Honoring sacred cycles brings us closer to the Source of all cycles.
New Moon Practices: Hot Yinyasa
Studio heated to 90 degrees to encourage maximum detox. Our practice is slower paced for greater mental challenge with emphasis on strengthening the upper body and core combined with long, yin holds in floor poses to create space and expansion.
Dates: Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 5:30 pm
Thursday, March 26, at 5:30 pm
Friday, April 24, at 5 pm
Full Moon Practices: Warm Yang and Yin with Tantric Yoga Nidra
Studio heated to a cozy 80 to 85 degrees. The Moon, who is Yin, is at her most Yang on Full Moon as she reflects the most light at this time from the Sun, who is Yang. We begin with flowing Vinyasa to gently balance the Yang energy and then move into slower paced, Yin floor work. We close with the Tantric practice of Yoga Nidra, a profoundly revitalizing conscious relaxation using powerful healing points of energy on the body, the Marma Points.
Dates: Tuesday, March 10, at 5:30 pm
Thursday, April 9, at 5:30 pm
Yang: Ha-Sun, Male, Warming, Activating, Positive Charge, Logical Brain, Active, Contracting, Sympathetic Nervous System
(asana practices generally more active and physically challenging)
Yin: Tha-Moon, Feminine, Cooling, Receptive, Negative Charge, Intuitive Brain, Relaxation, Expansive, Parasympathetic Nervous System
(asana practice generally more slower paced, relaxing and mentally challenging)
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Bliss Yoga Events
New! Pranic Alchemy Chakra Workshop: Saturday, May 9, from 1-4 pm, (new date). This experiential workshop explores the spiritual anatomy through asana, pranayama, meditation and contemplative journaling. We will learn and practice a chakra balancing meditation using gem stones and each participant will take home a set of healing gem stones.
Tuition: $60
New! 25 Hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training: Monday thru Friday, June 22-26, 9 am to 3 pm each day. This 5 day preliminary or supplemental tt draws on Shri Devi’s 10 years of teaching experience and explores the Bliss Yoga methodology- what we do and why we do it. We will study: 7 Multilevel Asana Sequences that Shri loves, 5 Tantric Kriya Meditations, an Introduction to Tantra- science, practice and philosophy, Bija Mantra Meditation, Vedic Shanti Mantra Chanting (Peace Chants), Exploration of our Lineage, the principles of Energetic Aligmnment, the Principles of Vinyasa, a Daily Pranayama Practice and the Bliss Yoga Shala Mission Statement.
Tuition: $600
New! Restoration and Cellular Repair Yoga Workshop: Saturday, July 25, 1 pm to 4 pm. This Workshop focuses on stress management, physical and emotional healing and soothing and harmonizing the nervous system. When we experience illness, injury, emotional turmoil or stressful periods of life, our Yoga practice should be supportive and nurturing. Open to Yoga practitioners of all levels and teachers, we will learn and practice a series of restorative poses, healing breathing techniques, conscious relaxation and peaceful meditation.
Tuition: $95, includes a beautiful, luxurious body bolster that each participant will take home with them.
Bliss Yoga 200 Hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training: September, 2009 thru May, 2010, 2 Saturdays per months for 9 months. While no previous experience is necessary, be prepared to begin a regular practice of Yoga from the first day of your training, progressing to a 5 day a week practice of asana and a 7 day a week practice of meditation by the end of the 9 months. You will be expected to attend at least one class per week at the studio during your training to practice teaching, assisting and to observe. (We will work with out of towners.)
Curriculum Includes:
Study and Practice of Asana, Pranayama and Meditation
Principles of Vinyasa Flow, Energetic Alignment, Physically Assisting and Modifications for all levels
Instruction on Intelligent, Multilevel and Multidimensional Sequencing
Practice Teaching in and out of the Studio
Waking up your Voice- Effective Verbalization
The History of Yoga- particularly our Lineage
The Philosophy of Yoga- the Yoga Sutras and an Introduction to Tantra
Anatomy and Physiology of the Physical body as it relates to asana as well as the energy body- the Chakra System
The Sheaths- the Map of a Being
How Yoga Works- The Map of the Mind
Working with the Sanskrit Language
Rasa Vinyasa- The Energetics of a class
Kundalini Rising
The Art of the Puja
The Guru/Disciple Relationship
The Business of Yoga
Kriyas, Mantras, Mudras, Bandhas, Ritual, Chanting and Much More!
Open to any student wanting a deeper understanding of the science of Yoga
Hours exceed Yoga Alliance RYT standards
Taught by instructors with a combined 40 years of Yoga practice and teaching!
