Feb 4, 2017 | Sedona Yoga
Written by Daniel Hyman, Healer, Self Love Activist
Where do we look when we want to heal a part of ourselves, but the old and recycled programming from our egoic mind keeps holding us back and will not let go? The obvious answer would be to focus on our Heart Chakra, but sometimes even when we do that work, we still do not get the results we desire.
So what do we do then? How can we heal our heart when our head will not move and is getting in the way of our divine right of love and joy?
An alternate option is to redirect the focal point of our healing away from our Heart Chakra and move to our Sacral Chakra.
In addition to being the “go to” chakra for emotions and having a connection to the element of water, our Sacral Chakra is the energy center that links us to our creativity and pleasure.
Pleasure is something that is felt, and yes, we can think about how we feel about the pleasure we experience but the true joy from pleasure comes from being present and feeling it—not thinking about it.
Understanding the difference between truly feeling something as opposed to thinking about how we feel about it is so important. Often times, the source of what is blocking our healing process of letting go is that we are stuck in our own head, thinking about our feelings.
Finding purpose and forgiveness is key in the process of healing our hearts. On this journey, we find access to purpose and allow forgiveness into our hearts by replacing the old and permitting the new to enter, bringing new experiences of happiness, love, and joy.
To attract the new, we must let go and heal from the old. We have to find a way to replace our old, negative thoughts and feelings that are stopping us with new, positive thoughts and feelings of love and joy that will ultimately lead us to what we truly desire.
We must reverse the polarities.
When positive feelings and thoughts are present, more “light energy” is available to flow through us and accelerate our healing process. The acceleration of our healing generates our vibrations to go higher more quickly. This empowers us to begin attracting more connections and experiences into our lives that are in alignment with what brings our soul pure joy, love, and fulfillment.
One of the best ways to access these new, desired feelings and positive thoughts is by diving deep into our Sacral Chakra and tapping directly into our creativity.
Our creativity is one of our most powerful healing skills. It comes directly from our spirit and like water, it carries the power of flow. When we are in the flow, we return to our natural state of being—the perfect alignment with our higher self and the love that we already are.
There is an art to awakening your creative gifts and tapping into your flow. To learn more, please visit www.goddessdanceiam.com
WANT TO MEET INFINATE BEGINNINGS IN PERSON? COME TO THE SYF 2017 YOGA FESTIVAL
REGISTER FOR TICKETS – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/syf-a-consciousness-evolution-conference-5th-annual-sedona-yoga-festival-tickets-22652197332
Jan 1, 2017 | Sedona Yoga
It’s hard to be a kid today. Luckily, there is a magical place at Sedona Yoga Festival for kids yoga ages 6-13! Scheduled to coincide with adult classes there is so much fun to be had at this years SYF. Our kids yoga program will include, Acro yoga, yoga dance, music, art, and much more. Mats and materials provided. Bring: water and snacks. Package details will be available soon.
Children deal with many distractions, temptations, overstimulation and peer pressure. Schools are challenged to do more with less and be creative in how they reach even the most isolated child. Yoga can help children develop awareness, build concentration,manage stress through breathing & meditation, develop focus and learn healthy movement.
Sedona is an ideal family destination, and Kids Yoga, is designed to support families. SYF kids will enjoy an exciting line up of talented presenters like SYF returning Presenter Sitara Van Block.
Kids Yoga Schedule:
Can drop off kids any time between Friday – Saturday 9.45 AAM – 4.15 PM
Can drop off kids any time between or Sunday 9.45 AM – 4.45 PM
Classes are 1 hour long, supervision will be constant during open hours.
We have release forms available on site for parents*
Friday 10th
Class times Presenters/titles
10-11 AM Fun Yoga with Alan Alcid
11.15-12.15 Valerie Pike Rainforest Adventure
12.30-1.30 Aya Sheevaya “YOGA IS KID FUN!”
