Dear Friends,

Welcome back from your summer travels, whether they were geographic travels or simply inner explorations. I was fortunate enough to spend a week at a mindfulness retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh outside of Boston this month. As is often the case, the time I spent in mindfulness, and listening to my wise teacher was life changing for me.

One of the things that was most alive in me during the retreat, was awareness of my own aging and impermanence. Thich Nhat Hanh spoke about the impermanence of our individual human nature, but also about the impermanence of all civilizations. We seem to be facing some changes as a planet and a civilization, and I am sure that each of us has felt sadness and possibly despair over what we can do to help. What I heard from Thich Nhat Hanh was that although no civilization is permanent, we don’t help future generations if we panic or give up. If we practice facing our fears, we can have the courage to work to help our civilization live longer and more beautifully on the earth.

I have been trying to make small changes in my own life in order to help protect the earth for future generations. But to be honest, sometimes it feels like just too big of a job for an individual like myself to have any impact. Two things have helped me with this despair. One is my mindful yoga practice. To practice yoga is to increase my own awareness and to wake-up to life. The more I wake-up, the more I can tolerate a life with less consumption. In the past, I have used consuming (of food, TV, etc) to escape from discomfort. My practice is helping me to be more fearless and to require less consumption of resources.

Secondly, I come back to the wise teaching of the Bhagavad-Gita (an ancient Hindu text revered by Gandhi) which says, “Set thy heart upon thy work, but never on its reward. Work not for a reward; but never cease to do thy work.” This is much harder than it sounds. To continue to work without being sure that we are making any difference at all, is a challenging practice. But it’s one that makes sense to me, and helps me to make sense of my life. So every time that I do a small thing to help protect the environment, I try to see if I can do it without the pressure of thinking that I have to save the whole world.

It feels to me like there is a growing awareness and willingness of people everywhere to start to make changes in order to protect the lives of all beings and of this precious earth. If you are interested, on September 22, it will be worldwide Car Free Day (www.car-free-days.org). Also that weekend, there is an international yoga day to support the environment -- the Global Mala. DC events will take place at GW (www.dcglobalmala.com). Also, on September 15, the Mid-Atlantic Yoga Association will sponsor an all-day Yogathon (www.MayaYoga.org). And during 2008, we are hoping to make the Circle Yoga building 100% solar powered.

Also, we have some very exciting new happenings at Circle Yoga this fall. On the first Saturday of each month (starting in October) we will have Sangha Saturday (Sangha means community of practice). On Sangha Saturday we will have a free gathering, facilitated by one of our teachers, where we can come together to share discussion about an area of our yoga practice, especially our “off the mat” practice. We will also offer discounts on all merchandise on that day. Watch the website and the studio bulletin boards for specific discussion topics. We will also be offering a portion of our proceeds during November to a locally-based, globally-reaching non-profit, Women for Women, International. More to come on that, too.

Lastly, we are very happy to announce that we will be hosting the internationally revered yoga teacher, Victor VanKuten the weekend of October 26-28. See the website for more information and registration. Due to space limitation, there are only a few spots left in this workshop.

I look forward to reconnecting with you all at the studio this fall, and I would love to hear from each of you if you have any thoughts about workshops, community events, or life in general.

May we continue to support each other’s work without attachment to the results.

With love,

Annie.

Yoga & Meditation Workshops

Restorative Yoga for Reducing Stress
Friday, October 19, 6:30 -- 8 pm, $30 ($25 if registered before October 12)
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 (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

The Breathing Body: A Weekend with Victor VanKooten
Friday, October 26 – Sunday, October 28, $250 for all sessions, $225 if registered before September 1 Fri.: 6:30 -- 8:30 pm ($50 for Fri. only), Sat.: 12 -- 4 pm ($100 for Sat. only), Sun.: 10 am – 1 pm & 3 -- 5 pm ($125 for Sun. only)
Victor will explore breath as being the connective tissue between body and soul. Through an awakening of deeper levels of perception, it will be possible to have a sensory experience of our own lungs, arteries, and nerves, which like rivers, collect the waters from myriad small streams and send them on to the oceanic realm. Though breath may be the central theme, we will be moving through postures and sitting in quiet meditation as well. These practices will focus on creating lines of awareness from one part to another, immobilizing certain areas and wriggling free the adjacent area. By gaining an ability to move every body part independently of the other and see their connection to the whole, a new level of freedom may be experienced. All levels welcome.

Since 1984 Victor VanKooten has traveled the world teaching yoga with his partner Angela Farmer. Together they have developed a unique style of teaching, avoiding formulaic instructions, and instead sharing their unique visions of how energy naturally flows through the body. They inspire confidence in their students to look inside and move according to their own unique way of moving. See www.angela-victor.com for more information about Victor and his work.

