Dina Amsterdam -
ASANA:yin and yang ~ water and fire: cultivating spacious loving awareness in yoga asana during passive and active practice (moderate)
Experience the water and the fire of your being as you align with essence - your innate goodness - and explore the gifts of Big Sky awareness. This class will be an opportunity to dive deep within through yin and yang yoga and infuse you body-mind with prana. The yin portion, also known as Taoist yoga, will include long held passive poses that open the energy rivers of the body and deeply moisten and nourish the connective tissue. The yang portion will be slow yet challenging and comprised of flowing sequences that build muscular strength and vitality as well as proper alignment

HIKE: Delighting in Silence, Drinking in nature: (all levels)
In this session we will connect into our essence within the sacred sanctuary of nature. A silent hike will bring us closer to ourselves and the beauty and energy of our environment. When we arrive at our destination we will use a combination of qigong, yoga, and silent exploration to feel our communion with the pranic deliciousness that both surrounds and lives within us. A silent hike on the return will bring integration as we absorb the blessings that we've both gathered and given.

Katchie Ananda
ASANA: Embodying our Values in Asana: Anusara Vinyasa style (moderate).
We pay attention in our daily life to how we live. Yoga is about unity, patience, love. So often in our society Yoga is divorced from daily life. We just go to class to get in shape, not to think about how we live, or the food we eat. Yoga can be a place to reflect our values, to become more mindful, more awake. We do not need to use things in our lives, but rather be in service to life.

Kathryn Arnold
PLENARY: Beyond Personal Transformation to Transforming the World According to the recently released United Nations Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Synthesis Report, ?Over the past 50 years humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any other comparable period of time in human history largely to meet rapidly growing demands for food, fresh water, timber, fiber, and fuel. This has resulted in a substantial and largely irreversible loss in the diversity of life on earth.? If yoga teaches us that we are not separate from other beings, doesn?t that mean we should be doing something about the loss of diversity of life? In this session we will explore the teachings of Buddha and Patanjali and how they inspire us to take action.

Bob Bruce
ASANA:Connection - How do you connect with your environment at this moment? (gentle)
In this spirit led yoga practice, explore your responses to yourself in environment; how might you respond off the mat?

Scott Blossom, DOM
ASANA:Integrating Yoga and Ayurveda for honoring the fall season The great yogi and teacher Krishnamacarya, an adept in both Yoga and Ayurveda, taught that one important factor to consider in our sadhana is time or "kala." During the fall season, the weather becomes cool and dry, trees begin to drop their leaves. Nature begins to pull her energies inward in preparation for the winter. From the Ayurvedic viewpoint the qualities of this season are characteristic of the Vata dosha. At this time of year everyone can benefit by paying special attention to cultivating a Vata balancing regimen. It is from this perspective that this workshop on fall yoga practices, Ayurvedic lifestyle and herbal recommendations stems.

Megha - Nancy Buttenheim
ASANA: Moon Salutation: Chandra Namaskar (all levels)
This class is devoted to Gaia in the form of Kripalu Yoga. Moon Salutation arose when a group of resident yoginis living as ashram residents at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health decided we needed a salutation devoted to the moon-something that was quieter and gentler. Chandra Namaskar was born. Expect a deeply relaxing, nurturing Kripalu Yoga session, complete with hip openers, flowing warm ups, and asanas leading to the Salutation to the Moon. The class will also include pranayama techniques, deep relaxation, anapana and metta meditation.

ASANA: Grace in Motion (r): Moving Yoga: (gentle and moderate) Grace in Motion (r) is a yogadance event to create sacred space designed for everyone. It is an inquiry into the nature of grace through absolute compassion, care, tenderness, and love for our bodies. Our bodies are our earth; grace happens when we live in acceptance of the body, no matter what size, age, gender, or ability. Accompanied by poignant, beautiful music, we will dance our yoga with rhythmical asanas, we will explore dance prayer to the earth, we will experience the merging of Hearts and Souls in a sculptured yoga movement piece by giving and receiving support to and from one another.

