Back by POPULAR DEMAND…another opportunity to Dance to the Bollywood Groove!  Last few days to sign-up for our Bollywood Fit Dance Workshop with Lisa Griffiths this Friday, 9/17 from 7:00-8:15pm!!  Just $15.00 for the Workshop!  Energetic & FUN!!

Bollywood Fit Dance takes Bhangra music, sort of an Indian hip hop style, and borrows moves from the Bollywood musicals which refer to classical Indian dance but put a modern, music video twist on it.  The steps make it fun as they are punchy & exotic, but they are simple to follow and repeated often….so Easy for Beginners to follow.  And Advanced “movers & shakers” have fun putting their own flair into the steps…so also Fun for the Experienced!  Yoga stretch and asana end the night to cool down, energize and get you ready for the weekend.

BTW – Class is danced barefoot. Yoga attire, but feel free to “accessorize” with scarves, belts or bangles if you wish.   And we’ll have a selection of Bangles for sale before/after the Workshop if you are inspired to get on your jingle!

Join Jonathan Patriarca Sunday September 12 for his Workshop Building a Backbend Foundation: To Achieve Backbend Drop Back from 2:30-4:15pm. One of the classic achievements in yogasana is the backbend dropback. The dropback is an expression of a strong and open backbend, however it can be a difficult move that eludes many dedicated yoga students.  Jonathan’s workshop will provide a progressive, practical approach that helps to improve flexibility/strength and to achieve this ability. Begin to transform your body by opening and creating space & learn exercises that will build strength and improve the quality of your backbend.

Hope you all had a fabulous, fun–filled summer!  We’ve added some NEW classes (please see below) & we extend a huge welcome to our new (& returning) teachers who are ready to help you back into your Fall Wellness routines!

NEW!! Beginning September 13th – Mondays 12pm – Vinyasa Flow ALL LEVELS  with Lisa Griffiths…also join Lisa Thursdays 12pm for All Levels Vinyasa beginning September 2!

Lisa began practicing yoga in 2000 and has been teaching yoga for over 8 years now. She originally started practicing Ashtanga and then moved into a study of Vinyasa, enjoying the varied Vinyasa teaching styles of Shiva Rea, Cyndi Lee and Bryan Kest. Though she still loves the creativity of Vinyasa, both practicing and teaching, she had the good fortune to meet Kino MacGregor last year and was inspired to dig back into Ashtanga. Her personal practice now involves a balance of both styles. And while she teaches mainly Vinyasa, students often comment and compliment Lisa on her detailed and precise instruction, a skill she has honed teaching many multi-level classes.

Mondays – 10:30am Deep Yoga Bliss – All Levels – with Laura Plumb

This restorative class incorporates gentle movement, deep breathing, healing sound and Yoga Nidra to help you restore peace, balance, vibrancy to heal body, heart and mind.

Mondays – 7:30pm Yoga Foundations (For Beginners) with Jonathon Patriarca…also join Jonathan Fridays 12pm for All Levels Bheemashakti Yoga beginning September 3…and on Sundays 12pm for Level 2-3 Bheemashakti Yoga!

After working as a Nurse for seven years specializing in pediatric bone marrow transplants and oncology, Jonathan became inspired to study yoga. He first became a certified teacher at White Lotus Foundation in Santa Barbara and subsequently taught Vinyasa Flow in the San Diego area.

Jonathan took his first trip to India in 2004 to deepen his yoga practice, which included studying Ashtanga Yoga with Sri Pattobi Jois in Mysore. He had difficulty increasing flexibility so he remained open to other styles of yoga, but did not find a style that helped him improve to an advanced level. A chain of events led Jonathan on another trip to India in which he studied a few different styles of yoga including Iyengar and Hatha yoga. It was on this trip that he began studying with his current master H.R. Suresh. It was with Suresh that he learned of a spiritual practice of Ashtanga Pranayama and meditation. In addition, he learned the most effective way to increase the level of his asana practice based on an ancient system called Swara Yoga. He moved to India to study full time with Suresh and thus opening a yoga shala with his master called Bheemashakti Yoga Center in Mysore. He has now returned to San Diego to introduce this incredible yoga system. (Please see our website class descriptions for more info on Bheemashakti Yoga.)

REMINDER: We offer “Sunrise Yoga” Classes 7am Wednesday (Amanda Collins) & Friday (Laura Plumb!)

