i'm published!

last july, LA yoga editor felicia tomasko (whom i had met earlier this year at the SYTAR conference here in LA) contacted me about writing a news blurb for her magazine. she had found out through my blog that i had participated in city yoga's recent 24-hour yogathon; would i be interested in submitting a first-person account for the upcoming issue?

knowing that i would be a fool to let this opportunity pass me by, i immediately took her up on her offer.

a little more than a week later, after struggling to find a way to fit all my thoughts into the 150-word limit she gave me (yes, i know; i tend to be quite verbose), i sent her back the most concise version i could come up with -- all 190 words of it. but at least i turned it in before the deadline :)

well aware that my creation was probably going to be edited down, all i could do was hope that it didn't get a complete facelift. maybe just a botox shot here and there? i had to wait and see...

and now, at last, the waiting's over. i picked up a copy of the september issue at yogaworks westwood earlier this evening and, still foggy-brained after emerging from eka ekong's vinyasa flow class, i quickly flipped through its pages to see how much of my original piece survived.

and i have to say that, except for a rewrite of my opening paragraph (argh!), i'm happy with the result. not only that, but both my name and my nom de plume were spelled correctly! thanks, felicia!

since it'll take me more time to retype the published version than to just copy and paste the piece i turned in, i'm going to take the easier route and give you my original version. besides, i still think this sounds better:

City Yoga hosted its second Yogathon at its West Hollywood studio over the June 30th weekend. Organized by Rebecca Benenati, the Anusara community of students and teachers banded together for the 24-hour Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles fundraiser.

There were over fifty of us who participated in the event. From 8:00am Saturday through 8:00am Sunday, we challenged ourselves with backbends, hip openers, arm balances, and inversions, taking occasional rest breaks through restorative yoga, guided meditation, and Thai massage. Several kirtan artists dropped by to lend their support; we chanted with Govindas and Radha Saturday afternoon and rocked with Wah! and her band late into the night. Relying on humor and sheer will to keep us going past midnight, we finally surrendered to emotion and exhaustion on Sunday morning as we flowed through sun salutations to greet the rising sun and bid goodbye to the setting moon.

To date, the yogathon has raised nearly $50,000 towards the cost of a new house; in September, we will wield hammers and paint brushes to help build that home!

You can still help City Yoga meet its $100,000 goal by donating through www.firstgiving.com/cityyoga.

you've seen the video... now read the article

about a week and a half ago, someone from the new york times contacted me, asking if i or anyone i knew had ever practiced with someone as creepy/annoying/disruptive as the inappropriate yoga guy portrayed in the gopotato.tv video, namaste. i said i didn't, and as it turned out, none of the teachers i contacted nor any of those who read my post about the video could provide any anecdotes of their own, either. maybe we should all be thankful that it never happened to any of us?

anyway, there were enough "victims" in the yoga community who were able to share their accounts of yoga students hitting on other students in class (and in some cases, outside of class). so without further ado, since it's a pretty long article, i present to you:

Between Poses, a Barrage of Pickup Lines
By JOELLE HANN
Published: August 23, 2007

THE words “Do you come here often?” are not sweet nothings when you are going into final relaxation during a yoga class. Nor do most yoga practitioners welcome someone who flirts shamelessly as mats are positioned during the lull before the teacher arrives.

Now, a popular online video starring a lech named Ogden has the yoga community chuckling in recognition and talking about the problem of men who come to studios in search of phone numbers rather than enlightenment.

The comedy sketch, aptly named “Inappropriate Yoga Guy,” has racked up nearly 1.8 million views since its debut on YouTube in June — no doubt the biggest hit to date for GoPotato.tv, an online comedy network in Los Angeles, which produced the video starring Avi Rothman.

Wearing a goofy headband, Ogden “Oms” far too loudly, brags about the retreats he has attended in Nepal and Mexico, and makes eyes at Kimberly, a buxom long-haired beauty, during class. He even grabs her hips to perform an adjustment (a correction usually done discreetly by a teacher).

Hilarious as it is, “Inappropriate Yoga Guy” raises a delicate issue that the video now has people discussing openly: that while the majority of yogis are respectful and friendly, a handful of interlopers use classes to hit on a succession of lithe, toned regulars. More than a dozen students and teachers and six studio owners interviewed for this article said they knew an Ogden-type character.

“There’s always a guy who wants to put his mat next to the hot girl,” said Hillary Raphael, 31, a writer based in Washington. Ms. Raphael, in her 20 years of practice, has found inappropriate yoga guys so prevalent in studios that she wove them into her novel, “Backpacker,” to be published next month by Creation Books.

Yoga regulars aren’t prudes; rather most of them abide by some unspoken rules (such as no talking or no looking around) that some newcomers unwittingly break in pursuit of comely dates.

Ms. Raphael described an experience she had during a vinyasa class she used to attend at Sal Anthony’s Movement Salon in Manhattan. “All you could hear was people’s steady breathing,” she said. “Yet this guy next to me was trying to strike up a conversation the whole time.”

The man, who was in his early 40s, used a loud stage whisper to ask about Ms. Raphael’s hobbies. “You could hear people’s breath sagging and stopping,” she said. “They couldn’t believe it.”

Other men are even bolder. Stephanie King, 40, a jewelry designer who practices yoga five times a week in Los Angeles, said she has had cringe-worthy encounters during her 20 years of practice. In one instance, a fellow regular Ms. King had met in passing approached her after a power yoga class and asked if she had enjoyed her practice. She had. Then, apropos of nothing, he asked if she wanted to be his lover.

Ms. King calmly told the man she would think about it. After a particularly intense practice, it can take a moment to regroup and get your social bearings. But once at her car, she called him and said, “I just want to let you know that I’m going to pass on being your lover.”

Her politeness masked annoyance. “I was put out because he just ruined my blissful feeling after class,” she said.

Another time, an attractive man stretched his hand out during a floor twist until it rested on Ms. King’s breast; he removed his hand when asked.

“If you’re going to a yoga studio to pick up girls, or boys for that matter, you’re not doing yoga,” said Lama Sumati Marut, 54, president of the Yoga Studies Institute in Tucson.

Yoga, done seriously, is a discipline designed to achieve enlightenment in this lifetime, he said.

Needless to say, not everyone who drops into a yoga class is on a spiritual path. Consider the women at Yoga Works in Midtown Manhattan who can’t help flirting with Steve Eisenberg, much to his delight. “It’s a very social environment,” said Mr. Eisenberg, 38, a consultant who helps companies create digital media.

“They’ll say, ‘I’ve seen you around,’ and start chatting,” added Mr. Eisenberg, who is single and said he enjoys the attention.

The question is: What responsibility does a studio or a teacher have if one student is making another uncomfortable?

Some instructors like Kelly McGonigal, 29, who teaches at Stanford University and at the Avalon Art and Yoga Center in Palo Alto, Calif., take matters into their own hands.

“I had a popular class that some of the regulars stopped showing up to because a guy was relentlessly hitting on them,” said Dr. McGonigal, who has a Ph.D. in psychology and edits the International Journal of Yoga Therapy. She confronted the overeager student in question, and he backed off, saying it was all a misunderstanding.

“He didn’t realize that he was perceived as hitting on people when he invited them out to dinner or to parties,” she said.

Teachers, who are most likely to notice misbehavior, are the ones who should aim to make their classes safe havens free of distractions, said Judith Hanson Lasater, president of the California Yoga Teachers Association.

But in Dr. McGonigal’s case, that was not possible. “It was happening outside of the classroom,” she said.

It was only after a chance encounter on the street with two of her students that Dr. McGonigal found out “they had stopped coming because they didn’t want to see that guy.”

Having an outlet for complaints would help, said Dr. Lasater, who has a Ph.D. in East-West psychology.

Most studio staff agree that teachers dating their students is a difficult situation at best, and exploitative at worst. But there is little consensus about student come-ons. After all, is asking for a phone number in a yoga studio any different than swapping digits across treadmills?

Some say yes. Trolling for dates at yoga studios strikes a lot of regulars as tacky and reprehensible — even to some bachelors.

“Why would I stare down a girl in yoga class?” said Christopher Porzio, 36, a photographer in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, who practices at least four times a week. “People are coming to help themselves, to get more comfortable. Why rob them of their comfort?”

For others, it is a gray area. Fred Busch, 32, the owner of Miami Yogashala, knows that some male and female members actively scope out dates at his center. He is uncomfortable with it but, he said, “there’s no law against talking to someone.”

To confuse matters, some centers foster dating. For instance, the Joy Yoga Center in Houston offers singles classes once a week, an hourlong vinyasa practice followed by snacks and socializing. Surprisingly, or perhaps unsurprisingly, two-thirds of the participants are men.

The Flow Yoga Center in Washington already has a class on Thursday night nicknamed “social flow,” after which students go for cocktails, and has plans for speed dating in its tea lounge.

But the downside is that one student glomming on to another can dampen a studio’s atmosphere. That is what happened at the Dallas Yoga Center in Texas, when a 40-something man’s overtures disturbed some female students. As soon as studio staff noticed the man’s unsettling behavior, the director, David Sunshine, took the man aside for a heart-to-heart. “We don’t mingle the dating scene with yoga,” Mr. Sunshine said. “We focus on quality yoga teaching.”

Plenty of singles don’t mind having another yogi propose dinner. Elana Wertkin, 31 of Park Slope, Brooklyn, went a few dates with a cute guy she met in a neighborhood class.

“We walked out at the same time and he said ‘Let’s go for a smoothie,’ ” said Ms. Wertkin, a documentary film producer.

But her interest in him was soon cut short. On their third date, he confessed that part of the reason he loved yoga class was watching women lie on their backs, legs spread.

