This video comes to us from Alanna Kaivalya, and tells the story behind Padmasana, or Lotus Pose – enjoy!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Padmasana, lotus pose, is one of the most iconic poses in yoga. The lotus flower is a great symbol for the yogic path. It has murky beginnings. It grows through mud and blooms at the top of the lake as a beautiful pink flower. We, like the lotus, begin to grow as we root ourselves in our yoga practice. As we start to change our perceptions of the world, things start to grow and change.

Padmasana is the best seat for meditation. In order to sit in it comfortably, we have to protect our knees and keep our hips even. We do this by opening up our hips before getting into this meditative seat. One great one is ankle-to-knee pose, sitting on a block, placing a blanket underneath your thigh, or extending one leg. Another hip opener is a lying-down posture, hanging onto one foot and then extending the other leg onto the ground, and then bringing the leg that is up out to the side. A third hip opener is baddhokonasana, bound angle pose. To do this pose, open up the knees, grab the bottoms of the feet, and open them like a book. Lift the heart and fold forward. Then, you should be ready for lotus.

In lotus, keep the feet in close to the hips and you’re ready to meditate like a yogi. As you can see with all the hip openers we have to do, a good lotus posture takes time, which requires a core virtue of the yogi to be present. That virtue is patience. Keep your breath focused on the higher goal and enjoy.

Click here to learn more about the Kaivalya Yoga Method!

Are you ready to take your practice to the next level?

Join Gina Caputo and Bethany Orheim for Bindu Yoga’s next 200-hr teacher training program kicking off on August 23rd! More information below from Bindu’s website:

200-hr Teacher Training at Bindu Yoga

August 23rd – November 18th | Del Mar, CA

A Creative Approach

Join us for a comprehensive and empowering journey into a dynamic and integrative approach to learning, living and teaching the diverse elements of Yoga. Vinyasa Flow Yoga is a somatic, transformational and spirit-filled practice that bridges the connection from the ordinary to the sacred through an energetic and intentional exploration of the flow of Prana (life-force) and of fully embodying our highest intentions and greatest potential.

The 200-hr Vinyasa Yoga Certification

This Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher Training Program is appropriate for both aspiring teachers and committed yogis who seek to delve into the full range of yogic experience and gain a thorough understanding of this evolving, rich body of knowledge and how to transmit it via Prana-focused Vinyasa Flow Yoga.This program will empower teachers with a broad and deep base from which to live and teach the flow of Yoga to all with skill, creativity,intelligence and authenticity.

Upon completion of required contact hours, projects and readings you will have experienced and learned a broad spectrum of yogic subject matter that will empower and inspire you. You will also be eligible for Yoga Alliance Registration at the level you have completed.

The Bindu Yoga 200-hour Foundational Yoga Teacher Training Program provides an opportunity to profoundly deepen your experience and understanding of Yoga. While this is the place for anyone interested in or new to teaching to start, you don’t necessarily need to be teaching or even planning to teach to participate. You will need to complete an application prior to acceptance into the program.

Dates/Curriculum:

Module 1: Roots
Thurs, Aug 23 – Sun, Aug 26

Module 2: Pathways
Thurs, Sept 20 – Sun Sept 23

Module 3: Embodiment
Thurs, Oct 18 – Sun, Oct 21

Module 4: Generation
Thurs, Nov 1 – Sun, Nov 4

Module 5: Transmission
Thurs, Nov 15 – Sun, Nov 18

About Your Teachers

Gina Caputo

ina’s passionate and inspirational style of teaching is a balanced fusion of informed, flow-style yoga with attention to healthy, energetic alignment, spiritual intention and humor. She came to the mat from the office chair and so has a keen ability to really speak to the modern-day householder yogi. She is a supportive, empathetic teacher known for her clear and playful style of encouraging you to fearlessly navigate your edge, open your heart and boldly dive in!

“Gina Caputo loves yoga with a passion rarely seen. She is incredibly smart, sensitive, and alive with inspiration. A gifted teacher.” – Max Strom

She is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (ERYT-500) through Yoga Alliance. In addition, she has teacher certifications from Shiva Rea, Max Strom and Erich Schiffmann. Her greatest learning experiences came in the traditional manner of teacher / student apprenticeships with both Shiva Rea and Max Strom to whom she offers deep, humble pranams for their trust and confidence. She gratefully continues to study with Shiva Rea, creator of Prana Flow® Yoga and is a Teacher Trainer & Teacher Mentor in Prana Flow® teacher trainings, retreats and workshops around the country and internationally.

Bethany Orheim

Bethany is a devout student and teacher of Prana Flow Yoga and the owner of Bindu Yoga Studio. Bethany’s teaching style is inspired by her life’s experience of living near the ocean and studying yoga for the past ten years. Bethany offers a liberated, dynamic approach to yoga and intuitively guides her students to surrender to pure consciousness while allowing the ecstatic wave of breath and movement to harmonize within the physical body.

Bethany is deeply honored to assist her teacher, Prana Flow Goddess, Shiva Rea in workshops, retreats, and teacher trainings around the world. She has deepened her understanding of the lineage of yoga by completing certifications in Prana Flow, Vinyasa Flow, Pre-Post Natal, Yoga Trance Dance, and Ayurveda.

Bethany embodies the teachings of flow and brings incredible love, passion, and healing into each sadhana. She gracefully invites her students to treat each asana as a mudra, and to find balance between intense strength and complete surrender while remaining open to the limitless possibilities of Prana.

Testimonials

Gina is an extraordinary teacher – powerful, passionate and loving. I emerged from her training feeling empowered and solidly rooted on the path she illuminated! ~ Kirsten G.

Gina’s vibrant teaching style and creative sequencing are just two ways you recognize both her passion for living and to educate the next generation of yoga teachers. You can get a bland 200 hour teacher training anywhere, but why? Her teaching style is captivating, organized, and leaves you tingling with potential! ~ Sharon P.

Anyone considering taking Gina’s teacher training offering should know that they will be taking part in an extraordinary learning experience filled with opportunity for personal growth. One cannot help but be fully engaged by Gina’s depth and breadth of knowledge and her passion for the sacred practice of yoga. ~ James C.

Gina Caputo’s Teacher Trainings have most depth and organization of any workshop or training I have ever taken. She has the rare ability to be clear, knowledgeable and deeply dedicated to the transmission process while still being completely authentic and fun ~ I feel this is unique to Gina and the world of teacher trainings. ~ Sarah K.

