Humane League of Philadelphia is joining with Dhyana Yoga for an upcoming yoga class that will be held at their Old City location, 68 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, on Sunday, August 8 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Come join animal rights activists, vegans, yogis, conscious minded people and more for a Vinyasa Yoga class. All proceeds will benefit the Humane League’s work to save animals. It’s welcome to everyone–from yoga novices to an experienced yoga enthusiast! The class will focus on breath and will include meditation.

Pre-registration is not required but is encouraged, and any interested participants can pre-register by emailing dhyana.staff@gmail.com.

A $10-$20 donation is requested and every dollar goes to the Humane League’s life-saving work for animals!

FIND OUT MORE about and how to get involved with Humane League of Philadelphia We strive to create a more compassionate world for animals through education, campaigns, and rescue. Because 98% of the animals that are abused and killed in this country are farmed animals, our primary focus is on working against the cruelest methods of factory farming and in support of vegan eating. We also deal to a lesser extent with issues of animal testing, fur, and companion animals.

Twelve DC Yoga Studios Offer 30 Days of Deals

Washington D.C. – June 15, 2010 — Citizen Effect’s 30-Day Yoga Challenge is bringing together DC’s top yoga studios and their students for a great cause: building a foster home for orphaned and abandoned children in Cloetesville, South Africa.

The Challenge calls for participants to do as much yoga as they can for charity during July. Much like a marathon runner, participants will pledge a fundraising goal, ask friends and family to sponsor them, and collect donations through www.CitizenEffect.org.

The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) is doubling the impact of Citizen Effect’s 30-Day Yoga Challenge by matching the total amount of money raised.

Twelve district studios including Flow, Tranquil Space, Studio Serenity, STROGA, Lil Omm, Yoga Chai, Quiet Mind and Circle Yoga are sponsoring the Challenge by offering free or deeply discounted classes to participants.

Additionally, the top fundraising yogis will receive apparel from sponsor lululemon athletica Georgetown.

The event is the brainchild of Carolyn Butcher and Kelly Ferraro of WelcomeOmDC.com — “DC yoga studios are synonymous with giving back, their giving nature made the DC yoga community a natural partner for Citizen Effect’s 30-Day yoga challenge.” Ferraro adds, “Ours will truly be the “om” heard round the world.”

The 30-Day Yoga Challenge kicks off June 30th with a free outdoor class in Meridian Hill Park at 7:30 p.m. A celebratory party will be held at lululemon Georgetown on August 5th. For more information and to sign-up, visit www.citizeneffect.org/yogachallenge.

PLEASE DONATE TO THIS CAUSE!

About Citizen Effect is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is reshaping philanthropy by providing a platform for anyone to choose their own project, raise the money through creative fundraising approaches, and seeing the direct impact of their work. For more information visit.

For more information, contact: Laura Goldstein.  Email: laura.goldstein@citizeneffect.org

* Picture on front page provided by: http://whatgives365.wordpress.com/

(You should check out this blog too; it is inspiring & about giving to causes , if you are intrerested or have one!)

The Being Yoga Conference at the Omega Institute, just one week ago, offered many outstanding teachers. One of my favorites is Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa. She is a Kundalini yoga master. She studied with Yogi Bhajan her Spiritual Teacher since 1970. He gave her her spiritual name, which means “one who helps thousands of people across the world ocean.” For over three decades Gurmukh has traveled the world to teach, inspire and fulfill her namesake.

Her classes in Kundalini yoga, meditation and pre and postnatal training are phenomenal and are highly sought after in the yoga world. She has a center in Los Angeles, The Golden Bridge, with many classes and offerings and you can study with her at a number of workshops offered throughout the country.

Yoga means to yoke the person’s own consciousness and the universal consciousness. Kundalini yoga is comprehensive in it approach as it integrates yoga, meditation prayer and physical practice and breathing exercises. *”Kundalini” literally means “the curl of the lock of hair of the beloved.” This poetic metaphor alludes to the flow of energy and consciousness that exists within each of us.” The Upanishads, Hindu’s sacred scriptures that date back to the fifth century B.C., describe Kundalini, although the oral tradition reaches back even further into history. For thousands of years, this sacred science and technology was veiled in secrecy, passed along verbally from master to chosen disciple. Yogi Bhajan broke with this long-held tradition of silence and gave up a government job to spread the philosophy of yoga in the United States.

