See You Next Friday...

Happy Saturday, everyone!

I just got back from a glorious retreat in Morocco. Morocco has such a rich culture. The food and the shopping were divine. Morocco has a beautifully diverse population, people from the Sahara, the Berber people who are descendants of the pre-Arab inhabitants of North Africa, and of course, the French. Even the merchants, who are astute hagglers, have a certain charisma and gentility about them. I was on retreat with one of my beloved teachers, Alison Cramer, whose deep knowledge and reverence for Yoga always shines through. I highly recommend seeking her out.

If the heat is keeping you in Summer mode, enjoy! I am slowly easing my way back into work mode. Luckily, I have tools at my disposal to avoid jet lag. One thing that always works is to trace the energy meridians in your body, starting with the time zone where you are. One of my amazing teachers, Marjorie Fein has a great video on Youtube. If you're ever traveling across time zones, this is a great way to regulate your body clock.  

I wanted to resend the link for the Open House next Friday. I think some people tried to log on and it sent them to the page to customize the event. Oops! Here is the link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bhati-open-house-tickets-27035601211#tickets

And please feel free to invite any innovative healers, sex therapists, yoga teachers, writing teachers, art therapists, sound healers, and anyone who you think would like to manifest a class and create a following using BHATI as the backdrop.

Have a wonderful day and hope to see you soon!

Guillerma

What is the meaning of life???

Jeez, I'm not sure. But its a good question to ponder every now and again. I've never come to a definitive answer but as of late what keeps coming up for me is to stay present, engaged, and in service to the world around me. The Dalai Lama says that “We are visitors on this planet. We are here for one hundred years at the very most. During that period we must try to do something good, something useful, with our lives. if you contribute to other people's happiness, you will find the true meaning of life.”

When I opened BHATI, I wanted create a place that would serve the community, a place where people would come to heal, and be healed, to share information, and to receive. I wanted to create a serene and artistic ambience where others could also serve, and share their passions with the community. With that in mind, I recently launched a "Creative Collaboration Program" at BHATI. I am thrilled to introduce BHATI's new collaborators. 

Starting this Sunday, October 2nd, and every Sunday thereafter, Allie Townsend, a 200 hour certified yoga instructor, long-distance runner, and mountain biker, will guide us in a "Meditation through Movement" Practice. Allie incorporates a slow paced vinyasa flow, pranayama and meditation to continuously explore the relationship between the mind, body, breath, and Spirit. You will hold poses for longer periods of time, allowing you to build strength and stamina, adjust and readjust in a pose, give space for your emotions to arise and through the process, stabilize your mind. 

Every Monday, Johari Mayfield, a dancer, choreographer, and personal trainer, will work us out with her signature "African Dance and Cardio Jam" Class! Johari utilizes her dance background, along with cardiovascular exercises, strength training, and yoga to hone the synergies of mind/body, strength and flexibility. She describes her style as Double Dutch meets Martha Graham meets African Dance and coloring books! No dance training is necessary, just a desire to move, release stress, and have some fun! 

Wednesdays, Kripalu School of Yoga and Ayurveda certified yoga instructor, Bridget Walsh, will offer her "Tree of Life Yoga" classes. Bridget is a Natural Health Specialist, Dance Educator and Performer, and Cultural Anthropologist with a concentration in indigenous culture and shamanic healing.  She has taught and trained in the disciplines of Meditation, Pranayama, Aero and Acro Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Aromatherapy, Crystals, Chakras, Kinesiology, Nutrition, Herbal Remedies, and Philosophy. She takes a holistic approach to physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health by interweaving elements from all disciplines into her teaching and personal practice.

All classes are $15 and 65 minutes long. Please pre-register.
Meditation through Movement Sundays 10:30-11:35am
African Dance and Cardio Jam Mondays 7-8:05pm
Tree of Life Yoga Wednesdays 7-8:05pm

Every Tuesday, 7-8:30pm, Buddhist Insights offers a donation based meditation class at BHATI. It is a great opportunity to meditate with, and learn from, a wonderful Zen Buddhist monk.

As always, I offer private yoga lessons and my signature blend of energetic and deep tissue massage. Please e-mail, text or call if you have any questions, or answers to the meaning of life. I hope to see or hear from you very soon!

With love and gratitude,

Guillerma

Don't Worry. Be Happy.

Visionary artist, Pharrell Williams, on the cover of this month's Esquire Magazine with a caption that reads, "Make America Happy Again."

Visionary artist, Pharrell Williams, on the cover of this month's Esquire Magazine with a caption that reads, "Make America Happy Again."

How are you feeling friends?

Our country has gone through a dramatic change recently and regardless of your political views, the fear, anger, sadness, anxiety, and frustration around us, are palpable. 

How do we do that? Well, its a good time to recommit to your prayer and/or meditation practices. If you don't already have these in place, start small. Sit and observe your breath for 3 minutes in the morning and 3 minutes in the evening. If prayer seems like a foreign concept, pick something, anything, that feels greater than you, it could be Nature, the Universe, The Great Unknown, God, whatever feels genuine to you. Bring this force to mind and ask for guidance, strength, and compassion, or whatever you need to get through the day. 

Sometimes its easier to meditate in a group. Buddhist Insights, a meditation group led by Zen Buddhist Monk, Bhante Suddhaso, meets at BHATI every Tuesday night from 7 to 8:30 pm. I highly recommend it!

If you are feeling frustrated or angry, get it out. Scream into a pillow. I did this the other day. At first I felt stupid, but I just kept on screaming into my pillow. My poor cat thought something was wrong. If he only knew... After a few minutes of screaming, I started crying, and then bawling, and I just let myself go. And then it was over, and I felt so much better afterwards. You have to get it out!

One great way to let your emotions go through you is through movement. Yoga and dance can help you connect your body, mind, and spirit. Dancer and choreographer, Johari Mayfield, leads an African Dance and Cardio Jam class every Monday from 7 to 8:15 pm. February is Heart Health Month and Monday, February 12th, she will focus on cardiovascular health. Get your heart pumping and get your frustrations out!

The emotion related to this season is fear. Many people's fears have been exacerbated lately and preying on people's fears seems to be a highly effective political strategy. If you find yourself feeling fear or anxiety, you can try a simple energy medicine technique called The Fear Tap. This exercise changes your electro chemistry, helps to steady the mind, and can even help with long standing phobias. Bring your right hand in front of your chest, tap the back of your hand between the pinky and ring fingers for 30-60 seconds. You can inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth. Then switch hands. Do this as often as needed.

The Fear Tap

The Fear Tap

My energy medicine teacher, Marjorie Fein, is doing a Winter Workshop on Sunday February 12th, from 10am to 1pm. She will focus on the Winter season and how to best manage it with essential oils and energy medicine techniques. Come and take control of your own happiness!

The Dalai Lama says that "no matter how much violence or how many bad things we have to go through, I believe that the ultimate solution to our conflicts, both internal and external, lies in returning to our basic or underlying human nature, which is gentle and compassionate." Make sure you are being kind to yourself and to others. Go out of your way to do kind acts. Talk to your friends and loved ones. Get massages, Make time for yourself. And turn off the news as often as possible!

I stand with you in solidarity and love,

Guillerma