Dear Friends,

It’s April again, the spring flowers are sprouting, and the birds are starting to make a crazy racket in the early morning hours. The trees are still mostly brown, but the forest floor near the creeks is quickly turning green. The transformation back to awakening seems quirky and unpredictable and unstoppable all at the same time. Like us.

Every spring, when the weather starts to turn warmer, I get a strong feeling of “spring fever”, a rising energy inside of me that makes me want to go outside, play, connect, and to express all parts of who I am -- crazy and intense or boring and quiet. I wonder if you ever experience that kind of upward arising of energy, and whether you follow that energy toward freedom?

For some of us, I think there is fear about stepping out of what feels usual and comfortable. If we really open up, then the world will see the full expression of who we are, and they might not like it. We might not like it either. Who we really are IS quirky, and unpredictable. It’s certainly not perfect, and probably not even what we think of as “beautiful.” But this organic energy of spring pushes us up and out, and it is truly unstoppable. If we resist it, if we dam it up, we can end up feeling fatigued, ill, or even depressed. We are part of nature, and so are created to grow and to share ourselves with the world, however hard that might be for us.

This spring, I hope that each of us will find the courage to express our true nature, at least to ourselves, and maybe even to other people. I know I would love to experience the fullness of who you are. And let’s support each other by accepting each other’s imperfections, and instead celebrate the fact that we are brave enough to step out of our caves and into the warm spring sun. With love,

Annie

Yoga & Meditation Workshops

Yoga for Runners and Cyclists
Sunday, April 22, 5 – 7 pm, $40
This two-hour workshop will introduce runners and cyclists to the counterbalancing benefits of yoga to linear sports, such as running and cycling. Participants will learn specific yoga postures helpful to some of the muscle groups (hips, quads, hamstrings, and shoulders) that may be overtaxed by running and cycling. Although yoga is the slow, sustained stretching of muscles (a must for increasing flexibility and improving alignment), it also builds muscle strength, improves balance, helps develop concentration and nuanced body awareness, and teaches students how to use the breath to release both muscle tension and psychological resistance. With Mercedes Santos (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

Yoga Nidra
Friday, April 27, 7 – 9 pm, $30
Yoga Nidra is a profoundly healing, transformative, and ancient practice in which we learn to relax deeply on every level of our being. It releases tension and is more restful than conventional sleep—four times more restful. Research indicates that Yoga Nidra enhances creativity and vitality, and is an effective treatment for illnesses ranging from depression to asthma to heart disease. By cultivating relaxation in the delicious state between waking and sleep, you can revitalize yourself in just a few hours. This workshop is designed for anyone curious about Yoga Nidra, regardless of your yoga experience. We will begin with a brief overview of the practice, continue with a few minutes of gentle stretching to warm and unwind the body and then, for a full hour, the instructor will guide you through a Yoga Nidra session. With Karen Soltes (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

Happy Hamstrings
Sunday, April 29, 10 – 12 am, $40
Tight hamstrings getting you down? If you've ever been in a yoga class and been frustrated that you can't easily touch your toes, you are not alone. Spend an afternoon with others, like you, who may have hamstrings tighter than steel cables and may shake in terror at the thought of a forward bend. In this workshop, we'll cultivate some love for our often neglected hamstrings, working to lengthen and strengthen those muscles, which will in turn begin to free up the low back. Watch as your toes get closer to your fingertips and your hamstrings transform from unhappy to heavenly in no time! With Naomi Gottlieb-Miller (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

Mantra Meditation
Sunday, May 20, 5:30 – 7:30 pm, $35
Meditation on a sound or phrase is a component of many spiritual traditions. In this workshop you will learn to meditate with ancient yogic phrases to deepen your sense of calm and ability to focus your mind. These practices are for all levels, even first-time mediators! With Cinema Wood (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

