Spring 2014
We Get In Our Own Way by Amir If you really want to remove a cloud from your life, you do not make a big production of it, you just relax and remove it from your thinking. That's all there is to it.” ― Richard Bach, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah
There’s not one mind, there are two. There’s the so-called monkey-mind, a scattered mass of thoughts that directs our attention in a thousand different directions. And there’s the "real" mind – observant, aware of all the distractions, and able to make cognitive decisions. One of these minds will always get in the way of the other. I begin all my yoga classes with a mindful, centering activity. We stay still and silent, within ourselves. With this practice, we can learn to be naturally still without creating or contributing to anxiety. We watch our breath, notice when the mind wanders off, and gently lead the wandering thought back to the breath. These movements of the mind back to center are like a mental workout, equivalent to weight-lifting repetitions at the gym: every rep strengthens us a bit more. The brain’s circuits get stronger, and we're better able to notice the wandering, strong enough to let it go and return to focus. In this way, we develop wisdom. And with this wisdom developed, we are less likely to let "monkey" mind get in the way of "real" mind. When we encounter a situation that is not as we think it should be, "monkey" generates a wide array of negative feelings and judgments, reeling us in to the tumultuous and emotional realm, taking us away from an objective view of the possibilities the situation may have to offer. Into our own delusions we go, like Alice down the rabbit hole. A friend's story exemplifies this perfectly – she was waiting at the airport after returning home from a long business trip. Her boyfriend was late to pick her up, and she couldn't reach him on his cell. After 15 or 20 minutes, she spiraled into panic, reeling back and forth between criticism of him for being inconsiderate and unreliable, to full-on panic that he could be nothing other than dead in a ditch. When he did show up with a very reasonable explanation of dead cell phone and terrible traffic, instead of enjoying the moment of reunion, she was still climbing her way out of the tumult [read more wisdom from our dear friend Kira Ryder on p. 7 about the upsides of travel going in unexpected directions]. Granted, life can be anything but relaxing, especially if we’re in the midst of a difficult situation. As we learn more about ourselves, however, we become less surprised by the feelings that arise within us. We soften the knee-jerk relationship to our inner experience. We can recognize and let go of emotional storms more easily. With this wisdom, we can easily evaluate whether the actions we plan to take are likely to improve the situation, or validate our emotions. The brain will always produce thoughts and accompanying feelings – that’s what it does. When we develop and strengthen this type of wisdom, it allows us to create a more harmonious relationship with those thoughts. We learn to discern the monkey-driven thoughts from the wisdom-driven ones. Struggles diminish, and instead of getting in the way of ourselves, we clear an open and comfortable path forward.
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Workshops, Programs, and Community Events This Spring For Your Body’s Healing, Comfort, and Health
Visiting Master Teachers and Deeper Study Welcoming Baxter Bell March 28 - March 30
Restore with Amir April 5 (Saturday) 1:30p - 3:30p, Arl.
(Friday to Sunday)
Switch from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest” with the most relaxing two hours possible.
“Yoga for Healthy Aging”
Yoga Therapy: Neck & Shoulders with Amir April 27 (Sunday) 1:30p - 4:30p, Arl. Critical information and potentially life-changing practice for anyone with neck & shoulder “stuff.”
Better Balance, Bones, Joints and Mind May 3 (Saturday) 1:30p - 4:30p, Arl. Learn to support the body and glide gracefully through the years w/Beth Ebner.
Mindful Resilience for Trauma Recovery April 4 - April 6 (Friday to Sunday) For yoga teachers and mindful caregivers
Hips in Harmony with Amir May 17 (Saturday) 1:30p - 4:00p, Arl.
Welcoming Carie Garrett April 25 - April 26
A practice dedicated to ease and space in the hip joints.
(Friday to Saturday)
Yoga Nidra with Rixie May 18 (Sunday) 2:00p - 4:00p, Ffx.
“Finding Freedom’s Frequency”
Rest deeply with guided breathing, meditation, and support.
Yoga and Essential Oils with Rixie June 22 (Sunday) 2:00p - 4:00p, Ffx. Support physical and emotional strength through the science of aromatherapy.
Welcoming Kira Ryder May 30 - June 1 (Friday to Sunday) “Our Yogini Skills”
Teacher Training Sneak Peek: Eight Limbs In-Depth: May 9 (Friday) 6:30p - 8:30p, Arl. For those interested in joining our annual program of deep exploration of the art and science of yoga. With Annie Moyer & Alex Levin.