Christopher Key Chapple
PLENARY: Yoga and the Elements: Connecting Ecology, Self and Place Yoga configures the manifest world through a conceptual framework that describes three pervasive moods or qualities (gunas) of lightness, activity, and lethargy. These three issue forth the mind, the senses, the body, and the five great elements of earth, water, fire, air and space. In this session we will imaginatively engage these great powers, experiencing the intimate connection revealed through Yoga between self and world.

Gillian Kapteyn Comstock
ASANA: Quantum Community Yoga: Yoga as a path for ecological and quantum consciousness (moderate) We immerse ourselves in the alchemy of yoga, creative process, and community energy in a call for quantum consciousness. In response to the perils of ecological crisis, we stir the sleeping parts of ourselves to another octave of awareness, thus engaging in the innately brilliant creativity of cosmos and nature. ~ Experience the interplay of circle dynamics with asana ~ Sense the holistic perception of drishti ~ Warm the communal heart with breathing, sounding, and toning ~ Participate in the creation of a mandala ~ Let go of ego mind in a meditation of interbeing ~ Generate the energy of luminous prayer for all beings everywhere

Russell Comstock
ASANA:Yoga Union of Body and Earth: A Journey Through the Elements Explore the parallels between our bodies and the Earth body from an ecological and yogic perspective. Awaken your elemental sensitivity and expand your understanding of the unity of body, mind, spirit and Earth. This class includes: o Pranayama to open the channels of the body. o An asana sequence linking the postures, elements, chakras, and bija mantras. o A guided Inquiry process around the question: "How does this sequence of practices connect my body to the body of Earth? o Self-discovery through drawing and writing. o An opportunity for sharing our insights

Laura Cornell
PLENARY: Listening to the Voice of the Earth in Building a Green Yoga for the Future The same prana (life force) that flows through our bodies animates every aspect of the Earth and Cosmos. Today it has become essential that we learn to listen to this life force so that we may heal our relationship with the Earth. Laura will share some of her experiences with this deep listening, and with the insights into Green Yoga it has given her.

Michael Crooke
PLENARY: Ecology and Good Business Practice. Michael will speak about the history of Patagonia and his unique philosophies on business. One topic of the presentation is, ?What if we approached the business environment as an ecosystem??

Pat Daniel (Tanuja)
LECTURE: Yoga Ethics for the Earth: Yamas and Niyamas applied to our relationship with the earth (gentle) The ethical foundation of yoga is found in the practice of yamas and niyamas, the first two aspects of the yogic eight-fold path. Principles such as non-violence, moderation, contentment and devotion help to guide our attitudes and behavior, and enhance the practice of hatha yoga and meditation. This workshop will focus on the application of yamas and niyamas to our green yoga practice. Using discussion, walking meditation and experiential practice, we will explore how the yogic restraints and observances can help to foster consciousness, reverence and action toward the natural world.

Nicki Doane & Eddie Modestini
ASANA: Introduction to Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga (all levels) Ashtanga yoga is a beautiful graceful dynamic practice and is actually accessible to all people when taught appropriately. In this session we will introduce the series in a safe clear manner with plenty of instruction. Ashtanga yoga utilizes several internal practices namely the breath, bandhas( internal energetic locks), and drishti( gazing points) to focus the mind. Since this will be an introduction to the series, we will not be completing the entire primary series. This will be a really fun, strong class that will get your blood flowing and put a smile on your face! All levels welcome. No injuries, please.

ASANA: Do I Really Need to Open my hips to do Yoga? YES! (all levels) The safest way to advance in yoga postures is to open the hips without breaking your knees or your back. In this class we will use standing poses and seated hip openers to do this. This is a class for everyone and one that everyone needs! All are welcome, but please no serious injuries!