Rest and Relax
1.45-2.45 Ana Hansen Yoga Together Class for Families with Babies
3-4 Ali Geter Yoga dance and kids kirtan
Saturday 11th
Class times Presenters/titles
10-11 Valerie Pike Deep Blue Sea Yoga
11.15-12.15 Laura Fuller Lotus Yoga
12.30-1.30 Turasa Yoga Game
Rest and Relax
1.45-2.45 Ana Hansen – The Indigo Child Yoga Circle
3-4 Ali Geter – Partner poses, games, dance and sing
Sunday 12th
Class Times Presenters/titles
10-11 Sitara Van Block Giant Mandala painting and partner play
11.15-12.15 Laura Fuller Earth Medicine
12.30-1.30 Jill Adams – Playful intro to yoga, games and more
1.45-2.45 Jill Adams – Sound healing, stories, games and yoga
Rest and relax
2.45-4.45 Kirsten Rubis Empowerment 4
Girls Day Camp
2.45-4.45 Mandala Painting
Sitara Van Block – Kids Yoga Program Director
Sitara has taught yoga internationally for 26 years. She has 2 best selling Kid yoga DVD’s on Amazon, Kids World Yoga and Family Acro Yoga.
She has developed kid yoga programs for schools and taught mommy and me yoga for 8 years. Sitara developed the kid yoga program at SYF in 2016 and looks forward to making it even better this year. Sitara is a Transpersonal Psychologist also and we are so honored to have her at SYF 2017.
“There is a special magical place at the SYF for Kids ages 6-13! Scheduled to coincide with adult classes, there is so much fun to be had: Acro yoga, yoga dance, music, art, and much more. Mats and materials provided. Bring: water and snacks. Meet us at the tent on the lawn at the collective.” – Sitara
Meet your Teachers!
Jill Adams- Playful intro to yoga.
Teaching children awareness, centered behavior, story telling through yogic/animal poses & lots of games! Jill also introduces kids to sound healing by playing tibetan singing bowls, bamboo rainstick and a moyo drum.
Laura Fuller- Earth Medicine Yoga
Stones, crystals, essential oils, yoga and imagination are used to give an experience of how nature can help us come back to balance and feel at home in our body and the earth.
Lotus Yoga – The making of a beautiful lotus craft is woven into the asana. We will talk about the symbols of the lotus growing from the mud and land in the sweetness of spirit.
AYA SHEEVAYA- YOGA IS KID FUN!
In this active hour of yoga fun, we will play with a variety of educational toys (wheels, juggling balls, blocks, dancing sticks…) and explore together animal yoga shapes & sounds, simple breath practices, group games, as well as some chanting… Bring your fun kid self!
Sitara Van Block
Giant Mandala painting and partner play Come and join in a big group mandala painting project and then explore fun partner and Acro Yoga like double headed dragon.
Valerie Pike- Rainforest Adventure Yoga with the YogaBerriesGuru
Learn fun and interesting facts about the animals we do yoga poses to. Rainforest Lovers will enjoy the imaginative nature yoga poses. Breathing techniques and movements reduce stress and anxiety, improve concentration and bring a smile to your face. Great stretching for the family. Dads can be pretzels too!
Deep Blue Sea Yoga with the YogaBerriesGuru Valerie Pike
Ocean Lovers will enjoy the ocean themed yoga poses such as Dolphin pose, Boat Yoga Pose, Sea Otter, Plank, Shark Pose, Sea Turtle, Tilting Penguin Pose, Mermaid and partner yoga poses such as Double Boat and Whale Pose.
Join Certified Mini Yogis instructor Valerie Pike to play Yogi Games, participate in a Djembe Drum Circle and learn a guided beach relaxation and Sleeping Starfish guaranteed to help your child rest better. So come along on our Ocean Yoga Adventure and have fun with the YogaBerriesGuru! You can even imagine your yoga mat will turn into a surf board and be ready to spread the harmony wave by wave!