For Kids & Families FREE Yoga for You, the Community, and the Greater Good Yoga for Good
April 5, May 3, June 7 (Saturdays) 4:30p - 5:30p, Arl. & Ffx. Donations-only, all-levels classes for the community presented by Sun & Moon teachers to benefit the cause of their choice.
FREE Community Yoga Class
June 14 (Saturday) 1:00p - 2:30p, Arl. Led by the 2013-14 In-Depth Teachers in Training. Come support our newest crop of yoga adepts. FREE Summer Solstice Celebration June 20 (Friday) 7:00p - 8:30p, Arl. An inspiring yoga practice to align with the longest day of the year, w/John Sherburne.
Family Yoga Sundays
April 6, May 11, June 8, 3:00p - 4:00p, Arl. & Ffx. Workshops feature yoga games, stories, and imagery to inspire all ages – the perfect opportunity for real family togetherness. Come Together: Mom & Me for Special Needs May 4 (Sunday) 12:30p - 2:30p, Ffx. A special opportunity for mom and child to connect, share and find joy together through movement, yoga and meditation, w/Lynne Bauer & Sherri Shunfenthal.
SUMMER YOGA CAMP FOR KIDS - SAVE THE DATES!
July 14 (Monday) - July 17 (Thursday), Arl. & Ffx. 1:00p - 4:00p Kids will unplug from the distractions of home and plug in to the joys of yoga for four consecutive summer afternoons.
SUMMER YOGA CAMP FOR TEENS - SAVE THE DATES!
July 21 (Monday) - July 24 (Thursday), Arl. 1:00p - 4:00p Yoga helps restore balance amid the ups & downs of adolescence. 3
ARLINGTON STUDIO SPRING 2014 (13 WEEKS)
DIRECTIONS TO ARLINGTON ARLINGTON STUDIO 3811 Lee Highway Arlington, VA 22207 From Rt. 66 heading East: Take Exit 72 (Spout Run/Lee Hwy) Turn left onto Lee Hwy. Continue on Lee Hwy to third light (N. Pollard St). From GW Parkway/Alexandria: Take the Spout Run Exit (left exit) off GW Parkway. Turn right onto Lee Hwy. Continue on Lee Hwy to fourth light (N. Pollard St). From all points on Lee Hwy: Turn north/west onto N. Pollard across from the historic Cherrydale firehouse. Park in lot adjacent and behind a small strip of stores. Metrobus lines 3A, 3B, 3E, and 3Y stop at our doorstep. Orange Line Metro: walk about 20 minutes from Ballston or Clarendon stops.
703.525.9642 sunandmoonstudio.com facebook.com/ sunandmoonyogastudio
NEW PRICING FOR MULTIPLE REGISTRATIONS! Want to register for TWO weekly classes? Take $50 off the total cost. Want to register for THREE or more? Take $108 off your total. Multi-class discounts apply to full quarter registrations only,may not be shared between students, and may not be combined with other discounts.
First Class Free!