“I had to stop going to that studio for a long time after that,” Ms. Wertkin said.

guerillas in our midst

i have to say that one of my more fortuitous yoga-related discoveries this year was the yogaorphan site created by brandon chiang, a yogainsideout student who migrated to bala yoga when the two studios merged, then "suddenly found himself without a studio in which to practice" when bala closed at the end of march of this year.

it's scary how i can't seem to remember how i first learned about this cyberkula, especially since it happened less than six months ago (could it be that brandon himself told me about it during the last few days of bala's existence?). but in the end, it doesn't really matter how i found it; what matters is what i've found through it. thanks to the orphans, i've made many new friends in the local anusara community and have also been able to keep track of where many of the displaced instructors now teach.

for example, elsie escobar, who has now turned into quite the yoga podcast queen, also teaches live and in person at yoga works larchmont and at swerve studio.

will duprey has found his niche at liberation yoga and maha yoga (hmmm... will at maha... i still can't figure how that came about, especially since will's signature style is so radically different from the music flow classes highly preferred by the maha crowd).

and huck hirsch now takes his acroyoga classes on the road, teaching at various venues when he's in town (you can find out where he's teaching through the acroyoga website; find his name on the "instructor" drop-down list and click on "search").

but the award for the most creative transition, in my opinion, goes to marc holzman. instead of trying to find a studio that could fit him into their schedule, he started his own virtual "studio". called guerilla yoga, his donation-only mixed-level anusara classes are held wherever he can find space big enough to house his followers. currently, he teaches at two locations: the hollywood dance center on highland and the woman's club of hollywood on la brea.

according to the "green tech" dictionary at cnet.com, guerilla is "A much, much hipper and edgier version of "grassroots," complete with connotations of the underground and extralegal." hipper and grassroots, guerilla yoga definitely is. underground, somewhat, at least until more people hear about it. but extralegal? i seriously doubt it. but you get the idea.

besides marc, who teaches the majority of the tue/thu/sun classes, there are various guest teachers who occasionally grace the kula with their presence. ross rayburn, for example, makes an appearance once or twice a month. tiffany fraser, who's moved back to LA from italy, now teaches on tuesday mornings. and just last sunday, todd tesen, who now calls berlin his home, had an opportunity to lead a crowd of LA anusara junkies. it'll hopefully be the first of many classes taught by todd during his brief visit here; i'll know for sure when marc puts up the schedule for next month on the website.

i was fortunate enough to have been able to attend todd's maiden adventure at guerilla. and thinking back, i should consider myself even luckier that i was able to find a spot in the room that was packed from wall to wall by the time the class started.

it's clear that a teacher is highly regarded -- and missed -- when his peers show up en masse to take his class. without spending much time looking around the room during todd's class, i spotted the mudra moments duo, hillary rubin (who also hosts her own podcast site) and elsie escobar (mentioned earlier) practicing near me. i also noticed james macdonald doing a series of "i can't believe he just did that" asanas at the back of the room. the group's level of experience was so advanced that todd couldn't help but get excited as he compared our class to others he had taught abroad. rather than having to spend a good amount of time showing students how to do a handstand, for example, all he had to do was to tell us to partner up and assist each other, and off we went (and many thanks to both marc and hillary for spotting me and giving me tips on how to find my balance while upside down).

i hope i somehow get another chance to take another of todd's classes while he's in town. if not, i can always catch marc on sunday mornings and tuesday/thursday evenings. and maybe even tiffany or ross if and when they sub for marc during his usual timeslots. honestly, i could show up for class at any time without knowing who the teacher will be, and still be confident that it will be taught by someone who can somehow make a series of challenging poses seem like a lot of fun :)

fyi -- since the classes aren't taught at traditional yoga studios, you have to bring your own yoga gear. you won't be able to rent any yoga mats nor props. neither will you be able to buy anything else you might need, like clothing and towels. there are no sign-in sheets; just show up for class and drop your donation in the box. if you're looking for music to inspire your practice, you won't find it here; in its place, you'll hear the controlled breathing of the students around you (maybe even an occasional grunt or groan).

by the way, if you're new to yoga, i suggest you learn the basics elsewhere before you attempt a guerilla class. the students who show up tend to be on the more advanced side, so you might find yourself struggling to keep up if you're not familiar with the poses. if, on the other hand, you have a good yoga foundation, join the guerillas and enjoy the experience!

spanning the world

in the early minutes of shiva rea's global mala teleconference call yesterday, it was amazing to hear all the beeps that announced the different callers who dialed in. and it was even more amazing to find out all the countries they were calling from! the spirited question-and-answer session must have lasted over an hour; i had to cut out before it ended to attend a meeting of my own at the office :(

there's a map on the global mala site that points out the cities that will be involved in the worldwide event. from that map, i've been able to compile a list of the yoga studios and how they plan to raise awareness in their communities. from classes in yoga studios to multi-day citywide events, and even including a class in a federal penitentiary, it's clear that the entire yoga community wants to be involved!

here's a sampling of what the global collective will be hosting on or around september 21st, 2007:

NORTH AMERICA

Canada

Ontario
Ajax
Dr. Melissa West - http://www.melissawest.com/
2 Hour Karma Peace Yoga
Date: Saturday September 22
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Location: The Wellness Connection 360 Bayly Street West, Suite #2

Toronto
5 Elements Yoga & Pilates - http://www.5elementsyoga.com/
Our date will be Sat. Sept. 22 Yoga, Dance, Laughter Yoga and Chanting.

Winona
Beams of Light Studio - http://www.beamsoflight.ca/
The date we will be doing our activities is Friday Sept. 21st starting from 6-8pm followed by a musical performance with Neeraj Prem, a local musician. Tickets for the performance will be $30 The plan is to do 108 minutes of spiritual practices to support the work a local charity that supports Aids in Africa. We hope to do 36 minutes of sun salutations or pranayama, 36 minutes of chanting and 36 minutes of meditation for a total of 108 minutes.

United States

Alabama
Birmingham
Magic City Yoga - http://www.yogainbirmingham.com/
108 Sun Salutations at Vulcan Park and Museum atop Red Mountain
Saturday, Sept. 22, from 7:00-10:00 AM
108 Minutes of Pranayama, Meditation and Chanting led by Akasha in the evening--Site TBA Sweet 'Om Alabama!

Arizona
Prescott
Yoga Shala - http://www.yogashalaarizona.com/
Saturday, Sept. 22nd, 2 - 5pm
Our Event outline is: Yoga Mala - 108 Surya Namaskar lead by Yoga Shala teachers, in the Granite Creek Park in Prescott.

California
Davis
The Bo Tree - http://www.thebotree.com/
September 22nd
Our event will include - a Yoga Mala (108 SunSalutations), Chanting (108 rounds of the Gayatri Mantra), and Meditation.

Los Angeles
The hub with Founder/Catalyst Shiva Rea. The Visionary Council including Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Seane Corn, Michael Franti and Julia Butterfly Hill - info@globalmala.org
108 Studios. 1008 Los Angeles based or surrounding area teachers. 10,800 yoga practitioners to come together for a 12-hour ritual festival in the LA Convention Center.
The Event Day Schedule:
12 noon Opening Vedic Fire Ceremony- Puja with 108 rounds of mantra for Ganesha
1:00 pm 54 Minutes of Kirtan with Wah!, Donna Delory and others.
2:00 pm Gurmukh Speaks and leads Kundalini Kriyas of 108 with local Kundalini Yoga Teachers.
4:00 pm Yoga Mala - 108 Surya Namaskar with Shiva Rea and other local teachers
6:00 pm 108 Rounds of Gayatri Mantra and Healing Circle.
7:00 pm Darshan - Speakers: Spiritual Leaders, Activists, Yoga Community Leaders
8:00 pm 108 Names of the Divine with Jai Uttal and local kirtan leaders
9:30 pm 108 Minutes of Yoga Trance Dance for Life with Cheb i Sabbah and Remo Drummers
11:30pm 108 Om Chant and Meditation

San Luis Obispo
Conscious Colors Energy Center - http://www.consciouscolors.com/
A Fall Equinox Sacred Circle including breathing for peace and chanting 108 rounds of OM
Chakra Restorative Yoga classes with a focus on the heart chakra uniting the self to others and the world

San Francisco
Global Mala Project San Francisco - http://www.globalmalasf.org/
Saturday September 22, 2007 6:30pm-11:30pm
Join Janet Stone, Katchie Ananda, Nikki Estrada, Janice Gates, Christopher Tompkins, David Lurey, Mirabai, Amy Hanaughan, Alyssa DeCaro, special surprise musical guest, and other loved Bay Area teachers!
A fundraiser to benefit Glide Church, AIDS Project East Bay, and Trees for the Future, move your intention to action by participating in a Seva (Selfless Service) project the next day!
Donation levels:
Hanuman - $27, Ganesha - $54, Maha Dev - $108, OR donate what you can afford at the door
The Ritual Schedule:
6:30pm-7:30pm: Yoga Mala – the first 135 attendees!
54 Sun Salutations led by Katchie Ananda, Nikki Estrada, and Janet Stone
8pm-11:30pm – 300+ attendees
108 Rounds of Gayatri Mantra with Christopher Tompkins
18 minutes of meditation with Janice Gates
108 minutes of kirtan with David Lurey, Mirabai, and Amy Hanaughan
54 minutes of dance guided by Alyssa DeCaro with live music!

Santa Cruz
Om Room School of Yoga - http://www.omroom.com/
1. A chant of 108 oms
2. A reading of Pema Chodron's Practicing Peace in Times of War and discussion following
3. A yoga class where donations are accepted

Colorado
Denver
om time yoga center, boulder - http://www.omtime.com/
September 22nd with a full Mala practice from 12pm - 3pm. 108 sun salutations taught by four of our devoted instructors, 108 oms to follow. Classes by donation. Please do what you can to support the earth that supports YOU!

om time yoga center, belmar - http://www.omtime.com/
108 minute trance dance on sept 21st. Time tba. Classes by donation. Please do what you can to support the earth that supports YOU!

Connecticut
Clinton
Karen Gomez - karengomez25@comcast.net
Maxwell Therapeutic Massage - 180 W. Main Street, Clinton, CT
Sept. 21 – "Let's Make Peace" Yoga, Meditation, & Music 6:30 – 9:00 PM Kirtan featuring Divine Union
Sept 22 – 108 Morning Sun Salutations 8:30 – 11:30 AM

Madison
Karen Gomez, Ashtanga CYT - karengomez25@comcast.net
I writing from Madison, CT to let you know I will be hosting a Global Mala event on September 21 & 22. Friday night is Meditation & Music, “Let’s Make Peace” Kirtan. It is scheduled for 6:30 – 9:00 PM. Saturday, September 22, @ 8:30 – 11:30 AM I will be leading 108 Morning Sun Salutations. Both events are going to be held at Maxwell Therapeutic Massage – Yoga, 180. W. Main Street, Clinton, CT.

