yogitoes blog

A PERMANENT STATE OF WANDERLUST!

2010-08-24T16:29:00.000-07:00

Wanderlust,
What can I say...
a fantastic weekend
away from LA.

A long road trip
brought us to Squaw
for music and mountains
and mostly yoga.

We took great pleasure
to document this
a video diary
of yogitoes bliss...

part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwZqiGHY1PM

part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6Meh55Q7j0

BIG Om Love to you...

Greenpeace Tips to Reduce Personal Oil Consumption

2010-08-20T13:47:00.000-07:00

In the wake of the ongoing catastrophe of the GULF OIL SPILL, lots of people have been asking how they can reduce their oil consumption in their daily lives.

We took a look at what GREENPEACE had to say and decided to post their list of
the top ten personal habits we can change:

1. Carpool, cycle or use public transport to go to work.
2. Choose when possible products packaged without plastic and recycle or re-use containers.
3. Buy organic fruits and vegetables (fertilizers and pesticides are based on oil more often than not).
4. Buy beauty products (shampoo, soap, make-up) based on natural ingredients, not oil.
5. Choose when possible locally produced products (less transport involved).
6. Buy clothes made out of organic cotton or hemp - not from oil derivatives.
7. Use non-disposable items in picnics and summer festivals.
8. Quit bottled water.
9. Fly less.
10. Demand that your government encourage renewable energy instead of subsidizing oil.

Want to know more ways you can help the planet? Sign up here for the Greenpeace newsletter.

(Click here to see original Greenpeace post.)

Inspired to Leap

2010-06-23T14:41:00.000-07:00

hello everyone!

this is my first time blogging! VERY exciting!! my team has been VERY patient with me encouraging gently to extend my energy into the social matrix of the new paradigm. as an Aquarian, you would have thought that I would have leaped into cyberspace long ago, however I had resistance to it pondering how I would be able to maintain a balance of sacredness.

when I would inquire, "what would I blog about?" my team would respond, "whatever you are up to! people want to hear about your life!" REALLY? I would then smile and say, "I trust a divine moment will appear, and I will then be inspired to blog!" they would all roll their eyes and give me THAT grin of...YEP!

WELL... THAT divine moment appeared, inspired by... a GRASSHOPPER!

this morning I was dressing... and found myself gravitating to a new combination that I have not worn before. I went to see how it looked in the mirror, and SPOTTED a beautiful grasshopper looking up at me from my belt buckle!!!

"WELL, HELLO grasshopper, where did you come from?" I said as I reached for my iPHONE to document this EXTRA-ordinary moment.

"the garden" it answered.

I walked outside and as I placed my hand next to it, it immediately hopped into my palm. "HERE, you can hang with GANESHA" and I moved my hand towards the statue...

instead of taking my lead, it started walking up my arm. "IS there something you want to tell me grasshopper?"
it then HOPPED onto my shoulder, and onto my head next to my ear!
"WOW"... I thought.

"WELL, I'm going to go meditate now, do you care to join me?" I offered.
"yes, please!"

as I made my way into the room, and got comfy on my mSEAT, I reached for the book that I currently have sitting on the alter... SPIRITUAL WARRIOR: The Art of Spiritual Living by John Roger.

I asked the book" WHAT would grasshopper like to tell me?" and I opened to the first page of chapter 10...

OBSERVING LIFE ON EARTH
Tips For Travelers

The only thing you can do to the planet is the best you can.
The people on the earth do it the best they can, and then they say it wasn't the best they could.
And then they worry about that.
Because they could have done better.
And if they are given another chance they will do it the same way the second time too.
And a third, and a forth, and a fifth, and sixth.
What you might say to them is, "if you could have done better, you would have done better and you did the best you could."

I said, "AW grasshopper - very wise." at that moment I was transported back in time when I lived in a convent in my early twenties (my aunt is a nun). She would always say that same mantra to me. A wise compassionate woman she is.

after meditation, I had this incredible sense of peace and infiniteness... a beautiful exchange of energy with the grasshopper.

in that openness I had my divine moment and said "GRASSHOPPER thank you for showing up - you have inspired me to blog about our time together!"

SO I got my laptop and made a cup of green tea ... and off to the garden I went with the grasshopper STILL on my head!

I was thinking about the symbolisms and what the grasshopper totem meant aside from the 'Disney version'... so I Googled it:

The grasshopper chooses those of us who are innovators, forward-thinkers, and those who progress in life by unorthodox methods. This is because grasshopper symbolism recognizes tremendous leaps of faith, impressive jumps in progress and consistent forward momentum. Those with this totem are likely to aim high, and achieve amazing feats – they take great leaps where others fear to tread (or jump, in this case).

I acknowledged the grasshopper saying "thank you, you have helped me take a leap of faith adventuring into my first blog!"

I put my hand out and the grasshopper leaped into my hand and then onto a nearby fern.

HAPPY LEAPING everyone!

Blogged by yogitoes founder Susan Nichols

Shot Out Of The Bottle - Full Speed Into Summer!

2010-06-08T16:41:00.000-07:00

I am just back from Lightning In A Bottle, at it’s new home in Oak Canyon Ranch, CA... and feel like I have been shot out of a cannon (or should I say bottle) into summer!

What a weekend put on by The Do Lab - a radical art collective that has made a name for themselves over the past few years at events like Burning Man, Coachella and their collaboration with The Lucent Dossier Experience. This was the ninth and biggest year of this festival that brings together artists, musicians, yogis and conscious-minded individuals in celebration of creativity and consciousness.

Sensory impact was at a high as we enjoyed the sights and sounds... my favs had to be... dancing under the sun to an awesome house music set while the crowd was happily sprayed with water by a seven year old boy, watching the aerial silks duet at The Lucent Dossier Experience, and meeting my number one favorite person Grandma Bluefeather - an eighty-something year-old woman wearing red stockings over her Victoria Secrets and sporting a new tatoo on her right shoulder... her vitality and free spirit was incredibly inspiring!

