An Invitation (Or Two!)

On this Thanksgiving weekend, as each of us contemplates how to most effectively and efficiently 'get it all done' in order to arrive at the table surrounded by loved ones to give thanks, I wanted to share with you a musing offered by a dear friend and yoga student & teacher. Many of you know Julio Kuperman, a true renaissance man with a love of language that rivals (compliments?) my own. He shared with me a pondering on the root meanings of many familiar languages words for 'thank you.' In German, the way one offers gratitude is by saying "Danke," which Julio suggests come from a root meaning of "Thinking." In Spanish, "Gracias" stems from the root of "Grace." And in French, "Merci" has a root in "Mercy." So as you contemplate gratitude, and the richness that one experiences while being filled with gratitude, perhaps you, too, can spend the day "Thinking with Grace and Mercy." Thank you, Julio, for this very sweet lesson.

With that in mind, I want to personally invite you to not one, but two Wake Up Yoga events in December (with two studios, I don't want either to feel neglected!):j

On Saturday, December 9 from 7:30 - 9:30 pm at Wake Up Yoga in Fairmount (2329 Parrish Street) we're having a Pre-Holiday Celebration and CD Release Party!!! I'm really excited about the celebration, and rather nervous about the CD release! It is a Sringara Rasa Flow class, with me teaching and my friend Craig Ebner accompanying on Sitar. If the universe conspires with the duplicating company and UPS, we should have the shipment by December 6 or 7... just in time to pop open some champagne and toast the amazing team of professionals who made the cd possible, and the wonderful students who share their practice here at Wake Up Yoga; you truly are my greatest inspiration! This event will feature Craig on the sitar, and hors d'oeuvres by the Super Spectacular Amazing Earth Mama Marla Wilner of Food Practice. There will be some bubbly (avec et sans alcohol!) and, of course, the CDs will be for sale. Dress for fun... and it is fun to see your yoga buddies in 'real clothes.' We'll have a Barefoot Ball!!! Please plan to come... I do hope to see you there!

And Friday, December 22, from 7:30 - 10 pm, we'll be celebrating the Winter Solstice as well as having a Grand Opening Celebration for Wake Up Yoga West (4916 Baltimore Avenue)! Thomas Flanagan will play the sitar (perhaps with some friends accompanying), and this party will be a vegetarian potluck (bring anything you'd like to share!). Also, Jill Manning and her husband Mike will be recently returned from their trip to India, and Mike (a professional photographer) will be showing many of his photos. We will build an altar of intention for the year ahead, possibly join our voices for some sacred chanting, share some food, and raise a glass to toast each other, friendship, love and life. Please share your own vibrant energy with the burgeoning studio and bless the space with your presence! This is likely to be a very popular night for holiday parties; I hope you'll put Wake Up Yoga West on your Party Train!

Please know that your children are always welcome at Wake Up Yoga parties, and we love it when you bring friends!

Also, be sure to check our Workshops Page for information about upcoming events: The Yoga Playground: Family Yoga in West Philly; Brand New Beginner's Series in Fairmount and West Philly; a once-a-month Sunday Ashtanga Primary Series Tune-Up Class (2 1/2 hours!) with Heather Marie; Prenatal & Mommy and Me yoga classes... and more!

In the meantime, continue to count your blessings, remembering to be grateful for your own sweet self and all you do for those you love and the communities you serve!