The May Mornings, by Denise Levertov

May mornings wear
light cashmere shawls of quietness,
brush back waterfalls of
burnished silk from
clear and round brows.
When we see them approaching
over lawns, trailing
dewdark shadows and footprints,
we remember, ah,
yes, the May mornings,
how could we have forgotten,
what solace it would have been
to think of them,
what solace
it would be in the bitter violence
of fire then ice again we
apprehend-but
it seems the May mornings
are a presence known
only as they pass
lightstepped, seriously smiling, bearing
each a leaflined basket
of wakening flowers.

thoughts from annie

Dear Friends,

Welcome to May in Washington - the time of the year when the weather hangs suspended between the coolness of spring and the impending heat of summer. For a few weeks, Washingtonians get to savor the glorious perfection of cool mornings, warm days and clear blue skies, all of which conspire to highlight the color and beauty taking place in the natural world around us. The Buddha taught about practicing the "middle way" - the place between fire and ice, between self-indulgence and self-denial, where the path to enlightenment is found. The practice of yoga is also about constantly re-discovering the balance between struggle and acceptance, between effort and letting go. It may not be easy, and the balance may never be perfectly achieved, but as you will discover during the practice of mindful yoga, finding it in the moment is all you ever need.

This month, at Circle Yoga, I hope you get a chance to celebrate DC Yoga Week with us. All classes at Circle Yoga and Budding Yogis through Friday, May 5 are only $5 for drop-ins, which make them the perfect opportunity to try something new, like deep relaxation or beginning African Dance! Don't forget to pre-register, by calling the studio on 202 686 1104 or visiting us online at www.circleyoga.com, to guarantee a space. We are also offering a 10% discount on all yoga merchandise during the course of that week.

In addition, on Saturday, May 6, we will be celebrating National Pilates Day by offering four FREE 30 minute Pilates classes, on the half-hour, between 10am and 12pm.

Finally, remember that registration for the Budding Yogis' Summer Yoga Camp is continuing, but sessions are filling, so please sign up promptly. Yoga camp is a fabulous opportunity for your child to really learn and practice mindfulness and yoga as well as engaging in fun, non-competitive activities with other kids. To find out more about our summer camp, workshops, and regular classes, go to www.buddingyogis.com for kids, and www.circleyoga.com for adults.

Warmth to you,

Annie


upcoming workshops

Childbirth Preparation: A Couples Yoga Workshop for Pregnancy & Birth
Saturday, May 6, 1-4:30 pm, $80/couple, $45/individual
This workshop is designed for couples to expand awareness, confidence and trust in the miraculous process of pregnancy, labor and birth. Pregnant moms are invited to be accompanied by their partner, husband or anyone who will be present at birth. Through discussion, gentle postures, breath work, massage, and other techniques for relaxing and staying focused, moms will have opportunities to cultivate greater empowerment for birth, while partners will gain clarity of ways to be more supportive during the process. Together, couples will deepen their relationship to each other and to the life of their unborn child. We will cover creating an optimal birthing environment from within and without, birthing positions and more. Beginners welcome! No previous Yoga experience required. With Sara Shelley.

Sara is an Affiliated Anusara Yoga Instructor and has been working with pregnant moms, new babies and couples since 1997. With a background in Dance/Movment therapy, she began teaching at Willow Street in 1999 and now specializes in Yoga and Meditation for the childbearing years. Sara brings a gentle warmth and enthusiasm to all her classes as she invites students to explore the healing and transforming power Yoga brings. Sara also teaches HypnoBirthing childbirth classes and is the mother of two teenage boys.

Yoga for Depression
Sunday, May 7,
You may have noticed that feelings of depression can effect every area your life, including your posture and breath. But did you know that breath and posture could also effect your mood? This makes yoga an ideal strategy to lift feelings of depression. In this two-hour workshop you will learn: breathing techniques to energize as well as calm, postures to release stored sadness and tension, and how to live in the present without dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

Infant Massage
Monday, May 8, 11 am-1 pm, $30
This workshop is a hands-on instructional forum for babies and their caretaker (mom, dad, nanny, nana, etc.) and is ideal for babies one to six months (alert but not yet crawling). Where the ancient and modern intertwine, learn proven techniques to sooth, calm, and stimulate baby, and begin to establish healthy touch boundaries for both giver and receiver. With Luann Fortune, LMT. Luann is a longtime Northwest DC resident, instructor, and practitioner of massage therapy.

Tree of Wellness with Swami Jaidev
Friday, May 12, 6-9 pm & Saturday, May 13, 10 am-4 pm, $65 for Friday night & $100 for Saturday or $150 for both
Live more energetically. Discover and expand your innate energy to meet the challenges of career and family life. Learn to integrate body, mind, and spirit in real, practical ways to manifest health and well-being. Participants will learn the principles and practices for developing a lifestyle of optimal wellness.

