Come together, right now!

Some wonderful weekend events coming up, in the next month!  What an amazing time, to be joining forces, teaching outdoors, connecting and learning.

Enallaxi: Many paths, one intention.

Make sure you are in town for the weekend of June 14-16th for “enallaxi festival”, an unprecedented event for Greece spanning many traditions, systems, methods and paths to wholeness, wellness and happiness.  We have brought together some of the most seasoned practitioners and teachers to offer workshops, lectures and information, from morning to evening.  Proceeds will benefit children’s charities.

~ Special Events, May/June 2013 ~

Saturday, May 18th, 13:30-15:30
Yoga στη Φύση – Nāmarūpa I: Animal stories.
Outdoor class inspired by the animals, @ Pnyka Hill.
By donation, picnic to follow.
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/529863747060420/

Το Yoga στη φύση φιλοξενεί με χαρά την Τίνα Ζυμαράκη σε μία πρακτική εμπνευσμένη από τα στοιχεία της φύσης. Με την καθοδήγηση της Τίνας, θα συνειδητοποιήσουμε τη σύνδεσή μας με τη φύση και τα ζώα, θα αποκομίσουμε την ωφέλεια από τη μίμηση των στάσεων και κινήσεων τους και θα βιώσουμε την αύξηση της ζωτικής μας ενέργειας. Ο στόχος της γιόγκα είναι η τελειοποίηση των σχέσεων μας. Να βιώσουμε την αλληλοσύνδεση του κόσμου μας- μέσα κι έξω. Οι αρχαίοι Ρίσι, (οι πρώτοι γιόγκι), στο μονοπάτι της αυτοπραγμάτωσης, αναζήτησαν την έμπνευσή τους για τις ασκήσεις της γιόγκα στον φυσικό κόσμο. Κοίταξαν γύρω τους και μιμήθηκαν τα στοιχεία της φύσης- τα φυτά και τα ζώα, που απολάμβαναν υγεία, ισορροπία, χαρά, δύναμη, αρμονία.Οι μορφές διαρκώς αλλάζουν, το κέντρο παραμένει το ίδιο: μέσα από τη σύνδεση με την ανάσα θα εξερευνήσουμε τα κοινά στοιχεία, στις στάσεις και στις σχέσεις μας.  Η τάξη είναι δομημένη ώστε μαθητές όλων των επιπέδων να επωφεληθούν. Θα συνδυάσει δυναμική άσανα (σωματικές ασκήσεις), πραναγιάμα, διαλογισμό, βαθιά χαλάρωση, πολλά χαμόγελα και πρακτικούς τρόπους να ξεκινήσουμε την μεταμόρφωση, από τα έξω προς τα μέσα. Φέρτε μαζί σας το στρωματάκι σας, νερό, διάθεση παιχνιδιάρικη και καρδιά θαρραλέα! Μετά το μάθημα θα ακολουθήσει χορτοφαγικό πικ-νικ και τσαγάκι, φέρτε ελεύθερα ό,τι θέλετε να μοιραστούμε με αγάπη. Για όσους δεν γνωρίζουν το σημείο, ραντεβού στην εκκλησία του Αγίου Δημητρίου Λουμπαρδιάρη (είσοδος από τον πεζόδρομο Διονυσίου Αρεοπαγίτου) στις 13.15

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Sunday, May 18th- day of the devis!!  Two opportunities to enjoy super-shakti coteaching events:

Two-hour masterclass, 13:00-15:00 @ Holmes Place Glyfada
Special coteach with the amazing Alexandra Sotiropoulou & Anna Zorzou!

Cost: members: 5Es, non-members: 10Es.

Την Κυριακή 19 Μαΐου, 13:00 – 15:00, προσκαλούμε εσάς και τους φίλους σας στο Move Well Studio του Holmes Place Glyfada για να σας μυήσουμε στον κόσμο της Yoga με ένα διαφορετικό και πρωτότυπο Masterclass, τo Co-Teach Yoga με την Άννα Ζώρζου, τον Τίνα Ζυμαράκη και την Αλεξάνδρα Σωτηροπούλου!
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/600679563277609/

Devis Ι: Stira & Sukha ~ Coteach with Mariasana ~ Backbending workshop.