If you have never taken a class at our studio, we would like you to try a class on us. We hope that if Sun & Moon is the right studio for you that you'll sign up for one of our many offerings. You may want to give this coupon to a friend. Bring this coupon to the studio for your first class. This offer is valid one time to students who have never before attended a class at Sun & Moon. This offer does not apply to Morning Mysore. 4
FRIDAY MARCH 28 - THURSDAY JULY 3 (No regular classes for Spring Break: April 14 to April 20) Check website for one-hour tune-ins during spring break. Day/Time MONDAY 6:30am-7:30am 10:00am-11:30am 11:00am-12:15pm 12:15pm-1:30pm 4:00pm-5:15pm 4:00pm-4:45pm 4:30pm-6:00pm 5:00pm-6:00pm 6:30pm-7:45pm 6:15pm-7:45pm 6:15pm-7:30pm 8:00pm-9:30pm 8:00pm-9:15pm TUESDAY 10:00am-11:15am 10:15am-11:45am 11:30am-12:30pm 12:00pm-1:30pm 4:30pm-6:00pm 4:30pm-5:45pm 6:15pm-7:45pm 6:15pm-7:30pm 7:45pm-9:00pm 8:00pm-9:15pm WEDNESDAY 6:30am-7:30am 9:30am-11:00am 9:30am-11:00am 11:15am-12:30pm 11:15am-12:15pm 4:30pm-6:00pm 5:00pm-6:15pm 6:15pm-7:45pm 6:30pm-7:45pm 7:00pm-8:00pm 8:00pm-9:15pm 8:00pm-9:30pm THURSDAY 9:30am-10:15am 10:30am-12:00pm 10:30am-11:45am 1:15pm-2:00pm 1:15pm-2:00pm 4:15pm-5:00pm 5:30pm-6:30pm 5:15pm-6:00pm 6:15pm-7:30pm 6:45pm-8:00pm 7:00pm-8:30pm 7:45pm-9:15pm FRIDAY 10:15am-11:45am 11:00am-12:30pm 11:45am-12:30pm 4:30pm-5:45pm 6:30pm-8:00pm SATURDAY 7:45am-9:00am 9:15am-10:30am 9:15am-10:30am 10:45am-12:15pm 10:45am-12:15pm SUNDAY 9:00am-10:30am 9:15am-10:45am 10:45am-12:00pm 11:00am-12:30pm 4:30pm-6:00pm 4:45pm-6:00pm 6:30pm-7:30pm
Class
Instructor
Start Date
Fee
Studio
All Levels Level 2 Level 1/Gentle Meditation Level 1 Middle Schoolers (10 weeks; no class 5/26) Level 2/3 High Schoolers (10 weeks; no class 5/26) Yoga-Infused Pilates Level 2 Kundalini Yoga Vinyasa 1/2 Level 1
Charlotte Raich Judith Lyon Asya Haikin Jackie Shaffer Karin Caffi Annie Moyer Jackie Shaffer Annie Moyer Suzanne Morgan Amir Satya Prakash Jill Schroeder Amir
3/31 3/31 3/31 3/31 3/31 3/31 3/31 3/31 3/31 3/31 3/31 3/31 3/31
$169 $195 $195 donations $195 $130 $195 $130 $195 $195 $195 $195 $195
A A B A B C A C B A C B A
Level 1 Level 2 Feldenkrais Level 3 Level 2/3 Level 1 Level 2 Level 1 Gentle Level 1
Judith Lyon Annie Moyer Madeline Helbraun Annie Moyer Jackie Shaffer Debbi Pierce Jackie Shaffer Suzanne Morgan Asya Haikin Heidi Panetta
4/1 4/1 4/1 4/1 4/1 4/1 4/1 4/1 4/1 4/1
$195 $195 $169 $195 $195 $195 $195 $195 $195 $195
B A B A A B A B B A
All Levels Level 2 Vinyasa All Levels Level 1 Moms & Babies Level 2 Yin Yoga Ashtanga Yoga Level 1 Feldenkrais Level 1 Level 2
Charlotte Raich Jackie Shaffer Sun & Moon Faculty Jackie Shaffer Sylvia Cacciato Annie Moyer Alex Levin Tova Steiner Lisa Gunther Madeline Helbraun Roger Panetta Lisa Gunther
4/2 4/2 4/2 4/2 4/2 4/2 4/2 4/2 4/2 4/2 4/2 4/2
$169 $195 $195 $195 $169 $195 $195 $195 $195 $169 $195 $195
A A B A B A B A B C A B
Toddlers Together Level 2 Level 1 Pre-K Kids (8 weeks only; ages 3 to 5) Parents’ Yoga Express (8 weeks only) Kids (grades K to 2) (8 weeks only) Yoga Express (All Levels) Kids (grades 3 to 5) (8 weeks only) Level 1 Prenatal All Levels Integral Yoga
Dana Cook Alex Levin Annie Moyer Dana C./Suzanne R. Sun & Moon Faculty Azure Lea Laura McCarty Azure Lea Carol Stehl Beth E./Charlotte R. Kat Dame Debbie Sheetz
4/3 4/3 4/3 4/3 4/3 4/3 4/3 4/3 4/3 4/3 4/3 4/3
$169 $195 $195 $104 $104 $104 $169 $104 $195 $195 $195 $195
A A B A B B A B B A C B
Level 2 All Levels Meditation Gentle All Levels
Jackie Shaffer Raima Larter Jackie Shaffer Pauline H./Faith H. Alfia Khaibullina
3/28 3/28 3/28 3/28 3/28
$195 $195 donations $195 $195
A B A A B
