y'all have fun now...

i'll be leaving for kiawah island, south carolina tomorrow night to run yet another marathon -- my last for this year. the plan was hatched when dana (a running friend) brought up the fact that it was going to be jay's (another running friend) 50th state -- in other words, he will have run a marathon in every state once he crosses the finish line in south carolina. and by the way, would i like to run that marathon with them to celebrate the occasion?

yes, only insane runners would rather run 26.2 miles instead of throwing down a beer or two at the local watering hole...

hey, but at least i'll be able to get a little downdog in before the race gun goes off. check out this update i just got from the race organizers:

RUNNER’S PRE-MARATHON YOGA
Help to warm and stretch your entire body with an emphasis on the ankles, calves, quads, hamstrings and hips. Clear your mind and connect your breath - flow in this 15 minute, Yoga inspired warm up.
Complimentary at 6:45 am and 7 am. Inside the East Beach Conference Center. No reservations required. For more information visit the Marathon Information table inside the East Beach Conference Center...

yoga rules!

anyway, while we're sweating it out (or freezing our buns off; i haven't checked the weather report yet) out east, the rest of the sane world will be having some fun of its own right here in LA. but just because i have to miss all of it, doesn't mean you have to!

here are the goings-on this coming weekend. i'll fold these into this month's events calendar once i get a chance to check the websites:


WELCOME HOME Chanting with Steve Ross
Maha Yoga, 13050 San Vicente Blvd, 2nd floor, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Friday, December 5th 8:00pm
By Donation

Please help us gratefully welcome back Steve Ross from his trip to Mumbai, India. Join us for a beautiful evening of chanting guaranteed to open your heart. This is a donation based event. Wear comfortable clothing, bring a cushion to sit on and enjoy.


A Magical Evening of Kirtan with Dave Stringer and his Band
Yoga at The Village, 1306 Sonora Avenue, Glendale CA 91201
Friday, December 5th 8:00pm
Tickets for the event are on sale for $20 in advance, $25 at the door

Don't Miss This One...the laughter and joy is contagious!
The Los Angeles Times has declared the experience of chanting with Dave Stringer to be "a departure from ancient kirtan. Stringer's performance shaped the experience into a far more compelling musical encounter."
Space is limited.


RAGA LOUNGE
Shakti's Elements, 717 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA
Friday, December 5th 8:00-11:00pm

A stage for live music, poetry, spoken word, film, dance & more!


2nd Annual Holiday Charity Vinyasa Flow Yoga Class for the Midnight Mission
YogaWorks Center for Yoga, 230 1/2 N. Larchmont Blvd
Saturday, December 6th 2:00-5:00pm
Suggested Donation is $25

Come flow for two amazing hours backed by live music performances with DJ Mattnifique, Whiney Allen, Becky Kessler, Holiday Carolers and a rare collection of Yoga Works Finest Vinyasa Flow teachers. This special event will be team taught by your favorite Yoga Works Vinyasa teachers including David Lynch, Joan Hyman, Peter Barnett, Whitney Allen, Eka Ekong, Kathryn Budig, Kia Miller, Mia Togo and Yogi Claus.
Last year's event was a huge success and helped raise money and awareness for an important local charity and we hope this year we can build upon our past accomplishments as a yoga community.
The Midnight Mission is one of the oldest continuously operating human services organizations in the Los Angeles region. Centered in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles, the Mission offers a bridge to self-sufficiency for homeless people through counseling, education, training and job placement. The Mission makes available the necessities of life to homeless people: food , shelter, clothing, personal hygiene needs, and medical care.


Kirtan with GOVINDAS AND RADHA with special guest ARJUN BABA!
Santa Monica Power Yoga (WEST), 1410 2nd St., Santa Monica CA 90401
Saturday, December 6th 8:00pm
Suggested Donation $11

ARJUN BABA's voice has been likened by reviewers to Ben Harper (Metro Santa Cruz), and Bob Marley (Chicago Journal, & others). Jivamukti Yoga has placed ARJUN among the top 5 bhajan/kirtan singers in the western world


Kundalini Yoga with Raghubir of Golden Bridge Yoga!
lululemon Glendale, 233 South Brand Blvd
Sunday, December 7th 9:00-10:00am ***New Time***
FREE

We are so excited to host this fun and special Kundalini yoga class!
***A few notes from us to you... Boot Camp is NO MORE for 2008, stay posted next year for new bootcamp classes here at the Americana!


December Weekly In-Store YOGA with YogaHop: Marko King
lululemon Santa Monica, 331 Santa Monica Blvd
Sunday, December 7th 9:00am
FREE

December is an exciting month at lululemon. We are focused on GOAL SETTING, spreading the holiday love in our community, and FUN!
This HOLIDAY month, our YOGA classes will be provided by the Studio of the Month, YogaHop.

Anusara yoga with Anthony Benenati
lululemon Beverly Hills, 334 Beverly Drive
Sunday, December 7th 9:30am
FREE

Our alum ambassador, Anthony Benenati is the founder of City Yoga, recognized across the country as a yoga community on the cutting edge. Anthony is a senior instructor and is known in the yoga community as a skillful practitioner and a teacher's teacher for his dynamic, non-dogmatic and playful teaching style. All levels welcome! Mats available to use and as always, snacks to follow!


Yoga with Danielle Radl!
lululemon South Bay, 2008A East Park Place
Sunday, December 7th 9:30am
FREE

Kundalini Yoga this Sunday! Have you ever tried Kundalini? Prepare to chant! A typical class starts with a series of breathing excercises and chants, then moves into poses! The classes are designed to release a form of energy (called Kundalini) that is believed to be stored in the base of the spine. All levels welcome and bring a friend to join you!


The Art of Yoga: Breath, Yoga & Meditation
Evidence Gallery, 7122 Beverly Blvd, 2nd floor, Los Angeles CA 90036
Sunday, December 7th 3:30-5:00pm
FREE

Kyona and I will host a yoga workshop on Sunday, December 7th at Evidence Gallery in Los Angeles and we've decided to just make it a FREE CLASS as a Christmas gift to all of our folks.
The gallery is beautiful with bamboo floors, skylight and an amazing atmosphere. The class will focus on making your yoga practice more personal with emphasis on breathwork to clear your mind and clean your system from the inside out. Kyona will be giving hands-on adjustments during class.
The gallery is located above Starbucks and Susina Bakery and there is a free parking garage adjacent to the building between La Brea and the alley.
Come spend the afternoon with friends and find the art and beauty in your yoga practice!
SPACE IS LIMITED so please reserve your spot by contacting theinsideoutyoga@gmail.com
Namaste,
Andrea & Kyona


and one must not forget the BIG event this weekend -- the football match-up of crosstown rivals UCLA and USC! my friend louie commented that UCLA should just forfeit the game to save themselves the embarrassment... knowing full well that i'm a diehard bruin fan. needless to say, i'm surprised i'm still talking to him :(

regardless, even if our team's barely hovering above a few other teams on the PAC-10 rankings while the trojans are thumbing their noses at everyone from their perch at the top, miracles have happened. ok, so USC is favored to win by 33 points. so maybe we need a BIG miracle...

kick-off is on saturday at 1:30pm at the rose bowl. so for whatever it's worth -- GO BRUINS!