Kristen Rubis
Empowerment 4 Girls Day Camp educates, inspires and empowers girls, ages 9-16, to deepen their unique character, cultivate self confidence, develop core life skills and implement daily self-care through an innovative journey toward self-discovery and inner peace.
Mandala painting for boys Large mandala group project for boys, wear old clothes because of the paint.
Alan Alcid – Class Room Fun Yoga
A traditional series system of hatha yoga, partner yoga and incorporates animal fun poses modified for children to enjoy. The series helps develop physical balance, strength and flexibility, mental focus and concentration.
Ana Hansen – Yoga Together Class for Yoga Families with Babies
This class is specifically designed for mothers or fathers who have babies and toddlers younger than the age of three. This is an excellent opportunity for families to have fun together practicing yoga and playing yoga with the little ones!
Come and create memories as a family, and take your practice into your home!
The Indigo Child Yoga Circle
This class is specifically designed for children from the ages of 5 to 9 that have sensory issues. In this yoga class, children will sing, dance, do yoga, and paint!
Children will connect and learn about their bodies and have fun!
ALI GETER- Yoga dance and Kids Kirtan
Sing, turn your body upside down with kids kirtan and yoga dance. Its time to have lots of fun. Ali blends a colorful mix of expressions to cultivate experience through community. Partner poses, games, dance and song.
Awareness games that use all the senses, an hour of fun with kirtan, dance and helping one another with partner yoga poses.
Jan 1, 2017 | Sedona Yoga
SYF asked Presenter Robert Sturman- who recently worked with Tao Porchon Lynch, to comment on their special time together shooting images for her recent press in the New York Times, and Autobiography “Dancing Light.”
Tao Porchon Lynch is the oldest yoga instructor in the world and a master Yoga teacher. She has trained and certified hundreds of yoga instructors and is an award-winning author. She discovered yoga in 1926 when she was eight years old in India and studied with Sri Aurobindo, B.K.S.
From World War II activist to model to actress to dancer to master yoga teacher, Tao Porchon-Lynch proves age has no limits. The 98-year-old was most recently seen on “America’s Got Talent” and is now in Kansas City for some inspiring workshops. Feeling young and being healthy is everything, and Tao Porchon-Lynch teaches people on the entire planet the wonderful world of yoga.
“She’s a very cool lady.”
Something so poignant occurred—she thanked me. This light filled 98-year-old, beautiful, intelligent, sharp woman thanked me (three times) for being patient with her while she got into her poses and we made art together in Central Park. I thought to myself, where do I have to be? What do I have to do? Who am I not to be patient? Tao showed up for our first shoot in 2012 in a red ballroom dancer’s flamenco dress and high heels and she told me she only wears high heels because they help elevate her consciousness. After we did the shoot, I knew we had created something profound and that the work would go on living a life of its own. And it did as it landed on the cover of her autobiography.
Since that day in 2012, Tao and I have worked with each other every spring and fall — each time creating something truly unique and special. It has been an honor to share her story and inspire people globally with her uncompromising approach to redefining possibility. We are all blessed to have this living treasure with us lighting up the world and what a gift that Tao will be joining us at the 2017 Sedona Yoga Festival!”
By Robert Sturman SYF 2017 Keynote Speaker and Returning Presenter
www.RobertSturmanStudio.com
Blogs:
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/wc/robert-sturman
https://www.yogajournal.com/people/people/robert-sturman/
Dec 30, 2016 | Sedona Yoga
“Everything you’re going through- is preparing you for what you asked for.”
Her words ring through my mind as I struggle to feel my fingers. I’m at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, scrambling through red slick, falling shale and pouring rain. The once beautiful travertine waters of Havasupai Falls, now turn an angry shade of black.
My vision swirls in watercolor stains across rain soaked skies. The canyon is flooding. We only have minute to reach the safety of higher ground before the rain water bottle necks like a wall of liquid destruction- submerging anything that stands in her way. There are men in tactical survival gear screaming in my ears to vacate my campsite, “MOVE, MOVE.”
