We are JUST about to close the book on 2017. Amazing, right?
Yoga teaches us so much about how to experience the present moment, remember the past with awareness and compassion, and look forward to the future with hopefulness rather than expectation.
This week will be all about setting our sankalpas for 2018. Check out this excerpt from Yoga Journal a few years back. We have a feeling you will be completely and totally inspired to move forward with purpose, determination and love!
A Sanskrit word, sankalpa means “will, purpose, or determination.” To make a sankalpa is to set an intention—it’s like a New Year’s resolution with a yogic twist. While a resolution often zeros in on a perceived negative aspect of ourselves (as in, “I want to lose weight, so no more chocolate chip cookies or ice cream or cheese”), a sankalpa explores what’s behind the thought or feeling (“I crave chocolate chip cookies or ice cream or cheese when I’m feeling stressed or sad. I will set an intention to become conscious of this craving and allow my feelings to arise and pass, rather than fill up on fats”).
A sankalpa also praises the nobility of the effort rather than focusing on what you are doing wrong. “New Year’s resolutions leave me feeling guilty and mad at myself for not keeping them,” says Wendy McClellan, a yoga teacher in Louisville, Kentucky. So in a conscious effort to reject the resolution rut, she taught a special New Year’s Eve yoga class and encouraged students to look back and let go. Her intention, or sankalpa? To open her heart to new possibilities. “An intention has much more of a global sense than a resolution,” she says. “It helps me be softer with myself.” With a sankalpa, the self-loathing that comes from dwelling on past transgressions can begin to dissolve. In its place is an exercise in effort and surrender—create an intention and open yourself to the universe.
And here is where you will find us this week!
Kids Community Free Class – R&R Reading & Relaxation (ages 3-8)
December 27
2-3 PM
Monmouth Beach Yoga
[box] Every child is a reader at any age! Whether we are just beginning to discover the gift of reading or beginning to read words on a page, reading takes us on an adventure. Come join us for this R&R: Reading and Relaxation to practice yoga, meditation, and to share your love of books. Children can come alone or come with an adult. [/box]
Awakening the Chakras: A Guided Meditation with Essentisl Oils
December 28
10-11:30 AM
Soulful Awakenings Lake Como
[box] Join Dawn as she guides you through a soothing meditation of well being. Our seven major Chakras are: Root, Sacral, Solar Plexus, Heart, Throat, Third Eye. With the use of Yoga props, both on the mat, or if you choose, or a comfy chair, Dawn will guide you through the flow of energy from your Root Chakra (feet to hips), up through your Crown Chakra (top of the head) pausing at each one. At each Chakra, Dawn will guide you through focused meditation and the use of essential oils, as you gently open each energy center.[/box]
December 28
11:30 AM-1:30 PM
Flow Yoga Ho Ho Kus
[box] Calling all little yogis! This 2-hour mini camp drop-off event is for ages 4-8 (boys & girls welcome!).Tiffany Spizzo will lead kids through a fun hour of yoga, then they’ll get in touch with their creative sides as they engage in craft time. [/box]
Aerial Yoga Teacher Training Info Session
December 30
12-1:30 PM
Honor Yoga Princeton
[box] A free information session and demo class. Learn more about upcoming 2018 Aerial teacher trainings, have all your questions answered and meet the team. Get ready to make your yoga practice soar! These trainings are intended for yoga teachers looking to learn new skills to be able to teach aerial yoga, as well as aerial students looking to deepen their practice. [/box]
2018 Intention Setting Vinyasa and Yoga Nidra Practice
December 30
7-8:30 PM
Yoga Peace Kula Howell
[box] A 90 minute invigorating vinyasa flow class with special finale of extended yoga nidra to help you warm up, destress, and mentally (and physically) prepare to welcome in a brand new year! Come and end the year by experiencing this ancient practice which can help you not only relax deeper with guided imagery, but also manifest desires by accessing the hypnagogic state of consciousness.[/box]
Glowga – New Years Celebration
December 30
5-7 PM
Honor Yoga Hamilton
[box] Come celebrate the New Year with a Glowga Party! Glowga is yoga under black light which makes for some fun imagery during the practice! This will be an up beat practice for all levels and we will toast the new year with refreshments and social hour! You are welcome to BYOB. Wearing white or neon will enhance the visual experience. [/box]
December 30
12-2 PM
Monmouth Beach Yoga & Wellness
[box] The beauty of Kundalini Yoga is that is completely clears the energetic and physical blocks that hold us back from healing, attracting love, experiencing joy and living with prosperity. We are taught to change our minds and then change our lives. Once we heal the subtle body, the mind can heal naturally and then we can attract our greatest desires. This workshop is for everyone. No prior yoga experience is needed. There will be a powerful healing with ‘Sat Nam Rasayan’ at the end of class which will assist you in moving past your resistances so you can start 2018 with a clean canvas! [/box]
