no excuses!

you know how you keep telling yourself that you'd take more yoga classes if you didn't have to work all those long hours?

well, guess what... this coming monday, may 31st, is memorial day. which means that if you're like most working folk, you'll be getting the day off!

so here's your chance to take a yoga class wherever, whenever you want because many studios around town will be open for business. and all their wonderful teachers will be looking forward to down-dogging it with you before you all head out to your respective holiday parties :)

here's what i've gathered so far; many more will be trickling in as we get closer to the weekend...

~~ awareness center, pasadena ~~

In observance of Memorial Day, the Awareness Center will be closed on Monday May 31. We will open again on Tuesday, June 1st for regular classes.

~~ bhakti yoga shala, santa monica ~~

Happy Memorial Day! Monday May 31st schedule: 7am Toni DiVincenzo – Level 1/2, 9 am Govindas – Level 2/3, 11am Andreas Salcedo – Level 1/2, 1:30pm Sidnie Charnaw – Level 1/2, 4:30pm Govindas – Level 2/3, 6:30pm Radha – Level 1/2, 8:30pm Travis Eliot – Level 2/3

~~ black dog yoga, sherman oaks ~~

We will be having a shortened schedule on Monday, May 31st:
9:00a - 10:30a..... Strong Flow............... Peter Barnett
9:15a - 10:15a...... Nasty 2 the Core....... Chappell Westlake
9:30a - 11:00a...... Basic Flow................. Sigrid Matthews
10:30a - 11:30a.... Kick-BoX Burn.......... Mike DeGood
10:30a - 11:55a.... Strong Anusara......... Jenny Brill
11:00a - 12:30p.... Gentle/Basics............ Lauri Janover
12:00 - 1:15p........ Come Alive for $5...... Shawn Bracha

~~ city yoga, west hollywood ~~

Saturday 5/29
8:30 Anthony Benenati
9:00 Rebecca Benenati
10:30 Camilla Bergstrom
12:30 with Emily Burton

Sunday 5/30
9:00 Linda Berton
10:30 Brookelin Gottlieb
11:00 Hillary Rubin

Monday 5/31
8:30 Anthony Benenati
10:15* Rebecca Benenati (*new time)
All other classes cancelled

~~ dancing shiva and ayurveda, los angeles ~~

Dancing Shiva will remain open and will be having its regular schedule on Memorial Day, only change is that Carrie Janell will be subbing for Rissa Jarratt's 7:00pm class.

~~ earth's power yoga, los angeles ~~

For memorial Day weekend Steven is teaching the Sunday 10:30 am and Liz teaches the 5:45 pm.

On Monday we will have one class, the 10:30 am with Steven, no other classes that day.

Tuesday we will resume the full schedule.

~~ exhale center for sacred movement, venice ~~

Memorial Day Schedule:
8:30am All Levels - Saul David Raye
9:15am Level 1 - Kerianne Telford
10:30am Level 2/3 - Annie Carpenter
10:45am Level 1/2 - Matthew Cohen
12:30pm Level 2 - Kishan Shah
12:45pm Level 2/3 - Brad Keimach

~~ free spirit yoga, long beach ~~

We will have regular scheduled classes this weekend, and only the 9:30am All Levels with Cassandra on Monday, Memorial Day 5/31.

~~ the green yogi, manhattan beach ~~

Amy Beausang will be leading a 9:30 AM Power Vinyasa Flow for Memorial Day.
Take the afternoon off to enjoy your All-American Barbeque! Evening classes are cancelled for the holiday.

~~ happy me yoga, redondo beach ~~

Please note that we will be CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY on Monday, May 31st.

~~ hot 8 yoga, santa monica ~~

Mon May 31
7:00-8:30AM Hot 8 Power Yoga - Jethro Liou
8:30-9:30AM Hot 8 Yoga Sculpt - Layna Dakin
9:30-11:00AM Hot Yoga - Deanna Ainsworth
12:00-1:00PM Hot 8 Power Yoga- Dene Logan Selkin

~~ the hub, west los angeles ~~

The Hub will be closed Monday, May 31st in observance of Memorial Day.

