PURE YOGA  Teacher Training at Equinox Dallas

Coming FALL 2010!

Join deAnna Anderson and Jason Lobo Wolf

…along with renowned guest teachers for  a fundamental 200 Hour training that honors the myriad of yoga styles and will provide the graduates with the ability to teach a safe, creative yoga class with an authentic voice. The Dallas program begins 24 September 2010 and will require one weekend immersion per month for 10 months plus homework.

New things are always in the works.

Please note that if you are using Internet Explorer as your browser to surf this site that you will not see the navigation buttons on the sides of the page at first. You can submit a topic such as Schedule in the “Search” button on the top right side of the page. When the search results appear, the buttons “magically” appear as well. You can also click on the Perfection Is Now bar above for the same results. Mozilla is the best search engine and it can be downloaded for free!

Perfection Is Now

OM PURNAM ADAH PURNAM IDAM PURNAT PURNAM UDACYATE

PURNASYA PURNAM ADAYAH PURNAM EVA VASHISHYATE

~ Ishavasya Upanishad or “Shanti Mantra” from the Yajur Veda

That is whole. This is whole. From the whole, the whole becomes manifest.

When the whole is negated, what remains is again whole.

At first glance, this verse may seem like a riddle. We wonder how anything can be taken away without something being missing. Reflecting on the mantra and exchanging the word “whole” with either “perfect” or “complete” offers further insight into the message.

The Upanishads, written by ancient rishis or seers, documented the insights they received from their practices during prolonged states of ecstatic bliss. The word mantra can be translated as “mind-bridge”. The rishis, having experienced ultimate reality, passed down the mantras like roadmaps paving and lighting the way to discovering inner joy, wholeness and satisfaction.

Each time we repeat a mantra, we take a few more steps towards the insight that is being revealed. In this instance, the revelation that perfection is right here, right now. The word purnam means absolute wholeness, lacking nothing whatsoever. Sri Brahmananda Saraswati  said that “yoga is the state where we feel that we are missing nothing”. Reflecting on this mantra will unify and direct our attention, leading us to the realization that we are missing nothing.

Even as the meaning becomes clear, the message of perfection may still be puzzling for the mind and ego. The idea of wholeness is a foreign concept to most of us, especially when we consider the influence of our media-dominated, consumption-oriented culture. We are bombarded with advertisements for everything coming from everywhere encouraging us to live beyond our present means, telling us that what we have and who we are, is not enough.

Where have the prevailing slogans such as “more is better”, “the grass is greener” and “buy now and save” so you can “pay later” (with interest) taken us? With major recent events such as mass housing foreclosures, bank bailouts, excessive material waste and a precarious ecosystem caused by living in the cultural trance, we are being forced us as individuals and as a society to wake up and look at ways we can simplify. Let us gain inspiration from the American philosopher, Thoreau, who said, “A man is rich in proportion to what he can afford to live without.”

Essentially, the practice of yoga is a process of elimination, removing all that we are not to discover that which we are. It involves stripping away all the expectations, distractions and desires that are preventing us from seeing the whole picture. As long as we are seeing the world through a cracked and distorted lens that is covered in dirt, we will not see perfection. Focusing on the timeless message of the rishis, we eventually realize that freedom and joy exist within all of us independent of external things. Answers and solutions become evident as we follow their tried and true steps. Through practices ranging from asana, karma yoga and vegetarian diet to meditation, chanting and scriptural study, we discover our innate ability to regulate our happiness from the inside out.

Deep down, we know our value and our happiness are not dependent on external things. Yet, when we are constantly receiving societal messages telling us otherwise, confusion arises as we struggle with conflicting information. Focusing on the Shanti Mantra teaches us to accept and appreciate our present circumstances. Re-minding each of us that “you have all you need”. “You are all you need” and “you can manifest all that you need”. When we cultivate the ability to shift our focus to the perfection of every moment and experience, we begin to see abundance in simplicity, beauty in difficulty and problems as opportunities. Repetition of this de-hypnotizing mantra reveals that there are no mistakes in the universe and that everything is unfolding as it should.

~ deAnna Anderson 2009 Jivamukti Essay

Note: If you wish to use any part of this writing, please ask for permission or reveal the source.

Celebrate the season of reflection, rebirth and renewed purpose!

