another casualty of the slowing economy...

this update came in earlier today from mark at mark blanchard's power yoga regarding his studio in brentwood. it's sad to see this place close down, especially since mark put so much time and effort into making the westside branch a beautiful space (including doing all he could to protect the students in the classroom from the noise and odors from the restaurant next door!). at least the valley location will still be there for all his power yoga junkies...

To our Brentwood Yoga Family:

It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the closing of our Brentwood studio on Thursday, May 15th. The last day of classes will be May 14th.

We have struggled to keep up with the exorbitant rent increases and a slowing economy. Our efforts to have the rent reduced did not produce any results. This is in addition to the inability of the landlord to maintain the facility at the high standards and conditions that we need to furnish a healthy and clean environment for all of you. So, it’s just not feasible for this location to remain open.

The Studio City location is going strong (as it has been for 12+ years) and will be there to welcome all of your warm faces. As always, your series and classes can be used there. In fact, as a way of thanking you for your loyalty, for those who are not students at our Studio City location, we will double your remaining classes from Brentwood. For example, if you have 2 weeks remaining on your Month series, you will then have 4 weeks.

To all students who have remaining classes and cannot ever make it to Studio City, we will do our best to give you a refund for your remaining classes in a timely manner. Or, if you wish, you can have a store credit for the remaining value of your series. An even better option would be to give your classes to a friend or family member - remember the remaining classes will be doubled.

I plan to be teaching again on the Westside in June. I currently have three locations in mind to teach at in Beverly Hills. I will hopefully be bringing some of our instructors with me. In the meantime, we will let you know where they will be teaching on the Westside. So, please be sure we have your updated contact information.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at mark@markblanchardsyoga.com. We will keep you posted. Thank you so much for support and patience as we journey into our next chapter.

sharing our strength

once again, i've just received an email message with a friend's name on the subject line.

and once again, the news wasn't good.

it's from anthony and rebecca benenati of city yoga, and this time, i'm sharing it with all of you because there's a chance you may also know the wonderful person they're talking about...

date: May 5th, 2008
subject: Our Beloved Camilla

To the City Yoga community;

We regret to inform you all that our dear friend and colleague Camilla Bergstrom was in an accident yesterday at the Sunset Horse Stables in Hollywood.

Camilla was in the process of buying a horse and was spending some time with it on Sunday when tragedy struck. The horse spooked and her hand got caught in the rope. She has lost parts of 3 fingers of her left hand. The nature of the accident was so severe it does not allow the reattachment of those fingers. Sadly, they are gone.

She is "ok", which is to say stable. She is in the hospital and will probably be home tomorrow. Thankfully, there were no other injuries, though she will be very sore from the trauma. She went into surgery late last night and is recovering today.

Rebecca is with her now and she has some of her Swedish friends corresponding with her family in Sweden. Unfortunately, her family is not able to come over to be with her.

Some of us have known Camilla for a long time and others have just come to know her but we all have come to love her tough Swedish shell which encases one of the most compassionate, beautiful souls. In talking with her in her moments of clarity she has spoken of gratitude. Gratitude for the smallest things. Camilla has gone through a lot and she is the first to say that she is grateful for every challenge because it has taught her about herself and made her stronger.

She will need all of our strength and support in the coming weeks and months and I know we will all be grateful to give all we can. At the moment, please just hold her in your hearts and send her love. We will be sending out more information. It will include more specific things we can do to help.

One of the first things she will need is money. Fortunately, she has insurance but as is the case with most Americans, it is only disaster insurance. That means high deductibles and items not covered, not to mention her inability to work for a while. We are planning a fundraiser for her with in the coming days but you may start by sending money instead of flowers to:

Camilla Bergstrom
c/o City Yoga
7904 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 214
West Hollywood, CA 90046

ANY amount you can give will be extraordinary if we act as a community.
Please DO NOT call her cell phone. She will need time to get settled and in touch with her family since the time difference is so great and I'm sure she will be exhausted.

Thank you all in advance for your love and support of our dear friend.

In her service,
Rebecca and Anthony

update --

the first responses from the anusara community are already pouring in...

this is from marc holzman of guerilla yoga:

This Sunday, May 11 the proceeds for the Guerilla class will go to Camilla to assist her during this traumatic time. Camilla has been teaching at City Yoga for years, and I know that many of us have passed through her classes at one point or another. So whether you know Camilla or not, come on out this Sunday so that her heart will heal with our support.

Sunday, May 11th 9:15am
Hollywood Dance Center, 817 N Highland Ave, Hollywood
All classes by donation

another update --

city yoga just posted the details of their fundraiser:

We are holding a special evening of yoga and chanting to benefit our beloved teacher, friend and fellow yogi, Camilla Bergstrom. As with individuals, the true nature of communities are tested when tragedy strikes and this community has shown its strength and beauty by rallying behind our friend. It is an honor to witness and be a part of it.

Sunday, May 18th 7:00pm
City Yoga, Los Angeles
$25 donation and City Yoga will match all monies raised on this night

Come practice with Anthony Benenati and chant with Dave Stringer to raise money to help support Camilla with all her expenses. At a time like this the last thing anyone should worry about is how they are going to pay their rent or the medical bills that are starting to roll in.

