Good Monday Morning Yogis and Yoginis!!!

It is time to complete 2015 on the mat!!! This is our last week of 2015, and Deb has planned a practice that incorporates a little bit of this, and a little bit of that!!! A very balanced practice to conclude a great year at YFL.

Our mudra focus is “GANESHA”, remover of obstacles, and our Sanskrit focus is “RAVAYE HUM”, or the radiance of “Universal Light” within us, as the light of “pure knowledge”. Our meditation focus as we head into a New Year will be “AUM Shanti”, or Let there be Peace. The music selection for meditation is from Kirtan Murti, entitled “Divine Imagination”.

Our new Winter Schedule will go into effect on Monday, January 4th!!! Please check the website for details. We are CLOSED 12/31-1/3. Sophie’s Monday evening class WILL NOT meet tonight, and Leslie’s 12:30 p.m. class WILL NOT meet tomorrow. All of Deb’s Mon-Wed classes will be meeting this week. The January 2016 YFL newsletter will post at noon on 1/1/16!!! Watch for it!!!!

We can’t wait to begin the New Year with all of you on the mat!!!  Happy New Year from all of us at YFL!!! We wish you a wonderful 2016!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings from YFL!!! Happy Winter Solstice!!! This week’s practice will focus on Classic Hatha Yoga as we usher in more light, starting from today, our shortest day of the year. We will flow and grow strong through the power of this week’s practice together. Our Sanskrit focus is AUM Sharavana, which is a mantra for attuning our personal intentions with the intentions of the cosmos. Our mudra focus is Dhayana, and this helps us connect to the supporting energy of the Universe. Our meditation music is “White Dove” from Classical Piano for Yoga. The meditation focus is “Follow the Light”.

This week and next are short weeks at YFL. We will practice together under our normal schedule through Wednesday this week, but WILL BE CLOSED 12/24-12/27. Next week all Monday through Wednesday classes will meet with the exception of Sophie’s 6 p.m. class on Monday, and Leslie’s 12:30 class on Tuesday. YFL WILL BE CLOSED 12/31-1/3.

We will begin our new Winter Schedule on Monday, 1/4, and the new schedule will be posted on the website the week before.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy Winter Solstice!!! As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat.

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis!!!

I am thrilled to report that Yoga For Life raised $1000 dollars this past Saturday for Project TOUCH, and at last posting all the studios involved had collected $5700!!! I will post the final amount once it is available!!!  I would like to thank Sophie for sharing her time and expertise, and I would like to acknowledge all of those who made a contribution!!! DHANYA VAD!!!

This week we return our mats to THE WALL. We will be grounding, strengthening, and empowering our practice and our bodies with the resistance force of the wall. Our Sanskrit focus will be SARVATVA NAMAH, Sarva is the root word for wholeness, the All, or totality. Namah is to salute this totality, and to open the individual heart to true universality. We return to my favorite mudra ( hand gesture), which is USHAS, connecting to all things good. The meditation music is from Michael Hoppe’s “Wind Songs”—“Silence of the Stars”. Our meditation focus is “Silence within the Chaos”.

Our new Winter schedule will begin on Monday, January 4th!!! Ian will be taking a break for travel, so his a.m. Tuesday class WILL NOT meet for 12 weeks. He will continue his 3rd Wednesday evening Mantra and Meditation from 7-9 p.m., and his first Saturday Mantra and Meditation from 8-9 p.m. Leslie will be offering a Yoga Basics, four week series, on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m., beginning on 1/4. The class will meet for four consecutive Tuesday mornings. Please call, email, or drop-in to sign-up, and the cost is $40. Sophie is adding a Tuesday class at 8 a.m. Otherwise, the schedule remains the same.

During the two weeks of holiday celebrations the studio will BE CLOSED ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: 12/24-12/27, AND 12/31-1/3. We wish you and yours a most wonderful holiday season!!!

As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings from YFL!!!

