I promised a weekly chakra blog in February but Superbowl Fever got in the way last week! Apologies, and back to the plan.
Let’s take a look at the whole chakra system from root to base, which is called the “liberating” current, or direction. The first three chakras, located at the perineum (Muladhara), navel (Svadisthana), and belly (Manipura), are considered to be our physical foundation. They are connected to the elements earth, water, and fire (in that order), and are related to our most physical needs and desires.
The fourth chakra (Anahata) is located to the right of our physical heart, and is the bridge between these three lower chakras and the three above it, the three connected more with spirit. The heart is connected to the element air, and is the seat of our emotions.
The three upper chakras are our connection to spirit, through expression, at the throat (Vishuddha), intuition at the third eye (Ajna), and deep knowing at the crown of the head (Sahasrara). While Vishuddha is associated with ether, that two upper chakras are beyond the elements.
This current is called liberating as it moves from the densest to the lightest, from earth-bound to the cosmic, from our earliest stage of development to the freedom of wisdom. We can also follow the chakras from the top down, which is called the manifesting current.
Join me on Capitol Hill on Monday, February 22, 7:15 – 8:30pm for the monthly chakra focus class. This month we will focus on the fifth chakra, the throat (Vishuddha). There will be no chakra focus class in March, and we’ll resume the last Monday of each month on April 26.

Posted by: Anne Phyfe

Just like anyone with a strong connection to their hometown, I tend to get swept up when something is going on down home in New Orleans. The song I’ve heard all of my life could not be more true: “OOh I want to be in that number, when the Saints come marching in.” I wish I could be in New Orleans for this joyous time, but instead, I get to bring a piece of New Orleans here for my 40th birthday!
Sean Johnson is a rising kirtan (devotional singing) artist from New Orleans, LA who leads the colorful Wild Lotus Band, named after his yoga studio back in The Big Easy. Sean and band will be here at 8 Limbs on March 14 to play kirtan and accompany a live music class with Melina Meza and help me cut some birthday cake! Please plan to come.
We’ll let Sean’s words in a recent newsletter share the spirit that has spread through our hometown (we went to high school together!):

“On tour, many of you kindly ask us how New Orleans is doing. I want to share with you that it is an incredibly joyful time here! Our beloved Saints won the Super Bowl last night! I’ve been a fan since I was a child growing up here and watching them lose year after year, yet still keeping the faith. We are still pinching ourselves! It’s especially meaningful for those of us who stayed after Katrina to rebuild amidst the chaos, uncertainty, and challenges. For people who may believe that sports is frivolous and has nothing to do with spirituality, practicality, or the real recovery of a city, I’d love for you to be here in New Orleans right now and just feel the energy in the community. It’s a feeling that just can’t be put into words or explained rationally.
After the game last night, strangers of all walks of life and all colors spilled out onto the streets to embrace each other, sing, dance, laugh and cry. I went downtown to the French Quarter with my friends and brothers to celebrate and bumped into Gwendolyn (member of Wild Lotus Band) dancing with her tambourine. We paraded through the streets singing “Who Dat!” and hugging and high-fiving the many revelers. It was Bhakti, with a black and gold twist, in full effect!
The deep soulful vibe and traditions of New Orleans are as strong as ever and complimented by a new and progressive spirit. Thanks to so many of you for helping right after Katrina and then sending your love and blessings in these years of recovery. New Orleans is coming back better than ever and feeling so proud to be a part of it!”

Amen!

Come share in the spirit of yoga, the deep musical tradition of New Orleans, and help me celebrate my birthday with the 8 Limbs community on Sunday, March 14. More info.

Posted by: Anne Phyfe Palmer

The last Monday night of each month I teach the 7:15 – 8:30pm Capitol Hill class with a focus on the chakras. It is a cycle I so enjoy, moving through the chakras once a year to address the unique characteristics, issues, and energy of these levels of consciousness that we all hold within our physical bodies. I began this study with one of my two main teachers, Shari Friedrichsen, back in 1999. She opened me to a whole world within my body, and a potent way to physically move through sticky psychological issues.
Chakras are energy centers, places where the lines of energy that run through our bodies, called nadis in Yoga (similar to meridians in Chinese Medicine), intersect. There are thousands of chakras, but the one we most hear about are the seven main chakras, or wheels, that are just in front of the spine from the root to the throat (1-5), in the third eye center (eyebrow level but set back in the brain), and the crown of the head.
In February our focus of the month is the Chakras, so you may hear your teachers bring their perspective of this way of viewing the energetic body in their classes. We chose this as our way to embrace Valentine’s Day, a day so connected to the heart chakra. May you have a sweet sweet Valentine’s Day, and fall deeper in love with your Self, your Soul, and through this, everyone in the world. I’ll be posting weekly blogs on the chakras throughout February, so stay tuned, and let me know if you have questions or comments I can address by posting a comment.

Posted by: Anne Phyfe Palmer

A recent trip to Egypt and the holidays have helped to remind me to daily practice the act of Gratitude:
To enjoy the rainy days in Seattle when water is more expensive than gasoline or requires a two-hour walk in both directions.
To be able to practice Yoga in America in the middle of the week when so many others around the world are simply trying to stay alive.
To choose organic foods when so many people in our country and around the world are starving.
To have a yoga community that encourages and supports the growth of individuals. May we use that support and compassion to find our dharma to improve the world around us.
To count every blessing large and small and always maintain an attitude of gratitude.
As we recognize all we have, we acknowledge all we have to to give. Never for any minute shall we take are lives and opportunities for granted. We are truly blessed. To count these blessings would be a mathematical feat.

Posted by: Marni Yamada

We have a full lineup of Benefit Classes this Thanksgiving to raise funds for local non-profits, all in need of our support. Come join your local studio community on Thanksgiving Day to get grounded in gratitude and your yoga practice.

Capitol Hill: 12:15 – 1:30pm with Paul Millage for Yoga Behind Bars
Phinney Ridge: 9:30 – 11:00am with Chiara Guerrieri for Solid Ground
Wedgwood: 9:30 – 11:00am with Dawn Jansen for Northwest Harvest
West Seattle: 9:00 – 10:30am with Greg Owens for Union Gospel Mission

Cost is sliding scale, suggested donation $20
(memberships and class cards not valid)

Cash and checks directly to non-profit only.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are happy to report that we now have an opening date for 8 Limbs Phinney Ridge. On Saturday, November 21 classes will commence in our beautiful new space, designed by 8 Limbs instructor and interior designer Jenny Hayo.
Come join us on opening weekend and plan to attend our Open House on Friday, December 4th, 4:00 – 8:15pm, featuring free yoga classes and music with Gina Salá. Opening details, class schedule, and list of instructors can be viewed at the Phinney Ridge webpage.

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!