Bethany is a bright beautiful ray of sunshine, both on and off her yoga mat. Her inspirational teaching style is a wonderful combination of yogic philosophy, graceful flow, and challenging asana. She truly embodies the very essence of LIVING YOGA, & inspires all those around her to do the same. I feel truly blessed to study Prana Flow Yoga with Bethany. She is AMAZING! ~ Questa

Bethany is a beautiful and talented individual that just happens to be an amazing yoga instructor. She teaches with compassion, non judgment and gentle encouragement. I felt motivated to take my practice to new dimensions with her instruction. Her knowledge of yoga is immense. Classes with her are a blissful experience and her private instruction teaches you more than you think possible! ~Lindsey

Bethany has been a wonderful goddess and teacher in my life. I can talk about her classes and teachings in yoga, where she provides an amazing space for her students to learn, reflect, grow and fully immerse, but there is so much more. Her teachings go beyond her dynamic, full-spectrum sequencing and yoga asana. Bethany has a beautiful energy that radiates all around her. She walks through life living yoga, inspiring and empowering everyone who crosses her path. Bethany naturally guides you to connect to your strength by reminding you it is always there. Thank you, Bethany, for all your beauty and for inspiring me to always show up for myself. ~ Che

Click here for more information and to apply today!

Affirmation: How may I help?

Excerpts from my upcoming book:

The purpose for using yoga props is to address a need for support.  Some teachers like to rename yoga props to sound more appealing to their students, like yoga “toys” or “tools”. Although I am not opposed to this, personally I’ve never found the need. A “prop” is just that. It is supportive and helpful. It is something to rely on when needed. It meets us where we are. That’s the job it’s supposed to do. Simply stated, a prop is a prop. Let’s accept it and move on. No amount of calling it something other than what it is will change it’s purpose or others’ opinion. What will change its image and demand, is its intelligent, creative and confident use. That’s the yogi’s way.

Each one of us experiences challenges on the mat. The purpose for writing this book is to invite you to address any obstacles you face on the mat with intelligence and loving kindness, and provide you with the understanding and tools to greet them. This simple “how to” guide will prompt you to inquire about the level of support needed to meet yourself where you are. It’s an on-going process that changes over time. We just need to be there.

My teaching style is called Yaapana Yoga. The word Yaapana, is an ancient Sanskrit word meaning “the support and extension of life.” Yaapana Yoga is a practice that includes using yoga props to provide strategic support to extend the life of poses, which supports and extends the nature of one’s experience while in them. I developed this style of yoga based on my decades of experience working with physically challenged, professional athletes, yoga teachers and students just like you; those with an inquiring mind that want to get more from your yoga and less from your ego. Let’s take a deeper look.

Deepening your practice

Learning a skill:

The right prop support can teach a skill necessary for experiencing a balanced approach for doing, being and breathing in a yoga pose. Some solutions for addressing difficulties in a pose may often be found in other poses that require less. And they will always include a soft breath and calm mind.  In essence, a yielding body and mind. Yoga poses not only require strength, stability, flexibility and mobility, but also skills such as proprioception(1) and somatic movement(2). If any or most of the former is weak, these skills can be that much harder to access. For instance, let’s use a simple back bend as an example.  Back bends require the chest muscles to stretch, mid/upper back muscles to contract, shoulder mobility, and the fibrous tissue between the mid/upper back vertebra to move forward. Muscles that are too tight and joints that are too stiff, end up relying on help from other areas of the body that aren’t meant to play a significant role in the pose. In a classic back bending pose, this can put strain on the lower segment of the spine and disrupt the proper rotation of the shoulder joints. These imbalances, if not addressed, make it difficult to open and lift the chest with strong back body support, a skill necessary for a safe back bend. Therefore, safe and enjoyable back bends are often inaccessible to many practitioners.

Below is a photo of Tom, supported in an upper back bend. Tom works out at the gym every day and plays baseball every weekend. He has been quite healthy most of his life. Due to some injuries from repetitive movements and normal wear and tear on his joints from living an active life, approaching an upper back bend is tricky. This is the kind of Yaapana yoga therapy prop support I start with to prepare him for greater and pain-free back bends down the road. There is no hurry. In fact, slow is fast.

I’ve placed a flat “standard” sized bolster across his mid/upper back to encourage a bend at that segment of his spine. His legs are stretched out, but if his lower back were to feel any strain at all, of course, he could bend his knees. However, I would prefer to find the right height of support at his mid/upper back where he could still keep his legs straight. Learning how to use the lower limbs in back bends plays a big part in accessing the lower segment of the spine, even in a reclining position.

Notice there are two chairs for each arm. You can tell that his right arm in this position has a much harder time maintaining proper rotational value than his left arm. This safe set-up for his shoulders provides Tom an opportunity to experience a pain-free and much needed shoulder stretch without joint compression.

This variation of a back bend was pleasing to Tom. But, is using yoga prop support for everyone?

Who Benefits?

Don’t believe anyone who says using yoga props on the mat is cheating. One of my yoga teachers taught me that asana practice is more about subtraction than addition. And using yoga props can help every sincere student to drop into that understanding.

It’s perfectly fine to practice without the support of yoga props. It’s just that in all the years I have shared yoga with different people at different levels of practice, I have yet to find one person, not one, that didn’t benefit from using a yoga prop in one or more yoga poses. From the most flexible and strongest, to the least of both, a yoga prop, if strategically placed, can help determine the trajectory of your yoga practice, both physically and spiritually on the mat.

But just in case you’re not sure, I’ve highlighted how prop support can benefit yoga practitioners. Perhaps you’ll recognize yourself in one of the descriptions below.

Stay tuned for Leeann’s book scheduled to be published in May.

(1)The unconscious perception of movement and spatial orientation arising from stimuli within the body itself.  (2)Movement that relies on your awareness, desire, and ability to become more self-determining. “Somatic” refers to your ability to sense the processes going on “within” you.

Because it is a one-pot meal, soup is the #1 way to move toward a plant-based, locally grown diet, improving our health as well as our social and economic environments.

Soup is quick and easy to prepare, with only one pot to wash afterwards. It is a convenient and satisfying dietary staple: just chop the vegetables and throw them in the pot. Farmer’s market vegetables will never go uneaten. Experiment with different soup bases such as broths and canned tomatoes: bouillon cubes are inexpensive and easy to use but watch out for the high sodium content.

There is nothing more satisfying than a hot bowl of delicious soup. The marvelous simplicity of soup makes it a beloved staple food for most every culture in the world. No doubt soup has been cherished since the time man discovered fire. Soups are low-fat, comforting, and filling. High in fiber, vegetable soups are nourishing and detoxifying to the digestive tract. Nutritionists, Herbalists, and Ayurvedic practitioners agree that cooked vegetables are easier to digest and more soothing to the digestive system than raw. Soup serves our tummies well. By eating a diet primarily composed of fresh local produce, we are conditioning our health as well as our economic system. Soup is the number one way to move toward this diet. Leave comments with your favorite soup bases and ingredients! Don’t forget the fun toppers!

Learn from top experts in yoga, health, nutrition, meditation, and much more in Learn It Live’s online symposium Feb 20th – 27th!

Learn it Live Symposium

February 20th – 27th

It’s 2012 and we’re all spending more and more time online. Why not use some of that time to push ourselves toward health and happiness? From Feb 20-27, Learn It Live will be hosting an online Health & Wellness Symposium that is completely free of charge (learn more about it at http://wellness.learnitlive.com). You will be able to connect face-to-face online and interact with some of the world’s top experts, authors, and speakers in the health, nutrition, and yoga fields, including Dr. Alejandro Junger (author of CLEAN and founder of The CLEAN Program), Brendan Brazier (Ironman Triathlete and founder of VEGA Foods), Andrea Beaman (author, chef and TV host), Dr. Caldwell Essylstein (featured heart doctor in the documentary “Forks Over Knives”),and over 40 more!

