MAY NEWSLETTER
Quote from Street Yoga Volunteer Teacher, Jess Ebert

Dear friend, 

 

We are thrilled to announce that in April we held our first class at High Point Neighborhood House for a group of teen girls!  

 

High Point provides after school programs that serve middle school and high school youth by combining youth empowerment principles and STEM curriculum. All of the youth in the programs are people of color, all are on free and reduced lunch, and many are East African immigrant and refugees. Most of the youth are Muslim.  For this reason, we separate the girls and boys for Street Yoga classes, which allows the young women to take off many of their layers so as to participate more fully. 


 
Jess Ebert, a new Street Yoga Volunteer Teacher, taught this class and she says about the class:

 

"The teens were very present throughout the class, and were willing to try out some new things on the mat, and I really appreciated that. They have so much going on in their lives, and to show up for that hour, on all levels illustrated their brave willingness to venture into the unknown."  


 
Read more about Jess in our volunteer spotlight below!

 

With warm wishes,

Jessica & Misha

.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
.
JUNE 2015 STUDIO OF THE MONTH
 .
Kula Movement is Street Yoga's June Studio of the Month.  On Saturday, June 13th at 2PM  they are  hosting a acro/partner yoga class donation-based class benefiting Street Yoga.  No partner or experience necessary!  The class is 60 minutes, led by Angela DiMario and Jill Baumgardner.  

Kula Movement is located at 5340 Ballard Ave NW on the old historic street of Ballard. Parking is free or metered nearby-- please give yourself extra time to find parking and fill out the 1-page new student waiver.
.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
.
JESS EBERT at HIGH POINT NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE

Why do you volunteer for Street Yoga?

I choose to volunteer with Street Yoga, because it brings my own yoga practice full circle. I teach my students of all ages that yoga means unifying mind, body, and spirit, and teaching yoga is a way for me to return what yoga has given to me. I can't think of any better way to practice yoga than to share it with youth who might not otherwise have access to a class.

 

Do you have a favorite yoga pose to teach to teens:

I love doing the 3 warrior poses with female teens especially. As a public school teacher at a k-8, I know that most teens spend the majority of their day in desks. I encourage them to "take up space," and I ask them, "what kind of warrior do you want to be in your life?" I give some examples, and then invite them to shout it out. When I hear female teens call out to announce: ! "Peace!" "Strength!" "Courage!" Joy!," this gives me tremendous hope. 

 

Share with us a favorite quote:
 "Everyone has the capacity to wake up, to understand, and to love."
-Thich Nhat Hanh


 

.
UPDATES
.
SEATTLE FOUNDATION'S GIVE BIG DAY: MAY 5
GiveBIG is just 5 days away.

Street Yoga is participating in Seattle Foundation's GiveBIG Day 2015!  GiveBIG is a one-day, charitable giving event to inspire people to give generously to non-profit organizations who make the Seattle area a healthier and more vital place to live.  Each donation made through the Seattle Foundation on May 5th will receive a prorated portion of the matching funds ("stretch pool").  The amount of the "stretch" depends on the size of the stretch pool and how much is raised in total donations on GiveBIG day.  

New this year: Throughout the day on May 5, the Seattle Foundation will be giving away GOLDEN TICKETS. Donors will be chosen at random from all donations made up to the time of the drawing. The winners will have an additional $1000 given in their name to the same charity that received their donation!

.
UPCOMING EVENTS
.
YogaLOVE 2015 GLIMPSES


          JUNE 27, 2015.   200 YOGIS.   $15,000.

Registration for YogaLOVE 2015 is now open.  $25 to participate.  You can find information about the event on our website: here.  There are prizes for the TWO highest fundraisers AND everyone who raises/donates $108+ is entered into our wellness prize basket raffle.  We've created a step-by-step guide to make fundraising easy.

We've got a fantastic teacher line-up for this year's event.  Here's a sneak peak of two of the nine phenomenal teachers you'll meet at YogaLOVE 2015:


Dora Gyarmati Owner, Spira Power Yoga Studio; Creator, Spira Philosphy and Teaching Methodology 

Dora's European heritage and education in both the sciences and in the humanities created a unique style which blends Eastern and Western theological, literally and scientific traditions.

Dora has a natural ability to inspire love of physical being in all her students. She teaches yoga from life experience, emphasizing strength with a lighthearted attitude. Using humor to carry students hrough the tough elements of vinyasa flow, she reminds you to be mindful during practice. Dora sees the challenges of vinyasa as a metaphor of life. Teaching breath control and meditation during the strength building asanas, she will help you learn to stay calm through difficulties, and to find inner peace in the quiet moments. Dora's experience includes a lifetime of active pursuits, beginning with her study of ballet and gymnastics in Hungary at age three. Also an ardent runner, she was introduced to yoga in 2002.