It is Restorative Time at YFL this week, as we relax, renew, and restore via our asana practice. Our Sanskrit focus is “Karuna Hum”, or “I am compassion”. Our mudra focus, is a variation of the class Jnana Mudra, with the left hand in the classic position, and the right hand grounding face down into Mother Earth. This hand gesture connects us to Universal Energy, and grounds us into the present moment. Our music is “Sweet India” from Kiran Murti, and our meditation focus with the music is “Compassion”.

A reminder that this Saturday is “Yogis United” day, as we come together to support Project TOUCH with donation based classes. 100% of your donations go to this worthy cause. Please join us for a class or classes, and donate to this worthy cause in support of our Valley homeless population.

Gift certificates for classes at YFL are available as excellent gifts for the holidays.

As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb

“Dare to be free, dare to go as far as your thought leads, and dare to carry that out in your life.”—Swami Vivekananda

    Here is the community schedule for Yogis Unite, a fundraiser for Project TOUCH, sponsored by many of the valley yoga studios. Check out the YFL schedule, and other locations, attend a class, and make your donation either in cash or check, made payable to Project TOUCH. 100% of your donation goes to feed, clothe, and provide shelter for the homeless. Please join us for this worthy cause!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings from YFL!!!

Welcome back!!! I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday break!!! We are ready for your return to the mat a YFL!!! This week will emphasize a balanced blend of yin, restorative, Classic Hatha, weight-bearing, balance, wall, and flow yoga. We will continue our practice of Chandra and Surya Bhedana Pranayama techniques, and our mudra will be RUDRA, the solar plexus gesture for strengthening and JOY. Our Sanskrit focus OM GUM NAMAH, a silent phrase, which promotes individual connection to Universal connection, as we focus upon points of Nature. Our music is Divine Light from “Kiran Murti”.

A new 4-week Intro to Yoga begins Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. (12/1/15). Please email or call to register.

The Project TOUCH fundraiser will be 12/12, and the schedule of donation based classes for YFL, and all participating studios is posted in the YFL office. Please join us in supporting this worthy cause.

Our new Winter Schedule will begin on January 4th, and will be posted on the website by 12/31/15. The December newsletter will be issued to your email desk tomorrow between 10-10:30 a.m., so watch for it tomorrow morning!!!

A reminder that we do have gift certificates available for your holiday shopping!!! What better gift than a gift toward good health: Intro to Yoga, Meditation Basics, PIYO, Gentle Yoga, Yoga for Women, Yin, and all forms of Classic Hatha.

As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings from YFL!!!  Happy Thanksgiving Week!!! A reminder that we have ALL regularly scheduled classes Monday through Wednesday of this week. Please note that we ARE CLOSED Thursday through Sunday (11/26-11/29) in observance of the holiday. We wish each and everyone of you a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends. We are most grateful to have you sharing yoga and meditation with us throughout the year!!!

This week we will be practicing Classic Hatha Yoga with an emphasis on Calm, Energy, and Focus.  Our movement will be slow, deep, and deliberate with a strong focus on the meditative quality of asana. Our mudra is the famous Ushas—which connects us to all things good, and Sanskrit focus is another silent mantra, SAHA NAVAVATU,”Let us be together in harmony”. Our meditation focus is ‘GRATITUDE’,  which is set to the music of Michael Hoppe’s “Windsongs”.

Intro to Yoga begins on December 1st at 7:30 p.m., registrations is in progress. The Project TOUCH fundraiser day, YOGIS UNITE, is on December 12th. Schedules are now available at the studio.

As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings from YFL!!!

Sorry that this post was delayed for this week, but I have been a bit under the weather. This week is all about using the wall as our prop for resistance!!! Our Sanskrit focus is AUM SHANTI, or a great big, Cosmic Yes to Peace!!! Our mudra is the classic prayer mudra, or ANJALI. Our meditation focus is SERENITY, set to the music of Claire de Lune.

