Click to see the Newsreel video of B.K.S. Iyengar 1938 Yoga Asana demonstration:
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Garudasana (the eagle pose)
Before I had a name
I existed in the world as breath, as the wind, as a star.
For a moment, if I could be the breath
& the wind & the nameless star.
I’d meet the sky that holds them
as it holds me & I’d say Joyfully,
Namaste
-Leza Lowitz Yoga poetry - Lines to unfold by a nice book to read and re-read.
This Bhagavan Das video will stir your soul, He’s been practicing Yoga and Meditation longer than I’ve been alive! Her he shares his journey of awakening, Alan Watts, Travelling to India, Neem Karoli Baba, and Ram Das. Be sure to watch till the end.
Jai Ma!
Join us for the Yoga and Meditation Workshop this weekend, and Free movie night!
| Inhale | hold | exhale | hold | result |
| 6 | 4 | 6 | 1 | energizing |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 | energizing |
| 6 | 2 | 6 | 2 | balancing |
| 8 | 1 | 8 | 1 | balancing |
| 6 | 1 | 8 | 4 | relaxing |
| 6 | 1 | 10 | 1 | relaxing |
| 4 | 1 | 12 | 1 | relaxing |
| 4 | 1 | 8 | 4 | relaxing |
Breath is life.
In class we’ve been experimenting with breath, and how different patterns of Pranayama affect the nervous system. Here’s a nice chart that summarizes the effects of a focused Pranayama practice.
If you’re looking to raise your energy, start with the first exercise, sit comfortably, draw a smooth breath in through your nose to the silent count of 6. Hold the breath in for 4, gently release the breath out through your nose to the count of 6, hold the breath out for a count of 1. Repeat 8-10 times, be still and notice the effect. Nice…
Start out slow if this is new to you. If you feel lightheaded, ease up on the holding of the breath in or out.
Om Shanti, I’ll see you in class.
-john
P.S. Yoga with John was just listed as one of the top 100 Yoga sites
Happy Halloween! Only By Popular demand…
I’m posting the Zombie Yoga video. I sent it to a few Yogis, and now everyone wants to see it. To publicize a new book, an invite to "Dress like a zombie and bring a Yoga mat to Central park in NY." was sent out. A bunch of NYC Zombies showed up. They filmed the zombie practice and posted it on Utube. Might be a bit squeamish for some, think Michael Jackson Thriller video gone bad…
P.S. There’s some room left in the November Yoga workshop on the 22′nd in W. Concord. There’s live Kirtan music starting at 2:30.
Maria is hosting a potluck dinner afterwards, and then I’ll be screening a movie 6′ish. I’m zeroing in on just the right film, and this will kick off movie nights at YNFL. Send in suggetsions for films you’d like to see!
P.S.S Yes, I think it was a new record at Lumina on Tuesday night!
The Etiquette of Yoga Class
Yoga is a very solitary practice, done in a group setting. Try not to distract your neighbor in class. Here are some basic guidelines for a peaceful practice for all.
Remove your shoes, leave them outside the studio.
Choose an appropriate-level class, if you are new to Yoga, introduce yourself to the teacher and let them know. Ask if this class is right for you. Let the instructor know if you have any injuries.
Turn your cell phone off. If someone forgets, send them compassion, not scowls.
Arrive a few minutes early, use the time to calm yourself, get in tune with your breathing, and prepare for class. Many arrive early to meditate before practice. Be fair, be quiet.
Enter and create your space quietly. Don’t snap your mat open. Set it down and roll it open. Don’t drop your blanket, the dust raised sticks to contact lenses.
If you arrive late, sit and wait till after the opening meditation to unroll your mat.
In the fuller classes, be generous with your space. You may need to move over.
If you need to leave early, please tell the instructor before class. Take a few minutes for your Shavasana, and then quietly depart.
Be relatively clean, and go easy on strong scents.
If you’re wearing shorts, they have a liner. Enough said.
Try not to crinkle your water bottle.
Please don’t chew gum, or eat in class. Believe it or not… it has to be mentioned.
Please clean up after yourself, especially important in the heated classes.
If in doubt, the Golden Rule always applies.
John Calabria teaches a very introspective Yoga class, he writes about Yoga, and publishes a popular blog at: www.YogaWithJohn.com
Namaste! Everyone wants to know how the retreat went! Thanks for all the encouraging notes.
From the amazing feedback, I would say that our Fall retreat at SpiritFire was a great success.
The weather was perfect, each day the foliage turned more vibrant. Meals were astounding, and the rooms very comfortable. I really like how every detail was watched over and cared for by the staff. This allowed us to really focus on the depth of our practice. Having our morning Yoga practice and meals in total silence (Mauna) added a richness and texture to our presence at SpiritFire. The hikes were breathtaking, our Mantra practice cathedral-like, and our celebratory fire circle warmed us inside and out.
