go fourth and yogify!

(my apologies for the title of this post; due to the late hour, i think i started to get a bit loopy... )

earlier this week, i received the following invite from the santa monica chapter of the LA bike coalition:

What: 3rd Annual Santa Monica Fourth of July Parade
When: Saturday, July 4th, 2009, 9:00 AM Check-in; Parade starts at 9:30 AM
Where: Meet up at Santa Monica Civic Center
Why: Greenpeace LA invites the cycling community to join them as they march under the theme of "Saving the Climate is Patriotic!"
What to bring: Water, sunscreen, your bike and yourself decorated as a patriotic symbol of sustainable transportation.
NOTE: Each rider will need to bring a signed waiver at the parade check-in, under 18 require a parents signature. No waiver, no participation.

my first response was to reply immediately with a YES! after all, why wouldn't i want to participate in a 4th of july parade on my bicycle?

but then i realized that with the shortened holiday schedules at many of the yoga studios, it might mean my missing out on a chance to take a yoga class that day... hmmm...

luckily, after checking the holiday schedules, it looks like i have a few 12:30ish class options located right by the parade route. so not only will i be able to be patriotic on my bike, but i'll also be able to celebrate the day on my yoga mat, too!

so here are the holiday schedules i've found so far. if your favorite yoga studio is missing from this list, please feel free to send their information to me so i can add it in... thanks!

the absolute yoga and pilates studio, woodland hills
We will be closed on Saturday July4th and Sunday July 5th, 2009

alive & well, hermosa beach
Closed for Independence Day

angel city yoga, studio city
Saturday, July 4th Schedule:
All Levels Vinyasa Yoga 8:30-9:55am with Stephanie Hechtman
Easier Yoga 10:00-11:15am with Shosha Bottoms
All Levels Iyengar Yoga 11:30-1:00pm with Marta Jasberg
All Levels Yoga Iyengar Style 1:00-2:30pm with Kelli Fish

awareness center, pasadena
OPEN FOR REGULAR CLASSES July 4th, INDEPENDENCE DAY!

beach yoga with brad keimach, santa monica
We will be there as always, so mark your calendar!
Every Saturday and Sunday, 10:30-12 - Walk up Marine Street, which becomes Barnard Way. Keep walking all the way to the water's edge, by lifeguard station #29. By donation.

black dog yoga, sherman oaks
We will be open on Saturday July 4th, but will be having an abbreviated holiday schedule:
8:30a - 9:25a Core Yoga Flow Tracy Haywood
9:00a - 10:25a Gentle Yoga Georgina O'Farrill
9:30a - 11:00a Hatha Flow II * Peter Barnett
10:30a - 12:00p Complete Breath Yoga Flow John Sahakian
11:15a - 12:45p Hatha Flow I Hanna Gilan

city yoga, west hollywood
Saturday, July 4th:
7:00 am 11th Step w/Abbie B.
8:30 am Basics w/ Anthony Benenati
9:00 am Advanced w/ Rebecca Benenati
10:30am Mixed w/ Camilla Bergstrom *last class of the day

earth's power yoga, los angeles
Open on 4th of July one 10:30 am class. Friday 7:30 pm cancelled.

exhale center for sacred movement, venice
Join us for the following class line up on July 4th:
9am Micheline Berry Level 2/3
9:15am Kerianne Telford Level 1/2
10:30am Jason Frahm Level 2/3
11am Steven Espinosa Level 1
12:30pm Ashley Turner Level 1/2
12:45pm Brad Keimach Level 2/3

free spirit yoga, long beach
JULY 4TH ALL MORNING CLASSES ARE SCHEDULED.... CORE YOGA 4:30PM IS CANCELED

glendale yoga, glendale
Saturday July 4th - There will be one all levels class, 10:00 - 11:30 am, taught by Laura

golden bridge yoga, hollywood
Saturday, July 4th 9:30am - Serpent Energy of Light with Gurmukh, Tej & Gurushabd
This will be the only class offered on this day - all other Saturday classes are cancelled

guerilla yoga, hollywood
Just an important reminder that the *Practice* will be canceled this upcoming Friday July 3 for the holiday.

