The blue moonlight mist on this New Years Eve is beautiful.  I, too, am reflecting like the moon, with grateful presence, on the joys and challenges of this Life.  Adi and I began today harmonizing yoga with sweet sounds of truth sung so amazingly by Michelle...in 2009, we welcomed a son and lost a mother.

Moving into 2010, I am reminded that our Flow sangha/community is growing into its seventh year.  The tradition of new year reflection and hope toward the future is as natural as the change of seasons.  However, this year, I am shining the light of awareness on my perspective a little more wholly.

Goals tend to be external and time-focused, and although they can be empowering they are only temporary.  This is why some of us have given up this tradition.  The yoga approach is more internal and presence aware.  Realizing that we truly can not change anything about who we really are.  Who we really are is eternal, present, Truth.  We are not these beautiful bodies, brilliant minds, and talented hands (although deeply grateful for this experience of them), but something more.   

So, this year, instead of goals, I am fine-tuning my affirmations/intentions to become reminders written in the present tense.  Now, once, during this blue moon, I write this with the full awareness that these are perspectives that I shine and reflect...on this divine play, lila, called Life.  I also completely release any attachment to them, surrendering them to the blue moon sky and the whole of the universe with faith and gratitude...simply shining the light of awareness:

~Resting each evening, knowing the many facets of the jewel I shine & reflect
~Gracefully surrendering to mothering, giving SO MUCH LOVE with humor & gratitude
~Feeling healthy, cultivating vital energy, & resting when it feels natural
~Pausing to reflect, being gratefully present with those I love, including myself
~Finding inner silence and stillness

There is no lasting change, everything is temporary.  However, I have experienced the grace of transformation.  Transformation occurs naturally when awareness allows true acceptance of what is and the Truth of who you are.  All the goal-setting, trying, effort, intending, affirming, etc in the world may provide you temporary change, attachment, pleasure.  However, true transformation is effortless..GRACE...naturally arising from the presence of awareness and acceptance.

Ishvara can be defined as the True Self, or purusha.  The Bhagavad Gita stanza 18.61 refers to the "transcendental Self that abides in the heart region of all beings".   Pranidhana is to "throw down", "give up", or "surrender".   So, the last of our niyamas (yogic guidelines for living) Ishvara Pranidhana is to surrender to what is True within each of us. 

As we shine the light of awareness on our lives through yogic practices, we give up attachments to egoic pursuits, identities, patterns, and delusions.  We live from Heart, Truth-- staying sincere to what is True to our experience with curiosity and interest and Love.   With bhakti/devotion, exploring freedom from the ignorance/avidya of living a contrived life of shoulds, expectations, and attachments.

Simpy living a life devoted to surrendering each moment to Truth.  To what you KNOW to be True in your Heart.  This Truth can not be taught, but only experienced.  The yogic practices may or may not ready you for the experience of Truth, depending on your sincerity. 

Deeper Flow monthly theme class Friday, January 8th 6:30-8:30 pm
Join Jody for a 2-hour deeper Flow class interweaving pranayama, chanting, and deeply supported poses.  Encouraging a deeper look at our monthly theme as we let the body, breath and sound carry us back into the innocence of ourSelves.

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We've added another evening cycle class - 6 pm Thursday with Trish.  

FUSION - A dynamic class that begins with a yoga warm-up, merges into a dynamic strength training program (i.e., safe, yet effective, self-monitored-intensity strength training for real life and all sports), finally, we go down to the mats for core strengthening and deep yoga stretches.  This class will be limited to 8 persons because we will be using special equipment like core balls, stability balls, hand weights, and more.  You may want to reserve your space ahead of time to be ensured a space.  Stephanie taught this class successfully for many years in Seattle before moving here and is excited to finally be bringing it to Flow Yoga. 

Thursdays 9:15-10:45 am

This program has the following unique features:

• low-impact yoga warm-up
• functional, multi-joint, combination strength training - using safe, low-impact  techniques, we are able to work more than one different muscle group to fatigue 1-3 times in each exercise
• functional whole-core training
• deep yoga flexibility
• relaxation and focus on deep, diaphragmatic breath for overall health

For a truly amazing work-out pair this class with Cycle Training at 8 am - for your weekly ultimate whole body training program~cardio, strength, core, breath, and flexibility!

We welcome Nichole Ekman and Connie Garrant as new instructors at Flow Yoga this month.  Nichole will be subbing for now, and Connie is bringing a 7 am Flow class to the schedule Monday mornings beginning January 11th.  Please join her in making this new time slot successful!

“In the search for real spiritual awakening knowledge only gets in the way. True wisdom is needed to move beyond the confines of mind, body, and ‘spiritual experiences’ into the Ocean of one’s own Being”

January 9 & 10 2010
Saturday 12-5 Sunday 11-4
*Early sign up $60, $75 after Jan.1st

Adi will introduce Three Basic Teachings to initiate self-enquiry, the means to find out who you truly are beyond any image, concept, or description of yourself. This intensive is meant for the sincere seeker, one who is ready to be done with the spiritual path and live in the Freedom that is always Here. We will use enquiry exercises, meditation, Satsang, and each individual will have an opportunity for a one-on-one private session with Adi.

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