A Calm Mind and a Joyful Heart: Learning to Attune and to Choose
Sunday, June 3, 2 – 5 pm, $60
Mindfulness is our capacity to be fully present in our own lives, to be aware of what we are doing as we are doing it. As we develop our awareness, an inner stillness naturally grows. We are better able to embrace the world, better able to respond wisely and lovingly. If we are not mindful, we are split -- disconnected from the life energy that is in us and in the world. When we are split like that it is easy to become confused or depressed, overwhelmed by our emotions. To live happily, to work effectively, we need to be in touch with our bodies, feelings, emotions and spirits. If we are not mindful we suffer, and the people around us suffer. In this afternoon workshop participants will learn calming techniques, such as conscious breathing, sitting meditation, walking meditation, and bells of mindfulness. Participants will learn how to use their new attunement to break through old habits, so that they are better able to create, for themselves and for others, a world that is in accord with their deepest aspirations. With Mitchell Ratner (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

Partner Yoga
Sunday, June 10, 4 – 6 pm, $60/couple, $35/person
Suitable for yogis and non-yoga practitioners alike, this playful practice introduces poses that bring us into a harmonious, connected rhythm with ourselves and our partner. Life is a dance—come learn new moves! With Cinema Wood (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

Developing a Home Practice
Sunday, June 24, 10 – 12 am, $35
Wanting to start a home practice, but don't quite know how or where to begin? This workshop will focus on practical ways to structure your home practice, general guidelines for sequencing your practice, and establishing a routine, as well as looking at the obstacles that interfere with following through on our intentions. With Karen Soltes (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

Therapeutic Yoga Workshops

Yoga to Relieve Addictions and Compulsions
Saturday, May 12, 2 – 5 pm, $50
Our addictions and compulsions are born out our attempts to manage what we believe are unmanageable feelings and emotions. Through a variety of yoga practices, that include asanas, breathing practices (pranayama), and meditation, we will explore ways that enable us to be more present with our range of feelings and to meet those feelings with a heart of compassion, thereby allowing us more freedom in our lives. With Karen Soltes and Annie Mahon (see www.circleyoga.com for bios).

Kids and Families

Infant Massage
3 Workshops: April 9, May 7, & June 4, 11 am – 1 pm, $30/workshop
This workshop is a hands-on instructional forum for babies and their caretakers (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 (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

Teaching Yoga to Kids
Saturday, May 19, 1:30 – 3:30 pm, $50
Do you think you might enjoy teaching yoga to children? Or do you think your child might benefit from learning to relax through the non-competitive practice of yoga? This introductory workshop, intended for teachers and parents, is for anyone interested in learning how to enrich children’s lives with yoga practice. This training course for all levels of experience will focus on making yoga fun for children, using yoga games, teaching specific postures, breathing techniques and guided meditation, and more. Beginners are welcome. Additionally, for those interested in teaching in a class setting, this course will introduce you to the Budding Yogis certification program for Yoga Alliance credits and Public School CEUs coming to Budding Yogis’ Chevy Chase studio soon. With certified instructors Annie Mahon and Linda Feldman (see www.circleyoga.com for bios).

Daddy & Me Yoga (5—10 year olds)
Sunday, June 3, 10 – 10:45 am, $20/couple, $17 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 www.buddingyogis.com for bio).

Training Programs

Integrated Movement Therapy for Adults, Level 2: An Introduction to Yoga Based Therapy Techniques for Teens and Adults
Friday, April 13–Sunday, April 15, $425
Hours: Friday 5–9 pm, Saturday 12:30– 6 pm, Sunday 1:30–7 pm
Integrated Movement Therapy® is a holistic therapy approach for people of all ages, from infancy to adulthood. Using yoga based movement and breathing techniques, in this comprehensive workshop, a Masters-level therapist addresses the unique challenges of teens and adults with special needs in a calm, supportive and nurturing environment. This workshop is for anyone who has completed the IMT Basics and Level 1 workshops and is intended for medical professionals, care-givers, educators, mental health counselors, yoga teachers, and yoga therapists who would like to gain more knowledge of IMT practices as related to all types of people with special needs. In this workshop, you will learn more detail of the concepts underlying IMT, and be given the tools you will need to incorporate them into your own work with teens and adults. A 10% discount is offered for registrations received three weeks before start of the workshop. With Molly Kenny of The Samarya Center in Seattle (see www.samaryacenter.com for bio and more information about IMT).