These classes are all provided free of charge with the aim of fostering a movement of greater health and happiness among people all over the world. So please help spread the word and let more people know about these incredible (and free!) sessions. Register now, space is limited.

Click here to register today!

Think about the thoughts, words and sounds you experienced or created today.

When you listened to music, what kind was it?  When you had a conversation with a colleague, what was the tone?  What were your thoughts after that conversation?

You may be familiar with the work of Japanese doctor, Masuru Emoto.  He began studying frozen water about two decades ago.   His research team immediately noticed a difference in samples taken from different geographic areas.  Water from rural areas produced beautiful, unique crystals.  Samples from densely populated, and more polluted areas produced no crystals at all.

The experiment evolved as the team began showing pictures, words and playing music to the water.  The positive sounds and images produced stunning geometric crystals.  On the contrary, negative associations caused the water crystals to appear distorted.

These findings, though debated, are surely enough to get you thinking.  If these stimuli have such a profound effect on water, imagine the effect they have on us. Approximately 70% of our body is water!  Are you filled with beautiful crystals, or distorted ones?

Recently, I was reminded of this concept when my iPod shuffled to a heavy metal song with aggressive lyrics.  It was a favorite of mine in high school.  While listening, my muscles tensed and I found myself bumping into people as my pace quickened.  My facial expression even turned to a scowl.  Definitely some crystal distorting tunes.  This music was making me aggressive and angry – no wonder my parents were at their wits end dealing with me at age fifteen.

Later, I wondered how this music affected not only me, but also others I came in contact with that afternoon.  Knocking into someone with an unfriendly stare isn’t going to improve his or her day.  I may have distorted their inner crystals, too…

Music plays an extremely important role in our lives.  It can make us “come together”, and it can also have the opposite effect.  Simply listening to a song deepens emotions exponentially.  If you’re frustrated or angry, choose music that will counter balance that feeling, not enhance it.  Try out something extra uplifting and upbeat to recreate those exquisite, perfect crystals in your body.

Music can take you from here to there almost instantly, so make sure to take advantage of it when you need a boost of positivity.  For me, a few minutes of “Like a Prayer” equates to laughter, smiles and awkward dancing no matter how dire the present situation.

To further design your inner sparkle, surround yourself with supportive friends who speak positive words.  Spend time with those that evoke happiness, excitement and inspiration in you.  Imagine that each encounter with them turns you into a brilliant kaleidoscope of crystals.   And, you have the opportunity to reciprocate this experience for them.

From time to time, you will be in the presence of less-than-blissful individuals.  When you find yourself in this scenario, praise them with positive words and thoughts so they’re distorted crystals can become beautiful, too.  It’s an interesting practice that will yield results over time.  Be patient and watch the power of positivity at work.

Masuro Emoto’s research expands on what is already known – people are heavily influenced by their surroundings.  Now, we’re starting to realize it goes deeper, occurring even at the molecular level.   Our interactions, environment and relationships actually do become our cells, tissues and thoughts.  This makes it truly important to evaluate our conditions frequently on the quest for inner beauty.

While you can’t control everything you’re exposed to, you can often seek out the good in life.  Positive stimuli result in feelings of satisfaction, wholeness and love.  Surround yourself with good, and you can share these fuzzy feelings to create a world of glittery crystals.  Get your sparkle on!

“The moment I let go of it was the moment, I got more than I could handle, The moment I jumped off of it, Was the moment I touched down” -Thank  You, Alanis Morrissette

What is the hardest part of yoga practice? Is it the asana or the breath? Is it the discipline to step on your mat every day? Is it your willingness to try something new? It may be any combination of these things, or it may be one thing. In my experience it is the simple act of letting go.

Let us not get confused here. By letting go, I don’t mean surrendering or giving up, but rather letting go of the stories we tell ourselves that we can’t do something, the expectations and judgments we experience as we move through our practice, and our egos that push us too hard.  So often these judgments and harsh criticisms hold us back, keeping us from our true potential, hiding us from the brilliance within.

One of my yoga teachers says “the strongest yogi in the room is the one that takes child’s pose when they need it.” How true. How many times have you pushed yourself too hard in class only to be left feeling worse than when you walked in or maybe even pushing to injury? Have you been practicing for awhile with little change and feel frustrated? Yes, you show up every day, but you are still as stiff and tense as when you began. You can power through any Vinyasa, but your stress and anxiety levels are through the roof. Kudos to you for coming to class, but have you considered that it’s not the asana you need to master, but the act of listening and letting go instead.

Where to start? First, know that this is a process and as such it can take a long time to learn. In other words, get your Patience hat ready. Next, when the little voice inside tells you to do more, do less and see what happens.  By doing so you learn to question whether your ego is pushing you forward for all of the guts and glory or if you’re really ready to go deeper.

Sometimes that little voice inside isn’t so nice about what is happening on your mat and depending on your life experiences, it can be downright disheartening. In this instance, turn it around by just being kind to yourself and take a break. Hard stuff, I know, but give it a try. The world will not come to an end because you did one less Chaturanga. In fact, you may even find yourself more peaceful when you do stop and listen. This is a huge step in learning to let go. Quieting the stories for even the smallest of moments can allow you to open up in so many ways. Take this experience off of your mat and see how letting go of all the expectations and judgments can help you be more free.

What’s the hardest part of the practice for you? Do your stories get in your way? Do you find yourself pushing with little results?

Get away from it all this March and head to beautiful Nosara, Costa Rica!

Kevin and Dana Courtney will be leading a Yoga. Surf. Love. retreat March 11th – 18th. More information below:

Yoga. Surf. Love. w/ Kevin & Dana Courtney

March 11th – 18th | Nosara, Costa Rica

Join Kevin and Dana Courtney for their second annual Surf. Yoga. Love. retreat, located in a private Villa overlooking Playa Guiones, in Nosara Costa Rica. The perfect blend of deep asana and meditation, balanced with plenty of time to explore the jungle, learn to surf, hang in a hammock, get a massage, go on an eco-adventure, or lounge around eating chips and guacamole.

Details

What: Twice daily interdisciplinary yoga practice including:

Morning Sadhana: a dynamic blend of qi-gong, kundalini yoga, and vinyasa (intended to stretch and awaken more than just your hamstrings).

Afternoon Restoration: A heart-centric practice of Yin Yoga, Therapeutics, pranayama and meditation

Where: Tierra Magnifica, (www.tierramagnifica.com) a private luxury retreat overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

How Much: $1850 – $2250 (dble/single oc).

Only TWO spots left!

About Kevin & Dana

Kevin Courtney is known for his innovative and spontaneous teaching style, weaving together contemporary Vinyasa yoga sequences with the ancient art of qi-gong, Kundalini kriyas, and other movement modalities for a unique (and deep) yogic experience.