My mind races. Maybe she’s right. Maybe, in some way, I asked for this.
Gripping the cold wet walls of the cave, I scramble upward barefoot carrying my backpack, as we find refuge in the dark. In the distance, the canyons thundering fury gaining momentum, I look up to see only the night. Eyes close, the same color… I invoke the sweet escape of sleep.
Like a titan revealing his gold purse- the sky parted and we awoke by the light of the clear morning. The cave our makeshift home, cold and hard, yet- a necessary refuge. The view below of abandoned camps, smeared and strewn across the dirt from the raging waters.
On this day, there is no shortage of pain. My leg recently wrapped from the accidental spill of boiling hot water and a pounding ear infection… yet, I found solace in the view of light leaks, dew stained trees and purple skies.
Behind me- most of our belongings are spread out on a makeshift clothes line, we perch in high caverns of the cave. Drinking instant campfire green tea- we found solace in smoke- reflecting on the intensity of the moments that had just passed. I suck the air and flick the front of my teeth with my cotton tongue.
“What a story this day will be”- she says. I pull the Earth around me and close my eyes only to be reminded of the pounding ear infection in my head. I will get through. I will be warm again
“Can you pass me the tea?” …. Maybe she’s right. Her voice comes back into my focus as I open my eyes. She tells me, I am a ten gallon person. Heavy, and full. She tells me, “Ten gallon people require an equal measure to be reciprocated to be happy.” Ten gallons. It makes sense- I could never get off on a pint anyways.
Ten gallon people are heavy. We endure, tremendously. We love beyond any measurable tool of fate. How difficult it is to love something fully and then for the sake of preserving it – you must let it go. Love opens doors and makes everything seem possible- yet, just as quickly it can take away the breath inside of you.
How difficult it is to come back from that. Zero gallons. When my love left, I thought it wound be my end. But my soul knew better and asked for this.
She says – “How can you expect to find your truth- if you’re walking around like the guy who’s already had his house blown down?” People are not all monsters and new lovers are not all big bad wolves. Mistakes happen.
“You asked for this.” – she tells me. “Your soul had to remind you what you are made of.”
A trial of the mind and body, to remind me- that despite how hard it can be- to weather the storm… and accept that although you may fail miserably, or lose everything… you still have the strength to get up after a night of loathing, tear stained pillows… make coffee and do what needs to be done to feed the children and get outside to stand in the light. The fact is – lost love is shattering. But these experiences remind us, we are ten gallon people.
The trick, you must learn to forgive yourself before you can accept the forgiveness of others. There is no perfectly guilty party and no one is ever off scot-free.
I say, do not succumb to the torture of loss…let it wash over you, let the burns heal and the internal battle fade into a blaze of your memory. Be the full version of those ten gallons. Because life and amazingly wonderful things and people want to happen to you. Sometimes darling- you just have to get out of your own way to see it.
The sky is clearing now, and all I see are little clouds of possibility.
Photos and Story by Leah Joy Lindner
Here’s the thing about a yogi detox… Everything comes to your aid. Including serious indigestion, as the yogi continuously and relentlessly shines the light of consciousness into all areas of their lives. These experiences showed me something about myself (that I needed to see… to know.)
Something happens… call it a miracle (because no short of could it be!) Somehow… the point of identification can shift, does shift and we begin to see the wounded one and realize we can observe him or her. Rest in this awareness when it comes… nurture and allow it to return frequently. Find ways that work for you to cultivate this feeling, because it is a feeling only you will know and your way to it will be unique to you. Always remember, no matter where you are on your journey… teachers will come and go, leaders, too. You are the only constant and ultimately your unique way and practice will be revealed… to you, unfolded by you and realized by you. Yes, you will be guided, a student and a teacher, and you will experience many, many things… but, it will always be up to you to find your way hOMe when the cacophony returns, and it will return.
