I’ve spent the first few months of the new year looking at what is next for Breathe. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to attend a couple of events in the last few months that have deepened my understanding of the value of our yoga practice.

On the way home from our Bali retreat I went to the Kumbh Mela, the largest gathering of humanity (120 million people) every twelve years at the meeting of three rivers in India. I spent three days as the only female in a large tent complex photographing about forty Sadhus (the holy men that come from the lineage of the yoga tradition). I was with two of the most prominent yoga scholars in the world, both from England, Dr. James Mallinson and Dr. Mark Singleton (author of Yoga Body), who are translating some of the early yoga texts that have yet to be translated, two men who I consider “giants” in their understanding of where this tradition come from and in the depth of their practice of yoga.

In early March I attended the United Nations NGO Conference on the Status of Women. I was with women from all over the world who are working to create a less violent world. I was moved by the commitment of so many women who are working amidst extremely challenged circumstances. There were times when the statistics around a particular issue, like childhood marriage, trafficking or violence against women was overwhelming. One afternoon in a room of about 2000 people the microphone was handed to a woman in the back who began talking. We were all listening, but not intently, until she stated that was once a child bride. At that moment, nearly everyone turned to look at back hat her, to see her face. Because quite frankly, most of us were from Europe and the US and haven’t actually met a child bride, even though the statistics are utterly overwhelming. I realized that statistics certainly serve a purpose, but what is most powerful is when someone has the courage to tell their story. Because when we can put faces to these statistics, we can’t help but have compassion. We can imagine what it would be like to be in their shoes and we are often moved to take action.

Struck by what I found in two diverse situations, the two questions I have been living with lately are, 1) how do we evolve a practice intelligently, with an accurate understanding of yoga’s history while attending to the needs of our culture today? and 2) how can we use our practice help to make the world a better place? These are the two questions that have informed our programming over the next six months.

What I know for sure is his practice is meant to expand our ability to be compassionate and act upon what we care about. We are meant to live with our heart open and/or broken open and our yoga practice helps us do that.

To forward the cause of learning more about the roots of this practice, if you couldn’t come to India last fall, we are brining India to you. My partners in the teacher training in India last fall, Sanjeev and Savira, are coming to host two workshops this month. Running trainings throughout Europe and Asia, their approach broadens our understanding of the tradition and their workshops are for all levels of practice. Katie Silcox returns for her third visit. She has been featured in last month’s Yoga Journal Magazine and named one of the 70 Yogis changing the world in Origin Magazine. Bright and enigmatic, she makes Tantric yoga practice accessible.

To address how our practice can have a greater impact on the world around us, in June we are incredibly fortunate to have Linda Sparrowe, the editor for Yoga International Magazine (and former editor of Yoga Journal). She will teach writing workshop for all teachers and those passionate about the yoga practice who want to write about their practice. Having her to our studio is a complete honor!

In July Suzanne Sterling is a force in and of herself and the partner of Seane Corn’s in the Off the Mat work they do in a variety countries, working with intense social issues and changing the world one project at a time. In August Michael Stone, a psychotherapist and practitioner of Zen who runs a studio in Toronto and was a significant voice in the Wallstreet movement will make a rare trip to California to be with us.

On the teacher training front, Desiree Rumbaugh has joined our 500 hour teacher training faculty which is incredibly exciting for all of us! I respect her so much. She’ll be leading the Wisdom Warriors Training for those over 50 later in the year. In May our own Giselle Mari will be leading an outstanding weekend of assisting at Breathe for anyone studying to teach and those teaching now.

In the meantime, our daily schedule continues to grow and change as you and our teachers grow and change (please view our spring schedule). The tea house is now open on Wednesday nights so you can stop for a drink after yoga, and Jana Kilgore is running her amazing “Kitchen Wisdom” workshops. On April 20th, Earth Day, classes will be free!

We recognize that Breathe is growing and we are looking together at how to make an even greater difference in your lives and in our community, the one around us and the one at large. As we shape our vision for our “next chapter,” please feel free to contact me with anything you see for Breathe’s future because we are all in this together.

As I say to myself often, “Yoga changes lives.” May our spring be prolific, may we practice often, and may our compassion for ourselves and others expand exponentially so we are moved to act to make our world a better place.
Jennifer

Yin Yoga Immersion and Training
April 6-7th & 13-14th

The Yin Yoga practice uses long held floor postures that support us in accessing the deeper, more yin parts of ourselves. This immersion explains what the yin practice is, how it relates to our physical bodies, our energetic systems and our mental/emotional states, and how best to employ this healing tool for each person's specific needs. The yin practice is useful for people with chronic pain, chronic stress, addiction, inflexible joints, insomnia, and it improves relaxation and meditation practices.

