august 2015
news from the blue
Namaste!

I've written about this before, I know that I have. Probably more than once. Expectations are premeditated resentments. I don't recall the woman's name who first shared that with me, but I clearly remember where I was- it was my very first teacher training, in 1999, in California.- and it was one of my most memorable moments from those weeks immersed in yoga for the first time. I can still see her face and feel the strong resonance of those words with the truth in my soul. That was 16 years ago. I'm apparently a slow learner.

What does it mean? Well, let's break it down. Expectation is a state of anticipation- of an outcome, of an event happening or not happening, of a reaction, whatever. We walk into a situation or conversation with an idea of how it's going to go, or what the other person is going to do. We are invested (attached?!) to the outcome. Premeditated resentment would be planning in advance to be annoyed, hurt or otherwise bent out of shape. Why would be plan in advance to be angry or disappointed? Sounds crazy, right? But we do it. I do it. 

One of the things I've found with this is that I don't always know that I even HAVE expectations. I have worked pretty hard to get clear of them on a conscious level, but there they are, still brewing, churning, bubbling, murmuring under the surface. Then something doesn't go quite as I apparently thought it should and the bubble rises up to the surface, breaks, and splatters everywhere. Bah. What a mess.

I don't imagine that these situations are going to go away, so I will continue with my plight to be less attached, to be more willing to go with the flow, and to trust over and over again that whatever is happening in the moment is part of a bigger picture that I can't always see. And to remember that planning to be pissed off is a bad plan.

In doing so, I shall proceed with my Expectation Containment Program, to limit my premeditated resentments. And I'll look with as much patience as I can muster on myself and those around me when things just don't go the way I thought they should. After all, I'd much rather plan to be delighted with whatever outcome is meant to be.

Blessings,
  
Jill
meet brian and the love that is bhakti
start your sundays with song

The blue space is made for sound. Those who have had the experience know -- to chant or simply listen to song in the sanctuary of the blue can be transcendental. Now you can get your weekly dose with Bhakti, one of the newest additions to the blue schedule with Brian Johnson.

As Brian explains Bhakti, "It is the love of something greater than ourselves. It's praying, calling, and singing out to the Divine. Mine is a class that prepares us for meditation. When we chant, we articulate the breath. We un-knot the tension. We create space within us in which to settle. This stillness then allows us to be; be love and to love."

Learn more about Brian, and then treat yourself to Bhakti, Sundays at 7:30 am.

Favorite Chant: Totally an unfair question. I like and love too many. Ganesh. Om Namah Shivaya. But my best memories are with the Gayatri -- singing to the grace of the world, in the dark as the sun began to rise over rice paddies in Cambodia. Far in the distance, we could hear the Buddhist monks drumming as we honored the new day.

Little known facts about me: I'm a painter and book maker.
I sold my first painting when I was 5 years old to Virginia Tech. I played oboe in band from elementary through high school.

Words that describe my class: Joyful. Welcoming. Cacophonous. Still. Loving.

What inspires me: Travel. This world we live in, its art, graffiti, music, radio, books, museums, and food.

Favorite music: Currently on heavy rotation -- Jamie XX, Philip Glass, B.B. King, Bach's Brandenburg Concerto

Favorite quote: The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. - Jack Kerouac

Why I love the blue: It is still yet powerful; it is uncertain yet pure; it is full yet always room for one more.

Why I love yoga: It taught me to be still. It taught me to love myself more. It taught me to find God in the most fearful and uncertain places.

yoga foundations series now offered
tuesday evenings!
 
next series starts tuesday, september 22

Our six-week Yoga Foundations Series is now offered on Tuesday nights, as well as Sunday evenings!

Join Kathleen for Yoga Foundations Six-Week Series, 7:00-8:30 pm, Tuesdays, starting September 22.
As a beginner, you can establish a strong foundation of the basic poses found in Level 1 and Open Level flow classes. You'll also gain an understanding of the breath, how it links movement, and correct structural alignment in each pose, including  modifications to suit you.

All are welcome and invited to come find the joy of yoga!

Get all the details on participant discounts and register today
see you at the blue!
 
booling rinpoche
in this issue

happenings
classes
 
 Pay-what-you-can Yoga
Register now for the dates of your choice!
 
Flow & Stretch with Michele with Live Music
August 17
 
Yoga Nidra with Kathleen
 
 
Candlelight Flow with Yvonne 
 


workshops & events

 

Restorative Yoga for Healing and Balance with Kathleen

August 8 

 

 

Kids Yoga & Art with Jen 

6th through 12th Graders  

Back to School Vision Boards  

August 21  

 

 

Yoga Foundations Six-Week Series on TUESDAYS

7:00-8:30 pm,  

starting September 22 

 

Yoga for Anxiety Relief 
Four-Week Series 
with Jen and Barbara 

  

 

yoga immersion
for all students

 

Mentorship Program

Fall 2015 

Enhance your teaching skills with this one-on-one experience!    

YTT300/RYT200 CEU  

- 15 hours  

 

Refine Your Assisting: Hands-On Clinic with Michele

August 29 

YTT300/RYT200 CEU  

- 2 hours

 

 

Refine Your Asana: Posture Clinic with Carrington

August 30 

YTT300/RYT200 CEU  

- 2 hours

 

Therapeutic Yoga  

Teacher Training  

with  

Cheri Clampett  

& Arturo Peal

September 22-27  

Learn yoga teaching skills to work intelligently with students who are living with chronic illness or injury, as well as pregnant and aging populations.

YTT300/RYT200 CEU  

- 40 hours  

Required for 500-hour certification   

 

Pranyama & Mantra with Will Duprey

October 16-18 

 

Discover mantra and pranayama techniques as outlined in ancient texts. Change the way you participate in "yoga," and change the direction energy flows in the entirety of life.  

YTT300/RYT200 CEU  

- 12 hours  

 

 

The Power of Satsang: Finding YourSelf in Community
with Jill Sockman
November 13-15
To walk this path successfully, you cannot do it alone. Immerse yourself in community and its inspiration and support for an entire weekend.

YTT300/RYT200 CEU  

- 14 hours  

Required for 500-hour certification


Weekend of Reflection: The Power of Silence
with Jill Sockman
December 4-6

 Only in silence and stillness is it possible to see what lies beneath the surface. Explore your inner landscape through pranayama, meditation, restorative yoga, and yoga nidra.

YTT300/RYT200 CEU  

- 14 hours

 

 

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