Rutu Chaudhari Rutu Chaudhari

Silence Watching Sound : Yoga and Sanskrit

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Yesterday I interviewed someone for our upcoming 300HR Yoga Teacher Training program. She was impressed with our use of Sanskrit during classes. She said the teachers don't even use the English terms and students understand! 

At All Life is Yoga we teach yoga in its original language, Sanskrit. Sanskrit is not commonly spoken; instead it was used to orally convey thousands of pages of verse from scriptures. It was, and is, the holy language of the scriptures—one of the oldest known sacred writings in human history.  Yoga was originally relayed and taught only in Sanskrit. Hearing yoga terms in a foreign, complicated language can sometimes make it difficult to follow along as a new student. However, there are several reasons we feel it's beneficial to use Sanskrit terms:

  • It's the language of our profession. We expect dentists to know what periodontitis and caries are, an artist to be familiar with stretcher bars, pigments, and gesso, and we trust a carpenter to know the meaning of level and plumb. To understand the language of your profession is part of what makes you a professional.

  • Sanskrit is a phonetic language—the meaning is in the sounds. Saying words correctly connects students to the word's meaning on a much deeper level than the English translation of the word.

  • Proper pronunciation teaches you to use your mouth in ways you rarely do. Sanskrit has complicated, unique movements of the tongue, which exercise the mouth and mind, creating new neural pathways and keeping them both fresh and youthful.

  • Using Sanskrit teaches students to listen and focus more intently during class. You may struggle the first few times and have to look around to stay at the pace of the group, but before you know it, you're in the zone, deeply present and aligned with an energy transmission that has happened for thousands of years.

There is no need to dumb down the yoga. We treat our students like they are intelligent enough to learn a new language, just as their body is learning new movements, and their heart is discovering new potential.

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Creative Loafing Article

Creative Loafing recently interviewed me to discuss the state of yoga, All Life is Yoga and the Dharma Project. Check out the interview here.

To be honest, I was nervous about this article. I said some things. But after the events of this weekend, I was reminded of how necessary it is, even in our small ways, to speak up and acknowledge things as they are. Thank you to Creative Loafing for the platform. 

Creative Loafing recently interviewed me to discuss the state of yoga, All Life is Yoga and the Dharma Project. Check out the interview here.

To be honest, I was nervous about this article. I said some things. But after the events of this weekend, I was reminded of how necessary it is, even in our small ways, to speak up and acknowledge things as they are. Thank you to Creative Loafing for the platform. 

A heartbreaking reminder that we are not born with hate. 

200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training

The All Life is Yoga Level 1 Teacher Training starts August 19th, 2017. Along with learning the most clear, concise and accurate alignment of asana, you will learn to adjust students safely and effectively. As a teacher, your adjustments give students a sense of where their pose is headed, a feeling of what's to come, something to look forward to in their practice! Details and Registration Information

Book Club Date Correction

We are so excited to bring back the book club. The last newsletter had an incorrect start date. The book club starts September 10th, 2017, not August 20th. We are reading Fire of Love by Aadil Palkhivala. Stop by the studio to pick up your copy.

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The Language of the Gods

At All Life is Yoga we teach yoga in its original language, Sanskrit. Sanskrit was never commonly spoken; instead it was used to orally convey thousands of pages of verse from scriptures. It was, and is, the holy language of the scriptures—the oldest known sacred writings in human history. Yoga was originally relayed and taught only in Sanskrit. Hearing yoga terms in a foreign, complicated language can sometimes make it difficult to follow along as a new student. However, there are several reasons we feel it’s beneficial to use Sanskrit terms:

At All Life is Yoga we teach yoga in its original language, Sanskrit. Sanskrit was never commonly spoken; instead it was used to orally convey thousands of pages of verse from scriptures. It was, and is, the holy language of the scriptures—the oldest known sacred writings in human history.  Yoga was originally relayed and taught only in Sanskrit. Hearing yoga terms in a foreign, complicated language can sometimes make it difficult to follow along as a new student. However, there are several reasons we feel it’s beneficial to use Sanskrit terms:

