I’ve decided to take some time off teaching to focus on my family and practice. When I came to 8 Limbs at the opening of the West Seattle location in 2005, I was based in a strong, dedicated practice of Ashtanga. It was the only yoga I had been doing for 10 years and I benefited so much from this practice.

I stepped into the room to teach what I knew and what turned out 4 years later is that I am not the teacher, but the people and fellow teachers who have walked into my classes have been teaching me. My eyes were opened to all different types of practitioners, various styles of yoga and many levels of the practice. The kindness that generates from everyone’s hearts and minds has been so amazing to see and witness. I am truly honored and am leaving with knowing so much more about yoga not from a physical practice, but from an internal practice.

My last morning class is August 27, Thursday, at 6:30am. To celebrate the present moment and what lies ahead for all of us in the future, this will be a benefit yoga class. Chaz Hastings, tabla player, and Brandon McIntosh, sarodist player, will accompany me in a live performance to the last class. I am donating my pay to the cause of helping dogs on chains with the amazing group, Dogs Deserve Better. This group works tirelessly to free dogs off chains and locked in pens and they work very closely with the state and county legislators to pass better laws for the treatment of man’s best friends.

I am honored to have passed on what I know of this lovely practice and I am so truly blessed to have been given the gift of being a student through all of you these last years.

Please join us Thursday, August 27, 6:30am, West Seattle 8 Limbs.

Vande Gurunam caranaravinde.
I bow to the lotus feet of the Gurus.

Posted by: Kelly Page

This summer we launched a new class at 8 Limbs West Seattle. On Wednesday nights, Senior Level teachers, all with at least 10 years of teaching experience, teach the 7:15pm Level II Flow class for one-month blocks to a chosen theme. Anne Phyfe kicked off the series in June with the Chakras, Melina shared her passion for Ayurveda in July, and Jenny is teaching the Yoga Sutras for August (Anne Phyfe is subbing for her Wednesday, August 19th and will focus on Chapter 3 and the last three limbs yoga).
The response has been terrific so we are extending the class into the fall. Here’s the line-up:
September 2 – 30: The Koshas (Sheaths) with Anne Phyfe Palmer
October 7 – 28: Ayurveda and Yoga with Melina Meza
November 4 – 25: Four Noble Truths (Buddhism) with Jenny Hayo
December 2 – 23: Divine Abode of the Heart with Denise Carrico
Class is $16 for drop-in and included in 8 Limbs memberships and class cards.
If it continues to be a hit we’ll keep it going into the New Year!

Posted by: 8 Limbs

My latest read is David Lynch’s book “Catching the Big Fish.” A practitioner of Transcendental Meditation for over 30 years, Lynch writes about how meditation has helped him to mine many of the ideas and images for his movies and shows. It’s a mixture of wonderful meditation propaganda and insight into his process as a filmmaker. Lynch’s book is a must-read for any of his fans or film buffs, but I find myself wishing more of the writing to be about his long journey in the practice. I am curious if anyone else has any ideas for me of books that are by longtime meditation practitioners, about how the practice feeds them and their life and work.

Posted by: Anne Phyfe

When I first moved to Seattle, I lived on Phinney Ridge in a basement apartment in The Buggé, next to the famous Mae’s Phinney Ridge Café. After growing up in a completely flat city, I loved being able to see two different mountain ranges from this perch between Ballard and Greenlake.
I opened the first 8 Limbs from that little basement apartment in 1996. I was 26 and had a crazy idea that yoga was something people would flock to if we made it accessible and welcoming. It’s been a wonderful 13 years of yoga with thousands of wonderful people. We celebrate 10 years at Wedgwood and 5 years at West Seattle in the next year, and are starting our 8th year of Teacher Training in October (come join us!).
The nature of who I am likes to create and grow, and in May I found myself drawn back to Phinney Ridge on a suggestion to open another 8 Limbs. I am pleased to announce that after a long search, we have just signed a lease to open 8 Limbs Phinney Ridge at 6801 Greenwood Ave North. Our plan is to open in October. Please spread the news to your friends in the Northwest corner of town. We need your help to get the word out! We also need a new manager and yoga advisors (front desk staff). If you are interested in either position email info@8limbsyoga.com for a job description (manager job closes Friday, 8.7.09).
8 Limbs is and will continue to be a group of Seattle neighborhood studios committed to teaching the 8 limbs of yoga in an accessible and inclusive atmosphere. We are proud to be family owned, and strive to create a learning environment for our staff, teachers, and students. Thanks for supporting us in our mission!

Posted by:
Anne Phyfe

P.S. Check out the write-up that appeared yesterday on www.phinneywood.com!