What was also exciting is that Lightning In a Bottle is inspiring and bringing consciousness-in-action to the masses, in the form of incorporating sustainable resources, implementing sorted recycling and composting, donating proceeds of festival initiatives to charities and non-profit organizations, and leaving a positive impact on and even improving the land used and it's surrounding community. This was even a vegetarian event with top of the line food vendors (that didn't take advantage of their captive customers by overpricing their food).

Other festival highlights included… on the conscious-tip; speaker Rev. Michael Beckwith of the Agape International Spiritual Center, author Daniel Pinchbeck and yoginis Shiva Rea and Ashley Turner… and on the FUN side; The Lucent Dossier Experience, Beats Antique, March Fourth Marching Band, Booka Shade and so much more!

THE PARABLE OF TWO WOLVES

2009-12-03T12:03:00.000-08:00

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson
about a battle that goes on inside all people.

He said, “My son, the battle is between two
wolves that dwell inside each and everyone of us.

“One is Evil.
It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed,
arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority,
lies, false pride, superiority and ego.

The other is Good.
It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility,
kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity,
truth, compassion and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for
a minute, and then asked his grandfather:

“Which wolf will win ?”

The old Cherokee simply replied:
“The one you feed.”

Taken from Philip Arnold at http://pja64x.com/

A WEEKEND FULL OF AMAZING EVENTS...

2009-11-13T14:41:00.000-08:00

Friday, November 13th...

9:00pm Kirtan with Joey Lugassy at Bhakti Yoga Shala. If you haven't experienced Joey's gorgeous voice calling the names of the deities... don't miss this evening!
http://www.bhaktiyogashala.com/bios/joey_lugassy.html

Saturday, November 14th...

10:00am Outdoors benefit yoga with Jay Co on the grassy knoll under the trellises where Bay St. (just south of Pico) meets the beach. All money goes toward clean water filtration for little Nicaraguan whippersnappers and their families.
Perfect Saturday weather... awesome teacher, benefiting children... need I say more?
http://www.savasana.info/Clipart/Nicaragua-Retreat-Flyer.jpg

1 - 3pm Intro to Yoga Tantra Flow with Isabel Du Soleil
An amazing Energetic Vinyasa flow TM & Meditation Workshop to awaken, ignite and balance your 7 chakras or energy centers. Cost is only $25... this is a valuable giveaway!
http://www.yogaglo.com/blog/2009/11/intro-to-yoga-tantra-flow-with-isabelle-du-soleil-1114-1-3pm/

6 - 10pm Fiesta de Milagros at YogaGlo
Raising Awareness + Support for Mama Kia's medical expenses, her 31 adopted children and 2 soup kitchens. Mama Kia was recently diagnosed with cancer... we now come together to support her. KCRW DJ's... Lucent Dossier Experience... these alone are reasons to drop any other plans and join in! $50 Suggested Donation, (no one turned away).
http://www.yogaglo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Picture-25.jpg

7 - 10pm Survivor: Yogabear Island at YogaCo with Jennifer Pastiloff and Lululemon
Support Yogabear, an non-profit that provides free yoga to cancer survivors! A candlelit class with live cello and Tibetan bowls followed by a party with live music, wine and chocolate and other "anti oxidants", many, many REALLY amazing raffle prizes, chair massages and much more.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=137875174513&ref=share

7:30pm Deva Primal and Miten in Concert
Deva and Miten’s music is an expression of spiritual devotion, through song and chant. Join this ethereal duo for an evening of music at Barnum Hall Theater at Santa Monica High School for an evening of melodic, devotional bliss!
http://www.yogaworks.com/our_programs/find_a_workshop.aspx?wid=1541

8:30pm A Magical Kirtan Love Weekend with David Newman (Durga Das)
Kirtan at Bhakti Yoga Shala with the inimitable David Newman with special guests Mira and Phillipo Franchini; a bliss-filled, inspirational experience of sacred yoga teachings and practices. Kirtan magic in this Bhakti infused studio! Donation $20.
http://www.bhaktiyogashala.com/special_event.html#david

Sunday, November 15th...

1:30- 3:45pm Workshop: Bhakti Yoga: The Yoga of Love with David Newman
The Love Weekend with David Newman continues with this kirtan/Bhakti workshop designed to deepen your spiritual practice of yoga and improve the quality of your experiences through the application of Love as a way of life. This is an amazing opportunity not to be missed! Suggested donation $30
http://www.bhaktiyogashala.com/special_event.html#david

8pm Holotropic Breathing at Maha Yoga with Steve Ross
Treat yourself to a mind expanding experience. Let Steve help you access non-ordinary deep states of consciousness and breathe yourself into ecstasy. Let's just say breath has NEVER taken you so deep... $20 per person
http://www.mahayoga.com/events.php

Whew! Hope to run into you somewhere out there...

Light and Om Laughter!

November 21st at YOGIS ANONYMOUS

2009-11-06T14:51:00.000-08:00

KARMA KIRTAN
with
DANIEL STEWART
and FRIENDS

100% of proceeds to benefit
local services and shelters for those in need.
Please click on the flyer to enlarge.

FEELIN' GROOVY!

2009-11-06T13:32:00.000-08:00

featuring the GROOVIEST yogis...

ASHLEY ALBRAND

DICE IIDA-KLEINand
KATHRYN BUDIG

check out the youtube video featuring more shots of these three yogi rockstars on their GROOVY SKIDLESS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOMW62pRtYg

BHAKTI FEST IS COMING

2009-08-21T16:33:00.000-07:00

Bhakti Fest is...

a 3-day music festival celebrating devotion through chanting, yoga, meditation and community in beautiful Joshua Tree, California

Friday, Sept 11 - Sunday, Sept 13

come "be in the bhav" with us!

www.bhaktifest.com

OPENING CEREMONY & CONSTANT KIRTAN

opening fire ceremony begins at NOON on Friday, Sept 11th...at 1pm Kirtan begins and continues as "constant kirtan" until Sunday night, 10pm. this is the first time such a gathering has scheduled constant Kirtan by so many great artists!

