While researching for A Red Lotus, many activities, web sites, products, etc. are discovered that merit sharing but do not fit clearly within the theme of specific needs yoga resources for NYC. Therefore, this blog was started to share such ideas as well as to spotlight some great community ideas.
Lotus Blank Book / JournalI bought this lotus blank book / journal from Tibetan Treasures, and it is stunningly beautiful -- much more than the picture can portray. The cover is three-dimensional and catches the light. The spine has a row of lotus flowers. (Note, it does not have the magnetic closure mentioned in their description. It does have the acid-free sustainable forest paper, ribbon, and pouch.)
yogaHOPE is a non-profit outreach organization dedicated to establishing rehabilitative yoga programs in residential facilities for underserved women. They offer yoga instruction to disempowered women in life transition—the incarcerated, those in drug and alcohol treatment, those living on the streets, battered women, and women transitioning from hospital treatment for disordered eating issues. They provide donated yoga clothing and supplies to the students and make the practice accessible to all abilities. They also offer scholarships to attend teacher certification programs and become eligible for employment as a yoga instructor. Currently, they are located in Masachusetts and in Washington.
The practice of yoga has been shown to produce positive motivational change by helping women regain their vital center of energy, satisfaction and stability. It also teaches mindfulness, impulse control, interpersonal relationship skills, discernment in decision-making, patience, and acceptance of self and of the surrounding world. The practice of yoga can help reduce low self-esteem and poor body image, and greatly improves a woman's sense of personal empowerment.
In addition to the retreat mentioned previously in the blog, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy is offering several opportunities for training this summer. Their Level 1 training is for anyone with a basic knowledge of yoga (three months of regular practice recommended). PRYT combines yoga with contemporary therapeutic insight and is based upon the idea that attitudes have physical counterparts. Assisted yoga postures are coupled with techniques that focus awareness to integrate the varied aspects of ourselves. Level 1 training includes learning: each posture's physical and metaphysical significance and how it can be used to support the transformational process; techniques for assisting clients in yoga therapy postures; PRYT basic dialogue techniques; and precautions, preparation, variations, counter postures, and transitions. Click here for more information on the levels of training and the programs.
Yoga Ed. offers health and wellness programs, trainings and products for teachers, parents, children and health professionals that improve academic achievement, physical fitness, emotional intelligence and stress management. In short, they offer yoga education for school children and teachers that develops self-awareness, self-management and self-care.
They also have two training workshops this year. These workshops prepare yoga teachers to teach Yoga Ed. to children in schools and Yoga Tools to classroom teachers.
Iyengar Yoga for Back Care July 18 - 20, 2008 at Kripalu (MA) This program teaches yoga as an approach to relief from chronic back pain, for conditions ranging from minor neck and lower back tension to severe scoliosis. The program will address: how to use yoga to increase strength and flexibility in the back, focusing on the relationship between the spinal column, pelvis, and shoulder blades; beneficial classical and modified asanas for back conditions, including lower back pain, disc disease, sciatica, upper-back and neck tightness, and scoliosis; and anatomy, as it relates to poses taught
Yoga for Scoliosis Teacher Training July 20 - 25 at Kripalu (MA) For yoga teachers and also for students of all levels (who will participate in the teacher training as clients). The program will address: basic information about scoliosis; how to adapt the yoga asanas for scoliosis; the use of props; how to adjust students with scoliosis; the anatomy of a scoliosis spine; common patterns of scoliosis; and the physical and psychological causes and effects of scoliosis. Teachers will be able to offer a beginning yoga practice to those with scoliosis. Upon successful completion of a practicum, teachers also will receive a certification as a Yoga for Scoliosis trainer.
Other upcoming workshops include ...