The Winter Solstice is upon us and we are so grateful for the rich fertilizer of wisdom born of experience for reminding us  what is essential. Teaching us to ground down and dig deep. Showing us how to strip down to basics, let go of the old and lighten our load. Finding  radiance in the nectar of the darkness whose roots are firmly grounded in the deep nourishment of understanding and compassion.  Gaining clarity and luminescence as consciousness re-awakens and we open to a whole new realm of possibilities.

More updates coming soon!

Look for new recipes, on-line shopping for Super Foods and upcoming events  for 2010!

New things are always in the works.

To sign up for Lady Ruth, visit the LADY RUTH DALLAS PAGE.

Winter 2009

Let this Winter’s Solstice and New Year’s Chakra Tuning with deAnna serve as an opportunity to dig deep and nourish the roots of reflection and seeds of reinvention!

deAnna returns to Arlington Yoga Center!

5 December 2009

10:15am-12:15pm Jivamukti Master Class $25

1pm-4pm Raw Foods Holiday Class  with Steven $40

Enjoy Jivamukti practice and celebrate compassion this season.

LOKAH SAMASTA SUKHINO BHAVANTU

May all beings everywhere be happy and free…And May the thoughts, words and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.

Winter Solstice Yoga Practice at Equinox

20 December 2009

Sunday. 2pm-4pm. $30.

& Celebrating at Karmany with Steven.

21 December 2009. Monday. 7:30pm-9:30pm.

Experience how purposefully engaging in the yoga practice during dark times shows you how to become your own sun! This special class will begin with cleansing practices called Kriyas which will elevate the body’s temperature and boost hormone production from your internal pharmaceutical lab,which will reduce anxiety, stress and fatigue associated with Winter Seasonal Affective Disorder. Then we will move through a fun, fast-paced asana practice set to an inspiring musical soundtrack accompanied with colorful and therapeutic ambiance that will guide you from the darkness to the Light! We will conclude with a guided meditation that will serve as our inner compass in the coming year.

New Years Eve & New Years Day Chakra Tuning Immersion at Karmany Yoga

31 December 2009. 6pm-12pm.

Ring in the New Year with Karmany Yoga!

Founding Teacher, deAnna Anderson and Karmany Teachers, Ariel Nessel and Steven Haun invite you to join them as we engage in practices  and herlad the upcoming year. The evening will be offered in sections. We will kick off with an invigorating Jivamukti Chakra Balancing Class with deAnna where you will lose yourself in an inspiring soudtrack and wild Colorgize TM therapeutic lights! Next we will enjoy a family-friendly potluck with great food from our fellow “veg-heads” and some Kirtan. The evening will shift into a more reflective mode as we move into Meditation& Mauna. We will then experience a Dharma Talk and Dharma Mittra-style Psychic Development Practice with Ariel that is guaranteed to promote receptivity and intution. Stay tuned for the evenings itinerary!

1 January 2010

10:30am-1:30pm.

$36 by donation.

Start the New Year off right! Come together with a group of adventurous yogis for  a purifying and invigorating asana practice set to an inspirational soundtrack commencing with uplifting chanting and grounding intentions. Prepare to polish your inner lens and start the year off with a fresh perspective! Be sure to arrive early as this event will be full.

Divine Manorama returns to Dallas Yoga Center!

Friday 11/06, 6pm-8pm

“Durga Mata” Satsang

Saturday and Sunday 11/07-11/08, 12pm-5pm

Sanskrit/Philosophy Classes.

For more information visit www.sanskritstudies.org.

Manorama’s New Release Namo Namah, Invoke Reverence available!

Invoke Reverence

She just had her CD Release party at Jivamukti Yoga School in NYC a few weeks ago! Come. Sit. Chant with Manorama. Experience reverence.

Learn Sanskrit, listen to ideas and absorb the wisdom.

In the kitchen with deAnna and Steven

Giving Thanks and Receiving Abundance Satsang!

Saturday 11/14, 5pm-8pm

Join Steven and deAnna for their first Raw Vegan Potluck and Satsang at their new place! The theme will be winter salads, warming soups and drinks. We will also share yummy, nourishing holiday ideas and tips for maintaining your highest choices.

New Book available on Amazon.

“An Offering of Leaves”,

Lady Ruth

Lady Ruth Lauer-Manenti

Coming Soon to Dallas!