  • It’s the language of our profession. We expect dentists to know what periodontitis and caries are, an artist to be familiar with stretcher bars, pigments, and gesso, and we trust a carpenter to know the meaning of level and plumb. To understand the language of your profession is part of what makes you a professional.
  • Sanskrit is a phonetic language: the meaning is in the sounds. Saying words correctly connects students to the word’s meaning on a much deeper level than the English translation of the word.
  • Proper pronunciation teaches you to use your mouth in ways you rarely do. Sanskrit has complicated, unique movements of the tongue, which exercise the mouth and mind, creating new neural pathways and keeping them both fresh and youthful.
  • Using Sanskrit teaches students to listen and focus more intently during class. You may struggle the first few times and have to look around to stay at the pace of the group, but before you know it, you’re in the zone, deeply present and aligned with an energy transmission that has happened for thousands of years.

There is no need to dumb down the yoga. We treat our students like they are intelligent enough to learn a new language, just as their body is learning new movements, and their heart is discovering new potential.

200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training

The All Life is Yoga Level 1 Teacher Training starts August 19th, 2017. Along with learning the most clear, concise and accurate alignment of asana, you will learn to adjust students safely and effectively. As a teacher, your adjustments give students a sense of where their pose is headed, a feeling of what's to come, something to look forward to in their practice! Details and Registration Information

Book Club Date Correction

We are so excited to bring back the book club. The last newsletter had an incorrect start date. The book club starts September 10th, 2017, not August 20th. We are reading Fire of Love by Aadil Palkhivala. Stop by the studio to pick up your copy. 

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Plug 1

Check out this INTERVIEW Center for Civic Innovation did with Rutu about her start with yoga and the development of The Dharma Project  + learn more about our upcoming teacher training, book club, and free yoga at The Grant Park Farmers Market.

#CCIspotlight : Rutu Chaudhari, The Dharma Project

Check out this INTERVIEW Center for Civic Innovation did with Rutu about her start with yoga and the development of The Dharma Project .

Myka Harris teaching at ALIY

Myka Harris teaching at ALIY

200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training

"A teacher can never truly teach unless he is still learning himself. A lamp can never light another lamp unless it continues to burn its own flame." Rabindranath Tagore. So true. Our 200 hour training helps students develop a strong personal practice. Without this, your teaching lacks integrity and without integrity, your teaching is ineffective. Starts August 19th, 2017. Register Here. 

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Yoga in the Park

Join Ron Young for our August Yoga in the Park. The class is held on the green behind the fountain at the Grant Park Farmers Market, which is on the Cherokee Ave side of the park before the Zoo (if you are going south).  Class is Sunday, August 20th from 10:30-11:30am. Check out our Facebook event for more details. Hope to see you this Sunday!

ALIY's Book Club is back! We will be reading Fire of Love. A new case has just come in so order your copy and start reading. The book club will take place Sunday's from 12-2pm during the below dates. This will be potluck style, so bring your favorite vegetarian dish (please no meat or dairy in the studio) and join a group of discuss one of the most relevant books on yoga and personal growth. 

Dates: August 20th. September 10th, September 24th, October 22nd, November 12th, December 3rd, January 7th, February 11th. 

Contact us to join the book club.

#YogatheVote

Thank you to all who expressed interest in meeting to discuss the upcoming local election. We will have our first gathering this Saturday, August 5th at 12pm at All Life is Yoga. Hope to see you there. 

Since our work has gotten an opportunity to be highlighted, we'd like to share the work of some amazing people and organizations that we love and support. 

Dr. Greg Talley is one of my favorite anatomy nerds in Atlanta. I trust very few people with body work and am happy to know and work with GT. Check out Morningside Chiropractic for spinal and joint health to supplement your yoga practice. 

Compost Wheels comes to your house once a week to pick up your compostable waste, on a bike! They will also give you beautiful compost to use in your own garden.

They work with over 7 farms and gardens in Atlanta who collectively grow 75,000lbs of fresh produce annually and compost approximately 288,000lbs of our food waste annually that is cycled back through their growing process.

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Acres of Diamonds + Yoga with Police Officers + Dirty South + Meet the Trainees

Many years back I read this book called Acres of Diamonds. The author shares countless tales, spanning throughout history, of people who lived in the most destitute conditions on land that was seemingly barren and hopeless. Seeking riches, they would sell their land and travel far to mine for gold, oil, diamonds, etc. Story after story, the person that bought that seemingly worthless land for next to nothing would find the very thing the original owner chased elsewhere, making millions.