Scoliosis Teachers Training August 4 - 8 in San Francisco
Yoga for Scoliosis Part I August 15 - 17 in Los Angeles
Yoga for Scoliosis Part I & Asana Workshop October 3 -5 at Yoga Rosa (FL)
Fall Yoga Retreat with Elise Miller & Judith Lasater November 7 - 9 at Westerbeke Ranch (CA)
Yoga for Scoliosis Teachers & Students Retreat December 13 - 20 in Troncones, Mexico
Bo Forbes is teaching a 5-day intensive workshop, Yoga for the Emotional Body: Healing Anxiety, Insomnia, and Depression, July 13-18 at Kripalu (in Massachusetts). Participants will explore the energetic underpinnings of chronic nervous system hyperarousal (anxiety and insomnia) and hypo-arousal (depression and seasonal affective disorder) and learn tools to balance the nervous system, change thought patterns, heal your emotional body, and awaken intuitive wisdom. The workshop will include therapeutic yoga, restorative yoga, breathwork, and more.
The San Diego based Red Lotus Society offers free meditation and yoga classes at San Diego public and private schools, San Diego State University, group homes for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, local businesses, and prisons. These lessons in non-faith based meditation techniques help combat the stress and pressure of modern living, increase focus and attention, and provide skills in anger and stress management.
GoodSearchRaise money for your favorite causes (including some yoga-related ones) by using GoodSearch as your search engine. Every time you search, they make a donation to your favorite nonprofit or school. The search is powered by Yahoo! (Shopping through their "mall" also benefits nonprofits.)
Two Gentle Yoga Weekends at Kripalu with Rudy Peirce are scheduled -- July 3-6 and September 26-28. Here is the description:
"During this relaxing weekend, gentle yogi Rudy Peirce will teach you how to finesse your way safely and easily into a refined series of deep stretches. Having been through the process of recovering from back injury and serious illness, Rudy deeply appreciates the benefits of a gentle approach to yoga when physical limitations are present.
During this program, yoga becomes satisfying and accessible for every body as you are compassionately guided through simple warm-ups and modifications to yoga poses, supported by the use of props, partners, and repetition. Whether you are new to yoga, a longtime practitioner, or simply wanting to experience a gentle approach, what you gain from this program can become a valuable part of a lifelong practice.
Come for a deeply relaxing, opening, and rejuvenating weekend."
Gary Kraftsow, a well-known specific needs yoga teacher, is offering three specific needs-related workshops at Kripalu (which is relatively easy to get to from NYC). There also are arrangements for students to take combinations of these workshops. Click here for more information.
Yoga for Healing Upper Back, Neck, and Shoulders Jun 20-22, 2008 (Fri – Sun) This weekend workshop explores three potential problem spots—the upper back, neck, and shoulders—and includes therapeutic sequences that specifically address them. Explore the Viniyoga methodology that underlies the protocol Gary developed for the National Institutes of Health study reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine in December 2005.
Yoga for Emotional Health: Focus on Anxiety and Depression Jun 22-25, 2008 (Sun – Wed) Explore the complex interaction between thought, emotion, and physiology, and the yoga practices that can be used to nourish the system and restore equilibrium including asana, pranayama, chanting, and meditation. Students will learn to differentiate between physiologically and psychologically based anxiety and depression, and how to work with their symptoms.
Yoga for Sleeplessness and Insomnia Jun 25-27, 2008 (Wed – Fri) Yoga therapy offers principles and practices to address insomnia and sleeplessness, whether age-related or the result of a chronic condition. Starting with an overview of yoga therapy theory as it relates to sleep disturbances, Gary will focus on the issues of “sleep hygiene” and insomnia, and teach practices that improve sleep using asana, pranayama, and meditation
p.s. ... stay tuned for many more Kripalu blog posts. I've been quite behind with letting you know about them.
