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Deliver Me From Myself

This month we celebrated what feels like the one true and sacred holiday we have in this country. Lately, I’ve been preoccupied with hierarchy. I’m grateful for the ways in which Dr. King challenged hierarchy and courageously paved the way for so many of us to challenge it.

There is  hierarchy in yoga—of master teachers, of a for profit business, of access...I wonder, what does a beloved community in this context look like? The message of Dr. King and yoga is the same. Yoga compels us to recognize our interconnectedness. There is no essential difference between you and I. Whether we feel it or not, what happens to one impacts all that is and in caring for one, the other experiences healing.

Is yoga beloved, sacred, communal for you?

Fundraiser : Using Walls to Build Bridges

We're adding more Yoga Walls at our studio! This fundraiser will support our initiatives to expand the impact of yoga and make our work more accessible to diverse communities. Your tax deductible donation to this cause will help us upgrade our studio and install 18 more stations of the Great Yoga Wall. Along with serving our existing community of students at All Life is Yoga, the Dharma Project is developing programs at the studio for three targeted communities: 

1. First Responders
2. Educators
3. Nonprofit Organization Staff and Clients

Our goal is to raise $15,000 and we need your help! Learn more about the Campaign, check out the various rewards and Donate: 

Using Walls to Build Bridges

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Updates

Our book club starts this Sunday from 12-2pm. Bring your favorite vegetarian, dairy free dish and join us for a discussion on the first chapter of Fire of Love, "Dharma". The first time I read this book was in 2006. I had just committed to the 2,000hr Purna Yoga teacher training. I knew nothing about Aadil and Purna Yoga, but something about the course description inspired me. I had no idea how I would pay for such an expensive training with my modest yoga salary and I had no idea how I could travel to WA for extended periods of time for the two years of the training. All I knew is I wanted it! With commitment comes Providence. This book has been instrumental for my growth as a student , a teacher, and most importantly, a better human being. "Only when we go inside do we really know how to live outside." Aadil from Fire of Love. Hope you'll join us.

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honorCode and Dharma Project Partnership

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I love the story about William Wordsworth that Aadil shares in his book, Fire of Love. “William Wordsworth spent most of his life in the beautiful Lake District of Northern England… soon after Wordsworth moved to Dove Cottage, he sent a letter of protest to the local authorities complaining about the constant noise of the horse-drawn buggies on the road near his home. He claimed that it disturbed his concentration and he could not write poetry. He wrote that a wheeled buggy passed by ‘at least once a week.’

Can you imagine that level of concentration and connection! “Getting and spending, getting and spending”... that’s what we do. We have lost the wonder.

It's time to reconnect. Read many other inspirational stories from Fire of Love during our upcoming book club that starts September 10th at 12pm. Register Here.

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Creative Loafing Article

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Creative Loafing recently interviewed me to discuss the state of yoga, All Life is Yoga and the Dharma Project. Check out the interview here.

To be honest, I was nervous about this article. I said some things. But after the events of this weekend, I was reminded of how necessary it is, even in our small ways, to speak up and acknowledge things as they are. Thank you to Creative Loafing for the platform. 

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Check out this INTERVIEW Center for Civic Innovation did with Rutu about her start with yoga and the development of The Dharma Project  + learn more about our upcoming teacher training, book club, and free yoga at The Grant Park Farmers Market.

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Acres of Diamonds + Yoga with Police Officers + Dirty South + Meet the Trainees

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Many years back I read this book called Acres of Diamonds. The author shares countless tales, spanning throughout history, of people who lived in the most destitute conditions on land that was seemingly barren and hopeless. Seeking riches, they would sell their land and travel far to mine for gold, oil, diamonds, etc. Story after story, the person that bought that seemingly worthless land for next to nothing would find the very thing the original owner chased elsewhere, making millions.

I’ve been spinning like a top trying to develop the appropriate connections to get certain programs for The Dharma Project moving. Recently I discovered that the people closest to me—those already in my inner circle—are exactly the resources I need to propel The Dharma Project forward.

Congratulations to Margarita Cruz! Partial Scholarships for Yoga Teacher Training Now Open

Yoga Teacher Training Full Scholarship Recipient

All Life is Yoga is offering its first full scholarship for the 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training. I don't know anyone more deserving of this opportunity than Margarita Cruz, who has studied with me for over twelve years. Whether I was running around teaching at other studios, or at ALIY when we finally opened the doors to our own space, she has always been there.

Margarita recently retired as a teacher for the Decatur Public School System. She's said many times that she doesn't know how she would be able to show up daily for 25 kindergarteners if it wasn't for the tools this yoga practice has provided her. "Practicing at ALIY keeps me grounded and clear. I’m being of service to young children. I have to be focused and aware of my emotions, because my emotions impact the students. When I take care of myself physically, mentally, and emotionally, I’m a better teacher. My emotions don't get in the way. I would not be well if I wasn't regularly taking time to slow down, and moving in a way that releases negativity and fatigue. Yoga renews my spirit."

We are so grateful that Margarita prioritized self care as a public servant, and can't wait to be a part of her new journey as a yoga teacher-in-training!

Partial Scholarship Applications Open

All Life is Yoga is also offering partial scholarships for our upcoming 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training. The applications are assessed based on financial need, aspirations to teach, dedication to the practice and an interest in leveraging the teacher training to serve communities in need. To apply, contact Rutu. 

July 4th Class Schedule and Early Bird Teacher Training Registration

Holiday Schedule 

We will have one class on July 4th from 9:30-10:45am taught by Rutu. The Tuesday evening 6pm and 6:45pm classes are cancelled. 

200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Early Bird Registration 

I'm really looking forward to teach the upcoming 200 hour yoga teacher certification at AllLife is Yoga. It's my first time in 8 years of teaching a yoga certification that I am offering a new format for the curriculum. It's gonna be special! Early Bird Registration for the upcoming 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Certification ends July 15th!

Email rutu@alllifeisyoga.com to apply.