Where to find peace in a world turned upside down?

My dear friends, the past few weeks, or months have been hard ones. The world is in upheaval. I have felt it listening to the news, I have seen the images splashed across the media, I have friends I fear for abroad. I have seen it on the streets where my children live and go to school, I have seen anger and violence in traffic patterns, criss-crossing my daily life. I have felt it in my heart for children everywhere. I fear sometimes for my own. And now I feel the sadness for a man lost in his own pain, sadness and anger, who was so widely known and yet felt so alone.

How do we go about our days? How do we do the things we normally do? How does the world not stop turning, how does life continue when there is so much heaviness?

I've been wrestling with these questions lately myself. As a mother, I often do not have the luxury of grieving or processing these things upon their arrival in my life. My children carry a momentum with them that usually sweeps me away with them. But the other night I sat up, way too late for my own good, reading this lovely book, "The Yamas and the Niyamas: Exploring Yoga's Ethical Practice," by Deborah Adele. And I came across a quote that I think has huge implications for us as individuals, but also for people, societies, our world at large. I wanted to share it with you all. I have never heard anything so challenging, so true, so inexplicably simple and yet complicated. It is the work we all need to do. I hope it will resonate with you.

The author, Adele, in her second chapter quotes a statement made by Etty Hillesum, a young holocaust victim:

"Ultimately we have just one moral duty:
to reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves,
more and more peace,
and to reflect it towards others.
And the more peace there is in us,
the more peace there will also be
in our troubled world."

Sending out as much love as I can,
-April

Back to teaching and loving it!

I can't tell you how good it feels to be teaching again!

I have missed being able to share what I love and live in yoga. And I forgot how much fun it is to teach, not just to practice. What makes it so fun? The students, of course!

For Jules' regular and very loyal students, it's fun to see them experience a new teacher and to adjust to a new situation. Think about how you feel when you go to a class that you love, only to find some stranger at the front about to teach. It's hard! Even for teachers! We try to practice Samtosha, acceptance, taking what is, whatever presents itself... but it's hard not to build expectations, especially for something that is generally consistent and to which you've grown accustomed. But as a teacher, it's so rich to watch a student go from maybe a little disappointment (or a lot!), and hesitation, to full blown letting-go-and-releasing-mode in a single class, and it is a pretty special thing.

I forgot how amazing it is to watch someone totally new to Yoga, experience the breath, the poses for the first time. I've watched people open up, both literally in their bodies, and I can read it on their faces. And maybe I've opened up too, after taking a break, and seeing my own practice from a different perspective, heck, teaching from a different perspective.

Change can be hard, but it can also be amazing, and wonderful. And that's just where I am right now. In a world that seems to be in major upheaval right now, I am really happy to be out there, trying to help people stay open, to find peace and calm, to try to generate a sense of unity and grounding. And I'm so grateful to Jules, her students, and to GODA Yoga for giving me the opportunity to do so.

So, if you haven't heard, or want to know when I'm teaching here's the schedule:

Tuesday and Thursdays, Beginner, 5:30pm -6:55pm
Fridays, Beginner, 6:30-8:00pm
Saturdays, Level One, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Sundays, Beginner, 11:00-12:30pm

GODA Yoga
9711 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
cross street/ Watseka and Culver Blvd.
(310) 287-1255

There's 2 hours free parking at the garage on Watseka!

Come get your yoga on with me!

Peace!

My new, temporary, schedule at GODA Yoga!

Here it is! My new schedule at GODA Yoga in the heart of downtown Culver City, as I fill in for Jules Hogan-Sahay while she is on maternity leave. So hurry up and come do some yoga with me and spread the word!

Tuesday and Thursdays, Beginner, 5:30pm -6:55pm
Fridays, Beginner, 6:30-8:00pm
Saturdays, Level One, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Sundays, Beginner, 11:00-12:30pm

GODA Yoga
9711 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
cross street/ Watseka and Culver Blvd.
(310) 287-1255

And all the beginner classes can be prenatal appropriate. I have lots of experience and training in that department!

Peace, and hope to see you there!

-April

I'm Teaching at GODA again starting Sun, July 13!

Hello? Is anyone still out there?