There will be light food and drink compliments of Jonathan Darr and Love Catering.
There will be gift auctions too! Great stuff like massages, treatments, swag from Lululemon and more. If you are unable to attend but still want to donate you may do so directly.

There is only room for 60 so please sign up soon by calling 323.654.2125

Thank you in advance. ANY amount you can give will be extraordinary if we act as a community. Your donation will make a huge difference in Camilla's life.

saved by the drum

while checking email earlier today, this teaser on the aol website caught my eye:

Hare Krishna 12 Steps for Nolte

What's the best way to kick addiction? According to Celebitchy, Nick Nolte has turned to chanting and drum circles with Hare Krishnas to help him quit drinking -- and it's worked!

naturally, i checked the celebitchy post for the details. here are some excerpts:

Nick Nolte beats alcoholism with the help of Hare Krishna cult

Nick Nolte’s girlfriend introduced him to a strange way to stop drinking. She invited her Hare Krishna friends over to their house and they started having drum circles and chanting.

Nolte, 67, has had a lifelong battle with alcoholism. The Hare Krishna’s have come to his rescue though, and he’s found that their chanting relaxes him and helps him stay away from booze.

The Hare Krishnas, or International Society for Krishna Consciousness, are one of the most controversial cults in the world. They were exposed in huge scandals in the 1980s when it came out that children were being sexually and physically abused in their boarding schools. They’ve been accused of brainwashing young converts and turning them against their families and loved ones, forcing them to live in abject poverty as slaves to the movement.

Good for Nolte for being able to quit drinking. You wonder how much it’s going to cost Nolte in the long run if he gets involved with a cult...


the hare krishnas -- a cult?

hmmm... i spent the better part of the day with hundreds of hare krishnas last summer at the festival of the chariots on venice beach. and not one of them tried to lure me into their so-called cult. while i have to admit that chanting "hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare..." for hours on end does have a way of wiping out all stray thoughts from your brain, by no means would i consider that brainwashing.

besides, according to the iskcon website:

Devotees may accept formal initiation into the chanting of the Holy Name vowing to abstain from intoxication, gambling, illicit sexual connections and the eating of meat, fish or eggs. ISKCON members believe indulgence in the aforementioned activities disrupts physical, mental and spiritual well-being, and increases anxiety and conflict in society. At the time of initiation devotees also agree to chant a prescribed number of mantras each day.

ok, so maybe i don't really drink nor gamble, but to totally give up meat, fish, and eggs? or worse yet, not to be able to have any illicit sexual connections? what fun is that?!?

anyway, now that i've just failed the krishnas' initiation requirements, i guess i won't be drafted for drum-banging duty at LAX any time soon... thank goodness, because saffron isn't really my color... :)

may days (and nights!)

how about this for a miracle: i've actually managed to post the events for the month of may on the first day of the month! as usual, though, not everyone's published their complete schedules yet, so i'll have to keep updating this listing whenever i hear about more fun stuff...

ongoing events:

Yoga for Progressive Athletes
Rose Bowl, Pasadena (hosted by lululemon Pasadena)
Every Tuesday 6:00-7:00pm
Cost: FREE

Join us for Yoga for Progressive Athletes.
Welcome to Summer. Breakout the running shoes, buy the new swimsuits, and get ready for months of outside activity. Fun lately has become serious business. We want to shave minutes off of our 5k, increase our vertical leap for the outside jumper, some of us just want to get more tone places to tan.
Yoga for the progressive athlete is a program designed to help those ready to define their relationship and understanding of how the body moves and functions. It will be an active econstruction of gross fascia binding, novel synthesis of kinetic and isometric movement to promote muscular growth and break muscular habits, as well as integrating of breathwork for a calm meditative mind. The goals of this class are to help the participant move more efficiently and completely, increase their strength and balance, and also to look 'tight' in their trunks or bikini.
Limited "community" mats are available. Bringing your own mat is encouraged. Please dress in layers so that you may remove articles as you warm-up during the class.
CLASS WILL MEET AT THE ROSEBOWL BETWEEN GATES A&B AT THE WILL-CALL TICKET BOOTH

BodyFreedom - Experience Profound Healing Through Dance with Tarnie Fulloon
The Awareness Center, Pasadena
Every Thursday 9:00–10:30am
Cost: $97 Series of 6, $67 Series of 4, $20 Single Class

Join Tarnie Fulloon, creator of BodyFreedom, and experience her unique method of healing movement blending physical therapy, spiritual psychology and dance as a modality for self-expression and deep healing. No experience necessary!

Yoga for Runners with Steve Mackel
lululemon Pasadena, 110 W Colorado Blvd
Every Thursday 6:30-7:30pm
Cost: FREE

Join us for Runners Yoga with acclaimed ChiRunning coach Steve Mackel.
Yoga for Runners – Coach Steve Mackel works on creating overall balance, taking runners through a series of yoga poses and explains the correlations between the pose and the biomechanics of running. He also moves students through vinaysa flow series while he focuses on creating strength first and flexibility second.
*WEATHER PERMITTING. Please check the events section for further information if it is a rain day.

