seva journal

Friday, March 22nd

“I can’t meditate.”
“I can’t shut my brain down.”
“I can’t sleep.”
“I’m too anxious.”
“I can’t sit like that!”

Do any of these sound familiar? Then this workshop is for you.

Sheri Beth Schafer of My Peaceful Mind and The Healing Spa at Schafer Chiropractic created the “Meditation for the Non-Meditator” classes for people just like you.

With 30 years of meditation experience and several months of training with Dr Deepak Chopra, Chopra Center Certified Instructor, Sheri Beth is here to shed some light on the mysteries of meditation.

A Journey through the Koshas: Yoga Nidra and the Nervous System
Saturday, March 23rd, from 7-8:30pm

Yoga Nidra is an ancient practice that means ‘yogic sleep.’ It is a guided meditation and visualization that brings participants to a place where they are neither fully asleep nor fully awake but in a state where the conscious mind is deeply relaxed. This systematic journey guides you through the various levels of being called the koshas. These include the physical, energetic, mental, emotional, and spiritual layers of the self, making this practice healing to the whole being.

Relaxation and stimulation are governed by the autonomic nervous system. Yoga Nidra induces the relaxation response, our body’s own healing state where restoration occurs after stress and perceived threat. Yoga Nidra has the power to transform core negative beliefs and habitual thought patterns that send our brain into the fight or flight response. It improves not only our outlook but our health, happiness and state of peace.

Join Jessica for a relaxing and rejuvenating evening of the ancient practice of Yoga Nidra. Minimize stress, increase clarity and ignite the innate healing resources within you.

$25 at the door

Are you a Yoga Nerd? Then this workshop series is for YOU -

Take your practice to the next level with the support of one another in this advanced practice group. Each session we’ll take a path and explore backbends, inversions, arm balances with modifications to help you grow + succeed. Along the way develop strength and flexibility required to do the poses. The love of yoga + the art pose is the entry point for our study. This is the place for practice, exploring fire it up.

Teachers + experienced students who have been studying yoga at least 6 months or permission of the Instructor.

dates : SUN 2/24, SAT 3/9, SUN 4/7 SUN 5/5 SUN 6/9
time : 2:30-4:45pm

Register online:

Saturday and Sunday Feb 16th and 17th, 12pm – 5pm

“Ayur” means life and “Veda” means knowledge. In this class we will lay the
groundwork to understanding this ancient art and science and see how it truly is
the “sister” to yoga. Ayurveda offers lifestyle and dietary techniques to promote
health and harmony to our physiology.

In this class we will learn how this exquisite practice treats each unique individual
through an awareness of the mahabuthas-or 5 elements as they exist in each of us.
We will discuss a modern approach to living our yoga to cultivate radiant
and vibrant health. We will learn the basics of healing at home through food and
spice medicines & harmonizing the rhythm of our day with nature’s rhythms.

Each day will also include a hatha yoga flow that weaves the energy of
Ayurvedic teachings. Our practice will include breath work, meditation and deep
relaxation.
Our practices will help to integrate all we have learned, and move us to the next
level of our own health and wellness.

February 16 & 17 12p – 5p

Cost:

Friday, February 15th 7:30pm – 9:30pm

Love is in the air at Seva! Join us for an intimate evening of partner massage. Both offering and receiving a sequence of massage and deep supported stretch, the body becomes a more open vessel through which love, light and peace can flow.

Brooke will guide couples through Thai massage techniques performed on the floor wearing loose, comfortable clothing.
We’ll cap the the evening off with a sparkling toast and chocolate morsel.

A Journey through the Koshas: Yoga Nidra and the Nervous System
Saturday, January 26th, from 7-8:30pm

Yoga Nidra is an ancient practice that means ‘yogic sleep.’ It is a guided meditation and visualization that brings participants to a place where they are neither fully asleep nor fully awake but in a state where the conscious mind is deeply relaxed. This systematic journey guides you through the various levels of being called the koshas. These include the physical, energetic, mental, emotional, and spiritual layers of the self, making this practice healing to the whole being.

Relaxation and stimulation are governed by the autonomic nervous system. Yoga Nidra induces the relaxation response, our body’s own healing state where restoration occurs after stress and perceived threat. Yoga Nidra has the power to transform core negative beliefs and habitual thought patterns that send our brain into the fight or flight response. It improves not only our outlook but our health, happiness and state of peace.

