I received a precious early birthday gift while leading a retreat with Jenny Hayo in Guatemala last week. Per Jenny’s request, every morning we held silence as a group until after breakfast.
At 6am we met in the Tara Temple and practiced meditation for 30 minutes. During meditation, the moonlit darkness of night would shift shift to light and we’d open our eyes to brightness for our two hour asana and pranayama practice.
Most mornings I would sit on the dock after practice for a few minutes before eating, and watch a local fisherman in his wooden skiff. At the breakfast bell I would walk to fill my plate and eat in silence, sometimes seated with others, sometimes alone. The birds were the only ones talking, and we could hear their different calls.

The last two days of our retreat, my swimming buddy and I agreed to jump in the gorgeous lake before meditation. A tap on my window, a short walk in the dark to the dock, a running dive, and then silent stealth-operation hike back to our cabins for warm showers. No words, but a few giggles after the plunge. We were kids again.
By the end of the week, I began to crave silence. At first I was distracted and resisted, but at times I felt like an explorer, moving into the unknown, pulled into the depths of consciousness that continue to unfold. I was ready, for this stillness, for this gift.
Tomorrow I turn 40 years old. I am thrilled at the prospect, and feel lucky and grateful to have had a week on retreat to prepare for this milestone. Though I was one of the retreat leaders, we all had hours of free time, a luxury I don’t experience very often at home. I didn’t check email, I made only two phone calls, and I came back to my family and work completely refreshed. Check out a few photos from our trip. The last photo captures how I felt at the end of the retreat.
I look forward to celebrating with lots of you on Sunday March 14 at 8 Limbs Capitol Hill for my Birthday Celebration/Kirtan with Sean Johnson & The Wild Lotus Band. Click here for event details.
Lastly, it occurred to me this week that though I need/want nothing for my birthday, if you have a poem to share, I would take it gladly.

Posted by: Anne Phyfe Palmer, Director 8 Limbs

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!