the hub, west los angeles
Regularly scheduled classes will still be held over the weekend

inner power yoga, calabasas
Saturday July 4th - Only two morning classes scheduled:
9:00-10:30 am with Michael & 10:00-11:30 am with Jonathan

iyengar yoga institute, los angeles
Holiday Schedule: July 4th
All levels from 9:30-11am with Marla Apt.
All other classes are canceled that day, the normal schedule resumes Sunday, July 5.

karen shuman's beyond yoga, sherman oaks
Saturday July 4th - The only class for the day will be:
Dario 11-12:30pm Hatha Flow
**Also, the Sunday Pre-Natal class has been canceled for July 5th. It will resume the following Sunday. All other classes will be open on the 5th!!!

karuna yoga, los feliz
July 4th Classes - Morning classes are scheduled:
8:00am Hatha Flow - Kelly
9:30am Hatha - Patty
11:00am Hatha/Kundalini - Robyn

liberation yoga, los angeles
SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY JULY 4th:
10am-12pm - Flow 2-3 with Claudia Fucigna // 12pm-1:30pm - Level 1 with Lynn Taylor // That's it - then it's time for veggie dogs!
THERE WILL BE NO FAMILY YOGA ON SUNDAY THE 5TH!!!

lyfe yoga center, hermosa beach
July 4th Schedule:
8:00am Power Hour 1/2
9:10am Yoga For Beginners
10:35am Iyengar - All Levels

rising lotus yoga, sherman oaks
Holiday Schedule:
7:30 am - Mixed Level Flow w/ Elinore
9:00 am - 1/2 w/ Claire
9:30am - Easy Does It w/ Karen
10:30am - Mixed Level Flow w/ Claire

santa monica yoga, santa monica
We will be closed Saturday July 4

silver lake yoga, silverlake
THE ONLY CLASSES ON JULY 4 WILL BE:
9:30 am Mixed levels II class taught by Caroline Cardino in studio 1
10 a.m. Prenatal class in studio 2 taught by Danielle
11:30 a.m. Beginners class taught by Jonathan studio 1
All other classes will be canceled.

studio surya yoga, venice
We will be closed on July 4th in observance of the holiday.

swerve, los angeles (only yoga classes listed; other classes available)
Friday July 3rd:
7:30am Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Kate Duyn
12:30 pm Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Kate Duyn
Saturday, July 4th:
10:00 am Yoga Booty Ballet *Team Taught by Teigh & Gillian*

u studio yoga, los angeles
5:30pm Friday, July 3rd --Andrea's back!!!!!!!
10:30am Saturday July 4th -- Andrea
10:30am Sunday July 5th -- Andrea

urth yoga, silverlake
SATURDAY JULY 4th - We will have our regular class schedule:
8:30am Gabe 10:30am Rachel 12:30pm Billy 4:30pm Scott

YAS, venice
WE ARE OPEN ON JULY 4TH
YOGA for ATHLETES®
7:00am-All Levels-Myrna
8:30am-Level 1-2-Denis
10:00am-All Levels-Kimberly Fowler

YRG with diamond dallas page, playa vista
This Saturday, July 4th, is going to be beautiful so come on down for some YRG at the Sports Park! FREE!
10-am at Playa Vista Sports Park, 13212 Bluff Creek Drive

yoga blend, burbank
Saturday, July 4th Schedule
8:15am-9:30am Level 1 with Heather
9:45am-11:00am Yoga Stretch with Susan Q
10:00am-11:30am Level 1-2 with Keric
11:45am-1:00pm Level 1-2 with David
All other classes are CANCELLED!
Studio Closes at 1pm following Level 1-2 class.
Our regular schedule resumes Sunday, July 5th.

yoga circle downtown, los angeles
Fourth of July Weekend:
Closed Saturday July 4
Sunday July 5, 10:30am only

yoga darsana, alhambra
Studio closed on Independence Day

yoga groove, north hollywood
There will be only one class on July 4th!! Come join us for an all levels 10:00 am class to celebrate Independence day!

