Overwhelmed...with Gratitude

thanksgiving turkey
Originally uploaded by PDX Pipeline

American Thanksgiving seems a fitting day as any to resurrect my blog. It is Etats Unis' terroir holiday after all, and well, I did do a lot of yoga.

What have I been up to the last two months?

Oh, doing my thing here and there in Paris, with a brief stint in NorCal and upstate NY, living my practice down to its rawest truth and having no desire to write about it.
Sometimes there are no words. Sometimes the words need to be drowned out by subtle vibrations and soft breath.

That's what I've been up to.

14 years is long; much of my adult life and certainly all the consciously aware parts of it. One does not move on from a heartbreak so deep in any linear amount of time. Grief doesn't work that way. It doesn't even ebb and flow.
No, it's sharper and more jarring than that.
It pierces into the soft, vulnerable spots and pushes out the tears, often in the most inconvenient times.

DogaYoga
"When your first guruji is furry and four-legged, no other name will do."



She taught me about life by demanding I love well, everyday. Her love was abundant, undeniable and that was her expectation of me. But you can't truly know life until you've experienced death. Like any good teacher, she guided me directly into the greatest fear and challenged me to see the beauty in the ugly. No filters. No buffer zone.
Therefore, she completed her life's duty by teaching me all I really need to know.

I graduated from the school of Oyenti, the Aztec Warrior Princess.

Now, what will I do with this precious degree?

Release, Receptivity, and Resurrection
I've been living life and death on my mat pretty much everyday since.
When you experience your practice to the rawest, it's not all butterflies and roses flying out of your heart in every back bend.
No, letting go is hard.

Until it's not.

When your daily yoga routine becomes a practice of dying a little to live a whole lot more, then you're home.

The acceptance of change. The opening to new and beautiful possibilities.
The emptying out of what is no longer. The making space for what is. Now.

That's what I've been up to.



"La gratitude est la mémoire du coeur"
Yet, big shifts don't happen without a good dose of overwhelm from time to time (everyday).
The wave of overwhelm crashes when I lose faith of my ability to handle the good, the bad, and the ugly. When I lose my balance; my equanimity. When change is compounding in such a way that what's coming seems too good or bad to be true, rather than exactly what it's meant to be.

In an important moment in the very near past, Dr. Kumar told me, "The Universe never intends to overwhelm. The ongoing feeling of overwhelm will block prosperity; abundance. The antidote to overwhelm is gratitude. Remember to wake up every morning with gratitude, no matter what."

Waking up every morning, taking a long, deep breath, and being grateful for the first three things that come to mind.

That's what I've been up to.

And, so today I choose to be Overwhelmed with Gratitude. I think my furry guruji would approve.

Happy Thanksgiving to all near and far from a grateful American expat yoga teacher still seeking (and occasionally finding) the flow in France. Missing being with my family and friends and celebrating the one holiday whose sacredness most Americans can all agree, on which most take a long, peaceful pause to feel abundant, no matter what.

"Gratitude is the memory of the heart."
~Jean Baptiste Massieu

Sukha, Ahimsa, & 9/11

Peace
Originally uploaded by {peace&love♥}

Healing the World, One Breath at a Time
Sunday 11 September, EcoBOX 18eme, 11 - 12h

In the safe and nurturing space, EcoBOX, we will come together on the 10th anniversary of the tragic events that occurred on 11 September, 2001. On that day our world was forever changed and the aftermath has been devastating. In the midst of war and retaliation, we must also find positive space (Sukha) for healing and forgiveness. Through movement and breath, we will focus on the yoga concept of Ahimsa, non-violence/non-harming. Beginning with ourselves, we will create the ripple effects of peace that can be carried into the rest of the world.

Sunday is also the full Harvest Moon; the full moon closest to the autumn equinox. Let's channel this powerful energy to bring out our deepest capacity for compassion and shifted perception.

The class is gratuit. Bring a mat, water, and jacket.
Reservations required. Contact me ~ amanda(at)dogayoga.net

In the event of rain (even a little; we will be on concrete, which gets very slippery in rain) and cold weather, we will cancel.

Pray for sun!

GBS: Russian River Valley - TWO SPOTS LEFT!

Locavore cuisine. Gorgeous vistas. Inspiring company. Yummy wine. Yoga, YOGA, YOGA!!!

And come on, when was the last time you did tree pose on a bail of hay while eating a Gravenstein candied apple at the Sonoma County Harvest Fest?

It's been too long hasn't it?

Well, wait not one second longer!

Two spots left!

Bon Renewal!

Himawari
Originally uploaded by Hohman

Really? C'est vrai?
Summer is nearly over?

Oh my.

Well, that must mean everyone is back from vacation and wants to re-ignite their yoga practice!
Let's not think of this beautiful time of year as "re-entry", which to me suggests going back to the same ole grind. Let's think of it as renewal; starting over with a new and fresh perspective!

Behold my "renewal" schedule...

