N E W S L E T T E R.. A R C H I V E S • Y O G A L I C I O U S #2 — July / 2000

Namaste Yogis and Yoginis, Welcome to the 2nd issue of Yogalicious.
 
—— IN THIS ISSUE ——

GOOD-BYE AT YOGA ZONE
As many of you know, I am no longer teaching at Yoga Zone. While I am certain and clear that this was a necessary and right decision, it has also been a very challenging transition for me. However, it is through my yoga and mediation practice that I have learned to listen more closely to my heart and to flow with change more willingly. I have sincerely enjoyed teaching and sharing my practice with you at Yoga Zone. And, I am filled with gratitude that you have shared your practice with me. Thank you for your presence, dedication, interest, smiles and support. I hope we continue growing together in the NEW yoga studio.      back to top
 
NEW CLASSES WITH JILLIAN IN NYC
I am SO EXCITED to start teaching at POWER PILATES. 49 west 23rd Street (btwn 5th and 6th Ave.) 10th floor. 212-627-5852. Tuesday and Thursday: 7:15 p.m. - 8:30 (starting 6/27) Monday and Friday: 12:30 -1:30 (starting 6/26 & Friday starts 7/7) The instant I walked into this studio, I knew it was the perfect space. The vibe is so Yummy (Yogalicious)! The studio is illuminated by an entire wall of huge windows flooding the studio with natural radiance. And, it’s not on the street side of the building, so it is quiet. The studio opened in March 2000. It's been fully renovated with pristine hard wood floors, a soft luminous décor, three cozy massage rooms, a fully equipped pilates studio, brand new showers, clean bathrooms, changing rooms, and lockers. Simply walking into the studio is a respite from the city and helps to put you in a yogic mood -- even before class begins! (Yes!) So, as you can imagine, I feel this is the perfect place for my classes. The owners’ intentions feel pure and giving; this is obvious from the service and welcome you get walking in. AND - there are yoga classes every day with GREAT teachers from YOGA ZONE, Om studio, and a few other studios around town. (E-mail me if you would like a full yoga schedule.) You will find Carrie Parker, Beverly Foster, and Carl Horowitz on the schedule! You’ll also find other healing modalities to explore here such as Alexander Technique, Pilates Tower and Mat classes, Massages and bodywork of all types, and a variety of healing arts workshops. COME TAKE YOUR FIRST CLASS HERE WITH ME, FREE -- SO YOU CAN SEE THE SPACE AND WHY I AM SO EXCITED. Print the coupon on the bottom of this newsletter and bring it. Print some for your friends, as well. If you have problems printing the coupon let me know. Single Classes are $15 for an hour, $17 for classes over an hour. Also, other packages are available such as an introduction package of 3 classes for $30. The studio is a hop, skip and/or jump from these subways: PATH TRAIN, F, N, R, 1, 9, 6 BE SURE to mention this Newsletter when you make contact with them. And, cut the coupon at the bottom of this newsletter.      back to top
 
MEDITATION RETREAT
I just got back from a 5-day Silent Raja Yoga Retreat at Kripalu. This was my second silent retreat. It’s very interesting and intense when you take away the stimulus of talking and interacting with people via verbal communication. The voices in your head get a lot louder— before they begin to quiet. Why a silent retreat? In most spiritual traditions, the practice of silence, or Mauna in Sanskrit, is seen as a pre-condition for the emergence of Wisdom (ie: clarity, intuition, universal knowing etc.) It is as an essential technique for quieting the mind. When the mind is quiet, we can more easily enter deep states of relaxation and meditation. What I find most profound about practicing Silence, is that it helps me get a little closer to the quieter voices inside my head and heart. I can see/understand more clearly, what's up in my mind, emotions, and body -- in a way that is simply not possible with the constant cacophony of noise and natural chaos of my daily life. During the retreat, I had the opportunity to study with many wonderful teachers including my main teacher Erich Schiffmann. I also studied with Sarah Powers, Richard Freeman, Richard Miller, Nichala Devi, and Stephen Cope. Kripalu is running another Silent RAJA YOGA retreat with Stephan Cope 8/13-8/18 call Kripalu for details at 1-800-741-7353. Or check www.kripalu.org      back to top
 
