Sonic Yoga

Mother’s Day Musing…

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:51:41 +0000

Approaching Mother’s Day naturally draws me into contemplation of the power of motherhood. I am blessed by a mother who has always been a brilliant Mom…and who, over time and healing, has become a best friend. I have yet to have a child, but my Mu (as I call her), often talks about this inexplicable and un-shatterable bond that is formed instantaneously when we enter this relationship. While it bears remembering that our very human mothers were simultaneously daughters of shadow and light while they guided our growth, in it’s purest (unstruck/unhurt) form the love of a mother is said to be the closest thing to Divine Love.

This Pure Cosmic Love is without boundaries…without judgement…a Love that whispers above and within us…

“Grow little one…walk…fly towards your greatest light. I see you wholly. I have been and will always be here for you singing lullaby to quell your fears and battle songs to fuel your fire, wailing for your grief and chanting hallelujah for your joy. Sometimes I wear fierce aspect to guide you when you lose your way, but know in my eyes that you are perfect and whole and the light of my all-encompassing heart.”

So to my beautiful Mu and to all mothers and the great mother herself, Shakti/Shekinah/ Gaia/Pachamama, she who gives birth to the manifest realm, thank you for the gift of life and the tools and challenges for growth. May we all learn to look upon our fellows and our our own beings with the soft eyes and non-judgemental heart of Amma, the Divine Mother within us all.

Happy Mother’s Day.

Johanna

Sonic Kirtan With Elizabeth Sullivan Sun 5/20/2012 7:30

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:41:50 +0000

Raise your voice and vibration and illuminate your heart with our in house Kirtan. Includes call and response chanting, original music and perhaps, if inspired, some spontaneous dance! Bring shakers, drums and any musical instruments you like as well as your free spirit. By Donation! You can bring snacks beverages to share as well.

“No Limits Yoga: Breaking Through Expectations” with Kate Greer Sat: 5/19/2012From: 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 16:11:28 +0000

The challenging poses we encounter in yoga often bring up the same emotions for us as other challenging situations in our everyday lives. How do we deal with fear, discouragement and doubt? Our yoga practice gives us some of the best tools, for both on and off the mat. In this workshop, Kate will offer a fun class filled with approachable techniques for difficult poses, including some Kundalini exercises and pranayama to fill you with confidence and serenity. Whether you are learning to balance, backbend or build strength, yoga seems to always confront us with the most uncomfortable aspects of ourselves.The grace and humor we bring to those poses – and the rest of life – is what really determines our success in our endeavors. Come prepared to smile and, perhaps, to surprise yourself! $25 pre-register. $30 day of.

Pose of The Month May: Pincha Mayurasana!

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 23:35:02 +0000

PINCHA MAYURASANA

Peacock Feather Pose

The Peacock is the companion animal to Sarasvati, goddess of knowledge, music, arts and sciences. While the white swan is her vehicle, the peacock is said to be her herald, calling on the devout to worship. Lord Krishna adorns his head with peacock feathers, given to him by peacocks after being so overwhelmed with the beauty of his dancing that many of them fainted! This regal animal is also the national bird of India.

The majestic display and strutting gait of the peacock flaring his feathers are clues to the daring confidence required to hold this striking asana. What better time than Spring- the season of birth, renewal and expansion- to take up the challenge of Pincha Mayurasana?

While not a practice for beginners, the journey toward this asana begins in two very accessible poses, Downward Facing Dog (Adho Muka Svanasana) and Dolphin (Makarasana) which open the shoulders and strengthen the core.

To start, face a wall. Come to forearms with elbows shoulder width apart and fingertips about a foot from the wall. Forearms can be parallel or hands can be brought together. Press firmly through palms and elbows and roll the shoulders down and away from the ears as you walk the feet forward. Pike the hips up in the air. With the backs of the legs lengthened and spine long and flat, keep your gaze forward and kick one leg up- not over- and bring the trailing leg up immediately. Engage the core muscles (uddiyana bhanda) to “tie” the ribcage together and support the spine. Squeeze the inner thighs together to lengthen both legs as one. Continue pressing down in to the floor to lift the chest and shoulders away from your base. Keep looking toward the fingertips and breathe!

Live Your Dream! Become a Yoga Teacher! Apply by May 28 and receive $250. off July Intensive Training

admin — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:47:19 +0000

You’ve been thinking about it…you know you have…

This yoga thing has changed your life. Now you want to go deeper and help others change their lives as well. The time is NOW! What better way to spend half your summer? Immerse yourself in Sonic’s July intensive program (Beginning June 29th). Be part of a select group of peeps who spread the love Sonic style with grace and personal truth and attention to physical detail.

Click here if you’re in!

Price rises to $2600 on April 29th and $2850 on May 29th.

