Reiki I Certifications March and April 2019

Join me on a journey to healing yourself and others.  I am excited to offer Reiki Level I Certification to all who are interested in living a better, More Healthy, Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Life. Have you ever felt like you have a healing touch, but didn't understand it? Then this class is for you!  At the end of this workshop you will be a certified Reiki I practitioner!

Some of the things we will learn in this class include:

• Learning the story of Reiki, it's original teachers (Dr. Mikao Usui, Dr. Chujiro Hayashi and Mrs. Hawayo Takata) and how it made its way to the West. 
• You will learn to identify energy and how to work with it.
• You will learn to channel and feel your energy.
• Gain clarity about what energy healing is and how it used to clear blocks and stop leaks in your energy field, which has been known to lead to illness and disease. 
• You will be attuned to Reiki I and can practice on yourself and others right away!
• We will give treatments to each other after your attunment to feel the energy.
• And more!

Class will take place on Saturdays March 23rd & April 13th.  Dress comfortably and be open to receive. I can't wait to share this amazing practice with you. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out.  Register Now! Looking forward! 

Reiki Level I Certification Registration: 

Saturday, March 23rd

Reiki Level I Certification Registration: 

Saturday, April 13th

The Love Lab: A Spiral Lab Yoga Retreat for Women

Greetings!

I know it's been a while since I've posted anything new here, but I'm back and I can't wait to share all the new things ahead. 

I am so excited to announce that I will be hosting a yoga retreat with my good friend and colleague Karma Mayet called, The Love Lab: A Spiral Lab Yoga Retreat for Women.  This amazing event is happening February 17th-20th at Garrison Institute in Garrison, NY. It’s such a beautiful space! In this time where racism, xenophobia and misogyny are a dividing line, at this retreat we will be contemplating LOVE as a healing force. For more information about the retreat please check our website, www.spirallabguru.com.  The Early Bird Special is on NOW! Pay in full by Dec. 15th for deep discounts. We hope you will join us in this LOVE movement. 

As we move into this holiday season and into the time of longer nights, consider giving yourself this gift of self-healing and join us in Garrison. There is no time to be silent and sit in the shadows or on the sidelines any longer.  It’s time to bring all of our magic to the forefront in order to make this world a better place.

Thank you for your love and support and stay tuned!   

Spiral Lab Presents

The Love Lab: A Yoga Retreat for Women

February 17-20, 2017

@Garrison Institute

Garrison, NY

The Early Bird Special is on NOW!  Pay in full by 

Dec. 15th and get deep discounts!

For more information/daily practice/Garrison Institute info/fees go to www.spiriallabguru.com

Garrison Institute along the Hudson River! 

Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training ~ Week 4/E.S.R.I.T.

To say that the last week of school was hectic would be an understatement.  As I think back on that week I can't believe the range of emotions that my classmates and I went through.  The last Sunday-Friday was packed with so much that it nearly broke folks.  Well, I say that loosely, but it was intense.

We started the week last Sunday with posture clinic where we learned some of the last postures in our manual and gathering information about the final written exam, which was the next day.   All along we were given practice tests that corresponded with what we were learning each week and we were assured that we had all the info we needed to pass the test and pass it well.  I have to admit that I wasn't too worried about it, but some folks had lots of anxiety.  So it was challenging to be in that vibe.  To say that Sunday was tense around the place is an understatement.

After a full days work, we were given the last section of the day to study.  I didn't push too hard because I knew I would pass. I know that might sound like my ego talking, but I really believed that they had set us up to win. Also, I leaned on my nyama Ishvar-Pranidhana (Surrender) as I went into the test. That doesn't mean I didn't study, it just meant that I did all I could and I was leaving the rest to the Creator.

On Monday after morning Sadhana and breakfast, we took our written exam.  I felt really good about it. I knew that I probably got a few wrong, but I was not going to beat myself up about it.  After all the tests were turned in, there was no time to think about how we did as we were right back in posture clinic getting ready for our third practice teach, which was the next day.  No rest for the weary.  On the upside, when we came back from lunch we found out that we all passed the test!  Yeah!  On to the next challenge.

