Yoga’s Life Map
Many people do not know that yoga is more than postures and breath. Yoga is actually much more; it is a way of living. A very long time ago, a sage named Patanjali collected and summarized the basic tenets of yoga into the Yoga Sutras. He described an eight-fold path. The Yamas and Niyamas are the first two ‘steps’ of this path of yoga. The posture practice we are familiar with is the third step, and pranayama, or breath control is the fourth. The last four steps are facets of learning meditation.
The first two steps, Yama and Niyama are ethical teachings in the form of ideas that can be thought about and wrestled with. This process yields guidance and understanding of our life experiences, a kind of life map. Deborah Adele, author of The Yamas and Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice, says in the preface to her book, “These ten guidelines sit as both a vision of the possibilities of human existence, as well as providing the practical guidance to make skillful moment to moment choices in our daily lives. . .Gaining the skill to choose what we do, may be the grandest adventure we can take as a human being. . .The result of a skillfully lived life is nothing less than joy. Not the kind that comes when things are going our way and disappears just as quickly, but the kind that bubbles up from within.”
Ms. Adele, co-owner of Yoga North in Duluth, Minnesota, will teach about the Yamas and Niyamas at The Yoga Center of Eau Claire, September 25 from 1-4 pm. This workshop will also be the kick-off for an eight month study of her book lead by Sandra Helpsmeet of The Yoga Center of Eau Claire. More information about this workshop and the study following it can be found at the Yoga Center website, www.yogacenterec.com.
Just Local Fall Fest
Just Local Food Cooperative is inviting you to celebrate with us Thursday, September 22nd, from 3-7 pm in the parking lot at 1117 South Farwell.
Food, beer, and live music will be provided, including (but not limited to):
• Lazy Monk Brewing of Eau Claire, WI (featuring Leos’ soon-to-be-released Oktoberfest seasonal) • The Klezmazels of Eau Claire, WI (playing Klezmer-style, Gypsy-style, East European and German polka from 5-7 pm) • Coon Creek Family Farm of Mondovi, WI (serving beer-can chicken) • Gingerbread Jersey of Augusta, WI (serving succulent bratwurst on the grill) • Class Apple of Eau Claire, WI (serving locally picked apples) • Sauerkraut-making by Noel • Sauerbraten by Laura • And much more!
Whether it is your first time visiting our store, or your tenth time that week, please stop by and say hello, and partake of this first annual community event.
We are so proud to work with all of the great many farmers, butchers, brewers, bakers, artists, artisans, entrepreneurs, distributors, and tradesfolk who have labored to improve our land, secure our economy, beautify our community, and keep our bodies fed and healthy.
Thanks to all of you for supporting us for more than seven years! See you at the store!
Autumn Yoga at Madeline Island School of the Arts
Northern Wisconsin has an added appeal this October.
Travel north to Madeline Island, the largest of the Apostle Islands, for a 5-day retreat devoted to the ancient wisdom of yoga and meditation, and the intuitive process of SoulCollage®. Taught by Sarah Roeder (Pederson) and Carla Peterson, the retreat will be held at Madeline Island School of the Arts—the newest art and craft school in the country.
Located in a prairie meadow setting, and surrounded by forests, MISA is the perfect location for the contemplative arts. Spacious studios and grounds will allow you to retreat from the distractions of daily life, and immerse yourself in yoga and meditation.
Sarah will be offering two daily sessions in Alignment based yoga for students of all levels, followed by guided meditation. Outdoor yoga on a nearby beach will allow you to savor the healing presence of nature. Intuitive collage making with Carla will be a tangible expression of the connections between your mind, body, and spirit, and will inform your journaling habits.
This retreat will include fresh and local choices for breakfast and lunch, including vegetarian options. Dinner is on your own at your choice of the local island restaurants. Between yoga sessions and collage making, enjoy whatever brings you peace. Take a dip in the cool clear waters of Lake Superior, or kayak in the Lagoon. Explore the hiking and biking trails that wind around the island.
During your stay, you will reside in a mission style cottage, nestled on the edge of the forest, complete with private bath and entry. Private or shared room options are available.
Cost for the October 10-14 retreat is $985. For questions or more information please call MISA at 715-747-2054, email at misa@cheqnet.net, or visit the website at www.madelineschool.com.
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