|
|
“When the winds of change blow…some people build walls and others build windmills”-Chinese Proverb
Namaste Friends,
 Its spring and Mother Earth is muddy, wet, moist, blossoming, supple, and juicy right now. She so femine! Spring is one of the bigger transition seasons because the change is so dramatic; we see in color again. All that slumbers begins to awake. The energy of our planet is in transition from darkness to light, or vice versa depending on your position on this globe. When the energy of the Universe is in flux, the energy in our own being follows suit. We feel our moods lifting, our bodies shifting, and on a cellular level we sense the perennial surge of change flowing through us. Maybe we lose weight, or crave certain foods, or need the ocean, or feel more amorous than usual. Or the opposites. But sometimes the fluxuation is overwhelming, and it feels very uncertain and unstable. Like standing on the deck of a boat in rough water and we just want to crawl inside and hide. Change can make us feel like everything is falling out from underneath us. But change is inevitable, it is as perennial as the grass. And if the floor does drop beneath us, it is because we now have wings to fly. We must learn to cultivate faith in the Universe.
 Mother Earth is constantly trying to put our mind at ease by showing us that she is reliable and that we should have faith. The Sun ALWAYS rises on her eastern shoreboard, and sets sweetly EVERY evening to the west. Spring ALWAYS shrouds her in greenage and flowers, and Winter brings her to rest EVERY season. Her arms are made of gravity and she AlWAYS tries to pull us into her as if she was trying to give us an embracing hug. And EVERY one of us has a right to be here, she loves unconditionally. She is trying to show us that everything is unfolding as it should. We just need to allow life to flow, and get out of our own way. Let go of fear, worry, and doubt. Embrace the sweet new beginnings that come forth at this auspicious time for re-birth and renewel. Plant a garden with seeds of hope, love, and happiness. If you want Granny Smiths, don’t plant crab apples. No?
 Happy muddy, moist, juicy, wet, supple, blossoming spring everyone. Just as we take our car to the shop to get it aligned and tuned up. We should all do the same for our soul. Go lay on Mama Earth and let her hug you…and hug her right back.
And to all the Other Beautiful Mamas on this planet…Happy Mother’s Day. Thank you for all the nuturing, love, and compassion you bring to the collective. I bow to you all.
Much love,
Katrina Gustafson
Kirtan with Prema Hara
Karma Yoga Center is pleased to present Prema Hara , a Los Angeles based kirtan troupe. They just released a new CD and are touring the country sharing their heart felt sound with all. Come stir your soul with their vibrant music.
Saturday May 7th 7:00-9:00pm
$10 per person
Two Free Yoga classes on May 8th (Mother’s Day!)
at 12:30-1:30 and 3:30-4:30
taught by Kayce Berke and
Benjamin Frohlichstein.
Yin-Mersion!
 Want to experience the difference between Yin and Yang Yoga Asana? Join Denise Cook as she teaches us the benefits and fundamental principles of the therapeutic practice of Yin Yoga. Be guided and educated on the “shapes” that we use in Yin Hatha Yoga and learn how this quiet practice can have amazing shifts in your over-all yoga practice. As a student you will cleanse and shift the emotional and mental bodies helping to further align yourself to a more balanced state.
With continued practice of Yin shapes the mind becomes resilient and thoughts and attitude more flexible.
There are many states of dis-ease in the human condition that the Yin practice can help:
Depression and anxiety
Chronic low back problems
Fertility issues for men and women
and so much more…
The upcoming Yin-Mersion workshop is designed for anyone seeking to become qualified to guide Yin Classes, someone wanting to deepen their personal understanding and learn the meridian theory, and deepen your understanding of vibrational alignment as a teacher, and increase in mobility of the joints.
This is a 3 part immersion. Cost is $395. If you are RYT 200+ cost is $325
The dates for the Yin-Mersion are May 21- 22, June 18-19 and July 22- 23.
 Denise Cook has been teaching yoga in the Denver-metro area for the last decade. She believes that bringing the body and human experiences to the mat to heal the mind is transformative. “There are a lot of theories out there, but until you show up to practice your breath, discover your buttons, and find your peace day in and day out…theories are out the window.”
Make it a Summer of Yoga!
Don’t miss this amazing deal.
$270 for three months of unlimited yoga!
Deal ends May 15th.
Namaste friends!
 I miss our teacher training students! What an amazing group they were. On April 9th, eight of the most dedicated and talented individuals received their hard earned teaching certificates after completing our nine week intensive course. But now Lisa and I are feeling like the parents of high school graduates. Our extended family has spread their wings an flown away to continue on their dharmic path; to share their new found knowledge; to create new beginnings. Each of these amazing yogis are gifted in the art of teaching, loving, and nurturing. Wherever they decide to hang their shingle, that community will receive heartfelt yoga. We proudly send them off with much love and affection.