The Project TOUCH fundraiser has been moved to 12/12/15, so mark you calendars to attend donation based classes at YFL, or other community yoga studios throughout the valley. 100% of your donations go to Project TOUCH to provide clothing, food, and shelter to the valley homeless population.

Here is the schedule at YFL on 12/12:  8:15 a.m.-Yin (Deb)

9:30 a.m.-Restorative & Meditation (Deb)

11 a.m.-Ayurvedic Yoga (Sophie)

4:30 p.m.-Mantra & Meditation (Ian)

If you can’t make a class, then please feel free to drop your donation off to the studio, either cash, or checks made out to Project TOUCH. We thank you for your support.

A reminder that the studio will BE CLOSED in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday from 11/26-11/29, otherwise, classes as usual.

As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Good Morning and greetings from YFL!!!

I had the opportunity to take a short retreat to Big Bear this past weekend to practice the Triple R: Rest, Renew, and Restore!!! The mountains were gorgeous, and the time away was wonderful!!! It also reminded me that I am truly blessed to find that same type of space on my yoga mat and meditation cushion each and everyday of my life!!!

So, that is the focus this week for each of you as you attend class. Allow yourself to renew, rest, and restore, as you also enjoy deep, asana stretching.

Our Sanskrit focus is a new one: RAVAJE HUM- This allows us to tap into our inner connection to core beliefs, which then exudes our inner light of pure radiance. To complement this focus we will practice the classic meditation mudra, or Dhayana.

Please note that YFL is hosting a fundraising morning for Project TOUCH on Sunday, November 22nd. All classes that you attend are by donation, and 100% of your gift will be forwarded to Project TOUCH to feed, cloth, and support the homeless population of Temecula Valley.  Classes will include Samantha’s 8:30 PIYO class, Deb’s 9:30 Yin and Meditation Class, and Sophie’s Classic Hatha at 11 a.m. If you can’t attend a class you may drop off your contributions to the studio at anytime, and we will make sure your donation is delivered to the Project.

Our meditation focus will be “Serenity”.

Have a fabulous week, and as always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings from YFL, and Happy November!!! Our YFL newsletter was released yesterday, and is filled with info pertinent to this new month, the holidays, and how to de-stress!!! I would also like to share with you that Oprah & Deepak are offering, yet another FREE, 21-day meditation challenge, entitled “BELIEVE”. Just Google their names, and you will find the registration details. It begins today!!!

Also, a reminder, that YFL will be closed, 11/26-11/29, in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Please join us on 11/22 for the Project Touch fundraiser. All classes will be “DONATION BASED”, and 100% of your fees will be given to the Project Touch foundation to support our local homeless community.

This week we will be “Weighing” the situation!!! Yes, you guessed correctly, it is weight week with Deb on the mat!!! It is time to sculpt, tone, and strengthen by bearing our own weight, and a little bit extra with 1-2 lb. hand weights.

Our Sanskrit focus is in honor of the month of gratitude, “Dhanya Vad”, which means “thank you”. It invokes an attitude of appreciation for life and opens us to the infinite blessings around us.

Our Mudra is the hand gesture for clearing our respiratory system.

Our Meditation focus will center on “Steadiness” of mind.

Our music selection for meditating is from “Claire de Lune”. Have a fabulous week, and as always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Greeting from YFL!!! This is Classic Hatha Yoga week with a Halloween flare!!! A spooky sequence laced with Halloween haunts!!! Our mudra will focus on connecting to all things good, USHAS!!! Our Sanskrit focus is RASA, or “to delight in the essence of life”.

Your meditation focus for the week is “Appreciation”, set to the music of Tom Barabas”s “Sedona Suite”—Nuages.

The YFL November newsletter will be released to your email desk on Sunday, November 1st around 10 a.m.!!! Watch for it!!!

