Yoga Classes

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Yoga Practice for Memorial Day

Thoughts on a Memorial Day Practice

Honoring those who continue to inspire and guide us

Class today was supported by inviting in and celebrating the energies of those whom we hold sacred in our lives.  We chose to remember people whose very existence has deepened our own experience on this planet.  It didn’t matter whom we chose to bring with us into our practice.  Some may have chosen their mothers, or grandmothers, or friends, or maybe they invited Lao Tsu, or Rumi, or Leonardo DaVinci, or Ramakrishna, or Abinhavagupta or Gandhi.

We didn’t discuss who was inviting whom to class, or why.  We simply chose in our hearts, one or two people to celebrate during our practice.  And what a magnificent practice it was.  Heads bowed to open hearts, warriors were courageous and strong, mountain poses were the embodiment of strength and endurance, and forward bends – poses of stillness and embrace were soft and nurturing.

I am grateful to my wonderful students today who chose to honor Memorial Day through their yoga practice, and in doing so, honored their heroes, ancestors, and sacred teachers as they celebrated and nourished themselves.

Shalom & Namaste,

Diana Bonyhadi

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Issaquah Morning Meditation Starts Monday

Happy Spring.

This is the time of year when all sorts of new things pop-up. The ground is fertile and the weather is fair.  Today the sun is even shining, and my garden is full of flowers.  I am full of gratitude for the bounty of the earth, my family and my community.

Speaking of community, our new meditation circle starts tomorrow at Village Green Yoga  in Issaquah.  That’s right, you asked, you dreamed, you made it happen.

Starting tomorrow morning at 8:40am we will open the doors at Village Green Yoga to anyone who is interested in being part of a meditation circle.  We will begin each circle with an intention and a pranayama practice, and then join each other in silence for a 25 minute meditation.  The circle is open to everyone and will be held twice weekly:

Meditation Circle

Monday and Thursday Mornings, 8:45 – 9:15.

This is a donation-based class.

Doors close promptly at 8:50am and will reopen at 9:15.

I look forward to starting my week with you.

 

Shalom & Namaste

Diana Bonyhadi

 

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Learning to Bless and Accept Change

“See, this day I set before you blessing and curse; choose blessing that you may live”
Deuteronomy 11:26

Sometimes when we least expect it, the universe throws us a curve ball.  The question is:  how do we relate to and manage change.  Even when situations seem haphazard, chaotic, sad, or frustrating, our work is to stay present to the possibilities for growth in the moment of transition.

For most of Seattle, last week was all about change.  The change that happens when you are stuck in a snowstorm.  Snow and ice were every where, keeping many of us from conducting business “as usual.”  In fact many of us couldn’t even get out of the house to do our “stuff.”  On top of that, many folks lost power and didn’t have access to their computers and other electronic distractions.  For some this was a time of great frustration, but I have also heard wonderful stories of how families and friends came together and supported one another, and had fun playing in the snow.  For those who chose the path of blessing, the snowstorm was beautiful and productive.

Of course, there are all those other big changes that happen: moving, sickness, loss of a loved one, loss of employment, the list goes on.  And while there is no denying that these are difficult and painful moments of transition, we must learn to accept that they can and will happen.  Our work is to choose how we will respond to them.

This past year we had the honor of sharing the last months of life with a very dear friend.  Of course we were devastated when he passed.  But we also were able to be present for that moment of passing and to feel blessed by the time we shared with him.  Our choice was either to sink into the sadness of our loss, or to embrace the goodness of his life.  I still cry, but I also smile when I recall our time spent together. A blessing.

On Monday of this week, another big change came my way.  As many of you now know, I am no longer teaching at Urban Oasis.  I have greatly enjoyed my time there and learned a great deal from my many wonderful students.  The next evolution of my practice will be at Village Green Yoga, where I will expand my current teaching schedule to include the Tuesday and Thursday Vinyasa classes previously available elsewhere.  So the big changes of this week have offered me moments of reflection and the opportunity to expand my outreach and have greater simplicity and continuity in my life. A blessing.

Here’s to embracing change, an everyday practice.  We just never know what is around the corner.

Shalom & Namaste,

Diana Bonyhadi

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Changes

As many of you know, I am no longer teaching at Urban Oasis.  I am moving my practice and will be teaching the Vinyasa Flow classes at Village Green Yoga at the same time I used to teach them elsewhere

Village Green Yoga is located on the back side of Gilman Village in Issaquah.  Village Green Yoga is easy to get to, parking is readily accessible, and the community is lovely.  You can sign up online here, or in person at the studio.  If you have never been to Village Green Yoga, please arrive a few minutes early to fill out the forms and get acquainted with the space.

Please let me know if you have any questions.  I look forward to teaching in this new venue.

Namaste

Diana Bonyhadi

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Questions of a Snowbound Yogi

Living without power – Yoga lessons for all of us

In case you missed it, Seattle was snowbound for most of last week.  Snow and ice-covered the streets and houses and trees.  Driving was treacherous, and many folks lost power.

