Dear Friends,

Happy Holidays!

If you’re like me, December is usually the month for frantic busyness... shopping, cooking, entertaining guests, going to parties, and much more. It’s often a lot of fun, and yet can sometimes create more stress than our bodies can easily handle. When I visit the monks and nuns of Plum Village, we always set aside one day a week for lazy day. On that day, there are no set activities, no particular time to wake up, nothing scheduled.

In my growing up family, “lazy” was a four-letter word. My parents had a saying they used when we said we were tired: “You can rest when you’re dead.” Now there is some truth to not wasting all of our precious time in this incarnation; however, in our culture, we may have taken this too far. During the holidays, many of us aren’t able to enjoy our family and friends because we run around frantically trying to get just the right gift or cook the most elegant holiday dinner.

I’m wondering if all of us could find a way this December to carve out one lazy day each week to truly rest. If one whole day seems like too much to start, maybe you could create a lazy afternoon, or a lazy morning, or even one lazy hour. For your lazy time, don’t schedule anything, even if it sounds like a lot of fun. Make space for yourself. Allow the day to unfold before you, and follow your intuition about what you would most enjoy. Walk slowly, don’t answer the phone unless you really want to talk, and slow everything down.

Thich Nhat Hanh was once asked how, at 80 years old, he manages to have the energy to teach and travel so often and with such mindfulness. He replied that he stayed healthy and active by doing everything in the most enjoyable way he possibly could. So during your lazy time, strive to do as little as possible, and what you decide to do, do with as much enjoyment as you can. I will try too.

May all of our holidays be filled with laughter and peace,

Annie

p.s. If you want to try meditating with a small group, please come Wednesday mornings 6:30-7:30 am for sitting and walking meditation.

Yoga to Relieve Addictions and Compulsions
Sunday, December 3, 1:30–4:30 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).

Take your Yoga Practice to the Next Level—A Level 2 (Anusara inspired) Workshop
Saturday, December 9, 3–4:30 pm, $18 If you have been taking yoga at a beginning level for at least one session, and you want to find out what a Level II class would be like, here is your chance. Move your practice into more advanced postures with the support and encouragement of an energetic and qualified teacher. With Naomi Gottlieb-Miller.

Moon Maidens—A Yoga Workshop For Girls (ages 9–15)
Sunday, December 10, 2–4 pm, $25 This workshop is an exploration of power and beauty, an opportunity for girls to learn how to honor this changing time in their lives. We will look back through the history of women, share stories, ask questions , learn how to know and chart our monthly moon cycle (if we have one yet or not) and practice yoga postures and meditation that will help tap into their innate creativity and wisdom. Hosted by Anusara yoga teacher Kate Miller. Kate is dedicated to supporting the connection and gathering of women from all backgrounds (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

The Power of Rest: Yoga Nidra
Wednesday, December 27, 7-9 pm, $40 Yoga Nidra is a profoundly healing, transformative, ancient practice in which we learn to relax deeply on every level of your being. It releases tension and is more restful than conventional sleep - four times more restful. Research indicates that Yoga Nidra enhances creativity and vitality, as well as being 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 and open to anyone regardless of 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. Taught by Robin Carnes.

Mindful Eating for the New Year (families with kids ages 7+)
Friday, January 5, 12–1:30 pm, $20/person (includes healthy snack) Start eating more mindfully. In this workshop, we will discuss how eating peacefully affect the way our body uses nutrients and changes how we feel. We will have a chance to eat a snack in mindfulness as part of a mindful tea ceremony. With Annie Mahon, Director of Circle Yoga (see www.circleyoga.com for bio), and Karen Schachter, a licensed clinical social worker, MSW, and health counselor who combines her social work experience with her nutrition and health knowledge allowing her to specialize in helping busy families. Karen has also received a Budding Yogis certification.

Nia
Saturday, January 27, 11:30 am–12:30 pm, $20 Nia is an expressive, barefooted, dance/fitness practice that blends Eastern and Western movement arts, including Tai Chi, Tai Kwon Do, Aikido, Yoga, Jazz, and Modern Dance. Formatted like a traditional exercise class, including a warm-up, cardiovascular component, and floor play, Nia is safe for all ages and body shapes and is presented in levels of intensity so you can choose the degree of movement that's right for you. Within each class, you'll find a different intention and focus, with various styles of music such as reggae, jazz, classical, world beat and celtic creating a fun and movable environment. With Amy Liss, a Nia Brown Belt instructor. Her goal is to share her love of movement with others, and, through Nia, to help people heal through movement.

Happy Body, Happy Mind (5–8 years old)
Sunday, January 28, 1:30–3:00 pm, $30 In this workshop, kids will learn the basics of creating a healthy body, including movement and yoga, nutrition, and mindfulness. Includes a healthy snack. with Karen Schachter, MSW, Budding Yogis certified teacher.

Reiki Level I
Saturday, February 3, 12–6 pm, $95 Reiki is an ancient healing practice with origins in the Tibetan sutras, and is a method of connecting universal energy (chi) with the body’s innate powers of healing through a fully-clothed gentle touch. This training is a beginning level for those wishing to learn how to use Reiki methods with family and friends. With Susan Kilborn.

Yoga for Depression
Sunday, February 4, 1:30–4:00 pm, $50 Yoga is an ideal strategy to lift feelings of depression. This workshop will teach you breathing techniques and postures to brighten your mood. We will explore a variety of yoga practices, including asanas, breathing practices (pranayama), and meditation that can help bring us back into emotional balance and diminish the symptoms of depression and anxiety. We will look at ways to meet our experience with a heart of compassion and to develop practices that can alleviate suffering, as well as release the impact of traumatic stress that may reside in our bodies. With Karen Soltes, a clinical social worker and yoga teacher (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

Infant Massage
Three Mondays, Feb. 5, Mar. 5, Apr. 9, 11 am–1 pm, $30 for one adult and one baby 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).