Devotional Chanting
Ananda Los Angeles, Santa Monica
Every Saturday 7:30-9:00pm

If you like music, either singing yourself, or sitting quietly while others make music around you, come take part in Ananda's chanting sessions (kirtan in the Sanskrit language).
The sacred sounds of chants penetrate deeply into the consciousness. They have the power to transform and uplift the soul, and to open the heart. Chanting is an excellent, easy way to lift your spirits, and revitalize yourself after a long week of work.
Yogananda and Kriyananda have written many beautiful chants in English. We also sing some traditional chants of India in Sanskrit. Melodies are simple, and usually repetitious so you can easily join in. The chants are usually accompanied by harmonium, guitar, drums and cymbals.
Some Kirtans will be dedicated to Babaji and Lord Krishna with chants, stories of these great saints, an arati, and periods of meditation.
We pull out all the stops and let the devotion flow with chanting on harmonium, guitar, drums and cymbals.
Come ready to clap, sing and let your heart open wide to God's blessings.
www.geocities.com/anandala1/ananda-la-kirtans.html

All-levels Fitness Class
lululemon Beverly Hills, 334 North Beverly Drive
Every Sunday 9:30-10:45am
Cost: FREE

Various styles of yoga, pilates, personal training, all levels - perfect for beginner, intermediate or advanced practitioners. Great for adults and teens. Check our community events listing, we do family classes too!
Weekly classes are followed by healthy snacks to refuel!
Sample some of the Los Angeles area's best instructors in a non-intimidating environment, deepen your practice with personal attention in an intimate space and practice with us!
We have community mats for our guests.
(see "other events" section below for yoga class schedule)

Community Fitness Classes
lululemon Calabasas, 4719 Commons Way
Every Sunday 9:30-10:30am
Cost: FREE

Complimentary Community Fitness classes on Sundays at 9:30 am - 10:30 am.
(see "other events" below for yoga class schedule)

Yoga on the Green
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Avenue
Every Sunday 9:30-10:30am
Cost: FREE

Rise and shine for Sunday Yoga on The Green with lululemon athletica! Classes are led by local certified instructors, all levels welcome. Healthy snacks and beverages to follow.

All-levels Yoga
lululemon Pasadena, 110 W Colorado Blvd
Every Sunday 10:00am
Cost: FREE

These classes are outside, in back of our store. We suggest you dress in layers, appropriate for the current temperature. Bring your own mat or we can provide you an awesome Lululemon mat. Just show up. No RSVP needed.
*WEATHER PERMITTING. Please check the events section for further information if it is a rain day.
(see "other events" section below for weekly class schedule)

Sunday Sunset Yoga
lululemon Santa Monica, 331 Santa Monica Blvd
Every Sunday 7:30-8:30pm
Cost: FREE

For the summer, the classes are moving outside to the bluffs overlooking the ocean (they've also moved from Tuesdays to Sundays).
This month's sunset yoga classes are courtesy of Maha Yoga!
(Teacher line-up to be announced)

Friday Night Groove Night
Yoga Groove, North Hollywood
Friday, May 2nd (1st Friday of every month) 8:00-9:15pm
Cost: Regular class

Join Karen every first Friday of the month for a Yoga Groove class. May include live music.
This month: Live music from our special guest THE BHAJAN BAND
Please check www.yogagroovestudio.com for details.

Chanting Workshop
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, Marina del Rey
Saturday, May 3rd (Every month) 4:00-6:00pm
Cost: FREE

If you love to chant or want to learn, this is your chance! Come for a relaxed afternoon of Kirtan (mantra chanting) and good company. Practice the traditional call-and-response Sivananda daily chants, experiment with rhythm, become confident to lead chants, learn new ones. It's easy, and uplifting.
Mantra chanting is the most joyful when done in a group. The awakening energy develops devotion and selfless love. These are wonderful complements to your hatha yoga practice.
www.sivananda.org/la/Chanting.htm

Kirtan in the Canyon with Andrew and Michele and Friends
Yoga Desa, Topanga
Saturday, May 3rd (1st Saturday of every month) 7:00pm

Singing these special songs with full enthusiasm is a meditation in itself and can leave you quite happy and high. See for yourself.
Call (818) 340-6088 for information.
www.artoflivingla.org/public.html

Kirtan at SMPY West
Power Yoga West, Santa Monica
Saturdays, May 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th 8:00-10:00pm
Cost: By Donation

Our instructors will hold a candlelit evening of Kirtan/Chanting every Saturday of the month. Different instructors lead each week and always on donation basis.
1st Saturday of every month, Govindas and Radha (kirtanwithgovindas.com)
2nd Saturday of every month, Travis (traviseliot.com)
3rd Saturday of every month, Andres
4th Saturday of every month, Terra and Friends (terrawellness.com)
Bring meditation cushions or blanket (no yoga mat). Wear comfy clothes.
Come sing from the deepest corner of your heart!