But enough of them. Back to Lisa and I. We are sad! We are having to learn the art of letting go of attachment. We became very connected to each of them, and in some ways they became “ours”. Not in the obessive/compulsive kind of way. We all became so close, which is what happens when you eat, breath, sleep yoga intensely for nine weeks, that our lives became one. So when they graduated, we lost “our” way of life. And change is challenging. We get into routines. We get use to a way to doings things. It becomes comfortable and familiar. And then when that is uprooted suddenly, we can feel lost, scattered, or disoriented. That’s when the art of letting go becomes an important practice. We have to remind ourselves we aren’t our things. We aren’t our jobs. We aren’t the people in our lives. We are a reflection of those things. Which is why it is important to surround ourselves with positive things, work the jobs we love, and hang with good people. But we are really spirit beings full of light and love and it is important not to lose sight of that by attaching too strongly to any one person, place, or thing.
 Change is inevitable. Like the old adage says, “The only constant is change”. In our practice of yoga, we work on being flexible, not just in our hamstrings, but in our mind and heart. Things come into our life for a reason. But they also move out for a reason too. It is a service to ourselves if we learn to accept the changes with grace and openess because around the corner is a new venture waiting to be discovered.
Lisa and I are sad to see our students go for sure. And I jest about how much grief we feel in their departure (pretty sad though). But I use graduation as an example to all of us as a reminder to stay flexible to change, accept the comings and goings of life, and know that every day brings new adventure. In this season of transformation, where blossoms our opening, and baby birds are hatching, the weather is warming, we are reminded of rebirth and renewel. That new beginnings are as perennial as the grass. Closure is only one aspect of new beginnings.
Congratulations Graduates.
We are so proud of you.
Blessings on your Journey.
Free Yoga Classes will be held by each of our graduates on Sunday afternoons.
The first to be scheduled are April 17th from 2:15to 3:15 with Laura Sullivan.
Next is May lst with Constance Wood from 12:30-1:30
Also on May 1st with Andrew Fraser from 2:15-3:15
On May 8th is Benjamin Frohlichstein from 3:30-4:30
Others to be announced as they are scheduled.
       
In order of pictures
Andrew Fraser
Benjamin Frohlichstein
Constance Wood
Kayce Berke
Elise Quist
Laura Sullivan
Patti White
Sara Yost
Namaste Friends,
 Dissolution: We have all seen images of the destruction caused by our quaking Mother Earth on the densely populated island of Japan; and it breaks our hearts to see others who are helpless and in need. The number of those who died, or are unaccounted for has exceeded 15,000—more than 5,400 deaths and nearly 9,600 missing, while some 380,000 are still staying in about 2,000 shelters. And its freezing cold there. Its wintertime in Japan.
 Revolution: Then spin the globe a few lines of longitutude and you land amidst political and civil strife in the middle east. Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Syria, Algeria, Iraq, Iran all have determined that being oppressed, repressed, and depressed is not the way this life was intended to be lived. So they are standing up for themselves. Although they are risking their lives to do, what is a life worth if it isn’t free?
 Evolution: Finally, land your awareness at the center of your heart. Notice how much you have softened your perspective on so many aspects of life over the last few years, few months, few days. As a collective, we humans are growing in compassion and tolerance on an exponential level. We are becoming less about “me” and more about “we“. Without realizing it, or perhaps without even understanding it, we are more willing to see our fellow man as a part of ourselves. We are more inclined toward love, than we are toward hate. We are evolving spiritually. We are being drawn toward something that is greater than ourselves. We are more aware of what our heart is telling us to do because we are learning ways to settle our minds and listen to what the ancients have heard all along: our inner knowing. Our inner knowing, when followed will take us all to a place of peace, joy, and tranquility.
Sometimes it doesn’t always seem so evident that we are evolving spiritually. We see war and bloodshed in the headlines daily. And we can even find ourselves questioning God if It allows for pain and suffering. How is that loving? My answer is everything is made of vibrations: the Earth, our bodies, even our spirit is light vibrations. So when we as a collective of human beings feel energeticallythe devastation of our brothers and sisters in Japan, or the fire of our muslim revolutionaries, we feel our own heights and our own depths. Its like Newton’s law of nature; for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. So the devastation in Japan, and the unrest in the middle east create strong vibrations which initially have a negative pull on our global community. No one likes to see heartache and bloodshed. But to know our greatest heights, we need to know its equal vibration in the same or opposite low. So how does this make us more evolved? Through our deep compassion and efforts to help our human family in need we raise our own consciousness as a collective.
