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

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

everyone loves a party!

i received an email invite from the newly-relocated iyengar institute here in LA, and because it specifically said that the event is open to all -- and even better, it's FREE to all -- i'm sharing that invite with all of you:

The Iyengar Yoga Institute of Los Angeles (IYILA) is hosting an Open House and Celebration on Saturday, October 11, from 3-7PM

The event is free and open to all, and is to celebrate IYILA's spacious new location in the La Cienega Plaza at 1835 South La Cienega Blvd., Suite 240, Los Angeles, CA 90035

3 pm - Open House with tea and sweets

4 pm - Rangoli Dance Company presents "Splendor of Indian Dance" featuring Bharatanatyam (classical dance of India) and folk dances. The performance pays homage to sage Patanjali and Lord Shiva

5 pm - Video greeting from BKS Iyengar followed by remarks from Manouso Manos and a keynote talk by Paul Cabanis

6 pm - Vegetarian Indian dinner

For more information, call (310) 558-8212 or visit www.iyila.org


la cienega plaza is located on la cienega boulevard half a mile north of the I-10, directly across the street from bikram's yoga college of india. the iyengar institute is located in the same building as staples and 24 hour fitness.

parking is free and plentiful (and how often can you say THAT in LA?).

i hope to see you there!

Monday, September 29, 2008

rocking the shakti

this must have been a last-minute email blast because last night, within the span of an hour, THREE different people asked me if i was going. unfortunately, i can't make it because of a previously-scheduled appointment, but maybe you can.

note: this special event is happening TONIGHT!!!

Rock the Shakti!
A Ritual Celebration of Ashley Turner's Last Class at Santa Monica Power Yoga
With Live Music + Special Guests Craig Kohland, Govindas + Radha

Monday, September 29th 6:30-8:00pm
1410 2nd Street, Santa Monica CA

Join us THIS Monday night to celebrate Ashley's 7 years at Santa Monica Power Yoga and her move to Exhale - Sacred Movement!

After class, the farewell party moves around the corner for apres-yoga tapas + drinks!
Bar Pintxo, 109 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica CA
8:30 - 11:30 pm


this is your last chance to take ashley's class on a donation basis. and/or your last chance to kick in all the money you've been meaning to drop into the collection box but never got around to doing... you know who you are! :)

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

closing out the month

the yoga month festivities are finally winding down. here's what's on the schedule for the last three cities of the tour: san diego, san francisco, and vancouver...


YOGA HEALTH FESTIVAL - SAN DIEGO
Wednesday September 24, 2008
Marina Village Conference Center, Mission Bay, San Diego


Learn from some of the best yoga teachers and health experts and enjoy festival activities:
~ Over 35 yoga, health and green exhibitors
~ Yoga for kids area and experiences - fun for children and adults

FULL-DAY-PASS $ 39 All-inclusive VIP PASS for Yoga Health Festival

FEATURED WORKSHOPS ($25 each or included in VIP PASS)
9am-11am - Self Health Yoga Ed. Tools for Fun and Feeling good! with Suzannah Cordiero
9am-11am - Jivamukti Yoga with Kirsten Watson
11am-1pm - Chakra Journey with Mykal Aubry
11am-1pm - Fluid Motion Yoga with Laura Downing
1pm-3pm - Joyful Yoga, The Unity of Yoga and Indian Dance with Hemalayaa
1pm-3pm - AcroYoga: The Universal Play of Peace with Maral and Manel Hadidi
3pm-5pm - Discover Your Power of Healing with Yoga with Hillary Rubin
3pm-5pm - Yoga for Stress and Anxiety with Hala Khouri
5pm-7pm - Trikaya® - The Yoga of Intentional Creation®: Design Your Best Life Through Yoga with Kris Ward
5pm-7pm - Boot Camp for Goddesses Introduction with Sierra Bender
5pm-7pm - Belly Dance and inner discovery with The Shimmy Sisters

FEATURED EVENT ($15 or included in VIP PASS)
7.30pm-10pm Movie Premiere “1 Giant Leap Part 2” and World Music Dance Party with DJ Dragonfly

FREE LECTURES, DEMOS, EXHIBITS
10am - Yoga for Beginners and Busy People with Eve Baldwin
11am - Improved flexibility and posture with Atlas Evolution with Dr. Ranan Shahar
12am - Yoga for Beginners and Busy People with Eve Baldwin
1pm - Secret Journey to The Enlightened Mind - Life With Three Spiritual Giants of Our Age with Dr. James Weldon, Rishi Yogadhi Pragya
2pm - "Living the fierce life" with Sadie Nardini, author of the Road Trip Guide to the Soul with Sadie Nardini
3-5pm - Bonus workshop Room # 3: Secret Journey to The Enlightened Mind (please check Enlightened Mind Booth for pricing and details) with Dr. James Weldon, Rishi Yogadhi Pragya
3pm - Yoga Therapy: Pain Healing & Metamorphosis with Paul Wellin
4pm - Improved flexibility and posture with Atlas Evolution with Dr. Ranan Shahar
5pm - Yoga for Beginners and Busy People with Eve Baldwin
5.30pm - Songs from the Heart with Kirsten Watson, Andrew Jones
6.30pm - Yoga for Beginners and Busy People with Eve Baldwin

FREE COMMUNITY CLASSES and product sampling sponsored by SOYJOY
11am, 2pm and 4pm with Luke Ketterhagen


YOGA HEALTH FESTIVAL - SAN FRANCISCO
Saturday September 27, 2008
Herbst International Exhibit Hall, Presidio Park, San Francisco


$39 VIP-PASS with unlimited access to all workshops, events and concert (reg. $ 125)
Order today - only a few VIP PASSES will be available for that price.

Learn from some of the best yoga teachers and health experts and enjoy festival activities:
~ Over 50 yoga, health and green exhibitors
~ Yoga for kids area and experiences

FEATURED EVENT ($15 or included in VIP PASS)
8pm-11pm - Benefit Concert and DJ dance party with Wade Imre Morissete, Suzanne Sterling and DJ Dragonfly $15

FEATURED WORKSHOPS ($25 each or included in VIP PASS)
9am-11am - Chakra Journey with Mykal Aubry
9am-11am - Self Health Yoga Ed. Tools for Fun and Feeling good! with Katherine Priore
9am-11am - Yoga and the Pelvic Floor for Women Only with Leslie Howard
11am-1pm - Yoga for Grief Relief with Antonio Sausys
11am-1pm - Yoga for Stress and Anxiety with Hala Khouri
11am-1pm - Vinyasa flow with Wade Imre Morissette
1pm-3pm - Discover Your Power of Healing with Yoga with Hillary Rubin
1pm-3pm - Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga - MindBody Transformation with Sadie Nardini
3pm-5pm - Joyful Yoga, The Unity of Yoga and Indian Dance with Hemalayaa
3pm-5pm - Boot Camp for Goddesses Introduction with Sierra Bender
3pm-5pm - Hanuman’s Tale - Cultivating Prana in Vinyasa Yoga with Scott Blossom
5pm-7pm - The Science of Yoga and Yoga Therapy with Timothy McCall MD
5pm-7pm - Waking the Buddha in the Sangha with Katchie Ananda

FREE LECTURES, DEMOS, EXHIBITS
10am - Yoga for Beginners or Busy People with Eve Baldwin
10.30pm - Improved flexibility and posture with Atlas Evolution with Dr. Ranan Shahar
11am - Secret Journey to The Enlightened Mind - Life With Three Spiritual Giants of Our Age with Dr. James Weldon, Rishi Yogadhi Pragya
1pm - Yoga for Beginners or Busy People with Eve Baldwin
1.30pm - Chakra Journey with Mykal Aubry
2pm - Music performance with JAYLA
3pm - Yoga as Medicine with Timothy McCall MD
4pm - The Trust: Learning Trust, Finding Hope with representatives from San Quentin, Public Health, and The Trust there with Tamara Perkins
5-7pm - Bonus workshop Room # 3: Secret Journey to The Enlightened Mind (please check Enlightened Mind Booth for pricing and details) with Dr. James Weldon, Rishi Yogadhi Pragya
5pm - Yoga for Beginners or Busy People with Eve Baldwin
5.30pm - "Living the fierce life" with Sadie Nardini, author of the Road Trip Guide to the Soul
6.30pm - Yoga for Beginners or Busy People with Eve Baldwin

FREE COMMUNITY CLASSES and product sampling sponsored by SOYJOY
10am, 12pm and 2pm with Luke Ketterhagen
4pm with Sadie Nardini


YOGA HEALTH FESTIVAL - VANCOUVER
Saturday October 4, 2008
Saturday: Vancouver Public Library, 350 West Georgia, Vancouver
Sunday: Semperviva City Center and Sea Center Granville Island. See workshop info for details.


Learn from some of the best yoga teachers and health experts and enjoy festival activities:
~ Yoga, health and green exhibitors with product sampling

$88 VIP-PASS includes guaranteed access to all Saturday and Sunday workshops

All Yoga Month proceeds benefit Youth Health Alliance and holistic health education for at-risk children. The Vancouver festival specifically will benefit Yoga Outreach (registered charity: BN 80354 4543 RR0001)

FEATURED WORKSHOPS & EVENTS ($20-$25 or Included in VIP PASS)
~~ Saturday ~~
9am-10am - Self Health Yoga Ed. Tools for Fun and Feeling good! with Julie Sorichetti
10am-11pm - The Big Classic: Headstand for Everyone with Steve Merkley
11am-12pm - Vinyasa flow with Wade Imre Morissette
12pm-1pm - Integrating Yoga into Life: Going with the Flow with Erica Gehrke
1pm-2pm - Presence through Movement with Kim Eng
2pm-3pm - Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga - MindBody Transformation with Sadie Nardini
3pm-4pm - Joyful Yoga with Hemalayaa
4pm-5pm - Discover the Power of Healing with Yoga with Hillary Rubin
5pm-6pm - Detox Yoga with Sara Ivanhoe
6pm-7pm - A Spiritual Dialogue with Shakti Mhi – What is Realization? (by donation)
8pm-10pm - Benefit Celebration with yoga, dance and music featuring Wade Imre Morissette, Hemalayaa and MC Yogi (donations welcome)
~~ Sunday ~~
11.30am-1.30pm - Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga: Whole Body/Mind Transformation with Sadie Nardini
12.30pm-2.30pm - Joyful Yoga, The Unity of Yoga and Indian Dance with Hemalayaa
12.30pm-2.30pm - Discover the Power of Healing with Yoga with Hillary Rubin
2pm-4pm - Detox Yoga with Sara Ivanhoe
3pm-5pm - Presence through Movement with Kim Eng

FREE STAGE
10am - Yoga Short & Sweet for Beginners and Busy People - Vibrant Health with Eve Baldwin
11am - "Living the fierce life" with Sadie Nardini, author of the Road Trip Guide to the Soul withSadie Nardini
1pm - Yoga Short & Sweet for Beginners and Busy People - Inner Power with Eve Baldwin
2pm - Secret Journey to The Enlightened Mind - Life With Three Spiritual Giants of Our Age with Dr. James Weldon, Rishi Yogadhi Pragya
2.45pm - The Enlightened Mind Award Ceremony - Honoring Leaders for Service to Humanity in Creating a More Enlightened Society with Dr. James Weldon, Rishi Yogadhi Pragya
3pm - Yoga Short & Sweet for Beginners and Busy People - Calm Mind with Eve Baldwin
4pm - Mudra's of Mystic India with Michele Labelle
6pm - Yoga Short & Sweet for Beginners and Busy People - Calm Mind with Eve Baldwin
7-10pm - Bonus workshop Room # 3: Secret Journey to The Enlightened Mind (please check Enlightened Mind Booth for pricing and details) with Dr. James Weldon, Rishi Yogadhi Pragya