At Being Yoga, I participated in Gurmukh’s workshop centered on moving from karma to dharma. In English words, it means to move from reaction to action. Gurmukh points out that in our modern world we are stuck in a way of living that resides in gossip, lies, slander and infatuation. She even referenced Desperate Housewives as a show that exemplifies the paradox of American culture.

When we choose to step out of this vicious cycle we can listen to what our intuition is saying and choose a different way. We can open our hearts and send others love. This act of reacting differently will set up the gradual effect of changing the self. This is something that will need to be practiced daily to develop new behaviors and ways of thinking and acting, we also teach this here at TotallyZen.com, in many ways.

When we have a daily practice; we have an outlet to accumulate good energy and intention. Eventually this kinder, universal mindset will become your way of interacting with people and the world. You will then see profound changes in our life and relationships.

When we operate from the lower energy centers we are in the “me” phase which express the actions of run, fight and procreate. When we move to the higher energy centers we focus on the “us” and we have more loving kindness and compassion for others.

Fascinatingly, usually when we react to another person negatively it probably doesn’t have anything to do with them but with the past. It is likely that these problems are issues or behavior patterns that were established previously in our lives. Breaking these patterns is one of the highest benefits of yoga because if we do not get past these issues we may not become enlightened.

Stepping into the light or walking on the path towards light takes tremendous courage, requires strength, perseverance and discipline. It is a true challenge to live and work from this place in our existence.

Try yoga, as a way to collect the skills, energy and practice you will need to support the process of change!

]]> http://www.totallyzen.com/gurmukh-kaur-khalsa-moving-from-karma-to-dharma.html/feed 2 http://www.totallyzen.com/being-yoga-conference-2009-at-the-omega-institute.html http://www.totallyzen.com/being-yoga-conference-2009-at-the-omega-institute.html#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:08:16 +0000 Stephanie http://www.totallyzen.com/?p=470 Continue reading →]]>

The Omega Institute has an annual Being Yoga Conference in late summer. I have attended for the last three years. It has moved from Ft Lauderdale to New York and this year it was held in Rhinebeck, NY. Rhinebeck is home to the Omega Institute campus. After having experienced the conference in various locations I feel the true spirit of Being Yoga and the best place to absorb the information of its teachings are at Omega’s home base. There is something to be said for the environment’s affect on the whole experience, no matter what you are doing and where you are in a particular circumstance. In practicing yoga, what better way to be open, receptive and excited about receiving knowledge about your mind, body and spirit than by being at a nature’s haven in the form of a long standing, well respected wellness camp?

Some of the most gifted teachers of yoga, healing and meditation come to Omega to participate in the Being Yoga Conference. There is a wealth of information being presented for each of us to receive and incorporate into our lives. Some of the students are actually teachers and we go there to educate ourselves for the benefit of others as well. We become better technically, anatomically, spiritually and energetically. Even if you are simply going there for your own personal development the effect you will have on others is almost undeniable. The soul will be different after a few days at Omega no matter what you go there for.

Yoga is truly a science and educating yourself in different dimensions of yoga, such as: philosophy, form, meditation, practice and self care are all layers that will meld into a deeper understanding of the profound shift yoga can bring to your life. Yoga is a catalyst for deep changes that are possible if you become a knowledge seeker for the enlightenment of your soul. When we move away from karma into dharma and become enlightened beings your existence will be more satisfying.

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to study with: Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Marla Apt, Mark Whitwell, Sharon Gannon, David Life, Marla Apt and Mark Whitwell. In the following weeks will be writing a post on the workshop I took at the conference. I will review their larger knowledge base, training and community that they have created or work in when not traveling around the world teaching others yoga.

For now, consider checking out the Omega Institute campus for it is a lush, green landscape equipped with lodging or camping, filled with friendly people, good, healthy, fresh vegetarian food, wellness services and never a dull moment due to the daily meditation, yoga, tai chi, and movement classes. At night they have special presentations like music. Most people go to the campus because they are interested in a particular offering of a specific subject or teacher; but even going for a stay at Omega will leave you refreshed, charged and ready to go back to life with new energy.