Yoga of the Heart Training with Nischala Joy Devi focuses on adapting yoga for people with heart diseases and other life-threatening diseases. The comprehensive program is a certification course offered for yoga teachers and health professionals who would like to share yoga with people living with heart disease, cancer and other debilitating diseases (as well as those who might be at risk for these diseases). The focus of this training program is theory and practice of asana, pranayama, deep relaxation, imagery and meditation as applied for people with cardiac, cancer, and other life threatening diseases and general health and prevention. Upon completion of the course, students will have the skills to teach patients in a hospital or clinic setting as well as on a private or individual basis. Upcoming trainings include:
July 24 - Aug 3 at Kripalu Center (Lennox, MA)
Aug 28 - Sept 7 at AnadaSeva (Geyserville, CA)
March 17 - 27 at Sivananda Yoga Retreat (Nassau, Bahamas)
Feel Your Best (FYB) Yoga Teacher Training is offering a 21-day intensive teacher training program July 14 - August 3 in Wisconsin. These classes are held over a 21-day period, with 3 days off, plus home study. Completion of the program leads to Yoga Alliance certification. FYB Trained Instructors learn to teach all students based on the FYB trademarked philosophy of "The Person, Not The Pose"®. In addition to this 200-hour program, FYB offers an 8-month 200-hour Yoga Alliance approved program, a 500-hour Yoga Alliance approved program, yoga therapy certification (International Association of Yoga Therapists listed), and pilates. (Upon completion of the Yoga Therapy / Advanced Yoga Program, graduates are eligible for RYT 500 designation.) Innovative payment options are availalbe. The programs are flexible and fit who you are and how you want to teach—from gentle and therapeutic to athletic and dynamic ... and anything in between.
Lotus Heart Peacock Mandala Items by Amanda Berry are sold at of one of countless CafePress shops offering a wide variety of lotus-themed clothing and objects. Any artists or photographers out there feeling inspired to create red lotus art and share it with the world (and possibly profit)? (I have a raglan shirt.)
Lagusta's LusciousLagusta's Luscious vegetarian home meal delivery service helps you eat well. Wonderful, hassle-free, vegetarian meals (including entrees, side dishes, special treats, and simple heating instructions) are packed carefully and delivered to your door. No commitment is required, so you can feel comfortable trying her service.
These red lotus inspired furniture pieces are available through AsiaExp (as well as, apparently, Target and Overstock.com on occasion). Purchasing from AsiaEXP supports artisans, helping ensure the artistic development and financial stability of talented individuals while assisting in preserving their ancient and rich cultural heritage. They also offer free shipping. (I have the larger one; the smaller one is out of stock.)
The Heart of Yoga Foundation Peace Project brings yoga to people living in active conflict zones and other troubled areas of the world. The Peace Project provides education and resources to current and aspiring yoga teachers so that they may better carry the seeds of positive change to the people and places they love. They teach classes, hold regional dialogues about creating peaceful change, and have a Sister Studio programthat matches yoga studios in peaceful areas with yoga studios in troubled areas to help them to build lasting relationships. They also work with people in peaceful areas, teaching them how to recognize and deal with violence and fear in their own lives.
Another SCOJO Foundation Fundraiser - UPDATED 6/18
Following on the heels of the previously blogged SCOJO Foundation fundraiser, East West Yoga is hosting Discovering Ganesh Thursday, June 26 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. This is a fundraiser for SCOJO Foundation, which not only provides glasses to the poor who need them to thrive, but trains and empowers Indians to become eye care providers to their countrymen and women. Come to the party for free, donate what you can, and make a difference. The event is described as "a night of prizes, music, food, giving, and art ... a reverent party where every dollar you give goes to the cause." There will be great raffle prizes, music by Falu, h'ors d'ouevres by Amma Indian Restaurant, and more. An R.S.V.P. is requested.
Another empowering business inspired by the red lotus ...
Born out of profound love of travel and culture., Red Lotus Tours inspires and assists women in the unfolding of their personal power through exotic journeys, ritual, spiritual practice, and feminine community. With foreign travel being a catalyst for their own personal and spiritual growth, the owners set out to share their joy, expertise and insight. Recent tours include trips to Peru, Nepal, and Tibet.
