November Events at amrita

November 2007

amrita newsletter

In This Issue

From The Director...

Schedule Corrections

Yoga Series

Yoga Workshops

Thanksgiving Day

Kids Yoga

Yoga & Meditation at Breitenbush

Yoga for Women at Breitenbush

Benefit

An Evening with Mirabai Starr

Barefoot Boogie

Quick Links

amrita home page

yoga schedule

directions to the studio

newsletter archive

Dear Yoga Student,

A few days ago, while teaching a yoga class, one of the students asked me to tell them the name of the pose, and my mind went blank. Although I've said it many times before, in that moment, I could not remember the name of the pose. For a few frustrating minutes, I racked my brain trying to think of the name, but nothing came. Later on in class, while the students were relaxing in Savasana, I let myself slip into meditation and my mind went still. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the single word "Krounchasana" came to me.
Of course, I was excited to have the name, but I was even happier because of the way it came: seemingly without any effort on my part.

At this time of year, with the days getting shorter and the earth's energy drawing inward, I find that I need more quiet time. It is during moments of stillness that the chatter of the mind quiets. When we allow ourselves this quiet time during meditation, while sipping a hot cup of tea, or releasing into a deep restorative yoga pose, we can listen to the little voice inside that has so much to teach us.

Namaste,

Lisa

Lisa teaches our Saturday morning classes.
See our Class Schedule.

From the Director...

Dear Yogis...
As I write this month's greeting, I'm feeling honored to be connected to the amrita community and to have your trust in the journey of yoga and inquiry that we're creating here. As someone who thrives on reflection and delights in moments of lucid insight, I also resonate when others are discovering their own reflections and insights.

Over the last several weeks in class, I've been inviting students to notice how their energy shows up today with a specific focus on how the events of the past day/days, week/weeks or months directly contribute to today's state of mind and today's vital energy. The beauty in this reflection is to recognize that the choice-making we do today feeds into our experiences tomorrow. For example, if you run an e-mail marathon this afternoon, how will it feel on your yoga mat tomorrow morning? If you choose a nutritious and mindful meal this afternoon, how will it reflect in your energy for the evening? As we grow along these lines, we witness karma, or cause and effect. We also grow into taking more and more personal responsibility for how our lives are showing up and greater mastery over the choices we make (which is very empowering), from scheduling to celebrating, resting to invigorating, doing to non-doing.

What this looks like at the studio, is our conscious attention to how we sequence a class or a yoga series to support our students to have a reflective experience of themselves in savasana and meditation. It's also a core thought process for how we sequence the year-long immersion/teacher training, the themes for the months/seasons and the topics we present in the yoga series and workshops. I'd invite you to take special note of the Personal Practice Series, the Pranayama and Beyond series, the Thanksgiving Day workshop, and our evening presentation with Mirabai Starr (in December).

This month's studio highlights include continued progress on the Men's Changing Room (I know, I know, it's been forever; we hope you're smiling as you read this), new office procedures for registering retreats (to help things run more smoothly), and a new offering of Ginger Tea in addition to our current offerings of Miso Broth and Green Tea.

Finally, let me sign off here by encouraging all of you to purchase a 2008 Living Yoga Engagement Calendar. It supports a great cause, the photos are inspiring (thank you, Aisha Harley), and the writings are intended to provoke thought and keep you deepening throughout the year.

Blessings,

Sarahjoy

schedule corrections

The printed schedule lists the gentle yoga class on thursdays at 3:30 pm; it's actually on tuesdays at 3:30 pm.

mirabai starr's reading was listed as being on december 11; it's actually on december 18.

Our apologies for any inconveniences these errors might have caused.

Yoga Series

4, 6, 8, or 12 session offerings focusing on specific
issues, topics, and aspects of the practice. We
encourage registration for the full session. 20%
discount for members applies.

* sessions in italics are past

restorative yoga series
with patricia navin

7 sessions; thursdays, 7:15 - 8:30pm
oct 4, 11, 18, ,25; nov 1, 8, 15
$84

pranayama & beyond:
pranayama, pratyahara, dharana and dhyana
with lucy & daryl eigen

4 sessions; wednedays, 6 - 8 pm
fall series: nov 14, 28; dec 5, 12
$80

starting a personal practice
with linda logan & lani jelen

4 sessions; sundays, 1:30 - 3 pm
fall series: nov 4, 11, 18; dec 2
$60, or $90 with optional half-hour follow-up session



Learn more about the series...

Yoga Workshops

workshops are short, one or two-day events focusing
on a wide variety of yoga and yoga-related topics.
amrita offers a number of workshops to fit your
interests...

yoga intro
with amrita staff
sunday, nov 17      2 - 4pm     free
pre-registration strongly requested

yoga therapy clinics
with lani jelen, assisted by liz eisman
low back
thursday, nov 15      12:30 - 2:30pm     $40

restorative yoga
in honor of thanksgiving
with lani jelen or liz eisman
sunday, nov 25      2 - 4pm     $20

patanjali yoga sutra study group
with lucy & daryl eigen
sunday, nov 18      6:30 - 8:30 pm      free

anatomy & asana
with sarahjoy
fall series B
sunday, dec 2      3 - 6pm      $60 each
friday, jan 11, 2008      4 - 7pm
sunday, feb 17      3 - 6pm


Learn more about the workshops...

thanksgiving day
dive into gratitude, harvest renewal
with lani jelen and linda logan
thursday, nov 22 9 - 11 $20

A special offering to start the day off with a practice to invigorate and restore you. The focus will be on inversions building to backbends, with a long restorative ending.

Kids Yoga
with tanya woods

8 sessions; Wednesdays, 3:45 - 4:30pm
sept 19, 26; oct 3, 10, 17, 24; nov 7, 14
$65 for the series or $10/class drop-in


A playful and creative class for the young child to
explore their inner self. Through creative movement,
song, and yoga asana. We will focus on balance, focus,
breath, and playful expression through story.

Read more about Tanya...

Awakening into the Sacred:
Yoga, Meditation and the Mystical
Teachings of St. John of the Cross
with sarahjoy and special guest mirabai star

december 13 - 16
(thu - sun)

This year's winter Solstice
retreat is an opportunity
for deep rest in the
season's darkness.