Also – KID’S CLASSES RESTART Thursday, September 16th at 3:30pm with Kate Thompson

Kate says she has always had a passion for working with children. Her motto for teaching is to “Encourage children to be exactly who they are.” Growing up she was always in athletics- from playing Basketball and Volleyball to participating in the high jump and triple jump during track season. She started down her yoga path about ten years ago and it was then that she got her first glimpse on how to really control and understand movement in her own body. Enjoying the physical benefits of yoga is what kept her practicing and it wasn’t until her first teacher training that she began to see the mental and emotional benefits as well. She began combining her love of yoga and teaching children after a training in Encinitas with Pamela Hollander. Since then she has taught children’s yoga in elementary schools, various San Diego yoga studios, The Children’s Museum and the Healing Arts Festival in Balboa Park. She loves to incorporate music, imagination, stories and games in her playful kid’s yoga classes. Her main goal is for children to develop a friendship with themselves. She adds, “One of my favorite books is The Story of Ferdinand and for those who have read it, I want to make my yoga class feel like sitting under that cork tree”.

Last couple of days to sign-up for our Bollywood Fit Dance Workshop this Friday, 8/20 from 7:00-8:15pm!!  Dance to the Bollywood Groove with Lisa Griffiths…easy for Beginners to follow and Fun for the Experienced!   Yoga stretch ends the night to cool down, energize and get ready for the weekend.  Yoga attire, but feel free to “accessorize” with scarves, belts or bangles if you wish.  Just $15.00 for the Workshop!  Energetic & FUN!!

We’re excited to announce that we are now carrying Loving Naturals Sunscreen… (Brad researched thoroughly & is confident that it’s a high quality product!)  Rated #1 Safest Sunscreen on the EWG, Loving Naturals was created out of the desire to use the most safe natural products & provide consumers with a product they could trust. Using 100% natural & organic ingredients, Loving Naturals provides superior UVA and UVB protection. It is mineral based, non-greasy, water resistant and rich in radical anti-oxidants and vitamins. Most importantly, Loving Naturals Sunscreen is safe for all ages – including babies!

We are also very pleased to now offer Vessel Drinkware Stainless Steel Bottles. In a variety of unique & engaging designs, Vessel Stainless Steel Bottles are BPA free and non-leaching. The outside paint is food safe and the ink is lead free. Attractive, well-made and reasonably priced – you can reduce your global footprint and be stylin’!

See ya soon!

You won’t wanna pass up…ginseng’s HOT Summer BOUTIQUE Special!!

~ FREE “Blue Moon Elise’s” Popular Body Mist OR Room Spray w/any Retail purchase of $30 or more = Citrus Energy OR Lavender Stress Relief!

~In ADDITION, receive a FREE “ginseng Yoga” tee or tank with Retail purchase of $100 or more (& Yes, you may still receive your BLUE MOON ELISE gift too!)

~And YES, this includes SALE items up to 60% off!!

August 1st-4th while supplies last…ENJOY!

(Tons of new items JUST IN including Barefoot Yoga Mat Bags, Jade & PRANA mats, Omdala Sandals, NEW Deva Premal & several other CD’s, Be Present & ALO)

See ya’ there!

Join our dynamic duo – Rebecca Cohen & Sara Deakin – for an Inversion Workshop Friday, July 30 from 7:00-9:00pm.  A Fundraiser for the Gulf Coast Restoration Network – it promises to be a fun-filled evening, including Spirited Asana, Live Music with Macario Galan, and Refreshments!  For All Levels – this Workshop will provide the fundamentals & support for those new to Inversions, while more experienced practitioners will be able to hone their skills & challenge themselves with advanced poses.  (And BTW – also the last chance to bid farewell to Rebecca before she leaves on her travels!  We’ll miss you Rebecca….)

Cost is $35.00, but feel free to give more if you would like… All proceeds go to the Gulf Coast Restoration Network.

Although we will miss Rebecca & Rama, we have some wonderful teachers (some new to Ginseng & some already well established here) who will be gently – or perhaps powerfully! – sliding into Rebecca & Rama’s spots. Tried & true or new to our community we warmly welcome them, and eagerly look forward to seeing their unique styles & light unfold.

Following is the replacement schedule:

Sundays, Vinyasa 2-3 at 12:00pm: Jonathan Patriarca…Some of you may remember Jonathan from February when he hosted (according to all attendees) an incredible Handstand Workshop! Originally YTT certified at White Lotus as a Vinyasa teacher, Jonathan continued to deal with personal injuries and difficulties expanding his asana practice. Searching to find a yoga style that would help him reach his full yogic potential he traveled to India to study Ashtanga under Pattabi Jois, and later to study Iyengar & Hatha. In an ancient system called Ashtanga Swara Yoga, he eventually found what he considers to be the most effective way to increase one’s asana practice. Called Bheemashakti, it progressively strengthens & opens the body. Through classes & upcoming workshops, Jonathan brings this system to Ginseng to offer to all who wish to overcome limitations and expand their practice.