Practice Teach 3
As I told you before, I'm a crammer.  By Monday night I had written a few things and had a few ideas for my class sequence. On Sunday I found out that I was going last for my teach on Tuesday.  With this in mind I thought I would make the class gentle since it would be the last of the day for my group. At practice teach prep the staff gave us the information for what to expect the next day and then  let us go early to work on our teach.  Some folks stayed in the room together, but  I went to the sauna. I needed some head space to that I could put my plan together.  I sat in the sauna for a while and was able to put most of my plan together in my head. After the sauna, I headed to the sanctuary where I always studied and pulled my plan together.  I wrote it out, walked it through for myself, said a prayer and headed to bed.

Tuesday was big on so many levels. It was election day and practice teach 3.  I couldn't even think about the election until the day we done.  I was in a great auditam group for the third time around.  Peter, Laura, Ray and I really connected.  I was really excited to work with them and to be a support for them.

The day was long.  After supporting my group it was finally my turn to teach.  By that time I wasn't nervous; I was really just ready to go.  I centered myself, a passage was read to the whole class and then it was time to teach my first 1 hour class.  So how did I do?  I knocked it out of the park!  There were certain pranayams and postures that we were required to do and I got everything in.  There is so much to think about when teaching, but I just took a breath and let spirit take over. It was like nothing else. Well actually it was like singing.   I made it though with ease and I am so thankful. When I finished I thought I would have a feeling of relief that I was over, but I really just felt high like I was floating.  I am so looking forward to teaching again.  Susan, the staff member who worked with me during my last teach, gave me some great feedback and we even set goals for my next class, which will be back in New York.  I love that it feels like the mentoring continues. It was such a great day. Amazing!

Celebration!
Tuesday night was a reason to celebrate on so many fronts.  We passed our written exam, we all really rocked our last practice teaches and many of us we were hoping to re-elect a president.  So for the first time since I arrived there, I went out to a bar.  I didn't drink because I hadn't touched anything for nearly a month and election or no election we still had to be at sadhana at 6:30am.  We went to a cool spot in Lenox to watch the returns, but the funny thing is that folks started to head back to Kripalu about 9 or 9:30pm because that was our bed time.  At that time Romney was up a bit in the electoral vote and some folks were really worried. I, on the other hand, was not.

I have to tell you that I was never really worried. Maybe I should have been, but I really wasn't. I knew the president would be re-elected.  There was just something in my spirit that said yes.  At the time we left the bar, the west coast hadn't even come in. I knew that the whole left was going to light up blue. Yes there was the question of Ohio, but for some reason I didn't think that would be an issue either.

When we got back to Kripalu, I stayed up. I got on my computer and just checked the internet and jumped on facebook to keep up with what was going on. The only other folks that stayed up with me were Monica and DeAnna. Oh Ben and Brooke were up too, but they were in the dining room and we were in the cafe.  Monica, DeAnna and I were sitting and chatting when at about 11:45pm a woman came dancing down the hallway saying that Obama won!  What??!! So we logged on to CNN and there it was.  I also looked on facebook and everyone was in agreement. It was over and before midnight!!! I wanted to go wake up my roommates, well at least the ones who cared, to let them know, but I choose not to. They would know soon enough.  So then we waited for Romney to concede so that the president could speak. By the time the president re-elect spoke, Monica had called it a night because it was almost 2am. DeAnna and I knew we would be hurting the next day, but we had to see it.  I'm so glad I stayed up. I was hurting the next day for sure, but it was worth it.

My B'earthday
Wednesday thru Friday were a lot less physical, but a lot more emotional.  It was my b'earthday on Wednesday and Kripalu has a special b'earthday song that they sing for people on their day and it's a pretty cool song.  I got many a b'earthday greeting that day, folks sang happy birthday to me in the dining room out of the blue, which was sweet, and even got a gift. Oh, I actually got an early gift from my parents in the form of a massage, which I really needed.  I hadn't cried much over the four weeks during training. In fact I might have cried once and it was quick and done.  Well after Wednesday night the tears started to flow.  There was so much to be thankful for and the day of departure was getting closer. I was ready to go home, but I was starting to get really sad to leave these men and women who had become my family.  The tears just started coming and really didn't stop until Friday afternoon.

Thursday was our final posture clinic, but it was really time for us to ask questions have a conversation with our teachers Devarshi and Megha.  When that conversation ended we sang our morning prayers and chanted our near final Om together and that just broke everyone. We had to laugh because the whole room was crying. What happened to us? LOL!

