NAMASTE, Yogis
& Friends
May this email find you in good spirits, awake to your indestructible abundance and basic
goodness . With the winter
solstice just behind us and the New Year only days ahead, this is indeed
a season of
changes. (Please follow this link if you cannot read this email in it's HTML
design: www.yogaforliving.com/mass/newyear05.htm)
Indeed, no matter how persuasive
the words may be, it is sometimes difficult to actually feel
and experience the joy and brilliance that lie
at our core. There's no way
around it: For many of us, this is a season characterized by strong,
conflicting feelings and emotions: On one hand, we have
moments that feel like genuine joy, love and generosity of
spirit. On the other hand, we may be feeling tired, sun-deprived,
cold, stressed out, and overwhelmed by the wild mind of to-do lists,
deadlines, social commitments and overstretched budgets and
waistlines.
Guess
what? There is a body of ancient wisdom and practices that
offer two simple and liberating words of wisdom: "Things
change." No matter how delightful or how wretched any given
moment may be, and no matter how connected or disconnected from our
intrinsic goodness we may feel,
life is constantly changing, moving and shifting. We are always
in transition. Within stillness there is dynamism.
Within silence there is sound. When only darkness is visible, light
emerges. The frozen earth, harsh
winds and monotone hues of winter give birth to the warm, soft
breezes and pyrotechnic colors of spring. Moreover,
we can relax in our
lives as we cultivate joy and equanimity amidst change. What a
relief!
Think
asana and meditation practice:
Each time we pause, breathe, relax and expand, we are diving into this pool of
wisdom. As we sit comfortably, soften
our gaze, relax our jaw, imagine ourselves widening or radiating out, we are embracing a yet
unforeseen transition --with fearlessness and
curiosity. Within moments, the
texture of the breath will change, as will the feeling-tone of the skin
and muscles; and, finally, the quality of your
mind.
As Beryl Bender Birch says: "Celebrate
Impermanence!" And, (to
lighten things up) here is David
Bowie...
I still don't know what I was waiting
for
And my time was running wild
A million dead-end
streets
Every time I thought I'd got it made
It seemed the taste
was not so sweet....
Ch-ch-Changes
Just gonna have to be a
different man
Time may change me
But I can't trace
time
May we all be fully present for the
moments and days of our lives. May we all experience them with
vividness, clarity, inquisitiveness, aliveness and
nongrasping. May we all let go of resistance and fearlessly
embrace the ever-present energy of change and transition in this- - and
every -- season of our lives. May we all know peace and
happiness.
Wishing
you a fully-present, and embodied
New Year.
Carpe
Diem!
Vairagyam!
Announcements , News, Classes,
Etc.
N O
W
-
Co-Directing Washington
Park Yoga ("WPY") - As some
of you already know, I have teamed up with yogini Lori Fermon, as
co-owner and co-director of WPY. Previous
owner/director Jason Ackerman has passed on the reins to us, giving
us the opportunity to see the studio thrive and grow. We have
already begun transforming and upgrading the space, and anticipate
an expansion beginning in early January to include 2
additional restrooms, a general meeting/tea lounge, as well as a massage
and bodywork modality room. New pricing, classes, teachers,
workshops, online registration and other improvements are in the
works. As always, WPY will be a sacred space for the practice of
Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga, mainly. Restorative yoga, Pilates,
meditation and other styles will also be offered Visit
www.WPYoga.com for
more info.
New Year's Eve Meditation Program - "Sit For
Change" - New Years Celebration at the Albany Shambhala
Meditation Center. This is a wonderful way to begin your New
Year. The Albany Shambhala Meditation Center is easily accessible
in Slingerlands, and it is an extremely welcoming environment and
sangha. There's always tea, snacks and great conversation.
Visit www.albany.shambhala.org for more
info.
2 0 0
6
-
Middleburgh -- Monday
Classes will resume in February.
HOWEVER, we are working to organize group practice time (by
donation) at the Middleburgh Library. Vicki DeGroff
is co-organizing. There are excellent audio tapes and CDs
that provide fantastic instruction for gentle,
relaxing yoga, or Vinyasa yoga. Friend and yogini Jennie
Mosher has also volunteered to help lead
the Restorative classes. Gathering to practice as
a supportive group is both satisfying and very rewarding.
Interested? Please let me know. I will forward your
emails/inquiries to Vicki. Stay tuned for updates, and continue
to check your email and www.RobertYoga.com.