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

yoga in hollywoodland

Yoga on Beachwood
2560 North Beachwood Drive (at the Besant Lodge of the Theosophical Society)
Los Angeles, CA 90068
http://www.yogaonbeachwood.com/

~ The world we live in is basically a good place, to be used wisely, to be treasured, and to be honored: rejoice in life.
~ We develop as human beings, not by forsaking the world, but by cooperating with nature to preserve and perfect it: respect the environment and be ecologically responsible.
~ You and I are different expressions of the same life, so whatever happens to either of us happens to both of us—our well-being is linked: help your neighbor, and thereby help yourself.
~ Disharmony and evil are the result of ignorance and selfishness: live in harmony and goodness so as to teach others by your life as well as by your words.
-- from the Theosophical Society website



i have to admit that after driving to the hollywood bowl this past saturday AND sunday, the last thing i wanted to do was to head out to hollywood for the third day in a row, especially since this additional trip involved driving some 20+ miles from the south bay through rush hour traffic. and as anyone who lives (and commutes) in LA knows, it isn't a trek that one would take on unless they absolutely had to.

of course, obsessive-compulsive me felt that it was about time i checked out another yoga source in town. and what better time to visit a place clear across the city than on a day when i could sneak out early because my boss was out of the office (shhhhh -- you didn't hear me say that!)...

giving myself more than enough time to make the monday 7:30pm class listed on the website, i managed to remain calm despite the numerous stoplights. and stop signs. and road construction delays. and cars that insisted on tailgating me while i was trying to figure out how much farther i needed to go while i made my way up the road. and, oh yes, the idiotic tourist who lay prone in the middle of the street while trying to take a picture of the HOLLYWOOD sign ** at twilight (i have no idea how that photo turned out because right after i barely missed hitting him, a cop pulled up beside him and told him to move. thank god)!

** for those unfamiliar with the beachwood canyon area, it's located in the tract that used to be known as hollywoodland; hence its proximity to the world-famous collection of nine free-standing white letters.

finding a parking spot on the street was tricky enough; trying to figure out where i was going in the dimly-lit neighborhood required divine intervention -- in my case, it was in the form of a woman walking her dog who just happened to know which building she'd seen yoga mat-toting students walk into. or out of.

if i had just paid more attention to the photos on the website, i would've known exactly what i was looking for: a small church-looking building. turns out the location was the hollywood branch of the theosophical society, an organization whose mission is to "encourage open-minded inquiry into world religions, philosophy, science, and the arts in order to understand the wisdom of the ages, respect the unity of all life, and help people explore spiritual self-transformation." and while the yoga class is not affiliated with the society in any way, it seems appropriate that there is a somewhat symbiotic relationship between the two.

shortly after my guide and i arrived at the beautifully-carved front door, two other students plus steffany vance, our instructor, showed up. steffany unlocked the door and let us in. the meeting hall was almost sanctuary-like, with the focal point being the floor-to-ceiling stained glass window on the north wall. she set up a small altar in front of the window as we set up our mats on the wooden floor. there was an assortment of mats, blocks, and blankets at our disposal in the small closet behind us; we took what we needed and placed them by our mats.

steffany is an anusara-inspired yoga instructor. her classes are similar to those taught at anusara studios around town like city, still, mission street, and guerilla (ok, it really isn't a studio, but i wanted to throw in a plug anyway). in fact, when she isn't teaching at this lodge high up in the hollywood hills, she's teaching down at city yoga in west hollywood.

she ably tailored her class to our varied backgrounds. one student was a regular and was well on her way to mastering arm balances and inversions. another student, a yoga newbie who was there for the first time, found herself being assisted into her first handstand since she was a kid. and then there was me, who, after all these years, was still struggling through bakasana and trying to figure out where "vertical" was while i was upside down :(

the lodge was a beautiful space for our yoga practice. high above the noise of the city, we lay in peaceful savasana at the end of class. and as the lights were dimmed inside the room, the stained glass windows began to take on a mystic glow from the lights outside. one couldn't help but chant a blissful om when it was all over!

steffany's classes at the beachwood location are on monday, wednesday, and friday mornings, with additional classes for the working crowd on monday evenings and saturday mornings. if you live anywhere near the beachwood canyon area, treat yourself to a nice hike and walk to class. at least you won't have to deal with searching for a parking spot. or maybe even running over tourists who seem to think that they own the road...

Friday, September 19, 2008

celebrate yoga!

it's almost midnight and i promised myself that i would get this out before i tucked myself into bed tonight. my volunteer shift starts at 7am, which means i have to get up at... argh...

here's the schedule for this weekend's yoga month festival at LMU. with all the FREE classes and entertainment listed below, you have no excuse NOT to show up!

Yoga Health Festival with Global Mala - Los Angeles
Loyola Marymount, 1 LMU Drive, Westchester
Saturday and Sunday, September 20th-21st from 9am - 7pm each day
Cost: $25 per workshop / $29 Global Mala event / $55 VIP PASS includes preferred seating and unlimited access at all events including all workshops, benefit concert, yoga wear super sale and Global Mala (reg. $ 279)


YOGAMATES.COM STAGE - Saturday and Sunday 9am-7pm - FREE
~~ Saturday ~~
9am - Heal your Diagnosis with Yoga with Hillary Rubin
9.30am - Yoga para la familia con Lina Haskel
10am - Yoga Short and Sweet for Beginners and Busy People: Vibrant Health with Eve Baldwin
10.30am - Yoga 101 introduccion a yoga con Natalie Stawsky
11am - Transformative Yoga: Vibrant Well-Being in the Middle Years and Beyond with Felice Rhiannon
12pm - Light Body Meditation with Puja Seth
12.30pm - Laughing Yoga for a stress and disease free life with Laughing Yogi Ramesh
1pm - Music by JAYLA
2pm - Yoga warmup presented by Yoga Groove with Karen Russell
2.30pm - Secret Journey to The Enlightened Mind: Life With Three Spiritual Giants of Our Age with Dr. James Weldon
3.15pm - The Enlightened Mind Award Ceremony: Honoring Leaders for Service to Humanity in Creating a More Enlightened Society with Dr. James Weldon
3.30pm - Peace Begins within One’s Own Heart with Paramhans Swami Maheswarananda
4pm - Quick ways to Change Bad Habits with Sheevaun Moran
4.30pm - Yoga Short and Sweet for Beginners and Busy People: Inner Power with Eve Baldwin
5.30pm - Yoga Short and Sweet for Beginners and Busy People: Calm Mind with Eve Baldwin
~~ Sunday ~~
9.30am - Morning Meditation and Stage Opening
10.00am - Powerful Feminine Yoga with Alanna Zabel
10.30am - Yoga Short and Sweet for Beginners and Busy People: Vibrant Health with Eve Baldwin
11am - Yoga as Medicine with Timothy McCall MD
12pm - Omstream.com presents: Jahna (Vocals) and Michael Perricone (Tibetan singing bowls) performing LIVE
1.30pm - Yoga Short and Sweet for Beginners and Busy People: Inner Power with Eve Baldwin
2.30pm - Improved flexibility and posture with Atlas Evolution, Dr. Ranan Shahar
3pm - Yoga para la familia con Lina Haskel
4pm - Secret Journey to The Enlightened Mind: Life With Three Spiritual Giants of Our Age with Dr. James Weldon
4.30pm - Tibetan pranic healing exercises with Diamond Way Ayu, Robert and Melanie Sachs
5pm - Yoga Short and Sweet for Beginners and Busy People: Calm Mind with Eve Baldwin
5.30pm - Yoga para la familia with Lina Haskel

SOYJOY STAGE - Saturday and Sunday 9am-7pm - FREE
~~ Saturday ~~
9am - Community Class with Luke Ketterhagen
10am - Community Class with Luke Ketterhagen
LA YOGA Health Lecture Series:
~ 11am - Yoga practice for better digestion with Julie Carmen
~ 12pm - Yoga, Art and Relationships - Yoga, meditation, partnering and sound with Mara Hesed
~ 1pm - Hanuman and devotion with Arun Deva
~ 1:30pm - Heartfelt, organic Yoga asana practice with Jasmine Lieb
~ 3pm - Ayurvedic Daily Routine for Optimal Health with Dr. Ram Tamang
4pm - Community Class with Sadie Nardini
~~ Sunday ~~
10am - Community Class with Luke Ketterhagen
11am - Community Class with Sadie Nardini

CONSCIOUS MOVIE SCREENINGS - Saturday 12-6pm - FREE (Donations welcome)
12pm - Spiritual Warriors with Dr. John-Roger and Jsu Garcia
2pm - Y Yoga Movie with Q & A with director Arthur Klein
4pm - Y Yoga Movie with Q & A with director Arthur Klein

BENEFIT CONCERT presented by Yogi Times - Saturday 6-10pm - FREE
6:15pm - Yoga Dance Performance presented by Yoga Groove
6:30pm - EEDAY and Urban Fire - Crossover Reggae & Dance Hall to touch your soul. Featuring James Eeday and the original members of Urban Fire, including Rodney Sheppard from Sugar Ray
7:30pm - Featuring Lili Haydn the "Jimi Hendrix of the violin”, equal parts Kate Bush and Pink Floyd, with lyrics in search of peace and passion
8:30pm - Neo-Soul R & B Sensation Lina and band
9:15pm - Dance Party with DJ Dragonfly and rising star MC Yogi

WORKSHOPS - Saturday and Sunday 9am-7pm - $25 (Included in VIP pass)
~~ Saturday ~~
9am-11am - Flex & Flow with Beth Shaw
9am-11am - Yoga Y Vida Saludable Para Latinos / Yoga and healthy living for Latinos with Lina Haskel
9am-11am - Play Yoga with Rainbeau Mars
11am-1pm - Discover Your Power of Healing with Yoga with Hillary Rubin
11am-1pm - Sports Yoga with Billy Assad
11am-1pm - Vinyasa flow with Wade Imre Morissette
1pm-3pm - Power Yoga: Meditation in Motion with Bryan Kest
1pm-3pm - Boot Camp for Goddesses Introduction with Sierra Bender
1pm-3pm - Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga - MindBody Transformation with Sadie Nardini
3pm-5pm - The Science of Yoga and Yoga Therapy with Timothy McCall MD
3pm-5pm - Family Yoga workshop / Taller de Yoga para la Familia with Natalie Stawsky
5pm-7pm - Chakra Journey with Mykal Aubry
5pm-7pm - Yoga for Stress and Anxiety with Hala Khouri
~~ Sunday ~~
9am-12am - Off the Mat into the World: Turning intention into action with Hala Khouri and Suzanne Sterling
9am-11am - Yoga 101 introduccion a yoga with Natalie Stawsky
9am-11am - Powerful Feminine Yoga with Alanna Zabel
11am-1pm - Prime of Life Yoga with Larry Payne PhD
11am-1pm - Joyful Yoga, The Unity of Yoga and Indian Dance with Hemalayaa
12pm-2pm - Goddess Warrior Workout with Sierra Bender