That night was our graduation celebration. We honored our teachers and ourselves that night. People had been asking me to sing all month and that night I got a chance to finally share. I was not the only person with musical talent by far.  Alicia R. played piano, Peter played guitar, harmonica and piano, Andrew played guitar and sang, Dana played Uke, Michael played guitar and sang, a little comedy and percussion from Barry, and Jill  played percussion as well.   Bonnie and Jill also play the Uke and Michelle playsDulcimer!  There were many beautiful voices in the crew included Jess, Lyneel, Eva, and many more. Oh and how could I forget Alex who put together a slideshow of our month.   Our teachers cried tears of joy and seemed to have an overall good time.  We gave them massages and sang lots of Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.   It was a beautiful night.

Graduation
Friday was graduation.  Temple Sadhana in the morning was wonderful and the actual graduation was beautiful.  There continued to be tears and feelings of great joy. I kept thinking about all of you who supported me on this journey. I could not have done it without your spiritual and monetary support.  I am so blessed and I realize that even more now.

As we prepared to leave on Friday afternoon I said my farewells to the people who had been my family all month. Sixty-two people who I thought I would never really get to know, but by the end I knew them all.  It's still hard to believe.  I have a brand new community and new friends all over the world.  From Germany to Panama and Cali to Wisconsin and back to Massachusetts.  I have a brand new sangha and I am truly thankful.

Going Home
My classmate Odetta came back to my parents house with me.  We spent one more day together because she wasn't flying back to the UK until Sunday.  So she stayed with me and my family for one day. She actually ended up meeting my whole family in that day, grandparents too. Then on Saturday night I drove her to the airport and dropped off my soul sister. It was so crazy to say farewell to her. I thought all of my tears were done, but when we looked at each other the tears came back to my eyes and my heart felt like it was breaking.  She was my final physical connection to the last month.  As I pulled away, she blew kisses.  My mom laughed and I cried. I know my mother probably thought I was little crazy, but oh well.  That's just the way I felt. I'm glad I will be seeing Odetta again when I head to Europe this winter.  :-)

I'm now at my parents house in MA and I'll head back to Brooklyn on Monday. It's back to rehearsal and shows and life as I knew it, but it will be different for sure.  It's back to finding a place to hold my classes and reconnecting with people that I left behind for a month. I'm ready to go back to New York and for some reason I feel like going swimming.  It's strange, but I must make that happen.  For all the yoga I did last month I don't think I lost a bit of weight because the food was so good! But I am stronger. I'm physically and spiritually stronger.  I gained so much through this experience. I wish I really had time to break it all down here, but you will see it. It will show.

The title of the blog is E.S.R.I.T., which stands for Enter, Sustain, Release, Integrate, Transition. This acronym is talking about getting in and out of postures, but to me it's a metaphor for my life right now.  I Entered into yoga school, I Sustained and held on through the process, I was Released on the day that I graduated, it is now time to Integrate what I have learned into my life and Transition into a new journey.  A life where I am doing exactly what I want to do every day of the week and living from what I love.

I am saying Yes to life and a big Hell Yeah to yoga!  I'm excited about the possibilities that lye ahead. I can't wait to continue to share my yoga adventures with you.  I love you all so much!  You rock!

Jai Bhagwan!

Yoga Passbook 2011 - YogaWorks: Soho/The Snob in Me

Monday September 12th

YogaWorks Soho, 459 Broadway, New York, NY 10013

The original plan for this day was to get up and go to a class at 9:15am in Brooklyn. Well, I got up and was going to get ready to go, when I really started to think about my schedule for the day. I needed to finish some work and then head into the East Village to do a bit more. Then I wanted to go to meditation, which on 27th and 6th Avenue later that night so something had to give or in my case nothing had to give, I just had to change some of the order of my day.

So I found a yoga class that started at 1pm and chose to stay home and do my work until it was time to heard the City. The class I found was at YogaWorks in Soho. YogaWorks actually has 4 locations in New York City and one in Westchester. I have been to the location on 5th Ave and 19th street so I decided to give Soho a try.

The studio on 5th Avenue has one room, but in Soho there are three studios. The place is beautifully designed and has all the bells and whistles. A clothing and yoga accessories boutique, Organic Tea Bar, showers with towel service, sauna and digital locks on the lockers for starters. I know there were probably a few things that I missed as I didn’t take a tour of the entire facility. Sounds great right?! For many people they would be joining right away, but I have to admit that I was a little leery when I walked in. I know it sounds crazy and it is a little bit.

