Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule

There are a few changes to the yoga mayu schedule for the Thanksgiving weekend. Enjoy your turkey but don't forget to do a little yoga too:

- Thursday, Nov. 24th - Closed
- Friday, Nov. 25th - One Special All levels Class w/ Leigh Ferrara - 11-12:30pm - Reserve a spot!
- Saturday, Nov. 26th - Open regular schedule

Teacher Profile: Christopher Love

If you've been practicing at yoga mayu for awhile, you've probably taken one of Christopher Love's challenging and heart-felt classes. But how well do you really know Christopher? Recently he was kind enough to answer a few questions so we can all to get to know him a little better.

Where are you from?

I grew up in North Carolina, spent some time in the midwest, and moved to the Bay Area 15 years ago.

When and why did you start practicing yoga?

I took my first class at the gym. I was hooked from the first "Om." As a psychotherapist and group leader, I was intrigued by the profound integration between body and mind. A friend urged me to begin teaching, and I've never looked back.

How long have you been teaching yoga, and where were you trained?

I've been practicing and teaching yoga soon after arriving in San Francisco 15 years ago. I am registered as an experienced teacher with the Yoga Alliance at 500 E-RYT. I received my 200-hour certification from Darren Main's training in 2002, and my 300-hour certification with Yoga Tree in 2010. I also have a master's degree in counseling, and certifications in bodywork. I am fortunate to have met and worked with many of our modern masters, exposing me to the different branches of hatha yoga today. These have included John Friend (Anusara), Anna Forrest, Guru Amrit Desai (Kripalu), Dharma Mitra, and Rod Stryker (Para Yoga). There have been numerous, gifted local teachers that have versed me in the Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Vinyasa traditions as well. My current teacher in Indian classical music is Sargam Shah.

How long have you been teaching at yoga mayu?

Nearly 3 years.

Why do you teach?

I believe human life is blessed with unique capacities that are denied by most people every day. Yoga offers a level of integration rare to many disciplines, a systematic way to encounter yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally in ways that transform your understanding of who you are. Yoga, meditation and the power of self-inquiry can resolve such great truths, freeing you to be at peace.

How has yoga benefited you?

Yoga has saved my life in countless ways, keeping my body strong and supported, and helping me to become a better human being. When I started yoga my life was in a lot of transition. Yoga helped me through these changes. This practice has also fundamentally changed my perspective of human distress and recovery, transforming the way I work with my counseling clients.

Why should someone who has never tried yoga try it now?

It's never too late to get started. Yoga in its varied forms can be practiced by anyone at any age, helping you to know your own body, mind and life in profound ways.

What pose do you find the most challenging?

I was born with flat feet, so balancing postures have provided the most challenge as I have worked on the foundation of my feet and arches.

What are some of your non-asana interests?

I am a student of Indian classical music. I play harmonium and sing mantra for yoga classes, and lead kirtan. I also live just outside the city in Mill Valley, where nature and wildlife are all around me. Working in my yard, hiking with my dog and cycling outdoors keeps me connected.

What is your favorite thing about San Francisco?

I love the opportunities for self-expression, the diversity of people, cultures and points of view. I drive over the Golden Gate bridge every week, and I am still struck by how majestic a place we live in.

What is your favorite thing about yoga mayu?

The students at Yoga Mayu are inspiring. Our focus on strong, clear vinyasa provides consistency and the opportunity to see people grow.

What is one thing you want everyone to know about you?

I have studied music, sung and played various instruments from childhood. I nearly became a professional trumpet player earlier in my life. Now I study and practice Indian classical music, play the harmonium and sing mantra every day.

What is your schedule at yoga mayu?

Tuesdays 5:00pm to 6:15pm

Thursdays 5:00pm to 6:15pm

Saturdays 11:15am to 12:45pm

Do you have a website or a newsletter people can sign-up for?

Web: lovechristopher.com

Newsletter, please email: christopher@lovechristopher.com

Now that you know all about him, make sure you sign-up for one of Christopher's classes! Like he says, "It's never too late to get started."

Jody's Quote of the Week!

