 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Time Out, Part II
For those of you who have been following my latest drama/comedy, you know already about last month's Time Out From The Universe. I missed a class, spent the better part of a day locked out on the second-story balcony, and worried a few folks (not least Padma) in the process. Well, apparently I had lessons of solitude still to learn. Shocking.
I had the pleasure and privilege of spending last week in Colorado. My teacher lives in the Roaring Fork River valley, and it's one of the most spectacular, heart-expanding, mind-bending, pranified places I've ever been. To say I love it there does not even come close. To sit with my teacher, in my sangha of fellow teachers gathered from all over the world, it's bliss.
Leading into my departure for this intensive time of study, my back had been a little tweaky - the first time in a long, long, long time. I did what I could to stabilize the situation before I left for an epic day of travel, invoked the power of a few unseen friends, and set off. Upon arrival, I felt uncomfortable but elated to be "home."
Arriving at the training site, a working ranch under the watch of Mt. Sopris, I felt grateful, excited to back in student mode. We sat for a long opening lecture and moved into an extended physical practice, after which I was, let's say, on beyond uncomfortable. By mid-afternoon, my sacrum fully out of whack, a nerve pinched, and everything from hip to shoulders seized to try to help out, I was on the floor, tears streaming, waiting for an opportunity (and a way) to get up and out of the room unnoticed. (insert the cackle of The Universe here.)
By the time I got back to my cabin up the mountain (where I was staying alone and have no cell service), I could barely get out of the car, and it was with a whole lot of shouting when I finally did. Here I was, in the middle of my version of paradise, with my beloved teacher and my people whom I see twice per year if I'm lucky, totally debilitated and cut off from civilization. My mind drifted from the WHY? WHY?? WHY??? questions to the landfill of a lifetime of thoughts and emotions around identity, worthiness, comparison, judgment, insecurity, vulnerability... It was AWESOME. And yes, that is echoed from the deep, desperate chasm of sarcasm.
What was NOT lost on me, fortunately, eventually, was why I was there. The course material was on The Evolution of Consciousness. And here I was, wallowing in the identity of Self in the human body, drowning in the negative chatter of the monkey mind. In other words, just-come-down-out-of-the-trees in terms of consciousness evolution. #failfailfail
I missed Day 2 of the training and spent a whole lot of time with myself. Again. And again got my head and heart right. The body is another story, so I turned with as much gratitude as I could muster for some more karma burned in the physical realm. I returned for the rest of the training on Day 3, took in as much as I could, participated where possible, and humbly surrendered the rest.
Why do the lessons look as they do, arriving (usually) as inconveniently as possible, recurring in unpredictable (and infuriating) patterns? There is no point to ask why. There is only to continue to cultivate the part of us that observes, witnesses, watches; to grow the stable and steady center; to continue to make more and more space between that watchful place and life as it happens, in all its glory, from moment to moment. You are not this body. You are not these thoughts. You are not these ever-changing emotions. You are pure consciousness, beyond duality, containing everything - and nothing at all.
Yep, still working on it.
Blessings,
Jill
|
|
spotlight on michele shipley
Michele's Flow & Stretch on Monday nights is a favorite among the blue crowd. And when you want to take it up a level, step into her Vinyasa Level 2 on Thursday nights.
 This cartoon depicts Michele's "nutty life outside of the safe haven of the blue," as she puts it. If you're familiar with the movie The Devil Wears Prada - that has been a similar gig of Michele's for almost 20 years, minus anything pertaining to Prada and the fashion world. What most relaxes her and makes her grin from ear-to-ear is rooted in yoga and various forms of movement - yoga trainings, yoga classes, Pilates, Ballet Burn, mentoring yogis. Basically anything that doesn't consist of a laptop, iPhone, iPad or any translation of i-madness.
 Family time is extremely precious to Michele - a rare and beautiful moment these days consists of hubby, Rob, and their daughter, Alexa, being together at the home front. With Alexa in school year 'round, and Rob in school full-time, making the best use of their moments together is the key to their happiness. Sweet events, like lunch at Alexa's school or being home from travel mode to tuck her in at night, continue to be priceless occasions. Their most recent getaway was in beautiful Oregon, and each year they eagerly await annual reuinons with the extended family in Kiawah Island, S.C. "The island is peaceful, filled with tons of wildlife, and a place for us to reconnect and remember what really is important and matters most to us as a family," Michele says.  "My three sisters are another huge part of my life. We attempt annual 'sisters vacations' - which take us back to Santa Barbara, Calif., over and over again. "As I reflect on our youth and the four of us bickering daily, I wouldn't trade my 'sissies' for anything in the world - how grateful am I for having such an amazing sisterly bond, despite the fact we're spread out across the map."
