Legend: BLUE-open, RED-closed, GREEN-by donation
Click here to view the accidental yogist's map of los angeles yoga studios in a full-size page

Friday, August 29, 2008

moving to miami

nope, i'm not referring to myself -- i love it here in LA too much to even consider packing up and relocating to a place with hot and sticky summers!

after spending two wild and crazy days rubbing elbows with the DNC delegates in denver, the yoga health festival is moving on to the second stop of its 10-city tour: miami, florida. here's the labor day weekend schedule of events:

YOGA HEALTH FESTIVAL MIAMI
Aug. 31 - Sept. 1 at the I Love Yoga Headquarters, 99 NW 166th, Miami FL

The Yoga Health Foundation and I Love Yoga have teamed up to present the first-ever Yoga Health Festival in Florida.
Learn from some of the best yoga teachers and health experts and enjoy festival activities.
All proceeds benefit Youth Health Alliance and holistic health education for at-risk children.

FREE SPECIAL EVENTS:
Free Concert with HereIIHere - Sunday 8-10pm
Free Lecture & Satsang with Gurudev Amrit Desai - Sunday 7-8pm
Secret Journey to The Enlightened Mind & Awards with Dr. James Weldon - Monday 11am

Visit our exhibit area with empowering yoga, health and green products.

FESTIVAL HOURS:
SUNDAY, AUGUST 31 FROM 3-7PM AND MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 from 9 AM -7 PM

Free Festival Admission $ 25 per workshop $ 39 All-inclusive 2-Day VIP PASS (limited availability)
Order your $ 39 VIP PASS online.
Workshops will sell out. A VIP PASS will guarantee access to all workshops and concert.
Please check online for full schedule and times.

Ticket Info & Orders: www.yogamonth.org Phone 310 928 3720

Featured Presenters:
Duncan Wong
Anamargret Sanchez
Moses Michael Kup
Rosa Santana
Sensei Donato
Luke Ketterhagen
Greg Nardi
Terri Cooper
Paul Toliuszis
Jill Rapperport
Vic Munoz

PROGRAM GUIDE

WORKSHOPS - AUG. 31 AND SEPT. 1
Sunday 8/31
3pm-5pm Budokon: the Way of the Warrior Spirit - Sensei Donato
3pm-5pm Beyond Asana: Iyengar Yoga (taught in English, Spanish and Portuguese) presented by Yoga Rosa Studio - Rosa Santana
5pm-7pm Yogic Arts - Duncan Wong
7pm-8pm FREE LECTURE with Yogi Amrit Desai - Yogi Amrit Desai
8pm-10pm FREE EVENING CONCERT- HereIIHere

Monday, Labor Day 9/1
9am-11am Beginners Yoga - Deep Meditative Gentle Vinyasa Flow presented by I Love Yoga - Moses Michael Kup
11am-1pm Organizational Yoga: Empowering Corporations with Wholeness - Vic Munoz
11am-1pm Manifesting Your Dreams Through Yoga and the Chakras presented by Shores Yoga - Terri Cooper
1pm-3pm Guided Ashtanga Yoga Class presented by Miami Life Center - Greg Nardi
1pm-3pm Self Health Yoga Ed. Tools for Fun and Feeling good! presented by Yoga Ed. - Jill Rapperport
3pm-5pm Stretch for Strength - Luke Ketterhagen
3pm-5pm Enjoyable Yoga presented by Miami Yoga Shala - Paul Toliuszis
5pm-7pm Agni: Igniting the fire of spirit presented by - Anamargret Sanchez

FREE LECTURES AND DEMOS - MONDAY 9/1
10am Faith Yoga for the Blind - Cephus Primo Jones and Luana Hervier
11am Secret Journey to The Enlightened Mind – Life With Three Spiritual Giants of Our Age Dr. James Weldon – Rishi Yogadhi Pragya
11.45pm The Enlightened Mind Award Ceremony - Honoring Leaders for Service to Humanity in Creating a More Enlightened Society - Dr. James Weldon – Rishi Yogadhi Pragya
1 - 3pm Introduction to Raw Food Preparation - Zeina Smidi
3pm A holistic and spiritual adventure within - Joy

Thursday, August 28, 2008

just in case you're in town over the weekend...

... you'll still be able to find a studio near you (or at least within a reasonable distance from you) that'll be offering classes over the labor day holiday. here's what i've compiled so far from the emails i've received and the studio websites. in the spirit of the labor day holiday, i'm abstaining from having to put in extra work; what you see is a simple copy-and-paste job :)

note: links to the studio websites can be found on the right-hand sidebar of my blogsite


back for yoga, el segundo

Just a reminder that we will be closed on Monday for Labor Day.
But, please join Andy, Cathy and Theresa on Saturday or Sunday, as there will be regular scheduled classes both days.

bks iyengar yoga institute, los angeles

We are pleased to announce that we are now in the transition phase of our move from 8233 West 3rd. Street, to our new home at 1835 South La Cienega.
Classes: no classes will be held this week (Aug. 25 - Sept. 1) as we pack and move (see below for how you can help!) Our next scheduled classes begin on Tuesday, September 2, at the new location.
Note: this is a completely new class schedule. Be sure to check dates & times online before coming to class!
Finding the new studio: we are located in the La Cienega Plaza shopping complex on the south-west corner of 18th & S. La Cienega, just off the 10 freeway. The studio is on the second floor, right across the hall from LA Fitness and their plentiful signs will help you find your way!
PARKING: Park in the 3-story parking structure in the back (entrances off of 18th street or Sawyer) and follow the LA Fitness signs, we are right across the hall from their facility.
Please check in frequently at http://www.iyila.org for all information & updates. Until we are up and running in the new location, phone communication will be difficult at best, so please continue to rely on our website for the latest news.
CAN YOU HELP? Volunteers are needed for this move and at the top of the list is blanket washing! If you can help by washing some institute blankets at home or at a laundromat, please contact Operations Manager Geline Velayo: gvelayo@gmail.com
We look forward to seeing you in our wonderful new home!

black dog yoga, sherman oaks

We will have a Short Schedule for Labor Day Mon Sept 1st..... come and take one of these classes.....
9:00a - 10:30a Hatha Flow Level II with SIGRID MATTHEWS
9:30a - 11:00a Deep Stretch All Levels with HEIDI CROWTHER
10:30a - 12:00p Anusara Level II-III with JENNY BRILL
There will be no afternoon classes - have a great holiday!!

city yoga, west hollywood

Monday, September 1st
8:30am basics with Anthony Benenati
9:00am mixed with Rebecca Benenati
10:30am mixed with Tara Judelle
City Yoga closes at 12:30pm
Have a happy and safe holiday!

earth's power yoga, los angeles

We are open Labor Day Weekend
On Monday we will just have the two classes: 10:30 am and 5:45 pm

exhale center for sacred movement, venice

Labor Day Schedule - September 1, 2008
9:00-10:25am Micheline Berry Level 2/3
9:15-10:40am Jason Frahm Level 1/2
10:30-12:15pm Saul David Raye Level 2/3
10:45-12:15pm Ashley Turner Level 1/2
12:45-2:15pm Brad Keimach Lev 2/3 community
*New FALL SCHEDULE launches Tuesday, September 2, 2008
New teachers! New classes! Come by and pick up a copy today!

free spirit yoga, long beach

Labor Day weekend classes are all on schedule.
Labor Day, Sept. 1st we will have only one class at 9:30am with Laura Tree, All Levels

garden of yoga, woodland hills

We will have a special Labor Day Flow class with Diana from 9-10:30 AM. The evening class with Stefan at 5 PM will be postponed for that day only.

glendale yoga, glendale

There will be one class on Labor Day Sept. 1st from 10:00-11:30 a.m. w/Nancy

goda yoga, culver city

Goda will be closed Monday, Sep. 1 for Labor Day

golden bridge yoga, hollywood

Monday, September 1 9:30 - 11:30am
Labor Day: Awakening to your Vastness with Tej
Cost: $20/adv or $30/day of
We all have a destiny we have been given to grow towards, and we all have an inner calling that reflects a bright and beautiful ray of light of the Infinite.
That inner connection can become so bright & peaceful that you can wake up another person just with your glow. When your own Vastness is awakened in you, your presence will speak.
As the consciousness is elevated, we are given the courage, organization and one pointedness to find our direction. With the help of Kundalini Yoga and Deep Meditation, we can decide how the next chapter of our lives will look, and move towards our own Greatness.
Join us as we awaken the psyche towards the next great adventure of our own unfolding.
Please note, this is the only class offered on Labor Day!

inner harmony yoga, san pedro

No classes Labor Day Weekend

karuna yoga, los feliz

Labor Day Schedule
9:00am Hatha/Kundalini with Robyn
10:30am Hatha Yoga with Julie

liberation yoga, los angeles

We will have just 2 classes on Labor Day:
10am-11:30am - Vinyasa Flow With Ashley Albrand
11:00am-12:30pm - Level 1 With Cathie Baker

lyfe yoga center, hermosa beach

Labor Day Schedule
9:00am - 10:30am All Levels Iyengar

maha yoga, brentwood

Monday Sep 01, 2008
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM Mysore Ashtanga Jorgen Christiansson
9:15 AM - 10:45 AM All Levels Stephanie Phelan
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Level 2&3 Steve Ross

revive yoga, chatsworth

Revive Yoga will be closed on Sunday 8/31 and Monday 9/1. We will resume our regular schedule on Tuesday!
Enjoy your long weekend...

rising lotus yoga, sherman oaks

Labor Day Schedule - Monday, 9/1
9am Level 1 with Sarah Bergman
10:35am Mixed Level with Claire Hartley
All other classes cancelled for the day

santa monica yoga, santa monica

Closed Monday September 1, Labor Day

silver lake yoga, silverlake

Labor Day Schedule -- AMENDED
SATURDAY, AUG. 30
No Pilates class at 5:00 pm
SUNDAY, AUG. 31
No Parent & Me at 10:00 am
No Prenatal at 11:30 am
No Tai Chi at 4:00 pm
No Restorative class at 6:30 pm
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2008
9:30 am - 10:45 am Beginner's class with Sam Graham
11:00 am - 12:30 pm Mixed Levels/Flow class with Letania
All other classes canceled that day.

