Ok – so which is it – what would you like to see  offered for our upcoming seminars?

Sept is booked for Yoga Anatomy.
Oct is booked for Live Sitar.
Nov is open for choosing.
Dec will (most likely be) Eating Healthy.

But we can fit more seminars in, plus we need to select a seminar for November. What would you like to see happen? Here are some options:

1. Restorative Yoga

2. Yoga Philosophy Forum
(This could also include the history and culture of yoga)

3. Arm Balances: A to Z

Please tell us your thoughts, suggestions, likes and /or curiosities. Waiting to hear…

Yoga Anatomy: Back & Hips ~ Register Now

Sun, Sep 26, 2p – 4:30p
Galesville Memorial Hall

$30 by Sep 22 – $35 after Sep 22

Explore your anatomy – theoretically & practically – in this highly interactive workshop. Co-presented by Shawn C. O’Neill, D.P.T. (Bayside Physical Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation) & Satyam, this session will focus on developing a greater understanding of how our yoga postures (asanas) affect the health of our hips and back. Learn what goes into a pose from the inside out. We will begin with a short informative presentation and segue into an extended yoga practice marked by stop & start action, giving maximum opportunity for dialog, inquiry, and modifications. While the class will address the “big anatomical picture” of the hips and back, there will certainly be time to address personal health issues & concerns related with these areas. This is a unique opportunity to gain an expanded perspective of your yoga practice and enhance your ability to maintain proper care of your hips and back. All are welcome – register early as we expect this to fill quickly.

Handouts given; please bring a pen; notebook, i-Pad or journal (optional).

Dr. O’Neill holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from University of Maryland – College Park, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from University of Maryland – Eastern Shore.

Yes, I want to register now…

This afternoon we had a hearty and courageous crew for our Intermediate workshop. We covered aspects of svarshastra (science of breath control), the role of asanas within the greater schema of astaunga yoga, and we of course spent time reviewing, enhancing, and learning intermediate level poses like: Triangle (and variations), Half Moon, Bound Side Angle, Warrior III, Chaturaunga Dandasana, Crow & Side Crow, Side Plank (and variations), Shoulderstand, Wheel and more! All who came did a most admirable job with their poses.

More than that however, the session shined because of everyone’s spirited sense of inquiry, openness to peer review, supportive words, and can-do attitude. Our on-going dialog not only addressed technical aspects of our poses but over-arching topics and inspirations about yoga in general.

I am also pleased to report that along the way my clumsiness only led to knocking over a single water bottle (and spilling it on Irene’s blanket and mat) and my drawing blood on only two separate occasions (inadvertently kicking my clipboard & rising up from a squat only to slam my back onto the overhang of a table). For me that’s actually a pretty decent afternoon. Who says mine isn’t the school of hard knocks!

All clumsiness aside, everyone dived and strived deeper into their practice and moved safely ahead on the journey of yoga.

To those who came out – thank you for your wonderful satsaunga (uplifting company) and to those who couldn’t be there, we hope to see you at the next one!

Intermediate Workshop

~ register ~

Sun, Aug 22, 2p – 4p
Galesville Memorial Hall

$20 by Aug 18; $25 after Aug 18

In this open forum, we will deepen our knowledge, advance our practice & explore poses like triangle, half moon, and their variations as well as challenging & strength building sequences, arm balances & more.

This is the ideal time to get the essentials in a step-by-step format. There will be plenty of time for questions, personal & peer review, and requests.

This workshop is ideal for anyone interested in furthering their practice, transitioning into Strength & Fitness classes, learning new variations, and / or reviewing the foundation of poses in your current level of practice.

Yes, I want to register right now…

Yesterday was our Live Sitar and Yoga program – we had a full house (23 participants) – thanks to all who came!

Anthony Malatesta played the sitar beautifully and via those soothing & mystical sounds, we ventured into yoga’s more meditative side. Yes we did a range of physical poses, but more than that we explored sadhana practices like yoga nidra (deep relaxation), svarshastra (science of breath control), pranayama (specific breathing techniques), and more.

Sometimes all were lying down with their pillows and eye pillows gazing within, and other moments striking a pose of challenge. Mostly though it was about the meditative approach.