 17:30-20:30 @ Art Tower
Join us for a wonderful, full spectrum practice as a means to heal, learn and have fun in the process!  Energizing backbends are the perfect antidote to the long months of winter. Prepare to sweat, laugh, learn and let go. Tension in the pelvis can be the main obstacle to these challenging asanas; as we release the hips and shoulders, the heart can soar. Learn how to incorporate the components to practice deeper backbends accessibly, intelligently and safely.

Για πρώτη φορά, η Τίνα Ζυμαράκη και η Μαρία Παπαδοπούλου «ενώνουν» τις διδασκαλίες τους σε ένα τρίωρο workshop!  Μια σύζευξη δύο διδασκαλιών, μια σύζευξη δύο ενεργειών: “Γη και αέρας”.  Σε έναν πανέμορφο χώρο στο κέντρο της Αθήνας με θέα την Ακρόπολη, θα … «απογειώσουν» την καρδιά σας, σε ένα εργαστήρι με μάντρα, πραναγιάμα, διαλογισμό, δυναμική άσανα και βαθιά χαλάρωση. Δουλεύοντας και υπενθυμίζοντας στο σώμα και το πνεύμα την απαραίτητη αίσθηση γείωσης στα ισχία που χρειάζεται να υπάρχει, θα βοηθήσουμε την καρδιά να ανοίξει, ελεύθερη από φόβο και περιορισμούς. Kόστος συμμετοχής: 15 ευρώ. Πληροφορίες – συμμετοχές: mariasanapap@gmail.com 6932217559.

Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/582815901736783/

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Seaside Cycling & Sunset Yoga.

Sunday, May 26th for Yoga sto Alsos

Meet up: 5:50pm with bicycles at Kallimarmaro Stadium, for those who wish to enjoy a ride down to the coast.  We will join with the southside yogis for a free outdoors yoga class by the sea at Alimos, 7:30pm.

Updates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/286599094696450/

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Practice~ Public class schedule, May~June 2013:

Δευτέρα:
21:00-22:00 ~ Open, Holmes Place Greece Marousi

Tρίτη:
9:30-10:30 ~ Open, Holmes Place Glyfada
18:00-20:00 ~ Mysore Ashtanga, the yoga room
20:00-21:00 ~ Open, Holmes Place Athens (N E W!)

Τετάρτη:
9:30-11 ~ Hatha, YOGAme
18:30-19:30 ~ Open, Holmes Place Glyfada

Πέμπτες:
20:00-21:30 ~ Vinyasa, the yoga room

Παρασκευές:
10-11:30 Led Ashtanga, YoGame
18:00-19:30 Vinyasa (N E W!), NYSY Studios

Springtime magic

Amazing springtime in Athens.  The seeds that have been hiding in their husks under the cold, hard ground have sprouted.  The blossoms are reaching for the sun and exuding their life-affirming essence, imbuing the entire city with fragrance and colors.

Now is the time to press “Restart” and give ourselves the chance to start, afresh.  To drop that which does not serve.  To look at our choices, and to what extent they allow us to live our fullest, most joyful lives.  To connect, to share, to support one another and grow together.

April is also the month for the Nine Days of the Goddess (from the new moon of the 11th until the 20th), called Navaratri.  It is great time for us to reconnect to our intuition, to hone our listening skills.  To honor and make time for the women in our lives.  To soften, to yield, to go with the current, instead of constantly fighting against it.

~ April 13-14th, Road trip!: ”Live Your Yoga Weekend”, Hatha Yoga Studio, Patra.  Inversions Workshop | The Myths and the Stories | The Heart of Backbending~ I am so excited to have the chance to travel to Patra’s only yoga studio, to share and connect with the community, there.  Enquire about special rates for out of town students: http://www.hathastudio.gr/content/live-your-yoga-weekend-tina-zymaraki

~April 18th, 20:00-21:30:

Namarupa | Navaratri: Vinyasa class dedicated to the Goddess in her many forms and names.  To open our hips, to hold our postures for a bit longer than strictly comfortable, to give ourselves permission to do less, allow more.  To surrender and yield a bit, to let go and trust.  @ the yoga room *.

~ April 25th is Hanuman Jayanthi: Celebration & class dedicated to Lord Hanuman for his birthday.