~~ inner power yoga, calabasas ~~

Monday Memorial Day Classes at Inner Power!!!
8:00am Jaime, 10:00 am Jill, and 4:00 pm Jonathan

~~ inyoga center, valley village ~~

Special Memorial Day Weekend Schedule:

Saturday:
Lo Flow 9-10:30am w/ Caitlin Reid
Mo' Flow 10:30-12:00pm w/ Tiffany Russo

Sunday:
Lo Flow 9-10:30am w/ Caitlin Reid
Candlelight Restorative 5:30-7pm w/ Sharon Kay

Monday:
Memorial Day Community Flow 9:30-11am w/ Danielle Charboneau

~~ iyengar institute, los angeles ~~

Memorial Day - May 31, 2010
One Class Only
10:30 am - 12:00 pm All Levels with Marla Apt

~~ liberation yoga, los angeles ~~

We are open all day as usual for Monday May 31st!
8am is Joel - Mysore Ashtanga // 8:30am is Steven Freedman Level 2 // 10am is Pagan - Iyengar // 10am is Steven Freedman Level 1-2 // 11:30am is Regina Level 1 // 1pm is Lynn Mixed Levels // 4:30pm Laurie teaches for Claudia Mixed Flow // 6:30pm Christine in the garden Flow 2/3 // 6:30pm is Quinn Level 1 // 8pm is Elle Mixed level Flow

~~ lyfe yoga center, hermosa beach ~~

MEMORIAL DAY CLASS
10:00am - All Levels

~~ maha yoga, brentwood ~~

Monday, May 31
7:00AM-9:00AM Mysore Ashtanga - Jorgen Christiansson
9:15AM-10:45AM All Levels - Gabi
11:00AM-12:30PM Level 2&3 - Steve Ross

~~ mark blanchard's true power yoga, studio city ~~

Memorial Day Schedule:
Elizabeth 9:30 a.m. and John 12:00 p.m. all others will be cancelled!
Enjoy your day! See you on Tuesday!

~~ rising lotus yoga, sherman oaks ~~

Monday, May 31st
9:00-10:30am Mixed Level Flow - Jen Black
9:35-11:00am Easy Does It - Karen Rosales
10:35-12:05pm Level 1 - Kiera Anderson
12:15-1:15pm Lunch Flow - Mary Dignan

All other classes are canceled.

~~ runyon canyon yoga ~~

All YOGA classes at Runyon Canyon are on today. Happy Memorial Day.

~~ santa monica power yoga, santa monica ~~

Memorial Day Weekend Schedule
All classes will be held at both studios.

~~ santa monica yoga, santa monica ~~

Memorial Day - Mon May 31 - Studio Closed

~~ silver lake yoga, silverlake ~~

Memorial Day schedule:
9:30am-10:45an All Levels Class - Sam
11:00am-12:30pm Mixed Levels/Flow Style class - Marti Jo
All other classes that day canceled!

~~ tenth gate yoga, los angeles ~~

You're invited to an early morning Memorial Day Yoga Class - MON 5/31 @ 9:30 - 10:30 AM - ONLY $10!

~~ truyoga, santa monica ~~

Monday May 31st Yoga Class Schedule:
1:00pm Yoga Lunch Flow w/ Sean
All other day & evening classes will be cancelled.

~~ u studio yoga, miracle mile ~~

Monday May 31st - 9am with Andrea
We will be closed the rest of the day--enjoy your BBQs!