Florida
Alachua
Gaurapriya - gp@bambinibhavan.com
Krsna Bhaktas are planning to join in the mala with Kirtana, japa and surya namaskars!

Pensacola
Abhaya Yoga Center - http://www.abhayayogacenter.com/
We are planning a yoga mala event for Friday, September 21st.
We will be donating all the proceeds to Azahar International. Azahar is an organization that teaches yoga in war torn countries.

Tallahassee
Richmond Dickson - tallamesa@yahoo.com
Working on getting 108 trees donated for a public planting on the weekend of Sept. 21st; organizing a "Hybrid Parade" to bring together all of the people in the community who drive hybrid vehicles; and uniting the local yoga studios for a public display of 108 Sun Salutations.

Georgia
Atlanta
Peachtree Yoga Center - http://www.peachtreeyoga.com/
Here are the basics:
9/21 8p - 108 chants/ 36 min of meditation
9/22 130p - 108 sun salutations

Canton
Jessie Fletcher - risingjess@excite.com
Clear Conscience Natural Market
108 Sun Salutations on Sept. 22, 2007. in the downtown park area around the gazebo.
In addition to this magnificant event there will be like-minded vendors and musicians to help celebrate the occasion. This will be a free event. There will be philantropical associations to help host the event.

Hawaii
Hilo
Kalani Oceanside Retreat - http://www.kalani.com/
We are planning our Mala for September 22 and will be doing 108 rounds of a kriya followed by a TranceDance. This will all unfold at the Ohana Center at Kalani Oceanside Retreat.

Illinois
Chicago
Moksha Yoga - info@mokshayoga.com
Saturday, Sept. 22 6-8 pm
Price: $20 (suggested donation)
Location: Moksha Riverwest
Proceeds will go to: Global warming (Trees for the Future), Children refugees of war (War Child)

Downtown Chicago
Lourdes Paredes - bhaktishakto@earthlink.net
Sunday Sept 23, 9:00am-12pm
ALL YOGIS, friends, and children are invited!!
12 blocks of sun salutations for PEACE
One MILE of YOGA for PEACE
September 23, 2007 at 9:00am, we invite the Chicagoland Yoga Community to gather on Michigan Avenue to offer a Yoga Mala: We will line 12 blocks, exact location to be announced, and offer each 9 sun salutation, which symbolically equals the 108 of a mala.
The practice will be followed by a short gathering in Millenium Park, including an invocation and Kirtan by Devi 2000, and inspirational speakers. The event should conclude by 12 noon.
Chicago's funds will directly support Trees for the Future, WarChild, and Youth Aids.

Indiana
South Bend
Dhanwantari Center for Yoga and Well-Being - http://www.dhanwantaricenter.com/
A weekend of events beginning on Friday night Sept 21 with Kirtan through Sunday, Sept 23 with 108 Sun Salutations.

Iowa
Des Moines
H(om) Yoga - http://www.hom-yoga.com/
Planned Day will include 108 Sun Salutations

Maryland
Annapolis
Sat Kartar and Divine Light Yoga - http://www.divinelightyoga.com/
Thursday, September 20th
Listen Tour: YogaMala with Live music
Ridgely Retreat, 203 Ridgely Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401
Tickets: $25.00 advance, $30 at the door
A portiion of the proceeds will be donated to one of the causes sponsored by
YogaMala.

Massachusetts
Boston
Yogathree - http://www.yogathree.com/
Quick Summary:
Daytime Event:
108 Sun Salutations, 54 Minutes of Meditation, and Family Yoga
Cambridge Masonic Hall, 10:30am-4:30pm
Evening Event:
Jon Kabat-Zinn and Krishna Das
Berklee Performance Center, 7:30pm
Tickets on sale 22 July through Ticketmaster and Berklee Performance Center Box Office

Yoga Mandala - http://www.yogamandala.com/
September 21 & 22, 2007
In an open-to-the-air arena
Events: ecstatic dance (108 minutes); 108 sun salutations; 108-minute moon yoga & meditation class.

Stockbridge
Kripalu Center - http://www.kripalu.org/
Kripalu plans to host a Global Mala event on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, 7:30
PM - 9:30 PM at Kripalu (57 Interlaken Road, Stockbridge, MA 01262).

Michigan
Brighton
YOGA CENTER FOR HEALTHY LIVING - http://www.yogahealth.org/
Our Yoga Center plans to join this special WORLD PEACE EVENT over the fall equinox and the UN World Peace Day....
SAT, SEPT. 22: 8-9:30 AM VINYASA CLASS = CONTINUOUS SUN SALUTATIONS...108
ALL CLASS FEES DONATED TO LOCAL AND INTERNAT'L
CHARITIES
SUN, SEPT. 23, 11AM - NOON = MEDITATIION FOR WORLD PEACE

Detroit
Karma Yoga - http://www.karma-yoga.net/
We are currently planning a day of yoga, meditation, kirtan, mantra, kria, music, and more! Venue is still TBD.

Menominee
Marty Tribble Yoga - www.martytribble.com/classes.html
We would like to join the efforts of the Global Mala Project. We will be raising funds for TFTF. We will be running an event each day, Sept. 21-23.

Saugatuck
Satya Yoga Center - satyayogami@yahoo.com
Saturday, Sept. 22 at 9 a.m.: 108 Sun Salutations, plus meditation for peace and refreshments served afterward

Minnesota
International Falls
Rainy Waters Yoga - http://www.rainywatersyoga.com/
A solstice celebration of 108 sun salutations

Missouri
Kansas City
Kansas City Yoga Kula - http://www.kcyogakula.org/
Our intention is to host a Friday night 108 minute meditation followed by an OM Chant and a Saturday morning Yoga Mala of 108 Sun Salutations.

Nebraska
Omaha
One Tree Yoga - http://www.onetreeyoga.com/
We are going to have an event with 108 Sun Salutations and Meditation on September 21st and/or 22nd.
Money raised from our event will go towards Youth AIDS/HIV.

New Jersey
Glen Rock
Naturally Yoga - http://www.naturallyyoga.com/
September 21st: A celebration of 108 sun salutations and 108 minutes of devotional chanting and meditation from 9:30am-2:00pm.
All money collected will go to Kula for Karma a local organization that sends local yoga teachers (as seva) to work with various special populations, everything from children with special needs to women in halfway houses to orphanages in Ecuador and India.

Montclair
On Sunday, September 23rd, between the hours of 2 and 7 pm, we will be holding a Yoga Mala Day for Peace at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Montclair.

New York
Buffalo
Buffalo Yoga - http://www.buffaloyoga.com/
A 108 salutations to benefit our local Literacy Volunteers organization

New York City
Jivamukti Yoga School
Global Mala NYC - A weekend to change your life and save the planet
Go Vegan for World Peace, STOP GLOBAL WARMING
According to the UN: The waste emissions from animals raised for food contributes more to Global Warming than all the car and truck emissions in the world!
The United Nations has set aside Sept 21, 2007 as World Peace Day
On that day, let us in New York City, join Shiva Rae (catalyst of the Global mala project) other Yogis around the world for the Global Mala celebration of Peace.
Take the Pledge to go vegan, or one day, one week, one month one year or for the rest of your life, each commitment will mean a lot for the planet
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 21 6:30 - midnight
Spiritual Activation
Yoga Class led by Sharon Gannon and David Life will include 108 sun Salutations, and chanting for world peace
Presentations by Julia Butterfly, Russell Simmons, and Jannette Patterson
refreshments, Vegan Dinner
dinner music by Sonic DJ Fabian Alsultany
$108 donation
all donations will be given to PETA and Circle of Life
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 22 8pm-11pm
Dance of Liberation
Hosted by Parashakti and New York Yoga magazine founder Mark Becker
$30 donation
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER. 23 Noon - 7
It’s easy to be Vegan we will show you how.
12:00am Vegan Brunch with Rynn Berry, author of Vegan Guide to NY - $25
You made the vow, now see how easy, healthful and delicious veganism can be! Join us at the café for a delicious brunch to start you on your way to being vegan for 30 days.
3:00pm Lecture on benefits of vegan lifestyle by Rynn Berry author of Vegan Guide to NY - Free.
6:00pm Vegan Dinner - $25
Help save the planet one vegan meal at a time. Kindness and compassion never tasted so good.

Rhinebeck
Power of One Yoga Center - http://www.powerofonecenter.com/
Omega Institute
Roots, Rhythm & Soul: Yoga Gathering for Black People at Omega, Sep 21-23.
We plan to include meditation and mantra as our yoga mala.

North Carolina
Charlotte
Yoga South - http://www.yoga-south.com/
Our event will take place on Saturday, September 22.
The day will begin with 108 Sun Salutes followed by:
108 minutes of mantra/prayer
108 minutes of meditation
a kirtan to last a minimum 108 minutes.
Our Seva is Doctors without Borders.

Oregon
Hood River
FLOW Yoga - http://www.flowhoodriver.com/
Friday, Sept 21st from 4-8 pm - sun salutations, pranayama, meditation and kirtan.
4-5 pm: 27 Series A Salutations and 27 minutes of Pranayama
5-6 pm: 27 Traditional Sun Saluations and 27 min of Meditation
6-7 pm 27 Series A Salutations and 27 min of Kirtan
7-8 pm: 27 Traditional Sun Saluations and 27 min of Yoga Dance/Kirtan/Meditation
8 pm: Celebratory Catered Dinner at Flow!