SANCTUARY

in the sanctuary building, discourses, seminars, trainings and dance opportuinties continue throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday.

on Sunday, Sept 13th from 12:30-2:00pm... meet yogitoes founder Susan Nichols at our NEWHIPPIE lecture on Bhakti Yoga - a dialogue on devotion and divinity

we hope to see you at there!

tell your friends and spread the word about this revolutionary spiritual event!!!

OM shanti, peace

the yogitoes family

NEWHIPPIE is our new yoga philosophy division, whose intention is to bring messages of compassion, awareness and unity consciousness to the planet. check it out at www.newhippie.com

there's no such thing as a free yoga class!*

2009-08-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

Recently a friend approached me at a party, excited to share the news that he has recently discovered yoga!

I could see in his eyes and feel in his energy that he had opened that cosmic Christmas present that held inside this tool for total transformation... He was coming to join me on this yogic path! woo hoo!

"Awesome!" I yelped! "Where are you practicing!? I want to take a class with you ASAP!"

"At the free yoga studio!" He replied excitedly.... "ya know... the donation one in Santa Monica where you don't have to pay."

My excitement plopped on the floor about as quickly and loudly as my butt had earlier that morning in titthibasana (firefly pose)...

<--- you know... THAT one where your butt smacks your SKIDLESS on the regular

well... needless to say, I pulled myself up and I had a little chat with my friend, explaining that "donation" does not mean "free!"

In my neighborhood there are a plethora of DONATION-BASED yoga studios, and more on the way!

...to name a few...

BHAKTI YOGA SHALA
www.bhaktiyogashala.com

BRYAN KEST POWER YOGA
www.poweryoga.com

YOGA CO

www.yogaco.com

HOME SIMPLY YOGA

www.homesimplyyoga.com

...and coming soon

YOGIS ANONYMOUS
www.yogisanonymous.com

Sooooo... you get the picture.

There are a LOT of donation based studios cropping up everywhere! Which make me think that we all need to have a little crash course on what "donation yoga" means...

Donation yoga was started as a way to allow practitioners to choose what they feel the class was worth to them. I seriously doubt that ANYONE can walk out of a yoga class and not feel as though it was worth something to them.

Generally, your teacher will be paying rent on the studio for that time slot and does not get "paid" to teach that class. All the money they make, is the money that you put in the box at the end of the class. That is their livelyhood.

Sometimes there will be a sign, letting you know what the "suggested donation" is, but if you really can't figure out how much is right, think about the following:

1. MAKE IT COMPARABLE - a drop-in class at non-donation studios is usually somewhere between $15-$20

2. SHOW SOME LOVE - can you REALLY put a price on the inner peace you just attained, let alone the workout you just got!? If you leave class euphoric, let the teacher know by showing some love in the donation box! If you were expecting to put in $15, leave a $20 instead!

3. DONATE FOR THE WEEK/MONTH - if you are like me, you never carry cash. this USED to be a turn off to donation studios for me, until i realized that i could just write a check for the classes i was planning to take that month and keep a little mental tally of how many classes I think i should have gotten for that sum! PLUS.. it feels really good to shove a three figure check into the box with the ones and fives!

4. FEEL LUCKY WHEN IT'S ONLY YOU! - If you happen to show up for a class and you are the only one there, consider this.... you are getting a PRIVATE class that your teacher probably charges upwards of $100 for when scheduled. I definitely understand that you may not have wanted a private in the first place, but hey... enjoy the individualized attention and if you CAN, show your thanks with your donation...

5. COME TO CLASS NO MATTER WHAT! - If you are having financial hardship, don't let that be a reason for you NOT to practice.

Bryan Kest shared a story once about a guy who took his class every day for years and one day left an envelope in the box with a check for $7,000 and a note that said (something like) "Bryan, I've been in a really dark time for a while, and the only that got me through was being able to take class from you. But I've never been able to even drop a dollar in the box. And now finally I am in a comfortable financial situation, thanks to this practice. So here is a little backpayment." Bryan was so touched and said, " ya know... this is why i do it!"

Ally Hamilton (who's new studio 'yogis anonymous' will be opening Sept 1st) says "We do not want financial limitations to prevent you from developing and maintaining a strong and healthy yoga practice. We've chosen to be true to our yogic principles of love, trust, and generosity of spirit by using the honor system and asking that you donate what you can afford and what you feel these offerings are worth to you."

So, i guess the best rule of thumb is, give from the heart! and... it's not free.
_______________________
* amendment to the title
"there's no such thing as a free yoga class, except for lululemon's free yoga classes they offer weekly in their stores!" :)
(they bring in great teachers from your community and its a fun way to try new styles and teachers you have been wondering about... for free!)
www.lululemon.com/santamonica/santamonicablvd/events
- this is the link to the santa monica store... search for your local store for events in your area!-

WANDERLUST in pictures...

2009-08-04T11:14:00.000-07:00

The backdrop to our Wanderlust weekend at Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe...

2000 feet up at the top of this mountain was High Camp, an outdoor venue where teachers like John Friend and Duncan Wong held class.

Looking (way) back at The Alpine Village and beautiful Squaw Valley...

Susan Nichols, founder of yogitoes and New Hippie which hosted the discussion Human Evolution: From Duality to Unity Consciousness facilitated by Leanne Whitney (at the Alpenglow Room).

Q & A afterwards with Leanne Whitney.

Lululemon sporting their SKIDLESS... a big seller as the temps were HIGH!

...And here being put to good use!

Susan, Jai Uttal and Daniel Paul.

Sianna Sherman/MC Yogi yoga class finale! The energy was as high as the altitude!

