April 14-15, 2012 Introduction to Yoga Seminar w. Lisa Fischer

** Click here to enroll now in 2012 Anusara Yoga Teacher Training **

2012 Introduction to Yoga Seminar with Lisa Fischer
Saturday & Sunday, April 14-15, 2012 

Learn the basic postures and breathing techniques of Hatha Yoga.

This is a workshop for beginning students. Experience the benefits of yoga practice – gain flexibility, develop strength and cultivate a feeling of well-being.

The small class size and personal attention from the teacher facilitates an easeful and joyful yoga experience.

Please join us for this transformational yoga weekend.

Please feel free to bring a friend and also plan to attend our Open House on Friday, April 13th where you have a chance to meet Lisa and Geri Portnoy, our studio director.

No previous yoga experience required. Current newer students who want to deepen their practice are encouraged to attend.

2:00 to 4:00 pm each day
$50 total

Register Now

** Click here to enroll now in 2012 Anusara Yoga Teacher Training **

Lisa Fischer Before Lisa began practicing yoga, she was a two sport collegiate athlete at a Divison I level, and graduated with a job in the financial industry on the east coast. She turned to yoga as a way to soften her heart, ease her mind, and use the pulsation of breath to find a more natural rhythm that supported her well-being. Inside this more natural rhythm she found the time to pause, breathe, feel and perceive life clearly, and found that the most valuable thing we could ever possess is clearly within our sights: this life itself.

Lisa has completed a 200 hour Vinyasa Flow Teacher Training at Prana Yoga Center, a 200 hour Anusara Yoga Teacher Training with Michael Fukumura, and a Level 2 Teacher Training with Noah Maze.

February 3 – 5, 2012
Level 2 Teacher Training with Geri Portnoy & Paisley Close

Level 2 Teacher Training with Geri Portnoy & Paisley Close
Expanding the Teacher Within (14 hours)
February 3, 4 & 5, 2012

Friday 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Saturday/Sunday 12:30 pm – 4:15 pm + 6:00 pm – 8:15 pm

Join us for this amazing opportunity to take your teaching to a deeper level of excellence. The journey of a teacher is an ever unfolding, life-long expansion of possibility. Great teaching is learning how to artfully give voice to your journey with the intention to inspire and uplift others as you uplift yourself.

SUBJECTS COVERED:

  • The fine art of observation & adjustment
  • Artful sequencing toward pinnacle poses
  • Using clear language that empowers and directs
  • Finding and using your authentic, empowered voice
  • Cultivating heart-centered themes & inspiring stories
  • Developing creative alternatives for mixed level classes
  • Deepening therapeutic skills to address injuries and limitations [Read more...]

March 17 – April 22, 2012
Anusara Immersion 1 with Geri Portnoy & Paisley Close

2012 Immersion Series

Immersion I - Setting the Foundation (36 hours)
March 17/18 · March 31/April 1 · April 21/22 

In this Immersion you will establish a strong foundation in the study and practice of Anusara® yoga.

SUBJECTS COVERED:

  • Universal Principles of AlignmentTM
  • Level 1 Anatomy • Yoga Philosophy Basics
  • Study and Practice of Postures from the Level One Syllabus
  • Introduction to Meditation and Pranayama

PRE-REQUISITE: 30 hours of Anusara® yoga studies/classes or permission from the instructor. All hours count toward Anusara Yoga certification.

SCHEDULE: Saturday and Sunday, 12:30 – 4:15 and 6:00 – 8:15pm [Read more...]

March 17, 2012 – February 24, 2013
2012 Anusara Yoga Teacher Training w. Geri Portnoy & Paisley Close

** Click here to enroll now in 2012 Anusara Yoga Teacher Training **

2012 Anusara Yoga Teacher Training Program with Geri Portnoy & Paisley Close
March 17, 2012 – February 24, 2013

[Read more...]

April 27 – 29, 2012
Ojai Anusara Yoga Retreat with Geri Portnoy

Anusara Yoga Weekend Retreat in Ojai Valley with Geri Portnoy
April 27-29, 2012

Friday evening at 5 pm – Sunday at 1 pm
Step into the flow of nature with Geri for a beautiful weekend of yoga, meditation, reflection, hiking, great food, rest and relaxation.

2012 Ojai Retreat

Click here to view flyer
Click here to register

We’ll be staying in Ojai in a beautiful historic craftsman home designed by visionary architects Greene & Greene. This home is listed in the National Registrar of Historic places, and according to Architectural Digest, “a closer approximation to Shangri-La is hard to imagine.” There are spectacular views of the mountains and valleys, beautiful organic gardens and citrus groves, swimming pool and jacuzzi, over 50 acres of wilderness for exploring and hiking, and gorgeous accommodations. The yoga practice area is extraordinarily beautiful and built to complement the graciousness of the setting. This weekend offers the perfect setting to unwind, reconnect with nature and go deeper into your yoga practice. Treat yourself, or bring a friend and experience the beauty and grace of this peaceful sanctuary. [Read more...]

