The Path of Love: Oh What a Weekend!!!

This blog has been many days in the making now, because it has taken some time for me to process our very special yoga intensive weekend we had here at the end of February. I also spent some time talking to the fellow yogis who joined me for all or part of Christina Sell's PATH OF LOVE: A Weekend Yoga Intensive, finding out how their experience was so that I can share it with everybody.

The overall consensus was AMAZING!

Christina Sell, master yoga teacher, author, all-around great human, came in from Texas to guest teach here at the studio for a full weekend. It was 10 hours of yoga all together, which started on Friday night and went through Sunday evening.

On Friday night, the 2 hour workshop focused on pranayama, meditation and hips. From the moment the students arrived, there was the most beautiful energy in the studio. It was a packed house (the entire weekend was pretty much 'sold out', which meant there was about 4 inches between each mat and the entire studio was filled). I was struck by the wide range of yoga practitioners in the room; from advanced yoga teachers, to folks who are new to yoga and a few people with current injuries sprinkled in. I of course was wondering how Christina was going to handle this wide range of levels and I hoped it wouldn't be too tough for some or too easy for others. I must say, it was just right! We all felt completely included, capable and most of all...tremendously inspired.

Saturday was just as wonderful. We all spent an afternoon being guided through a sequence of poses that were so filled with bliss, enlightenment and shri! Oh and of course, lots of laughter! Christina always brings humor and levity to her classes, making for a fun ride through challenging yoga.

A few of us went to dinner on Saturday night and were all bragging about our profoundly open hips and groins!

On Sunday came a 3-hour practice. One of our most beloved students who regularly attends the Jade Apple would have been too hot for words - because we got the studio up to a very steamy temperature during this yoga class. A practice is a special time when the teacher roles out her mat & takes the class, alongside the students. It is a very special time to feel the respect and love for the teacher and it is also time to WOW out at the teachers rockin' practice!

After that class, many of us were in a blissful state of exhaustion. I know several yogis had to run from the class to get to various Oscar parties. A few of us enjoyed snacks on the patio out back (see the pic above, our post-practice faces are funny!). Then, perhaps my favorite part of the weekend, Christina sat down with us for a casual and amazing chat. She talked about her book, actually about both of her books. We got to hear about body image and how yoga works to enhance and heal bad body image. She was so open and so honest, which is one of the things I respect most about this woman. Her courage, her insight and of course her humor are completely inspiring.

All of the teachers who attended the workshop have been teaching classes since then from an incredible place of love, service and deep gratitude. In was such an expansive weekend for us all. The students have been practicing with new levels of appreciation and deeper awareness. And I have been profoundly inspired by the incredible energy that is still buzzing about in the studio from that transforming experience!

Sorry you missed it?

I hope to invite Christina to come back and visit us again. She felt so right here, doing yoga. That's what happens here. We come and do yoga. And it's great!

A side note about SUN CAFE : We were all addicted to Kale Shakes from Sun Cafe throughout the weekend! Oh Kale Shakes, where would we be without you?

YOGA CARNIVAL 2011...What a show!!!

There is really only one word to fully describe our Yoga Carnival last Saturday night......WOW!

It was quite an evening - filled with good food, a live band, reiki, henna & fortune telling - and a show that was spectacular!

For all who joined us for the celebration, you will love checking out the pictures. I've posted a few in this blog. For more pics, go to our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/JadeAppleYoga?sk=wall and enjoy them!

And for those of you who weren't able to join us, I hope these pics will make you smile and make certain you come next year.

It was my dream to put together a terrific evening for all our students, family & friends to enjoy. I am blessed to have many talented friends and I'm lucky enough that they performed and shared their talents with our community.

Nasila, who danced Egyptian style belly dancing and Saidi cane dance, was spectacular as always. I know the women who take belly dance with me were super exciting to see the dance in action, in it's amazing state!

And then we had Aubre join us for the late evening show - who dazzled us with Middle Eastern Fusion Style dancing - and awed us all with her isolations and her flowing grace. Her ladies danced a drum solo that was awesome and encouraging to all aspiring dancers!

Meryem Vani and her love trio was so fun and filled with dance-drama. Eve and David were wonderful for our later evening show.

We moved into India with yoga and dance: featuring a fantastic impromptu demo of partner yoga poses with our wonderful apples, Danny and Nathan! These two men inspired us all to work harder in class. When Sakuntula performed her South Indian Classical Dance number, we all felt the playfulness and fun of India.

Brigid & Sunny, my new favorite fire eaters, brought a gorgeous show to our studio. Not only did they eat fire, but they showed us how seductive and beautiful fire can be as they danced with it. I will say that I was totally prepared to grab the fire extinguisher at a moment's notice - but these two performers know their fire and were just wonderful.

Last, but not in any way least, was Tales. Oh Tales. From 1-armed handstands, crazy arm balances, flips and turns - to sliding and spinning on his head; Tales had every single jaw in the audience dropped with wonder and amazement as he performed.