I know I've been out for a long while. Well, I had another baby, then I had to wait to have surgery (see previous posts), then I had surgery, then had to wait a year or so to heal... Since then, I re-immersed myself in the world of yoga at my favorite place, GODA! I took the 2014 teacher training to dust off the old yogic mind and create a little Satsang for myself, and boy did I ever.

My trainee buddies were amazing, uplifting, lovely people and I am so grateful to Cheryl Moss and Kate Duyn Cariati for giving me the opportunity to heal, re-strengthen, and most of all, to be a part of that wonderful group.

So, now that I'm all back together again, I have the privilege of repaying the favor that Jules Hogan-Sahay granted me by taking over my classes and keeping them while I was out... I am going to start teaching for many (not all) of her classes while she prepares to go on maternity leave, and only until she's ready to come back. I repeat, I will be taking over many of her classes TEMPORARILY while she is on maternity leave.

I will be starting this Sunday, July 13th, teaching her beginner class from 11:00am - 12:30, and will slowly start teaching more of her beginner and level one classes as she is ready for me to take them. I will keep you posted via my blog.

But prepare yourselves. Jules has an INCREDIBLE following, and space in her class is so very coveted, which is absolutely a tribute to what a gifted teacher she is. I will strive to serve well in her absence. In other words, if you want a spot in class get there early!

I can't wait to see you all and move and breathe together!

Jai!

April is back at GODA... for a little

Dear All, or should I say Anyone still checking?

I'm going to be teaching for Jules Hogan's Sunday beginner classes at GODA coming up, starting THIS SUNDAY July 1st!!!

 I know, I know, it's been a while. For sure. I had another baby. She is rad, by the way. Her name is Alex Mae. Bright red hair, super cute, awesome sleeper, kinda chubby. But I've been pretty busy being a mom. Since I was brilliant enough to have my kids almost 2 whole years apart, I got to have a newborn and do potty training all at the same time. You get the picture.

 In the meantime, my ab muscles separated so far apart during pregnancy this time that I still look like I am six months pregnant, and have had the joyous experience of having no core strength (which really comes in handy for, let's see... EVERYTHING.) No it is not because I had a home birth (which is so weird that someone even thought that had anything to do with it), and no I did not gain an unreasonable amount of weight, and no, my baby wasn't gigantic (she wasn't little either though!) I guess it was just what happened. My own little yogic curveball from the universe. I have to have surgery to fix it, but I am not quite ready for that. Long story...

 So forgive me for being away so long, and forgive me even more for not blogging or talking much about it. It's been really hard for me personally, and as a yoga instructor. What are the odds, right?! Regardless, being a mom has been my first priority, which I (mostly) love, and I don't think I could have done it without taking some major time off.

I am truly grateful to Cheryl and Jules for taking over my classes and being so understanding, and to the whole GODA community for being so lovely about it all. What I am ready for, is to teach some yoga at GODA and repay the favor to Jules Hogan by subbing some of her Sunday classes in July and August. That's right, you heard me, I'm coming back to teach (a little), ab muscles be damned! Besides, I've missed you all a lot and I just can't stay away from GODA!

So listen up, this is the schedule. Feel free to spread the word.

Sunday, July 1, beginner class, 11-12:30
Sunday, July 22, beginner class, 11-12:30
Sunday, July 29, beginner class, 11-12:30
Sunday, August 5, beginner class, 11-12:30

 I hope I see you guys there!!!
 Peace,
April KirkHart
www.workofheartyoga.com
www.godayoga.com

GODA Yoga's 10 Year Anniversary Party!

Dear All,

I know I've been away for a while, and I haven't blogged in forever, but I wanted to let you know a few things:

My newest daughter, Alex Mabel KirkHart is healthy and amazing! She's 3 months already. I can't believe how time flies when you are so sleep deprived! Really, though, I'm enjoying her fully and we are all doing well. I have my hands full with both girls, so it may be a while before I'm back teaching. However, that can't keep me away from GODA altogether!

That leads me to my second important notice: GODA Yoga's 10 year anniversary party! Woo wooooo! (See invitation below!)

You should come. Seriously. And bring a friend. I'm going to!

Peace, and more musings in the future. When I get more than 2 hours sleep in a row!

April

-------

Please join us for

GODA YOGA'S
10 Year ANNIVERSARY PARTY....