Jim G. – Yoga Del Mar Practitioner

Jim G.YDM: What brought you to Yoga Del Mar?

JG: I came to yoga for the exercise. I have been a long-time competitive cyclist. I often heard that yoga would be good to augment my cycling and increase general flexibility (which can facilitate increased strength). I had tried yoga a few times, but it never fit well – either the location, or the schedule, or something did not fit. Three years ago I looked for a local studio and saw Yoga Del Mar on the internet, and on a Friday afternoon, I mustered the courage to attend what I call my first real yoga class, with Josh Vincent. And the next day I went to Geri’s class, and thus started my yoga journey. I was struck by how accepting and even inviting yoga instructors are, from the first class I felt I was part of the group. Yoga was so different than the competitive world I was used to – it is not a competition, it is about what you are doing for yourself today, and how you are connecting with yourself. After miles and miles and hours and hours of cycling over the years, I thought I had the foundation for a connection to myself, but in just a short time, I found that connection to be much deeper through my yoga practice at Yoga Del Mar. That “connection” translates to self awareness, self confidence and contentment, and openness in relationships with others. Just few months later, I completed Anusara Immersion 1 with Geri, and that deepened my knowledge of Anusara yoga and my yoga practice far more than I expected.

YDM: How has practicing yoga changed your life?

JG: Shortly after completing the Anusara Immersion 1, I suffered a very serious cycling accident when on a ride in Palos Verdes; I rode off the road on a downhill stretch and into a tree with my face and chest. My helmet saved my life, and it was more than six months before I was able to get back to the mat and back on the bike. But most importantly, yoga never left me. In those months when almost every movement was painful and I was struggling to do simple things like walk, I could come home from work, sit, do some pranyama, some meditation, and allow the distractions of the day to fade away, and accept myself for what I was that day, pain and all. And, as corny as it might sound, I embraced the pain; it was part of me that day. Yoga gave me the tools to deal with a difficult challenge in a positive way. Yoga gave me a connection to myself, the self confidence and perseverance to endure and heal. Yoga taught me to open my heart, and allow people to help me along that path as I healed and got stronger. And the healing did come, albeit slowly. Now completely healed, the accident and recovery is just a memory. I am having fun with my yoga practice, with my cycling, and even with my work. I came to yoga for the exercise, a whole world unfolded and I became a better person.

YDM: What new beginnings/openings have you found through the practice of yoga?

JG: Anusara is often defined as “flowing with grace” or “following your heart”, and it’s also about opening your heart. I have no doubt that because of Anusara yoga and following its principles, I was able to open my heart more than I ever had and allow people to help me when I needed help and be grateful for that help. I have had an opportunity to experience a long recovery in a positive way. I got a rare chance to start over again after that recovery – to begin my yoga asana practice again, to start my cycling again, and by looking at many things with a fresh view, I am appreciating them more. More than just opening my heart, through a better connection with myself, yoga gave me a better awareness and appreciation of people with whom I interact. And yoga gave me a more conscience contact with my ego, engaging my awareness of my true nature as a being.

YDM: What would you say to someone thinking of trying yoga for the first time?

JG: Do it. Do something positive for yourself – set your attitude and take action (go to that class). Because I work regularly in Los Angeles, I have been able to attend yoga classes at several studios. I am fortunate to practice regularly with a number of skilled, generous, and compassionate instructors. I have found that all of the yoga instructors I know are accepting and have something worthwhile to offer – they truly want to help students get the most out of their practice. But it is far more than the instructors. The kind, compassionate, and very real people who attend yoga practice are wonderful people to share a community with. Sometimes after a long day at work it is hard to go to class and get on the mat, but every time I do, I’m glad I did – every single time. So (as the athletic shoe add says), just do it!

Anusara Yoga in New York Times

The founder of Anusara Yoga, my teacher, John Friend was featured in a multiple page article in the New York Times Magazine entitled “The Yoga Mogul.”  You can read the entire article here:  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/magazine/25Yoga-t.html?_r=1&emc=eta1.  It is an informative article discussing the philosophy of Anusara Yoga, different styles of yoga taught in America today, his personal history (including his yoga performance and work with the Yoga Ashram described in the book Eat,Pray,Love), and his plans for opening a center for Arts and Yoga in Encinitas.

I found the article informative and  I found it to be slanted in a way that portrayed John much like a rock star of yoga.  Yes, he does have a large, passionate following but he is also incredibly dedicated to the empowerment of each person he teaches.  For me he has helped me to open to my own gifts, powers, and passion.  I find him to be a stable, intelligent, loving, artistic teacher who has a charisma to lead and inspire.  He has shown me the value of opening into the full spectrum of life both the light and the dark and holding it all in a grander field.  And he was the first person to invite me into the spiritual journey of awakening.

John’s response to the article in the New York Times can be found at http://www.elephantjournal.com/2010/07/ele-exclusive-yoga-mogul-john-friends-response-to-sunday-ny-times-magazine-feature-article/.  To find out more about Anusara Yoga visit their web site at www.Anusara.com or come to an Anusara class at Yoga Del Mar.