Flowing to the source

Dear Rivers,

We will no longer be using this blog to make posts about Community Yoga or Post Many Rivers Updates!

now you can find such info on our website!

And we are Publishing a weekly News Letter~ Spirit  Flow <3

If would like to be added!

<3

Connect with our mailing list

Love!

$5 Community Yoga Friday
July 10th
5:30-6:45pm 

Align and Flo Yoga, with
Rachel Gonzales

This class combines an active flowing style with slower movements and longer holds to create a deeply relaxing practice. By combining invigorating postures that link movement with breath, we will work on developing strength, stability, and flexibility. With a focus on both the strong and soft aspects of each pose .This harmonizing practice will help to rebalance the body, mind, and nervous system.

 

Community Yoga with Lori

$5 Community Yoga Friday, July 3rd  5:30-6:45pm  Yin Yoga, with Lori Zitzmann Yin Yoga is a deep,  meditative & quiet practice suitable for all levels.  We target and nourish the joints, fascia, and connective tissue while relaxing the muscles.  Most poses are done on the floor, using props, and held 3-5 minutes.

Community Yoga with Erin Kilbury! Friday, June 26th

Community Yoga with Erin Kilbury! Friday, June 26th 5:30-6:45pm. $5
 

A delightful class focused on precision and alignment and oriented towards increased freedom of movement through a deeper connection with the spine. For more information about this amazing Yogini, visit www.girdwoodyoga.com

Solstice Open House!

Dearest Rivers!  We have already been flowing into fun activities this Solstice!
We are hosting special events including the addition of an Ecstatic Dance (Sacred boogie) tonight at 9:15 p.m.
Hope to see you there!
Peace

Workshops Thursday and Saturday!

Hanni is still here! Join her for two more amazing classes in her Bhakti Yoga series. Thursday 9-10:30am and Saturday 9-10:30am $15 at the door. Space is limited. Arrive 10 minutes early and save your spot!

This Yoga Series is an introduction to Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of love and devotion. It is open to all levels wanting to expand their yoga practice and learn more about the Hindu dieties that inspire deep devotion and encouragement to transform. Each session will explore the mythical beings and how each of them represents aspects of ourselves. The asana practice will blend chanting, pranayama, live music, mantra and dream cream bliss. It’s going to be fun, it will be strong and you will leave feeling revived, inspired and whole.

Thursday is Lakshmi:

Abundance

Saturday is Hanuman:

Devotion in Motion

Hanni Flowing on Bishop's Beach:

www.hanniyoga.com

Hope to see you there!  All levels of Yogi's are welcome!

Open House and Summer Solstice Celebration Feast!

Dear Flow-ers,

We warmly invite you to join us this Sunday for a full day of Activities!  

Starting with our Free practices of Sadhana and Meditation, we can clear our minds and set our intentions on this longest day of the year.

Followed by a Community Yoga class at 9 am!  
Hillery will guide us through a solstice flow, with sun salutations and some nice deep Yin stretching.  
A great way to wake up your body and begin your flow.  
This is an all level class and beginners are welcome.  
$5 donation will go to a locally organized Nepal Earthquake Relief Aid. <3

The Alaska Center for Spiritual Living will offer their usual inspiring talks on what it means to be a human deeply rooted in spirituality.  This is a great time to check this group out if you have been curious! All are welcome.

Nam Myoho Rengya Kyo Buddhist chanting will follow! 12:30-1:30  This practice can bring great positive changes in ones life!

2:30-3:45:  Pre-Natal Yoga with Anna (Shivcharan Kaur)  This jewel of a class for expecting Mommas will have a special element this week with a Welcome Back to all previous 
students/New Moms! 

4-5:30  Special Solstice Kundalini Yoga and extended Gong Relaxation with Anna (Shivcharan Kaur)
<3 <3 a great way to find out what it is all about!

Come as you may to these lovely offerings and bring your friends and family to the Free Sun Feast beginning at 6pm!   We will make a giant community pot of Kitcheree, a high protein and nutritious vegetarian dish!  Salads (that you may be inspired to make) are welcome as an addition to this feast!