Ruth Lauer-Manenti, one of the Jivamukti Yoga NYC community’s most senior and popular teachers, is coming to Karmany Yoga Dallas 20-21 February 2010.  She has just authored a new book, “An Offering of Leaves” with a forward by David Life. It is a collection of her simple and beautiful opening dharma talks recorded by Rima Rabbath and transcribed by Andrea Boyd.

On the Road 2009 with deAnna Anderson

Costa Rica 200523-24 October Yoga One Houston

24 October Yoga Haven Galveston

7 November Arlington Yoga Center (Food Party!)

Coming to Sundance Yoga Studio in Houston 12-13 December 2009!

Stay posted for local Jivamukti Chakra Tuning dates and Times at Karmany Yoga and Yoga Balance in McKinney.  Monthly visits to Dharma Yoga Center in Arlington.  Returning to Yoga In Motion in San Antonio and Yoga Haven in Galveston in Spring 2010.

Join deAnna 12-13 December in Houston at Sundance Yoga!

Jivamukti Yoga School

November 2009 Focus:

Ahimsa and Veganism

Commentary from Sharon Gannon’s book Yoga and Vegetarianism.

“Through the practices of yoga, we discover that concern for the happiness and well-being of others, including animals, must be an essential part of our own quest for happiness and well-being. The fork can be a powerful weapon of mass-destruction or a tool to create peace on Earth.” - Sharon Gannon

Latest book available!

BHAKTI BLAST OFF!

2 August 2009

Join deAnna with guests Jay Lobo and Brooke from Sunstone Yoga for Karmany’s first Kirtan!

We will be accompanied by harmonium and guitar. This Sunday evening from 6pm-8pmish. Suggested donation $5.

Find relief from the heat of August with the soothing nectar of Bhakti Yoga…

Bhakti yoga is the yoga of pure devotion. The yoga of love! It is one of the pillars of Jivamukti Yoga and is a fundamental aspect that links together all spiritual traditions. One of the most powerful expressions of Bhakti is chanting mantras and prayers with the elevated intention of transcending into a state of cosmic consciousness…entering an ocean of bliss and tranquility!

At first that may sound like some far out activity that is limited to those in cults or maybe it sounds dry and boring…or maybe you are not comfortable with the sound of your own voice.  In my experience, you have to try a few different styles and find one that really resonates deeply within you.  There are many expressions of Kirtan (ecstatic chanting) and these days there are a lot of really great modern variations such as MC Yogi, Wah!, Manorama, Sean Johnson and Wade Morrissette.  These artists have gained inspiration from traditional guys like Ravi Shankar, who played with The Beatles back in the 60’s.  Krishna Das, Jai Uttal and Bhagavan Das really brought chanting into its current popularity with their folk and rock influences.  Mike D. from the Beastie Boys even played with Bhagavan Das on the album Now! and accompanied my guru, Sharon Gannon, on a few tracks such as SATTVAM for her album neti-neti and Reverend Run from Run DMC rapped with her on the same album on the track “Sound is God”.

Why would these popular mainstream artists do side projects with Ravi Shankar, Bhagavan Das and Sharon Gannon? Perhaps they experienced something profoundly uplifting when they explored Sanskrit chanting during their yoga practice or spiritual journey…and since they are the sort who are ahead of the curve, they realized the potential of blending the ancient with the modern and wanted to share the gifts they received and pulsations they experienced from these mantras with the rest of the world in a way that felt hip and familiar.

When we chant sacred sounds, a vibration awakens within us and we heal our hearts and sooth our minds and emotions. Sanskrit is a language where sound and meaning unite.  It is a universal language like music or mathematics.  Actually, I feel this beautiful language is like a marriage of music and mathematics.  The ancient rishis or seers, put the same attention to detail in formulating the Sanskrit language that they put into creating mathematics.  You might notice if you ever see Devanagari script written that the alphabet has some very familiar shapes.  While this is fascinating on the intellectual level, the experience is even more amazing. When we chant in Sanskrit, we promote healing of the mind and emotions.  Ultimately, one of the aims of yoga practice is to lift ourselves up out of our thoughts…going beyond the mind and the definitions of how we see things so that we can see the world trough a fresh set of eyes.  We see the world differently and the world sees us differently. We raise our vibrations and thus become a shining light to those around us and the world looks shiny and new to us!