still yoga, silverlake

Monday September 1, 2008
9:00 - 10:30 AM all levels anusara - Hagar Harpak
10:45 - 12:15 PM basics - Cancelled Today
12:30 - 2:00 PM all levels anusara - Tony Giuliano
4:00 - 5:30 PM all levels anusara - Cancelled Today
6:00 - 7:30 PM all levels anusara - Cancelled Today
7:35 - 9:05 PM level 2/3 anusara - Cancelled Today

swerve, west hollywood (only yoga classes listed)

Saturday August 30th:
10:00am Yoga Booty Ballet / Kim Blank
11:45am Guided Meditation - Cancelled
5:00pm Yoga Booty Ballet - Cancelled
Sunday August 31st:
10:00am Yoga Booty Ballet / Lauren Haze
3:00pm Meditation Circle - Cancelled
Monday September 1st:
7:30am Vinyasa Flow Yoga - Cancelled
10:00am Yoga Booty Ballet / Lauren Haze
11:15am Prenatal Yoga & Meditation / Danielle Marie Gutshall
12:30pm Vinyas Flow Yoga (CC $9) - Cancelled
6:15pm Yoga Booty Ballet - Cancelled

the absolute yoga and pilates, woodland hills

WE WILL BE OPEN ON SATURDAY AUGUST 30TH
WE WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY SEPTEMEBER 1ST
AND RE-OPEN TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 2ND

u studio, miracle mile

saturday aug 30th 10:30am--Ginny
sunday aug 31 10:30am--Ginny
monday sept 1 10:30am--Ginny
tuesday sept 2 10:15am--Ginny
4:00pm--Ursula
5:30pm--Ginny
7:00pm--Alexandra
**andrea back starting wednesday sept 3

urth yoga, silverlake

Monday September 1, 2008
9:00 - 10:30 AM Basics - Anusara Inspired - Cancelled Today
10:00 - 11:30 AM Mixed Levels - Anusara - Landry Malick
4:30 - 6:00 PM Mixed Levels - Anusara Inspired - Cancelled Today
6:15 - 7:45 PM Mixed Levels - Anusara Inspired - Cancelled Today
8:00 - 9:30 PM Mixed Levels - Hatha Flow - Cancelled Today

yoga at the village, glendale

We are open as usual all Labor Day Weekend

yoga bindu, san pedro

The studio will be closed for Labor Day weekend (August 30, August 31 and September 1).

yoga blend, burbank

LABOR DAY SCHEDULE—Monday, September 1st
9:30am-11:00am ~ Level 1 w/ Nicole
11:30am-12:45pm ~ Gentle w/ Bekah
12:00pm-1:30pm ~ Level 1-2 w/ Keric
1:00pm-2:00pm ~ Stretch w/ Bekah

yoga circle downtown, los angeles

Sat Aug 30, 10:30am and 12noon
Sun Aug 31, 10:30am
We will be closed on Monday Sept 1, Labor Day
On Tuesday Sept 2, we'll return to regular schedule.
Have a safe and happy Holiday Weekend.

yoga darsana studio, alhambra

Studio closed on: New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

yoga groove, north hollywood

We will be open Monday, September 1, 2008, Labor Day for one special class at 10 a.m.
All Levels.
Come join Karen for this end of summer holiday.

yogahop, santa monica

Labor Day Schedule
This Monday's class schedule is as follows:
9:15 AM Level 2/3 Summit with Matthew Reyes
6:15 PM Level 2/3 Summit with Matthew Reyes
Please note that Friday afternoon's 1 PM, 3:30 PM and 3:30 PM kids class has also been cancelled for this weekend.
The normal Saturday & Sunday schedule can be found on the schedule page.

yoga kingdom sanctuary, pasadena

Sept. 1st - Labor Day Weekend
8:00 to 9:15 AM Beginners Hatha - Christi
9:30 to 11:00 AM Classical Hatha All Level - Naader

yoga loft, manhattan beach

Friday, 8/29, Saturday 8/30, and Sunday 8/31: ALL classes will be held
Monday, 9/1: 2 classes ONLY
8:30am Level 2/3 with Genevieve Fischer
10:00am Level 1/2 with Jamie Horgan

yoga madre, arcadia

PLEASE NOTE: We are closed for Labor Day, Monday September 1st, except for Cybelle's class Monday evening at 7:30PM.

yoga west, los angeles

Join Gurudhan Singh at Yoga West on Labor Day for a special class:
Your Soul: A Labor of Love
from 10 am – 12 noon
Regular class price, keytags accepted.
Yoga West will be open special hours on Labor Day from 9:30 – 12:30.
This is the only class on Labor Day.

yoga works, all locations

Monday 9/1/2008

Center for Yoga
08:00-09:25am Kimberly Wharton Hatha Blend (1)
08:30-10:00am David Lynch Vinyasa Flow 2
09:30-10:55am Patti Lewis Hatha Blend (1&2)
10:15-11:45am Joan Hyman Vinyasa Flow (2&3)
10:30-12:00pm Patricia Starr Pre & Postnatal
11:00-01:00pm Jodi Blumstein Ashtanga / Mysore
12:00-01:30pm Jeanne Heileman Hatha Blend (2/3)

Santa Monica - Main
09:00-10:30am Vinnie Marino Vinyasa Flow (2&3)
10:45-12:15pm Sara Ivanhoe Vinyasa Flow (2&3)
12:30-02:00pm Chris Stein Restoratives/Pranayama

Santa Monica - Montana
06:30-08:55am Simi Cruz Ashtanga / Mysore
07:15-08:45am Kathryn Budig Vinyasa Flow (2&3)
09:00-10:35am Lisa Walford Iyengar (2&3)
09:15-10:40am Malachi Melville YogaWorks Flow 2
10:45-12:10pm Kelly McAndrews Vinyasa Flow (2&3)
10:45-12:10pm Heather Seiniger YogaWorks (1&2)
12:30-01:55pm Al Tavera Level 1

South Bay
08:00-09:30am Natale Ferreira Level 2
08:30-10:00am Leeann Carey Level 1&2
09:45-11:15am Catherine Luna Level 1
10:15-11:45am Garth Hewitt level 2 & 3
11:30-01:25pm Nini Gibert-Cortes Ashtanga Prep
12:00-12:55pm Jocelyn Kay Lee BarWorks
01:00-02:30pm Amy Drucker Gentle Yoga
01:30-02:30pm Patricia Grube Prenatal

Westwood
09:00-10:30am David Kim level 2 & 3
09:15-10:45am Marla Apt Iyengar (1&2)
10:45-12:15pm Thomas Taubman Level 1&2
11:00-12:30pm David Lynch level 2 & 3
12:30-01:55pm Kimberly Wharton Relax Deeply
12:45-01:45pm Katharine Miyo Ashikita Mat Pilates

yoga world, long beach

We will be open with our full schedule of classes over the Labor Day weekend including Monday Labor Day!

your neighborhood studio, culver city

LABOR DAY SCHEDULE:
9:00am Yoga Flow
7:30pm Yoga Flow
CLOSED THE REST OF THE DAY
Have a GREAT Holiday!

yummy yoga, los feliz

Labor Day Class: Monday, Sept 1
Ducky Punch is teaching the 9:00 AM All Levels class to jump start your Labor Day with yummy, yummy yoga! All other Monday classes are cancelled.
Have a fabulous and safe Labor Day weekend!

Monday, August 25, 2008

who me, yoga?

it was a little over a year ago when i first heard about arthur klein's documentary about the yoga world, y yoga movie. it's clearly been a labor of love for him; from the time i first viewed a roughcut version of the film until the time he pronounced it ready for release, he continued to travel around the country to share his work and to spread the gospel of yoga. at every venue, he'd listen to what the audience had to say then use their comments and suggestions to fine-tune his offering to the yoga community.

soon after i heard that copies of the movie were finally available for purchase, i bumped into arthur at a local kirtan, and sure enough, he happened to have a stack of DVDs with him. i ended up buying my own copy just to see how it had evolved since my first review. it had clearly undergone some nip and tuck -- tighter editing here, extra footage there -- but it was basically the same answer to the same question: why yoga?

for me, listening to what everyone in y yoga had to say was pretty much preaching to the choir. i'd taken classes with most of the teachers interviewed in the movie, so not only had i already been fortunate enough to practice with them and learn from them, but all our stories were very similar. we discovered yoga. we discovered ourselves by doing yoga. and we continue to discover more about ourselves and the world around us through yoga.

but what about those who just aren't into yoga? if, after watching the movie, would they then perceive us as spiritual fanatics? or as overly health-conscious human pretzels? or would it spark in them a curiosity to find out for themselves what yoga's all about?

luckily, it didn't take long for me to find a yoga outsider who'd not only be willing to sit through the entire movie but who'd also give me her honest opinion... my younger sister, gigi.

gigi's outlook on health and fitness is so diametrically opposed to mine that people sometimes wonder if we're really related. while i'll spend hours sweating profusely in a yoga studio or out on a marathon course, she finds the thought of working out and being drenched in sweat utterly repulsive. and while she understands how exercise does contribute to one's sense of well-being, she's still waiting for the day when she can just pop a pill to achieve the same result. but then again, she can't understand why i'm oblivious to the latest fashion trends and have absolutely no problem wearing the same shade of eyeshadow week in and week out... ok, so maybe i'm not that bad...

one thing we do have in common is that we both blog. you probably already know that i write about the LA yoga scene -- surprise, surprise -- at the accidental yogist. so if you want to balance things out and catch up on what's new in the fashion and beauty scene -- and i suppose i should -- check out her thoughts at gigi goes gaga.

so here's gigi's review of arthur klein's y yoga -- and just know that the sushi dinner i bribed her with last night did not influence what she wrote in any way :)

When I was about six years old, my mother enrolled me in a ballet class, hoping that I might develop some kind of grace. Instead, my teacher announced that I was too fat to do splits. I never took another ballet class again, and have always been too frightened to do any kind of strenuous stretching, always thinking that my body just doesn’t want to go there, and therefore won’t.

I took a few yoga classes, but always quit with the mindset that I’d never be good at it because I found it impossible to touch my forehead to my knees (truth is I’d be happy if I could even touch my toes). I convinced myself I simply wasn’t yoga material: my classmates were usually lean, flexible types who looked great in tank tops and whom I was convinced ate nothing but vegan or raw food. So NOT how I’d describe myself. Plus I’ve never liked to sweat, and yoga classes always seem to take place in warm, crowded rooms.

