The Yoga Teachers Association Proudly Presents

Celebrate Life
(and Turning 100!)

with Tao Porchon-Lynch

Saturday, June 30, 2018 (note date)
1:30–4:30 p.m.

The Yoga Studio at Club Fit
584 North State Road
Briarcliff Manor, NY

Tao Porchon-Lynch exemplifies her mantra, “There is nothing you cannot do.”

Join us to experience Tao’s unique and accessible teachings firsthand. After some yoga practice and Tao’s signature “yoga talk,” we will move to the lounge for an early celebration of Tao’s 100th birthday in August. Tao will be available for pictures and book signings.

Tao started yoga at age eight, and her teachers were a Who’s Who of the spiritual world—from the Maharishi to BKS Iyengar and K Pattabhi Jois. Tao founded of the Westchester Institute of Yoga in 1982, and has shared her wisdom in many ways, including speaking at the Newark Peace Education Summit with his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, and in a TEDx talk at Columbia University.

To regsiter for Tao’s workshop, click here!

Workshops are $45 members / $65 nonmembers in advance ($55 / $75 at the door).
Preregistration is highly recommended in order to guarantee a space in the workshop.
Cancellation within 24 hours of a workshop may result in forfeiture of the registration fee.

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MUSIC OF THE SOUL

by Tao Porchon-Lynch

The inner reality is expressed in the breath of life.

It opens up a vision and we experience a conscious pulsating in our heart.

We experience the essence of yoga.

As we turn inwards, it sparks the life force moving it throughout the journey of our passage in this world.

We become aware of the eternal oneness between all mankind and all creatures on this planet, as the song of peace reigns throughout creation.

There is no place where it is not part of the universe and beyond.

From the smallest insect to a blade of grass.

In every atom reveals itself at one.

Part of all living creatures and nature until when the breath leaves the body and we return to the soil.

Physical activity no matter how great, does not bring this awareness.

But when we become tuned into this power, the breath of life, we are no longer divided.

No longer foreign thoughts or frontiers divide us.

No longer do we need passports.

We can share the wisdom of the Gods and know and believe we can live in oneness and peace, for it reigns in the hearts of all.

Don’t try to be on this or that pendulum,

But feel the wonder bring it into your heart.

Alive, it furnishes this page of my life with the renewal of spring.

A tiny star in a night sky sparks an aura of life.

A truth without fences makes me tumble out of the past and opens the door to this wonderful energy. It spreads it within my innermost self and manifests peace throughout the whole world.

Learn more about Tao at taoporchonlynch.com

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2018 Workshops

Tao Porchon-Lynch
Celebrate Life (and Turning 100!)
June 30 (note the date)
Details and registration info in this newsletter and at ytayoga.com.

Fall 2018 Workshops

Todd Norian
Light on Ganesha, Remover of Obstacles
September 22
Ganesha, the elephant deity, represents the Lord of auspicious beginnings and is the great remover of obstacles. With belly-breaking humor, he reminds us not to take life so seriously. Ganesha's name is chanted at the beginning of new ventures to invoke blessings of grace and to bring forth the most benevolent outcome. During this workshop, you will explore the teachings and rich symbolism of Ganesha as it relates to your life. Come join a master yoga teacher in this delightful workshop of awakening and transformation as he guides you to discover that Ganesha power is already within you.

Christa Rypins
Pelvic Power
October 13
Yoga meets the Franklin Method of Imagery in this completely experiential workshop that will use movement, touch, imagery, and humor to develop a picture of the anatomy of your pelvis. The knowledge you embody in this course will bring dramatic benefit to your students and clients as well. You will leave the workshop knowing how to improve posture instantaneously, how to heal the neck via the pelvic floor, how the pelvic bones move with each breath, the exact location of your hip joints and why it matters, how the sacrum moves, how to relieve back pain, and how to feel more alive in your pelvis than you have in years.

Jeff Migdow
The Practical Wisdom of the Yoga Scriptures
November 10
The Yogic Scriptures come from millennia of human experience and knowledge. They contain keys to reach our optimal health, well-being, and spiritual consciousness. In this workshop, we will explore the essence of the teachings from the Bhagavad Gita, the Yoga Sutras, and the Shiva Sutras. We will also discuss ways for you to bring these teachings and lessons into your day-to-day lives and your yoga classes.