I have this thing about large yoga studios that I need to get over. Sometimes I feel like the more amenities, the less serious the practice or wait maybe it’s the opposite. The more amenities, the more seriously people take themselves in their practice, which can sometimes translate to a competitive vibe. Yes I know this is a total stereotype. I know that this is totally a story that I’m making up. I know, I know! I have to work on it. If you recall that’s how I felt when I walked into Pure Yoga [Click Here for Pure Yoga Blog], which is the mega-mall of yoga studios in NYC, but I had a great class. Maybe because all 50 mats that were set up weren’t used. LOL! I think my old Jivamukti experience has got me shook people. LOL! Anyway back to YogaWorks.

A very excited young lady named Christen showed me around a bit and and told me to come check her out if I was interested in joining the studio. I went into the locker room, locked up my things and headed to Studio 1.

When I walked in the studio all I could think about was the fact that it was big. I found a spot toward the front of the room so I can see the teacher (I practice without my glasses on), got my blanket, blocks, sat and prepared myself for class. The class was filling up and soon the teacher arrived. Everyone was situated when she told us to all bring our mats to the wall. We ended up spending the whole class was there, which was cool. The teachers name was Libby and she was also a hands-on teacher. She would walk around the room and adjust people in their postures. She did a really great job considering how many people were in the class.

It was during this class that my shoulder really started to hurt. When I was in Triangle pose or anything where I would have to put pressure on my left arm or even just to have the left arm in the air it was killing me. I could barely lower my body to the ground and I wasn’t even trying Chaturanga. Well I tried it once and it felt like my arm would come out of the socket. So I was kind to myself and did what I could do. It kind of reminded me of my 30 days of yoga last year. By day 5 my shoulder and the rest of my body were angry with me. That’s how the shoulder was feeling, angry. It was even hard to get up into bridge pose. I’m not even talking full wheel. Well you get my point. I was hurting. So I took my time. We did a lot of work in that class with blocks and straps so that was really helpful.

Somewhere in the midst of my shoulder pain and just the sheer focus that I had to have to make sure I wasn’t hurting myself, I totally forgot about all the other mess I was thinking about the studio in general. Another impressive thing about YogaWorks Soho is that they have a light up sign outside of the studio door that say “Shhhh… Savasana” to remind people walking by the studio to be quiet while people are in Savasana. Crazy!

Once I got over myself I realized that I would really like to go back, but I might use my last pass to go to the Eastside or Westside studios just to mix it up a bit. As I headed out and on to my next destination for the day I knew it was going to be a soaking in the tub night. My body was killing me. I know it’s that good pain, but damn if my legs didn’t feel like lead.

I told you. LOL!

Namaste.

Yoga Passbook 2011 - Day 6 (Yoga Vida NYC/The Secret is Out!)

Yoga Vida NYC, 99 University Place, NY, NY, www.yogavidanyc.com

Yesterday I was determined to go to yoga. Mercury is retrograde so everything was slower than usual and than I had a few internet snags to contend with, but I made it! I was going to go in Brooklyn, but due to the snags in my day I didn't make it to the bank in Brooklyn because it closes at 4pm. So I headed to the City where the banks close at 5pm and decided to take my class there.

I went to my bank branch in the Village and then walked over and up to Union Square, and to Yoga Vida NYC.  Like many of the places in my passbook I had never been there.  The studio is on University Place on the 6th floor of a building. When I got there the building felt familiar, but it wasn't until I was leaving that I realized why.  Core Pilates is also housed in this building and I had been to Core a few times before.

As usual, at least for the past two classes I was really early.  I walked in, took off my shoes and noticed that the release forms were out. So I signed and walked around a bit only to find that there was a huge class in session in the bigger of the two rooms in the studio.  That class was packed! It kind of reminded me of Jivamukti, which is also in Union Square.

Yoga Vida felt really great. When you walk off the elevator you are right in front of where everyone drops their shoes and coats. The men's room is to the left and the front desk is to the right.  Right in front of the desk is the small class room. This is where I had class, but if you go around the corner there is the larger classroom and clearly they needed that because again it was packed! If you keep walking straight there is a cute lounge and the the ladies rooms is to your right and the changing rooms are to the right of the couches.

Front Desk. Small class through the door.

Since I was early I was going to sit in lounge and wait  for someone to officially check me in, but just then someone walked in who could help me.  Turned out it was the teacher.  Great! So she checked me in, told me we would be in the small room in front of us and I could go in and set up.  I walked in and wasn't too clear about which was the front of the room was. Usually there is an alter of some sort, but there wasn't. So I asked and she told me which was to face and I set up my station.  There was one other woman there setting up her things as well.

