News and Gratitude

How about this for a St. Valentine's Day? Wahoo! Hopefully lovers of all kinds are able to spend time safe and cozy with their beloved(s), as we are all slowed down and even humbled by the immense power of nature.

A reminder that this Friday we continue with our Once-a-Month Buddhism Dharma Talk with Michael Carroll. This week's topic: the Sharp Edge of Compassion. This topic will explore the unsentimental side of love and compassion, its more fierce edge. We meet from 7:30 - 9 p.m., sit in meditation for some time (with instruction given to anyone who needs it!), have the talk and Q&A. Suggested contribution: $10. This event takes place in Fairmount. For more upcoming events be sure to check out our workshops page.

In the meantime, I want to extend a heartfelt and sincere "Thank You!" to everyone in the community who has extended well wishes my way, dedicated a practice to my health and well being, and expressed concern for my 'condition.' I am happy to report that things are improving. I saw another surgeon for a second opinion, and, as things are improving, he's recommending physical therapy and a 6-week check back.

If you hadn't been by the studio lately, I was out for about 10 days with tear-inducing 'shoulder pain,' accompanied by an inability to sleep/get comfortable, and drastically reduced mobility. I couldn't even brush my teeth! An MRI revealed some disc concerns in my cervical spine, and the first doctor recommended a 3-level discectomy (removal of the discs) and spinal fusion. My husband and I were shocked by the severity, and rocked by the implications.

After many cranial sacral treatments, acupuncture, consultations with very smart, informed, dear friends, bubble baths and rest, I'm feeling more 'like myself.' There is still some pain and tingling in my right arm, but I'm feeling more and more confident that this body can be inspired and encouraged to heal without such drastic, invasive assistance.

There was no trauma immediately precipitating the 'event,' but during the course of my life time, I have 'totaled' four cars in accidents, before MRIs were available for consultation (and before yoga practice came into my life!). It's very likely that discs have been bulging for quite some time, I just unfortunately have an anatomically, genetically narrow spinal column, which seems to be further narrowing with trips around the sun, and results in infringement of a nerve root. We're hoping that an MRI of my brain will reveal that previous brain trauma (swelling of the brain and unconsciousness for 3 days after a particularly bad car accident when I was 17) will explain my hyper-relexivity. If not, the 2nd opinion doctor is concerned that my spinal chord is irritated, and would recommend surgery to relieve the pressure.

As with all injuries, alleged setbacks, and the things we generally regard as 'bad,' this is a ripe opportunity to inquire, investigate, surrender and receive. The lessons are rich as I am being invited to slow down, required to ask for help, and truly inspired by the amazing community we have to draw from at Wake Up Yoga. My husband, Paul, and I have never been closer, and our priorities/values have never been more clear. It's amazing to discover that beneath everything: minor irritations at work or crumbs on the counter or the occasional feeling that circumstances could still be better and need to be tweaked... that beneath all of this is simply a deep and abiding love that is so powerful it renders one speechless; so precious and beautiful I cry. Whatever it takes to remind me of how much I take for granted while still giving me the opportunity to feel gratitude and connect with grace I am grateful for. These gifts are truly the precious jewels that spur growth and connection.

Here's wishing you the wisdom and ability to find your jewels hidden in what appears to be piles of sorrow.

Updates and More!

Well the New Year has been launched with tremendously warm and vibrant vibrations here at Wake Up Yoga — both locations! Our Brand New Beginner's Series are both overflowing with excited students, and the Pre- and Post- Labor Mamas have been easing their stress and increasing their connection with spirit and child, again at both studios. We have POWERFUL and TRANSFORMATIONAL workshops scheduled for the winter/spring and daily opportunities for you to drop into the depth of yourSelf, clear out the clutter, and restore/maintain your connection to the intention you hold for your life: perhaps to live powerfully, peacefully, with compassion and joy. For more details, click here to visit our workshops page.

Also, be sure to save the date for our Vernal Equinox One-Day Retreat on Saturday, March 17, from 9-5 at the Fairmount studio. Details to come... plan to be there! We will celebrate the beginning of springtime, when all the world feels ripe with possibility. The day will likely include: Pranayama, Yin Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Lunch and Snacks, Live Music and time to sit, calm the mind and cultivate gratitude in the heart. Promises to be rich and intoxicating!!!

We will also have a Vernal Equinox Morning Retreat in Fairmount, with Jill Manning, March 19—23. 6-8 am each day. Again, details to come; stay tuned! The week will include daily breath awareness/pranayama, asana practice, quiet contemplation and more.

