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March 2014
Leslie Ellis 09

  
Open Heartedness
Recognizing the Heart of Your Devotion
Walking up to the edge to remember what is possible

Pure Devotion and Love

 

After a month of Ganesha and looking at obstacles it was fun for me to move to a little Hanuman study in February. Weekly practice and classes included lessons from Hanuman which fit so well into the month of love!  

 

When I read and study the stories of marvelous beings like Ganesha and Hanuman, the monkey disciple of Ram, I am struck with the elegance with which they again and again lead the main characters to Self Discovery. This makes it easy to take inspiration and let them guide the yoga practice and the teaching.   

 

I am sure my interpretation and where I go with the stories is not necessarily the most the classical telling, but I believe that at their heart they are doing for me just what they are intended to do - they lead me to something known at a deep level and remind me of truths that are easy to forget in my day to day life.

 

Click here to read more inspiration from Hanuman and to hear the Hanuman Chalisa, one of my very favorite chants.

 

Blessings,

GrowingYourYoga
Leslie

...and from everyone at HeartSong:  Lani, Lynn, Kayci, Kat, Noemi, Toby and Kasey -  Namaste and Happy March!

Growing Your Yoga
Roots and Shoots by Lani Jelen
  
Every Spring we must mention the emergence of crocus and snow drops, I love them and the scent of daphne as well. Spring is kind of thrilling and trilling. I was walking a few days ago on my regular early morning walk and as I went by some bushes a frog croaked loud and clear. I tried to see it and I am sure it was very small even though it sounded large. It was very hidden. After a couple more times past the same bush, it croaked again and kept on until I spoke to it and then it was silent.

Spring is unknown. We don't know if it will be sunny or stormy or warm or cold or freezing and it is very changeable. I think in the Spring we need to be very aware of our roots, aware of ourdidyouknow groundedness as we move through this season, especially as it is beginning. Our own inner weather is just as changeable. Read more...
 
Did You Know?
Yoga is about Service...

The practice of yoga is widely recognized as a tool for self-transformation, but it's also really about service in the sense of serving both oneself as well as others. Yoga teaches us to be available and care for ourselves so that we may show up in our best, most compassionate form for those around us -- no matter how that may manifest in each of our lives.

This spring, we're excited to take part in celebrating yoga's life-changing potential through service to greater community as we take part in Living Yoga' 5th Annual Yogathon. Living Yoga is a local non-profit that brings volunteer-led yoga classes to individuals who are incarcerated, in drug and alcohol rehab, or accessing other transitional services in the greater Portland area. With donation classes and special events all over the city during the months of March and April, the Yogathon celebrates this idea of service in a widespread and joyous way!
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Skip down to the events section to read more about our Yogathon Donation Class on March 30th. Also, do stay tuned for more info on joining our studio team and some other easy ways that you'll be able to lend your support.
Community Corner
Transitions in our Prenatal Yoga Classes

As many of you know, Toby is taking a little break from teaching and is soon to have her baby (if she hasn't already by the time you read this!)  At right is a photo of her with our prenatal class that wrapped up a couple of weeks ago.

We wanted to use this space this month to let you know about some of the teachers who will be filling in for her during her time away. Heather Brinkmeyer will teach the Thursday 4 pm gentle yoga class, while Kayci and Kat will teach the next two 6 week series of prenatal yoga on Thursdays at 10:30 am and Sundays at 3.  (You can view the full up-to-date class schedule here.)
ResourceCenter
We hope you'll stop in to enjoy these new/different teachers. In the mean time, stay tuned for more baby news! 

Resource Center
Yogi Roots Compilation
                                                                                                       
This month, we're highlighting an organization that's doing a great deal of of good for our local yoga community- Yogi Roots! They are on a mission to connect local yoga studios and students with opportunities for practice and growth available in our area.
 
One way they're doing this is through a recently-released compilation CD entitled, "after silence".  You may have noticed this CD available for sale at the studio, but didn't know what it was all about. The artists on the recording are all from the Portland area and all proceeds go to a scholarship Yogi Roots has set up to allow individuals in under-served populations to attend yoga teacher training. For just a $15 donation, you could be practicing yoga to the sweet sounds of some great local yogi-musicians, workshopslike Jean-Pierre Parent, Michael Stirling and Shantala, just to name a few.
 
