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| ARTICLES
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1)
Announcements
2)
Yoga of the Seasons - Fire
Returns
3)
Class, Workshop, and Retreat
Schedule
4)
This month's article - "The
Lessons of Fire "-
by Connie Habash
5)
Spiritual Quotes
NEW CLASSES (starting week of 6/7):
MONDAY
12:30-2pm Prenatal at Devi Yoga in Menlo Park!
THURSDAY
4-5:15pm Prenatal
5:30-7pm Yoga Basics - a great class for any level, especially beginners, combining Iyengar and Vinyasa styles and building a strong foundation in all the essential poses
Both at a new studio in FREMONT - Mind Body Zone!
inside Avalon Salon at Blacow and Mowry off 880.Check their websites for directions and more information.
MONDAY NIGHT CLASS ENDS 6/7 (TONIGHT!): due to my pregnancy, it is becoming difficult to teach my intermediate level classes... so it's now time to let go of the Level 2 Vinyasa class on Mondays at 6pm at Devi Yoga. I would love to see those of you who have attended in the past
on this last class!
All other classes *should* continue through the summer,
baby willing!
108 Surya Namaskars is returning for the Summer Solstice.
Sunday, June 20th from 7-9am at YIY in Mountain View.
Come early or late, do 1 or 108, meditate, chant, just come celebrate! I chant the 12 mantras to the Sun - 108 times, while the Ashtanga yogis lead the Surya Namskars. :) By donation.
CHAKRA SERIES RETURNS THIS SUMMER - Back by popular demand! Before I go on maternity leave, we will once again be exploring the 7 chakras, or energy centers, through 7 weeks of classes beginning in mid-July. All regular yoga classes (except prenatal) will be exploring yoga poses and breathwork related to each chakra. It's fun and transformative - look for more information next month.
SUMMER SANSKRIT LEVEL 1 INTENSIVE!!!
If you're intrigued by the sounds of Sanskrit and want to undertake a
serious (and fun!) study of it, this is for you!
Coming to Avalon Art & Yoga Center in Palo Alto, this course will be a thorough introduction to the Sanskrit alphabet, including reading, writing, and correctly pronouncing the Devanaagari script - the actual written script of Sanskrit! You'll be able to read and write Sanskrit words and sentances by the end of the course (like in the Yoga Sutras), and feel confident with your pronunciation. Included each week will be time for learning mantras & chanting!
5 Satudays: July 17th, 24th, 31st, August 7th, 14th 12:30-3:30pm
$205 plus $40 materials fee if registered by 6/30: $230 thereafter
see my website or contact Avalon Yoga for more info: http://www.avalonyoga.com
LEVEL II CD COMING SOON - I have been recording my long-awaited Level II yoga CD, and it should be available sometime this summer. Stay tuned for more details!
CALLING FOR PHOTOS! I am wishing to expand my photo gallery on this website and fill in several events that I am missing photos from. If you have attended any of these events and have digital photos you can email me, I would be very grateful to receive them and post them on the site. If you have regular copies, I'd be happy to receive them (and reimburse you) and scan them::
Women's Spring Renewal Retreat: 2001, 2002, 2003
Fall Yoga Retreat: 2002
Winter Yoga Retreat: 2003
Thank you!!!
2) Yoga of the Seasons: Fire Returns
As the Summer Solstice approaches - the 1st offical day of the warmest season of the year - the fire element once again predominates our weather. Temperatures rise, days become longer, and the sun even seems brighter.
The inner fire is stoked as well. In yoga, this fire is often referred to by the Sanskrit word Agni. This is our fire within, responsible for transformation. In the physical body, it
can manifest as our digestive powers, metabolism, or tempurature. It is also sometimes referred to as Tejas - the subtle essence of fire that not only permeates the body, but radiates in clarity of thought and the light of consciousness. Tejas is like the "fire" that can often be seen in the radiance of someone's eyes.
