Au Revoir 2010! 2011...

La tour eiffel sous la neige ~ Paris Decembre 2010
Originally uploaded by . ADRIEN .

Well, we're in that eerily dark last few day countdown to the Solstice. I love this time of year because it prepares me for my winter practice; the inner migration and conscious hibernation...
This is the time when Shiva visits and dances on the old and out-dated, making way for the new and the fresh!

It's a time of celebration; a time of intention setting, and a time of sharing.

Before bidding you a wonderful holiday, I wanted to give you my 2011 teaching schedule, class card plan, and a few hints as to the workshops and retreats to come....

My last two public classes for the year are this weekend, Friday 17 Dec and Saturday 18 Dec. Private sessions go through 23 Dec.
I return to teaching on 31 Dec.

Special Holiday Classes:
First, I will be teaching a special New Year's Eve Soft Candlelight Flow at Centre de Yoga du Marais, 31 Dec 18h30 - 20h.
On this most auspicious night, we will reflect on the year that has past in a warm, soft, nurturing environment. If you are craving a quieter experience, before your night of partying, please join me!
Please RSVP by 30 Dec. (Class cards are welcome)

Next, I will be offering a special New Year's Day Bhakti Flow, also at Centre de Yoga du Marais, 1 Jan 12h30 - 14h.
Come and set your intentions for the new year as you sweat away the toxins from the old year! You will feel refreshed, awake, and alive!
Please RSVP by 30 Dec. (Class cards are welcome)

2011 Public Class Schedule:
Wednesday: 18h - 19h Vinyasa Flow, YogaHum, Montmartre, 18eme * New Class! * (class cards are welcome)
Friday: 18h30 - 20h Slow Flow, Centre de Yoga du Marais, 3eme
Saturday: 12h30 - 14h Bhakti Flow, Centre de Yoga du Marais, 3eme
Sunday: 11h30 - 13h, Community Class by Donation, Dates YTD, Centre de Yoga du Marais. All proceeds benefit 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. (Class cards cannot be used for the donation-based classes)

2011 Private Class Schedule:
I have private class availability on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. If you would like to deepen any aspect of your practice, establish a home practice, modify your practice for pregnancy or injury, etc., please contact me.
One-on-one sessions can take your practice to a new level!

2011 Workshop and Retreat Schedule:
I will continue to offer the seasonal, quarterly workshops at YogaHum throughout 2011. The next workshop, Winter Restoration and Renewal, will be in late January. Exact date YTD.

I will be offering at least one -
Going Back to the Source: Yoga and Terroir Weekend Retreat in Normandy in Spring 2011.
I will be offering -
one week-long Going Back to the Source: Yoga and Terroir Retreat in Normandy in Summer 2011.
Lastly, I will be taking a group of Paris yogis to San Francisco for -
a week-long Going Back to the Source: Yoga and Terroir Retreat on the Pacific Coast in Autumn 2011.

Please let me know if you are interested in any of these retreats. Exact dates YTD and somewhat based on interest.

2011 Guest Teachers
This year, DogaYoga will be hosting senior teachers from the US and elsewhere to travel to Paris to offer the gifts of their teaching and knowledge. The teachers I bring have deeply inspired my practice and teaching and without them, I would not know you ;-) I am blessed to be a part of this lineage. The details are in the works and I will get it to you ASAP.

2011 Class Cards
All class cards are available for purchase now and breakdown as follows:

Unlimited (now - June) = €375 (this card gets you discounts on workshops and retreats!)

12 Class Card (expires 1 Mar) = €150

6 Class Card (expires 1 Feb ) = €90

Drop-in Class = €17

Holiday Gift Certificates (For you last minute shoppers!)
If you're considering holiday gifts for your friends and family, how about the gift of health and wellness? How about a yoga gift certificate?
I offer gift certificates for multiple public classes, private or semi-private sessions, and my workshops and retreats. Likewise, if you're interested in a retreat for yourself but concerned about the cost, ask your Mom/Dad/Husband/Wife/Bro/Sis/Lover/Pal to give you the gift of a retreat registration! It will be the most lasting gift you've either given or received.