~~ up dog yoga + cycling ~~

Memorial Day Schedule:
9am Cycle - Adam
9am Yoga for Every Body - Claudia
10:30 Full Blast Yoga Level 2/3 - Meaghan
12pm Cycle - Adam (FREE)

~~ urban lily yoga, sherman oaks ~~

Our SPECIAL Memorial Day Schedule:
9:00am-10:30am Vinyasa Flow Level 2/3 with Elinore Cohen
10:30am-12:00pm Yoga Blend Level 1/2 with Elinore Cohen
All other classes are cancelled.

~~ urth yoga, silverlake ~~

MEMORIAL DAY SCHEDULE - Monday, May 31st:
9:00a: Basics/Intermediate with Peter Wolff
10:45a: Mixed Levels with Nicole
12:30p: $5 Yoga Hour with Sarika

Also, the following classes are cancelled this week:
Friday 5/28 (2:00p - 4:00p) Advancing Your Practice
Saturday 5/29 (4:30p - 6:00p) Mixed Levels

~~ YAS, silverlake ~~

YAS SILVERLAKE is open "Half Day"

~~ YAS, venice ~~

YAS VENICE is OPEN “Full Schedule” Memorial Day!!

~~ yoga at the village, glendale ~~

Open as Usual for Memorial Day Weekend

~~ yoga blend, burbank ~~

MEMORIAL DAY SCHEDULE - Monday, May 31st
9:30am-11:00am Basics with Nicole
11:30am-12:45pm Gentle with Bekah
12:00pm-1:30pm Mixed Level with Nicole
1:00pm-2:00pm Yoga Stretch with Priscilla

All remaining classes will be cancelled for the rest of the day. Our regular class schedule resumes Tuesday, June 1st.

~~ yoga circle downtown, los angeles ~~

Quick reminder of the change in schedule for Memorial day...
Sat 5/29 10:30 & 12:00
Sun 5/30 10:30
Mon 5/31 6:05

~~ yogaco, santa monica ~~

Yogaco is in full swing all Memorial Weekend. Even Monday!
Update: Ask each teacher who will be having class on Monday, Memorial Day. Some later in the day classes are cancelled.

~~ yoga desa, topanga ~~

Yoga Desa will be CLOSED on Memorial Day.

~~ yogaglo, santa monica ~~

All Classes Canceled For Memorial Day, Enjoy!

~~ yoga loft, manhattan beach ~~

Memorial Day Weekend Schedule:
We will be open for regular classes on Saturday & Sunday.

Memorial Day Classes:
8:40am Level 2/3 Flow with Najla
10:15am Level 1/2 Flow with Suzy

~~ yoga rays, marina del rey ~~

5:30 PM Gentle Flow Yoga - Gina Shelton
7:30 PM Candlelit Intentional Flow (Hatha) - Natacha

~~ yoga shelter, studio city ~~

MEMORIAL DAY CLASS SCHEDULE
8:30am Slow Flow with Lisa
9:45am Xflowsion with Eric

~~ yoga west, west los angeles ~~

Yoga West will be CLOSED Monday, May 31st for Memorial Day.
We will be open for regular classes on Tuesday, June 1st.

~~ yoga works center for yoga, larchmont ~~

MEMORIAL DAY CLASSES
8:00-9:25AM YOGA BLEND 1 - BEBE CHIANNI LIN
8:30-9:55AM YOGA BLEND 2 - MARIA ZAVALLA
9:30-10:55AM YOGA BLEND 1/2 - JEANNE HEILMAN
10-11:30AM VINYASA FLOW 2/3 - JOAN HYMAN
11:00-1:00 PM ASHTANGA MYSORE - JODI BLUMSTEIN
12:30-1:55 PM IYENGAR 1/2 - MARLA APT
ALL OTHER CLASSES CANCELLED

~~ yoga works main street, santa monica ~~

MEMORIAL DAY CLASSES
9:00-10:30AM VINYASA FLOW 2/3 - VINNIE MARINO
11:00-12:30PM VINVASA FLOW 2/3 - SARA IVANHOE
12:45–1:15PM YW FLOW 1/2 - BIRGITTE KRISTEN
ALL OTHER CLASSES CANCELLED

