Monthly Archives: June 2011

A Mid-Summer’s Yoga Day

A Mid-Summer’s Yoga Day

 

Join me on Sunday August 7th  2011 for a Mid-Summer’s Yoga Day.

Casa de Maria

 

August is the hottest month.   La Casa de Maria is situated on a verdant hillside, with gentle ocean breezes caressing the air.  Join me for a cooling day at  this beautiful spiritual venue.  Our theme is the Practice of Mindfulness. Mindfulness is a revolution sweeping our land, and for that we can be grateful. The practice enhances everything we do, our jobs, our relationships, our entertainment and our pleasures. Buddha first taught this practice. Mindfulness creates a portal to contentment and happiness.  We learn to welcome each moment of our lives.  Come and be enriched on this gentle cooling yoga day. While gardening, cooking,  sitting at the computer or any activity that we do, Mindfulness  sharpens our capacity to be Present.

Our home for the day will be  the cool stone of the Terrace Room. We have available the pool, shady spots in Garden of Peace to be still or to journal. Our yoga and meditations will be oriented to being cool and awake.

Overview of the day: Yoga practice in the morning – no, not really challenging yoga, just the kind that takes you into your own silence, and allows your body to feel more open and free.  We talk about mindful living, honing down to the smallest details of what it means to fully present in the moment. We practice seated meditation.

Buffet style lunch of fresh salads and healing foods at the now famous Casa kitchen.  Optional swimming or journalling  during the lunch break.

In the afternoon we  take a Meditative  Chakra walk on the grounds, return to our cool Terrace Room for a talking circle and deepen our practice of Mindfulness.

Our day ends with a deep restorative yoga practice.

Go home relaxed, refreshed, renewed and more Present in your Life.

Yoga days almost always sell out, so don’t miss out.  Sign up now and benefit from the early bird price.

Cost: $ 108.   Get the early bird $98 by signing up before July 24th

Living Deeply Yoga Day
Living Deeply Yoga Day
Saturday November 5th. 9am - 4 pm. at La Casa De Maria, Santa Barbara "Early Bird" $98 before October 24th. After that $108 Sign up Now!
Available Qty: 16

Items in Your Cart

Your cart is empty
Visit The Shop

(If you want a massage on this day: Please call La Casa 805 9695031 when you arrive on site to schedule a masseuse between noon and 2 pm, or after the retreat which finishes at  4 pm. They will only take bookings at the office and you will need to pay beforehand by check or cash)


 

Food Glorious Raw Food!

Food Glorious Raw Food!

What are you Grateful for? Imagine being asked that by your server, as you sit down for a celebratory meal in a carefully chosen eatery!  We are celebrating Simone’s graduation from Berkeley University. We dine early to  allow time to walk to the ceremony.  At  4.30 in the afternoon,the place is well filled with a mother and toddler, several  groups of students, and our rather over-dressed party of four.  All the food is live, organic and vegan.  All that can possibly be locally grown is. I love all of that.
Oh what to chose, I want it all!  Raw or cooked? The menu reflects this primary decision by its lay-out, cooked on one side, and raw on the other.  Dishes have surprising names:

  • I am Cheerful, burgers made with sunflower seeds,
  • I am Sensational, a pesto pizza
  • I am Whole, a bowl of shredded kale and quinoa.

I settle for the I am Hopeful, a raw version of Pad Thai. It is truly heavenly!  Glancing around at the open kitchen, I watch the staff  mindfully pile up the plates, everyone  calm and focused. They have been hired for their willingness to prepare all the food with love and consciousness.     A thousand things spring to mind to be grateful for.  Just being here first of all, with dear ones, and, now, about to select from the most seductive  dessert menu a yogini could imagine.  No sugar or flour or dairy is used at all!  I am grateful for that. We share the I am Rapture, the strawberry shortcake and the I am Magnificent, the raw chocolate mouse.  Both dishes live up to their naming and are a most fitting crescendo to a symphonic meal of sheer delight.

As I check my make-up in the tiny bathroom, I look straight into the provocative question posted just above the mirror: “Do you know how beautiful you are?”  I take a deep breath and a moment of stillness, to allow that one in.  Yes, I am, and I am very grateful.

PS: Great news! Cafe Gratitude is now also in L.A.  Check it out!