But now I’m in my early 40's and I feel my body giving up on me. I’m diabetic and usually feel too tired to exercise; during the weekends I prefer to sleep. I was recently thinking of re-exploring yoga, partly because I’ve seen what it’s done for my older sister. She practices every single day, anywhere she can find a class. At first I thought it was simply her compulsive nature taking a new form, but then I realized something inside her had changed and that she was now radiating a sense of wellness and openness. It was something, I decided, that I wanted and needed for myself as well.

Tonight she brought Arthur Klein's DVD, "Y Yoga Movie," and wanted to know what I thought of it. Let’s get the bad news out of the way: it’s a bit disjointed and doesn’t flow, the same way I think yoga itself is supposed to. It tries to be everything to too many people, and I think there could be at least two or three different films in there. For instance, the portions regarding the music and musicians felt -- to me -- out of place.

But there’s more good news than bad. I came away understanding more about yoga and how the end goal is not being simply able to master a bunch of poses. I was inspired by how yoga had changed the lives of so many people -- how it made them find themselves, respect and honor their bodies, make them want to give back as a result of what they had been given, and be healed in ways they had never imagined.

I had been turned off at what I saw as the growing commercialization of yoga these past few years and was wary of jumping on what might merely be another fitness trend. But seeing all these people who have integrated yoga into their lives made me see things a bit differently. It’s not about who can do something better -- it’s about becoming better, from the inside out. Now that’s something I can believe in.

After two weeks of watching the Olympics, of hearing athletes talk about not being able to maintain the intensity of their training for many years and then juxtapose that with the constant messages in the film about how yoga is a lifelong practice that keeps you stronger and healthier as you age...well, it really is a no-brainer. It might take me a lifetime to be able to touch my forehead to my knees -- though I suspect I might surprise myself and learn how to make my body stretch in ways I never thought it could -- but at least I’d never, never be too fat to do it.



by the way, there'll be a screening of y yoga at the yoga health festival in denver tonight followed by a Q&A with director arthur klein. so if you're lucky enough to find yourself in that neck of the woods, treat yourself to an $8 double feature at the neighborhood flix cinema and cafe -- catch yoga unveiled: yoga as therapy at 6pm, then y yoga at 7:30pm. enjoy!

Friday, August 22, 2008

no sweat!

this article popped up on one of my health and fitness news sites today, and after reading it, i wondered: have i never experienced hot flashes because of my regular yoga practice, or i am just darned lucky? not only that, but if i didn't do any yoga at all, would i be any more forgetful than i am now? what a scary thought!


Yoga soothes worst symptoms of menopause
Women had fewer night sweats, better concentration, study says

NEW YORK - Yoga can reduce hot flashes and night sweats among women going through menopause, and also appears to sharpen their mental function, researchers from India report.

To investigate whether yoga would help women with physical and cognitive symptoms of menopause, they randomly assigned 120 menopausal women, 40 to 55 years old, to yoga practice or simple stretching and strengthening exercises five days a week for eight weeks.

The postures, breathing and meditation included in the yoga intervention were "aimed at one common effect, i.e. 'to develop mastery over modifications of the mind' ... through 'slowing down the rate of flow of thoughts in the mind,"' the researchers explain.

Women in the yoga group also listened to lectures on using yoga to manage stress and other yoga-related topics, while those in the control group heard lectures on diet, exercise, the physiology of menopause, and stress.

After eight weeks, women in the yoga group showed a significant reduction in hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances, while the women in the control group did not, Dr. R. Chattha, of the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana in Bangalore, India, and colleagues found.

Both groups showed improvements in a test of attention and concentration, although improvement in the yoga group was significantly greater. In a test of memory and intelligence with 10 components, the yoga group improved on eight, while the control group improved on six. Improvements were significantly greater in the yoga group than in the control group on seven of the subtests.

"The present study shows the superiority of yoga over physical activity in improving the cognitive functions that could be attributed to emphasis on correctness in breathing, synchronizing breathing with body movements, relaxation and mindful rest," the researchers suggest.



here are the finer points of that study. science geeks -- read on...

Effect of yoga on cognitive functions in climacteric syndrome: a randomised control study.

Chattha R, Nagarathna R, Padmalatha V, Nagendra HR.


Division of Yoga and Life Sciences Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA), Bangalore, India.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of an integrated approach of yoga therapy (IAYT) on cognitive abilities in climacteric syndrome.

DESIGN: A randomised control study wherein the participants were divided into experimental and control groups.

SETTINGS: Fourteen centres of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation, Bangalore, India.

SAMPLE: One hundred and eight perimenopausal women between 40 and 55 years with follicle-stimulating hormone level equal to or greater than 15 miu/ml. One hundred and twenty perimenopausal women were randomly allotted into the yoga and the control groups.

METHODS: The yoga group practised a module comprising breathing practices, sun salutation and cyclic meditation, whereas the control group practised a set of simple physical exercises, under supervision (1 hour/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessments were made by vasomotor symptom checklist, six-letter cancellation test (SLCT) for attention and concentration and Punit Govil Intelligence Memory Scale (PGIMS) with ten subtests.

RESULTS: The Wilcoxon test showed significant (P < 0.001) reduction in hot flushes, night sweats and sleep disturbance in yoga group, with a trend of significant difference between groups at P = 0.06 on Mann-Whitney test in night sweats. There was no change within or between groups in the control group. The SLCT score and the PGIMS showed significant improvement in eight of ten subtests in the yoga group and six of ten subtests in the control group. The yoga group performed significantly better (P < 0.001) with higher effect sizes in SLCT and seven tests of PGIMS compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS: Integrated approach of yoga therapy can improve hot flushes and night sweats. It also can improve cognitive functions such as remote memory, mental balance, attention and concentration, delayed and immediate recall, verbal retention and recognition tests.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

denver's the place!

with all the hubbub that'll be going on at the yoga health festival in denver next week, i kinda wish that i had planned to be there to join in the fun... you know, with it coinciding with the democratic national convention and all...

you have to admit that it's a splashy way to kick off the upcoming yogamonth 09.2008 festivities! and hopefully, the festivities here in LA next month will be just as exciting :)

by the way, speaking of the DNC, MC yogi, one of the artists scheduled to perform at the benefit concert (and yes, the same artist who's releasing the CD i talked about yesterday), just made available a FREE download of his latest creation: vote for hope.

MC Yogi’s "Vote for Hope" is the new anthem for the historic 2008 election season.

"Vote For Hope" was written to encourage and mobilize the hip hop generation—and everyone—to let their voices be heard. “Barack Obama is a catalyst for our generation,” says MC Yogi. "His campaign inspires young people to engage their creativity, and music is a fast and effective way to reach, inspire and galvanize the youth movement."

This free download adds MC Yogi’s positive, politically conscious rhymes to samples of Barack Obama’s inspiring speech from the 2004 Democratic National Convention.


here's what on tap for those who do manage to make it to denver next week:

YOGA HEALTH FESTIVAL DENVER

Date: Aug. 24-25
Location: Minsuk Pavilion in the City Park built only for the DNC convention, behind the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and IMAX (walk towards City Park Lake)
Parking: At the Denver Museum, IMAX or any street parking close to the City Park at Colorado and 22nd.
Ticket Info & Orders: www.yogamonth.org / Phone 310 928 3720

OmPass and the Yoga Health Foundation have teamed up to present the first-ever Yoga Health Festival during a political convention. Make a statement to the Nation at our National Yoga Month 09.2008 kickoff event during the Democratic National Convention. A bi-partisan festival to celebrate yoga, healthy and green living.
• Health Policy Forum with Arianna Huffington, officials and invited guests
• Workshops with Seane Corn, Hemalayaa, Hala Khouri, Simon Park + others
• Free lectures and demonstrations
• Over 70 yoga, health and green exhibitors
• Yoga for kids area and experiences
• Benefit concert with VH1's You Oughta Know Artist Justin Nozuka, Xiren, MC Yogi
• After-Party at The Church with special guests

All proceeds benefit Youth Health Alliance and holistic health education for at-risk children.

Free Festival Admission / $25 per workshop / $25 Benefit Concert / $88 All-inclusive 2-Day VIP PASS - Order your VIP PASS online and receive a FREE gift bag (Guaranteed and unlimited access to all workshops and concert for both days) Info and Tickets

Featured Presenters:
Arianna Huffington
Suzanne Sterling
Hala Khouri
Seane Corn
Justin Nozuka & band - VH1's Oughta Know Artist
Xiren
MC Yogi
Dr. James Weldon
Simon Park
Heather Peterson
Hemalayaa
Shannon Paige Schneider
Kevin Durkin
Devi Drea
Dawnelle Arthur
Leslie Howard
Dave Farmar
JAYLA
Alanna Kaivalya
Mykal Aubry
Derik Eselius
Jennifer Fortenberry
Dee Marie
Hillary Rubin
Jennifer Wagner
Luke Ketterhagen

PROGRAM GUIDE:

SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2008
9am - Free Bagel Breakfast presented by Panera Bread

CONCERT STAGE - All Events are FREE except for evening Youth Benefit Concert and after-party
9:30am - Health affects of meditation with Sahaja Yoga

10am - Quantum Healing with Amethyst Crystals and New Technology with BioMat

10:30am - Fuel your passion for politics by eating well with Erin Livers

11am - Detox and Cleansing with Dr. Brenna Hatami

11:30am - How to work mind, energy and body systems together to heal physical and emotional challenges with Carolyn Eberle, LPC

12pm - Live DJ Performance: Lunch Time Mini Yoga Class with live music by YogaDownload.com

12:30pm - How do you help your body deal more affectively with Stress? with Dr. Richard Munn

1pm - Orchestrating Your Life: The Healing Power of Music and Sound with Paul Solomon, MA, MSW

1:30pm - Getting out of pain, healing Multiple Sclerosis with Yoga with Hillary Rubin

2pm - The Art of Traditional Chinese Medicine – Herbs & Acupuncture with Dustin C Slade, DiplCH, LAc

2:30pm - The Self Centered Experience with Max Simon

3:30pm - Musical performance by JAYLA

4pm - Secret Journey to The Enlightened Mind – Life With Three Spiritual Giants of Our Age with Dr. Weldon – Rishi