~~ yoga works montana, santa monica ~~

MEMORIAL DAY CLASSES
8:00-9:55AM ASHTANGA MYSORE - MARIA VILLELLA
8:30-9:55AM IYENGAR 1/2 - CHRIS STEIN
10:00-11:30AM YOGA BLEND 1 - AL TAVERA
11:00-12:25PM YOGAWORKS FLOW 2 - HEATHER SEINIGER
11:45-1:15PM VINYASA FLOW 2/3 - CHRIS ARMAS
ALL OTHER CLASSES CANCELLED

~~ yoga works, pacific palisades ~~

MEMORIAL DAY CLASSES
8:30-10:00AM VINYASA FLOW 2/3 - CHRIS ARMAS
10:15-11:45AM IYENGAR ALL LEVELS - LARRY HELIKER
12:00-1:30PM YOGA BLEND 1/2 - AL TAVERA
ALL OTHER CLASSES CANCELLED

~~ yoga works south bay, el segundo ~~

MEMORIAL DAY CLASSES
8:15-9:55AM IYENGAR 1/2 - JENNIFER EDWARDS
9:30-10:55AM YOGA BLEND 2 - CASEY CODA
10:00-11:25AM GENTLE YOGA - AMY ROSE DRUCKER
11:00-12:30PM VINYASA FLOW 2/3 - JOHN NEIDLINGER
11:30-12:55PM YOGA BLEND 1/2 - MARIA ZAVALLA
1:00-2:30PM YOGA BLEND 2 - CHRIS ARMAS
1:15-2:45PM VINYASA FLOW 2/3 - BEBE CHIANNI LIN
ALL OTHER CLASSES CANCELLED

~~ yoga works, westwood ~~

MEMORIAL DAY CLASSES
9:15-10:45AM YOGAWORKS 1/2 - THOMAS TAUBMAN
9:30-10:55AM VINVASA FLOW 2/3 - DAVID KIM
11:30-12:30PM IYENGAR 1/2 - HERB SANDOVAL
11:15-12:45PM VINYASA FLOW 2 - DAVID LYNCH
ALL OTHER CLASSES CANCELLED

~~ the yogi tree, toluca lake ~~

We will be closed Monday, May 31 in honor the Memorial Day holiday. Regular class schedule will resume Tuesday, June 1.

~~ yogis anonymous, santa monica ~~

Memorial Day Schedule:
1:00pm: Mary Beth LaRue
2:30pm: Ally Hamilton
4:15pm: Ashley Turner
6:30pm: Jorgen Christiansson

~~ yummy yoga, los feliz ~~

Saturday, May 29
Regularly scheduled classes

Sunday, May 30
Larry teaches 10AM All Levels - all other classes cancelled

Monday, May 31 - Memorial Day
Ducky teaches 9AM, All Levels, and Amy teaches 6PM, All Levels - all other classes cancelled

the kosher sutras

i recently received an invite to a series of biblioyoga workshops with marcus freed. the format of the classes were familiar to me since i had attended a couple of these kosher sutra yoga classes when the london-based yogi visited LA last year. wanting to help the organizers promote the event, i tried to look up my post on that experience, but for some reason, i couldn't find it. omg. did i forget to write about it???

it was actually an interesting experience for me. there i was, probably the lone gentile in the group of jewish participants -- some seasoned yogis and some totally new to yoga. we sat on our yoga mats while marcus read passages from the torah. we meditated for a moment to let its message sink in, then proceeded to move through a series of yoga poses. every now and then, marcus would repeat the passage to make us realize that there was some connection between these words of wisdom and the movements we were doing. i guess you could say it was somewhat enlightening. who knew that yoga and hebrew scriptures could mesh as comfortably together as yoga and sanskrit texts?

