Namaste Yogis and Yoginis,

The My son turns ONE July 30! Wow, it’s been an amazing ride and extremely exciting to watch the ‘true beginners mind’ at work. Every day William discovers something new about himself and the world around him. Through his eyes, life’s daily beauties and simple objects and actions have become engrossing experiences for me.

So this Newsletter is dedicated to the Beginners Mind. May you approach your practice and each summer day with the joy and wonder of a child.

With happiness,
Jillian

"People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child -- our own two eyes. All is a miracle.-- Thich Nhat Hang.

"…In the mind of an expert there are few possibilities, yet in the mind of the beginner, there are many." William is now up and running! He began with a few steps one day, and three days later he was cruising (like a drunk Frankenstein) at 40 miles per hour. But even after the most abrupt tumble, he eagerly gets back up to try again. It is clear the motivation for his efforts is the realization that his mobility allows him infinite new possibilities and territory for exploration. While his enthusiasm and curiosity are nearly exhausting me, I am awed by this process of "becoming" and renewed by sharing in his discoveries. I am witnessing how the act of discovery is in itself revitalizing. Yoga offers a similar journey. However, because we often repeat the same poses, it’s hard to experience them as new. Yet each pose truly offers new territory to explore and the deeper you go, the more there is to discover. Whether you focus on your muscles, bones, energy, breath, emotions, or
thoughts it can truly be a fresh experience on every journey. When you shut off auto pilot and open you mind, eyes and heart to the new discoveries waiting, you will be awed by the incredible inner landscape filled with endless possibilities.   back to top

For centuries, traditional healers have described breathing as man's window to the emotions. Basically, when you are calm and relaxed, your breathing is slow and rhythmic. When tense, anxious or frightened, your breathing becomes irregular and shallow. Deep conscious breathing has long been known to release stress and tension from the system instilling a state of relaxation. Taking even only 10 deep breaths can do wonders for balancing the nervous system. Practicing conscious breathing is simple and great for beginners and seasoned yogis alike. To practice: Lie down on a comfortable surface (In relaxation pose, savasana. If you like, bend your knees, feet flat on floor.) Take a few breaths and let your body grow still and quiet. As you continue to relax, simply observe the quality of your natural breath without judgment or interference. Just watch it. You may notice that your breath is uneven and inconsistent. It might oscillate between quick and slow, smooth and choppy. After a few minutes of observation, slowly begin helping the breath become more smooth and even, so the duration inhalation and exhalation flow smoothly from start to end. Once you've established evenness, you can use creative visualization to guide the flow of your breath. I find it helpful to imagine the belly is the ocean and chest the shoreline. On the inhale, your breath rises like a wave from belly to the chest, and falls back again on the exhale. Let your breath rise and fall effortlessly. This should naturally increase the depth of your breath without you having to 'try' to consume more air. Simply relax and become increasingly sensitive to the quality of your breath. Try this for 5 minutes, working up to 10. It is wonderful to do first thing when in the morning. Moreover, this will really make a difference on the days you cannot find time to do your yoga practice.  back to top

Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." Albert Einstein.   back to top

A Fall Foliage Yoga Vacation At The Foot of The Appalachian Trail With Jillian - October 1-3, 2004.
"This retreat vanished every stress into thin air." – Jocelyn.

Nestled in the vibrant Berkshire Mountains, Race Brook is the idyllic setting in which to cherish autumn, leave the stress of everyday life behind, and enter a sanctuary for your body, mind, and spirit. You’ll go home totally revived and want to return again next year for the: Great multi-level yoga and meditation immersion - Scrumptious meals prepared by natural Gourmet Chef Joan Embree -Unforgettable uplifting surroundings -Amazing Yoga Space (a restored barn illuminated by lofty sky-lit ceilings) -Charming lodge -Musical brook lined with cozy hammocks -Hiking trails and waterfall -And, of
course, for the fun-loving students!

RESERVE YOUR SPOT. Sign up with friends or we can help provide roommates.
Triple (private bath in room) $360 pp o Double (private bath in room) $425 pp o Couple (private Bath) $400 pp o Single (private bath) $500-565 pp o Single or Couple (shared bath in hall) $400 pp. To register contact Julie Delaney at 201-377-7010 or email yoga_julie@yahoo.com. It’s about 2-1/2 hours drive from NYC. If needed, we can help to coordinate ride shares. Public transportation is available. To view photos visit www.yogajillian.com.