 Happy Spring, everyone! Tis the season to cleanse! In Ayurveda, April is the ideal time to let go of the accumulated dosha from winter and late winter. Furthermore, in Chinese Medicine, it is time to cleanse the Liver or wood element.
Right about now, we all feel the natural pull to cleanse, reset, reconnect, pay attention, nurture, and revitalize the body. As the temperature increases and the sun strengthens, we feel the urge to lighten up. So how to do this? There are a couple of different strategies and variations of weak to strong cleansing methods. Customized cleansing is what I suggest for my patients. There are a variety of different programs, changes of diet and lifestyle that can meet this goal. If you are interested, let me know, and we can discuss further. Some simple things that can be done include following simple Ayurvedic lifestyle and diet regimens such as eating at the same time every day, not overeating, eating less in general. Something simple I can suggest here is to pay extra attention to your digestive metabolism, or agni. The following recipe is a tea you can drink if you feel sluggish digestion, loss of appetite, or overall heavy upon eating. Enjoy! Cayenne Agni Tea 4 cups of water 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed or store-bought lime juice 1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger 1 teaspoon of trikatu 2 pinches of cayenne 1 pinch of pink salt Boil the water, fresh ginger, trikatu, cayenne, and pink salt in a pot for 7 minutes. Take it off the heat to cool. Add the fresh lime juice. Drink before meals 1-1 ½ ounces at a time. I’d also like to add—I know many of you are receiving your vaccination shots as of late. I’ve been asked my opinion about which one is most advantageous, and I’m happy to share with anyone who asks. The decision to get a vaccine is a personal choice, and as we all know, everyone has an opinion as to what is the right thing to do. I’d like to add to this discussion a bit. But from a more Ayurvedic point of view. Everything we “take in” with all senses, including that which we take into our body via our skin and blood has to be processed via agni. This would include the vaccine which would get processed via our dhatu Agni or tissue metabolism. The number one advice I have is, when you schedule your vaccine is check-in with yourself. Ask yourself, “How will my body digest this?” “Am I strong enough right now to process this?” “What can I do to help my body digest this better?” If you are already weak, stressed, or dealing with a mild health issue, you may want to just wait a short while until the agni is stronger. We are what we can digest, and I want you to set yourself up for the most positive experience possible for your own health and equanimity. Of course, I realize that many have had or have no choice of the timing of receiving the vaccine. I also realize that those in the most compromised or weakened states need the vaccine the most. So they have no choice but to get the vaccine to protect themselves. In these cases, we all do the best we can with what we have, and the body is magnificently attuned to adjusting accordingly.
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 “Mom, look! I have prana. Do you want me to give you some?” said my 12-year-old boy. He proceeds to place his hand on my heart and closes his eyes to concentrate on his breath. He says that he is transferring his prana to me. I realize that I have done that for him many times throughout the years, especially through the most challenging times during his asthmatic spells or emotional experiences. We have been working on conflict resolution methods from the Yoga Sutras for many years, since before he was born. My teacher, Rama Jyoti, taught me that Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is a road map of living peacefully in the modern era. It is the ancients’ ultimate gift, and it has been made available to all who seek the knowledge. Why not give children the same wisdom and all its benefits? Are not children today seeking the richness of wisdom? Of course, they are! I will offer to you why the wisdom of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is essential for children.