Dana Courtney might just be the yin to his yang. Emphasizing creatively aligned, mindful movement and the cultivation of slow, steady heat, Dana’s classes aim to strengthen and restore the entire mind-body system.

Kevin is a regular presenter at Kripalu and the Wanderlust Festival. Dana is on the faculty at the Nosara Yoga Institute, and regularly assists their 200-hour YTT. Both teach at the Kula Yoga Project in New York City, and co-teach workshops and retreats together around the world.

Click here to visit Kevin’s website

To register, email yogahappens@gmail.com

So much has been happening lately; I cannot figure out if ‘more’ is happening, ‘better’ things are happening, or if I’m just paying attention in a different way.

It seems like there is a little tiny flame, an inner fire, that has taken hold. I was imagining the other day that it is kind of like those ‘eternal flames’ that are lit at JFK or MLK memorials; it’s not a big brazen open fire, it’s a tiny flame, constant and true.

The ’source’ of this prana, energy, chi, fire? Who can really answer that Big Question. But it’s there. Even if you roll your eyes when this sort of idea gets brought up in a yoga class (‘can’t we just do the poses please?’), it’s undeniable that we run energy — at all times, in fact. Sometimes more than others, and sometimes not the best or brightest (we all have ‘bad hair days’, no?). In the Niyamas (one of the 8 limbs of Patanjali’s Sutras), ‘tapas’ or heat, are discussed at length, though in more of a burning off to cleanse kind of way. Flame as a purifier, so to speak.

But in the context that I’m speaking of, it seems to be more of a hum, a buzz, something undefinable in a way. Kind of like that sound of cicadas in the summer; it’s always there in the background. How do we access this energy, igniting that inner desire to keep propelling us forward, while staying present? Especially on those days when it just doesn’t feel like you have much to give, or don’t feel particularly inspired OR inspiring. What then?

I have a long and enduring relationship with my yoga, both as a teacher and a student. It’s changed as the years go by: injuries, babies, healing, relationships…it’s all part of the context from which I teach, and live. But this flame goes beyond the mat; practicing this yoga and these ideals we speak to, naturally informs our lives OFF the mat, and so this is what I have been observing in myself. The ways I interact with random people at a store, or how I phrase a question in a kinder way, or allowing someone else to be heard without an automatic response waiting. Paying closer attention. There are so many things that just whiz by us each day, and it would be hard to take in each and every second with grace and perfection. But just striving to do better, and listen more, and have a more open heart and mind; this is practice.

How can I access this energy?

A lot of things are trial and error, in this quest for higher awareness. For example, sitting in deep meditation is challenging for me; as well as painful, as I have low back issues. But the intention behind meditation is to quiet the mind, and awaken the higher self, soothing the constant chatter that narrates our inner landscape. So for me, aside from my yoga practice, I have taken up drumming. It provides me with a release, a kind of ‘putting the mind on hold’, and drops me down into a meditative state, where I’m totally in the moment. No lists, no obligations, no work, kids, commitments. It forces me to be present in a way that most things don’t. Is this meditation? For me, yes. And it came to me quite by accident. Be open to new ways to access this mindfulness, this inner flame.

Find things that feed your soul.

I have noticed that a lot of people in our society are constantly on the run: doing doing doing. There is rarely space in the day to sit quietly, or breathe, or practice asana. I myself am busy much of the day, and have to consciously set the intention to stop, or pause, and just be still. There is a difference between just staying busy because of obligations or distractions, rather than choosing the things you fill your days with, and if those things are nurturing your soul. Maybe your thing is gardening, or cooking, or taking long drives to nowhere in particular. For me, it’s picking up the drum and intentionally making the time for something that really sustains me, not just fills up time. Noone can tell you what that ‘thing’ is. If it’s your mat, then get to it no matter when, where or how.

Keeping the flame alive.

I’m still working on that one. There are days for most of us that just aren’t great, for whatever reason. Then others that seem to just flow from one thing to another, with ease and synchronicity. I suppose the key then is to have this flame, this inner light — with you at all times, to carry you through even the most challenging days. Having some tools in your arsenal is helpful; knowing how to breathe, ground and having faith that all is as it should be, regardless of your efforts or control.

Stay open.

The thing that has jumped out the most to me lately is that a lot of things seem to be rather arbitrary or random; I don’t know if this is true or not. But what I do sense is that if I stay open to new opportunities, experiences and people, better things seem to happen, in a more aligned kind of way. If your intention is to become a leader in your area of expertise, but you never leave your house, then the odds of that happening are diminished. Getting a bit uncomfortable is ok sometimes, taking chances (within reason) and seeing what happens, generally is a good way to open up to new possibilities. What if you never knew you had a special talent for weaving, and then a friend took you to a class and you found out it was exactly what you wanted to be doing in your spare time? Or yoga? Or cake decorating? If you don’t know what your ‘bliss’ is (as Joseph Campbell used to call it), that’s ok too. It’s taken most of my adult life to arrive at teaching, giving, doing and creating a life that brings me joy. The point is, keep going.

In the end everyone has to find their own way along the Path. My way is like noone else’s; neither is yours. The affirmations I receive from my work and the world around me tell me that I am on the right path, headed towards a better way of doing, feeling, expressing and creating. This inner flame is there, even on my worst days. I have to hold true to that

There are many names for the struggle between what is light and what is dark; favorable and not.

The New Age crowd tends to refer to the darkness inside as a mirror, yogis often talk about the distractions of the monkey mind and growing up in a Christian household I was taught this darkness had a name: The Devil.

The Devil is on a Single Mission: to destroy Heaven on Earth and to drive those in search of Peace and Grace to Confusion and Mistrust of themselves, their relationship to the Mysteries of what’s greater, and each other. The Devil has already lost the throne and the Devil is as far as I can tell one pissed off Amigo.

I believe in all of that really which is why for me, the Devil is my teacher.  Perhaps my most influential one.

I recently received an email in which an individual espoused the reasons why I suck, or how they believe I am sick; basically it has something to do with my scorpio moon & the perception that I have an overactive physical yoga practice which have to my detriment both intersected in my solar plexus causing a host of satan like manifestations.  According to this individual I am spiteful, manipulative, resentful, arrogant, and have driven a divide among the healing community in my small Florida town.  According to this email I have singlehandedly destroyed what is beautiful and calm and just and healing.  Oh, I apparently also have latent issues with mommy and daddy which will lead to knee problems if I don’t hurry and schedule an appointment with said emailer for help.

I gotta say two things.  WOW!…. And, Thank You Devil.