Integrated Movement Therapy Basics
Friday, February 9, 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 Teens and Adults
Friday, February 9–Sunday, February 11, $350, combined with Basics, $360
Hours: Friday 5–8 pm, Saturday, 12:30–5:30 pm, and Sunday 1:30–6:30pm 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 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 teens and adults, 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 teens and adults. 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.

Couples Massage
Saturday, February 10, 4:30–8:30 pm, $180/couple This workshop will introduce a variety of massage techniques for your partner or friend. We will learn basic Swedish technique, trigger points, Reiki, and some deep tissue and bodywork techniques. We will provide tables and cushions, lotion, and sheets for draping. Each partner will receive a one hour massage from their partner during the workshop. Workshop limited to 6 pairs only so please register early. With Eduardo Cortina, NCBTMB, CST. Eduardo is a certified Massage therapist, CranioSacral therapist, and teaches Alexander Technique and T'ai Chi.

Daddy & Me Yoga (5–10 year olds)
Sunday, February 11, 10–10:45 am, $20/pair, $14 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).

Parent/Child Yoga
Sunday, February 11, 11 am–12 pm, $20/pair, $14 each additional participant Family Yoga offers kids and parents a chance to practice yoga together. Classes are structured like kids yoga classes with more emphasis on interactive and partner poses for kids and adults to do together. No yoga experience necessary.

Reiki Level II
Five Tuesdays, February 13, 20, 27, March 13, and 20, 6:30–8 pm, $120 This training is the next level of Reiki mastery, and will include the Tibetan symbols used to amplify Reiki energy. With Susan Kilborn.

Unleash Your Inner Dog-Pose
Saturday, February 24, 11 am–12:30 pm, $20 Does Down Dog leave you howling the blues, or have you wagging your puppy tail in delight? In this workshop, we'll focus on some of the most common pesky "fleas" of this pose: sore wrists, achy shoulders, and tight hamstrings. We'll break this fundamental pose into its components, work with partners, and find a sense of ease and joy. At the end of the workshop, participants will answer the age-old riddle, Down Dog, is it an inversion, forward bend, or back bend? With Jill M (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

Barefoot Beats
Saturday, February 24, 7–7:45 pm, $30/family Celebrate Winter 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.

Introduction to Back Bending
Sunday, February 25, 2–4 pm, $30 Come and study with Annie's teacher Kate Miller, one of the country's foremost Anusara Yoga teachers. Kate will teach you to open your body and heart with a workshop on backbends. Using the great power of the Universal Principles of Alignment, we will tap into the freedom of the upper back and shoulders. This Anusara workshop is sure to give you the leverage to start moving into a deeper back-bending practice. With Kate Miller (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

Yoga for Soccer Players (ages 7–12)
Saturday, March 3, 3–4 pm, $18 Learn stretches that will help your child stay flexible all through the soccer season, and learn yoga poses that will strengthen core muscles, recommended by sports medicine doctors and physical therapists for all athletes. In addition, young athletes, will learn relaxation and de-stressing techniques that will help them leave the game on the field when it’s over. With Annie Mahon (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

Finding your Family’s Hidden Food Allergies: An interactive workshop for families (ages 7+)
Sunday, March 4, 12–2 pm, $40/parent+child In this workshop, we will discover tools to help ferret out hidden food allergens that could be causing some of your family’s health difficulties, including bloating, digestive disorders, mood swings, and aching joints. We will learn how to discover the allergies, and how to best work with them. With Tricia McCauley of Nutricia Consulting. Tricia McCauley is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor. Severe food allergies began her journey with food and cooking almost 20 years ago. She believes there is no one right diet that’s right for everyone. Through her company, Nutricia Consulting, Tricia teaches individuals and workshop participants to become detectives in the quest to discover their unique nutritional needs.

Yoga to Relieve Chronic Pain
Saturday, March 10, 3–5 pm, $40 If you have frequent aches and pains, chronic neck and back tension, arthritis, or fibromyalgia, this workshop will help you learn useful tools to use in your daily life. Several research studies have found that yoga can significantly improve the well-being of people living with chronic pain. This workshop will explore the use of gently moving yoga postures, mindfulness exercises, body and breath awareness, stretching, and deep relaxation to help you live more comfortably. With Lyne Picard, Licensed Chiropractor and Yoga Instructor

Our Anniversary Party! Circle Yoga and Budding Yogis Celebrate 4 years!
Saturday, March 17, 2007

Balance your Life through Yoga and Healthy Eating
Sunday, March 18, 3–5 pm, $50 (includes a healthy snack) In this workshop we will explore the yin and yang of movement and eating. We will discuss the energies of different types of foods, including those that you normally consume. We will practice yoga to activate new energies, and we’ll discuss how to make manageable changes to your eating habits with the help of your yoga practice. We will practice yoga nidra (a deep relaxation state) to help set our intentions for a healthier more balanced life-style. With Annie Mahon, Director of Circle Yoga (see www.circleyoga.com for bio), and Karen Schachter, a licensed clinical social worker, MSW, and health counselor who combines her social work experience with her nutrition and health knowledge allowing her to specialize in helping busy families. Karen has also received a Budding Yogis certification.

FREE Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation
Tuesday, March 27, 7–8:30 pm, FREE Learn about mindfulness and basic meditation techniques. Wonderful for people who want to start a meditation practice, and those interested in learning more about mindfulness. With Annie Mahon of Circle Yoga.

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 I.M.T., 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.

Registration for Winter classes begins for current students – Dec. 4. Open registration begins Dec. 18.