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Upcoming Events

THURSDAY, JUNE 5

Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research. June 5 – 8. SYTAR is dedicated entirely to professional education, research, practice, and policy issues for yoga therapy. Austin Renaissance Hotel. Austin Arboretum area in the Texas Hill Country. Austin, Texas.

5:30 P.M. Mindfulness and World Music. This sunset meditation combines instruction by Diana Winston, director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA with music by A.J. Racy and Michael and Jahna Perricone. FREE. Fowler Museum, UCLA.

FRIDAY, JUNE 6

Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research. June 5 – 8. SYTAR is dedicated entirely to professional education, research, practice, and policy issues for yoga therapy. Austin Renaissance Hotel. Austin Arboretum area in the Texas Hill Country. Austin, Texas.

5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Heal the Body & Awaken the Heart. Evolutionary Breathwork uses the breath to open, heal, and integrate the multidimensional aspects of the human psyche and acts as a catalyst for other healing practices. $30. Yoga Jones, 105 S Oak Street, Ventura.

8:00 P.M. Book Release: Be Nobody by Lama Marut. Kick off the book tour of Lama Marut’s highly anticipated follow-up to A Spiritual Renegade’s Guide to the Good Life. FREE. Mahasukha Center, 6512 Arizona Ave., Los Angeles.

Wisdom of the Earth Aromatherapy. Lemia Astarabadi and Joshua Bowser co-teach this official Wisdom of the Earth certification program for the use of essential oils and aromatherapy. June 6 – 8. $475. Naam Yoga, 1231 4th St., Santa Monica.

Introduction to Yoga Workshop. This Introduction to Yoga Course (June 6 – 8) provides a strong foundation in the practice of yoga. Emphasis is given to the synchronization of breath and movement, and to the understanding of the basic yoga postures, their effect, and correct alignment. Santa Barbara Yoga Center, 32 E. Micheltorena St., Santa Barbara.

SATURDAY, JUNE 7

Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research. June 5 – 8. SYTAR is dedicated entirely to professional education, research, practice, and policy issues for yoga therapy. Austin Renaissance Hotel. Austin Arboretum area in the Texas Hill Country. Austin, Texas.

8:00 A.M. Run + Yoga: Roga. Meet under the iconic Pier sign at the top of the ramp at Colorado and Ocean for a morning run or walk around the beach and Pier areas. Two and Five mile courses available. For yoga, meet at the far west end of the Pier. Bring your mat and be restored by Santa Monica’s top instructors.

8:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. Trauma Sensitive Yoga Training. UpRising Yoga’s mission is to  “bring yoga to incarcerated youth and underserved communities” We teach yoga in juvenile halls, detention facilities, group homes as well as community centers and schools. South Bay Center for Community Development. 626 N. Avalon Blvd., Wilmington.

12:30 P.M. – 2:30 P.M. Empowering the Sacred Feminine. Join Tatiana Urquiza and Anna Hanson for this three-part workshop (5/31, 6/7, 6/14) where we invite women  of all ages to explore their life cycle from beginning to end. Using asana/yoga postures, meditation, and mantra, we will empower our divine feminine. $90 for all three sessions or $35 per session. Mission Street Yoga. 1017 Mission St., South Pasadena.

1:15 P.M. – 3:15 P.M. Sun Salutation Workshop with Virginia Weiss.  Deepen your understanding of the philosophy behind Sun Salutations A and B, and how this series prepares you for more challenging poses. $45 Yoga Daya. 8985 Venice Blvd., #F, Los Angeles.

1:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. Hot 8 Foundations Workshop with Deanna Ainsworth and Shayna Hiller. This 4 week series (June 7th – 28th) sets the foundation for a successful yoga practice. Designed for those who are new to yoga or have practiced for some time and are looking for a deeper understanding. $75 for 4 week series. Hot 8 Yoga. 1422 2nd St., Santa Monica.