Kirtan with Daniel, Larry, Sarah and Friends
Rising Lotus Yoga, Sherman Oaks
Friday, May 9th (2nd Friday of every month) 8:15pm
Cost: $15 Suggested donation

Come join Daniel and many talented musical guests for a joyful evening of music, meditation, and chanting. No singing experience needed, only a willingness to open your heart to the blissful flow. Welcome the spring and the lengthening days with a flow class at 6:30 and a rocking Kirtan at 8:15.
Attend one or both. Regular class fee for class, Kirtan by donation.
Singing Kirtan has been a such a pleasure and we are building a powerful community with these regular events.

Family Yoga with Ally Hamilton
lululemon Santa Monica, 331 Santa Monica Blvd
Saturday, May 10th 11:00am
Cost: FREE

Join us for a celebration of Family with yoga, food and fun!
Ally Hamilton of Santa Monica Power Yoga wil be leading a deep, sweaty 60-minute flow class for mamas (and daddies, too!) Lots of heart and hip opening guaranteed to set you up for a beautiful weekend.
Meet us at lululemon Santa Monica and we'll walk together to the bluffs at the end of Santa Monica Blvd. We'll lay down out mats, sweat, and enjoy treats afterwards.
Don't worry about the little ones; we'll watch them.

Karma Yoga Party
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, Marina del Rey
Saturday, May 10th (Every month) 2:00pm
Cost: FREE

Karma Yoga is also important for balanced sadhana, so we are offering a separate opportunity for that. Once a month, usually the second Saturday in the month, we will be having a Karma Yoga Party - so that everyone can come and work together in the karma yoga spirit to support the center and strengthen the developing spirit of community. Projects will include cleaning, painting, computer work, filing and office work, sewing and a whole lot of other things that need doing to keep the energy of the center sattvic. For this to work properly, we need enthusiastic coordinators. We hope you will be able join us in this capacity.
2:00-6:00pm: Karma Yoga at the Center
6:00pm: We will share pizza and refreshments together
7:00pm: Saturday night at 'Om' (movie night)

FREE Community Night with Tom Jermain
City Yoga, West Hollywood
Tuesday, May 13th (2nd Tuesday of every month) 7:45pm
Cost: FREE

Practicing the "Power of Now"
Tom Jermain is presenting helpful ways and means to help you access the moment...and experience and enjoy the "Power of Now."
His community night will incorporate the teachings of Eckart Tolle's best selling book, "The Power of Now" and other writings and teachings from the Sutra's to the New Testament (with a little 'Oprah' thrown in for good and hip measure!)
The night will include:
~ guided meditation
~ guided 'clearings' (to release old resentments, anger, etc.)
~ fun and easy exercises to help you feel as good off the mat as you do on
Please R.S.V.P. by calling 323-654-2125

Kirtan (call and response chanting) with Travis Eliot, Daniel Stewart, and Friends
Santa Monica Yoga, Santa Monica
Saturday, May 24th (Every month) 8:00-9:30 PM
Cost: By Donation

Chanting with Steve Ross
Maha Yoga, Brentwood
Every month, TBA 8:00pm
Cost: A Donation for our musicians

We invite you to join us for a blissful evening of chanting.
The evening will open your heart, still your mind and lead you to a state of profound euphoria.
Wear comfortable clothing, bring a cushion to sit on and enjoy.

Join the evoLUtion with Global Green!
lululemon Santa Monica, 331 Santa Monica Blvd
Every month, TBA 7:30-9:30pm
Cost: FREE

Join the evoLUtion is a monthly event in which an inspiring guest speaker addresses current social/spiritual/environmental issues followed by a radiant, heart-opening yoga class. This is a unique opportunity to gather with your local community and learn ways to make a difference in our world through embodied spirituality and compassionate action. Participants will explore these ideas through, asana, music, and meditation.
Kia Miller will be leading us through asana and meditation during this soulful, uplifting event. Come and enjoy!
April's guest speaker is Richard Wegman of Global Green, an organization that orchestrates environmental community based projects around the world.
For more information on them visit www.globalgreen.org
This event begins at 7:30 and lasts approximately 2 hours.

Yoga For A Cause Donation Class With Laurie Searle and Molly Roemer
This month: COALITION FOR CLEANER AIR!
Liberation Yoga, Los Angeles
Every month, TBA
Cost: By Donation

Yoga For A Cause is an all levels donation based class that happens the last Sunday of each month. This program is designed and orchestrated by Laurie Searle (Founder of ewishingwell.org), Christine Burke and Ashley Albrand and will include other teachers at Liberation Yoga. Every penny donated will go to the cause of the month. These causes will range from animal rights to kids rights and everything and anything where there is the need for our support. We hope to bring some awareness and financial aid to those who need it most while offering up our spirit and energy towards the highest good - all this and a fun and healthy yoga class too! Please come join us and no donation is too small. For more information on some of the organizations that will be sponsored and for information on ewishingwell - visit www.ewishingwell.org.
THE COALITION FOR CLEAN AIR is the only statewide organization advocating exclusively for healthy air for all Californians. Since 1971, CCA has worked to restore clean air in California through advocacy, outreach and education. www.coalitionforcleanair.org

other special events:

Opening Week's events
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Avenue
Friday, May 2nd to Sunday, May 4th
Cost: FREE

lululemon athetica is celebrating our arrival in Glendale with a week of complimentary classes and events!
Join us for:
~ yoga with ambasssador Karen Russell Saturday May 3rd 8:30 to 9:30am
~ yoga with ambassador Tony Giuliano Sunday May 4th from 9:30 to 10:30am
Make sure to stop in Friday, Saturday and Sunday for live demos, snacks and more!

