this saturday, instagramification, and the underside of the tapestry
~Hello fellow human experimenters ~
I hope you are all feeling good in your bones and enjoying this time that brings with it a little back-to-school giddy-up that I positively can not resist, and won't even try to.
See below for a few offerings, catch-ups and inspiration for your more studious moments...
THIS SAT! @ 9.30am~
HOMEGROWN YOGA BOULDER #3
This Saturday, we are stoked to take our series of community, sounds, and yoga to the hills up and around NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research). This go 'round, myself and Aleah Sommers will be joined with the beautiful and talented (and o-so-goregously pregnant) Chloe Watkins and her honey Noah Ameson . If there's something more beautiful than a woman spinning sound behind the beast of a cello, its a pregnant woman doing that very thing. See below for her pic and bio and for the poster with details of the series.
INSTAGRAMIFICATION
My grandma was an avid photo-album tender. One of our favorite things to do, upon stumbling in to the safe sanctuary of her living room, was to browse the pages of these pictorial histories that were so meticulously kept. You that know me well, know that I have been a little reckless in my techlessness at times, but when my friend and student started pulling from the archives, a little tale to be told though image, for this thing called, instagram, I must confess a gentle amusement. I can not begin to claim the artistry or forethought with which my grandma displayed the richness and beauty of life and love, but I will say, it was quite fun, and I would like to share with you. .. I will do my very best to keep up :)
Click here to view it, follow it, duckduck goose it, or whatever it is you do on such things.
VID. APPRECIATION
At the end of the day, my go-to guy is always and in all ways Mr Alan Watts. This is a big statement because I feel I have sat in the presence of some of the most incredible minds, but there is no one on earth that drives it home, for me, quite like he does. In a time and a world that seems such a wild menagerie of this and that, and can feel so fractured and disjointed at times, something in the last few years has swept in that has pointed to the absolute necessity and reliance of these fractured dystopic pieces, one upon the other- exactly as they are. And therefore a certain serenity in it all. That doesn't mean that I won't keep volunteering where possible, shopping at the farmers market, or have a total melt-down when I hear that 700 people are taken from their families in Mississippi (and said melt-down most certainly won't be pretty), however, there is a foot in both camps so to speak. A place where I want to learn and engage and 'do good', and a place of total reverence for one thing and its total opposite, where everything and everyone has a seat at the banquet of life. Period.
This vid points to that place better than I could ever begin to articulate.
Hats off Mr W. Sure wish we could go grab a pint, cuz among other things, you've got a mighty great laugh and you get me gigglin.
... and speaking of volunteering...
ORGANIZATION APPRECIATION
I very serendipitously found the non-profit Conscious Alliance when I first moved to Boulder, so I signed on to do a few things for them where needed. (The founder started the organization after reading the book Learning Journey on the Red Road- a must read which chronicles beliefs and practices that have nourished the Lakota tradition through the ages). Utilizing music and art, they provide assistance for the people living on the Pine Ridge Reservation, and are assisting underserved families nationwide - and now in Colorado they are partnering with over 40 schools serving low income students in the Front Range. But here's the real kicker- when I showed up, I was ready to scuttle out a bunch of preservative-packed cartons, but the entire warehouse was full of organic food!! I couldn't believe it. I can say first hand, these are amazing people doing amazing things and helping some of the most vulnerable populations with wisdom, class, and fun!
Please check them out here to sign on to help or appreciate them financially ~
SOUL APPRECIATION
Last Sunday, I had the great honor and pleasure of celebrating my friend Freeman for 80 years of living. The evening was comprised of a dialogue, potluck, Rumi scholar reciting poetry alongside a Native American flautist, and just a room brewing and over-flowing with love.Upon spending time with this man, you would never know the accolades and accomplishments that trail behind his name (teacher of the year, time at U Mass, Harvard, MIT, renowned pianist, and on and on.. )See here to learn more about the practice of 'dialogue' and about the man, and here for our pic.Freeman also has Parkinson's, but that has not stopped this ferocious learner, world gallivanter, and most generous soul.Among other things, he has the uncanny ability of being with you so deeply that you come away feeling utterly full and completely seen- it is a rare and true gift. We first met and bonded over a love of music (and a similar mischievous inner child) and that became a fast friendship that I hold dear. Sunday evening, I was not only touched by this remarkable man, but the other big take-away was just how wonderful it is to gather, to circle, and to unreservedly share and express love. Multigenerationally, we all poured out our words of appreciation for a life, and it touches me still.
HOME APPRECIATION
I have miraculously landed in a corner of the universe that is most assuredly like no other. Right now we are running a couple classes a week- Mon and Wed at 6pm, at the Eldorado Springs Art Center. See here or here for details.Also stay tuned for the next newsletter where I will outline the offerings forthcoming, within the walls of the canyon here in Eldo... Community morning practice, revolving local teachers, fall retreat, guest teachers from around the globe, musicians and artists, are all part of the line-up. I look forward to sharing those details with you in due time and seeing you out here aannnytime!
TUNE APPRECIATION
I keep coming back to this one on my playlist deez days. Enjoy....https://soundcloud.com/realworldrecords/geofftey-oryema-makambo-real
Please do drop a line- I love hearing what y'all are up to :)
Big big love to one and all,
Julia
Homegrown Yoga is exited to have Chloe Watkins on cello and Noah Ameson on guitar and ngoni for some live musical magic
Chloe Brooke Watkins is a mother, musician, and lover of the earth and all her creatures. She is the co-creator, vocalist and cellist of the band Intuit. She also performs with Las Curanderas, and is a director of the Sister Winds Music Festival. Chloe can be found across Colorado and beyond sharing songs and stories. She has performed with notable musicians Ayla Nereo, Bonnie Paine, Bridget Law, and Tierro. Chloe loves sharing music with children, in yoga classes, deserts, and in the woods. She believes in the power of music to heal and transform, getting us out of our heads and into our hearts.
Above sculpture by Collen Nyanhongo.
