I’ve also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don’t have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work. I live close so it’s a short drive.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I’m not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.

I’ve been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I’m in Capable, and I go there more often as I’m getting older.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart!  At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!

And, sometimes I think I am in Vincible but life shows me I am not.

People keep telling me I’m in Denial but I’m positive I’ve never been there before!

I have been in Deepshit many times;  the older I get, the easier it is to get there.  I actually kind of enjoy it there.

So far, I haven’t been in Continent; but my travel agent says I’ll be going soon.

Yin yoga in Bali with Erin Fleming

Prince of Bali at Peliatan Palace, Ubud receiving English Toffee from TOFFEEOLOGY. He LOVED it!

Ganesha guarding the Palace in Ubud.

In Bali we each had our own Villas with a pool and pavilion. Paradise found!

Next February, I’ll be going to India, and I hope you can join me for my annual trip to the East.  In the meantime, I have a weekend-long Yin Yoga Teacher Training coming up at the Bay Club in March. More information here.

There is something
in every one of you that waits and listens for
the sound of the genuine in yourself.  

It is the only true guide you will ever have.  If you cannot hear it, 
you will spend your days on the ends of strings 
that somebody else pulls. 

-- Howard Thurman

 . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SHE LET GO
By Rev. Safire Rose

She let go. Without a thought or a word, she let go. She let go of the fear. She let go of the judgments. She let go of the committee of indecision within her. She let go of all the right reasons. Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry, she let go.

She didn’t ask anyone for advice. She didn’t read a book on how to let go. She didn’t search the scriptures. She just let go. She let go of all the memories that held her back. She let go of all the anxiety that kept her from moving forward. She let go of the planning and all of the calculations about how to do it just right.

She didn’t promise to let go. She didn’t journal about it. She didn’t write the projected date in her Day Timer. She made no public announcement and put no ad in the paper. She didn’t check the weather report or read her daily horoscope. She just let go.

She didn’t analyze whether she should let go. She didn’t call her friends to discuss the matter. She didn’t utter one word. She just let go.

No one was around when it happened. There was no applause or congratulations. No one thanked her or praised her. No one noticed a thing. Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go. There was no effort. There was no struggle. It wasn’t good. It wasn’t bad. It was what it was and it is just that.

In the space of letting go, she let it be. A small smile came over her face. A light breeze blew through her. And the sun and the moon shone for evermore.

 . . . . . . . . . . . . .

THE PERFECT CUP

By Joyce Rupp 

The Perfect Cup

it is time for me

to see the flaws

of myself

and stop

being alarmed

it is time for me

to halt my drive

for perfection

and to accept

my blemishes

it is time for me

to receive

slowly evolving growth

the kind that comes

in God's own good time

and pays no heed

to my panicky pushing

it is time for me

to embrace

my humanness

to love

my incompleteness

it is time for me

to cherish

the unwanted

to welcome

the unknown

to treasure

the unfulfilled

if I wait to be

perfect

before I love myself

I will always be

unsatisfied

and ungrateful

if I wait until

all the flaws, chips,

and cracks disappear

I will be the cup

that stands on the shelf

and is never used

Yoga and Culture in Bali: Information Night

Date: Thursday September 15th
Time: 6:30-8:00pm
With: Erin Fleming & Sherri Baptiste & the Bali Institute

Join me and Sherri Baptiste for a fun informational evening at a private home in Kentfield. We will have time to relax, have a glass of wine, and then discuss in detail what we have planned for our Yoga in Bali Retreat in January. Meet our expert retreat organizer Michelle Fliegauf of International Yoga, who will answer all your questions about traveling to this extraordinary destination. This is my third year leading yoga retreats to Bali and I can’t wait to go back! Light nibbly-bits will also be provided, including my famous English Toffee by Toffeology. Send me an email to RSVP and I will send you directions.

Read about my trip to Bali earlier this year.

Yoga and Culture in Bali

Dates: January 15 – 22, 2012
Cost: $2495 ($2795 after Nov 15, 2011)
More information and the flyer

Yin Yoga: The Deeper Holds of Yoga

Techniques to Open and Prepare the Body for Meditation

Date: Sunday October 23
Time: 2:00-5:45pm
Fee: $85 Bay Club Members/$95 Non Members
Location: Bay Club Marin, Corte Madera
To register: Erin at 415 945 3054 or efleming@bayclubmarin.com

Slower yoga practice combined with internal focus engages the mental and emotional bodies in the practice of yoga – expanding its scope and deepening the experience off Yoga. It is important to find the right depth to any pose and consider how long to stay in the pose to get optimal health benefits. In this passive practice, the emphasis is on releasing muscles and targeting relaxation in the connective tissue in the hips, pelvis, lower spine and back. To obtain maximum health, we also need to find that place where the tension in our poses is “just right”. Not too deep, which creates degeneration, and not too little, which creates atrophy.

This workshop will focus on:

• How to distinguish the energetic differences between an active practice and passive practice.
• Learn how to identify connective tissue in practice and how to address itÕs level of tolerance before becoming damaged
• Sustained Holds in Posture: Why that works, what it does, how to apply it.
• Pacing of Postures: Holding Asanas
• Use the body as an entry point to explore, experience and release blocks that prevent you from tapping into the source of the infinite potential
• Mobilize Pranic Energy and Chi through, easy-to teach breath awareness exercises.
• Learn to skillfully sequence a deeper hold yin style yoga class.
• Learn the language needed to teach mindful attention and meditative awareness
• Training manual and Yin Yoga audio cd will be provided

Upcoming Events With Erin

Ah, summer! A great time to kick back and enjoy the present moment; also a great time to plan ahead, while we have the energy that comes from long days and warm(ish) nights. I recently held an informational evening to talk about my upcoming return trip to Bali in January. I’ll be holding another one on Tuesday, August 2nd from 6:30-7:30pm at Bay Club Marin. Join me if you’d like to consider treating yourself to a relaxing, spiritual getaway next winter. I also have a great collaborative workshop coming up at Bay Club Marin with Pilates expert (and my personal Pilates trainer — only the best for me!) Fernanda Repsold. Join us!