The same goes for us as individuals. When we plumment deep into a well of despair, we can be comforted to know that for as deep as we fell, we can rise to success equally as high. But many people play it safe. They don’t risk loving deeply, travelling afar, or working a job that they love because they don’t want to fail or fall into the well. But then they also risk not experiencing a rich, juicy, full life. The settle for mediocrity.
Since we don’t have control over mother nature, because if we did we would most likely take the road of safety and avoid natural disasters, we have to look at the upswing of vibrational backlash that Newton’s theory holds. We deepen our compassion for others as humans. We learn to give of our time and energy to help each other. We grow in our humanity. Same with the political unrest we watch unfold around the world, not just in the middle east, and we see the violence, which in turns makes us value our ability to love one another even more.
I send all my prayers and blessings to all people who are suffering on this planet. Many of us do, because we are evolving exponentially. So at this rate, world peace is within reach. Keep loving from the heart and encourage others to do the same.
Much love,
Katrina Gustafson
New Spring Schedule starts Monday the 21st!
Be sure to check the schedule for updates starting on Sunday the 20th.
Some new classes for the Spring include:
Yoga for the Cure. This class is specifically designed for people with cancer and their families. Taught by one who has used yoga to help overcome her own battle with cancer, Mary Ann Eagan. Movement is gentle, supportive, and accessable to all at any stage of their recovery. Monday mornings from 9-10
Beginner Flow/Anusara Inspired. We are adding another beginner flow class into our evening class schedule. This one has the principles of alignment as used in Anusara style yoga which is extremely beneficial to helping establish a new practice. This class is taught by one of Nikki Gallant who just recently underwent the arduous requirements to become Anusara Inspired. 5:45pm
Kat Saks is teaching an all levels flow at 6pm on Mondays
Kundalini on Monday nights with Shannon EarthTree at 7pm!
Ian Maxwell is bringing is Advanced Practice Ninja class to Wednesday afternoons from 2-4! Come play!
Jeremy Wolf is will be teaching Yoga Nidra at 5:45 on Wednesday evenings!
Denise Cook is leading an all levels flow class on Wednesdays at 6pm
Peaceful Yoga is combining with Nidra on Frday evenings for Peaceful Nidra with Alyssa Gunn at 5:45
We welcome personal trainer and yoga instructor Jordan New into our fold. He will be leading the Yoga for Athletes class on Saturday mornings at 8am.
Saturday afternoon was screaming for a yoga class in our schedule so new teacher Robin Gallite will be teaching an all levels flow class from2:30-3:30pm.
Sunday evenings peaceful yoga is going to add a energy healing meditation to the curriculum as lead by yoga teacher and reiki master Elissa Hardy.
Namaste Friends,
Do you ever notice that sometimes you feel more loving, kind, and generous than other times? I think that most of us try to be in that place as often as we can, but it isn’t always so easy to tap into that space 24 hours a day. I am very aware of what can take me away from these joyful states of mind: lack of sleep, poor diet, and people who are intentionally mean.  I am also aware of what can easily bring me back to our natural loving demeanor, and it usually correlates with a random act of kindness that someone bestows upon me or that I witness being bestowed upon someone else. The sweetness of the act triggers a soft spot in my heart, and takes my thoughts to all that I love. A simple gesture of kindness softens even the toughest of hearts. And, it is so easy to be sweet. But yet, there is a huge population of people who struggle with the idea of just being nice for the sake of being nice. There seems to be a “what’s in it for me” mentality that prohibits folks from smiling at a stranger, or offering their seat to someone standing on a bus, or even more taxing to their constitution, giving of their time and energy to help those less fortunate. And, if it isn’t the greediness in people that keeps them from being kind, then it is a lack of faith in the importance of loving one another. The ”what good is it really going to do?” attitude.
We are all born joyful and loving. Its a birthright. It is a natural state of mind for all spirit beings. So how did selfishness, greed, and apathy ever become so powerful? It doesn’t feel good in our soul to be those things. It makes us physically ill. We certainly can’t perform at optimum capacity when we are fueling our selves with hate thoughts, lethargy, and vengence. So why do we do it?
I think it is because we have lost our spiritual connection. We don’t see that there is something greater than ourselves moving through our lives. Grace is not recogized as easily as it could be because we have become accustomed to feeling love, joy, and kindness in the form of chocolate, wine, and brand names. We have traded in the our faith and love in the Divine, and placed importance on material gain and social stature.
 Perhaps if we strengthened our understanding, devotion, and connection to our Higher Power, we would more easily step into the flow of lovingkindness. Then, once we are swimming in that current of compassion, we would be less likely to fall prey to the snags along the shoreline that pull us away from our goodness. The strength of the current would carry us swiftly past those obstacles and delivers us downstream toward the sea, where we all merge into oneness; where separation doesn’t exist. No one person is better than another. We are all brothers and sisters. We are all part of a collective whole. When one of our people is suffering, a little piece within each of us is suffering too.