Wednesdays, Sunrise at 7:00am: Amanda Collins…A graduate from our very own Deep Yoga YTT program, Amanda is also a Feng Shui consultant & teacher who has trained with Masters & Shamans around the world. Through Feng Shui Amanda assists the flow of Chi through physical structures, while with yoga she helps guide the same Chi through the body to bring a sense of vitality & joy to the practitioner. With a loving, open heart, she is devoted to uplifting others through a dynamic yoga practice – stimulating a burst of energy to begin your day!

Wednesdays, Healthy Backs at 12:00pm & Thursdays, Bliss Yoga at 7:30pm: Andrea Liddle…YTT Synergy trained & a HHP, Andrea has been doing massages & teaching at Ginseng for some time now. Known for her gentle, intuitive touch and the sense of deep peace & overall well-being she brings to all her massages & classes, Andrea will now have the opportunity to shine her sweet, healing light in both our therapeutic Healthy Backs class & our extra gentle, stress reducing, restorative Bliss Yoga.

Fridays, Sunrise at 7:00am: Laura Plumb…Well-known to the Ginseng community as the co-founder of Deep Yoga – a yogic system based on Hatha & Ayurvedic principles which goes into the mind, body, soul connection to unblock obstacles to self-understanding & inner/outer healing – Laura will resume teaching her invigorating Sunrise class after a year hiatus. Imbued with mantra, pranayama, meditation and a well balanced asana practice, Laura’s Sunrise class is known as great way to start your day on all levels!

Thursdays, Kid’s Yoga at 3:30pm: Kate Armstrong…Suspended for the Summer, Kid’s Yoga will restart on September 16 with Kate Armstrong, who specializes in teaching children. Enthusiastic & lively, Kate brings her joy of life, creative imagination and ability to connect with children to Ginseng to create a fun, inspiring yoga class that Kid’s will enjoy as well as learn from.

Hope to see you at one of these classes!

Ginseng Staff

Two of our beloved teachers – Rebecca Cohen & Rama Deva – are moving away at the end of July.  We wish them both much happiness & will miss them very much.  They will always be in our hearts and part of the Ginseng Community.

Beginning in August, Rebecca Cohen will be traveling, visiting relatives and attending more Teacher Training back East, then returning briefly to prepare for her move to Monterrey California (& ultimately to Japan!) with her hubbie & baby Parker.

Catch her last 2 Classes: Sunday, July 25 Vinyasa 2-3 at 12:00pm & Healthy Backs Wednesday, July 28 at 12:00pm… (and don’t forget her Inversion Workshop with Sara Deakin on Friday, July 30 at 7:00pm – which benefits the Gulf Coast Restoration.)

Rama Deva will be moving back to Northern California – where his and wife Sarah’s hearts truly lie – in order to start a Healing Center/Sustainable Living Project .  Along the way, he and Sarah have plans to spend some time in Hawaii (after Sarah returns from her Alaska job that is!) and hope to make it over to Thailand for a belated Honeymoon.

Join Rama for his last 2 Classes: Monday, July 26 Harmony at 10:30am & Rise N’ Shine on Wednesday, July 28 at 7:00am.  Last Kid’s Yoga Class with Rama will be Tuesday, July 27 at 3:30pm.

Blog to follow listing new teachers for Rebecca’s and Rama’s classes.

We are very pleased to host 2 truly INCREDIBLE (& very different!) workshops this weekend. First, on Friday, July 23 from 7:30-9:30pm, Steve and Anne-Emilie Gold will be joined by Bhava & Laura to present their annual Deep Gold event. Combining Yoga, Meditation, Kirtan & Concert, Deep Gold is one of our most popular concert offerings, which past attendees say is a sublime, sacred experience & not to missed! $25 in advance or at the door.

Then on Sunday, July 25 from 2:00-4:00pm Rachel Krentzman will return with another of her healing & informative back workshops. This time Rachel will be targeting the Upper Back, Neck & Shoulders and will teach yoga poses to help alleviate stress & pain in these areas. This workshop will also be especially helpful for those of us who work on computers all day or have other jobs which promote poor posture. And for those of you who are not familiar with Rachel, she was a popular yoga teacher/physical therapist at Ginseng a few years ago, known for her compassion, dedication & knowledge. $45 in advance/$55 Day of.

Hope you will join us!

Ginseng Staff