Happy New Year, fellow yogis and yoginis. The sun is out, this morning the moon was bright. May your first day of 2013 be sparkled with that moon dust and the sun's rays. May your year be fulfilling and enriching. May you feel happiness and freedom and share that with others. 

Last month I talked about how practice can help us to alleviate suffering. It helps us to see what is, and find a "good fit." Practice, as my teacher Rod Stryker said on his visit to 8 Limbs in mid-December, "helps us to make choices when we are not practicing." It does this through a three-part process: tapas (enthusiasm, 100% presence), svadhyaya (self-study), and isvara pranidhana (surrender to that which supports you). 

In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali speaks of these three as a trio of observances that inform one another to create a strong support, like a three-footed stool. They are all required in the practice of kriya yoga, the yoga of action, making a habit of one's interest in staying awake and present. Take one out and you have an imbalance. Use all three and you have something strong to stand on, able to support you in living a life of freedom and purpose. 

This time of year is rife with talk of intention, and resolution, and, well, purpose. It's a time when many take stock of the year that has past and commit to a habit they'd like to integrate into their lives. Resolutions get a bad rap 

because they are often broken, but a well-chosen positive resolve, called a sankalpa, can be life-changing, especially when supported by three legs of kriya yoga: enthusiasm, self-study, and surrender. Well-chosen means do-able, supported/supportive, and in accordance with the purpose you have in life. 

Maybe it is reaching out to an elderly neighbor, or the new parents across the street. Maybe you'll buy only used or recycled things for a year, or make your own yogurt. Maybe you'll start to meditate, finally address your aching neck or back, or practice yoga every day for a month and join us in February for our 28-day Commitment (See below for details). Try something positive, not an avoidance, one that brings you a sense of fulfillment and a connection to your dharma, your purpose, the reason(s) for your existence, your truth. 

Join us for the second Many Paths Teacher Panel on Sunday, January 13 at 4:30pm for a panel discussion on how we can develop healthy habits and let go of the ones that no longer serve us. We all could use all the support we can get!

A very fulfilling 2013 to all of you, from the bottom of my heart!

FEBRUARY EVENTS PREVIEW

We have even more workshops with our fabulous teachers. Here's a preview:

Yoga Nidra Yoga Bliss with Tracy, February 2, West Seattle

Advanced Asana with Jonna & Kate, February 3, Capitol Hill

Full Spectrum Practice with MJ, February 10, Phinney Ridge

Yin/Yang Practice with Karen, February 17, Wedgwood

Restorative Series with Jonna, Wednesdays, 5:45pm, Capitol Hill

Fit & 50+ Teacher Training with Sally, February 22-24, Phinney Ridge

KIDS & TWEEN YOGA 

We've schedule fun and engaging Kids Yoga classes at 8 Limbs Capitol Hill, Phinney Ridge, and Wedgwood and supportive and relaxing Tween Yoga at Capitol Hill and Wedgwood. Visit the Kids & Tween Yoga page for more info. Once there, be sure to sign up for our Kids & Family Newsletter which is sent out about 4 times per year. 

January 4 - 6: Winter Yoga Retreat at Aldermarsh 

Tracy Hodgeman and Terilyn Wyre - FULL

Call 206.325.8821 to be put on wait list in case of illness.

February 1-3, 2013 Yoga & Memoir at Kripalu

Anne Phyfe Palmer & Claire Dederer

March 1 - 3: Yoga for 50+ Retreat at Aldermarsh

Sally Carley and Chiara Guerrieri

Sally and Chiara are thrilled to host a 3-day retreat for practitioners 50 and older.  The theme of their retreat is "Embracing Change."   

April 5 - 12: Advanced Training Retreat at Breitenbush 

Melina Meza, Chiara Guerrieri & Anne Phyfe Palmer

July 12 - 14: Summer Yoga Retreat at North Cascades Institute 

MJ Daniels and Megan Costello

July 28 - August  2: Advanced Training Retreat II

Melina Meza & Chiara Guerrieri

November 1 - 3: Fall Yoga Retreat at Sleeping Lady 

Melina Meza and Anne Phyfe Palmer

2013/14 VISITING TEACHER SCHEDULE 

Though not all of these are posted on our website, we have scheduled all of our visiting teacher workshops for 2013 and a couple already for 2014!

 2013

March 22-24, 2013 - Sarah Powers

November 8 & 9 - Max Strom 

November 15-17, 2013 - Nicolai Backman

2014

January TBD: Rod Stryker

May TBD: Shari Friedrichsen

Also coming in 2014: Sarah Powers and more...