Robert Rivest
Laughter, Expression, and Joy!
December 8
Robert will share his unique health and well-being practice that blends mindful breathing, tai-chi, expressive movement, and laughter yoga. In this very playful workshop, you will learn how to use your body and facial expressions to convey with positive energy all of the excitement and joy that laughter yoga has to offer. Robert will show you how to free your body and mind so that laughter will flow freely, joyfully, and spontaneously. His exciting exercises and energizing movement will help you feel more positive, playful, upbeat, and cheerful when practicing and leading Laughter Yoga.

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Words of Wisdom

from Paula Renuka Heitzner

Dear All,

In the month of June, traditionally, we anticipate completions. Graduations and the winding down of existing, ongoing programs and activities culminate in the excitement of "What's next?” In the cycle of life lived well and fully, space never stays empty and always attracts something to fill the gap, because nature abhors a vacuum. Nature also encourages the summer slowdown to be in tune with the heat and humidity and provides the opportunity to appreciate the fragrant, colorful growing season produced by the warmth and increased light.

Our yoga practice is in full synchronicity with our summer season. The slower pace and the vacation from our hectic routines give us the opportunity to regroup, redo, and reorder our lives. We can choose to take the challenge of creating, finally, what can bring us the peace and strength of the warrior, not only the physical aspect, but the mental/emotional and spiritual integration of our being.

To live our life, holistically, as a warrior is to reiterate what it is we truly believe in and to own that truth, without fear of what others may think. We then must embrace our dark side so that we can create more personal light, which helps to dispel the shadows within that give us a place to hide.

As we make our journey, remember the MAP (Mindfulness, Authenticity, Purposefulness—discussed in May's newsletter), and use it to guide us toward dissipating our fear and allowing us to have better interactions with others. Fear transforms with light and allows us the ability to be more caring and compassionate with ourselves, as well as others.

The work of the warrior is to look within and to fight those battles in order to reclaim our true personal power. Carl Jung stated, "The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are."

Enjoy the gifts of summer and strengthen your resolve to use your yoga for your highest good, and that could mean that you'll join us in September!

Yours In yoga,
Paula Renuka Heitzner

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Your Thoughts

Yoga Solely for Flexibility and Strength?

If you practice yoga only for flexibility and strength to do handstands, what good is it doing? Unfortunately, yoga has been Westernized; much of the time it is only for show. Fortunately, however, there are fallout benefits that may or may not be valued by the practitioner interested only in the surface effects prompted and pursued by the ego.

My idea of yoga is that it is a practice that enhances the whole being; the union that creates balance, strength, flexibility, and wellness in all aspects of our being, enabling us to access our spirituality and higher energies.

Yoga teaches that there is no right or wrong, just what is appropriate in any given situation. As water seeks its own level, so will practitioners avail themselves of the deeper benefits to be gained.

This section is dedicated to answering your questions about yoga—as a student or as a teacher. Questions? Comments? Send them to yta editor @gmail.com or go to our Facebook page. Tell us your thoughts!

Paula Heitzner, ERYT– 500, is a Master Yoga Teacher. She has taught yoga for over 50 years and has trained many others to teach the time-honored principles, practices, and philosophy of yoga. The “teacher of teachers,” as she is called by her students, teaches at the New Age Center in Nyack.

Learn more about Paula at nyackyogacenter.com.

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Exciting News!!

We are thrilled to announce YTA's very first weekend program to be held at the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, PA!

Join us for Paths to Renewal and unplug with this blissful weekend led by Luke Ketterhagen and other skilled teachers from the Himalayan Institute. Discover new paths to renewal through the practices of asana, meditation, pranayama, philosophy, and restorative yoga.

There will be time for walks in the beautiful woods surrounding the institute and nourishing and delicious meals. You will leave renewed from the inside out and take home ideas and practices that will serve you way beyond the weekend.

All food is vegetarian, and there is a full service cafe for coffee, chai, expressos, lattes, etc.

Friday to Sunday, November 2-4, 2018

Member: Regular – $249 / Early Bird – $199

Nonmember: Regular – $299 / Early Bird – $249

Register by September 30 to take advantage of early bird pricing!

NOTE: Registration and payment through the YTA website is for the program fees only. You must make arrangements for accommodations at Himalayan Institute separately by calling 800.822.4547 X 1 or online at https://www.himalayaninstitute.org/retreat-center/accommodations/. Be sure to use booking code YTAR1118 when you make your lodging reservations.