2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sample a Teacher Training at YogaWorks. Heather Seiniger and Olivia Barry for a free event. Sample a mini teacher training to help decide if a teacher training is for you.   Their training intensive is July 7 – August 31st. YogaWorks Pacific Palisades. 15327 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades.

2:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Yoga Nidra and Sound Workshop with SC Nameth and special guest Katyanna on the Harmonium. Workshop will include a brief beginning level asana practice with live music followed by a 40 min supine Yoga Nidra Meditation Practice. Yoga Madre. 16 W Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre.

4:00 P.M. – 5:30 P.M. On the Path: Mantra, Meditation and Healing Practices for the Urban Yogiwith Sarah Garney. This weekly class is devoted to developing and deepening a spiritual practice with mantra, meditation and healing practices. Bhakti Yoga Shala. 207 Arizona, Santa Monica.

4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. Yoga for Pole Dancers. Take your pole and inverted dance performance to the next level and enhance your ability to positively harness your power, emotions, and sensual energy. $30. Sattva Yoga Los Angeles, 1227 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles.

7:30 P.M. – 9:30 P.M. Staying Cool and Getting Stoked with Lama Marut. Learn how to stop letting anger destroy your happiness and stay motivated in your spiritual life. Sat/Sun 7:30 P.M. – 9:30 P.M. Mon/Tues 3:30 P.M. – 5:30 P.M. $20-85. Mahasukha Center, 6512 Arizona Ave., Los Angeles.

8:00 P.M. Yoga Maya Premiere Screening. This powerful documentary unveils the illusions of a sacred science. Produced and directed by Arvind Chittumalla. Interviews with Jai Uttal, Annie Carpenter, Mark Whitwell, Swami Sri Atmananda, Felicia Tomasko, Arun Deva, Tej Khalsa, Tracee Stanley, Daniel Stewart, Lorin Roche, and Chris Chapple. Naam Yoga, 1231 4th Street, Santa Monica.

8:30 P.M. Bhakti Yoga Shala 5th Anniversary Kirtan with Govind Das and Radha. Join Govind Das and Radha for an evening of Kirtan (repetitiously chanting the names of God/Goddess from ancient India) to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of Bhakti Yoga Shala. Bhakti Yoga Shala. 207 Arizona, Santa Monica.

SUNDAY, JUNE 8

Hugs with Amma. June 8 – 12 All night hugs, meditations, chanting, ritual ceremonies for world peace, and more are part of the extravaganza with Amma. Come for a free public program or register for the intimate retreat. Hilton at Los Angeles Airport, 5711 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles.

9:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. Trauma Sensitive Yoga Training. UpRising Yoga’s mission is to  “bring yoga to incarcerated youth and underserved communities” We teach yoga in juvenile halls, detention facilities, group homes as well as community centers and schools. South Bay Center for Community Development. 626 N. Avalon Blvd., Wilmington.

12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M. Yin Yoga Teacher Training Open House with Bianca Fearon. Meet the trainer,Bianca Fearon and learn about the 4 week Teacher Training program with Q&A. Sign up online or email for more info. Hot 8 Yoga.  8383 Wilshire Blvd #75, Beverly Hills.

1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Bone Health Workshop. Bone Health workshop with Joyce Anue. Yoga asana, when practiced properly, can contribute greatly to the maintenance of healthy, strong bones. Learn specifically designed sequences of posture to promote bone health and learn about the most current research on bone health. Santa Barbara Yoga Center, 32 E. Micheltorena St., Santa Barbara.

1:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Intensive Abdominal Workshop with Nancy Norby. Nancy will unveil and explain three secrets to unlock your fullest potential. This will empower you to greater strength in your inner core throughout your daily living as well as in your practice. You will learn how to achieve flatter abs, a strong core and powerful posture. $35 by June 7/$40 day of. Hot 8 Yoga. 1422 2nd St., Santa Monica.

7:30 P.M. Ananda Cosmic Kirtan with Saul David Raye. A soul-stirring evening of sacred music and vibration from the heart to the heart – the practice of kirtan. Fundraiser for The Share Necessities, a local and national organization providing food and basic necessities to local homeless organizations. Bhakti Yoga Shala. 207 Arizona, Santa Monica.