Spring Serenade with Lauren Hanna & Thomas Wave on Live Sitar Next Weds April 18 12:30

admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:45:22 +0000

Join Lauren and Thomas Wave on Wednesday April 18 at 12:30 for a Special class dedicated to sweet mother earth and her radiant blossoming into Spring! Lauren will guide us through an expansive Vinyasa Flow class of balancing, heart opening and grounding asana, accompanied by Thomas’ sweet serenade. Together, we will honor both the internal and external experience of growth and expansion that occurs at this magical time of year. Through this practice we will learn to embody our greatest strength & beauty and celebrate our limitless potential! 2:00 to 2:30pm – Meditation and Kirtan dedicated to the Earth or as she is affectionately known by all Yogis, Ma!

Yoga and Ayurveda: applying ayurveda to your yoga practice with Maria Garre April 20-22

admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:00:18 +0000

Meets Friday and Sturday 9-6, Sunday 9-2! Certified/ YA CEU Hours: 20 hours towards Sonic’s 300 hour Prana Flow ™ program + hours also applicable toward Shiva Rea’s Samudra School of Living Yoga Yoga and Ayurveda are two sister sciences that compliment each other to bring balance and vitality to the body, mind and ALL of life. Ayurveda offers a system of healing, purification and rejuvenation while Yoga provides techniques and practices to enhance subtle energy, calm the mind, and strengthen the physical body. This weekend will focus on learning how to integrate personal practices to deepen your connection and life rhythm to the natural ebb and flow of life. Understand practical ways to find a balanced approach to living and teaching Yoga by learning basic Ayurvedic principles relative to Yoga sadhana (practice) to enhance and deepen your Yoga on and off the mat. Weekend Overview * Discuss the history, roots and evolution of Ayurveda from 5,000 years ago to now. * Apply and learn the Ayurvedic Tridoshic theory of Vata, Pitta and Kapha and Gunas (10 pairs of opposites) * Adopt and Learn practices and routines to support your health and vitality * Create and adapt yoga classes following basic Ayurvedic principles * Understand Ayurvedic variables for sequencing and practice. Teacher Training Program: Cost: $356 – Teacher Training Sonic and Samudra Prana Flow Students, $396 – Participant

Pose of the Month April: Ardha Chandrasana

admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:30:40 +0000

Ardha Chandrasana is a glorious balance pose that energetically celebrates the expansion and resonance of one’s inner light. I spent the Spring Equinox, the cardinal point of Equilibrium in our journey towards greatest light, on the Sacred mountain (or Apu) of Machu Picchu. The mystery of the place is palpable as is it’s power. Like the deepest parts of our beings, it is sometimes shrouded in cloudy rivers and veils of rain. When the sun emerges, the vastness of the vista is revealed. The expanse calls to one’s inner wings and invokes visions of Condor flight. Perched on the edge in Ardha Chandrasana, I felt I was dialing the compass of my body and being towards transformation. In this renewal time of Spring as we move towards peak light, I invite you unfurl your wings and calibrate your compass towards evolution…towards the unique radiance of your innermost heart. Enjoy! Love. Johanna
Suggestions:
a. Foundation- Be sure your standing foot is parallel to the edge of your mat and place your right hand directly underneath the shoulder using a block if needed to create length in the side waist.
b. Viyana Vayu- Feel your solar energy radiating from your center through all your limbs. Especially focus a beam of light outward through your top leg and foot.
c. Opening- Dial your heart and your top hip open without spinning the top thigh out of neutral alignment. If balance is hard, look down, feel the earth and don’t lose heart;)
d. Exploration- Variations of deeper openings and twists abound. no matter the modification, keep flying inthe expansive energy.

Members Only Special!! 20% off April Intensive TT

admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:25:03 +0000

Loving your classes at Sonic? Has it been in the back of your mind that some day you’d like to do a teacher training at your fav studio? Want to deepen your practice, or maybe even consider a career change?

THE TIME IS NOW!!!!!

If you have been attending Sonic regularly for at least 6 months, we’ll offer you 20% off your tuition.

Join our highly respected, eloquently comprehensive 200 hour teacher certification program and change your life!….
…..Seriously!

Please email Johanna (jo@sonicyoga.com) to inquire.

See you in training.

Pose of the Month March 2012: Eka Pada Bakasana with Melissa Von Ludwig

admin — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 22:54:41 +0000

EKA PADA BAKASANA

Eka Pada Bakasana or one legged crow is my pose of choice for the transitional month of March. As spring approaches and new life begins to sprout around us, eka pada bakasana invites us to shed our winter cloak, while beginning to soar toward the lightness and brightness of spring.

Practicing Eka Pada Bakasana with an open mind and a new approach. Traditionally, the yoga transitions from bakasana or crow pose into one legged crow but try instead stacking your bones from down dog split – one knee stacked on top of the elbow and squeeze the leg towards your body. The more you bend the knee and bring the bend leg towards the body the more the extended leg will elegantly and gracefully lift from the earth and soar with ease towards the sky.

Enjoy the journey of lifting off from a close proximity to the earth as your upper body leans forward and lowers while your leg starts the ascent toward the skies. This pose engages the Vayus. Such as apana and Vyana Vayu as the downward moving force within connects with the earth energy while our prana radiates from our core to the periphery, meanwhile, udana lifts the foot off the ground.