So lets start by loving ourselves so that we can better love others. Get sleep, eat healthy, spend our energy in the right direction. Take good self care. Then from that place of wholeness, share our energy with everyone else. Lets hold each other up. Smile and give hugs. Offer our help. Practice lovingkindess. The world needs it right now. Hari Om.
If you are in need of some ideas of how to nuture the idea of self care we have lots of offerings here at Karma Yoga Center. Please be sure to explore the special events page for a full list of all the offerings. Here are a few of the most immediate upcoming events:
~Karmic Happenings~
MARCH
Mala Making Workshop with Christina Valastro
Learn about the power of japa (repetition) meditation and the importance of malas.
Then, create your own mala charged with your own special mantra (prayer).
March 13th 1:15-3:15pm $15 with your own beads, $25 with beads provided
Introduction to Deep Listening with Janet Fiorenzo
Would you like to be able to align your thoughts, words and actions with that inner voice? If you answered ‘yes’
this is your invitation to quiet the mind and listen deeply for your truth.
March 12th 1:30-3:30pm $35
Real Yoga the Right Way: Mastering the Teachings of the Bhagavad Gita
with Dr. Katyayai Poole
Part 3: How to Love like a Yogi
March 6th, 27th, April 3rd 1-3pm $145 for all three
Kirtan with Ryan Nataraj and Damon the Zen Drummer
This is Ryan Nataraj’s farewell kirtan! Come dance and sing the night away-let’s send our dear bhakti yogi off with
celebration for the beginning of a new phase.
March 18th 7:30-9:30pm $10 in advance, $15 the night of
Friday Night Yoga Club
Karma is the host on Friday the 25th. Teachers Lisa Schlelein and China Carll. FNYC’s focus is on uniting the Denver Yoga Community and its profits support the Chanda Plan, which brings much needed yoga therapy to those with disabilities.
It’s going to be a great time!
March 25th 6-9pm $20 in advance/$25 the night of
(includes yoga, food from the Dharma Café, DJ & dancing after the event).
Yoga Nidra with Jeremy Wolf
Experience the powerful practice that induces a complete state of physical, mental, and emotional relaxation.
Understand how it works, why it’s such an integral aspect of yoga and a balanced life in general,
and learn how to get more from your practice.
March 26th 4-6pm $35
Awakening Through Meditation with Sri Jeff Poole
Learn techniques to help create a calm, steady mind that opens potential for a consistent
and enjoyable meditation practice.
March 27th 2-4pm $25
On behalf of the entire Karma staff, we thank you for coming to class with your great energy. I am grateful for your continued patronage. Stay bright. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Much love,
Katrina Gustafson Broyles
Namaste friends~
It’s been a while since I last blogged here…I must be a bit out of balance.  It’s Lisa, Katrina’s right-hand woman here at Karma Yoga Center.
One of my favorite things about yoga practice is how it teaches us to find and maintain balance. In our physical (asana) practice we learn how to stand on one foot, or find steadiness on hands, forearms, or even the head. We learn how even while balanced and firm in a pose, there is a degree of movement and adjusting the body does to maintain a homeostatic state.
 As we continue to explore our practice and open to the natural balance the asanas contain, we open a gateway for balance to spill into other aspects of our lives. We find ourselves noticing thoughts and attitudes that are not in balance. We start to see how our emotions play on our thoughts, pulling us away from the solid center of the even-minded Self. We even start to see how our actions reflect imbalance and take us away from the bliss of Oneness.
So we search for ways to find our center. We look for ways we can maintain the peace and stability of our Selves. We come to our mats each day to practice asana. We may even employ pranayama (breathwork) and meditation techniques. But we can also find that sometimes we need another method. We may need a chance to explore stability through devotion, or through learning.
Kat and I do our very best to offer events here at Karma that can help everyone find and maintain balance. Coming up are some great opportunities for yogis of all ages to find and help maintain their balance.
This Sunday, February 20th is a FREE YOGA CLASS FOR SENIORS from 3:30-4:45pm. Taught by Gail Waldstein, MD and certified yoga instructor.
 Gail is such a gift to our community! She has made it her mission to bring yoga into the lives of seniors.
While yoga is practiced by some 15 million people in the U.S. many seniors have the impression it is a practice for the young. Not so! Yoga is of great benefit at any age. If you are older, stiff, injured, out of balance, or have never done yoga before, this class is for you. And it’s free!
And…if this gains momentum we’d love to make it a regular class offering.