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From the May YTA workshop with Priti Robyn Ross

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Member Events

YTA members (individuals & studios) are invited to include their events here. Send details to ytaeditor@gmail.com by the 15th of the month to be included in the following month’s newsletter. Member events are also posted in YTA's online directory, the source for information about yoga teachers, studios, and yoga teacher trainings throughout the Hudson Valley. To be included, individual and studio members may send their information to ytadirectory@gmail.com.

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Iyengar Yoga Scarsdale
Nancy Kardon
74 Brewster Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583
and
299 Greenwich Avenue, 3rd Fl.
Greenwich, CT
914-629-1994
nkardon@gmail.com
www.iyengaryogascarsdale.com

Iyengar Yoga Fundamentals with Nancy Kardon
June 2 (Sat, 11:30 am-12:30 pm)
Basic fundamentals. No yoga experience necessary. Good for those from other yoga methods. Free for new students, $25 for others

Exquisite Pranayama with Nancy Kardon
June 2 (Sat, 4-5:45 pm)
Learn about the breath essential to all yoga practice, joining mind/body/breath/senses, self. $30

Scoliosis and Back Care with Nancy Kardon
June 16 (Sat, 2-3:30 pm)
Learn to give space to compression to strengthen, lengthen, and balance your spinal curves. Traction with wall ropes and props are used. For beginners, as well as more seasoned practitioners. $25

Willow Tree Yoga
Contact: Beatrice Mattaway
17 Whispering Court
Bardonia, NY 10591
914-588-4066
yoganews@willowtreeyoga.com
www.willowtreeyoga.net

Julstro Muscular Therapy Clinic with Julie Donnelly, LMT
June 25 (Mon, 6-8 pm); June 26 (Tues, 7-8 pm)
Lower Body clinic is on Monday, and Upper Body is on Tuesday. Find the source of your aches and pains, and eliminate the knots that put stress on your joints. Understand what muscles are involved and how to release them by using simple tools such as a ball, a length of PVC pipe, your elbow, knee, and foot. Bring your mat. For more info about Julie, visit www.FlexibleAthlete.com and www.JulstroMethod.com. Mon, $50; Tues, $25; both clinics $65 ($75 if earning CEs)

Events Sponsored by the YTA

Get on Your Mat for Mental Health with Sarah Platt-Finger

June 20 (Wed, 5:30 pm)
Get ready to take your first stretch of summer as MHA’s outdoor mega-yoga event returns! Tell the world you believe #MentalHealthMatters and join us for the fifth annual Get on Your Mat for Mental Health yoga fundraiser. On Court Street in White Plains. For more info, go to www.mhawestchester.org.

Summer Solstice Celebration with Paula Heitzner

June 23 (Sat,10-12 am, rain or shine)
YTA-sponsored, KVIS Katonah-inspired in partnership with John Jay Homestead. Volunteer teachers are needed to assist Paula, as well as for the one-on-one posture lab that follows the class. Studios and teachers are needed to donate raffle prizes. Display table space is free for studios and teachers to share info about their classes, workshops, and other services. (No products can be sold.) If you want to get involved, email Deirdre Breen at serenitybreathxo@gmail.com. Remember to wear your sunscreen and bring your yoga mat and towel; water will be provided. To register for the event, visit KatonahVIS.org. Preregistration $15, $20 family; at door, $20, $25 family

John Jay Homestead
400 Jay Street (Route 22)
Katonah, NY 10536
johnjayhomestead.org

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~ Final Thoughts ~

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JUNE 2018

Newsletter design and layout: Lisa Sloane

Editorial team: Terry Fiore Lavery, Paula Heitzner, Audrey Brooks

Yoga Teachers Association was created by a small group of pioneering yoga teachers in 1979 who saw the need for affordable and continuing education. Today, YTA continues as a 5013c nonprofit dedicated to expanding learning opportunities for teachers and committed students.

ANNUAL DUES & WORKSHOP COSTS

$50 annual dues for individual YTA membership
$75 for studio membership

Workshop Fees

$45 members / $65 nonmembers in advance
($55 and $75 at the door)

Find out about and register for upcoming workshops at ytayoga.com/Events.

Like YTA on Facebook!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President
Audrey Brooks

Vice President
Lorraine Burton

Treasurer
Steven Cownie

Secretary
Susan Edwards Colson

Board Member-At-Large
Paula Heitzner, ERYT

Program Coordinator
Robin Laufer, MS Ed, RYT 500

Special Events
Gina Callender

Editor
Terry Fiore Lavery, RYT

Newsletter Design & Layout
Lisa Sloane, MA, ERYT

President Emeritus
Tao Porchon-Lynch, ERYT, IAYT