And if you have ever been curious to find out more about what our Classes, Teachers and Offerings are all about, stick around for a 
 7-7:45 pm Teachers and Presenters Round Table Question and Answer session!

Lastly, We will close with a free solstice meditation at 8:15.
Blessings!
Many Rivers

Community Yoga June 12th. "Sinking into Stillness" with Lori Zitzmann

Start your weekend off right: Yin Yoga, "Sinking into Stillness" with Lori Zitzmann 

Fri at 5:30, Community Yoga @ Many Rivers.

 Only $5.

                              Yin Yoga is a meditative, deep, & quiet practice suitable for all levels.  We target and nourish the joints, fascia, and connective tissue while relaxing the muscles.  Most poses are done on the floor, using props, and held 3-5 min.  

Hope to see you there!

Peace,

Many Rivers Touchstones/crystals

Art of Flow Begins tonight!

Come check out this lovely summer offering!

Sign up on our website! <3

Bhakti Yoga Series with Hanni!

 Click here to reserve your space and save$!

Community Yoga this Friday! Shiva with Joolee

All are welcome to the $5 Community Practice this Friday at Many Rivers 5;30-6:45pm

Taught by Joolee Aurand

Class description: Shiva

Dealer of Death and Destruction, King Dancer, or Dread-locked Mountain Dweller? 

Who IS this Shiva fellow, really? In the myths of India, deities have more knowledge and power than humans, but rather than being perfect, they've got limits and can be ambition or emotion-driven (kind of like us). Come move through some old-favorite asanas, as well as perhaps a less common few, as I share a version of the Shiva stories from which they originated.

Joolee's Bio:
A teacher training in Bali, with Santosha (which means 'contentment'), and another at Peaceful Valley Ashram in Pennsylvania, for Sampoorna (which means 'complete'), have formed the foundation of my octagonal yoga house. The eight limbs form the walls, and support the roof of asana practice. The structure is partially insulated with mythology, and I like to spend time gathering more material to add to the insulation. It's a cozy yoga house, but there's space for all, from beginners to experienced yogis, from those looking for rejuvenation to those seeking an energizing practice. The very best part of this yoga house are the frequent visits by brilliant and talented instructors with diverse styles and backgrounds, who always leave delicious tidbits behind, which become part of the fabric of the house. You are invited...come on in!

Kundalini Yoga for Sleep begins tonight!

Kundalini Yoga for Sleep

With Kayla-Ranjodh Kaur- Spaan

Tuesday's 8-9:30 pm.

Until August 31^st. 

@Many Rivers

This Tuesday evening class invites you to release tension from the day and breathe into your divine inner intelligence~ a place where you can discover the power to re-connect subtle systems and de-stress your body, mind and whole being before you go to sleep. Each class we will tune into the Golden Chain of teachings and practice ancient Yogic tools designed to assist in your well being and positive manifestation. 

All levels of yogic practitioners (ages 12+) are invited to this Kundalini Yoga class, as taught by Yogi Bhajan. Class price: Drop ins $16, with class pass purchase $14-$10, Teens $5

Summer Schedule!

 

www.manyriversalaska.com

Full Aquarian Sadhana begins Tuesday and Many Rivers!

            The Aquarian Sadhana was “prescribed” in 1992 By Yogi Bhajan (The Teacher who introduced Kundalini Yoga to the West in 1969). He gave this Sadhana to help us excel and spiritually flourish in the Aquarian Era Now.

             We begin with a sacred Poem written by Guru Nanak, The Japji Sahib.
The language we speak in this recitation and sing in the Mantras is, Gurmuki. 

Next, We practice a 30 minute Kundalini yoga set to awaken our bodies, send fresh blood through our systems, and get in touch to the divine power and teacher within ourselves and outside ourselves. After this, we take a deep relaxation to allow the exersices to take effect and process through our amazing bodily systems. Then we rise and begin to chant and sing the Aquarian Mantras. These 7 Mantras can be engaged with wholeheartedly. I have included the Mantras and meanings at the the end of this blog. As well as a link to Snatam Kaur's article about what she knows to be true about the Aquarian Sadhana.

One might ask why? Why wake up so early?~

I would like to share my experience and why I participate in this practice.