MONDAY, JUNE 9

Hugs with Amma. June 8 – 12 All night hugs, meditations, chanting, ritual ceremonies for world peace, and more are part of the extravaganza with Amma. Come for a free public program or register for the intimate retreat. Hilton at Los Angeles Airport, 5711 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles.

TUESDAY, JUNE 10

Hugs with Amma. June 8 – 12 All night hugs, meditations, chanting, ritual ceremonies for world peace, and more are part of the extravaganza with Amma. Come for a free public program or register for the intimate retreat. Hilton at Los Angeles Airport, 5711 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11

Hugs with Amma. June 8 – 12 All night hugs, meditations, chanting, ritual ceremonies for world peace, and more are part of the extravaganza with Amma. Come for a free public program or register for the intimate retreat. Hilton at Los Angeles Airport, 5711 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles.

THURSDAY, JUNE 12

Hugs with Amma. June 8 – 12 All night hugs, meditations, chanting, ritual ceremonies for world peace, and more are part of the extravaganza with Amma. Come for a free public program or register for the intimate retreat. Hilton at Los Angeles Airport, 5711 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles.

The Ojai Music Festival. The 68th festival (June 12 -15) will present a broad-ranging program that fully reflects both the Festival’s ideals and the inventive musical mind of Music Director Jeremy Denk. Ojai, CA.

SATURDAY, JUNE 14

8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Stress and Burnout Weekend Course. Learn powerful tools to combat stress and burnout with Helen Lynch, educational director of Mediyoga USA. June 14 – 15. $499. The Yogi Tree, 4475 Vineland Ave, Toluca Lake.

8:00 A.M. Run + Yoga: Roga. Meet under the iconic Pier sign at the top of the ramp at Colorado and Ocean for a morning run or walk around the beach and Pier areas. Two and Five mile courses available. For yoga, meet at the far west end of the Pier. Bring your mat and be restored by Santa Monica’s top instructors.

10:00 A.M. Bend to End Duchenne. Yoga class with YogaWorks to raise money and awareness for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Perky Jerky will match 100% of event product sales to benefit Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Whole Foods El Segundo. 760 S Sepulveda Blvd., El Segundo.

12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M. Yoga Barre Teacher Training Open House with Nancy Norby. Meet the trainer, Nancy Norby, learn about the Teacher Training program with Q&A. We are an continuing education provider for AFAA. Sign up online or email for more info. Hot 8 Yoga. 1422 2nd St., Santa Monica.

12:30 P.M. – 2:30 P.M. Empowering the Sacred Feminine. Join Tatiana Urquiza and Anna Hanson for this three-part workshop (6/7, 6/14) where we invite women  of all ages to explore their life cycle from beginning to end. Using asana/yoga postures, meditation, and mantra, we will empower our divine feminine. $90 for all three sessions or $35 per session. Mission Street Yoga. 1017 Mission St., South Pasadena.

2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Colors Fundraiser. Benefit for Colors LGBTQ Youth Counseling Center which offers free psychotherapeutic services to LGBTQ youth under 25 in LA. $50. 667 S. June Street, LA. RSVP.

4:00 P.M. – 5:30 P.M. On the Path: Mantra, Meditation and Healing Practices for the Urban Yogiwith Sarah Garney. This weekly class is devoted to developing and deepening a spiritual practice with mantra, meditation and healing practices. Bhakti Yoga Shala. 207 Arizona, Santa Monica.

6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. Uniting Mind, Body and City Fundraiser to build Downtown LA’s first Urban Wellness Center. Hors d’ oeuvres, beer and wine, live Entertainment, raffle and silent auction. Located at private estate in Downey, address provided upon ticket purchase.

SUNDAY, JUNE 15

Kathmandu Boutique Community Gathering. Enjoy home-cooked Nepalese vegan food, music from local artists, art display, henna, healing massage, and a storewide sale. Free. Kathmandu Boutique, 1844 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica.