We can celebrate this radiance and firey energy returning in strength to nature and ourselves. Feel it in your increased energy (before the fire gets too hot in July and August), strong digestion (hence, why Summertime is the best time of year for eating fresh salads, fruits, and lightly cooked or even raw veggies), and clarity and focus in the mind. This month may be a good time to complete projects, before the increasing heat of the summer burns up this extra energy.
In nature, the radiance and intensity of Agni is revving up. Many flowers bloom in the month of June, an outward expression of this inner vibrance. Bees are busy, babies of all animals are active and stretching their legs and wings. Everything is in full activity and vitality while the sun is shining and the temperature is just right. We can get out and enjoy these natural energies alive around us now while the weather is still mild and pleasant.
Until the heat increases, these last weeks of Spring are great for full exploration of your yoga practice. Play, challenge yourself, go for it! Then, when temperatures rise for the remainder of the summer, we need to respect the powers of Agni, that inner and outer fire, and start to cool off in our intensity. Adding fire to fire just leads to burn out and burn up, so stay cool and calm in body and mind. Exercise is best restrained to the cooler times of early morning and evening, and backing off before creating a lot of sweat will go a long way to sustaining your energy through the day and the summer. Moderation keeps fire in balance.
Becoming familiar with cooling yogic breath techniques, like Sitali Pranayama, can really make a difference on those upcoming hot summer afternoons. Forward bends, gentle flows, supported backbends (on your back with blankets or bolsters underneath to open the chest and belly), and restoratives are great ways to enjoy your yoga practice without overheating.
Mentally, it's a great time to pursue creative and artistic endeavors, where that inner fire of transformation can express itself through new media, color, and form. Be careful of anger, impatience, and tendencies to argue, as the increasing energy of fire can make thoughts and words more sharp and burning. Staying cool and calm, at any time, but especially at this hot time of the year, with keep the mental flames of Tejas burning just right.Agni, the element of fire, is a powerful energy. Respect its power as it begins to burn brightly these coming months, like the vibrance of the sun. And see it's joyful light come through in nature's full celebration!
copyright 2004 by Constance L. Habash
3) Class, Workshop, and Retreat Schedule: Spring 2004
RETREATS:
No Retreats are scheduled until Spring of 2005
WORKSHOPS:
CLASS SCHEDULE (PENINSULA & SOUTH BAY):SUMMER SANSKRIT LEVEL 1 INTENSIVE
5 Saturdays: July 17th, 24th, 31st, August 7th & 14th
12:30-3:30pm
Avalon Art & Yoga Center, Palo Alto, CA
$230, plus $40 materials fee
early bird discount: $205 + materials if registered by 6/30
http://www.avalonyoga.comContinuing Yoga Classes:
MONDAYS
12 - 2 pm — Prenatal
Devi Yoga, Menlo Park
TUESDAYS
9:30 - 11am — Beginning Iyengar & Vinyas
YIY, Mountain View
THURSDAYS
9:15 - 10:45am — All Levels Vinyasa & Iyengar
Devi Yoga, Menlo Park
4 - 5:15 pm — Prenatal ***begins 6/10***
MindBody Zone, Fremont
5:30 - 6:45pm — Yoga Basics ***begins 6/10***
MindBody Zone, FremontFRIDAYS
9:30 - 11am — All levels Iyengar & Vinyasa
YIY, Mountain View
http://www.devi-yoga.com — http://www.yogaisyouth.com —
http://www.mindbody-zone.com
4) This month's article: "The Lessons of Fire" by Connie Habash
As
the Summer Solstice approaches,
we're gearing up, as mentioned
in this month's seasonal
article, for the return
of the power of fire. Fire
is a transformative and
intense element,
purifying, cleansing, and
waking us up on many levels.
As a metaphor for transformation
as well as reflecting to
us the lessons of personal
relationships, fire has
much to teach us.
