Sunday's Yule Full Moon Celebration was small but eventful. There were four of us who braved the sloppy weather. As always, moving through these challenging poses was exhilarating and fun. At the end of the Savasana, I offered up a holiday treat by reading the poem, "The Night Before Christmas," by Clement C. Moore.
The next Full Moon class will be on Tuesday, January 22nd from 7:45 until 9 ish after the Gentle Yoga class.
Happy New Year!
Ma'lena
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Yule Celebration with a Full Moon
Okay, the Full Moon class on the 23rd is back on the schedule . . . by popular demand!
Come join us at Moon Tree Gentle Yoga and Wellness Center as we honor the Yule Moon. This December's full moon shines near both dates of the Winter Solstice on the 22nd, and Yuletide on the 25th.
The Moon Salutation is a series of linked poses--called vinyasa--that follow the phases of the moon from full to waning gibbous, half moon to a crescent and finally the dark moon. The process reverses itself by moving into a waxing crescent and half moon, then waxing gibbous returning to the full moon.
The class is about an hour and a half. We begin with a guided meditation moving into warming poses and then Chandra Namaskara (Moon Salutation) after which we cool down and end with a Savasana and another guided meditation.
$15 for the class.
Merry Everything,
Ma'lena
Come join us at Moon Tree Gentle Yoga and Wellness Center as we honor the Yule Moon. This December's full moon shines near both dates of the Winter Solstice on the 22nd, and Yuletide on the 25th.
The Moon Salutation is a series of linked poses--called vinyasa--that follow the phases of the moon from full to waning gibbous, half moon to a crescent and finally the dark moon. The process reverses itself by moving into a waxing crescent and half moon, then waxing gibbous returning to the full moon.
The class is about an hour and a half. We begin with a guided meditation moving into warming poses and then Chandra Namaskara (Moon Salutation) after which we cool down and end with a Savasana and another guided meditation.
$15 for the class.
Merry Everything,
Ma'lena
Friday, December 7, 2007
December's Full Moon Salutation Class
Greetings. Those of you who have taken my classes know that I adore teaching Chandra Namaskara. These series of poses are incorporated into most of my classes. From the start of opening the studio, I have offered Full Moon Salutation classes, usually on the evening of the actual Full Moon. Since December's full moon falls on the eve of Christmas Eve, and on a Sunday--to further complicate stuff--I have come to the decision that I must suspend this class. So there will be no class on December 23rd.
I'll revisit whether or not I continue to offer these classes next year.
Until then,
Happy Everything,
Ma'lena
I'll revisit whether or not I continue to offer these classes next year.
Until then,
Happy Everything,
Ma'lena
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Blogolalia
Mostly catching up. On Friday evening, November 9th, I put on my first 3-hour workshop, "Women's Health: Bodywisdom." Three hours is a long time, yet it seemed to go quickly--with a lot of laughing. I covered the benefits of weight bearing exercise--like walking--and stretching the body to keep things supple and lubricated. We spent a lot of time finding and flexing the hammock muscle of our pelvic floor. Imagine the giggles that evoked. There were six of us. We learned about bone health, breathing and breast health. We spent time moving through specific poses as well as time resting in restorative poses . . . I'll revisit this workshop again.
Other exciting news (for me, at least): I worked out a lovely version of the Moon Salutation for the chair. My student, Jennifer, who is seated, as she calls it, helped me refine the poses so that we move fluidly through the linked poses to created a powerful homage to the moon in all her splendor. This sequence is something I will use often. It is as complete a vinyasa as the Sun Salutation for chair. I like both; having someone in a wheelchair, however, poses a problem while doing the Sun Salutation since the legs and feet are required to move. With this version I've created for the Moon Salutation, our legs can remain still, creating an anchor for the upper body.
Upcoming classes: beginning in January we will have a new teacher, Anne Miller (check the teacher page for her biography, etc. to be posted soon) who has already taught a breast cancer support class in Wenatchee. Over the past few months she has been taking teacher training at Mellow Monkey studio in Post Falls, Idaho. She will joining Moon Tree Gentle Yoga and Wellness Center in January with several cancer support classes. Keep checking the schedule page--I will post times and days as soon as possible.
