New Logo!

Well, not brand-spanking new, but fairly new. I was going to wait to unveil it with the new website. Alas, while the new website remains a nagging voice in the back of my head; a tiny little slice of self-imposed dukha that I'd rather not discuss at the moment, I didn't think it was fair to keep this branding masterpiece hidden for some later time.

So, voila!



Chetana Deorah, (the most amazing designer I've ever had the honor to work with) was given the obscure task of manipulating the AUM symbol to resemble a dog, without altering the ancient and auspicious symbol beyond spirit and meaning.

After long talks about the why and the what, Chetana's Indian roots stirring up some internal conflict, and our joint agreement to simultaneously honor and buck tradition, Chetana came up with the perfect embodiment of DogaYoga: a teaching and practice guided by timeless and unconditional love; always striving for greater grace, humility and healing; and the desire to be outdoors playing as much and as often as possible (preferably on a beach or on a farm, but a dog park will do in a pinch)!

And for those of you who read the SF Chron, (or who just generally love dogs and believe it's no accident what that word is in reverse) I was recently reminded of this story from 2006:
ALICIA'S STORY / A sad, sweet little girl gives comfort to a soul mate

(The update to this story is that Alicia is now in hospice care. The doctors have stopped her treatment, and she's living out her remaining days in pain but at peace, with Clarabelle at her side gratefully receiving belly rubs.)

GBS Summer Solstice Retreat, Normandy, 13-20 June

The time is here. No more deliberation. Just a commitment to pure unmediated, uninterrupted YOGASTRONOMIC bliss ~
Going Back to the Source: Yoga and Terroir Summer Solstice Retreat/Normandy, France.

Leading up to the summer solstice is the time when the sun is at its peak power and the earth is producing an enormous bounty. The days are long and spacious ending with gorgeous sunsets. In Normandy, the summer night sky is clear and immense.

Come join me for:

flow - 20+ hours of asana, pranayama, group and individual study, and quiet reflection

food - seasonal, regionally sourced, wholesome, nurturing, farm-to-fork meals prepared for you by traditional Norman cooks

farms - a chance to visit the farms, creameries, vineyards, etc and meet the producers, bakers, ranchers, cheese-makers, and vinters who provide the food, straight from the source

There will be cooking classes this year for those of you who want to break down the complexities of French cuisine.

Your home for a week will be a 400 year-old flour mill turned gite (traditional lodging) on the Mayenne River.

Let me know ASAP if you're interested and I'll send all the details.

Get back to the source of all that sustains and nourishes you! You'll be glad you did.

MC Yogi

This guy is amazing.

Statistically speaking, he and I should have crossed paths at another time and on another continent, but given the strange way the Universe works, we didn't.

We lived within a few miles of each other and knew many of the same people, yet our lives didn't connect until recently. I was in Paris, feeling alone and worried about my little 12 year old guruji. I got on the mat, asked Ganesha for guidance and the next thing that happened is one of my Parisian students (the amazing Claire!) sent me this: Give Love.

MC Yogi (aka Nicholas Giacomini) and his beautiful and equally talented wife, Amanda, own Yoga Toes yoga studio in Point Reyes Station, CA. They are offering the world an extraordinary gift simply by just doing what they do: teach yoga, play music, make visual art, and at times view the world through the lens of their dog.

How can you not love these people?

We're hoping to get MC Yogi and Amanda G. here in 2011. Paris could use a dose of their medicine.

It's That Time Again

Time for a late winter hibernation and the Going Back to the Source: Yoga and Terroir Winter Weekend Retreat at Moulin Boistard in Basse Normandy/Pays de la Loire.

I'm so looking forward to spending quiet, introspective time with a small group of students from Paris who have dedicated their weekend to diving into the complexities of their practice, deep in the stark winter countryside; free from the distractions of the city.

Winter is a perfect time to slow down, conserve energy, calm the adrenals, nourish the inner sadhguru, and generally reconnect to the natural rhythms.

We are Going Back to the Source and will see you all next week (or in June!).

Michael Watson & Mindful Integration Come to Paris!

I met Michael back in 2005 during a teacher training in San Francisco at Yoga Tree Studios. The first thing he said when he walked into the room was, "You are health professionals first, yoga teachers second." He didn't want us teaching another Adho Mukha Savasana until we knew how the body worked, anatomically, and could feel it from our skin to our bones. He went onto say, "As yoga teachers, you help students heal their injuries, you don't help create more injuries for them to heal." These statements seemed painfully obvious, but when he threw out a statistic that at that time, a shockingly high percentage of the injuries physical therapists in certain US cities were seeing were from yoga, my ears perked up and I realized I should be paying close attention to this guy. My future as a teacher, and the integrity of the practice itself, depended on it.

I developed a deep respect for Michael, his teaching and practice, from that moment forward. I learned more about functional anatomy and its application to yoga in 16 hrs with Michael than I had learned in any other course. And recently, I was reminded how brilliant he is when I heard him interviewed by Darren Main on Darren's excellent podcast, Inquire Within. Michael was talking about a new addition to his curriculum and repetoire - Kinesis Myofascial Integration (KMI). KMI is working with the web of connective tissue, fascia, throughout the body to create depth, space and a release, without overstretching.

