Kundalini Yoga Workshop Sunday February 22, 2009

This past Sunday was intense and transformative! We began at 4:30AM with Sadhana (see previous post), which was incredible! Later that afternoon, Dan and Paulette Coma led a Kundalini Yoga Workshop with an emphasis on stress management.

We had many participants and the energy in the studio was astounding! Thank you everyone who attended Sadhana, Workshop, or both! For more information about Kundalini Yoga, please see the official web site: http://www.3ho.org/

Also, we are considering having Sadhana once a month at the studio, if you are interested in this happening, please let me know - you can respond in a comment to this blog. Thank you!

Sadhana - amazing!

Morning Sadhana, Sunday February 22, 2009: Led by Kundalini instructors, Dan and Paulette Coma, our pre-dawn meditation, chanting, and yoga practice was nearly indescribable! The studio began filling at 4:00 AM.

Once the practice began there were seventeen of us chanting, meditating, and singing joyfully as we practiced Kundalini Yoga together and welcomed the new day!

There is something very special about gathering together in a sacred space with a group of open, compassionate individuals!After Sadhana: Smiles everywhere!

Our teacher, Paulette, brings around Prashad, an edible gracious gift served with love and gratitude; on this morning, Prashad is a delicious date placed in our upturned palms which we accept appreciatively and mindfully.

The morning has served us well; our sense of connection with one another, with the Earth, and with the Universe feels intensely deeper than before we began the day.

We have made new friends.

And shared a wonderful experience with those we have known longer.

All in all it was a transformative morning; I cannot wait to do this again!

Thank you everyone for coming together as a community!
It was an amazing day!
Sat Nam

It was a full weekend!

Saturday, February 14, 2009:

Sharon Gannon Workshop, Cincinnati, Ohio

The workshop in Cincinnati was intense and wonderful! Here we are surrounding Sharon Gannon as she discusses her new yoga book.

Sunday February 15, 2009:

Reiki Training, Eternal Health Yoga

Led by Reiki Masters, Shelli Carpenter & Tracie Anderson

Happy, new practitioners!

Our new group of Reiki practitioners shared a beautiful weekend with one another as they learned the soothing, non-invasive healing technique, Reiki.

Once they understood the intention of exchanging loving energy with the client, our intuitive trainees didn't need much direction as they practiced on one another.

The training was an all day amazing experience; if anyone is interested in scheduling and receiving a Reiki session, please contact the studio through email or phone.

If you are interested in learning this technique, let us know that as well.
Namaste

Yoga and Food - what's up with that?

This Saturday, February 14, 2009, some of our teachers and former teacher trainees will be heading to Cincinnati, Ohio for a yoga workshop and book signing with Sharon Gannon, founder of the JivaMukti yoga style. Sharon is an amazingly inspiring yoga instructor who strives to promote peace and compassion in the world through yogic living.

A year ago, I was fortunate to travel with friends and my awesome husband to San Francisco for a yoga conference and participated in some of Sharon's classes. Her asana sequences were challenging, but invigorating; I was pushed a bit beyond where I am normally comfortable in my practice, but the confidence of this teacher and her caring manner took away any sense of intrepidation; I was lulled into Yoga Heaven!

A key focus of Sharon Gannon's philosophy, is her interpretation of the yogic principle, Ahimsa (Non-violence) as it relates to food choices; we will each be receiving a copy of her new book, Yoga and Vegetarianism: The Path to Greater Health and Happiness, in which she addresses this idea, at the workshop. "Drawing on both the author's extensive studies of Vedic traditions and her longtime interest in animal rights, Yoga and Vegetarianism shows how the physical and spiritual practice of yoga is historically and structurally tied to a vegetarian lifestyle." http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Yoga-and-Vegetarianism/Sharon-Gannon/e/9781601090218

The subject of food is a challenging one for many yogis; the subject of food is a challenge for most people. Ponder these questions:

• If vegetarianism is part of the yoga practice, are those who eat meat not "real" yogis?
• If practicing non-violence in regard to your food choices is a yoga prerequisite, does that mean veganism is the only "true" path?
• If yoga is open and available to anyone regardless of his/her religion, color, creed, orientation, etc., then does it matter if one hunts and kills for food?
• What about the individual who eats meat, but takes the time to prepare food with his/her family members each evening while talking pleasantly, and then mindfully sits down at the table sharing the evening meal as a family?