'DANCEFLOOR' - a new use for SKIDLESS!

MC Yogi, DJ Drez, vocalist Nikko and the amazing AcroYogis (as John Friend looks on)!

The one and only Annie Carpenter!

The Yo Yo Yogis - Alex and Terri Cole

(check out their 100 Studios in 100 days adventure http://yoyoyogi.com/wordpress/)

High Camp meadow off season is GLORIOUS!

Gold Coast stage at High Camp with Andrew Bird performing... breathtaking!

Michael Franti came down with appendicitis... a few of us sent him a little get well card...

The first year of Wanderlust was beautiful, melodic, inspirational and just plain fun!
I can't wait to see what creators Jeff Krasno and Schuyler Grant have planned for next year...
Om Shanti!

Back

YOGIS TO SAVE DOPHINS!!

2009-07-25T17:44:00.000-07:00

HELP SPREAD THE AWARENESS!

Please join Yogis to Save Dolphins at YogaGlo... a VERY IMPORTANT EVENT!
Saturday, July 25th @ 7pm
$35 suggested donation... no one will be turned away!

"passionate, exciting, and frightening ... the footage is staggering."

Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine

"I'd be surprised if it doesn't wind up being nominated in next year's best documentary feature Oscar race"

Martin Grove, Hollywood Reporter

“Incredibly moving, scary, riveting. a terrific film. one of the best documentaries I’ve seen in years.”

Chris Columbus, Director of Harry Potter

“One of the most talked-about documentaries at this year’s Sundance Film Festival”

Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine

“This film is going to make headlines.”

Laurie David, Huffington Post

" documentaries don't get much more compelling than The Cove”

Justin Chang, Variety

Sally Kempton... The Art of Tantric Meditation

2009-07-16T15:38:00.000-07:00

I was privileged to recently attend a meditation workshop, “Art of Tantric Meditation” led by Sally Kempton at Yogaglo. I wasn’t quite sure what Tantric Meditation was but I have been reading articles of Sally’s for years and have always been impressed with her ability to clearly and insightfully integrate yogic philosophy into everyday life… this was enough to get me there!

Sally described Tantra as a tapestry of divine energy and Tantric meditation as a “highly functional approach to meditation” by which we learn to harness this energy. I could follow that, but it seemed like it was something one must experience to really 'get'.

I gained more insight when she interpreted the expression “that by which we fall is that by which we rise”, providing the visual of the Universe portrayed as a pulsating ocean consisting of waves and whirlpools and the like. These force-filled elements can either drown us or uplift us; they can toss us around or we can learn to surf them. We can learn to ride the Universal Ocean’s natural energy to an awakened state through finding the still point within chaos, and… here within lies the entry point to the divine. This chaos takes the various forms in our lives: a fight with our beloved, the loss of a job, the many things that make up what we call 'having a bad day', but each can be used to go deeper as we practice through meditation.

Of the several meditations we experimented with, the “Armpit” meditation was my favorite. Breaking from the routine of using breath to go within, (something the restless mind may be bored with), I found the unusual focal point of the “void of the armpit” surprisingly effective. I was quickly drawn into a space deep within – quite a feat as I was definitely struggling with ‘monkey-mind’ that day. Maybe the nearness to the heart chakra had something to do with it, as I felt content and without want in my meditation. I was in a place beyond thought, a place of dark, safe warmth beyond the realm of the worldly concerns. It was a tough one to come out of as I felt like I was too quickly drawn out of a deep sleep.

Maybe this is Tantra's tradition of radical interiority that she spoke of.

Sally teaches meditation as part of a process of inner exploration, in which one learns to integrate heart, mind and body in order to experience our natural state of wisdom and love. Her classes create an atmosphere of support and joy that allows deep exploration. It is appropriately summed up by a student of hers… "She can take a whole room into a state of oneness. When you meditate with her, meditation seems natural and easy."

Here Comes The Sun...

2009-07-06T13:15:00.000-07:00

...and it's alright!

The summer kick off festival was a grand success!

yogitoes joined the many other conscious vendors for this fun filled evening of art, food, music and exploration.

There were many familiar faces there be it from yoga class, kirtan or other events in our yoga community... many stopped to say hello. It was great connecting (or reconnecting) with you all!

Many thanks to Derik at YogaGlo for putting this event together!

Amma...

2009-06-22T11:42:00.000-07:00

For quite a few years now I have heard stories about the one known simply as Amma. I had heard that Amma is the hugging saint and that receiving a hug from her can send one into a semi-ecstatic state of love bliss. I have also heard that in order to receive this love infusion, one must endure a day or nightlong wait amongst a thousand devotees in the tight quarters of a cramped hotel floor.

I always thought that when the Universe wanted me to receive ‘my hug’ the opportunity would clearly present itself, the traffic would part and I would be transported over to a hotel near LAX to await my turn amongst the devotees. Well, it turns out this was my time as I got an early morning email from my boss suggesting that instead of coming in to the office I should go and visit Amma. (I know that at this news the yogitoes email inbox will be overflowing with resumes by the end of the day).

Traffic didn’t exactly part for my workmate Zan and I as we made our way south, but we knew we were getting closer as we began to recognize Amma devotees, not your usual LAX-area pedestrians, as they stood out in their flowing garments and mala beads with essential oils wafting after them in the breeze.

Upon arriving at the second level of the Radison Hotel, the event was obviously in full swing. There was a lovely energy swirling through the event with people mingling about, pausing at vendor stands that offered all things Amma, eating vegetarian fare or just sitting and watching Amma on the large video screens. Though the room was large, the atmosphere was intimate and it wasn’t at all the picture I had in my mind of long lines of attendees weary from the countless hours of waiting.

Once meditation was over in the main room, we received our tokens indicating when it would be our turn to receive darshan. So, for clarity, what does it mean to receive darshan…the Sanskrit translation is “auspicious viewing”; it is the beholding of a deity or a revered person such as a spiritual teacher where the experience is reciprocal and results in the beholder receiving a blessing in return (Encyclopedia Britannica). The blessing here is in the form of Amma’s hugs in which she is said to transfer the essence of unconditional love to the receiver.

Our four hours flew by and when it was our turn we were ushered up towards the stage. My advance toward Amma was surreal as the kirtan ensemble sang out in angelic chorus behind her, live video of the hugging played on either side of us while the volunteers continuously urged us forward. I was swiftly prepped; relieved of my carried belongings, given a tissue to wipe off any facial oil then instructed to quickly kneel, as I would be next. The previous person was barely released as I was pushed in, Amma reached out and I was drawn in to her embrace.

She smelled wonderfully of roses! I instinctively put my arm around her but attendants immediately removed my hand as I guess Amma was the only one to be doing any hugging. She whispered loving words in my ear as she hugged then she released me only to pull me back in for a second embrace. The hug seemed to last forever and was the only thing still in the chaotic shuffling going on around me. Once released, Amma handed me prasad (an appropriate hersey’s kiss) and as quickly as I was ushered in, I was ushered out.

Spinning in a rose scented fog, I tried to orient myself and waited for Zan. She soon emerged in what appeared to be an equally dazed state. She described feeling a pulsating energy that radiated out from Amma and moved through her on its way out into the room yet… the Universe. I listened as she described a powerful pulsation, a stirring experience of pure unadulterated Love that jolted her consciousness. Her words echoed those of others that have told of similar moments of transcendence and awakening. As for myself, I was still trying to figure out my experience. Where Zan had an immediate hit, I believe I walked away with something akin to a force field of subtle energy working on me.

What was clear that there was a strong sense of Love radiating throughout the rooms, permeating the air, woven through all shared words, opening hearts wider than before. Maybe that is what it is all about; Amma reminds us of the unconditional, all-encompasing Love we are born with, and through this reminder, we can re-embody it and share it with all those we cross paths. Whether it hits you head-on or swirls in a vortex around you, is there a more powerful message than Love?

OPERATION SHANTI SUMMER SOLSTICE CHARITY EVENT!

2009-06-18T11:59:00.000-07:00

This is your chance to check out Equinox's BEAUTIFUL yoga studios...
you don't have to be a member to attend!

This weekend... June 19, 20 & 21

Flow yoga with Garth Hewitt, an art exhibition and auction,
raffles with REALLY GREAT PRIZES all worth over $100 each
(including an awesome yogitoes package at the Santa Monica event)
and of course refreshments!

All proceeds benefit Operation Shanti!

(Click on flyer below for details)

BHAKTI YOGA SHALA IS BORN!

2009-06-09T13:30:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to our friends Govindas and Radha, long time Santa Monica Power Yoga teachers, who just opened their new donation-based studio… BHAKTI YOGA SHALA in the heart of downtown Santa Monica!

The grand opening celebration was Sunday, May 31st in form of a 12-hour Maha Kirtan Ritual where kirtan wallahs from all over Los Angeles came to invoke divine shakti, blessing the space with bhajans devoted to the great Ones. As yogis and yoginis danced in and out of the beautiful womb-like space, the energy of love, devotion and community flowed freely.

The celebratory evening culminated as Govindas and Radha took the stage and raised their voices to Lakshmi - the goddess of abundance, light and wisdom, and the embodiment of love – from which Bhakti flows. The room quickly burst into ecstatic dance and all voices sang in high celebration blessing the evening, the beautiful new sanctuary and our dear hosts.

Bhakti Yoga Shala is dedicated to the path of “Bhakti Yoga”, the path of love, devotion, service, truth and gratitude and offers donation-based yoga classes as well as kirtan festivals and other special bhakti flavored events. If you have never experienced the energy of either Govindas or Radha’s classes, it truly is a heart opening experience and I urge you to go feel it for yourself.

Bhakti Yoga Shala is located in the courtyard at the corner of Arizona and 2nd Street in Santa Monica. For a full schedule of classes given by the Shala’s heart-centered guides visit: www.bhaktiyogashala.com

EXCITING UPCOMING EVENTS...

2009-06-08T12:48:00.000-07:00

• 'HERE COMES THE SUN' - yogaglo yoga studio and LA yoga magazine are holding a celebration of the yoga community in Santa Monica, CA on Friday, June 26th from 5-10pm. yogitoes will have a booth and be educating about our products and organizations we support through the yogitoes fund! www.yogaglo.com

• Wanderlust is a three-day event taking place at Squaw Valley USA (in North Lake Tahoe, CA) on July 24-26, 2009. It’s a new concept in festival bringing together the world’s leading yoga teachers and the best performers in rock & roll, all in a setting of breathtaking natural beauty. Confirmed artists include Michael Franti & Spearhead, Andrew Bird, Spoon, Gillian Welch, Sharon Jones and many others, and our yoga instructors include luminaries like John Friend, Shiva Rea, Duncan Wong, Sianna Sherman, many great Yoga Tree SF teachers and more. The festival also has been designed from the ground up as a sustainable, environmentally-friendly event. More information about the festival can be found at www.wanderlustfestival.com.

The Earth's Best Defense: Touring the NRDC's Green Building

2009-05-22T13:44:00.000-07:00

On a recent gorgeous sunny Santa Monica day the yogitoes crew took a field trip to one of the greenest buildings in the country…the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Robert Redford Building. Just a couple of blocks from the Santa Monica Pier, the NRDC’s Southern California headquarters houses The David Family Environmental Action Center (named for supporter Larry David of Curb Your Enthusiasm) and The Leonardo DiCaprio e-Activism Zone. This walk-in exhibit space and shop exists to raise the awareness of critical environmental issues and to empower citizens to protect our natural resources. The rest of the three-story building is where the action happens… it is where NRDC’s team of lawyers and scientists work, the people who I have invested in to fight for better laws, safe and preserved environments, and a better world for all living creatures.

