D.C Kids Yoga - Budding Yogis

Our intention to stay with ourselves and to remain loyal to the practice can act as a life raft in times of storm. - Donna Farhi

Dear Friends,

As 2007 comes to an end, I am thinking about my intentions for Circle Yoga. I certainly didn't know, when I opened the doors back in 2003, that the studio would become the place that it is now. And yet every day we make decisions based on our deepest intentions that impact where we are going. How do our practices and our intentions interact with the manifestation that is Circle Yoga?

One of my Vipassana teachers, Phillip Moffitt, differentiates intentions from goals in this way:

Setting intention, at least according to Buddhist teachings, is quite different than goal making. It is not oriented toward a future outcome. Instead, it is a path or practice that is focused on how you are "being" in the present moment. You set your intentions based on understanding what matters most to you and make a commitment to align your worldly actions with your inner values. As you gain insight through meditation, wise reflection, and moral living, your ability to act from your intentions blossoms. It is called a practice because it is an ever-renewing process. You don't just set your intentions and then forget about them; you live them every day.

That rings true for me. I am aware that I hold intentions for Circle Yoga, but I usually don't have a clear picture of how they will manifest. My main intention for the studio from the start was to offer students mindfulness and yoga in order to bring ease into their lives, and thereby to reduce stress and violence in the world.

This intention arose for me as a direct result of what happened on September 11, 2001. When the attacks occurred, besides being sad, anxious, scared, and shocked, I was also inspired. I had the visceral sense that time was running out, and that I needed to act. That very day I began my work, which led to the creation of Budding Yogis, and then Circle Yoga. I had the intention to use the rest of my life to relieve suffering and prevent more acts such as those that took place that day. My specific aspiration was to help our youth be centered in such a deep way that they would know how to respond to acts like September 11 with clarity and compassion. And I wanted to provide children with the skills they needed to prevent more acts of terror. A very tall order that started with one yoga class.

The first Budding Yogis class had two sets of parents and children, Linda and Camille, both of who teach at the studio now. Soon we grew into a small kids yoga studio, and then, because of a clear need, we opened it up to adult yoga, therapeutic yoga, Pilates, African drumming, and more. We now serve more than 600 regular students, plus hundreds of drop-ins each week.

Another of my earliest intentions for the studio was that it operate in a mindful way. That all decisions be made mindfully and compassionately and for the benefit of all people, and not simply to make a profit.

While I was on retreat in California during October, a third intention surfaced. I want to try to connect and be present with each person that I encounter, including myself. Again, not something that I can ever really do, but something I can practice and return to time and time again. For me this is quite a challenge -- on the level of the Iron Man Triathlon -- without a lot of success so far. But it has given me clarity about wanting to offer the teachings of mindfulness and yoga freely to all people.

Now, as we re-align the studio with these intentions, it leads us to make two concrete shifts: (1) As we begin to break even financially, we pledge to direct all profits (if any) back into studio operations, and (2) we are in the initial stages of creating a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization to help us reach out to the wider community and bring yoga and mindfulness to more people, especially those who haven't been able to afford to come to Circle Yoga.

Of course, our work will shift and change over time, as we gain new understanding about our intentions, but for now I wanted to share with you the intentions that have been the foundation of my practice, especially at Circle Yoga: mindful business practices, teaching mindfulness and yoga to create peace and ease suffering, and being present with everyone who comes in the door.

I am hopeful that my sharing will inspire you to also ponder what your deepest intentions are for your life, and how they can be kept alive in your daily activities. As always, I welcome your reactions and responses.

May you and your loved ones, and all beings enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season and New Year,

Annie.

Join us for a special week of drop-in classes before the Winter session begins: December 31-January 6. All Holiday Week classes are 1 hour and cost $10. All levels welcome. Register online today or call the studio to reserve a space: 202-686-1104.

Saturdays: February 2, March 1, and April 5, 5-6:30 pm, free
The first Saturday of every month continues to be Circle Yoga's Saturday Sangha Day! Sangha means "community of practitioners." On Saturday Sangha Day, all merchandise will be 10% off, and all are welcome to join us for a free discussion from 5-6:30 pm. January 1st the studio is closed-no Saturday Sangha. Read more>>

Wednesday, December 26, 7-9 pm, $35 ($30 if registered by December 19)
Yoga Nidra is a healing and transformative 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-up to four times more restful. With Karen Soltes. Read more>>

Sunday, January 27, 6-8 pm, $35 ($30 if registered by January 20)
Learn to use meditation techniques, including visualization and mantra, that have been practiced for centuries to explore the inner realms of the body and mind. With Cinema Wood. Read more>>

