Wellness and yoga events are mainstays on this newsletter, but I’ll occasionally include a review of a book that I enjoyed — one that you might find inspiring or useful on your own journey. The first of my “Required Reading” series is a book I highly recommend, Perception and Deception: A Mind-Opening Journey Across Cultures, by Joe Lurie.
Below are a selection of Bay Area events, followed by online freebies, the book review, and an update on my birthday fundraiser.
Bay Area Events
Yoga for UC Berkeley Staff
Friday, March 8, 12:10 – 1 pm
251 Hearst Gym, UC Berkeley Campus
It feels great to be teaching yoga again at the beautiful studio in the Julia Morgan designed Hearst Gym this semester.
I like to have students face the windows during class, not just for the nice view of the Campanile, but to witness the prana (life force energy) that surrounds us. After our last class, one student wrote, “The amazing windows of Hearst Gym is the perfect backdrop. We even had a hail storm during class that ended with perfect timing as we came out of shavasana to sunny skies! Dreamy!”
Instructor: Laurie Ferris Laurie’s Bio.
TEDxBerkeley 2019: Infle(X)ion
Saturday, March 9, 10 am – 6 pm
Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley Campus
Inflection, or a point of change, indicates a state of flux and an imminent shift to come. TEDxBerkeley 2019 centers around the rapid changes that characterize the political, social, and technological realms of our contemporary society. Attend to explore stories of those past and present, learn about recent innovative breakthroughs, and experience the sheer impact of human creativity. See speakers.
Learn more about TEDxBerkeley 2019: Infle(x)ion
The Sound Healing Symphony at Grace Cathedral
March 15th, 8 – 9:30 PM
Sound Meditation (often known as ‘sound healing’) is the practice of listening to soothing sounds to reach profound states of clarity and relaxation. It opens up deep meditative states that are usually unreachable without considerable effort.
During the event, participants lie down and are bathed head to toe in sound— it’s a very hypnotic, ethereal experience.
You will come away with a clear mind, and a deeper appreciation for the wonder of sound. We strongly recommend this event for people who have trouble meditating, or feel like they just “can’t get there.” Give this a try :).
Sound Meditation Presents promotes the ancient healing practice of sound work as a way to affect physical health and conscious awareness.
Location: Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
1100 California St, San Francisco, California 94108 directions
See more details on the Facebook event.
EQUANIMITY~ Spring Equinox Sound Healing Bath
Wed, March 20, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Rudramandir Center, 830 Bancroft Way, Berkeley,
Melissa Felsenstein, the girl with the gongs and crystal bowls, is amazing. She does sounds events all around the Bay Area, but this one sounds particularly sweet because it takes place on a Full Moon and Spring Equinox! Here’s the description:
The Spring Equinox is a point of union and balance, poised between opposite forces: light and dark, receptive and active, unconscious and conscious, inner and outer.
This is a time of joining opposite forces to create a blending of energy that is alive, potent and expansive. From this dynamic joining of opposites comes new life, transformation and manifestation.
This very special Spring Equinox falls serendipitously on the FULL MOON enhancing all of it’s innate qualities of growth, illuminance, creativity, and mobilizing ideas into fruition. Let’s utilize this special combination of balanced expansion allows us to begin the spring season with an activated, sustainable start.
Location: Rudramandir Center, 830 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94710 View Map
Free your Voice with Amber Field
Sun, March 24, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PDT
YogaKula 1700 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709
Sing, sound & speak your truth with more confidence and freedom! From the silly to the sacred, open in ways you haven’t imagined and make long lasting shifts in your life.
This fun, playful workshop includes classical singing techniques including how to breathe properly, sing in a way that is healthy for your throat, and project; meditations to open the chakras; devotional chanting; mantra; spirit songs; expressive arts; and improv. Tune your body, your instrument and your voice with others. Experience the healing and transformative effects of sound vibrations. All levels welcome including absolute beginners.
