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.

This workshop will enhance each child’s physical and mental well being through practicing yoga in a fun-filled, engaging and imaginative way. Children will explore yoga poses and learn correct breathing and relaxation techniques to increase their strength, flexibility and focus. Yoga poses develop coordination skills that help to prevent injury during sports or other physical activities. The goal is to help everyone develop strong minds and bodies, and to learn to giggle and lighten up to release tension–which will keep the spirit bright and healthy. Children will enjoy the benefits of yoga for a full life ahead. 

Sara has been teaching children acting and yoga for over fifteen years and creates a playful, safe environment for creative expression and thoughtful awareness.

Wednesdays,  September 22 & 29, October  6, 13, 20 & 27

Time: 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Cost: $84
Ages 6-14

5 Sundays: September 26th, October 10th and 24th, November 14th and 28th
6:00 pm -8:00 pm

Total Cost: $279 (Pay $150 class fee now to register, then pay $129 in course materials prior to first session in September—we’ll send you a link)

Stands for all things,

even for those things that don’t flower,

for everything flowers, from within, of self-blessing

though sometimes it is necessary to reteach a thing its loveliness,

to put a hand on the brow of the flower and retell it in words and in touch

it is lovely

until it flowers again from within, of self-blessing;

as Saint Francis put his hand on the creased forehead of the sow,

and told her in words and in touch

blessings of the earth on the sow, and the sow

began remembering all down her thick length,

from the earthen snout all the way

throught the fodder and slops to the spiritual curl of the tail

from the hard spininess spiked out from the spine

down through the great broken heart . . .

the long, perfect loveliness of sow

Heros and Heroines, a weekend of Anusara Yoga, inspired by the mythic epic Mahabharata

COST: $150 for all 3 sessions ($165 if paid less than one week in advance)

Shri Embodied
Sat 9/18/2010 From 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

The Heroine of Mahabharata, Draupadi, inspires this practice of forward bends and deep hip opening and twisting work in standing poses and floor poses. We will culminate these openings into the power and grace of hand balancings. We will explore her story and embody the myriad of relevant teachings to our practice on and off the mat. Draupadi reminds us that the source of strength and commitment is inside, and invites us to attune and receive our inner strength in order to perform asana outwardly. Come prepared to be inspired and challenged–intelligent sequencing, stages and modifications will make this class accessible to all levels, from beginner to advanced.

COST: $60 ($70 if paid less than one week in advance)

Yoga Therapeutics for Teachers and Students 
Sat 9/18/2010 From 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

LOWER BODY: Anusara Yoga Therapeutics combines an uplifting attitude with precise bio-mechanical alignment in yoga poses to heal and transform. The human body/mind is remarkably resilient, intelligent, and great things happen when we align! This day long workshop will focus on therapeutic applications of yoga to provide students and teachers with tools to actively relieve pain and repair injuries. We will address a variety of musculo-skeletal injuries and misalignments related to the lower back, pelvis, hips, knees, ankles and feet. We will incorporate basic anatomy and kinesiology and apply these principles in practical therapeutic yoga routines. And, we will examine specific poses if and when students experience discomfort. This is a great opportunity to learn the Universal Principles of Alignment of Anusara Yoga, and how they work through practices that address and relieve pain and discomfort. All levels of practitioners and teachers encouraged, no previous knowledge and experience required.

COST: $40 ($45 if paid less than one week in advance)

Courage and Glory 

Sun 9/19/2010 From 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

The warrior consciousness of the heroic Pandava brothers (Arjuna, Bhima etc) inspires this dynamic and progressive practice of vinyasa sequencing, standing poses and into the strong work of backbends. Embody your courage and stand in your light as we progress sequentially and intelligently with Universal Principles of Alignment from Level I into Level II syllabus of asanas. Come prepared to be inspired and challenged–intelligent sequencing, stages and modifications will make this class accessible to all levels, from beginner to advanced.

COST: $60 ($70 if paid less than one week in advance)

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 teachers facilitates an easeful and joyful yoga experience. Please join us for this transformational weekend yoga experience.

No previous yoga experience required.

Saturday & Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM

Cost: $50.00 

This month Yoga Journal Magazine (March 2010 ) featured an article on Pastor Eddie D. Smith Sr. who introduced the word ‘Namaste’ to his congregation in Georgia.  He saw how so many of the young black men in his community were killing each other.  He instructed them to begin to greet each other with the word ‘Namaste’ which means: “The Divinity within me salutes the Divinity within you.” He suggested that by seeing the spark of Divine in one’s self and in the other, a natural respect arises.

Our yoga practice invites us into a direct experience of connecting to a deeper part of ourselves where we feel our own Divinity, worthiness, and fundamental essence.  From this connection to The Source of Life within us it becomes easier to connect to that same place within the other.  To paraphrase Pastor Smith:  If Namaste were really understood, the world would be a better, more peaceful and safer place.

Click on the link below to watch the (2 min.) video clip of Pastor Eddie D. Smith teaching his congregation the word Namaste.

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

Co-sponsored by Lighten Up Yoga (info@lightenupyoga.com, 828-254-7756) and OneCenter Yoga (info@onecenteryoga.com, 828-225-1904).

Go back to Roger’s workshop schedule

Yoga Anatomy for Beginners
This introduction to anatomy will explain what makes various yoga postures work. We’ll learn to see, feel, and understand the asanas from the inside out, making practice safer and more effective. Then we’ll translate what we’ve learned into action.
Lecture and asana

Sunday, November 14
Inversions from the Ground Up
Dramatically enhance your inversions by improving their foundation and then working up your body to align your whole posture. Poses will include Headstand, Shoulderstand, Handstand, and Forearm Balance. Preparatory poses or alternatives will be offered for students who have limitations.
Asana practice

Breathing: Physiology and Practice
Learn the basics of breathing science, from the molecular level to its effects on consciousness. We’ll explore and practice breathing mechanics and physiology that apply directly to both pranayama and everyday life.
Lecture and breathing practice.

For information and registration visit www.yogajournal.com/conferences
Go back to Roger’s workshop schedule