       By waking early in the morning and becoming victorious over the mind urging us to stay in the warm cozy bed, ~we make a commitment~ to attune our mind, bodies, and spirit to a power greater than we know of ourselves.

       Because the Aquarian Sadhana is practiced all around the world by Kundalini Yogis, We are connected by Group Consciousness. I believe that this amplifies one's personal practice and adds to the greater whole. To serve, to uplift, and to become a master of our mind. <3

              All are invited, It is free. Please come 5 to 10 minutes early to set your spot.

People are asked to cover their heads with a hat or scarf as part of this tradition.  You re invited to bring any musical instruments, drums and bells you might like to use to play along to the mantras: 

The Aquarian Sadhana Mantras

Morning Call (The Adi Shakti Mantra, Long Ek Ong Kars) - 7 minutes

This mantra initiates the kundalini, initiating the relationship between our soul and the Universal Soul. It opens all the chakras. Be sure to apply Neck Lock to let the Kundalini energy rise.

Ek Ong Kaar - One Creator created this Creation

Sat Naam - Truth is His Name

Siri Wahe Guru - Great beyond description is His Infinite Wisdom

Waah Yantee, Kar Yantee - 7 minutes

With this mantra, we strengthen the connection with the infinite self, the part of us beyond the physical world, beyond creation.

Waah Yantee - Great Macroself

Kar Yantee - Creative Self

Jag Dut Patee - All that is creative through time

Aadak It Waahaa-  All that is the Great One

Brahmaadeh Tresha Guru - Three aspects of God: Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh

It Wahe Guru - That is Wahe Guru
 

Mul Mantra - 7 minutes

This mantra gives an experience of the depth and consciousness of your soul. It eradicates deep, longstanding pain and sorrow. It expands creativity and projects us into action in line with our destiny.

Ek Ong Kar - One Creator created this Creation

Sat Nam - Truth is God’s Name

Kartaa Purkh - Doer of everything

Nirbhao - Fearless

Nirvair - Revengeless

Akaal Moorat- Undying

Ajoonee - Unborn

Saibung - Self Illumined

Gur Prasad - It is by Guru’s Grace

Jap! - Repeat and Meditate!

Aad Sach - True in the beginning

Jugaad Sach-  True through all the ages

Haibhee Sach - True even now

Nanak Hosee Bhee Sach - Nanak says Truth shall ever be.

Sat Siri, Siri Akal (Mantra for the Aquarian Age) - 7 minutes

With this mantra we declare that we are timeless, deathless beings and promotes victory in all aspects of our life.

Sat Siri, Siri Akaal - Great Truth, Great Undying

Siri Akaal, Mahaa Akaal - Great Undying, Great Deathless

Mahaa Akaal, Sat Naam - Great Deathless, Truth is God’s Name

Akaal Moorat, Wahe Guru - Deathless Image of God

Rakhe Rakhan Har - 7 minutes
This is a mantra of protection against all negative forces, inner and outer, which are blocking us from moving on our true path. It cuts like a sword through every opposing vibration, thought, word, and action.

Rakhay rakhanahaar aap ubaaria-an

Gur kee pairee paa-i kaaj savaari-an

Hoaa aap da-iaal manaho na visaari-an

Saadh janaa kai sang bhavajal taari-an

Saakat nindak dusht khin maa-eh bidaari-an

Tis saahib kee tayk Naanak manai maa-eh

Jis simrat sukh ho-i sagalay dookh jaa-eh

Translation:

Thou who savest, save us all and take us across,

Uplifting and giving the excellence.

You gave us the touch of the lotus feet of the Guru, and all our jobs are done.

You have become merciful, kind, and compassionate; and so our mind does not forget Thee.

In the company of the holy beings you take us from misfortune and calamities, scandals, and disrepute.

Godless, slanderous enemies—you finish them in timelessness.

That great Lord is my anchor.

Nanak, keep firm in your mind, by meditating and repeating His Name

All happiness comes and all sorrows and pain go away.

