march 2016
news from the blue

Namaste, 

By the time you read this, I'll be far from Raleigh, having just arrived to Varanasi -- arguably one of the most chaotic cities I know. Hopefully by now I'm over the jet lag, and presumably I'm inundated and awestruck by the complete overwhelm and sensory overload that is India. This will be my third trip to the subcontinent, and I'm not yet sure if it's three strikes you're out or third time's a charm. Mmmm. Neti Neti says the knowing Self -- not this, and not that. 

My preparations for this pilgrimage have been extensive -- making the arrangements and gathering the things needed for a journey of this kind; trying to complete any and all undone tasks that they not clutter my mind or my desk while I am gone; loosening my grip on expectation and attachment; deepening and steadying my practice. I've been holding the intention of opening up to whatever gift or lesson this experience holds, without resistance. I've been working to soften around the somewhat daunting reality of intensive study with one of the great living masters of Yoga: letting go of my smallness, worry of inadequacy, desire to learn, know, remember everything and just settle into the safety of the spacious heart that is always ready and able to take it all in. I don't feel nervous or anxious. This journey called to me, and I answered YES. What happens next is not for me to worry about. This is a sacred journey for which I have prepared everything -- from my work to my bag to my mind and body -- with faith and devotion. 

It is this long-cultivated sense of faith and devotion that was the source of the YES answer when this journey called to me. And it was in India where I first came to truly understand these qualities. My experiences there have been ever fraught with great paradox: smallness and bigness, beauty and sorrow, richness and lack all in equal measure, not only side by side but impossibly intertwined. And all of these seeming contradictions are held in a container of vibrant connectivity: raw humanity and perfect divinity as One. And so as I write to you from my little yoga room in Raleigh, T-4 days to departure, I am ready. I am saturated, fully, in faith of this oneness. What comes to pass in this next month shall be exactly as it needs to be -- which will not vaguely in any way resemble any of my pre-conceived ideas about it. That is for sure. 

I'll miss you while I am gone. I'll be sending extra prayers and blessings to you. I'll be so happy to see you when I return. Most of all, I invite you to come with me on this inner pilgrimage of faith and devotion -- in whatever way you see it, seek it, find it, are surprised and blessed by in the weeks ahead. Notice the oneness when it touches your heart. And be reminded of why we are all here: to seek, to explore, and to love completely, wholly, with all that we are.

Peace, 
Jill

Easing Anxiety with Yoga: 

It isn't all in your head

Why does yoga have such a positive impact on your physical and mental state? 
 
Advances in medical and psychological research now provide a greater understanding of the "how" and "why" of yoga's effects:  yoga actually increases the production of certain brain chemicals associated with improved mood.
 
  One recent study of mindfulness meditation showed that those who engaged in this practice had an increase in activity in the portions of the brain that process stress, as well as an improved ability to focus and an increased state of calm. 

Doctors and psychotherapists are increasingly utilizing yoga and mindfulness-based practices as an adjunct to more traditional therapies, especially in the treatment of anxiety and other stress-related disorders.
 
Yoga for Anxiety Relief 4-Week Series
with Jen Davis and Barbara Vosk
6:00-8:00 pm, Sundays, April 3 - 24
class fee changes
New Fees, starting April 1

We recently celebrated nine years of Yoga and the flourishing community that is blue lotus. In those many years, our prices have changed only once, in 2011. Another five years on, growth in the studio and ever increasing expenses necessitate a modification of our fees.

Effective April 1, 2016, some of the class fees will change. For those who love the practice but find it difficult to find the financial resources at times, there will always be options at the blue, like Community Yoga (free), Pay-What-You-Can classes (by-donation), and reduced drop-in rates for some classes.

New fee schedule, effective April 1, 2016
  • Drop-in - $16 (no change)
  • Early Bird and Lunch Class Drop-in - $12
  • 10-class pass (good for 3 months) - $135
  • Unlimited Monthly Classes - $155 (limit one class per day)
  • 50-class pass (good for one year) - $575
  • Student/senior/active military drop-in - $12 (no change)
  • Student/senior/active military 10-class pass - $100 (no change)
  • Annual Membership - $1018
  • Annual Membership monthly debit - $99/month (new and renewing contracts only)
We are so grateful to you for your ongoing support of the blue lotus community and look forward to celebrating our 10th year with you in 2017!

teacher training info session, March 20

Free Teacher Training & Immersion Info Session
1:00-2:00 pm, Sunday, March 20

Attend this info session to learn more about these teacher training and yoga immersion programs!

9 months of transformation: 
yoga immersion & teacher training
one weekend a month, September 2016 thru May 2017

The Immersion: YTT200 Intensive
July 11 - August 2, 2016

Learn more about the programs at our website and FAQ.

Padma and her lion
 

in this issue

happenings
yoga immersion 
for all students

Thai Yoga Bodywork Certification Training 
with Michael Sitzer
YTT300 - Up to 24 hours
NCBTMB & RYT200 CEU - up to 36 hours

Refine Your Asana
with Michele
YTT300/RYT200 CEU - 2 hours

Prana Weekend with Jill
YTT300/RYT200 CEU - 11 hours

Yoga Nidra Training with Cheryl Fenner Brown
YTT300/RYT200 - 3 hours

Mentorship Program 
for Teachers
One-on-one experience designed to enhance your teaching skills
YTT300/RYT200 CEU - 15 hours



workshops 
& events

Fire Practice with Jen B. 
Melt away Winter and Prepare for Spring!
March 5

Spring Cleaning with Yoga, Essential Oils and Tuning Fork Therapy 
with Mary

Yoga for Anxiety Relief 
4-Week Series 
with Jen D. and Barb
Full series registration only.

Yoga Foundation Six-Week Series with Kathleen


special class
offerings


New Classes!
Vinyasa Short & Sweet 
with Jordyn
8:15-9:00 am, Wednesdays
and
Friday Flow with Jordyn
4:00-5:00 pm

Kundalini Yoga & Meditation for the Heart Chakra with Amanda
March 1 and 8

Candlelight Flow 
with Yvonne
March 4

Juicy Flow with Yvonne
March 6

Flow & Stretch with Live Music with Michele & Courtney
March 14

Chakra Flow with Jen B.
March 15 and 22

Yoga Nidra with Kathleen
March 18

Kundalini Yoga & Meditation with Amanda
March 20 and 25

Kriya Yoga Sadhana 
with Jill
March 27

Community Yoga - FREE!
1:00-2:00 pm, March 1
6:00-7:00 pm, March 5
7:30-8:30 am, Mar 6 Bhakti
1:00-2:00 pm, March 8
1:00-2:00 pm, March 10
1:00-2:00 pm, March 15
1:30-2:30 pm, March 18
6:00-7:00 pm, March 19
1:00-2:00 pm, March 24
1:00-2:00 pm, March 31
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