Do not get me wrong. My son is like any other child of his generation. As I am writing this article, he is playing BattleFront 2 on his Xbox. When we teach children wisdom from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, we teach them resilience to live an unconditional life. What do I mean by this statement? We give children the skills to live a life based on self-empowerment, not based on life conditions. We persevere with the inner strength to not allow our conditions to dictate our moods and behaviors. When we teach children wisdom from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, we are giving them tools for transformation. Change is possible, whether if you are five years old or 65 years old. Our journey is our own! Lastly, when we teach children wisdom from the sutras, we teach them the power of peace. The children of the world yearn for peace, and it is possible. We are a world ready for a better way.  Yoga at Home During a Pandemic
How have you allowed your yoga practice to evolve? Yes! Throughout the years, the yoga practice changes to reflect the ebb and flow of experiences. Before I had my son, my yoga practice consisted mainly of group classes and longer weekend workshops. Well, my yoga practice changed with my journey of motherhood. Instead of meditating three hours at a time, I meditated 10 minutes here and there. I did yoga postures with a toddler climbing me and playing Thomas the Train (where my legs are the train tracks). It was a far cry from the days at a spa-like environment of a yoga studio. So I had to rewrite my yoga practice and allow it to evolve to fit the needs of my REAL life. With the Pandemic fully in motion, we are asked to change our yoga practice. I am curious to know: how has your practice changed since the Pandemic? As a yoga instructor, I am also being asked to change how I connect with other yoga practitioners and my yoga students. I have been putting more attention into creating video content so that it is easily accessible for everyone. I teach online yoga classes more than I ever have in the past. The question comes up all the time: how do you discipline yourself to do a yoga practice at home? I have reflected upon my twenty years of yoga and came up with unique ways to keep engaged in personal practice. Yes! Keep yourself engaged in yoga! Here are my tips on how to create a yoga practice at home:
Make your yoga practice an unconditional practice, where conditions don’t dictate the results of the yoga experience. There have been plenty of times when I just unrolled a mat in the middle of a messy living room, without the candles and aromatherapy. Sure! Candles, aromatherapy, and incense all make a living space more peaceful and beautiful. But learn to practice even when your environment is not the most ideal. In my opinion, it is more important to be adaptable than to be conditional with my yoga practice. You can genuinely practice anywhere at any time!
There are times in life when it is okay to skip a day, a week, or even a month. When you are truly in love with your yoga practice, you can easily return to the postures and meditations again. There are circumstances in life where yoga poses are not the priority. Taking care of an aging parent or surgery that is life-saving are just a few examples that take precedence in life. In my life experiences, I found that yoga’s true essence gets more integrated with the mundane. Rama Jyoti Vernon used to talk about using her kitchen sink as a alter for the Divine. When we understand yoga, we know that it is in all that we do and say and feel.
Encouraging words go a long way! Give to yourself as you would give to your own best friend. Develop an intimate relationship with yourself. Know yourself more than any other could know you. Make yoga dates with yourself and make promises to yourself to keep them! We can not serve others entirely if we are empty or exhausted. Allow yourself to receive all that is Divine to be of service to others.
When you are vacuuming the living room, take a moment and stretch the arms above the head. When you are gardening, rest a moment and do cat and cow poses to loosen up the lower back. When you are cooking a meal, stand in a tree pose to practice your balance. These are spontaneous yoga breaks that naturally happen throughout the tasks of the day. You don’t need to be wearing yoga pants, and you don’t need to be in a yoga studio. The postures can be done spontaneously. Don’t forget the breath!
I have been practicing yoga for twenty-one years, and indeed, there were times when yoga was not fun. When I was first learning yoga, I was rigid and strict about the yoga practice. As my practice developed, I realized that yoga needs to be fun. Actually, life needs to be fun. Laughter and fun are sometimes the ONLY medicine during your yoga practice. I often laugh at myself when I make my yoga videos because I say weird and goofy things. I often laugh at myself when I teach yoga classes because, again, I say weird and good things sometimes. I often laugh at myself when I meditate. I know many have suffered during this Pandemic, and I don’t want to downplay suffering. In my heart, I know that the Divine delights in the balance of humor and play.  A Tribute to Rama