 Check out yogiroots.org for helpful practice resources, area events and more!
Workshops & Events

      *Connect with your Community*
 
Equinox Class & Sound Healing Journey
with Matthew Kocel
Friday, March 21st | 6-8pm
In place of our usual third Friday restorative yoga class, we invite you to join us for a very special performance by Vancouver, BC based throat singer and visionary musician Matthew Kocel. This experience will help you relax your mind, body and nervous system so you may feel supported and inspired as we transition into spring.
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Learn more about Matthew at OmShaman.com
 Sign up! 

Living Yoga Benefit Class

with Leslie Ellis and Noemi Rossler
Sunday, March 30th |  4:30-7 pm

  
In support of Living Yoga and this year's Yogathon, join Leslie and Noemi for a fun and inspiring evening of yoga and community. Come for class at 4:30 pm, which will offer blend of active and restorative yoga and meditation. Class will be followed by another fun community-building activity - stay tuned for more on that! You're sure to leave with your heart feeling full and your body relaxed. 

This evening is offered by donation, all proceeds will go to Living Yoga. Full details are still TBA, but you can
 
Sign up online to let us know you're coming!
 
*Deepen and Refine Your Practice*
 
Two Lower Body Anatomy Workshops
with Lynn Morrison, LMT, RYT
Saturday, March 15th

Experiential Anatomy | 
12-3 pm

This class will be a fun and informative way to understand more about how your muscles and fascia work. You will leave with a deeper appreciation of your amazing body and be able to apply your knowledge to your yoga practice as well as other activities. Class will focus on muscle groups rather than specific muscles and will be applicable even if you don't know the names of muscles.

 

  

Anatomy as it Applies to Asana | 
3:30 - 6:30 pm
Learn more details about major muscles in the body and their names and actions, as well as fascia-the biological glue that holds it all together!

Learn more about Lynn and Sign up
for one or both!


 
Therapeutic Focus: Yoga for Lower Back Pain  
with Kayci Cavenah 
Sunday, March 16th | 12:30 - 2:30 pm  

Do you have low back issues and wonder why? Want to learn how to improve your posture and keep your spine healthy for the many things you do in your life? Join Kayci for this workshop to pick up some practical tools to help you relief from low back pain. Appropriate for all levels.
 
 
Nature, Nurture, Nirvana: A Spring Retreat
with Leslie Ellis
Friday, May 2nd - Sunday May 4th, 2014 

Busy? Stressed? Craving a little "me" time? Join Leslie this May for 3 days of soul nurturing
 yoga in the beautiful, natural surroundings at Buckhorn Springs Retreat Center
 in Ashland, OR. Active and restorative yoga, meditation and breathing practices will refresh and renew body, mind and heart and give you a little taste of Nirvana.

Sign up! 


*Yoga for Motherhood*
 
Birth Support Professionals FREE Q&A
with Samantha Zipporah
Sunday, March 9th | 2-3 pm

Join doula Samantha Zipporah and prenatal yoga teacher Kayci for this complimentary gathering designed to help new or soon-to-be-mothers understand the role of a doula in pre and postnatal care. You're invited to come for the talk and stay for prenatal yoga at 3pm.

  


Infant Massage
with Melanie Henstrom, PCD(DONA)
Saturdays, March 22nd & 29th | 1:30-3 pm  

New moms and partners - looking for a way to bond with your new baby? Check out our new infant massage workshop coming later this month. This two part workshop offers a means to cultivate love, compassion, respect & well-being for infants and children through touch.
 
Learn more about Melanie. 
 
 
*Later this spring, Mary Paffard Returns!*  

Quiet Eyes, Strong Neck, Soft Heart: 
A Weekend with Mary Paffard
 
Friday, May 30th - Sunday, June 1st
 
Internationally-renowned teacher Mary Paffard returns to HeartSong for the 3rd year running, kicking off the weekend with a class just for teachers on the afternoon of May 30th, followed by a full weekend workshop suitable for a wide variety of practitioners. Prepare for a weekend rich with opportunities for self-discovery and yoga sessions deeply informed by themes of the natural world.

Learn more about Mary at maryyoga.com