I
first discovered the powerful
lessons of fire over 15
years ago, when I embarked
upon a Vision Quest. After
spending three nights alone
before returning to share
stories with the group I
was with, all of us who
chose to go out in the wilderness
for the solo time were instructed
to stay up all of that last
night, "crying for
a vision" - waiting
to see what gift, insight,
or message we might receive
from the Divine on that
last evening. I elected
to build a fire to keep
me warm through the chilly
night, and it provided me
with that insight.
As anyone who has tended
a fire knows, they have
a life of their own. You
can prepare all you want,
by gathering what you think
is sufficient wood and other
fuel, making a neat pit,
having water ready for an
emergency snuff, and seating
yourself closeby for the
warmth. But things sometimes
don't go as planned, and
you have to be ready to
respond to whatever arises.
Starting the fire can be
a challenge, as it can be
to begin any endeavor. I
lit sage and cedar first,
then added kleenex and toilet
paper to get some flame
going, but the first lesson
that fire taught me was
patience. It often takes
a few starts, especially
when your resources are
few. How many times do we
give up on something because
our first efforts didn't
pan out? Do we lose our
tempers out of frustration
for things not going as
planned?
It may have been easier
for me to give up, had it
been a fire I was making
at home in the living room,
but being that the temperatures
were dropping, I was more
motivated to develop that
patience and persistence.
Whether it's a relationship,
a business, or building
a new home, things do take
time and consistent effort.
Being willing to try the
same thing over and over
again before things get
rolling along and comfortable
are par for the course of
anything worthwhile in life.
Haven't many of us experienced
that when we started yoga
or some other physical activity?
The first few times attempting
Downward Facing Dog, Headstand,
a backhand in tennis, or
shooting a basketball from
the perimeter were probably
a little frustrating, and
we didn't feel successful
right away. Coming back
to the practice again and
again was the only way
we would develop confidence
and skill, which takes patience
and persistence. The fire
was already giving me a
good lesson in that.
Once the flames were going
steadily, it was easy to
get distracted. I thought
that was that, and I wouldn't
have to pay much attention
once it got going. But fire
had another lesson to teach
me - attentiveness. It's
tempermental nature forced
me to keep steady eye on
the embers - if I left it
alone for much more than
a minute, it began to die
out (especially since I
had very small pieces of
wood available to burn).
If I wasn't mindful in the
amount of wood I added,
it would either become too
large and threaten to leap
beyond the bounds of the
pit, or the mass of wood
piled on would suffocate
the flames and begin to
put it out.
This kind of attentiveness
is necessary not only in
our activities, but in our
relationships. Neglect will
lead to dissolution or dissatisfaction
with our partners or friends.
But too much energy and
attention can burn them
or yourself out, like suffocating
the fire.
A fire, like us, needs air
to breathe - space, time,
and energy for each person
in their own life, not just
in the shared life together.
Trying to pile on the logs
of attention, demands, fears,
or needs can put the fire,
or passion, of the relationship
out, and lead either one
or the other person to pull
away, attemtping to find
that room to breathe again.
Similarly, if the flames
grow too high, one may feel
that the relationship has
become out of control or
all-consuming. We can get
burned or burned out. This
can happen with our careers,
too, when we become overly-consumed
with our work and find ourselves
putting in such long hours
that we neglect ourselves
and our relationships, and
the job (and life) no longer
is enjoyable.
A
healthy relationship with
anyone or anything is like
a steady, warm fire, needing
regular, consistent, and
appropriate attention. We
need to make sure our friend
or partner is getting their
needs met (like adding the
wood to the fire), and that
we in return feel that the
relationship (or career)
is nourishing us (giving
the warmth we desired from
the fire). When this is
in balance, like the flames
in the pit, our relationships
and anything that we put
our energy into feel deeply
satisfying, comforting,
and steadily warming to
our hearts and souls.
Sometimes, not only does
the fire burn us if we aren't
careful and attentive, but
the wind changes, and suddenly
smoke is blowing into your
eyes. We can't see, it stings,
and we cough and sputter.