Wahe Guru Wahe Jio - 22 minutes

This is a mantra of ecstasy with which we establish ourselves for victory and the right to excel. Chant sitting in Vir Asan (warrior pose), sitting on the left heel, with the right knee up, right foot flat on the ground, with hands in Prayer Pose. Eyes are focused at the tip of the nose.

Wahe Guru Wahe Guru Wahe Guru Wahe Jio

Translation: "Wow, God is great!” or “indescribably great is His Infinite, Ultimate Wisdom.”

Guru Ram Das Chant - 5 minutes

This mantra is one of humility. It opens the Heart Center (4th chakra) so that we can feel and effortlessly radiate universal love. We call on Guru Ram Das in praise of his spiritual guiding light and protective

grace.

Guru Guru Wahe Guru, Guru Ram Das Guru

The first part (Guru Guru Wahe Guru) projects the mind to the source of knowledge and ecstasy. The second part (Guru Ram Das Guru) means “the wisdom that comes as a servant of the Infinite.”

Snatam's piece: https://www.3ho.org/articles/what-i-know-about-aquarian-sadhana

Greetings Rivers,


We welcome Lori as a teacher this Summer at Many Rivers! 


She will be teaching: 

Community Yoga 

Yin Yoga 

$5

 Friday May 29th

5:30-645 pm

Yin yoga is a meditative, deep, and quiet practice suitable for all levels. Yin focuses on releasing deep connective tissue & fascia, as well as nourishing the joints. Seated, reclined, and floor poses are held passively with props for 3-5 min. A wonderful way to begin your weekend!


Lori's Bio:


Lori Zitzmann


Lori has yoga teacher certifications in Hatha yoga, Vinyasa Flow yoga, Life Force yoga, yoga therapy and most recently Yin. She has been practicing and teaching yoga for over 25 years. Her background training in Iyengar, Anusara, and Ashtanga yoga styles inspire her teaching. In her own words . . .


I am grateful to my many incredible teachers over the years who have open-heartedly shared their knowledge with me, so I may share it with others. I love how teaching yoga builds community which helps people connect with their higher selves and with each other. A steady practice yields growth and healing on many levels and I have come to appreciate the larger lessons yoga teaches that help me move through life off the mat as well as on it.Lori is a retired Board Certified Nurse Practitioner specializing in Integrative/Functional medicine.

-- 

 http://www.manyriversalaska.com

We Welcome RachelG to Many Rivers!

Greetings Flow-ers,

Now as the grass is growing and rivers are flowing.  RachelG will be teaching the Community Yoga at Many Rivers this Friday for $5 at 5:30.  She will be regularly teaching workshops and classes this summer. Her classes work with alignment, Iyengar teachings, Pilates techniques and more.  Please enjoy her bio:

 

Rachel Gonzalez is the founder & owner of Body Alive in Maui. She has been a certified yoga teacher since 2003. She completed her first teacher training at Kalani Honua on the Big Island of Hawaii, where her teacher inspired her to use Yoga as a way to develop a deeper understanding of ourselves.

Rachel has continued expanding through her experiences in Hawaii as well as abroad- traveling and teaching in India, New Zealand and Bali where she has deepened her practice through continued education in Hatha, Iyengar, Ashtanga and Vinyasa styles. Learning and understanding the collaboration that the breath, body and mind all create, has become her mission. Her knowledge doesn’t just stop with yoga. Rachel comes from a background of dance and performance, figure skating, and fire dancing were the two of many talents she has traveled around the world with . She also has  completed a intro training as a Pilates instructor.

Rachel taught in Kona on the Big Island for 4 years then moved her teachings to Wailuku, Maui were she has been teaching at her studio, for the past 5 years.  On Maui Rachel has continued to deepen her studies and practice by taking both the 200 hour and 500 hour Teacher Training Programs at Maya Yoga Studio with Nicki Doane and Eddie Modestini. Rachel continues to teach multi level classes in Vinyasa Flo, Yogalates, Chill and Flo Yoga , align and refine and Candlelight Yoga.

Rachel has always felt that people take themselves and life too seriously and continually strives to incorporate laughter and excitement in her classes, which has been a goal in her personal life with her various different careers. She continues to co-create in her yoga career, tattoo and performance world.