GLOBAL MALA SACRED MUSIC AND MOVEMENT - Sunday 1-7pm - $29 (Included in VIP pass)
1.00pm - Global Mala Opening with Shiva Rea, Chris Chapple
1.15pm - Conscious Music and Kirtan with Wade Imre Morrissette
2.00pm - Kundalini Yoga with Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa
2.45pm - Conscious Activism with Andrew Harvey
3.15pm - Laughing Yoga for the healthy heart and stress free life with Laughing Yogi Ramesh
108 Sun Salutations with Live Music:
3.30-4.15pm - Suzanne Sterling with Hala Khouri
4.15-5.00pm - Joey Lugassy with Larry Payne and Krishna Kaur
5.00-5.45pm - Wah! with Saul David Raye
5.45-6.30pm - Donna de Lory with Shiva Rea
6.30pm - Yoga Trance Dance ignited by Shiva Rea with DJ Dragonfly
7.00pm - Closing with 108 OM Chant with Global Mala Project Kirtan Members

SELFCENTERED TENTS - Saturday and Sunday 9am-7pm - $5 (Included in VIP pass)
A full range of out-of-your-mind experiences every hour throughout the weekend including group meditations, dynamic breath, body rockin’ dance, drum circles, partner yoga, chocolate meditation, poetry jam, and our signature public display of meditation. Plus, our founder Max Simon will be giving a keynote on Sunday at 3 pm. Each class is only $5 or VIP passes get in for free.
3pm - Keynote by founder Max Simon

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

balancing mind and body

earlier this evening, i was sitting in the reception area of santa monica yoga, trying to find something to do because i had gotten there a bit too early for class. a stack of newsprint flyers caught my eye; i picked one off the top and glanced at the title. living well -- the second half. the second half of what? turns out it was an advertising supplement to a recent issue of the LA times that focused on health for senior citizens. oh, THAT half. the half i belong to, now that i'm officially AARP-eligible...

on the front page was an article that was clearly yoga-related (the accompanying photo of someone standing in warrior 2 was a dead giveaway). the photo caption read: As people age, vision problems, loss of strength and medical conditions can cause poor balance, resulting in injuries. Yoga can help.

thank god i was about to take a yoga class, because it's bad enough that i'd already injured myself a number of times through pure klutziness... and now i have to worry about even more injuries due to poor balance? what fun.

here are some excerpts from that article (i later found out that some of the SMY teachers and students were featured prominently in the article, which explains why it was being made available to everyone who walked into the studio):

Building Balance
Exercises can prevent tipping -- and serious injuries
By Bob Young, Special Advertising Sections Writer

Before David Denton of Santa Monica was found to have Parkinson's disease four years ago, one of the first symptoms he experienced was a flagging sense of balance. "I felt it just walking around my office, very unsteady," he said.

Now, after about a year and a half of practicing yoga three times a week at Santa Monica Yoga, balance is no longer a problem for the 61-year-old man. Denton, who walked the Los Angeles Marathon in March in nine hours, credits yoga balance poses with his amazing improvement.

"Poses like the tree, which is very difficult to hold, with one leg over the thigh of the standing leg and arms in the air, is terrific for increasing balance and strength," the architect said. "Parkinson's is a progressive disease, but yoga has helped me actually experience a big improvement."

Exercising to maintain equilibrium is important for everyone, with or without health issues, said Linda York, a classmate of Denton's. The 58-year-old creative director practices yoga to help compensate for a slightly curved spine and cramped toes and feet.

"Most women my age experience balance problems because of cramped feet caused by years of wearing small high-heels that cram your toes together. It causes a person to balance differently," said York, a Santa Monica resident. "But yoga can put you back in proper balance."

the article goes on to talk about how staying healthy and avoiding serious injuries is especially important for those over 50. a simple fall alone can cause a serious fracture of the arm, hand, ankle, and/or hip; medical expenses for fall-related injuries among those 65 and over add up to almost $16.4 billion annually, according to an AARP study. with health insurance coverage becoming more restrictive and less affordable, senior citizens have to be especially proactive when it comes to maintaining their health.

Dana Marcoux, an instructor at Santa Monica Yoga (as well as at Silverlake Yoga) explains the connection between yoga and balance: "Yoga is intended to create an overall balance in life. I like to open classes with a balance pose and have the students hold it for three breaths. Usually they focus their eyes on a spot on the wall in front of them. It's a matter of developing calmness and coordination between vision, physical balance and mental balance, all important and entwined."

Jane Zingale, another SMY instructor, focuses on physical strengthening for students who need special help with balance, such as Denton. "One of my students had a 'slow bleed' stroke, which can be devastating. His left side was severely affected, but after working with yoga, he has greatly improved his balance."

other balance-improving practices are touched upon by the author, such as water training, weight training, tai chi, bowling, and even ballroom dancing.

i suppose spinning around while ballroom dancing might help improve my balance, but then again, with my history of being a klutz, i think i'm better off sticking to yoga...

the article -- as well as other health-related articles of interest to the senior community -- can be found in its entirety at www.latimes.com/livingwell

Thursday, September 11, 2008

sacred sounds in the city

while trying to figure out which class to take earlier this evening, i came across this invite from shelley williams at the pilates room and yoga lounge in hermosa beach:

Join us for Candlelight Yoga with Live Music!
Thursday September 11th @ 6:30pm
Ibrahim Boro joins us once more to grace us with his soulful sounds tonight for Candlelight Yoga Level 1-2. Please come early to get your spot and share in a shakti-filled practice. Come and enjoy a juicy mix of music, yoga, and prana!


live music! how could i turn that down?

so while the room gradually dimmed as the evening progressed from sundown to night, ibrahim gently strummed his guitar as shelley led our class through a luscious slow flow. yum!

after class ended, shelley announced that ibrahim and many other afro-cuban musicians would be performing this sunday at the music of latin american art in long beach, as part of the world festival of sacred music.

the festival organizers have done a great job of placing the glossy multi-page event brochures in many of the yoga studios around town; if you haven't picked one up yet nor have had a chance to leaf through it, here's a heads-up on all the wonderful sounds that will be surrounding the city for the next two weeks:

The World Festival of Sacred Music is founded on the belief that sacred music has the ability to bring forth our shared human values of peace, understanding, and respect for all living things. The Festival is not a commercial venture, nor does it promote or endorse any political or religious agenda. Offering an alternative, community-oriented model to the corporate values that dominate the entertainment culture of Los Angeles, the Festival provides opportunities for people to come together and investigate issues of tolerance and diversity within our complex, urban environment.

Saturday, September 13th

7 pm Opening Gala Concert with:
- Chirgilchin Tuva
- Waldemar Bastos Angola
- Lian Ensemble USA
- Rupayan India
- Emiko Susilo Indonesia
- Rob Levit USA
UCLA Royce Hall, 405 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles
$55, $45, $35, $20 (student)

10 am - 6 pm Songs for the Fall Equinox - Music and dance of the indigenous people of the western hemisphere
Haramokngna American Indian Cultural Center, Angeles Crest Highway and Mt. Wilson Rd., La Cañada
Suggested donation $5

Sunday, September 14th

11 am - 5 pm Songs for the Fall Equinox - Music and dance of the indigenous people of the western hemisphere
Haramokngna American Indian Cultural Center, Angeles Crest Highway and Mt. Wilson Rd., La Cañada
Suggested donation $5

1 - 5 pm Canciones del Alma (Songs of the Soul) - Target Free Sundays at MOLAA
Museum of Latin American Art, 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach
FREE Open Seating in the outdoor theater and sculpture garden

2 pm The Arroyo Arts Collective Presents: The Music & Shadows of Bali
Center for the Arts Eagle Rock, 2225 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles
FREE

2 pm From the Sea to the Sky - Music from Indonesia, Tibet and USA
Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave, Pasadena
$10 Museum members; $12 General Public (Includes admission to all Galleries)

2 pm A Concert for Peace in Darfur - Michael Fitzpatrick and Cantor Caren Glasser
Temple Kol Tikvah, 20400 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills
$18.00 - proceeds to benefit Darfur

4 pm Rhythms for Peace - Yeh Dede (Make a Joyful Noise)
St. James Presbyterian Church, 19414 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana
Freewill Offering

Monday, September 15th

8 pm Masar Wa Nisae – the Woman's Path - Music of Northern Morocco's Arab, Jewish and Berber women
Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles
$26

Tuesday, September 16th

8 pm Salam Yatra - a Journey of peace through the music and dance of the Middle East and India
Nate Holden Theater, 4718 W. Washington Blvd, Los Angeles
$20 students, $25 general, $40 reserved

Wednesday, September 17th

8 pm Love Prayers on Tanbour - Mystical Music in the spirit of sufism featuring Heyraneh with Christo Pellani & Jamie Papish
Earth & Sky Lodge, 5521 S. Grosvenor Blvd., Los Angeles
$25 Pre-sale, $30 at Door (Seating is very limited)

Thursday, September 18th

6:30 pm Mamak Khadem and Savina Yannatou & Primavera en Salonico - 1st & Central Summer Concerts
Japanese American National Museum, 369 East 1st Street, Los Angeles
FREE

8 pm Sounds of the Mediterranean and Beyond - The Stefani Valadez Ensemble, Ist West Ensemble and The Ava Nahas Percussion Trio
Murphy Recital Hall at Loyola Marymount University, One LMU Drive, Los Angeles
$20 Pre-sale, $25 at the Door (Seating is very limited)

Friday, September 19th

8 pm Tarang (waves of sound) - Abhijit Banerjee Ensemble & Kenny Endo
Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts - Whittier College, 6760 Painter Ave., Whittier
$20 General; $10 Students & Seniors

8 pm Mare Serenitatis (Sea of Serenity) - Conceived by artist and zen archer Hirokazu Kosaka
Aratani/Japan America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles
$25 General admission; $20 Students, Seniors and JACCC members

Saturday, September 20th

1 - 5 pm Sacred Waters, Waters of Life - Workshop led by Viver Brasil
18th Street Arts Center Gallery, 1639 18th Street, Santa Monica
$10. Tickets purchased at the door

2 pm One World Many Voices - Three choirs, three musical cultures, one enthralling evening: Zhena Folk Chorus, Philippine Chamber Singers, and Capella Gloriana
Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th Street. San Pedro
$15 General admission, $10 to Students and Senior Citizens.

6 pm Embellishments & Ornamentations - Explorations in “singing-style” North Indian violin
Rancho Cordillera Del Norte, 9015 Wilbur Avenue, Northridge
Non Members: $25, Members: $20, Students: $15

8 pm Jugalbandi Ensemble of Indian Music - Calcutta to California
USC Taper Hall of Humanities, 3501 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles
$25/12 students (USC students FREE)

8 pm Voices of the Way - Three Performance Works Inspired by Writings of Brecht, Lao Tse, Padmasabhava, & Gregory I
Sacred Heart Chapel at Loyola Marymount University, One LMU Drive, Los Angeles
General Admission $15; Students & Seniors $10

8:30 pm-1 am The Rhythm of Axé - Celebrating the Music, Dance of West Africa, Brazil, Cuba with Shaman’s Dream World Groove Ensemble & Master Guest Performers
Blankenship Ballet of Venice, 132 Brooks Avenue, Venice
$25 in advance / $35 at the door

Sunday, September 21st

8 am, 10 am, 12 noon Every Time I Feel the Spirit - Gospel Music at the Historic First A.M.E. Church of Los Angeles
First African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2270 S. Harvard Blvd, Los Angeles
Freewill Offering

1 - 7 pm Global Mala - Sacred Movement and Music
Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles
$29

3 pm ALOUD at Central Library presents: "The Vision Songs" of the Shakers - Performed by The Shakers n’ Bakers
Mark Taper Auditorium - Los Angeles Central Library, 630 W. 5th Street, Los Angeles
$7.00 general admission, cash only payable at the door. Free to Library Associates

4 pm We Sing Together: Sowing Seeds of Peace with Harmony - Songs of the African American and Balkan traditions
Wilshire United Methodist Church, 4350 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles
$20/$15 students

6 pm Emerging Voices - Dance of Devotion from India and Hawaii
James Armstrong Theater, Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance
$25 reserved; $15 student

7 pm Los Angeles Electric 8 - Music on Electric Guitars by Bach, Messiaen, Rachmaninoff, Mendelssohn, Villa-Lobos and others
Armory Center for the Arts, 145 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena
$15 general admission. $10 seniors and students. Armory Members free

8 pm Adorations - Dance of Divine Love in India and Spain
The Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Avenue, Los Angeles
$30.00; $25.00 for DRC members.