We think, darn this fire!
I can't stand it anymore!
But we remember that if
we put it out, it can get
pretty cold and unpleasant.
Desiring the warmth of the
fire - and the joy of relationship
- teaches us acceptance
of all that comes with the
package.
Those
times when people in our
lives hurt or disappoint
us, our boss takes out his
or her frustrations on us,
or our children test us
in every way they can think
of, we sometimes wish it
would all go away! But when
the kids go away to summer
camp, a relationship breaks
up, or we lose a job, how
quickly we are reminded
of the magic those little
ones bring to our lives,
how dearly we love those
who are close to us, and
how much we appreciate having
some money in the bank when
the bills show up. So we
learn to accept the difficult
times and challenges, knowing
that there is ultimately
a greater good - the warmth
of the fire is more valuable
than the discomfort of the
times when the smoke becomes
a problem.
Smoke
represents the illusions
in our lives. Smoke arises
from the fire, but it is
not the fire itself. It
can block our vision, getting
in the way of being able
to see clearly. It is the
distractions, reactions,
and fears that can come
up from day to day situations,
especially things that are
important to us. Rather
than reacting to the smoke,
which is the temporary manifestation
of the current situation,
we need to wait until we
can see clearly what is
happening. As we calm our
mind and emotions, find
center within, and wait
until the situation settles
a bit, the smoke clears
and we can discern an appropriate
response to the situation,
rather than react from rashness
or anxiety. The smoke of
the fire teaches us the
importance of waiting for
clarity.
In
these many ways, fire is
transformative. From the
inter-action of wood with
a spark comes a power that
can warm, cook, and turn
materials to ashes. We need
this power of transformation
in our lives. It helps us
grow from the difficulties
of life, and urges us to
use our gifts and inner
resources to create what
we need, like the wood and
spark create the heat. We
also can share what we've
created with
others in service by bringing
out those abilities and
gifts in volunteer work
or just thoughtfulness.
Fire warms not only the
one who starts it, but anyone
else gathered around. We
can truly benefit many by
allowing that inner fire
to motivate and transform
us. Doing personal growth
work or spiritual practices
help us open our hearts,
treat others with kindness,
and create more peace in
our world through developing
more inner peace of mind.
Fire element spurs us to
become more of who we truly
are, and as we become better
human beings, it benefits
all that come in contact
with us.
Finally,
fire symbolizes that which
inspires us. When it is
dark, it brings us light.
Its beauty is mysterious
and magical. From the flame
of a candle to the roar
of a bonfire, fire has amazed
us through the ages. We
need to keep that fire of
inspiration alive within
us, through our connection
to the Divine or whatever
we see as greater than ourselves.
It's this inner fire that
gives us a sense of purpose
as well as feeds the experience
of joy in life. Our meaningful
connections with others
also adds fuel to that fire,
creating a deeper sense
of inner satisfaction.
Patience,
consistency, acceptance,
attentiveness, clarity,
transformation, and inspiration
are just some of the many
lessons that the element
of fire represents for us.
Perhaps as you work with
this metaphor in your life,
you'll discover other gifts
of this inner flame. You
can imagine it transforming
any situation you're faced
with, putting passion into
a relationship or a project,
and providing you with inspiration
when you most need it. Especially
at this firey time of year,
let it bring you alive!
Copyright 2004, by Constance
L. Habash
"Children, we cannot expect to find happiness and perfection in the world. Contentment and happiness depend solely on the mind, not on external objects or circumstances."
~ Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma)
The real art of conversations is not only to say the right thing in the right place, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment."
~ Dorothy Nevill
The steed called the mind roams space, covering one hundred thousand miles in the blink of an eye. He who does not know how to tether it is apt to be battered to death by the inbreath and the outbreath."
~ Lallaa (14th century C.E)
Blessings,
Connie
