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Namaste,
Gratitude.
We all have much to be grateful for, but often the busyness of life or life's challenges shift our attention away from it. Where our mind goes, our energy flows. And so if we are constantly focusing on the things that aren't "right" in our life, this is the energy that we will cultivate and predominantly experience. This does mean to say that by being grateful, that we are denying or ignoring that there is suffering or challenges. But it's like the glass half full/half empty scenario. It is true that the glass is both, but we have a choice. We can choose to focus on the container being half empty of half full.
Counting blessings - keeping a gratitude journal, can help remind us that life is inherently good - even when we are suffering. We can find an abundance of blessings if we choose to see them.
I know that it can be easy to dismiss this idea. If you are suffering deeply, it is not easy to find your way out of pain. You might even dismiss the person who offers the idea of counting blessings by thinking that this person doesn't know what it means to struggle or that this person has an easier life.
My friends, for those of you that have known me and know me well, you know that life has delivered me some pretty heavy blows. The loss of my son was so painful that I felt myself sinking into despair with no way out. And for a moment, I was even ready to give up.
What pulled me up, what pulled me out, was reminding myself of the blessings that I did have in my life; even with this tremendous loss. It took me time to arrive at a more grounded place, but still to this day, it is my gratitude that helps me through many things.
It is so profound, that even in our Yoga Teacher Training Program, one of the requirements is for the students to keep a daily gratitude journal - recording 21 blessings a day and sharing 3 of them with each other via email. It is honestly one of my favorite parts of the training as sharing in each other's blessings is incredibly uplifting.
One our teacher training students who baby sits regularly for a family with 3 children, recently shared her experience of the gratitude journal wisdom. The children are 8, 12, and15 years old. She recounted a day where the children were fighting with each other and she brought up the gratitude journal idea to them. While she did offer a "reward" for them to do it, she was surprised at their willingness to accept the assignment. She only expected them to do it for a couple of days, but much to her surprise they children had continued writing down their blessings every day without her prompting. By the time she was sharing the story with us, the children had been keeping their journals for 30 days. It affected the children and the family immensely - she noticed that they fought less and there was more harmony in the home.
There are also a plethora of articles and studies out there that have proven how keeping a gratitude journal offers health benefits such as reducing heart disease, improving sleep quality, increasing self esteem, an increase in helpfulness and empathy, an increase in resilience, improved psychological health, reduction of aggression, and more.
So consider pausing for a moment when you awake each day to offer gratitude - for the day, or for someone or something that has brought goodness into your life.
Consider as you prepare to sleep, to go over your day and recount your blessings. Perhaps it is for the unexpected kind smile from a stranger, the joy in seeing your most favorite flower, having fresh clean water available to drink, a pillow to rest your head.
After awhile you will begin to notice these blessings as they come during your day.
Gratitude can help remind us, that even when life's most challenging moments arise -
Grace is always flowing.
With love and light,
Laura McKinnon
www.laurasrainbo.com
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Updates/Changes to Schedule
**We've got a few changes this month - be sure to check them out!**
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Gemma returns!!! Gemma is back to both
Sunday morning classes in PG, 9:30-10:30am Hatha Yoga & 11am-12pm Restorative.
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Zoe Thurman has taken over teaching
Hatha Yoga Flow - Mondays in Seaside, 9:30-10:45am. Please welcome Zoe!! She will also be subbing the Thursday Hatha Yoga class in PG, 5:30-6:30pm on June 1st & 8th.
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Krystal Barschig is taking over the
Thursday Hatha Yoga class in PG, 5:30-6:30pm beginning June 15th. Please welcome Krystal!
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Rebekah has taken over teaching the
All Levels Hatha Flow on Fridays in PG, 12-1pm
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Sondra has taken over
Hatha Yoga Level 1 5:45-7:00pm and Restorative Yoga 7:30-9:00pm on Tuesdays in Seaside. Please welcome Sondra!
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Saturday mornings, 8:00-9:15am in Seaside is now
Gentle Yin Yoga, taught by Brittney.
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Carolyn Bluemle is now teaching the
Level 2/3 class on Tuesdays in PG, 9:30-11:00am. This is an Iyengar class.
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Kids Yoga is on a temporary break until the fall.
**For the month of June we have our unlimited passes on sale! Details at the end of the newsletter!
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Cervical Wellness
with Denell Nawrocki, M.A.
Sunday, June 11th 1-4pm
Seaside Studio
-It's dark in there-
Join us and discover and amazing part of female anatomy: The Cervix
Join us to become informed, educated and empowered in how to take care of and heal the cervix, and why it is important to do so.
In this workshop you will learn about:
-The roles
of the Cervix in the female body.