here's a sample video from the biblioyoga site that'll give you some idea of what i'm talking about: The Biblioyoga Kosher Sutra - Yoga for Joy

after class, while noshing on refeshments that were provided to us, we gathered in a circle to discuss our thoughts. what did the passage mean to us? what was going through our heads while we were doing the poses? did we get anything out of the experience? it's interesting how everyone looked at the same thing in a slightly different way, so by sharing our differing views, we all managed to learn something new that evening. and it wasn't just yoga.

so here's the invite for the upcoming biblioyoga workshops that'll be held starting next week:


Biblioyoga with Marcus J Freed

Bibliyoga is about finding spiritual connections through the body. It is a method that enables you to access your soul in a way that is practical, fun and uplifting. Bibliyoga engages your body, mind and spirit through a combination of dynamic movement and engaging in sacred texts. The practice is life-enhancing, helping you to achieve balance and inner peace. Bibliyoga is available for everyone, regardless of race or religion. Easy to begin and suitable for all ages, it is a whole new body-soul experience.

Monday, May 17, 8pm - Yoga for Summer Loving, Part 1 – The Energy Sequence ( A heart-centred Bibliyoga sequence to build energy and open our heart)

Monday, May 24, 8pm - Yoga for Summer Loving, Part 2 – The Endurance Sequence (A Bibliyoga sequence that will give us tools to endure for the long-term, increasing our personal power and effectiveness).

WHERE: Mimoda Studio Theatre, 5774 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles

COST: The one hour classes are $15 each, or both classes for $25 and are limited to 50 students

HOW: Prepay here: http://yogaforsummerlove.eventbrite.com/

Wear loose clothes and bring a yoga mat.

See Marcus talk about the workshop on YouTube: Yoga for Summer Loving - Marcus J Freed teaches for JConnectLA, May 2010 in Los Angeles

Marcus J Freed followed a path toward becoming the Bibliyogi through his journeys as an actor, writer and educator. His spiritual development included 12 months at a spiritual retreat in the mountains of Efrat, Israel, at Yeshivat HaMivtar. It was there that he studied enlightenment texts with three great Talmudic masters, Rabbis Chaim Brovender, Dovid Ebner and Shlomo Riskin. Marcus gained degrees from the Universities of Birmingham and London, but he met his next teacher at Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts, where yoga guru Edward Clark was teaching acting and movement. Marcus entered into a spiritual and yogic pupilage with these teachers which continues today.

Bibliyoga is concerned with extreme innovation while being connected to the Jewish tradition that stretches back 5000 years. In the past 12 months, Bibliyoga has been taught in 8 different countries.

http://www.biblioyoga.com/

long live the guerillas!

earlier this year, anusara yoga teacher marc holzman announced that he was making the big move from LA to paris (as in france, not texas). since marc is the heart and soul behind guerilla yoga in hollywood, people wondered what would become of it. would it pack up and leave with him, or would someone take over?

with marc's classes at the hollywood dance center now a regular gathering place for the LA anusara kula, you knew that there was no way anyone would let guerilla yoga become a distant memory! so thanks to a group of anusara teachers who have stepped up to the plate, we'll all still be able to share the guerilla love. yay!

here's marc's farewell note. and even if the fun and games will continue in his absence, he will be missed :(


Dear Guerilla Yogis,

This is one of the last few emails I will be sending from the office of GY. Somehow this abstract move to Paris which seemed so distant is suddenly imminent and very real. I am knee-deep in bubble wrap.

Guerilla Yoga was a perfectly clear representation of the five acts of Lord Shiva as it was danced into existence on April 29, 2007 (Happy Birthday GY!). It was beautifully sustained for three years thanks to all of us. And now it dissolves on Sunday May 16 (my last class). Its full life cycle was peppered with many moments of concealment and revelation.

I am so happy to announce that on Sunday May 23, without missing a beat, GY will be reborn in a new form. An incredible team of five certified teachers will rotate and keep Sundays alive and running. Same time. Same place.