Join Jessica for a relaxing and rejuvenating evening of the ancient practice of Yoga Nidra. Minimize stress, increase clarity and ignite the innate healing resources within you.

Sold out

A Quiet Practice: Yin Yoga
Saturday, January 12th from 3-5pm

Join Jessica for a 2-hour extended practice of Yin Yoga and discover the benefits of being still. During a yin yoga practice, participants will hold passive floor postures for longer periods of time while softening the muscles and focusing on the breath.

Poses are chosen to stimulate the connective tissues and direct chi energy, bringing health and vitality to the entire body. Yin Yoga promotes stress relief, relaxation and healthy joints. Yin Yoga also supports deeper states of meditation as we bring our attention to the physical body and all the accompanying sensations that arise. Take some time out to nourish yourself and discover how a yin yoga practice can supplement and harmonize a more vigorous yoga practice, activity or busy lifestyle.

At the door: $30

NOVEMBER 14 – GIRISH Returns to Seva!

Join us in the Wednesday Vinyasa class for this fantastic opportunity to practice to the music of Girish! This will be his third time at Seva, and each one has been a fantastic and truly memorable experience.

Sorry, this class is full!

Hear some examples at http://www.girishmusic.com/

Exploring Truth -
Living Your Yoga with Susan McFarland

“There is no enlightenment outside of daily life,” according to Thich Nhat Hanh. Yoga is a practical way to experience everyday spirituality, become more mindful and nourish mind, body and spirit. If you would like an opportunity to explore the spiritual aspects of a solid practice, this Exploring Truth discussion group could be for you. Designed for beginning yoga students as well as experienced yogis!

This informal and thought-provoking discussion group begins on Tuesday, October 16th. It will meet from 12-1:15pm on Tuesdays for 5 weeks at Seva Yoga. (The Yoga 101 class is offered from 10:30am-11:30am;suggested but not required.) Articles from various sources will be provided and used as a catalyst for discussion. Limited to only 7 women so register today. There is no fee for this group but participants will be encouraged to make a collective donation to a local charity, chosen by group members.

To receive additional information or to register, email susan@susanmcfarland.com

If you have never tried making your own veggie burgers, this recipe is a good way to start. My mother created it because she’s in love with a similar burger at Marie Catrib’s. I like it because sweet potatoes and quinoa are two of my favorite foods. People consider quinoa a grain because it cooks like rice, but it is a seed cultivated in mountainous places like Bolivia and Peru. Some people, like me, find it easier to prepare than rice because it doesn’t need to be timed and covered to cook properly. Quinoa is tasty when cooked perfectly or if left on until well done and a bit brothy!

Quinoa is high in the amino acid lysine which is a big win for the protein requirements of vegetarians and vegans. If you haven’t tried quinoa and are an athlete, I definitely recommend it. Acquaint yourself with quinoa by trying this recipe!

Sweet Potato Quinoa Burgers

• 2 large baked sweet potatoes cooled
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1/2 cup to 1 cup bread crumbs (we use 1/2 loaf of gluten-free Sami’s Millet and Flax Bread dried)
• 2 stalks celery chopped
• 2 carrots chopped
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 2 tablespoon vegetable oil of your choice, a nice cold-pressed oil appropriate for higher temperatures

1. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and lightly oil. Move an oven rack to the top and preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Saute onions, carrots, celery, with olive oil until onions are starting to caramelize. Cool mixture until safe to put in the food processor. Set aside.

3. Place cooked sweet potatoes in a big bowl and mash with a potato masher. Mix in onion mixture and quinoa until blended. Slowly start adding bread crumbs and until the mixture is pliable. When you can scoop a nice ball with a ice cream scoop and it stays in form you’ll know you’ve added enough crumbs. Place burger balls on your prepared cookie sheet. Once you have measured out all of your burger balls, take an oiled fork and flatten twice making a cute criss cross. Spray or dab a light coat of oil on top of each burger.

4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes depending on how crunchy you would like the burgers. You might leave them in for 5 more minutes if you like them crunchy!

Have fun experimenting with quinoa. Enjoy!

-Nicole