CONCERT with Donna Delory, Shiva Rea, + friends!
Exhale Center for Sacred Movement, Venice
Saturday, May 3rd 8:00-10:00pm
Cost: $20 in advance; $25 at the door

Donna's music is a seamless blend of east and west, a beautiful hybrid of English lyrics and devotional Sanskrit mantras set to modern melodies. Donna's voice reaches for the divine and allows her to touch the hearts of music lovers around the globe.
She will be accompanied by her hypnotic band: Cameron Stone on cello, Mark Gorman on bass, and Dave Allen on drums and percussion, and DJ Mac Quayle on keyboards.

Snatam Kaur in concert!
Golden Bridge Yoga, Hollywood
Saturday, May 3rd 8:00 pm
Cost: $25/adv; $35/day of

Join us for a wonderful evening of mantra and kirtan with Snatam, Guru Ganesha and special guests Mirabai Ceiba!

Vinyasa flow yoga with Dice
lululemon Beverly Hills, 334 North Beverly Drive
Sunday, May 4th 9:30-10:45am
Cost: FREE

Dice will lead us through a Vinyasa Flow Class. Come support this new, awesome teacher and one of our own fellow lulu's! Yeah!

Anusara-inspired yoga with Georgina Purple
lululemon Calabasas, 4719 Commons Way
Sunday, May 4th 9:30-10:30am
Cost: FREE

lululemon athletica invites you to be a part of our complimentary Sunday yoga class with ambassador Georgina Purple. Looking forward to seeing you there!

World Laughter Day Celebration at the Beach
Ocean Park Beach, 2600 Barnard Way, Santa Monica
Sunday, May 4th 11:00am-2:00pm
Cost: FREE

World Laughter Day will be celebrated all over the world and we are very excited to offer this FREE event to the community.
There is all day parking in Lot 5 South for $6 per car, or you can take the Blue Blus or the Tide Shuttle (they both stop there)
We will have a laughter session for everyone, open laughter competitions for all ages, Elmo for the children with activities, and lots of fun for all. If you have never been to World Laughter Day, you are in for a treat. Bring your friends and family to enjoy this great event!
Please bring a picnic lunch, water, hats and suncreen. Look for the balloons to find us.
Don't miss this fun and laughter-filled event!

Spring Soiree
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Avenue
Thursday, May 8th 7:00-11:00pm
Cost: FREE

Swing into Spring with lululemon athletica!
lululemon athletica is blooming in Glendale.
Join us for our grand opening celebration.
Enjoy live entertainment, hors d'oeuvres and cocktails!
RSVP to glendale-community@lululemon.com
All ages welcome.

Keshvacharya Das Kirtan/Chant Concert
The Awareness Center, Pasadena
Friday, May 9th 8:00-10:00pm
Cost: $15 paid by 5/8, $20 at the door

Keshavacharya Das’ musical and spiritual journey has led him from the pristine mountains of Switzerland, to the ancient temples and simple monasteries of India, and now to the yoga studios and ashrams tucked within America's bustling cities. Through it all, he remains a simple monk and lover of devotional chanting. He sees kirtan as a way to connect the performer and the listeners on a spiritual and artistic level, and an opportunity to create sacred space and invite others to enter into that space through the medium of sound.

Global Sound Conference 2008
Marina del Rey Marriott, Marina del Rey
Friday, May 9th thru Monday, 12th
Cost: $20 Single Workshop, $125 Day Pass, $495 Conference Pass
Time is running out and prices will increase at the door: www.globalsoundconference.com

The Global Sound Conference is a unique event that will bring together key individuals from the Music, Film and Television industries with Pioneers in the areas of Wellness, Sound Healing, and Integrative Medicine to explore the many ways that sound affects our lives.
Contributing to the event is an amazing lineup of Doctors, Scientists, Musicians, and Media Visionaries who will address the various components of Sound including Health, Science, Entertainment, and Technology.
Presenters: Sheila Chandra, Stanley Jordan, Rickie Byars Beckwith & Agape International Choir, Yungchen Lhamo & Greg Ellis, Shiva Rea, Steven Halpern, Jonathan Goldman, Fabien Maman, Dr. Patrick Flanagan.
~ FREE Exhibits!
~ FREE Music!
~ FREE Kids 12 & Under
~ FREE Wellness Center & Bookstore

WorldFest 2008
Woodley Park, Encino
Saturday, May 10th 10:00am-6:30pm
Cost: $7, Kids under 12 FREE!