The immersion will include:
- History, philosophy and theory of the practice
- Practices themed around anatomy, energy/organs and mental/emotional wellbeing
- Manual of the basic poses, plus variations to suit each individual's needs

This immersion is also the first part of the Yin Yoga 35-Hour Teacher Training, but is open to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of yin yoga.

Kitchen Wisdom; Kitchari Demystified: April 20th
with Jana Kilgore

This is the first of six workshop series where you will learn how to rebuild digestion so that you can nourish and heal yourselves from the inside out while turning your kitchen into a healing sanctuary. Each 3 hour workshop will be a discussion on a specific area of Kitchen Wisdom to help us stay balanced for the Season. There will be a cooking demo, sampling of food and teas, recipes and Q & A time. No matter your experience in the kitchen, you will leave with the wisdom to unlock your vital health. Learning to make your own Kitchari is simple & super empowering!

Kitchari is a one pot vegetarian meal. We will learn how to use this meal for daily detoxification that is both simple and safe. This workshop includes a:
- A Classic Kitchari recipe.
- Kitchari for Cleansing & tonifying each system.
- Kitchari in the crockpot
- Secrets for each Dosha

There are so many different views on juicing, herbs and teas. This workshop will explore the Ayurvedic view on daily Detoxification through teas and juices.
- Learn to make teas for all systems
- Easy & fast tips for daily cleansing
- When to juice & when not too
- Tools for teas & juices
- The Epic Elixir.

Sthira Sukham Asanam: April 27th
with Savira Gupta

Sthira Sukham Asanam, a session of carefully designed strong deep-rooted asanas to connect body mind and heart with stillness, flowing from strong sensations of discomfort to subtle sensations of calmness and meditative. Surrendering to none other than our ‘prana’ or breath, the essence of self. Combining the sutras of yoga philosophy and her life experiences, Savira has designed and created a fun yet filled workshop with humor that encourages one to step into the realms of the unknown. Simply put, a “journey of understanding thy self”.

Practice of Yogalife: April 28th
with Sanjeev

Learn to work and adjust intuitively using the tools of inner wisdom and guidance. Explore the possibilities of being free from deep-set experiences through hands on adjustments.

This session will be a fun yet interactive session where Sanjeev will take you through a series of classical sun salutations interlaced with mantras and rounds of ‘kumbhaka’ or breath retention. He will gently nudge you to challenge your external physical awareness while enabling you to explore your internal asana through his one of a kind traditional sequence.

Be prepared to see this gentle being bend...mold...and fold you to depths that were once non-existent. His unique hands on adjustments break the chains of long held stress, emotions, or unblocked prana.

The Power of Touch: May 3rd - May 5th
with Giselle Mari

One of the quickest ways to understand the mechanics of an asana, its depth and beauty is through touch. Being able to offer assists to practitioners not only enriches their experience but also provides another effective and potent tool for a teacher to communicate alignments and refinements of an asana practice.

In this weekend intensive, we will go over some of the more common asanas. Focus will be on how to observe form, breath, alignment, energetics of asana, and ultimately how to assist. As the assister, we will explore the imperative of preserving our bodies through leveraging, bandhas, breath and our connection to the earth while providing the practitioner with safe assists that support their skill level.

Tantra Vinyasa for Power and Freedom: May 10th
with Katie Silcox

Tantra Vinyasa views the body as a sacred temple. Come learn how to better “worship” this temple through awakening the dormant power of shakti in the body. In this workshop we will work with deep practices for delving into the stagnancy of the hips, belly and legs in order to free up the energy to move into the core of your being. Eat a light dinner and come prepared to work with bhandas, mudras and deep hip openers. Will include pranayama and meditation.

Tantra Vinyasa for for Success and Happiness: May 11th
with Katie Silcox

Tantra says that we can have more auspiciousness (success and happiness) in our lives on both the spirit and material realms. This class will include a lecture on The Seven Tantric Practices for Auspiciousness, as well as the practical tools and techniques that the ancient teachings outline for getting us there. In this workshop we will work with kundalini yoga techniques including chakra work, mantra and meditation.

Tantra Vinyasa for for Awakening the Sacred River: May 12th
with Katie Silcox

According to most spiritual traditions, our spine - and more specifically, the subtle energy within it, is a storehouse of our most potent creative and illuminating energy. It is the abode of the spirit, the river of light, and the place where all our limitations can be dissolved. Don’t miss this important workshop on awakening the Sushumna nadi - the internal energetic channel that can lead us to the Divine. Some theory, as well as a dynamic practice involving asana, Maha mudra, pranayama, bhanda and mantra.

