Happy New Year

I love the idea of a "New Year". It is like having a re-start button on life. It's a chance to look at the past to see what served you and your highest intentions, and to let go of the things that didn't promote this purpose. It's better than a new start. The New Year is a chance to grow. It provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on the past so that we can become better beings.
This New Year, I encourage you to take time to reflect on 2008. Determine the things you would like to let go of and fade into memories of the past. Explore the things you wish to cultivate in 2009.
To let it go...
. write it on paper and burn it ceremoniously
. whisper it to the wind and let her take it away
. stretch, move, dance and sweat it out of your pours
. take full deep inhalations and with the exhale imagine the item flowing out on the breath
To infuse your 2009 with positivity
+ create a resolution or intention for your year
+ keep the phrase close to your heart and at the forefront of your mind. Perhaps write it on paper and post it around your home, office, vehicle...
+ allow yourself time to practice this positivity
+ know that challenges we face in life are opportunities to grow and change
+ no matter what don't berate yourself for slipping. honor and care for yourself always

I hope you have the most insightful year! May you be open to new possibilities and may your lessons be gentle and grand.
Namaste and Happy New Year!

A gift for you

I am offering 4 great seasonal specials as a gift to you. These specials are only available via e-mail. If you are interested in a special, please send me an e-mail or call, and I will get you the information. These deals are only available for purchase through the end of January.
P.S. My contact information is on the right side of this page...just scroll down a bit.

If you would like to purchase a set of yoga classes for a loved one, please contact me for a gift certificate.

Happy Holidays

I wish you the very best this holiday season. Please continue to practice your yoga as to care for yourself physically, as well as to dissipate some of the many stresses that occur this time of year. Remember that practicing yoga doesn't just take place on your mat. You can practice yoga with your thoughts, intentions, and actions. In fact practicing yoga off the mat is vital to a complete yoga practice. Here are some ways you can expand your practice this holiday season. (By the way, these tips are good for you, those around you, and for all beings. They could be the greatest gift you give this season.)

Tips for practicing higher yoga

so you can fill your life with peace and joy

this Holiday Season

1. Honor yourself, your relations, and the planet by choosing a noble and virtuous intentions for the New Year.

2. Practice ahimsa, which means nonviolence toward yourself and others.

3. Follow your own heart. Learn to listen to yourself, your own higher intuitive inner voice, through meditation practice.

4. Practice contentment (samtosha), which is one of the niyamas of Patanjali. Contemplate just how much you already have and what you really need. Is there something that you think you need in your life to make you happy, and/or do you already have plenty?

5. Cultivate gratitude for all the things you have.

6. Before you indulge, bring consciousness into the moment. For example, before eating, be aware of what you are going to eat and perhaps say a simple prayer or thanks. Prepare to enjoy the food and take it deep into your tissues so as to fully nourish yourself.

7. Be flexible in body, mind, and spirit. Do not be constrained by plans. Go more with the flow.

8. Give many hugs.

New Class

My friend Michelle is planning to take her daughter to the Malamalama School just up the street from the Ahimsa Yoga Studio. She expressed interest in doing yoga after dropping her daughter off at school.
So...school starts August 27, and with it a yoga class for the parents, guardians, and anyone else who wants to join us every Wednesday morning from 8:05ish to 9:05ish. The classes will be suited for all level practicioners.

New Schedule

Jean E is back from vacation! She is refreshed and ready to share some insights from her vacation. Please scroll to the bottom of the page to check out the NEW class schedule.

Congratulations Yogis and Yoginis

We've recently completed the first Introduction to Yoga workshop. Students came together for three classes to deepen their understanding of their body, breath, and mind. We had a fun time learning the basics and trying the challenging stuff. The smoothie party after the last class was a great time to "talk story" and make the weaving of the yoga community stronger. Thank you those who participated.

If you couldn't make it to the series, please check out the schedule below for yoga classes that fit your schedule. There is a Introduction to Yoga class every Wednesday from 9:30-10:35am. There are also some all levels flow classes suitable for new students. Come join the community!

