Summer 2023
- Released our schedule of weekends for our 2024 Yoga Teacher Training Program
- Graduated 10 amazing yoga teachers from our 6 month YTT program (January - July 2023).
- Jayne taught a Yoga & Writing Retreat at the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, PA
- In June, Yoga On York hosted Yoga and the Endocrine System for 10 CEU's.
March 2022
Yoga & Food: The Art of Living Well
with Jayne & Stacey
Yoga in the red rocks of AZ!
And Hello Earth! My deepest gratitude for sustaining my life (and everyone reading this) with the gifts you give so freely.... mountains, rivers, oceans, trees, dirt, birds, animals, sun, moon, air. I cherish this home you've given us and pray that we ALL tend to you with our tender loving arms and care!!
Earth Day reminds me to ask: How I am tending to myself and my environment? How can I reduce, reuse, and recycle my resources so that I don't create more waste. Here's my list of 21 things you can do:
1. Reduce the microfiber impact from your laundry. Every time you do laundry, synthetic clothes release hundreds of thousands of microfibers — which are tiny plastic and chemical coated fibers — that end up polluting our water and air!
2. Plant a tree in your yard. I recently planted a peach and fig tree!
3. Switch to compostable trash bags. Normal trash bags take 500 years to decompose.
4. Finish using your single use containers and switch to glass and Stasher bags.
5. Pledge to support climate and environmental literacy.
You can take the pledge to support climate and environmental literacy at EarthDay.org! https://www.earthday.org/campaign/climate-environmental-literacy/
6. Swap to a zero waste deodorant stick and shower less often! Or when you turn on the shower and wait for it to get hot, catch the wasted water with a bucket and water the garden or plants in and around your home.
7. Use locally grown and locally sourced ingredients.
8. Get familiar with your area’s recycling program and sort accordingly.
9. Instead of trashing older items, consider selling them or giving them away.
10. Buy Nothing Movement (buynothing.org) or thrift shop to reuse clothing
Thred Up https://www.thredup.com/
11. Switch to refillable shampoo and conditioner (or bars!) to reduce waste.
12. Meal plan to use what food you have and cut down on excess food waste.
13. Hang dry your laundry instead of running the dryer.
14. Use newspaper or craft paper instead of wrapping paper.
15. Commit to no driving at least once a week.
16. Use reef safe sunscreen.
17. Learn more about how climate impacts the planet.
18. Ride Your Bike more, buy a hybrid or electric car, or carpool more
19 Learn about endangered animals
20. Support green initiatives
21. Invest in a reusable water bottle.
Feb. 2022
Please take a moment and pause to offer silence for one of the greatest spiritual teachers to grace this earth. Thich Nhat Hanh (or Thầy as his followers called him) left his physical body on 1/22/22 to enter fully into his Spirit body. His books are some of the most radical and healing books I've ever read and his legacy lives on. When my mother died, I read: No Death No Fear and it took me years before I could understand the profound wisdom in his words. No lengthy sentences, no reasons or explanations behind the words; just plain and simple, yet profound statements of truth about the very nature of our existence. R.I. P. Thầy.
October, 2020
It is with a heavy heart I must announce that due to COVID-19, YOY is closing its doors on Oct. 28th. We've had an amazing journey together and I can't even begin to express my gratitude for the YOY community. All of the amazing teachers, students and staff that have graced our little studio in the last 10 years. We created such a warm and nurturing place to stretch, strengthen, chat and get to know one another, rest, restore, invigorate, and rejuvenate. So many incredible folks, quiet folks, loud energetic folks, unassuming folks, healthy and sick folks, young and old folks, brain-injured folks, all shapes and sizes from all walks of life folks, turn themselves upside down and inside out folks....all with a desire to be a little calmer, maybe a little more bendy, a little more focused, or a lot more focused and a little more introspective so that we can gain more awareness of how to live and navigate our life in this crazy world. It's been such an honor to do what I love to do the most. Teach Yoga!
