Inner Light Outer Peace Yoga Blog

The Lotus Pod is having a Trance Dance, this Saturday, March 13th. I am not sure that I can attend due to my current state of overscheduledness.

Go on the Inner Journey, you won’t be sorry!

Check out all the details here.

Things are moving along. The painter finished yesterday. The shoji screens to enclose the Yoga room arrived yesterday too. So excited to see how they look, I brought them right over and decided that with only 7 or 8 parts to deal with and a handful of bolts, how hard it could it be to assemble. They even include one of those funny little tools.

After a while and just in time Andy Caruso stopped by and restored logic to the small chaos I had made with only 7 or 8 parts. The tool, he taught me is called an allen wrench.

All looking good, the sign will be hung by the end of the week so keep an eye out for it!

The Spring schedule and an awesome menu of workshops will be on the new website after March 13th.

In the meantime, stay in the loop here or on Facebook.

Love and light,
Jen

Check out the invitation to the Grand Reopening, please share the link with anyone who might be interested.

Things are moving along on the facility side, I have had great partners, friends and colleagues. I want to give them a bit of a shout out here and big public – Thank You!!!

Dew Yoga’s new home will be at 923 High Ridge Road. It’s that chartreuse building, you have probably seen just south of the Merritt Parkway, also home to Kit’s Thai Kitchen, what a great post Yoga spot to grab a snack or dinner. They have the absolute freshest veggies in town, always perfectly steamed.

Stamford Signs is painting our new sign this week. Mike has been incredibly helpful and patient. Here is the “before” view of the facade. I can’t wait to see that Tyvek wrap replaced with the artwork that Dale and Alessandro collaborated to create.

This morning I picked up the paint for the interior walls. Nice earthy shades of Mythic paint, which is a company and product I always wished I could support. Their stuff is as non-toxic as you can get for painting walls. Our new neighbor, Brandman’s carries the line if you are doing any painting.

Here is a before shot of the studio. It will be fun to watch the transition. More to come soon!

Sneak peek of the new space! On Sunday, I indulged in a short personal practice in Dew’s new home. In the quiet and stillness of a solo practice, I realized it was not an indulgence, it was a need. I’ve been so busy with a multitude of must do’s, phone calls, meetings, emails, spread sheets and calendars that my energy is flowing fastest in my mind. At the moment that is excellent for being productive. Yet, sometimes we need to get grounded, put our bare feet to the floor or earth and honor thy body. So, in the empty room, my trusty do-all assistant called, Mac Book, became the provider of soothing sounds to accompany Yoga.

Transitioning from excess in the mind to the body landed me right at the heart center. After my sadhana I reflected on all the loving souls who are lending, hands, hearts and visions to this adventure. I envisioned the place filled up with love and I am certain that will empower us all as Dew Yoga leans right into the waves of community enrichment and outreach that are taking shape.

But first things first – a celebration and everyone is invited.

Dew Rebirth – Grand Reopening Celebration
Sunday, March 21st, 9:30am – 6pm
Yoga Classes and Guided Meditation – all day, all complimentary.
Plus Gift yourself with a Chair Massage, Henna Tattoo, or try your luck with Three Great Donation Raffles, Refreshments and more…

More details and the Rebirth Yoga schedule coming soon. Can’t wait to see you all there. With love, light and gratitude,
Jen

It’s all so fun, it’s like flying!

After two years together at Dew Yoga, Elysa and I will be expanding in different directions to follow our own unique callings and paths. I have learned and grown so much, We shared, observed and witnessed; friendships made, babies arriving, loved one’s lost, triumphs and tragedies. As unique as each Yogi is that arrives at Dew, Elysa and I are unique too and it’s time for us to move toward our unique visions and practices of Yoga.

Before Elysa and I were Dew Yogini’s together, we were teachers at Yoga Sensations. I remember when I first made the leap to full time teaching. I was overwhelmed with the new rhythm of my energy; physical, mental and emotional. I had found my calling and those first months took me from euphoria to fatigue and back again quite a few times as I settled in to the ebb and flow. One day teary eyed, I turned to Elysa for support, wisdom and understanding. She took me into one of her big hugs and told me it would all even out and to make sure to take care of me. She was right and regardless of what words she shared it was the hug that helped most. In time my own natural rhythm found union with my new schedule and experiences. It was her love that encouraged me and made the difference.

