Blueversary in Review

What a fantastic weekend!

There are so many thank-yous to send around that I don't quite know where to start. Organizing, publicizing and hosting three days of by-donation classes takes more effort that you might guess. So let me cut to the chase:

Thanks to the faces behind the front desk: they are often called "blue peeps" and they are always called indispensable. But this weekend they went above and beyond the call of duty, taking extra shifts to assist with registrations, donations and altercations! Thanks, Peeps! You're the best.

Thanks to our team of blue lotus yoga instructors- the best yoga anywhere! Your willingness to offer your time, love and energy to share the gift of yoga for such a great cause is always inspiring. The light you share is both inspiring and essential...

Thanks to Kathleen Yount, our Studio Manager, who organized the instructors and classes, as well as the Peeps and peeply shifts. (As well as the multitude of other minutiae she organizes that I don't even know about.) Oh yeah, and those cupcakes she bakes...

Thanks to Sandy Scherer, our Karmic Marketing Director, without whom blue lotus would perhaps never be found by the many people who eventually call it home. Her publicity and organizational efforts are never short of miraculous, and we're so grateful for the many hours she so generously offers us to spread the word.

Thanks to all of the individuals and businesses who so generously offered gifts and gift certificates for the raffle, as well as those who took the time to solicit and collect those offerings.

Thanks to the folks at CORRAL for the amazing work they are doing with girls who might otherwise get lost in the system.

And most of all, thanks to YOU, the Blue Community, for coming out full force in support of a great cause. We are just $63 short of our $5000 goal, and I have no doubt that last bit will trickle in over the next 24 hours.

Take a look at a sample of photos from the weekend. There was a little something for everyone, and fun was had by all. Friday Flow to Potluck, Midnight to Partners, Kids to Kriya...we have so much, and what an amazing, inspirational display of generosity to see so much given back.

Blessings, all,

Jill

Monday Night's Playlist

Since a number of students requested various songs, I'm happily posting Monday night's Flow & Stretch playlist.

As you move through the weeks and months ahead, keep peace with yourself and any resolutions you may have made by practicing ahimsa. Be patient and kind and non-harming in the way you treat your own self as you continue on your journey.

Peace,

Anisha

My Many Colored Days

Can you be present with what is, knowing it will change? This question is asked from time to time in yoga classes, usually during a particularly difficult pose. We are challenged to pay attention to the running dialogue in our minds and begin to change it so we can stay, breathe and find peace in the truth it will be different soon.

Needless to say this is not easy on the mat, nor out in the world. I know for myself, I fight to get away from uncomfortable feelings, and in the fleeing I usually make it worse. I am working to stay with what is off the mat knowing it will change in time; it always does.

I wanted to weave this theme into the kids yoga and art workshop. After a great yoga session, we read the book My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss. In the book, feelings and moods are compared to a spectrum of colors in a way kids can relate to. They were able to identify feelings they associated with different colors in so many interesting ways. We then went on to discuss the main theme of the book --that feelings change from day-to-day and hour-to-hour. I emphasized that a gray day can lead right into a green day, so just stay with the gray trusting it will change.

Like adults, kids can also experience different feelings at the same time. All of these concepts are reflected in the art projects the kids worked on. They create a visual reminder on the canvas that circumstances constantly change -- and it is OK be present with what is.

Peace,

Jen

blueversary!

Namaste!

Someone recently asked me how long blue lotus has been open. My immediate response was the standard "It will be four years in February." But my internal response had a little more excitement, amazement and surprise. I actually can't believe it's been four years, and that we are moving into our 5th year as downtown Raleigh's yoga sanctuary!

Nearly every newcomer to the studio comments on the community that our teachers, students and volunteers have created at "The Blue." It's a place where everyone is welcome to join us for the fun, the inspiration and the family that has grown from a shared yoga practice.

So celebrating four years in business, we are gearing up for a "Blueversary Bash" on February 4-6. As per tradition, we will offer a full three-day weekend of classes by donation, including a Veggie Potluck on Friday night. Our goal is to raise $5000 for CORRAL, supporting one full year of participation for an at-risk girl right here in the Triangle. Check out the activities!

Thanks for being an active part of the blue lotus community, supporting the growth of our studio and giving back to others in the form of service hours and donations offered.

We hope to see you there!

Peace,

Jill

New Year's Eve Playlist

Hello Blue Friends,

Had a few requests for the music from my New Year's Eve morning class. May I just say that it was a privilege to be in the room with all of you on this day. What I saw moving and churning and then ultimately let go.... whew. That was no small feat my friends. You continue to inspire me.

Here's to exploring the space left by obstacles long gone.

Om Gum Ganapatayei Namaha

Carrington

4th anniversary celebration in the works

There are a great many things I love about the idea of community, and the blue lotus community in particular. Throughout the past four years, blue lotus has become a yoga home for so many -- from those new to the practice to those who have been long on the journey. Like a great community, blue lotus is not only a place of support, inspiration and nourishment for those who practice at the studio, but it also is a source of the same for those the community touches.

With that in mind, each February we celebrate the blue lotus community with a weekend of by-donation classes to support an organization in need. We are excited to announce that this February 4-6, our fourth “blueversary” fundraising efforts will support CORRAL Riding Academy.

CORRAL is a wonderful non-profit organization in Wake County that offers at-risk girls a chance to change their lives. The program gives troubled girls one-on-one mentoring, weekly tutoring, Equine Assisted Learning, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and riding lessons, as well as responsibilities in the barn and caring for the horses, most of whom are rescues themselves. All of this provides the girls with the tools necessary to overcome the challenges they face. CORRAL engages the students in these activities over the long-term -- to create lasting healing and to offer a preventative diversion to the risky behaviors the girls would otherwise be tempted with or prone to explore in their homes, schools or neighborhoods.

Our goal is to raise $5,000, which will sponsor one girl for a year.

In the coming weeks, you’ll start to see more about CORRAL in the studio, in the newsletter, and on Facebook. There will be opportunities to donate online, in the studio and at by-donation classes February 4-6 (to be posted by mid-January in the online schedule). CORRAL also has a volunteer page for those who would like to help in other ways, and we're also working with CORRAL to introduce and offer yoga classes to the girls in program.

We are always overwhelmed and overjoyed at the response of our blue friends and family, and are truly looking forward to coming together to support CORRAL. If you have questions, ideas or comments, email us your thoughts.

Blessings,

Sandy

Namaste!

We are certainly bringing 2010 to a close with flair! Thanks to everyone who is part of blue lotus- instructors, assistants, peeps, students- you all play a vital role in sustaining and growing the amazing Raleigh yoga community.

December highlights:

Habitat for Humanity build day...yes, it was a week before Christmas and FREEZING, but the blue crew showed up full force for a day of selfless service. See photos of all the work/fun!

Yoga Mala celebrating the Winter Solstice...it really was the most fun mala I can remember. Thanks to everyone who came to salute, sweat, surrender and even sing! Check out the playlist.

In case you've ever wondered what we all do when we're not at the studio, take a look at the album from our blue family holiday gathering. Humble Pie provided the venue and everyone who attended provided great company, conversation and laughter!

And finally for the year, if you don't have plans for New Year's Eve and are tired of the same old thing...join us Friday night for Midnight Yoga from 10pm-midnight. Ring in 2011 with joy!

Thanks for being a part of it all...

Blessings,

Jill