On The Horizon

June 19 – 22. Spirit and Nature, a Summer Solstice conference, program and retreat. A yoga and Ayurveda gathering in nature with Mas Vidal and guests. Ojai.

July 10 – 14. Yoga Journal Live! San Diego. Deepen your yoga practice in choosing from 100+ offerings, stop by for a single free special event, or enjoy an evening with Deepak Chopra. Master instructors include: Kathryn Budig, Seane Corn, Jason Crandell, Dharma Mittra, Shiva Rea, Tara Stiles, and more. Enter promo code LAYOGA and receive $50 off a 6-class pass or the full 4-day event.

August 22 – 24. Big Bear Yoga Festival. Yoga and live music outside, in nature and under the sun and moon. YMCA Camp Oakes at 47400 Monte Vista Drive, Big Bear.

Yoga Maya Film Review and Premiere Party

This Saturday, June 7, at 8pm, be one of the first to see the screening of Yoga Maya, a film by Yogi Arvind.

This film was created to dissolve many of the myths and misunderstandings of what yoga really is. Yoga Maya gives clarity to how far the West has strayed from the true purpose of the yogic lifestyle and its many personal, spiritual, and mental benefits. This documentary is an excellent resource for the yoga-curious and those new to yoga. It inspires those of us already on the yogic path to further our quest for more knowledge about its life changing benefits.

Read the full review by De Jur on LAYOGA.COM

Screening held at Naam Yoga, 1231 4th St., Santa Monica.

Golden Bridge Santa Monica 1-year Anniversary and Benefit Party

Celebrate the one year anniversary of Golden Bridge Santa Monica by joining Gurmukh with live music provided by the band Aykanna for a special evening to benefit the children of Seva Corp.

Seva is a non-profit organization started by Gurmukh and Gurshabd to help the communities they have connected with during their travels around the world. Seva Corp supports projects of care and compassion that help people in need from Los Angeles, India, Tibet and Afghanistan. These projects involve bringing food and medical care to Tibetan orphans in the Himalayas, promoting education for girls and boys in Afghanistan, organizing food, blankets and sanitary goods for the homeless in Los Angeles, and teaching yoga and meditation to at risk teenagers.

The one year anniversary party will be held Saturday, June 7, from 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. and will benefit Manjusharee Orphanage in India.

Register for event here.

Watch this video and learn more about Manjusharee Orphanage.

Ojai Music Festival One Week Away

The 68th Ojai Music Festival, June 12 – 15, will present a broad-ranging program that fully reflects both the Festival’s ideals and the inventive musical mind of Music DirectorJeremy Denk. “We have devised a festival that will truly reflect Jeremy’s very unique, creative, lighthearted, but serious view of music,” said Artistic Director Thomas W. Morris.

Festival includes world premiere of The Classical Style, a comic opera with libretto by Jeremy Denk and music by Steven Stucky; based on the book by Charles Rosen. Making their Ojai Festival debuts include jazz pianist and composerUri Caine, the trailblazing string quartet Brooklyn Rider, as well as vibrant solo performers, violinist Jennifer Frautschi and vocalist Storm Large (pictured).

The 2014 Festival, in keeping with the growing trends of recent Festival years, will include Libbey Bowl concerts, late night concerts, sunrise concerts, films, discussions, social gatherings, and community events. The Festival campus will extend to different outdoor spaces to show the breadth and beauty of the Ojai Valley.

Register for your pass here.

Recipe: Hemp Milk is Easy

By: Blythe Metz

In honor of Hemp History Week, try this easy recipe to make your own, home-made Hemp milk!

Ingredients:

1 cup raw hemp seeds
1 quart water
2 dates or 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional sweetener)

Supplies:

Nutmilk bag
Glass pitcher

For directions and more fun recipes and hemp products, visit LAYOGA.COM

The 5th annual Hemp History Week is June 2 – 8. Find out about special events and how to get involved.

