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Special Events at 
Candlelit Yoga Classes
December 14th, 2011
December Movie Night
December 11th, 2011
Open House Grand Opening
November 13, 2011 was our official celebration and house warming! It was an open-house-grand-opening-house-warming all rolled into one! We enjoyed great food, music, raffles, activities for kids and adults, along with reflections on appreciation, humor, and adventure.
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Favells Help Set Up |
Kids Make Cornhusk Dolls |
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Abigail and Maya Love Parties |
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Candlelit Yoga Class December 9, 2010
Holiday Gathering December 2010
 Our gift basket winner from the holiday gathering, Gabriel Kennedy (accompanied by his sister Michaela). |
 Some of the goodies that folks made for dessert. |
 All the children in attendance made their own miniature gingerbread houses. | |
Free Movie Matinee: Babies
Saturday November 13th 1:45 pm.
Many babies in the room were just as endearing and fascinating, if not more, as the babies on screen!
Parent/Child Yoga Class
Friday November 12th 4:30-5:30
This class was one of the sweetest classes ever as kids showed their parents what they have been learning!
Summer Community Potluck
Everyone had a wonderful time at our Community gathering and potluck last week with great food, great people, and fun activities.
Congratulations to our Gift Basket raffle winners!
- Dean Weber won the Family Game Night basket.
- Sophie Sullivan won the Summer Picnic Gift basket.
Photos from our "9th Year of Service" Community Gathering Thursday, July 15th, 2010
Kids planting with Usha.
Raffle drawing "MCs": Medha and Saraswati.
Bapuji and Ma Sugar Cookies!
Malav yoga retreat 2009/2010
As many of you know, Jahnvi is spending a period of time in Malav, India with our teacher Swami Shri Ashutosh Muni, whom we lovingly call Bapuji. While she misses everyone, she is doing great. Others of us at The Yoga Way were able to spend some time in India this winter as well and would like to give you some idea of what life is like in Malav.
The setting in which we stay is an ashram, which was created through our Bapuji's love. The community is nestled within the small and beautiful farming village of Malav. Our rooms, which were built with Westerners in mind, are located on the second floor of the English-medium school for grades K-12. The school was established by Bapuji for local children. A few miles down the road construction is underway on a new much larger school that will accommodate many more children in the coming months. It is very lively and exciting to have the school children in the same building, sharing the same space with us during the day. They begin and end each day with prayers and other practices. One can observe an amazing order, cooperation and enthusiasm in a school with hundreds of students and full classrooms.
In close proximity to the school is the majestic Mahasamadhi temple that was built in honor of Bapuji's teacher, Swami Kripalvanandaji. There are devotional observances conducted there at various times throughout the day and everyone is always welcome. Several more temples are under construction on the grounds and will be completed within the next few years.
It is a blessed experience to spend even a short period of time here where one can witness a spiritual community that has successfully aligned with what Bapuji calls "The Four Dots." They are the four cornerstones of spirituality. Living and growing in the supportive, loving environment of Family is primary. The four legs are acknowledgement of one God, reverence for one's adept teacher, respect for scripture, and self-respect of seeker himself. When the four cornerstones are present and connected within and without, only then can our Truest Self be revealed. To directly experience living in the environment where this is modeled is a sacred opportunity.
There is a rhythm to daily life at the ashram. Everyone awakens early in the morning to gather in the temple for practices. Meals are prepared by loving family members and we are blessed with time in our schedules for introspective practices. Performing seva, or selfless service. is in integral part of each day. Each person has an opportunity to find their own internal rhythm and utilize this time in a way that serves the four dots. Maintaining the order of the ashram space in which we live and eat becomes an act of loving service. These actions become an outer reflection of maintaining a clean clear space within ourselves. Some people choose to maintain silence in order to conserve their energies for higher purposes. Many days we are fortunate to have darshan or teaching with Bapuji.
To spend time in Malav, in Bapuji's presence, and feel such loving support, is a sacred opportunity and deepens ones ability to love, serve, and surrender. As part of our extended family at The Yoga Way you will also experience reverberating effects of these experiences. We look forward to supporting you through your continued practice with us.
Jai Bhagwan,
Usha Cobb
Yoga Way Holiday Potluck December 2009
Congratulations! to our raffle winners Anne Ulanov and Linda Hassett who won our "Cooking to Delight Your Soul" and "Absorption for the Five Senses" Gift Baskets.
Girl Scouts
October 26, 2009
Led by Usha Cobb and assisted by her daughter Abby.
This special event focused on understanding and exploring practical ways to reduce stress.
Chakra Yoga Workshop Series with Bhakti Prem
August through September 2009
This 7-week series on chakra yoga combined practical information with first-hand experience of balancing the chakra system. The workshop addressed energetic anatomy, activating the vibrational healing energy within, managing energies more consistently and guidance on creating your own personalized Chakra Yoga practice.
Ayurveda: Yoga's Sister Science
Its Practical Application to Daily Life
Thursday, February 16th, 2006
The Yoga Way has welcomed Dr. Parla S. Jayagopal, known as Dr. Jay, several times.
Dr. Jay is an Ayurvedic physician from India who holds degrees in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, as well as Ayurvedic Herbology. He is an Assistant Professor at the American University of Complementary Medicine in Los Angeles. Ayurveda, the sister-science to yoga, holds practical and accessible knowledge of how to live a healthier life through the use of these ancient teachings.
You may download copies of Dr. Jay's presentations for personal use by clicking the bar below:
Prana and Its Control for Health and Longevity
(2.8 MB file)
(April 21, 2006 Lecture on Ayurvedic Diet and Nutrition; 5 MB file)
(1.5 MB file)
Format is PowerPoint Show, which should play on most Windows computers even if you don't have PowerPoint)
Take Note
Books from the recommeded Ayurvedic reading list are available for sale at The Yoga Way.
Try two of the Ayurvedic dessert offerings that followed Dr. Jay's lecture on February 16, 2006.
Hand-made Malas as a Form of Meditation
The strands of beads that number 108 (and sometimes 54 OR 21) are are known as mala beads. They are used as a meditation tool to focus the mind by reciting repetitions of prayers, or chants, called mantras. For Jahnvi, the making of the malas themselves has become a meditation. Mantras are repeated with the stringing and hand-knotting of each bead. The particular selection of stones or patterning becomes part of the meditation as well. They are infused with the special properties of the chosen stones as well as infused with the power of the mantra itself. The malas may be worn as a reminder of the mantra or kept in a pouch or box and used solely for the meditation practice.
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