Every week Jody Hahn starts and ends her classes with a thought-provoking quote. Here is last week’s quote:

"Put your heart, mind, intellect and soul even to your smallest act. This is the secret to success." Swami Sivananda

And here's what Jody has to say about it:

"I guess this begs the question: Can you be totally present in all that you do? Giving your full attention to everything? The examples I used in class last week were: Cooking and eating your food (or do you surf the web or look at a magazine like me)? Having a conversation and giving that person 100% heart, mind, intellect, soul? I tried last week to be very present in these three ways. It was challenging at first but got easier. I realized my impulses. To grab for a magazine or make a list while eating; to look around while having a conversation. Then what happened was interesting, when I just kept focused I relaxed and it became easier. Try it yourself if you want. Pick a couple of things that you do and give it your heart, mind, intellect and soul and see what happens.So that is my interpretation of the quote. What's yours? I'd love to read any other thoughts."

Teacher Profile: Sara Levine

If you've ever taken one of long-time yoga mayu teacher, Sara Levine's classes, you know she is fun and helpful and great at what she does. But did you know how she started teaching? Or what she loves about San Francisco? Keep reading to find out the answers to all your burning Sara-related questions:

Where are you from?
Bozeman, Montana

When and why did you start practicing yoga?
My first class was at the Estes Park Yoga Journal in 2000, but I didn't start practicing regularly until 2005 in San Francisco. I first began because a friend suggested it, and I fell in love almost instantly. It was scary, challenging, painful and totally amazing. I began a little backwards since I started in a Yin class and gradually made the move to vinyasa flow.

How long have you been teaching yoga and where were you trained?
I've been teaching for just over 3 years. I did my first 200 hour training at Yoga Tree in San Francisco. Since then I've trained another 300+ hours in prenatal, postnatal, anatomy, sequencing, mellow flow and restorative.

How long have you been teaching at yoga mayu?
Since they opened (almost 3 years ago). I took Gizella's first class to the public and asked her if I could teach at her studio. I assisted a class of hers and she gave me a job right there. I feel so blessed to have been in that place at that specific time. I can't imagine not teaching at yoga mayu.

Why do you teach?
Because it is the first thing that I have found which makes me feel alive in every moment that I am in it. I can actually say that I love my job, and I feel like I want to learn more every day. It is challenging, inspiring and profoundly simple. I also teach for my students, because they have become my closest friends. I love each of them and watching them realize their own potential is inspiring every time it happens.

Why should someone who has never tried yoga try it now?
Because they didn't try it yesterday. Have you heard the saying "try something new everyday"?

What pose do you find the most challenging?
At the moment - Twisted High Lunge. I have a hard time feeling expansive in the pose, and I am always resisting if I am asked to stay there for longer than I would like.

What are some of your non-asana interests?
Reading, anatomy, painting, food, vintage furniture shopping, things that smell good, my friends and family, brewery tours.

What is your favorite thing about San Francisco?
The food. My friends. And that I attribute my yogic story to this city.

What is your favorite thing about yoga mayu?
There is an energy in the space, that has been created by all of the past and current teachers and students. When I step into that room, I feel at home. I could be there all day.

What is you schedule at yoga mayu?
Sunday 11:15-12:45AM - Deep Flow
Monday, Wednesday 5-6:15PM - Vinyasa Flow 1-2
Monday 8:15-9:30PM - Deep Flow
Wednesday 8:15-9:30PM - Slow, Deep Flow

Want to keep up with all of Sara's classes and workshops? Check her out on Facebook or sign up for her newsletter on her website!

Late Fall Workshops from yoga mayu

Sometime an hour or an hour and a half isn’t long enough to get all the yoga you want. Luckily for you, yoga mayu has some awesome workshops coming up to help you go deeper with your practice and get all the personal attention you need.

THIS SUNDAY! Sign-up now for Complete Surrender: a Restorative Workshop with Sara Levine. Some times the hardest practice is the practice of totally letting go. Sara will make it easy with two hours of fully-supported deep heart, hip, and back openings, Treat yourself to this workshop full of hands-on massage and the best two-hour savasana you've ever experienced.

This workshop is limited to 13 people, online registration is strongly suggested!

Cost is $30. This workshop goes from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.