When Rama passed into Maha Samadhi last November, I just was not ready to write out my thoughts into words, not comprehensible words at least. Like many others in the yoga world, I was extremely shocked by her passing. My sister just had dinner with her and Max last September, and I had just talked to her on Zoom during a Yoga Unify meeting. When Max left this world, I sent flowers to her and Myra. It did not occur to me that Rama was on her way to the other side as well. I wish I would have known. This tribute is a love letter to Rama and the cherished moments that I had the privilege to spend with her in the last 17 years. The time I spent with Rama was a miracle in many, many ways. It was a miracle that I stumbled upon her teachings at 7 Centers Yoga Arts in Sedona, Arizona. Rama Jyoti Vernon's role in yoga will not be easily forgotten, and her presence as a world-renowned master of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras is one that occurred through whole-hearted integration. Yes, others study Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and maybe academically understood the Sutras at some level, but Rama lived it at EVERY level. She was an everyday householder with multiple past husbands and left behind many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She worked in a household as a mother, washing dishes and vacuuming floors. She went through the trials and tribulations of staying up with children through sleepless nights, as many parents experience throughout the early years of parenting babies and toddlers. In 2003, My first memory of Rama's was her beautiful voice and her chanting the mantra OM. She awakened something in me that is difficult to explain. Her voice was ancient and alive with WISDOM. I would find out that her wisdom was from her yoga practice and her experiences as a mother and teacher. Her voice awakened something in my bones, and I remember looking at her as a new student of mantra, thinking that the sounds could not possibly be coming from Rama. When I was supposed to be closing my eyes to follow the mantra, I could not help but open my eyes repeatedly to check if she was really chanting. Later I realized that her voice was the voice of every guru she ever studied with, and she studied with many of them. She studied with heart-filled curiosity and receptivity. Her stories about Mr. Iyengar, Satchidananda, and Baba Haridas were insights into the truth of yoga and the ancients. Around 2005, I attended one of Rama's yoga retreats in New Mexico, where she spoke of her experiences at Yogananda's celebration of life with her mother. Rama's mother was very spiritual as well, and they attended together a celebration for Yogananda Paramahansa's Maha Samadhi. Rama was so devoted to her parents. I remember her talking about her father and mother with tenderness and beautiful caring. As she spoke of the majestic Paramahansa, the retreat attendees felt the presence of the guru in the room. She mentioned his presence with a bright, shining disposition, and the scent of roses became overwhelming. Rama said that you know when the gurus are present because they bring with them the scent of roses. Rama had a deep affection for the gurus and teachers of yoga. She talked about them like they were her family and friends because they were. I learned that she hosted many great teachers in her home in California when she invited them to teach in the United States. She loved them so much, and she cherished them. Even today, I can imagine Rama serving as a gracious host and listening whole-heartedly at the feet of the gurus. There were moments in my life that I went to Rama for help, and she always made me feel heard. She always made me feel like I was the only person in her presence, even if there were fifteen people around us. She was a mother for me in so many ways, and there are innumerable stories about Rama that anyone close to her remembers with great fondness. Actually, I feel that there is enough for a whole book. (Maybe that is something yet to come.) Lastly, though, I want to mention the most profound impact Rama left on me. She gave me a lasting impression of her dedication to peace for all people. Peace was of real importance to Rama, and her work in the Soviet Union changed the world. Her work during the Cold War era was brilliant and without-equal, and moreover, it unquestionably illustrated Rama's dedication to peace. Rama had such a clear sense of service in yoga. She committed her yoga practice to the peace of the world. Unlike many yoga practitioners today that treat yoga as the latest fitness trend, Rama knew that yoga was the "how" of the many questions about peace-making in today's society. Rama taught us that there must be a higher intention in our own yoga practice. If I am candid, I am scared that yoga in the United States has become too superficial and that the last great wisdom keeper, Rama Jyoti Vernon, was the only one that could truly teach to the DEPTH that yoga deserves. However, I know if I shared this fear with Rama, she would laugh at me with a gigantic grin and tell me to keep going on my yogic path with a sense of Alice's wonder (like in Alice in Wonderland.) Dear Rama, there is so much love here for you. Thank you for everything that you gave to this world. Thank you for your relentless service in yoga. Thank you for all your LOVE and KINDNESS. When I smell the scent of roses, I will always think of you. In conclusion, I want to end with Rama's message to yoga teachers. I must have read this message at least 100 times, either as a yoga practitioner or yoga teacher trainer, but its message is different for me now. With my highly regarded teacher and friend in Maha Samadhi, I will hold this new posture with unswerving steadiness. Please read it and imagine Rama's voice. "There are no teachers. We are all students bound together in infinite enthusiasm of growth and exploration. We are not teachers, and yet we shall teach, teaching not with an attitude of teacher or guru but as a servant, a fellow seeker joyously sharing with others the knowledge and training we ourselves have found. We are all a part of the greater cosmic plan. Let us honor those that have walked before us and prepared the way. Insignificant as our part may seem, it is a contribution to the evolutionary scope of all humankind. If you are led to the path of a teacher, then practice what you teach. Let go, and the Divine will work through you and the barriers to spiritual growth will drop away. Teaching yoga is not a business, it is not even a profession. It is a privilege. Place heart and soul within your teaching wherever you are, whoever you're with. See the Divine within your students and let the teachings be the worship of this universal truth and beauty. You are a humble servant and as a fellow seeker, joyously share with others the riches you yourself have found. We are all perennial students of yoga. There is always more to learn, more to know, more to realize and more to share. 