2009 Dates: Sept. 5 and 12, Oct. 10 and 24, Nov. 7 and 14, Dec. 5 and 12 (8 am to 5 pm each day)
2010 Dates: Jan. 16 and 30, Feb. 13 and 27, March 13 and 27, April 10 and 24, May 8 and 22 (8 am to 5 pm each day)
Tuition: $2,000.00 includes unlimited Bliss membership for the duration of your training (does not include required books/ absolutely no refunds) Early bird registration: Pay in full by July 15 and pay only $1,800.00 !
Books Required for Training:
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (any translation)
Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar
Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff
Mula Bandha, the Master Key by Swami Buddhananda
Ashtanga Yoga, the Practice Manual by David Swenson
The Language of Yoga by Nicolai Bachman (audio cd set and book available from Sounds True at 800-333-9185 or www.soundstrue.com
Tuition: $60
New! 25 Hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training: Monday thru Friday, June 22-26, 9 am to 3 pm each day. This 5 day preliminary or supplemental tt draws on Shri Devi’s 10 years of teaching experience and explores the Bliss Yoga methodology- what we do and why we do it. We will study: 7 Multilevel Asana Sequences that Shri loves, 5 Tantric Kriya Meditations, an Introduction to Tantra- science, practice and philosophy, Bija Mantra Meditation, Vedic Shanti Mantra Chanting (Peace Chants), Exploration of our Lineage, the principles of Energetic Aligmnment, the Principles of Vinyasa, a Daily Pranayama Practice and the Bliss Yoga Shala Mission Statement.
Tuition: $600
New! Restoration and Cellular Repair Yoga Workshop: Saturday, July 25, 1 pm to 4 pm. This Workshop focuses on stress management, physical and emotional healing and soothing and harmonizing the nervous system. When we experience illness, injury, emotional turmoil or stressful periods of life, our Yoga practice should be supportive and nurturing. Open to Yoga practitioners of all levels and teachers, we will learn and practice a series of restorative poses, healing breathing techniques, conscious relaxation and peaceful meditation.
Tuition: $95, includes a beautiful, luxurious body bolster that each participant will take home with them.
Bliss Yoga 200 Hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training: September, 2009 thru May, 2010, 2 Saturdays per months for 9 months. While no previous experience is necessary, be prepared to begin a regular practice of Yoga from the first day of your training, progressing to a 5 day a week practice of asana and a 7 day a week practice of meditation by the end of the 9 months. You will be expected to attend at least one class per week at the studio during your training to practice teaching, assisting and to observe. (We will work with out of towners.)
Curriculum Includes:
Study and Practice of Asana, Pranayama and Meditation
Principles of Vinyasa Flow, Energetic Alignment, Physically Assisting and Modifications for all levels
Instruction on Intelligent, Multilevel and Multidimensional Sequencing
Practice Teaching in and out of the Studio
Waking up your Voice- Effective Verbalization
The History of Yoga- particularly our Lineage
The Philosophy of Yoga- the Yoga Sutras and an Introduction to Tantra
Anatomy and Physiology of the Physical body as it relates to asana as well as the energy body- the Chakra System
The Sheaths- the Map of a Being
How Yoga Works- The Map of the Mind
Working with the Sanskrit Language
Rasa Vinyasa- The Energetics of a class
Kundalini Rising
The Art of the Puja
The Guru/Disciple Relationship
The Business of Yoga
Kriyas, Mantras, Mudras, Bandhas, Ritual, Chanting and Much More!
Open to any student wanting a deeper understanding of the science of Yoga
Hours exceed Yoga Alliance RYT standards
Taught by instructors with a combined 40 years of Yoga practice and teaching!
2009 Dates: Sept. 5 and 12, Oct. 10 and 24, Nov. 7 and 14, Dec. 5 and 12 (8 am to 5 pm each day)
2010 Dates: Jan. 16 and 30, Feb. 13 and 27, March 13 and 27, April 10 and 24, May 8 and 22 (8 am to 5 pm each day)
Tuition: $2,000.00 includes unlimited Bliss membership for the duration of your training (does not include required books/ absolutely no refunds) Early bird registration: Pay in full by July 15 and pay only $1,800.00 !