Lounge area. Comfy couches.

As I sat waiting for class to start a myriad of things were going through my mind.  The music that was playing was great and I was wondering who it was.  As people were trickling in I was lamenting the fact that I was the only person of color yet again in class. But just as I was saying that to myself this ultra bubbly sista walks in the door. She looks right at me and says hello! She then starts talking to me about how she has to set up a station for her friend who is coming and her friend likes to sit in the front of class and she doesn't because she doesn't think she's any good at yoga, but she keeps coming back because her friend keeps inviting her...and on she goes.  I think I was in shock that she was talking to me and she was black. HA! Just so happened her friend was Latina so I had to eat my silent words.  I am very clear that my yoga practice is not about who is in class with you, but I really do love to see people of color in my yoga class. It just makes me feel good because so many of us are not taking care of ourselves. But that's a whole other blog.

The small class was pretty full, but soon we were off and moving.  The teacher's name was Jessie. She was really pleasant from the jump.  She introduced herself. Check! She asked if people had injuries she should know about.  Check! She told people to take care of themselves. Check! Okay let's do this!

When Jessie began her class there was no Om three times or even once and strangely enough it didn't matter. Her energy was so vibrant I think we really didn't need it. Very strange for me to say that, but it's true.  The class was a basics class and although I have been practicing yoga for a long time I really like basics classes because it keeps you tuned up. Especially if you haven't been practicing regularly like me. Jessie made it clear that she would come around and adjust people if needed and I really love that because I believe in the power of touch.

As class began we moved through cat/cow and a few other postures to get warmed up before we hit our first down dog. Jessie was very attentive to everyone in the class. She would slow things down and demonstrate something if she thought it would help people. I really appreciated that. When you practice yoga for a long time, you might get the feeling that you have it all correct, but then someone will break something down for you and then suddenly it really clicks. That is what happened for me a few times in class. First was with knees, chest, chin and keeping my arms in an outward rotation. Now I have been taught this for sure and probably have been doing it, but doing it and being mindful of doing it are two very different things. Same for coming into a flat back after moving through Uttanasana (forward bend). It was like a lightbulb went off and I have been doing these moves for years! I love it when that happens. 

The rest of the class was really awesome as well. Good music and great teaching.  I love that combo.  I could hear the young lady in the back who had talked to me earlier, talking to herself about her practice. She was saying out loud, to her herself how terrible she was at all of this.  I wanted to stop and tell her that this is not about being good or bad. Yoga is not a competition. Not even with yourself. It's a practice and if you keep going you will get better and feel better.  No time to beat yourself up. But I know she'll be okay. She has a friend and she keeps coming back.  That's really the best sign of them all.  Even if you are grumbling through the whole class, keep going back.

So I know you are wondering what the secret is.  I had posted an earlier blog about Area Yoga being the best keep secret because their classes are only $10. Well I found another one! Yes folk, drop in classes at Yoga Vida are $10 and for new guest right now they are offering at week of unlimited yoga for $10. Also if you are a student then classes are....drumroll please...$5!  Yes I said $5!  I wish I had a student ID.  HA! Another thing that is not listed on their website is that they offer Karma Yoga, which is basically work-study.  So you can help out around the space and you can get free yoga in exchange.  I didn't get all the details about that, but it was nice to see that option. I know many studios offer this kind of thing.  Now I understand why that big studio was packed when I walked in. 

So yes Manhattan folks. There is $10 yoga in Union Square. I think Yoga To the People is also very inexpensive, but I'm also shocked to find a cheap, good class in this city where some studios will try and run you over $20 and I'm not talking Bikram. 

When class ended I had to go over to the iPod and see what Jessie had been playing when we came in because she was playing it on our way out. It was the first Fleet Foxes and clearly I'm late because it was their first album from 2008. But I have to get that joint. It appealed to my hippie sensibilities. LOL!

Jessie (awesome teacher) & grasshopper

I waited until some of the folks left and asked Jessie to take a photo. She was really sweet. Found out she's an actress and voiceover artist as well. Got a little advice on the V.O. front from her as well. That was sweet!  Then I headed out.  Another great day on the mat.

Namaste.