Portland
Lululemon - Tiffany@AthletesPoint.com
Saturday September 22nd
108 sun salutations, intentions board, goals and planning booth, music, yoga vendors, Living Yoga, etc

Sheridan
I am writing for a friend who is in a federal prison, so it's hard for him to communicate on his own. He teaches yoga daily to a small group and they want to partake in Global Mala. Here are the details:
Date: Saturday, September 22
Teacher: Jerry Wilkerson
Studio: Sheridan Federal Correction Institution
The group will do 108 sun salutations.
Contact Mailing Address: Jerry Wilkerson, #94858-011
Federal Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 5000, Sheridan, OR 97378
My contact Info: Jamel Badrieh, 2211 West Eugene, Hood River, OR 97031 541-806-6576

Pennsylvania
Bucks County
We are happy to announce that Flip Dog Yoga + Pilates and Yogaphoria will be co-hosting a Bucks County, Pa. Global Mala Project event. Watch for more details in the coming weeks.
Visit http://www.flipdogyoga.com/ or http://www.yogaphoria.com/ for more information about our studios.
We will be doing:
-108 Sun Saluations (Surya Namaskar A)
-A presentation by Richard Green
-108 Om namah shivayas
-Socializing, food and drink to be served
Proceeds will be going to The Tree People and The Climate Project.

Harrisburg
Friday 21 - Prayer for Trees in New Cumberland, PA
Saturday 22 - Early Morning Stretch followed by 108 rounds of Surya Namaskar at The Mantis Collective in Harrisburg, PA
Sunday 23 - Tribal Hike to Tumbuling Run in the Appalachain Mountains
Organized by Shiva Teacher Trainee, Shani Stevenson 717-571-2993

Lehigh Valley
Each of the sites for The Global Mala Project 2007 in the Lehigh Valley will offer a time for all of the community to come and share in a collective consciousness of peace. In addition to dynamic yoga flows, there will be space set aside for meditation and mantra (chanting) for those wishing to express a mindful (seated) practice.
These programs are offered on a "give as you can" basis, suggested donation is $10-$20, and no one will be turned away. Please bring your own mat for the active practice.

Yoga Loft of Bethlehem - http://www.theyogaloftofbelthem.com/
Friday, September 21, 5:15pm
Silver Kim and students of the Yoga Loft Teacher Training Program will lead a sun salutations
class (up to 108). Donations will go to benefit The Sierra Club of the Lehigh Valley as part of
our effort to contribute to a healthier environment and better future for all.

Easton Yoga - http://www.eastonyoga.com/
Saturday, September 22, 8am @
In the spirit of uniting the world thorough better health options
Michael Lear, creator of Easton Yoga, and a Member of the Real Medicine Foundation's Whole Health Team will be teach a 108 minute class to raise funds towards providing support for initiatives through Real Medicine and Body Workers Without Borders in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Indonesia and other areas around the world. A portion of donations will also be given to Trees for the Future

Lehigh Valley Yoga Center - http://www.lvyoga.com/
Sunday, September 23, 12noon
The teachers of Lehigh Valley Yoga Center will be leading 108 Sun
Salutations with proceeds going to providing support for initiatives through The Real Medicine
Foundation and Body Workers Without Borders in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Indonesia and other areas recovery from devastation by natural disasters and in need of effective affordable health care options.

Villa Maria
Maureen Lauer-Gatta - http://www.yogawithmaureen.com/
RISE - JOIN US FOR A DAY OF CULTIVATING PEACE
Date: Saturday, September 22, 2007 10:08 a.m.
Place: Villa Maria Education & Spirituality Center
Donations: 50% to the War Child and 50% to a local group
Events: 108 rounds of a mantra
14 rounds of gentle sun salutations
108 minutes of meditation
13 rounds of gentle sun salutations
End with guided savasana

Tennessee
Johnson City
Simple Abundance Yoga - http://www.simpleabundanceyoga.com/
Friday September 21st: A 108 minute meditation for peace
Saturday September 22nd: 108 sun salutations in the park

Memphis
Midtown Yoga - http://www.midtownyoga.com/
You can count on us to do the 108 mala on September 21st.

Texas
Austin
Yoga Spirit Trance Dance - http://www.yogaspirittrancedance.com/
September 22, 2007 - 8-10pm
108 minutes of Yoga Trance Dance embracing Heartfelt Rhythms with Focused Intention on our Peaceful Planet.
All proceeds going to plant trees to reverse Global Warming.

Flower Mound
Yoga Island - http://www.yogaisland.com/
We'll be celebrating the event on Saturday, Sept. 22nd at 10:30 in the a.m.
with 108 sun salutations and hopefully some live music!

Houston
Heights School of Yoga - http://www.heightsschoolofyoga.com/
On September 22, we will join the mala with 108 Sun Salutations and 108 rolling OM.

Odessa
Sky of the Heart Yoga - http://www.skyoftheheartyoga.com/
Sunday September 23rd
108 minutes of Kirtan to the Global Mala with David Newman (Durga Das)

Utah
Salt Lake City
Sarah Tomson, Park City + Salt Lake City, UT - http://www.balancedbeingyoga.com/
We will be offering three separate events to bring in as many members of the local community as possible:
~108 minutes of Trance Dance with Sarah Tomson
~108 minutes of meditation
~108 repetitions of the gayatri mantra with Jennifer Ellen, and a local Kirtan artist, Leraine Horstmanhoff

Vermont
Burlington
Yoga Vermont - http://www.yogavermont.com/
Kathy McNames will be leading 108 Gayatri Mantras on Friday, Sept 21 beginning 7pm.

Virginia
Floyd
Laura Polant - 540-745-7866
We are planning a yoga mala in the small Blue Ridge Mountain town of Floyd, Virginia. Starting at 10am we will begin a series of sun salutes. I have 6 different instructors taking 18 salutes each. We will begin with kids yoga at the Winter Sun Performance Hall in Floyd. We will have a peace altar and a local school will sell peace candles for our charity-War Child.

Richmond
Yoga Source - http://www.yogarichmond.com/
Yoga Source in Richmond, Va is happy to be a host for the Global Mala event. We are holding the event on Sun., Sept. 23 with 108 Sun Salutations followed by 108 mins. of mediation (36mins.), chanting (36 mins.) and meditation (36 mins.).

Vienna
East Meets West Center - http://www.eastmeetswestcenter.com/
“Global Mala Celebration Featuring Sat Kartar and Friends” Friday September 21st 7:30 p.m.

Virginia Beach
global mala event at Edgar Cayce's A.R.E.
Saturday, September 22nd.
- 108 morning sun salutations
- HADO foundation will be conducting a water blessing
(4-5pm)
- 108 minute meditation
- 108 minute drum circle/trance dance
- Evening vegetarian feast

Washington
Federal Way
Three Trees Yoga - http://www.threetreesyoga.com/
Three Trees Yoga in Federal Way, WA will be participating in the Global Mala celebration on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007 with 108 Salutes to the Sun followed by a guided meditation on peace. Participants are invited to drop-in for two, twelve, twenty, or more salutes depending on their abilities. The salutes to the sun will be led by various instructors starting at 9:00am. Instructors and participants will change on the half hour. The event will be a donation only event for the Central Asia Institute, an organization that fosters peace through education by building schools for children in war-torn areas like Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Olympia
Wild Grace Arts Center for Yoga - http://www.wildgracearts.com/
Wild Grace Arts Yoga Studio in Olympia Washington would like to be part of the global mala project, we are planning our event on September 22, 2007 at 7pm. We will focus on a yoga practice combined with meditation and 108 rounds of mantra.

Seattle
SHAKTI Vinyasa Yoga East - http://www.shaktivinyasa.com/
Friday September 21st: 108 minutes of Kirtan with Steve Gold
Saturday September 22nd: 108 Sun Salutations led by Lisa Black, Peter Avolio and guest teachers.
Our Seva Organization set to receive 80% of the proceeds is the organization Stop Global Warming.

DEVA PREMAL & MITEN IN CONCERT
Portion of proceeds to benefit Global Mala Project
Sat Sept 22, 2007, 7:30 pm
Seattle Unity Church, 2008 8th Ave, N

Yogi Way - http://www.yogiway.com/
Karma Vinyasa Class
We are planning to do it outside in Gas Works Park address - 2101 N Northlake Way, Seattle
Sunday, Sept 23rd, 9:30-11:00 am
100% will be donated to War Child - We have been a huge supported of War Child and this will be our 3rd Karma Vinyasa class that we will donate to them.

Spokane
South Perry Yoga - southperryoga@aol.com
Spokane Yoga studios and community will be hosting a meditation in our beautiful Riverfront Park, Sunday morning, Sept 23rd, with music by which to celebrate by the Celtic Knots. We are also honored to have our meditation guided by Paul Erickson, of Nelson B.C. Our collective donations will be made to the War Child fund.

Wisconsin
Appleton
Midwest Power Yoga - http://www.midwestpoweryoga.com/
GLOBAL YOGA MALA w/Deborah Williamson 8:30 - 12:00 PM Saturday 9/22
Classes are by donation with monies going to our favorite charities:
Make A Wish
Humane Society of Wisconsin
Harbor House
8:30 am 108 Sun Salutations
10:00 am 108 Minutes Yoga Nidra (Bring Pillow and a Blanket)

Oconomowoc
Soleil Lune Yoga Center, LLC - http://www.yogatrish.com/
I will hold my global mala on September 22 and/or September 23. We will do 108 rounds of Suns. Our Seva will be YouthAids!

Washington DC
Washington DC Global Mala Project - http://www.dcglobalmala.com/
108 Sun Salutations with local teachers
Meditation with Tara Brach, Healing Arts Marketplace
Live Drumming and Kirtan. GW's Marvin Center
All Proceeds to Trees for the Future

kg yoga - kgyoga.blogspot.com
kg yoga's Global Mala Project for Peace Awareness will be held on September 14-22 in Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Park. The group will practice yoga in front of the waterfall located near the entrance facing 16th Street and Florida Avenue, NW in Washington, DC. Please bring your own yoga mat.

SOUTH AMERICA

Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
BLYSS YOGA - http://www.blyss.com.br/
Saturday (Sabado), September 22. Twelve o'clock ( Midday, Meio-dia)
108 Sun Salutes followed by meditation and chanting.

Mexico
Puebla
Ganesha Yoga - http://www.ganeshayoga.com.mx/
We are uniting in Puebla, Mexico for the Global Mala Event.