Take note: There will be no Full Moon Salutation Class in November since I will be in San Diego over Thanksgiving weekend. Go outside and take a moonbath.
Other exciting news (for me, at least): I worked out a lovely version of the Moon Salutation for the chair. My student, Jennifer, who is seated, as she calls it, helped me refine the poses so that we move fluidly through the linked poses to created a powerful homage to the moon in all her splendor. This sequence is something I will use often. It is as complete a vinyasa as the Sun Salutation for chair. I like both; having someone in a wheelchair, however, poses a problem while doing the Sun Salutation since the legs and feet are required to move. With this version I've created for the Moon Salutation, our legs can remain still, creating an anchor for the upper body.
Upcoming classes: beginning in January we will have a new teacher, Anne Miller (check the teacher page for her biography, etc. to be posted soon) who has already taught a breast cancer support class in Wenatchee. Over the past few months she has been taking teacher training at Mellow Monkey studio in Post Falls, Idaho. She will joining Moon Tree Gentle Yoga and Wellness Center in January with several cancer support classes. Keep checking the schedule page--I will post times and days as soon as possible.
Take note: There will be no Full Moon Salutation Class in November since I will be in San Diego over Thanksgiving weekend. Go outside and take a moonbath.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
More Gratitude
Today's list is endless, but I will include only a sampling:
1) The San Diego Witch fire has been almost completely brought under control. Thank you and a wet smoochie to all the firefighters, reporters, and the people who have supported the crews.
2) My folks are okay; their house is safe and they are in good health . . .
3) My friend Lannie fell but instead of breaking anything--her head, leg or ankle--she just mangled herself. In pain, yes, but whole. Whew!
4) I get to go play with Big Deena whose roots go deep tomorrow. She is the best playmate.
Gracious and spacious,
Ma'lena
1) The San Diego Witch fire has been almost completely brought under control. Thank you and a wet smoochie to all the firefighters, reporters, and the people who have supported the crews.
2) My folks are okay; their house is safe and they are in good health . . .
3) My friend Lannie fell but instead of breaking anything--her head, leg or ankle--she just mangled herself. In pain, yes, but whole. Whew!
4) I get to go play with Big Deena whose roots go deep tomorrow. She is the best playmate.
Gracious and spacious,
Ma'lena
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Moon Watching
Thursday night's full moon, called a Harvest or Hunter's Moon (to assist with the harvest or hunt, depending) was bright and bold, a cliche of moonness--round, full, bright and glorious. The next morning, on my drive in to teach the early class, the moon hung low in the sky, a veil of ivoried lace, so close I wanted to clutch it to my breast. Last night, again, the massive moon, higher now but emanating moonglow like a klieg light, a spotlight of lunar brilliance. As I went outside this morning at half past eight, the sight of the moon slug low in the Western sky surprised me. A pale disk, this moon seemed as pale and transparent as old bone china, yet was as substantive and present as stone--solid and timeless.
Alternate names for October's full moon include Travel Moon, Blood Moon, and my personal favorite, Dying Grass Moon. These names are evocative of seasonal transformations, concentrating elemental forces, slowing down and moving inward.
November's full moon occurs during Thanksgiving week and the studio will be closed. I'll be in San Diego. Also known as a Hunter's Moon, other names are Beaver Moon, Frost Moon and the lovely and descriptive Snow Moon.
Come and join us on the afternoon of Sunday, December 23rd, to celebrate the Yule Moon, from 4 until 5:30 pm.
An article from "The Times of India": LUCKNOW: The full Moon visible on Friday will the largest and the brightest of this year. An annual celestial event, the Moon would be closest to the Earth while moving around it in an elliptical orbit.
In-charge of Indira Gandhi Planetarium Anil Yadav says "Though the Moon was bigger on Thursday as well but it would be the largest on Friday.