Mat Pilates 1/2 Mat Pilates 1 Level 1 Level 2 Vinyasa All Levels
Nirinjan Devi Nirinjan Devi Amir Amir Kristin Heinz
3/29 3/29 3/29 3/29 3/29
$195 $195 $195 $195 $195
B B A A B
All Levels Level 3 Level 1 Level 2 Vinyasa 2 Prenatal Meditation
Enid Kassner John Sherburne Enid Kassner Anne Jablonski Alfia Khaibullina Pauline Howard Jane & Garrett Phelan
3/30 3/30 3/30 3/30 3/30 3/30 3/30
$195 $195 $195 $195 $195 $195 donations
A C A B B A A
MORNING MYSORE/ASHTANGA YOGA weekdays 5:30 a.m. and Sundays 8:00 a.m. Email tova@sunandmoonstudio.com
FAIRFAX STUDIO SPRING 2014 (13 WEEKS) FRIDAY MARCH 28 - THURSDAY JULY 3 No regular classes for Spring Break: April 14 to April 20 Check website for one-hour tune-ins during spring break. Day/Time
Class
Instructor
10:00am-11:15am
Mat Pilates 1/2
10:15am-11:45am
All Levels
12:00pm-1:15pm 4:00pm-4:45pm
DIRECTIONS TO FAIRFAX FAIRFAX CITY STUDIO 9998 Main Street Fairfax, VA 22031
Start Date
Fee
Studio
Anna Mikheeva
3/31
$195
A
Carol Confino
3/31
$195
B
Gentle/Level 1
Carol Confino
3/31
$195
B
Kids (grades K to 6)
Cynthia Maltenfort
3/31
$169
B
4:45pm-6:00pm
Level 1
Carole Rodero
3/31
$195
A
6:00pm-7:30pm
Level 3
Vicki Christian
3/31
$195
B
6:15pm-7:45pm
Level 2
Dena Jensen
3/31
$195
A
7:45pm-9:00pm
Mat Pilates All Levels
Lesley Laing
3/31
$195
B
8:00pm-9:15pm
Level 1
Kate Rudacille
3/31
$195
A
7:00am-8:00am
All Levels
Cynthia Lim
4/1
$169
B
10:00am-11:30am
Level 2
Susie Crate
4/1
$195
A
10:15am-11:30am
Gentle
Annette Hyde
4/1
$195
B
11:45am-1:15pm
Adaptive Yoga
Noralea Dalkin
4/1
$195
B
4:30pm-6:00pm
Level 2
Rixie Dennison
4/1
$195
B
6:00pm-7:15pm
Level 1
Terry Strayer
4/1
$195
A
6:15pm-7:45pm
Level 2/3
Rixie Dennison
4/1
$195
B
7:30pm-8:45pm
All Levels
Terry Strayer
4/1
$195
A
9:00am-10:30am
Level 2
Cynthia Maltenfort
4/2
$195
B
10:45am-12:15pm
All Levels
Anna Mikheeva
4/2
$195
B
11:30am-12:30pm
Moms & Babies
Vicki Christian
4/2
$169
A
6:00pm-7:30pm
Level 2
Carol Confino
4/2
$195
A
6:00pm-7:30pm
Level 3/4
Pat Pao
4/2
$195
B
7:45pm-9:00pm
Mat Pilates All Levels
Lesley Laing
4/2
$195
B
8:00pm-9:15pm
Level 1
Carol Confino
4/2
$195
A
7:00am-8:00am
All Levels
Cynthia Lim
4/3
$169
B
9:15am-10:30am
Level 1
Vicki Christian
4/3
$195
A
10:15am-11:45am
Level 2/3
Judith Lyon
4/3
$195
B
10:45am-12:15pm
Level 2
Carol Confino
4/3
$195
A
4:30pm-5:45pm
Gentle
Susie Crate
4/3
$195
B
Sun & Moon Yoga Studio is
6:15pm-7:30pm
Level 1
Carole Rodero
4/3
$195
A
6:30pm-7:45pm
Prenatal
Melinda Hofstetter
4/3
$195
B
8:00pm-9:30pm
All Levels
Deb Hertz
4/3
$195
B
10:00am-11:30am
All Levels
Cynthia Maltenfort
3/28
$195
B
10:15am-11:45am
Level 2/3
Vicki Christian
3/28
$195
A
11:45am-1:15pm
Adaptive Yoga
Noralea Dalkin
3/28
$195
B
12:00pm-1:15pm
Level 1
Deb Hertz
3/28
$195
A
5:30pm-6:45pm
Peaceful Practices
Rixie Dennison
3/28
$195
B
7:00pm-8:30pm
Yoga for the 12 Steps
Rixie Dennison
3/28
$195
B
9:00am-10:30am
Level 3
Annette Hyde
3/29
$195
A
9:15am-10:30am
Level 1
Dena Jensen
3/29
$195
B
10:45am-12:15pm
Level 2
Dena Jensen
3/29
$195
B
9:00am-10:15am
Mat Pilates 1
Julia Hughes
3/30
$195
A
9:15am-10:30am
Gentle/Level 1
Carol Confino
3/30
$195
B
among the country’s premier schools for the study and practice of yoga. We’ve shared our teachings with over 10,000 students since the early 1990s. We embrace a holistic approach to this ancient system of health and healing, offering our cherished students a well-rounded yoga education and practice to help them feel better inside and out. Our philosophy is based on an eclectic blend of hatha yoga traditions with instructors who share a strong passion for teaching and a commitment to giving students a nurturing home for exploring the art and science of yoga.