Restorative yoga poses help us relax and rest deeply. Deep relaxation can measurably reduce blood pressure, improve immune system function, improve digestion, reduce muscle tension, and more. Relax and Renew teacher training workshops, usually with Judith Hanson Lasater and/or Roger Cole, probably are the best-known way for yoga teachers to learn to teach restorative yoga classes. The training is 20 hours over five days. The workshop is open to all teachers and serious students; some additional requirements must be met for certification. Upcoming workshops include:
July 21 – 25, 2008 in San Francisco with Roger Cole
Advanced Training August 18 - 22, 2008 in San Francisco
Advanced Training September 9 – 13, 2009 in Rochester, NY with Francois Raoult
Friday, June 13, OM Yoga NYC is offering two workshop classes to fundraise for Scojo Foundation, which provides glasses to people in rural India, often enabling them to continue working so that they can support themselves and their families. The first class is an open level Innersight Yoga class with Emily Conradson. (This is a fluid vinyasa flow class where students are given a cloth to tie over their eyes.) The second class is a special AcroYoga class with Becca Krauss, in which students will focus on the gift of sight through partner eye gazing, practice of non-verbal communication skills, and a yummy session of Thai Yoga Massage (a profession that is commonly practiced by the blind in Thailand).
Note: These are not specific needs yoga classes. Please check to make sure the class is appropriate for you prior to attending.
The Gentle Hatha Yoga Teacher Training program shows Yoga teachers how to adapt the basic Integral Yoga Hatha I class to meet the needs of those with temporary or chronic physical limitations, people who are pre-surgery, people who are post-surgery, people recuperating from injury, senior citizens, and those who just want a slow-paced gentler class. Participants learn to adapt and modify the traditional poses so that they may be taught to students in a variety of settings: standing, sitting in a chair, sitting on the floor, laying on the floor or in a bed. Emphasis also will be given to visualizations for healing with yogic deep relaxation, and healing through pranayama and meditation. This training is for certified Integral Yoga instructors but trainers from other traditions are welcome to apply.
Indian Kids Postcard ProjectYou might have seen this art on display at The Shala Yoga House ...
The Indian Kids Postcard Project is a grass roots project, started in 2007 by Antoinette Maclachlan after she visited APNE AAP Women's Collective—an organization that works with the women and children in the red light district of Mumbai. Apne App children together with other Indian school children draw postcards on a specific theme, the original "postcard art" is sold as well as limited edition greetings cards and all proceeds go directly to Apne App. This year's theme was "Indian Gods, Goddesses, Heroines and Heros". There are plans for a "Ganesh Calendar" for 2009 and a show of fine art limited edition prints. The current cards are now for sale and can be seen on http://www.chi-sustainability.com.
Yoga MonthSeptember, 2008 is Yoga Month—a global campaign to educate people about the health benefits of yoga and to inspire a healthy lifestyle. It includes the 10 City Yoga Health Festival Tour, involving millions individuals practicing yoga at thousands of yoga studios and homes around the world. Proceeds benefit Youth Health Alliance as well as other organizations. New York City will celebrate September 7. Yoga month campaigns to educate people about yoga's health benefits are ongoing year-round.
Their web site also has articles and links to articles about recent research showing the general health benefits of yoga as well as the benefits of yoga in treating several specific conditions. Click here to read more.
Yoga For Depression WorkshopsYoga For Depression (and Mood Management) Workshops with Amy Weintraub are offered frequently for everyone, specifically for mental health professionals, and as training for instructors.
Upcoming workshops for everyone include:
LifeForce Yoga: From Blues to Bliss! June 13 - 17, 2008 in Watsonville, CA
LifeForce Yoga to Beat the Blues Jul 4 – 6, 2008 at Omega Center (NY)
LifeForce Yoga Intensive to Manage Your Mood August 10, 2009 at Arlington Center (MA)
LifeForce Yoga for Depression & Anxiety Sep 6 – 10, 2008 Cortes Island, BC
LifeForce Yoga to Beat the Blues October 10 -12, 2008 Columbus, OH
LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Mood October 24 -26, 2008 Kripalu Center
LifeForce Yoga from Blues to Bliss! Nov 21 - 23, 2008 Atlanta, GA
Thanksgiving Symposium: LifeForce Yoga from Blues to Bliss Nov 24 - 30, 2008 Sivananda Ashram, Paradise Island
Upcoming workshops for mental health professionals include:
LifeForce Yoga: Empower Your Clients to Manage Their Moods Aug 4 – 8, 2008 Arlington, MA
Yoga Tools for Clinical Settings: Empower Your Clients to Manage their Moods Oct 13, 2008 Cleveland, OH
Yoga Tools for Clinical Settings: Empower Your Clients to Manage their Moods Oct 15, 2008 Pittsburgh, PA
Upcoming instructor trainings include:
LifeForce Yoga Practitioner Training Level 1 Jul 6 – 11, 2008 at Kripalu Center (MA)
LifeForce Yoga Practitioner Training Level 2 October 19 -24, 2008 Kripalu Center (MA)
In this high quality Fine Art print series, 'Lotus Chakra Meditation', each lotus relates to a particular chakra in color, sanskrit symbol and depiction. Meditate on an individual chakra or on balancing two chakras in sets of two companion artworks: Set I: Sacral & Root Chakras, Set II: Crown & Solar Plexus Chakras, Set III: 3rd Eye & Throat Chakras, Set IV: Chakra of your choice & Heart Chakra. A full set with seven chakras also is available. Beyond the self-healing power of meditation, divine healing energy is 'woven' into the fabric of these art pieces; each painting and print received a Reiki treatment and contain a healing for all who see the work, as appropriate and accepted. (I've placed an order for two, the red lotus for the first, root, chakra and the magenta lotus for the eighth, soul, chakra.)