Monday, September 22nd

8 pm - 1 am Soulular Memory… the Reconnect - Urban Musical Mysticism
Temple Bar, 1026 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica
$10

Tuesday, September 23rd

7 pm Where Everything is Music: the Liän Ensemble - a meeting of mystical Persian music and contemporary jazz
Wayfarers Chapel , 5755 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes
$22 includes reception

Wednesday, September 24th

8:30 pm The Escape Artist - A concert version of the opera “The Escape Artist” by Robert Een, with the International Mystical All-Star Band
Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT), 631 West 2nd Street, Los Angeles
$20 general, $16 Students

Thursday, September 25th

8 pm Seeker of Truth - An evening of Sufi music from Turkey and Pakistan with The Yuval Ron Ensemble featuring Najwa Gibran and Whirling Dervish Aziz with special guest Qawwali master vocalist Sukhawat Ali Khan
Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles
$25 General, $20 Skirball Members, $15 Students

Friday, September 26th

6:45 pm Intersections of Sound and Space - String Theory at the Fowler Museum
Fowler Museum at UCLA, North Campus, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095
FREE; open seating; no reservations required.

7 pm Faith Across the City & Across Generations - A Celebration of Gospel Music
Mayfield Senior School , 500 Bellefontaine Street, Pasadena
$10

7:30 pm Chirgilchin - Master Throat Singers from Tuva
Harold M. Williams Auditorium, The Getty Center
$20; $15 students/seniors.

7:30 pm Guardians of Sound and Spirit - Lesa Terry and the Women’s Jazz Orchestra
First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica, 1008 11th Street, Santa Monica
FREE admission, donation appreciated

8 pm Indian Classical Masters - A Duet with Kartik Seshadri and Rajeev Taranath
Agape International Spiritual Center, 5700 Buckingham Parkway, Culver City
$20 in advance / $25 at the door

8:30 pm Anatta - New Works by Amy Knoles, Bob Bellerue, Michael Sakamoto, and Waewdao Sirisook
Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th Street, Santa Monica
$20 general, $15 student/senior

Saturday, September 27th

7:30 pm Enzo Avitabile - The Sacro Sud Project
Harold M. Williams Auditorium, The Getty Center
$20; $15 students/seniors.

7:30 pm The Way to Peace: Peace is the Way - World Poets with the Tony Khalife Group & Unity Nguyen Ensemble
World Peace Ikeda Auditorium, 525 Wilshire Bvd., Santa Monica
$25 general, $15 students, $50 sponsors

8 pm Mystical Music Ancient and New - Suzanne Teng and Prince Diabaté
Madrid Theatre, 21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park
$15 / $10 students and seniors

8:30 pm Anatta - New Works by Amy Knoles, Bob Bellerue, Michael Sakamoto, and Waewdao Sirisook
Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th Street, Santa Monica
$20 general, $15 student/senior

Sunday, September 28th

3 pm - Sundown Honoring the Sea: Festival Closing Ceremony
Santa Monica Beach at the end of Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica
FREE and outdoors.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

moving and praying with one's body

i just received an update from american public media, which produces and distributes speaking of faith with krista tippett, public radio's peabody award-winning conversation about religion, meaning, ethics and ideas. they wanted me to share with you some details about an upcoming program, yoga: meditation in action ~

The 5,000 year-old tradition of yoga is converging intriguingly with 21st century medical science and culture. This week, Speaking of Faith explores the practicalities and power of yoga. Krista Tippett's guest, Seane Corn, is a renowned yoga teacher who is also a leader in applying yoga's spiritual lessons to global, social crises. She describes yoga's potential to be meditation in action, and explores it as a form of "body prayer."

"Yoga: Meditation in Action" will air on public radio stations nationwide from Thursday, September 11 through Wednesday, September 17 (here in LA, speaking of faith airs on sundays at 4pm on 89.3 KPCC).

the interview is featured online at speakingoffaith.org where you can download and podcast the program and find broadcast locations and times.

there are also links to seane's bio and her thoughts on vinyasa flow yoga -- how it's all about linking movement and breath without compromising one's body.

which reminds me... she's teaching at exhale venice tonight. maybe i should sneak out of the office early so i can listen to her speak in person :)

Saturday, September 06, 2008

restoring one's sanity

as a runner, i've come to realize the importance of flexibility. and how tight muscles and stiff joints can be a major pain in the butt. or in my case, have led to all kinds of pains in my butt :(

i've also realized that there are times when my body can only take so much abuse. so instead of my continuing to push it so that it'll "learn" endurance -- blame it on my 80's "no pain, no gain" mantra -- i now find myself pampering it with massages and restorative classes when it's had enough. and for the most part, it seems to be happy... ok, maybe somewhat happier.

so after completing a 13-mile training run with my running group this morning, i stood under a hot shower and contemplated my yoga class options for the day.

power yoga? definitely not. i had none left.

vinyasa flow? nope. my back felt too creaky.

anusara? the fun classes had the usual assortment of arm balances and inversions. but my arms wanted to have nothing to do with any of them.

iyengar? kundalini? ashtanga? my mind was getting tired just mulling about all the choices!

unfortunately, the longer i thought about it, the longer it took me to get dressed and out the door. it was getting later and later in the day, and my class choices were quickly getting whittled down. i was tempted to just hop in bed and call it a night. problem was, it was only four in the afternoon. argh.

it soon became clear what my body was craving at that moment: a good restorative class. and after checking studio schedules, i headed for the one closest to home -- lynda carre's 5:30pm yin+restorative class at exhale venice. 90 minutes later, after some slow stretches and quiet meditation, the obsessive-compulsive in me was happy that it got a yoga practice in for the day. and the exhausted runner in me was happy that it suddenly felt re-energized...

and now that i'm wide awake again, i'm putting all this late-night energy to good use -- i've compiled a list of restorative/stretch classes* around town. maybe you'll need to refer to it one day. i know i will!

* note: i've also listed other classes that concentrate on stretching and/or relaxing the body and included their descriptions


MONDAY

9:30-11:00am Deep Stretch, All Levels - Heidi Kaufman
Black Dog Yoga, Sherman Oaks

11:00am-12:30pm Deeply Meditate and Relax - Tej Kaur Khalsa
Golden Bridge Yoga, Hollywood

1:00-2:00pm Yoga Stretch - Bekah Finch
Yoga Blend, Burbank

4:30-5:30pm Yoga Stretch - Priscilla Williams
Yoga Blend, Burbank

4:30-5:55pm Yin Yoga - Doug Binzak
A Taoist form of Yoga that targets connective tissue of the hips, pelvis and spine. Postures are held for longer periods of time facilitating deeper opening. Meditation may be used.
Yoga Works Pacific Palisades


TUESDAY

8:00-9:00am Gentle/Stretch - Bindu Dan Dexter
Yoga Blend, Burbank

8:30-9:25am Deep Stretch, All Levels - Heidi Kaufman
Black Dog Yoga, Sherman Oaks

9:15-10:30am Deep Slow Stretch - Christopher Quain
Alive and Well, Hermosa Beach

12:15-1:15pm Slow Deep Stretch - Guin Lyster
Santa Monica Yoga, Santa Monica

6:00-7:15pm Deep Slow Stretch - Christopher Quain
Alive and Well, Hermosa Beach

6:00-7:15pm Restorative, Stretch and Unwind - Carl Dawson
Yoga at the Village, Glendale

6:00-7:25pm Level 2 with Yin - Jaclyn Hinds
A flow class ending with postures that deeply stretch the connective tissue of the pelvis, hips, and lower back. These poses are held for 3-10 minutes for maximum benefit and rejuvenation.
Yoga Loft, Manhattan Beach

6:30-8:00pm Hatha Restorative - Rick Feldman
Revive Yoga, Chatsworth

8:15-9:30pm Slow Deep Stretch - Cindy Fraser
Santa Monica Yoga, Santa Monica


WEDNESDAY

1:00-1:55pm Restorative - Erica Kyriakatos
TruYoga, Santa Monica

1:00-2:00pm Yoga Stretch - Bekah Finch
Yoga Blend, Burbank

4:30-6:00pm Restorative - Bekah Finch
Yoga Blend, Burbank

4:30-5:55pm Yin Yoga - Doug Binzak
A Taoist form of Yoga that targets connective tissue of the hips, pelvis and spine. Postures are held for longer periods of time facilitating deeper opening. Meditation may be used.
Yoga Works Pacific Palisades

5:00-6:30pm Gentle / Restorative - Victoria Nichols
Yoga Loft, Woodland Hills

5:00-6:30pm Restorative Yoga - Colleen Carroll
Inner Power Yoga, Calabasas

6:00-7:15pm Restorative - Lisa Briedis
Alive and Well, Hermosa Beach

6:30-8:00pm Gentle Restorative - Jeanne Korn
Liberation Yoga, Los Angeles

7:30-9:00pm Restorative - Sharon Skok
City Yoga, West Hollywood


THURSDAY

8:30-9:25am Deep Stretch, All Levels - Heidi Kaufman
Black Dog Yoga, Sherman Oaks

9:15-10:30am Deep Slow Stretch - Christopher Quain
Alive and Well, Hermosa Beach

12:15-1:15pm Slow Deep Stretch - Guin Lyster
Santa Monica Yoga, Santa Monica

6:00-7:15pm Deep Slow Stretch - Christopher Quain
Alive and Well, Hermosa Beach

6:00-7:25pm Level 2 with Yin - Kyra Haglund
A flow class ending with postures that deeply stretch the connective tissue of the pelvis, hips, and lower back. These poses are held for 3-10 minutes for maximum benefit and rejuvenation.
Yoga Loft, Manhattan Beach

7:00-9:00pm Yin+Restorative - Denise Kaufman
Exhale Center for Sacred Movement, Venice

7:30-9:00pm Relax and Restore - Mesha Kussman
Golden Bridge Yoga, Hollywood

7:30-9:00pm Stretch - Stephanie Hechtman
Revive Yoga, Chatsworth

7:30-8:45pm Restorative/Prenatal/MS - Rachel McClements
Yoga at the Village, Glendale