FURTHERING YOUR MEDITATION PRACTICE:
There are endless ways to meditate. My first introduction to mediation was in fourth grade. My mother dragged my entire family to Transcendental Meditation (T.M) as a “family outing”. Of course, at the time, this was definetly not my idea of fun. But, I went and got my mantra, was initiated, and mom made sure I sat in my room for 20 minutes a night -- meditating (which felt more like punishment.) However, I admit, I always came out of my room feeling a bit renewed and peaceful. Granted, the practice only lasted a few months. About 20 years later, I came to study meditation on my own. I took a Vipassana Mediation course through the Insight Mediation Center. I have been exposed to lots of different types of meditation and this one is the best for me. It’s certainly the “friendliest” technique I have been exposed to. I’ve been practicing it for three years and it’s profoundly changed my life. Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India’s most ancient techniques of meditation. It was rediscovered by Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years. It is a non-sectarian technique, which focuses on the deep interconnection between mind and body, which can be experienced directly by disciplined attention to the physical sensations or actions in the body. (Such as watching your breath rise and fall in your belly). Through this observation-based, self-exploratory technique the habits and conditions that influence one's thoughts, feelings, judgements and sensations become clear. It becomes easier to notice and understand how one grows or regresses, how one produces suffering or frees oneself from suffering. Benefits that quickly arise are increased awareness, non-delusion, self-control and peace. Personally, I love Vipassana because it is not about “rising above” our human experience -- or becoming “enlightened”. Instead, it is a means to become present, fluid, and peaceful — in our lives and the world -- as it is actually happening in the moment. I’ve come to believe that “enlightenment” is simply being fully present and open. I think this poem by Thich Nhat Hanh captures the flavor of Vipassana Meditation:      back to top
 
IN THE PRESENT MOMENT. THICH NAHT HAN
Our true home is in the present moment. To live in the present moment is a miracle. The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the Green Earth in the present moment. To appreciate the peace and the Beauty that are available now. Peace is all around us, In the world and in nature. And within us — in our bodies and our spirits. Once we learn to touch this peace. We will be healed and transformed. It is not a matter of faith; It is a matter of practice.      back to top
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT VIPASSANA:
A great and very little (pocket sized) easy- to- read book is “Mediation” by Sogyal Rinpoche - put out by Harper San Francisco Pema Chordon has a number of good books. Try START WHERE YOU ARE. Or WHEN THINGS FALL APART. For workshops and courses: NY Insight Mediation Center: 917- 441-0915. 4. Introductory Web sites to check out: http://www.tbsa.org/introducctionvipassana.htm http://www.tbsa.org/introducctionvipassana.htm or, for instructions try: http://www.tbsa.org/meditationinstrucctions.htm http://www.tbsa.org/meditationinstrucctions.htm      back to top
 
BUYING YOUR OWN YOGA PROPS - mail order
Mail Order I found good prices for mats, blocks, straps and bolsters at Tools for Yoga call 973-966-5311.      back to top
 
GREAT ARTICLE IN YOGA JOURNAL
In the June issue of Yoga Journal, there is a super article by Philip Moffitt “What the Buddha Taught about Disappointment”. I am tempted to type the whole three-page article for you here — but maybe you should just go grab a copy instead.      back to top
 
LOVE MY NEW YOGA PANTS
I ordered some great new yoga pants from the ATHLETA catalog. Soft material called sueded suplex that I haven't found anywhere else. A little expensive ($45 plus shipping)- but I am really enjoying them. To get their catalog call 1-888-322-5515.     back to top
 
WHAT IS THAT SCENT?
The oil I have been using this month is a mix I put together of lavender (2parts), grapefruit (1 part) and a hit of eucalyptus. Lavender is calming, grapefruit is a mood elevator and stimulates digestion, and eucalyptus is excellent for the lungs and respiratory system.      back to top
 
FREE COUPON
Well my friends, thanks for your attention. I had a lot of fun putting this together and welcome suggestions or reviews you have for books, workshops etc. Please let me know if you have an e-mail address change or would like to be taken off this distribution. In addition, if you have friends that would like to be added to this list please have them send their E-mail address. Don't forget to clip the coupon (and print some for your friends!) May each of us experience happiness.
 
With much joy, Jillian

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