As a teacher, it was a sweet joy to be part of this collective as everyone delved deep into the introversial flow – i.e. exploring within.

Diane Burr of the Chesapeake Current was also on hand and she plans to do an article in the near future about the program. Please watch for it.

All in all, the program went well and everyone reached a state of peace and realization. All got what they wanted – except for one. A faithful & long-standing member of the Tuesday morning abs class asked if from now on the 20 min abs intensive could incorporate the relaxation elements of the yoga-sitar program – the answer was a firm “no”. We have our standards after all!!

The live sitar and yoga is a special gathering and we certainly hope you will consider coming out for the next one!!

Well, we had a wonderful Eating Healthy seminar yesterday.

Our guide, Bethanne Kashkett, supported by her husband Kenny (shown here), led us through a tantalizing array of tasty recipes and healthy eating treats.

We started off with a special green smoothie with blueberries to keep us cool on this sun-baked day, and then we delved into an array of exotic salads, unique casseroles, and organic delights.

One of Bethanne’s favorites was this special mung bean pasta dish. That’s right the noodles were made from organic mung bean flour – that means they were not at all acidic like regular pasta and their consistency was wonderful, unlike some whole wheat pastas that can tend to be grainy. Then of course the dish was loaded with fresh veggies from both land and sea – and spiced just right! It was tasty beyond belief!!

After that we got into spiralizing!! See how, using a very simple hand-operated spriralizer (not expensive), we were able to make an ordinary zucchini into a beautiful, exotic shape and form. A great way to have a cool noodle experience during our hot Maryland summers.

Of course no dish would be complete without Bethanne’s great dressings and sauces! Anyone who has been to these programs before knows how quickly Bethanne’s dishes transition from the simple into the sublime.

See here how magnificently this dish turned out!!

Loaded with zesty herbs & spices, this carefully made tomato sauce (with no seeds at all) was a hot ticket on this summer afternoon!

In total we made seven different dishes for our lunch and dinner menu featuring legumes, veggies, herbs and spices and, of course, love and care.

Our main menu included these items: Not-tuna pate in collard green wraps,
Land and sea salad with mung bean noodles, Raw slaw with kale, Sprouted lentil salad, Corn and black bean salad with brown rice, & Raw zucchini pasta and sundried tomato marinara sauce. It was all quite delicious!!!

Everyone received a terrific handout / booklet that featured pages of recipes, shopping lists and key nutritional facts. Bethanne’s easy speaking style also allowed everyone to take lots of notes and ask many excellent questions during the program. And there was plenty of opportunity to help in cooking, chopping, slicing, rolling, mixing and more!

Then of course there was dessert: Sweet seed cookies (shown here), Coconut milk ice cream sweetened with agave, Sorbet sweetened with agave, Fresh luscious berries, Raw dark chocolate sauce made with raw cacao, and Chocolate chia cookies!

Everything was quite yummy – and everyone got to go up for seconds on dessert. We have secret photos of that on file!!

All in all we had a wonderful turnout and everyone left satiated, eager to try new recipes and food choices, and armed with lots of food packed up in containers for meals to come!

Healthy eating is part and parcel of our yoga practice and a great way to treat your body (& mind) right. Plus our food choices affect our environment, both locally and globally. Our diet plays such an important role in who we are and how we interact with our world. And Bethanne, as usual, proved to be a gentle, kind, knowledgeable, and sumptuous guide for this event.

Many thanks to Tessa Giannini who provided seamless support for a smooth-running program.

Hope you will all consider coming to our next Eating Health program next December!! Here is what we did last year during the holidays!!

Register Today!!

Live Sitar and Yoga Seminar

2p – 4p,  Sunday, July 11, 2010!!

Read for more details…

Sun, June 13
2:30pm – 5:30pm
Galesville Memorial Hall

Register Today!!