We will remain open on zoom, even though our physical space will close. I hope that you can continue to take classes and support the studio in whatever capacity you know how. And if you want to learn the art of teaching yoga, we have a yoga teacher training coming up in January. Live, in person, an at a safe distance. See details below and watch for our upcoming special workshops in the near future
Stay bendy, Jayne
March 18, 2020
March, 2020
We Are Staying Open Because:
We believe yoga strengthens the immune system and breath is medicine. Yoga heals body, mind, and spirit. That said, we are keeping watch on the CDC website for recommendations and what actions to take regarding health and public safety.
Please know that we take your physical and mental health seriously, and understand the responsibility in keeping our students and staff safe. Below you will find a list of precautions we are doing to help prevent the spread of germs/virus of any kind.
· Thorough cleaning of all mats and props.
· Regular wipe down on all surfaces at studio.
· All teachers at YOY will no longer be giving hands on assists or adjustments.
· It is highly recommended that you bring your own personal mat, blanket, and other props for the next few months until we see a large drop in numbers of the coronavirus.
· Avoid hugs, shaking hands. (instead use Spock's Live Long & Prosper" hand gesture)
· If you must borrow a mat, please use our provided anti-bacterial wipes next to the prop shelves to thoroughly wipe mats after use (mats and blocks).
· We will not allow our teachers or staff to come to work sick.
· If you feel ill or have a cold or flu like symptoms, please stay home and do not come to YOY.
· Furthermore, we ask any students that have recently traveled overseas, traveled to a state or city that has been deemed “high risk,” or been exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case to hold off coming in to YOY for 14 days.
· We will continue to follow the advise of the CDC & the Maryland Department of Health and update you on any changes that occur in the clinic due to their recommendations. Should it become necessary, we will temporarily close - we do value student safety above financial gain.
· Fear suppresses the immune system more than the coronavirus. Drink plenty of fluids, get enough sleep, take Vit. C, ginger, elderberry, neti pot regularly, chicken soup, garlic, thyme. Parsley, occilocossinum homeopathic remedy, essential oils.
February 2020
January 2020
December, 2019
Here we are.....on the edge of a new decade, peering over. What's in store for your 2020? I call it the year of amazing eyesight (or insight...or hindsight). Whatever you bring to your life make it an evolutionary journey and continue to evolve your sight. Here are a few affirmations as you ponder the upcoming decade:
"Be stronger than your excuses."
"Don't let your past determine your future."
"Morning’s sunrise does not define itself by last night’s sunset."
"Travelling....It leaves you speechless then turns you into a storyteller."
November, 2019
When Autumn moves towards Winter and days become shorter, our circadian rhythm slows down and tries to match the rhythms of nature. Physiologically, we need to re-calibrate and reset our internal clock. Maybe go to bed a little earlier so we can work with nature to feel more integrated in our life. Seasonal changes can bring about unrest and un-grounded-ness if we work against it so please take some time to heed the wisdom of mother nature and right now she's telling us to slow down. Eat slower, dress slower, etc. And when we slow down, we become more aware of those subtle little shifts around us and how our days and nights are unfolding. Each one of us has an entire universe inside our body to explore. How are you honoring that universe?
October 2019
September, 2019
As part of our advanced teacher training schedule, trainees will be presenting unique and wonderful Yoga workshops for $5 including: Yoga for Addiction Recovery, Yoga For Trauma Recovery, Yoga For Arthritis, Yoga For The Chakras, Chair Yoga and Wall Yoga.
Outside of the training and for the first time, we will be offering a pre-natal aerial yoga workshop with Nancy Jeffryes and prenatal partners yoga workshop with Alleah Erica Clarke. So take advantage of one, two or all of these amazing workshops coming your way soon. Definitely not your average run of the mill yoga, that's for sure!
August, 2019
Consecrating A New Shrine:
by Jayne Bernasconi
This article (below) was submitted to Yoga International for publication. The photos were taken by HI's creative services.