As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Wow!!! Last week was fantastic, and this week will also be great!!! We completed our first 5-Day Teacher Training Intensive, and kicked-off our YFL 9th anniversary!!! We will be celebrating through Friday, 10/23, so come in and join the fun!!!

I will meet you at the wall this week, as we once again, utilize the wall as a prop of resistance. Our mudra is “Ganesh”, or the hand gesture for overcoming obstacles along our path of life. The Sanskrit focus is “Abhyasa”, or The Practice.

Our music focus is Moon Dust from Tom Barabas, and his “Sedona Suite”, as we focus on our meditation thought of “BREATHE”.

As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings from YFL!!! It is a historic week at Yoga For Life!!! We are just about to conclude our first Five Day Intensive with our Artistry of Yoga students, and their teacher training program!!! Friday, October 16th, marks the studio’s 9th anniversary!!! We will celebrate with prize drawings, and awarding you a free class, if you bring a friend in to experience yoga at the studio!!!

This is restorative week on the mat with Deb, get out of the heat, relax, renew, and restore!!! Our Sanskrit focus is Mudita, which is the JOY in life, and all that is. Our Mudra is the most recognized of all hand gestures, JNANA, which connects us to the wisdom and knowledge of the Universe. Our meditation focus is REST!!! Your meditation music is David Lanz’s “Blue Largo”.

Due to the ongoing teacher training this week the following classes will NOT meet for this week only: 10/12- 6 p.m., 10/13-

12:30 & 4:15 p.m. ALL OTHER classes will meet this week!!!

As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings from YFL!!!

It is going to be a very exciting two weeks at Yoga For Life. This Friday, 10/9, we kick-off our brand new “Artistry of Yoga-200 hour-School and Yoga Teacher Training, with our first 5-day intensive!!! There will be minimal disruption to our regularly scheduled YFL classes at the studio. The following classes WILL NOT meet during the training: 10/12-6:00 p.m., 10/13-12:30 & 4:15 p.m., otherwise ALL OTHER classes will meet during the training program. So, please make note!!!

Friday, 10/16, is the 9th anniversary of Yoga For Life, so we will kick-off our week long celebration that day with daily prize drawings, and a festive atmosphere. Please come help us celebrate the start to our next year of practice at YFL, and bring a friend. If you bring a friend, then your class is FREE!!!

This week is weight week, so sculpting, toning, and strengthening will be our focus. Our Sanskrit term is SAMYAMA, or “self-control, leading to contentment”. Our mudra focus will be PUSHPAPUTA, or the “flower mudra”, which opens us to acceptance of what the Universe is sending to us. Our meditation focus will be CONTENTMENT, and is set to music from James Hood.

Have a great week, and as always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings from YFL!!! This week is split between September and October, so rather than disrupt our weekly theme flow, I have created something new for this week!!! It is a blended or eclectic practice, which will incorporate some of everything: Yin, Flow, Weight-Bearing, Wall Work, and Restoration. You will leave the mat feeling strengthened, toned, balanced, re-energized, and restored.

Our Sanskrit focus is the word “MANTRA”, and broken down into its component parts means: Man=Man or mind “to think”, or the thought behind speech or action, and Tra=tool or instrument, “in this case” for thought.

Our Mudra focus is the “RUDRA” Mudra, say that ten times real fast!!! This mudra is for focusing on the Solar Plexus, or our center of strength, power, and joy.

Our Meditation focus is JOY, or “Mudhita”, and will be set to the music of Enya.

Remember we are in our Fall Schedule!!! Ian is offering an early bird class at 6 a.m. on Tuesdays-Gentle, Energizing Yoga. Leslie’s Tuesday class has a NEW START TIME of 12:30 p.m., and you need to register for PIYO prior to class via text to Sam. Her contact info is on the website schedule.

Our NINTH YFL ANNIVERSARY celebration is fast approaching!!! Stay tuned for the details!!!

The October newsletter will be on your email desk around 10 a.m. 10/1!!!

As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb