Last year I was a participant. This year I'm excited to be teaching at YogaHub's second annual Virtual Yoga and Meditation conference next February. But you don't have to wait that long to join in the fun...
YogaHub is hosting a special conference sneak peek where you can meet some of the teachers, try out the virtual format, and learn new yoga and meditation tips.
Best of all, this pre-conference event won't cost you a dime!
Check it out here
Look for more to come on the big virtual conference coming up in February 2011. For now, get a head start and take advantage of this sneak peek!
Be well,
Karen
PS. You can save your seat at the sneak peek here.
PPS. Don't miss your chance to win a fully-loaded iPod with the 2010 Virtual Conference - that's over 60 hours of content! |
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Lo kaah Sama staah
Suk hino Bhavan tu
May the entire universe be ever filled with Peace, Joy, Love, and Light.
According to this translation from Integral Yoga, Sri Swami Satchidananda explained like this, "If through these Yoga practices you have been able to tap into your own true nature and tasted the peace and bliss there, then you don't just 'hoard' it all for yourself but you release some to share for the rest of the world." Through our interconnectedness, when we practice Yoga, we benefit ourselves and all beings everywhere. |
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Gentle Yoga CD
Healing Yoga CD
Yes, You Can Yoga video
Gift Certifcates
Group Classes
Private Lessons
Let me know if you are interested in Yoga Heals Us tee shirts. If there is enough interest, I will put in an order. You will have choice of size, color, long or short sleeve. |
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Karen O'Donnell Clarke
Certified Kripalu Yoga and Integrative Yoga Therapy
860.204.0797
karen@yogahealsus.com
Schedule your private lesson today!
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"People say that what we're all seeking is a meaning for life...I think that what we're really seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonance within our innermost being and reality, so that we can actually feel the rapture of being alive." -- Joseph Campbell
Centering by Danna Faulds from Prayers to the Infinite
Here. Right here, right now,
bring your mind to this place
and time. Invite it, even if it
resists, to sit and witness
what it is to be alive. Let
there be no ulterior motive
in this moment but to be.
Rest on the waves of breath
and choose to experience
all of it. Let thoughts float
through and leave again, as
the mind slowly settles like
snow inside a shaken
paperweight.
This is all there is. Here.
Right here and now. |
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Dear Friends,
What is Yoga? Really? Our understanding of what yoga is varies greatly. Some of us think that yoga is a great exercise program. Some of us think that yoga is all about meditation. Some of us think that our teacher is better than someone else's teacher. Some of us think that our tradition or lineage is better than anyone else's.
Even some of the yoga texts seem to contradict others. And some translations seem to contradict others, even of the same texts! One thing that's true, yoga is highly individual. And yoga as it is practiced today is a lot different from the way is was originally practiced.
In the current issue of Yoga Journal magazine Mark Singleton, author of Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice, discusses (as reviewed by Richard Rosen) his research and discoveries into the "big question: Where did modern yoga come from? His reply will no doubt disturb a lot of folks. We're often told that yoga is 5,000 years old and that we can trace our heritage back to scriptures like the Yoga Sutra or the Bhagavad Gita.
But, as Singleton clearly and convincingly demonstrates, the physical practice of today is less than 100 years old, and
it has very little to do with either Patanjali's or Krishna's teaching. Instead, it's the product of such disparate elements as British colonialist policies in India, 19th-century physical health movements in Europe and India, the invention of the camera, and the reformist programs of Indian yoga teachers like Shri Yogendra and T. Krishnamacharya."
As every serious yoga student knows, Patanjali Yoga Sutra and the Bhagavad Gita contain instruction and guidance for the spiritual path that is yoga. Yet, there are no downward facing dogs or warrior poses in either text. What we usually think of as yoga, turns out to be a rather modern exercise program for the physical body. And in the west, in particular the U.S. and western Europe, asana trumps the other practices as the most popular and recognizable aspect of yoga. In the U.S., where youth and sex sells, even yoga (asansa) has fallen victim to commercialism and sexism. How can we possibly think of yoga as spiritual practice when it is used to sell just about everything?
The current issue of Yoga Journal is no exception. A magazine devoted to yoga, trying to stay viable and competitive, has come under fire by a founding member, Judith Lasater, whose recent letter to the editor included, "I do not understand how photos of naked or half-nakedwomen are connected with the sale of practice products for asana, an important part of yoga." Her letter has generated passionate discussion and opinions, some that totally miss the point of her letter. click here to read more.