Next Friday, February 25th is a KIRTAN with Lerraine Hortsmanhoff. 7:30-9pm
 Singing your praises to the divine is one of the best ways to express gratitude for the gift of balance.
Kirtan shows us that in order to connect with our true Selves we don’t have to stand on our heads, or arms, or even one foot. We are free to connect through the vibration of music and explore the way it moves our bodies.
After all, sometimes don’t you just need to dance and sing!?
Next Saturday, February 26th is SANSKRIT FOR YOGIS taught by Dr. Katyayani Poole. 1:00-6:00pm
 Dr. Katy is one of the most authentic and gifted teachers of yoga there is. And we are honored to have her teaching here at Karma.
This 5 hour immersion will introduce you to the ancient and powerful language of Sanskrit by learning the sounds of the alphabet. These sound vibrations awaken pranic (energic) channels in the body to help quiet the mind and invigorate the spirit. These vibrations also help us connect with the natural world and it’s cycles, futhering our ability to live in balance.
You are sure to love this experience!
Balance isn’t always easy. And sometimes we need to go out of balance in order to get back into balance. But the more time we spend in the center, even-minded and calm, the more we can express who we are on the inside to the outside world. As external influences shift and change, ebb and flow, we find a channel of stability within that is the grace of the divine.
 “The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man.”
Euripides
Much love and peace to each of you,
Lisa
Namaste friends,
 I am feeling very uplifted of late because I am seeing so many of you practicing your yoga, and it is bringing many benefits, predominately a sense of direction and a feeling of contentment. Many of you have shared with me stories of how you are now able to boldly and confidently communicate your thoughts and ideas, whereas it wasn’t so easy a year ago. Some have told me about your new found strength of courage to begin a new endeavour, that in the not so distance past would have mortified you to try. Others have found ways to work through old wounds, and even finding forgiveness and hope. Some of you have said that anger has been replaced with a sense of inner peace. Yoga makes everything all better!
 But what needs to be qualified here is that yoga is so much more than coming to class a few times a week and doing asana (poses). These practionors of yoga who are experiencing the wonderful shifts in their life; in their consciousness, in their health are practicing yoga everyday. I don’t mean they are coming to class everyday, but rather that they are consciously employing the yogic ideals that are taught from their teachers, or that they learn themselves through scripture study, meditation, or trusting their inner knowing.
The ancient practice of yoga umbrellas so much more than stretching our hamstrings. When we as students allow ourselves to tap into the flow of yogic knowledge, we begin to open to a deeper aspect of ourselves. We see beyond our physical bodies and limitations; we are able to access and awaken hidden energies; we can better control our emotions and harness them productively; we begin to understand our purpose and potential. And ultimately, we step into our our power, live our dharma, and share our gifts. We break the old patterns or habits (samskaras) that hinder our well being, thus we are able to live a richer, value driven life.
Karma Yoga Center is founded in principal to bring rich offerings to each class, workshop, and training. We are dedicated to helping each of our students, through the many different aspects of yoga, expand their awareness in mind, body, and spirit. Yes, through regular practice your hamstrings will open up, but even more potent and powerful, your life will open up. And it only keeps getting better!
 Thank you to all of our students who are dedicated to the practice. When you take the time to better yourselves, you are making it better for everyone. There is one less angry elf on the planet. Lord knows we can stand to see more of that. Keep spreading your goodness around…goodness is contagious.
Much love,
Katrina Gustafson Broyles
Here are some upcoming Karmic ways to deepen your yogic knowledge!
Yoga Teacher Training begins Feb. 5th!
If you are ready to go deeper…this is the program. We still have room…
How to Act Like a Yogi: Karma Yoga and the Bhagavad Gita with Dr. Katyayani Poole/Feb. 13 ,20, 27
This is the second part of a three part series with Dr. Poole. You don’t need the first part to participate. Study the Gita with a master teacher!
Free Yoga for Seniors on Feb. 20th and March 6th with Gail Waldstein 3:30-4:45
Gail studied how to teach yoga to seniors at Duke Integrative Medicine School and is now sharing her experience with our elders. If you have a senior in your life that could use yoga, have them come for this free class(es). If we find there is a need for a regularly scheduled class we will add one in this spring.
DreamYoga Workshop on Feb. 12th
Explore your dreams as an untapped potential for awakening.
Sweet Rockin’ Kirtan with Leraine on Feb. 25th
Renowned kirtan artist Leraine Hortsmanshoff is travelling through Denver and stopping for an evening of chanting and singing at Karma Yoga Center. This is not to be missed. As Leraine said, “Chanting is the vehicle for the 21st Century to open our hearts and free our minds.”