Joy of Yoga 100-Hour Advanced Studies and Teacher Training: Therapeutics

June 21: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
June 22–30: 8:00am – 6:00pm

The JOY training has two phases, a100-hour "Dynamics" training and a100-hour "Therapeutics" training. Each training runs for ten consecutive days. Both 100 hour trainings must be taken to complete the JOY 200-hour certification and register with Yoga Alliance. You can do the 100-hour Dynamics and the 100-hour Therapeutics trainings in any order.

Our outstanding faculty is comprised of yoga teachers recognized for excellence in their field, scholars of Sanskrit and philosophy, Ayurvedic practitioners and both western and alternative health care professionals who offer great insight into the workings of the human body.

When you leave the JOY program you will be equipped to teach professionally in any class setting, if you choose to do that. You will be enabled with tools that will make you more effective in your relationships, in your personal practice and in every area of your life. The hours we spend together lead you to RYT 200-Yoga Alliance Certification.

In the 100 hour Therapeutics program we will learn to incorporate props, breath work, healthy sequencing, and all eight limbs of yoga within the framework of each Hatha based yoga class, including yin and restorative yoga. If you are choosing to teach, it means that you will be able to be an effective teacher for all levels of student, meeting people where they are as opposed to being an instructor of a particular style that is often inaccessible to the people who need yoga the most.

Breathe in Grand Canyon
with Jennifer Prugh
August 20th to August 27th, 2013

Breathe Los Gatos is collaborating with Arizona Raft Adventures and Grand Canyon Discovery to create a rare opportunity for a motor rafting and yoga adventure inside the Grand Canyon in August, 2013. Beginning and ending in Flagstaff, Arizona, you will see 225 miles of the Colorado River and the view of the Grand Canyonfrom below. This adventure includes beautiful back country camping as well as some of the most incredible side hike opportunities in the Grand Canyon, awe inspiring night skies, friendship, yoga and nature.

Guests of all levels of rafting experience are welcome on the motor trip and our group will remain together the entire trip. One day during the eight day trip we might enjoy an early camp, another day we might hike, do yoga and play up side streams and canyons. This is a once in a life time experience, to experience the grand canyonfrom a boat, to practice yoga in one of the most beautiful places on earth and to be together in this way for eight incredible days.

Breathe in Santorini
with Giselle Mari and Jennifer Prugh
August 20th to August 27th, 2013

The Santorini retreat is run in partnership with The Travel Yogi. Stoke your inner fire on the ancient island caldera of Santorini. Discover the possible birthplace of the legend of Atlantis and relish in the ancient combination of island culture and yoga. This retreat reclaims the balance of ancient and modern with it’s contemporary amenities amidst the small domed churches and old towns of Oia and Ancient Thira. Bask in Santorini’s famed sunsets, lunch in Oia’s narrow streets and indulge in the hotel’s many pools, spa and unparalleled views.

From the fiery volcano and warm springs to the arid climate, from the colorful sand beaches to the pungent Vinsanto local wine, Santorini is an compromised balance of life, history, culture and beauty. Find your center, treat your palate and unwind with the ancients. This Santorini yoga retreat is a release and education for your inner god/goddess.

All memberships at Breathe receive substantial savings over drop-in class prices. A percentage off all future workshops, special monthly offers on products from our store, free bath towels, and annual members' appreciation party

108

Unlimited Yoga & Flight classes with 12 month commitment!

74

Monthly 8 visit Yoga classes with 6 month commitment!

The tea house drinks are Cleanse-friendly. E3live, mate, vishnu smoothie and green teas - especially the matcha - are excellent cleansing offerings at the Mandala Tea House. We also carry the supplements Talya uses.

St Patrick's day matcha latte special!
20% off.

Limited Sale: 40% on ALL clothing, scarves and bags until end of EARTH DAY, April 20th

St Patrick's day matcha latte special!
20% off.

Lorien Neargarder has a yoga DVD called "Healing Yoga for Wellness" that is filmed and edited, but needs funding to get it mass produced. This DVD is the best of her circulation, flexibility and relaxation practices, designed for people who may be limited and unable to attend weekly classes. She has a Kickstarter campaign running right now to raise $18,700 by May 2.

Please view the Kickstarter page, preview the video, and help spread the word, so she can meet her funding and get this video out to those who need it!