7:45-9:00pm Restorative Yoga - Kari Burgos
Inner Harmony Yoga, San Pedro

8:15-9:30pm Slow Deep Stretch - Guin Lyster
Santa Monica Yoga, Santa Monica


FRIDAY

1:00-2:00pm Yoga Stretch - Nicole Honnig
Yoga Blend, Burbank

4:00-5:30pm Relax and Restore - Padmini Bergman
Golden Bridge Yoga, Hollywood

4:15-5:30pm Pranayama and Restoratives - Rosie Good Umana
Yoga Bindu, San Pedro

4:30-5:45pm Gentle and Restorative - Simone Market
Alive and Well, Hermosa Beach

4:30-5:55pm Yin Yoga - Doug Binzak
A Taoist form of Yoga that targets connective tissue of the hips, pelvis and spine. Postures are held for longer periods of time facilitating deeper opening. Meditation may be used.
Yoga Works Pacific Palisades

5:30-7:00pm Restorative Yoga - Bebe Lin
Sacred Energy Arts, Santa Monica

6:00-7:30pm Deep Stretch, All Levels - Heidi Kaufman
Black Dog Yoga, Sherman Oaks

6:00-7:25pm Relax Deeply - Lisa L
Lyfe Yoga Center, Hermosa Beach

6:00-7:30pm Restorative - Marcy Mee
Yoga House, Pasadena

6:00-7:30pm Relax Deeply - Kim Fisch
Yoga Works Westwood

6:30-8:00pm Relax Deeply - Aaron Reed
Exhale Center for Sacred Movement, Venice

6:30-8:00 pm Yin Yoga - Catherine Luna
This class is designed to move you deeper into your body. Yin yoga is static in nature, the poses are held for a longer period of time. Due to this, it stretches and opens the body beyond the muscles into the connective tissue, allowing for a deep experience.
Harmony Yoga, Redondo Beach

6:30-8:00pm Restorative - Staff
Mission Street Yoga, South Pasadena

6:30-8:00pm Restorative - Bekah Finch
Yoga Blend, Burbank

7:30-9:00pm Restoratives/Pranayama - Saraswati Browne
Yoga Works Montana Avenue, Santa Monica

7:45-9:00pm Restoratives - Koren Paalman
Yoga Works South Bay, El Segundo


SATURDAY

9:45-11:00am Yoga Stretch - Nicole Honnig
Yoga Blend, Burbank

10:00-11:15am Restorative - Monica Roman
Escape Above Spa and Yoga Lounge, Long Beach

4:00-5:30pm Slow Deep Stretch - Cindy Fraser
Santa Monica Yoga, Santa Monica

5:30-6:55pm Yin+Restorative - Lynda Carre
Exhale Center for Sacred Movement, Venice


SUNDAY

10:15-11:30am Pranayama and Restoratives - Rosie Good Umana
Yoga Bindu, San Pedro

3:30-4:00pm Men's Stretch - Pat Andersen
Class is open to men and boys in need of flexibility. We work on lower back, hips, shoulders, and hamstrings.
Free Spirit Yoga, Long Beach

5:00-6:30pm Restorative Yoga, All Levels - Melissa Morgan
Black Dog Yoga, Sherman Oaks

5:00-6:30pm Gentle Hatha with Restorative - Amber
Karuna Yoga, Los Feliz

5:00-6:30pm Restorative - Bekah Finch
Yoga Blend, Burbank

5:00 - 6:25pm Level 2 (with Restoratives) - Kyra Haglund
A flow class ending with restorative postures that utilize multiple props to open, stretch, and relax the body.
Yoga Loft, Manhattan Beach

5:00-6:30pm Restorative - Amy Friedman
Yoga Madre, Arcadia

5:00-6:30pm Restorative - Sharon Kay / Mona Apana
Yoga at the Village, Glendale

5:30-7:00pm Slow Deep Stretch - Samara Glassman
Goda Yoga, Culver City

5:30-7:00pm Relax and Restore - Mesha Kussman
Golden Bridge Yoga, Hollywood

5:30-7:00pm Gentle Restorative - Cathie Baker (1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th Sunday of the month)
Liberation Yoga, Los Angeles

5:30-7:00pm Restorative - Jessika Wood
Mission Street Yoga, South Pasadena

5:30-7:00pm Relax Deeply - Ashley Rideaux
Rising Lotus Yoga, Sherman Oaks

5:45-7:15pm Restorative - Katherine Newmark
Santa Monica Yoga, Santa Monica

5:45-7:15pm Yin and Yang - Sara Ivanhoe
This class balances the yang quality of a strong vinyasa flow with the yin qualities of longer holds, restoratives, deep relaxation and meditation.
Yoga Works Main Street, Santa Monica

6:00-7:15pm Restorative - Lisa McGrory
Alive and Well, Hermosa Beach

6:00-7:30pm Restorative - Karen Byers
City Yoga, West Hollywood

6:00-7:30pm Relax Deeply - Aaron Reed
Exhale Center for Sacred Movement, Venice

6:00-7:30pm Restorative - Garth McLean
Iyengar Yoga Institute, Los Angeles

6:00pm - 8:15pm Chakra Restorative(TM) - Constance Hart (2nd Sunday of the month; reservation suggested)
This unique 2 hour class is a candlelit healing experience that combines gentle supported restorative poses with color, aromatherapy and meditations to clear, awaken and renew your seven major chakras (energy centers). Increases awareness and restores energy balance. A special treat with chakra-tuned music!
Liberation Yoga, Los Angeles

6:00-7:25pm Iyengar Restorative - Michael Ruccuolo
Lyfe Yoga Center, Hermosa Beach

6:00-7:15pm bFresh Yoga - Sissy St. John
bFresh Yoga is a unique blend of visualization/meditation, breath work, and primarily basic poses, with a just a little aromatherapy thrown in. Leaving you with that "ahhhh" feeling of Freshness! The ultimate experience of renewal for the body, mind, and most importantly the spirit.
U Studio Yoga, Miracle Mile

6:00-7:30pm Restorative - Lara Catone
Yoga Groove, North Hollywood

6:00-7:30pm Yin Style - Carry Kim
A calming practice emphasizing sustained postures to gently release tension in the body.
Yoga House, Pasadena

6:00-7:30pm Relax Deeply - Doug Binzak
Yoga Works Pacific Palisades

6:30-7:30 pm Yin Restorative - Catherine Luna
Harmony Yoga, Redondo Beach

6:30-7:45pm Restorative - Ann O'Brien
Silver Lake Yoga, Silverlake

6:30-7:30pm Restorative - Audrey Klein
Yoga House, Pasadena

6:30-8:00pm Relax Deeply - Hazel Patterson
Yoga Works Westwood

7:00-8:30pm Relax and Restore - Kathy Bray
Urth Yoga, Echo Park

7:00-08:25pm Relax Deeply - Romy Phillips
Yoga Works South Bay, El Segundo

7:15-8:45pm Relax Deeply - Natalie Lawrence
Yoga Works Center for Yoga, Larchmont

7:15-8:30pm Restorative - Ali Laventhol / Ashley Rideaux
Yummy Yoga, Los Feliz

7:30-9:00pm Restoratives/Pranayama - Chris Stein
Yoga Works Main Street, Santa Monica

Friday, September 05, 2008

a month of yoga!

my apologies to those who happened to be in the boston area earlier this week -- i just realized that the yoga month festivities were held last wednesday, sept 3rd :(

this is what you missed (or took advantage of, depending on your situation):

BOSTON - Wednesday, September 3rd at the Cambridge Masonic Hall

Learn from some of the best yoga teachers and health experts at this workshop-only event.
Featured workshops with David Vendetti, Chanel Luck, Sadie Nardini, Michelle Fleming, and Timothy McCall MD.
The evening benefit concert will feature Donna de Lory and her band.
FREE yoga community classes with Luke Ketterhagen and Sadie Nardini presented by SOYJOY.



i just received a heads-up about the other yoga month festivities scheduled for later this month (including the big global mala event here in LA on september 20th and 21st), so with the next event coming up this sunday, i'm posting this without further delay:

National Yoga Month has been up to a great start with the Denver, Miami and Boston Yoga Health Festivals.

Help us creating a shift in awareness and behaviour by practicing yoga and healthy living on a regular basis and by attending one of our Yoga Health Festivals. And make sure you bring a family member or friend. We encourage you to pre-register but feel free to just stop by and check out the FREE lectures, yoga community classes and exhibits.

Please scroll down to learn about event highlights in New York City, Chicago, Austin and Los Angeles.

NEW YORK CITY - Sunday, September 7th at the Metropolitan Pavilion 18th/6th Ave.

This Sunday join yoga and health enthusiasts and celebrate National Yoga Month at the New York City Yoga Health Festival Sept. 7 at the Metropolitan Pavilion (on 18th St. between 6th and 7th Ave.).
Highlights include workshops with Elena Brower, Sadie Nardini, Timothy McCall MD, Jules Febre and many more. The evening concert will feature the amazing David Newman.
Or just stop by at the SOYJOY booth, taste their excellent bars and receive a complementary gift.

Click here for more information



CHICAGO - Saturday, September 13th at Second Nature, Lincoln Park, 1750 N. Kingsbury

Enjoy workshops with Moksha's Daren Friesen, Lourdes Paredes, James Tennant, Sadie Nardini, Paul Weitz and other yoga and health experts.
Make sure you talk to Dr. James Weldon about his new book The Enlightened Mind.

Click here for more information



AUSTIN - Wednesday, September 17th at The Crossings Hotel & Wellness Spa in Austin
If you ever wanted to visit The Crossings, this is your chance.
Attend workshops with Hemalayaa, Sadie Nardini, Christina Sell and the "Rythm of the Soul" yoga concert with Zoe Mantarakis and Oliver Rajamani.

Click here for more information



LOS ANGELES - Saturday and Sunday, September 20th-21st at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in Westchester

Once a year the yoga community is coming together to celebrate. This is the moment.
The 2-Day Yoga Health Festival features a free benefit concert, lectures, workshops, yoga community classes, entertainment, over 100 exhibits and a really fun kids zone. Bring your family and friends and enjoy a late summer day at beautiful LMU campus.
And attending Global Mala is a must! Just imagine how wonderful it will feel to practice 108 sun saluations guided by Shiva Rea, Saul David Raye, Hala Khouri, Gurmukh while listening to empowering music by Wah!, Donna De Lory and many more...

Click here for more information

Thursday, September 04, 2008

it's back to school time again

and now that summer's over, we finally see the return of a packed yoga calendar -- including many FREE classes!

there's some really good stuff on this list... including the big global mala bash on the 21st!

keep checking back for updates, because there's bound to be more...

ongoing events:

BodyFreedom -- Experience Profound Healing Through Dance with Tarnie Fulloon
The Awareness Center, Pasadena
Mondays, 7:30 – 9:00pm, August 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

Kids Fitness Classes
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Avenue
Every Wednesday 3:00pm
Cost: FREE


Complimentary Kids Fitness classes on Wednesdays at 3:00pm.
(see "other events" section below for scheduled yoga classes)

Yoga For A Cause
Liberation Yoga, Los Angeles
Every Wednesday 4:30pm
Cost: By Donation


Join Laurie Searle For This Inspiring All levels Class!
A weekly all levels flow class with the intention of raising awareness for the issues we care about as a studio and community. Although this is not a donations class, donations are collected at the box hanging at the front desk and go directly to the cause. No donation is too small. This class is sponsored by www.ewishingwell.org

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 (except Sept 4th)
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
Five 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
Every Saturday 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


Every Sunday we host a complimentary fitness class featuring different styles of yoga, pilates, dance and personal training. All levels welcome - perfect for beginner, intermediate or advanced practitioners. 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


All levels flow yoga class from 9:30-10:30am
Sept 7th - Michele Agosti
Sept 14th - Deborah Macauley and Sandra Liew

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

September Weekly Yoga hosted by TruYoga!!!
lululemon Santa Monica, 331 Santa Monica Blvd
Every Sunday 7:30-8:30pm
Cost: FREE


All of September we are partnering with a wonderful, neighborhood and eco-friendly studio to offer you our complimentary classes. TruYoga is a hidden gem in Santa Monica, resting in the Yahoo center it has fabulous teachers and a gorgeous practice room.
Come see what their teachers have to offer starting September 7th.
Sept 7th - Sura Kim
Sept 14th - TBA
Sept 21st - Marlize Joubert
Sept 28th - Aras Baskauskas

FRIDAY NIGHT GROOVE NIGHT
Yoga Groove, North Hollywood
Friday, Sept 5th (1st Friday of the month) 8:00-9:15pm
Cost: $10 Suggested Donation


Join Billy Gill for a very special night of live original music.

