A Yogi is Born!

Dear Friends,

In two days I will be participating in the YTT (Yoga Teacher Training) program hosted by the Greenhouse Holistic.  For many of us yoga changed our lives, made us feel better and look better.  Feeling good on the outside made me feel good inside.  Sounds obvious! But, gradually I realized these spiritual transformations were less mundane than I thought.  Yesterday, I was reminded how the small intentions we make everyday in yoga can change the whole world.  Not just metaphorically but litterally.  A friend of mine, who had never taken Yoga, is going trhough a very difficult time in her life.  Encouraging her to come to Yoga was a big deal for her and she resisted because like many of her troubles in NY, rejections and judgements come in large dozes.  It was easy to explain that while yoga is taught in a class, each person's practise is a personal journey.  To conquer the physical challenges I have to conquer the mental challenges too.  Any negative thoughts, like anger, judgement or dissapointment that I direct to my own energy or to another person always affects my concentration on the simplest of poses.

I assured my friend that not only will she be welcomed in yoga class she will also feel the positive intentions of her fellow yogis.  My friend did come and after an emotional greeting from me, her class mates to her right, left and back (I was in the front) gave her so much encouragement that the whole class was affected.  We were all so joyful, laughing at our teacher's not so funny jokes, gigling at our own blunders and exclaiming the wonders of a painful, really painful hamstring stretch.  The whole class, not just the few surrounding my friend was affected.  If one person can affect twenty, and 20 others affect 20 x 20 x 20 x 20 x20 x 20 x 20 x 20 x 20 x 20 x 20 x 20 x 20 x 20 x20 x 20 x 20 x 20 x 20 x 20 and they affect, well infinitely more people of this world!

Change is good!

Dear Friends,

The Greenhouse Holistic spirit is ever changing and so too are the writers of our blog.  From time to time we have teachers, students, friends and families write their thoughts on these pages.  I, Sandra Shafer, am a yoga student/karma member/intern and soon to be a participant of the Yoga Teacher Training Program in September.  Here is a picture of me in front of my bedroom window, writing to you.  I love technology!  Especially when it brings people closer together.  OMG, at the moment of this writing, a new member of the Global village has been delivered to my family.  Baby Lucy! My little brother is now a Dad!  I hope Lucy will grow up in a wiser, safer world, where people are more compassionate about the world they live in and for all sentient beings.  Bye for now! I am going to celebrate Lucy!

Welcome to YOUR BLOG

Dearest Greenhouse Community,

This is your blog. This is a place to hear news about what's happening at your friendly neighborhood studio, Greenhouse Holistic, and a place to share information about yoga, healing and life. It is only going to be as dynamic and rich as the quality of your participation.

Here you'll find out more about your teachers and healing staff, get the scoop on workshops, teacher trainings and retreats, and you'll get to connect with other members of the community who will be sharing their inspirations and findings on the subject of "here and now." This is a place to submit articles, essays, workshop pictures and reviews, questions to teachers, personal artistic offerings, and even an ad for a new like-minded roommate.

Please send submissions and ideas to blog curator/substitute teacher/fellow community member Rebecca Eisner at rebecca@greenhouseholistic.com. Thank you in advance for your participation!