I hope this finds you all happy, healthy, and well.
This month is just past its midway and here I am, finally sending this off. My apologies for my tardiness. It’s been a very busy month. In addition to teaching yoga and writing about music, I’m now writing about yoga. Look for my reviews in the month’s issue of LA Yoga and an upcoming article in the October issue.
In class news – my Slow Flow classes have blossomed into a bi-monthly Intro to Yoga Workshop Series. Each Workshop includes a free practice yoga class, afterwards. Series begins in October. More info in my newsletter, below.
Thanks for supporting Yoga with Aria!
Blessings,
Aria
Weeds along the Freeway: Cultivating the Impossible
One of the strangest things I’ve noticed in a long time is the proliferation of tall weeds along the freeway divider. The 10 Fwy is chalk full of them. Check them out next time you’re driving. These things are amazing. They grow, right through the concrete, without any external help, like fertilizers or water.
Some reach as tall as four feet high. Doesn’t that just blow your mind,? The fact that a weak little stem of a growing baby plant can actually root down deep enough and push slowly enough that it breaks apart concrete?
This imagery is such a beautiful metaphor for any of our life dreams. Whether you hope to be the next Stanley Kubrick, the next Barbara Boxer,or the next Tiger Woods, manifesting huge life goals can oftentimes feel out of reach.
When I start to feel this way, I know that I have to detach myself from the busyness of my mental chatter. Invariably, in the midst of one of these moments, I’ll notice something as random as weeds growing out of the freeway divider. And realize that I’m seeing the world as it truly is – everything, in a constant state of growth and change.
Miracles grow all around us, one tiny millimeter at a time.
Detachment Breath
Warning: The breath retention practiced here is not appropriate for pregnant women or those with high blood pressure.
Sit comfortably. Adjust your shoulders right over your hips. Firm your low belly, drawing it in and slightly upwards. Lengthen your tailbone down.
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath into both lungs. Hold that breath until you feel a shift in mental state and then let it go.
A shift in mental state is any inner emotional or mental change. It can manifest as a sudden panic (“I can’t breathe!”) or severe detachment (“This is boring.”). What you feel isn’t as important as long as you feel something. As soon as you feel your emotions shift, exhale completely, releasing your breath.
Now, plugging your left nostril, breathe in through the right nostril only. Take a deep breath and try to focus the breath just into your right lung. Hold that breath until you feel a shift in mental state, and let it go.
Repeat, for the left lung: Plugging your right nostril, breathe in through the left nostril. Take a deep breath into your left lung. Hold that breath until your mental state shifts, and let it go.
Repeat the cycle as many times as you like.
Finish by taking a long, slow, deep inhale. Mentally count up to ten as you inhale. Without retaining the breath, as soon as you finish your inhale, began to exhale s-l-o-w-l-y, exhaling all the way to ten.
Enjoy detaching.
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Yoga NEWS
Donation Yoga Wed (Pico/Fairfax): Mixed levels yoga going on strong at the Wilenskys, every Wed. from 8:00pm - 9:30pm.
Intro to Yoga Workshop Series: Includes Free Yoga Class, Afterwards.
Beginning in October, Yoga with Aria presents a bi-monthly series of 1 hour workshops tailored to break down the most commonly encountered yoga poses: Down Dog, Plank, Chaturunga, Cobra/Updog, Warrior One, Warrior Two, and variations on these poses.
This is an appropriate class for all levels of yoga – those of you who’ve been practicing yoga for a long time, but may never have received alignment instruction; and those of you new to yoga, who would like some foundational training. It’s also a great class for anyone nursing an injury. In fact, think of it like a small-group private.
The workshops are limited to a maximum of 10 people. Each workshop includes a free 1.5 hour Mixed Level Flow class afterwards, so you can practice what you’ve just learned.
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Cool Happenings Around Town
WIRED NEXT FEST at the CONVENTION CENTER – currently running through Sunday, September 16, 2007.
Wired’s Next Fest is the place to be for anyone who loves technology, life, and mind-boggling innovations.
http://www.wirednextfest.com/
ELEVATE FILM FESTIVAL - Saturday September 15, 2007
Filmmakers are given a challenge: make a film with a socially redeeming message in less than 48 hours. Conscious filmmaking at its best. Come out and support!
http://www.elevatefilmfestival.com/
GLOBAL MALA PROJECT with DJ CHEB I SABBAH – Saturday, September 22, 2007.
The Global Mala project encompasses elements of life I consider crucial to our well-being: a respect for the future, global sustainability, the unification of consciousness in action, yoga and dance. Its intention is to unite 108,000 people all over the world on a singular day of meditation for world peace and positive change. The L.A. Festival, at the solar powered Convention Center, is scheduled to run 14 hours. Whatever you're into, you'll find it here. There's something for everyone: workshops, speakers, kundalini yoga, vinyasa flow, kirtan, chanting, and a yoga trance dance at night with DJ Cheb i Sabbah and live drummers. Please visit: www.globalmala.com for more information.
UPTOWN UNDERGROUND, A KCRW MUSIC FESTIVAL – Saturday, September 22, 2007.
After you rock your groove at the Global Mala Project, come check out DJ Jason Bentley at the Music Center. Free (!)
http://www.kcrw.com/events/uptown-underground
BRIGHT EYES W/LA PHILHARMONIC AT THE BOWL – Saturday September 29, 2007
Grab your picnic basket and a bottle of wine, this one’s going to be amazing.
http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/tix/performance_detail.cfm?id=3482
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ONGOING PUBLIC CLASSES:
Mondays 7:15pm - 8:45pm Level 2/3 Vinyasa Flow at Silverlake Yoga
Wednesdays: 8:00pm - 9:30pm Donation Yoga at the Wilenskys. Pico/Fairfax area.
Thursdays 3:45pm - 5:15pm Core Yoga at Silverlake Yoga
Saturdays 5:00pm - 6:30pm All-level Vinyasa Flow at Bodies in Motion, West L.A.
For an updated daily schedule of where I am teaching and subbing every week: yogawitharia.com/schedule.htm
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Thank you!
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