The NRDC gives free tours of their building, upon which was bestowed a LEED® platinum level recognition in green function and design. Every aspect was considered in planning and construction; from the source and type of materials, water and energy used, to the energy expenditure in transporting to the building site. As a result, the building uses 60 – 70% less energy and 60% water than a conventional office of the same size. It features more local resources so fewer emissions are generated and less energy is used.

We were shown every corner of the building from the rooftop to the bowels of the basement. The building’s rooftop is white to counteract the heat island effect present in cities, where dark roofs cause temperatures to rise 5 –7%. Solar panels are also present providing 20% of the building’s energy. Rooftop vents release hot air that has risen inside the building while skylights and an open floor plan below allow natural light to move down two levels reducing the use for most artificial light.

The wood used throughout the building is sourced from fast growing and replenishable and sustainably managed forests (for example poplar and bamboo forests cut in sections so that wildlife can still exist).

Groutless rooftop tiles allow rainwater to seep down into a collection system. Once processed, it is used for toilets, sinks, and showers (provided to the employees as biking to work is encouraged) and though the water IS drinkable the city currently doesn’t allow it (an example of old rules and regulations not quite keeping up with new technology).

Other fabulous ways the building maintains green status are…
- Motion sensored lighting in offices that turn off when you leave.
- Each office has it’s own air-conditioning thermostat to help conserve energy.
- Sensored windows that, when opened, automatically signal the air-conditioning to turn off.
- The use of transom windows over doors allow air to move through the building.
- No-water urinals are used.
- Marlomeum flooring, made from linseed resin, is used in place of linoleum and is better for the environment.
- Furniture and floor covering come from companies that use recycled materials without sacrificing aesthetics (see Knoll, Bentley Prince St.).
- Drought resistant plants are planted on the property.
- The exterior of the building is constructed with ‘hardiplank’, a mixture of sawdust and concrete which by nature is fire and termite resistant.
- This location was chosen because it is in a busy pedestrian center and the mass transit system can easily be taken advantage of.

"Using advanced but off-the-shelf technology, this building shows it's possible to protect our natural environment, achieve greater energy independence, and also save money."

The NRDC was founded in 1970 by lawyers who saw an imminent need to defend the environment. Its mission today states: The mission of the Natural Resources Defense Council is to safeguard the earth: its people, its plants and animals, ad the natural systems on which all life depends. Now it is the most effective environmental organization in the nation, supported by over 1 million members. You can find out more about his incredible organization at www.nrdc.org and www.savebiogems.org.

Sri K. Patthabi Jois (July 1915- May 2009 and beyond...)

2009-05-22T12:11:00.000-07:00

we honor Patthabi Jois' light, and trust his legacy will live on...
as humanity continues to transcend from his light that shined so brightly on earth...
we bow to his lotus feet a loving namaste,
yogitoes

JAI UTTAL - Kirtan / CD release party

2009-05-07T10:29:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 2nd...

Exhale Center for Sacred Movement, Venice Beach, CA...

Entering the studio was like entering a nest, bathed in warm light and filled with welcoming, embracing energy. The atmosphere was full of love before the Kirtan even began.

"Kirtan" is a devotional form of yoga, where mantras are chanted/sung in call-and-response, accompanied by Indian instruments, like harmonium, drums, bells, and cymbals... Defined by Jai Uttal on his website "Kirtan is the calling, the crying, the reaching across infinite space — digging into the heart’s deepest well to touch and be touched by the Divine Presence."

Jai Uttal was our leader, or Kirtanwala this Saturday evening... Telling short stories and anecdotes between songs, he began by explaining that he was unaware until that very afternoon that this Kirtan was a "CD release party" and he had gone back and forth in his head as to whether or not to perform his Westernized music from his new CD 'Thunder Love' in which he forgoes the traditional harmonium, playing a guitar and singing in English... He blamed his being a Gemini as the culprit of his indecision... After playing several more traditional pieces, and with plenty of excitement and coercion from the audience, he moved aside the harmonium and to my surprise, picked up a Banjo! A guitar I was expecting, but a Banjo I was not. He explained that the Banjo was his first love as a child, and as he began to lull us with his melodic tunes and poignant lyrics, the banjo seemed irreplaceable as a component to his beautiful music...

Anyone who was dubious of this western Kirtan with English words, was soon wrapped up in this music as much as his traditional Kirtan, which he flowed back into for the last part of the evening.

The whole event was so joyous... As the pace, tempo, and volume accelerated during each chant, I felt utterly compelled to jump up and dance, which I found most of the entire studio felt too. It was hot, sweaty, and entrancing. Audience members pulled out their own instruments, found their own harmonies, and made the experience their own, adding to the love and divine light each person in the room added to this cosmic blast of brightness that surrounded us.

As the Kirtan came to a close, with the vibrational residue still spinning in our souls, I felt myself mentally hugging everyone in the room.... and i felt the hug coming back to me...

I am looking forward to experiencing Jai Uttal's Kirtan again at Bhakti Fest in Joshua Tree, September 11-13, 2009. I encourage any and all to come and loose yourself in pure devotion during this three day festival where Jai, among other amazing yogis/yoginis/Kirtan-ers will be performing and coming together to celebrate all that is...

Photo #1 (above) right to left, Jai Uttal onstage with a phenomenal singer, who's name I do not know, and Daniel Paul...

Photo #2 (right) right to left Zan Roberts(me), Susan Nichols, and Heather McCall with eyes still glowing after the Kirtan..

Fifteen Yogic Reasons to Join a Beach Clean-up

2009-05-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

While participating in a beach clean-up this past weekend sponsored by Aveda and DEEP, benefiting the Surfrider Foundation, I realized that THIS was yet another way of practicing yoga… while reaping some added benefits!

