Greetings from YFL!!! It is surprising to state that we are already in the last week of February!!! That means Classic Hatha yoga practice, and this week will be emphasizing “Hip Opening”. Hip opening postures are therapeutic in two ways, both emotionally and physically.

Our Sanskrit focus is “Maitri”, and this is an inner focus on the relationships of friendship, compassion, and love. Our mudra focus is “Hakini” for improving memory, opening the 6th chakra, or the third eye, Ajna. This mudra promotes balance of the left and right hemispheres of the brain, and improves circulation in the lungs and brain. The meditation focus is “SILENCE”.  Try to incorporate at least 5 minutes of silence in each day this week. Enjoy another selection from Winds of Samsara for meditating-“Mountain Solitude” . As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat at YFL.—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis!!! It is time once again to meet one another at the wall!!! We will use this marvelous prop to enhance resistance within our bodies, and this will deepen the effectiveness of our asanas not just at the wall, but away from the wall as well. Our mudra is the classic “JNANA” hand gesture, which is to invoke wisdom and knowledge. Our Sanskrit focus for this week is “EIM”, one of the seed sounds. Repeating this mantra will improve memory, intelligence, and our artistic endeavors. This week’s music for meditation is from the Grammy Award winning CD, Winds of Samsara. Our meditation focus will be “PRESENCE”. As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat.

The deadline for registering to attend Deb’s summer retreat to Montecito is this Friday, 2/20. The retreat is scheduled for 6/14-6/19/15 at the beautiful campus of La Casa de Maria. Spaces are limited, so sign-up quickly!!!

We are accepting registration for Sophie’s 2-hour workshop on “Yoga and Ayruveda” :Spring Detox”. The cost is $25. Register at the studio or call-in.

Sign-ups are also being accepted for the 3/27 Yoga-Hike to The Santa Rosa Plateau. Spring is coming!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings!!! It is restorative week, which is always a welcomed choice after weight week!!! Our Sanskrit focus is “KARUNA”, or compassion, an excellent focus for the week of Valentine’s Day!!! The hand gesture or mudra is “SHAKTI”, for evoking silence, peace, and harmony. Our meditation focus is “SHANTI”, or peace.

Our spring Yoga-Hike to Santa Rosa Plateau is Friday, March 27th!!! We will meet at the Visitor Center around 11:30 a.m., and prepare to be guided by Carol. Once we reach the Oak Grove, then I will lead our yoga and meditation practice. Your cost: reserve fee, your sack lunch, time, and gasoline. Bring water, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and comfortable hiking shoes. Please register at the studio.

The deadline for registering for the summer retreat to Montecito is 2/20. Your first deposit of $75 is due that date, and is NON-REFUNDABLE. Deb will be hosting the retreat at La Casa de Maria from 6/14-6/19/15. Details are available at the studio.

Have a great week, and as always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb (Music: Om Shanti by Bhava Ram)

 Greetings Yogis and Yoginis!!!  Let’s pump it up this week, but at the same time allowing our minds to be still with the focus of our practice. We will be adding the use of hand weights to our asana flow this week, which will promote strengthening, toning, sculpting, and conditioning.

Our Sanskrit focus is “Sattva”, or the third Guna of energy promoting lightness, clarity, and balance. Our mudra is “Ganesha”, or the remover of obstacles, and our meditation focus is on “Lightness”.

We had a fabulous retreat this past Saturday with 29 yogis and yoginis!!! We hope to make the Sankalpa Retreat an annual affair with your support. Our annual yoga-hike to Santa Rosa Plateau is approaching, and will be either late March or early April. Watch for the post on the date.

Deb will be hosting a 5-night summer retreat for yoga and meditation renewal at the fabulous La Casa de Maria retreat center in Montecito. The dates are arrival at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 14th, and departure on Friday, June 19th. For double occupancy the cost is $671.50/person, which includes 14 meals, $566.50 triple. Deb’s fee for the yoga and meditation is $150 for the week. Space is limited, and the deadline for registration and first deposit is 2/20.

You should have received the monthly newsletter yesterday. Read and enjoy. Have a fabulous first week of February, and as always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat.—Namaste’, Deb  Music: Gayatri by Bhava Ram

  Greetings Yogis and Yoginis!!!  I have just returned from a week of Spiritual renewal in Montecito, having participated in Cynthia Bourgeault’s Wisdom School Part II. It was a fabulous setting, and fabulous teachings!!! I am refreshed, renewed, and recharged for the New Year. I look forward to our one day retreat this Saturday, 1/31, at beautiful Vina de Lestonnac in Temecula with many of you!!! At the studio this week, we will experience our Classic practice of Hatha Vinyasa Flow. Our mudra is “USHAS”, or the “Origin of all things Good”, and our Sanskrit focus ties in with our retreat theme for Saturday, “Sankalpa”, or intentions, goals, and self-will. Enjoy Peter Kater’s awesome music as you meditate on “I AM HERE”. I would like to express my extreme gratitude for all the wonderful teachers that subbed for me during my absence: Sophie, Leslie, Samantha, Hilani, Cherry, and Jen!!!

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

  This week is all about variety, and doing something different on the mat each day. Our Sanskrit focus is “LILA”, or practicing with a sense of playfulness. Our mudra is the classic thumb tip to index finger tip hand gesture for evoking connection with Universal Energy, “JNANA”. Our meditation focus is looking for beauty each and every day. The deadline for signing up for the Sankalpa Retreat is 1/24, so please register ASAP. As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat.—Namaste’, Deb  Meditation Music: Wind

   Greetings Yogis and Yoginis!!!  I think most of us can resonate with this T-shirt statement from time to time!!! Are you worn, burned out, and stressed out from the aftermath of the holidays? We have the perfect solution, YOGA!!! This week Deb will be guiding you through a relaxing and renewing restorative yoga practice. Our Sanskrit focus will be “MUDITA”, or finding overwhelming JOY in life, and all that it is. The weekly mudra is “PUSHPAUTA”, or the flower mudra, which allows us to open to the joy of Universal Energy. Thus, our meditation focus is JOY. Enjoy the sacred sounds of Peter Kater and R. Carlos Nakai, as you meditate on joy this week. As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat. Remember, you have until 1/24 to register and pay for the “Define Your Sankalpa Retreat”!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis and Happy New Year!!! Our new Winter Schedule begins on Monday, 1/5/15. We welcome Hilani back to YFL, and Deb’s 4 p.m. class on Tu/Th shifts to 4:15 p.m., both will be Yin. Samantha is moving her PIYO class from Wednesday evening to Sunday morning from 8:30-9:15 a.m. All changes are posted on the website. This week we return to the use of hand weights, and bearing our own body weight within the practice of asanas. Our Sanskrit focus is “Maitra”, or lovingkindness, our Mudra is the “Rudra”, for strengthening and centering, and our meditation focus is “Moving Forward”. We welcome you back to the mat, and look forward to enhancing your practice in 2015!!!  We can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb     “Buddha’s Garden” by Bodhi for meditation