Karl Erb
PRANAYAMA: Pranayama as Offering - 5 Elements Meditation (All levels) Essential Principles of Pranayama practiced in context of guided 5 elements meditation. The 5 Elements meditation reveals the intrinsic interconnectedness of the human being and the surrounding ecology. In Pranayama understand and practice Ashtanga Yoga, the Eight Branches. Reveal the essential nature of the Self in the context of the natural world around us. Uncover the tuest nature of the heart through sensory awareness of surrounding life and energy. Uncover a true experience of knowing and feeling that we are not separate from the natural world. How then does this experience and knowledge inspire action? Practice Essential Principles of Breath, Energy, Action & Thought (BEAT™).

DISCUSSION: Ecology, Action and the Bhagavad-Gita: Ecological teachings in the Gita, Ecology as Understanding and inspiration for our actions. (all levels) Ecology of Action. How does the Bhagavad-Gita reveal the understanding necessary for ecological thinking and thus sound action? What role does individual action play in social responsibility? What motivates us to act, and how do we respond to the results of our action, to our ideals met or unmet? How does ecological understanding and inspired action reveal the true nature of the Self? How do the values we act upon reveal the Self or hide the essential nature of the Self and Heart. Through chanting of the Gita, inquiry and understanding reveal how actions may trap us or enlighten us, perpetuate confusion and harm around us or liberate us.

Greensufi
DISCUSSION: Yoga in America: What is the next stage of our development?: Talk, Discussion, Question & Answer (all levels) Yoga In America: Where have we come from? Where are we going? What are we looking for? Is there something that we are not paying attention to? What is the next step? How can we experientially deepen our connection to Planet Earth? Let us discuss these questions in the setting of the sacred Redwood Grove Amphitheater of Pema Osel Ling Monastery.

David Haberman
PLENARY: The Path of Devotional Yoga: Loving Service to Rivers and More This presentation will present central devotional philosophical ideas -- expressed primarily in the Bhagavad-Gita -- that are relevant to ecological concerns. Based on these ideas and ethnographic research with river activists in India, we will explore Hindu resources for regarding environmental activism as a practice of devotional yoga, understood specifically as seva ("loving service") to natural embodied forms of divinity.

Clayton Horton
ASANA: Inner Sunrise: Sunrise Meditation & light Asana & Pranayama & Chanting (gentle) Since time immemorial, yogis, fakirs, monks, shamen and the like have awoken before dawn to practice at this sacred and sattvic time of day. Honoring, witnessing and absorbing the quality of the atmosphere at sunrise has a profound and subtle effect on the endocrine, cellular, and nervous systems of the body. Getting in tune with the diurnal patterns of the planet is an essential element when walking the path of natural harmony. Find value in establishing a pattern of starting your day in an upright way. This workshop will include meditation, light asana & gentle Pranayama & Chanting.

Denise Kaufman
ASANA: Yin Yoga Slow Deep Stretch Class. Yin Yoga particularly targets the connective tissue of the hips, pelvis and lower spine. By relaxing and releasing into floor poses which leverage the joints open in various ranges of motion we can open new flexibilities and release energy blocks. Denise considers her class to be a community of spiritual friends who gather to open and stretch together in a safe, supportive and soulful environment. Patanjali's Yoga Sutras describing asanas guide the space and intention of Denise's classes: Sutra II.46,47: "Asana is that which is stable and comfortable. Asana (becomes stable and comfortable) owing to the release/ relaxation of effort and merging with the infinite."

Sally Kempton
PLENARY: Practical Enlightenment: Making Oneness Real for Ourselves. There is a moment when our understanding of oneness stops being intellectual and becomes a deeply felt experience. Through their practice, great beings of the eastern traditions discovered that we are not just interconnected, but part of a single web of consciousness that is intrinsically divine. This presentation, filled with examples and stories, explores the radical oneness described in the tantric traditions, and offers practices for making this awareness a practical, experienced reality.