There is definitely more, but I'm currently out of time as it is time to teach. You may find it amusing to know that I came to the studio hours early this morning. My intention was to send this email and practice yoga for 2 1/2 hours. When I arrived, the heat wasn't working, I couldn't connect to the internet, and the toilet wouldn't flush. Practice for me this morning has been a trip to the Home Depot for space heaters (and a heated conversation with the landlord!), an hour on the phone with tech support, and the very easy linking of a chain to a bar (thank God the toilet was easy to fix!). I've been smiling the whole time (wearing a hat, a scarf, a sweater and a jacket) thinking to myself and repeating out loud, "That's a good one, God!"

This practice could be likened to what is referred to in the Yoga Sutra as Praktipaksa Bhavanam. Essentially it means: when plagued by negativities, cultivate the opposite. We've all ruminated in our own negativities, souring our mood and poisoning our very cells, and very likely felt miserable the entire time. The practice of Praktipaksa Bhavanam encourages the dedicated student to notice the negative turnings (the judgments of others and self, delight we may take in others misfortune, any thoughts of revenge or even nursing our own wounds) and literally find another perspective. Choose another interpretation, or even as Paul JJ Alix has offered, "Imagine giving that person flowers." The practice, when steadfastly employed, can immediately shift your whole world. I'll invite you to see if this helps you maintain calmness in your field of consciousness so that you may come to see and know who you truly are.

Sending Blessings and Love...

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2007! Here's hoping your holidays were filled with warmth, joy and grace, and that you now find yourself refreshed, focused, and ready to sink your teeth into life and take a really big bite! We have lots to snack on here at Wake Up Yoga so please peruse these offerings to whet your appetite: Ashtanga-Vinyasa Primary Series Monthly Intensive Classes, Couples Massage Workshop, Body Rolling and Vinyasa Yoga Workshop, Brand New Beginners Series (Fairmount and West Philly), Mommy & Me Yoga, and Prenatal Yoga (Fairmount and West Philly).

That's it for the moment regarding special events. I would like to take a moment to tell you about some new classes that are being offered at Wake Up Yoga West:

We've added a 12 noon Tuesday Vinyasa class with the very lovely Lisa Joy Young, who will also be teaching a Thursday morning 9 am $5 flow. Jill Manning, freshly returned from India, will be teaching a Thursday, 4 pm Vira Rasa Flow class. And Angela Boltz, transplanted back to Philadelphia from San Diego, will offer a $5 All Levels Vinyasa class on Saturdays at 12 noon. Also, Biz Magarity will be teaching a Sunday, 4 pm Sringara Rasa Flow class, a lovely way to close out the weekend. This class on Sundays will be followed by a 6 pm Restorative Yoga class being taught by our very own Beatriz Avalos. We're also tremendously excited to offer a Wednesday, 4-5:15 pm West Philly Teen Yoga Class, also taught by Beatriz. The contribution for this class is by donation, and the class is open to individuals between the ages of 12-18. A parental consent form required!

Also, at the Fairmount location, we will continue with our once-a-month Buddhism Dharma Talks with Michael Carroll, one Friday evening a month from 7:30-9 pm, for a $10 suggested donation. The dates we have secured so far are: February 16, March 16 and April 20.

And finally we are resurrecting the Once-a-Month Friday Evening Restorative Yoga Class in the Fairmount studio, being offered from 7:30-9 pm, beginning on January 19. I'll be teaching the first one... and maybe subsequent offerings as well. Future dates are: February 2, March 2, April 6 and May 4. The Restorative Class will be regularly priced, and offered without pre-registration. Restorative Yoga is a sublime opportunity to surrender the weight of your body, as well as the weight of your thoughts and feelings, into the ever supportive and generous earth, as represented by creatively arranged blocks and blankets. You will unwind, de-stress, and relax. Restorative Yoga is a gift you so deeply deserve!

So that's what our Yoga Smorgasbord is offering to kick off the New Year. Hopefully your Yogic appetite has been duly inspired and you will be able to nourish yourself in body, mind and spirit with our offerings. If you are planning to enroll in a series that starts next week, a gentle request: please call by Thursday this week (January 4). I'm heading out of town for a long weekend to rest up and prepare for our very exciting Teacher Training program which officially kicks off on the 10th. If you can register before I'm gone, things will progress much more smoothly! Thank you for understanding. We at Wake Up Yoga are looking forward to spending our time with you, cultivating peace and equanimity in our collective heart so we all have that to share with the world; ever in search of truth and deeper levels of understanding. We are grateful to each and every one of you who shares your spirit with us, and wish you and your loved ones a New Year ripe with Inspiration, Vitality and Joy!

Holiday Schedule and Winter Solstice Celebration

This Weekend: Friday/Saturday: normal; Sunday, December 24: 10 am class at both studios; CLOSED Christmas Day.
Next Weekend: Friday/Saturday: normal; Sunday, December 31: 10 am class at both studios; 4-6 pm Open-Level Vinyasa class taught by Beatriz at Wake Up Yoga West; CLOSED New Year's Day.