This Week’s Giveaway: KiraGrace Sweepstakes

Pin to win a $1,500 Grand Prize from KiraGrace, Tiffany Cruikshank, and Off The Mat, Into The World™. Enter by sharing your “white hot passion” as a caption to your favorite KiraGrace image: what ignites your purpose and inspires your service?

One winner will receive a KiraGrace wardrobe, one scholarship to Off The Mat, Into The World™ Leadership Training, one signed copy of “Optimal Health” by Tiffany Cruikshank and a one-on-one coaching session with Kerri Kelly, Executive Director of Off The Mat, Into The World™

Enter Here

KiraGrace is designer yoga clothes and gifts on a mission to celebrate women’s beauty, strength, and grace as they move through life’s journeys.

Animals in Need: Meet Rusty

Rusty is a hound mix who is about 3 years old. Rusty loves all people, is great with dogs and absolutely loves kids. He is very dignified and quiet. Up to date on shots, neutered and ready for a forever home.

Email The Dawg Squad to learn more about how you can meet Rusty.

The Dawg Squad is a non-profit 501(c) 3 corporation established according to California laws for public benefit.  This all-volunteer organization is dedicated to improving the welfare of canines, with an emphasis on the homeless, abandoned,  abused and special needs dogs of the City of Los Angeles, California. Email for more information.

CD Review - Moments from the Life Stories of Strangers, Part One

Steven Chesne with The Luminous World Orchestra

Brahmasong Records

Listening to this CD, you feel as if you are ensconced in a film. Musical swells and orchestral instrumentation are layered to create cycles of tension and release.

When one learns about Steven Chesne’s background, it all makes sense. Chesne has scored multiple films and over 300 episodes of primetime network TV shows, and recorded concertos, orchestral suites, tone poems, and more. That sensibility weaves its way into these recordings, as they offer soothing, picturesque tracks that convey deep emotional qualities, seemingly woven into stillness and spirit.

Read the full review by Joe Kara on LAYOGA.COM

YOGA IS Film Screening

“Yoga is many things to many people, but in its full potential the practice of yoga can provide the means to transform suffering into happiness and Suzanne Bryant’s film YOGA ISshows us this path.” – Sharon Gannon founder Jivamukti Yoga method

Thirty million Americans and countless millions worldwide have taken up a practice that is transforming their lives. Follow filmmaker Suzanne Bryant as she meets with the most prominent Yoga Gurus and teachers in the west and travels to India to explore the power of this ancient practice. Along the way she discovers what YOGA IS.

Read Dale Nieli’s interview with filmmaker, Suzanne Bryant, on the making of YOGA IS.

Screening will be followed by Q and A panel with the filmmaker, Suzanne Bryant; Felicia Tomasko (Editor in Chief of LA Yoga Magazine and celebrated yoga teacher), and a surprise guest.

June 18th, 8:00 P.M. Crest Westwood Theatre 1262 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles.

Buy Tickets Now

Salif Keïta at Bhakti Fest West

Just after adding Matisyahu to the Bhakti Fest West line up this September, Bhakti Fest announced that the “Golden Voice of Africa”, Salif Keïta, will be performing at Bhakti Fest West as well! Who else will be joining these conscious world music leaders at the sixth annual Bhakti Fest from September 4 – 7? MC Yogi, Dharma Mittra, Deva Premal and Miten,
Shiva Rea, and DJ Drez, just to name a few.

Four day Bhakti Fest West tickets are available at a discounted rate of $275. Receive an additional $50 off by entering promo code ‘layoga’. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Bhakti Fest.

Vedic Astrology: Getting Through Mercury Retrograde

Communication issues and technology snafus may appear for the next several weeks when Mercury turns retrograde in Gemini. This is a good time to listen more and speak less, and identify those areas in your life where you are spread too thin and not giving proper attention to detail. These are the areas of life that mess up the most during Mercury retrograde cycles.

For more of your June forecast, visit LAYOGA.COM

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