-Contemporary Western medical practices to treat the cervix, and the dangers of the procedures
-A short history of modern gynecology
-Five lifestyle practices to self-heal from HPV & cervical dysplasia, or to be used as preventative medicine.
You will experience:
-A safe container to explore personal gynecological stories
-A deeper understanding of the female body
-A greater awareness of the importance of connecting to and developing a relationship with your cervix.
-Camaraderie with others who share similar experiences, fears, self-judgments, hopes and dreams regarding gynecological health.
Bio:
Denell Nawrocki hold an MA in Integrative Health Studies from CIIS and BA in History from UC Davis. She is a Guide, Facilitator and Speaker whose work focuses on women's health, sex traditional healing practices. She self-healed from progressive HPV and cervical dysplasia utilizing natural and holistic methods, much to the surprise of her doctor. She believes in the body's ability to self-heal, and advocates for Women to be knowledgeable, aware and connected to their most unique and sensitive organ system.
Please email her with questions or comments: [email protected]
Cost: $35 early reg/$45 day of
Register Here!
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Yoga & Celebrating the Self:
Saturday, June 17th 1:00-3:00pm
ALL Welcome--All levels, all feelings, all bodies.
I'll share my experiences with SELF LOVE including how I've navigated shame in the wellness world & how I'm embracing full, whole-hearted self-approval which allows me to love others like NEVER before.
ALL LEVELS celebratory yoga practice.
I'll unleash ways for you to explore a deeper relationship with YOU.
$25 suggested donation
(all proceeds support Kerensia's move; no one turned away for lack of funds)
Register Here
Kerensia has taught at SYS since 2014. She found a loving, welcoming family in this community & has grown immeasurably, with many of you by her side, since she moved to Monterey in 2013. Despite feeling sad to move away in July, she's excited to follow her heart to Boulder, CO with her partner, Jeff. Kerensia's currently focused on deep vulnerability and bringing her unique experiences to the table in hopes to inspire others to show up honestly & unapologetically, with Fierce Grace.
www.kerensiayoga.com
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Ignite Your Heart Fire!
Summer Solstice Yoga Circle & Ceremony
with Gemma Peterson
Sunday, June 18th 1:15-4:15pm
Pacific Grove Studio
Summer Solstice Yoga Circle & Ceremony with Gemma
-Celebrate the first day of Summer - Stoke your inner light - Align with the Sun - Infuse & radiate -
As the days get longer, the Sun shines brightly in the sky above.
A time to honor our connection to this great source of light & harness its energy in celebration of our own radiance and willingness to be seen.
Kick your summer off with Gemma as she guides you through a fun, warming & rejuvenating yoga practice to awaken & build heat in the body and heart.
Light your inner fire, energize your life and fan the flames of your summer intentions!
Please bring the following:
journal & pen, your favorite crystals/rocks, for those that have been before can bring their crystal that was gifted previously, a few flowers.
Limited to 30 people
About:
Gemma has been studying yoga for over 15 years and teaching worldwide for 10 years. She blends together her knowledge and experience of yoga, pranayama, yoga nidra, hindu deities, sacred feminine archetypes, natures rhythms, moon -womb wisdom, goddess alchemy and flower essence therapy to provide transformational guidance, empowering you to remember and reclaim your truth, beauty & wild sacred wisdom.
For further information contact:
www.luminaryrose.com
$25 in advance / REGISTER HERE
$30 day of
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Welcome Sondra Teske to our Teaching Staff!
Hatha Yoga Level 1: Tuesdays, 5:45-7:00pm Seaside
Restorative Yoga: Tuesdays, 7:30-9:00pm Seaside
Sondra Teske (RYT 200) began her teaching journey after attending the Integral Awakening Yoga Teacher Training at Seaside Yoga Sanctuary in 2016. Throughout her years of practice, she has continually been amazed at the incredible opportunity yoga offers to create space, cultivate balance, and provide physical, mental, and emotional nourishment in her life. She believes in the transformational power of compassion for self and others and integrates that message into her life, work, and yoga classes.
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Please welcome Zoe Thurman to our Teaching Staff!
Hatha Yoga Flow: Mondays 9:30-10:45am Seaside
Zoe is a certified yoga teacher and 200hr graduate from Seaside Yoga Sanctuary in 2014. Her journey in yoga began in a college class where she soon discovered yoga to be more than a physical practice. She then went on to earn her BA in Religious Studies from Humboldt State with an emphasis on Eastern religions. She feels her studies in Buddhist and Hindu history and theology will bring a unique and knowledgeable perspective to her classes. Zoe believes in the integration of mind, body, and spirit and strives to take what she learns on the mat out into the world. Her classes will focus on deepening flexibility and releasing tension in the body as well as the mind. Her down-to-earth, bubbly and artistic spirit translates in her teaching style.