4:45pm - The Enlightened Mind Award Ceremony - Honoring Leaders for Service to Humanity in Creating a More Enlightened Society with Dr. Weldon – Rishi

5-7pm - Sound Check - stage closed

7-10pm - Youth Benefit Concert with Justin Nozuka, Xiren and DJ dance party with MC Yogi and DJ Dragonfly Benefiting Youth Health Alliance
7:15pm: Xiren
8:00pm: Justin Nozuka, VH1's Oughta Know Artist
9:00pm: DJ dance party with MC Yogi and DJ Dragonfly
10:00pm: Closing of Concert

10:30pm - After Party at the SoCo's Church Night Club with MC Yogi and appearances by Justin Nozuka + others
Presented by SoCo (50% OFF w/ festival tix)

EXHIBITS
9am - 7pm
Free exhibits with yoga, health, green products healthy, food and product sampling

WORKSHOP SPACE # 1 ($25 PER WORKSHOP OR INCLUDED IN VIP PASS)
8-10am - Self Health – Tools for Fun and Feeling good for Children and Adults with Dee Marie

10am-noon - Joyful Yoga, Indian Dance and feeling good with Hemalayaa

12-2pm - Thai Massage and Partner Yoga with Simon Park

2-5pm - Off the Mat into the World: Turning Intention into Action with featured presentation by Seane Corn, Hala Khouri, Suzanne Sterling

5-7pm - Moving Mediation Flow with Jennifer Fortenberry

8-10pm - Yoga and Chakra Journey under the self-illuminated Minsuk Cho Pavilion with Mykal Aubry

WORKSHOP SPACE # 2 ($25 PER WORKSHOP OR INCLUDED IN VIP PASS)
8-10am - Therapeutic Yoga for Pain and Injuries with Kevin Durkin

10am-noon - Intuitive Yoga – Learn to do Yoga Anywhere, Anytime! with Devi Drea

12-2pm - I am not a MESS. Get out of pain and learn how to use any diagnosis as a platform to begin healing with yoga with Hillary Rubin

2-4pm - Yoga for Cranky Hips with Leslie Howard

YOGA FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES - FREE
All-Day-Activities
Yoga and Health Fun for Children and Families


MONDAY AUGUST 25, 2008
9am - Free Bagel Breakfast presented by Panera Bread

CONCERT STAGE - All Events are FREE
9am - Quantum Healing with Amethyst Crystals and New Technology with BioMat

10am - Solar Energy Technologies for your daily life with SOLIO

11am - Simple Facts about Nutrition and Staying Healthy with Dr. Brenna Hatami

11:30am - Gentle Yoga for Seniors and all levels presented by Udaya Yoga with Terri Mairley

12pm - Live DJ Performance: Lunch Time Mini Yoga Class with live music by YogaDownload.com

1pm - Kirtan Music performance by Alanna Kaivalya

2pm - How do you help your body deal more affectively with Stress? with Dr. Richard Munn

3pm - Calming Your Senses through Chanting & Mantras with ISKCON

4pm - The Self Centered Experience with Max Simon

4-6pm - VIP Reception for Delegates, Officials and guests
with Arianna Huffington, Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS)*, Trace Devanny (president Cerner), Olivia Miller and Family (Juvenile Diabetes participant); under the Minsuk Cho Pavilion. *invited
Open to public

5-7pm - Health Policy Forum
5pm: Music performance by JAYLA
5:45pm: Arianna Huffington "Preventive Health Care: The Need to Unplug & Recharge in Order to Bring More Health and Balance to Our Lives".
6:15pm: Steven C. Olsen, DDS "Medical Care vs. Health Care: The Future of a Preventative Health Care System”
7pm: Closing remarks

EXHIBITS
9am - 6pm
Free exhibits with yoga, health, green products healthy, food and product sampling

WORKSHOP SPACE # 1 ($25 PER WORKSHOP OR INCLUDED IN VIP PASS)
8-10am - Yoga for Clarity and Renewal presented by The Denver Institute of Yoga with Derik Eselius

10am-noon - Joyful Yoga, Indian Dance and feeling good with Hemalayaa

12-2pm - Yoga to Reduce Stress and Increase relaxation, vitality, and energy presented by OmTime with Shannon Paige Schneider

WORKSHOP SPACE # 2 ($25 PER WORKSHOP OR INCLUDED IN VIP PASS)
8-10am - Stretch for Strength with Luke Ketterhagen

10am- noon - Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga Workshop with Dave Farmar

12-2pm - Yoga 101 for Athletes presented by Seasons Yoga Studio with Dawnelle Arthur

2-4pm - CorePower Yoga for Joy and Life Extension presented by CorePower Yoga Studio with Heather Peterson

4-6pm - Heart Opening Vinyasa Flow, Finding the Peace in your Practice presented by Urban Flow Yoga Studio with Jennifer Wagner

YOGA FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES - FREE
9am - 6pm
Yoga, Health and Fun for Children and Families

MOVIE THEATER - $8 with festival wristband
6-10pm - Conscious Mini Film Screening at Neighborhood Flix Cinema & Café, 2510 East Colfax
Presale 303-777-FLIX (3549). Limited Space!
6:00pm: Yoga Unveiled: Yoga as Therapy
7:30pm: Y Yoga Movie and Q&A with Director, Arthur Klein

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

rappin' with ganesha

it's official -- there's a new olympic endurance event: tv watching! millions of us have been staying up way past our bedtimes to watch the late-night recap of what's been going on in beijing, whether it be swimming, gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, track and field, diving, rowing, and more. this is reality tv at its finest -- all the suspense, the drama, the controversy is real and unscripted. no wonder we're addicted!

needless to say, my blogging has taken a backseat to all the excitement, so until i find the time to write about the stuff i've been up to recently, i'll continue to pass along any juicy tidbits that come my way.

take this one, for example, about a soon-to-be-released CD from MC yogi:

Who is MC Yogi?

Yoga instructor/studio owner/rapper/former graffiti artist Nicholas Giacomini is the visionary force behind "yoga hip hop." Bringing together his twin loves for Indian music and mythology and infectious hip hop beats, MC Yogi creates an exciting new sound for a new generation of modern mystics, urban yogis, and conscious hip hoppers.

On his new album, Elephant Power (out September 9th on White Swan Records), MC Yogi puts a hip hop spin to tales of Indian mythology and deities, and features an updated telling of Mahatma Gandhi's story on the uplifting and touching "Be the Change". The record features guest performances from today's top "yogabeat" voices, including Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, Bhagavan Das and Sharon Gannon.



check this out... with lyrics like this:

i pray to ganesha to take away the pressure
and pave the way into the sacred treasure
om gung ganapataye namaha
to the god of all beginnings always on the job


it sounds like the perfect soundtrack for your next hip-hop yoga class, doesn't it?

click here to listen to snippets of these tracks on the white swan records website:

1. Om (Invocation)
2. Elephant Power (feat. Bhagavan Das)
3. Ganesh Is Fresh (feat. Jai Uttal)
4. Rock On Hanuman (feat. Krishna Das)
5. Temple Prayer
6. Om Namah Shivaya (feat. Bhagavan Das)
7. Chakra Beatbox
8. Son of Shiva (feat. Rita Sahai)
9. Krishna Love (feat. Jai Uttal)
10. Bhakti Boombox
11. Mahatma's Message (feat. Sukhawat Ali Khan)
12. Be the Change (Niraj Chag's Swaraj Mix)
13. Shanti (Peace Out)
14. BONUS TRACK Krishna Dub (feat. Sharon Gannon)

Thursday, August 14, 2008

better health through yoga

while going through the messages in my e-mailbag, i found a notice from yoga groove studio about their upcoming yoga workshop for those dealing with cancer. since the yoga month 09.2008 festivities start this month in denver, what better time to highlight it as well as other upcoming health-focused workshops?

most of them are scheduled for this weekend, so if they're of interest to you, sign up now!

Moving Through Cancer Workshop
Yoga Groove Studio, North Hollywood
Sunday, Aug 17th, 2:00-4:00pm
Cost: $20 suggested donation


Join Jen Bloom for a very special healing workshop.
Believe it or not, come ready to laugh and find some bravery! This is a special 2 hour therapeutic yoga workshop for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and health professionals. All levels of health and physical experience are welcome. In a safe, supportive and light-hearted atmosphere, we will explore yoga as perfect complimentary care to Western medicine.
Yoga is a holistic practice, exercising the body, breath, heart, and mind. Students learn strength, stamina, and flexibility of both their physical bodies and their souls. Anyone who has seen or experienced a chapter of cancer in her life knows it's a story that tests every facet of being. Yoga empowers the individual, allowing her to take action in her own healing process.
All levels yoga welcome, all levels health welcome.
Bring a yoga mat if you have one, water, and a journal and/or writing materials. Bring a friend or come alone.


Yoga for Scoliosis: Part 1
Yoga Works Center for Yoga, Los Angeles
August 15th-17th - Friday, 7:30-9:30pm, Sat and Sun, 1:30-5:30pm
Friday: $60, Sat or Sun: $90, Full Weekend: $225


Elise Miller is one of the nation's experts on Yoga & Scoliosis.
Elise presents her internationally acclaimed workshop on working with scoliosis. This workshop is designed to present information and experience in the ways Iyengar Yoga can be used to meet the challenges of scoliosis. We will include anatomical background on scoliosis, identify each participant's scoliosis, and discuss cause and effect as well as psychological consequences of scoliosis. Participants will learn optimal yoga postures for scoliosis as well as how to adapt specific yoga postures to their scoliosis. By combining the yoga postures with breathing
awareness, one can develop more structural alignment of the body and become more symmetrical and balanced. Through yoga, one can find the balance point that allows the scoliosis curve to coexist with gravity and activates the body's natural line.


The Wise Woman
Goda Yoga, Culver City
Saturday, August 16th 2:00-4:00pm
Cost: $40


Yoga's transformative power meets MENOPAUSE with Yoga Therapist, Felice Rhiannon. Find joy and liberation in a hot flash...Explore the rich and varied practices yoga provides to meet the challenges of menopause and create the sacred space for growth, transformation and joy.


