy and delicious food for the body and soul," she says. "It's also my art, because I get to take the different tastes and textures and colors of the food and combine them to make something delicious."
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| Nicole and her "mini-me" niece Eva
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Nicole is also well known around the blue for her mad design and decorating skills (for which we call on her each year to decorate for blueversary). Her design business sprung up after she purchased a foreclosure in downtown Raleigh in 2009, and she proceeded to renovate her new home.
"I always knew I wanted a home I could make my own," she recalls. "When I found my house it, was pretty much unlivable, and I fell in love with its potential. The process of healing the house and putting it back together is kind of like the process we go through in yoga. We come in with our crooks and creeks and blocked spaces, and use the flow to open doors and windows and let the light in. I feel so blessed to be able to do this work in my business and on the mat at the blue."
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registration open for
kids yoga & art summer series
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it's never too early to start planning summer activities for the kiddos
This summer your child can learn to connect with him/herself and his/her creativity through art and yoga. Our Kids Yoga & Art Summer Series with Jen Davis invites children to discover the many ways breathing settles emotions, meditation calms the mind and art gives expression to the colorful life inside each of us.
Each Friday workshop is different, and registration for each is separate. Space is limited, so register early!
Ages 6-11
June 12 - Worry Warriors and Boxes
June 19 - I AM Portraits
July 10 - The Element of Lines in Art and Yoga
July 24 - Abstracts, Music and Balance in Art and Life
Middle & High Schoolers
 Aug 21 - Back to School Vision Boards
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prana flow and jen b. come to the blue
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This month we welcome a new teacher to the blue crew -- one whom many of you may already know and love!
 Jen Bluestone brings her Prana Flow goodness to the blue Tuesdays (Level 2, 9:30-10:30 am), and Thursdays (Level 2/3, 1:00-2:30 pm), starting March 10.
Jen's been a student of the blue ever since we opened the doors, and a student of the practice since 2003. She found refuge and peace in yoga as she juggled caring for her newborn daughter and her mom, who had been diagnosed with stage 3-C ovarian cancer. When Jen started to look for yoga classes for her two young children in 2005 and came up empty, she decided to become a yoga teacher herself.
Jen is a registered children's yoga teacher (RCYT) and completed trainings with Karma Kids in New York City, YogaKids and Mini Yogis. In 2008, she earned her RYT200 certification in Prana Flow and is currently working toward her RYT500 certification with Shiva Rea.
Jen has lived in Raleigh ever since her 1995 graduation from Pennsylvania State University. With her recent move to the blue, we are happy to welcome this self-titled "mom, teacher, dog lover, goof ball, friend" as the newest member of the blue family!
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Raleigh's Yoga Conference:
YogaFest NC 2015 - coming April 11
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Register today!
 This year YogaFest NC 2015 features new Intensive Sessions, including one led by the blue's Jill Sockman -- On Beyond Asana: Cultivating Prana Shakti.
YogaFest sells out every year, so be sure to register for your spot today!
YogaFest NC
Saturday, April 11
McKimmon Center in Raleigh
Fee: $50
Class offerings include seminars eligible for continuing education credits.
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happenings
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classesNew Teacher & Class!
Prana Flow L2 with Jen B.
9:30 am Tues, starting March 10
Prana Flow L2/3 with Jen B.
1:00 pm, Thu, starting March 12  Community Yoga -- FREE!March 5March 10March 11March 17March 24March 26March 29
 Pay-what-you-can Yoga Please note our modified schedule on this month's yoga immersion weekend, March 13-15.
workshops & events  Embracing Shadow, Uncovering Light with Carrington
March 7-8Yoga Foundations 7-Week Series, Sunday nights with Jenstarting March 8 Yin Yoga Intensive with Yvonne March 21 Have a Ball! Workshop with Yvonne March 28 Yoga for Anxiety Relief with Jen and Barbara April 25 Serve Your Soul: Seven Sacred Days in Bali, Indonesia June 14-21  yoga immersion
for all students
Mentorship Program
Second Quarter, 2015
Third Quarter, 2015
Fourth Quarter, 2015
A one-on-one experience designed to enhance yoga teaching skills, from holding space and hands-on assists to class planning and sequencing. Cultivate a richer home practice and deepen your studentship.
YTT300/RYT200 CEU - 15 hours
Common Injuries and Prevention in Yoga Class with Terry Brown
April 18
Learn some of the common yoga-related injuries, possible causes, and how avoid them.
YTT300/RYT200 - 3 hours
Yoga and the Nervous System with Mary
May 16
 Designed for yoga teachers, anatomy enthusiasts, and wisdom seekers interested in an exploration of how the central nervous system works, the impacts of chronic stress and trauma, and how yoga practice can healing and optimize the nervous system's function.
YTT300/RYT200 - 3 hours
 Refine Your Assisting: Hands-on Clinic with Michele
May 17
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/RYT CEU - 2 hours
Seva: Yoga in Action with Carrington
May 29
 An Off the Mat, Into the World workshop that provides an opportunity to build community around yoga and service, develop relationships with other yogis and activists in your area, and collaborate on creating real change.
YTT300/RYT200 - 20 hours
Required for 500-hour certification
Yin Yoga & Meditation
with Heather Tiddens
July 16-19
Learn the foundations and technique of Yin Yoga, which fosters a meditative practice and gives balance to our active, yang lifestyles.
YTT300/RYT200 CEU - 26 hours
Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training with
Cheri Clampett & Arturo Peal
September 22-27
Learn the skills to work intelligently with students who are living with chronic illness or injury, as well as pregnant and aging populations. Deepen your teaching confidence, expand your range of private clients, increase your class types, and learn how to incorporate this gentler practice into more active classes.
YTT300/RYT200 CEU - 40 hours
Required for 500-hour certification
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Deep Stretch with Yvonne