The WorldFest 2008 Earth Day Festival will be held on Saturday, May 10th, 2008, from 10 am to 6:30 pm, at the beautiful outdoor setting of Woodley Park in Encino, CA.
We will welcome our attendees to a magnificent day filled with entertainment, education and enlightenment. The combination of great music, empowering speakers, environmental, humanitarian and animal welfare non-profits, kid's activities and an delicious food court make for an earth-friendly experience that is sure to be inspiring and enjoyable for all.
Here's What's Happening at WorldFest this Year:
Main Stage - bigger-name bands and celebrity speakers.
Earth Lounge - singer/songwriters, jazz, rock, funk, and world music groups and poets.
EcoTent - speakers, discussions, and displays about sustainable living and current environmental issues
Healthy Hut - speakers, discussions, and displays about health including yoga, meditation, and cooking demos.
Exhibitors - over 100 companies showcasing their products and organizations.
Kids' World - storytelling, face painting, and children's entertainers and other activities!
Oasis Beer and Wine Garden - Refresh yourself in the Oasis located near the Main Stage!
Animal Adoptions - dogs, cats, rabbits and lots of animals looking for good homes!

Howard Wills with special guest, Steve Ross
Golden Bridge Yoga, Hollywood
Saturday, May 10th 7:00-9:30 pm
Cost: $30/adv or $40/day of

Come to a beautiful gathering of Love, Kirtan, Healing and expansion of Consciousness – An evening to raise the bar on the happiness & joy factor in our lives! This rare event is expressly for all of you who wish to join us. Come experience inspirational healing, the art of effective prayer, supreme bliss & love for all life!!!
For 34 years, Howard Wills has been sharing spiritual insights and knowledge on healing, consciousness and love. Howard works with people from all over the world and has witnessed marvelous and miraculous transformations – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
Steve Ross has practiced various styles of yoga for his entire adult life and has been an instructor and Kirtan leader for over twenty years. He has explored the physical aspects of yoga as well as the spiritual and philosophical roots of yoga. He spent four years as a monk in the Vedic tradition, and since that time, he has ceaselessly sought out and reveled in the presence of some of the most notable masters of our time. Steve’s events are ecstatic.

MOTHER’S DAY – Free Class for Mom
The Awareness Center, Pasadena
Sunday, May 11th 9:30am, 5:30pm, and 7:00pm classes
Cost: FREE

Kids of all ages, come to class and bring your mom for FREE!

Restorative Yoga Class for all those Mothers that need a break!
lululemon South Bay, 2008A East Park Place
Sunday, May 11th 9:30am
Cost: FREE

Join Catherine Luna of Harmony Yoga in Redondo Beach/Yoga Works for a yin/restorative yoga class. Bring your mothers too!

Power Vinyasa with Regina Peluso
lululemon Beverly Hills, 334 North Beverly Drive
Sunday, May 11th 9:30-10:45am
Cost: FREE

Certified and Insured Regina has been teaching students in New York and Los Angeles for numerous years. She has studied with Dharma Mittra, Shiva Rea, Pattabi Jois, Lauren Hanna, Max Strom, Ana Forrest, among others. She specializes in strong Vinyasa Flow, but has experience teaching Hatha, Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Restorative practice as well. She holds a BFA in Theatre with a minor in Dance from The Boston Conservatory of Music, providing a strong background in anatomy and injury prevention.

Special Mother's Day Class: Partner Yoga and Thai/Shiatsu Massage with Alicia Johnson
Yoga Loft, Manhattan Beach
Sunday, May 11th 10:15am-12:00pm
Cost: $49 per pair (includes post-class mimosas on the balcony!)

Join our very-missed former Loft instructor Alicia Johnson for this soothing, playful Mother's Day treat! Bring your mother, daughter, son, significant other, best friend--anyone is welcome--for a morning of partner stretches, trust-building partner postures, and relaxing hands-on massage techniques and adjustments.

Restorative yoga with Stefan Storace
lululemon Calabasas, 4719 Commons Way
Wednesday, May 14th 7:30-8:30pm
Cost: FREE

lululemon athletica invites you to be a part of our complimentary Wednesday night yoga class with our NEW ambassador Stefan Storace. Relax, unwind and rejuvenate with a special Wednesday night Restorative class with Stefan.
Restorative Yoga is a series of poses, which are supported through the use of bolsters, blankets, and pillows. The body can he held in each pose without having to exert any effort, creating a deeply healing and meditative experience. This class opens the body's energy channels to stimulate, soothe and relive the effects of chronic stress. Therapeutic and relaxing experiences that will leave you in complete bliss.

Larisa Stow and Shakti Tribe Performing Live with Shantala Kirtan/Chant Concert
The Awareness Center, Pasadena
Friday, May 16th, 8:00-10:00pm
Cost: $15 paid by 5/15, $20 at the door

Larisa Stow and Shakti Tribe: With nominations for album of the year and best vocal album for 2007, by the New Age reporter charts, Larisa Stow and Shakti Tribe are ushering in a new era in music, sure to ignite your soul fire with their East meets West mix of chant, mantra and uplifting songs focused on themes of peace, hope and love.
Shantala: Benjy and Heather Wertheimer lead Kirtan worldwide, bringing sacred lyrics, soul stirring vocals and exotic instrumentation. The weaving of Benjy’s Indian classical singing and Heather’s soaring vocals is fresh, original and profoundly moving.