Heal Your Back Within Your Yoga Practice with Sherry Brourman
Exhale Center for Sacred Movement, Venice
Saturday, Sept 27th 12:30-3:45pm
Cost: $40


When back pain occurs: Should you practice or would rest be more helpful. Which postures are healing, and which are troublesome? Is fear a factor and if so, how do you unravel that? Are there times when 'working through pain' is appropriate? How do you learn to feel the variance in your own 'edges', so that you know when to respectfully back away, modify a posture, or rest it out? How long should a back injury take to heal? What other movements or even yoga postures in your daily life, are 'unwittingly' contributing to your back pain? And lastly, can you actually feel, when your spine is being fully supported by your abdominal muscles, as you move through your asana practice?
This class is designed to answer all of the above questions, while also helping you to understand, feel and process all of the contributing factors. Our bodies are brilliant messaging systems, with all of our parts and layers, connected such that, there are no secrets. This means that a hip opposite to the side of a sore low back may be the cause, as we shift to accommodate. In this workshop you will learn how the messages are transported, so that you can apply them to your yoga practice and use them for your healing.


besides the special workshops listed above, many local yoga studios offer ongoing classes for those living with health issues. here are some of them:

Yoga Therapeutics with Lois Salcer
Lyfe Yoga Center, Hermosa Beach
Mondays, 8:45-10:00am


Taught by a Certified Yoga Therapist, this class applies simple yoga postures (asana), proper breathing techniques and meditation to help relieve symptoms associated with diabetes, asthma, digestive disorders, cardiovascular disease, stress or ailments relating to the muscular skeletal system. The class is designed for those who may not be able to participate in a regular yoga class, but wish to receive all the healing benefits of a yoga practice.

Beginners, Seniors, Special Needs with Amina Ann Rosen
Yoga at the Village, Glendale
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 10:30-11:45am


Experience breath and movement as a personal work in progress toward health and well being. Excellent for beginners, seniors, those with chronic aches & pains, life threatening illness survivors, long and short term illnesses and conditions. You will learn modified poses that are safe & comfortable along with proper tension releasing breathing techniques.

Gentle Yoga with Therapeutics with Leslie Kazadi
Truyoga, Santa Monica
Mondays and Wednesdays 10:45am-12:15pm


This class is designed for students who want to move at a slower pace or who are returning from an injury. By honoring whatever limitations are present, students are guided to work intelligently with the therapeutic principles of symmetry and alignment to create a sense of freedom and stability in the body and cultivate an awareness of peace and joy in the heart.

Therapeutic Yoga with Bonnie Knight
Yoga World Studio, Long Beach
Mondays, 12:15-1:30pm


Therapeutic yoga is a carefully designed combination of gentle yoga, awareness exercises, restorative yoga poses, and breath work. These elements are integrated into a class that is suitable for people who are beginning to study yoga, recovering from an injury, who are working with a sustained spinal dysfunction, or anyone who feels they are just too tight to stretch.

11th Step
Yoga Groove Studio, North Hollywood
Tuesdays, 8:00-9:30pm


This special class is a yoga class and an AA meeting for those in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Donation only.

Yoga for HIV/AIDS with Jill Zepezauer
Yoga House, Pasadena
Wednesdays, 2:00-3:15pm


Adapted poses, gentle movement, meditation and breathing combine to support the immune system. (Free to those living with HIV/AIDS)

Therapeutic Yoga with Juli Loupe
TriYoga Center, Malibu
Wednesdays, 6:00pm


A safe, gentle practice for those with physical challenges

12-Step Yoga with Guru Darshan Singh
The Awareness Center, Pasadena
Thursdays, 9:00-10:30am


The word Yoga means Union: Union between you and your higher power; union between the finite and the infinite. This union serves as a backbone for a strong recovery. Whatever your addiction, this class will serve to help you through the technology of Kundalini Yoga and meditation. Led by Guru Darshan, this class includes readings from recovery literature, inspirational poetry, and meditations specifically for breaking addiction. This class is ninety-minutes long, and is open to all students, whether in a 12-step program or not.

Feldenkrais with Donna Eschelman
Dancing Shiva Yoga and Ayurveda, Los Angeles
Thursdays, 11:00am-12:00pm


This neuromuscular class for yoga students and teachers draws from the Feldenkrais and Bonefor Life methods to get better results faster, move more gracefully, and alleviate pain. You will be guided through a series of very small movements to teach the brain and the nervous system how to move in a more efficient way, and the results are immediately noticeable. Emphasis will be placed on how to integrate this work into your regular yoga practice.

Yoga for Challenging Conditions with Tatiana Urquiza
Yoga House, Pasadena
Thursdays, 11:00am-12:30pm


With a emphasis on adaptation, this class is designed to meet the special needs of those living with Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Fatigue, Cancer and other challenging conditions.

Yoga for Chronic Conditions
Mission Street Yoga, South Pasadena
Fridays, 10:30am-noon


Community Rate class

Yoga for Cancer Patients with Elizabeth St. Clair
Santa Monica Yoga, Santa Monica
Fridays, 2:20-3:20pm


Elizabeth St. Clair has taught traditional kundalini yoga at Santa Monica Yoga since 1996. Her classes are joyous – they empower the body, mind and spirit through asana, pranayama and meditation. She is a certified Relax and Renew Trainer and has trained in Yoga ASSIST for cancer patients at LMU where she is pursuing certification in yoga philosophy. Elizabeth is also deeply involved in using yoga to benefit those with Alzheimer’s and brain injuries.
This class is FREE to all.

Therapeutics with Hillary Rubin
City Yoga, West Hollywood
Fridays 6:00-7:30pm


End your week in Hillary's Therapeutics class at City Yoga. Turn your diagnosis, chronic pain or injury in a safe and healing environment. Taking time to pay attention to alignment with breath enlivens the body and helps heal from within. No matter your injury or state of fitness this class is for all levels. Bring your pain and get ready to embrace it and see this as a platform for wellness. You will learn poses you can do at home and exercises to continue and get out of pain to achieve wellness.

Yoga Therapeutics with Laura Vasquez
Inner Harmony Yoga, San Pedro
Saturdays, 11:00am-12:30pm


Bridging the gap between the physical and the mental: the messages passed continuously between our brain and our body. We will take a therapeutic approach working through various physical issues with the help of yoga postures, breath techniques, and specific stretching to unlock tension and promote health and well-being.

Yoga Therapeutics with Lynda McNamara
Silver Lake Yoga, Silverlake
Saturdays, noon-1:00pm


Nurture your body through supportive exploration exercises that awaken new patterns of release, balance, and integration; create awareness of your body’s structure and deepen your yoga practice.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

love and compassion

randall just forwarded this announcement about a new digital album that was released last week. it's a magnificent collection of inspirational music from well-known artists in the yoga and meditation world; after reading the list of talent included in this double-disc album, i instantly knew that i had to get my own copy to help the cause!


BFM Digital Releases "Jamtse: Love And Compassion" A Benefit Album in Support for The Tibet Fund

BFM Digital announces the album release of "Jamtse: Love and Compassion - An Offering to The Tibet Fund". Proceeds from the digital sale of Jamtse will benefit the full range of outreach, assistance and educational services The Tibet Fund provides.

Los Angeles, CA (Billboard Publicity Wire) August 6, 2008 -- BFM Digital, a leading digital music aggregator and distributor of independent music, announces the release of the album "Jamtse: Love and Compassion - An Offering to The Tibet Fund". This digital compilation features such renowned artists as Nawang Khechog, Snatam Kaur, Jai Uttal, Deva Premal, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, MC Yogi, Toshinori Kondo, Krishna Das, Bill Laswell and more. Top independent record labels Sounds True, Spirit Voyage, White Swan, New Earth Records, Wah! Music, Alif Records and others, all donated tracks to this worthy cause.

"JAMTSE" (which means love and compassion in Tibetan) is the first digital-only release from BFM Digital and proceeds will go exclusively to The Tibet Fund in support of their work.
This project, conceived by producers Joshua Jacobs (Ambient Groove, a division of Synaptic Fusion Entertainment) and Steven Weber (President, BFM Digital), is intended to act as an instrument to bring awareness toward the current plight of the Tibetan people. Each track was hand picked by Jacobs to focus on healing through sound vibration and mantra. The musical genres include World, New Age, Meditation, Chant, and Yoga.

"It was a blessing to have this opportunity to bring together music from diverse cultures and traditions in support of the Tibetan people," says Joshua Jacobs.

"The enthusiasm and support far exceeded our expectations from the very first day we mentioned the project to our colleagues in the business," says Steven Weber. "We are proud to present this special project on behalf of our artists, labels and publishers whose generosity in donating proceeds from the sale of "JAMSTE" will benefit the full range of outreach, assistance and educational services The Tibet Fund provides."

About The Tibet Fund:
The Tibet Fund is dedicated to helping Tibetans improve their lives and preserve their distinct cultural, religious and national identity. The Tibet Fund brings urgently needed resources to the educational, cultural, health and socioeconomic institutions that sustain the Tibetan way of life, language, and traditions. The Tibet Fund's support helps to sustain the Tibetan refugee settlements in India, Nepal and Bhutan and provide rehabilitation services for the thousands of new refugees who continue to arrive from Tibet every year. Through its program in Tibet, the Tibet Fund partners with local NGO's in Tibet on projects that treat and prevent blindness, house and care for orphans, and provide educational opportunities for Tibetans.



you can purchase the digital album through itunes or amazon.com; links to these sites can be found on the BFM home page.

you can also preview the tracks via amazon.com:
Jamtse: Love & Compassion (An Offering For The Tibet Fund)

Disc 1
1. Gayatri - Tina Malia
2. Aisa Naam - Sat Purkh
3. Ohpa- Me - Dechen Shak- Dagsay
4. Om Mani Padme Hum (GlobeSonic Savasana Remix) - Reverand DJ Alsultany
5. Hare Krishna - Govindas And Radha
6. Pavan Guru - Gurunam Singh
7. Hallelujah Chalisa - Krishna Das
8. Echad B'Echad - YofiYah
9. Anand (Bliss) - Snatam Kaur
10. Lokaha - Wah!
11. Ardes Bhaee - Mirabai Ceiba
12. Om Mani Padme Hum - Deva Premal
13. The Chariot - Gahl Sasson