EUROPE

Croatia
Zagreb
Sangha Yoga Studio & GaiaYoga International Yoga TT school would like to join and organize a Yoga Mala Global event in Zagreb, Croatia on Friday 21 september (108 sun salutations followed by 108 mantra chanting (MAHA MRITYUNJAYA MANTRA - healing mantra).

Czechoslovakia
Prague
Lotus Meditation Centre - http://www.centrumlotus.cz/
Planning a round of 108 sun salutations, 108 mantras and 108 minutes of meditation on the weekend of September 22 - 23.
If the interest of people is greater than perhaps a larger space.

England
London
Jivamukti Yoga London - http://www.jivamuktiyoga.co.uk/
A 108 minute class on Sunday, September 23rd at 10am

Krisztina - kbordacs2002@yahoo.com
We are having a meditation practice on Friday, September 21 in the Breeze Club in Gerrards Cross (6:30 pm onwards) and a Surya Namaskara practice (108) on Saturday September 22, in Amersham Physique (11:30 am onwards) and would like to donate to the Trees for the Future.

Trent
Jill Amison - jillamison@yahoo.co.uk
or Deb Auden - mumauden@aol.com
We are organising yoga Mala event on Fri 21st of Sept 7-9.30pm at Biddulph Town Hall,
Stoke on Trent, Staffs, UK.

Germany
Berlin
Joyful Events - http://www.joyfulevents.de/
21.9. 19 Uhr Friedensmeditation im Volkspark Friedrichshain- Eingang Friedensstr. in der großen Wiese bei den Steinfiguren.(bei Regen auf www.joyfulevents.de nachschauen)
22.9. 19 Uhr Kirtan Konzert mit Dave Stringer - Beitrag 18 Euro
im Spirit Yoga West
23.9. 20 Uhr Dance into the Light, Meditative and Dance Grooves, Beitrag 8 Euro
Spirit Yoga West

Spirit Yoga Mitte - http://www.spirityoga.de/
23.9. 18-19.30 Uhr Moonlight Class mit Patricia Thielemann

Yoga Shala - http://www.ashtanga-berlin.de/
22.9. 15 Uhr Pranavidya nach Kali Ray mit Henning Scheel Atemübungen-Meditation-Wave Motion

Yoga Vidya Berlin-Mitte - http://www.malyoga.com/
23.9. 14 Uhr Yogaklasse mit Malahat Dizaji

Yoga Vidya Bad Meinberg - http://www.yoga-vidya.de/
21.-23.9. Meditation, Yoga, Kirtan über 3 Tage

Cologne
the yoga loft - http://www.theyogaloft.de/
Global Mala Yoga Projekt
september 21, 2007, friday
7-9.30pm 108 Sun Salutations

Freiberg
Yoga Lounge Freiburg - http://www.yogalounge-freiburg.de/
Friday, 8-10 p.m.: Meditation & 108 Rounds of Gayatri Mantra
Saturday, 4-6 p.m.: 108 Tree Salutations
Seva for "Trees for the Future"

Munich
Jivamukti Yoga - http://www.jivamukti-muenchen.de/
21.9.17.00 Uhr offene Klasse mit Michi.
Michi wird eine Minute der Stille teilen.
4 min. Film: " Chew on this" der Film zeigt, wie wir helfen können, Mutter Erde zu erhalten.
23.9.
14.15-16.45 Uhr
Jiva Mukti Master Class mit Gabriela und Petros live begleitet von Dave Stringer und Band.
Wir werden 108 min. das Mula Mantra zu Lord Ganesha singen, der alle Schwierigkeiten beseitigt und uns Stärke und Stabilität schenkt.
empfohlener Mindestbeitrag: 25 Euro
19 Uhr Kirtan mit Dave Stringer und Band

Netherlands
Amsterdam
Svahayoga - http://www.svahayoga.com/
We are happy to let you know that Saturday September 22nd we will be hosting the following fund raising events in our studios.
09.00-12.00 108 X Surya Namaskar supported by inspirational music.
09.00-09.30 108 X Gayatri Mantra Chanting
10.00-11.48 108 Minutes Level 1 class including 18 minutes of Meditation
12.00-14.00 18 X Hanuman Chaleesa Chanting
12.30-14.18 108 Minutes Level 2 class including 18 minutes of Meditation
14.30-16.18 108 Minutes Level 1 class including 18 minutes of Meditation
We will ask for a donation for all events and will donated the proceeds to the Children home in Kathmandu where we always send our event proceeds.

AFRICA

Kenya
Nairobi
Paige Elenson - Paige@acroyoga.org
Gathering hundreds of yogis, from all ages and socio-economic groups, to join in the practice of yoga.
We are excited and blessed to be part of this project. Unsure that we will raise much money from our participants, as many are the actual people we are raising funds for, but we will raise awareness and that is what counts!

South Africa
Cape Town
Ann McWilliams - annmcw@gmail.com
I am organising a mala again on Sunday 23rd September and the proceeds will go to Art Of Living Foundation here in South Africa.(www.artofliving.org.za)
We will do 108 sun salutations on MILNERTON BEACH IN CAPE TOWN. We aim at getting 150 people to do the sun salutations...

Durban
Shraddha Yoga Healing Centre - http://www.yogashraddha.com/
A full day starting with 108 surya and finishing with 108 Mahamrityunjaia combined with Havan as a symbol of prayer for world peace and then Kirtan and dancing!!!!!
Our proceeds will go to Operation Hunger…they need so much in line of clothes, food, blankets, etc.

Jeffreys Bay
Spirals Yoga & Art Studio - http://www.spiralsyoga.co.za/
We are in the process of planning 4 actions for The Global mala project
1. 108 sunsalutes on the beach
2. 108 minutes of meditation
3. an art exhibition featuring 108 interlinked round art works (all media) depicting our commitment towards peace, AIDS projects and environmental issues
4. Local school project -we will be hosting sun salute sessions at these schools on Friday 21 September.

Tanzania
Arusha
Yoga Tanzania Safaris and Retreats - http://www.ngare-sero-lodge.com/
I will be hosting the event at Ngare Sero Lodge in Tanzania Africa on Sept 22nd 2007.

ASIA

Japan
Okinawa
Martha Bond RYT - ayogabond@yahoo.com
I am please to announce that I just confirmed a venue on the 22nd of September for Yogis/Yoginis in Okinawa, Japan to come together in support for the Global Mala Project.
The event will take place in Yomitan, Okinawa. 108 Sun Salutations followed by 108 rounds of Mantra. The event will be conducted in English and Japanese.

Tokyo
Yogafest will partner with Global Mala - http://www.yogafest.jp/
September 22 - 24, 2007
Sep 23 at 9A: A class to promote the Global Mala
Yoga Fest got the city of Yokohama to get involved and rented a park space for 3 days, so the yogins, who come to Yoga Fest, can join the sun salute anytime they want to.
Teachers in the city of Yokohama will be leading sun salutations for 3 days.

Yokohama
Hikaru Hashimoto - hashimoto@yoga.co.jp
Plan 1
a. 108 times of mantra chanting (gayatri mantra)
b. 1.08 km Breath Walk
We shall start on June 8th and finish on the 108th days, which will be September 23rd. We will spread the word to many so that the participants will take turns and keep it alive for 108 days and that the last day will be September 23rd.
Plan 2
Participants shall save 108 yen (about a dollar) per day during these 108 days when it is possible at the end, donate the saving to some seva organization, as a charity. The donation will show the individual's spiritual, mental and physical growth and improvement.

Thailand
Koh Samui
Lorraine Taylor - http://www.healthyandfun.net/
Global Mala event in Koh Samui, Thailand on Saturday 22nd September. It will be a one day festival with music, dance, yoga, vegetarian food, etc etc. It is being held at Tamarind Springs in Lamai, Koh Samui.

OCEANIA

Australia
Queensland
The YOGA SPACE - http://www.theyogaspace.com.au/
We intend to hold 108 surynamaskar in the park and afterward kirtan at our centre on Saturday 22 September.

Being Yoga - http://www.beingyoga.com.au/
Celebrate peace with 108 minutes of kirtan and moving meditation on Friday 21 September

Perth
Twee Merrigan - http://www.tweeyoga.com/
A 108 salutes with several studios and teachers of Perth.
Kirtan Friday night September 21st.

Sydney
Participating Studios:
Yoga Synergy - http://www.yogasynergy.com.au/
Power Living - http://www.powerliving.com.au/
Samadhi Yoga - http://www.samadhiyoga.com.au/
Dynamic Movement Yoga - http://www.dynamicmovementyoga.com/
Yoga BC - http://www.yogabcsydney.net/
Bikram Yoga Darlinghurst - http://www.bikramyoga.net.au/
Yoga To Go - http://www.yogatogo.com.au/
Our venue is Bondi Beach, in the famous old Bondi Pavillion.
We also have some great local musicians that often accompany our yoga classes and retreats with drumming, kirtan, and beautiful vocals.
We'll be having a silent auction and raffles with prizes all donated by Sydney businesses. We will be making a mala from beads collected from all over the world which will be used to count off the 108 Sun Salutations and then will be donated as an auction prize.

the inappropriate yoga guy -- know him?

diana and stefan storace from the garden of yoga in woodland hills included an amusing video in their latest email update to their students. if the "inappropriate" guy in the video reminds you of someone you know or have run into, please contact me ASAP. someone from a major periodical might want to interview you for a piece she's working on...

here's what they sent out:

Some of you my have already seen this on our Home page but for those of you that haven't check this out. It was filmed at Garden of Yoga and is called The Inappropriate Yoga Guy. It so funny so please watch it: www.gardenofyoga.com/goy/yogaguy.asp

in all fairness, i'm sure there also have been instances of women inappropriately hitting on men in class. if you're one of these men, do tell! it could make for some interesting reading :) and i'm not being sarcastic; it really could be an experience we might all learn something from...

a global gathering, LA-style

my night shift duties at the KCRW pledge drive have been keeping me pretty busy, and i've ended up with backlog of things i've been meaning to write about...

so please excuse this quick copy-and-paste; i'd like to pass along information about the very worthwhile global mala project, spearheaded by shiva rea, that's coming up in september. i've volunteered to become a part of this movement and will make sure to keep you just as informed as i am.

for starters, this is what the global mala project is all about:

The purpose of the Global Mala Project is to unite the global yoga community from every continent in the world, forming a "mala around the earth" through collective practices based upon the sacred cycle of 108.