Detox Yoga: Spring Cleaning with Sara Ivanhoe!
Yoga Works Montana, Santa Monica
Saturday and Sunday, May 17th and 18th 1:30-4:30pm
Cost: Full Weekend $100, Saturday $60, Sunday $60

Spring cleaning for your mind, body and soul!
Join Sara for this special weekend event to drop what you don’t need. Reaffirm your commitment to your Self with a physical, emotional and spiritual detoxification.
Through a series of specially designed vinyasa flow and restorative sequences, breathing techniques and mudras, you will improve your circulation, stimulate your digestion, soothe your nervous system, and emerge from the weekend feeling serene and refreshed.

Harmonium and Kirtan Workship with the Temple Bhajan Band
Free Spirit Yoga, Long Beach
Saturday, May 17th 6:30pm
Cost: $30 donation, vegetarian dinner included

We will learn to play the harmonium. Some of us have always wanted to try playing one of these. This night we will get the chance and also learn to sing with it. We guarantee you will learn to play 5 songs. This is going to be a very fun evening.

Yoga Trance Dance
Your Neighborhood Studio, Culver City
Saturday, May 17th 7:00-9:00pm
Cost: By Donation

YNS will be hosting a donation-based Yoga Trance Dance event.
Yoga Trance Dance is a fun, liberating, spiritual dance bringing the best of Yoga and Dance together. Warm up with fluid yoga movements that evolve into a wild, free-form ecstatic dance, followed by meditation and savasana. The evening will be led by Stephanie Brail who has trained with the world-famous creator of Yoga Trance Dance, Shiva Rea.

Kirtan with AMBE
Shakti's Elements, 717 Broadway, Santa Monica
Saturday, May 17th 7:30pm
Cost: $15 (YogiMilan members), $20 (non-members) www.yogimilan.com

Please join us for another wonderful evening of singing and chanting with AMBE!
Ambe is a kirtan band from Los Angeles, consisting of Kamini Natarajan, Andrew Behla, Dean Childers, Dahveed Estrada, and Harrison Ellison. By using traditional instruments - dhotar, tanpura, and harmonium along with percussion - Ambe weaves an organic sound that allows the call and response chanting to be fully supported. New compositions as well as traditional chants give a variety to the experience of diving back into the silence of the Self.
Founding member Andrew Behla explains, "Chanting in Sanskrit has an incredible effect on the consciousness when done with 100% enthusiasm. It's like charging your batteries while having fun at the same time! Also, the chants are constantly evolving and anyone can join in. All you need is a YES mind and the heart will follow!"

Marla Leigh's Rhythms in Peace Fundraising Concert
BONSORTE STUDIO, 2401 Lincoln Blvd, Venice
Saturday, May 17th 8:00pm
Cost: $20 presale, $25 door

Support Sacred World Music, Dance, Celebrate Life in Rhythm
With Marla's eclectic world music ensemble, Rhythmjuju
Special guests: Saul David Raye (meditation), Suzanne Sterling and Suzanne Teng (music guests)
Plus: Silent auction, conscious treats, slide show/video of sacred music of Morocco and much more.
Rhythms in Peace is a landmark, global sound healing CD and DVD project that brings together Grammy-winning artists and other world class musicians with tribal music groups from across the globe. Some proceeds from this project will go to aid women's sacred music groups in developing countries (Morocco and Egypt). We are currently fundraising for the first phase of the project where we will to go to Morocco in September 2008, to record with the Houyarites, a trance healing women's drumming/vocal group, as well as with Gnawa and Berber musicians.
http://www.marlaleigh.com/

FUNK UP THE FREQUENCY FIELD
Santa Monica Yoga, Santa Monica
Saturday, May 17th 8:30pm-12:30am
Cost: $11 www.loveastruth.com

A sound healing meditation with color therapy, and splashes of yoga and qi gong, followed by a conscious dance experience... On the "A" Vibe
The Love is Truth Experience
Ancient esoteric widsom and cutting edge technology come alive with the use of specific sounds, colors, and light. Awaken as we blend yoga, sound, meditation, color, Qi Gong, Kirtan, and dance to live groove music and celebrate our sacred lives.
8:30 to 10:00 Fusion of meditation, color therapy, qi gong, yoga and sound healing
10:00 to 11:00 Live sounds of the funk, sensual, drumming, and electronica as space for free form dance, movement, and stretching or chilling
11:00 to 12:30 A short Kirtan followed by raw food and more DJ/live music and dance

All levels Flow Yoga with Ambassador Bonnie Johanson!
lululemon South Bay, 2008A East Park Place
Sunday, May 18th 9:30am
Cost: FREE

Join ambassador Bonnie Johanson for a light-hearted view on the basics of yoga (intention, breath & movement, base postures) in an all levels flow class.

