Ever wanted to know exactly why your body is tight here and loose there? Want to learn how to lengthen those hamstrings for good? Want to find out what’s keeping you from enjoying backbends/forward bends? Come to this workshop and find out!

This is a private class with Kim, except with onlookers. Open to teachers, curious students, and/or beginning-level students, this Teacher Training workshop creates an environment of spontaneous learning. We will discuss and learn how to see, understand, and adjust different kinds of bodies in an open-level class. This workshop will take us all into a deeper understanding of how to help a student make her pose more transformative and meaningful.

This workshops is $50. (It is free if you volunteer to be a model, or bring a friend to be model.)

$45 for teachers and Boundless members

Explore the beauty and depth of the Sanskrit Language with Jill.

The workshop is on October 1-3.

• Friday from 7-9p
• Saturday from 3-7p
• Sunday from 2-5p

Total workshop cost is $175!

Introduction to Sanskrit: The Language of the Heart, the Language
of Integration with Jill Manning

This workshop has been designed to introduce students of Yoga to Sanskrit
as the language of Yoga and the language of light (Luminous Shabda).  In
this weekend long exploration we will focus on the vowel
sounds–specifically how and where they resonate on the palate.  We will
also begin to uncover how understanding the diacritical marks can
significantly improve pronunciation for chanting.  We will practice
learning selected mantra’s, asana names, and call and response chanting
from the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali.

This workshop is appropriate for anyone wanting to dive deeper into the
practice of yoga and begin to make connection between body, breath, sound,
and source.

Jill’s Bio

Jill has devoted herself to the study and practice of yoga since
‘discovering’ the practice at her local New York Sports Club in 1998.  The
amazing Kate Miller encouraged Jill to go to “yoga school” after routinely
bombarding her with questions after class and in June 2000 she received
her teaching certification from Integral Yoga Institute in New York City,
and has continued to study with many of the world’s most revered yoga
masters, including Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, with whom she has spent fourteen
weeks at his yoga shala during her 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010 trips to
Mysore, India. Jill continues to travel to Mysore, India annually to
practice at Guruji’s shala with his grandson R. Sharath.

A graduate of New York University, Jill has studied the intellectual
aspects of yoga as well as the physical and spiritual ones. Her scholarly
understanding of the Bhagavad-Gita and the Yoga Sutra’s, along with other
Shastras, brings an important dimension to her own practice as well as her
teaching style which has been described as, “an amazing teacher who is the
perfect mix of Zen and humorous.” During her weeks traveling throughout
India, Jill immersed herself in the country’s culture (and the Great
Ganga). She continues to play her own edges studying Sanskrit with
Manorama and with Sri Lakshmish Bhat of Mysore, India, as well as spending
many hours at the feet of Dr. MA Jayashree to further round her
understanding of the yoga tradition and to place an asana practice in
a larger context for herself and her students.

Jill co-taught Wake Up Yoga’s 250-hour Yoga Alliance registered teacher
training program from 2004-2009.  Currently Jill makes her home in and
teaches in Providence, RI where she leads monthly gatherings sharing
Sanskrit with yogis as an entry point for awareness and is always excited
to travel to new yoga homes to share in the very large community of yogis.
Jill dedicates her teaching to all of her mentors and teachers and would
like to acknowledge Corina Benner and David Keil for having a tremendous
impact on her life on and off the mat.

with James Foulkes

Information about a clients state of health and well being must be acquired through all of the senses. Learning to place hands on in skillful manner is an important component. The quality of touch can provide key information to the practitioner and be the difference between securing a clients trust and losing it. In this workshop, students will learn the basics of skillful touch and develop practitioner skills which protect both client and practitioner.

$65, 12-5 pm on September 26, 2010 – at 2101 16th St NW

Fridays, 6:30-8 p (except third Friday of each month)
with Kim Weeks, James Foulkes, Liana Brooks-Rubin, and Leah Barr

drop-in or use your Boundless pass

Kim, James, Liana, and Leah teach these sessions on a rotating basis. Each session – a unique mix of a workshop-style class and regular open class – will give you the opportunity to benefit from each teacher’s individual style and perspective. At the same time, there will be collaboration among them, connecting one session to the next.

Follow us on Twitter to see who will be teaching the session on any given week. You can also check the schedule page on the Boundless website.

I came to yoga early, as a college student in New York.  I was a dancer first and an athlete, so yoga was really just the next step (although because my parents did it, I resisted for awhile).  Until I discovered Anusara Yoga, I never felt 100 percent home on my mat, in my body or even in my heart.  In the very first Anusara class I took, I knew immediately that in this practice, I could find my home.  The teacher, Elena Brower (who still inspires me to this day), made me feel welcome with her warmth, made me feel comfortable despite the size of the class (at least 40 people) by cracking jokes regularly and cursing every once in awhile and inspired me with her grace in poses that at the time I never thought would EVER be possible for me to even attempt.

Over the years, as I have not only deepened my practice, but become a full-time teacher, I am still endlessly grateful that I discovered Anusara yoga.  This is a style of yoga, as John Friend says in the NYTimes article that “is positive.  (Anusara is) accessible.  Easily applicable.  And yet is depth and sophistication.”