On September 21st - 23rd, Fall Equinox and the United Nations International Day of Peace, studios, teachers and organizations across the globe will create fundraising celebrations, raising funds and awareness for some of the most essential issues of our times.

i've received a few updates directed primarily to the LA-based crowd. here's the first one:

We would love to have 108 SoCal yoga studios and organizations committed to supporting the Global Mala LA!

We will be printing all studio names in the event day program guide, post to our site and may have an LA Weekly ad as well. We are asking that they place the posters and postcards in their studio, place a banner on their site and that they come out in support and represent their studio on Sept. 22nd.

Please contact info@globalmala.org and include:
Studio Name
Web Address
URL to link site
Mailing Address
Contact Person and Info

and this newsletter update came in earlier this evening:

The Global Mala Project: Uniting Yoga, Seva and Collective Consciousness

Namaskaram!

We are just 5 weeks away from the Global Mala Project on September 21st -23rd, and already more than 108 cities and 30 countries will be participating!

As plans continue and the yoga collective grows, we wanted to offer you an opportunity to hear Shiva Rea share the intention and inspiration for the Global Mala Project as well as share some of your ideas and ask any questions you may have. We invite you to join in a live Teleconference Call:

Wednesday Aug 15th 12:00 noon PT

Dial-in Number: 1-605-725-1900

Participant Access Code: 52751

For the global community we also have available two unique T-shirts that have been created especially for the Global Mala 2007. Yoga Tribe and Culture and Marika will have their designs available for preorder sales so that you may receive them in time for your event.

1. Special Edition 100% Organic Cotton shirt from Yoga, Tribe and Culture
Women's and Men's Available. $18.50/shirt. Click here to see the design.
Email: sales@yogatribeandculture.com for more information and to place orders.
PLEASE NOTE: DEADLINE FOR PRE-ORDERS is AUGUST 19TH

2. Marika
Women's and Men's T-shirts. $12. Click here to see the design.
Please visit the website or email: Lucy at ldiaz@marika.com to place orders.

For those who would like to attend the hub event in Los Angeles, advanced ticket sales are available online. Please click here to purchase tickets LA Event Advanced Tickets. To see a poster with all the details for the event, click here LA Event Poster.

We are so grateful for your support and participation. We will be sending a full update newsletter next week with more downloads and details to support your event.

You are a bead on this sacred mala around the globe, breathing the change we want to envision in the world!

For the Earth,
The Global Mala US Organizing Council
Shiva Rea, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Seane Corn, Julia Butterfly Hill, Michael Franti

another studio closes its doors

thanks to a comment recently posted by an anonymous soul on my post on yoga house toluca lake, i just found out that the studio is now closed, effective the first of this month. wow. i guess i would have seen that coming had i been a regular student there, but since getting to burbank/toluca lake is a bit of a drive for me, i just haven't been able to keep up with all the goings-on at that location (and i thought i was on the yoga house mailing list. did i miss an email somewhere?)

but not to worry; the pasadena location is still alive and well :)

here's the official word from the yoga house website:

A MESSAGE TO OUR TOLUCA LAKE STUDENTS

We regret to inform you that Yoga House Toluca Lake will be closed as of August 1, 2007.

Classes will continue to be held as scheduled through July 31, 2007. If you have unused and unexpired classes remaining on your series as of August 1, 2007 we invite you to choose from the following three options:

• Finish Your Classes at Yoga House Pasadena
Your class series will be honored at our original Pasadena location with no expiration date. You can take your classes there at any time.

• Receive a Credit for Merchandise
We'll issue you a credit for the value of unused and unexpired classes remaining on your series as of August 1 that you can use toward a purchase at our shop in Pasadena: books, props, tea, CDs, clothing, jewelry, etc. Store credits will be made available in Pasadena after Tuesday, July 31, 2007.

• Request a Refund
Yoga House will issue you a full refund for unused and unexpired classes remaining on your series as of August 1, 2007. Refunds will be mailed no later than September 30, 2007. To request a refund, please call our Pasadena studio at (626) 403-3961 after Tuesday, July 31, 2007.

The deadline to receive merchandise credit or to request a refund is December, 2007.

It has been our pleasure practicing with you this past year and we will miss you all. We hope that you will maintain your practice of yoga and continue to reap its many benefits for years to come.

Sincerely.

Bruce Schwartz
Farzaneh Noori
Co-Owners
Yoga House

the green team

i received this announcement via email earlier today:

Whole Life Times Joins Forces with Gaiam, Inc. to Create Unified LOHAS Source

August 6, 2007

Dear Friend of Whole Life Times,

As LA’s chosen catalyst for conscious community for nearly three decades, Whole Life Times has undergone quite the evolution. To keep up with the dynamic audience we serve, we’ve had to learn to continually adapt — and grow. It’s what makes our jobs interesting, as well as what keeps us relevant.

Which is why it’s such a great pleasure to announce our newest transformation (you can read the official press release here). The Conscious Enlightenment family — Whole Life Times, Common Ground in San Francisco and Conscious Choice in Seattle and Chicago — is joining forces with Gaiam, Inc., Zaadz, Inc., and LIME Media to create a unified LOHAS platform of likeminded companies, products, services and media — both online and off.

As we grow our vision of enlightened community, expand our coverage and broaden our content, we’d like to extend our deepest appreciation for your continued support. We couldn’t have done this without you.

Here’s to 30 more years (and beyond)!

— The team at Whole Life Times


ok, am i the only one who doesn't know what "LOHAS" stands for??

thanks once again to google, i found the answer; here the definition from the lohas.com website:

LOHAS is an acronym for Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability, a market segment focused on health and fitness, the environment, personal development, sustainable living, and social justice.

LOHAS companies practice "responsible capitalism" by providing goods and services using economic and environmentally sustainable business practices.

LOHAS consumers, sometimes referred to as Lohasians, are interested in products covering a range of market sectors and sub-sectors, including: Green building supplies, socially responsible investing and "green stocks", alternative healthcare, organic clothing and food, personal development media, yoga and other fitness products, eco-tourism and more.

a "lohasian"? sounds like one of my people... i wonder if i can put myself down as that the next time i have to answer the "ethnic background" question... :)

summer fun

i've been searching yoga studio websites for special events in august and have come up with a mere handful :( my guess is that most teachers are either taking the time off to be with their families or they're off on some fabulous retreat in some exotic locale. so while they're out sunning themselves in greece, mexico, costa rica, or hawaii, you and i will have to find a way to keep ourselves entertained right here in LA...

and thanks to lululemon and all its four LA locations -- beverly hills, calabasas, pasadena, and santa monica -- as well as quiksilver for providing us all these FREE yoga classes!

ongoing kirtan evenings:

Community Chanting with Rick, Sylvie, and Suwon
The Awareness Center, Pasadena
Every Friday at 7:30pm
Cost: FREE

Kirtan in the Canyon with Andrew and Michele and Friends
Yoga Desa, Topanga
Saturday, August 4th (First Saturday of each month) 7:00pm

Call and response chanting with live devotional music. A truly wonderful experience. Call (818) 340-6088 for information

Kirtan Chanting with Govindas and Radha
Power Yoga West, Santa Monica
Saturday, August 4th (First Saturday of every month) 8:00-10:00pm
Cost: By Donation

The first Saturday of every month, from 8-10pm, Govindas and Radha will hold a candlelit evening of Kirtan Chanting, as always on donation basis.
Come sing from the deepest corner of your heart!
Bring meditation cushions or blanket (no yoga mat). Wear comfy clothes.

Kirtan with Daniel Stewart
Rising Lotus Yoga, Sherman Oaks
Friday, August 10th (Second Friday of every month) 8:15pm
Cost: By Donation

Come join us for an evening of ecstatic chanting. No singing experience needed, only a willingness to open your heart (and your mouth) to the blissflul flow. Kirtan (from the sanskrit word for singing) is easily learned and instantly memorable. The form is simple: a lead group calls out the melodies. The crowd responds. Sanskrit, the language of ancient India, is also the mother tongue of many modern languages. But the true meaning of its sounds are in the effect they create. As everyone's breathing becomes synchronous, a feeling of unity and timelessness arises. When we sing without restraint our heartfelt expression brings peace and joy and meditation follow effortlessly.

Kirtan (call and response chanting) with Travis Eliot
Santa Monica Yoga
Saturday, August 11th (Second Saturday of every month) 8:00-9:30pm
Cost: By Donation

special events:

... don't miss the beach yoga classes along the shore between santa monica and redondo beach...

Yoga For Surfers
Quicksilver Edition Mission - 1621 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice
Saturday, August 4th 10:00-11:00am
Cost: FREE

This summer YogaWorks is proud to team up with QuikSilverEdition to provide weekly yoga classes for surfers and aspiring boardriders. Be sure to join us for special in-class appearances by legendary Quiksilver athletes such as Reese Forbes, Dave Kalama and Shayne McIntyre who will join YogaWorks instructors to help improve your board performance through yoga, for your extreme (or not so extreme) sports.
Please RSVP to request a spot as space is limited.

Fly in July Extended! with Huck
Hotchkiss Park, Santa Monica (Hollister and 4th)
Saturday, August 4th 10:30am - 12:30pm
Cost: $10 suggested donation

By popular demand, the July series has been extended 2 more weeks! Join us in the park for sunny AcroYoga fun. Bring a mat/towel, sunscreen/hat, and water.
For more info, directions or questions, please email Huck directly: huck@acroyoga.org

The Secrets Behind “The Secret” - Movie Night and Open Discussion
Awareness Center, Pasadena
Saturday, August 4th 7:00-9:00pm
Cost: FREE

Have you ever heard about “The Secret” and wondered how you can manifest your dreams? Watch the movie and join others interested in manifesting their passionate desires. Includes prosperity meditations and additional information to manifest your best life.

