Rolf Gates, author of the acclaimed books on yogic philosophy, Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga, and the newly released: Meditations on Intention and Being: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga, Mindfulness and Compassion, conducts yoga workshops, retreats, teacher trainings, and coaching and mentorship programs throughout the U.S. and abroad–and online. Rolf and his work have been featured in numerous media, including Yoga Journal, ORGINS, Natural Health, People Magazine, and Travel and Leisure’s 25 Top Yoga Studios in the World. Rolf is the co-founder of the Yoga, Meditation and Recovery Conference at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California and the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, Massachusetts and a teacher at Spirit Rock Insight Meditation Center in Northern CA. He is also on the Advisory Board for the Yoga Service Council and the Veterans Yoga Project. A former addictions counselor and U.S. Army Airborne Ranger who has practiced meditation for over twenty-five years, Rolf brings his eclectic background to his practice and his teachings. Rolf and his wife, Mariam Gates, author of Good Night Yoga: A Pose by Pose Bedtime Story and Good Morning Yoga: A Pose by Pose Wake Up Story, live in Santa Cruz, California with their two children. Don’t miss this opportunity to study with Rolf Gates!
Join Rolf for a dynamic weekend of Vinyasa, meditation, pranyama and lecture/discussion as we explore the practices that create a life that works. The pose is what we are doing, the yoga is how we are being in the pose. The yoga will be a synergy of the freedom of a powerful Vinyasa class and the structural integrity of yoga’s therapeutic alignment principles.
The sessions are intended as a whole weekend workshop, but the sessions may be taken individually. All sessions will be based around aspects of Rolf Gates’ newly released: Meditations on Intention and Beings: Dally Reflections on the Path of Yoga, Mindfulness and Compassion (Penguin Random House, Dec. 2015)
In this asana-based session we will explore being grounded in our practice and inspired in our lives. We will allow our practice to give voice to the great heart within us.
The session will include Vinyasa, meditation and lecture/discussion. The yoga will be a synergy of the freedom of a powerful Vinyasa class and the structural integrity of yoga’s therapeutic alignment principles.
The intensive is intentionally challenging, but open to all who wish to explore yoga as an evolutionary journey. The only ‘requirement’ is that you show up, do your best and let your best be good enough.
Saturday:
9am-noon: Being Still with Skill: The Power of Meditation Workshop
Yoga is the cultivation of inner space and the ability to use it well. In this meditation workshop, Rolf will describe the opportunity presented to us in the teachings of the Buddha and Patanjali. This experiential workshop will explore how these great contributions to consciousness weave beautifully together to enhance the quality of our daily lives. This will be in lecture discussion form and guided meditation experience with support in beginning or building on your own meditation practice.
2-5pm: Strength + Surrender: Vinyasa Session
‘In our fear we believe that we must make things happen; in our practice we learn to let things happen.’ Rolf Gates
The session will include Vinyasa, meditation and lecture/discussion. The yoga will be a synergy of the freedom of a powerful Vinyasa class and the structural integrity of yoga’s therapeutic alignment principles.
The intensive is intentionally challenging, but open to all who wish to explore yoga as an evolutionary journey. The only ‘requirement’ is that you show up, do your best and let your best be good enough.
Sunday:
9am-noon: Faith and Flow: Vinyasa Session
Knowing the heart offers us a new possibilities in every aspect of our lives. In this asana-based session we will dive into the tools of yoga that allow us to stay connected to the truth of who we are as we practice new ways of being in the world.
The session will include Vinyasa, meditation and lecture/discussion. The yoga will be a synergy of the freedom of a powerful Vinyasa class and the structural integrity of yoga’s therapeutic alignment principles.
The intensive is intentionally challenging, but open to all who wish to explore yoga as an evolutionary journey. The only ‘requirement’ is that you show up, do your best and let your best be good enough.
Within you is a fountain of joy, within you is an ocean of bliss! — Swami Sivananda
Come join me for a workshop to explore the most practical way to add meditation to your current lifestyle. I can’t promise however, that your lifestyle won’t change naturally and positively post meditation!
Meditate, Journal, Breathe… for Joy November 12th from 1-3pm $25 in advance/$30 at the door
No refunds on day of the event. Thanks for understanding.
In this workshop we will:
Explore a variety of meditation styles so you can choose one for yourself
Educate ourselves as to the benefits of this ancient tradition (SNEAK PEAK…..Overcome Stress – Lose Weight – Sleep Soundly – Be Less Reactive – Boost Creativity – CHOOSE better choices, etc….)
Practice using a short 7-10 min yoga sequence to prep us for taking our seat
Please Bring:
Journal, pen, yoga mat and wear comfortable clothes
Within you is a fountain of joy, within you is an ocean of bliss!
— Swami Sivananda
When I think of the word Joy I think of deeply genuine smiles, gut barreling belly laughter, music that sends chills up my spine and words that elicit tears of happiness.
