Thursday, February 24, 2011

Dog Spelled Backwards



Originally uploaded by dates1

Divine love is so simple. Some days we realize this more than others. Some days (ie, a dreary, cold Thursday in Feburary in Paris), I need a reminder from my furry, four-legged goddess.

From Jon, author of Dogblog:
"It’s a relief, isn’t it, that for all the work these guys do being our best pals, their needs are so relatively simple? Water, food, hugs. They don’t need you to appreciate their art, laugh at their jokes, come to their office party, buy them an expensive present, drive them to court, or look at their resume. We just have to pat them on the head and make sure we’re around for the duration of their lives on this planet. It’s not too much to ask, is it?"

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Karma Yoga - Dimanche


Streets of India - V
Originally uploaded by carf
Ce dimanche, 27 fev, 11h30 - 13h, cours bénévole (Karma Yoga) avec donation facultatif, Centre de Yoga du Marais.

Tout donations seront remis à Families for Children, une agence sans but lucratif qui soigne plus de 600 enfants et adultes indigent et mentalement handicapé en Inde et au Bangladesh. L'organisation est entièrement soutenu par les bénévoles et chaque sous va directement aux orphelinats et leur écoles. (Des cartes de classe ne peuvent pas être utilisées pour les classes bénévoles.)

This Sunday, I will be teaching a donation-based all levels flow class at Centre de Yoga du Marais, supporting Families for Children, a private, non-profit, non-sectarian agency that cares for over 600 destitute and mentally challenged children and adults in India and Bangladesh. This is a "kitchen counter" organization that is run entirely by volunteers and every penny goes straight to the orphanages and schools this agency has set up. The faculty at Centre de Yoga du Marais has been supporting this organization for several years, through Karma Yoga projects.

Echoing the sentiments of the great Seane Corn (not verbatim): There is no pity. There is no sympathy. There is only true empathy, the ability to bare witness, and ACT. That is spiritual activism. That is Karma Yoga.

Suggested donation: €10 - €50. (Class cards cannot be used for this class.)
Reservations suggested - amanda(at)dogayoga.net

Centre de Yoga du Marais, 73 rue de Vertbois, 3eme, Metro(s): Reamur-Sebastopol, Temple, Arts et Metiers, Republique, Strasbourg St Denis

New Class at Paris Yoga!


Champs Élysée
Originally uploaded by TalJudo
Beginning next week, Tuesday, 1 March, I'll be offering a late night (20h - 21h) All Levels Flow class at the gorgeous studio, Paris Yoga.

So if you find yourself wandering down the Champs Elysees on any Tuesday night, step one block off, walk past the Louis Vuitton store (take a glance at the awesome display on your way), exhale, and voila! Paris Yoga, 9 rue Magellan, Metro - George V.

They have everything you might need (including uni-sex changing rooms!), with the exception of communal mats. Please bring your own mat.

DogaYoga class cards are not accepted for this class, but Paris Yoga offers great deals on class cards. Reservations are required, 24 hrs in advance. Contact Paris Yoga.

As Joni M. so eloquently put it, "...if I had my way, I'd just walk through those doors and wannnderrr down the Champs Elysees, going cafe to cabaret, thinkin' how I'll feel when I find that very good friend of mine..."

Think of a warm, clean, comfortable, relaxing, nice smelling yoga class as that friend ;-)

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Spring Retreat Dates


The Spring 2011 Going Back to the Source: Yoga and Terroir Loire Valley retreat will be Wednesday, 25 May - Sunday, 29 May at the beautiful Le Moulin Bregeon, in the Valley's Anjou region.


You don't have to dig very deep to discover why this location is so perfect for all things yoga and terroir related. In fact, this 2008 article from the New York Times travel section, pretty much says it all.

I'll offer a few additional highlights:

- A strong value put on the preservation of simple, rural beauty

- A working organic farm around which resident chef, Pascal Merillou, designs seasonal, gourmet meals

- Deep in-house knowledge of the gastronomy, arts, culture, architecture, and history of the region

- Silence and tranquility; nearly complete isolation from external distractions

- Shared love of yoga and les chiens

Watch and feel the spring of your practice bloom and unfold in this place.

Sound yummy? Send me an email (amanda(at)dogayoga.net) for the details.
All registrations need to be confirmed by 25 March.

All photo credits - the amazing photographers at Le Moulin Bregeon.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

2011 Spring Retreat

This spring we're Going Back to the Source in the beautiful, mythical, yummy Loire Valley!

Just south of Basse Normandie is the lovely Loire River that winds through this fabled region, shaping the cities, farms, and appellations and creating a particular flavor all its own. Known for its chateaux, wine, goat cheeses, exquisite gardens, and to all Parisians as the "panier de pain" of France, the Pays de la Loire has a colorful history and unique pride-of-place.

Keeping with the moulin and water themes, The Going Back to the Source: Yoga and Terroir Loire Valley retreat will be held in May (exact dates YTD) at the gorgeous organic farm, inn, and former mill, Le Moulin Bregeon. The luxury country retreat is located south of Tours and 30 minutes from the town of Saumur and the Saumur-Champigny wine region.

This special place came highly recommended to me not only because of the perfect location, farm-to-fork sensibilities, meals that rival a four star restaurant, and furnishings completely authentic to the period, but also because the people who run Moulin Bregeon are simply wonderful! They love the yoga and terroir idea and plan to offer an experience of a lifetime.

To make it affordable and convenient for all, we're planning a Wednesday night through Sunday night retreat.

Once all details are finalized (hopefully next week), registration will be open. Can't wait to share this with you!