This month’s “Focus of the Month“ from Jivamukti is “Panoramic World“. ( If you get a chance, I highly recommend reading Sharon Gannon’s essay which is linked into the previous sentence.)  Mantra repetition and chanting plant seeds deep in our hearts for strength and faith to grow. Faith is an essential element for yoga practice and it is something that no one else can give you. It is what each of us is made of.  As we cultivate bhav (the mood of one who is intoxicated by love for the Divine), we uproot doubt and confusion and gradually profound shifts begin to occur.

As we chant these mantras and verses silently or aloud, we attract the virtuous qualities of the divine manifestation which we are calling out to and we find a healing outlet for our multi-faceted, tumultuous emotions.

On a scientific level, we are quite literally rewiring our neural nets, uprooting stagnant, negative patterns of thought and expanding positive thoughts.  Now that is something worth investigating.

Note: If you wish to use any part of this essay please ask permission first or reveal and credit the source. Thanks!

Today let us honor our precious teachers who remind us of our divine nature and guide us toward ultimate freedom!

OM BOLO SAD GURU BHAGAVAN KI, JAI!

“The aim of yoga is to realize that we are all connected.  We share one heart, one consciousness, and one Divine Source.  Yoga’s method is to provide us with the experiences that help us grasp this.  To realize that we are all connected, it is helpful first to connect with another person.  In the yogic tradition this connection is experienced through a relationship with a guru, a teacher who facilitates the awakening of unitive consciousness.  By acknowledging a guru, you connect to those who have trod the path before you.  In doing so, humility dawns and awakening is
possible.”    -Jivamukti Yoga Book

“The guru tradition is based on humility and appreciation. The respect a student gives a teacher is not for the teacher’s benefit; it benefits the student to acknowledge and bow to another because this opens the connection to the Self within the student. It may help to think of the Guru as a force rather than a person” -Jivamukti Yoga Book

I bow to the lotus feet of Sri Sharon-ji, Sri David-ji

as well as Sri Dharma Mittra, Manorama Devi and Edward-ji Clark-ji!

Thank you for everything!

Say what you mean and mean what you say…

deAnna Anderson with her guru Sharon Gannon

When we cultivate the ability to align our words with our actions and highest intentions, it is like magic! Actually, words are like magic anyway as we have all read in books like “The Four Agreements” and “The Secret” as well as movies like “What the Bleep Do We Know?”. Perfecting our speech is a profound way to help us overcome negative thought patterns…and let’s be honest here…we all have our moments when we struggle to overcome negativity and habitual patterned responses. We especially notice this if we are engaging in the practice of vigilantly watching our thoughts and upgrading our responses to stressful stimuli.

As a matter of fact, when we first embark on the journey of watching our thoughts and attempting to align ourselves with our most elevated intentions, it is common to go through a period of frustration once we realize how deeply embedded some of those patterns actually are.  Feeling overwhelmed by the seeming immensity of these deeply rooted patterns might even cause us to want to throw our hands up in the air and say “what’s the point?”.  I have come to realize that these moments of deepest despair and feeling like there is a long way to go are actually indicators of how close we are to removing them. Once we have defined our fear or perceived short coming, we have basically destroyed it.  Recognizing the issue is the key to upgrading it.

A few years ago, when I was reading “The Diamond Cutter” by Geshe Michael Roach, there was a Buddhist practice he explained that really stuck with me. Basically, the practitioner would keep two bowls of small stones around. One was filled with white stones and the other with black stones. During the course of a day, as the practitioner watched their thoughts, they would place a white pebble in their pocket each time they had a positive thought and a black pebble in their pocket if they were having a negative thought. At the end of the day, they would count the number of each color. There were always more black pebbles than white.

As I always say, you have to start somewhere…and that would be where you are right now.  That requires being realistic and assessing where you have come from and where you want to be. This requires acceptance and patience and from my experience the main way to develop patience and acceptance is to experience things that are challenging.

Ram Dass, the great American spiritual teacher, often touches on this in his talks. In one instance, a questioner asked him if he ever gets angry.  He replied “yes, I still get angry…but I find myself waking up sooner and sooner so that eventually the anger disappears more and more quickly.” He went on to explain that basically the only way to improve our ability to wake up is to encounter experiences that trigger various negative emotions so that we get to practice waking up. (Not that we go out of our way to attract those situations but recognizing things when they come up.)

