May the rains sweep gentle across your fields,
May the sun warm the land,
May every good seed you have planted bear fruit,
And late summer find you standing in fields of plenty.
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If God sends you down a stony path,
may he give you strong shoes.
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May the blessing of light be on you—
light without and light within.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you
and warm your heart
till it glows like a great peat fire
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May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
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source |
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Dear friends,
After a winter of more snow and cancellations than in any recent year here in Connecticut, I feel like a bear coming out of hiberation in search of spaciousness, light and movement. I even feel a bit disoriented, not quite sure which direction to move and yet wanting to move in all directions at once.
Perhaps you know have had a similar experience. I think that Anne Nelson may have just what I need in her Heal and Restore workshop series. Read on. Maybe I'll see you there?
The Yoga Hub workshop was a blast. I was a little nervous (yes, me!) about presenting to an audience that I didn't know (don't we love our comfort zone?) and who I couldn't see (how's that heightening the senses!). The Yoga Hub folks really did an excellent job and I have no idea how they do it. Just wonderful. And they had such a great time that they want you to experience it. Check out the sweet heart deal (below). There are several options for you, including 3 free session. This ends on 3/21 so don't wait. Do it now! There are so many great presenters and topics, you'll delight in learning something new.
If you are in the mood for Adaptive Asana and Chair Yoga training, check out my workshop in Preston, CT on April 30th. Looking ahead to August (oh, boy!) I'll be partnering with the Rhode Island Chapter of the NMSS to present Teaching Adaptive Yoga for MS in Warwick, RI. Details will be available in a few weeks.
Our weekly focus on the Yamas and Niyamas has been interrupted from time to time due to snow. We have discussed and practiced to the concepts of ahimsa, santosha, saucha, svadhyaya, tapah and isvara pranidhana. Read more about the eight limbs of yoga and these concepts at www.swamij.com. Also, if you are on Facebook, join Joseph LePage's Daily Scripture Study Group. He'll be getting to the Yamas and Niyamas soon.
Blessings for peace and joy,
Namaste, Karen |
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New series began last week at Independence Physical Therapy on Mondays and St. James Church on Tuesdays. Join anytime.
Ledyard Parks & Recreation winter session ends on Monday, March 28th. (no class on March 21st). Wednesday classes end on March 23rd. Spring session begins on April 4th and 6th. Sign up with Ledyard Parks & Recreation begins March 10th. Register early to reserve your space. |
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WORKSHOP SERIES
Heal and Restore: A Yoga Journey for Healing with Anne Nelson
“A soulful journey into the cellular level of your body, digging deep within.”
Workshop One - March 20, 2011
Connect to your Chakra’s
Opening Your Heart \ Reconnect with spirit
We will begin with deep meditation, transition into restorative postures. Visiting each posture, taking it in consciously, with awareness. Ending with a deeper and longer Savasana.
Please bring your yoga mat, extra blankets and pillows. Dress comfortably for relaxation.
Workshop Two - April 10, 2011
Awaken Your Spirit
Dress light and easy.
Bring Scarves! Move into your Dance of Life…
Workshop Three - May 15, 2011
Deepen and Develop your Yoga Practice
Making time for your home practice
Finding Space, Making it your own
Time: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Martial Arts Academy, Holly Green, Route 2, North Stonington
Fees: $70 for all three or $25.00 each session.
To register, please contact Anne Nelson,
at 860-535-0565 or spirit7free@comcast.net
Presenter: Anne Nelson, Spirit Moves Yoga & Pilates
Previous yoga experience will assist you in your progression into a deeper yoga experience.
Adaptive Yoga for Every Body 
with Karen O'Donnell Clarke
Study the art of adaptive asana with a master teacher.
CEUs for yoga teachers. Students of Yoga with minimum 2 years class experience welcome to participate.
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2011
Time: 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: St. James Church, 95 Route 2A, Preston, CT
Fee: $89, early bird by April 20th, $99 after
Bring: yoga mat, bolster, 2 blocks |
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Patanjali Yoga Sutras 2.7 – 2.8 Likes and Dislikes |
Interpretive Translation by Joseph Le Page
...Attachment and aversion are conditioned patterns of belief and behavior created and sustained by identification with memories of past pleasure and pain.
Commentary by Joseph Le Page – Likes and Dislikes (2 of the 5 kleshas or obstacles on the spiritual path)
Likes and dislikes arise the first time we laugh or cry, in the mirror of mother’s eyes, as if pleasure and pain lie in the world outside, until we find they are born and die within the confines of the mind.
Though a limited way of seeing, they are the ego’s main reason for being: “getting what I want is what I believe in”, proving just how easily that which binds us can be mistaken for freedom.
And they promise to give our lives meaning and direction, but when we look closely at the path we’re following, it leads only to the ego’s own reflection.
Likes and dislikes even hide in the guise of the great national “I” for which we fight and die, and shed real blood for what, in the end, are passing thoughts in a confused collective mind.