I’ve been spinning like a top trying to develop the appropriate connections to get certain programs for The Dharma Project moving. Recently I discovered that the people closest to me—those already in my inner circle—are exactly the resources I need to propel The Dharma Project forward.

Many years back I read this book called Acres of Diamonds. The author shares countless tales, spanning throughout history, of people who lived in the most destitute conditions on land that was seemingly barren and hopeless. Seeking riches, they would sell their land and travel far to mine for gold, oil, diamonds, etc. Story after story, the person that bought that seemingly worthless land for next to nothing would find the very thing the original owner chased elsewhere, making millions.

I’ve been spinning like a top trying to develop the appropriate connections to get certain programs for The Dharma Project moving. Recently I discovered that the people closest to me—those already in my inner circle—are exactly the resources I need to propel The Dharma Project forward.

The teaching in Acres of Diamonds is that we look outward for the gold when it’s usually under our very noses. “Every [wo]man has the opportunity to make more of herself than she does in her own environment, with her own skill, with her own energy, with her own friends,” says author R. Conwell. This wisdom from many years back came to mind today when a door finally opened and the perfect connection was made by none other than a dear friend of mine.

Yoga for Police Officers

I am going to put the above into practice some more: friends, The Dharma Project is starting a program to bring mindfulness and yoga to police officers. We need your help. Do you know a police officer that I can coerce into trying yoga?  :-)  Please put me in contact with them. The goal is to get 10 to 15 officers together for a pilot yoga session in early September.Please email me at rutu@alllifeisyoga.com

The Dharma Project is a 501(c)(3) whose mission is to bring mindfulness and yoga to public service organizations and the communities they work with.

I will be co-teaching a workshop at this years Dirty South Yoga Fest with Veronica Lewinger. We will explore the 'mother of all twists', Matsyengasana. At the studio we usually focus on the first three stages of the pose, this weekend we will go deeper with the later stages and include the bind. 

Twists are some of the most powerful postures in yoga asana. They release spinal tension, ignite the digestive fire and energize the kidneys. Join Veronica and Rutu in an exploration of one of the most powerful and uniques twists in all of asana, Matsyengasana. Find out why it is referred to as the 'Mother of all Twists' and learn the many phases of this twist that provide deep intervertebral release and abdominal churning.

Join us Sunday, July 30th from 11:30-1pm at Loudermilk Conference Center. Register Here.

Meet Our Teacher Trainees:

We are so excited for the upcoming teacher training, which starts August 19th at ALIY. So far, the group that is registered brings experience and perspectives from such a wide variety of backgrounds. Join us for what is sure to be a mind/body/heart-opening experience. Details and Registration.

Adrian Barzaga: Adrian loves to create with his hands, play his classical guitar, speak philosophy, climb things, and care for animals. "I was searching for a more holistic training, encompassing all aspects of yoga, and I’m confident I found it."

Ananya Paul: Ananya is a research scientist at Georgia State University. She has practiced yoga for three years. “With this training I want to gain in-depth knowledge of yoga. I understand the surface practice of postures but I want to go in-depth with the lifestyle of yoga.”

Aba Bailey: Aba has been practicing yoga for 30 years and is a licensed Thai Yoga Massage therapist. "I am looking forward to the YTT at All Life is Yoga so that I may learn and grow as an instructor. I'm ready to go deeper."

Margarita Cruz: Margarita has taught kindergarten for over 25 years and has practiced yogafor 12 years. “I have no expectations for this training. I want to be open and receive the teachings. It’s a personal journey of change, introspection, and growth.”

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Congratulations to Margarita Cruz! Partial Scholarships for Yoga Teacher Training Now Open

Yoga Teacher Training Full Scholarship Recipient

All Life is Yoga is offering its first full scholarship for the 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training. I don't know anyone more deserving of this opportunity than Margarita Cruz, who has studied with me for over twelve years. Whether I was running around teaching at other studios, or at ALIY when we finally opened the doors to our own space, she has always been there.