Books Required for Training:
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (any translation)
Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar
Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff
Mula Bandha, the Master Key by Swami Buddhananda
Ashtanga Yoga, the Practice Manual by David Swenson
The Language of Yoga by Nicolai Bachman (audio cd set and book available from Sounds True at 800-333-9185 or www.soundstrue.com
Friday, February 13, 2009
7 Days of the Metta
Because I love ritual and creating traditions, last year in the shala we started a tradition of a sustained practice of the Metta, beginning on Valentine's Day. The Metta is the Buddhist Loving Kindness Meditation and cultivates compassion and altruistic concern for all sentient beings.
It is traditional to state the blessings that come from the practice before beginning the technique.
According to the Dharmapada:
Your dreams become sweet, you fall asleep more easily and awaken contented, angels and devas will protect you, men and women will love you, your health will improve, your children will be happier, your thoughts will become pleasant, animals will not harm you, people will welcome you everywhere, if you lose things you will find them, your world will become more peaceful, even if you fall off a cliff, the trees will catch you.
The Metta opens the doors and windows to the heart and transforms us. It is the antidote to fear. The practice may be accomplished in countless ways. We will use this simple version. First we visualize ourselves in a protective bubble, surrounded by radiant light filled with all of the qualities we attribute to Divinity- Love, Forgiveness, Compassion, Wisdom, Generosity, Abundance and Healing Energy. Into this circle of light, we call in 5 beings and offer each this simple prayer- May You be Free from Suffering.
First Being: Ourselves- this can be quite hard for many, but learning to love ourselves is so beneficial.
Second Being: Someone we love- family, friends, lovers, even animals or Nature beings. The point is experience a tangible sensation of love for this being- most people feel it in the heart region- so pick the being that gives you the strongest sensation of love.
Third Being: Someone we do not like, either someone we have had conflict with or are currently having conflict with, maybe even a politician you are angry with.
Fourth Being: A stranger. Maybe someone from the studio that you often see across the room, but never speak to.
Fifth Being: We will use Mother Earth here and all of her beings- humans, stone people, plant people and animal people. Visualize the Earth as vibrant and pristine- clean and healthy with crystal clear waters and mountains abundant with majestic trees.The time spent offering blessings to each being is up to you. Our practice may be for a few short minutes or a full 5 minutes for each being.
It is traditional to state the blessings that come from the practice before beginning the technique.
According to the Dharmapada:
Your dreams become sweet, you fall asleep more easily and awaken contented, angels and devas will protect you, men and women will love you, your health will improve, your children will be happier, your thoughts will become pleasant, animals will not harm you, people will welcome you everywhere, if you lose things you will find them, your world will become more peaceful, even if you fall off a cliff, the trees will catch you.
The Metta opens the doors and windows to the heart and transforms us. It is the antidote to fear. The practice may be accomplished in countless ways. We will use this simple version. First we visualize ourselves in a protective bubble, surrounded by radiant light filled with all of the qualities we attribute to Divinity- Love, Forgiveness, Compassion, Wisdom, Generosity, Abundance and Healing Energy. Into this circle of light, we call in 5 beings and offer each this simple prayer- May You be Free from Suffering.
First Being: Ourselves- this can be quite hard for many, but learning to love ourselves is so beneficial.
Second Being: Someone we love- family, friends, lovers, even animals or Nature beings. The point is experience a tangible sensation of love for this being- most people feel it in the heart region- so pick the being that gives you the strongest sensation of love.
Third Being: Someone we do not like, either someone we have had conflict with or are currently having conflict with, maybe even a politician you are angry with.
Fourth Being: A stranger. Maybe someone from the studio that you often see across the room, but never speak to.
Fifth Being: We will use Mother Earth here and all of her beings- humans, stone people, plant people and animal people. Visualize the Earth as vibrant and pristine- clean and healthy with crystal clear waters and mountains abundant with majestic trees.The time spent offering blessings to each being is up to you. Our practice may be for a few short minutes or a full 5 minutes for each being.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Troll Practice- the Dark Man of Sin
The troll comes to me courtesy of Anna, Sharon Timpke's daughter. She gave specific instructions that we need to take good care of the troll so here is the troll enjoying our amazing, but crazy, winter weather. His skin is naturally dark so no need for sunscreen and his lack of genitalia discount the need for any cover up.
We began a new Tantric practice in the studio a week ago. It is the Dark Man of Sin Practice, affectionately nicknamed the Troll Practice. I am following the example of many great Yoga teachers who never completely put a practice out in written form. There is always something vital missing from the written instruction so that a teacher is needed to learn the actual practice.
Our work with the Dark Man of Sin is to expose that which is beneath the surface of the conscious mind to the level of conscious thought. We choose a negative habit or non positive aspect or quality of our personality that we wish to eliminate. Briefly, think about the pain this habit or quality has caused you and the problems it has created in your life. Whatever we are aware of on the conscious level of thought is merely the tip of the iceberg- know that the root of the problem lies deep in the subconscious.