$40 by May 25 ~ $45 by June 1
$50 after June 1

Summer brings forth nature’s finest. Treat yourself to this dynamic foodie event and learn all about summer’s bounty. We will primarily focus on exciting zesty salads and sumptuous raw foods – using (mostly) local ingredients. It will be a very varied veggie extravaganza featuring lighter fare that helps detox the body. Did you say dessert? How about plentiful, easy, tasty, and free of all processed sugars. Come and enjoy: Taste new ingredients, help with food prep, inquire about new ways of doing, and much, much more. Your next garden picnic or lunch on the boat will be like no other. Oh, be sure to come hungry and bring plenty of plastic containers – you’ll return home with them full of wonderful delights.

Space is limited – spots fill quickly – reserve your place early & save $$.

$40 by May 25 // $45 by June 1// $50 after June 1

Register Now!!

Read About Last Winter’s Eating Healthy Event

Eco Yoga Day was a big hit, with both humans and bees. We learned about bees, tasted their wonderful honey, and in turn our friends the bees got new homes. See two of the finest shown here.

Our yoga practice segued into an Eco think tank led by Karen McDonald of SERC. She taught us all about bees native stingless bees and how they make their way in the world. Lots of fascinating material was presented and we do have extra handouts available. Just ask.

Then people of all shapes and sizes got to work constructing their bee houses – sturdy structures made of wood. Our gratitude to Bob Smith for creating these beautiful kits so on Eco Yoga Day even the youngest of participants was able to engage fully.

Once the construction was done it was a-decorating- we go!! Builders turned into artists to create charming bee houses. Here is but one of the many designs that were put forth.

These bee houses are designed for native stingless bees and during the presentation Karen gave us all kinds of tips and strategies for ensuring they are able to live a comfortable life in these bee homes. After all, everyone in this universe needs a home.

And that was the overall theme of Eco Yoga Day: Creating a healthy human home by harmonizing mind and body, creating a sustainable home on earth by living in harmony with nature, and offering a home to some our friends the bees.

By this way all can find their place in this universe and live peacefully.

In follow-up to Eco Yoga Day, we will be doing a tree planting – complements of Greenstreet Gardens – this Saturday, May 1, at Galesville Hall – 9:00am!! All funds from Eco Yoga Day will go towards more plantings… Thank you everyone!!

Photos From This Year’s Eco Yoga Day -   Eco Yoga Day 2009

ECO YOGA DAY – Sunday, April 25, 2p – 4p Galesville Memorial Hall

All funds (100%, every penny) go toward a green project. Donate Today…

This is our ECO-YOGA Day Project… home sweet home – literally.

It is a bee hive for native stingless bees. Or what we call a bee condo as it comes complete with an indoor swimming pool, massage parlor and wi-fi. Along with a constant buzz. That way the bees need not make the noise themselves.

Kidding aside, this really is a wonderful and very neat project that every participant at Eco Yoga Day will be assembling. This project was conceived of by Karen McDonald, an environmental educator, who will be facilitating and leading the eco part of ECO YOGA DAY. Our trusted builder and yogi Bob Smith brought Karen’s idea to life. He built the prototype pictured here and is creating kits so everyone can make their own bee hive / hut / condo on Eco Yoga Day.

Come on out for this great event!! Reserve your spot by donating today…

…Or email me to reserve your spot and bring your suggested $15 donation the day of…

A very warm and hearty thank you to Greenstreet Gardens of Lothian, Md for donating a tree and bumper crops for Eco Yoga Day!!

Greenstreet Gardens is a local, family-run business operated by Ray Greenstreet II.

Our deepest gratitude to the entire Greenstreet Family, and in particular to Ray for his generosity, and Gale Poudrier for being the perfect liaison.

We are looking forward to a very successful Eco Yoga Day event this year.

Eco Yoga Day is Sunday, April 25, 2p – 4p at Galesville Memorial Hall!!

Eco Yoga Day Info ~ Eco Yoga Day Theme

Eco Yoga Day is Sunday. April 25, 2010…see what’s happening.

Our main presentation topic will be bees.

So we will begin with yoga and then transition to this wonderful, hands-on seminar – led by Karen McDonald of SERC – about bees. And then we will have a meditation and sharing circle and hopefully a planting or two.

See here what great things Karen has planned for us….