Margarita recently retired as a teacher for the Decatur Public School System. She's said many times that she doesn't know how she would be able to show up daily for 25 kindergarteners if it wasn't for the tools this yoga practice has provided her. "Practicing at ALIY keeps me grounded and clear. I’m being of service to young children. I have to be focused and aware of my emotions, because my emotions impact the students. When I take care of myself physically, mentally, and emotionally, I’m a better teacher. My emotions don't get in the way. I would not be well if I wasn't regularly taking time to slow down, and moving in a way that releases negativity and fatigue. Yoga renews my spirit."

We are so grateful that Margarita prioritized self care as a public servant, and can't wait to be a part of her new journey as a yoga teacher-in-training!

Partial Scholarship Applications Open

All Life is Yoga is also offering partial scholarships for our upcoming 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training. The applications are assessed based on financial need, aspirations to teach, dedication to the practice and an interest in leveraging the teacher training to serve communities in need. To apply, contact Rutu. 

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July 4th Class Schedule and Early Bird Teacher Training Registration

Holiday Schedule 

We will have one class on July 4th from 9:30-10:45am taught by Rutu. The Tuesday evening 6pm and 6:45pm classes are cancelled. 

200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Early Bird Registration 

I'm really looking forward to teach the upcoming 200 hour yoga teacher certification at AllLife is Yoga. It's my first time in 8 years of teaching a yoga certification that I am offering a new format for the curriculum. It's gonna be special! Early Bird Registration for the upcoming 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Certification ends July 15th!

Email rutu@alllifeisyoga.com to apply. 

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Dharma is the Umbrella

According to the Vedas (the oldest scriptures known to man, which came out of India), there are four major reasons for life. They are:

  1. Dharma: pursuit of purpose
  2. Artha: acquisition of material wealth
  3. Kama: experience of pleasure
  4. Moksha: spiritual exploration

The Vedas explains that the latter three are contingent on Dharma. That means that the amount of wealth you acquire, the amount of pleasure you experience, and even the amount of time and energy you spend on spiritual practices depends entirely on your pursuit of purpose. Anything beyond what is required for living your purpose is excess and fuels the ego. Discovering your purpose, then, becomes the most meaningful life endeavor. Everything else you do is clarified by that purpose.

According to the Vedas (the oldest scriptures known to man, which came out of India), there are four major reasons for life. They are:

  1. Dharma: pursuit of purpose
  2. Artha: acquisition of material wealth
  3. Kama: experience of pleasure
  4. Moksha: spiritual exploration

 The Vedas explains that the latter three are contingent on Dharma. That means that the amount of wealth you acquire, the amount of pleasure you experience, and even the amount of time and energy you spend on spiritual practices depends entirely on your pursuit of purpose. Anything beyond what is required for living your purpose is excess and fuels the ego. Discovering your purpose, then, becomes the most meaningful life endeavor. Everything else you do is clarified by that purpose.

Level I Yoga Teacher Certification

All Life is Yoga's 2017-2018 teacher certification dates are set! This training is appropriate for anyone who wants to deepen their personal practice, understand the why of yoga asana, pranayama, nutrition, meditation, anatomy, alignment, energetics, philosophy, sequencing, service...and learn to teach with confidence.

August 19th-20th
September 9th-10th
September 23rd-24th
October 21st-22nd
November 11th-12th
December 2nd-3rd
January 6th-7th
February 10th-11th
February 17th-18th

For more information and to apply, contact Rutu. 

Save the Date:

Brad Waites is returning to Atlanta to teach a weekend workshop on October 27th-29th, 2017 at All Life is Yoga. More information to come soon! 

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Aspirations

quiet joy
peaceful trust
luminous hope

- The Mother

Level I Yoga Teacher Certification 

All Life is Yoga's 2017-2018 teacher certification dates are set! This training is appropriate for anyone who wants to deepen their personal practice, understand the why of yoga asana, pranayama, nutrition, meditation, anatomy, alignment, energetics, philosophy, sequencing, service...and learn to teach with confidence.

August 19th-20th
September 9th-10th
September 23rd-24th
October 21st-22nd
November 11th-12th
December 2nd-3rd
January 6th-7th
February 10th-11th
February 17th-18th

For more information and to apply, contact Rutu. 

