Greetings to All!!!  This is restorative week, which means that we will be focusing on the Sukha half of our asana practice. Sukha is Sanskrit for Yin, or the feminine side of our poses. This element emphasizes coolness, ease, grace, fluidity, calm, and the moon. This doesn’t mean that we abandon the other half, or Stirha, which is warmth, stability, power, and sun. We hyper-focused on that half of asana last week with our weight-bearing focus. It is still an integral part of this week’s practice, but not at the forefront of our attention. Thus, our Sanskrit focus is ‘SUKHA’,  the ease within our postures. Our Mudra focus is ‘USHAS’, or connecting to all things good. The weekly meditation mantra is: “Be still and listen to your heart”. As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Music Meditation: Deva and Miten: A Deeper Light (Om Kumara)

Greetings!!! Yes, it is the first week of May, so that means it is time for weights!!! Come to the mat ready to sculpt, tone, and strengthen, as we incorporate weight use into our asana practice. As we work our core this week our Sanskrit focus will be the “solar plexus chakra”, or “MANIPURA” the lustrous jewel. It is the seat for self-confidence, self-identity, and will power, and is associated with the element of fire. Our mudra focus will be “KATARI”, or “Final Relaxation Pose-Savasana”. This whole body mudra promotes deep breathing, regenerates the autonomic nervous system and organ activity, and relaxes the entire body. Our meditation music is “Piano for Relaxation”—The Butterfly Waltz, and our meditation focus is “Slow down”. Have a great week, and always we can’t “weight” to see you on the mat.

Good Morning YFL Sangha!!! This week’s practice theme is “Move it, Move it”!!! Our Classic Hatha yoga practice is replete with Vinyasa Flow!!! So be prepared to move and flow this week!!! Our Sanskrit focus is “VINYASA”, which actually translates as, “To place in a special way”. In the West, we have interpreted that as fluid or flowing movement. Our Mudra focus is “VARUNA”, and is the mudra for letting go in order to open the door for “new possibilities”. Our meditation focus is “Go with the flow”, accompanied by David Lanz.

Our informational meetings concerning our new Artistry of Yoga-School and YTT (200-hours) will be on 6/11 @ 2 p.m., and on 6/13 @ 1:00 p.m. If you want to deepen your practice and understanding of yoga, or prepare to teach yoga, then this is the program for you. We will outline the course format and answer your questions at these info meetings. A full explanation of the school will also appear in the “Featured Article” section of the May YFL newsletter.

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

Greetings!!! This week we return to THE WALL for resistance, toning, and strengthening!!! Our Sanskrit focus is one of the 8 limbs of yoga practice, “NIYAMAS”, which hone in on the practice of purity, contentment, and self-discipline. Our supporting MUDRA is “BUMISPARSHA”, so our hand gesture is for connecting to Universal Consciousness. Wednesday is Earth Day, and

our meditation focus is “Earth Awareness”, and our music selection is from Winds of Samsara. Enjoy this mild weather week, and let’s hope for rain.

EXCITING NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENT!!! Last Tuesday, April 14th, “ARTISTRY OF YOGA—SCHOOL AND YTT” was born. Yoga Alliance granted approval for a 200-hour program for training yoga teachers, and schooling students on a deeper understanding of all the facets of practicing yoga. Detailed information will be shared in the “Featured Article” of Yoga For Life’s May newsletter. Our school will launch in October 2015, and our lead trainers are myself, Leslie, and Sophie. We have been working hard for the past 3-months to design, apply, and implement a quality product. Our school will be very unique in offering components not offered by most registered school facilities. Again, if you are interested, or know someone that is, please read our full description in the YFL May newsletter!!!  As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings!!! This week we return to the “THREE R’S” of yoga practice: Rest, Restore, and Renew!!! Come and enjoy a deep stretching practice with the support of bolsters, blankets, and blocks. Our Sanskrit focus is “MUDITA”, or “JOY” in life and all that is. The Mudra support is “PUSHPUTA” for opening to the JOY of Universal Energy. Our meditation focus is “JOY”, and our music is from Deva Premal, “A Deeper Light”. We can’t wait to see you on the mat this week.—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings from YFL!!! It is weight week, or “IRON FLOW” week. We will incorporate hand weights into the practice to aid in sculpting, toning, and strengthening the body. As always, this practice will also emphasize bearing our own body weight for overall conditioning. Our Sanskrit focus is “AUM”, which translates to “ALL” in English, and constitutes the “Universal Mantra” through the unity of the cosmic vibration of the Universe.  Our mudra for the week is “THE PRAN”, or the Life mudra. It is used for anchoring and calming our mind and body. Our meditation focus is “Universal Connection”, and to accompany this intent the music is: Bhakti