The act of spiritual retreat is ancient, and even more applicable in our times, To retreat is to step back and gain perspective, a clearer view of how we’ve been living. Through practices of awareness we measure that against how we’d like to be living, and resolve to create the appropriate changes. Leaving behind the old, we reintegrate back into our lives, holding space for practice, for presence, and to bring the essence of our retreat back home.
We’re already planning next years retreat, same place, same weekend! And we’re looking at a Spring Retreat to Ananda Ashram, Where I’ve been retreating in mostly silence for the last week. That will be a treat! If you’d like advance notice on the retreat plans let me know and I’ll keep you up to date as the details unfold.
Om Shanti, I’ll see you in class this week.
John
P.S. Just posted the fall Yoga Workshop
Yesterday over lunch, I was fretting about a recent loss.
My friend Ani Desal, a Tibetan Buddhist Nun told me, "In every moment you have a choice, positive or negative, focused, or unfocused, present or not present. Choose to see this in a positive light."
Simple, and profound. Yet sometimes difficult to practice.
Pausing to get clear on our intentions, may be the most important part of Yoga class. I’m not saying the words "Get very clear on the intentions that lie behind your practice" to fill space. It’s because setting a crystal clear intention works for me. It brings me further in my practice, and I share that with you.
You can let this be random, or you can choose a positive and focused presence. Random is dangerous. Random is like when you arrive at work and don’t remember the drive. Where were you?
Yoga practice is like driving through thick fog, you can just barely see in front of you, you’ve got to slow down and concentrate on what is right in front of you. (this breath, this posture) then, you may see the glint of a taillight up ahead. That is the teacher. Not smarter or better than you. Without supernatural powers, they are just a bit further up the road, so with some trust, you let go and follow. Hopefully the teacher has lineage, and is following their teacher, (choose wisely, ask who their teachers are.)
We have to stay present because we don’t know when the veils may fall away, the opportunity for clear vision, for enlightenment is going to happen. It could be your next class. Don’t miss it.
Maybe you choose that this will be your most focused class ever. Why not? Like the proverbial weed growing through the crack in the sidewalk, you rise from the ground up into your warrior pose, full-up with reason. You are grounded, and your outstretched arms are reaching for something. Your ViraBhadrasana is on purpose. You’re one posture closer to becoming your intentions. Live your intentions, radiate them, and become a source for others.
The fog is clearing.
Om Shanti, I’ll see you in class.
John
P.S. This coming Saturday Ani Desal and I are leading a Yoga Workshop , There are a couple spots left. and We’ve got a great group together for the Fall Foliage Yoga Retreat coming up in just under two weeks. There may be one spot left, (or we could squeeze a couple in) so if you were thinking about joining us, let me know right away.
Namaste! Danielle sent me this link to my new friend Mike’s Website. He glides from Downward dog to Handstand in the Dharma Mitra tradition:
http://www.dharmamittrayogacolorado.com/
If you’re an early bird, I’m sub-teaching the 6:30am Yoga class at Lumina this coming Friday. Get your day off to good start!
An opportunity to heckle: I’ll be practicing in the window of Lulu Lemon in the Natick Collection Mall this coming Saturday at noon. Mom and Dad had such hopes for me and I’ve become a living mannequin…
Kirtans with Prajna!
Saturday, September 13 Kirtan with Prajna in Lincoln
7:30 pm St. Anne’s in the Fields Episcopal Church
147 Concord Rd. Lincoln, MA
Sunday, September 14 Hanuman Chalisa
11am-12 noon The home of Ted and Prajna Hallstrom
207 Concord Rd. Lincoln, MA
I’ll be sub-teaching a class called Yoga for the Second Half of Life, at The Arlington Center on Thursday Sept. 18 from 10-11:30.
Remember the new Yoga and Nia for Life Yoga class Thursdays at 4pm, and the Heart opening Yoga and Meditation workshop with myself and Ani Desal, Tibetan Buddhist Nun, on September 27th. It’s coming up pretty soon.
Take care, I’ll see you in class.
John
Thanks to Valerie, we have a new word: Blisscombubulated.
That blissed, somewhat confused feeling where you come out of Shavasana after a particularly good Yoga class. Our lost and found bin is always overflowing with ‘forgotten’ items. Most of them make it back to their people.
I’ve just posted the invite to the Yoga and Meditation workshop on Sept 27′th. After a nice Heart Opening class, Ani Desal, a Tibetan Buddhist Nun, ordained by the Dalai Lama, will lead us in a beautiful meditation. I hope you can join us, this level of meditation instruction is rare in our parts.
