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The Art of Time Travel (and How to Stop Doing it)

Jun 22, 2017

The Art of Time Travel (and How to Stop Doing it)

THE ART OF TIME TRAVEL (and How to Stop Doing it) Saturday, September 16th at 2-4pm at Namaste Yoga + Wellness | Grand Lake, Oakland CA Over time, we have perfected the art of time travel. Moment by moment, we recall and relive past memories and we project our wishes and worries into the future. This constant traveling leads us to feelings of unhappiness, unfulfillment, and sometimes ingratitude for what we currently have. It is for this reason that many traditions teach us t

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Aspects of Asana - Class Notes

May 29, 2017

Aspects of Asana - Class Notes

5 Weeks - Aspects of Asana Updated though 7/2/2017 Asana (or seat) is the third of the eight limbs of yoga as outlined by the sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra. Out of all of the 196 aphorisms in the Sutra, only three have to do with actual asana, understood by us to mean any yoga posture. According to the text, we will be successful in meditation by achieving a comfortable and stable meditation seat. Luckily, we have endless yoga postures to help to build the strength and

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Observing the Niyamas - Class Notes

May 29, 2017

Observing the Niyamas - Class Notes

Earlier this year, I taught an 5-week course on the second limb of yoga, the Niyamas, during my Yoga & Meditation class at Namaste and I'd like to share with you notes from the sessions as an introduction to the niyamas for curious seekers. Enjoy the journey! --- OBSERVING THE NIYAMAS The five Niyamas, sometimes referred to as the “yoga-dos”, make up the second of eight limbs of Classical Yoga (the Yamas being the first), outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra (2:40-45). Lik

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Exploration of the Yamas - Class Notes

Apr 27, 2017

Exploration of the Yamas - Class Notes

Earlier this year, I taught an 5-week course on the first limb of yoga, the Yamas, during my Yoga & Meditation class at Namaste and I'd like to share with you notes from the sessions as an introduction to the yamas for curious seekers. Enjoy the journey! --- EXPLORATION OF THE YAMAS Outlined in Chapter 2 of the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali (2:30-31, 2:35-39), the Yamas are the first of the eight limbs of Classical Yoga (also known as “Ashtanga” or “Raja” yoga [ashtanga meaning 8-l

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Notes, Nidra, and Kalamazoo! (March/April Newsletter)

Apr 1, 2017

Notes, Nidra, and Kalamazoo! (March/April Newsletter)

Notes, Nidra, and Kalamazoo! Every Monday, in Oakland, CA, I teach a class aptly called Yoga & Meditation. In this class we go through informal series on different concepts of yoga, like 5 weeks on the Prana Vayus (directional movements of energy), 8 weeks on the Chakra system, and the current series, 5 weeks on the Yamas. This class allows practitioners to delve deeper into their experience of yoga every week, discussing philosophy and integrating it into their practice, thu

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Journey Through the Chakras Class Notes

Mar 26, 2017

Journey Through the Chakras Class Notes

Earlier this year, I taught an 8-week course on Chakra system during my Monday night Yoga & Meditation class at Namaste Rockridge and I'd like to share with you notes from the sessions as an introduction to the chakras for curious seekers. Enjoy the journey! --- JOURNEY THROUGH THE CHAKRAS “Chakra” literally means “Wheel”. They are spinning vortexes composed of Prana (vital energy), Chitta (the storehouse of past and present impressions) [mind is in the chakra], and Tattwa (e

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Monthly Yoga Nidra | Namaste Rockridge

Oct 14, 2016

Monthly Yoga Nidra | Namaste Rockridge

Monthly Yoga Nidra with Jerry Givens1st Fridays 7:15-8:15pm at Namaste Rockridge Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) is the practice of conscious deep

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Awaken Your Creativity Workshop | Namaste Rockridge

Sep 30, 2016

Awaken Your Creativity Workshop | Namaste Rockridge

Awaken Your Creativity Workshop January 14th at 1-4pm at Namaste Rockridge Start your year off right by using your yoga practice to dive into your creative side! Train your mind to be more creative, learn the true source of creative blocks and how to overcome them, and discover the inherent connection between creativity and your yoga practice. Jerry walks you through creative theory through the lens of classical yoga and meditation, drawing real-world examples and practices a

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Choosing Compassion in Times of Suffering

Jul 25, 2016

Choosing Compassion in Times of Suffering

The last month has been fueled with acts of hate and violence happening all over the world. From deaths close to home, to attacks overseas, to military coups in Turkey, everyday we're faced with new examples of chaos and fear. Not to mention the growing uncertain political climate here in the United States. My gut reaction to the ever-growing bodycount and political unrest is to run and hide; pretending that it isn't real and live in my own limited reality of ignorance. But t

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New Oakland, CA Class! Starts May 2nd!

Apr 29, 2016

New Oakland, CA Class! Starts May 2nd!

I'm so excited to announce that I am now a regular teacher at Namaste Studios in the Bay Area. Starting May 2nd, join me for a weekly Monday night Vinyasa class at 7:30-9pm at the Rockridge, Oakland location. Open to all levels. I also often sub at the other Namaste locations (Berkeley, Grand Lake - Oakland), so keep an eye on their schedule for guest cameos :) See you on the mat! #yoga

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"The Difference Between Caution & Fear" (Article)

Apr 11, 2016

"The Difference Between Caution & Fear" (Article)

My article "The Difference Between Caution and Fear" is now live on YogaInternational.com. Check it out! #article #yoga #news #writing

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"How's it going?" Inviting Genuine Communication

Mar 8, 2016

"How's it going?" Inviting Genuine Communication

A common question asked on a daily basis is “How are you?” It could show up as “what’s up?” or “how’s it going”. Normally used as a quick greeting with little impulse, the base intention is to show other people that we care about their wellbeing. Asking is innocent enough, but this simple secondary salutation can be loaded question; one that you might not want to hear the answer to or truthfully answer. The problem comes with our go-to answers: “fine”, “good”, or (my personal

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"Now That I Know Better, I Do Better"

Jan 26, 2016

"Now That I Know Better, I Do Better"

"I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better." - Maya Angelou A simple statement by the late Maya Angelou that speaks volumes. Angelou was a formidable woman, who strove to better herself and evolve in each moment. This quote has inspired countless seekers to live their truths and expand beyond the limitations of their past knowledge. Earlier today, a friend sent me this quote and I was taken back to my second yoga teacher training when one of my tea

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The Practice of Generosity in Trust

Nov 30, 2015

The Practice of Generosity in Trust

As I move through the world, I keep an eye out for things that remind me of truth. Truth about myself. Truth about my relationships. Truth about others' perspectives. Basically anything that will help me garner just a hint more objective awareness in my life. Two weeks ago, a new talk by Brené Brown popped up on my Facebook newsfeed. You may have seen or read some of her work before, primarily her TED Talk on Vulnerability. This talk was on the "Anatomy of Trust", where she d

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"Don't Take It Personally: A Practice of Non-Violence" (Article) on Yoga International

Oct 23, 2015

"Don't Take It Personally: A Practice of Non-Violence" (Article) on Yoga International

My new article, "Don't Take It Personally: A Practice of Non-Violence" is now published on Yoga International. Check it out! #Blog #news #article #yoga #writing

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"Discomfort vs. Danger" (Article) on Elephant Journal

Oct 23, 2015

"Discomfort vs. Danger" (Article) on Elephant Journal

Hello loves, I am SO EXCITED!! My recent article, Discomfort vs. Danger is published on Elephant Journal! Check it out and share with every person that you've ever known!!! Much love! #news #Blog #article #yoga #writing

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