Running a business was stressful.  To close or not to close?  That was the question of the day.  And then how do you notify folks that the business was or wasn’t closed, when you don’t even have power or internet access?  How to send the message and who will get it?

Here are some of the questions/issues that many in my community had to deal with.  These are questions which were brought to the fore by the snowstorm, but really, these are  questions that bear investigation regardless of the weather.

  • How do we deal with the unexpected?
  • Can we live with not knowing?
  • Can we live without transportation?
  • Can we live without our computers?
  • Do we have enough food/candles/water in our homes in case of emergencies?
  • What do we do when we don’t have heat or electricity?
  • Do we have friends we can go to in times of emergency?
  • How comfortable are we with spending 6 days alone with our families?
  • How comfortable are we with silence? No ticking clocks, computers, washers, etc.
  • What do we do when our to-do list can’t be completed?

For all of us yogis, we had the added challenge of figuring out where our practice really was.

  • If you can’t make it to the studio, do you still practice?
  • If your house is filled with people, and no heat, do you still practice?

And then… the power comes back on.

  • How do we respond?
  • How quickly do we rush back to our lists of things to do?
  • Are we overwhelmed by trying to all that we didn’t do and all that we still must do?
  • Do we wish (surreptitiously) for more snow and less power?
  • How do we capture those moments of silence in our daily life?

That seems like more than enough to chew on for one day.  Happy thinking.  I welcome you thoughts and comments.

Shalom & Namaste,
Diana Bonyhadi

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Another amazing human body in motion video

Okay,

It’s a snowy day in Seattle, and my classes were canceled today.  So instead of going out and teaching I spent a quiet day at home studying anatomy and watching videos.    This video and the others produced by this group are inspiring.  Enjoy.

Oh, and if you are ever on your way out to the airport, take a bit of extra time and drive on to Burien and check out Elliott Bay Brewing Company.  Their beer is delicious, the food is fresh, local and sustainably sourced and yummy, and they have not just one but two shuffle board tables both in excellent condition.  I stopped by there today and had the burger I had been craving and a fantastic beer and a game of shuffle board with my son.  Elliott Bay sure makes having to say good-bye to good friends a lot easier.

If you live up here in Seattle, enjoy the snow and be safe. Urban Oasis will be closed tomorrow, so those of you who are in my Tuesday morning and afternoon classes there, enjoy your home practice.

 

Shalom & Namaste,

Diana Bonyhadi

 

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Yoga in Schools

Yes, yoga does make a difference. Here is a school in California, that has not only tried teaching yoga in the school, but has decided to make it part of their mandatory curriculum.  And guess what?  The kids like it, and are doing better not just in their classrooms but also find the benefits extending to the rest of their lives.

I commend this school for embracing yoga as part of their daily curriculum.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7390063n

Oh, and if you are wondering, that is snow falling on the screen.  Happy December.

Shalom & Namaste,

Diana Bonyhadi

 

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December News and Local Events

Haystack Rock seen from Cannon Beach

Image via Wikipedia

Hey Everyone.

I hope you are all feeling well and nurtured after this past Thanksgiving weekend. We traveled down to Portland for 2 nights with the family and then on to Cannon Beach for a weekend of friends and more family.  I so enjoyed having time to spend with people who are all so important to me. I also spent plenty of time cooking special dishes for the holidays.  For me, cooking is always a pleasure, so that too was a boon.  We even got to spend some time walking on the beach under blue skies. Ahhh.

Speaking of Cannon Beach – be sure to mark your calendar and reserve space at the Cannon Beach Yoga Festival, March 2-4, 2012.  This is going to be an amazing weekend of yoga, with a line-up of Master teachers.  I spoke with the director this weekend and she said that the teacher list will probably include both Sarajoy Marsh and Aadil Palkhivala.  If you are in need of lodging, I know of a few places, and have a condo that sleeps at least 8 that will be available for rent.  Grab a friend and make a weekend of it.

On much shorter notice, Girish will be here this weekend, playing with his band and singing kirtan in an intimate event in Seattle with his beautiful voice.  I know you love his music, ’cause I’ve seen you opening your hearts and moving to it in class.
Check it out at Source Yoga, University Place, Seattle.

Also this weekend, Forest Yoga master teacher Kelly Rush will be leading a workshop on hips, necks and shoulders at Two Rivers Yoga.  If you want to find freedom of movement in any of these areas, do drive down the beautiful road to Two Rivers Yoga in Carnation Saturday morning at 8:30am.

Swedish Hospital Yoga located in Sammamish Highlands is up and running.  Classes are available throughout the week all day long and most are open to all level students and drop-ins are welcomed  The majority of classes focus on therapeutics, and the teachers come from a variety of teaching backgrounds. Follow this link to see the schedule and sign up for a class or two.  I teach there at 7:45am on Mondays and noon on Tuesdays & Thursdays.