Omega offers an immense amount of diverse courses on spiritual awakening, development and transformation through work on the mind, body and spirit. The environment itself is very nurturing, comfortable and easy. This prepares the self for opening to the information you have come there to learn. Sometimes it is a lot more difficult to open up and connect to subjects that the soul has created barriers or blocks to for various reasons. In our life part of our work is to unlock the barriers to become free from the restrictions our lives’ circumstances, development or reaction has created with us. Omega campus and its staff and the other people youmeet there will show you that it is a safe, heart-felt community that will help you accelerate the process. You can feel good Omega has its intention in the right place.

Don’t forget to check back in soon and learn about some of the different schools of yoga and their teachings!

P E A C E                                          

VISIT, www.Stephanie Churchill.com features essential information for the philosophy of Dao Yin Yoga, Qigong, Class information, Massages, Seminars & Spiritual Guidance.

PERSONAL SERVICES for YOGA, QIGONG & SPIRITUAL WELLNESS. I AM ALWAYS HERE  to HELP YOU make your life more focused and calm, peaceful and happy! ]]> http://www.totallyzen.com/stephanie-churchill-personal-services-website-now-live.html/feed 0 http://www.totallyzen.com/omega-institutes-being-yoga-conference-2008-in-new-york-city-view-by-totally-zen.html http://www.totallyzen.com/omega-institutes-being-yoga-conference-2008-in-new-york-city-view-by-totally-zen.html#comments Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:04:01 +0000 Stephanie http://www.totallyzen.com/?p=219 Continue reading →]]>  

Do you ever wonder when you go to a show, maybe a concert how much work went into it (like a Madonna tour) or what had to happen to produce the event? I don’t know if I am strange; but I am sensitive to these factors all the time when I go to events. It’s probably part fascination to the creative world, part sensitivity to the physical world and other parts just plain mystified.

I bring this up because I was an exhibitor at a pretty big yoga conference for the first time. Now my experience of the “show” was from the back end and not the “glitzy” front end, which was a change from years past.

My experience began in Philadelphia. Trying to organize and then pack my small VW until you couldn’t get anything else into it ☺ Fully loaded, I drove to the Big Apple with excitement and wonder. Upon arriving, I found my way to the loading dock, a big truck with Omega Institute’s “stuff” and two sweaty guys trying to unload it greeted me.

Then, it was official; I was a vendor at The Being Yoga Conference. Now, it’s time to unpack the “stuff“. Finding your way up to the conference space from the loading dock took 2 elevator rides, a long walk down a hall and about 15 minutes each direction. Ahh, to have yoga in your life means to breathe, be calm and be happy. So, it wasn’t so bad, especially when I was finished. Setting up the booth I logged in more time to set up my virtual store, www.totallyzenstore.com, in the physical world; this was a cool manifestation for me!

Beginning the conference: I was present, enthusiastic and ready to greet and help each person which was an act of endurance and perseverance. It was an honor to meet and talk to each and every one of you I had the opportunity to do so with at the show! I enjoyed explaining my philosophy and experience in reaching this part of my journey. The yoga path/spiritual path is a long one and I was so grateful it lead me to that place and I look forward to what the future unfolds for my journey!

                                                                                                         Unfortunately, when you are busy overseeing your space and “stuff” there is no time to duck out and take some classes. So, I missed practicing and learning yoga with some very “tuned in” masters. I heard a lot of very positive feedback about all the wonderful opportunities to learn and grow in these sessions.

It was during the down times while people take classes that I got to know some of the exhibitors. It was so rewarding to hear other people’s stories about where they came from and how their companies’ manifested in their lives. The best thing was that there was so much heart and soul in every person’s story or company. I got to appreciate what it took for each person to get to that point. I enjoyed talking and sharing with them very much!

Funny, just three days later we were repacking everything again. The “show” was over and it was time to move on to other shows or back to another part of their life.

Either way if you are behind the scenes or in front of the scenes your experience is ALWAYS what you make it and part of that is your attitude and effort that you apply to it. I know everyone behind the scenes put a lot of love into getting the Being Yoga Conference to be the best it could be. I am sure that those that were fortunate enough to experience the conference were able to feel all that positive energy.

Acting from love with love makes the world a brighter place.

Sorry, I didn’t get some more action shots from the conference; I must have been glued to my booth.

I begin my last day of the Omega Institutes’ Being Yoga Conference w/Nischala Joy Devi, a lifelong yoga teacher & healer. The session was called “The Healing Path of Yoga” just like the book. She was a part of the team that created the first yoga/healing program accepted & reimbursed by an insurance company. She was the director of Stress Management for the Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease & also co-founded the Commonweal Cancer Help Program. A gentle, warm, loving woman who spoke to us about the benefit of spiritual practice & healing work. She recommends yoga to facilitate both realms.