It is expected to be about 14 per cent bigger and around one-third time brighter than an average full Moon. Moreover, usually the full moon is southward positioned during this time of the year (October to December). Hence on Thursday and Friday, while observing from the equatorial regions, the Moon will appear to be much brighter. "
Elaborating further, he says the perigee (when Moon is closest of the Earth) is about 363,104 kilometres, while its farthest point (apogee) is about 405,696 kilometres. Its average distance from the Earth on other days is around 384,600 kilometres.
"So, this visually larger full Moon is possible because the one seen on October 25 and 26 is actually about 25,000 miles closer than otherwise."
On how to determine that the Moon is bigger or not, he explains that if a layman wants to see a larger moon then he will have to stretch his hand and point his index finger towards the moon.
"It will usually cover the apparent diameter of the Earth's natural satellite.
But on Friday, the Moon will appear slightly larger than the index finger, this is one way to prove the big full Moon," he adds.
Yadav while talking about viewing the full moon through naked eyes cautioned against viewing the full Moon on the day without appropriate filters on the telescope as it could severely damage the retina of the eyes.
Alternate names for October's full moon include Travel Moon, Blood Moon, and my personal favorite, Dying Grass Moon. These names are evocative of seasonal transformations, concentrating elemental forces, slowing down and moving inward.
November's full moon occurs during Thanksgiving week and the studio will be closed. I'll be in San Diego. Also known as a Hunter's Moon, other names are Beaver Moon, Frost Moon and the lovely and descriptive Snow Moon.
Come and join us on the afternoon of Sunday, December 23rd, to celebrate the Yule Moon, from 4 until 5:30 pm.
An article from "The Times of India": LUCKNOW: The full Moon visible on Friday will the largest and the brightest of this year. An annual celestial event, the Moon would be closest to the Earth while moving around it in an elliptical orbit.
In-charge of Indira Gandhi Planetarium Anil Yadav says "Though the Moon was bigger on Thursday as well but it would be the largest on Friday.
It is expected to be about 14 per cent bigger and around one-third time brighter than an average full Moon. Moreover, usually the full moon is southward positioned during this time of the year (October to December). Hence on Thursday and Friday, while observing from the equatorial regions, the Moon will appear to be much brighter. "
Elaborating further, he says the perigee (when Moon is closest of the Earth) is about 363,104 kilometres, while its farthest point (apogee) is about 405,696 kilometres. Its average distance from the Earth on other days is around 384,600 kilometres.
"So, this visually larger full Moon is possible because the one seen on October 25 and 26 is actually about 25,000 miles closer than otherwise."
On how to determine that the Moon is bigger or not, he explains that if a layman wants to see a larger moon then he will have to stretch his hand and point his index finger towards the moon.
"It will usually cover the apparent diameter of the Earth's natural satellite.
But on Friday, the Moon will appear slightly larger than the index finger, this is one way to prove the big full Moon," he adds.
Yadav while talking about viewing the full moon through naked eyes cautioned against viewing the full Moon on the day without appropriate filters on the telescope as it could severely damage the retina of the eyes.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Gratitude List
Okay, so I'm not really a frequent blogger. I'll try and remedy that but I still have no idea if anyone has read any of my previous posts . . .
Here goes:
1) I am grateful that I have a yoga studio that is so warm and safe.
2) I am grateful that my classes are small so that I can get to know each student--not just names and faces, but quirks, laughs and emotional status.
3) I am so grateful today that my parents have not had to evacuate their home in San Diego, and that the weather seems to be calming down thereby easing up the fires.
4) I am also grateful that I am blessed with so much bounty in my life that I am overfed . . .
That's about all for now. My goal is to attempt to write in this a few times a week.
a perfect ginko leaf,
ma'lena
Here goes:
1) I am grateful that I have a yoga studio that is so warm and safe.
2) I am grateful that my classes are small so that I can get to know each student--not just names and faces, but quirks, laughs and emotional status.
3) I am so grateful today that my parents have not had to evacuate their home in San Diego, and that the weather seems to be calming down thereby easing up the fires.
4) I am also grateful that I am blessed with so much bounty in my life that I am overfed . . .
That's about all for now. My goal is to attempt to write in this a few times a week.
a perfect ginko leaf,
ma'lena
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