March Newsletter

Greetings of Green;

Green is a word that has flourished into a multitude of meanings. Today green is a color of celebration for St. Patrick’s Day and for some it signifies living in a sustainable, eco-friendly way, and for most it is just a color. And, of course it is green that will bless our eyes as we transition from winter to spring and vegetation flows all around us.

This month we continue to flow into the next rhythm, cycle of life and celebrate beginning and rebirth. Last weekend, we offered our first yoga retreat of the year and explored living life as sacred renewal. The last weekend of March, marking the official beginning of spring weekend, we welcome Gerhard Schmid back for Kalari Yoga and Audrey Ryan for a donation-concert. Both events not to be missed. Just as there are many colors, Yoga also offers an array of possibilities and so our hope is to give you choices to delight you in ALL ways.
Love Blessings to ALL;
– the tribe at Ananda Shala

March Spotlight –
gerhard schmid and kalari yoga

Mark your calendar the weekend of march 28 to 29 to learn or review kalari yoga, based on the indian system of martial arts kalaripayattu. He will also be offering special evening classes Monday to Wednesday nights to continue the practice. Learn Kalari Namaskar, specialized exercises to open the spine, stretch the legs and torso, and movement patterns to strengthen and challenge. Taught as a progression series, you can sign up for one or all!

Register early and SAVE $5 on each class!

Check our website for full details and complete schedule. Class sessions are suitable for all levels. Please note that each session is rigorous and physically challenging.

Mantra Of The Month:

OM RELAX! is the chosen mantra for March.

As we are in a shift and transition time, life can seem hectic and chaotic. To alleviate your mind and calm the nervous system, breath in – breathe out and RELAX. Try it, it works. Try chanting in bed to help you fall asleep. While in class settle into each asana and allow yourself to melt and relax.

Community Notes:

Back in September of 2008 we sponsored an event in celebration in of International Day of Peace in an effort to raise funds for the Cambodian’s Children’s Fund. Suzanne Cary, from Annapolis, co-sponsored the event and ended up traveling to Cambodia through this organization to witness first hand how and where these funds support the lives of thousands of children in need. Click her name for details.

April 4: 5 pm to 9 pm
In honor of the literacy celebration this April, We will be offering fun book readings (on the hour) and activities for kids (any age) along with fun yoga poses. Stop by on your way through town.

Friday April 3 (pre-party) and Saturday April 11
Save these dates! Enjoy an evening of fun, music, gathering and items for sale in a special silent auction. Then the following Saturday morning we all meet at the Armory downtown to raise funds and awareness in a 5K run/walk celebration. Join the Ananda Shala crew as well all do Yoga with our sneakers.

Upcoming Events:

tuesday march 17
wear GREEN and receive 20% retail of your choice.

tuesday march 24
workshop: yoga for women’s health (menopause)

march 28- april 1
kalari yoga weekend

saturday march 28
live music night – audrey ryan

friday april 3
congo women awareness night

april 3 to 5
Pilates mat certification with Power Pilates

saturday april 4
FIRST SATURDAY + living yoga weekend with reema datta

Ananda Recommends:

Saturday/Sunday 4/12-13

Rise Up & Shine: an easter weekend celebration of Yoga and Art. Maria will be part of the 4 pm Universal Yoga Class. Event held in Towson, MD.

Saturday 4/18 2:00 to 5:00 pm
Transition & Change in Difficult Times
Moving through Darkness into New Life with Miriam Klements & Patrick Spahr, Creator of Ten Thousand Joys.

Join Maria In ……

March 27 to 29
Yoga and Ayurveda: a weekend intensive for students and Yoga Teachers at Evolve Yoga in Raleigh, NC

April 2-5: Toronto, Canada
A weekend of yoga and pilates with Rodney Yee, Sean Corn, Mari Winsor, and many more. Maria will also be presenting 20 hours of classes and workshops.

April 28 to May 3: Ubud, Bali
A festival of music, yoga, & dance. Maria will be teaching 3 classes and workshops as part of the festival. If you are looking for an excuse to head to Bali this might be a good time to get on a plane and have fun.

Spring Into Ayurveda

As we officially welcome spring this weekend, we are in a shift and change with seasons, allergens and activities. This is the time to begin to spring clean your body and mind – detox time. If this time of year brings you sinus infections, runny noses, sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion, and colds then you might want to consider the following Ayurvedic remedies to ease your symptoms. Ayurveda recommends you avoid dairy (creates heaviness and dampness inside the body), do regular neti (nasal saline wash) and nasya (oiling the nasal passages), wake up earlier and add in 10 to 15 minutes of sun salutations to invigorate the body and mind, and most importantly schedule a Spring Cleanse – Detox to release all that has accumulated during the winter months.

Q & A:
How do I know when I am ready to move up to another level in Yoga class?

This question is often asked and pondered yet we feel like we somehow need to “master” our downward dog before we even think of moving any further. But this is not the case. Once you’ve become familiar with the basic flow of namaskars and common standing asanas (poses) then it’s time to challenge and move up the number scale and try a level 1/2 class. The key to moving up to a level 2/3 class is not so much about having an amazing yoga practice, but more about knowing how to modify and adapt as the class offers more complex variations of poses you’ve seen before. And if you are feeling like you are “stuck” in your daily practice we suggest you try other favorites like: pure stretch yoga, slow flow, and ashtanga basics. Feeling like you need an asana tune-up? Check out our yoga alignment class on Wednesday afternoon as this is a great bridge class to allow you to focus and delve deeper in specific asanas. To submit your question email us!