Gratitude from The Shala

The Thanksgiving Holiday is here so we would like to express our deepest gratitude from “the shala” and all the radiant energy that surrounds us here. Ananda Shala (your place of bliss) exists because of you. Every day, no matter what seems to bubble up, we always come back to and appreciate the beauty that we experience here on a daily basis; the transformations that have happened for so many; and the friendships and bonds that will never be broken as a result.

Our wish for you is that you carry your own personal blessings with you throughout the holiday. Savor this opportunity to spend quality time with your family/friends and simply give thanks…not just before you sit down for your thanksgiving dinner but let it become a practice- a way to live. There is no easier way to meditate or pray than to take a moment of gratitude.

Join us on Thanksgiving Day for a special class with Kristen at 9:30AM – Full of Gratitude Yoga for All Levels: A Thanksgiving Celebration!! Also, notice our schedule changes for Thursday and Friday!

Many Many Blessings,

Aimee and The Ananda Shala Tribe

“Giving thanks for abundance is sweeter than the abundance itself” – Rumi

HOLIDAY RETAIL SALES
FROM NOW UNTIL CHRISTMAS!

Get the perfect gift for a special friend
Purchase 3 Items & Receive 15% OFF !

Gift Certificates Available for Classes or Boutique
Give Bliss for the Holiday

Gift Wrapping Available- Just ask!

NEW TO THE BOUTIQUE

We have ordered a new line of Votivo candles, perfect for the Holidays, with assorted aromas to help make your space more cozy and delicious smelling this winter! Scents include Champaca, Clean Crisp White, Red Currant and Sandlewood.

Votivo are soy candles with extremely long burning times

PART ONE

Harmonize and Winterize: Ayurveda and Winter
By Maria Garre

Embracing the darkest nights of the year as we feel the next seasonal cycle upon us … are all your cells adapting to change?

The Winter Solstice marks the apex of our relationship to the sun and moon. The junction between December 21 and June 21 is marked by less sunlight and more moonlight. According to Ayurveda this cosmic shift can have profound influences within our body and mind.

All of our bodily rhythms, functions and actions are sensing the earth shifting in relations to light, temperature and environment. This time of year according to Ayurveda is full of movement, change, shift
and transition. As an outcome, of the latter we
can often find ourselves out of routine, confused and ungrounded.

And, this is expected!

Expound the the great sages of Ayurveda as it is normal for our body and mind to be carried away by themobile, dry, cold, and light qualities of the Fall season. Thesegunas influence the prevalence of harmony within the flow of life. There are times when certain gunas may become elevated for one reason or another. Add the introduction of Winter on the horizon offering heavy, cold, liquid (wet), dull qualities and we have much to negotiate in this transition of Seasons+.

Do not despair, Ayurveda offers simple recommendations to help bring balance and clarity to all of you and navigate the change in season with flow and grace.

Here are some simple tips to commit

1. keep favoring moist, warm, hearty or light soups and stews.
2. avoid heavy proteins after 2 pm.
3. drink warm water or CCF Tea (cumin, corriander, fennel)
4. abhyanga at least 4X a week. This is a delicious self-oil massage treatment.
5. stay active and take daily walks preferably in the morning.
6. rise before the sun and enjoy the quite of the morning darkness and find lightness in the space.

If you are interested in finding out more in depth information on Preparing for the Winter Sundhya then check-out:

December 9, Tending the Sacred Fire, Samudra’s Living Yoga Sadhana Online TeleCourse , 4-5PM PST with Maria Garre

December 11, Winter Bliss- Better Health All Winter Long!
Ananda Shala 10:45 to 12:30 pm

written by our creative and teacher training direction Maria Garre

In the holiday spirit of giving, Ananda Shala will be hosting a fundraiser on December 4th in efforts to raise money for the Jangriti School located in Rishikesh, India. There will be a donation based yoga class, taught by Maria Garre, from 5:30PM – 6:30PM, with a silent auction happening directly after the class.

Jangriti is merely a year old, yet is already supporting over 60 poor and underprivileged children. This past year, Maria led a retreat to Rishikesh where the group visited the school and met with the students, giving them school supplies. After visiting with the children Maria pledged to bring back resources (her old laptop), supplies, and money to help keep the project alive. This inspired her to have a fundraiser for Jangriti. The money raised by the fundraiser will be the first outside donation received by the school.

Both the donation class and the silent auction are open to the public. The silent auction will offer items such as gift baskets, wine, jewelry, artwork, and children’s gifts. This is a great opportunity to find items for Holiday gifts while supporting a great cause. The donation class is a $10 minimum, and pre-registration is recommended. Registration is available on Ananda Shala’s website. If you would like more information about the event, or are interested in donating items to the silent auction, please contact Emma Lewis at emma.lewismallow@yahoo.com.

Monetary donations are also being accepted for the school.

November Instructor Focus: Dominica Knapp

photo by Jenay Martin

1. How long have you been practicing yoga or pilates, and what inspired you to become a teacher?

I have been practicing yoga for about 8 years. First for a workout, then realizing all of the other benefits of a steady practice. It brought me so much joy I wanted to give that to others. Teaching yoga was an easy choice.