Mindfulness Meditation
Tuesday, October 30, 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. No experience necessary. With Annie Mahon (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

Set Your Hips Free: Yoga for Hips
Sunday, November 11, 1:30 – 3:30 pm, $35 ($30 if registered before November 4)
Tight hips... stiff low back... rigid hamstrings... does this sound all too familiar? As we get older, tight hips lead to other discomforts in the body. Counter this process with poses and mindful breath awareness you can use to “unlearn” old patterns and therapeutically unlock the hips. Discover new freedom and create some physical and energetic space in your body. Safely deepen your practice to sit comfortably and be tension-free! All levels welcome. With Naomi Gottlieb-Miller (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

Yoga Nidra
Wednesday, December 26, 7 -- 9 pm, $35 ($30 if registered before 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. 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. 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. This workshop is designed for anyone curious about Yoga Nidra, regardless of your yoga experience. With Karen Soltes (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

Kids and Families

Infant Massage
3 Monday Workshops: October 1, November 5, & December 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). 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 an instructor and practitioner of massage therapy (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

Daddy & Me Yoga (ages 5 – 10)
Sunday, November 18, 11 am – 12 pm, $ 25/couple ($20/couple if registered before November 11), $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, Director of Budding Yogis (see www.buddingyogis.com for bio).

Happy Body, Happy Mind for Pre-Teen Girls (ages 9 – 12)
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! Through a variety of avenues (discussion, mind-body techniques, creative expression, and simple food preparation), we will explore different ways of feeling good about our bodies, our eating and who we are. Together we will prepare a simple healthy snack and practice eating mindfully and joyfully. With Karen Schachter (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

Training Programs

Budding Yogis’ Teaching Yoga to Kids Certification
Friday, November 2 – Sunday, November 4, $475 ($425 if registered before October 1)
Fri.: 12:30 – 4:30 pm and 6 – 9 pm, Sat.: 12 – 6 pm, Sun.: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm and 2 – 5 pm
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 20-hour is workshop intended for school teachers, parents, yoga teachers, therapists, or anyone interested in learning how to enrich children’s lives with yoga practice. Participants will gain detailed information about how to teach kids yoga classes, how to create theme-based yoga classes and how to teach self-calming and meditation techniques. Throughout the weekend, participants will learn kids yoga poses and yoga games, gain a clear understanding of the age-breakouts for classes, and learn ways to deal with various behaviors including special needs. We will learn through doing, by experiencing kids yoga classes and discussion of what works well with kids. Each student will have an opportunity to plan, observe and teach a free kids yoga class on the last day of the workshop. We’ll also discuss what it takes to get started teaching and/or start-up a kids yoga business. A Budding Yogis Level I certificate will be given to each participant if all sessions and the practice teaching session are successfully attended. Some yoga experience required. With certified instructors and studio directors Annie Mahon and Linda Feldman (see www.buddingyogis.com for more information and instructor bios).

Therapeutic Yoga

Yoga for Arthritis
Sunday, October 21, 2 – 3:30 pm, $30 ($25 if registered before October 14)
This workshop is designed for students who suffer from arthritis. Students will learn a gentle yoga routine that, when practiced regularly, will help them cope with arthritis in daily life. These yoga poses and techniques will help to reduce pain, increase range of motion, and strengthen the muscles and joints. All levels welcome. With Annette Zabolotsky (see www.circleyoga.com for instructor bios).

Introduction to Yoga for Fertility: Pulling Down the Moon
Sunday, October 21, 2 -- 4 pm, $35 ($30 if registered before October 14)
The desire to bring a new life into the world brims full of great promise and excitement. Yet, when there are difficulties with conception the stress and emotional roller coaster ride of not becoming or staying pregnant can wreak havoc on all aspects of our being and our lives. Incorporating a yoga practice that calms and restores the nervous system while stimulating the flow of energy to reproductive organs, offers endless possibilities of enhancing our experience during this challenging time.

This workshop is designed specifically for women in the process of trying to get pregnant, who are undergoing fertility treatments or hope to be pregnant sometime in the near future. Through practice and discussion participants will be introduced to techniques that will support fertility and help bring balance to body, mind and spirit. No previous yoga experience required. For more information on Yoga for Fertility see www.pullingdownthemoon.com. With Sara Shelley (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

Yoga for Depression
Sunday, December 2, 2 – 5 pm, $50 ($45 if registered before November 25)
Yoga is a beneficial strategy to lift feelings of depression. This workshop will teach breathing techniques and postures to brighten moods. 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. All levels welcome. With Karen Soltes, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and yoga teacher (see www.circleyoga.com for bio).

To unsubscribe, please send an email to unsubscribe@circleyoga.com.