10:30am-12:00pm
All Levels
Anna Mikheeva
3/30
$195
A
10:45am-12:15pm
Level 2
Carol Confino
3/30
$195
B
4:30pm-5:30pm
Middle & High Schoolers
Cynthia Maltenfort
3/30
$169
A
5:00pm-6:15pm
Prenatal
Melanie Mustone
3/30
$195
B
7:00pm-8:00pm
Meditation
Jon Waterman
3/30
donations
B
MONDAY
TUESDAY
From Rt. 29/211: Take Rt. 236 East (Main Street). Pass downtown Fairfax City. We’re located on the left in Main Street Center. From I-495: Take Rt. 236 West (Little River Turnpike). Little River Turnpike turns into Main Street. We’re located on the right in Main Street Center. From Rt. 123: Take Rt. 236 East (Main Street). We’re located on the left in Main Street Center.
703.525.9642 sunandmoonstudio.com facebook.com/ sunandmoonyogastudio
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
NEW PRICING FOR MULTIPLE REGISTRATIONS! Want to register for TWO weekly classes? Take $50 off the total cost. Want to register for THREE or more? Take $108 off your total. Multi-class discounts apply to full quarter registrations only,may not be shared between students, and may not be combined with other discounts.
While this schedule is current as of printing, there may be changes. Please check our website at sunandmoonstudio.com for the most up-to-date information. 5
General Information and Fees REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND FEES Sun & Moon is a school of yoga, with weekly classes structured to provide a wellrounded curriculum over an entire quarter. We run four quarters per year; depending on the season, the length of the quarter varies. We welcome beginners and new students at any time. Your first class is free! Once you decide to sign up for a class, you can register online at sunandmoonstudio.com; or by phone, mail, or in person. We accept credit cards, checks or cash. If you’re redeeming a gift certificate or studio credit, please do so by phone or in person. We offer the following options for class registrations:
MAKE-UPS Consider your registered class your “homeroom” for yoga. However, if you can’t make it to your registered class, you can make it up in any other class within the current quarter at either studio. Make-ups in advance of a future absence are allowed. When you are doing a make-up, sign in at the front desk and inform the teacher. All make-ups must be taken during the quarter for which you are registered; they may not be carried over to the next quarter. REFUND AND CREDIT POLICY Keeping in mind our liberal make-up policy, we understand that life circumstances sometimes get in the way, and yoga has to wait. If you decide you must ask for a credit or a refund, they are available for the number of classes remaining in the quarter, based on the date we receive your request (not the date you last attended). Therefore, please fill out a refund/credit request form as soon as you know you can no longer attend your classes. Refunds will incur the following administrative fees: $20 for classes or 10% the cost of a workshop. Refunds by check may take up to 3 weeks to process; refunds by credit card may take up to one week. Letters of Credit are valid for one year from the date issued, and incur no administrative fee. Letters of Credit apply to classes and workshops only, and cannot be redeemed for cash or merchandise. Workshop refunds or letters of credit are available up to the day before the event. No refunds or credits are given the day of or after the workshop.