My first reaction quite honestly was laughter at the absurdity of all of this since I don’t actually have a personal relationship with this individual and because I know that they have been fed more than a few stories about how I have ruined yoga and how I have embodied all of the aforementioned negative qualities.  In all honesty I was trying to create more of a relationship with this person but we were unable to communicate effectively and my instincts told me that it was time to walk away. (clearly I was right)

My second reaction was sadness because I once again am faced with the reality that no matter how much Light I spread, no matter how much work I do in order to be a better human being, no matter how much I pray for & dedicate my practice & my meditations to these individuals who seem to hate and despise me,no matter what it is that I do, there is no changing them.  That’ s the key really.  We can’t change the Devil.  He is on a mission.  We can continue to draw strength from our practice, from our prayers, from our meditations, and from a healthy relationship with a God of our understanding.  We can continue on our path and ignore the Devil and/or we can continue on our path and engage & disarm the Devil.  We always have a choice.

In fact I continue to understand that it is not me who is hurt and angry and scared.  Yes, my actions both bold and necessary have no doubt impacted the community.  How could then not?  We are each delicately connected to the greater fabric of life and whatever we do both “good” and “bad” will ripple across the experiences of those we come into contact with.  Yet, I am not responsible for the choice of people who are rude, angry, aggressive, mean spirited, or downright abusive to me because of my choices.  I’ll be damned if I just sit around and let the Devil kick me and kick me and kick me.

I want to scream Grow UP!  Get Behind me Devil!

On my bad days I want to call out these little devils publicly and tell the world my side of the story.  Then I breathe and do my work and I remember that the people that really matter already know what is going on, they see that it’s the Devil.  They joyfully remind me that in the end all the hatred the Devil sends my way just becomes an opportunity to grow stronger. (thank you thank you thank you.  I accept!!)  I choose to use these bricks of hatred to build a firm foundation for myself and others.  I can continue to honor their twisted spirits and praise them for choosing to host the very negativity that teaches the rest of us what it means to walk in the light.  I bow down to these persons and say Thank You for teaching me.

Being human I still want to reach out and protect those that I know are being taken advantage of by theses Devils and I feel called to love and honor and feel friendship and peace with all involved.  I want to be in LOVE with them.  I strive to Forgive them.  I know I will continue to learn from them.  I just feel so lucky to be a part of the greater human community.  As we continue to grow it is wonderful to see how we are all just on our own path and that we are all so fragile and fleeting.  We are children really.  It’s amazing to be floating along in harmony and see that the Devil keeps changing tactics to get under our skin in hopes we will renounce our divinity and power and light.

These experiences lead me to want to be instrumental in the greatest work that there is: Healing the spiritual void in those that have succumbed to the Devil, be it the dark side within or the very real spiritual warfare of the highest order. As teachers we can help burn through and unwind these Sanskaras that are hindering our growth.  We can forgive those that trespass against us. We can say Thank You.  We can disarm.  We can prevail.

Little did I know that while the Devil is being sneaky and spreading rumors, while the Devil is sending mean emails to me and telling students that my yoga teaching is liberal and destructive behind my back, while the Devil is busy trying to destroy me the light, The Light, is gaining in intensity around me.  I hear angel wings and voices of choirs sing praises as students make breakthroughs on the mat and as they learn to be courageous in their lives.  It’s True what they say, that LOVE wins!

I AM.  We are.  You and I and Them and Us are all the SAME and I am in fact part of this vital and beautiful community and it is OK that we disagree and it is OK that our students have a multitude of choices because it forces us to listen and to change and grow to serve them and that growth is good for us all.  In fact, I think this world is full of amazing and gifted healing professionals and if I have failed to say Thank You loud enough for you to hear it then read closely.

Thank You for making me stronger, for pushing me out of your nests and your heart and thank you for not signing that lease when you had the chance on a space that has become a Vibrant and Loving studio full of Potential and Laughter; a space that I am Proud of and have the Honor of participating in.  Thank you for continuing to talk about me behind my back and teaching me that we are all part of the same spirit because every time you do I am forced to pray for you and meditate for you and practice in your honor and in doing these things I actually am growing in my practice and in the light and I feel the hand of God moving and stirring and healing.

Thank You for that last email.  I had to sit and think about when I have in truth  been all of those things because sure enough I am prone to the darkness within just like you.  Thank You for my weekend meditation.  It was valuable and it pushed my partner and I to talk and discuss and it caused me to reach out to my mentors and my family and have a frank discussion about when I have in fact been those awful versions of myself and it gave me a wonderful perspective on just how much light must be emanating from my little corner of the world.

Otherwise sweet Devil you just wouldn’t waste so much time…

So I will continue to breathe in and out, pause, and repeat.  I look forward to hearing from you because you always bring the most amazing gifts.  I will continue to sway my hips as I walk down the street listening to my own music even though I know you are going to make another snide crack.  Dear Devil, I Love You Damn It!!  You=Awesome Teacher.

I met Anita Moorajani in October when I went to see my great teacher Wayne Dyer speak in Pasadena.

Through a series of events which prove to me the divine guidance of love and the power of manifesting, I ended up not only at the lecture, but as Dr. Dyer’s guest with his daughter. I happened to be sitting next to a beautiful woman who as it turned out would be speaking at the event. Not only did she speak, but she cracked my heart open. I sobbed for hours after I saw her and heard her story. Not with sadness, but with a clarity and an understanding and a yearning for love. I do not want to talk too much about her because I want you to see for yourself who this woman is to me. She is now, next to Wayne Dyer, one of my great teachers and spiritual guides.

On 2nd February 2006, Anita Moorjani experienced what most of us never have!

She crossed over and came back to share what she learned. Doctors at the hospital had given Anita just hours to live when she arrived at the hospital that morning, unable to move as a result of the cancer that had ravaged her body for over three years.

Below she shares with us what she learned and her big beautiful heart. Please get her book as soon as you can. Dying To Be Me, Anita’s book, goes into great detail about what it means to live authentically and fearlessly and how it is imperative to love ourselves fiercely.

I love this woman and am counting the days until I see her and Dr. Dyer in San Jose! Join me?

Get ready, my sweet Manifesters……

Jennifer Pastiloff: What are you most proud to have manifested in your life?

Anita Moorjani: Healing from cancer! By far that is the most important manifestation of my life! But I am also incredibly proud to have written a book! I never thought I could write, so it feels really surreal to realize that I have actually authored a book that is being published by Hay House! What a dream come true!

Jennifer Pastiloff: What is the greatest lesson that you have learned from having a near death experience?

Anita Moorjani: The biggest lesson I learned was how important it was to love myself and be true to myself. That is the most important lesson from my NDE. I had always thought it was selfish to love myself and meet my needs before others, but I learned that if I do not love myself, I will not have enough love to give others because I cannot give others what I myself do not have. The more I love myself and have my own needs met, the easier it is for me to be generous with others.

I used to be a people pleaser, and always put others first, and was often afraid of being myself. I was always trying to be someone I was not, and would always become drained from doing and doing for others. And I always thought it was selfish to pursue my own needs when others were more needy. But I now understand that it’s not selfish at all to have my own needs met first, and in fact, I am here to be myself. And when I am self actualized, it makes me healthier, happier, more generous and less needy. I also understand that if we constantly try to be someone we are not, the planet will be deprived of who we really are!

Jennifer Pastiloff: I have a list of rules. See below. What would some of Anita’s rules be?