Kirtan in the Canyon with Andrew and Michele and Friends
Yoga Desa, Topanga
Saturday, Sept 6th (1st Saturday of the 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

Karma Yoga Party
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, Marina del Rey
Saturday, Sept 7th (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"

Community Nights at City Yoga: Mantra, a sonic universe with Noah Maze
City Yoga, West Hollywood
Tuesday, Sept 9th (2nd Tuesday of the month) 7:30pm
Cost: FREE


Mantras are not mystical or magical syllables, they are powerful ways to participate in a world that IS resonant vibration. Join Noah for this educational and experiential session. We will explore teachings and practices and levels of Mantra.


CANCELED -- for a good reason:
Noah is a Daddy!
Congrats to Noah & Tracy on their newborn baby girl!

Kirtan with Daniel, Larry, Sarah and Friends
Rising Lotus Yoga, Sherman Oaks
Friday, Sept 12th (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...

Chanting with Steve Ross
Maha Yoga, Brentwood
Friday, Sept 19th (Once a month) 8:00pm
Cost: A Donation for our musicians


This month: Live Recording of Ecstatic Chanting with Steve Ross
Lend your vocals to help us at this special live chant recording. Wear comfortable clothing, bring a cushion, and prepare to be transported.
Please bring your family and friends. Ages 15 and up for this event.

Kirtan (call and response chanting) with Travis Eliot and Friends
Santa Monica Yoga, Santa Monica
Saturday, Sept 27th (4th Saturday of the month) 8:00-9:30pm
Cost: By Donation



other special events:

Men's Night with Anthony Benenati
City Yoga, West Hollywood
Tuesday, Sept 2nd 7:30pm
Cost: By Donation


Wow, who would have thought 40 men would come to practice yoga and listening to each other!!! Well, you did and you want more. (typical guys)
So here you go. We will start off the night with the topic of aggression. What do I do with it? Where does it come from? Am I wrong for feeling it?
After, we will move that energy on our mats and then talk some more. Plan on 2 hours.

Kids Only Yoga with Abbie Rose
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Avenue
Wednesday, Sept 3rd 3:00pm
Cost: FREE


Join lululemon athletica and Abbie Rose for a Kids Only Yoga class!

Anusara-Inspired Yoga with Ambassador Georgina Purple
lululemon Calabasas, 4719 Commons Way
Wednesday, Sept 3rd 8:30-9:30pm
Cost: FREE


Come join ambassador Georgina Purple with Anusara-inspired Yoga! The class consists of the "Universal Principles of Alignment", involving "heart opening" postures, focusing on the spiritual/meditative benefits of yoga.

108 Om's with Heather, Christy, Bekah & Nicole
Yoga Blend, Burbank
Friday, Sept 5th 8:30-10:00pm
Cost: Donation Only!Proceeds from this event will be donated to Yoga Month/Global Mala charities


As Yoga Month begins to unfold, we want to take the time to unite our voices in the sacred sound of Om with the intention of raising awareness and creating a healing space for both us and our Mother Earth.

Flow: The Movie
Golden Bridge Yoga, Hollywood
Saturday, Sept 6th 7:00-9:30pm
Cost: $10 suggested donation


“Water is the sleeping giant issue of the 21st Century and we all need to wake up about it. FLOW opens our eyes about the greatest threat of our time - the global water crisis. It is a compelling and passionate film. Its engaging narrative will grip the viewer.”
-- Robert Redford
Golden Bridge is thrilled to offer our community a pre-release screening of Irena Salina’s award-winning documentary FLOW, an investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century - The World Water Crisis. FLOW builds a case against the growing privatization of the world’s dwindling fresh water supply with an unflinching focus on politics, pollution, human rights, and the emergence of a domineering world water cartel. Interviews with scientists and activists intelligently reveal the rapidly building crisis, at both the global and human scale, and the film introduces many of the governmental and corporate culprits behind the water grab, while begging the question “Can anyone really own water?”
Beyond identifying the problem, FLOW also gives viewers a look at the people and institutions providing practical solutions to the water crisis and those developing new technologies, which are fast becoming blueprints for a successful global and economic turnaround.
Following the film, we are pleased to present a Q&A with the producer of the film, Steven Starr, and Rene Maas of Food & Water Watch.
All proceeds from this screening will be used to support clean water initiatives in India.

Yoga on the Green with Yoga Groove
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Avenue
Sunday, Sept 7th 9:30-10:30am
Cost: FREE


Join lululemon athletica and Courtney from Yoga Groove for Yoga on the Green.

One Year Plaza El Segundo lululemon athletica Anniversary Party!
lululemon athletica Plaza El Segundo
Sunday, Sept 7th 1:00-4:00pm
Cost: FREE


Please join us for a day of fun and celebration...
9:30am - 10:30am Yoga Flow with Michele Agosti
1:00pm - Yoga Pose Workshop with Bonnie Johanson
2:00pm - Pilates demo with Leila Cunningham
2:30pm - AVP Volleyball Skills with Sarah Straton
3:00pm - Spinning Demo with Lisa Ellerton
All events are complimentary, and we would love for you to join us for one or all.

Yogalattes with Elisa from UCLA
lululemon Beverly Hills, 334 North Beverly Drive
Sunday, Sept 7th 9:30-10:45am
Cost: FREE


Come get geared up for school with our featured teacher of the week from UCLA - Elissa Terry. A Fusion Yoga and Pilates class to work your body and tone your core.

Yoga on the Green with Courtney from YOGA GROOVE
lululemon Glendale, The Green at The Americana at Brand
Sunday, Sept 7th 9:30-10:30am
Cost: FREE


Come join us for yoga and the launch of "Metamorposis" our goal challenge!

Turn Your World Upside Down with Keric Morinaga
Yoga Blend, Burbank
Sunday, Sept 7th 1:30-4:30pm
Cost: $30 by Sep 1st/ $35 after (Partial proceeds from this event will be donated to Yoga Month/Global Mala charities)


Most of us are on our feet or sitting down throughout the day. In the evening, we might find time to relax and recline in the comfort of our homes. We rarely find ourselves upside down or on our hands. Being upside down and/or off our feet can be exhilarating and fun. It can also be disorienting or even a little scary. Inversions and arms balances quite literally turn our world upside down and change our point of view. Practicing these challenging poses helps to cultivate courage, confidence and playfulness. Moving outside our comfort zones can often lead us to places of deeper awareness and exhilarating bliss.
Come join Keric for this fun-filled sequence that will get you off your feet and flip your world upside down. The workshop will include a full spectrum of poses designed to prepare you for the challenges of inversions and arm balances. Bring an open heart and an open mind. You'll learn alignment in a safe and sensitive environment.
All levels are welcome.

Yoga with Rebecca Benenati and the TreePeople
S. Mark Taper Foundation Amphitheatre, Coldwater Canyon Park
Sunday, September 7th 4:00pm
Cost: $15.00. TreePeople members & seniors: $10.00


Rebecca Benenati, co-owner of popular City Yoga, finds joy in the everyday just as she finds it in every yoga practice - whether she’s teaching, taking a class herself or running her own studio with her husband, Anthony. Come learn yoga in this mixed-level class in our beautiful venue on this quiet Sunday afternoon. Space is limited. Please provide your own yoga mat. Class will be 75 minutes.

HAPPY 2 YEARS for REVIVE YOGA
Revive Yoga, Chatsworth
Tuesday, Sept 9th
Cost: FREE


Come celebrate 2 amazing years at Revive Yoga. On Tuesday September 9th enjoy FREE classes ALL DAY...bring a friend or two and share your love of Yoga!

Kids Only Yoga with Silverlake Yoga
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Avenue
Wednesday, Sept 10th 3:00pm
Cost: FREE


Join lululemon athletica and Silverlake Yoga for a Kids Only Yoga class!

Yoga workshop with Taryn Hughes
lululemon Calabasas, 4719 Commons Way
Wednesday, Sept 10th 8:30-9:30pm
Cost: FREE


Let your inner teen out during this transformational hour of yoga and meditation!
Executive Director Taryn Hughes will lead class as if you are a room full of teens. Tossing lineage traditions aside, Taryn focuses on building community, acceptance and esteem through an interactive and multi-layered setting.
YA’s (Youth-Abilitation) demo class offers a unique opportunity to connect with the spirit of today’s youth by experiencing a modern processing of age old teachings while hearing first-hand experiences of Taryn's work with incarcerated and disadvantaged young people, as well as youth in your own community.

Community Yoga at Nettwerk Music with Chris Chavez
The SYNC, 1545 Wilcox Ave, Suite 200, Hollywood
Thursday, Sept 11th 7:00pm
Cost: FREE


Chris Chavez will once again be joining with Nettwerk Music to offer a free community yoga class in an effort to expand the community of rock & roll yogis!
The class will take place at the hip Nettwerk Music offices in Hollywood at 7pm.
Classes have been building and there's a fantastic group of people from all over the city turning out for this free community event! Come and rock out yogi style!!!
There is plenty of visitor parking in the back, enter on Selma and dial 200 to be let in.

Partner Yoga with Leeann Carey
Yoga Works South Bay, El Segundo
Saturday, Sept 13th 1:00-3:00pm
Cost: $55 by 8/30; $65 after 8/30 (per couple)


Deepen your relationship to self while you give and receive support in yoga postures.

Yoggae in Harmony with Jahmark and the Soulshakers
Harmony Yoga, Redondo Beach
Saturday, Sept 13th - Yoga classes starting at 2:30, Live reggae at 7:00pm
Cost: By Donation


All Proceeds to benefit youth of Sol Adventurers Foundation, a non-profit organization that assists disenfranchised individuals to discover their gifts and follow their path. We are currently raising funds for youth in Jamaica.
~ Food and Craft Vendors
~ 50/50 Raffle Silent Auction

Kirtan with Terra and BhaktiMa
Santa Monica Yoga, Santa Monica
Saturday, Sept 13th 8:00pm
Cost: Suggested donation $10


Please join us for a night-filled celebration of chanting and bliss!

Yoga on the Green with Yoga Groove
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Avenue
Sunday, Sept 14th 9:30-10:30am
Cost: FREE


Join lululemon athletica and Wendy O. from Yoga Groove for Yoga on the Green.