As a native New Yorker, just when she thinks she's been in the south long enough to have lost the accent, "POOF, it kicks back into high gear!" she says. (Can you just hear that?) Ballet played a big part in Michele's earlier years, and she dreamed of being a soloist in the Joffrey Ballet Company. "Obviously that ship sailed away as I waved bye-bye from afar," she says. "But hey, where would we be without our grandiose dreams?" Michele sits in wonderment at how life continuously throws us many, nutty twists and turns and detours. "At each point, there is yet another lesson for us to learn," she reflects. "Finding balance, or at least trying your damnedest, amidst the cyclones, definitely makes living the life you're meant to live that much sweeter." |
|
return to the roots of your practice
|
explore sacred texts and epic tales of Hindu mythology
How many times have you wondered in class or afterward about the meaning or origin of a Hindu word? The story behind a deity? The translation or source of a favorite chant?
Begin to explore these questions, delving into the roots of Yoga, next month at a few special workshops at the blue.
Sacred Language, Sacred Texts: The Origins of Yoga
June 26-28
 Yogi and scholar of Comparative Religion Graham Schweig, PhD, specializes in the philosophy of yoga and the spiritual traditions of India. Throughout this workshop weekend, Dr. Schweig will delve into the sacred texts and language that are foundational to our practice today.
 Regardless of your yoga style of choice, you'll deepen your yoga experience by understanding these ancient texts. Each of the four workshop sessions includes lecture, discussion, chanting, and guided meditation (no asana). Several sessions will be open to the public.
Get to the heart of your practice by learning more about the origins of yoga.
Myth, Meditation & Mantra and Mythic Flow Yoga
June 12 & 13
 Indian classics like the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, and the Puranas offer epic tales that have inspired the practice of yoga for centuries. Learn about these stories and their characters with Gil Elhart and gain new insights into deeper dimensions of yoga in his Myth, Meditation & Mantra workshop. You'll explore stories, recite mantra, and meditate as you open up to the inspiration offered by the roots of our practice.
 We know natarajasana as dancer's pose - but who was Nataraja, and what did his dance signify? Why do we honor Hanuman - the monkey god - by searching for a split?
In the Mythic Flow Yoga workshop, Gil includes a strong Vinyasa practice along with learning the stories behind the postures we encounter so many times in our practice and the deities for whom they are named. Listen to the myths of the asanas, and embody their symbolism to find a new way to connect your presence in practice to the infinite wisdom of ancient tradition.
|
|
| Introducing Tribe 7 - recent graduates of 9 months of transformation, the blue's yoga immersion & teacher training program.
Congratulations and blessings to each and all!
|
Our next crew starts in September. Interested? Learn more!
|
|
running late? just give us a call!
|
When it comes to trying to make it to your favorite yoga class, we understand unpredictable and unavoidable traffic or parking woes can upset the best laid plans. At the same time, we also want to respect other students' practices by starting class on time. Fortunately, we can make everyone happy!
If you are running late to class, simply give us a call before the start of class, and we'll put a mat out for you and keep the door unlocked. Be sure to call *before* class starts. We turn off the phone ringer and lock the door promptly at the class start time if we don't know you are coming.
Add the blue in your favorites now ... 919 831 2583.
|
|
|
|
 | |
happenings
|
classes
Pay-what-you-can Yoga workshops & events Yoga Foundations Six-Week Series with Jen 6:00 pm, Sundays, starting May 3 Kundalini Intensive: Healing a Broken Heart with Amanda  Serve Your Soul: Seven Sacred Days in Bali, Indonesia June 14-21  Kids Yoga & Arts Summer Workshops with Jen  Five Friday afternoons throughout Summer. Kids connect to creativity through yoga and art!
yoga immersion
for all students
Mentorship Program
Summer 2015
Fall 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
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
Refine Your Asana: Posture Clinic with Carrington
June 7
Focus on proper alignment in your postures for a safer,
more enjoyable practice.
YTT300/RYT CEU - 2 hours
Myth, Meditation & Mantra, and Myth Yoga Flow with Gil
June 12 and 13
Gil weaves story and meditation with mantra and vinyasa for two inspiring workshops.
RYT CEU - 3.5 hours for both
Sacred Language, Sacred Texts: The Origins of Yoga with Graham Schweig, PhD
June 26-28
Delve into the sacred texts and language that form the foundation of modern yoga practice. Learn the fundamentals of Sanskrit, the basics of yoga philosophy, with a focus on the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras. Whether you prefer Hatha or Restorative, Hot Yoga or Prana Flow, these ancient texts are important tools for deepening your experience of how yoga can shape your body, mind, and spirit.
YTT300 - 15 hours
RYT200 CEU - up to 10 hours
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
|  |
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Flow & Stretch with Michele plus Live Harmonium with Courtney
Yoga Nidra with Kathleen