Anita Moorjani:

1. Don’t take life seriously;

2. Eat chocolate;

3. Realize YOUR OWN MAGNIFICENCE!!

4. Eat more chocolate;

5. Enjoy life and do what brings you joy;

6. Make your everyday choices based on what makes you FEEL good, rather than what you THINK you should do or what others think you should do;

7. Live your life out of passion and love, rather than out of a fear of failing and displeasing;

8. Start each day listening to “Dancing Queen” and singing along with it;

9. Laugh at yourself every single day! (The more you practice this one, the sooner you will achieve nirvana).

10. Every time you look in the mirror, remind yourself that you are a perfect child of the universe who is here to be true to yourself. Your only purpose is to be yourself. To try to be anyone else would be depriving the universe of who you really are.

11. Don’t worry too much about “getting it right”. When our only purpose is to be our self, we cannot get it wrong!

12. Start each day with a clean slate, leaving behind the emotions of yesterday. Each day is a blank canvas, on to which we can paint anything we desire! So it’s our choice whether we paint our canvas with joy, love and laughter, or with fear, anger, regret, anxiety, and worry.

Jennifer Pastiloff: Who/what inspires you the most?

Anita Moorjani: The people who inspire me the most are the ones who make the greatest magic on our planet without realizing that they are making magic. The unsung heroes who receive no recognition, fame or monetary rewards for what they do. People like the lady in our community who rescues abandoned and unwanted dogs, and feeds and homes all the dogs that no one else wants; the parents who adopt special needs children who they know no one else will adopt because they are going to give them a challenging life; or the nurses who deal with terminally ill patients with the utmost care and concern, and can still remain cheerful and upbeat for the sake of their patients. There are many such people who have woven themselves into the fabric of our society, yet most of us don’t even notice or recognize them. They have become all but invisible to us, and whenever I come across someone like this, it is both inspiring and humbling.

Jennifer Pastiloff: I teach many of my classes to the theme of gratitude. If you could say thank you right now to one person who would it be?

Anita Moorjani: This one is easy – it would have to be Dr. Wayne Dyer! You would not be interviewing me right now if it weren’t for him, and I am so grateful to him for believing that everyone needs to hear my message and giving me the opportunity to share my message with the world! He has been such a huge support in getting my book published and out there, and the universe could not have conspired to bring me to the attention of a better or more suitable person than Wayne

Jennifer Pastiloff: What is one message you would pass on right now to someone looking to manifest their best selves? Especially after seeing you in Pasadena with Dr. Dyer and hearing what you went through, I know that your message is one that is very important for us.

Anita Moorjani: My message is very simple – JUST BE YOURSELF! Always be true to yourself, and you will attract what is truly yours! There is nothing more to it than that, really. The more we try to be someone we are not, the more we are pushing away what we truly deserve.

The only reason we deny our own truth is out of fear – fear that who we are is not deserving, not good enough or inadequate in some way. This fear will push away what we truly deserve. All we need to do is to be our self fearlessly, and we will attract what is truly ours!

Jennifer Pastiloff: Tell us about your journey with Dr. Wayne Dyer, who is also a guest on The Manifestation Q&A Series, and happens to be my greatest teacher.

Anita Moorjani: This was an amazing, and synchronistic journey, which I have written about in great detail in my book. Wayne discovered my story – which was brought to his attention by a lovely lady named Mira Kelley – at the exact moment when I was ready to share my story with a broader audience. After reading my story, which Mira printed off the internet to show him, Wayne felt compelled to track me down and help me publish a book on my story. It took a staggering amount of synchronicities for my story to reach Wayne’s hands, and finally become a published book, in such a short frame of time!

Jennifer Pastiloff: What brings you the most joy? Your joy list, as it were.

Anita Moorjani: Seeing others helped by my story! Nothing makes me happier than for others to feel that hearing of my experience has helped them in some way to heal their hearts. It makes my journey through cancer so much more worth while. I don’t want others to suffer the way I did, and hope I went through what I did so others won’t have to!

Jennifer Pastiloff: What are you manifesting for 2012?

Anita Moorjani: I am hoping that together, we can manifest a world without irrational fears! Although I understand that some fears may be healthy, as they may keep us safe from harm. But as a race of people, we have become pathologically fearful, and it is now a serious disease that is devouring us and our planet. Fear not only feeds illnesses like cancer, and wears down our immune system, but it is also at the root of our violence and terrorism. We have become a fear-based society. Our behaviors and decisions are all based on our fears, rather than our passion or desire for a more joyful and fruitful life. Our medical systems, laws, governments, etc, are all fear based and fear driven, rather than stemming from a desire to do good for ourselves, our community, and the planet. Because of this, our emotions are constantly in a state of fear! I would love to be the catalyst that makes people aware of this, and makes people see things differently. Our only responsibility is to see it in ourselves, and change it in our own self. When we can do that, we will see the world change.

Jennifer Pastiloff: Can you tell us a little about your journey. Let’s say who you were 15 years ago as compared to now.

Anita Moorjani: 15 years ago, I was afraid of everything. I used to be a people pleaser, and would try very hard to fit in, and would be afraid to show my true feelings. I felt I had to work hard at being liked, and would not be considered a good person unless I did things to deserve it. I used to believe that I had to work harder at being more spiritual, a better person, etc. And I always felt I didn’t measure up to other people’s expectations. Now I realize that we are all spiritual, whether we realize it or not! How can we not be, as we come from spirit and return to spirit? And my only responsibility is to be myself, and if that’s my only responsibility, then I cannot fail! And if we are not being true to our selves, then the universe is deprived of who we came here to be.

I also used to be very particular about everything I ate, not because of a love for myself or a caring for my body. It was because of fear of what these foods would do to me. I was very afraid of cancer, and believed that everything caused cancer, from microwaves, barbecued foods, red meat, plastic containers, pollution, sunshine, etc. I now realize that it’s the emotions I feel about the food that has more effect on me than the food itself. I can choose to eat conventionally healthy food, and as long as I am doing it because I love my body and life, and want to live long and healthy, then that’s the effect the food will have on me. If I eat it out of fear, because I am afraid of cancer, I am just sending fear based energy through my body, regardless of whether the food is healthy or not.

Even if I eat a piece of chocolate or dessert, I eat it because I want to enjoy the sensation of eating it, and enjoy every bite.

Jennifer Pastiloff: Where can we find more of you and your book?

Anita Moorjani: My website is www.anitamoorjani.com. It is kept updated with all my latest video uploads, as well as upcoming speaking engagements.

To order my book, the best place would be Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1401937519/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=dytobeme-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1401937519

In my book, I go into a lot more detail, particularly about my illness, what emotions I feel caused it, and what emotions I feel healed it.

Jennifer Pastiloff: When was the last time you laughed at yourself?

