Dear Friends,

I am writing this letter to you on an airplane returning home after a long weekend spent with two of my dearest friends. We met in the center of the country, one from the West, one from the Midwest, and me coming from the East coast. We holed up in a log cabin on Roger’s lake in the middle of northern Minnesota, with no plans, some food essentials, and a deep desire to be together.

Now, on my way home, I am feeling very blessed. And also musing about friendship...what is this amazing force that binds us to our friends? What is the nature of friendship? In yoga, we practice finding the balance between surrender and effort, always looking for that sweet spot where we are open, vulnerable, and still strong. We stretch to be flexible and hold poses to create strength, we balance organic and muscular energies. Can we apply these principles to friendship?

I think so. Being with my friends this weekend, I was aware of a balance between the three of us. We surrendered our vulnerabilities to each other-- sharing what hurts in us, and we also put in the effort to support each other and be strong for each other. As we practiced this yoga of friendship, the result was something beautiful, but difficult to put into words. I felt held, truly cared for, and vulnerable, and at the same time I was called to bring my fullest self forward, to be strong and brave enough to hold their sufferings without flinching.

Over the past few months, I have noticed a growing web of friendships at Circle. This has been a wonderful and surprising part of the journey that we have been on together. I see mothers from the Baby & Me class, sitting out in the garden for hours after class, connecting and supporting each other. I see students coming early and staying late to spend time with new friends from class, students hooking up for lunch or ice cream after class, and wonderful relationships blooming between teachers, students, and our support staff. I see it happening everywhere and every day. I don’t think I can really express how much this meets my need for contributing to the life of my community. I am thrilled that Circle Yoga can provide a container for nurturing friendships. I wish for you that you will enjoy the yoga of friendship, both as a support to your friends, and as the one supported.

Your Friend,

Annie

Yoga & Meditation Workshops

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).

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 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

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).

Please look for our Summer Schedule very soon. Summer Session runs June 25-August 19.
Summer Registration begins for current students – May 28, 2007
Summer Open registration begins June 4, 2007

There are still a few spaces in Budding Yogis Summer Camp for kids ages 5-12! www.buddingyogis.com for more info, or call the studio 202-686-1104.

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