I'm currently reading "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. As I read it I'm frequently reminded of my experiences with being in the back country. Being completely engulfed in nature is the perfect environment to practice being totally present. That's true for me whether it's while carrying a 50 lb. pack or a relaxing day hike. All the cares of the outside world no longer matter. It's where I am able to slow down and stop thinking......notice the intense beauty around and within me.
As Eckhart Tolle says, "Beauty, love, creativity, joy and inner peace come from beyond the mind." The relaxation I've experienced while on these trips, whether it's for a weekend or for 10 days, has allowed me to truly understand what he's saying here. And once I experienced it, I now simply want more of it!
"The practice, the sense of stillness and peace will deepen. There is no end to its depth." "In this state, you feel your own presence with such intensity and such joy that all thinking, all emotions, your physical body, as well as the whole external world become relatively insignificant in comparison to it."
Isn't this what we all want? A deep sense of inner peace? To experience our own "presence" with intense joy? That's why I'm eagerly awaiting this next season with attending the Balanced Rock trips. To help me continue to cultivate practices that foster being very present....not only when I'm in nature, but also when I'm focused on the rest of my very full life. Bring 'em on!
written by Marcia Hodges
Board Member, Balanced Rock
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
YOGA JAMBALAYA
YOGA JAMBALAYA
Sunday April 6th, 2008
Sunday April 6th, 2008
Join us for a delightful medley of yoga classes at the beautiful yoga studio and spa at the Yosemite Bug Hostel in Midpines, CA.
Balanced Rock Foundation and the Yosemite Bug Hostel will host this full day event.
Schedule:
8:00 am Registration for classes opens at spa front desk. If attending later classes, please arrive 15 minutes before class to insure a spot.
9:00-10:15 Invigorating Vinyasa with Schuyler Greenleaf (sun salutations, flow, enlivening music)
10:45-12:00 Backbending Anna Landauer (based on Anusara style)
12:00-1:30 lunch break
1:30-2:45 Intro To Yoga with Iyengar base….Marya Carr (focusing on proper alignment)
3:00-4:30 Restorative Yoga with Heather Sullivan (focusing on deep relaxing and restoration)
5:00-5:45 Abhyanga with Jon-Paul (Ayervedic practice of self-oil massage.)
6:00-7:30 Jon-Paul’s weekly Sunday night yoga class
Pick and choose the classes you would like to attend and complement the teachings with use of the spa facilities, staff of body-workers, and meals.
Yoga students may sit in on classes if not practicing to take notes and learn. $10 fee applies
Cost: $10/class $10 for use of spa Delicious bistro meals not included in cost.
Yoga class proceeds support Balanced Rock scholarship fund.
Please bring: yoga mat, 2 blankets, (blocks, bolsters, and belts if you have them), journal, water bottle, swimsuit if using spa.
Arrive at least 15 minutes before class to insure a spot. Space is limited.
Contact: Heather Sullivan heather@balancedrockfoundation.org 209.379.9453
www.balancedrockfoundation.org
www.yosemitebug.com 209.966.6666
Balanced Rock Foundation and the Yosemite Bug Hostel will host this full day event.
Schedule:
8:00 am Registration for classes opens at spa front desk. If attending later classes, please arrive 15 minutes before class to insure a spot.
9:00-10:15 Invigorating Vinyasa with Schuyler Greenleaf (sun salutations, flow, enlivening music)
10:45-12:00 Backbending Anna Landauer (based on Anusara style)
12:00-1:30 lunch break
1:30-2:45 Intro To Yoga with Iyengar base….Marya Carr (focusing on proper alignment)
3:00-4:30 Restorative Yoga with Heather Sullivan (focusing on deep relaxing and restoration)
5:00-5:45 Abhyanga with Jon-Paul (Ayervedic practice of self-oil massage.)
