In my yoga classes this Winter, we have been practicing poses to restore our Kidney Energy. The Kidneys govern the Winter Water Element and when water is out of balance, it can become stagnant. This leads energetically to feelings of depression. Interestingly, the poses we practice for the kidneys are backbends, which also lift and open the heart. This lifting of the heart, energetically, has the same effect. It places the Heart in its true energetic seat, as the Emperor. The Emperor rules what is in the best and highest good for the Kingdom as a whole. When we act from what is our truest and highest good, we are benefiting ourselves, our families, our communities and our entire world. Imagine that!
So where do we begin? We begin with ourselves. We begin by taking what we need to feel whole. This comes when we are truly present with our needs. When we are hungry, we eat. When we are tired, we sleep. When we are stuck we go for a walk or practice yoga. This physical movement will help to move us energetically as well. It comes when we start our day with prayer and meditation and end our day giving thanks for everything that is good and meaningful in our lives.
And when we get stuck inside our own heads, we can begin to think bigger. Think about someone else. Think about how you can be of service to someone else. In this newsletter, we highlight a non-profit organization that is dedicated to bringing mindfulness practices to those suffering from great physical, emotional and psychological difficulty. Support Street Yoga by watching the video, attending a training, or spreading the word by sharing the link. There are endless ways to help others and take the focus off of ourselves.
Bobby Clennell has made her life's work about sharing over 35 years of research into yoga for all cycles of women's lives. She is going to share some of that knowledge in the Southeast next month! If you are a woman or teach yoga to women, you will surely benefit from her teachings.
And finally, We would like to share a link to FREE MUSIC from our studio. JJ von Briesen's album was not directed towards the yoga community, but the message in "Too Far Gone" is to "Be Happy Now!" and may inspire you to open your heart and give love more fully Now!
FREE Music From our Studio, Monkeyclaus! (And Pictures from our Bathtub!) As some of you may recall, iHanuman developed out of a relationship of our Founders' involvement in music recording and production, web development, and yoga. Monkeyclaus, Our Full Fidelity Recording and Production Studio, helps generate our stellar sound quality. And we are creating more music for your yoga practice in the studio. During production of our friend, JJ Von Briesen's album, over the last couple of years, one of her songs seemed appropriate to share with the yoga community. It is about the times when we are going through difficulty and have trouble seeing the beauty that is all around us in each moment. Sometimes it is difficult to see the silver lining when we are in the middle of crisis, but JJ's song "Too Far Gone" helps remind us to "Be Happy Now!" We hope you will visit Monkeyclaus and Listen Now!
Senior Iyengar Yoga Teacher, Bobby Clennell, in Virginia, March 9 - 11! You DO NOT want to miss this special workshop at the newly re-opened Allied Yoga! Bobby has studied Iyengar Yoga for over 35 years. She is a core faculty member of the Iyengar Yoga Institute of New York. And she has written and illustrated a FANTASTIC Book called "The Woman's Yoga Book". We had the opportunity to record Bobby in 2010. View some of the clips from that workshop Here. This workshop is going to FILL FAST! Sign up NOW for Early Bird Pricing! Hope to see you there!
Give Back and Join the Street Yoga Training: March 3 - 4 in Richmond, VA! Street Yoga is a non-profit organization that teaches yoga, mindful breathing, and compassionate communication to youth, families and their caregivers struggling with homelessness, poverty, abuse, addiction, trauma and behavioral challenges. Our summer video goddess, Saraswati, created a video to help spread the word about Street Yoga and organized a Street Yoga Teacher Training THIS March! in Richmond, Virginia. If you cannot make it to the Virginia Training, Visit the Street Yoga Website to learn about other trainings in your area.
Did You Know that Proceeds from Every Purchase in Our Download Store Goes to Charitable Organizations? Learn More and Give Back Now!
We hope you enjoy.
With Love,
Sara Miles Pope Agelasto