It was my initial intention to let sleeping guerillas lie and close shop. But your voices were heard (loudly), your opinions expressed (strongly), and so a tradition continues.

The team will consist of Tiffany Fraser, Tara Judelle, Joseph Seeman, Hillary Rubin, and Lucy Bivins. The lovely Mackie (Mackananda) will take over the site, redesign it, and post the full schedule very soon.

We are scheduled straight through the summer and from there we will assess. For the success of GY and its continuation, I sincerely urge you to come out and support all the teachers who are participating. As May draws to a close, Tiffany will be teaching the first class on Sunday, May 23 and Lucy will be teaching on Sunday, May 30.

I am very touched that the Guerilla Yoga kula has voted in favor of keeping a tradition alive. And also touched that these five teachers have stepped forward to carry the Guerilla vision into the future.

Please join me on Sunday, May 16 as I teach my final GY class in Los Angeles. A celebratory, bittersweet class indeed.

Maha Love,
Marc

boom!

the ABC7 eyewitness news in new york city recently aired a feature on the yoga studio boom. according to lauren glassberg, "... when everything seems to be crumbling around you, lots of people tend to look inward for ways of coping. and yoga, it appears, is one of those ways. but yoga just doesn't help people cope; it can also be transformative."

she then goes on to show elena brower's packed yoga class at virayoga, which sometimes has "70 to 80 people, in the middle of the day!". she talks with a student who's there because he doesn't have a job (hmm... sounds familiar). as he put it, "i kind of dread going back to work because i want to live a healthier life, a more relaxed life. so i want more yoga and less work." and i say amen to that!!

from there, the reporter moves on to the brand-new 13,000 square foot (!) yoga works soho studio, its sixth location in new york. phil swain, yoga works' CEO says, "... a lot of people are only purchasing what's a necessity, and we really believe that yoga is a necessity. it's a lifestyle, it's their health and wellness, it's community, and frankly, it's entertainment." hmmm... i guess watching teachers and fellow students perform ridiculously insane arm balances can be considered entertainment :)

but if, according to the report, "dropping nearly twenty bucks on a yoga class is money well spent" because "it creates that relaxation, that sense of well-being, and is really helpful for people in these times", why do i feel stressed out whenever i think about the REAL necessities i could be paying for with that $20 bill -- things like food, utilities, and my cell phone bill? and mind you, i don't even own a smartphone because i can't justify paying the additional $30 for a data plan... which is sad because there are a number of yoga-related iphone apps that i'd love to try out. if i had an iphone...

maybe elena had a point when she said, "it will give you the confidence, the strength, the fortitude so that you can see what it is that needs to be done right now... what's next..."

at this point, i think i need more than yoga; i need a crystal ball!!

speaking of yoga boom, it isn't happening just in new york city. here in LA, we have more than a handful of yoga studios about to open in the next few weeks, with a few more under construction and due to open sometime this summer. and that doesn't even include all the studios that opened up since the beginning of the year!

keep an eye out for these new studios scattered all over LA county:

~ vinyasa lounge in el segundo, just opened; FREE yoga may 1st-7th, classes by donation after!
~ trans4mation yoga in santa monica, soft opening schedule/rates through may 31st
~ hot 8 yoga in santa monica, scheduled to open may 6th
~ yoga vista in playa vista, grand opening celebration to be held on may 29th, classes start june 1st
~ YAS in downtown LA, scheduled to open june 1st
~ 5 point yoga in malibu, launch date to be announced

can the local yoga community keep all these studios and yoga teachers in business? we'll see....

by the way, if you want to take elena brower's anusara flow class and find out why students pack her classes in manhattan, she'll be here in LA starting tomorrow and will be teaching at yogaglo in santa monica THIS WEEK: tuesday, may 4th and thursday, may 6th, both at 9am. and these hour-long classes are FREE!