March 2011 El Portal and Yosemite Community Yoga

March Teaching Schedule

Wednesday, March 2nd 6:00-7:15 pm Cynthia Ramaciotti

Monday, March 7th 5:45-7:00 pm Series with Heather
Wednesday, March 9th 6:00-7:15 pm Schuyler Greenleaf

Monday, March 14th 5:45-7:00 pm Series with Heather
Wednesday, March 16th 6:00-7:15 pm Jennie Wheeler

Monday, March 21st 5:45-7:00 pm Series with Heather
Wednesday, March 23rd 6:00-7:15 pm Schuyler Greenleaf

Monday, March 28th 5:45-7:00 pm Liesa Scholze
Wednesday, March 30th 6:00-7:15 pm Arin Trook

Why Do Yoga? (part 2)

Standing there, early morning, tired eyes, wobbling balance, wondering why on Earth would someone think this is a good idea, I ask the question again....

I do yoga to accept myself as I am, each day, in all my glorious and absurd imperfections. I do yoga to smooth the rough edges of my breath and body. I do yoga because it is the opposite of sugar and caffeine, and I need a little balanced in my life. I do yoga to sculpt my breath into beautiful forms. I do yoga to watch the sunrise in cool and outrageous places. I do yoga to “nirdoah” those pesky “chitta vrittis.” I do yoga because is just feels so fucking good. I do yoga to dance with the elements, earth, air, water and wind. I do yoga to explore the wild landscapes of my interior ecology. I do yoga because my mom watched “Lilias, Yoga, and You” on PBS in 1976. I do yoga because I hate jogging, and sometimes I still need to release energy. I do yoga because it is cheaper than psycho-therapy. I do yoga to fully complete my long-haired, groovy, goofy, snag-y persona. I do yoga to share my breath with other people. I do yoga to be in community. I do yoga to expand the potential of who I am. I do yoga as an act on non-violent revolution. I do yoga to unite body and breath. I do yoga to be able to surf when I am 90. I do yoga to set myself in the kiln of tapas. I do yoga because it is cheaper and more socially acceptable (maybe) than Ritalin. I do yoga to push further into the realm of the impossible. I do yoga to wade into waters of traditions 4000 years old. I do yoga to refill, refuel, replenish. I do yoga to channel my addictive-compulsive tendencies away from beer and towards something healthier. I do yoga to fly.

Yosemite Youth Expedition

In 2010, Balanced Rock ran the first Yosemite Youth Expedition program, geared towards bringing local Mariposa county young adults up into Yosemite, specifically targeting youth in the foster care system, as well as other populations under-represented in Yosemite National Park.

The program was a wonderful success, with many local students coming up to Yosemite for the first time, backpacking for the first time, and exploring holistic wellness skills such as yoga, reflective writing, healthy food, and outdoor adventure.

This video shares some of the experiences and insights into the program.

We are already looking for volunteers for our 2011 Yosemite Youth Expedition, as well as funding to keep this important local youth opportunity alive in future years. Let us know if you are interested in helping out in any capacity!

What It Is (Was es ist)

A beautiful Valentine's Day poem, from the German poet, Erich Fried, dedicated to all those who have learned about the ups and downs of relationship, and are still bravely loving, with all their hearts...

It is nonsense
says reason
It is what it is
says love

It is misfortune
says calculation
It is nothing but pain
says fear
It is hopeless
says insight
It is what it is
says love

It is ridiculous
says pride
It is careless
says caution
It is impossible
says experience
It is what it is
says love.

Yosemite's Balanced Rock at the 2011 Yoga Journal Conference

We had a wonderful experience at the 2011 San Francisco Yoga Journal Conference. Part trade show, part Burning Man, part yoga-party, it was a great weekend all the way around. We were thrilled at how well-received our Balanced Rock booth was. Everyone seems to have a deep connection to Yosemite, as we stories of childhood memories, family vacations, and weddings that happened here in the magical Valley.

This video is a glimpse into the spectacle, everything from the deep philosophy of Dharma Mittra to the wild performance of the Shamanic Cheerleaders. Enjoy, and hope to see you there next year!

Feb 26-Inspired Yoga with Arin and Liesa: Movement, Breath and Music

Join us on Saturday, February 26 from 9:00am - 11:30am at Downtown Yoga in Mariposa!

Instructors: Liesa Scholze and Arin Trook. Explore asana, pranayama breathing, sacred song, yoga philosophy and meditation in this inspiring workshop! All levels. Percentage of proceeds to support Ethos Youth Center in Mariposa. $20/person

Visit www.yogainyosemite.com or call 209-379-9453

5027-A, Hwy 140

Mariposa, CA

Wild Yoga in Yosemite

Yoga is inherently wild. The practices and philosophies of yoga were born hundreds, if not thousands of years ago, with dreadlocked sadhus journeying into the jungles and forests of India, exploring the wilderness of both the inner and outer world. It was through communing with the energies of nature that yoga was born, a weaving of individual consciousness with the larger body of the wild world.

Even today, as yoga slips into the mainstream consciousness of America with $100 lululemon pants and designer yoga mats, yoga exists on the wild fringe of culture. We move our bodies in wild ways, explore the wilderness of our untamed mind through the practices.

Our Balanced Rock retreats, workshops and backcountry expeditions work to return to the roots of yoga. Wandering the wild beauty of Yosemite, we find inspiration in our yoga practice here. And while practicing yoga in such a beautiful place is powerful, Yosemite as a “yoga studio” is a bit limiting. Returning to the roots of yoga, we are not just practicing yoga in the Yosemite wilderness—we are really trying to practice with the energy and power of the wild world. Taking Tadasana, the mountain pose, under the spires of the Cathedral Range, we take on the power of these high peaks. Practicing pranayama breathing, we literally become part of the wild world, taking the fresh mountain air into our bodies.

But really, you don't need to trek all the way up to Yosemite to experience wild yoga. Your local city park, the roof of your apartment building--just about anywhere you can draw on the energies of nature to inspire your yoga practice. Yoga, after all, in its literal translation is "union", uniting breath and movement, mind and body, self and nature.

Get outside!