Here are fifteen yogic reasons to join a beach clean-up:

1. It creates a safer beach for adults and kids.
2. It creates a safer environment for other living beings – land, sky and water.
3. You get to breathe all those negative ions in that ocean air.
4. Your body absorbs it’s daily dose of vitamin D from the sun (but don’t forget your sunscreen).
5. It’s a real eye-opener to what is happening to the environment in our own backyard (you wouldn’t believe what you come across AND the sheer amount of it).
6. It is great exercise for the feet and legs.
7. You get a FREE foot exfoliation!
8. You get to practice ahimsa – non-violence, towards mother earth.
9. You get to practice satya – honesty, and svadyaya – self study, as you ask yourself “what part of this mess did I play”?
10. You get to practice asteya – non-stealing, as you help to give back a healthy home to the ocean dwellers.
11. You get to practice saucha – cleanliness, extending this concept beyond what you label “me” and “mine”.
12. It is a wonderful walking meditation to the soundtrack of gently crashing waves and singing gulls.
13. Your heart feels warm as passers by smile, thanking you for your efforts.
14. You feel sense a unity consciousness.
15. Lunch afterwards tastes so much better!

Stay tuned for a yogitoes sponsored beach clean-up in the future…

The Organic Pharmacy of Beverly Hills

2009-04-24T13:29:00.000-07:00

The Organic Pharmacy of Beverly Hills

The Organic Pharmacy is the first and only pharmacy in the world dedicated to health and beauty using organic products and treatments.

Their promise:
No artificial preservatives
No artificial colorants
No artificial fragrances
No petrochemicals
No harsh detergents
No DEA, TEA
No toxic ingredients
No animal testing

From their herbal and homeopathic dispensary they custom blend remedies to suit your needs. Expert advice from their qualified professional team means you are able to fulfill all your health and beauty needs.

Our friends at the Organic Pharmacy Beverly Hills are offering all yogis and yoginis
special introductory prices:

Rose Crystal Lymphatic Drainage Facial (90 min) for $100 (usually $160)
or
Signature Health Assessment for $120 (usually $170)

For a limited time only… from now until the end of June.

453 North Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310.272.7275
http://www.theorganicpharmacy.com/

EnlightenUp! the Film

2009-04-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

Filmmaker and yoga enthusiast Kate Churchill is determined to prove that yoga can transform anyone. In her documentary, EnlightenUp!, she invites Nick Rosen, a journalist new to yoga, to be her guinea pig. For the next six months she follows him as he samples various yoga studios, styles and methods around the world. As Rosen begins to uncover the many dimensions of the practice of yoga, his tendency is to have an analytical and skeptical take on his experiences. This seems to frustrate Churchill whose questions directed at Rosen begin to become more emotionally charged in turn seeming to increase the pressure for enlightened results. The dominant theme that seems to emerge for Rosen is the apparent conflict between the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga. It is possible that Rosen may not recognize the depth of his resistance as he doesn’t seem to make a connection between his yogic exploration and the deep feelings about his mother that keep rising up in his consciousness. The film inadvertently conveys that one cannot force transformation on someone else’s schedule. Yoga enthusiasts will have an easier time identifying the essence of modern yoga as presented in EnlightenUp! whereas others may walk away with the idea that the current phenomenon of yoga is less than what it purports to be.

Featuring: B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, Norman Allen, Sharon Gannon, David Life, Gurmukh, Dharma Mitra, Cyndi Lee, Alan Finger, Rodney Yee, Beryl Bender Birch, Shyamdas, Diamond Dallas Page and many more!

Currently playing in New York, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Irvine and coming to many more cities soon:
http://enlightenupthefilm.com/in-theaters/

YOGAGLO, Nonviolence, and Ecology...a modern dialogue

2009-04-10T14:35:00.000-07:00

‘A’ – negating
‘han’ – to strike with the intent of doing harm
‘imsa’ – indicates desire

From ‘negating the desire to do harm’ we have thus come to the modern definition of ahimsa as ‘nonviolence’.

So how does this quality resonate in our own lives? How does it move from within you, out into the Universe? And how is it cultivated? These were some of the questions addressed in “Yoga, Nonviolence (Ahimsa), and Ecology”, a recent talk given at Yogaglo by renowned theologian Dr. Chris Chapple, Navin and Pratima Doshi Professor of Indic and Comparative Theology at Loyola Marymount University. The talk explored how the principle of nonviolence and the practice of Yoga meditation can be combined to heighten our awareness of nature and the need for environmental activism. Yoga, defined as union is not only the union of the mind and the body through our breath, but also our union with the Divine, which not only lies within but also without in the form of our fellow creatures, the earth and even beyond into the cosmos. Through honoring this world around us, ahimsa is cultivated. Through our yoga practice we have the opportunity to become attuned to the various forms ahimsa takes. How does it play out in our yoga practice; do we listen to our bodies above our egos? How does it play out in our personal life; do we recognize and accept our uniqueness and our rightness in the present moment? The energy of what we choose to (or not to) practice carries out into our daily lives and radiates outward into the world like ripples moving toward the outer edges of a pond. Thus, no small act or thought goes without affecting the greater consciousness.

According to the Green Yoga Association, another organization Dr. Chapple is involved with, we must learn to live in balance with nature. Some of the ways to do this are:
- Educate ourselves about the needs of the biosphere as a whole and our local ecosystems in particular.
- Cultivate an appreciation for and conscious connection with the natural environments in which we live, including animals, plants, soil, water, and air.
- Include care for the environment in our discussion of Yogic ethical practices.
- Commit ourselves to policies, products, and actions that minimize environmental harm and maximize environmental benefit.
- And if we are Yoga teachers or centers, we will incorporate these commitments into our work with students.

Chapple also suggests:
- Reading or re-reading the Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita citing that each verse is “one to live by”.
- Becoming aware of and guarding against harmful tendencies.
- Practice pratipaksha bhavanam, doing or thinking the opposite when negative thoughts or impulses arise (see The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 11.33).