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200 Hour Purna Yoga Teacher Training starts June 11th

"To be well-rounded teachers of yoga, to serve our students with it's priceless gifts, to help each student fully realize the blessings that yoga has to offer, we cannot merely teach asana. It's not about hamstrings--it's about life. Our responsibility is to cultivate human beings, and the asanas are bait. People come merely to get fit, and we offer them a powerful evolutionary process leading to the revelation of Self and the fulfillment of dharma. The true impact of yoga is felt only when the student's entire life changes for the better from the practice." - Aadil Palkhivala from Fire of Love  Teaching is a joy, a privilege and a huge responsibility! This is the last week to register for the 200 Hour Purna Yoga Teacher Training that begins Saturday June 11th, 2016. Learn more about the course and register here.

Contribution Classes

I am so happy to have contribution based classes at All Life is Yoga. I hope to continue to transition the schedule in this direction. I love the feeling of inclusion that is blossoming at the studio.

There seems to be some confusion around the contribution classes for our current student base. I'm sorry for the lack of clarity. You are welcome to attend any of the contribution based classes and pay what you are able. You are able to use your class card but do not have to. You are unable to register for the classes online so come a few minutes early and the teacher will sign you in. Please bring your friends and family and practice with our eager, new teachers.

All Life is Yoga has teamed with CFM to bring free Purna Yoga classes to the community! Upcoming Events:

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Ponce City - Tuesdays at 4-5pm
Decatur - Saturday 6/11 & 6/18 at 10-11am
East Atlanta Village - Thursday 6/16 at 6-7pm
Westside - Sunday 6/12 & 6/19 at 10-11am

These classes are outdoors  - please arrive a few minutes early and bring a mat. If you have any questions, let us know or visit the information booth at the markets for help. See you at the farmers market!

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Work is Love

...made visible - Kahlil Gibran

When I was in college my friend, Christina Bulostine, had just graduated from a 200 hour yoga teacher training and was offering a donation class at another friends house. I was a bit averse to yoga in the US because I didn't relate to it. No one that did yoga looked like me. Even though it's roots are in India, ironically, I didn't think yoga in America was for me. I went because she was my friend. After that first class, though, I was hooked. I felt a huge burden release in my body. Yoga helped me with my body image, healing the trauma of a violent past, dealing with my anxiety, and so much more. It got to the point where I couldn't leave my house without doing my practice. It was my medicine.

I didn't miss Christina's weekly donation class. I started to tape the classes so I could practice them at home. I got videos of Baron Baptiste and Kundalini Yoga and I made mix tapes. Standing poses from this VHS, twists and backbends from that audio, core strengthening from a website link...Early on I was creative with my sequencing!

After three years I was feeling a bit stagnant in my practice since I was self teaching. My sister suggested I do a yoga teacher training. "Are you crazy! I exclaimed. I am not a guru. This is a respectable practice with lineage. I've only been doing it for three years. I'm not qualified!" But I wanted to learn more about yoga. So I did it! My sister's subtle nudge would change my life and direct me towards my purpose. What a huge gift she gave me. Within a few months of being in training I got my first gig as a teacher. :)

The point of my story is that yoga teacher training, esp. at the 200 hour level, is more about deepening your personal practice. You all know how much depth and breadth Purna Yoga has and some of you are more than ready to take your practice to the next level of understanding and application. Our mission is to embody the practice, to live it and for that, you need more training. Even if you've gone through a 200 hour in the past, this training is a tremendous eye opener. It will propel you in your practice. Learn the anatomy, physiology and refinement of posture, how to apply yogic philosophy in your day to day, and most importantly, how to embody the light that is experienced through meditation.

As Aadil often says, yoga is not usually the path but the path to the path. It's designed to align you with your purpose, your dharma. My purpose happens to be teaching. I have been teaching yoga for a living since 2003. My work involves my personal practice, so I can continue to heal myself and teach with integrity, sharing the gifts of yoga with others so they can feel more alive and joyful and earn a living do it. Wow! Talk about love manifest. It's pretty rewarding when your work serves you, your community and the planet.

Our 200 Hour Purna Yoga Teacher Training Starts June 11th. Apply Today!

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