It reminded me of one of my favorite teachings from Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj.  In response to a questioner who had hit a rough spot in his practice and was feeling discouraged, depressed and disillusioned he said the following. “Doubting all. Refusing all. This is the fruit of your long sadhana. This is when the soul has cast it’s moorings and is heading for distant shores. The old is over and the new has not yet come…The only way out is through.” Avoiding issues and pretending they don’t exist is living in denial and will keep inviting them to return until you decide to deal with it.

As we continue engaging in the “technology of transformation” as my guru, David Life, so eloquently refers to it, the important thing to remember is that wherever we are is perfect.  Ram Dass says that even when we are having a thought such as “I should be meditating more” that it is still perfection. In the same way, when we are in the process of upgrading and aligning our thoughts, words and actions it is important to realize this is a wild and mystical journey whose outcome far exceeds anything we ourselves could dream up.  So it is immensely helpful to do our best to stay engaged in the practice and not to judge it while it is in process.

As yogis, we are engaged in an alchemical process.   There is an alchemical precept that states, “through repetition the magic is forced to arise.” Alchemy is a science that seeks to turn ordinary metal into gold.  Since yoga is a science that seeks to transform a normal body into an instrument of Divine will, it is worthwhile to follow the scientific method.

According to Wikipedia, the scientific method refers to bodies of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. To be termed scientific, a method of inquiry must be based on gathering observable, empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning. A scientific method consists of the collection of data through observation and experimentation, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses. Among other facets shared by the various fields of inquiry is the conviction that the process be objective to reduce biased interpretations of the results.

The four basic steps that comprise the Scientific Method are as follows:

1. Use your experience: Consider the problem and try to make sense of it. Look for previous explanations. If this is a new problem to you, then move to step 2.

2. Form a conjecture: When nothing else is yet known, try to state an explanation, to someone else, or to your notebook.

3. Deduce a prediction from that explanation: If you assume 2 is true, what consequences follow?

4. Test: Look for the opposite of each consequence in order to disprove 2. It is a logical error to seek 3 directly as proof of 2. This error is called affirming the consequent.

As an on-going experiment, lets see what happens when we say what we mean and mean what we say. Patanjali suggests that when we practice satya or truthfulness that our words will gain potency, that others will really listen to us and that what we say will come true.

“Truth is sought for its own sake. And those who are engaged upon the quest for anything for its own sake are not interested in other things. Finding the truth is difficult, and the road to it is rough.”

~Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen, 965–1039), one of the key figures in developing scientific method

Follow this link to read the current Focus of the Month for July on the Jivamukti Yoga School website.

If you wish to use any part of this essay, please ask for permission first or reveal and credit the source. Thanks!

Jivamukti at Divine Yoga Center

This Saturday, 20 June, deAnna is looking forward to returning to Southlake to visit her friends at Divine. We will be tuning into the frequency of a few practices that will be sure to ignite our highest potential and be more receptive to our highest good.

Join us this Saturday from 1:30pm-3:30pm.

Visit Divine Yoga Center.

3rd Sunday at Karmany, 21 June!

Jivamukti Sadhana Intensive 5:30pm-8:30pm

Join deAnna for a journey into your true potential and discover the transformative power of devotion as we embark on a series of asanas inspired by the epic Ramayana. Gain inspiration from the story of Hanuman, a divine being who, due to a curse, forgot his special qualities and gifts unless reminded. Practice will include an inspiring musical soundtrack accompanied by chanting and meditation. Suggested donation: $40

Raw Decadence!

Who says you have to sacrifice great taste to have a satisfying and decadent meal? In the coming weeks, look for more recipes and photos from my Raw foods adventure. Included will be practical daily meals and treats and a few elaborate things I had to whip up to further enhance the experience and see how much possibility there is in this lifestyle. I have been amazed!

I am offering weekly meals for pick up based on a set menu. Each week is different. Sometimes we try out new delicious ideas andsometimes we revisit some tried and true items like Macadamia Feta from Matthew Kenney, Corn Chowder from Ani Phyo and Fettuccine Alfredo from Frank Giglio.

Special Jivamukti Monthly Master Class in Arlington 18 July…

Learn more about Lifestyle and Living Foods Diet

Mark your calendars! On deAnna’s next visit to Arlington, she will be taking part in a yoga and diet day-long retreat that will be a rejuvenating opportunity for everyone to enjoy deep and vigorous practices, an introduction to upgrading to a living food lifestyle.

deAnna will join Paula Weithman and Steven Haun as we joyfully explore ways to more fully embody the yogic qualities of radiat health, inner calm and compassionate living.