That is why I am so excited that he and his assistant, Jennifer Dutch, agreed to my whacky plan of leaving warm, sunny Bermuda to come to cold, gray Paris in February to offer a weekend of anatomy instruction for teacher trainees and advanced level students at the Centre de Yoga du Marais. I convinced Michelle, the owner of the Centre and the director of the teacher training program, that Michael and his team are the real deal. She generously agreed and voila!

If you're in Paris the weekend of 26 - 28 February, and are interested yet haven't signed up, send me an email: amanda (at) dogayoga.net. There are ten spots left on Friday night and only two spots left on both Saturday and Sunday.

FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY FOR YOGA
WEEKEND WORKSHOP
with Michael Watson
26 – 28 February, 2010
Centre de Yoga du Marais
72 rue Vertbois, Paris
€90 for the entire weekend

Centre de Yoga du Marais is pleased to welcome Michael Watson and his assistant, Jennifer Dutch, from Mindful Integration and the Bermuda Health Coop, for a weekend exploring structural anatomy for yoga.

Friday 26 February, 19h00 – 21h00
Structural Yoga and Intro to Kinesis Myofascial Integration (KMI)
This class will explore working with the fascial connective tissue of the body in yoga. Combining both flow and slow yoga, Michael will guide you on how to create depth, volume and space in the body without over stretching. Participants should have a good working knowledge of postures.

Saturday 27 February, 16h00-19h00
Yoga Anatomy for Teacher Trainees and Advanced Yogis I –
This session will be targeted to individuals training to become yoga teachers, as well as existing teachers and serious students of yoga brushing up on or curious about exploring anatomy guidelines for a beneficial and safe practice.

Sunday 28 February, 14h00-17h00
Yoga Anatomy for Teacher Trainees and Advanced Yogis II –
This session will build on the previous day, continuing to explore the topics of: range of motion in the joints, spinal health, and anatomy application to your teaching and personal practice.

Michael Watson is a highly regarded international presenter and certified teacher of Yoga, Pilates and functional anatomy. With over 12 years of experience in alternative healing modalities, Michael has successfully taught and assisted in many international training programs for Pilates and Yoga. With a degree in sports science, Michael brings an in depth awareness to his clients based on a strong understanding of anatomy, the body and its function. Graduating from the KMI (Kinesis Myofascial Integration) school of Structural Integration, Michael combines his knowledge of ‘hands on’ therapies with the educational aspects of movement.

FB Group for Teachers and Studio Owners

I encourage all yoga teachers and studio owners to join the Facebook group: International Yoga Teachers and Studio Owners Mobilized for Haiti. We have access to eager, generous students and beautiful, clean spaces. Let's use our collective resources and energy to offer healing and relief to the survivors of this disaster, the scale of which is incomprehensible.

Post your fundraising events and all the details, so the word goes out far and wide.

When Arjun asked Krishna what the most powerful form of yoga is, he responded with "Karma Yoga".
Karma Yoga: Yoga of action, yoga of service.

The practice on the mat is just a preparation for a more meaningful and purposeful life off the mat.

Namaste.

Yoga Fundraiser for Haiti/Medecins Sans Frontieres

In partnership with Centre de Yoga du Marais, I am hosting a yoga fundraiser on Friday, 12 February with all proceeds benefiting Medecins San Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders.

MSF has been on the ground in Haiti for years, in the midst of all the political turmoil and previous natural disasters, providing Haitians with free, good quality health care.

Due to the earthquake, they are reporting that at least two of their medical treatment centers have been either completely destroyed or badly damaged (including the maternity facility) forcing them to move the surviving patients and set up outdoor tent hospitals. They are getting an overwhelming influx of critically injured victims and attempting to work in ghastly conditions. They also report that many of their staff were injured and not all have been accounted for since the quake, which assumes they are working short-handed.

I can't imagine what they are seeing and dealing with right now, but I'm humbled and impressed by their swift response. They are providing trauma healing and comfort deep in the middle of a situation that is unfathomable for most of us.
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The Details:
This all levels Vinyasa Flow fundraiser for Haiti/Medecins San Frontieres with Amanda Dates will take place on Friday, 12 February at 16:30 - 18:00 at Centre de Yoga du Marais, Paris.
Address: 72 rue Vertbois
Nearest Metros: Arts et Metiers, Temple, Republique

The cost is 30 euros/person and space is limited to 15 students.
All proceeds will benefit Medecins San Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders.

Reservations are required.

Francais:
Le cour de Yoga tout niveaux style Vinyasa Flow avec collection des fonds pour le Haïti aura lieu le vendredi 12 février, 16:30 - 18:00, Centre de Yoga du Marais, Paris.
Adresse : 72 rue Vertbois.
Metro: Arts et métiers, Temple, Republique

Le coût est 30 euros par personne et l'espace est limité à 15 étudiants.
100% du montant bénéficiera Medecins San Frontieres / Doctors Without Borders.

Les réservations sont obligatoires.