FULL QUARTER REGISTRATION We recommend this option, as it will give you the best possible yoga education and experience. Regular practice and connection to your yoga community form the cornerstone of Sun & Moon’s unique yoga environment. Full quarter prices: $15/class for 75- and 90-minute classes $13/class for 45- and 60-minute classes PARTIAL REGISTRATION If you’re joining the quarter late, or you know you’ll be traveling and unable to attend several classes, you may register for a partial quarter, with a minimum of six classes. Partial registration prices: $16/class for 75- and 90-minute classes $14/class for 45- and 60-minute classes SINGLE CLASS/DROP-INS To accommodate students with unpredictable schedules, we allow anyone to drop-in anytime (on rare occasions, space will not be available in a fully registered class). Drop-in prices: $20/class for 75- and 90-minute classes $15/class for 45- and 60-minute classes
WHAT TO WEAR AND OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION Wear comfortable “work-out” clothes; nothing too baggy so teachers can see your alignment. We practice barefoot and keep our floors clean; leave your shoes in the cubbies before entering the yoga rooms. We have men’s and women’s changing areas. No heavy perfume/cologne or noisy jewelry. For your safety, leave valuables locked and hidden in your car. Cell phones must be silenced; for the benefit of all, we strongly discourage cell phones in the yoga room. Sun & Moon Yoga Studio, Ltd. reserves the right to dismiss (with or without a refund) any student who disrupts the harmony of the class or studio.
EXTRA DROP-INS FOR REGISTERED STUDENTS If you’re a registered student (full or partial) seeking an additional class, you may drop-in to any class at the partial registration price listed above. MULTIPLE CLASS DISCOUNTS – NEW BENEFIT!! Register for two full quarter classes and take $50 off your total; register for three full quarter classes and take off $108.
EMERGENCY CLOSINGS Classes cancelled due to inclement weather or other emergency will not be rescheduled, but may be made up in any other class during the quarter. During severe weather conditions or other emergencies, we will post all cancellations on the studio website and on the outgoing voicemail at 703.525.9642.
Registration – Spring 2014 703-525-YOGA (9642) www.sunandmoonstudio.com
One form per person please.
Name ________________________________________________________________________
Date _______/_______/_______
Address _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City ______________________________________________________________ State ___________ Zip __________________________ Phone (day) __________________________________ (evening) ___________________________________ (cell) ________________________________ Email ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By signing here, I declare myself to be responsible for my own health and safety while participating in class. I have read and understand the make-up and refund policy.
Class
Day
SIGN HERE
Time
Teacher
_____________________________________________ Arlington or Fairfax?
Cost
Take $10 if you are a senior (60+ years). Take $50 off two full class registrations . Take $108 off three full class registrations DISCOUNTS ARE FOR FULL QUARTER REGISTRATIONS ONLY AND MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANOTHER STUDENT OR ANOTHER DISCOUNT.
.
TOTAL DUE: For mail-in registrations only:
Card # _________________________________________ Billing zip code____________ Exp. Date ___ /____ CVV code _______Signature _______________________________ Please make payment to Sun & Moon for full amount. Drop off or mail to: Arlington classes: 3811 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22207 Fairfax classes: 9998 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22031 6
OFFICE USE: did you add name to reg. notebook?
ring transaction in shopkeep?