Anita Moorjani: I think I laugh at myself all the time! My husband and my closest friends know me well enough now to know how important it is to be able to laugh at ourselves, so we do it all the time now! I am now able to laugh at myself really easily at what I used to at one time perceive as my inherent “flaws”. I laugh at my human-ness, and no longer beat myself up when I fail, goof up, can’t keep up, fall down, am criticized, and so on. I now realize that if all we have to do is be ourselves, we can’t get it wrong!

Jennifer Pastiloff: What would say say about the theme of “Forgiveness”, a big one in my classes.

Anita Moorjani: For me, this is an interesting one. My NDE has really changed my focus on forgiveness. In that NDE state, the love for myself was unconditional, and I realized that I was one with everyone.

Prior to my NDE, I used to think that I had to forgive people if I perceived they had wronged me or hurt me in some way. I now realize that there is nothing to forgive. People don’t hurt others intentionally – they only do so out of their own pain. Or when we perceive hurt where there is none intended, we are perceiving hurt out of our own pain. If I am able to love myself unconditionally, and realize that we are all One, that is, part of the same Whole, then it becomes easier to love and accept others unconditionally. And when I can do that, I realize there is nothing to forgive. If we are One, then forgiving others is the same as forgiving myself.

And when I can live from a place of total acceptance for self and unconditional love for self, it becomes much easier to live from that place of unconditional love and total acceptance for others. And when we are in that place of acceptance for all, we realize that there is nothing to forgive. Everything is as it should be.

Jennifer Pastiloff: When can we expect you back in the U.S.?

Anita Moorjani: I will be back in the US in March. I will be speaking with Wayne Dyer at the San Jose “I Can Do It” conference hosted by Hay House on March 17/18. Am really looking forward to it – to meeting all the lovely people there again! And I just love being on stage with Wayne. I just love his presence! He has such a wonderful way with his audience and his guests!

Jennifer Pastiloff: What would you say to the 16 year old Anita?

Anita Moorjani: I would say, “You are perfect the way you are! You don’t need to change for anyone else! You don’t need to feel that you have to do things to prove yourself! You are loved unconditionally. You are a perfect child of the universe, and your only purpose is to be yourself.” I would make sure that the 16 year old Anita feels that she is loved unconditionally, regardless.

Jennifer Pastiloff: I was most moved by the love of your husband. Can you share a bit about that?

Anita Moorjani: My husband has always loved me unconditionally. He really is a lovely man, and what I didn’t realize in the beginning was that all I had to do was love myself unconditionally too, and merely by doing that, I would be able to love him unconditionally as well! However, instead of just basking in his unconditional love for me, prior to my cancer, I had always felt I had to do things to make it up to him, for loving me so much! I was always trying really hard to make it up to him for loving me so much. I never realized that I just had to “be” rather than constantly focus on “doing”.

When I first got married, I had always thought that I, as a woman, would be the one to teach him about the meaning of unconditional love. But through my illness, I realized that he was the one teaching me.

My husband is my soul mate, and I am always grateful for him, and the way he cared for me through my illness. He believes that was his purpose in this life – to see me through that.

Jennifer Pastiloff: Thank you. I love you xoxoox

Anita Moorjani: Thank you, and love you too!!! xxxxxx

We recently posted this image below on our Facebook wall and it stirred up a lot of controversy, so we wanted to provide some information to clear the air. Below is the true history of the Swastika from our friends at Wikipedia.

Taken from Wikipedia: The swastika (Sanskrit: स्वस्तिक) is an equilateral cross with its arms bent at right angles, in either right-facing (卐) form in counterclockwise motion or its mirrored left-facing (卍) form in clockwise motion. Earliest archaeological evidence of swastika-shaped ornaments dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization of Ancient India as well as Classical Antiquity. Swastikas have also been used in other various ancient civilizations around the world. It remains widely used in Indian religions, specifically in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, primarily as a tantric symbol to evoke ‘shakti‘ or the sacred symbol of auspiciousness. The swastika is also a Chinese character used in East Asia representing eternity and Buddhism.

Following a brief surge of popularity in Western culture, the counter clock motion swastika was adopted as a symbol of the Nazi Party of Germany in 1920. After Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in the 1930s, a swastika was incorporated into the Nazi party flag, which was made the State Flag of Germany. As a result, the Swastika became strongly associated with Nazism and related ideologies such as Fascism and White Supremacism since the 1930s in the Western world and is now largely stigmatized. It has notably been outlawed in Germany if used as a symbol of Nazism. Many modern political extremists and Neo-Nazi groups such as the Russian National Unity use stylized swastikas or similar symbols.

What’s in a name?

The word swastika came from the Sanskrit word suastika, meaning any lucky or auspicious object, and in particular a mark made on persons and things to denote auspiciousness. It is composed of su- meaning “good, well” and asti “to be” suasti thus means “well-being.” The suffix -ka either forms a diminutive or intensifies the verbal meaning, and suastikamight thus be translated literally as “that which is associated with well-being,” corresponding to “lucky charm” or “thing that is auspicious.”

How it’s Shaped

Geometrically, the swastika can be regarded as an irregular icosagon or 20-sided polygon. The proportions of the Nazi swastika were fixed based on a 5 × 5 diagonal grid.

Characteristic is the 90° rotational symmetry and chirality, hence the absence of reflectional symmetry, and the existence of two versions of swastikas that are each others mirror image.

Archeological Record

Another early attestation is on pottery from the Samarra culture, dated to around 4000 BC. Joseph Campbell in an essay on The Neolithic-Paleolithic Contrast cites an ornament on a Late Paleolithic (10,000 BC) mammoth ivory bird figurine found near Kiev as the only known occurrence of such a symbol predating the Neolithic.

Historical Use in The East

The swastika is a historical sacred symbol both to evoke ‘Shakti’ in tantric rituals and evoke the gods for blessings in Indian religions. It first appears in the archaeological record here around[22] 2500 BC in the Indus Valley Civilization. It rose to importance in Buddhism during the Mauryan Empire and in Hinduism with the decline of Buddhism in India during the Gupta Empire. With the spread of Buddhism, the Buddhist swastika reached Tibet and China. The symbol was also introduced to Balinese Hinduism by Hindu kings. The use of the swastika by the Bön faith of Tibet, as well as later syncretic religions, such as Cao Dai of Vietnam and Falun Gong of China, can also be traced to Buddhist influence.

Read more here!

Evolution Power Yoga Hosts Largest International Fundraiser for Africa Yoga Project Studio Teams Up with Karma Warrior Clothes to Support Africa Yoga Project

Evolution Power Yoga (EPY) and Karma Warrior Clothes – invite the yoga community to join their 2^nd annual fundraising event, 108 for Africa, slated for Saturday, February 18 at EPY. 108 for Africa benefits the Africa Yoga Project (AYP), an organization dedicated to creating sustainable communities in Kenya through yoga, teacher training, and personal empowerment.

From 1-4pm, EPY teachers will join AYP instructors in Kenya (via Skype) in leading a yoga practice of 108 sun salutations. Participants must raise at least $108 to join the practice. Efforts will continue into the evening during the first ever Global Celebration Party from 7:30-10pm. The public is invited to return to EPY for entertainment, refreshments, raffles, and a silent and live auction.