Sunday Yoga with Alicia Pal
lululemon Pasadena, 110 W Colorado Blvd
Sunday, Sept 14th 10:00am
Cost: FREE


Today's practice will be an Anusara-style yoga class by a dedicated yogi and a very special member of our local community, Alicia Pal.

Create Your Own Mandala with Priscilla Williams & Dana Chaisson
Yoga Blend, Burbank
Sunday, Sept 14th 1:30-3:30pm
Cost: $30 by Sep 1st / $35 after (Partial proceeds from this event will be donated to Yoga Month/Global Mala charities)


Ever wonder what a mandala is?
A few mandalas that you may be familiar with are the compass, labyrinth, Stonehenge, yin-yang, dreamcatcher and coins. A mandala is a circle or orb that serves as a tool of concentration and a medium for the soul. Like yoga, mandalas are the merging of body, mind and spirit and helps you discover the real you.
This workshop will give a background of mandalas and their many uses in various cultures and traditions. You will also learn how to make and use your own mandalas focusing on the ways to artistically express your true self through creativity, meditation, visualization and relaxation.
What to bring:
We will have crayons, paper and stencils on hand. If you would like to use another medium such as colored pencils, markers or pastels, please bring your own
If you wish, you can frame your art, but if you want to wear it please bring a light colored t-shirt or other flat garment that we can iron your mandala onto (ie: canvas bag, pillow cover or non-ribbed tank-top)
If you have a journal, please bring it to record your experiences
Please wear comfortable clothing

Champagne and Shavasana at Shade Hotel
Shade Hotel Sky Deck: 1221 N. Valley Dr, Manhattan Beach
Monday, Sept 15th 6:30-7:30pm
Cost: FREE


Celebrate yoga month with lululemon athletica on the Sky Deck at Shade Hotel as Chappell from Harmony Yoga leads us in a complimentary, vinyasa flow yoga class.

Women's Night with Rebecca Benenati
City Yoga, West Hollywood
Tuesday, Sept 16th 7:30pm
Cost: By Donation


Come gather for another night of exploring the power and beauty of being a Goddess. We will move, discuss and mediate. Bring your journal again and this time, bring a picture of your Mom or any female role model you have.

Mala for a Cause - a Sun Salutation Marathon
Inner Harmony Yoga, San Pedro
Wednesday, Sept 17th, 6:00pm
Cost: By Donation


Save the date!! Inner Harmony is having our very own version of the Global Mala for World Peace(www.globalmala.org). Our Wednesday Flow class has decided to choose personal charities and solicit sponsors in a Sun salutation marathon. A Mala has 108 beads, our students will strive to complete the number of rounds their bodies can perform. I'm sure they'll far surpass 108 total. Inner Harmony is sponsoring each student $1 per round. If any of you are interested in taking part in the event, please contact me. All of you are invited and encouraged to sponsor a student (or a total) and also to attend the event.
Sign up sheets will be available in the studio.

Partner Yoga with ambassadors Diana and Stefan Storace
lululemon Calabasas, 4719 Commons Way
Wednesday, Sept 17th 8:30-9:30pm
Cost: FREE


Come join partner yoga with Garden of yogas teachers Diana and Stefan Storace. Partner yoga consists of conscious breathing, movement, touch and interdependent partnership; ultimately as a means of creating trust, understanding and harmony amongst each other.
*PLEASE BRING A PARTNER!

"Sharkwater" Benefit Class and Film
Yoga Loft, Manhattan Beach
Friday, Sept 19th 7:00-10:00pm
Cost: $35 suggested donation


Join teachers Brock and Krista Cahill for an evening of challenging flow, a screening of the "Sharkwater" documentary, discussion, and snacks/beverages!
In this true-life documentary, "Sharkwater" director and biologist Rob Stewart sets out on a journey through 15 countries over five years, documenting the plight of our oceans through the eyes of one of the world's most misunderstood creatures, the shark.
As species of sharks are becoming extinct due to poaching, the balance of marine ecosystems is being destroyed. With stunning cinematography as a backdrop, this film reveals that sharks are not man-eating monsters and need our help!
For further info, please visit www.sharkwater.com.

Fall Equinox 108 Salutes to Live music
Free Spirit Yoga, Long Beach
Friday, Sept 19th 7:15pm
Cost: $25 pre-registration, $35 at the door


Bring in the Fall Equinox with 108 Sun Salutations to Live Music. Joel Long will play the Sitar and Drums to guide you on your transformative journey while Lonne will lead you through various forms of sun salutations. Cleanse and purify for the new season. You will need a small towel, yoga mat & some water. Space is limited. Friday September 19th beginning at 7:15pm.

Yoga Groove Dance Night with Karen Russell
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Avenue
Friday, Sept 19th 8:00-10:00pm
Cost: FREE


Join lululemon athletica's Glendale Ambassador, Karen Russell, for a night of dance and yoga including a Haitian dance-inspired warm-up.

Kirtan with Michael Dunn and the Chant Band
Yoga Works Pacific Palisades
Friday, Sept 19th 8:00-10:00pm
Cost: $15 early, $20 at the door


Greet fall with an evening of heart-warming chanting with Michael Dunn and the Chant Band.

Yoga Trance Dance with Christy Marsden
Yoga Blend, Burbank
Friday, Sept 19th 8:30-10:30pm
Cost: Suggested Donation $20 (Partial proceeds from this event will be donated to Yoga Month/Global Mala charities)


Yoga Trance DanceTM is an exploration of the eternal flow of natural movement through yoga. Beginning with sahaja prana yoga or the experience of prana initiating yogasanas, yoga trance dance flows in an exploration of free-form, breath driven movement to liberate one's creative life-force and cultivate embodied freedom.
Be prepared to sweat!! And for those not so into "free-form", not to worry, it is a guided adventure!

On Fire - A Illumined Night of Rumi, Passion and Sacred Activism
Ignited - A Blazing Day of Rumi, Passion and Sacred Activism
Exhale Center for Sacred Movement, Venice
Friday, Sept 19th 8:00-10:00 PM
Saturday, Sept 20th 12:30-4:00 PM
Cost: $30; $25 before September 5th, $60 for both Friday evening + Saturday afternoon sessions


Evening and Afternoon Workshop with Andrew Harvey and Shiva Rea leading movement meditation
"The one hope for the future lies, I believe, in Sacred Activism - the fusion of the deepest spiritual knowledge and passion with clear, wise, radical action in all the arenas of the world, inner and outer.
We have very little time in which to awaken and transform ourselves, to be able to preserve the planet, and to heal the divisions between the powerful and the powerless.
Let us go forward now with firm resolve and profound dedication." --Andrew Harvey
Sacred Activism is the product of the union of a profound spiritual and mystical knowledge and understanding, and its attendant compassion, peace, energy, clarity and vision, with focused, wise, radical action in the world.
As uniquely envisioned by Andrew Harvey, Sacred Activism is one solution to the world’s crises to which ordinary people can make a real and profound necessary contribution. This evening and afternoon gathering offer a profound experience of what Sacred Activism can contribute to the inner and outer worlds, mystical practices for activists, and a deep grounding of the mystical journey as understood by major mystical traditions.

108 Sun Salutes with Nicole Honnig
Yoga Blend, Burbank
Saturday, Sept 20th 1:30-3:30pm
Cost: Suggested Donation $20 (Partial proceeds from this event will be donated to Yoga Month/Global Mala charities)


What the heck's a Sun Salutation? And why 108? A Sun Salutation is a series of yoga poses linked together, common in almost every style of yoga. For years, 108 has been a sacred number in numerous traditions. The reasons are many and range from astrological to spiritual. The workshop is for everybody but be ready to work. However you don't have to finish all 108. You can do as many or as few as you want. It is your intention, and most importantly, your presence, that counts. You are encouraged to participate as much or as little as you like. You can take breaks and soak up the energy as it flows around you and then jump back in whenever you recover. Second of all, you don't have to worry about keeping track. That's why I am there.

108 Sun Salutes with Teachers from South Bay and Beyond
Lyfe Yoga Center, Hermosa Beach
Saturday, Sept 20th 1:30pm
Cost: $40


Bring the fall equinox in with LYFE's version of 108 sun salutes...experience the diversity of yoga as teachers from around the area participate in this wonderful event: Valinda Cochella, Marla Wedge, Erika Faith, Simone Market, Michael Ruccolo and more!

Kirtan with BhaktiMa and Wah!
Lyfe Yoga Center, Hermosa Beach
Saturday, Sept 20th 6:00pm
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.

Equinox - Day of Peace Celebration with Gurmukh, Tej and Harijiwan
Golden Bridge Yoga, Hollywood
Saturday, Sept 20th 7:00-9:00 pm
Cost: $20/adv or $30/day of


When peace and balance shall come to your hearts though magnificent grace
Grace is untouchable. When we open to the understanding of true grace we are kissed by God. We have grown complacent in our use and misuse of inner power. Power is an energy much like grace. However, grace is our true inheritance in consciousness. In this evening, experience rising above all situations into a realization of true, pure exalted oneness with Divinity. Our real power is beyond power; it is grace. Come and receive all empowering blessings of new consciousness.
Balance. Peace. Love.

The Global Mala Project with Daniel Stewart
Rising Lotus Yoga, Sherman Oaks
Saturday, Sept 20th 7:00-10:00pm
Cost: Suggested donation $15 for the mala or the kirtan, $25 for both


Put your Yoga where your heart is and practice Karma Yoga with us.
Join Daniel (Claire will be there in spirit) in a Mala of 27 Sun Salutes followed by a joyous Kirtan in support of the Global Mala Project, Yoga Month and the UN International Peace Day. All proceeds go to charities that support Children here and around the world.
The Mala is limited to 35 people, the Kirtan will be open to more. The Global Mala is a project uniting 108 Yoga Studios, 1008 Teachers and 10,000 people to raise consciousness and funds addressing Global Warming, Aids, and Children Refugees of War.
Mala begins at 7, Kirtan begins at 8:15.
Join us to take our yoga off the mat and into the community for change!