Reserve your spot for Hip Opening Workshop: Moving Beyond with Gizella Donald on Sunday, November 20. Did you know that daily habits such as sitting in office chairs, cars and sofas, combined with limited movement can lead to discomfort, tightness and even pain in our hips? And that this discomfort often spreads to other parts of the body such as the lower back or knees? Tightness in the hips and pelvis can also affect digestion causing you to feel sluggish and lacking in energy and it is also common to find that emotional tension and anxiety ends up stored in this area. Learn how to open your hips safely in this great workshop. Gizella will guide you through a selection of standing and seated hip opening poses along with some restorative hip openers, followed by yoga nidra (guided relaxation) for maximum benefits.

Cost is $30 but sign-up before November 15 and receive the early bird rate of $25. This workshop goes from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.

Do your joints need a little extra attention? Then plan ahead for Yin Yoga Workshop with Caroline Kelley on Sunday, December 4. Yin involves physically letting go into seated postures and exploring them for longer periods of time. The practice targets the deeper connective tissue of the body especially around the hips, pelvis and spine. Yin encourages healthy mobility in joints leaving you feeling physically lighter and mobile. Yin yoga also balances the energetic body and helps relieve physical, mental and emotional tension, so you leave feeling calm and collected. Caroline teaches Yin in a way that naturally invites meditation. Mudras and breathing techniques are included to enhance the student experience.

This workshop is limited to 20 people, online registration is strongly suggested!

Cost is $30 but sign-up before November 28 and receive the early bird rate of $25. This workshop goes from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.

Slow & Low with Live Music on Friday, November 18

How do you spend your Friday nights? Crazy parties? Catching up on TV? Not next Friday. Mark your calendars for November 18 and join Megan Windeler and Rebecca Roudman at Yoga Mayu for the perfect antidote to a long week: flowing yoga and live music. Here’s what Megan says about this monthly event:

“The third Friday of each month I invite in a musician to accompany the class. The practice is slow and deep with long holds of standing and seated poses and restorative heart openers. The live music really allows us to drop into the moment with amazing and sweet depth. I am so grateful for the musicians who share their music with us.”

You’ll be grateful too. Sign up now!

Jody Hahn's Quote of the Week!

Every week Jody Hahn starts and ends her classes with a thought-provoking quote. Here is last week’s quote:

"When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you." African Proverb

Here’s what Jody says about it:

"We can be our own worst enemies; we can say terrible things about ourselves. This comes from a place of not being confident about who we really are or not even knowing who we are so we begin to compare ourselves and find 'evidence' that we are less than, or not as good as...blah blah blah, and then the outside world says something and we think it's correct. So we get crushed when we hear negative and elated when we hear positive. Too much power and influence about who we are is given to the outside world. Know yourself! Let nothing that anyone says about you make or break you. We can hear it, weigh it and look inward. Perhaps something that was said is valid and we can then take that in and use it to better ourselves but only if we know ourselves. Make the work of your life to become confident and certain about who you are. Fill yourself with love and joy. Be grateful and give. The outside world is fickle—only you know you. And I can promise you—you are good.”

Take one of Jody’s classes at Yoga Mayu: 6:30pm to 8pm Tuesdays and Thursdays; 5pm to 6:15pm Wednesdays and 9:30am to 11am Sundays.

Turn Your World Upside Down with Sirsasana

If you head to one of Caroline Kelley's vinyasa classes this month, you can expect to get a little extra emphasis on her asana of the month: Sirsasana (which you might know as headstand).

Here's what Caroline has to say about this challenging but rewarding pose:

"Headstand has long been considered the king of all poses. This is a challenging pose that warrants respect and an intellectual approach. This month we will explore the foundations of this pose and from there take progressive steps. Our practice will emphasize a solid foundation which encourages stability and most importantly protection of the cervical spine (neck).

Beginning students will explore Sirsasana with the feet firmly on the ground. Alternative postures will be given when this pose is counter indicated.

Once mastered, this asana calms the nervous system. Other benefits are increased fresh blood flow to the brain and rejuvenation of the brain.

The practice of this pose may offer the opportunity explore fear and our ego. This is a classic example of how our yoga practice is SO much more than a physical work out."

Come practice flipping your perspective with Caroline at Yoga Mayu, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30am to 8:30am.