yogahop, santa monica
Friday, July 03
9:15AM - 10:45AM Level 2/3+ - Jennifer Moore
1:00PM - 2:00PM Cancelled - Cancelled
6:00PM - 7:30PM Cancelled - Cancelled
Saturday, July 04
6:55AM - 7:55AM Level 2/3 - Jennifer Moore
8:15AM - 9:45AM Summit 2/3+ - Matthew Reyes
10:00AM - 11:30AM Summit 2/3 - Matthew Reyes
4:00PM - 5:30PM Cancelled - Cancelled
5:40PM - 7:10PM Cancelled - Cancelled
Sunday, July 05
8:15AM - 9:15AM Summit 2/3+ - Matthew Reyes
9:30AM - 10:30AM Summit 2/3+ - Marko King
4:00PM - 5:30PM Summit 2/3 - Kourtney Kaas
5:40PM - 6:40PM Cancelled - Cancelled

yoga kingdom sanctuary, pasadena
Remember this Saturday July 4th we will have only 2 classes in the morning 8:00 am taught by Naader and 8:45 am taught by Maria, that would be it for this 4th of july.

yoga loft, manhattan beach
Friday, July 3: All Regular Classes will be held
Saturday, July 4:
9:00-10:00am Level 2/3 with Genevieve Fischer
10:15am-11:15am Level 1/2 with Amy Beausang
Sunday, July 5: All Regular Classes will be held

yoga loft, woodland hills
PRACTICE YOGA JULY 4TH @ 8:30 & 10:30 am

yogi tree, toluca lake
WE ARE CLOSED FRIDAY, JULY 3 - SUNDAY, JULY 5 TO CELEBRATE THE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND!

yoga at the village, glendale
We are open as usual during the 4th of July weekend.

yoga west, los angeles
July 4th class with Gurudhan Singh!
Come for Yoga & Meditation with your Yoga West family in the only class of the day: 8:30 - 10 am
All other classes are cancelled
Regular schedule resumes on July 5th

yoga works, los angeles locations
JULY 4TH HOLIDAY SCHEDULE - Click on the location for class schedule:
Center for Yoga
Main Street
Montana Ave
Pacific Palisades
South Bay
Valencia
Westlake Village
Westwood

yoga world, long beach (downtown and los altos locations)
Both Studios will be closed for the 4th of July Holiday, but we will reopen on July 5 with our full schedule of classes

yummy yoga, los feliz
Wednesday, July 1:
7:45 PM ~ All Levels Ali Laventhol subbing for Ducky Punch
Thursday, July 2:
7:30 AM ~ Power Hour Caroline Cardino subbing for Ducky Punch
4:30 PM ~ Level 1/2 TBD subbing for Ducky Punch
6:00 PM ~ Level 2/3 Ali Laventhol subbing for Ducky Punch
Saturday, July 4:
10:30 AM ~ All Levels with Ali, only! All other classes cancelled
Sunday, July 5:
5:30 PM ~ Level 2/3 Ali Laventhol subbing for Jeff Bass

let the insanity begin!

i'm sitting on my bed, doing nothing (and thinking practically nothing). i'm taking this time to sit still and energize my batteries for the craziness that will commence in about two hours...

friday, 12:30-1:30pm: vinyasa flow level 2 class with jo tastula at yogaglo, santa monica

after class, i'll spend some time helping the mills clan get the studio all spiffed up for the summer festival later that evening, then go home to get myself all spiffed up :)


friday, 5:00-10:00pm: here comes the sun summer kick-off festival at yogaglo, santa monica

A FREE Summer kick-off festival celebrating the Yoga community, partner business and nonprofits working together for social change.

Enjoy complimentary food and cocktails, raffle prizes and a marketplace featuring local vendors who share a passion for giving back. This is more than a party; it's a chance to gather with other members of a like-minded community for networking to figure out how we can make a difference in the world and celebrate everything we are grateful for in our lives today. Let's spend our Friday night at a social gathering with purpose.