Karma Kleanse with Denise Cook…Just in time for spring! Begins March 5-12th
I love this cleanse because you can still eat some food! This is an ayurvedic cleanse that Denise has developed over the years following the guidance of her teacher Baron Baptiste. Its one week long, we follow a menu of healthy items, and we emerge renewed.
See the special events page for more details on any of these events.
Blessing to all and Hari Om!
Namaste Friends!
 It seems like the dawn of a new year is suppose to mean that we get a clean slate; a new start; do-overs. When is that going to kick in? I don’t know about you, but I feel like the new year just brought a whole bunch of stuff to do. There are the festive decorations to take down from the holidays; suddenly taxes are on the horizon; Then there is the new intentions I so full heartedly meditated on, and so now those are also looming on the to-do list. And the list goes on. So how do we balance it all? Easy! Yoga!
Now you might say to yourself, well of course you would say that…you own a yoga studio. I won’t lie, I do want you to come in and practice, but the real reason I say yoga is the answer to balancing our lives is precisely the reason I opened a yoga studio. It really does work. Breathing deeply, moving our body’s stuck energy, flushing the systems of toxins, hearing inspirational words that connect to our soul, singing devotionally-this brings balance to our lives. When we emerge on the other side of an hour + yoga class, we are able to fathom and manage all the daunting tasks that life can set before us.
 When we carve out a bit of time each day to honor our mind, body, and spirit, all three elements of our being integrate and we become whole. Not splintered, not fragmented, not lost…but wholly integrated or would that be Holy integrated?
Yoga is one of the few, and definitely one of the most potent ways to weave together our physical body, our emotional body, our intellectual body, and our soulful body. Going inside of ourselves, even for just an hour a day, through meditation(dhyana), scripture study (svadhyaya), physical movement (asana), breathwork (pranayama), and/or devotion (bhakti) will most certainly bring us to a state of lucidity. When we are clear, we can be present. When we are present, not dwelling in the past or looking ahead to the future, but actually living in the moment, we are able to tap into our greatness. When we are standing in our power, that is when we are able to handle the most daunting days, and conversely, we are able to enjoy the sweet gifts that life has to offer.
 So, its simple. Grab your mat and come do yoga with us. We are offering everything I mentioned above and then some! Bring some calmness and clarity into your lives. The holiday items will get put away, the taxes will get paid, and the sun also rises every morning. That is the way of the Universe. Thank Goodness!
And, if you are ready to go deeper into your practice, our teacher training starts Feb 5th!
 We have an amazing curriculum set with even many of Denver’s most dedicated and knowledgable teachers contributing their greatness to our training. Be sure to grab an application and start the process. We look forward to helping you along your dharmic (soul’s purpose) path.
Be sure to check out some of our new class offerings.
We are adding in Therapeutic Yoga.
This class is perfect for people with injuries. Think of it as physical therapy meets yoga. Carolyn Midland is a certified yoga therapist. She is very passionate about this form of yoga. Be sure to take advantage of her expertise if you have any ailments. She will also be offering private consultations through our Spa Services. She can put together an entire lifestyle regimine for you, from diet and exercise, following the ayurvedic approach to guidance on some natural herbal remedies as well. Her public class will be offered on Mondays at 9:00-10:00 .
Also new to the schedule is Yoga for Athletes
This is open to all but geared toward the athlete who perhaps bikes, runs, lifts weights, or plays a sport and has tight everything! Come to this early morning class either just before the run/bike etc…or just after…or just come to undo the tight hamstrings, hips, and shoulders. Denise Cook is a highly trained yoga therapist who has been working with athletes for years. She is sure to cure what tightness might be lurking. This class will be offered on Saturday mornings at 8-9am. Starts Jan. 8th
Next up is Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga is the opposite of a fast paced vinyasa class. In this practice you hold the poses much longer. Its in these holds that the release begins. This practice works with our (in)ability to let go and surrender. We get to a point where surrender is the only way to go. This is a great practice for people with anxiety or high blood pressure. This class will be offered twice a week on Tuesday at noon with Maya Brown and Thursday with Denise Cook.
We are adding another Kundalini class and adding two new Kundalini teachers.
Dru Welborn and Shannon Earthtree have been teaching Kundalini in Denver for years and we are glad to bring them into the fold. Dru’s class will be Wednesday at 4:15 and Shannon will be sharing the class with Harjot Kaur on Sunday at 8 am!
We are adding Power Yoga at noon on Wednesdays with Lisa Schlelein.
This is a amped up, butt-kicking vinyasa class that will be opposite Ian’s alignment based hatha yoga class. Both great options for a Wednesday.
There are a few time adjustments mostly across the 7:15pm hour to a later 7:30pm start. Be sure to check the schedule.