New Year’s Eve Candlelit Singing Bowl Meditation
December 31
3PM and 7:30PM
Soulful Awakenings Lake Como
[box] Using an affirmation card, a journal, and sticky notes to write down that which no longer serves you, you’ll deposit those intentions into a basket to be placed on an altar surrounded by candles, as an intention for God/Universe, your Angels and Guides to cut the cords and release you from your burdens, then write in your new journal those intentions you are willing to make manifest in the New Year. The session will end with a vibrational meditation with 25 Singing bowls. [/box]
Power of Intention: Circle of OM + Sound Bath
December 31
2-4:30 PM
Root to Rise at Yoga Peace Kula Belmar
[box] A powerful workshop of intention setting for the New Year! Begin with a cleansing and purifying ritual, followed by a guided meditation and visualization exercise. Next is a “Circle of OM” experience, where we imbue our Intention with energy, chanting in a circle and receiving vibrational energy from each other. End with a Pure Sound Bath, with 26 alchemical crystal singing bowls to help align, attune and heal the energy centers of the body. [/box]
New Year’s Eve Celebration: Sound Healing, Meditation, and Journaling
December 31
6-7:30 PM
Honor Yoga Manalapan
[box] Students will meditate and journal intentions and manifestations for 2018 and set goals to achieve a healthier and happier new year full of abundance and growth. Meditation and journaling will be accompanied by the vibrational healing sounds of crystal alchemy bowls, harp, and triangle. [/box]
Flow into 2018 with NJ Yoga Collective & METTAMADE
December 31
11:30 AM-2:30 PM
Avenue Le Club Long Branch
[box] Join the NJ Yoga Collective & METTAMADE at Avenue in Long Branch, for an inspiring and intention-filled final day of 2017 with the absolute best view of the beach! Come together for yoga, cocktails, professional photography and a curated shopping experience with local artisians and vendors. Yoga is from 12 PM to 1 PM with Bridget Riepl and Jennifer Hansen. You will flow through a 60 minute, all levels practice, with a soundtrack created to lift our collective vibration right into the New Year. After the class, each student will have the chance to have their favorite yoga pose captured on film by the one and only Amie Retzlaff in the NJYC’s “pose school.” You will receive one professionally edited image to commemorate the experience. After yoga, Avenue will give each participant a glass of wine or a mimosa – perfect for sipping as you peruse our unique vendors and mingle with the other beautiful beings in attendance. [/box]
New Years Eve Yoga JAM with Susan
December 31
9:30 AM
Honor Yoga East Brunswick
[box] Join Susan for our last class of the year as we get our groove on with a funky Flow class with a local DJ, Osbel G. Get in the party mood, energize and lift your spirits. We will finish with savasana that welcomes the new year in. Mimosas will complete the practice! Please Pre Register as class will be limited. [/box]
Sharon Gannon and David Life New Year’s Eve Talk and Master Class
December 31
4:30-7:00 PM
Jivamukti Yoga NYC
[box] Join Jivamukti Co-founders Sharon Gannon and David Life for a special New Year’s Eve Talk and Master Class. [/box]
End of Year Retreat – Gathering Our Spiritual Gifts
December 31
9:30 AM-2:30 PM
Higher Power Yoga Trenton
[box] Take time to gather your spiritual gifts and reflect on all the graces and blessings of 2017. During our retreat we will have time to meditate, practice Yoga and quiet contemplation. Vegetarian lunch included. Please call to register 609-647-2406. [/box]
December 31
5-6:30 PM
AMP Yoga Studio, Springfield
[box] May your 2018 be open to possibilities! Join Susan Miller, RYT in a slow flow followed by Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra to relax and renew you for the new year! Toast with some bubbly and enjoy some light snacks to start the new year off right! Pre-registration is required[/box]
All Together Now Year’s Eve Party
December 31
4-11:55 PM
Integral Yoga Princeton Community Center
[box] Come celebrate New Year’s Eve in a glorious experience of connection, community, pleasure, and high-vibration fun that combines dance, drumming, guided visualization, and free expression! Start 2018 with divine company, sacred chanting, silent meditation & pure intent!The evening schedule… 4-6pm GLOWGA (a blacklight party all by itself! This is a separate workshop requiring registration – the rest of the evening is at no fee… by donation!)[/box]
Carrie’s New Year’s Eve Day Class
December 31
10:30 PM – 12:00 AM
Inlet Yoga Manasquan
[box] New Year’s Eve Day Class with our one and only. Come Celebrate the year to come and let go of what has past![/box]
[box]
May Louie first took yoga in college to fulfill a Phys-Ed requirement and immediately fell in love. She unfortunately did not continue with her practice but reconnected with it when she retired from her corporate job in 2002 and has since become a serious yoga enthusiast. After her second retirement last year, she completed her 200 hour RYT certification, studying with Dina Crosta, Ellen Mosko and Jamie Segal Hanley, with a focus on alignment based flow.[/box]
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