I have a very good feeling about 2011!

If I don't see you before you check out for the year, have a wonderful, mindful, safe, and joyous holiday!

Celebrating Diwali, 5 November

Happy Diwali
Originally uploaded by JMike

Tomorrow, 5 November 2010, begins the five day celebration of Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Observed by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists the world over, lighting a row of lamps or candles signifies the triumph of good over evil, consciousness over ignorance, peace over violence, and love over hate.

More specifically, Diwali is the time to acknowledge the inner light; the bright, inextinguishable light that exists within all of us. It is a celebration of non-duality and compassion. When we are radiating our most luminous selves, there is no need to blame anyone for the suffering in the world, just a fierce desire to shine even brighter.

The countdown to the winter solstice has definitively begun here in France. The hours of daylight are dramatically decreasing and the air is crisp, thus the season of inner reflection commences. Let's dust off the lamps in our hearts to get through the dark months, shall we?

Tomorrow, here in Paris, we will celebrate Diwali with a Candlelight Flow at Centre de Yoga du Marais, 18h30 - 20h. We will flow softly, consciously, and perhaps even feel a flicker of the Atman.

Autumn Workshop - This Sunday

Il y a toujours des places disponibles pour l'atelier d'automne "Exploring the Mysteries of the Core" ce dimanche 24 octobre de 13h - 16h chez YogaHum à Montmartre.

Ce sera l'antidote parfait à la lenteur et à la maladie saisonnières. Apprenez comment extraire la force, la confiance, la vitalité, et la grace pendant ces mois plus sombres et froids.

There are still spots left for the "Exploring the Mysteries of the Core" autumn workshop this Sunday, 24 October from 13h - 16h at YogaHum in Montmartre.

It will be the perfect antidote to seasonal sluggishness and illness. Learn how to draw out strength, confidence, vitality, and grace in the darker, colder months.

DogaYoga Autumn iTunes Playlist

Ask and you shall receive! Voila, an Autumn playlist as crisp as the air and the apples. This is my favorite time of year; change, purification, and fortification for winter.

Twists, core, and hips on the mat. Soups, tea, and scarves off the mat.

Go calm, steady, and strong (and break into goofy dance as often as possible).

And on the Seventh Day...

God did yoga in San Francisco.

Sitting on a sunny hill in Bernal, watching the fog roll in front of Sutro, sipping a Four Barrel latte, as the haze of jet lag lifts...

Conditions couldn't be more perfect for graceful, purifying autumn flow at Satori Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

See you soon ~

Hello Bay Area!!

A little bird flew over here to France to tell me that the shadows are getting longer and the light is becoming more gorgeous, which must mean we're nearing my favorite Bay Area weekend of the whole year, i.e., the first weekend in October!

The pull is too powerful. I can't stay away!

I'll be back October 1, 2, 3 to share Going Back to the Source: Yoga and Urban Terroir Autumn workshop at Satori Yoga Studio.

Six hours of seasonal flow focusing on autumn purification, capped off with a seasonal style picnic in Dolores Park on Sunday afternoon.

France is so very lovely, but I miss the Bay and you all, dearly.
Let's flow together so gracefully, one more time ;-)

All details are on the flyer.

Registration is due by Friday, September 17.

You Can Take the Yogi out of the Bay Area...

but she will keep returning for her annual dose of that certain kind of love only San Francisco can serve up ;-)

The Going Back to the Source: Yoga and Urban Terroir Autumn workshop is October 1, 2, and 3 at Satori Yoga Studio. Three days of seasonal flow with a closing picnic in Dolores Park on Sunday afternoon. (Chef Russ of the GBS: Slide Ranch days is back!)

All details are coming as fast as I can get them to you.

The air will be crisp. The breath will be soft. Our practice will be strong.
I can already smell the waft of Gravenstein apples (and a Blue Bottle latte) from the farmer's market now...