Transform the habit or quality into an entity or dark man of sin or troll or gremlin, whatever you want to call it and let the troll embody the habit or aspect- if the habit is smoking then the troll is smoking, if the habit is gossiping then maybe see dark smoke coming from his mouth, if the quality is fear, then see the troll as very frightened, etc. In the mind's eye, place an image of the troll in the left side of your abdomen- a part of the body used for elimination.
In the practice, the troll will be systematically exposed to the elements, the tattvas, in order to destroy it.
Two main aspects of practice in Tantra are mantra and kriya. This practice is a kriya, a technique for purification. We will work with this very effective practice for 40 days. Please keep the same habit or quality for the duration of the practice, although it may change a bit as we progress- what in the beginning might be scarcity mentality might turn our to be fear or lack of faith. It is best to keep what you have chosen to release private- this is sacred work between you and the Divine. If you have a home meditation practice, the kriya meditations work best as a preliminary or supplemental meditation.
The journey to the self is not a group experience. It's solitary work.
Bery Bender Birch
Friday, January 9, 2009
Scheduling Updates for Special Events
Schedule Updates for special events:
Because Wah! is chanting for us during savasana in Shri’s 5:30 pm class on Tuesday, January 13, Sherri’s 7:15 pm class that night is cancelled.
All morning classes cancelled the week of January 26 thru January 30 (both 8:30’s, both 9 am’s and both 12 noon classes) for the Manju Jois teacher training. On Saturday, Jan. 31, we will have an 8 am class ONLY and on Sunday, Feb. 1, we will have the 5 pm class ONLY. Regular schedule resumes on Monday, Feb. 2. Thank you for your patience during these schedule changes- we try to avoid them, but we also want to be able to offer amazing workshops.
Because Wah! is chanting for us during savasana in Shri’s 5:30 pm class on Tuesday, January 13, Sherri’s 7:15 pm class that night is cancelled.
All morning classes cancelled the week of January 26 thru January 30 (both 8:30’s, both 9 am’s and both 12 noon classes) for the Manju Jois teacher training. On Saturday, Jan. 31, we will have an 8 am class ONLY and on Sunday, Feb. 1, we will have the 5 pm class ONLY. Regular schedule resumes on Monday, Feb. 2. Thank you for your patience during these schedule changes- we try to avoid them, but we also want to be able to offer amazing workshops.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Bliss Yoga News and Events
Happy New Year! It is the year of the Ox in Chinese astrology and the ox is the symbol of material abundance and wealth. It is a great year to concentrate on building material wealth. (Very interesting, considering the world economy.) In Yoga, there is no shame in the pursuit of material wealth. Financial security is helpful in providing the foundation necessary to pursue spiritual wealth and growth......hard to meditate when the rent is due.
Shala News and Events:
There are still spaces available for the Manju Jois Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training and Weekend Workshop, Jan. 26- Feb. 1.
Sit Down Accoustic Chant with international recording star Wah! is sold out for Wednesday, January 14, BUT
Wah! will be chanting in savasana at our Full Moon Hot Vinyasa Practice on Tuesday, January 13, at 5:30 pm.
New Moon Yang and Yin practice is Monday, January 26, at 6 pm. We warm up the body first with fluid Vinyasa and then move into stillness with long holds in restorative floor poses. These classes close with longer practices of pranayama and meditation. Studio heated to a cozy 85 degrees.
New 6 am Warriors Flow practices every Tuesday and Thursday with Shri Devi beginning February 10!
Pranic Alchemy Chakra Workshop Saturday, May 23, 1-4 pm with Shri Devi. Explore the spiritual anatomy through lecture, asana practice, pranayama, meditation, chanting and contemplative journaling. This workshop includes instruction and practice of a chakra balancing meditation using healing stones and each participant will take home a set of stones for this purpose. Tuition: $60
200 Hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training is back by request and begins in September, 2009! For those who aspire to teach and for sincere students who want to learn more about the science- 2 saturdays per month for 9 months- full information coming soon.
Shri is writing a book that will include live audio cd recordings of Bliss Yoga Shala classes! We are hoping to complete this project by fall.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Hamilton-Hubbard Christmas Vacation 08
About 30 members of my family celebrated the holy days together in Virginia. Skiing, frisbee football, 4 wheelers, good food and laughter......as my sister says, we put the fun back in dysfunctional.
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