'Whoever does the work to be done without resort to its fruits. S/he is the Sannyasin and the Yogin, not the man who lights the sacrificial fire and does not the work. '-Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 Verse 1. To love is to go on teaching forever without growing weary. There may be times when you may cease to love, and groan beneath the burden of environmental obstacles and doubt. When the first high tide of elation begins to ebb, and you see darkness filling the corners of light, hold your new posture with unswerving steadiness. There will be periodic moments of wavering enthusiasm and disbelief. Fickleness cannot be prevented but it can be observed. Beware of Tamas. Embrace Satva and be patient in Rajas. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti. "  I came across a great article by Tai Salih named, “White Privilege in Yoga Pants: Spiritual Bypassing.” If you haven’t read this article, please go and read it. I will post the link after this blog. I read the article and it reminded me so much of a conversation on Facebook I had with a friend, Sarah Irani. This conversation is my blog topic this month. There must be an understanding that our destinies are tied together. #Blacklivesmatter is an important conversation about racism that is REAL, here and now. I have a group of racist friends that do not understand, and it is my hope that one day soon they will. Here is the conversation with Sarah. Sarah: I notice a deafening silence from some love and light people who understandably don’t want to make things “all about race.” But the spiritual bypassing is really ugly. It’s ok if you don’t know what to say; be humble and listen. But you can also use your voice to amplify voices of POC (People of Color). Simple as that. Share and retweet messages from people who DO know what to say, and who ARE speaking. Because that’s how we care for each other. Ana: I totally agree with you! I really do not understand why some spiritual people are not addressing race. In my opinion, this is a human rights issue of systemic racism against African Americans in our country. It is about Peace for all. Even at the peaceful protest in Sedona, I was expecting more from the spiritual community to show up but was really disappointed. Could there be systemic racism in spiritual circles? I really don't know. I am just putting it out there. Sarah: I don’t think they are overtly racist, but it does seem like the spiritual community doesn’t want to get involved in politics, or anything “ugly.” I’ve heard some people imply that having these conversations about race focuses only on race, and that they don’t see color, they see spirit. Something along those lines. They fear that perhaps attending a protest focused on a racial issue will serve to manifest more racism. But the thing is, we do live in human bodies, and the human experience DOES include different contexts for different people. Many of us would like to change that for more equity, and so first we have to admit it’s actually there! Can’t bypass it and make it go away. Ana: I agree with you. We can't make this go away. This is why Martin Luth King called it creative protesting. We are creating better, more peaceful world for all people. We can't just go back in our bubbles and not acknowledge the suffering and pain of others, because it is ugly or uncomfortable. We are talking about Freedom for all. We have work to do. All of our creative futures are dependent on our much we love and care for each other. Sarah: It is the Boddhisatva Vow — not to rest until suffering is eased for all. Thank you Sarah for allowing me to use this short Facebook conversation. I appreciate it and I still have hope for us all. I want to return back to the question I posed in the above conversation, “Could there be racism in spiritual circles?” By not recognizing racism as a problem in America, is that racism? After long contemplation, I have realized that there is rampant passive racism here in Verde Valley: Sedona, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, and Cornville. I have friends who have made comments about POC in our neighborhood, even though it is very obvious that I am one of THOSE. I have friends who have made comments about Mexican children and how they don’t want their (white) children associating with THOSE Mexicans because they are of “lower vibration”. Last year the Walmart in Cottonwood was being remodeled, and the crew that came from Phoenix was mostly POC, and they moved to our neighborhood. One of my racist friends made several comments about their appearance and the new neighbors swimming in the clubhouse pool. When I confronted her about it, she said that she could talk that way because she lived in the South. (I can mention numerous other examples, and in earlier drafts of this blog I did, but I really want to protect the identity of my racist friends. At some point it becomes totally obvious who I am talking about.) My hope is that there is a realization that the deafening silence from those love and light people is counterproductive and may even be a form of passive racism. The silence means compliance and agreement of systemic racism in America. The silence is the equivalent to watching, with popcorn in hand, a burning house go down violently. The house symbolizes peace and justice for POC, and the fire is