18:30-19:30: We will get together for a very special evening, with Michalis Mahatma Saraswati & friends.  Chanting of the Hanuman Chaleesa (hymn to the monkeygod:), Hanuman’s symbolism and stories.

19:30-21:00: Yoga class dedicated to Hanuman’s courageous leaps, on and off the mat, accompanied by live music.  The evening will conclude with a deep guided relaxation and healing sound from Tibetan healing bowls.  Πangea World Music Center *.

*: Require advance booking.

~ April 27th, 10:30-12:00:
Open Class, Yoga for All
Holmes Place Glyfada (Open to non-members, by preregistration 210 96.90.096).

Sunday April 28th, (time & location TBD).  Yoga sto Alsos returns!  Free Outdoors Yoga Class for All, somewhere beautiful.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Πού θα με βρείτε~Find me at:

Mondays:
21:00-22:00 ~ Open @ Holmes Place Marousi

Tuesdays:
9:30-10:30 ~ Open @ Holmes Place Glyfada
18:00-20:00 ~ Mysore Ashtanga @ the yoga room

Wednesdays:
9:30-11 ~ Hatha @ YoGame
21:00-22:00 ~ Open @ Holmes Place Marousi

Thursdays:
20:00-21:30 ~ Vinyasa @ the yoga room (N E W C L A S S!)

Fridays:
10-11:30 ~ Led Ashtanga @ YoGame
18:00-19:45 ~ Led Ashtanga Primary @ NYSY Studio

Namarupa I: The animal stories.

Sunday, March 31st: Join Tina for a hip, hot and holy yoga class dedicated to our fellow beings. ”The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” 

 

Namarupa I: Animal Stories

Οι αρχαίοι Ρίσι, (οι πρώτοι γιόγκι), στο μονοπάτι της αυτοπραγμάτωσης, αναζήτησαν την έμπνευσή τους για τις ασκήσεις της γιόγκα στη φύση γύρω τους. Κοίταξαν γύρω τους και μιμήθηκαν τα στοιχεία της φύσης και τα ζώα, που απολάμβαναν υγεία, ισορροπία, χαρά, δύναμη, αρμονία.

Ο στόχος της δίωρης πρακτικής μας είναι να βιώσουμε την αλληλοσύνδεση του κόσμου μας- μέσα κι έξω.
Οι μορφές διαρκώς αλλάζουν, το κέντρο παραμένει το ίδιο: μέσα από τη σύνδεση με την ανάσα θα εξερευνήσουμε τα κοινά στοιχεία, στις στάσεις και στις σχέσεις μας.

Η τάξη είναι δομημένη ώστε μαθητές όλων των επιπέδων να επωφεληθούν. Η πρακτική περιλαμβάνει: άσανα (σωματικές ασκήσεις), μουσική που μας απογειώνει, διαλογισμό, βαθιά χαλάρωση, και πρακτικούς τρόπους να ξεκινήσουμε την μεταμόρφωση, από τα έξω προς τα μέσα.

http://www.yogartpagrati.com/seminaria-ekdilosis/

March sweetness

Madhurāṣṭakam

Mahaprabhu Srimad Vallabha Acharya (1479-1531) is one of the greatest sage- philosophers of India.  He belonged to a Telugu family, was one of the foremost followers of Bhakti Marga and established his philosophy of Pushti Marga in North India during the 16th century.  According to him, the devotee does not see anything except God, everywhere.