Yoga Health Festival with Global Mala - Los Angeles
Loyola Marymount, 1 LMU Drive, Westchester
Saturday and Sunday, September 20th-21st from 9am - 7pm each day
Cost: $25 per workshop / $29 Global Mala event / $55 VIP PASS includes preferred seating and unlimited access at all events including all workshops, benefit concert, yoga wear super sale and Global Mala (reg. $ 279)


Once a year the yoga community comes together to celebrate. Join thousands of health conscious people from all walks of life. Meet friends, network and be inspired.
FREE FESTIVAL ADMISSION (in English and Spanish)
~Yogamates.com Stage with lectures, yoga classes and entertainment
Free Community Classes:
Luke Ketterhagen Sat. 9am/10am and Sun. 10am
Sadie Nardini Sat. 4pm and Sun. 11am,
LA YOGA lecture series Sat. 11am-4pm
Product sampling sponsored by SOYJOY
~ Over 100 yoga, health and green exhibitors with empowering products
~ Yoga Wear Super Sales - brand name clothing up to 50% off
~ Kids Zone - Youth Enrichment classes and fun activities for the whole family
FREE BENEFIT CONCERT presented by Yogi Times - Saturday 6:00-10:00pm
6:15pm - Yoga Dance Performance presented by Yoga Groove
6:30pm - EEDAY and Urban Fire - Crossover Reggae & Dance Hall to touch your soul. Featuring James Eeday and the original members of Urban Fire, including Rodney Sheppard from Sugar Ray.
7:30pm - Featuring Lili Haydn the "Jimi Hendrix of the violin”, equal parts Kate Bush and Pink Floyd, with lyrics in search of peace and passion.
8:30pm - Neo-Soul R & B Sensation Lina and band
9:15pm - Dance Party with DJ Dragonfly and rising star MC Yogi
WORKSHOPS - Saturday and Sunday 9:00am - 7:00pm
~~ Saturday 9/20 ~~
9am-11am - Flex & Flow with Beth Shaw
9am-11am - Yoga Y Vida Saludable Para Latinos / Yoga and healthy living for Latinos with Lina Haskel
9am-11am - Play Yoga with Rainbeau Mars
11am-1pm - Discover Your Power of Healing with Yoga with Hillary Rubin
11am-1pm - Sports Yoga with Billy Assad
11am-1pm - Vinyasa flow with Wade Imre Morissette
1pm-3pm - Power Yoga: Meditation in Motion with Bryan Kest
1pm-3pm - Boot Camp for Goddesses Introduction with Sierra Bender
1pm-3pm - Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga - MindBody Transformation with Sadie Nardini
3pm-5pm - The Science of Yoga and Yoga Therapy with Timothy McCall MD
3pm-5pm - Family Yoga workshop / Taller de Yoga para la Familia with Natalie Stawsky
5pm-7pm - Chakra Journey with Mykal Aubry
5pm-7pm - Yoga for Stress and Anxiety with Hala Khouri
~~ Sunday 9/21 ~~
9am-12am - Off the Mat into the World: Turning intention into action with Hala Khouri and Suzanne Sterling
9am-11am - Yoga 101 introduccion a yoga with Natalie Stawsky
9am-11am - Powerful Feminine Yoga with Alanna Zabel
11am-1pm - Prime of Life Yoga with Larry Payne PhD
11am-1pm - Joyful Yoga, The Unity of Yoga and Indian Dance with Hemalayaa
12pm-2pm - Goddess Warrior Workout with Sierra Bender
1pm-7pm - Global Mala Sacred Movement and Music with Shiva Rea, Gurmukh, Donna de Lory, Wah! and others
Join thousands of friends at the Global Mala Yoga for Peace Ritual—six hours of sacred movement and music featuring inspiring teachers and musicians. The Sanskrit word “mala” usually refers to the strand of prayer beads used in counting repetitions of prayers during meditation. It can also describe a series of yoga poses—a garland of yoga. The Global Mala project unites the worldwide yoga community to form a mala around the planet coinciding with the autumn equinox, as an offering to further the United Nations International Peace Day. Embark on the unbroken tradition of kundalini yoga with Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa; 108 sun salutations hosted by Shiva Rea, Seane Corn, Hala Khouri, and teachers from 108 southern California yoga studios/centers; sacred music with Donna De Lory, Govindas and Radha, Joey Lugassy, Saul David Raye, Suzanne Sterling, Wah!, and Wade Imre Morrissette; yoga trance dance ignited by Shiva Rea with DJ Dragonfly. The evening concludes with kirtan—a blissful 108-repetition cycle of Om chanting with the members of the Global Mala Project Sacred Music Members.

Yoga Mala - 108 Sun Salutations
Santa Monica Yoga, Santa Monica
Sunday, Sept 21st 7:00-8:30am
Cost: FREE


Join us in celebration of the autumn equinox, and the final days of summer! We'll have four teachers leading 27 salutations each. You are invited to stay for all 108, or as many as you can handle. Class will be held in the North Studio. We'll start at 7:00 am sharp to be sure we can finish in plenty of time for the 9:00 am class.

Yoga on the Green with Yoga Groove
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Avenue
Sunday, Sept 21st 9:30-10:30am
Cost: FREE


Join lululemon athletica and Jennifer Bloom from Yoga Groove for Yoga on the Green.

Fall Equinox Creation Workshop with Bekah Finch
Yoga Blend, Burbank
Sunday, Sept 21st 2:00-4:00pm
Cost: Donation Only (Partial proceeds from this event will be donated to Yoga Month/Global Mala charities)


Fall Equinox is the day of evaluation and gratitude. Day and night stand equal one last time before the days grow shorter and the nights longer. What have we been working for this year? Where has our energy been? it's a time to do our checks and balances and get honest with what we are trying to create in our lives. But above all, can we give thanks for what we have?? Join Bekah for an afternoon of asana, meditation, visualization and creation as we welcome the fall and honor the harvest.

YOGA MALA: 108 Sun Salutes Celebrating the Autumn Equinox with Jo Tastula
Yoga Loft, Manhattan Beach
Sunday, Sept 21st 2:30-5:00pm
Cost: $25/$30 at door


Acro Yoga on the Green with Yoga Groove
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Avenue
Sunday, Sept 21st 9:30-10:30am
Cost: FREE


Join lululemon athletica and Lara Catone from Yoga Groove for AcroYoga on the Green.
AcroYoga blends the spiritual wisdom of yoga, the loving-kindness of Thai massage and the dynamic power of acrobatics. We will explore the support of community through basic partner work. All levels welcome, familiarity with yoga recommended. NO PARTNER NECESSARY!

Kids Only Yoga with Silverlake Yoga
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Avenue
Wednesday, Sept 24th 3:00pm
Cost: FREE


Join lululemon athletica and Silverlake Yoga for a Kids Only Yoga class!

Yoga Month charity class with DJ DREZ and Jo Tastula
Exhale Center for Sacred Movement, Venice
Thursday, Sept 25th 7:00AM
Cost: Regular class rate (Jo is donating her share to the Yoga Month charities)


If you joined us last Spring Equinox for class with the master mixer DJ Drez you know you'll be in for a real treat!
Drez is groove personified. Let's blow it up, 7 a.m'ers!

Fundraiser for Cambodia Children's Fund
lululemon Beverly Hills, 334 North Beverly Drive
Friday, Sept 26th 7:30pm
Cost: $20 Suggested donation


COME SUPPORT! The fundraiser will consist of a yoga class led by renowned LA yoga instructor - Kathryn Budig (www.kathrynbudig.com) The suggested donation for this class is $20 and will go towards the Cambodia's Children Fund which helps Cambodia's poorest, most undereducated and most vulnerable children receive comprehensive healthcare, education and vocational training. Parking across the street is $3 after 6pm.

The Lake Shrine World Peace and Healing Event
SRF Lake Shrine, 17190 Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades
Saturday, Sept 27th 2:00-4:00pm
Cost: FREE


The Self-Realization Fellowship invites you to The Lake Shrine World Peace & Healing Event - in honor of the International Day of Peace and National Yoga Month. Come and experience a deeper aspect of yoga - the practice of meditation - as well as techniques for healing and world peace taught by Paramahansa Yogananda, the father of Yoga in the West. Set in the beautiful meditation gardens of the Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial, the event will include a talk by Brother Atmananda, practice of Paramahansa Yogananda's technique for healing and prayer for world peace, as well as spirited kirtan led by Michael Dunn and The Chant Band, followed by delicious chai and samosas.

An Evening of Classical Delight Presented by Rupak School of World Music
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, Marina del Rey
Saturday, Sept 27th 5:00pm


A Los Angeles based 'Not for Profit' Organization featuring:
Unique Tabla and Shreekhole Duet by Barman Brothers www.madhugopal.com
Sitar Recital by Partha Bose www.thesitarist.com
Tabla accompaniment by Debasish Chaudhuri www.debasishchaudhuri.com
School info: www.rupakschoolofmusic.org

Off the Mat Benefit Party
612 36th Street, Manhattan Beach (Tree Section)
Saturday, Sept 27th 5:00pm
Cost: $25 Suggested donation


Please join us as we support Benjamin Fucunan(host) in raising donations for the Cambodian Children's fund. Partake in a silent auction and dancing under the stars to Koolanesian Heart island music with a special guest DJ appearance. For more information visit www.handinhandforcambodia.org.

Kirtan Concert with Kalidas
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, Marina del Rey
Saturday, Sept 27th 7:00pm


Kalidas will present an evening of sacred chanting. He has played kirtan music all over the Southwest and India and has earned praise from seasoned kirtan artists like Jai Uttal and Govindas. Join us for this special Ma kirtan. An excellent drummer, Dahveed will accompany Kalidas as well.
Hear sound clips at www.kalidasmusic.com

Vinyasa Flow with our Ambassador Raghunath!!
lululemon Beverly Hills, 334 North Beverly Drive
Sunday, Sept 28th 9:30am
Cost: FREE


Come join us for this INCREDIBLE class feauturing one of our favorite instructors! Hes only in town for a short while and has agreed to make a guest appearance at our store - dont miss out on this opportunity!! Snacks and refreshments to follow as alway - all levels welcome!

Yoga Groove presents Acro Yoga on the Green
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Avenue
Sunday, Sept 28th 9:30am
Cost: FREE


Practice graceful movement inspired by the acrobatic arts and yoga. You will not want to miss this special Acro Yoga class.

Yoga Class with Lyfe Yoga's Ben Fritz!
lululemon South Bay, 2008A East Park Place
Sunday, Sept 28th 9:30-10:30am
Cost: FREE


Join us for a Yoga class (all levels welcome)!

Sunday Yoga With Ann O'Brien
lululemon Pasadena, 110 W Colorado Blvd
Sunday, Sept 28th 10:00am
Cost: FREE


If you came to our one-year anniversary celebration at the store and took Ann O'Brien's Vinyasa flow class, get ready for more. Ann will be leading an all levels yoga with meditation.

Rhythmic Flow Yoga with Kristin Cooper and the Kunga Drummers
Black Dog Yoga, Sherman Oaks
Sunday, Sept 28th 12:30-3:00pm
Cost: $35 in advance / $40 day of


Rhythmic flow consists of four elemental practices: Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. Each elemental practice is a synthesis of specific vinyasa sequencing and kriyas, along with intentional visualizations, instrumentation, and rhythms. As the practice and rhythms build, the action of movement and sound create the power to transform. Kristin guides the practice, gradually leading into a personal prana sadhana, where you will have the opportunity to move into your own free form expression of yoga while the drummers accompany you.
Open to experienced beginners and above.

Yoga with TRUYOGA's Aras Baskauskas AT TRUYOGA STUDIO (sponsored by lululemon Santa Monica)
TruYoga Studio (in the YAHOO! Center), 2425 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica
Sunday, Sept 28th 7:30-8:30pm
Cost: FREE


Come join us for Sunday evening yoga AT TruYoga Studio with Aras Baskauskas.
Parking: FREE VALET; Enter at 2401 Colorado Ave, take elevator to first level

Fundraiser Yoga Class with Tom Morley
Maha Yoga, Brentwood
Sunday, Sept 28th 7:30pm
Cost: By Donation


Please join us for a very special fundraiser yoga class taught by Tom Morley.
Please bring a cash or check donation to help the AJ Fund. The AJ Fund has been set up to help pay mounting medical bills for AJ Kaynatma who lies in a coma without medicare or sufficient insurance coverage.
Bring a mat, towel and your beautiful open hearts.
For more information on AJ, please visit caringbridge.org/visit/ajkaynatma

Yoga and Stretching for Athletes
lululemon South Bay, 2008A East Park Place
Tuesday, Sept 30th 7:30-8:30pm
Cost: FREE


Join Michael Ruccolo from Lyfe Yoga Center as he teaches us how to incorporate yoga and stretching into our busy athletic routines; outlining the best stretches and practices for your particular sport. All levels are welcome! Plan to move so wear comfortable gear.