the systemic racism of white people around us. In America right now, we have an opportunity to love each other in a way that is complex and beautiful. And yes! This is an issue about love. Love for our black brothers and sisters. Love in considering their BLACK VOICES, that have been silenced for a very long time. Love for OUR future peace as a collective community. Love for embracing change. When we have the uncomfortable moments, we can transform each other. I have made conscious choices to stay friends with racist people, because something in my heart says that anything is possible. I still distance myself a bit as a method of self-preservation though. But I feel like we never know how people can change. Also, I have chosen to stay friends with racist people because I can see the perspective of the whole picture. In most cases, racism is the absolute worst characteristic of a person. My friends that I have mentioned in this blog have shown up as friends in other ways. For example, they are dependable, kind (sometimes) and hard working people. Those who say that racism doesn’t exist in Northern Arizona is not looking at realty. Spiritual bypassing is not an option here. Those who do not see the passive racism of spiritual bypassing do not see realty of the community that we live in. Our destinies are tied together. When we listen to the sufferings of POC in America, then we will ease our own collective suffering. White. Black. Brown. Yellow. Purple. Red. All collective consciousness will change. Please join me in having these moments of transformation. HOPEFULLY.  Our Destinies are Tied Together
We are taking another step into the darkness of our collective consciousness of our nation. Change is inevitable and was predicted. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of this destiny in 1963 and sixty years later it has come to be realized but not without many tears and fires of past hatred and demons. We are faced with a collective soul encounter. Like one when you take a walk-about bound for extraordinary experiences. We can not go back to the way things were and nor should we. It is our destiny and dharma to move forward together as a nation and use our SOUL FORCE to address the problems that have caused an abundance of pain and suffering in not only African American communities but all communities of our nation. We are on this precipice of choice which is not always easy. Our choice of a nation to recognize that our freedoms are bound by each other. We must face that our freedoms are dependent on each other. Our freedoms are precious, like diamonds or rubies. This external will liberate the internal and those disenfranchised will be freed to walk hand-in-hand with their captors without the weight of resentment and anger. Those lines of division will no longer even exist as only in the past’s memory and soon completely be forever forgotten through the grace of God. Next, I wanted to share with you what Dr. Martin Luther King said on this subject. This is what inspired me in the first place. From Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH: "There will never be rest or tranquility until the Negro is granted citizenship rights. The whirlwind of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright days of justice emerge. And that is something that I must say to my people who stand on the worn threshold which leads to the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek for satisfying our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle from high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protests to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with SOUL FORCE. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to distrust all white people, as many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their DESTINY is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their FREEDOM is inextricably bound to our freedom. We can not walk alone. And as we walk we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. WE CAN NOT TURN BACK. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied!" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. " Soul force is the innate heart knowing, wisdom intuition and inner force of God to make movement or motion in a forward direction. During this time of severe change, what is your intuition? What is the next step to collectively serve in your community? What is the next step for us to come together in a deeper way? In a way that serves the needs of all people of all races and all beliefs? Do you believe that it can happen? Do you believe peace and unity is possible? I do. Meditate on this.
Native Australian Aboriginals know the profound significance of a journey or process or adventure. When I finally allowed myself to cry about what is currently happening and all the complexities of the current state of politics, economics, and environmental issues, I realized this moment of time too is a walk-about for the soul. According to Juan Matias Inchaustegui and Miguel Martin Perez ‘s article, “Walkabout: The Aboriginal Right of Passage,” Native Australian Aboriginals would send out 13 year-old boys out in nature for six months to survive and find their place amongst earth’s conditions. The boys prepare for their right of passage for months prior to their walkabout by training in hunting, self-defense, and surviving on the land. Families often elicit the help of elders or others to spend time with the boys to serve as teacher and guide. On the completion of the walkabout, the tribe celebrates the accomplishment and journey of the ritual walkabout. This is a way for the youth to connect with the ancients in ceremony. The walkabout is looked at as a time of self-reflection and deep introspection that is unparalleled. In some ways, it is reminiscent of the Buddhist tradition of walking meditation around a Stupa.
