April's Yoga Playlist, and private yoga lessons...

Dearest Yogis and Yoginis,

By popular demand, I am including one of my yoga playlists for you below. I have to be honest, I'm not a wiz at making playlists. It took me about 7 hours to put it together. I had no idea how popular it would be, but why keep a good thing secret? Speaking of...

I am now available for private yoga lessons for individuals or for groups.

No, they are not just for Madonna and Sting. They are for beginners who want a little more one-on-one instruction in particular poses, they are for those recovering from injuries that want specific instruction on safety, they are for more experienced yogis wanting to deepen their practice, as well as for those that want a more private, and "on their own schedule" lesson that will give them an excellent work out. In other words, they are for you. And they also make great presents for others. I'm just sayin'...

If you or anyone you know is interested, please feel free to email me at: workofheartyoga@gmail.com or call me at (310) 559-2570.

Now, as for that playlist...

Country Poem - Pat Metheny
Sueno con Mexico - Pat Metheny
Sunny Came Home - Shawn Colvin
So Damn Lucky - Dave Matthews
Stay or Leave - Dave Matthews
I'm Bound to Pack it up - The White Stripes
Trouble - Dave Matthews
Sitting, Waiting, Wishing - Jack Johnson
Flake - Jack Johnson
Better Together - Jack Johnson
Inaudible Melodies - Jack Johnson
Trouble - Coldplay
Oh - Dave Matthews
If Not Now - Tracy Chapman
For You - Cold Play
Aqueous Transmission - Incubus
Alone in Kyoto - Air

A friend's class I'd like to promote!

There's a new yoga class at Your Neighborhood Studio!

And better yet, it's taught by my friend Rennie Yabiku! Some of you already know Rennie because she's subbed for some of my classes! Rennie's Yoga Flow class is on Saturdays from 5:00-6:30pm. It's the perfect workout before your hot date for Saturday night, so go check out her class if you get a chance.

You can find Rennie's info on the YNS website at: www.yourneigbhorhoodstudio.com.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Sincerely,
April KirkHart
www.workofheartyoga.com

April goes on a subbing spree!

Hi all, I'm teaching a bazillion classes between now and Tuesday, so I thought I'd let you know, in case one works better for your schedule - Addresses and phone numbers for each studio are on my home page at www.workofheartyoga.com:

Friday:
7-8:30 am Mixed Level at Goda Yoga
9-10:30 am Yoga Flow at Your Neighborhood Studio
1-2 pm Lunch Mixed Level at Goda Yoga

Sunday:
9-10:30 am Yoga Flow at Your Neighborhood Studio
11-12:30 Beginner Hatha at Goda Yoga
12:45 - 2:15pm Beginner Hatha at Goda Yoga

Monday:
7-8:30 am Mixed Level at Goda Yoga
9-10:30 am Yoga Flow at Your Neighborhood Studio
1-2 pm Lunch Mixed Level at Goda Yoga

Keep your eyes posted for the next blog about a car that runs off pure veggie oil!

Sincerely,
April KirkHart
www.workofheartyoga.com

Out sick tonight for YMCA class Weds!

To my YMCA students:

I am SOOOO sorry, but I am getting a pretty mean sore throat and feel a serious fever coming on. I will not be teaching my class tonight. Kristy is trying to find a sub at the moment, so call in ahead of time to see if someone is teaching.

My apologies, I hate to do this last minute...I thought I'd feel better by now, but I don't want to spread the germs! I'll be in isolation until at least Friday.

Thank you for your understanding, and remember to breathe!

Sincerely,
April KirkHart
www.workofheartyoga.com

What is that thing April does at the end of class anyway?

So,

I've been asked a number of times about the chant that I sing at the end of class sometimes. And some of my YMCA "regulars" even got a print out one special class of that little prayer. But I thought I would make the transliteration/translation available on my blog since some people seem to really like it.

Let me start by saying that when I first got into yoga, I didn't want to get into the whole "chanting" thing because it felt weird, a little goofy, and close to religious, which is something I have struggled with. However, when I started to read about the translations of some of these chants, I found them to be spiritually purposeful for me, and fairly universal in nature - meaning the opposite of exclusionary. That's why I sing some of them before or after my class, because it reminds me of my own intention, and to be honest, I like the way they sound and feel when I sing them. They fill me up like a glass of water does a thirsty person in the desert. Or at least that's the feeling I get.

However, I understand people's curiosity or hesitation about them. More to the point, I have no interest in being signed up for a particular religious belief or pushing one on anyone else. I'm the first to want to know what prayers are being made in my presence and to make sure if I sing along, or say them, that I'm not signing myself or anyone else up for a contract of which they are not a willing participant. Therefore, without further ado...

Closing class prayer:
Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaha
Sarve Santu Niraamayaah
Sarve Bhadraani Pashyantu
Maa Kaschid Dukha Bhaag Bhavet
Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shanti
Namaste

Translation:
May happiness be unto all,
Perfect health be unto all,
May all see good in everyone (or all things auspicious)
May all be free from suffering.
Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.
I bow to you (or I bow to the god in you.)

**I took this translation from a little booklet of Kirtan from Swami Satchidananda's Yogaville, copyright 1987. However, if you enter "closing slokas" in a google search, you'll find different variations of the transliteration and the actual English translation - but they all come pretty close to this one.

*A little known fact is that the salutation, "Namaste" is an acknowledgment or sign of deep respect.

So with that...

Namaste!
April KirkHart
www.workofheartyoga.com

I'm back! And Thanks to Rennie for subbing!

Dearest Yoga Blog Readers,

I am back from my pre-birthday trip and am going to try my hand at including a picture or two in this blog. We'll see how that works out...

But before I do, I just wanted to send out a heartfelt thank you to Rennie for subbing for me at the Y and at YNS. It feels good to know that my students are in capable hands if I am out sick or on vacation. Some of you will be happy to know that Rennie will be teaching at YNS regularly on Saturday evenings, so check the schedule online!

As for a quick picture from my trip to Northern CA... This is my pre-birthday flan at the Mexican restaurant I went to with friends and Casey in San Rafael. And yes, that is a margarita.

I am glad to be back and can't wait to see you all on the mat!

-april

Family time for April's birthday!

Just a quick note to let you all know that I will be out of town, just for the week for a little vacation, but I am leaving you in good hands!

My friend and colleague, Rennie, will be subbing for me this week, and she is a wonderful kindred spirit, so please bring your fabulous energy to class and share it with her. I promise to do a little meditation for each of my classes while I'm gone.

However, some of my classes are not happening because they fall on Easter Sunday. So the schedule is as follows:

Weds - March 19th - YMC - 6-7:25pm Rennie is subbing
Friday - March 21st Your Neighborhood Studio 9-10:30am - Rennie is subbing

***EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 23rd
Your Neighborhood Studio is closed, therefore, no Yoga Flow 9-10:30am

GODA Yoga - Rig's class in the AM is still on, and Cheryl will teach her beginner class from 11:00-12:30 am, but my class will not be happening. So if you normally come to my class, come to the 11:00 class and celebrate Easter with Cheryl!

Have a wonderful happy holiday(s) and I will see you after the 23rd!

Peace,
April KirkHart