Early bird pricing ends soon for YAF's Cabo San Lucas Yoga Retreat

In the midst of all the chaos of mother nature’s erratic behavior of the elements: fires in the west, water in the south, and winds blasting their powerful energy throughout the land. Hurricanes and tornadoes are reminders that form is only impermanent.

I have long surrendered into the practice of letting go; and yet, I am firmly committed to making intention. Outcome is not mine, yet I am fully aware that I must honor a daily practice to bring me into a steady mindful state. In this state of yoga, I can move into a direction of my highest good. I do know that I must seek the light.

Every winter, for the last twenty years, I have created an opportunity to retreat to a deeper place of nourishment. To unplug and go into a quiet still place of mind so that I can listen to the wonders that life is always presenting in the direction of my heart.

I am inviting you join me this February in beautiful Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Yoga Among Friends' annual retreat is a time to share in the study of yoga. Whether you have never practiced yoga or you are a yoga teacher, I will meet you where you are; and together, we'll take the journey in the adventures of going into the authentic nature of the soul’s desire to live fully. 

Exhaustion, fear and uncertainty are by products of our busy world. To come on retreat is to spend time learning how to practice asana and pranayama so that the effects can bring about a joyous state of wellbeing.

Hosting these retreats, offer me a time and place to share the philosophies of the yoga sutras, to teach the many tools of meditation and to share our stories. We have ample private time to enjoy all that Cabo and the surrounding area has to offer; and yet, the greatest gift of these weeks has always been the lasting friendships that have formed and continue to grow. 

Community is key to the humanity of heart. This week is an opportunity to gather together and say hello to your true self and let the beauty of Prana Del Mar take away the stresses of daily living so you can return renewed, energized and open to living life in LOVE.

Enjoy each day with love and light,

Laura Jane

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2018 Yoga Retreat in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Saturday, February 17 – Saturday, February 24, 2018

Prana del Mar Retreat and Wellness Center

Be sure to register now and benefit from the $100 savings. Early bird pricing ends on October 1, so don’t miss out on the offer! We look forward to seeing you there.

Remembering to use Yoga to heal and feel connected in aftermath of Hurricane Harvey

Rebuilding the Kager house after Hurricane Katrina in the 9th Ward, New Orleans 2008

As I am writing this newsletter, I am being pulled into the horrific sadness that is unfolding with Hurricane Harvey. I am brought back ten years remembering all our heroic efforts to help with Katrina evacuees on that fateful Labor Day weekend. YAF created a non profit called Global Hope. Over the course of several years, we made numerous trips down to New Orleans to help rebuild the ninth ward.

Today, I know we are in for a long and stressful recovery and once again reminded that humanity goes beyond our front doorstep. We live in this world, and we are all in this together. I have a running image in my mind of all the homeLESS refugees of Syria and all the war weary lands of chaos and upheaval. I see the television cameras today showing all the cots waiting to be occupied as families are airlifted to some dryer land. My heart is breaking witnessing how delicate life is as the great Mother Nature starts to shake and vibrate with changes in our ecological systems and infrastructures.

Our human systems are struggling to find ways to balance all the daily shifts of living as we try and make sense of the constant chaotic political voices of hate. I have witnessed in the last year such a shift in our abilities to be present. Everyday another news flash inspiring only the fear, doubt and worry. To be able to live in what the yogi calls “Sukkha" or sweetness is getting more difficult to feel. We are forgetting that the heart must be nourished with the true gift of the intelligence—love.

When we are tired and the energy of life get too much, please know the healing of yoga allows us to come together and feel connected to something greater — a community that welcomes everyone. 

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Before all this past weeks' traumatic news, I returned to the daily reminder that as everything changes, nothing changes in the spirit of love. I came back to my home at YAF renewed and energized after having spent the summer chasing the sun and being embraced in AWE.

Machu Picchu

First, an incredible service trip to Machu Picchu where I was able to stand and absorb the profound beauty of the Sacred. Untouched by the world of progress is a reminder of how the mountains, rivers, trees, and the air is sustained and nourished by the True Mother. The journey was a blessing for my soul, and nothing is better than sharing the experience with a teenage daughter struggling to embrace these troubled times of discord and confusion of the heart.