InnerFIT: Yoga & Pilates Workshop

Come celebrate the best of Yoga & Pilates with Fernanda & Erin!

Find your inner strength and focus in this inspiring and empowering 2-hour workshop. We will cover key concepts such as breath, proper movement
patterns and relaxation. This workshop is designed to invigorate all the muscles in your body, concentrating on alignment and the ability to flow. The combination of these two methods will leave your body feeling
energized and your mind inspired to challenge your current fitness routine.

No prior Yoga or Pilates experience is required. Suitable for injury-free
beginners. 24 hour cancellation policy applies. Following the workshop there will be time for mingling and Q & A. Join us for a celebratory
glass of champagne and delicious English Toffee by Toffeeology!

Date: Saturday, August 13

Time: 1:00-3:00pm

Cost: $25 Members/$35 Guests

Location: Studio One

Contact: Erin at 415.945.3054 or

yoga@bayclubmarin.com

Yoga and Culture in Bali

with Erin Fleming & Sherri Baptiste & the Bali Institute

Join us on a trip of a lifetime to explore the beauty and rich culture of Bali. Delve deeper into your yoga in one of the most gorgeous settings in the world. The Bali Institute, Ubud’s premiere cultural organization, will guide us on exclusive, off-the-beaten-track tours to some Bali’s most colorful markets and sacred local temples. We will observe ancient spiritual practices and meet community leaders and dignitaries to develop a better understanding of this unique culture.

Our daily yoga practices will take place on a spectacular platform overlooking terraced, green rice paddies. Accommodation in this 5-star hotel is in private villas with their own spring-fed pools. Enjoy spa treatments, gourmet cuisine and great company for an unparalleled exploration into the heart of Bali.

Read about my trip to Bali earlier this year. Or join us for an informational evening on Tuesday, August 2nd from 6:30-7:30pm at Bay Club Marin!

Dates:
January 15 – 22, 2012

Cost: $2495 ($2795 after Nov 15, 2011)

Included: 7 nights double occupancy in your own private villa w/pool, airport transfers, taxes, brunch, yoga classes, one massage, cultural excursions. Not included: airfare, dinner, additional spa treatments, gratuities. Payment Policy: Non-refundable deposit of $300 to reserve your space. Final balance due Nov 15, 2011 and is non-nefundable after this date.

Contact Michelle Fliegauf 415.250.0712 michelle@internationalyoga.com

My sisters and I have created a new candy-making company called TOFFEEOLOGY~The Alchemy of Chocolate, Nuts & Love. This 3rd generation English Toffee recipe is made from fresh local ingredients and recently won 6 awards at the Napa Luxury Chocolate Salon. TOFFEEOLOGY will be featured presenters at the New Taste Market in San Francisco tomorrow at 12-5pm.

500 De Haro, San Francisco, CA 94107

When: April 9th & 10th 11:00am-6:00pm

Where: Bay Club Marin

Call me and get $10 off if you mention you saw this on my website!

415-945-3054

I’ll be spending most of the month of May in England. If you’d like to sign up for any of these sessions, note the contact information under each event. I can’t sign you up directly, but I am always happy to answer questions if you email me.

FRIDAY, MAY 6th
Yin & Qigong Yoga Flow
Crabwall Manor, Mollington Chester, England
Time: 6:00-9:00pm
Cost: £25
Contact: Jo Bennett at rayjo@btinternet.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11th
Hilton Double Tree, Chester
Time: 6:00-9:00pm
Cost: £25
Contact: Jo Bennett at rayjo@btinternet.com

THURSDAY, MAY 12th
Yin & Qigong Yoga Flow
BodyWork-Pilates, Chester England
Time: 6:00-9:00pm
Cost: £25
Contact: Helen Conway at helenconway746@btinternet.com

SATURDAY, MAY 14th
Yin, Qigong & Vinyasa
Crabwall Manor, Mollington Chester, England
Time: 11:00am-2:00pm Master Class
Master Class for teachers and seasoned practitioners
Cost: £25
Contact: Jo Bennett at rayjo@btinternet.com

THURSDAY, MAY 19th
Yin & Qigong Yoga Flow
BodyWork-Pilates, Chester England
Time: 6-9pm
Cost: Cost: £25
Contact: Helen Conway at ma#mce_temp_url#

I teach a  Qigong / Yoga Flow class every Tuesday morning at 10:30 at Bay Club Marin.

This is an unhurried practice of fluid and static movement. Qigong Yoga Flow blends two sacred energy movement practices: Qigong (an ancient Chinese movement practiced for health and healing) and the classical Hatha Yoga. Unlike the precise forms of Tai Chi, this style of practice honors and unites both Yin and Yang (opposites) in the body with fun and easy sequences that create strength, flexibility, and essential balance.

Recently, a filmmaker came and took video of the class. It’s set to lovely music and will give you a good idea of what the class is all about.

Check it out on the Bay Club Marin Facebook Page.

This practice is great for all levels!