The atmosphere is palpable on the morning of July 16, 2019. My alarm clock is set for 3:40am so that I can assemble with 200 other residents and guests on the first floor of Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, PA. We’re all dressed in our best to start the procession up the stairs for puja of the Adi Pitham. Adi Pitham mean the original shrine in the Sri Vidya tradition. Tea lights are set up as a pathway on the carpeted floor so we can all see in the dark to bid farewell to this shrine. As the consecration begins, I start to feel how monumental this moment is for the Institute.
The first time I stepped into this room was back in 2012 and wondered “why are we paying homage to a rock?” I didn’t understand the significance of a “spotlighted rock” on the alter but did notice there was an enormous amount of energy surrounding my body. Later, I found out that the rock came from a sacred cave in the Himalayan Mountains where the great Sages of the Sri Vidya tradition did their sadhana (devotional practice) for thousands of years. This rock has been infused with energy from those Masters.
The Spiritual Head of the Institute, Padit Rajmani Tigunait (or Panditje as he’s known) recites ancient Tantric matras to begin the process of removing the rock, carried by his son, Isham, to the newly built shrine behind the main building about 500 yards away.
The birds are just waking up and the sky has hints of orange and pink streaked across the horizon. We are all silent and wide eyed, waiting with anticipation. Timing has to be exact. At precisely 5:41am, complete with a full moon above, we all assemble under the archway of the new shrine.
The orange archway is one of the Shrine’s hallmark features and its significance is enormous. This is the official entrance and where the next part of the ceremony takes place. Panditje calls in the Divine Mother, Durga, by reciting a set of mantras from the first chapter of the Durga Saptashati.
Not only does this gateway lead us into the Temple but it also symbolizes the gateway into our own body, our individual temple. If you trace a line with your finger from the base of one nostril up and over the tip of your nose to the other nostril, you’ll trace an arch. And this nose arch is the breath gateway into your body’s temple.
In yoga, pranayama (breath work) is the gateway to transforming the mind. So, likewise, when we physically walk underneath this archway, we are both led inside the Temple and led inside our body’s Temple by way of pranayama techniques. Now, when I close my eyes and bring my attention to my nostrils for nadi shodhanam, (alternate nostril breath), I image this new golden archway of the temple as the base of my nose.
After several more stops for Puja around the outside and inside of the Temple, we gather and one by one begin to pass through the inner most sanctum of the temple called the Garbha Griha room where the “infused rock” now resides.
Flashback to 2016, Khajaraho, India: I was taking part in HI’s “temple consecration.” It was my first trip to India and my teacher, Yogarupa Rod Styker, explained how sacred the Garbha Griha space was. “When you pass through, only stay in there a few moments. Let the energy of pure consciousness envelope and absorb into you.” We were told it is the sanctum sanctorum, the innermost sanctum of the temple where the murti (idol or icon) of the temple resides. Literally the word means "womb chamber" from the Sanskrit words garbha for womb and griha for house.
One of the goals of this current Sri Vidya Immersion/consecration, according to longtime teacher and resident, Shari Friedrichsen, is for participants to realize and experience what a beautiful and lively shrine we each are. The process of discovering the shrine within begins by turning the mind inward. We are reminded to also honor our inner shrine, our body. "Pay attention to the major and subtle effects prana has on your practice” says Friedrichsen. “Re-connect and re-commit to your breath. And know that it’s the gateway into your practice.”
A sketch from my notebook to help give a visual of the forces/deities who resides at the archway
during one of Panditje's evening Satsangs (or lectures).
At this entrance point, Panditji recites a mantra to invoke six divine forces for protection that reside at the archway:
· Ganga and Nandi on the right
· Yamuna and Mahakala on the left
· Lakshmi and Ganesha in the center top of the arch.
And all of these spiritual forces are presided over by Dhartri, a special emanation of the Divine Mother, Durga.
Shari Friedrichsen (right) with guest
Finally, we (all 200 of us) assemble in the main meditation room. Everyone takes their seat on soft new seat cushions as peace and a deep sense of calm float through the air. A beautiful divine voice begins to chant OM and everyone joins in. After the third Om, Sri Sukta is recited. This is an ancient 16 stanza mantra from the Rg Veda to invoke Sri, the Divine Mother.