Here's a recent article that Rachel Has been listed in ..

 http://www.elephantjournal.com/2015/03/temple-beautification-the-yoga-of-tattoos/

 

 

Community Yoga this Friday ~ Moderate Level Satya Flow with Crystal Galleher

 All are invited to Community Yoga at

Many Rivers this Friday from 5:30-645pm 

$5 Class
Moderate Level Satya Flow
with Crystal Galleher

Flow through a moderate level class focused on harnessing the yogic guideline of Satya (truthfulness). The intention of the dynamic combination of postures, breathing, and satya is to inspire a clear vision of true self -expression, fluidity, and trust. 

Welcome Crystal

 

 

~*Welcome Crystal*~

 

 

"I have been surrounded by yoga most of my life. My Mother has been a yoga teacher

for over 20 years. Up until two years ago, I saw yoga as a physical practice that I

attached to the identity of my Mom. I had not slowed down enough to recognizing

the power of yoga as a tool in personal transformation and healing. When I needed it

the most, I embraced the true meaning of yoga in my own mind, body, and heart. I

envisioned myself teaching yoga and quickly began my journey of becoming a

teacher. I have never felt as balanced (physically, mentally, and spiritually),

confident, and aware as I am now. Through the practice of yoga, I have developed a

deeper and more honest relationship with myself.  At this point in my teaching, I

have been drawn to focus on the ancient Yamas & Niyamas (ethical disciplines -the

first two limbs on the 8-fold path). Sharing the guidelines of the Yamas & Niyamas

with my students has greatly deepened my understanding of the yogic path and

inspired me to be present in living yoga each and every moment.

I aim to bring healing and inspiration to my community through yoga. I was

trained in Kripalu yoga (March 2014- RYT 200); a practice of transformation

through compassion, self-acceptance, honesty and relaxation. I trust that through a

consistent yoga practice, great gains are possible in every aspect of life. With a

background in dance, I offer classes that are gracefully empowering while also

gently nurturing to the spirit. Come practice with me as we connect to the power of

our truth and enjoy the bliss of life!

Namaste"

 

Check out Crystals offerings at Many Rivers Tuesday and Saturday:

By Reading her class descriptions on this page: Class Descriptions

 

 

 

 

 

Community Yoga with Kali "Artistic Yoga"

Community Yoga with Kali "Artistic Yoga"

 Friday, May 8th 5:30-6:45pm $5

Artistic Yoga is flowing in circles between asanas. It is the art of graciously moving with strength to flexibility, from balance to relaxation. 

We create our own yoga flow and we show our spirit in every transition

All Welcome!

Community Yoga Friday and Welcome Crystal

Community Yoga with Crystal! Friday, May 1st 5:30-6:45pm

 $5, followed by Chai tea 

Come meet Crystal and experience her teaching style! "The theme for this week’s Community Yoga Class will be the ethical practice of Ahimsa/ Nonviolence (one of the Yamas/Restraints). We will move through a moderate class with a series of strengthening asanas (postures), deep pranayama (breathing) and complete relaxation as I instruct on the many aspects of living a nonviolent life." 

Introducing Crystal Galleher!

We are pleased to introduce a new Yoga teacher to our ranks at Many Rivers. She is here from Bisbee Arizona for the summer to share her yoga teaching at Many Rivers. 

"I aim to bring healing and inspiration to my community through yoga. I was trained in Kripalu yoga (March 2014- RYT 200); a practice of transformation through compassion, self-acceptance, honesty and relaxation. I trust that through a consistent yoga practice, great gains are possible in every aspect of life. With a background in dance, I offer classes that are gracefully empowering while also gently nurturing to the spirit. Come practice with me as we connect to the power of our truth and enjoy the bliss of life!" -Crystal

Work-Trade Applications available online now!

Greetings Flowers!

Are you interested in working with us in exchange for class passes?
We are currently looking for friends to help in our Many Rivers gardens and lawns this spring and summer.
We also have some fun office jobs we could use help with.
If you are interested, please send in an application from the link below:

Scroll to the bottom of FAQ's and click the link to open the application:

Link to work-trade application

ALAMBA class with Ramona

Greetings Flowers,

This weeks Friday 5:30-6:45 pm $5 Community yoga class at Many Rivers is an ALAMBA class with our beloved Ramona Pearce of Yoga for Life.