Dora believes in keeping the mind active with reading and studying literature, spiritual studies and philosophy. She believes that there is yoga philosophy in all cultures and all religions. When you take her class you will find that you are not only getting a great workout for your body but also for your mind.


Dora's life before yoga makes her a well-rounded instructor, as she studied both the arts and sciences. She has a BA in Art History from UCSD, and a BS in Neurobiology also from UCSD. She has worked in immunology research prior to her yoga career.


 

Theresa Elliot Director, Taj Yoga; Co-Director, Pacific Yoga Teacher Training

Theresa Elliott is a nationally recognized practitioner and teacher of yoga who creates and teaches her own unique content through humorous, no-nonsense instruction, delivered in plain english. In class, she cultivates intellectual engagement and presence of mind through attention to the physical precision of yoga asana. "Why" and "what are we doing" are continual themes in class as students come to understand the rules of the body, and then the rules for breaking the rules.

Theresa has been fascinated by the capabilities of the human body since early childhood. Her exploration began in routine children's sports, made its way through music and dance, and then to yoga in 1987. Theresa became a certified Iyengar teacher in 1990. Her yoga inspiration comes from long time friend and mentor, George Purvis, and from the anatomical teachings of Judith Lasater.

Theresa is the demonstration model for Judith Lasater's highly acclaimed book, 30 Essential Poses, and the cover model for Yogabody, and Relax and Renew. She modeled for Hugger Mugger Yoga catalogs, posters and products, and served as an Ambassador to Blue Canoe. She created and released the video, "Stillness in Motion: Yoga Vinyasa" and appeared in Yoga Journal's 1996 calendar.


Theresa is a mother, an avid dancer and loves to play the djembe. She continues in her movement and rhythm studies, working with Lara McIntosh, Etienne Cakpo, and Bill Mathews of Fremont Drum.

HEALING ROOTS COLLABORATIVE

Street Yoga has been chosen as one of the beneficiaries of the Healing Roots Collaborative event on August 23, 2015 at St. Edwards State Park in Kenmore, WA hosted by Divine Roots Wellness.  To learn more about this event and to learn how you can participate, check out their Indiegogo page.
RENEW. REVIVE. RETREAT.

A day of respite for caregivers.  Make space for a day of physical, emotional and mental nourishment- a day away to rest, gather tools for self-care, reconnect with your motivation, and feel inspired to return to your caregiving role. 

It is essential to take time for yourself when you spend much of your time caring for others. Yet, it can be difficult to have the time and money to do so. This retreat was designed especially for caregivers who are looking for the benefits of a retreat but can't spend hundreds of dollars to go away for a long weekend. 

When: May 30, 2015
Where: Discovery Park Environmental Center
Cost: $80 including lunch; Group discounts available

Located in the city of Seattle, but in a beautiful and natural setting, you can take one day to let go of stress, relax, and connect with your joy. More info here.

.
TRAININGS
.
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT FOR LA TRAINING EXTENDED THROUGH MAY 15, 2015

Register for the LA training here.  Scholarships for this training are still available, apply here.
TRAINING CALENDAR

At our trainings: Learn how to integrate yoga and mindfulness into work with young people facing adversity.  You will leave with tools to modify and adapt your teaching skills to better serve your target population.



.
Coming soon
St. Petersberg, FL

.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
.
OMEGA INSTITUTE

We hope you can join us at the Omega Institute for this annual gathering of yogis, social service providers, social activists and others looking to connect, share and learn as we seek to make yoga accessible and safe for all. 

You do not need to be a yoga teacher, or even a yoga practitioner to benefit from this conference. Social workers, school teachers, health-care providers, counselors, yoga teachers, mindfulness teachers and many others will find resources, tools and community at this gathering.

This year, in an effort to make the conference as accessible as possible, tiered pricing is available to everyone. Learn more and register.


SEATTLE YOGA NEWS is a weekly digital publication with informative, educational and inspirational content curated for the yoga community in the Seattle area. 

 

YOGA TEACHER CENTRAL donates 5% of proceeds to Street Yoga. Get instant access to expert teachings from diverse styles. Anatomy, Asana, Bandhas, Injuries, Mantras, Meditation, Music, Philosophy, Poetry, Pranayama, Sequencing, Themes. www.yogateachercentral.com. 

 



 

THE SAMARYA CENTER offers $100 off their Integrated Movement Therapy (IMT) trainings to all active Street Yoga teachers!  Read about IMT here.

 

     
      

.
CONNECT WITH STREET YOGA
.
 
 




Street Yoga is a nationally recognized non-profit organization that teaches yoga, mindfulness and compassionate communication to youth and families struggling with homelessness, poverty, abuse, addiction, trauma, and behavioral challenges, so that they can grow stronger, heal from past traumas, and create for themselves lives that are inspired, safe, and joyful. Street Yoga started in Portland, OR in 2002 and now holds weekly classes at over 25 sites. Learn more at www.streetyoga.org.