An Introduction to Bees and Native Pollinators

Bees are an important part of nature, helping flowers turn into fruits and making gardens thrive. Come learn about these fascinating creatures. We’ll explore how they live in their complex hives, feeling their way through many different jobs from raising young, tending the queen, building comb, foraging for nectar and pollen, and making honey. We will also discuss how you can keep native stingless bees right in your own yard. Afterwards we’ll try tasting some different types of local honey and make our own bee box, for native orchard mason bees, that you can put in your garden.

Our 2nd annual Eco Yoga Day

Sunday, April 25

2:00p – 4:00p

Galesville Memorial Hall

Be Part of the

Bendy Green Team!!

Suggested Donation: $15

What could be better than to do a 2nd Eco Yoga Day!! Last year we did yoga, dialogged about eco-friendly ways of living, made our own green cleaning solutions to bring home, planted a Sugar Maple tree  – thanks to Exterior Image, Lothian – behind the hall, and raised enough money to purchase a high quality hose extension as well as 1 River Birch and 3 Virginia Sweetspires – all of which were planted by the hall. 100% of the monies collected go toward a green project – period.

That is why everyone is saying: Let’s do it again!!!

This year once again Karen McDonald (SERC Community Education Coordinator) will be co-hosting this event with me and she will be treating us to another grand eco-project. She has already shared a list of topics and we are just about to select one – certainly it will be dynamic and exciting!

UPDATE: Here is our topic: Bees….

In addition we will have an hour-long yoga practice as well as a meditation circle.

Plus we have some other goodies up our sleeves – so you’ll just have to be there to find out!

There will also be time for sharing, caring & more!!!

Read all about last year’s event and see the photos!!

Let us know how you can contribute
to this year’s program to make it more green & vibrant!

Our special thanks to the West River Improvement Association for dontating the use of the hall and to Karen for offering her time, energy and special talents.

Restorative Yoga Workshop - Register Now!
Sun, Apr 11, 2:00p – 4:00p
Galesville Memorial Hall
$20 by Apr 1; $25 after Apr 1

New & improved featuring:
Facilitators (approx 5 – 1 student-instructor ratio), new poses & props,
yoga nidra, longer length session, and much, much more.

This program is really all  about responding to what
your body and mind are asking for!!

Ease into spring with a calm – come discover the wonder of restorative yoga. In this gentle session we will use a variety of props to bask in supportive, relaxing poses which enable our bodies and minds to heal, restore and find balance. This a great way to center oneself: physically, emotionally, and mentally. Along the way we will also explore breathing & relaxation techniques. This workshop is for everyone; no prior yoga experience is needed.

Note: All participants will be requested to bring a pillow and a blanket as well as x-tra clothes for layering: sweatshirt etc. If you have an eye pillow then bring that as well, otherwise we will have one for you. All other props will be supplied. A week before the program we will send you a detailed list of exactly what to bring.

YES, I want to register now on-line!!

Or bring your payment to any class.

Monthly Pass Holders: $12.00 by Apr 1

Yesterday, marked our first ever Restorative Workshop, and 23 participants braved the snow and made it in for the experience!

Restorative Yoga is the practice of bringing your mind and body into a state of balance through very gentle postures – supported by props – held for longer periods. It is a time to be still, quiet, and delve inside. Even then there is the occasional hurdle – as some will attest with regards to the standing/seated wide angle series! By and large though restorative yoga is a soothing program of restful poses that help to recharge oneself. In its totality it is a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual journey towards enhancement – with each participant having their own unique experience.

With bolsters abound, straps around, blankets covering, chairs side by, and eye pillows on top, we step by step embarked on our endeavor. It was new to some of us, like seeing an old friend for others, yet in the course of things we all experimented and found renewal and peace in our practice.

As a facilitator, it was a joy to partake and I also walked away with new and better ways of doing for next time.

This is something we do wish to offer more of and I hope everyone will come out and experience first-hand the joy and serenity inherent to a restorative yoga practice.

Well what a Yoga Day we had!!

View all the photos…

There was yoga (of course), great music performances by our local elementary schoolers led by their music teacher Ms Cheryl Logan, a raffle extraordinaire (thanks to all of you!) and other joys like yogi tea (thanks Michelle!), frosted vegan “yoga day” cupcakes, certificates & organic apple juice which we totally forgot to serve – that’s how much fun we were having!!