Total Eclipse 2017

We were also able to participate in another true wonder a few weeks later when we shared the moment of totality! Yes, a ten hour car drive back home would not tarnish or destroy the magic of that experience together. Somehow, this sweet summer was all about the SUN! How delicate the earth we all share; how powerless we are to the extremes of the Great MAHA.

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Now as the season starts to change, I am filled with the passion of this aliveness and I am excited about sharing all the special events that are happening in these coming weeks. Please join me and the community as we celebrate the inner glow of shining one’s own light! At YAF, we are keeping the LIGHT on and the HEART open. 

Yoga Therapy Summit 

YAF is cohosting at the end of September, the first yoga therapy event ever in the Chicago area, the Yoga Therapy SummitI Yes, we're bringing together all my dear teachers who share in the lineage of Krisnamachurya.

I cannot express how this weekend will be such a learning opportunity for all students of yoga. From beginners to those that have years of teachings, this weekend will bring forth amazing yoga teachings for deeper mind and consciousness.

Yoga Therapy is finally getting its place in the holistic model of wellness! So please encourage your family and friends that are suffering from various degrees of anxiety or depression..or those in the healing professions to partake in the three day intensive opportunity! Please click for more information and to sign up for the weekend. 

Richard Miller is coming to YAF

On Thursday evening, September 28, the night before the Summit opens, Richard Miller, the founder of the Integrative Restorative Institute (IRI) and my teacher, will be sharing a evening of meditation. A benefit potluck dinner will follow when we will be able to ask questions and just share a community of friends!

Richard is the master of teaching yoga nidra which he has been able to bring into VA hospitals around the country to help with all forms of trauma after experiencing war. All donations will go to his various organizations which he helps through his non profit work.

Please try and make this special evening together as we launch the Summit. All are invited and look forward to being able to introduce you to these deeper practices—again, no prior knowledge of yoga is needed to be able to come and share!!  Learn more and kindly RSVP.

Yoga is for all who want to learn to help heal the old patterns that no longer serve.
 

Meet Megan Greene Llambias, Yoga Among Friends' new yoga teacher!

I am happy to welcome Megan Llambias, a fabulous new teacher taking over Marina's Sunday morning Hatha Vinyasa classes while Marina is on hiatus....

A bit from Megan...

My teaching is a Hatha Vinyassa flow class based in harmonizing the polarities that occur in human experience. Going the through the body and using our breath to initiate movement we induce harmony. I encourage my students to dive into their inner experience and awaken to the present moment. For me, “yoga is a physical technique which helps to tone the body and calm the mind, allowing us to deal with the pressures of daily life. As we become calmer, healthier and more peaceful we are able to be more creative, productive and more joyful. “ In my classes I love to combine creative sequencing and add a dose of inspiration to help you dive deeper and more fully into life, thriving in your body and your soul. My hope is to encourage people beyond the their mats and take their yoga practice into the world around them.

What you can expect from my Hatha Vinyasa class

You will experience an intermediate Interdisciplinary Vinyassa flow class. You will learn to heighten your awareness to the subtle sensations that arise as you dive deeper into the your own individual expression of yoga. Although you will experience a vigorous flow, what lies beneath the surface is the attitude of relaxed awareness. You will learn to be mindful of each pose and the space in between. In my classes you will experience a creative sequence combining conscious awareness of the breath and synchronized movement. I integrate restorative yoga postures into the end of the class to also come to a deep place of relaxation as we finish the practice.

Megan Llambias' background

Yoga has been a part of my life for the last 15 years.  My first teacher training was a 200 hr. program with Don & Amba Stapleton of Nosara Yoga Institute in 2004. Then I studied with Cheri Clampett, Therapeutic Yoga program in California. My mentor is Yoga Therapist Laura Jane Murphy-Mellencamp who has guided me personally for the last 12 years.  My career teaching began in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, then I taught in Buenos Aires Argentina, while completing a masters in Coaching, and for the last 8 years I have been raising a family based in Santa Barbara, California.  I am happy to be back in the Mid-West where I was born, and to begin teaching again.

Megan will get your heart pumping while putting your mind at ease and have your spirit glowing. Come join her for Sunday morning Hatha Vinyasa from 9-10:15am for Levels 1 & 2!