Joyfulness Is My Name

What if your mission on earth was to experience delight? Was there a time when you knew, without the shadow of a doubt, that was your true purpose? Look at a toddler's face as he walks on his own the very first time. Watch a baby gaze into her caregiver's eyes. Listen to your own quietened soul at the end of a yoga practice. On your guitar stool or your mat, at your easel or in your garden, on grass or beach or simply in your beloved's company: What if our purpose is to savor, and share, joy? Want to at least try that on for size, this summer?

Proverbs 22: "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." When we lift our own and others' spirits we are walking the divine path of the healer.

MY FIRE ISLAND PAGE

Fire Island: The July Sequel

Our June Fire Island retreat was such a delight, we were pressed to do one in July ~ and it is THIS weekend, July 17-19, Friday to Sunday.

Where else in New York can you buy: two nights in a Hamptons beach house, 6 lovingly prepared vegetarian meals, and 5 nature-infused Yoga classes, all for $375? Facebook albums in Links at end. My webpage, above. Details/registration at Om Factory's website below.

OM FACTORY

Day At Long Beach

Want joyful Yoga beach play, but can't take a whole weekend? Come spend Sunday, August 9 on Long Beach with me and Chris Loebsack as we celebrate community with two AcroYoga® classes, and lots of free beach play time! Classes will support both new and intermediate skills, so friends new to Acro can come taste its pleasures for the first time. We will also have ample challenge for more experienced Jedi's. Don't be shy! No partners required: we supply them!

Pre-register before Aug. 1 for $55; $65 after. Certified AcroYoga® teachers come as our guests! Travel/beach entry are separate. Bring or purchase a picnic lunch. Details and registration below.

LONG BEACH: SUNDAY 8/9

Pure, Yoga & Softball

A scrawny immigrant girl lives inside me, who cringes when the giant basketball, volleyball or softball looms, knowing I will once again disgrace my team and self, and get hurt too.

I talk to that girl, out on Field #3, as my Pure Yoga softball team "Breath of Fire" engages Equinox 53 St. and we are down 12-2 in opening innings. I feel my teammates' encouragement. Childhood demons howling, I breathe for Sattvic peace. Captain Jon supports each player. Marco gives sage advice. Remarkably, we win 15-14. The true victory: do we find abhyasa/vairagya, best efforts/surrendering the results? I believe we do this time. Each time will be new.

My friend, life coach Kim Curtain, praises Alan M. Webber's book "Rules of Thumb: 52 Truths for Winning at Business without Losing Yourself." She quotes Rule #1 for fearful situations: "When the Going Gets Tough, The Tough Relax." Can we relax and open into grace, peace, joy, in our ball games, yoga, & life? Try it, Mary. Try it!

Peace! Grace! Victory!

PURE YOGA

Please Forward; Privacy

As always I welcome responses and forwards to your friends. I do not share email addresses, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Om shanti! Joyful July.

Mary

MY WEBSITE

My Star

This man stole my heart in 1983, when I hopped on his motorbike and moved from Toronto to New York. We've acted together; we made a pretty cool dude together. This summer he's riveting, starring as The Engineer in "Miss Saigon" at Patchogue's Theater for the Performing Arts.

If you are in the South Fork before July 25, go enjoy this iconic pop opera for our times, helicopter and all.

Gateway Playhouse's "Miss Saigon"

ISHTA & Karma: Sweat & Samadhi July 21

On July 21 at 6:30, Sarah Platt-Finger teaches a two-hour "Sweat & Samadhi" workshop donating her fees to her sister's August 6 ride in the Pan-Mass Challenge, a 2-day 163-mile bike race to raise money for cancer research. For ride or donation info: www.pmc.org/ew0069

ISHTA YOGA

Acro In Central Park: Sat. Sept. 26

Save Saturday, Sept. 26 to come and share a fun day in Sheep Meadow with me and fellow AcroYoga® teacher Scott Spaminato!

Two open-level classes will introduce AcroYoga® to new friends, and challenge Jedis at their level. AcroYoga® teachers are our guests.

My Events Page

Photo Credits

In photos: Jillian Lange's glowing poi; Emily Conradson, me, Carey Urban and Jillian Lange on beach; June Fire Island students in Savasana and in meal photo; Denise Fahmie, Debby Shapiro, Lexi Zimmerman, Liz Scherbatskoy and me on dock; Raul Aranas onstage; Sarah Platt-Finger's headshot; July 2008 Fire Island students in beach circle; Scott Spampinato and Dieke Bikker in the Vondelpark; Matt Giordano, Lila Rubenstein and Amber Campion in Double Bird with Greg Franklin spotting; Greg Franklin, Lila and Carey in Twin Birds.

AcroYoga Site