Joy spoke of th critical place we are in the health crisis. So many people on prescription drugs & unhealthy, dis ease ridden bodies. She believes it is necessary to become more natural & use self healing practices whenever possible. She says most of our illnesses come from stress a result of fear & anger.

She points out that first there is an emotion, then feeling which leads to thought or action. Try not to put your mind or heart in a negative place. This can only harm your health! Use a bubble of love at your heart center to meet people & your life will be full of love & joy & health as your mind controls your body!

Next, Jivamukti Yoga uses yoga as a path to enlightenment. Sharon Gannon teaches the yoga of spiritual activism. I went to the “Chakra Purification through Asana & Mantra” workshop. We learned about what chakras are, what they contribute to ourselves as a whole, what organs are connected to each chakra, what types of relationships they each encompass & the chant & asana/posture to balance & purify them.

From the root up the sound vibration for each chakra is Lam, Vam , Ram , Yam, Ham, Om , Om. We did a series of posture where we focused on clearing out the old energy that holds us back from our true, loving self. We aligned ourselves into postures that corresponded to chakras & used the mantra or chants to cleanse & clear each chakra. We put a focus on to a person whose relationship was not finished, healed or positive & sent them loving kindness, blessings & love & then focused on seeing them as Buddha-like to resolve our past karma. It was very effective! Also, a great physical practice.

At the end, she helped us reach a state of true relaxation. Did I feel relaxed when I left the space! Also, the amazing energy in the room that all 100+ people created together through our “work” there together! Pure bliss!

Finally, I wanted to find out “Becoming Strong as Steel w/Kundalini Yoga ” was all about. Can you imagine becoming strong as steel? Well, go to Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa’s classes & you will be strong as steel, no doubt! We began by focusing our minds to the concept of becoming strong through selflessness. Steel is achieved through service, commitment to serve & steady practice. She asked us to , “Ask G-d what is your purpose if you do not know!’ She says it is imperative you know what is your purpose in your lifetime!Also, that you must love yourself & sit with yourself.

We did certain postures & small flows for 12 minute intervals. Wow! How challenged I felt in those minutes that passed. We were to concentrate on G-d & forget our own self. Transcendence for a greater purpose. So, I never gave up. She cheered us on w/words of encouragement, music & reminders of why we were there. The reason- to clear away the old energy, the stuff that gets in our way, our minds.I really enjoyed the physical work we did there b/c it was for a clear higher purpose to become fortified without a physical goal. It was so taxing, my arms were breaking, my body aching & calling to me & I tried never to stop. Letting the mind control the body. I have to admit after an hour or so I did let my hands fall a time or two.

The hard physical work was followed by dancing. Jubilation, setting oneself free to be your own true, natural self not some self you might not feel connected to or in control of at times.When our time came to an end I was transformed. I felt almost like I was floating! The deep physical & spiritual work had saturated my being. What a mix of emotions I felt when I left the space.

So, my Being Yoga experience had just about come to an end. It was a mixed bag of being completely exhausted & then filled with such wisdom, technique, energy. Every day I left the building I felt this huge wealth of knowledge reminding me I would never be the same.I feel completely immersed with new life, love & teachings to behold in my mind, body & spirit. I am so thankful for the opportunity to take part in this exceptional experience! Being so thankful for the gifts that were given to me & for the presence of these hard-working masters & teachers & staff that bestowed their gifts & efforts on me! The people or new friends I met & bonded with in this time. I am truly blessed & ready to share all this with those I encounter & teach & learn from each day in the walk of my life.

http://www.abundantwellbeing.com/abw/index.action

http://www.jivamuktiyoga.com/

 I feel I should share some of each one of my experiences at the Being Yoga, Omega Institute Conference with you because the actual event was so special!

Class starts at 7am! Ready to work w/Johnny Kest on getting a “Beautiful Mind & a Beautiful Body”. I like that idea!Starting slowly to get into his flow he powerfully keeps the mantra, “You cannot experience transformation until you truly accept where you are right now in mind, body & spirit. ” That thought was so powerful in the moment. All geared up to “practice” yoga & he is reminding me of why I came there in the 1st 10 minutes.