Yoga Sensations in Glenbrook, once the teaching home to me, Elysa, Ann, Regina Hodel and practice home to many of the current Dew Yogis we practice with today. The first ‘incarnation’ of Yoga Sensations had been a haven of Kripalu teachings and teachers brought to life and lovingly nurtured by Sandy Sierra. When Sandy moved south around 2006 there was a shift. I recall running into Sarah, a devoted Yogini, who expressed concern about what would happen to the studio and told me ideas were being explored to create a cooperative to keep it going if a new owner could not be found. Of course, there were devoted and adoring students of Sandy that could not imagine a Yoga Sensations without the love and care of the sensational Sandy Sierra. I never met Sandy but I met so many of her students that I know she loved Yoga.

Things shifted but the community remained and Ann managed the studio, new teachers and students arrived, some moved on but with Ann’s love of Yoga the community endured. Elysa, Ann and I, as well as Ronnie Oster, Ineke Warmerdam and some others stayed in the flow of love and the Yoga Community not only endured but expanded. It was the love that carried us all through.

The New Yoga Sensations by Chikeola brought another shift in philosophy as Chikeola’s vast experience and knowledge of Sivananda Yoga along with influence from the teachings of Shiva Rea Vinyasa Flow were brought to the community. This shift allowed a forum for new style of teaching. It would have seemed there was not enough space for the Kripalu teachings in the schedule. With hindsight, I think that it was the right time for the Kripalu teachers to expand their teachings outward and with that shift many of them moved on to bring Kripalu Yoga to other students and venues. The changes brought growth to the community as students were exposed to new teachings and some teachers found new students outside of the cozy nest Glenbrook had become for Yoga Sensations. It all unfolded with grace even when bumpy at times and it was the love of Yoga that supported us through the shift.

In 2007 I began to envision a landscape of Yoga community that when zooming out would bond together Yoga studios from all over Connecticut and when zoomed in would bring together Kripalu teachers from this cozy little corner of the state. I did not have a clue how either of these visions would or could materialize. That year there were many sessions of what we called “Yogini Tea” Ann, Elysa, Ineke, Sally Grillo and I would share tea, delectable lunches, and discussion about Yoga — sometimes the amazing Paul Grilley was there too, okay, even if he only appeared 2D to us on DVD he was there to inspire and educate us.

As Spring emerged along with the sunshiney forsythia and the first delicious fruits of the season, Elysa and I spent many an afternoon nibbling cherries in my backyard hatching plans for Dew Yoga. The focus was on the zoom in, think global act local, build yoga community in our own back yard. By August, Dew Yoga began to emerge as a somewhat ethereal plan; Dew Yoga at the Dojo, Dew Yoga at he Beach, Dew Yoga anywhere, etc. I started a morning schedule of classes out of the Ryokubi Dojo and at the end of the month Elysa joined me. Those first few months presented plenty of challenges, no afternoon or evening classes, bringing the peace, love and harmony of Yoga into a space of martial arts and self defense, however, the seekers of Kripalu style Yoga found us there and growth was quite slow but steady all the same.

As we received more and more requests for evening classes we knew we had to find a new space. One day Elysa called to tell me about a studio room inside Bobby Valentine’s Sports Academy where she was asked to lead a Men’s Yoga class. Without even a shoe string of a budget, more like a thread, we projected, budgeted, calculated and set intentions to make it our next home.

The move was not too rough as we only had our Yoga props at the time. We scoured freecycle and craigs list for decorative and essential items, we received generous donations of everything from curtains and rugs to plants and prayer flags. By March, Dew Yoga at Bobby Valentines was born. What brought together the current studio was not only love but also some sweat and tears – mostly joyous ones.

The last two years have brought us challenges to overcome, obstacles to dematerialize, background noise to defocus from and lot’s of new friends and Yogi’s to share our love of Yoga with. From this wonderful foundation of friends and family at Dew Yoga, I studied off the mat and expanded my teachings, I delved deeper inside my own practices of self realization. Outside the studio many relationships in my life transformed, often reflecting my inner growth. In December I connected with my birth father and for the first time in my life felt my growth was not only skyward and outward but that my roots dug deeper into the certain Earth I honor and adore so much.

You may have heard me quote BKS Iyengar in class, “Change has to happen. Transformation is always occurring. Change has to happen.”

