MorningMysore

Hi folks,

An old regular is in town from South America and has asked if he could rent a room from someone in the community for the next three weeks. If you can help message me or Guy Erb.

Regards,

Anne

Last week, a group from YIY headed to San Ramon to get a hug from Amma, who is known around the globe as the hugging saint.

Located in the heart of the yellow hills of Castro Valley, we arrived at the ashram to the sounds of a guided meditation and chanting in the main temple.  Our first task was to get a token for our hug.  Amma hugs hundreds of people every day so the token designates a time slot for people to receive their hug.  While we waited for our turn, we explored the beautiful property, enjoyed some delicious food and watched Amma give hugs.  Vimala, who was our guide for the day, told us about Amma and her work around the world.  The time passed quickly and was spent taking in the quiet buzz around the ashram.

Who is Amma, and why did a group from YIY head to Castro Valley to see her?  Amma, which means “mother,” has hugged millions of people all over the world.  She has been known to give hugs for 15 hours straight day after day.  She spends half of the year traveling over the world to share her love and compassion, and the other half at her ashram in India.  To get a better sense of Amma, I recommend reading about her online.  There are a couple of articles that better describe her:  this one gives a sense of the work she does in India and this article describes the experience of receiving a hug from her.

It is difficult to describe the experience of watching people receive their hug from Amma, and even more challenging to describe the hug itself.  It was a satisfying hug for sure, and we all walked away from it feeling something.  For me, the hug was peaceful and invigorating.  We all agreed that it was a wonderful way to spend the day with fellow YIY yogis and an experience we all will always remember.

Hi folks, as promised, we have worked on and finalized the schedule for Mitchell and Kirsten’s teaching while they are here.

Kirsten and Mitchell have asked for a 5 day teaching week, so they will teach Monday to Friday mysore classes. I know that this will make it more difficult for some of you to make it to see them while they are here, but Sundays are already quiet busy and we are concerned that it will actually be too busy for folks to get a reasonable mysore class experience.  Fridays will be mysore style for the three Fridays that they are here, June 28th, July 5th and 12th.

To smooth the transition in I will teach with Kirsten and Mitchell the first two days of class, Monday, June 24th and Tuesday June 25th. I will be on early and they will teach the later shift, starting at 700 am. We will also follow a similar schedule for the last 2-3 days, July 10-12th. If anything else changes we will keep you informed as we go along.

For those of you who are newer to practicing with us at YIY, Kirsten and Mitchell are truly warm and delightful teachers and I am assured you will enjoy the time you have with them. Please, and this goes for all of you, don’t hesitate to tell them in as succinct a fashion as possible anything they need to know about what’s going on for you, so they are best able to work with you while they are here. And please note, that all this is at no additional cost.

Thank you all for your flexibility and support of these YIY events, and I hope you will enjoy their visit as much as I will.

See you all soon,

Anne

Hi folks,

I will post more regarding Kirsten and Mitchell’s visit when I get another hour or so free, but right now I wanted to post a note from Mitchell about booking Rolfing sessions with him while he is here. Historically everyone ends up booking with him towards the end of their stay, and this means there is less time to work with. Most people love his work, and I suggest if you want to make sure he has time to work on you, that you book early.

Please also note they are here stateside as of June 20th, so I’m pretty certain that is when the phone number will start functioning.

Here’s the note:

Mitchell will offer SI/Rolfing sessions while here at YIY (from June 23 thru mid-July). SI is deep integrative bodywork with a specific focus on alignment. Individual sessions, as well as the traditional series, are available upon request. Please book ahead if possible, as this schedule tends to fill up.

Mitchell is certified as an Advanced practitioner of Structural Integration (‘SI’) and has practiced various forms of bodywork over the past 35 years. His focus on SI speaks of its long-term and observable efficacy.

Mitchell is also a long-term practitioner/authorized teacher of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.

Contact Mitchell at : smitchellgold at yahoo dot com or message at (510) 227-8385

Hi folks,

With the departure of Vimala and Dawn, and the kitchen remodel happening at Alex and Eva’s house, we are most definitely in need of more new chai Wallahs. You can be temporary or permanent, a substitute or sign yourself up for a specific day. We can provide training, and it’s a great way to make sure you make it to yoga. If you are interested you can talk to me or to Ken or Elaine.

Regards,

Anne

People have asked, and I wanted to be clear: The workshop is over and as of tomorrow we are back on our regular schedule. Beata is back with us this Thursday and Sunday, and then she does leave Tuesday the 4th for Europe for a month or so, but Philippe and Mojdeh and Dave will be helping out until June 23rd when Kirsten and Mitchell get here.

Most of you know already Kirsten and Mitchell are here June 23rd for three weeks, but they will be teaching the regular classes (and at regular prices) on the regular schedule. I will help them going in and going out to help them get situated before taking a couple of weeks vacation.

Until they get here, chanting will run Mon Wed Fri at 530 am and Pranayama Tue Thur 530 am and Sun at 700 am. Hope you can join for that, and see you all soon on the mat.

I will post more as we go, but this is the important news for the moment.

Regards,

Anne

Hi all,

It’s time for another yoga field trip, this time to see Amma, the “hugging saint” who will be in Castro Valley next week. Please let me know if you want to go as we will be carpooling.

Details:

* Monday June 3rd 8:00 – meet at YiY

* Drive to 10200 Crow Canyon Road, CA 94552 (about 45 min)

Vimala will be there to give us a tour.

* Get a hug, get served lunch, get back (ends latest 3pm).

Here’s a link:

http://amma.org/meeting-amma/north-america/northernca

Also Amma was on the front page of the Sunday NYTimes yesterday:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/business/ammas-multifaceted-empire-built-on-hugs.html

I’m very happy to share with you that out lovely chai wallah Dawn Blessing had a little baby girl on Tuesday. Her name is Claire Blessing Barron. Everyone is doing well.

Yay and congrats, Dawn.

A

From Karen:

Vimala (the Ashtangi with the great posture and the toes that point like ballet feet) is moving to Seattle and we’d like to celebrate her time with us and to wish her well on her new journey. Elaine and Ken are graciously hosting a potluck at their house on Monday – Memorial Day Holiday.

Party Theme: Convince Vimala to Stay! Whoever succeeds at doing this wins a prize!
Date: Monday, 5/27
Time: 12 to 3 pm
Potluck: Bring something deelayshus!
Address: 757 Greer Road, Palo Alto
Phone: 650-494-0255
Any questions: See Karen (the Ashtangi with the great Drishti!)

Hi folks,

Karen L would like to invite any who want to to join us in having a potluck for David Roche Friday May 17th from 600 pm to 900 pm. Bring a dish to share, I will try to leave a sign up at the studio. Email me or ask around if you need the address.

Take care and see you soon,

Anne