Disc 2
1. A Daily Prayer and Practice of the Dalai Lama - Nawang Khechog
2. Life - Toshinoi Kondo
3. I Am - Guru Singh
4. A Gift - DaVinci
5. Free Tibet (Peu Rangzen) - Akim Funk Buddha
6. Be The Change - MC Yogi
7. Om Purnam - One At Last
8. Ganesha Windmix - Jai Uttal
9. Tree of Patience - Omar Faruk
10. Jewel In The Lotus - Maneesh De Moor
11. Desert Angel - Ma Faiza & Veet Sandeh

Sunday, August 10, 2008

a few more before summer ends

i had to struggle to find events that were list-worthy for august... hopefully, there'll be more fun things to do after the labor day holiday!

ongoing events:

BodyFreedom - Experience Profound Healing Through Dance with Tarnie Fulloon
The Awareness Center, Pasadena
Mondays, 7:30 – 9:00pm, Aug 4th - Sept 29th
Thursdays, 9:00 – 10:30am, Aug 7th – Sept 25th
Cost: $97/Series of 6, $20 Single Class


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

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


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

Community Fitness Classes
lululemon Calabasas, 4719 Commons Way
Every Wednesday 8:30-9:30pm
Every Sunday 9:30-10:30am
Cost: FREE


Complimentary Community Fitness classes on Wednesdays at 9:30 pm and Sundays at 9:30 am.
(see "other events" section below for scheduled yoga classes)

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


Join us for Runners Yoga with acclaimed ChiRunning coach Steve Mackel.
Yoga for Runners – Coach Steve Mackel works on creating overall balance, taking runners through a series of yoga poses and explains the correlations between the pose and the biomechanics of running. He also moves students through vinaysa flow series while he focuses on creating strength first and flexibility second.
Bringing your own mat is encouraged as we practice on the grass. As classes fill up quickly, especially for the weekly "Yoga for Runners" and space is limited, please come early.
Please dress in layers so that you may remove articles as you warm-up during the class.
**we meet at Parking Lot I all the way a the south end by the aquatic center.
**Run is 6:30-7:10
**Yoga is 7:15-8:00.
*WEATHER PERMITTING. Please check the events section for further information if it is a rain day.

YOGA AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, Marina del Rey
Thursdays, starting Aug 14th 7:00-8:30pm
Cost: $75 for the series of 5 lectures, $65 for members


During our recent 5-week course on how to care for the environment we learned from Joanne Poyourow of Environmental Changemakers, the necessity to re-think many of what we consider to be 'normal' behaviors, because they are leading us to 'outrageously' unsustainable lifestyles.
The core of our behaviors and actions is based on our ethics and morals. As yogis, we have the yamas and niyamas of Sage Patanjali to guide us. In this second 5-week course on Yoga and the Environment, Vidya Chaitanya will introduce the yamas and niyamas and explore the environmental implications of not living according to yoga's 'Ten Commandments', including practical examples of what we all can do.
The paradigm shift urgently required over the next few years involves a shift in spiritual values so that we once more honor our connection with nature and the environment and live our lives accordingly. This course is open to anyone who wishes to live with more environmental awareness and create a more sustainable world.

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


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

Kirtan at SMPY West
Power Yoga West, Santa Monica
Saturdays, Aug 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th 8:00-10:00pm
Cost: By Donation


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

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


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

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


Come participate and help us achieve our goal of seeing 100 happy faces on the green!
Light refreshments to follow, limited mats available for class use.
*Keep in mind class is outside, and may be in partial sun. Dress appropriately or wear sunblock, and bring water!*
(see "other events" section below for scheduled yoga classes)

In-store Fitness Classes
lululemon South Bay, 2008A East Park Place
Every Sunday 9:30-10:30am
Cost: FREE


(see "other events" section below for scheduled yoga classes)

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


Limited "community" mats are available. Bringing your own mat is encouraged. As classes fill up quickly, and space is limited, please come early.
Please dress in layers so that you may remove articles as you warm-up during the class. Our space is outdoors behind the store on the patio (accessible through the alley on Delacey).
Check this page before coming for updates on rain days.
(see "other events" section below for scheduled yoga classes)

Sunset Yoga on the Beach
lululemon South Bay, 2008A East Park Place
Every Sunday 5:30-6:30pm
Cost: FREE


Aug 10th - Kimberly from Harmony Yoga
Aug 17th - Tim McCall from Golds Gym (last class of series)

Sunset Beach Yoga!
lululemon Santa Monica, 331 Santa Monica Blvd
Every Sunday 6:45pm
Cost: FREE


Beach Yoga is back!
Kick off for the Sunday Sunset Beach Yoga is on May 18th! Then keep the summer stretching going every Sunday through August 31st!
Where to meet? At the store at 6:45pm, we'll walk together!
What? All levels of Vinyasa flow!
Who? You and the Lu staff and guest teachers!
Why? Why not do some complimentary yoga overlooking the ocean while the sun sets???
Aug 10th - Isabelle du Soleil
Aug 17th - Ingrid Von Burg
Aug 24th - Natalie Croix
Aug 31st - TBA

FRIDAY NIGHT GROOVE NIGHT
Yoga Groove, North Hollywood
Friday, Aug 1st (1st Friday of every month) 8:00-9:15pm
Cost: $10 donation or class pass will be honored


Join Karen every first Friday of the month for a Yoga Groove class. May include live music.

Kirtan in the Canyon with Andrew and Michele and Friends
Yoga Desa, Topanga
Saturday, Aug 2nd (1st Saturday of every month) 7:00pm


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

Kirtan with Daniel, Larry, Sarah and Friends
Rising Lotus Yoga, Sherman Oaks
Friday, Aug 8th (Once a month) 8:15pm
Suggested donation $15


Come join me and many talented musical guests for a joyful evening of music, meditation, and chanting. No singing experience needed, only a willingness to open your heart to the joy.
I'm excited to say that in addition to Larry on percussion and lovely Sarah singing with me, we'll have Abby on Cello, Jeff on guitar and Slyvie on vocals too. Last month they joined us and the music lifted the roof off the building. Let's do it again!
Join me for a yoga class @ 6:30 or just come @ 8:15 to open your heart and sing.
Singing Kirtan has been a such a pleasure and we are building a powerful community with these regular events. Please forward this to anyone who might be interested.
Hope you can join us...

Karma Yoga Party
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, Marina del Rey
Saturday, Aug 9th (Every month) 2:00pm
Cost: FREE


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

FREE Community Night: Men's Night with Anthony Benenati
City Yoga, West Hollywood
Tuesday, Aug 12th (2nd Tuesday of every month) 7:30pm
Cost: FREE


Join Anthony Benenati for an evening of Nachos, ESPN on 6 big screens and Lazy-Boys!
Just kidding...
Men! Metrosexual, heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual??? Titles do not define you nor limit you. We are more than our titles of hunter/gatherers, dads, husbands, boyfriends, sons, uncles and brothers.
You are looked upon to be strong enough to lift a couch yet soft enough to do pigeon. How do we reconcile all the parts of ourselves? What does it mean to "be be a man" in today's world?
Come for an evening of guy talk and guy yoga. We will explore a wide variety of topics such as sex, love, power, aggression and intimacy.
Come empower yourself without having to knock out Brad Pitt.

Kirtan with BhaktiMa
Harmony Yoga, Redondo Beach
TBA (Once a month) 8:00pm
Cost: $10 Suggested donation


BhaktiMa formed almost spontaneously and has stayed connected through Kirtan, an Indian form of devotional music. Sheri Mattson returned from India with a harmonium that Amma, an Indian Saint, blessed by playing it. Her husband Brian experimented with it and began playing for Sheri's yoga students in an effort to add Bhakti (devotional) yoga to their existing Hatha yoga practice. As the music evolved, the group expanded to fill out the sound. Members include: Kamala Kirksey, Timilie Losq, Kalidas (Marc) and Ramanand (Ed Gordon). Together they offer this sadhana (practice) with gratitude and pranams to Amma - a constant source of inspiration. Our goal is create a journey of sound, where the line between performer and audience melts into a single current.

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


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


other special events:

Charity Class: Poses for Paws
Yoga Works Main Street, Santa Monica
Friday, August 1st 7:30-9:30pm
Cost: By Donation


Join Kathryn Budig, Jesse Schein and Sara Ivanhoe for an evening of live music and celebration for the animals in our lives.
Enjoy a full flow class broken up between the teachers focusing on the unconditional love and joy that animals create in our lives and how to channel and give back. There will be a raffle full of yoga goodies after the class as well as raw organic chocolate for sale and the chance to purchase a portrait of your animal by the incredibly talented Robert Sturman. All of your donations will benefit The Lange Foundation (www.langefoundation.com).
Poses for Paws was created by Kathryn Budig and Jesse Schein as a way to repay the love that animals bring into our lives. Our mission is to raise money through yoga to donate to local animal shelters and organizations who thrive to provide a loving life to those less fortunate. 100% of your donations will go to The Lange Foundation. 100% of your love is needed and appreciated. www.posesforpaws.com

Vinyasa Flow + Kirtan for Charity!
Lululemon Beverly Hills, 334 North Beverly Drive
Friday, August 1st 7:30pm
Cost: $30 Suggested Donation


Ambassador Krista Cahill has been a passionate advocate for Operation Shanti, a charity helping homeless orphans in Mysore, India (the birth place of Ashtanga Yoga), and now she's giving us the opportunity to help her!
We will be holding an awesome Vinyasa Flow class taught by 3 ambassadors at once: Krista Cahill, Brock Cahill, and Chris Chavez. Each will be teaching a small sample of the class giving you a chance to meet and experience all three of their styles in one wonderful evening. To follow will be a Kirtan led by the talented Daniel Stewart of Rising Lotus Yoga! Munchies and drinks will be provided as well.
Suggested donation will be $30 to be given to Operation Shanti. For more information on Operation Shanti please visit www.operation-shanti.org.
Class will begin at 7:30pm.
See you all there for a night of fun and the joy of giving!

Kirtan with Dave Stringer
Black Dog Yoga, Sherman Oaks
Saturday, August 2nd 8:00-11:00pm
Cost: $20 in advance / $25 at the door


Black Dog is honored to host this amazing musician and would be thrilled to have you, as part of our treasured community, come down and rock your Shakti! Dave's fun and hip style makes for an unforgettable and moving Kirtan experience!