Music by the Hypnotic Gurus and DJ Drez

Friday June 26 5:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Yogaglo Studio
1800 Berkeley St., Santa Monica CA 90404


unfortunately, i'll have to bail early for my next event of the evening...

friday, 8:30pm: aretha franklin in concert at the hollywood bowl

Aretha Franklin returns to the Hollywood Bowl for the first time in 35 years! Join the queen of soul on Friday, June 26th, for an evening under the stars featuring her innumerable classic hits. Don’t miss the sizzling, gospel-charged voice that Rolling Stone declared Number One in its "100 Greatest Singers of All Time."


with luck, i'll get home by midnight so i can get a good night's rest...

saturday, 9:00am thru sunday, 9:00am: yogathon 2009! at city yoga, west hollywood

here's how those next 24 hours are going to go:

YOGATHON SCHEDULE!

9:00 – 11:00am Opening Asana: Rebecca and Anthony Benenati

11:00 – 12:30pm Asana: Noah Maze

12:30 – 2:00pm Lunch
Lunch donated by Tender Greens: Happy Vegan Salad, Chinese Chicken Salad (chicken on the side), Shrimp Ceviche with Chorizo on the side, Crostinis with olive oil, and berries for dessert

2:00 -3:00pm Keynote speaker: Pauley Perrette of CBS’s NCIS; Family Member: recipient of a house through Habitat for Humanity

3:00 – 5:00pm Thai Yoga Massage: Phoebe Diftler

5:00 – 6:30pm Asana: Tony Giuliano

6:30 – 8:30pm Dinner with Kirtan: Govindas and Radha
Dinner donated by Great India Café: Vegetable dish, Lentil Dish, Rice, Naan Bread, Chocolate Chip cookies by Stella

8:30 – 10:30pm Restorative: Sharon Skok

10:30 – 12:00am Drum Circle: Traci Dinwiddi

12:00 – 2:00am Kirtan: Daniel Stewart and friends

2:00 – 2:30am Break

2:30 – 3:00am Yoga Comedy: Carrie Snow

3:00 – 5:00am Meditation and Asana: Kristopher Nelson

5:00 – 5:30am Sunrise Comedy: Beth Lapides

5:30 – 7:30am Sunrise Asana: Anthony Benenati

7:30 – 8:00am Breakfast
Breakfast donated by Beverly Hills Juice and The Bagel Broker: A selection of juices and bagels

8:00 – 9:00am Closing with Habitat for Humanity representative, presentation of ceremonial check

Snacks donated by Whole Foods and Larabar: Energy bars and fruit.
Beverages: Coconut Water by Vita Coco, Reeds Ginger Brew, Arrowhead Water


and when that's all over, i'll have to quickly get myself back home and in bed for some quality snooze time before heading out one last time for the weekend...

sunday, 7:00pm: adele, etta james and the roots band, and janelle monáe in concert at the hollywood bowl

KCRW's World Festival - Jason Bentley, host
Grammy-winner Adele delivers heartbroken soul, blues and jazz with beguiling vocal power. Legendary vocalist Etta James returns to the Bowl, and newcomer Janelle Monáe, dubbed “the female OutKast,” opens.


insane? yes! but then again, would you expect anything less from me? :)

other ways to donate to the yogathon

i'm passing along some information i've received from the city yoga yogathon organizers. the silent auction items look extremely interesting... hmmmm....


We are only days away from Yogathon '09!
If you can't do the whole thing there are plenty of other ways to get involved.
We have all been called this year to serve, in any way we can.
Service is the backbone of a society and our yoga practice. It's time to step up.

Here's how:

1. Make a donation!
www.firstgiving.com/cityyogathon <<< or better yet, sponsor me at www.firstgiving.com/ayogist :)

2. Attend a class with the yogathoners!
$30 suggested donation for each class; contact Stacey Wiren at yogathon09@gmail.com or stop by the front desk to reserve your spot:

Saturday June 27
11:00am - 12:30pm Noah Maze' (then stay for a yummy lunch from Tender Greens for a $10 donation)
5:00pm - 6:30pm Tony Giuliano
6:30pm-8:30pm Kirtan with Govindas


3. Silent Auction beginning Wed. 24th at 6:30am and ending Friday 26th at noon!
Place your BID in person or call the studio at 323 654-2125

Yoga Bundle: A yoga starter pack from Manduka including: eko mat, strap, large mat bag, e-Qua towel, and cork block ($169 value), 3 piece winter white yoga outfit from Prana, 2 Chakra tank tops by Didi and a Yoga Private with Rebecca Benenati.
Bidding starts at $100