Rumor has it he's going to teach an Arm Balance workshop here next spring. I dare you to try it!

Thanks so much to our fabulous band, Empty Caverns. They played two sets out back and were just wonderful. And thanks to our reiki healers, our henna artist, our fortune teller

'Tis the Season!

Guess I've been a little lax on blogging. It's too bad because I have been filled with the joy and beauty of yoga!

The end of a cycle is fast-approaching. December 22nd is the winter solstice, which means we are coming to the close of a season and the end of a cycle.

It is also the end of the year - which brings parties and family festivities. It also brings busy schedules and sometimes can create hectic times for us. This time of year is the most important time for a deep and consistent yoga practice.

But maybe our schedules are super busy and we sacrifice some of the time we usually set aside for a yoga practice. It happens. And when it happens, we can always breathe. Just breathe.

INHALE. EXHALE. REPEAT.

Our big holiday celebration, YOGA CARNIVAL, is this Saturday from 7 to 10pm. Lots of food, plus reiki, henna tattoos, LIVE MUSIC and an incredible Variety Show with dancing and dazzling acts of all kinds!

It's my gift to each of you. Please join us.

Sending you lots of love and deep breaths!

Yoga...In a Word!

September is National Yoga Month. That means creating awareness of yoga and trying to get people off the couch and onto the mat!

In honor of the celebration of our favorite thing...YOGA...our Jade Apple Teachers & Sevas each spent time contemplating what yoga is to them, in just a word.

It is often the simplest ideas that are the most meaningful. To take all the reasons and rewards we each receive in yoga and boil it down to one word can take on a profound exploration for the core of yoga.

These words are delightful to contemplate. Come on by the studio over the next few weeks and see some of these words pop up around the space.


Observer
Intuition
Stillness
Internal
Bright
Love
Open
Connected
Peaceful
Zerplactic
Integrated
Stillness
Balanced
Flexible
Serene
Effervescent
Complete
Grounded
Humbled
Strong
Alive
support
Freedom
Joy
Understanding
Awakened
Happy
Still
Light
Evolving
Harmonious

I'd love to hear what words resonate with you?

:)

Babies on Board!

We have so many beautiful & kind students in our community, it's always a joy to see the smiling faces, open hearts and divine light shining through everyone. But some of our most adorable students come to one class in particular - Me n' Mommy Yoga on Fridays!

It is such a joy to see the tiny humans who come in with their parents on Friday mornings. The big, expressive eyes - filled with wonder and newness - remind us all what a miraculous experience it is to be NEW.

These tiny babies; with the small fingers, the intoxicating baby scent & their tiny little socks remind us of the possibilities life has to offer. A newborn baby has so much to learn, experience & seek during their lifetime. Those of us who have reached adulthood often forget the joys of learning something brand new. We don't remember what life was like before words, before money, before responsibility. The freedom we once had to start with a clean slate, getting to make choices and form ourselves as human beings is easily forgotten when we are adults.

But babies can remind us that we do still always have choices. We can always make the choice to be new, to look at life through the eyes of a newborn - experiencing everything with curiosity and fun - having high hopes and low expectations. This outlook will help us to find the joy in simple things.

Thanks to the babies for choosing to practice yoga. They leave that new energy and remind us all of the possibilities yet to come.

Go baby, go!

If Nothing Changed, There'd Be No Butterflies!

There's a small plaque in the office with this wonderful phrase on it. The metaphorphosis of the caterpillar into butterfly is such a beautiful, powerful image that many of us can relate to for all kinds of transformation.

When we are in the cocoon, it can be a dark & uncertain place. We are looking inward, working on ourselves - really experiencing change. The caterpillar knows when it's time to create the cocoon, but she has no idea what the final outcome will be. She uses her instinct and trusts in the universe.

Sometimes, we get scared. We know things are changing, but we have no idea what awaits us on the other side of the change. If you are afraid...if things are up in the air...if your world is becoming almost unrecognizable...acknowledge to yourself that you may be in the midst of a transformation.

And then remember the butterfly. It's beautiful colors, expansive wings & breathtaking beauty.

Let yourself work through your transformation, trusting the universe, knowing that soon you will spread your wings and embrace your new self.

reVITALize yourself!

The definition of the word VITAL is, "existing as a manifestation of life".

Those of us on the path of yoga, come to find an awareness and a connection deep within ourselves that becomes a vital part of our lives. Yoga becomes like food or water - something vital to our experience on this earth!

Some of us are away from yoga for a period of time, or we have strayed from our regular practice. Coming back to that practice will bring new life to our bodies, minds & spirits. A revitalization occurs when we connect to the divine that resides within.

Doesn't that sound good? Meet yourself at your mat today, and discover your own neccesity for life - the vital need of a yoga practice.