Yoga teachers in the Boston area are asking "What happened to yoga" in the last 30 years?
“It’s recombined with dominant forms of the culture; it’s very malleable that way,’’ said Syman. There is yoga for every taste, energy level, and aspirant — hip-hop yoga, hot yoga, rock pop yoga, weight loss yoga, Christian yoga, even “Yoga Booty Ballet,’’ which bills itself as a dynamic fusion of yoga, booty sculpting, and cardio-dance. If there is any doubt that yoga has left the ashram and joined the mainstream, consider that yoga was part of this year’s Easter Egg Roll festivities on the White House lawn.
It’s also been “monetized,’’ Syman said. Practiced by celebrities, fitness buffs, and fashionistas, yoga is a $6 billion industry with some 16 million American followers. Many of those millions are pouring into the trendy lululemon yogawear stores — purveyor of $90 yoga mats, $25 yoga water bottles, $40 yoga towels, and other nonessential yoga accessories such as yoga thong underwear and an $88 “yoga mat carry system’’ with a “Helmet friendly design.’’ [So you won’t hit your head with your mat while riding your bike.] excerpt from www.Boston.com. click here to read more.
Judith Lasater spoke about the "higher values of yoga: spiritual integration, compassion and selfless service." This is what I aspire to as a modern yoga practitioner. The presentation of yoga has changed a lot since 1969 when I took my first yoga class. Perhaps our current culture needs a body centered practice as a counter balance to stress, aging and a more sedentary society. Yoga nidra always starts with awareness of the physical body and then moves inward. The question is, are we using yoga practices to go inward?
Blessings for a wonderful day,
Namaste, Karen |
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Yoga for Life * yogathon * |
Blissworks Yoga & Healing Arts
228 State Street, New London, CT 06320
Fundraiser for the AmerIcan Breast Cancer Foundation
Saturday, October 30th
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
8:30 - 9:45 a.m. Anusara-Inspired with Tricia
10:00 - 11:15 a.m. Yoga Basics with Heidi
11:30 - 12:45 p.m. Power Yoga with Bob
1:00 - 2:15 p.m. Yoga Basics with Sandy
2:30 - 3:45 p.m. Vinyasa with Meaghan
100% proceeds to AMBF
see www.blissworksyoga.org for details.
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An Evening of Sensory Delights |
Stonecroft Country Inn
515 Pumpkin Hill Road, Ledyard, CT 06339
You are cordially invited to a reception and silent auction
Tuesday November 9, 2010
5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
$45 ($30 Tax Deductible)
Food by Chef Shaheed Toppin, Music by Tommy G
Please join the mission of Sensations Charitable Foundation, Inc.
to create, conduct, and support effective programs and services for families affected with disabilities and health conditions.
Partners for special kids:
Sensations
Synergy
Mystic Aquarium
Yoga Heals Us - Karen teaches yoga as part of the yoga and social skills programs. It's been incredibly rewarding to witness the social, emotional and behavior changes experienced by the children in this program. Your donation will help make these programs available to families with limited resources. Thank you!
Natalie Smith, co-owner of Stonecroft Country Inn, has assembled a great team of volunteers to coordinate this fundraiser at the Inn. Natalie is a Kripalu certified yoga teacher. She also teaches yoga as part of Sensations yoga and social skills programs.
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Annual Pottery and Gift Sale at Meiklem Kiln Works |
Save the Date! November 20 & 21, 2010. 
This is on my list every year. Check it out! |
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Save the date and celebrate - December 11
Holiday 10th Year
Birthday Party for the Egg
Holiday Sale 1 - 5:30
Poetry Reading 4 - 5
Dance and silent auction 7 - 10
Clean up Sunday morning - if you would like to be a part of the family of volunteer worker bees!
Marya is looking for poets - original work only, for this reading - each offering will be brief - 5 minute maximum, and the medium can be not only poetry of the word, but also could be in the form of dance, music, etc. Let her know if you might be interested in this!
Then, that evening, there will be a dance!!! with a silent auction: we shall decorate - lots of lights and pillows and costumes for play - and have a silent auction, and a cavorting playful joyful dance that evening from 7 - 10, with minimal nibbles..
We'll do a clean up on Sunday morning, floors, mirrors, and biscotti and coffee!
Please come! And if you would like to participate in a more active way, do be in touch with me. Thanks!
namaste, marya
email: mybeasts@aol.com |
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