Take care! I’ll see you in class soon.
john
P.S. just two spots remain in the fall Yoga Retreat I’ve got about 5 "maybes" for the two spots. Let me know right away if you’d like to join us. to be fair to all, the first "Yes" gets the spots.
Namaste!
A busy weekend of Yoga coming up. Take a break from the bbq’s, cool off and join us for a class:
I’m sub teaching the 8am Yoga class Lumina class today (Friday)
this is a gentler flow class that I’m teaching for Jyoti.
I’m sub teaching the 9am Yoga and Nia for Life class this coming Sunday the 31’st, a nice all-levels Sunday morning class to start the day.
Labor Day
This coming Monday I’m teaching two Classes:
a 9am class at Half Moon Hill in Acton at Email me for directions.
If you like real mellow, with lots of breathing then this class is perfect for you.
then, a 4pm flow class at Yoga and Nia for Life in West Concord.
Check out the cool "work off the Veggieburger" flyer for this one.
There’s a dedicated Monday crew of yogis, and this one is appropriate
for all levels. If your new to yoga for Life, this is a good opportunity to check this class out.
New Class!
Read the rest of this entry »
Work off
The Veggie burger!
Labor Day Yoga Class
with John Calabria
with John Calabria
All levels welcome.
Join us and relax…
Monday Sept. 1st, 4:00pm
50 Beharrel st. W Concord Ma
I came across these breathing exercisers, they are said to increase lung capacity with just 30 breaths. Click on the picture for more info on the POWERbreathe from Gaiam. Imagine a class full of people doing a round of Kapalabhati through these?! Let me know if you’ve tried one of these? I’m intrigued.
I’m due back from my amazing trip to Woodstock with my amazing teachers in a few days. I’ll see you in class. john
-john
Namaste,
This weekend I’ll be heading out to Woodstock NY to spend time with my teachers David Life and Sharon Gannon.
David and Sharon are longtime yogis and founders of the Jivamukti style of Yoga. Jiva means soul, and Mukti means liberation. The Jivamukti yogi practices to become liberated in this lifetime, and to help all beings be free of suffering. Next time you are in NY city, head up to Union Square and visit their beautiful Yoga studio.
So next week I’ll be having some wonderful substitue teachers cover our classes. Jyoti will be teaching the Monday 4pm Yoga and Nia for life class in Cocnord, the Tuesday 6:30pm Lumina class in Wayland, and the Wednesday Bosse classes in Sudbury. Linda Seik will be teaching the Thursday 5:30pm Yoga class in West Concord.
The Monday Half Moon Hill class in Acton, and the Thursday 9am Maynard class will not be held next week.
I’ve got some great workshops planned for the fall, and there are still a few spots open in our Fall Yoga Retreat in western Mass. I’m looking forward to sharing what I learn when I get back, and hear how nice your classes with Jyoti and Linda were.
Om Shanti, I’ll see you in class.
john
On August 5′th People around the world will be reciting the Sutra of Golden Light for world peace. You can join in, got to the IMI website to find out more, or sit in silence for some time that day to participate. http://www.joinprayersforpeace.org/
Save the date! I look forward to this all summer! Sunday August 17′th The India Association of Greater Boston presents: India Day at the Hatch Shell in Boston. This is a great celebration of music, arts, dance, crafts and food. Starts at 4pm. Let me know if you plan on going it would be great to meet up there.
Namaste!
John
Shedding my skin
skinning my shreds
leaving behind
every failure
every success
every anger
ever expressed
or never expressed.
What’s left behind
stays behind,
it’s ancient
poisonous sting
all but forgotten.
-Leza Lowitz Yoga poetry - Lines to unfold by a very nice book.
I Just had to share this video of twin baby mooses. You can click the share button below to email it to a friend.
Thanks to those who could make it to the outdoor class at the Maynard Farmers Market this am. Hope to see you all at the Smiletrain benefit tonight ! see you in class -john
Be sure to check out the Fall retreat with John !
We’ve now raised enough to fund six surgeries! thanks for all your help in spreading the word! Here’s how we are helping:
To find out how you can help us, click here: SmileTrain benefit
Dancing his way around the world:
Namaste!
I substitute taught a basics class the other night. A woman well-along with child came up to me and asked if it was okay that she was there. I made sure she knew how to take care of herself and told her she was more than welcome. Throughout the class I kept an eye on her and she did just fine.
I didn’t get a chance to talk with her after, but she told a friend that
she was asked to leave a recent class because of her ‘condition’, that it
would have been inconvenient for the teacher to have a pregnant
woman in class!
Have you ever heard such a thing? I could understand if it was a
heated class, or a power type class, but I don’t think this was the case.
Yoga is a very introspective and personal practice that is sometimes
practiced in a group setting. I encourage all to work at their own level and to make appropriate adjustments to keep their practice inline with their intentions. Unless your intention is to bring harm, then this resolve will bring only good from your practice.
