Shree Yoga opened its doors on July 10, 2009.
A decade later It is with great gratitude they celebrate this milestone.
Shree’s July newsletter astutely notes that “more and more, corporate culture has crept into each corner of our society, and this includes yoga studios. There are yoga studio chains, stiff corporate models of operation, online teachings, and so many impersonal methods of ‘delivering the product of yoga.’ Small independent studios seldom last more than a few years. At Shree, we only teach weekly yoga classes, and provide occasional workshops to help each other grow as yogis, and as humans.”
Clearly Shree rejects this corporate model and aspires to keep things centered on the practice; a spiritual mind/body connection that is wholistic and based on the ancient, tried and true legacy of Yoga.
Celebrating their commitment to the community and the community’s continued support of Shree Yoga Taos – the studio has been awarded Best of Taos for several years – the studio offered a Free Yoga class on Taos Plaza for the Summer Solstice, on International Yoga Day (which was proclaimed Shree Yoga Day in Taos, by the Town.)
Approximately 60 people participated in this event taught by Shree founders Suki Dalury and Genevieve Oswald, with music spun by DJ Julia Day. Clearly Shree’s message resonates and the studio is here to stay!
Continuing their celebration all through July, on their actual anniversary weekend, all regular classes are cancelled, and replaced with a weekend of FREE classes, taught by a great team of Shree teachers. The schedule is below. All classes are FREE. Bring your friends and families. Friday July 12-Sunday July 14. Second, discounts. All drop-ins are $1 off, and all passes are about 10% off through the entire month.
And don’t forget to “Bring Your Heart.”
Keeping in mind that Shree’s emphasis on going deeper in one’s Yoga practice hopefully carries into the rest of our lives, the studio is also tapping into the pulse of the Zeitgeist, with a weekend of workshops entitled:Healing the Heart of America’s Racial Karma.
One cannot tell America’s story without talking about Slavery.
Slavery in the United States was the legal institution of human enslavement, primarily of Africans that existed in America in the 18th and 19th centuries. Slavery had been practiced in America from early colonial days, and was legal in all the original Thirteen Colonies at the time of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
It lasted in about half the states until 1865, when it was prohibited nationally by the Thirteenth Amendment. As an economic system, slavery was largely replaced by sharecropping and convict leasing, a practice that continued in parts of the South into modern times.
But America’s story is also one of great social advancement: Beginning with the Abolitionists who fought to outlaw slavery, to the Suffragettes championing women’s right to vote, to the Civil Rights activists who denounced segregation and institutionalized white supremacy, to the early Feminists as well as proponents of the current Women’s Movement and Gay Rights.
Demanding equality for all, for generations, ordinary people from all creeds and walks of life, have risen up to fulfill the promise of this nation. Over the course of America’s history, these activists have sounded the clarion call to heed the nation’s deepest values.
Kamala Harris brought Race up front and center during the recent Democratic Debates while yet another woman sounding this alarm at this moment in time, runs the risk of being both ostracised and ridiculed, and although her considerable experience is not in Policy, it is in People and most importantly, in matters of Healing the Heart.
All the jokes about Marianne Williamson’s spirituality ignore the fact that she has some very progressive ideas. She supports reparations for the African-American descendents of Slaves and is a vocal proponent of the Green New Deal. During the Democratic debates, Williamson was the only candidate who mentioned that American’s foreign policy in Latin America over the past few decades has contributed to the horrific, inhumane situation at the border.
While it’s unlikely that Williamson could beat Trump and win the Election, we’d be foolish to treat Williamson as a joke. Williamson’s aknowledgement of America’s Racial Karma puts her on the right side of History whether she becomes the first woman President of the U.S.A. or not!
A Weekend in Taos: America’s Racial Karma Series, happens at Shree Yoga Taos during the last weekend of July, when Sr. Dharma Teacher Dr. Larry Ward will give a series of talks and meditations on America’s Racial Karma- a unique spiritual perspective on race and justice in America.
Larry is one of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s senior, non-monastic dharma teachers who for over 50 yrs (like Marianne Williamson), has been involved in peace making missions, healing, transformation, organizational change and community development around the world.
Shree will also host a special event on Saturday night of R+R+R (Restorative Yoga, Reiki and Really Sweet Singing) where Shree Yoga Taos’ co-owner Suki Dalury will guide you in restorative yoga poses, while she, Reiki Master Kim Fleisher and other surprise guests offer Reiki treatment. Reiki is an alternative energy healing practice and originates from Japan. Reiki can realign energy and help someone feel less stressed and promotes mental clarity. For more information on Reiki, visit Reikigalore.com.
FRIDAY NIGHT:
8-9:30pm America’s Racial Karma Part 1: Our Social DNA
SATURDAY:
2-3:30pm America’s Racial Karma Part 2: Our Psycho-Spiritual Crisis
SATURDAY NIGHT:
8-9:30pm R+R+R – Restorative Yoga, Reiki and Really Sweet Singing (SOLD OUT.)
SUNDAY:
2-3:30pm America’s Racial Karma Part 3: Our Deep Path forward.
Choose one or more individual events $15 each
Choose all 3 talks for $45 (Saturday bonus class is sold out!)
In our Yoga Practice, we are called to dive deeper into the great Sea of Mystery that connects all Humanity. Once the windows of Enlightenment are opened, there’s no turning back. This awareness of Oneness is the great equalizer.
Jesus said Love Your Enemies. The Beatles said Love Is All You Need.
Che Guevara said All great revolutionaries are guided by Love. In this regard Kamala Harris, Marianne Williamson, Larry Ward, Shree Yoga Taos and all other good people calling for accountability, share a common message and goal: Bring Your Heart.
Happy Independence Day to all my American readers!
For more information on Shree Yoga Taos and all they offer, please visit their site linked below. For more on Dr. Larry Ward, I’ve linked to his site at well.
Caveat:
All of the above opinions are my own and in no way relate to Shree Yoga Taos. Shree Yoga Taos is not a proponent of any political candidate for the 2020 Presidential election.
I chose Hunuman for the featured image because the?? Ramayana?? tells us that Hanuman achieved mastery over his senses through discipline and focus, celibacy and devotion. In truth he is the incarnate Karma Yogi – performing all of his actions with detachment. Hanuman is seen as a champion of those religiously persecuted or resisting oppression. Besides, I happen to live right behind the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram here in Taos, where Hanuman is the resident deity.
Photograph of Dr. Larry Ward thanks to the Lotus Institute. Slavery Ship image stock files. All other images thanks to Suki Dalury at Shree Yoga Taos.