Lilias! Omega Workshop, Kripalu Workshop, and Free Online
Lilias Folan, well-known for her long-running PBS series, has made a handful of videos based on her new book, Lilias! Yoga Gets Better With Age, available free online.
Lilias - The 3 Rs The three Rs—resist, relax, restretch—are a creative way to observe and listen to your body. It is a safe, simple stretching technique that helps muscle and connecting tissue to lengthen and release painlessly.
Lilias - Bed Top Yoga Bed Top Yoga is a 10-minute preparation for hips, ankles, toes and feet. I enjoy doing some or all of these moves each morning before I meditate. I also use them to prepare for sitting on long plane or car rides.
Lilias - Warm ups There are no hard and fast rules for warm-ups. They are designed to enhance flexibility, increase circulation, loosen muscular connecting tissue and release tension.
Lilias - Postures for a Desert Island There are hundreds of Yoga postures. In my book, "Lilias, Yoga Gets Better with Age", I have chosen 44 as my "Postures for a Desert Island." Here are just a very few of my favorite Key Yoga Asanas.
Lilias - The Inner Smile The Inner Smile Relaxation, in the 6th century, was considered so precious and sacred that information was whispered in secret.
Lilias also is teaching workshops and holding a retreat this summer, including the following:
Cardiac Yoga - Certification Workshops, Books and CDsThe Cardiac Yoga Certification Program is a competency-based program that includes both lecture and experiential components with experts in the fields of cardiology, exercise physiology, yoga, mindfulness, and psychology. Instruction topics include:
Anatomy and physiology of the heart.
Risk factors and diagnostic procedures.
Mind-body medicine.
Psychosocial aspects of heart disease.
Guided imagery for healing.
Relaxation, breathing, and mindfulness for heart patients.
The adaptation of yoga postures for heart patients.
Communication skills and group dynamics.
How to market cardiac yoga.
All Yoga traditions are welcome to apply, participation is open to medical personnel, and yoga teaching certification is not required for admittance. CEU and Yoga Alliance credits are available.
Upcoming training workshops:
10-day Residential Course June 12-22, 2008 at Yogaville (Buckingham, VA)
8-day condensed, non-residential program September 18-21 & October 2-5, 2008 in West Columbia, SC Sponsored by Lexington Medical Center
6-day condensed, non-residential program November 6-11, 2008 in Charlottesville, VA
Network for Good makes it incredibly easy to search for and find organizations to donate to and volunteer with. They even keep records of your favorites, automate donating, save your donation records (for tax time), and more. It's also easy to donate in someone's name (and share that with them). It's definitely a good idea for many good causes, so try it.
This program trains Yoga teachers to adapt the full spectrum of Integral Yoga practices to populations in many settings including hospitals, schools, corporate workplace and Yoga Studios. (This program is open to all certified Integral Yoga instructors with at least one year teaching experience. For special consideration, qualified instructors from other Yoga traditions are asked to contact Swami Ramananda.)