– Develop more confidence in your voice
– Learn new mantras, chants & songs
– Experience the healing power of sound
Amber Field was featured in San Francisco Magazine’s Best of the Bay for yoga music and has performed and taught at Wanderlust, Esalen, and the Yoga Journal Conference. She plays many world instruments and sings like an angel. Amber delights in freeing people’s voices and seeing how their lives change! More info: www.amberfieldmusic.com
Cost: $35 before/ $40 day of
You can register HERE
Online Freebies
March Happiness Calendar from the Greater Good Science Center
Let these science-backed tips and tools be your guide this month. You’ll want to bookmark this calendar and refer to it often because there are links to articles and resources embedded in the PDF. Download happiness calendar for March
Wanderlust 21-Day Yoga Challenge
It’s not too late to get into flow state with our free 21-Day Yoga Challenge. These daily 25-min classes, with unique tracks from DJ Taz , invite us all to create a shift within — all within the comfort of your own home.
Manifesting Grace through Gratitude
Starts for free March 25
The transformative power of meditation is not just reserved for advanced practitioners – in fact, a feeling of calm, connection, and profound gratitude for life is possible every time you meditate.
Join Oprah, Deepak, and millions of meditators from around the world for one of their most beloved 21-Day Meditation Experiences: Manifesting Grace through Gratitude. Back by popular demand, you can relive the journey starting March 25!
Required Reading
Perception and Deception: A Mind-Opening Journey Across Cultures
A must-read for those working, teaching or studying in cross-cultural environments
The expanded edition of Perception and Deception: A Mind-Opening Journey Across Cultures was not only a thought-provoking glimpse into different cultures, but also highly entertaining. From Joe Lurie’s experience serving in the Peace Corps in Kenya – to his 20 years as executive director of International House at UC Berkeley – he has witnessed a variety of sticky situations, culture clashes, unlikely bonds, and wondrous breakthroughs.
I read the first edition of Perception and Deception a few years ago, so when this latest version came out, I decided to read it again from the beginning and thoroughly enjoyed it. Joe is a master storyteller and weaves relevant quotes, humor, and proverbs throughout the book. In the expanded version, he shines light on some of the absurdities and mis-translations arising from technology. There are questions and exercises at the end of every chapter, which allows the reader to ponder the situations and apply the lessons to their own lives. This bonus material would make an excellent teacher aid for classroom discussions or homework.
With all the immigration issues and political unrest lately, the world needs more compassion and understanding of people from different backgrounds. This book will help one navigate the rapidly changing landscape. It should be required reading for cross-cultural courses, international business trainings and workshops, as well as for anyone who wants to be a more mindful global citizen.
Available in Paperback or Kindle. Order on Amazon.
Read more reviews at www.perceptionanddeception.com/
My Birthday Fundraiser Update
I’m so excited to announce that as of March 4th, I raised $311 towards my goal of $500! There’s still time to help my cause since Cal Big Give continues through March 14th. If you are looking for a great non-profit to support, please consider making a donation of $10 or more to International House UC Berkeley through 3.14 (Pi day!). Gifts of all sizes are greatly appreciated! To sweeten the deal, for $10 gifts, I’ll send a “Camino Provides” sticker; for $20, I’ll add add a free patch; and for $30 or more, I’ll add one of my few remaining copies of Camino de Santiago: A Microcosm of Life. It’s a win-win! Special thanks to the author James Portelli for providing the books. I hiked the Camino de Santiago last year with James and a group from Malta, so this book has a personal connection. And it’s another inspiring read!
Below are the steps to donate:
Go to: biggive.berkeley.edu/VIP
Enter $ amount, click Continue.
Click Browse List. Make sure you click Programs!
Choose a Program > International House
Choose a Giving Opportunity > The Fund for I-House, as pictured above.
Fill out the secure donation form and follow the steps. You can make your gift anonymous, or to identify yourself and get your stickers, patch, or book, put my name in the “In Honor of” section. You will receive a thank you email / donation receipt for your tax records.
I’d like to thank these supporters who donated so far:
Veronica Alvarez, Frank Barrett, Andy Cohn, Audrey Dittrich, Mitch Ferris, Joy Iwasa, Esther Jantzen, Mike Miller, Angela Rauch, and Jane Tishkoff.
To get your name added to this VIP Honor Roll, Click to donate: biggive.berkeley.edu/VIP
On Big Give day, March 14th, make your gift at ihouse.berkeley.edu/biggive2019, but follow the same instructions above.
That’s a wrap for March! Please let me know if you have events to consider for future newsletters.
Laurie Ferris Yoga & Wellness 
Awesome blog you haave here
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