॥ मधुराष्टकम् ॥	.. madhurāṣṭakam ..	Eight Stanzas on Sweetness
वल्लभ आचार्य	vallabha ācārya	Vallabha Acharya
अधरं मधुरं	adharaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) lips are sweet
वदनं मधुरं	vadanaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) face is sweet
नयनं मधुरं	nayanaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) eyes are sweet
हसितं मधुरम् ‌।	hasitaṁ madhuram .	(His) smile is sweet
हृदयं मधुरं	hṛdayaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) heart is sweet
गमनं मधुरं	gamanaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) gait (walk) is sweet
मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ‌॥ १ ॥	madhurādhipaterakhilaṁ madhuram .. 1 ..	Everything is sweet about the Lord of Sweetness
वचनं मधुरं	vacanaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) words are sweet
चरितं मधुरं	caritaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) character and deeds are sweet
वसनं मधुरं	vasanaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) dress (garment) is sweet
वलितं मधुरम्‌ ।	valitaṁ madhuram .	(His) posture is sweet
चलितं मधुरं	calitaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) movements are sweet
भ्रमितं मधुरं	bhramitaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) wandering is sweet
मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम्‌ ॥ २ ॥	madhurādhipaterakhilaṁ madhuram .. 2 ..	Everything is sweet about the Lord of Sweetness
वेणुर्मधुरो	veṇurmadhuro	(His) flute-playing is sweet
रेणुर्मधुरः	reṇurmadhuraḥ	(His) foot-dust is sweet
पाणिर्मधुरः	pāṇirmadhuraḥ	(His) hands are sweet
पादौ मधुरौ ।	pādau madhurau .	(His) feet are sweet
नृत्यं मधुरं	nṛtyaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) dancing is sweet
सख्यं मधुरं	sakhyaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) friendship (company) is sweet
मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम्‌ ॥ ३ ॥	madhurādhipaterakhilaṁ madhuram .. 3 ..	Everything is sweet about the Lord of Sweetness
गीतं मधुरं	gītaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) song is sweet
पीतं मधुरं	pītaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) drinking is sweet
भुक्तं मधुरं	bhuktaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) eating is sweet
सुप्तं मधुरम्‌ ।	suptaṁ madhuram .	(His) sleeping is sweet
रूपं मधुरं	rūpaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) beautiful form is sweet
तिलकं मधुरं	tilakaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) Tilaka (Sandalwood paste mark on the forehead) is sweet
मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ‌॥ ४ ॥	madhurādhipaterakhilaṁ madhuram .. 4 ..	Everything is sweet about the Lord of Sweetness
करणं मधुरं	karaṇaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) deeds are sweet
तरणं मधुरं	taraṇaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) conquest (liberating) is sweet
हरणं मधुरं	haraṇaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) stealing is sweet
रमणं मधुरम् ‌।	ramaṇaṁ madhuram .	(His) love-sports are sweet
वमितं मधुरं	vamitaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) oblations (offerings) are sweet
शमितं मधुरं	śamitaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) countenance is sweet
मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम्‌ ॥ ५ ॥	madhurādhipaterakhilaṁ madhuram .. 5 ..	Everything is sweet about the Lord of Sweetness
गुञ्जा मधुरा	guñjā madhurā	(His) gunja-berry necklace is sweet
माला मधुरा	mālā madhurā	(His) flower garland is sweet
यमुना मधुरा	yamunā madhurā	Yamuna river is sweet
वीची मधुरा ।	vīcī madhurā .	and sweet are Yamuna’s rippling waves
सलिलं मधुरं	salilaṁ madhuraṁ	Her water is sweet
कमलं मधुरं	kamalaṁ madhuraṁ	and sweet are the lotus flowers also
मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ‌॥ ६ ॥	madhurādhipaterakhilaṁ madhuram .. 6 ..	Everything is sweet about the Lord of Sweetness
गोपी मधुरा	gopī madhurā	(His) gopis (cowherd girl of Gopa) are sweet
लीला मधुरा	līlā madhurā	(His) frolickings are sweet
युक्तं मधुरं	yuktaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) union (meeting) is sweet
मुक्तं मधुरम् ‌।	muktaṁ madhuram .	(His) deliverance is sweet
दृष्टं मधुरं	dṛṣṭaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) sidelong glances are sweet
शिष्टं मधुरं	śiṣṭaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) etiquette is sweet
मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ‌॥ ७ ॥	madhurādhipaterakhilaṁ madhuram .. 7 ..	Everything is sweet about the Lord of Sweetness
गोपा मधुरा	gopā madhurā	(His) gopas (cowherd friends) are sweet
गावो मधुरा	gāvo madhurā	(His) cows are sweet
यष्टिर्मधुरा	yaṣṭirmadhurā	(His) cane (herding-stick) is sweet
सृष्टिर्मधुरा ।	sṛṣṭirmadhurā .	(His) creation is sweet
दलितं मधुरं	dalitaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) victory is sweet
फलितं मधुरं	phalitaṁ madhuraṁ	(His) accomplishment (fruition) is sweet
मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम्‌ ॥ ८ ॥	madhurādhipaterakhilaṁ madhuram .. 8 ..	Everything is sweet about the Lord of Sweetness

Listen: The inimitable MS Subulakshmi’s version

World Yoga Day, 24th February Athens fundraiser

Because what we do, matters:

On Sunday, 24th of February 2013, yoga teachers and schools around the world will donate their time and space to a two hour yoga session devoted to human rights.  Funds raised will benefit FIAN International, the first international human rights organisation to advocate for the realisation of the right to adequate food.