IYENGAR YOGA THERAPY - Breast Cancer Survivors
Yoga Works Westwood, Los Angeles
Saturday, Aug 2nd 2:30-4:30pm
Cost: FREE


Yoga for students who have finished their medical treatments and are eight weeks past surgery.
Join us for a free workshop and information session. No prior yoga experience required. Spread the word and tell your friends!
Taught by Beth Sternlieb. Beth teaches therapeutic Iyengar Yoga to breast cancer survivors with persistent fatigue in a research trial funded by NIH at the UCLA Neuro-psychiatric Institute.

IYENGAR YOGA THERAPY - Low Back Pain
Yoga Works Montana, Santa Monica
Sunday, Aug 3rd 2:00-4:00pm
Cost: FREE


Yoga to relieve lower, middle, and upper back pain.
Join us for a free workshop and information session. No prior yoga experience required. Spread the word and tell your friends!
Taught by Lisa Walford. Lisa works with HIV+ students and has developed programming for YogaWorks for over fifteen years. She is on the advisory council for the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

Yoga on the Green
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Avenue
Sunday, Aug 3rd 9:30-10:30am
Cost: FREE


Join lululemon athletica and our very own educator, Lindsey Christensen for a fabulous, heart-opening anusara yoga class!

IYENGAR YOGA THERAPY - Depression
Yoga Works Montana, Santa Monica
Saturday, Aug 9th, 2:00-4:00pm
Cost: FREE


Yoga addressing the symptoms of depression
Join us for a free workshop and information session. No prior yoga experience required. Spread the word and tell your friends!
Taught by Paul Cabanis. Paul participated in medical research studies through the Neuropsychiatric Institute at UCLA on Iyengar yoga as a treatment for clinical depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

IYENGAR YOGA THERAPY - Multiple Sclerosis
Yoga Works Westwood, Los Angeles
Saturday, Aug 9th, 2:00-4:00pm
Cost: FREE


Yoga geared to the ambulatory student with MS who is seeking a way to alleviate
symptoms and manage his/her condition.
Join us for a free workshop and information session. No prior yoga experience required. Spread the word and tell your friends!
Taught by Eric Small and Garth McLean. With the help of the Southern CA Chapter of the MS Society, the Eric Small Yoga Program serves clients at UCLA and 13 different sites in Southern CA. Eric Small has managed his MS symptoms with Iyengar Adaptive yoga for 55 years. Garth McLean has successfully overcome and continues to manage many symptoms of MS through Iyengar Yoga.

Zen Dancing Ritual World Concert with Micheline Berry
Exhale Center for Sacred Movement, Venice
Saturday, Aug 9th 8:00-10:00 PM
Cost: $15; $20 the day of


Where ecstatic dance and live world music meet, Zen Dancing® induces peak states of ecstatic embodiment and deep union with the pranic "flow" between dancer and drum, breath and beat. The language of dance is universal and since 1996 Micheline Berry, Craig Kohland and their world ensemble Shaman's Dream have been resurrecting and defining the ritual world dance in Los Angeles, CA. Their live concerts are akin to a world ethnotronica odyssey that will sweep you up in a wave of trance dance marked by the evocative indigenous sounds and deep visionary grooves that have become the signature of their music.
No experience necessary...simply come prepared to move and let the music take you where it will.

Vinyasa Flow with Dice!
lululemon Beverly Hills, 334 North Beverly Drive
Sunday, Aug 10th 9:30-10:45am
Cost: FREE


Join us as lululemon's very own educator, Dice, teaches his third class in our store. Be prepared to sweat and have an awesome time... Come roll with Dice!

Yoga on the Green for Runners!
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Avenue
Sunday, Aug 10th 9:30-10:30am
Cost: FREE


Join lululemon athletica and Pasadena lululemon ambassador, Steve Mackel, for a very special Yoga for Runners! Steve will focus on poses especially designed for runners to relax and stretch IT bands, lower back, and hamstrings. All levels welcome!

Partner Yoga
lululemon South Bay, 334 North Beverly Drive
Sunday, Aug 10th 9:30-10:30am
Cost: FREE


Bring a friend, bring a date, bring your mate. Join Aimee as she leads this hour with partner yoga poses.

Candlelight Flow Yoga with Jeff Bass
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Avenue
Monday, Aug 11th 9:00-10:00pm
Cost: FREE


Join lululemon athletica and teacher Jeff Bass for a candlelight flow yoga class. What better way to wind down from a stressful Monday than yoga by candlelight?

Restorative yoga with ambassador Stefan Storace
lululemon Calabasas, 4719 Commons Way
Wednesday, Aug 13th 8:30-9:30pm
Cost: FREE


Restorative Yoga is a series of poses, supported through the use of bolsters, blankets, and pillows. The body can be held in each pose without having to exert any effort, creating a deeply healing and meditative experience. This class opens the body’s energy channels to stimulate, soothe and relieve the effects of chronic stress. Therapeutic and relaxing experiences that will leave you in complete bliss.

Hike 2 Empower Kick-off
lululemon Calabasas, 4719 Commons Way
Thursday, Aug 14th 9:00am-10:00pm
Cost: FREE


The official invites are in for the Hike 2 Empower 2008... And we'd love for you to be there!!!
The schedule for the day is as follows:
9:00am-9:30am COMPLIMENTARY yoga class by Lululemon Ambassador Diana Storace (YogaWorks)
9:30am-10:00am COMPLIMENTARY mat pilates class by Lululemon Ambassador Patricia Friberg (YogaWorks)
10:00am-8:00pm lululemon open for in-store REGISTRATION for Hike 2 Empower w/ COMPLIMENTARY YOGA MATS TO THE FIRST 100 SIGN-UPS
3:30pm-4:30pm COMPLIMENTARY yoga class by Deidre McKay (YogaWorks)
8:00pm-10:00pm Kick-off party for Hike 2 Empower 2008 featuring live music by "The Turn" (Stefan plays drums) and food catered by Marmalade!
Whether or not you choose to participate in the hike, you are still welcome to come to and enjoy our complimentary yoga classes and kick-off party!!!
Please RSVP to calabasas-community@lululemon.com
Make sure to check out www.hike2empower.org to find out more about this amazing charity event, benefitting women and children in Congo & Uganda! Thanks for making a difference and helping us to elevate the world from mediocrity to greatness!!!

Full Moon Yoga Hike with Hilary Kimblin
Michael Lane and Trailer Canyon Fire Road, Pacific Palisades
Saturday, Aug 16th 7:00-10:00pm
Cost: $15 in advance, $20 day of


Yoga Under the Trees – literally!
Hike, breathe, stretch, and relax into nature’s bounty! Enjoy the peace of practicing yoga as it has been practiced in India for thousands of years – outdoors. Let Hilary take you off the beaten path and trek toward a better understanding of yourself.
Yoga Under The Trees is a great way to introduce a friend or partner to yoga and also a wonderful way to meet new people. Beginners and the “completely rigid and inflexible” welcome. Join a hike today and Find Peace in the Wild.
We will be on the trail by 7pm and back by 10pm. Please bring a yoga mat or towel, warm layers, water, a flashlight, decent walking shoes/boots, a snack to share, and a sense of adventure!
Please RSVP hilary@yogaunderthetrees.com or call 323.841.3606

Power Yoga with Regina Peluso
lululemon Beverly Hills, 334 North Beverly Drive
Sunday, Aug 17th 9:30-10:45am
Cost: FREE


Regina teaches a strong Vinyasa Flow. Perfect for students of all ages and levels, it incorporates the teachings of numerous poses with a strong emphasis on the breath. Setting the class to music we will flow through a variety of poses and end with quiet relaxation and meditation.

Yoga on the Green with Urth Yoga
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Avenue
Sunday, Aug 17th 9:30-10:30am
Cost: FREE


Join lululemon athletica and Urth yoga for an anusara inspired class led by an instructor from local Silver Lake studio, Urth Yoga.

Kids Only! Yoga with Taylor Burris
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Avenue
Wednesday, Aug 20th 11:30am-12:30pm
Cost: FREE


Join lululemon athletica and our very own educator and children's teacher, Taylor Burris, for a fun-filled yoga class! Moms and Dads can get some alone time to shop for yoga gear while their tots are getting fit and having fun!

Yoga with ambassador Chandra Gero
lululemon Calabasas, 4719 Commons Way
Wednesday, Aug 20th 8:30-9:30pm
Cost: FREE


Complimentary in-store yoga with lululemon ambassador Chandra Gero.

Clean Our Beach, Clean Your Soul
Santa Monica Beach, Lifeguard Stand 17 (sponsored by lululemon Santa Monica)
Saturday, Aug 23th 10:00am-noon
Cost: FREE


Let's unite as a community and work towards a better reputation for our city's beaches, our planet, and ourselves!!
EVENT details: To start, we will have a quick morning stretch to kick off our clean up. Then, we will start the music for our power pick up and set forth on a conscious effort to clean up OUR beach! Team scavenger hunts for trash and fitness challenges will keep us cleaning! Following the clean up, we will collect all trash and FINSEA Foundation will provide knowledge on our overall trash mass, the prevailing problems in Santa Monica and how we, as a community, can be more eco-friendly and coast-conscious today and in the future. We will then seal the morning with a cleansing yoga session led by Santa Monica’s own Kia Miller, stimulating our minds and bodies on the very beach we just cleaned.
Bring the yourself, friends and the whole family for:
• Healthy treats!
• Cool prizes!
• Eco-friendly FUN!
• Interesting speakers and YOGA!
• Info on future events and best of all…a CLEAN beach, body and soul!

Yoga of Sound and Singing with Suzanne Sterling
Exhale Center for Sacred Movement, Venice
Saturday, Aug 23rd 12:30-3:30pm
Cost: $35


Integrating sound, mantra and singing into our daily practise with Suzanne Sterling
In this workshop we will learn about the history of sound in spiritual traditions as well as using the power of sound as a tool to enhance our yoga and our lives. We will explore ways to combine yoga asanas with sound, mantra, pranayama, and guided meditation, thus deepening our understanding of the interconnectedness of these various yogic practises. We will focus on freeing the natural voice, awakening and refining the subtle energy body through toning, chanting and singing, allowing our creativity to expand, and tapping into our sacred self and our connection with the Divine.