David Lurey
ASANA: Embracing the Natural Elements in Asana Practice (moderate) Explore our inherent connection to the natural world played out through a Vinyasa Flow class. We will find our roots in the Earth, embrace and be embraced by Air, find fluidity like Water in our flow, and cultivate inner Fire as we dance through a sequence of postures and open our bodies to nature. The class will be open to all levels, and some experience with flow style yoga is requested, but not necessary. Be prepared to move at pace that will build some heat in the body as well as open and explore hips, shoulders, and the lower back.

Hasita Nadai
EXPERIENTIAL WORKSHOP: YogaGaia (mixed) The task of Yogagaia is to heal us from our cultural disorientation with respect to the planet, and to guide us toward a new paradigm; the movement is from anthropocentric to ecocentric. The Yogagaia is a process consisting of asanas, language, music, dance and silence that has the intention to lead us from expanding our body awareness toward a Kosmic and planetary awareness. In the practice, we honor the myth of the sacred journey, and co-create with the universe an Ecozoic era. This is the ultimate fulfillment of the human species' true nature. We will include time for Q&A/discussion.

Vijaya Nagarajan
PLENARY: Ritual Arts, Yoga and Embedded Ecologies?The Kolam in India Vijaya will explore the notion of kolam as a woman?s kind of yoga. The kolam are the intricate and beautiful rice flour patterns drawn daily before dawn by millions of Tamil women on the thresholds of homes, temples and workplaces in Southern India. The kolam expresses Tamil women?s understanding of ritual, gender and ecology and draws parallels with our normative understanding of yoga.

Tracie Sage
ASANA: Yoga, Meditation and Nature: Relaxing into the Divine Embrace-Moderate
Enter a meditative experience to connect deeply with nature, allow yourself to be held in her energetic embrace. As we move into asana, we will focus on our back bodies and continue opening and freeing energy within us and resting into the support around us. By giving ourselves a few minutes of being fully present in nature, we nourish our nervous systems, restore vitality and replenish our souls. By tuning into the greater pulse of life that both surrounds us and flows through us, we allow ourselves to receive the Divine embrace.

ASANA: Yoga, Herbs and Nutrition for Women: Honoring Our Cycles, Honoring Ourselves-Moderate This is an opportunity to explore a holistic approach to enhancing health and vitality for women of all ages and cycles of life. Practice yoga sequences that tone and stimulate the endocrine and reproductive systems. Learn about herbs, nutrition and lifestyle choices as means to restore and replenish your system as well as to prevent and correct PMS and other reproductive imbalances. Includes a Lifecycle Circle with handout discussion, asana practice, and a Sharing Circle.

Jenny Sauer-Klein
ASANA: AcroYoga (Partner Yoga + Acrobatics): Co-Creating in Nature's Playground (moderate) Commune with your fellow human beings as we celebrate our physical form in relation to the earth. Begin with a meditation seated in a circle, using the breath to gradually initiate a series of connected movements. Expand awareness and invite support through a playful and adventurous partner yoga flow. Here we use mutually beneficial poses to stretch and open the body, while assisted inversions and weight sharing poses increase strength and balance. Safely explore trust and surrender, 'flying' with skyward buoyancy. We will re-visit playing "airplane" from childhood, drawing upon our courage to experience weightlessness once again. No partner necessary!

Rusty Wells
ASANA: The Heart of Flow: Freestyle Vinyasa wrapped in Love and Devotion: Vigorous This practice will fuse together elements from Sivananda, Bikram and Ashtanga yoga, all wrapped in Love and Devotion. We will open and close with chanting, as this takes us out of our heads, to awaken the heart-opening process that evolves within each class. Taught in flow form, in a heated room, it can prove challenging for students at any level. Strong emphasis is placed on deep rhythmic breathing. Most classes begin with pranayama in order to "ignite the fire." Feel free to bring a towel, water and a very open mind!