The class will be held from 11AM – 1PM sharp, local time in each time zone, which will lead to a 24-hour yoga marathon, around the world.  Devoting our thoughts and energy globally to the human rights issue will generate a powerful impact.

Students attending the event will donate whatever tuition they can afford.  All contributions are welcome, including students who can’t pay at all – the money is important to help victims of human right violation, but so is the spirit of community and sharing the experience.

Attendees will have the chance to enjoy teachings from several traditions- stay tuned as teachers confirm their contribution and support!  At the heart of any yoga style stands the union- we are following different paths up the same mountain, and as Vivekananda said, the view from the top is the same, regardless which path you follow.

Let’s show the world that we are giving, even in these times of difficulty. Join me in sending out a big YES by the yoga community that we care, that we are more than just easing our own way in the world.

We will join with fellow-practitioners worldwide in a wonderful, spirited celebration of yoga. Because we are the change we wish to see in the world.

When: Sunday, 24th February 2013, 11am-1pm.

Registration: By advance registration only.  To sign up, please send your name, how many persons, and whether a yoga mat will be required to: tinazym @ hotmail dot com, or text message 6955.670.455.

Where: Art Factory, Lamias 6

For more on the concept, and FIAN, please visit: http://www.world-yoga-day.org/cms/content/project-2013

May all beings everywhere be happy and free- and may the thoughts, words & actions of each of our own lives, contribute in some way, to that happiness and to that freedom for all beings.  Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu. 

Winter wonder

In the depth of winter, I finally learned
that within me
there lay an invincible summer.”
~  Albert Camus

May our greatest challenges be our teachers, and arm us with the integrity, strength and perseverance we will be called upon to claim, in order to grow, blossom and connect.

Every day finds me filled with gratitude, to have the chance to do what I do and spread the message of healing, wholeness and being-ness.

Winter 2013 schedule of public classes:

Mondays: 11:00 @ the yoga room, 21:00 @ Holmes Place Marousi

Tuesdays: 9:30 @ Holmes Place Glyfada, 18:00 @ the yoga room, 19:45  @ NYSY Studios

Wednesdays: 9:30 @ YoGame, 21:00 @ Holmes Place Marousi

Thursdays: 11:30 @ the yoga room

Fridays: 10 @ YoGame, 18:00 @ NYSY Studios

Special events: Saturday Satsang, full-spectrum practice including  chanting, breathwork, great tunes, flowing postures, philosophy and meditation: the last Saturday of the month @ the yoga room- January 26th, February 23rd; February 9th @ Holmes Place Glyfada at 10:00.

Co-teaching celebrations (details TBA): February 2nd @ Holmes Place Marousi, 13:00-15:00; February 17th @ Holmes Place Athens, 14:30-16:30.

Swadhisthana- Free Your Hips, and The Mind Will Follow!

“Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go.”         – Hermann Hesse.

As the year draws to a close and the holiday busy-ness peaks, many of us have a lot to let go of.  The hips are the body’s grand repository for many of our fears, frustrations and regrets.  Let go of what no longer serves, make space for growth.

Enjoy a full-spectrum class, focused on releasing the hips, with chant, asana and pranayama weaved into a strong flow, followed by a sweet restorative practice, and concluding with a yummy guided relaxation.  In honor of the approaching holiday week, Tina will be making her soon-famous vegan spiced chai, to accompany chocolate handmade treats.  Release, renew, rejoice.

Saturday, December 22nd, 5-7pm at the yoga room. Contact us for details.

abhyasa-vairagyabhyam tan-nirodhah
“The restriction of the [mind's] fluctuations
is achieved through practice and dispassion.”
-Translation: Judith Lasater