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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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The Language of the Gods

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At All Life is Yoga we teach yoga in its original language, Sanskrit. Sanskrit was never commonly spoken; instead it was used to orally convey thousands of pages of verse from scriptures. It was, and is, the holy language of the scriptures—the oldest known sacred writings in human history. Yoga was originally relayed and taught only in Sanskrit. Hearing yoga terms in a foreign, complicated language can sometimes make it difficult to follow along as a new student. However, there are several reasons we feel it’s beneficial to use Sanskrit terms:

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Plug 1

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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. 

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Community Strives for Integration

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...and yoga means union.

Earlier this year, a group of yoga studio owners met at All Life Is Yoga to discuss various ways for us to engage as a yoga community. One of the topics I brought up was my interest in increasing voter turnout for the upcoming local election. Atlanta will be voting for a new mayor, school board, and city council members. I would really love to see more people show up at polling stations this year, and I think that we, as yoga teachers and students, have a platform that can encourage voting. Our small effort during last year’s election resulted in over 60 people registering to vote. And that was just from a couple of newsletters!

I would love to hear your thoughts on this. I know some people do not like to mix their yogaand their politics. But my studio is called All Life is Yoga; for me, it's all yoga. Policy affects everything I care about.

I am hosting a gathering at the yoga studio to discuss ideas for increasing voter turnout. We'll have teachers and studio owners present, and I would love to have you there!

 Here's a Doodle Poll with date options. 

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Dharma is the Umbrella

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According to the Vedas (the oldest scriptures known to man, which came out of India), there are four major reasons for life. They are:

  1. Dharma: pursuit of purpose
  2. Artha: acquisition of material wealth
  3. Kama: experience of pleasure
  4. Moksha: spiritual exploration

The Vedas explains that the latter three are contingent on Dharma. That means that the amount of wealth you acquire, the amount of pleasure you experience, and even the amount of time and energy you spend on spiritual practices depends entirely on your pursuit of purpose. Anything beyond what is required for living your purpose is excess and fuels the ego. Discovering your purpose, then, becomes the most meaningful life endeavor. Everything else you do is clarified by that purpose.

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Aspirations

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quiet joy
peaceful trust
luminous hope

- The Mother

Level I Yoga Teacher Certification 

All Life is Yoga's 2017-2018 teacher certification dates are set! This training is appropriate for anyone who wants to deepen their personal practice, understand the why of yoga asana, pranayama, nutrition, meditation, anatomy, alignment, energetics, philosophy, sequencing, service...and learn to teach with confidence.

August 19th-20th
September 9th-10th
September 23rd-24th
October 21st-22nd
November 11th-12th
December 2nd-3rd
January 6th-7th
February 10th-11th
February 17th-18th

For more information and to apply, contact Rutu. 

New Pricing Structure

ALIY is going back to the original pricing structure from our Cabbagetown days. We hope that this shift will allow you to attend classes at the studio if you’re not already, or to attend more frequently than you are currently. The concern for some is that we are diminishing the value of the yoga by reducing the price. My feeling is that capitalism and cultural appropriation are responsible for diminishing the value of yoga, while making it more accessible and affordable serves to raise its value. You can’t actually buy yoga, in any case. When you attend class, you’re not paying for the yoga—you’re helping the studio to keep the lights on, and continue to offer classes.

Here’s what our original pricing structure looks like:

Drop-In: $15 per class
5-class card: $50 with a one-month expiration
10-class card: $100 with a two-month expiration
Monthly Unlimited: $99 with a three-month auto-pay

Please contact Rutu with any questions or concerns, or if you need further financial assistance.