Art Bundle: A Painting by talented artist and City Yoga student Stephanie Bast. Stephanie's most recent shows were a triumphant Fall '08 exhibition at the wonderful GINA Gallery & Café, on the Piazza di Spagna in Rome, The C Gallery in Los Alamos, and is currently showing at The Judith Kaufman Gallery in North Hollywood. She works in acrylic on canvas. You can view her work at: www.stephaniebast.com. (Gallery Price: $1000)
This bundle also includes a beautiful necklace handmade by another talented City Yoga student, Doria Ragland.
Bidding starts at $100

Culinary Basket: Black and Decker mini food processor, cupcake pan, cookie kit from Williams Sonoma, multi colored mixing bowls, $50 gift certificate to Tender Greens & more!
Bidding starts at $75

Pamper Yourself Bundle: A gift box from Lush of Beverly Hills (all natural beauty and skincare products $50 value), $50 gift certificate for any hotel, restaurant, or nightclub in the SBE group including: SLS Hotels, Sahara Las Vegas Hotel, Katsuya, XIV-The New Michael Mina Restaurant, The Abbey, Hyde Lounge, and Area.
Bidding starts at $75

Brunch Bundle: 3 Calphalon Pans, $50 gift certificate to Cheebo, $25 gift certificate for Jinky's Cafe and a private yoga session with Stella Choe.
Bidding starts at $50

Thanks again for all your energy and support!

desperate times call for desperate measures

i'm desperate.

and in a way, my desperation is self-inflicted. i thought i'd do something crazy to raise money for a charity, and from the looks of it, no one seems impressed by my efforts. maybe it's because they know i'm always doing crazy things, so what's one more? hmph.

you see, back in february, city yoga sent out this challenge:

SAVE THE DATE FOR YOGATHON! June 27-28, 2009
ROLL OUT YOUR YOGA MAT AND OPEN YOUR HEART!

It's 6:00 am on June 28th and the sun is breaking through the arched windows of the upstairs studio. You salute the sunrise, your body buzzing with the effects of 22 hours of yoga. You are part of a community that has just raised enough money to build a house; with Yoga!

Celebrate 10 Years of City Yoga!

Give thanks for the City Yoga roof over your head and help raise a roof for a deserving family. On Saturday June 27 at 8:00 am 60 yogis will gather for 24 hours of:
~ Asana
~ Restorative
~ Meditation
~ Thai Yoga Massage
~ Chanting
~ Live Music
~ FOOD

All the rejuvenating aspects of a yoga retreat right here in town.

We are raising money for Habitat for Humanity. Any money made will go toward building a house but if we reach our goal of $100,000 then the house will be called "The House that City Yoga Built"! You know there are people in your life that would support you taking on this challenge. It's just crazy enough to work and we've proven it. The last 2 Yogathons raised $80,000.

and yes, i was one of the 60 participants at that last yogathon back in 2007. not only did i survive the 24-hour physical challenge, but i was also able to raise a decent enough amount of money for habitat for humanity -- decent enough at least to meet the minimum each of us was expected to raise at that time: $500. a few months later, i was actually able to work on that house that the yogathon helped finance. it required even more physical effort on my part, including my having to overcome my fear of heights to hammer roof studs for a good many hours, but at least i knew that my aching muscles helped build a beautiful home that a happy family now lives in.

so when i heard about this year's yogathon challenge, i jumped at the chance to build yet another home for another needy family. yes, i would push the limits of physical endurance one more time, hoping that my temporary bout of insanity would inspire people to pitch in once again.

when i signed up in april, i was told that the fundraising minimum had been raised to $750. with no job and no co-workers to rely on for support, i knew it wasn't going to be easy for me. i considered dropping out, but i knew -- and hoped -- that there were good-hearted people out there who would see the need and contribute. i also hoped that with all the fundraisers i had helped publicize and had even given money to, maybe some of the people involved would reciprocate and share the love. well, maybe...

i sent out emails to my family and close friends. some money trickled in.

i posted requests for sponsors on my facebook page. some more money trickled in.