Kids' Yoga class with Tracy Dardick
lululemon Calabasas, 4719 Commons Way
Sunday, May 18th 9:30-10:30am
Cost: FREE

All kids over the age of 6 welcome to join for our yoga class designed especially for you! Don't miss this special event!

Kirtan with David Newman!
Exhale Center for Sacred Movement, Venice
Sunday, May 18th 8:00-10:00pm
Cost: $15 in advance; $20 day of

Join us for an inspired evening of call and response chanting and devotional music with Kirtan Chant artist David Newman also known as Durga Das! David’s distinctive approach to Kirtan embodies a heartfelt devotional mysticism with an adventurous musicality and poetic intimacy. His Kirtans are a joyous and spiritually uplifting journey into bliss! David will be joined by vocalist and percussionist Mira.

Yoga with Chandra Gero
lululemon Calabasas, 4719 Commons Way
Sunday, May 25th 9:30-10:30pm
Cost: FREE

Complimentary in-store yoga with lululemon ambassador Chandra Gero.

Beach Boot Camp!
On the Beach at Rosecrans, Manhattan Beach (hosted by lululemon South Bay)
Sunday, May 25th 9:30am
Cost: FREE

Join us for a Beach Fitness Boot Camp 'Powered by superSTAR FITNESS' on the beach at Rosecrans in MB.
Designed for ALL fitness levels - Lose fat, tone & sculpt, reduce stress, connect to others, live healthy and have FUN getting in the best shape of your life! Total Body Fitness to include: core/functional training, cardio conditioning, flexibility enhancement, body sculpting, toning and muscular strength and endurance.

Anusara-inspired yoga with Georgina Purple
lululemon Calabasas, 4719 Commons Way
Wednesday, May 28th 7:00-8:00pm
Location: lululemon Calabasas
Cost: FREE

lululemon will be hosting a Wednesday evening Anusara-inspired yoga class with Georgina Purple. We invite you to join us for an evening of therapeutic yoga.

Yoga to Lift Your Spirit with David Lynch
Yoga Works Westwood, Los Angeles
Friday, May 30th 7:30-9:30pm
Cost: $25

Come and spend an evening of uplifting Yoga asana meant to free the body, heart and mind. Immerse yourself in the joys of two hours of Yoga that will transport you to the heights of spiritual ecstasy. Share a night of Yoga and music illuminated with the glowing embers of candlelight followed by delectable sweets and spirits (baked with love by Mr. Lynch). Mingle with Yogis who share your passion for Sun Salutations, twists, backbends, heart openers and the need to banish the blues with the power of vinyasa flow. As one of David's students so beautifully put it; "If only there was a single word to describe how inspirational his teaching can be I would shout it to the world!"

breathe your way to beauty with Natalie Lawrence
Yoga Works South Bay, El Segundo
Saturday, May 31st 2:00-4:00pm
Cost: $35 per person by 5/20, $45 after

Join Origins and YogaWorks for a special two-hour workshop dedicated to getting your body (and mind) ready for summer. Learn Ayurvedic yoga poses from certified instructors to help cleanse, detox and cool your body during the sunny season. Origins Guides will share with you healthy tips and techniques for smooth, sexy summer skin, as well as the many benefits of using organics.
Plus you’ll also receive FREE full-size Origins Organics products, a two-week membership to Yogaworks and other surprises!

Classical Indian Music with Dabasish Chaudhuri (tablas) and friends
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, Marina del Rey
Saturday, May 31st 4:30pm
Cost: $25 for workshop (includes dinner), $15 for performance

4:30pm - Tablas and Instrumental workshop
6:00pm - Dinner
7:00pm - Classical North Indian music performance

meet the love guru!

i just received something from the folks at iced media -- a link to the youtube trailer of mike myers' upcoming movie: the love guru. scheduled for a june 20th release, the movie features myers as his holiness guru pitka, the "second best guru in india":

Guru Pitka (Mike Myers) is an American who was left at the gates of an ashram in India as a child and raised by gurus. He moves back to the U.S. to seek fame and fortune in the world of self-help and spirituality. His unorthodox methods are put to the test when he must settle a rift between Toronto Maple Leafs star hockey player Darren Roanoke (Romany Malco) and his estranged wife. After the split, Roanoke's wife starts dating LA Kings star Jacques Grande (Justin Timberlake) out of revenge, sending her husband into a major professional skid -- to the horror of the team's owner Jane Bullard (Jessica Alba) and Coach Cherkov (Verne Troyer). Pitka must return the couple to marital nirvana and get Roanoke back on his game so the team can break the 40-year-old "Bullard Curse" and win the Stanley Cup.

leave it to mike myers to mash up a practice that espouses ahimsa, or non-violence, with a sport that gets exciting only when players start throwing punches!

since most of my pocket money goes to paying for yoga classes, i might actually skip a class and use the cash to pay to see the movie when it comes out... after all, listening to this wise guru will expand what i already know about yoga, right? :)

you can find all kinds of fun links to guru pitka, including his mini sutra videos, his words of wisdom, his myspace page, and much more, at the movie's website: thelovegurumovie.com

enjoy!