Sunday Yoga With Jonathon Simons
lululemon Calabasas - 4719 Commons Way
Sunday, August 5th 9:30am
Cost: FREE

Jonathon Simons from Inner Power Yoga
All levels welcome!!!

Sunday Sunset Yoga
lululemon Santa Monica - 331 Santa Monica Blvd.
Sunday, August 5th 7:00pm
Cost: FREE

You and your friends are invited to join us on warm summer evenings for complimentary yoga classes taught by your favorite Santa Monica instructors!
Meet us at the store and we'll walk to the lawn together. All levels are welcome.
Bring a mat, though we'll have extras if you need one.

Practice In The Park With Scott Lewicki and lululemon Pasadena
Central Park in Old Town Pasadena
Tuesday, August 7th 6:00pm
Cost: FREE

Come join us for some yoga out on the grass!!!
Take advantage of a fun, casual practice focusing on lotsa handstands, wacky arm balances, and learn to play with acro yoga.
This advanced level class is lead by Scott Lewicki.
Practice starts at 6pm. We go until dark and often eat dinner together afterwards.
Central Park in Old Pasadena, north of Del Mar Blvd between Fair Oaks Ave and Raymond Ave.

Yoga For Surfers
Quicksilver Edition Mission - 1621 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice
Saturday, August 11th 10:00-11:00am
Cost: FREE

This summer YogaWorks is proud to team up with QuikSilverEdition to provide weekly yoga classes for surfers and aspiring boardriders. Be sure to join us for special in-class appearances by legendary Quiksilver athletes such as Reese Forbes, Dave Kalama and Shayne McIntyre who will join YogaWorks instructors to help improve your board performance through yoga, for your extreme (or not so extreme) sports.
Please RSVP to request a spot as space is limited.

Fly in July Extended! with Huck
Pan Pacific Park, Los Angeles (Beverly and Sierra Bonita, one block east of The Grove)
Saturday, August 11th 10:30am - 12:30pm
Cost: $10 suggested donation

By popular demand, the July series has been extended 2 more weeks! Join us in the park for sunny AcroYoga fun. Bring a mat/towel, sunscreen/hat, and water.
For more info, directions or questions, please email Huck directly: huck@acroyoga.org

ExhaleSoul Benefit: Harnessing the Heat of the Season with Kyra Haglund
Exhale Center for Sacred Movement, Venice
Saturday, August 11th 4:00-5:45pm
Cost: Minimum donation of $20

The heat of the Summer sun can inspire intense firey energy within us. Left unchecked, this fire can unbalance and deplete vital internal resources. Come explore a practice that focuses on tapping into and balancing the fire of the Summer season. Level 2/3.

Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium
Santa Monica Power Yoga West
Saturdy, August 11th 6:45pm
Cost: $15-30 per person

Where on Earth are we going?
And what can we do about it?
These are two of the questions that are at the heart of the Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium.
The symposium is a profound inquiry into a bold vision: to bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just human presence here on Earth.
If you are ready to explore what this vision means for you, and the opportunity to create an inspiring future, we invite you to attend.

Puja at Harmony Yoga
Harmony Yoga-Redondo Beach
Saturday, August 11th 7:30pm
Cost: $20 suggested donation

Puja is a ceremony, showing respect to a chosen God or Goddess, to bring about both spiritual and material benefits to the community while removing obstacles
Sarva Aishwarya Puja is to receive the blessings and grace of Goddess Para Sakthi also known as Universal Mother. This Puja is one of the most powerful for World Peace and Prosperity in various aspects of life: Education, Career, Marriage, and Business without problems of health or wealth.
Please join us in this unique experience! We suggest wearing comfortable clothing and ask that you bring a small cushion to sit on.
OM PEACE, PEACE, PEACE
In addition there will be a 6 piece devotional band performing for further enjoyment!!!
RSVP: harmony@harmonyyoga.com

Yoga Bootcamp 90210 With Angie Stewart
lululemon Beverly Hills - 334 North Beverly Dr.
Sunday, August 12th 9:30am
Cost: FREE

When is the last time you jumped rope? Played hop scotch? Did push ups till you dropped? Threw a ball? Moved sideways? Laughed under the sun? Stretched every muscle in your body? Felt total bliss? If you haven't done these things in a while then come to Angie’s Yoga Bootcamp 90210 to sweat bootcamp style finishing with rejuvenating yoga. See what all the buzz is about…
Bootcamp begins at 9:30 am sharp!
Check out http://www.angiestewartfitness.com/ for more info!

Sunday Yoga With Jaclyn Beck
lululemon Pasadena - 110 W. Colorado Blvd.
Sunday, August 12th 10:00am
Cost: FREE

Jaclyn Beck from Black Dog Yoga teaches an all levels class.

Sunday Sunset Yoga
lululemon Santa Monica - 331 Santa Monica Blvd.
Sunday, August 12th 7:00pm
Cost: FREE

You and your friends are invited to join us on warm summer evenings for complimentary yoga classes taught by your favorite Santa Monica instructors!
Meet us at the store and we'll walk to the lawn together. All levels are welcome.
Bring a mat, though we'll have extras if you need one.

Ladies' Night at CATZ
Catz Sports 801 S Raymond Ave Pasadena CA 91105
Thursday, August 16th 7:00-9:00pm
Cost: FREE

It's The Lululemon Function show!!!
Join us as we debut our Fall line at CATZ. Come see some of your favorite yoga instructors, local athletes and friends up on the runway!
It promises to be an evening of fashion, function, beauty, and relaxation.
Product demonstration stations will feature Lather Body Products, Design Within Reach, The Center for Well-Being, Aveda Cosmetics, Xocai Chocolates, & Jewelry by Jill.
Teri Gooden Catering will treat guests to a tapas-style meditteranean spread of Hors d' oeuvres, with fine organic teas by Jones' Coffee.
Please RSVP for this lovely evening by August 10th, 2007. bchappell@catzsports.com
*Please note, that this event will not be at our store but at Catz Gym*

Yoga Booty Ballet with Rachel Hollander
YogaWorks Westwood
Friday, August 17th 7:30-9:30pm
Cost: $20

Join Rachel and get your groove on as we dance the night away!
Help send Rachel on her travels by joining in this fun, energetic and totally unique dance and yoga class.
Yoga Booty Ballet is a fun, sexy, spirited way to get your dance on and sweat it up! You’ll work your body, engage your mind and lighten your spirit as you practice this new-school hybrid combining meditation, exhilarating cardiovascular dance, the grace and strength of ballet, kundalini and hatha yoga.

Yoga For Surfers
Quicksilver Edition Mission - 1621 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice
Saturday, August 18th 10:00-11:00am
Cost: FREE

This summer YogaWorks is proud to team up with QuikSilverEdition to provide weekly yoga classes for surfers and aspiring boardriders. Be sure to join us for special in-class appearances by legendary Quiksilver athletes such as Reese Forbes, Dave Kalama and Shayne McIntyre who will join YogaWorks instructors to help improve your board performance through yoga, for your extreme (or not so extreme) sports.
Please RSVP to request a spot as space is limited.

Soul Flow: Creative Dance with Haridass Kaur
Awareness Center, Pasadena
Saturday, August 18th 7:30-9:00 pm
Cost: $15 or 2 for $25

Join Haridass Kaur/Basia for a wholesome and soulful evening! This eclectic event includes creative dancing with a healing journey through the chakras, flowing music, group interaction and playfulness, and a meditative closing circle.

An Evening with Full Moon Rising
Santa Monica Power Yoga West
Saturday, August 18th 8:30pm
Cost: $10-$15 suggested donation

Based on intuition and Intertwined in liquid musical flow, Daniel Pohnke guides us through various forms of healing movements (Qui Gong, Yoga, Capoiera, Dance) and Meditations (Transendental, Guided, Hollow). The whole evening is guided in the rhythms of musical and visual offerings stemming from various parts of the globe and topped off by a set of Kirtan and Full Moon Rising music. Leave feeling fullfilled and enlightened in mind, body and spirit.

Back To Basics Yoga With Amy Lafond
lululemon Beverly Hills - 334 North Beverly Dr.
Sunday, August 19th 9:30am
Cost: FREE

Amy led her first Yoga class in 1997 and has been studying and teaching yoga every since. Amy brings the generosity of her spirit to all the classes she teaches and is greatly interested in helping students learn. Her enthusiasm and ability to connect with students and deliver personalized instruction make her classes refreshingly unique. Amy completed her first Teacher Training at Yoga Works in 1998 and a second at Yoga Works in 2004. In her life before yoga, Amy graduated from Vassar College with a B.A. in Art History. While seemingly unrelated fields, both require acute skills of visual analysis. Amy says that “Studying art literally taught me a new way to look at the world and this ability to see what’s in front of me has been as invaluable as a yoga teacher!
In this class we will break down Surya Namaskara A and B (sun salutations) to develop a deeper understanding of each of the poses which comprise these vinyasas and ultimately gain a more profound appreciation of our yoga practice.
Class will begin promptly at 9:30 am.

Bhakti Blast, An Awareness Festival
Dancing Shiva Yoga and Ayurveda, Los Angeles
Sunday, August 19th 6:00-10:00pm
Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door

Join us for an experience of love and global awareness. We hope to bring more understanding to some of the issues that face humanity with the intention to heal, through the power of devotional music. The festival is a gathering of great spiritual musical artist and global awareness presenters. Enjoy great music, speakers, foods and a yoga community.
Music Artists include: ~ MAS VIDAL ~ MICHAEL DUNN & THE CHANT BAND ~ TONY KHALIFE ~ GIRISH
Awareness Presenters: SAVE TIBET SAVE DARFUR CREATIVE GREEN AFRICA VULNERABLE CHILDRENS PROJECT BEYOND SHELTER TREES FOR A GREEN LA and many other earth conscious organizations

Sunday Sunset Yoga
lululemon Santa Monica - 331 Santa Monica Blvd.
Sunday, August 19th 7:00pm
Cost: FREE

You and your friends are invited to join us on warm summer evenings for complimentary yoga classes taught by your favorite Santa Monica instructors!
Meet us at the store and we'll walk to the lawn together. All levels are welcome.
Bring a mat, though we'll have extras if you need one.