According to a Lion’s Roar article, “What is a Stupa?”, the oldest, most Ancient stupa dates back to fourth century BCE and is named The Great Stupa of Sanchi, India. Most Buddhist Stupas are quite simple in appearance, shaped out of concrete or stone and holds religious artifacts used as part of meditations rituals. The actual monument is said to represent the body of Buddha on earth. Buddhists and spiritual seekers alike flock to stupas to take another sort of walkabout. Visitors go to stupas to walk around and walk around and walk around. They circumnavigate the stupa with mindfulness or meditation, chanting mantras or repeating heart-felt affirmations. Even sometimes, they circle aimlessly, without any real goal in mind. They journey of the walk often times brings up insights and intuitions. Jesus and, I imagine, Mary, both had many deeply, profound nights of deep meditation and insights. According to the Bible, Jesus went out in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights. In reflecting upon Jesus’ journey, I am convinced that Mary had a few sleepless nights during Jesus’ walkabout. Those of you who are mothers know what I mean in this observation. During the 40 days, Jesus was tempted repeated by the darkest of all. In addition, it is said that Jesus returned to Galilee feeling empowered and full of spirit. He was so healthy from his walkabout that he taught vigorously and everyone praised him for his teachings. Today and at this moment in a world-wide pandemic, we are asked to shed the past and go on our own walkabout of the soul. Like the aboriginal ancients that survived the harshness of the desert, we are being challenged to survive through our own earth conditions. From a yogic perspective, we are asked to observe how the egoic mind responds to the outward triggers. We are asked to reflect upon the Law of Impermanence. Yogis/yoginis are able to have a perspective from the Buddhi mind or the overmind. The teaching is to keep a perspective of the whole experience and connecting to the truth: this too shall pass. This truth doesn’t make the experience less painful. This truth doesn’t make the experience less of an opportunity to show empathy. This truth doesn’t make the experience less of an opportunity for compassion. Like the vigilant Buddhist who circumnavigates a stupa, we are being challenged to stay focused on the present moment in meditation or prayer. Pray for peace in the world and believe that it is possible. Meditate on your own mental clarity and mental ease so that you can be of service to others. Like Jesus’s 40 days and 40 nights of temptation, invite courage and perseverance in all that you do right now. We have gotten comfortable in thinking that we know what is going to happen next. Have the courage to NOT know what will happen next. Have confidence to walk through the darkness one step at a time. Have faith that this TOO shall pass and we all will be stronger on the other side of the journey. Resources: Juan Matias Inchaustegui and Miguel Martin Perez ‘s article, “Walkabout: The Aboriginal Right of Passage https://juanmatiasblogforenglish.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/juan-matias-and-miguel-walkabout-final-template.pdf Lion's Roar Staff, Lion's Roar Website https://www.lionsroar.com/what-is-a-stupa/  Hi Friends, Family, and Yoga Practitioners!
I just got done with 7 Centers Yoga Art’s Children’s Yoga Immersion. I was blown away from the experience, and overall felt so happy to be able to grow and share in yoga. I was so honored to teach such dedicated yoginis! Thanks to Kathryn, Lillian, Rachel, and Shannon. It was so great bonding with you! In this newsletter, I want to especially highlight the work I have been doing with women. I am doing a prenatal yoga class at Shiva Shack on Thursdays at 12:45. The Mom and Baby class at 7 Centers Yoga Arts in Sedona is every Tuesday at 9 am. These classes are so much fun, and also very educational. I will also be visiting the Mama Garden on November 5th to talk about Kids and Yoga Nidra. Hope to see you there! Message from Angels This month’s angel message is Acceptance. I love Doreen Virtue, because she really has a wonderful grasp of the depth of the angelic realm. Her message on the card states, “See yourself and others through the eyes of the angels, with unconditional love and acceptance.” I full heartedly agree that acceptance and unconditional love go together. When we begin to accept our path, without any attachment to end result, we can live fully in the moment. Each step of the way becomes one of happiness and joy, and then we are able to spread that happiness and joy to others with ease. Today, we all need inspiration in life, and it is only when we are performing in authentic power that we can become a true inspiration of love and hope. What inspires you? Is your life inspiring and exciting? Who are the inspiring women and men in your life? Take the time to reflect on true acceptance and inspiration as the month unfolds. You are all in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope to connect with you soon in a yoga class. Announcements Mama Garden November 5th- 1:30 pm at the Chocolatree November New Classes in Camp Verde at the Parks and Rec. Center, Rm 204 Mondays- Yoga for Beginners 6:30 pm Fridays- Yoga for Seniors 10:30 am Ongoing Events: Mama & Baby Yoga @ 7 Centers Yoga Arts, EveryTuesday @ 9 am Kids Yoga @ 7 Centers Yoga Arts Every Saturday @ 1 pm Prenatal Yoga @ Shiva Shack Every Thrusday @ 12:30 pm Retreats: Serenity Sedona Yoga Retreat Date TBA For more information, including registration and payment, please go to Ana-Yoga.com. Much love to you and yours. Namaste, Ana
Hi Friends, Family, and Yoga Practitioners!