Note: Don't forget to check out my IndieGoGo campaign.  One of the incentives is Yoga Class with Me! Let's make music and be healthy together.

Yoga Passbook 2011 – Day 5 (World Yoga Center/Best of Upper West)

World Yoga Center 265 W. 72nd Street, NY, NY, www.worldyogacenter.com

I'm back! I know I have been away from the blog for a while, but it has been quite a whirlwind for me since my last post. I’ve been to Paris and London and back and it was amazing! If you haven't gotten a chance to read my travel blog please check it out at www.blakbushe.blogspot.com.  I was hoping to get some yoga in in London so that I could report back, but alas there was no time. But now I’m back in NY and back to class and ready to share once again.

I’ve actually been back from Europe for a while and I have been trying to find an opening in my schedule to get some yoga in. Ever since I touched down I’ve been running. If it wasn’t one thing it was another. Finally last Monday I finished up a bunch of things that were looming and decided to take myself to yoga on Tuesday. I had a plan for the day.

I was going to head to yoga and then head to Modell’s to get myself a swimsuit because I want to start swimming again to add so maybe I can do a triathlon again. Then I was going to head down to DSW to get a new pair of sneakers and then home. Seemed simple enough.

For my first foray back into yoga after a long break I decided to go to the World Yoga Center. It’s on the Upper West Side and there is a Modell’s right in the area. I had gone to Modell’s in downtown Brooklyn, but their swimsuit selection was slim pickings. Sometimes the same stores in City has more selection than the ones in Brooklyn. That's just the ugly truth of the matter and a whole other blog.

Class that day was at 12:30pm. I left the house in a timely fashion, but I still thought I was going to be late. I missed the train I thought I should have been on to get the upper west side in time so I was under the gun.  By the time I reached 72nd street I couldn't believe I was actually early.  It was a beautiful day in the City so I was glad I traveled so far just for class. It was the best excuse to get out of the house.

World Yoga Center is on 72nd b/w West End Ave. and Broadway.  It's right across the street from Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar.  As I walked down the street toward the studio I saw the big sign for the studio on the North side of the street.  When I got to the door, there was a sandwich board out front with studio information on it.

There is a buzzer next to the outside door to get into the studio.  The studio is up one flight of steps and directly around the corner.  When I walked in and there was a small foyer area and then the one big room that is the center.  For some reason I was expecting this big center because of the name World Yoga, but that's what I get for making assumptions.  Honestly I was really glad it wasn't super big. I really needed cozy today on my first day back in a while.

I was greeted at the desk by Jana who I soon found out was also teaching the class. They had a bowl full of money on the counter for Japan Relief, which I thought was great and the energy of the place was right on point.  As I said I thought I was going to be late, but I actually ended up being 15 minutes early. Jana showed me the bathroom/dressing room and I went back to put down my bag and get ready for class.

When I came out, Jana and I chatted for a while since we were the only people there.  She talked about the style of yoga we were going to practice that day, which was Anusara.  I know I had practiced it before, but I couldn't recall when.  But as long as it wasn't Ashtanga we were in business. LOL!  She told me about the benefit Kirtan for Japan they were having at the studio and I told her that I also play in a Kirtan at Laughing Lotus. I then revieled that I was musician to which she replied, "No wonder you are able to come to class at this time."  LOL. That made me chuckle because then I wondered what she was thinking of me when I walked in. I don't think it was anything bad, but I do often wonder how I come across when I enter new places with new people.  As we were in mid chat, another woman walked in and found a spot in the room.  It looked like it was going to be a class for two which was great!

According to Jana, Anusara yoga classes always start off with a chant. So we opened with a chant and that was really great.  Then we sat in meditation for a moment and then began the series for the day.  I have to tell you it was an amazing class.  I don't really know a whole lot about Anusara yoga to break it down for you so I did a little research.

According to anusara.com, "Anusara yoga is a school of hatha yoga, which unifies a life-affirming Shiva-Shakti Tantric philosophy of intrinsic goodness with Universal Principles of Alignment." Also "The vision of Anusara yoga is grounded in a Tantric philosophy of intrinsic goodness. In this philosophy we take the premise that everything in this world is an embodiment of Supreme Consciousness, which at its essence pulsates with goodness and the highest bliss. All of creation is divinely danced into existence for the simple delight and the play of embodying the Supreme’s own blissful nature." I can get down with that!  LOL!