I feel joy when my kids tell me they love me out of the blue or reach for my hand for no reason at all. I feel joy when I catch my husband looking at me with that look I’ve known since we first met or watching my dog chase wild turkeys and rabbits through the weeds and shrubs that engulf her, ears flapping in the wind. I feel joy just thinking of dark chocolate cake, with coffee, rich and creamy.
However, there is a deeper layer of joy that I am beginning to understand. I find this joy when I meditate; when I close my eyes and go deep inside my body. I arrive here mostly during yoga, but sometimes I find joy while journaling. I find it alone, in nature, or lying on my bed and listening to the rain fall outside my open window.
This type of joy is inward out joy. It comes from some place so deep inside of me that it arises in a way that shows me it’s always there. It’s not situational available. It’s always there, but it does require me to be present, grounded and still. It finds me. I don’t look for it. If I open myself to it and see that it was waiting for me I am joyful that I have found it. There is no looking. There is no struggle to find it.
This inner experience of joy makes me grateful and fills me with feelings of contentment and gratitude. In a state of joy I can fully embrace my favorite mantra…”I have all I need for all I need right now.” Doubt is erased. I trust. I feel blessed and alive.
I recognize my true self is joyful. My true self is also kind, loving, patient, accepting, passionate, calm, and super fun to hang out with. Joy makes me beautiful, not in a vain or superficial way. It makes me beautiful in the way that my presence alone brings vibrancy. In the same way you are beautiful too. It is simply amazing.
We know that meditation stimulates the parts of our brain that expand our loving compassion for ourselves and for others. We know it helps us to pause before we react and use more conscious choice in our decision-making. It slows our reaction time in times of struggle. A consistent meditation practice lowers the flood of cortisol and down regulates our nervous system. It does much, much more and is full of amazing things! All of this reassures me that meditation is a good thing, but the most compelling validation is that my day is better when I meditate and my life improves with my practice.
Come join me at my upcoming meditation workshop learn how you too can arrive in sweet meditational bliss. Please check the website for details on my November workshop. I hope to see you there!
Full Moon in Aries 9:23pm PST. This is a Full SuperMoon in Aries ~ also known as the Hunter’s Moon or Blood Moon. A SuperMoon means that it is close to the Earth in orbit.
This full moon is a time to reconnect with our individuality and the power that lies within our being. Aries is a fire sign, ruled by the red planet, Mars. We will use this SuperMoon Energy to manifest and sync up to our highest self’s dreams together as a sisterhood collective through meditation, breath work, prayer and a journaling exercise.
*Includes special gift to take home*
Aho! Awen! Blessed Be!
Saturday, October 15th
6-7:30pm
$10 **No woman will be turned away for lack of funds.
Through Conscious Parenting we can build pathways to connection.
Do you want more peace and calm in your home? Do you find yourself raising your voice more often than you would like to admit? Do you feel like your child is constantly pushing your buttons?
Please join G’anna Burke for an interactive and eye-opening look at parenting. You will leave this talk with a new perspective and information on:
Parenting paradigms alive in the world currently
What is going on in your child’s brain when they are upset
What brain science tells us about emotional intelligence
How to gain natural cooperation from your child
The one tool missing in your parenting toolbox
How Conscious Parenting leads to connection with your child
Come learn some new parenting skills in this safe and supportive environment where we will explore the worlds toughest and most rewarding job: Parenting
G’anna Burke is a Certified Conscious Parenting Guide and a mother to two active children. She is committed to helping parents create peaceful, connected relationships with their children that will last a lifetime. She works with parents one on one, in groups and workshop settings.
Have certain arm balances and other inversions seemed complicated and difficult?
In this workshop you can:
Remove the mystery
Learn to build structure and alignment
Find lightness and support as you spread your wings and find balance.
Sheri will explain and demonstrate how to safely balance on your arms in a variety of inversions.
You will practice intelligent steps and proper alignment and learn to go upside down with confidence.
About Us
Mantra is a group consisting of Vrindavan on lead vox & guitar, James Burmester on keyboard, harmonium, flute and back vox, and Jada B on percussion (Drum kit, Doumbek, tablas) and back vox. Mantra’s unique sound draws influence from world music, groove, funk, ambient and electronic rhythm.
Group members share similar lifestyles involving meditation, yoga, & music. As a band, they share the joyful sound of mantras-with-music with an audience & get them grooving enough to participate in that joy by joining together in singing, dancing, and experiencing something truly transcendental!
What we do
Mantras are transcendental sound vibrations that can be actively applied to our daily lives. We bring music and mantra together to create high vibration, healing, and joy. Singing mantra benefits everyone regardless of age, gender, or religion.
Where we’ve been
Mantra extends musical offerings at a wide variety of venues including parties, coffee shops, yoga studios, restaurants and music festivals. You can find Mantra at festivals such as Whole Earth Festival in Davis, Earth Day Sacramento, Color Festival in Reno/Sacramento, and Lotus Festival in L.A.
We are looking forward to visiting you at Leap Yoga!