2. Where did you study to become a yoga or pilates teacher and what additional training have you received?

I started teaching with a few weekends of YogaFit. Then I earned my RYT 200 with Maria Garre as a Prana Flow teacher here at Ananda Shala and I continue to learn as much as I can. There is so much to learn and I love it!

My husband Matt and 8yr old James keep me busy. We like to get out side and hike or bike. Between being a mom a wife and a teacher, I love to play music, sing as loud as I can and run as far as I can.

I want anyone who comes to take my class to leave feeling better than they did before. To realize that there is a connection between your outer physical self and your inner self is like having a birthday every day. That is why I try to give that realization to my students.

Please join Dominica at Ananda Shala on:

Tuesdays for Prana Flow® Level 1/2 at 9:30AM
Thursdays for Prana Flow® Level 1/2 at 6:45PM
Fridays for $10 Prana Flow® All Levels at Noon



Upcoming Events & Schedule

PLEASE VIEW OUR SCHEDULE ONLINE FOR UPDATED NOVEMBER & DECEMBER SCHEDULE!!

***REVISED THANKSGIVING** SCHEDULE!

Thursday, Nov 25
9:30AM Prana Flow® all levels Thanksgiving Celebration will be taught by Kristen Townsend

ALL OTHER CLASSES CANCELED!

6AM & 9:30AM Yoga classes CANCELLED and 11AM Beginner Pilates CANCELLED

********************************************

Tuesday, Nov 30
Pilates Magic Circle
with Amy Hatzis
6- 7 PM

Saturday, Dec 4
Donation Yoga Class for Jangriti School
with Maria Garre
5:30-6:30 PM

Tuesday, Dec 7
Absolute Beginner Workshop
with Aimee Firor McBride
5:30-7 PM

Saturday, Dec 11
Prana Flow® Masterclass: Fire Solstice Flow
with Maria Garre
8-10 AM

Saturday, Dec 11
Winter Bliss- Perfect Health
All Winter Long!
with Maria Garre
10:45 AM-12:30 PM

Sunday, Jan 23
Conscious Journaling
with David Hazad
4-6 PM

Friday-Sunday, Feb 18-20
Embodying the Flow: An Introduction to Prana Flow® Sequencing
with Maria Garre
5:30-7 PM

Learn more

HOLIDAY YOGA AND
PILATES SPECIALS

PILATES

3 Intro to Pilates Equipment Sessions for $99
3 Private Pilates Eqiupment Sessions for $150

YOGA

Private Yoga Sessions – 3 for $150
Perfect for newbies or those wanting to refine their practice

Offers Expire December 31, 2010

Note from our Pilates Director!

Curious about what Pilates can do for you? A great way to try it out here at Ananda Shala is to take one of our beginner Pilates mat classes. Classes are offered Monday at 5:15pm, Saturday at 10am, and now on Friday at 11am. No experience necessary and all Pilates mat classes are included in our memberships and class cards. Hope to see you there!

- Amy Hatzis, Director of Pilates at Ananda Shala

Upcoming Pilates Event! PLEASE SIGN UP AHEAD OF TIME!

Tuesday, Nov 30
Advancing your Pilates Mat
with Amy Hatzis
6- 7 PM

NEW!! Group Pilates Equiptment-Intermediate
Mon, 12PM with Amy Hatzis

Ananda Shala Testimonial

Natalie Sheets,
Ananda Shala Newsletter Editor

Last winter, I felt an incredible need to question what I was doing in life. I was working a desk job that was completely unfulfilling and lacking in any type of personal gain. It was at this time that I restarted my yoga practice to help me through the days. I began at Ananda Shala during the Blizzard of 2010 with my Intro 2 week unlimited. I took classes almost every day (except for the days when there was too much snow!) and have never stopped coming.

I had taken many styles of yoga and attended many studios before Ananda Shala. However, after my first class I instantly felt connected to Prana Flow® Yoga in a way that was simply magical. I remember savasana with Dominica during my first class, and was so overwhelmed with the beauty of her voice and spirit in the room. I still get this feeling today, with instructors like Aimee McBride, Maria Garre, Dominica Knapp, Kimmer Roberts, and all the other amazing instructors!! And I have recently began my pilates practice with Amy Hatzis, which is truly improving my yoga!

My practice, and the amazing teachers and students at Ananda Shala gave me the push to quit my job and start my yoga journey. Not only have I deepened my yoga practice, but I now have 2 amazing jobs, one with Ananda Shala as Front Desk Staff/Newsletter Editor, but also with Shiva Rea’s Samudra Yogadventures (Thanks to Aimee McBride and Maria Garre!!)I absolutely love what I do I couldn’t have done any of this without the support of everyone at Ananda Shala. And the great thing about The Shala is that it doesn’t stop with just the teachers, I have made some amazing friends with other practitioners, and love seeing everyone weekly (if not daily!!)

This past year has seriously been the most amazing year of my life, I got married to my high school sweetheart, continued to build relationships with everyone at the studio, and have finally begun my 200 hr teacher training certification with Maria Garre! I can’t wait to step on the mat for the first time as a teacher.