Alameda is Sanskrit for "with support" or "to lean against".

This class is a happy medium between traditional yoga and restorative.  

Yoga for every body!!

Go well and in joy!

Kayla on behalf of Many Rivers

Prenatal Yoga this Spring With Anna every Sunday, 2:30-3:45pm

Prenatal Yoga With Anna on Sundays 2:30-3:45pm

From the lineage of Kundalini Yoga

In prenatal Yoga a woman is honored and addressed as an embodiment of the the divine creative force.  To that end, class is conducted with Pranayam, Asana and Meditation that speak specifically to her experience as an expecting mother. It is a an invaluable time to cultivate clarity, peace of mind and heart-centeredness~ terrain of awakened womanhood! Additionally, one benefits from the culture of other Moms-to-be. Regular rates apply. $5 for WIC participants

Community Yoga this Friday, "Relationships in Yoga"

Greetings Rivers,

Community Yoga with Rowan Mulvey this Friday, April 17th!

 5:30-6:45pm

 "Relationships in Yoga"

Join the great Rowan to explore relationship .... between gaze and steadfastness,  between effort and release, between breath and presence. The process of awakening to these relationships is as much a part of this emphasis as the relationships themselves. $5

*Followed by Chai tea

Peace 

manyriversalaska.com

Spring Schedule!

Greetings Rivers!
We present our Regular Spring Schedule.  We look forward to seeing you!

You can safely buy your Class Passes online here: Many Rivers Mindbody

Meet Irma, Host of Free Silent Meditation at Many Rivers

Free Silent Meditation 

at Many Rivers, 

Monday through Friday 

7-8 am

Hosted by:

Irma Aviña Ulloa

Meet Irma:

When did you first start meditating?

Well that's a long story. I was living in Aguascalientes, Mexico and I was going through a very difficult time in life. I was 36 years old and I had just become divorced and for the first time began a practice of Yoga. At the studio where I was practicing, they offered something called Mantra Yoga Meditation, where a specific word is given to you and you can use it to meditate by repeating it over and over.  I realized right away that doing this simple  practice really made me feel better.  So for me, finding meditation was like finding a boat in the middle of a stormy ocean.  I was able to get on and get to shore.  That doesn't mean I was always on the boat, but I had this boat since then. So every time that I decided to go away and I felt that I was going again, in a suffering way and whatnot, I got back to my boat and was a float. Later I found Vipassana meditation and my practice became  more profound and interesting. 

Meditation is the most amazing tool and technique that has ever been given to me. I feel so grateful about having a daily practice in my life. It's been something I wanted to share with everybody and anybody. My daughter used to call me a, “MeditationWitness”, like a Jehovah's Witness, and she was like: "Mom come on,  give'em  a break"  She is currently a Vipassana meditaitor. 

I was part of a regular meditation practice group, and I would invite everybody I met,  People would always say they would come, but, you know..... One special person did, this is how I met my Husband (This is how I moved to Homer).

How can I start a  meditation practice? 

If you want to start meditating, first thing you got to know is, That you have to sit with a straight spine and comfortably. Many sit crossed legged on top of a cushion that elevates the hip bones higher than the knees. But you don't have to sit on the floor, you can sit in a chair.  Relax your shoulders, and let your hands rest over your knees.  Close your eyes and just start observing your breathing. When air comes into your nostrils and when air goes out of your nostrils. Of course, your mind will keep thinking, because it's what does all the time. Don't worry, simply don't follow your thoughts and observe again your breathing, just keep coming back to observe. Sometimes you will notice your breath is deep and sometimes you will notice it is shallow. Although we practice for an hour, your first time you can try meditating for 10 or 15 minutes. People can lay down and rest, regain strength and try again. All you need to do is observe the breathing. After mediation we can talk. 

Meditation is not a religion. All are welcome to join us at Many Rivers to Meditate. We call it Free, because it costs nothing, and all silent practices of meditation are welcome.

Thank you so much.

Interviewed by Kayla Spaan April 1, 2015