The end-of-the year holidays are upon us. Ready or not, the 10-day slide to the end of the year has begun. If your schedule is anything like mine, at this moment you simply cannot take the time to read even an enjoyable (if lengthy!) post. I shall spare you that for the moment, and inundate you with opportunities to deepen your own practice next week, when hopefully you will have more time to reflect and plan for the New Year.

In the meantime, this is just a gentle reminder that tomorrow evening, December 22, we are having a Winter Solstice Celebration and Grand Opening Party at Wake Up Yoga West, at 4916 Baltimore Avenue. The evening will begin with a free yoga class being taught by Beatriz at 5:30 pm. We shall learn exactly how many mats will fit in this beautiful and bright new space! After the class, sometime around 7:30 we'll have a vegetarian potluck offering (bring whatever you'd like to share). There will be live music: Thomas Flanagan on Sitar, accompanied by his friends (to be announced!) on Tabla and perhaps some other instruments. Mike Mergen, the beloved Jill Manning's husband, is showing some of his photographs from their 6-week trip to India, which will be for sale (last minute holiday gifts?), and 20% of the funds generated will be offered to Operation Shanti, a non-profit organization caring for the welfare for the street children of India. We will also have some copies for sale of the Sringara Rasa Flow Audio CD recently 'released' featuring Corina Benner (me!) and accompanied by Craig Ebner on sitar. Students have already expressed excitement to be able to pop in the CD to feel the warmth, energy and love that we all generate here, while moving and breathing and even sweating a bit. At least one student told me that's she's taking me with her to Las Vegas for the holidays... I've never been to Las Vegas, so I hope we all have a good time! The CD sells for $15, including tax.

We'd also like to create an 'altar of intention' as an opportunity for students to write down: 1.) what they'd like to create in the New Year; 2.) what in their lives needs more attention and more love in order to fully thrive; 3.) what in their lives they are willing and ready to let go of, to create the space for this new growth. After the party, we may take these intentions and offer them to a sacred fire (not in the yoga studio!).

In any case, if you have the time to bless the space with your energy, please join us. If your dance card is already full, enjoy yourself thoroughly, and if you feel so inspired, please send us your blessing on the waves of a kind thought. Have a beauty-full holiday!

Dharma Talk Tonight and Holiday Party Tomorrow Night

Just a sweet reminder that Michael Carroll will be here this evening for our once-a-month Dharma Talk in the Fairmount studio. Tonight's discussion is: "The Spiritual Wisdom of Dharma - How ordinary life can reveal the awakened state." Sounds like it ties in nicely with many of the week's class topics: Santosha/contentment. The talk is from 7:30-10 pm, and there is a $10 suggested donation. Hope you can make it! Michael Carroll will continue these talks in '07, but the next one isn't until February, so come get your fill tonight!

Also, a reminder that we're hosting a Holiday Party/CD Release party tomorrow night, Saturday, December 9 from 7:30-9:30, at Wake Up Yoga in Fairmount. It's a short little soiree, and all you have to bring is yourself (and if you'd like, your beloved, your friend, and/or your child/ren). There will be prosecco, a light Italian bubbly wine that is quite refreshing, and everyone's favorite preparer-of-spirit-infused food, Marla Wilner is making some hors d'oeuvres. I wouldn't recommend coming with a very hollow, hungry belly, but there will be some light snacks to tickle your tongue.

We are also launching an audio yoga class CD that I have created with the help of some very skilled friends. The offering is a sringara rasa flow class, appropriate for people who have some familiarity with yoga practice, names and postures. My friend Craig Ebner accompanies the class on sitar, and the CD really does seem to convey the energy, enthusiasm and soothing vocal patterns that many people say they appreciate in the classes I teach. The CD is a great tool to help jump-start your own home practice, and may help you connect deeply with yourself on those days when you can't get to the studio, or perhaps are traveling for business (or pleasure!).

Also, please remember that we are having a Winter Solstice Celebration/Grand Opening Party for Wake Up Yoga West at 4916 Baltimore Avenue on Friday, December 22. From 5:30-7 pm, Beatriz will teach an all-levels, FREE yoga class, and from 7:30-10 pm-ish, we'll have a vegetarian potluck party (bring anything you'd like to share!), Thomas Flanagan on sitar with some friends accompanying him on Tabla and maybe some other instruments, and we'll build an alter of intention for the new year, so that you can infuse your own dreams for 2007 with this inspired, group energy. Jill Manning will be back from India (I think she returns this weekend!), and her husband, Mike Mergen will be displaying many of his India photographs on the wall. I hope you can come!

That's it for now. I really hope to see you either this weekend at Fairmount, or in two weeks at WEST, or both! We do have so much to celebrate, and the more joy we collectively find, the more we have to share with the world. This may be the greatest gift we can offer!