Integrated Movement Therapy Basics
Friday, June 22, 11 am–4 pm, $75
Integrated Movement Therapy® (IMT) is a holistic therapy approach for people of all ages, from infancy to adulthood, who live daily with special needs. Using yoga based movement and breathing techniques a Masters-level therapist addresses the unique challenges of people with special needs in a calm, supportive and nurturing environment. This IMT Basics workshop is a prerequisite for any IMT Level 1 training. Students must take Basics one time only. With Stephanie Hager of The Samarya Center in Seattle (see www.samaryacenter.com for bio and more information about IMT).

Integrated Movement Therapy, Level 1: Yoga Based Therapy Techniques for Children
Friday, June 22–Sunday, June 24, $350, combined with Basics, $410
Hours: Friday 5–8 pm, Saturday, 12:30–5:30 pm, and Sunday 1:30–6:30 pm
Integrated Movement Therapy® is a holistic therapy approach for people of all ages, from infancy to adulthood. Using yoga based movement and breathing techniques, in this comprehensive workshop, a Masters-level therapist addresses the unique challenges of children with special needs in a calm, supportive and nurturing environment. This workshop is intended for medical professionals, care-givers, educators, mental health counselors, and anyone else interested in learning how yoga can be used as a tool for working successfully with children, especially those with special needs. This workshop is also appropriate for yoga teachers and yoga therapists who would like to gain more experience in teaching yoga to all types of people. In this workshop, you will learn some of the basic concepts underlying I.M.T., and be given the tools you will need to incorporate them into your own work with children. A 10% discount is offered for registrations received three weeks before start of the workshop. With Stephanie Hager of The Samarya Center in Seattle (see www.samaryacenter.com for bio and more information about IMT).

Integrated Movement Therapy, Level 2: Yoga Based Therapy Techniques for Children
Dates TBD, with Molly Kenny, $425
Hours: Friday 5–9 pm, Saturday, 12:30–6 pm, and Sunday 1:30–7 pm

Reiki 2
Saturday, June 2, 12 – 6 pm, $50
This class is a combination of lecture, discussion and experience. We will practice giving and receiving a complete Reiki treatment using all the hand positions, self treatment, scanning others, beaming, changing habits, and sending Reiki to others at a distance. We will learn and use the Second Degree symbols. Reiki 1 is a prerequisite for this class. With Susan Kilborn (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

Wellness Workshops

Gentle Spring Detox
Sunday, May 6, 10 am – 12, $35
A short cleanse or detox can help clear up your allergies, jump-start your weight-loss program, and give you a feeling of general well-being. In this interactive workshop, we'll discuss the benefits of detoxing your body, and learn how to plan a gentle cleanse tailored to your lifestyle and dietary needs. With Tricia McCauley, Holistic Health Counselor.

Open-Hearted Communication
Saturday, May 19, 1 – 5 pm, $50
Do you want to know how to deepen connections and create more harmony and mutual understanding in all your relationships, be it with your family, your community or your workplace? In this interactive and engaging workshop you will learn the basics of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), a powerful method used around the world to resolve conflicts and bring about inner and outer peace. You will get in touch with the deep needs and longings of your heart and learn to listen to others with an open heart. You will learn effective ways to communicate that help you get your needs met, while also honoring the other person’s needs. The NVC process aims to create a quality of connection in which everyone’s needs are equally valued. Whether you want to take a basically good relationship to a new level of depth and closeness or want to heal a painful rift between you and another, you are sure to get insights and practical tools that have the potential to enhance all your relationships. With Inessa Love (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

Spring Registration begins for current students – March 19, 2007
Spring Open registration begins March 26, 2007

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