We are losing kids yoga on Monday and Tuesday at 4:15, but keeping the Thursday and Saturday kids yoga.
And we are very excited to host Dr. Katyayani Poole’s Bhagavad Gita series.
See the special events page for details. This is a most fortunate opportunity to study with such a master.
Here is to being present, living the sweet life, and not sweating the small stuff! Happy New Year!
Much love,
Katrina Gustafson Broyles
Namaste Friends!
 I hope you had a chance to catch the lunar eclipse on the eve of the winter solstice. The lunatic in me was up at 1am watching that glowing, full orb gracefully receive her shadowy cloak from Mother Earth. It was so magical to watch. Its auspicious moments like that which confirm my belief in a higher power. In sanskrit, these moments of beauty are called “shri”. Its when an object reaches its pentulitmum magnificance. And it brings a since of awe or inspiration to the beholder. Its that shudder that runs through you that gives you chills and you feel an intense connection, even if just momentarily, with the divine.
The Soltices and Equinox mark the change of seasons, and with each of the season changes, we too look to our schedule and make our changes. We are adding in some new classes, and new teachers, as well as taking away some classes. I will highlight the big changes here, but be sure to grab a new schedule or look online at the schedule tab for the most current updates.
We are adding in Theraputic Yoga.
This class is perfect for people with injuries. Think of it as physical therapy meets yoga. Carolyn Midland is a certified structural yoga therapist. She is very passionate about this form of yoga. Be sure to take advantage of her expertise if you have any ailments. She will also be offering private consultations through our Spa Services. She can put together an entire lifestyle regimine for you, from diet and exercise, following the ayurvedic approach to guidance on some natural herbal remedies as well. Her public class will be offered on Mondays at 9:15-10:15 beginning Jan. 3rd
Also new to the schedule is Yoga for Athletes
This is open to all but geared toward the athlete who perhaps bikes, runs, lifts weights, or plays a sport and has tight everything! Come to this early morning class either just before the run/bike etc…or just after…or just come to undo the tight hamstrings, hips, and shoulders. Denise Cook is a highly trained yoga therapist who has been working with athletes for years. She is sure to cure what tightness might be lurking. This class will be offered on Saturday mornings at 8-9am. Starts Jan. 8th
Next up is Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga is the opposite of a fast paced vinyasa class. In this practice you hold the poses much longer. Its in these holds that the release begins. This practice works with our (in)ability to let go and surrender. We get to a point where surrender is the only way to go. This is a great practice for people with anxiety or high blood pressure. This class will be offered twice a week on Tuesday at noon with Maya Brown and Thursday with Denise Cook.
We are adding another Kundalini class and adding two new Kundalini teachers.
Dru Welborn and Shannon Earthtree have been teaching Kundalini in Denver for years and we are glad to bring them into the fold. Dru’s class will be Wednesday at 4:15 and Shannon will be sharing the class with Harjot Kaur on Sunday at 8 am!
 We are adding Power Yoga at noon on Wednesdays with Lisa Schlelein.
This is a amped up, butt-kicking vinyasa class that will be opposite Ian’s alignment based hatha yoga class. Both great options for a Wednesday.
There are a few time adjustments mostly across the 7:15pm hour to a later 7:30pm start. Be sure to check the schedule.
We are losing kids yoga on Monday and Tuesday at 4:15, but keeping the Thursday and Saturday kids yoga.
Yoga and Art Workshop on Jan 2nd!
Don’t miss the workshop to herald in the New Year. Una Paradox, artist and yoga teacher is leading a 3 hour workshop incorporating yoga and art. We will open the class with an amazing yoga practice to get our creative juices flowing and then we will make our vision board for 2011. Una will supply all the art supplies, but bring in any of your favorite clips, quotes or pictures and we will create our visions for the next year. Pre-registration is appreciated so she can plan accordingly. I am really looking forward to this one.
Yoga Teacher Training Begins Feb. 5th!
If you have thinking of becoming a teacher or deepening your practice. Now is the time to begin your studies. Our next training kicks off in February. Be sure to read more on our teacher training tab. We are really excited about our curriculum and the staff we have involved in the program including Dr. Katyayani Poole!
Dr. Katyayani Poole is offering a Bhagavad Gita Workshop!
This is such a gift. Be sure to sign up and catch this wonderful and enlightening opportunity. The series begins on January 9th. Details are on the special events page.
Be sure to take care of yourself this time of year. When we are suppose to go inside and inward, we are actually running around the planet like crazy. Take time to land and be in connection with the Universe and all of its amazing power. We have a class for you, and we even have a mat if you need.
Much love to you all,
Katrina Gustafson Broyles
Namaste Friends.
Its December already! Many different faiths, religions, and spiritual practices have high holidays this time of year. We just came off of India’s Festival of Lights or Divali. This months begins with the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. I just put the menorah on the altar. The Islamic New Year orHijrais held on the 7th. Bodhi Day in the Buddhist tradition is honored on the 8th. Our Lady of Guadalupe is recognized on the 12th. Winter Solstice falls on the full moon, which is the 21st. Christmas is the 25th! And Kwanzaa begins the 26th.
People sometimes ask me what my religion is and I give them Bob Marley’s beautiful sentiment that Loveis my religion. Whatever faith you practice; Whomever you bow to; However you honor the Divine. Blessings and love to you this holiday season. Hari Om (we are all one)!
Much love,
Katrina Gustafson Broyles
On the Winter Solstice full moon we will adjust our schedule as we do each season change. Be sure to look for the new schedule.
We are taking donations for Urban Peak, Denver’s teen homeless shelter, through the month of December. They could use any slightly used or new items. Go through your closest and donate your discarded items. There is a drop box at the front door. Thank you for helping these young people succeed.
Gong Bath time! In honor of the Winter Solstice, we will be offering an opportunity to re-align vibrationally with the Universe through the sound of planetary gongs, singing bowls, drums, and didgeridoos. Gary Fishman will guide us through this powerful sound healing journey on Friday December 17th from 8-9:30. This fills up fast so be sure to pre-register.
The next Yoga Teacher Training begins February 5th. See the teacher training tab for more information. Turn your application in soon! We are only taking 15 candidates. We just recently received our Yoga Alliance Certification!
Watch for our free community classes to begin soon on Sundays from 1-4 on the hour. These classes are open to the public. And they are Level one flow classes taught by our newly graduated teacher trainees. It gives them an opportunity to gain experience teaching and gives the community a chance to experience yoga.
Coming in January:
Denise Cook’s Yin-mersion. A workshop on Yin Yoga.
Katyayani Poole will be doing a series of classes on the Bhagavad Gita. (This is such a special opportunity. Don’t miss).
Boulder’s Joni Renee Zalk is coming to do a Gluten-Free workshop on the 15th.
And, Vamadeva is returning for another Kirtan on the 22nd.
Details for January events will be posted soon on the special events page.
“The need of the moment is not one religion, but mutual respect and tolerance of the devotees of the different religions.”-Mahatma Ghandi
Namaste Friends!
It is always amazing to me how dreams do come true. For so long I have wanted to have my own studio, and now I have this sweet space. And then, life presented an opportunity to create my own yoga teacher training. My dear friend and assistant Lisa Schlelein and I put our nose to the grindstone and created what we think is a comprehensive, rich and unique training. We had attended several trainings, we had contributed to several trainings, and then we decided the time had come to launch our own. We launched our first program in September, and now this Sunday we are graduating our first class of candidates. I couldn’t be more proud. Over the course of the last nine weeks these nine woman have gone through a transformation, a shift, an awakening. It is my distinct honor to introduce to you our graduates.
        
Look for opportunities to take classes from Caitlyn Patch, Judy Stegman, Alyssa Gunn, Sheila Jenkins, Alison Cotey, Robin Gallite, Teri Russo, Laurie Rochardt, and Andrea Larson.
Here are some pictures of our Hindu Deity Dinner Theatre.
It is part of the YTT (Yoga Teacher Training). The candidates had to prepare an ayurvedic Indian dinner that they learned how to cook and they had to put on a play about the Hindu Deities. The performance and dinner was a huge success. Thanks to all for coming. The costumes were fabulous and so was the food. They did a great job! We are so proud of you all. We wish you well.
     
Our Next Yoga Teacher Training is begins Feb. 5th and goes to April 10th.
It will fill fast. Be sure to get your application in soon.
We have a modified schedule for Thanksgiving Day.
Come to Ryan Nataraja’s Gratitude Class from 9:30-11am.
We will closed otherwise. Open the day before and the day after with our normal schedule.
|
|
Mother Earth is constantly trying to put our mind at ease by showing us that she is reliable and that we should have faith. The Sun ALWAYS rises on her eastern shoreboard, and sets sweetly EVERY evening to the west. Spring ALWAYS shrouds her in greenage and flowers, and Winter brings her to rest EVERY season. Her arms are made of gravity and she AlWAYS tries to pull us into her as if she was trying to give us an embracing hug. And EVERY one of us has a right to be here, she loves unconditionally. She is trying to show us that everything is unfolding as it should. We just need to allow life to flow, and get out of our own way. Let go of fear, worry, and doubt. Embrace the sweet new beginnings that come forth at this auspicious time for re-birth and renewel. Plant a garden with seeds of hope, love, and happiness. If you want Granny Smiths, don’t plant crab apples. No?