Introduction to Yoga Series

Wednesday Mornings 9:00-10:30am
Join Jean E this summer for an exploration of Yoga. This three-class series allows students to learn yoga postures (asana), breathing (pranayama), and philosophy. Each hour and a half long class will allow for sharing, learning and student's questions to be answered.

Class 1 (Wednesday, June 11th)
* Prana discussion and activity
* Prana and Breath
* Prana and Alignment in Asana
* Basic Standing Poses
* Basic Seated Poses

Class 2 (Wednesday, June 18th)
* Yoga History
* More Standing Poses
* More Seated Poses

Class 3 (Wednesday, June 25th)
* Putting the Asanas together (flow yoga)
* Creating a home practice
* Post class smoothies and chatting

Each class will build on the previous classes' information. Please bring a notebook, your yoga mat, an open mind, and willingness to learn.
Students enrolled in this series will recieve a discount for all other classes at Ahimsa Yoga Studio during the month of June. (Please check studio schedule below.)
Cost: $45 or $17/class

What does Ahimsa mean?

Ahimsa is a Sanskrit word that literally translates to nonviolence. (a- not, himsa –violent). However, as we look closer into the meaning of the word, we find that Ahimsa is much more than not being violent. Its comprehensive meaning follows:

Ahimsa means entire abstinence
from causing any pain or harm to any living creature.

The characters in this drawing mean Ahimsa.

Taking a look at the first part of the meaning of Ahimsa we begin to see what a feat being Ahimsic really is. By practicing Ahimsa we refrain from causing pain to others. It is easy for most people to abstain from physically injuring other beings. However, we must remember that pain can be produced not only by physical actions, but also by words and thoughts as well. When being truly Ahimsic, we exude love through our actions, our words, and even our thoughts.
Thinking only loving thoughts is a great challenge! I immediately begin to create excuses for my thought patterns. I recall the person who ran me off the road last night, potentially harming me. In my head I was being quite violent towards them. A more Ahimsic approach would be wish that driver arrives at their destination on time and in a safe manor.
The second part of Ahimsa, explains that we must extend compassion to all living creatures. We must increase our loving kindness to include all people, all animals, and even plants. Through our actions, words, and thoughts we should not harm even ants!? This aspect of the practice of Ahimsa makes it go from very difficult to impossible. That’s right, impossible. No one can go through life without harming anything (bacteria, cells). However, if we use this as a guideline, the world will be a more loving place. Each of us must choose the level of Ahimsic practice to which we can commit.
Everyday we can make a commitment to act, speak, and think lovingly. Although we may fail a hundred times each day, there will be a few victories. Over time we may find the victories begin to increase and possibly outnumber the failures. If they don’t, don’t scold yourself…remember you must be Ahimsic toward yourself.

If you would like to learn more about Ahimsa, Sri Swami Sivananda has a wonderful chapter in his book Divine Bliss that is completely about Ahimsa. The chapter can be found online at www.dlshq.org/teachings/ahimsa.htm. It is just a few pages long and well worth your exploration.

Personal Revolution

A group of local yogis are uniting for a personal revolution. Starting March 8th, we will be doing a six week program outlined by Baron Baptiste in his book, 40 Days to Personal Revolution.

This program offers us a chance to move into a deeper practice of yoga. By dedicating more time and thought to yoga, we will begin to see the physical (asana) practice as a means to awaken the sould and realize universal connection.

The program consists of
- daily meditation (as outlined in the book)
- four days of guided yoga practice per week
- two days of personal practice per week
- one day of active rest per week
- eating healthy cleansing foods
- a three day fruit fast (done in the 4th week)
- journaling (there are writing prompts at the end of each chapter)

If you would like to join us in this revolution please speak with Jean E, the staff at Yoga Centered, or check out Baron Baptiste's book.

Studio Soft Opening

This week marks the third week of yoga instruction and education. As word of mouth trickles around the park, a few more students have joined the early morning flow classes and the afternoon return to peace.

We are excited to see the community grow.

Please spread the news of Ahimsa with your friends and neighbors.