I am somewhat bewildered that everyone, or so it seems, knows this lengthy 9-minute mantra except me. Oh well. I let the vibration of the mantra nourish my body as 200 voices chant in unision to invoke Sri.
The sun is now in full bloom and all of the divine forces have been invoked and set into motion. As we exit the main door, we receive tilaka, a red dot on our forehead and ladoo, a sweet indian cookie. 40 years ago, this Temple was only a vision from the man who founded the Institute, Swami Rama. Now, as we step outside with gratitude and love for what has come into fruition from a long ago dream, we are reminded of the power of intention: sankalpa.
waiting to enter the Shrine
Entrance to HI. Yes! They even have a chocolate and coffee factory up here!
July 2019
In last month's newsletter, I announced a YLM (year long meditation) event starting on Tues. July 16, 2019, and encouraged, well actually, urged you to sign up (it's free!). You still have time! This is a one of a kind event happening around the world for a more powerful collective intention of world peace.
When a collective group of people around the globe turn inward to find their own inner peace, the effects can manifest outwardly and a powerful shift may occur in our collective consciousness, bringing a sense of peace to our society; a society that's been riddled with fear and anxiety. You can commit to one minute a day, or 5 minutes, or for as long as you want to meditate per day.
And if you don't know how to meditate, no worries.... we got you covered. YOY has 4 free meditations of different lengths - 3 minutes to 20 minutes - on our website's homepage. To kick off YLM, YOY is also hosting a meditation workshop ($10) on Sunday, 7/14 from 11-12pm to jump start YLM.
The newly built Sri Vidya Shrine (below) in Honesdale, PA, will host YLM and Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Spiritual Head of the Himalayan Institute, will lead the consecration. This beautiful building has been built for the sole purpose of going inward to meditate. I'm thrilled to be a part of the unveiling ceremonies July 16-28, of which will include the transmission of energies from ancient Himalayan Masters... chock full of fire rituals, mantras, chants and other sacred practices to seat the forces of power into this new Temple. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you when I return.
June 2019
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February 2019
I’ve had a longtime fascination and curiosity about the vagus nerve, the largest cranial nerve in our body. So, I recently read two books on the VN and WOW!..... I’m astounded at how this nerve rules our body. AND I also found that yoga plays a key component in keeping this nerve toned because of the amount of breath work we do for our nervous system.
Viva Las Vagus
The vagus nerve is like hitting the jackpot in our body. It starts at the brain and weaves its way down and throughout the torso, sending signals through the cells to all of our organs: lungs, heart, gall bladder, liver, pancreas, kidneys and down into the gut and the digestive organs.
This nerve is connected to a lot of our inner “stuff” including physical, emotional, and social. Just as we keep our muscles and body toned, we also need to tone our vagus.
January 2019
28 years ago today (Jan. 17, 1991) I performed in The Last Supper At Uncle Tom’s Cabin a very controversial dance choreographed by Bill T. Jones. It was on the eve of the first Gulf War. Bill’s company performed at the Flynn Theatre in Burlington, Vermont, the first stop on a national US tour. The dance title came from his partner, Arnie Zane’s favorite painting and Bill’s favorite book. When Arnie was dying of AIDS in 1988, Bill and Arnie fantasized a “what if” dance. As the story goes, Bill said to Arnie: “What if we combine our two favorite works of art into a dance performance. Well, Bill kept his promise to Arnie after he passed and created this evening length work that tackled social issues such as: justice, racism, homophobia, repression and faith. After 4-5 hours of rehearsing every night for two solid weeks, local dancers would join Bill’s company to perform in the last of 4 acts called “The Promised Land.” The Last Supper...was made into a documentary and goes down in history as one of the most treasured modern dances of our time. I have the performance poster framed on my living room wall (see above) and just now as I walked past it, I heard it say: “Pssst, remember me?"
Take a moment this Monday to reflect on your "Promised Land" as we celebrate a great leader... MLK.