Finally, I want to encourage everyone to make sure to take time out for yourselves this month.  I know there will be plenty to do, what with holiday shopping, baking and parties, but you don’t want to find yourself tired and burned out.  Not now you don’t.  So take a break now and then, breath deeply into your pranayama practice, focus your mind on your breath and let go into the infinite peace of all being.  Oh, and come to class and stretch your asana.

Shalom & Namaste,

Diana Bonyhadi

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Yoga Happenings in and around Seattle

Announcements for November

My teaching Schedule:

Classes at Swedish Hospital begin November 1
Tuesday & Thursday:     Noon – 1:00pm – Lunch Hour Yoga
Monday:            7:45am – 8:45 – Hips and Back Therapeutics

Schedule Updates at Urban Oasis
Monday Nights:         6:00 – 7:15pm – Alignment Level I
Tuesday & Thursday:     9:30 – 11:00am – Vinyasa Integration – Level II
Tuesday & Thursday:     5:30 – 7:00pm – Vinyasa Integration – Level II

Schedule Updates at Village Green Yoga
Sunday Salutations:     9:30 – 11:00 – Vinyasa Flow – All levels
Monday & Wednesday:    9:30 – 11:00 – Hatha Integration, Levels I – II

Events and Classes in and around Seattle:
There are many fabulous studios in Seattle.  We are lucky.  And some pretty awesome teachers travel through here bringing us their wisdom and perspectives on yoga. November seems to be a hot month for traveling yogis, and some of my favorites are coming to town.  This is by no means a conclusive list, but I just thought I would let you know:

Jin Sung of Oakland, CA is an amazing Iyengar teacher and he will be at 8 Limbs Yoga, November 11 – 13.  Here is a link for that workshop

Krista and Brock Cahill will be out at Shakti East November 5-6, teaching us some flying skills and monkey business. Check out this video of them in motion.  The beginning is a little intro to who they are, but at the end – wow watch them move.

Kelly Rush of Two Rivers Yoga will be leading a workshop on Hips, Neck and Shoulders, the first weekend of December.  Kelly is an awesome teacher, and you will learn a ton at this one.

Sara Powers is coming back to town.  She is a most powerful and insightful yogini, and it is always an honor to work and study with her.  She will be at 8 Limbs in February.

Okay, I know there is more, but this enough for today.  Make it a good one.

Shalom & Namaste

Diana Bonyhadi

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Living Sutra I:33 – Life with Joy and Balance

May I be happy. 


May I be peaceful. 


May I be safe from harm. 


May I enjoy happiness and the root of happiness. 


May I experience ease and well-being in body, mind, and spirit.

Today has been perfect, and I am only half way through.  I attribute it to my morning meditation on Pantajali’s Yoga Sutra 1.33.

maitri karuna muditopeksanam sukha duhkha punyapunya visayanam bhavanatas citta prasadanam
Tranquility of thought comes through the cultivation of friendship, compassion, joy, and impartiality in spheres of pleasure or pain, virtue or vice.

There are 4 words that stand out for me in this sutra, and they are:  Metta or maitri (lovingkindness); Karuna (compassion); Mudita (joy); and Upeksha (equanimity).  Patanjali places these words in balance with their opposition.  Yes, in difficult situations and with difficult people it is especially important to cultivate joy, compassion and equanimity.  But what really resonated for me today, was the importance of living fully in the moment, aware of the need to bring joy, compassion, kindness and balance into all aspects of my life.

 
Thus, I started today’s class with the prayer/chant above.  We then moved into a practice that allowed everyone to deepen and yes, sweat.  We did vinyasas, we did the sagital series, we did arm balances, head stands and more, but the best came at the end.

Because our focus was on staying happy, and peaceful, and practicing compassion, everyone slipped gracefully into Svasana.  I could feel the room melt.  The pranayama practice and the meditation happened effortlessly.  We were all breathing together.  Breathing in to a place of peace and joy.  There a a tangible sense of letting go and letting in.  It was truly a moment of blessing.

And then after class, I got to totally yoga-geek-out with my good friend Pat.  We played with hand-stands and arm-balances and jump-throughs.  I still have yet to master lifting up into a handstand with legs together but we got awfully close.  And again, I think it all worked so well, because I came to it from a place of Mudita/joy, and Upeksha/equanimity.  I left the need to “conquer/master” and just went to have fun with some cool and challenging asanas.  And it worked.

 
Later in the afternoon, I got to romp in the woods with my dog.  The air smelled so good, and the leaves were just changing colors.  because I didn’t stress out about my to-do list, I was able to get that one more thing in.

So, I just wanted to let you know that, yes, today it worked.  Starting off with a meditation on balance and joy and compassion, can and does make a difference.

Now it is off to feed kids, make dinner, run errands, drive kids and teach again.

Have a great day

Shalom & Namaste,
Diana Bonyhadi