Public Classes:
Tuesday 20h - 21h, All Levels Vinyasa Flow, Paris Yoga
Wednesday 12h30 - 13h30, All Levels Vinyasa Flow, Paris Yoga
Wednesday 18h - 19h30, Level I/II Vinyasa Flow, YogaHum (3 class inscription required)
Friday 18h30 - 20h, Slow Flow, Centre de Yoga du Marais
Saturday 12h30 - 14h, Level I/II Bhakti Flow, Centre de Yoga du Marais

Pre-Registered Classes:
Monday (time YTD), All Levels Vinyasa Flow, American University Paris
Begins 26 Sept/open to students and faculty only
Contact Andy King for more details and registration ~ andy(at)chameleonfitness.net

Tuesday 19h - 20h, Pre-Natal Yoga, Paris Yoga
Begins 20 Sept and lasts 12 weeks
Contact Joelle for registration ~ info(at)parisyoga.com

Workshops:
Sunday 18 September, 10h - 12h, "What is Vinyasa Flow?", Paris Yoga
This Sunday morning workshop will break down the lineage and fundamentals of the beautiful "dance of yoga", Vinyasa Flow. Where did it come from? How is it different from traditional Ashtanga? Where does it guide us? What does it teach us?
Reservations required. Contact Joelle for registration ~ info(at)parisyoga.com.

Seasonal Workshop/ Explore the Mysteries of the Core
October (exact date YTD), Centre de Yoga du Marais
Autumn is the perfect time to explore the physical, emotional, and
energetic aspects of the region known as the core. We will learn how to
access the innate intelligence that lies in this region in order to stay strong,
balanced, and healthy during the colder, darker months.
The workshop is for all levels. However, it is important to know the basics of Vinyasa Flow, so please have taken at least five yoga classes either with me or another teacher prior to joining the workshop.
Cost: €45
(If you have an unlimited class card with me, the workshop will only cost €25)
Reservations required. Contact me for registration ~ amanda(at)dogayoga.net

Free the Hips!
Sunday 6 November, Paris Yoga
This will be a deep hip opening workshop, exploring the six rotations of the hip joint. Releasing tightness in the hips relieves tension in the low back, improves balance, and gives an overall sense of lightness in the body. Energetically, this area corresponds with the first two chakras where we tend to store deep wounds from the past. Once released, it is possible to feel a sense of relief and profound spaciousness from where we pull greater compassion, creativity, and strength.
Bring a towel and water.
Reservations required. Contact Joelle for registration ~ info(at)parisyoga.com.

Pre-Holiday Workshop
Sunday 4 December, Paris Yoga
The end of the year holidays can be a source of great joy coupled with a lot of anxiety. End-of-year deadlines, over-consumption, over-spending, family obligations, colder weather, and travel challenges can lead to stress and illness. This workshop will focus on those poses and breathing techniques that can keep the nervous system regulated, boost the immune system, and encourage us to make sustainable choices in the flurry of this busy time of year.
Reservations required. Contact Joelle for registration ~ info(at)parisyoga.com

Karma Yoga/Special Events (Free and Donation-Based Classes):

Rentree Yoga en Plein Air!
Thursday 15 September, Champs de Mars, 19h - 20h
This year, let the soft spaciousness of vacance carry you into rentree without stress or dread. Begin by joining me and Lole Women Paris for a yoga meet-up on 15 September, 19h - 20h, in the stunning Champs de Mars in the 17eme. Between la Tour Eiffel and the Mur Pour la Paix, we will gather on a gorgeous late summer night to flow ever so gracefully. Look for the yellow Lole flags.
The class is gratuit and mats will be provided.
Reservations required. Sign up via Facebook.

Healing the World, One Breath at a Time
Sunday 11 September, EcoBOX 18eme, 11 - 12h
In the safe and nurturing space, EcoBOX, we will come together on the 10th anniversary of the tragic events that occurred on 11 September, 2001. On that day our world was forever changed and the aftermath has been devastating. In the midst of war and retaliation, we must also find space for healing and forgiveness. Through movement and breath, we will focus on the yoga concept of Ahimsa, non-violence/non-harming. Beginning with ourselves, we will create the ripple effects of peace that can be carried into the rest of the world.
The class is gratuit. Bring a mat, water, and jacket.
Reservations required. Contact me ~ amanda(at)dogayoga.net

Karma Yoga Community Class
Sunday 18 December, Centre de Yoga du Marais, 11h30 - 13h
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.
Suggested donation: 10€ - 50€
Reservations required. Contact me ~ amanda(at)dogayoga.net

Travel Schedule:
I will be traveling back to California to host my annual fall retreat, Going Back to the Source: Yoga & Terroir Russian River Valley.
I will be gone from 27 September - 11 October and will have fabulous substitutes for all my public and pre-registered classes. Private sessions are canceled during this time.
In addition, I will be in Geneva, Switzerland 25 - 27 November, studying with master Dharma Mittra protege, Andrei Ram-Om, at Insens Studios. I will have substitutes covering my classes that weekend.

France Retreats 2012:
I am delighted to announce that I am partnering with one of my senior teachers, Jay Kumar, to co-host another Going Back to the Source: Yoga & Terroir Loire Valley at the gorgeous Moulin Bregeon, 27 May - 2 June. From the soil to the cellular level, Jay and I will be guiding you through a week-long experience that with your full participation, promises to be transformative. More details coming soon...

DogaYoga Public Class Cards:
All summer class cards have now expired and rentree cards are available for purchase.
6 class card = 96€ (€16/class, expires six weeks from purchase)
12 class card = 144€ (12€/class, expires eights from purchase)
Unlimited class card = 423€ (9€/class, expires 31 Dec)
Drop-in Classes = 18€

Class cards can be used for my classes at Centre de Yoga du Marais and YogaHum. DogaYoga class cards cannot be used at Paris Yoga.

Private Classes/Les Cours Particuliers
Due to having a very full schedule this fall, I will not be adding more private classes to my schedule until the new year. If you are interested in one time or on-going private sessions, whether in your home or at a yoga center, contact me and I would be delighted to make referrals.