Tricky questions.

Let me know what you all think about these ideas. Answer in the blog - just click on "comment" at the bottom right; you can answer anonymously if you choose.

I feel that it is important that we are able to discuss our feelings where it concerns food, religion, politics, family choices, etc. without defensiveness and judgement. We each have a voice that should be heard. At the same time, remember the saying, we have one mouth and two ears; perhaps listening to others is just as important as speaking to them.

So ponder what others have to say; you don't have to change yourself based on what someone else believes. But even if you disagree, respect one another's right to express his/her thoughts, ideas, and feelings; and who knows, perhaps you will learn something that will help you on your journey.

Respect one another; that is how to promote peace and compassion in the world. I look forward to hearing from you! Namaste, Shelli

Go local ...

Tonight was the monthly meeting of Eternal Health Yoga's Advisory Board; this board was formed last year with the purpose of developing and upholding our yoga community's intention and presence, in the community and the world, with integrity. Current Board members are (rear, l to r), Shelli Carpenter, Nancy Clinton, Susan Schroeder, (front l to r) D'Arci Freeland, and Marie Coma.

A recent decision of the AB was for the studio to become a member of the Louisville Independent Business Alliance; we feel that it is important to support local businesses and to educate citizens in the importance of this support. The mission of LIBA, consistent with our ideals is, "to preserve the unique community character of the Metro Louisville area by promoting locally-owned businesses and to educate citizens on the value of shopping locally". Visit the LIBA web site here and support your local community: http://www.keeplouisvilleweird.com/index.htm

We are a community center!

Book Club met tonight; we discussed, The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russell. Karen Watson brought a delicious pasta dish which we enjoyed during the discussion and all in all it was a very enjoyable evening.

In addition to yoga classes, Book Club is is one of the many ways we come together as a community at Eternal Health Yoga. We have regular meditation sessions, nutrition and health workshops, and free yoga classes; we host guest teachers, travel to foreign countries on retreat together, and just hang out drinking tea in the kitchen. We train teachers, help pregnant women prepare for birth, and tell yoga stories to children in our kid's classes. Eternal Health Yoga is an amazing, welcoming, environment in which to practice yoga, to make friends, and to deepen our practice and spiritual way of living. Thank you everyone for letting me and all of the teachers share yoga with you. Thank you for being open and real and caring. Thank you for making Eternal Health Yoga the wonderful place that it is.

And thank you as well for having and expressing your awesome sense of humor!

Namaste!

Specific Gravity Ensemble is…

"Theatre beyond the norm. Polished, innovative unconventional shows performed in "found spaces"-- factories, public squares, parks, homes, junk yards—environmental theatre is the mainstay of SGE's work.

Specific Gravity is a Louisville-based collective of theatre artisans that produces adventurous professional-level productions with high standards of excellence."

Our talented yoga instructor, Susan Schroeder (seen here with me following one of her performances as "Wondergirl"!), is performing in Elevator Plays 3, currently showing at the Hertz Starks Building. These plays are fun, funny, poignant, and one is even a bit frightening.

Please support our amazing arts culture; come and see Elevator Plays 3!

Click here for showtimes and ticket information.

Yoga is for Everyone!

I had the best time tonight! I just got home from Field Elementary, where I lead a family yoga session at the school's annual Family Fun Night; it was 30 minutes of smiles, laughter and lots of good breathing!

Children really "get" yoga. It is very natural for them to sit on the floor, twist and stretch and pretend they are camels, dogs, and snakes. Check out the smiles on this forest of trees.

First Blog for Eternal Health Yoga!

Dear Eternal Health Yoga students and supporters!

Today is the first day of our studio blog; I am very excited about this and see it as an opportunity for our community to grow and connect with one another outside of the studio space. I will share items that I feel are important concerning the studio, yoga, and life in general. Please contribute in any way that you see fit. I am looking forward to hearing from you and am sure that this blog can only enhance our intentions of leading a positive life of peace and contentment.

As an additional method of recording the happenings of Eternal Health Yoga, I recently purchased a new camera (I am very excited!). Please enjoy these new pictures of the studio.

Additionally, thank you for all that you do, and thank you for practicing and sharing yoga; have a wonderful day!

Sat Nam, Shelli