Anusara Yoga with Chris Chavez
lululemon Beverly Hills, 334 North Beverly Drive
Sunday, Aug 24th 9:30-10:45am
Cost: FREE


Come take class with our wonderful ambassador!

Restorative Yoga with Karen Koeppe
lululemon Beverly Hills, 334 North Beverly Drive
Sunday, Aug 24th 6:15pm
Cost: FREE


Over extended, under-rested and generally stressed? Restorative Yoga offers something as soothing as a good night's sleep…an easily accessible, deeply relaxing Yoga Nidra Program that essentially performs with minimal effort. All you have to do is "show up".
Come and find stillness in a safe and peaceful environment. Cast aside your worries and replenish your mind, body, and spirit. Create a sanctuary by discovering your calm center and nurturing yourself with asanas (postures) that release trapped emotional energy blocks in your tight muscles. Then learn to use that energy to maintain your serenity and vitality every day.

Yoga on the Green with Brooklin Gottlieb
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Avenue
Sunday, Aug 24th 9:30-10:30am
Cost: FREE


Join lululemon athletica and Brooklin Gottlieb for Yoga on the Green.

Yin yoga with ambassador Diana Storace
lululemon Calabasas, 4719 Commons Way
Wednesday, Aug 27th 8:30-9:30pm
Cost: FREE


COME JOIN YIN YOGA WITH INSTRUCTOR DIANA STORACE! Yin yoga focuses on breathing and passive holding of poses for longer periods to enhance chi and its movement through the meridians (channels) and chakras. The Yin aspect (Taoist yoga tradition) will be the main focus, which targets the joints and connective tissue of the back, hips and pelvis. The necessary complement to a yang practice muscular) which may or may not be explored.

Vinyasa Flow with Joan Hyman
lululemon Beverly Hills, 334 North Beverly Drive
Sunday, Aug 31st 9:30-10:45am
Cost: FREE


Come out and take our final Vinyasa Flow class of August.

Yoga with Elinore Cohen
lululemon Calabasas, 4719 Commons Way
Sunday, Aug 31st 9:30-10:30am
Cost: FREE


Come relax and enjoy yoga with Elinore Cohen at lululemon! The class introduces the process of moving each muscle group, and each asana may be repeated up to three times. The focus of the class will be on performing the poses in the prescribed order, since the routine is meant to help balance the different muscle groups.

Sunday Yoga with Steve Hsu
lululemon Pasadena, 110 W Colorado Blvd
Sunday, Aug 31st 10:00am
Cost: FREE


Please join us for an all levels yoga class taught by Steve Hsu.

Friday, August 08, 2008

08/08/08

today is friday, the eighth day of august, 2008.

it's a day just like any other day, yet for those who continue to use the mm/dd/yy format to abbreviate their dates instead of the post-Y2K preferred format of mm/dd/yyyy, that makes today 08/08/08. or 08/08/08 if you follow the yy/mm/dd format :)

if you're into numerology, it's a special day because the numbers all match.
if you're obsessive-compulsive, it sits well with you because it looks nice and symmetric.
if you suffer from occasional lapses in memory, you'll remember it as soon as you recall the first two digits.
and if you're chinese, it's a very auspicious date because the number 8 is a very lucky number. and tripling it makes it even luckier.

which is why they've scheduled the opening ceremony of the 2008 beijing olympics for today, 08/08/08.

i initially considered doing something special today to mark the occasion.

like a yoga class that would require some olympic-like effort on my part. such as brock cahill's friday night vinyasa flow 2/3 class at yogaworks westwood (which is more like a level 3/4, if you ask me).

or a nice rounded body and soul combo. much like what rising lotus yoga has every second friday of the month -- a sunset flow with daniel stewart at 6:30pm, followed by a kirtan with daniel and friends at 8:15pm.

or i could try getting my fifteen minutes of fame with hilary rubin at her therapeutics class at city yoga tonight. according to an email she sent out yesterday: this friday, my dear friend and student bobbi fabian will be taking shots for my new website www.iamnotamess.com. it's mostly of me talking at the beginning and then a few demos and a bit of the class...

or i could have gone all wild and crazy at julian walker's funky friday class at santa monica yoga where the scene is hot and sweaty and the students are busy discovering their feelings. and their bodies. and have no problems expressing what they find.

or i could just treat myself to a restorative class with a teacher new to me, bebe lin, at sacred energy arts. or a relax deeply class with a group of familiar faces at exhale with aaron reed.

with all the yoga possibilities here in LA, i could have done anything and it would have been special.

but no, after mulling about all my options, i decided to stay home.

instead, i'm going to pick up some take-out food on my way home from work, plop myself on the couch, and watch the opening ceremonies of the XXIX olympiad at 8pm on 08/08/08.

boycotts, protests, political issues be damned. i want to watch the cultural presentations. i want to oooh and aaah at the fireworks. and most of all, i want to cheer on and support the athletes as they walk into the stadium. after all, this is all about them. without them, there would be no olympics.

if i'd worked hard all these years to qualify for a spot on my country's athletic team, i'd want to celebrate that i'd made it that far. and i'd like people to feel happy for me. maybe even cheer me on.

so that's exactly what i'm going to do.

GO USA!

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

om chanty chanty chanty

so what do you think the typical reaction at work was monday morning when, in addition to spotting the henna mehndi on the back of my hand and the garland of bright orange chrysanthemums hanging on my cubicle wall, my officemates found out that i had spent the better part of sunday chanting with the hare krishnas?

just as i had expected. they smiled, shook their heads, and walked away.

by now, they've all given up trying to figure me out. after all, how can you reconcile a junk food addict who spends her days in front of a computer monitor, poring over specifications, reports, and spreadsheets, yet gets animated when she talks about pulling a flower-strewn chariot down the venice boardwalk? if they only knew that i had actually spent the better part of my weekend -- friday, saturday, AND sunday -- chanting the names of hindu deities...

on second thought, i should probably keep that to myself if i want them to keep talking to me :(

my weekend started friday evening at the lululemon store in beverly hills. and while i won't deny that i was hoping to find a bargain hidden amongst the regularly-priced merchandise, i was there to attend an operation shanti fundraiser yoga class with lulu ambassadors krista cahill, brock cahill, and chris chavez. they had asked fellow yogi daniel stewart and his cohorts to provide some inspirational music during the class. a little vinyasa flow, a little musical entertainment -- who could resist?

anyone who's taken krista's, brock's, or chris's classes know that they're not for the faint of heart. nor for the weak of body. their devotees are clearly level 3 students and above. first-time students who aren't quite at that level either end up swearing never to show up again or swearing to keep trying until they get it right. it's hard to stay indifferent when you're worked to exhaustion! so you can only imagine what a class with all three team-teaching would be like. sun salutations with handstands and bakasanas thrown in for fun? piece of cake... don't i wish!

the room was surprisingly full, given that it was a friday night (aka date night). but then again, once the class started, it was clear that many of the attendees were there because they were regulars at the cahills's classes at yogaworks. or chris's classes at his home studio. as for me, it was pure fortuitous timing; i was there because daniel had sent out an email blast right after i had found out that the event i had originally planned to attend that evening -- the dave stringer kirtan at the soon-to-open be love yoga -- had been postponed. so i got to trade one kirtan for another AND got a juicy yoga class thrown in. not a bad deal.

while krista, brock, chris, and dice (a lulu BH regular who dropped by and made the teaching staff a foursome) went around the room guiding and assisting, daniel and his merry musicians kept the background beat appropriately energizing or soothing, depending on the pose we were working on at the moment. and after we emerged from our much-appreciated savasana, they led us through an ecstatic call-and-response while accompanying our voices with their harmonium, cello, and drums. the time allotted for the mini-kirtan just wasn't enough to really savor their talent; if it weren't such an effort for me to get to the valley from the south bay after work, it would be so easy to rejoin them at their upcoming kirtan at rising lotus yoga this coming friday evening. sigh.

after the class, fresh coconut juice and hors d'oeurves were served while we viewed a video of the health care, education, and vocational training operation shanti continues to provide the children of mysore, india. it was truly astonishing how the love and support showered by people who care have helped turned these children's lives around! a $30 suggested donation? sold!

my chanting expedition continued saturday night at black dog yoga in sherman oaks, where a party to celebrate peter barnett's new post at the studio helm was already in full swing by the time i arrived. with dave stringer and his kirtan choir rocking the entire place with their melodious voices (at least i caught dave this time!), i congratulated peter and helped myself to some wine and cheese before making my way to the packed main classroom. i managed to find a spot against the front wall, and from my vantage point, i was able to watch the crowd in action. they were clearly loving it all, and so was i.

high on all that bhakti bliss, as well as on lots more wine and cheese, i soon found myself chatting with rita sahakian-das, a mehndi artist who was busy applying her artwork on the yoginis gathered around her. next thing i knew, she was drawing a pretty lotus flower on the back of my hand as we made plans to meet the next morning at the ratha yatra, or festival of the chariots, in venice the next morning.

since it was the second year in a row that i had decided to participate in the festival, i knew the drill: show up early at the santa monica civic auditorium parking lot, observe swamis light up coconuts and chant invocations to the deities as they hurl the coconuts onto the ground, take my place along the long rope attached to a chariot, then wait for my cue to start pulling.

and pull we did that sunny sunday morning. hundreds of us -- young and old alike -- helped propel the three massive chariots of lord jagannath, his brother balabhadra, and his sister subhadra out of the parking lot, down main street, past the farmers' market where we stopped just long enough to toss flowers at the shoppers gathered on the sidewalk, head towards the ocean along rose avenue, then continue along the boardwalk to the festival tents at the end of the parade route. and for the entire two-mile stretch, we chanted. the locals chanted. the tourists chanted. everyone chanted the familiar maha mantra:

hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare
hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

by the time we reached our destination and released the ropes, my throat was parched from all the chanting. as i looked around in search of something to drink, i spotted rita, the artist from the night before. as it turned out, both she and her husband are active members of the LA ISKCON community; from that point on, she took me under her wing and introduced me to one swami after another as we made our way from the food tent to the merchandise tent. by the time we parted ways, my belly was stuffed with vegetarian goodies, my arms were loaded with an assortment of souvenirs, and draped around my neck was a garland of chrysanthemums from the chariot i had helped pull.

looking back, it was one crazy weekend... and one crazy story... which could possibly label me as...

i just hope no one at the office is reading this :)