I wish I could have talked with her afterwards, her presence added to the peacefulness of the class, and she’s welcome at anytime, to all my non-heated classes.
Great news! I’ve arranged for just 12 of us to spend a weekend immersed in practice and relaxation this Fall. The retreat center is gorgeous, and the food is amazing!
Signups are coming in. Be sure to check out the Yoga With John Fall Retreat and resgister right away to get the early bird discount.
Om Shanti, I’ll see you in class.
john
P.S. For free prenatal yoga classes, visit Destination Maternity
Required reading for anyone who has a body:
A paraplegic Yoga teacher with much to share. I’ll be re-reading this book next time I feel challenged.
From the web review:
Matthew’s mental awareness–as a result of a spinal cord injury–was literally knocked out of the lower two-thirds of his body. While doctors were able to keep him alive, he was not given the tools to reconnect his mind to his paralyzed body.
Matthew describes how for years after the devastating accident, from the chest down, he experiences a "schism" or "a form of silence" between his mind and his body. During his first months in the hospital and later periods in intensive care units there was so much pain that leaving his body became a survival skill. These experiences alone catapulted Matthew into unknown territory when it comes to understanding the mind and body.
From this understanding Matthew begins to practice, and eventually teach Iyengar Yoga.
Take care, I’ll see you in class.
John
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I’m very excited about the Smiletrain benefit at Mystic Fitness on Saturday July 26th 5:30pm !! Smiletrain performs surgeries on children born with cleft palates in developing countries. 100% of income directly funds surgeries.
We’re going to fill the room, and with 100% of this classes proceeds going to
the charity, we’re hoping to raise enough for several surgeries. how about 10 ?
The suggested donation for class is $15 to $20. Please come join us!
Some very generous donations have been coming in from some of you who cannot make it to class, thanks so much for your contribution torwards our goal !! Rememeber, 100% goes directly to the aid of the children.
You can send a tax deductable check for any amount, made out to smiletrain.org and mail it to me:
john calabria, 33 waltham st, maynard, ma 01754.
I’ll mail ‘em all in together and we’ll collectively share in the Karma of
helping these children. check out Shiva’s story
To take our Yoga to the next level, we must make space for it…
we must get out of the way. The best way I’ve found to do this is
to make an offering of the practice, offer your practice up to a person,
place, thing, or idea outside of yourself and see your practice soar.
On this day we can make an immeasurable difference.
Come support us in this noble effort, and please, please, please
pass this invite along ?
Thanks so much to Amy at Mystic Fitness for donating the space !
Namaste.
John
Namaste!
I hope your spring is going well. Wanted to update you on some happenings.
First off, if you’re out and about this coming Sunday morn, I’m teaching a free class
in the LuLu Lemon store, Natick collection Mall. it’s at 10am, and I hear the Sunday
classes are very popular. http://www.lululemon.com/natick/natickcollection/events/6797
get there early !
On Sat. July 5′th I’ll be cooking for the Maynard Farmers Market in my solar oven.
http://www.yogawithjohn.com/solar-cooking/ and answering questions about
treading lighter on the planet.
on Sat. July 26, I’ll be teaching a free outdoor yoga class at the Maynard farmers market.
And ! later that day, I’m very excited about the Smiletrain benefit at Mystic Fitness on Saturday July 26th 5:30pm !! Smiletrain performs surgeries on children born with cleft palates in developing countries. 100% of income directly funds surgeries.
We’re going to fill the room, and with 100% of this classes proceeds going to the charity,
we’re hoping to raise enough for at least two surgeries, Imagine, by coming to class
you can change the lives for two children ? and their families?
To take our Yoga to the next level, we must make space for it… we must get out of
the way. The best way I’ve found to do this is to make an offering of the practice,
offer your practice up to a person, place, thing, or idea outside of yourself and see
your practice soar. On this day we can make an unmeasurable difference.
Share the good Karma!! Come support us in this noble effort, and please pass this invite along ? Thanks so much to Amy and Mystic for donating the space !
Last but not least, Mark the calendar and save the date for the
Yoga With John Fall retreat at Spirit Fire.
We’re going to meet up out in Western Mass for the weekend of October 3′rd
This will be a very limited group for a weekend immersion of Yoga and awareness.
It’s a very nice place. Not too far away… so we can feel at retreat, but not have to
travel too far, Thanks so much to Kathy for her help in finding this beautiful retreat center.
More details to come very soon.
thanks! keep up to date by visiting www.YogaWithJohn.com
you can subscribe to the email feed in the upper left hand corner
and never miss any up to date news. Please pass this along? We’re
really hoping to fill the room for the Smiletrain benefit.
Take care, I’ll see you in class.
john