August has been a full month (with lots of amazing teachings), and I hosted my very first yoga retreat up in the beautiful pines of Pinetop- Lakeside, AZ. I am excited to keep sharing yoga, and will be leading another retreat November 15-November 16th in Sedona, AZ. My website should have more details in the next coming days. There’s Nothing to Worry About This is the card I picked from my angel deck for the month of September. The recent energetic intensities are only a sure sign that everything is perfect in its own way. The angels really want us to keep our faith and understanding very clear and focused on God and Goddess. Sometimes when there is rapid change with many twists and turns, we can feel unsafe and ungrounded, but there is no need to feel this way at all. There is Divine order, and we are in the Divine safety of Light and Love. Also, this is a month of purging the old so that there is enough room for the new. Do you feel that? I have been noticing that manifestation has been occurring at an alarming rate. Healing is also happening in a very special way at this time. True healing is dominating at the moment; where maybe in the past it had failed somehow. There is a deeper understanding of the root causes of suffering. We are all dealing with high emotions and mental tensions to the max. As always, find the silence within; without worry or doubt. We are working together to make this world a better place. Have faith that we are all in the right direction at the right time and for the right reasons. Don’t worry at all. We are united now in a way that we haven’t been before. Announcements September 18th Free Kids Yoga Class at Camp Verde Library September 26th – October 5th Children’s Yoga Teacher Training at 7 Centers Yoga Arts Septemeber 21st, Basic Hatha Yoga at Shiva Shack from 4-6 pm Retreats Family Silent Sit in Mingus Mountain -Free October 11-October 12 Serenity Sedona Yoga Retreat in Sedona, AZ November 15- November 16th, 2014 Meet Winter Yoga Retreat in Clearwater Beach, AZ July of 2015 Peaceful Restorative Retreat in Pintetop-Lakeside August of 2015 For more information, including registration and payment, please go to Ana-Yoga.com. Much love to you and yours. Namaste, Ana 
 Hi Friends, Family, and Yoga Practitioners! I feel happy to be back in Arizona! The High Desert is a wonderful home: the mountains, creeks, cacti, and magical sunsets. Ah! Beautiful. Please take a look at my new schedule. There are some exciting additions, including a new Kids Yoga class at Seven Centers Yoga Arts, and a Prenatal Yoga class at Shiva Shack’s new location on Cherry Street and Main. Also, join me for my monthly Hatha Basics workshop at Shiva Shack. I just returned from Clearwater Beach, Florida, where I got the opportunity to spend time with family and friends. The newest friend I’d like to talk about is a dolphin named Winter. Winter lives in the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and has worn a prosthetic tail for most of her life. She was accidentally trapped in a crab cage and rope, which forced her rescuers to amputate her infected tail and find a creative solution to keep her swimming. She is such a sweet, loving dolphin here to inspire and help children and adults overcome trauma and emotional pain. Now, children from all over the world go to visit her, just to be in her presence. When I met her, I immediately fell in love, and moreover, I felt her love and spirit so purely, like she was a great guru. I cried and cried, and it was as if I was meeting an old friend. She is the Great Dolphin Guru. My hope is to take a group to meet her next year. I would like to do yoga with her. Please let me know if you are interested. (For more about Winter, go to SeeWinter.com) The angel message of for the month of August is Inner Wisdom. This is the month to meditate and organize the wisdom that already exists deep down in the heart center. This means that we have to make the connections with clarity and confidence. Often times, Inner Wisdom may not be obvious, but with deep silence and connection to the heart center, we can access it in Godspeed. In practical terms, this means that we need to act on our Inner Wisdom. Make a worthy foundation for real change and transformation to occur so that you can live an inspired life. Remember. Life is meant to be rich with inspiration. Can we inspire like Winter? Anouncements September 26th – October 5th Children’s Yoga Teacher Training at 7 Centers Yoga Arts August 24nd- Basic Hatha Yoga at Shiva Shack from 4-6 pm Retreats Restorative Yoga Retreat in Pinetop, AZ Saturday, Aug. 30- Sunday, Aug. 31, Meet Winter Yoga Retreat in Clearwater Beach, AZ July of 2015 For more information, including registration and payment, please go to Ana-Yoga.com. Much love to you and yours. Namaste, Ana 
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