November 2006 Newsletter
Dear Friends,

In San Francisco, the event of Halloween feels somehow like a grand kick-off for a much-anticipated holiday season. Like the clickety-clack of the trusty roller-coaster as it climbs to the top of dragon mountain, November days seem to glow with a strange combination of excitement and fear, courage and clenching, anticipation and nostaligia. It's almost enough to toss you from your seat. In these times, remember—our yoga practice is a kind sanctuary. Like a place, or tool, or medicine, yoga helps guide us back to the center of our selves.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
THANKSGIVING DAY DONATION CLASSES & WEEKEND RETREAT WITH TONY BRIGGS
ADVANCED STUDIES/TEACHER TRAINING
SCHEDULE CHANGES & NEW CLASSES
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

Extended Practice with Tony Briggs
Saturday, Nov 4, 1:30-4:00pm ($35)
Tony's extended practice will leave you feeling fully adjusted, worked through to core, and surprisingly upright and balanced. Please join us for this thorough 3-hour class in Tony's signature Naga Yoga style—a practice that promises to include standing poses, hip openers, backbends, inversions, and twists.

Double-Down Sunday Practice with Geoffrey Roniger
Sunday, Nov 12, 9:30am (All Levels) & 11am (Levels 2-3) Vinyasa
You might never know what theme will fall from the development of Geoffrey's long Sunday practice. But somehow, no matter what happens, internal lights switch on and the body sings along.

Anatomy of Movement: The Hip Girdle with Sabine Kuehner
Sunday, Nov 12, 2:00-5:00pm
Sabine is often noted for her highly developed ability to see and adjust students in their asanas. Of course, her skill has been honed from over 30 years as a student of Iyengar yoga, but don't forget her decades of experience as a bodyworker. In this workshop, Sabine will lead students through an exploration and experience of the anatomy and biomechanics of all the joints related to the pelvis.

Yoga for Anxiety & Depression with Athena Pappas
Saturday, Nov 18, 2:00-5:00pm
Anyone who has experienced the dark cloud of depression or the agitated unsettled state of anxiety knows how deeply debilitating these emotional imbalances can be. While yoga may not be able to cure anxiety or depressive disorders, it can significantly improve ones quality of life and ability to cope. This workshop will offer a safe environment for participants to explore how yoga can provide relief from depression and anxiety.

Yoga 101: Most Sunday Mornings!
Sundays, Nov 5 & 19: 11:00am-12:30pm: (Drop-Ins Welcome. Beginners: 3 classes for $30)
This is a great place to not feel strange about being a beginner. Join us to learn, review, or ask questions about the fundamentals of healthy alignment and breathing in basic yoga postures.

Last Sundays: Immersion Practice with Patricia Sullivan
Sunday, Nov 26, 11am-2pm ($35)
Patricia's teaching springs from a broad study of the yogic tradition. Breathing practices, Sutra study, directing the flow of energy through the body, and meditation all play a part in her classes. Patricia has also been a student of the Buddhist tradition of meditation and the practice of compassionate mindfulness in living. This influence results in a teaching style that is non-dogmatic and non-judgemental as well as exacting in form and methodology.

Hot Date (The Heat's in how you know yourself)
Saturdays: Nov 25, Dec 16: 8:00pm - 11:30pm
Saturday night workshops facilitated by theater director Eron Block, movement specialist Daisy Stoloff, and writer Brooke Gessay. A space for singles to say something about being human, move something inside, share with others, and get connected.

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

Thanksgiving Day Donation Classes

  • 9:00-11:00am All Levels Iyengar with Anne Saliou
  • 9:30-11:30am All Levels Vinyasa with Geoffrey Roniger

    All proceeds for Thanksgiving Day classes will be used to help The Yoga Loft refurbish and possibly even re-floor the old and beautiful boards that we stand on. Looking forward to the project of re-flooring at the end of the year, The Yoga Loft greatly appreciates any help and giving that the community can afford.

    Thanksgiving Weekend Retreat with Tony Briggs
    An Asana & Pranayama Intensive @ Westerbeke Ranch in Sonoma Friday, November 24th - Sunday, November 26th
    During this peaceful retreat into nature, conveniently timed just after the flurry of Thanksgiving, students have the opportunity for immersion into a deeper practice, including early morning Pranayama, the history of Yoga, philosophy discussions and extended asana practice. You are welcome to bring your loved ones, who can enjoy hikes, hot tubs, and fantastic vegetarian meals even if they aren't doing yoga with you.

  • ADVANCED STUDIES/TEACHER TRAINING

    Each module offered in our 200-hour certified teaching program is designed as a stand-alone course and is appropriate for advancing students or existing teachers to add to or enhance their current training. Hours accrued in these courses can be applied toward an existing Yoga Alliance certification. Students wishing to drop in to one or more of these modules may register online or give us a call at 415-626-5638.

    November Courses:

    Living Anatomy: Structure, Systems and Organs with Meg Whitbread
    Sunday, November 5th, 1pm-5pm

    Living Anatomy class provides students with an in-depth introduction to functional anatomy as it is related to all systems in the human body. It is a way for student-teachers to begin to see themselves and the "bodies" they are teaching in a new way; as such, it will offer students a way to re-orient themselves so that their seeing comes from the body and not so much the mind.

    The Use of Props—Practical Part of Demonstration with Anne Saliou
    Saturday, November 11: 1pm-6pm

    In this advanced studies module Anne we will discuss the appropriate use of props to achieve the desired effect. Students will experience how the use of props can educate the body, facilitate an action, provide a better alignment, free the breath and quiet the nervous system. We will explore the use of props in Restorative Yoga and in some therapeutics situations.

    SCHEDULE CHANGES & NEW CLASSES AT THE LOFT
    For the Most Recently updated schedule, be sure to always visit www.theloftsf.com!
      Wednesdays:
    • 9:00-10:30am All Levels Iyengar with Valerie Velardi (begins Nov 15)
      Fridays:
    • New Class!: 9:30-11:ooam All Levels Vinyasa with Evan Topal
    • Yoga for Women: 4:45-6:00pm with Jane Dobson
      Saturdays:
    • New Class!: 4:30-6:oopm All Levels Vinyasa with Evan Topal
      Sundays:
    • Double-Down with Geoffrey Roniger: Nov 12
    • Yoga 101 @ 11am: Nov 5 & 19
    • Immersion with Patricia Sullivan: Nov 26
    Thank you all for continuing to support community & practice at The Yoga Loft.

    Love,
    Jane & Meg

    The Yoga Loft
    321 Divisadero Street
    San Francisco, CA 94117
    info@theloftsf.com
    (415) 626-LOFT

    "It is neither wealth nor splendor, but tranquility and occupation which give happiness." -Thomas Jefferson

    Copyright © The Yoga Loft Inc. 2006 | P (415) 626-LOFT | info@theloftsf.com | design by wassondesign