Heneem-“Sacred Earth.  As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb

Greetings!!! This week is “Bonus Week”, as you will experience and enjoy an extra week of Restorative Yoga!!! We will renew, relax, and restore!!! Our Sanskrit focus is “OM HOUM NAMAH”, which is to attune to our inner stillpoint, meshing our outer world and inner world in perfect harmony. The mudra is “USHAS”, which connects us to all things good. Have a beautiful week, as I encourage you in your meditation to find time to “BE STILL”. As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb Music by Ann Sweeten: Echoes

Greetings!!! It is Classic Hatha yoga week at YFL. We will practice with flow, and our theme is “Moving Motivation”.  A steady, flowing powerful practice!!! Our Sanskrit focus is “Metta”, or practicing lovingkindness. The mudra focus is Ganesh, the hand gesture for removing obstacles. Our meditation theme is “Reboot”. The music, well, I invite you to listen!!! The Yoga-Hike to Santa Rosa Plateau is this Friday, 3/27, so just a few days remaining to sign-up!!! As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb (Mahatma: from Winds of Samsara)

Greetings and Happy Spring!!!  This week we usher in spring, a total solar eclipse, and a full moon!!! Our practice will once again focus on utilizing the wall as a prop for resistance. This will intensify our muscle engagement, and strengthen our use of the asana. Our Sanskrit focus is “Abhyasa”, or “The Practice”, and our mudra is the classic “Anjali”, or “Prayer Hand Gesture”. I received great reviews on the David Lanz music for meditation last week, so I will select another of his works for your meditation. This week’s meditation will focus on “Prana”, or “life-force”, the breath. Have a great week into spring. Our Spring schedule begins this Sunday, and I am happy to say there are

NO CHANGES!!! There is also time remaining to sign-up for the annual spring Yoga-Hike to Santa Rosa Plateau on 3/27. Sign-up ASAP!!! As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb  Music: Cristofori’s Dream

  Greetings from YFL!!! We worked hard last week with our new “Iron Flow” practice, so this week our emphasis will be on restoring, renewing, and relaxing through our asana practice. You will need a bolster and a block to assist you in the asana sequence. Our Sanskrit focus is “Sutra”, which is an aphorism or short, thread of wisdom. The mudra is “Kubera”, for seeking or setting a goal. Our meditation is to focus on what you consider to be “Paradise”, and the music accompaniment is David Lanz’s, “Blue Largo”. Have a fabulous week, and as always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat.—Namaste’, Deb P. S.-Sophie’s “Ayurvedic Detox” workshop is this Saturday, 2-4 pm., 3/14 @ $25. There is still time to register.

Greetings from YFL!!! Happy Spring, and welcome to the month of March!!! Our newsletter launched yesterday, and if you don’t receive it every month, just email the studio, and we will add you to our contact list.

This is weight week, so sculpting, toning, and strengthening via weight bearing is our physical theme. The Sanskrit focus is “SAMYAMA”, or contentment via self-control. The weekly mudra is “AKASHI”,  for promoting calmness and inner peace. The meditation focus is “SERENITY”. As always, we can’t wait to see you on the mat!!!—Namaste’, Deb    Meditation Music—“Claire de Lune”

  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