June 2010 Newsletter

The weather has warmed up and I hope everyone is enjoying the start of summer. We have extended our summer membership special until June 15th for those of you looking to step up your practice during the summer. The good news is that even if you only take 2 classes a week, the summer membership makes more sense than a class card, as well as adding a little motivation to come in and keep your practice going strong!

Summer Membership Special

Make this summer a summer of yoga with our Summer Membership Special. Three months of yoga for $255 ($199 for those qualifying for a discount). We have a payment plan for those who who want to spread out the payments across the three months. The summer memberships are available starting today until June 15th.

Weekend Only Special

Out of town for the week or just to busy to come to class during the weekdays? We are offering a limited number of weekend only specials for people just like this. For $30 a month come to unlimited weekend classes, but remember there are only a limited number of these specials available.

Intro to Yoga Workshop

The next Intro to Yoga Workshop is this Saturday, June 12th from 1:00pm-2:30pm. This workshop is open to all students, even if you have taken a class (or 10) already. It’s a chance to break things down and move through the practice a little slower getting back to the fundamentals. The next Intro Workshop will be July 10th 2010. The workshop is free, and no prior registration is required, just stop on by at 1:00pm.

Yoga Apprenticeship Program

We are looking for interested yoga students who wish to start on their journey towards becoming yoga teachers. Those interested in applying for the apprenticeship should be ready to commit to the 9-12 month program. If you or someone you know might be interested, don’t hesitate to give me a call and learn more about the program.

Sanskrit Term of the Month

Asteya

Continuing on the with the yamas, one of the eight limbs of ashtanga, we come to asteya. If you remember from before, to make a word negative in Sanskrit, we add an A before it, like with ahimsa (non-harming). Asteya means non-stealing, which is a reccuring concept present in almost all laws civil and religious. But within the yoga context, the concept transcends a simple interpretation, and includes taking too much of something for oneself (and leaving nothing for others) as well as repressing others in their attempts to find happiness.

Maneki Neko (luck cat)

Many of you have noticed our Maneki Neko. The “lucky cat” is a common place symbol found in almost every japanese restaurant, bidding customers to enter. I have decided to repay our Maneki Neko for bringing us such luck by starting to collect loose change for eventual donation to the Dane County Humane Society. Every time he gets full, I will donate the contents to the humane society. Of course there is more of a story behind this, but you’ll have to come in and ask me what it is. Below is one of my favorite Sanskrit mantras:

Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu
May beings everywhere be happy and free