---> Tuesday's Level 2/3 Dynamic
Flow class is a nice mix of meditation, "yin" practice
(focusing on alignment, breath, mindfulness and nonaggression) and
"yang" flow (dynamism, momentum, range of motion, mindful transition,
body mechanics/physics and more).
--->
Wednesday's All
Levels Spacious Flow and Stress-busting Restorative is
my most misunderstood class! Make no mistake:
Restorative Yoga is powerful on the level of body and mind.
Students often tell me how this practice has literally changed their
lives -- lower chiropractic bills; better sleep; improved blood
pressure, etc. From chronic sacroiliac joint dysfunction, to
vertigo, to irritable bowel syndrome, to Fibromyalgia and
migraines (the list goes on) ... Restorative Yoga is a
gift. Visit www.RobertYoga.com for
more info.
--->
Wednesday's Level 2
Vinyasa Fusion class focuses on building strength and
flexibility in a nurturing, unhurried environment. There is lots
of s p a c e to learn correct alignment techniques that
enable a safe and truly transformative practice. Yoga is a
miracle, and when we practice mindfully, nonaggressively and with
correct alignment....miracles happen. This
class is a great "prep" for full-on Vinyasa or Ashtanga.
Or...it's a great "clinic" for experienced
practitioners.
---> New Class! 2-Hour "Vinyasa
Tonic" Classes - This is a full-on vinyasa practice
with less emphasis on alignment instruction more emphasis on movement,
breath, dynamism, mindfulness, and experiencing liberating range
of motion, purifying body heat, the subtle interplay of
breath and sensation..etc! Come with a curious, playful
attitude and just enjoy. Sundays - rotating teachers -
www.WPYoga.com for details. I'll be
teaching on 1/8/06 for sure....11am - 1pm at
WPY.
---> New Classes! - "Ashtanga
/Vinyasa Prep" - I have introduced a class called
"Ashtanga/Vinyasa Prep" to the WPY schedule, and many folks seem very
interested. The first 4-weeks will be taught by Laurel
Tormey-Cole, and beginning in February there will be 3 classes per
week, taught by various teachers, including yours
truly. It will cover many of the principles and postures needed
to ease into an Ashtanga or Vinyasa class. It will help open the
student's body and offer them the gift of "awareness" --
i.e.., range of motion; nonaggressive/patient attitude
toward the body; how to breathe and move in a way that is calming and
strengthening; and more. Please tell your friends who having
been saying "I've gotta try that Yoga." Complete Info: www.WPYoga.com
-
No Pain = No
Pain. If you think Yoga makes you feel great,
the try Thai Yoga Therapy! Thai Yoga Therapy
(known elsewhere as "Thai Yoga Massage") is an ancient healing art
based on the transmission of loving-kindness. It
stretches, tones, and relaxes every system of the body.
Many consider it to be unparalleled as a modality for relieving pain,
inflammation, chronic distress and stress-related health challenges
(what isn't stress related?). http://www.yogaforliving.com/thaiyoga.htm
---> Sliding Scale -
I am now offering a sliding scale for those who are
unemployed or experiencing legitimate financial hardship. Email
me for me info
---> "Inaugural Special Rates!" - In order
to celebrate the opening of the
new Massage/Modality/Bodyworks room at WPY, I am offering
special rates in February and March. When completed, the
room will be spacious, clean and very pleasant! Special rates
apply for pre-paid appointments (Online with MasterCard/Visa,
or by
mail).
90-minutes @
$65
75-minutes @
$55
60-minutes
@ $45
(90-minutes is the preferred time for a
session)
Gift Certificates Available
-- Call or Email
Here are a few
testimonials:
- Thank you so
much for the wonderful Thai massage experience yesterday. I feel
less achy and easier in my movements. I also slept very
deeply. I can hardly
believe it! I am so thrilled to have so much of the pain
gone. A thousand thanks. -- Jennie M
- You have gifted hands and incredibly
sensitive touch -- Noel A., March,
2005
- You are an extraordinary man of
many talents. The massage fulfillment I discovered has not abandoned
me. Noreen
S.
- Thanks so
much for the wonderful session. I can't begin to tell you how
wonderful it was...a truly great experience. -- Leslie
H.
- I want
to let you know that I feel great. The joint pain is all but gone
at present. -Marie
C.
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