how was payment made? credit card _____ cash_____check (#_____ ) SMYS credit $amount _______ gift cert. (#_____ & $amount _______ ) if partial reg., how many weeks? _______ YOUR NAME_________________ Date rec’d ____________ which staff person entered in database? _______________________
Nothing is exciting if you know the
Master Teacher Spotlight: Allowing for the Surprise by Kira Ryder
outcome. ~ Joseph Campbell Surprise is the mark of a genuine experience. ~ Ravi Ravindra
In my American experience, the mechanics of daily life generally work. The bank lines are usually short, my cell phone has reception, most people stop at the stop signs, the trash gets picked up, the stores are open and stocked, hot water comes out of a tap, a doctor can be reached, and coffee can be found at 5am. Expectations and habits can form very easily when everything is open and available. Simultaneously, the ease with which things get done here can create the illusions that I am running my own life, doing more stuff faster is the goal, I don’t need anyone’s help, and what has God got to do with it? So, when I have the great privilege of finding myself in India where nothing works the way I was imagining, and almost every task requires copious amounts of time, these fantasies of control, doer-ship and obsession with speed can’t hold up. And as they fade from view, I find myself where I always have been, yet did not need to notice, in the tender, slow and giggling embrace of the Cosmos. The sequencing of Her opening of me this last trip was orderly, vigilant and loving. With one surprise after another, she continually whispered, “Do you trust me now? How about now? And what about now?” And like any good elementary school teacher, with each lesson plan completion, she rewarded with gold stars and boons. Lesson Plan 1: On Christmas Day, I checked into my flight at Los Angeles International to find out that the times of my connecting flight in Singapore had changed. Boon: Because of the changes, I was synchronized to meet an amazing woman working in the field of microloans to women without Internet access in the villages of India. We are still in communication and I hope we get to work together. Lesson Plan 13: As I tired to check into my flight from Mumbai to Varanasi, the woman behind the counter bobbled her head and informed me that my reservation had been cancelled. I was sent to a different queue and then instructed to “wait over there” for 15 minutes. Boon: As I watched my mind race like a pack of wild dogs to fix the situation, I also heard a deeper voice ask if I was willing to not know, and I was offered a quiet place inside my belly to rest. With zero explanation, my tickets were eventually stamped and I was allowed on the plane. Lesson Plan 27: One afternoon in Varanasi, Uschi and I got rudely rerouted from our path back to the silk shop. Boon: At that same moment, a mutual old friend of ours who lives in Finland walked through the door. Lesson Plan 38: I was unable to change my flight from Varanasi to see my new friend and Sanskrit teacher, Anuradha. Boon: On that unchangeable flight, I sat next to an Indian neuropsychologist who had also been a heart surgeon and is deeply steeped in the teachings of the sages. We are still in the conversation we began on the plane. Lesson Plan 65: I arrived at my accommodations in Chennai in the middle of the night and my name was not on the list of guests. Boon: I was placed in a room with a woman who would later need my help after she suffered a concussion and hot water burns. These continual small reminders that I am not in charge, I cannot possibly imagine her magical plans, the events are not always only about me, and the only choice I have is to cooperate led to experiences so surprising, that I could not even recognize myself. I found myself deeply weeping in the ashram of Sri Ramana Marishi, climbing to top of Shiva’s mountain, Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai by accident, scaling over locked gates and barbed wire, sitting in the dirt in a circle of 11-year old girls eating sugar cane sharing the names of our best friends, falling in love with a young poet, enacting out the myth of Shiva and Sati in front of 80 Indian critics, riding a bicycle through the mighty rivers of traffic, and kissing a Brahmin in broad daylight. I had conversations on an international scale that are still too big for my mind to sort. Because what we understand cannot transform us and the insistence of knowing everything about everything is the quickest way to crush the possibility of delight. To see more clearly requires the acknowledgement of blindness. Pull back the lids of what you already know, uncover your eyes, allow for the surprise. Join Kira for a weekend of delightful surprises this spring at Sun & Moon with “Our Yogini Skills,” May 31 to June 1. Details online now.
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Be Well This Spring YOGA THERAPY W/AMIR FOR YOUR NECK & SHOULDERS Sun April 27 BETTER BALANCE, BONES, JOINTS & MIND Sat May 3 w/Beth Ebner YOGA NIDRA WITH RIXIE Sun May 18 SPRING BREAK TUNE-INS Hour-long drop-in classes while we pause regular classes Apr 14 to 20. Check website for schedule.
Sun & Moon In-Depth: 2014-15 Advanced Studies & Teacher Training includes our basic 200-Hour Foundations program, and, for graduates of 200 hours interested in deeper exploration of asana, anatomy and wisdom, Proficiency and Mastery, our 350- and 500-Hour higher level certificates. If you’re ready to delve deeply into the art and science of teaching and living yoga, email: alex@sunandmoonstudio.com, and/or join us for an informational workshop: Eight Limbs In-Depth Sneak Peak
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w/Alex Levin & Annie Moyer
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Fri May 9, 6:30p to 8:30p in Arlington
Don’t Miss Our Spring Master Line-Up THE VETERANS YOGA PROJECT presents Mindful Reslience for Trauma Recovery: Apr 4 - Apr 6 CARIE GARRETT presents Finding Freedom’s Frequency: Apr 25 - Apr 26 KIRA RYDER presents Our Yogini Skills: May 30 - June 1
Unlimited Bliss is Back! Gear up for your summer yoga spa, with all-you-can-yoga plus two personalized healing treatments of photo by Ruth Ann Lowery
your choice. Registration opens May 1.