And they do give flavor to life, but only as the added spice, never as a substitute for the taste of truth; nourishment we find only when we recognize the essential Self inside.
Yes, likes and dislikes have their place in evolution’s plan for success, but there’s a fine line between striving for what’s best and chasing the mirage of “got to have it all” that only fuels stress.
And this roller coaster never stops, happiness on the way up, fear on the ride down, until we tire of the carnival show and see that all the rides just go round and round.
For likes and dislikes are the story line of our lives, endless drama of love and strife; searching for what’s wrong or right, while our real life resides in the silence between the lines.
And they are sustained by identification with memories of pleasure and pain, and only remain until we renounce past loss and gain to claim the treasure of this very day.
But as we strive to release this pair, they seem like walls of solid stone, built from every victory and defeat we’ve ever known, until their illusionist trick is unmasked by the clear seeing soul.
And in the end, their promises to keep us safe and give us what we need are just dim echoes of the voice of wholeness, calling out from within our being, and wholeness wants nothing, not even to be free.
Check out Molly Lannon Kenny's presentation on Abhinivesha, the last of the 5 kleshas, at the Yoga Hub Virtual Conference. 3 Free Sessions available. (See below) |
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My Heart Goes Out to Yoga Hub
 
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I was both pleasantly surprised and blown away by how well thought out and prepared YogaHub's Virtual World Yoga Conference played out.
I'll be honest, I had my reservations about presenting a yoga workshop to students who I couldn't see and who could not see me. As it turned out, I had a great time.
My session was titled “Chair Yoga for Every Body” and it was a joy to explore this new teaching paradigm. In preparation for this workshop, I uploaded 16 pages of handouts to my Yoga Hub classroom. The handouts included photos of all the poses that we did in the workshop and more to be explored at home.
Megan McDonough was a wonderful moderator. Participants were able to ask questions and make comments during the call so there was time for interaction which added a richness to the experience.
Not only did I enjoy presenting, but I had equally as much fun listening in on some of the other instructors and playing the roll of the student for a change. This virtual conference was a great way to connect and learn from some incredible speakers from around the world.
YogaHub is currently running a Sweetheart Promotion with both no-cost and low-cost options including for the first time ever, the ability to purchase single sessions from the conference.
When I heard this I was so excited for you, because I've been asked so many times in recent years as to how people can gain access to some of my recent teachings and updated works.
Well now's your chance! Head over to the Virtual Conference and pickup my session as a stand alone workshop.
You can still listen to "Chair Yoga for Every Body" and download the handouts.
You may also find a few of the other workshops in alignment with your current path, and I would highly recommend at least one of the following:
* Gary Kraftsow - Yoga Therapy: Ancient Insights for Modern Healing
* Amy Weintraub - LifeForce Yoga to Manage Anxiety
* Molly Lannon Kenny - Abhinivesha: Challenging the Obstacles to Happiness and Karma, Yoga and Right Livelihood
* Chaya Li Sharon - Sacred Secrets of Ayurveda as Yogic Tools for Healing
Check out the full Sweetheart Deal and all available options now...
PS. You can now pickup “Day Passes” to this years event at a drastically reduced price, or register for the 2012 Virtual Conference and gain instant access to an additional 60+ sessions and workshops. |
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Join us for Bethsaida's 3rd Annual Gala! |
Thursday, March 24th
The Spa at Norwich Inn
Cocktail hour & silent auction starting at 5:00 pm
Liz Tewksbury will be honored in memorium with the Carol Croteau Humanitarian Award
Register online
Sponsorships are being accepted
Fantastic Silent Auction items available!
Yoga Heals Us has donated one 90 minute yoga therapy session valued at $100.
Email event@BethsaidaCT.org
or call
(860) 886-7511 x 202 for more information. |
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Vegan Green Goddess Dressing |
This zesty dressing is great on salads, baked potatoes, and soccas. Yummm...
2 - 3 garlic cloves
1/2 cup fresh chives
1/2 cup fresh parsley
2 T tahini
2 T nutritional yeast
1 T miso
1/3 cup water
2 T fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
Place all ingredients in blender and process until smooth. (I use an immersion blender - love it!)
Source: Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Appetite for Reduction |
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If you live in the Fort Worth, TX area, check out Brynn Byrne's new yoga therapy studio.
“Brynn Byrne is a wise and intuitive healer with a deep knowledge of Yoga Therapy both in theory and practice. She has the knowledge, skills and energy to lead many to health and healing.”
-Joseph Le Page, Founder of Integrative Yoga Therapy
and Karen agrees! |
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Whole Child Yoga Launched! |
Beth Gibbs and Karen O'Donnell Clarke have embarked on a new collaboration, bringing together our passion for yoga and children with special needs.
Click here to read our first newsletter. |
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Check out this great source for Yoga Anatomy books. Some of the best asana anatomy books on the market! |
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 Karen O'Donnell Clarke
karen@yogahealsus.com
860.204.0797
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