Caretakers House Tonight, Yoga Loft Tomorrow

Dear Friends,
This is a reminder that I'm teaching yoga tonight, at the Caretakers House, 848 Divisadero near McCallister & Fulton. Please arrive at 6pm to set up for a 6:15 start time. It is a free class (though donations are always welcome). http://caretakers-sf.org

Also, tomorrow I will be substituting at the Yoga Loft for the first time. Please come if you can! The class is a gentle restorative class, so come prepared to relax. (Just kidding, no preparation needed.) That class is from 4-5:30 and is $10. The address is 321 Divisadero @ Page Street. http://theloftsf.com

Namaste
Jessie

Tuesday Yoga Class, Guided Meditation, & Chants

Dear friends of yoga,

I just created this blog to keep friends updated on yoga class announcements & updates, as well as all things pertaining to yoga that I'd like to share. Please feel free to write me w/ questions or comments (jessyjeanine@gmail.com), and check back (or subscribe to the feed if you can figure out how) for updates. Hope to see you in class sometime!

Here is an update I sent today:

I am writing to remind you about class on ongoing Tuesdays, at the Caretakers House. 848 Divisadero between McCallister and Fulton Streets.

There is a new start time, for those of you who have not heard. I now ask that you arrive at 6pm so we can start class promptly at 6:15pm, ending at 7:45pm. (This is 15 minutes later than the previous start time.)

If you are coming tonight or in the future, please send a quick message to RSVP or tell me at the previous class, as it helps to know how many to expect, and reserves a spot for you in case the class fills up. (If you want to come and forget to RSVP every once in awhile, we will make room if needed, and you are still absolutely welcome.)

Also, below is a guided meditation on Abundance that we used in class at the beginning of January, for the new year, as well as the last two chants that we've been using. I am copying them here in case you want to try them out on your own. Please feel free to pass them on as well.

Guided meditation:

Abundance Meditation

Relax completely in a comfortable position.

Picture yourself in any lovely natural environment -- perhaps by a green, open meadow with a lovely brook, or on white sand by the ocean. Take some time to imagine all the beautiful details, and see yourself fully enjoying and appreciating your surroundings.

Now begin to walk, and soon find yourself in some totally different surrounding environment, perhaps exploring a waving field of golden grain, or swimming in a lake. Continue to wander and explore, finding more and more exquisitely beautiful environments of great variety -- mountains, forests, deserts...whatever suits your fantasy. Take a little time to appreciate each one.

Now imagine returning home to a simple but comfortable and lovely environment, whatever would most suit you. Imagine having loving family, friends, and community around you. Visualize yourself doing work that you love, and expressing yourself creatively in ways that feel just right for you. You are being amply rewarded for your efforts, in internal satisfaction, appreciation from others, and financial return. Imagine yourself feeling fulfilled and thoroughly enjoying life. Step back, and see if you can imagine a world full of people living simply yet abundantly, in harmony with one another and the earth.

*Excerpted from Creative Visualization: Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in Life. 2008 by Shakti Gawain. Reprinted from Share Guide Jan/Feb 2009 Issue #101.

2 chants we've been practicing in class w/ interpretations:

Gayatri Mantra*

Om bhur bhuvaha svaha

Tat savitur varenyam

Bhargo devasya dhimahi

Dhiyo yonah prachodayat

Praise to the source of all things. It is due to your that we attain true happiness on the planes of the earth, astral, causal. It is due to your transcendent nature that you are worthy of being worshipped and adored. Ignite us with your all pervading light.

Om Asatoma*

Om asatoma satgamaya

Tamasoma jyotir gamaya

Mrityorma amritamgamaya

Take us from the false to the truth, from darkness to light, from poison to nectar.

*Both these chants were copied from Deva Premal's Music Page. They are so kind to list lyrics and chords on their site at http://www.devapremalmiten.com/music/lyrics_chords.htm

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As always, let me know if you have any questions or requests for class.

Thanks! See you soon.

Ommmmm

shanti

jessie

PS - For a list of upcoming yoga, music, farm, eco, & other bay area events, please visit my other blog at http://www.seaweedsway.blogspot.com