You know, yoga is a process. It is evolutionary & with each moment it is possible to experience the same thing in a slightly different way to alter your mind, body or spirit! Better yet, it is possible to affect all of them & create a cumulative affect that is greater than any one dimensional shift.

So, there I was shifting, for the better, on the mat & in my mind. Fully embracing these words into any & every part of me the words would travel. It made me warm & gave me the chills. Then, we began to work physically while concentrating on the breath to steady the mind. Eventually, he made us really sweat & work. The energy & intention were building in the room & in our bodies. Our minds assured that once we accepted ourselves for who & what & where & how & why our power for transformation was infinite!

Next, I visited Maya Breuer for “Exploring Yoga & Sacred Rhythms”. What a woman, what a concept! Being truly comfortable in your own skin! To dance & move & be free, to connect & carry your sacred rhythm with you wherever you go! That was why I was there to strengthen my creative voice & make sure it doesn’t leave me at those pivotal moments that can define your performances! A very unstructured, rhythmic dance began & she instructed us to move & express & be free. We did! It was great!  

Moving to the floor we began to express our own motivations & histories of why we came together for this class. The stories of personal challenge were the most moving! Maya did a wonderful job of allowing each person to feel understood & supported in those moments! Giving us the reminder of letting it all out w/sounds & staying connected to our strong spirits!

I especially enjoyed the partner work! I met a lovely lady ,Erika, who lives & owns a yoga studio, Yoga Central, http://www.yogacentral888.com , in Mt. Dora, Fl. After only 3 yrs of teaching she & her partner are going to help train others to be teachers & allow their own creative teaching energy a chance to be expressed through their guidance using workshops like this one to help pave their way.

In the afternoon I went, “Inside the Yoga Sutras” w/ Rev. Jaganath Carrera. Being trained in the Chinese Eastern Arts my exposure to the Yoga Sutras or any of the other Hindu texts on yoga are unfamiliar to me. It was a unique opportunity to sit w/a man who has been teaching yoga since 1973. His knowledge of the text & their translation was effortless.

He talked without papers for 2 1/2 hrs. It wasn’t so much what direct translations he provided for us ; but, the reminder of why we practice yoga, to be HAPPY. Happiness begins in the heart. The mind controls the heart ; so, if you have distorted thinking you cannot be happy. Clearing out the webs that keep you from positive, clear thinking can help you see you for your true nature.

The Reverend recommends asana( posture) , pranayama ( breathwork) , meditation & service to others on a daily basis. No matter how short the practice is 1 posture, 1 long , deep breath, 1 Om & picking up 1 piece of trash is a good daily ritual. This daily practice is better than skipping a bunch of days & than doing a whole bunch once in a while.

In the end, I learned about the oneness in any spiritual practice & the importance of my own daily practice.

http://centerforyoga.net/about_us/

http://www.mayabreuer.com/welcome.html

http://www.yogalifesociety.com/home.html

Being a yoga teacher & a huge fan of yoga I decided to make my way down to Florida to check out some yoga & the sun at the Being Yoga Conference . I arrived on Friday in good spirits. There was a kick off meeting to which featured  lovely opening words from the Omega Institute signifying the end of their 30th Anniversary. Impressive for anyone or thing to last 30 yrs!

Then, it was time for chanting to G-d & a demonstration by  Sri Dharma Mittra . He is 69 yrs old & moves which such fluidity, grace & poise. It was awe striking. Imagine your form after 50 yrs of practice ! While he demonstrated his form his words of devotion to G-d played in the background. As a witness, it became clear that he has spent a great deal of his life in the practice of yoga w/the intention of G-d as his focus. Mighty & assured he led us into our own hearts & devotion. It was so beautiful!

Next a seemingly well-balanced, positive man, Matthew Sanford,came to speak to us about the act of waking. He has been paralyzed since he was 13 yrs old; he lost his father & sister in the same accident. His life altering experience led him to yoga, healing & higher consciousness.

He has spent his life teaching other disabled people yoga. His faith & strength were apparent as he has found the courage to face so many mental, physical & spiritual challenges.  “Connecting mind and body is not just a health strategy,” he says. “It is a movement of consciousness that can change the world.”You know an experience is effective when you leave the room affected. 

My mind had been directed to a place where I was sure to stay engaged until some time after I left the conference. My spirit was open & my soul ready to be influenced by others who have lived the “yoga life” for far longer than I. I anticipate the transfer of knowledge; as, I am thirsty for more sustenance.