Swami Jaidev is a world traveler and an international consultant in lifestyle management to corporations, hospitals and institutions. The author of The Wellness Tree, Swami Jaidev was a Senior Research Fellow in Holistic Medicine at the University of London Medical School and an Ericksonian hypnotherapist. He teaches at the University of Minnesota and is Director of the Institute of the Himalayan Tradition.

Special Conditions Yoga Teacher Training
Friday, May 19, 6-9 pm, Saturday, May 20, 10 am-4 pm, & Sunday, May 21, 10 am-3 pm, $225/student for the weekend
Deepen your understanding of alignment that can help relieve pain and offer your patients and students the relaxation and understanding they seek. Learn to help your special conditions students do yoga safely and painlessly. This workshop will help you recognize common misalignments, learn how to use yoga therapeutically for patients and students with special needs, help alleviate pain and begin to reverse the effects of chronic imbalances in your students, and gain a working knowledge of anatomy in practical terms through experience. This workshop will also be helpful for health professionals to learn specific yoga-based skills to help their patients. With Jenny Otto.

Therapeutic Yoga for People with Lower Body Special Conditions
Sunday, May 21, 10 am-12 pm, $30 each or $50 for both Special Conditions classes (see below).
Therapeutic Yoga is for students with physical conditions (serious spinal problems, arthritis, heart problems, MS, chronic and acute injuries, etc.). All poses will be carefully modified for each student's needs and abilities to help manage and relieve pain while building strength and flexibility. With Jenny Otto (see bio below).

Therapeutic Yoga for People with Upper Body Special Conditions
Sunday, May 21, 1-3 pm, $30 each or $50 for both Special Conditions classes (see above).
Therapeutic Yoga is for students with physical conditions (serious spinal problems, arthritis, heart problems, MS, chronic and acute injuries, etc.). All poses will be carefully modified for each student's needs and abilities to help manage and relieve pain while building strength and flexibility. With Jenny Otto.

Jenny Otto is co-founder and co-director of Golden Heart Yoga and is Anusara Certified and a Senior Anusara Teacher Trainer. Jenny has been teaching and developing wellness/exercise programs for over 25 years. Her passion for anatomy and therapeutics led her to apprentice with osteopaths, chiropractors and rolfers. She shares the depth of her knowledge and her love of yoga as she travels both nationally and internationally teaching workshops and yoga therapy teacher trainings. Jenny brings warmth, humor and creativity to her teaching, as well as detailed knowledge in working with injuries and special conditions.

Couples Massage
Saturday, June 10, 1:30-4 pm, $55/couple
Are you intimidated by the thought of your tiny hands trying to massage your partners large and very tight back? Or is it that your strong hands could learn some gentle sensitivity? Wouldn't a little guidance on how to best massage that tight place in your partner's shoulder help? Maybe your partner could use some help. In this workshop we will take the time to practice clear and honest communication, verbal and physical. Christine gives plenty of individual attention so each massager can work comfortably and effectively. Good technique combined with loving intention equals an amazing massage. Come practice speaking to each other through the language of touch. Each partner will receive a full body massage. Christine has been a licensed massage therapist for 10 years and her work is most simply described as gentle but deep. She blends a variety of tissue and energetic techniques offering deeply relieving sessions. She and her cat see clients at their Cleveland Park home office.

Daddy & Me Yoga for Father's Day (5-10 year olds)
Sunday, June 18, 10-11 am, $18 couple, $12 each additional participant
This class is designed especially for dads and their kids to share the joy of yoga. It will give dads the opportunity to have a special hour with their kids, have some fun and do some yoga. We'll be doing yoga poses, interactive partner poses, playing yoga games, and of course, relaxing. No yoga experience is necessary. With Linda Feldman, Director of Budding Yogis. See bio at www.buddingyogis.com.

Budding Yogis' Family Weekends
July 8 & 9 and August 12 & 13 (see details on reverse)
Take a break this Summer, respark your childrens' yoga spirits, and enjoy some family yoga with our Circle Yoga & Budding Yogis family. It's easy to Be here.

Barefoot Beats
Saturday, July 8, 7-8 pm, adults with kids ages 3-10, $30/family
Celebrate Summertime with your family, and free your spirit, mind, and body by moving to the beats of music from around the world. No dance or yoga experience necessary. With Judi Sperber, who conducts dance, art, and music workshops with kids of all ages and families.

NEW: Vacation Yoga Week!
August 14-18, weeklong passport $140
Wish You Were Here? Now you can be, with the Circle Yoga Vacation Week Package! Join us at the Circle Yoga studio between August 14-18 for a week of unlimited yoga classes, plus deep relaxation, Thai Yoga Massage, African drumming and more - all for $140 (massage extra)! Perfect for anyone in need of a break right here in DC. For details, call the studio at 202.686.1104 or visit www.circleyoga.com.