Jagarata

As some events are unfolding in our city/state/country/world with tremendous rage and violence, you may find comfort in remembering that there is at least an equal amount of love, tenderness, joy and peace more quietly revealing itself throughout this world. Strangers still smile at one another, unexpected generosity and kindness flouish in both likely and unlikely ways, the miraculous sun still rises, and we each have many opportunities to pause, reflect, count our blessings and consider our actions. By responding appropriately to circumstances, rather than reacting habitually, we begin to see that each one of us has the power to contribute in a positive way to this world we share.

Coming to your mat is a priceless opportunity for you to decompress, to breathe in spaciousness and clarity, while exhaling tension, resistance and fear. The yoga studio is a sacred space in which you can find the courage to really examine the inner workings of your mind, to dismantle any negative thought patterns and create instead powerful metaphors to live into. The word 'yoga' itself means union, and through this practice we unite disparate aspects of ourself, shining light on our own darkness (jealousy, anger, greed) so that they no longer have unconscious control over our actions. Through the breath we also find union between ourselves and everything living. Prana, breath, both ignites and unites everything vital, and we come to feel that we are all indeed connected. This jouney of union continues on deeper and deeper levels until, eventually, we come to see, as Hafiz has said, "... there is just one flesh we can wound."

The yoga studio is also a haven of warmth, safety and laughter. It is a place you can come to remember that people are good, that life is incredibly valuable, and that each one of us is on a mission of manifestation. We're here to help you find your way, and enjoy the ride!

Please take a moment to look at our very exciting Special Events. I hope to see you soon and often, and wish you all the clarity, compassion and humor you need to savor your experience of now.

With Love,


Corina Benner
Director, Wake Up Yoga, LLC

Jagarata: It Means Wake Up!

Wow! I can't believe February is over. Hope this note finds you secretly enjoying the darkness of winter with its introspective invitations, while mentally planting seeds to manifest in the Springtime!

And about Wake Up Yoga... (here's a shameless marketing ploy) there is a contest happening with Philadelphia Style Magazine, and it is an opportunity for people to vote for their favorite everythings. Wake Up Yoga is on the ballot this year in a run for the best Yoga Studio. If you'd like to go to their website and vote on your favorite businesses, bartenders and massage therapists, you can visit this website and click on the "Vote Now" tab to begin clicking options. You don't have to answer each one! It can be kind of fun to support restaurants and beauty parlors (and yoga studios!) if you have the time and believe in the cause.

In the meantime, please go to our workshops page and check out the new events we have planned for this month, including an Early Morning Retreat Week with Jill Manning; Nada Yoga: the Yoga of Sound, with Thomas Flanagan; and our Urban Yoga Mini-Retreat: Celebrate the Vernal Equinox and the Return of the Light, with Corina and Beatriz.

I hope that some of our offerings are calling out to your own heart, and that you will be able to join us for these spectacular events. If there are other workshops you would like to see presented here at Wake Up Yoga, please let us know. Also, if you are a workshop presenter in the healing/holistic/yoga traditions and would like to explore the possibility of conducting an event here, please submit a proposal to Corina@WakeUpYoga.com.

Hope to see you soon and often... and if our paths don't cross, here's hoping you give yourself the gift of your own attention, kindness and compassion, which will very naturally infuse your every interaction with others!