GODA Yoga
is a dream come true
and continues to serve my vision
of loving community utilizing yoga practices
to create personal and collective transformation.
I am forever grateful for
your presence in our community.
Each one of you brings a luminous energy to our tribe.
Thank you!
In the spirit of sharing the joy of one another
and
celebrating GODA
and YOU!!!

Join Us...

Saturday, October 22nd at 7pm

...light fare from Akasha, wine, and music.

Come by to say hello, dance and share your presence in our community. Children, families, beloveds and friends welcome.

(please send a response email if you will be coming!)

The Accident...

So... as many of you may have noticed I've had a few subs lately... thought you might want to know why!

My husband, Casey, was in a rather serious accident recently involving his bike and another car. Both my husband and I have been cyclists since we did the California AIDS Ride 6 back in 1999 (we rode from San Francisco to Los Angeles and raised money for HIV and AIDS services) but my husband has kept up with his training over the years better than I!

Just over a month ago, Casey was on a ride, training for a bike/swim race, and was on his way home coming through Marina Del Rey. It was a light 25 mile ride for Casey, and he was on his way to meet me and our almost 1 year old daughter, Ruby Jo, at the park.

In any case, there he was, in the right lane, fully in accordance with all laws pertaining to vehicles in the state of California, riding along at about 10 mph when a car passed him on his left. The car then proceeded through an intersection and turned right suddenly without signaling or, apparently, without checking over her shoulder or mirrors and cut Casey off in a way that forced him to plow into the back of the car and then fall onto his left side. The impact was so strong that Casey shattered his left elbow and rammed his femur bone into his hip socket causing multiple fractures of the hip (acetabulum, to be exact).

So, I got a voicemail from Casey as he was being loaded into an ambulance telling me that he was alive, but in a pretty serious accident and he wasn't sure where they were taking him.

As I chased Ruby Jo through the park, i saw a light on my cell phone and listened to the message. You can imagine my reaction. No? Well, then let me paint the picture: Me, running at top speed in my flip flops, pushing my very concerned almost-toddler in her stroller and racing back to our house. I packed her diaper bag, had her in the car and headed to the general area of the accident in 2 minutes flat awaiting a report of which hospital I should actually head to.

After 2 serious surgeries involving many metal plates and screws and special surgical tables to help pull my husband apart so they could put him back together again, Casey spent 1.5 weeks in the hospital and came home only to sleep in a hospital bed in our living room for almost a month. He is, for the time being, limited to getting around in a wheel chair and, for very short trips, some special crutches for at least another few weeks.

He's been out of work and on medications, has had home and in-hospital physical and occupational therapy sessions, blood draws, and consultations. It took a month to get rid of the hospital bed, and for him to get back some of his independence. He has had an impressively positive attitude about his recovery and I love him for it.

Over the past month, I've had to ask for help from others to sub my classes for me, or babysit for me, or bring us food, etc. I have had some wonderful support from some very unexpected people, and have been surprised by people's reactions, both good and bad. Mostly, I have been grateful that my husband is alive (it could have been his head after all - and thank god for helmets!), and that although Ruby's sleep is not so great, she is thriving despite all of the unexpected and sudden changes. I have been grateful for my mother and my old friends and new that have come to our aid, and feel truly blessed for those important people in our lives.

I have also been angry and frustrated that we live in a world/culture that values multi-tasking over sustained focus, rushing over moving consciously through time and space, workaholism over balance, and things over people. It affects us all in some way, and we can't always protect ourselves or the ones we love from it. It is part of the reason I teach yoga. To put people back in touch with their bodies, to help people FEEL the connection between mind, body and spirit. To get anyone I can to move more consciously through their own life. To remind us that we are all connected somehow.

I have also missed my yoga practice. And my yoga teaching. And though I am tired, and am struggling to maintain a balance in my family's life, I am so thrilled to be alive, to have the people we have in our lives.

This experience, I believe, is asking me to take stock of my life, the things and people that are important to me, the things that don't just need to get done, but bring us true joy, and make them a bigger part of our lives. I intend to answer that call. I don't know how, or when, but I will answer.

In the meantime, I thank all of you for your patience, well-wishes, and beautiful spirits! I look forward to teaching and practicing with you all soon!

Peace, love and wear your helmets!
April KirkHart
www.workofheartyoga.com