i promised blog coverage to the yoga studios and teachers that i knew. a little more money trickled in.

and then the trickling came to a complete standstill. when i checked to see what had come in so far, a deep depression set in. after two months of begging and pleading, all i was able to raise was a measly $333. not even close to the $500 i had raised two years earlier.

so with only two days left before i place down my yoga mat at city yoga to spend 24 hours doing a variety of forms of yoga (including savasana!), it now looks like i have to make one more last-ditch attempt...

thanks to the generosity of derik mills of yogaglo (who, by the way, will be hosting THE block party of the summer in santa monica this friday, june 26th), i'm now able to offer a fabulous prize to one lucky donor:

a FREE one-year membership to yogaglo worth $216!

with this membership, you will be able to access an unlimited number of yoga classes and lectures taught by some of the best teachers in LA. you can either stream them from the yogaglo website in the comfort of your home, or if you live in the LA area, you can attend any of their in-studio classes at any time. and yes, all of this will be FREE to you for one entire year!

here's the deal:

for every $10 that you donate, you will get one entry into the drawing. only donations received on or before sunday, june 28th (the end of the yogathon) are eligible to win. the easiest way to donate is through the use of a credit card at my firstgiving page at www.firstgiving.com/ayogist. if you'd rather pay by check or cash, you can drop it off at city yoga's front desk in an envelope with "joni" written on the front.

the winner will be drawn on monday, or whenever i'm lucid enough to do the drawing :)

considering the tepid response i've received so far, your chances of winning are excellent! so please donate now... and i'm keeping my fingers crossed that you win!

the feel-good party of the summer

you're a good person.

and regardless of what others may think, deep down inside, you know you have it in you to do something good for your community. problem is, you just don't know where to start. or maybe you just need someone to give you a nudge.

here's your chance to network with other good people -- people who are equally passionate about making the world a better place. and while you're all busy schmoozing, there'll be lots of FREE food and drink and music to keep you all entertained. and raffle prizes, too!

so what's the catch, you ask?

there is none. the only requirement is that you show up, have a great time, and maybe even come away with a few new friends.

so whatever it is that you have on your calendar for next friday, cancel it. right now. because this is going to be way more fun!

Yogaglo and LA YOGA Magazine invite you to:

"Here Comes the Sun"
Friday, June 26th, 5:00-10:00 p.m.
Yogaglo Studio
1800 Berkeley St, Santa Monica, CA 90404 (near Stewart and Olympic Blvd)

A FREE Summer Kick-off festival celebrating the Yoga community, partner business and nonprofits working together for social change.

Enjoy complimentary food and cocktails, raffle prizes and a marketplace featuring local vendors who share a passion for giving back. This is more than a party; it’s a chance to gather with other members of a like-minded community for networking to figure out how we can make a difference in the world and celebrate everything we are grateful for in our lives today. Let’s spend our Friday night at a social gathering with purpose.

This event is a time for all of us to get to know each other better off the mat. Show up, or risk missing the event of the summer!


Participating Sponsors:

Aline Marie Yoga Mats
Jesse Arana
Fertile Goddess
Flowers by Mikiko Ideno
Fulfilled Pastries
Fusion Arts
GH Press
Goudas and Vines
The Grain Collective
The Green Truck
Green Yoga Association
Hard Cards
The Hill St. Meditation Center
HOPE Events
Inconvenient Bag
Karma Rescue
Kosmic Music
Life Rolls On
Lois Leonhardi
Loyola Marymount University Extension Program
lululemon athletica
Massage by Patricia
Native Foods
New Roads School
NextStep Fitness
Off the Mat into the World
One Hope Wine
Oxylent
Rebekah Vandenberg
Ria Ray
Samosa House
Safe Ride Solutions
Scent of Samadhi
Shades Hair Studio
Sky Wellness Jewelry
Soleo Organics
Surfrider Foundation
Sustainable Works
Tada! Café
Tiny Stars
Tom’s Shoes
Wells Bring Hope
Whole Foods Market Santa Monica
Vapika Spirit
Vitacoco
Y Catalog
Yoga Month
Yoga Tribe and Culture
yogitoes
and more!