So here we are on the verge of yet another Spring and Elysa and I and the Dew Community are transforming, growing and expanding. Like any plant, tree, or garden, space to grow is necessary to ensure it’s vitality and healthy transformation. I honor and respect Elysa as a Yoga Teacher and know we both need space to explore our unique dreams. In the light of these brighter days approaching the Equinox, we are giving each other and the community new spaces and directions to grow in.

The next post will shed some light on my direction and the new practice space for Dew Yoga. When Elysa’s plans hit the web I will be sure to link her here too so there is a light on both of our new journeys for you all to explore.

I intend to keep the blog active in the next weeks to share the news and progress of this current transformation, leading up to a big rebirth celebration on Sunday March, 21st – Save the Date.

To my friends from the Five Tibetans Workshop on Saturday and all interested in the Tibetan calendar.

Here is a link to the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute’s calendar.

Yesterday, February 14th marked the first day of the New Year which means we learned the practice on Tibetan New Years Eve, how symbolic! Even if you missed practicing yesterday, it’s still a great time to start your commitment to The Five Tibetan Rites as often in the week as is manageable. Remember to carve out time for the practice and do your best to stick to that time.

Please keep me posted on how your practice is evolving. If you missed the last two workshops and would like another one scheduled, send me a note or leave a comment below!

Happy New Year and Presidents Day too!

Ready to start Yoga or jump start your new practice?

Absolute Beginners Workshop on February 21 at 11AM-1PM

This two hour class will prepare you to drop in on any Open or Basic class. Learn the fundamentals of Pranayama (Breathing), the foundation Asana (Postures) and enjoy a guided meditation.

Workshop led by Jen. Questions will be welcome at the workshop, if you have any in advance, contact us. $35.00/person, please pre-register, minimum 6/maximum 12 participants.

Friday 1/29 6:00 – 6:45pm Relax for Charity, Yoga Nidra by donation.

Sunday 1/31 5:30 – 7:30pm Yin Yoga and Reiki, $45/person.

Visit Dew Yoga for all the details.

The totals are in!

Yogi’s from all around Fairfield County came together with big open hearts and raised $2,681.00 for Haiti! Elysa and I will be delivering the donation this week.

Besides the dollars that are much needed in Haiti right now, we have all been gifted to practice together, to find, witness and be the strength of community. It has brought me to tears more than once.

My Dad said it best, “When we make connections with the rest of the world, when our higher self moves to do for others, there is a lift to our spirit.”

As I said yesterday in classes, do not for a second think, “this is not about me.” It is about You and Me and all of us, empowering ourselves to be in service to those who need us most.

Huge thanks and love out to the the studios in the area whose teachers came to join us and encouraged their students to join us at Dew Yoga. This was a beautiful display of Yoga – union.

Harmony Yoga, Carol Shwidock
Nu Yoga, Sally Grillo
Elements Yoga, Megan Kuczynski
Tully Center (and Dew), Jeff Galin
Teachers from the Darien YMCA

Love, light and enormous gratitude,
Jen

NEW UPDATE! Sunday 1/24

Over $2,300.00 raised – one more class left – please come out or spread the word!!
4pm Open with Jen – All ages welcome – see you there!!

NEW UPDATE! Saturday 1/23

So far, Yogis in the area have come together and gathered $1,758 for children in Haiti! Way to go Yogi’s.

Two more classes to go, tomorrow, come out for Haiti:
Sunday 9:30am Beyond Level with Jen
Sunday 4:00pm Open level with Jen – Kids, teens, Adults, all welcome

All classes by donation to benefit Haiti Relief through Save the Children
Friday 1/22, Saturday 1/23 and Sunday 1/24

To mark Yoga Day USA and to do our small part in aiding the many in need in Haiti, please come out and Yoga with us. Bring friends, family, neighbors, all levels of experience are welcome. No class fees will be collected or class cards punched. Monetary donations will be accepted in any amount $1 and up. Save the Children will receive 100% of donations collected for relief efforts in Haiti.

Special Expanded class schedule in effect:
Friday 9:30am Beyond with Jill Lostaglio (just added)
Friday 6:15pm Open with Ann
Saturday 9:30am Open Level with Elysa
Saturday Noon Open with Connie (just added)
Saturday 4pm Open Level with Jeff – Kids, teens, Adults, all welcome
Sunday 9:30am Beyond Level with Jen
Sunday 4:00pm Open level with Jen – Kids, teens, Adults, all welcome

See Dew Yoga for location and more info.