Basic Itinerary: Jivamukti with deAnna 10:30am-12:30pm. Iyengar Yoga focusing on Padmasana and Fore Arm Balance with Paula Weithman 1:15pm-3:15pm. Yogic Lifestyle: Raw Food Lifestyle Basics for Busy People with Steven Haun and deAnna Anderson.

And meanwhile in Southlake 18 July…

1:30pm-3:30pm

deAnna will be back in Southlake offering it up…Jivamukti style!

Gratitude!

Since opening Karmany Yoga in February, we have been very blessed in receiving so much encouragement and support from the press. In just a few short months, we have been featured in Daily Candy, Park Cities People, Channel 11, Channel 5, D Beauty Magazine and most recently were filmed for an upcoming show on the Style network.

Follow the links below to read what they are saying about the new venture…

Daily Candy

Park Cities People

Channel 5

D Beauty

D Beauty Blog

D Beauty Spring 2008

SRI KRISHNA PATTBHI JOIS MAHA- SAMADHI

On 18 May 2009 at 2:30pm Indian Time, the great yogi Sri K. Pattabhi Jois took   Maha- Samadhi at age 94.  With his guru Sri Krishnamachrya, he developed the Ashtanga Yoga system.  Guruji was one the most influential yogis in the last century and was one of the main reasons any of us are enjoying the practice of yoga and in particular vinyasa style yoga in the West. The Ashtanga system is comprised of about 6 main series that are practiced  all over the world. So he is also hugely responsible for sharing vinyasa krama or ideas on the systematic sequencing of postures.

According to the inspiration section of the Jivamukti website:

Shri K. Pattabhi Jois studied yoga under his guru Shri Krishnamacharya and also attended the Sanskrit College of Mysore, where he became a professor of Sanskrit and Advaita Vedanta. He and Shri Krishnamacharya developed the Astanga Yoga series based on the purifying practices described in the ancient texts. In 1948, he founded the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore. In 1958, he wrote his classic book Yoga Mala, which explores Astanga and Yoga philosophy. In 1998, David Life was made a certified Astanga teacher by Shri K. Pattabhi Jois. Both Sharon and David make regular trips Mysore to study under him.

End quote.

Pattabhi was one of the main influences on the Jivamukti Yoga method and gave David and Sharon his blessings when they co-founded the system back in 1986. David was certified by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois to teach all the through the Advanced B Series .  Sharon and David are very grateful for all the teachings and insights they received from studying with him. He is one of our “grand gurus”!

He was famous for saying “Do your practice and all is coming.”

A favorite quote that is featured on the Jivamukti NYC website is:

“Ahhhh Samadhi. Yoga is Samadhi. God is One. Yoga is One. Philosophy is One. That’s All.”

This week in honor of the transition of this profoundly influential master, we will be integrating some particular rituals into our classes to express our tremendous gratitude for the practices, wisdom and example that we received from Guruji and to support his transformation…

The Tuesday evening 6pm class at Karmany will include a moment of silence accompanied by the chanting of a few particular mantras that were specified as appropriate for this time by Manorama. We will be somehwat coordinating with the ceremony celebrating the life of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois at the main Jivamukti Center in NYC which will be lead by Manorama-ji and Ruth-ji. Ruth Lauer Manenti had a very close relationship with Guruji and will speak about his life and influence on us and Manorama Thea D’Alvia will lead the fire ceremony and chanting of the mantras.

For the next 12 days, we will be continuing to honor the gift of his existence and teachings and include something special at Karmany on Friday 29 May during our Gratitude Party which “coincidentally” will coordinate with the closing ceremony that will be held at the Jivamukti Center in NYC by Sri Sharon-ji and Sri David-ji.

We are still awaiting further instructions regarding this next few weeks but for now a few instructions are:

Let us reflect on the GURU mantra, the GAYAATRI mantra and the MAHA MRTYUNJAYA mantra

Let us set aside as much time for meditation as possible.

Let us reflect on all that SRI KRISHNA PATTABHI JOIS has done to uplift our existence.

We can place his photo on our alters or somewhere special, decorate with white flowers and light white candles.

To learn more about Guruji, you can visit www.kpjayi.org.

To hear a touching account of Guruji from my guru David Life visit Yoga Journal.