All proceeds raised from 108 for Africa go to supporting AYP, which provides teacher training, financial aid, and mentor support to Kenyans so that they can lead their communities in finding personal power in their lives through the yogic principles of unity, possibility, and non-violence. “108 for Africa gives our community the opportunity make an impact that can be felt around the globe,” says EPY founder Lisa Taylor.

5 Ways to Get Involved

1. Get Sponsored for the 108 for Africa Practice
Raise a minimum of $108 by February 13th and join us for 108 sun salutations on Saturday, February 18th from 1-4pm. By coming together to practice as a community, we recognize the power within each of us to create lasting change through breath and action. Grab your participation packet at the studio or visit the 108 Practice page to download yours today.

2. Join the 108 for Africa Letter Writing Campaign
We’ll provide the campaign letter-you simply personalize and sign it. Then stamp and address the envelopes we provide you to friends, family, or anyone you can think of who might contribute to our campaign, and put them in the mail! Stop by the studio today to grab a packet and get started. (Out of town but still want to send letters? Download thecampaign letter and instructions now and contact suzi@evolutionpoweryoga.com with any questions.)

3. Attend the Global Celebration Party
On February 18th from 7:30-10pm, come by Evolution Power Yoga in Lancaster to spend an evening in honor of the Africa Yoga Project. Enjoy food, drink, entertainment, fun raffles, and silent & live auctions, including A Baptiste Art of Assisting Weekend Training with EPY’s own Lisa Taylor! No RSVP required.

4. Practice at an EPY Community Class
Donate at least $5 and practice with the Lancaster community in support of the Africa Yoga Project. All money raised is sent to AYP and supports Patrick, one of EPY’s teacher mentees.

Every Saturday
11-12pm (Lancaster)
12-1pm (York)

5. Make a Direct Donation
To reach this year’s goal, we are accepting donations in many forms. If you’d like to donate a service or item to our Global Celebration auction, contact Suzi at 717.683.6818 or suzi@evolutionpoweryoga.com to learn how.

About Evolution Power Yoga & Karma Warrior Clothes

Evolution Power Yoga is central Pa.’s premier yoga center and teacher training facility. Karma Warrior Clothes, based in Lancaster, Pa., is a yoga-inspired apparel company that donates a portion of each sale to charity. Together, they work toward bettering the world around us through the selfless service and community empowerment.

To learn more about 108 for Africa, click here

Click here to RSVP on Facebook

Take your practice with you wherever you go!

Sarah Tomson Beyer, creator of Flowmotion®, has recently launched a new app that allows you to practice her signature style wherever you are.

This App serves the modern day yogi who is on the go (isn’t that all of us?!)

Many of us are on the road or busy with life + do not always have time for a visit to an actual studio for class.  This App offers creative + useful tools for a personal practice wherever you are.

The sequences offered are terrific warm-ups for a longer yoga practice (or other sporty activities…skiing, swimming, stand up paddling…you name it) or for the yogi who only has 15 minutes on their mat that day.

The instruction is designed to be learned + then repeated on your own. So, once you learn the sequences; you can practice them at your own pace + to your favorite tunes.

3 Flowmotion Sun Salutes are offered:

Each Sun Salute is offered once on the Right side + once on the Left side.  Begin by practicing Sun Salute A, 1-3x.  If you feel great, progressively work towards 6-9x.  The same applies to Sun Salutes B + C.  After you are comfortable with the movement patterns, try to relax into the flow + move in a way that feels authentic to you.

Each sequence can be practiced slow (for a more nurturing, flexibility based, grounding practice) or fast (for an element of cardio, strengthening, to move stagnant energy + let your hair down!)

Whatever the pace + as with any yoga practice; nothing should hurt, you should listen to your body + honor any limitations you might have.

A suggested (optional) playlist is also included in the description - http://c.itunes.apple.com/us/imix/flowmotion-yoga-app/id487952325

For example, track 1 ‘Sleep Tonight’ offers a good pace for Sun Salute A. Track 2 ‘One Day’ flows at a good pace for Sun Salute B. Track 3 ‘Tower Twenty-Three’ works for Sun Salute C.

Sarah is the creator of Flowmotion® and the founder of the fresh apparel line, meSheeky®. As an internationally acclaimed yoga teacher, Sarah offers a progressive approach to flow yoga. Her practice serves the modern-day yogi and encourages creative expression for coloring outside the lines. By infusing a specialized soundtrack, Flowmotion® uncovers each student’s dynamic and inherent rhythms while empowering innovative continuous sequencing. With a background in dance and athletics, a Master’s in Physical Therapy, and two Yoga Journal covers under her belt, Sarah creates an open space that allows her students to express their own flow. She is based in Park City, Utah.

www.flowmotionstyle.com

Customer Reviews

Click here to learn more and to purchase today!

Have you ever wondered what past Yoga Masters and Teachers would say if they see how the Internet is changing the way we teach and bring yoga to the world? I have.

I can understand and appreciate the importance and magic of having a teacher transmit the information to you directly after years of studies. Keeping sacred texts safe and secured so its teachings would not be diluted. The image of students dedicating hours and years of their lives to serve and follow a teacher or guru, so they can obtain knowledge, wisdom and inner peace is fascinating to me. I believe that having that personal connection and feeling of unity was and still is a gift of its own.

I can also appreciate how some things have changed in today’s world. Even though some of us still strive to find a teacher and guru that would guide us in our personal quest for wisdom and inner peace, thanks to the web; many of us have endless information at the tip of our fingers. We can easily access information about yoga, different schools and lineages, meditation techniques, pictures and meanings of mudras and the list goes on. We can even read the Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita online. Of course this does not replace the guidance of a teacher, but it sure helps to support anyone’s efforts during their personal growth.

Thanks to the web and social media, the way we teach yoga and practice together is even changing. I never imagined that people across the globe could come together and practice yoga from the comfort of their homes. Sounds crazy right? Well think again.

Recently, I joined a new online movement that is bringing yoga and other health and wellness classes to everyone across the globe. What is fascinating to me is that now the possibilities are endless. This new way to connect with like-minded people has changed the way I can now teach and practice yoga LIVE with anyone in the world.

My goal has always been to inspire others and to make a difference in people’s lives and the world in a daily bases. I feel that I am doing that with my daily local classes and trainings but I never imagined that the key word “WORLD” would bring this new concept into my life. The fact that we can see each other, talk and interact using our computers as we practice yoga is something remarkable.

I still love having that human contact, going to yoga classes and studying with my teacher but I also embrace the opportunity to reach new heights in my teachings and thanks to the advances in technology the SKY is the limit!

I would love to see you in cyberspace and practice yoga together. You can come to my online live classes or watch the recordings later at www.learnitlive.com/adrikyser. Learn it live is offering a free Health and wellness symposium February 20^th -26^th and we would love to have you there. I will be teaching a Special Class “Cultivating Awareness to Bring Balance in your Life” on Feb 24^th at 7 pm EST. I hope to see you there.