All in all more than 100+ people stopped in for Yoga Day!

Our gentle yoga class got it all going at 8am – 20+ participants were on board and ready to set sail in their yoga journey. We calmly progressed through our moves and sequences. Some of the attendees were new, some were experienced, yet all moved together. A neat start to the morning – bending, breathing, extending & ideating.

After class we talked for a moment about nandan vijiana (aesthetic science) and how to make the world beautiful through artistic expression – including music.

And then – amazingly – our 4th & 5th graders from Lothian Elementary and Shady Side Elementary performed!! And you can hear some of what they did by listening to the podcast below.

(Right now I can only get one sound file into a blog post – I have 14 short sound files and I will continue to try and get more up onto the site .)

Suffice to say here that our young musicians. were AWESOME!

There were strings, flutes, clarinets – all for our listening enjoyment. They did great…They more than deserved their certificate of participation and vegan “Yoga Day” frosted cupcake.

After that it was back to our yoga practice with Yoga for Strength and Fitness. And what a turnout we had – 30+.  There were newbies, oldbies and ones in between and everyone worked hard, played hard, rested hard, and then again lunged forward and did their best. Shavasana, meditation, and a story about a boy saving the starfish reminded us that with inspiration and coordination all kinds of problems can be solved.

Then we were treated to another musical performance by 3rd – 5th graders from Lothian and Shady Side featuring clarinets, flutes, and strings, followed by a grand vocal performance by first and second graders from the aforementioned schools. And how beautifully they sang! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the performances – which were followed by more cupcakes and certificates!

Then came the free raffle – a raffle like no other!! Special thanks to all those who donated a most unique array of items.

Teresa Crofoot of 1 Tree Yoga: Two Yoga Bags, Glass-Beaded Bracelet; Karen McDonald of SERC: Amarylis Plant; Patti Sachs:  Hand-Made Mahogany bowl & 2 rocks from Alaska; Lisa Oswald:  Homemade Jam (2) and Apple Butter;  Michelle Drake: 2hrs Face Painting; Janel Boises: 3 hrs of Creative Child Care; Dona Haske: Silpada Jewelery Gift Cert $25; Holly & Kerry Pierce: Annapolis Symphony CD, Hot Cocoa Kit, Wall Clock, Candle; Laurie Morin of Health, Prosperity & Abundance: Skin Care & Wellness Gift Package;  Nancy Bateman: Karma Free Gift Set featuring Washes, Creams, Soaps, & much more; Kirk Johnson: Hand-Made Hinged Cutting Board; Sharon Brewer of Green Violet Herb Farm: Balms, Salves, Teas, and Lavender; Holly Ross: Candle Holders; Renaissance Yoga: 2 CD’s,  Monthly Yoga Pass.

I think all the winners thoroughly enjoyed their prizes as there were a lot of ooohs & aaaahs!!

That’s right – after an exciting free raffle like that it was time for our relaxation segment of the morning. We did a guided seated meditation followed by a lying visualization, complemented by a personal journey of peace and tranquility.

There were some who even stayed for the entire program!

By that time it was time to pack it all in – and what a morning it was! Lots of free yoga, great giveaways, wonderful music, and your spirited participation.

Plus we also raised a healthy sum of $150 for the Haitian Earthquake victims which was donated to Doctors Without Borders via their on-line donation program on Sunday, Jan 24, 2010 .

Thanks to all for coming in and attending!! We look forward to seeing you there next year!!

Here is a list of all of our musicians:

Shady Side Elementary: Melissa Witte, Sarina LeCroy, Destiny Smith, Morgan Stueckler, Delaney Sancomb, Kate Gott, Ellie Broglie, Joshua Baker, Greg Smith, Katie Bedard, Caterina Grandi, Emilee Williams, Fin von Schilcher, Paula Duck.

Lothian Elementary: Jennifer Potter, Caitlin Brumley, Aaliyah Allen, George Carney, Abby Adey, Grace Barber, Ashely Liston, Madison Collins, Ciara Tongue, Shaun Butler, Sarah Webster, Ava Wishnow.

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