If you’ve ever happened to drop in on one of my yoga classes at 8Limbs you might notice that I like to end each and every practice with the salutation “Namaste.” There are many variations in translation of this traditional Sanskrit greeting; however, my favorite is “I honor that divinity within you that is also within me.”

When I take the opportunity to perceive the deeper meaning behind Namaste, its meaning extends far beyond a typical “hello” and “goodbye,” or a routine ending that we might give to our yoga practice.

It can instead be something that inspires our lives by inviting us to look further than external differences such as gender, sexual preference, race, age, and social class to seek the divine spark that is present in each and every one of us.

In the spirit of celebrating Namaste I am honored to be co-teaching an all levels 1 ½ hour Yoga class with Troy Lucero and Matt Meko to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Stonewall, the event that sparked the gay rights movement. This is anticipated to be the largest outdoor yoga event Seattle has ever seen. I truly hope you can be present and share your practice for positive social change. Register TODAY online or come early to register on Saturday. Don’t forget your yoga mat and your Namaste!!

EQUALITY YOGA
Saturday June 27th
Cal Anderson Park
Gates 9AM – Flow 10AM
$15.00 to benefit the Stonewall Organization
www.celebratestonewall.org/yoga

P.S. Steve and Anne-Emilie Gold, two of the musicians accompanying Equalityoga, will sing at the end of Anne Phyfe’s Thursday 10am class at 8 Limbs Capitol Hill.

Posted by: Maygen McGrew

The science issue of Ascent Magazine in 2001 was the spark I needed to start my meditation practice. An article about Dr. Andrew Newberg’s research on the brains of Buddhists and nuns while meditating gave me the scientific proof that this sitting business was going to get me somewhere (sorry, that’s what I needed!). In the tests, meditators pulled a string when they felt at the height of their meditative state, dye was injected into their brains, their brains were then studied.
Here’s what got me: “the finding that caused the greatest excitement was that neurological information to the Orientation Association Area (OAA), was greatly reduced or “deafferented.” The OAA, located at the top rear section of the brain, is the part responsible for orienting the body in physical space. One way that it does this is to clearly define the limits of an individual’s body – it distinguishes the “you” from “not you.” If this area were to have no sensory information with which to do its job, logic followed that the individual would not be able to determine where he or she ended and where the rest of the world began.”
Perhaps the feeling of separateness most of us feel is due to our biology. For survival we are wired to locate ourselves in space. With meditation practice our attention is not going towards this task and we feel oneness with all. What is seemingly ethereal is really practical.
I had experienced something like this after a workshop with Tias Little. The sense of where I ended and the rest began was GONE, and I floated in this state for who knows how long (it was also timeless!). Receiving scientific proof that meditation (when practiced regularly) affected the part of our brains somehow turned the switch for me. Now my primary practice is meditation, asana comes if I have enough time. The affects on my quality of life have been substantial.
A few weeks ago NPR ran a series called The Science of Spirituality.
This five-part series addresses the relationship between spiritual practice and the brain, addressing “The Biology of Belief”, exploring “Spiritual Virtuosos” and “Near-Death Experiences.” Check it out. Maybe it will be the spark that ignites something new!
If you have a meditation practice, tell us what helped you get started!

Posted by: Anne Phyfe

WOW.
I am fresh off the high from spending Saturday afternoon and evening with Sean Johnson and the amazing musicians of The Wild Lotus Band. We spent the beautiful five o’clock hour in Sean’s “Soul Flow” to the live accompaniment of Alvin Young on fretless bass and Gwendolyn Colman on percussion. I have discovered a new love, and it is practicing yoga to fretless bass. WOW (again). Sean had us connecting to source and clearing away our demons in a sweaty, fun, and powerful practice.
Having a chance to snack and drink chai between the class and kirtan helped us to refuel and create more of an intimate gathering when we began to sing. Sean and the band blew me away with their new music. They have put together a tight and powerful kirtan style that is easy and fun to join along with, even with no chanting experience. They were also blown away by our community, and felt energized and connected to 8 Limbs. We look forward to having them back AND hosting other musicians in the near future.
In June we have a handful of classes that will be accompanied by live music:
June 6, 12:15 – 1:30pm with Kelly Page: Fundraiser for abused dog Missy, 8 Limbs West Seattle (live tabla and sator)
June 18 at 5:45pm and June 19 at 4pm with Paul Millage (live music by Christopher, 8 Limbs Capitol Hill.
June 22 at 7:15pm with Paul and June 25 at 10am with Anne Phyfe (live music during savasana with Steve and Anne-Emilie Gold).
There is no “extra” charge for this music in these classes. Come and enjoy!

Posted by: Anne Phyfe