As yoga (and the current economical conditions) advocates a radical individuality in the approach to life, we are given license to be as creative as possible in our efforts. Yogaglo is a studio that has grabbed that creative license and ‘flowed’ with it by charging a monthly fee of $18 a month…yes folks, I said EIGHTEEN DOLLARS A MONTH for unlimited classes in studio and online (all in-studio classes are recorded and immediately posted on their website free of advertisements). Through yoga and conscious events, Yogaglo’s intention is to encourage people around the world to invest in the quality of the human condition and to serve as a vehicle for social change. Five percent of their profits go to an organization of your choosing from a list of non-profit partners.

Yoga and meditation are virtually tool kits for eco-sustainability through its principles…all it takes is to pick a tool and get to work…

Chris Chapple also holds Yoga Sutra Sadhana (Study and Practice) Sunday mornings 8:30 - 10:00am at the Hill St. Center in Santa Monica.

slippery solutions - CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

2009-04-08T12:18:00.000-07:00

This is our "slippery solutions" guide... If you find yourself slipping on your SKIDLESS®... experiment with these remedies and "get a grip" on your practice...

OM shanti, peace

yogitoes

An Evening of Posing for Paws...

2009-03-27T11:43:00.000-07:00

Mahatma Gandhi said, “the greatness of a nation and its moral progress is best judged by how we treat our animals”. Opportunities to illustrate this greatness, to expand our capacity for compassion, are available all around us ready to be taken advantage of especially now, in this time of emerging consciousness. Last Friday one of these opportunities presented itself to me so I headed over to the Poses for Paws evening at Lululemon Santa Monica where I found a store full of yogis and dogs… my idea of heaven! I rolled out my yogitoes’ SKIDLESS towel in Vishnu (apropos as Vishnu embodies the qualities of generosity and compassion and is the sustainer of life) and thoroughly enjoyed the energy of canine chaos, as their excitement was contagious.

Poses for Paws is the way yoginis Kathryn Budig and Jesse Schein are expanding compassion and consciousness by raising money through yoga. They contribute 100% of donations from their events to New Hope, a networking program created to eliminate obstacles that might prevent the adoption of shelter animals that are most at risk of euthanasia.

As we settled onto our mats, we met Kenga and C hina, highly adoptable lifelong pals that were dropped off at the West LA Animal Shelter last August. Their handlers shared that animal intakes are up 7% in February (from 3,010 to 3,225), an eight year high and a disturbing trend continuing from 2008. As I glanced through the booklet of adoptees available I noticed that most of the animals found their way to the shelter because their “owner lost home”… forsaken casualties of our economic meltdown. Amazingly enough, February adoptions were up nearly 18% however, there are so many more long-term boarders in need of rescue. For those of us already at our full canine capacity, another act of seva, (the yogic term for being of service), is helping out with the shelter’s on-going wish list that includes items such as blankets, newspaper, food and cleaning supplies.

We were mat to mat as Kathryn and Jesse took turns leading us through a challenging class full of animal inspired poses encouraging the partnering of our furry companions… Navasana (boat pose) with Fido captaining our ship, salabasana (locust pose) with Fluffy sitting triumphantly on our locust’s back and of course a savasana covered in wet kisses.

As I blissfully rised from my final resting pose, I gazed at my Vishnu drishti and pondered the yogic concept of ahimsa, the avoidance of violence, and the intention behind the evening. Through practicing yoga, awareness - the seed that compassion sprouts from, is cultivated and the unity of all living beings can be more deeply realized. Through actualizing this interconnectedness, we naturally find ourselves wanting to care for and protect other living things. This is the moral progress that Gandhi spoke of.
The evening culminated, as most great social gatherings do, gathered around the dessert table as dogs and their furless family members enjoyed Three Dog Bakery’s oven baked pupcakes and cookies, laughing and barking into to night…

FUEL the film...a MUST see!

2009-03-17T15:09:00.000-07:00

I recently went to see the documentary FUEL. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I was in the mood to see a documentary as they are often serious and depressing. Though FUEL is about a serious subject; America's troubled relationship with oil, it moves beyond the history and spends a good amount of time showcasing alternative and sustainable resources. Director Josh Tickell takes us along on his 11 year journey across America and beyond, interviewing environmentalists, policy makers and entertainment activists creating insightful dialogues along the way. The brilliantly innovative technology Tickell highlights includes vertical farms that occupy skyscrapers in New York City to wind fields that could potentially create a large amount of new jobs (maybe replacing auto industry layoffs and hazardous coal mining positions) to algae facilities that turn waste water into tasty fuel. This potential illuminates a "hopeful, achievable future where decentralized, sustainable living is not only possible, it's imperative"! THIS is what allowed me to walk, no BOUNCE out of the theater motivated and inspired, ready to jump at my first opportunity to support these efforts! Jai Ma!
Don't sleep on this one as it a privately produced and distributed film and needs viewers to stay in theaters!
To find out more go to http://thefuelfilm.com

ELEPHANT JOURNAL REVIEW

2009-03-16T16:44:00.000-07:00

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/03/elephant-journal-review-yogitoes-great-for-hot-yoga/

yogitoes awareness - SHAPE MAGAZINE

2009-03-12T15:02:00.000-07:00

REESE WITHERSPOON was featured in the february 2009 edition of SHAPE MAGAZINE, talking about her yoga practice with yoga hop's matthew reyes where she uses her SKIDLESS® PREMIUM!

check out the article at www.yogitoes.com/press

...and buy your own GREEN SKIDLESS (representing the heart chakra for love and compassion) at yogitoes.com...

SKIDLESS® is the original, super-absorbent tool
that prevents slipping and provides a hygienic
layer between you and mat!

it's an absolute yoga necessity...

yogitoes enthusiasts

2009-03-12T13:41:00.001-07:00

to view our yogitoes enthusiast archive, please visit
www.yogitoes-enthusiast.blogspot.com