Fashionably Late Function Show
lululemon Calabasas - 4719 Commons Way
Wednesday, August 22nd 7:30-9:00pm
Cost: FREE

Come join us and experience a wide variety of athletes actively showcasing lululemon product while they drop it like its hot!!!
DJ busts out while we have lulutinis and refreshments to make the party hyphy 7:30-9pm in our store.
Hope you're not fashionably late...

Yoga For Surfers - the last of the series!
Quicksilver Edition Mission - 1621 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice
Saturday, August 25th 10:00-11:00am
Cost: FREE

This summer YogaWorks is proud to team up with QuikSilverEdition to provide weekly yoga classes for surfers and aspiring boardriders. Be sure to join us for special in-class appearances by legendary Quiksilver athletes such as Reese Forbes, Dave Kalama and Shayne McIntyre who will join YogaWorks instructors to help improve your board performance through yoga, for your extreme (or not so extreme) sports.
Please RSVP to request a spot as space is limited.

Long Ek Ong Kar Sadhana in Honor of Yogi Bhajan's birthday
Golden Bridge Yoga, Hollywood
Sunday, August 26th 2:50-6:30AM
Cost: FREE

Join your Golden Bridge Family for a very special day commemorating Yogi Bhajan’s blessed birthday.
Lift your spirits and start your day with sadhana, when we will chant long Ek Ong Kars for 2 1/2 hours. Yogi Bhajan always said that if we do this chant/prayer on his birthday, all of our prayers and dreams will manifest!
Sadhana Schedule
2:50 - Doors open
3:00 - Guru Ram Das worldwide chant for peace
3:11 - Japji
3:30 - Kundalini Yoga
4:00 - Long Ek Ong Kars
Festivities the rest of the day include:
9:30 AM - Kundalini Yoga with Gurmukh. ($16/keytags)
11:30 AM - Family Yoga with Gurmukh ($16/keytags)
4:00 PM - Yogi Bhajan Video - FREE!
5:00 PM - Kundalini Yoga with Gurmukh ($16/keytags)
Cake will be served all day!

Sunday Yoga With Kristine Cheng
lululemon Pasadena - 110 W. Colorado Blvd.
Sunday, August 26th 10:00am
Cost: FREE

Kristine Cheng of Yoga Madre teaches an all levels class.

Sacred Dance hosted by Dr. Lauren Feder
Golden Bridge Yoga, Hollywood
Sunday, August 26th 1:30-4:30pm
Cost: $35 in advance; $45 at the door

Lift your Body & Soul!
You don’t need to be a whirling dervish to experience the ecstatic flow of sacred dance... Meet the members of the Academy Dance Troupe from Mexico City and learn the extraordinary dance movements brought to the West by George Gurdjieff. (No experience necessary).


Global Mala Benefit Concert
Truyoga, Santa Monica
Sunday, August 26th 2:30-8:30pm
Cost: $20 in advance; $25 at the door

Spend a glorious day outdoors listening to music for a cause in the courtyard gardens of the Yahoo Center in Santa Monica.
Hear the music live...sing, chant, dance, groove. Sing your way to a state of bliss...come out and chant, sing, dance, or just be still...celebrate life and love with us...if you can talk you can sing, if you can walk you can dance, if you can sit you can meditate...no experience necessary.
BYOB blankets, lawn chairs, ice chests, etc. Free parking.
The lawn "opens" at 2:30 PM.
All proceeds go to Global Mala Project fund
12:30 pm free yoga class with Peter Sterios - Call TruYoga to reserve your spot!
2:30 pm Govindas and Radha • Joey Lugassy • Evolve • Daphne Tse
5:30 pm Dave Stringer with Miles Shrewsbery • Donna DeLory • Girish • Wah!
Tickets/Info: TruYoga (310) 829-2227 • Lululemon Santa Monica (310) 319-9900
Tickets: Buy online http://www.spiritvoyagelive.com/
Sponsored by Manduka, Yogitimes, Lululemon, TruYoga and Spirit Voyage

Pacific Ocean Arati: Prayer Gathering and Healing Ceremony with Saul David Raye
Venice Beach - follow Rose Ave to the ocean's edge
Sunday, August 26th 5:00pm
Cost: FREE

In the in the spirit of Ganga Arati, we will be doing a puja (prayer ceremony) to watch the sunset and pray for all of life. All are welcome. This will include prayer, chanting, and sending healing energy to Mother Ocean and the earth.
Honoring and celebrating life at the ocean's edge.

Free Movie Night: Deep Blue
Yogasofia, Hermosa Beach
Sunday, August 26th 6:30pm
Cost: FREE

On August 26, don't miss "DEEP BLUE"-- "A jaw-dropping experience," (Miami Herald), "A visual feast" (National Geographic), & "A stunning cinematic masterpiece" (CBS Radio). An incredible trip into the underwater world you will never forget!" (Sofia).
Bring your pillows, snacks, & favorite people, & arrive by 6pm to hear the Free Lecture!
Whole Foods RB generously provides refreshments.
* Free Movie Nights are on the 2nd & 4th SUNDAYS OF THE MONTH. (All have been personally tested & loved by Sofia.)

Sunday Sunset Yoga
lululemon Santa Monica - 331 Santa Monica Blvd.
Sunday, August 26th 7:00pm
Cost: FREE

You and your friends are invited to join us on warm summer evenings for complimentary yoga classes taught by your favorite Santa Monica instructors!
Meet us at the store and we'll walk to the lawn together. All levels are welcome.
Bring a mat, though we'll have extras if you need one.

Full Moon Yoga
Golden Bridge Yoga, Hollywood
Monday, August 27th 7:00-8:30pm
Cost: $16/keytags

Join us on this special day when all classes at Golden Bridge will call upon the powerful energy of the moon. Enhance the rhythmic Dance of Life and balance your mind, calm your spirit, and energize your soul with full moon magic.
Special Ra Ma Da Sa Healing Circle with Gurmukh at 7:00 PM!

i challenge you!

the KCRW summer pledge drive is here once again! it started last friday, august 3rd and will run until next monday, august 13th.

(for those of you who are regular visitors to my site, you've probably heard me talk about this santa monica-based NPR radio station many times before; in fact, i've counted over two dozen posts where i've mentioned KCRW at least once! if you've somehow missed reading about why i think this is the best radio station in LA, as well as on the internet at kcrw.com, you can read the post i wrote during the last drive here.)

during my volunteer shift last saturday, i made a donation, and with it i issued this challenge (and i hope they had time to read it over the air): i challenge all yogis who use the KCRW fringe benefits discount on their yoga classes to renew their subscription!

so the question is: have YOU subscribed to KCRW yet?

if you haven't, just think about all these yoga class discounts that could be available to you here in LA if you pledge at the $50 level or higher:

~ beyond physical therapy, marina del rey - 20% off individual classes and packages
~ bikram yoga fullerton - 20% off individual classes, excludes series
~ bikram yoga studio city - 15% off individual classes, excludes series
~ black dog yoga, sherman oaks - 20% off individual classes, excludes series
~ city yoga, west hollywood - 15% off individual classes, excludes series
~ creative chakra spa, marina del rey - 15% off individual classes
~ dancing shiva yoga, miracle mile - 15% off individual classes, 10% off class series
~ earth's power yoga, west hollywood - 15% off individual classes and series
~ exhale center for sacred movement, venice - 15% off individual classes and series
~ exhale spa, santa monica - 15% off individual classes and series
~ goda yoga, culver city - 15% off individual classes and series
~ golden bridge yoga, hollywood - 15% off individual classes, 5-class passes, and workshops
~ home simply yoga, santa monica - 15% off individual classes, 10% off class series
~ hot yoga valencia - 25% off individual classes, 10% off class series
~ karuna yoga, los feliz - 15% off individual classes, 10% off 5-class series
~ liberation yoga, miracle mile - 20% off individual classes and series
~ maha yoga, brentwood - 15% off individual classes and series
~ rising lotus yoga, sherman oaks - 15% off individual classes, excludes series
~ rudra yoga center, long beach - 20% off individual classes
~ santa monica yoga - $2 off individual class price, 10% off class series
~ still yoga, silverlake - 20% off individual classes, excludes series
~ YAS, venice - 20% off individual classes, 10% off class series
~ yoga blend, burbank - 15% off individual classes and series
~ yoga center, redondo beach - 20% off individual classes, 15% off series of 3 private sessions
~ yoga shakti, orange county - $3 off individual class price, 10% off class series
~ yoga works, various locations - 20% off individual classes, excludes series

how can you pass up on this deal? if you take a look at all the other local businesses that offer fringe benefits discounts, you could be saving yourself a few bucks here and there every day!

and looking at it from the other side, if you were a yoga studio looking to lure in more students, why wouldn't you want to sign up and become a part of this fantastic program?

take, for example, the studio where i took a yoga class earlier this evening. i showed up for a drop-in class and asked if they offered the KCRW discount on the $18 single class rate. and they did NOT! for me, that's a big disincentive to visit them on a regular basis. tsk, tsk... i suppose there's a possibility that the owner doesn't even know that the program exists; with all the student discounts she offers, i find it hard to believe that she'd actually choose to pass on this one...

anyway, i have many more shifts scheduled throughout this pledge drive, with most of them being during the late-night and weekend hours. maybe i'll get a chance to talk with you when you call in to make your pledge?

you can subscribe to KCRW by phone at (800) 600-KCRW or through their website. however you decide to do it, do it now!

KCRW serves Los Angeles and Orange Counties at 89.9 FM, Ventura County at 89.1 FM on KCRU/Oxnard-Ventura, the greater Palm Springs area at 89.3 FM on KCRI/Indio-Palm Springs and Kern and Northern LA Counties at 88.1 FM on KCRY/Mojave/Antelope Valley.
KCRW can now be heard in Santa Barbara at 106.9. Other translators carry the signal to the Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley areas at 90.7 FM, Gorman at 89.7 FM, Banning at 90.9 FM, the Ridgecrest area at 100.1 FM, the Thousand Oaks and Conejo Valley areas at 102.3 FM, Ojai at 102.1 FM, and Lemon Grove/Spring Valley in San Diego County at 89.9 FM.