news from the blue

july 2018

news from the blue

blue lotus online class schedule teacher training newsletter archives

a message from jill....

Namaste!

I'm lying on a chaise lounge situated in about five inches of cool water. The sound of the sea is not quite ominous, but the surf is crashing, exploding in a way that I can feel in my bones. She has my full attention. The cloudless sky above is painted in a variety of blues from our familiar Carolina blue to the softest, barely baby blue. The rooster in charge of the farm nearby crows round the clock, all day every day and this afternoon is no exception. I'm guessing he takes his rest from about 12-4am, because other than that, he's making his presence known. I'm ever listening for the cow bell clang cacophony from the herd of goats that wander the adjacent property and sand "road" around our perimeter. I'd like to say there is a gentle breeze, but the truth is, the wind is whipping wildly- from no particular direction at all and everywhere at once. Being in the middle of the desert, right next to the untamed sea is such an oddity to me. The air is at once dry and humid. The sun is penetrating (and perpetually frying my skin regardless of SPF #) rises early and sets late. It's my last day at Prana del Mar. And as I felt the last time I was here, I'm both ready to go and absolutely certain that I will return.

Read Jill's full message over at the blue lotus blog.

summer savings: 10-class pass for $120

Don't let the dog days of summer keep you away from your mat! Make time to move and breathe between now and Labor Day with a Summer Savings 10-class pass for just $120.

This special pass is available for purchase and is valid from July 1 until Labor Day only*.

* You may purchase more than one pass; however, all passes expire on September 3. No refunds or extensions will be allowed for this purchase.

Purchase online or in the studio

Iceland Retreat + Adventure

Journey with Jill & Kristina March 16-23, 2019

Venture into the light with Jill and Kristina for a once-in-a-lifetime Icelandic adventure. Join us for a week exploring this magical island-potent with wisdom and brimming with ethereal light, even on the darkest night.

Along with daily yoga practices, we will adventure into the diverse landscape of the north: a truly awesome expanse of wilderness with glacial waterfalls, lava fields, volcanic hot springs, and of course the mystical northern lights.

Awaken your soul. Journey with us and be reminded that the light around us is but a reflection of the light within.

What's Included:

7 nights accommodations
All breakfasts, lunches, and 5 dinners
Round-trip group transport to/from the airport
Daily yoga practices
Ferry ride and tour/hike to Hrisey Island
Myvatn full day excursion
Akureyri hiking excursion
Northern lights tour
Personal time: rest, explore, walk, read, and just be

Save $200 with early bird pricing until August 15. For more details, visit our Icelandic Adventure home page!

teacher spotlight: Jen Fisher

Q & A with the blue's Jen Fisher (formerly Bluestone)

How does music enhance your class?

I have always been a lover of music. My family owned a restaurant and when they bought a new jukebox, we put the old one with all of the 45s in our basement. We had dance parties all the time, so pairing movement with music has always been a no-brainer. To me, all music is yoga. However, I am really particular about what I play in class. Shiva Rea is a master of cultivating a feeling state through music, asana, pranyama, lighting in the room, language, etc. I do my best to share what I learned from my Prana Flow training with her and what feels good to me in my translation of her teaching. I always say: be mindful about the music you play in class or don't play any at all!

What drew you to Prana Flow Yoga?

Carson Efird! When I met Carson I knew there was something different about what she was teaching. It goes back to that cultivation of feeling state. The intelligent sequencing helped my practice evolve to new levels and deepened my understanding of the dynamics of the poses. I also loved the inclusion of Ayurveda in the practice. Both Shiva and Carson have MFAs in dance, and I grew up a dancer, so that also connected me to the practice.

How do students know if they are ready for an advanced practice class?

First and foremost, an advanced practice is about what happens inside yourself when you are practicing those poses. You might feel frustration or anger or joy or happiness. We practice moving through those things and finding the present moment, the center of it all. Being advanced doesn't mean you can hold a handstand. It is knowing when to skip Chaturanga, take Child's Pose, or modify. Advanced practitioners know when to take a break from the physical practice and dive deeper into meditation and pranayama. I do recommend students have at least one year of vinyasa yoga practice and a solid understanding of the basic poses found in a flow class before attending.

Join Jen for Advanced Practice every Thursday at 9:30 am and Music Flow (for all levels!) on Tuesday evenings July 17, 24 and 31 at 7 pm.