Sunday, February 10, 1:30-3:30 pm, $35 ($30 if registered by February 3)
Are you spending too much time these days in computer-asana, shoulders rounded forward and neck frozen in a state of perma-tension? If this sounds too familiar, come and spend an afternoon learning how to create a sense of ease in the over-stressed muscles of the neck and shoulders. With Naomi Gottlieb-Miller. Read more>>

Sunday, February 17, 1:30-3:30 pm, $70/couple ($60/couple if registered by February 10)
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. Read more>>

Friday, February 29, 7-9 pm, $35 ($30 if registered by February 22)
Yoga Nidra is a healing and transformative 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-up to four times more restful. With Karen Soltes. Read more>>

Sunday, March 2, 1:30-3:30pm, $35 ($30 if registered by February 24)
There's nothing like backbends to open your heart so that you can experience more joy and vitality in your practice and your life. We will ease into backbending with gentle warm ups and preparatory poses to open up and move past fear. With Jill Minneman. Read more>>

(Ages 10 to adult, under age 12 please come with an adult)
Sunday, March 9, 2-3:30 pm, $30 ($25 if registered by March 2)
Bellydance is a sacred feminine art form that engages the body, the mind and the spirit. The workshop will integrate yoga practice and principles with the foundations of bellydance for a gentle aerobic workout that is empowering and joyful. No prior experience necessary. With Annette Zabolotsky. Read more>>

Tuesday, March 11, 7-9 pm, Free (donations accepted)
Learn about mindfulness and basic meditation techniques. This workshop is wonderful for people who want to start a meditation practice, and those interested in learning more about mindfulness. No experience necessary. With Annie Mahon. Read more>>

Saturday, December 9, 11 am - 1 pm,
$50 ($45 if registered before December 2)
Pre-adolescence can be a confusing time for girls who are trying to make sense of their ever-changing bodies and minds. This workshop is intended for all girls who would like to feel more comfortable in their growing and changing bodies, develop a positive relationship with food, and feel better about themselves all-around! With Karen Schachter (photo and bio coming soon!).Read more>>

2 Monday Workshops: February 4 and March 3, 11 am-1 pm, $35/workshop ($30/workshop if registered at least one week in advance of the workshop)
This workshop is a hands-on instructional forum for babies and their caretakers (mom, dad, nanny, grandparents, etc.) and is ideal for babies one to six months (alert but not yet crawling). With Luann Fortune, LMT. Read more>>

Sunday, February 10, 11 am-12 pm, $25/couple ($20/couple if registered by February 3), $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 time 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. Read more>>

Sunday, January 20, 10 am-12 pm, $35 ($30 if registered by January 13)
Join Kate Miller in this therapeutic workshop and learn techniques to relieve chronic low back pain and discomfort. With the use of the Anusara alignment principles, you will be able to bring more relief and joy into your body. Not only will you explore yoga postures and techniques that will support your health and healing, you will also go home with handouts to facilitate your continued practice at home. Kate Miller is a Senior Certified Anusara Yoga Teacher. Read more>>

Friday, February 1, 6:30-8 pm, $30 ($25 if registered by January 25)
Whether you live with a chronic stress-related condition or simply need to relax after a stressful day, restorative yoga will help ease the tensions from your daily life. In this soothing class, you will rest in yoga poses that bring about deep relaxation and remind you how it feels to be at ease--a feeling you can return to using the breathing, visualization, and progressive relaxation techniques taught in class. No yoga experience necessary. With Jill Minneman. Read more>>

Friday Night Introductory Talk - Friday, March 14, 7-9 pm
Saturday Workshop: Being Healed by Our Compulsions -
Saturday, March 15, 12-7 pm
$50 for Fri. night only, $125 for Sat. only, $150 for both ($135 for both if registered by March 1)
To some degree we are all compulsive, with our compulsions ranging from over-working and over-worrying to over-eating and drugs. Trying to control compulsions results in a continuous cycle of struggle. If we do eliminate one, another one usually takes its place. There is another way to work with compulsions, a way that transforms our compulsions from problems into wise guides that show us the way into the healing that we truly long for. Using exercises and a powerful process of working with questions, Mary O'Malley offers a perspective that will transform your way of being with all of the challenges of your life so you can know again the joy that is your birthright. Read more>>

Saturday, February 16, 4:30-8:30 pm, $200/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. Read more>>Read more>>

Circle Yoga & Budding Yogis
www.circleyoga.com
3838 Northampton St. NW
One Block South of the Chevy Chase Circle
202.686.1104
info@circleyoga.com