Now that you have been briefed about the style I'll tell you about the class. First and foremost it was great! I know I said that, but it needs to be said again. Jana is a really attentive teacher and you can tell that she really loves yoga.  She wasn't just mailing it in.  The class was supposed to be a Basics class, but when Jana realized that me and the other women in class had a more advanced practice she kicked it up a notch. That was fine with me. Jana and the other woman in the class happened to have taken teacher training together so they knew each other well.  You could just feel her genuine excitement throughout class. I really appreciated that.

That afternoon class was only an hour and honestly I think that's all I could have done.  I needed to get back to it, but I needed to ease in slowly.  It was a great way for me to get back into my practice.

Me & Jana

Anusara Chant

Om

Namah Shivaya Gurave

Saccidananda Murtaye

Nisprapancaya Shantaya

Niralambaya Tejase

Translation:

I offer myself to the Light, who is the True Teacher

within and without (the teacher of all teachers),

Who assumes the forms of

Reality, Consciousness and Bliss,

Who is never absent and is full of peace,

Independent in its existence,

It is the vital essence of illumination.

World Yoga Classroom

Note: If you have read the information "About Me" on the side of the page then you know I'm also a musician. Currently I have the Can a Girl Catch a Break? IndieGoGo campaign going to raise funds for my next album.  One of the incentives for donating to the project is yoga with me! I would love to have some of my blog readers by my side while I'm making my album. So check out the IndieGoGo link below and be a part of making the album happen and let's downward dog together!

Namaste.

Yoga Passbook Day 2011 - Day 4 (Om Factory/The Boss)

Om Factory 265 W 37th St, New York, NY, www.omfactorynyc.com

If you read the little bio on the side of this blog then you know I'm a vocalist/musician as well as a yogini.  Tomorrow I am on my way to Paris for the first time with a band called the Burnt Sugar Arkestra Chamber. I'm so excited as I have never been to Paris before. 

On the day of the last Burnt Sugar rehearsal before Paris I decided to get a little yoga in. I looked through my Passbook and found Om Factory. The yoga studio is on W. 37th street, which put me really close to the rehearsal studio on W. 30th street. 

Om Factory has a nice vibe to it.  It has three very nice size studios and the changing room is cool as well. There are cubbies to leave your belongings on the right as you walk in, which is a also a sort of lounge area with benches and shoe storage.

The room we practiced in was orange and had a great symbol painted on the wall. I was one of the first people to class so I put my mat down and relaxed for bit. The teacher was in the room getting himself together and two other women were in the room with me as well.  The teacher came over and introduced himself (you know how I love that),  his name was Faramarz and he complimented my t-shirt I had on for class.  He informed us that he would be teaching that day in place of Kelly who had an emergency.  Well the ladies in the room didn't seem too pleased about that. They kept talking about Kelly's class and how challenging it is.  I mean they went on almost to say that it was going to be hard to fill her shoes.  Now I had never had class with Kelly so as far as I was concerned Faramarz was my teacher.

Soon the room began to fill up and class began.  Faramarz had us begin in a restorative pose to help open the shoulders. We started on the floor, but it only went up from there.  The class is called Vinyasa: Foundation Level, but it was challenging for sure. I kept chuckling to myself thinking that those ladies probably put the "I'll show you" into our teacher for the day and he was giving it to us.  LOL!  I know that probably wasn't the case, but it sure felt like it.

Usually any class that says "Foundation," "Basic" or "Level 1" won't take the students through certain things like chaturanga (at least not right away), but that was not the case here. We jumped right into it. There was no talk of kness, chest, chin.  Of course we could modify, but he didn't call it from the beginning.  So you know this class was off the hook.  Once during class I glanced over at the two ladies who were raving about Kelly. I think they were wishing for Kelly to come back...soon! 

All in all it was a great class! Faramarz is a great teacher. He had jokes and reminded us to smile though the poses. He would demonstrate harder positions and come by to help people. Maybe this was "Foundation" test day, but whatever, it was a great class.

When it was all over I had to talk to Faramarz and get a picture for the blog. After chatting for a bit I found out that he is the owner of Om Factory. Well no wonder that class was as challenging as it was.  HA!  I could only laugh.

Me & Faramarz

I pulled myself together after class and headed over the rehearsal.  Great way to get in the right mind for a 4 hour rehearsal.  All in the name of Paris!

I'm going to do my best to find some time to get a yoga class in while in Europe. I would love to get my downward dog on in the UK!

Namaste.