The attitude of gratitude is the highest yoga. Yogi Bhajan
meditation, wellness

Yoga & Wellness Newsletter November

Laurie A. Ferris
Hi Everyone! It’s been a busy fall at my workplace, in addition to many events, social activities, commitments, and hobbies all converging around the same time. It’s all good, because my yoga and wellness practices—along with deep gratitude and faith—help get me through every challenge. I guess I am really practicing what I preach! Nonetheless, I look forward to things slowing down soon and enjoying the holidays with family. I hope you all are taking care of yourselves. Here are a few highlights of wellness events in the SF Bay Area, starting with my final yoga class of the year! Be well, y’all!

Yoga for Tension and Stress Relief Friday, November 8, 12:10 – 1 PM 251 Hearst Gym, UC Berkeley Campus

Practicing yoga can release tension in your joints, give you greater range of motion, and offer increased comfort in all aspects of your life. Learn basic yoga poses and breathing techniques to transform your practice into a moving meditation. Reminder: This is the last class for this fall semester for UC Berkeley faculty and staff.  If that’s you, register by clicking here:  November 8 Come early and be ready to start promptly at 12:10 and you’ll get to try lavender aromatherapy oil to relieve stress. Please bring your own yoga mat as our supplies are limited.  
7 Piece Yoga Kit Optional: Join the Yoga Passport Challenge and get a different stamp for each class to be entered into a drawing for a Clever Yoga prize! Bring your passport to each session you attend and have a square stamped for each date. Fill out the class evaluations for more chances to win. Check out the awesome prize we are giving away to one lucky yogi! I have arranged a 15% discount for anyone who shops at Clever Yoga. Just use this link: https://cleveryoga.com/discount/BeWell Clever Yoga offers yoga clothing, accessories and other props at very reasonable prices.  Free shipping on all US orders!
Update: I will be leading a morning stretch session on campus on December 10th. Stay tuned for details. Next semester, I’ll lead more yoga classes for staff and faculty at 251 Hearst Gym on Fridays, @ 12:10-1pm Read my bio.

Embodied Wisdom— Asana workshops with Noah Mazé Fri, Nov 22, 2019 1:30 PM Sat, Nov 23, 2019 3:30 PM Yoga Kula Berkeley

These theme-based asana classes take you on an integrated journey of thoughtful inquiry (mind), courageous engagement (heart), and experiential embodiment (body). Each class begins with a brief exploration of philosophical teachings and/or a mythic narrative of yoga. We then physicalize the teachings in asana practice through choreographed sequences of postures, and internalize the teachings in contemplative meditative practices.

Individual Session Descriptions:

On the Field of Dharma Friday, November 22nd 1.30pm – 4.30pm The opening setting and context for the Bhagavad Gita inspires this full-spectrum asana class with an emphasis on standing poses. We will explore the possible meanings of dharma, in body/mind/heart, and what it may mean to lay claim to the field of dharma and to “stand in yoga,” yogastahah [BhG 2.48]

The Yoga of Insight Friday, November 22nd 6pm – 9pm The inspired by the teachings of wisdom and knowledge, jnana-yoga, this session sequences forward bends, hip openers, twists and meditation to conspire to bring you ever more deeply into your own embodied wisdom and “yoked intelligence” –buddhiyukto [BhG 2.50]

The Yoga of Action Saturday, November 23rd 12.30pm – 3.30pm Inspired by the teachings of action, karma-yoga, this session will build strength and opening in a steady and skillful sequence to backbending peak postures. Krishna will tell us that we are always acting; the question is whether or not we are doing it well. “Yoga is skill in action” – yogah karmasu kaushalam [BhG 2.50]

Cost: One session: $55 before October 15th / $65 after All three sessions: $145 before October 15th / $165 after

Register now

My personal take: Noah Mazé workshops are amazing! I’ve taken a few of them at Yoga Kula and love his down to earth style of teaching, as well as his sense of humor.  I’m interested in seeing how he ties the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita in. I’ve read it thrice, but never done asanas inspired by it! These workshops are an excellent value as Noah is kind of a big deal in the yoga world. Learn more about Noah and the Mazé Method.

Yoga for Brain Health with Baxter Bell November 23rd, 2-5 PM Namaste Yoga Studio Rockridge Baxter Bell

Like the rest of our body, the brain changes in numerous ways as we get older. What happens to the brain during healthy aging? And are there ways that we can positively influence the changes in the structure and function of the brain, much as we can with muscles and bones? Is yoga an ideal tool to maintain and improve brain health as we age?
During this workshop we chart what is currently known about the changes in the brain as we age, and what is known about techniques useful for slowing or preventing common cognitive changes. We highlight the results from promising studies on the effects of yoga on cognitive functioning and memory loss, and discuss the common lifestyle factors and types of yogic exercises and practices that are showing particular promise in slowing cognitive decline and fostering healthy brain aging.
Baxter Bell, MD, has been actively deepening his understanding of the power of yoga since making the stress-reducing move from a career as a busy family doctor to that of a yoga teacher and medical acupuncturist. Baxter is co-author with Nina Zolotow of the new book Yoga for Healthy Aging. He is a graduate of the Piedmont Yoga Studio’s 18-month Advanced Studies Program, and served as Director of PYS’s Deep Yoga Program for many years, teaching the Experiential Anatomy, Yoga Technique, and Yoga Methodology portions of that training. Baxter’s teaching has been influenced by the many gifted teachers he has studied with over the years, including Rodney Yee, Patricia Walden, Erich Schiffmann, Richard Rosen, Mary Paffard, TKV Desikachar and Donald Moyer. Price: $60 Register now. Highly recommended! Baxter was one of the trainers I had when I did the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program with Namaste. You will learn a lot, and be entertained as well.

Season of Gratitude: Thanksgiving Benefit Class with Melina Meza November 28th, 9 – 11 AM Namaste Yoga Studios Rockridge

Melina MezaThanksgiving is a perfect day to step back and honor the season of gratitude and the sweet time before Winter’s embrace. Join Melina for a special Thanksgiving Day extended practice focused on gratitude and autumn-inspired yoga poses to ground and warm the body before the feasting begins. All levels welcome this is a great opportunity to gather with friends, family, and your Namaste community.

Proceeds from this class will benefit the Alameda County Food Bank. $25; greater donation amounts are available Register now. *Series and unlimited passes do not apply. All sales final. Pre-registration is necessary as this class will sell out.

SAVE THE DATE:

Yoga for Healthy Necks with Baxter Bell December 7th, 2-5 PM Mountain Yoga Oakland, CA

Online Freebies

30 Gratitude Quotes That Inspire Us to Be More Appreciative

The attitude of gratitude is the highest yoga. Yogi Bhajan From Yoga Journal: Cultivating an attitude of gratitude can have major benefits for your mental and physical health. That’s why we’ve compiled 30 inspiring quotes on the topic—words of wisdom from everyone from Yogi Bhajan and Deepak Chopra to Michelle Obama. Click here to see them all.  

Happiness Calendar from the Greater Good Science CenterNovember Happiness Calendar

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 November.
That’s a wrap for November! If you would like to subscribe to my free monthly wellness newsletter, sign up here!  If you’re interested in hikes, check out the events listed at thecaminoprovides.com. Please let me know if you have events to consider for future newsletters.

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