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May 2023 Newsletter-Stretching Myself

Stretching Myself
Happy month of May! I sat down a few days ago to review my last newsletter and discovered that I haven’t sent one out since January 2023. Since I no longer own a studio and am not affiliated with a particular studio, I don’t have as many workshops to offer you. I still offer you my thoughts and musings on life and yoga.
 
Much of my life since returning from Mexico in March has revolved around my family, especially the grandnephew and grandniece. Here’s a photo of Davis and his sister Carter learning to play meditation bells. I think Carter may be chanting Om… Recently, my husband and I added a new furry family member to our household. We welcomed Bheka Belle, a Boykin Spaniel puppy. What a delight she is!

 
I also want to let you know that next week I’ll be attending the IYNAUS (Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States) Convention in San Diego, CA, which starts on Monday, May 15th. I’m thrilled to be attending along with Iyengar yogis from across the planet. I love connecting with long-time friends while immersing myself in the teachings. I usually return enthused and exhausted. This year there is an online option if you’re interested in joining. You can check out the details here:  https://iynaus.org/convention2023-home/
 
Because I haven’t yet perfected a way to be in two places at once, I will not be teaching any classes or private offerings this coming week. I know that I will be sharing much of what I learn at the Convention with my students when I resume teaching on May 22.
 
For those of you interested in both meditation and yoga, I urge you to attend Cheri Flake’s meditation retreat at Jekyll Island, GA, where I’ll be teaching yoga. Cheri and I have taught together before and find that yoga poses beautifully support the practice of meditation. The two offerings blend well to make a harmonious and enjoyable weekend. I’m excited to attend the workshop myself! (See the description below.) 

 
Dhyana, the seventh limb of yoga, is frequently translated as “meditation.” Simply put, the “limb of yoga” is the state of mind that comes from the practice of meditation. Any amount of any kind of meditation brings benefit. Cheri’s retreat gives you the opportunity to explore several different mediation practices and get feedback from two experienced practitioners.
 
Back to the puppy: Bheka is 9 weeks old and weighs 9 pounds. She and I wake up 
around 5 am. I take her outside to “do her business.” Afterwards, we come back inside, have coffee and a snack (no coffee for Bheka!), and then we go to the yoga studio. We play together until she settles down. Then we meditate together. Really! She comes to lie in my lap for 30 minutes. I’m sorry to tell you that puppy meditation won’t be offered at the June workshop. Maybe next time…
 
I’d love to see you any time in Zoom classes, for private lessons, or for a walk.
 
Love to all,
Cindy
 
Jekyll Island in the morning.


Jekyll Island Retreat


If you like the sound of the retreat described above, there’s still time and space to sign up for this extended weekend meditation and yoga retreat in Jekyll Island, GA August 17-20, 2023.
Here’s a little Info from Cheri:

Yoga and Meditation classes on the beach all weekend long!
Walk away from long beach weekend with a new meditation practice with benefits that last a lifetime. 
 
Spend a long weekend in one of the most beautiful beaches in the South. 
You can come solo to dive deep or you can bring a friend, group or family…you can even bring your dog! 
While you enjoy your island vacation you will break away a few times a day for gentle yoga and meditation on the most amazing and breathtaking locations all around the island. This is a very laid back vibe. You’ll be in meditation classes and yoga each day, but we won’t be residing together so you’ll be on your own to enjoy the island quite a bit. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, at this retreat you will cultivate a new mindset for a spiritual practice and return home with mental clarity, motivation and a peaceful vibe.
This is a 3 night, 4 day long weekend for those wanting to spice up a beach trip with a bit of movement alternating with stillness and silence.
Join us in the gorgeous Georgia barrier island for this amazing long weekend! 
Scroll down to learn more and register!
Price includes all meditation and yoga classes. Lodging and meals are not included. We will meditate all over the island so you are welcome to stay wherever you like!
I’ve stayed all over this island and still, my favorite place to stay is the retro Jekyll Island Holiday Inn. It is dog friendly, family friendly, has huge rooms seaside and the staff s so friendly. Since for this retreat, Meals are on your own Even better ~ all rooms have partial or full kitchens.
Don’t book without me though, because I got us an amazing rate right on the beach! I will send along a special code only for retreatants after you register.
Relax and take in all that the beach has to offer outside, while you cater to your true self, creator and meditator on the inside.
Bad timing? Dates don’t work? Check out our upcoming Mountain Retreats!