6:00-7:30 Jon-Paul’s weekly Sunday night yoga class
Pick and choose the classes you would like to attend and complement the teachings with use of the spa facilities, staff of body-workers, and meals.
Yoga students may sit in on classes if not practicing to take notes and learn. $10 fee applies
Cost: $10/class $10 for use of spa Delicious bistro meals not included in cost.
Yoga class proceeds support Balanced Rock scholarship fund.
Please bring: yoga mat, 2 blankets, (blocks, bolsters, and belts if you have them), journal, water bottle, swimsuit if using spa.
Arrive at least 15 minutes before class to insure a spot. Space is limited.
Contact: Heather Sullivan heather@balancedrockfoundation.org 209.379.9453
www.balancedrockfoundation.org
www.yosemitebug.com 209.966.6666
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
THE YOGA OF WORK
I have been meaning to share some words that I wrote in my journal as I was contemplating becoming involved in Balanced Rock. I was inspired by an article in Yoga + Joyful Living written by Eknath Easwaran.
THE YOGA OF WORK
As I enter into my "work" with Balanced Rock, the message of the Bhagavad Gita is important and was the driving force for Gandhi who mastered the art of joyful work. The Gita is a call to action on the battlefield of life...the human heart as told to Arguna by Krishna. There are many opportunities for selfless service where we can offer our time, energy, skills and enthusiasm to a cause bigger than ourselves. Life is for giving....a trust and I am a trustee whose job is to use the assets entrusted to me for the greatest benefit of all. All work develops in phases. Not being anxious about the results means that when fortune smiles on you, when success comes, you don't get excited; you just say thank you. Yoga is "even-ness of mind". In practice, we have to admit that even with selfless work, we have some private motive. But if we practice meditation and spiritual disciplines, our private, selfish motives become less and less. We are where we are, doing what we are doing, because we have something to learn from that particular context. What and who I am--what I have thought, done, and desired--has brought me to this job and co-workers, and that makes it just the situation I need to grow. Don't ask if you like the work, if it's creative, if it always offers something new....ask if you are part of work that benefits people. This becomes worship. ALL LIFE IS YOGA.
written by Sharon Bluhm, Balanced Rock Board Member
THE YOGA OF WORK
As I enter into my "work" with Balanced Rock, the message of the Bhagavad Gita is important and was the driving force for Gandhi who mastered the art of joyful work. The Gita is a call to action on the battlefield of life...the human heart as told to Arguna by Krishna. There are many opportunities for selfless service where we can offer our time, energy, skills and enthusiasm to a cause bigger than ourselves. Life is for giving....a trust and I am a trustee whose job is to use the assets entrusted to me for the greatest benefit of all. All work develops in phases. Not being anxious about the results means that when fortune smiles on you, when success comes, you don't get excited; you just say thank you. Yoga is "even-ness of mind". In practice, we have to admit that even with selfless work, we have some private motive. But if we practice meditation and spiritual disciplines, our private, selfish motives become less and less. We are where we are, doing what we are doing, because we have something to learn from that particular context. What and who I am--what I have thought, done, and desired--has brought me to this job and co-workers, and that makes it just the situation I need to grow. Don't ask if you like the work, if it's creative, if it always offers something new....ask if you are part of work that benefits people. This becomes worship. ALL LIFE IS YOGA.
written by Sharon Bluhm, Balanced Rock Board Member
March and April Yosemite Yoga Class Schedule
Yoga Class Schedule
sponsored by Balanced Rock Foundation
Monday evenings
5:45pm -7:00 pm
El Portal School Multi-purpose Room
(Please arrive 5 minutes early)
March
3 Anna Landauer
10 Schuyler Greenleaf
17 Jen Meno
24 Heather Sullivan
31 Eliza Kerr
April
7 Anna Landauer
14 Jen Meno
21 Heather Sullivan
28 Eliza Kerr
Please bring yoga mat, water, blankets, belt or strap and warm clothes
Donations benefit community programming
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