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Please welcome Krystal Barschig to our Teaching Staff!
Hatha Yoga: Thursdays, 5:30-6:30pm Pacific Grove
Yoga has been a part of Krystal's life for the past 15 years, and she feels the best way she can express her gratitude for the blessings it's brought and fulfill her purpose is to pass along these teachings. Krystal is a graduate of Seaside Yoga Sanctuary's Integral Awakening Yoga Teacher Training program and is eternally grateful to Laura and Briksha for illuminating this path of remembering and uncovering.
Krystal has a long-standing passion for helping others attain optimum health and personal growth, having worked more than a decade in the health and wellness field as a writer, personal trainer, and holistic nutritionist. She studied dance, music, and experimental theater at NYU.
In her teaching, Krystal enjoys weaving philosophy into a deeply physical practice, supporting a practical integration of mind, body, and spirit.
When not in the yoga studio, Krystal can be found digging in the dirt with her two-year-old son, cooking nutritious, plant-based meals for her family, having dance parties in their living room, and finding any excuse to go for a walk outside or be near the ocean. Krystal is eternally grateful to her supportive family and teachers, not least of all her son, who is her greatest teacher yet.
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Restorative Yoga + DIY Healing Jewelry Workshop
with Ashleigh Oxford
Sunday, July 16th 1:00-4:00pm
Seaside Studio
An afternoon of relaxation and healing!! Join Ashleigh in this 3 hour workshop as we make beautiful healing jewelry to support our body, mind and soul! We will infuse our designs with intentions and end the evening with a blissed-out combination of yin + restorative yoga asana combined with healing musical melodies of the harmonium, warm stones, aromatherapy and gentle touch.
$75 / REGISTER HERE
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Using Props to Enhance Your Practie
with Sean Haleen
Sat & Sun, July 22 & 23 1:00-3:00pm
Pacific Grove Studio
Saturday - Hips & Twists
Sunday - Shoulders & Spine
The diversity and uses for props are endless!
They enable us to access muscles, poses, and actions that are difficult, if not impossible, to feel without them. These two workshops will introduce a wide array of uses for blankets, straps, blocks, and bolsters to transform the way you experience poses from Side Angle to Crow and everything in between.
$35 early reg per workshop OR $60 for both/ $40 day of
**To register both for discount - you will need to to it at the studio or over the phone)
Register for Saturday
Register for Sunday
Sean Haleen (500 E-RYT) is a celebrated Hatha yoga teacher and practitioner. Sean has practiced and studied yoga asana and philosophy since 1997 and began teaching in 2007. He now lives north of San Francisco with his husband and dog. He teaches public classes in San Francisco and Marin as well as various 200HR and 500HR teacher trainings and Joyful Alignment workshops at studios across the US. Sean's classes are noted for their humor, depth, and precision. Focusing on alignment, students wishing to learn about their bodies and the different concepts of yoga philosophy in detail will enjoy his public classes, workshops, and trainings. Sean's teachers have deeply influenced not only his yoga instructing but also his life. He offers deep gratitude with each class to his main teachers, Katchie Ananda, Jack Kornfield, Christine Price Clark, Kenny Graham, Brent Kuecker, Desiree Rumbaugh, Paige Faraci, and most recently Iyengar teacher Brian Hogencamp and San Francisco legend, Betty Roi.
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Yoga Retreat
Sierra Hot Springs Resort
with Laura McKinnon & Mahendra Briksha
August 25-27
Mastering Resilience
Resilience is defined as our capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, and challenges.
It is elasticity, a capacity of an object to bring back it into its original shape.
Journey with us to the beautiful Sierras
MASTERING THE RESILIENCE in your body, heart and mind
Enjoy a weekend of nature, hot springs, yoga asana, meditation, breathwork and deep connection and conversations.
The weekend will offer group practices and self-study, along with healthy meals served by The Philosophy Cafe.
$375/pp Camping
$425/pp Dorm
$500/pp Shared Double
$550/pp Single
*Early Bird Special*
$50 off the above price when you sign up and pay in full by July 15th
Retreat details will be sent upon registration
Arrival time is between 2-4:30pm on Friday, retreat concludes after lunch on Sunday
Click Here for More Information & Registration
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"There is no such thing as a doorway that you can only go through one way. Yes, we are trying to penetrate in, but what is trying to come out to meet us? It is the light of the innermost sheath of bliss (Ananda). As we create opening, the light....shines out."
~BKS Iyengar
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Unlimited Passes on Sale!
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During the month of June, take advantage of our unlimited membership deals!
(Rates apply for all students)
Month Unlimited:
Only $99!
3 Month Unlimited: $260
6 Month Unlimited: $500
Passes can be purchased at the studios or on-line
HERE!
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