He continues to say that as teachers, we should “lead our students to that magical place where everyone’s heart opens naturally and where everyone feels empowered and filled with self love.”

Sounds good, huh?  This is what I endeavor to do every time I sit in the seat of the teacher.  To offer the opportunity for every student to feel strong, alive and empowered to be a part of their own radical transformation and awakening of their hearts.

We live in kind of dark times right now.  The world is deeply scarred both on an ecological level and a psychic level.  All we ever see on the news is one disaster after another, whether it’s a natural disaster uprooting thousands of people or a man made disaster like the oil spill in the Gulf or another disgruntled employee taking his anger out of innocent people with fatal violence.  If we focused on all of these negatives without considering the opportunity for global shift, we could all just throw in the towel and say, “Let’s just go to hell in a handbasket.”

But I don’t believe that because of what John and all of my incredible Anusara teachers have taught me.  John himself says is the article, “Yoga is my life.  It’s not just something I practice on a sticky mat.”  I love being a part of this yoga, which emphasizes our ability to look for the good in all things—to OPEN TO GRACE even in times of worldwide and personal challenge.  I love the idea that as yogis we can each be a beacon in the darkness for someone in need.  And we are ALL in need.  I love being a part of a vision that honors the inherent divinity in every person, everywhere, every time and that ultimately says, “whatever you thought before about your limitations, ditch them and grow stronger in the light of your ever-expanding potential.”

My favorite pose to teach is handstand.  Particularly to folks who have never done a handstand before and don’t believe it’s possible.  The tallest person I have assisted in handstand was 7 feet tall.  The youngest handstander was 11 at the time and the most advanced in years, was well into her 70’s.  I love proving them wrong.  I love the unmistakable expression on joy blazing on their faces and pulsing through their entire being after they come down. That kind of surprise-bliss cannot be faked.

But this isn’t about me assisting them.  What most people don’t realize about handstand is that it’s not just about what you can do with your body—not at first.  You don’t need super strong arms.  You need a super strong heart.  You need to believe in yourself.  And sometimes you need a little help from someone who has been there before to help you recognize your own inherent greatness for what it is.

This sums up my love for Anusara yoga.  John says, “We honor spirit based on our vision that life is good,” which basically says that you have the keys to your own radical transformation.  You have the ability within you already because you are a great being infused with divine awesomeness.  So don’t ever think you are too old, too weak, too inexperienced, too stiff, too whatever.  “We are the yoga of Yes,” John says in the middle of the article.  We live in a world of “No’s more often than not, so I appreciate the opportunity that Anusara has offered me embody my own Yesses and inspire them within every person I meet on the mat.

Last week, the New York Times Magazine featured a 5,000 word article illuminating Anusara Yoga and its founder, John Friend.  Boundless Yoga has three teachers who teach in the Anusara style.  Here is Leigh Ann Caldwell’s response, and below this, is Leah Barr’s.

So Kim has asked us Anusara practicioners here at Boundless to write a brief response to the newspaper article about Anusara yoga that was recently published in the New York Times.  What a lovely opportunity for us to deepen our inquiry into yoga.  I’m steadily pursuing Anusara certification so I’m happy and honored to be asked to share my thoughts and my love of the tradition with the Boundless community.  I would also encourage anybody who’s interested to seek out blogs written by certified teachers and of course, the response that was written by the man himself, John Friend (which can be found on the Anusara web site).

Simon Says stand on your right leg. Simon Says put your left foot on your right leg, *not on your knee. Simon says Wave your arms over your head! Now Shout I am awesome at this, I am Doing TREE POSE! – Oh, wait Simon didn’t say Shout that! Whoever shouted is now Simon! (Wait, do you win if you shouted . . ) Oh well, I changed the rules.

Let the New Simon begin dominating with the Left Side.

Hi, wow I’m random. How are you? Are you finding space to practice and meditate this summer? I hope so, and if not – please check in with us! Tell us about your body and your needs, and we’ll reply. (Ex: Hey Kelly, I am really really busy. I would love to take a yoga class, but it never happens. Help! -DC Friend)

There is a yoga practice for you and for everyone. If you r interested, we will help you discover what is right for your body.

What have we been up to at Boundless this week?!! (Well, other than being ecstatic about the New Space) we are making tons of To Do Lists. Is it just me – or are Google Spreadsheets and Google Docs the next best thing since Pranayama?!!!

Getting organized is a stellar way to prepare yourself for practice and stay grounded in your life on earth. What do you like to do to get organized? What do you love about your life when it is messy? I love both messy and neat spaces. How about you?

For example, I love organizing my purse for the next day.(SIdebar: I always think Andrea Chew would be great at this.) I also looove the disaster of my makeup area on my dresser; No matter how many times I organize, it becomes a wild mess each week. I LOVE THAT!!! I love being organized and making a beautiful mess. This is the joy of life. Being at peace with both spaces helps keep me gentle and true.

Other things I love are feathers, sunlight, and rocks. How about you? What is the summer showing you to love this year?

Just curious – do you love these colors (below) for Boundless’s new marketing/interior? What colors say Boundless to You?

Do you love the pretty pink roses in a jar and Emily Shaw’s gorgeous art behind it? I do.

I want to know what you are loving right now.

With peace and gratitude – Kelly