To book, click here!

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Upcoming Workshop & Retreat

Move & Renew: Cindy Dollar Spring Virtual Workshop 
at Sunrise Yoga
Sunday, April 25th, 9am-11am

Sick of being stuck in the Covid doldrums? Join Cindy for a morning filled with chest openers and twists to help reset our mindset & move our bodies. Spring is the perfect season to get on the mat and out of our heads!This workshop will be recorded and available for viewing for two weeks after the event.

Price: $30
Members of Sunrise Yoga receive 10% discount.

Click here to register.

Expanding Equanimity: Southern Dharma Retreat with Cindy
August 4 – 8 
Registration opens June 1, 2021

According to yogic and Buddhist philosophy, there are four noble qualities, known in the Buddhist tradition as the Four Immeasurables: loving kindness, compassion, equanimity, and sympathetic joy. We are all born with the seeds of these traits, and with practice we can cultivate them to develop strength, steadiness, and openness in any situation—independent of external conditions.

Although these four qualities are inter-related, in this workshop we will explore Equanimity as a means to remain openhearted during times of tension and strife, whether personal or global. Equanimity is freedom from powerful reactions, positive or negative, to another person or an event—the ability to be even and open-minded toward everyone, no matter how they behave. This practice brings clarity to situations where we may be moved to react from passion or bias. Expanding our view to one of engaged impartiality allows us to respond to life’s challenges with wisdom—even at times with a sense of humor.

Over the four days, we’ll explore Equanimity through yoga poses, meditations, mindfulness exercises, and breath awareness. 

For a more detailed description of this annual workshop, click here. 

The price and preliminary retreat schedule are for the at home version. In the event that Southern Dharma resumes on site programs, we’ll update the price, schedule, and the program description to reflect these changes, prior to registration opening.

Prices for virtual retreat:
$200.00 – Base
$280.00 – Supporter
$120.00 – Subsidized

Cindy will be assisted on this retreat by Tammy Kaousias.

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Dana-based Zoom Class – Thursday, August 13

You can register at no cost for this class, which Cindy is offering through her Southern Dharma “At Home” retreat here. Once registered, you’ll receive instructions for how to join the Zoom class via email on Thursday.

Cindy greatly appreciates any donation you choose to make.

(PayPal is an easy method that does not require you to create an account. Use this link —Sarah Dollar, that’s her!)

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At Home Retreat – Centering Body & Mind: Yoga & the Four Sublime States

I planned to be in residence at Southern Dharma again this year to settle into the meditation hall for yoga and meditation, share silence and delicious, nutritious meals, and enjoy the serene beauty of western North Carolina mountains. I never imagined that a virus would sweep the world, affect so many families and businesses, and require us to creatively alter this plan.

Magnolia by Pascale Parinda

Fortunately, we’re in the world of magic technology that allows us to be together in a different, yet intimate, way. Currently, I teach Zoom yoga classes from my home studio, during which I get to see inside people’s homes, meet their pets and children, and see what kind of practice space they have set up. I’d be honored to be invited into your home, if you choose to participate in this retreat. Likewise, I look forward to welcoming you into my home. There’s a special tenderness of being together in this way at a time when we’re asked to isolate ourselves from others.

The home of the four immeasurables, the limitless ones, is a place of both release and outreach: when we observe ourselves being frightened and reaching for more chocolate, can we notice that behavior with compassion toward ourselves, without judgment? And if we eat the chocolate, well, okay! There’s a pandemic going on…let’s eat chocolate! If we interact with someone who isn’t wearing a mask in the grocery store, can we tap into equanimity for that person who might be afraid in his or her own way?

Let’s be honest. We are uncomfortable with uncertainty. We don’t like not knowing.

Asana practice is a way to release into not knowing. During this time of emotional ups and downs, we have the opportunity to experience yoga as way to support our bodies and minds. We have the opportunity, on-line and at home, to stay embodied, soften our shoulders, and recognize our inter-dependency.

Southern Dharma and I are working together to create this at-home retreat as a way to support and comfort you, as well as to hone your tools of self-awareness.

No matter your personal situation, I’m confident you can find ways to participate in this retreat. It’s an experiment, like life. Just show up and see what happens. There’s no “wrong way” to do this!

Learn more about the retreat HERE. Here’s a detailed schedule.