I wanted to teach, but I really needed to find a studio with whom I felt totally aligned….philosophically and otherwise.  This turned out to be more difficult to find than I thought it would be.  That’s not to say that there aren’t a ton of wonderful yoga studios in this city….there are many, many amazing studios….It’s just that none of them seemed to be just the right fit.  So in the end, I did the only logical thing, I opened my own yoga studio.

UniverseCity Yoga on The Ave is my love-child.  I believe that I have brought my yogic sensibilities to the business and vice-versa.  I have crafted a model that honors the teacher and the student, creates a supportive community, and cultivates joy in the abundance around us.  We reject competition.  We reject scarcity and fear.  Our hope is to bring Yoga to an underserved area and population; give them our hearts, our practice, our joy, our compassion….and ask them to join us.

You should join us too!  The University District is so wonderful.  I have lived in this city for ten years, and it isn’t as I remember it from my first year here.  There is a vibrancy, and urban energy tempered by the smaller buildings, the local feel.  It reminds me in some ways of Brooklyn.  There is energy here….and I love it.  I think you will too.
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I don’t mean that I have high-up-mucky-mucks to pull strings for me.  I mean that in the ten years I have worked independently, I have created a long, long list of contacts and connections that help me get the word out about what I’m up to.  I have learned that it can pay greatly to build bridges, even thin ones made of rope, and maintain them in subtle ways over the years.  By making a point to gather information and compile contacts from very diverse professional and personal areas, I have been able to build a large network to tap into later for my own benefit, or the benefit of others in my community.

I believe in word of mouth advertising.  I believe in buzz.  I believe in Community.  So in the interest of that Community, I try to share with you some of the announcements, deals and messages I get back from my network.  Please see my new, and developing, website at www.unitytherapeutic.com.  There you will find pages to educate and enliven your life, yoga practice, health and well-being, and discussions to keep you coming back!  I also have a page dedicated to the Communities I love to support.  These links help continue to build the network of inspirational figures here in our own neighborhoods, and around the world.

So check out the site, visit some new local business and make a mark, even a small one, in your Community today.

Namaste.

One of the vendors at this year’s event is Country Cabin Creations.  This is the local company bringing the heat-treatment Huggle to the open market.  CCC has joined up with some of the practitioners here at Seattle Bodywork Cooperative to provide prize packages that include both Huggle products and bodywork sessions.  If you are at the Women’s show, be sure to stop by their booth and sign up for the prize drawing!

In addition to these prizes, Country Cabin Creations is offering SBC members and clients special pricing on their products.  When you purchase both the Soother and the Neck Wrap (or a total of $49.90 or more), you can save $10 by using the code “SBC” at checkout.  I encourage you to check out their website to find out more about their products.

Her rates and specials are extremely affordable and she is able to come to you if the need arises….there are not many folks still doing house-calls!  So take a look at her site and see what you think.  It will be worth your time!

One way to do that is by studying the Human Body.  Regardless of your yoga style or technique, the human body remains a constant across all Asana traditions.  This class is your window into the workings of this miraculous container we travel in.

We will review and discuss:

• Anatomy and Physiology Basics–terminology, tissues, structures and functions
• Mechanics of Movement–concepts of movement and how to be more observant of these in our students
• The Nervous System–the brain, learning, reflexes and the mind
• Common Injuries–modifications, healing and what to avoid
• Posture-specific Analysis– risk and modifications

This is not a “name the muscles” class.  We dive in deep and work on concepts that will help enrich your experience of your yoga practice, bring more awareness and intelligence to your sequencing, and help make you a better observer of your students. This workshop will help build skills that make you a better yoga teacher.

The next class is scheduled as follows:

Date: January 10th & 17th (two consecutive Sundays)

Time: 1 P.M.-7 P.M each day; starting promptly at 1!

Place: New Seattle Massage Classroom–4519 1/2 University Way NE, Seattle WA 98105

Cost:  $125–includes instruction and all materials, 12 CEU’s for Yoga Alliance RYT’s

Registration forms will be sent by email.  If you want to attend, please leave your contact info in the “Comments” section below, or email functional.anatomy@unitytherapeutic.com with any questions.   (This email is monitored for this class only and will be terminated upon completion of the class.)

Richelle is a massage therapist, yoga teacher and therapist, bodywork educator, and perpetual student of life.  She has been learning and teaching about anatomy, healing, injury prevention and rehabilitation since 1994.  Richelle is eager to share her knowledge with you!

As we did last year, we will also accept cash donations.  We use 100% of these donations to purchase toothpaste, toothbrushes and other self-care items to bring to the food banks.  We use the Dollar Tree to get the most product for the money.  Please consider bringing your donations directly to our bin at your next appointment, or visit the individual food bank websites to donate directly.

Items in great need:

• blankets, sleeping bags
• towels, washcloths
• socks, shoes
• hats, gloves
• coats, children’s coats
• baby food!! jars, rice cereal and formula
• toothpaste, toothbrushes
• shampoo, soap, deodorant
• canned/dry food

This past year has shown unprecedented need for the families in our community.  Please help us in our effort to share our own good fortune with those neighbors who will have trouble keeping warm and well-fed this winter.

Thank you for any generosity you might bestow.  With gratitude in our hearts, Seattle Bodywork Cooperative

I myself learned so much from the class.  Though I have taught it many times over, this was my first adventure with current teachers.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your suggestions and feedback.  I hope that I am able to incorporate them as I go along, and am able to offer even better instruction with each new installment.

Keep the comments coming!  I am currently working on the next training for January 10th and 17th, 2010.  This will be roughly the same material for those who missed out on the first round.  Of course, since this information cannot be repeated too often, anyone from the first round is welcome to join us again!

I will make sure to keep this site, as well as Yogablaze, updated with the class details, so please come back often to make sure you keep your information current.

Thank you all again, Richelle

If you share that vision, please contact either Mihal Ehven or Richelle Ricard to schedule a viewing and discuss details.  We consider ourselves a family.  Your membership here includes:

• Shared treatment room–furnished cooperatively by each practitioner
• Furnished welcome/waiting area, filtered water
• Secured entry–combination lock with deadbolt
• Office space, separate from treatment room for paperwork and billing(available 24/7)
• Representation on Co-op website, with option to post articles
• Representation on all Co-op marketing materials
• Flexible Lease Terms

We charge $110/month per weekday.  i.e. All Monday in a month for $110.  Discounted rate for 4+ days/week.

Please see our Join The Team link for availability.

Do you desire a deeper understanding of human anatomy and physiology?  This class goes beyond memorization to explore the various systems that influence a yoga practice.  We will examine and discuss the physiology of:

• The Nervous System—The influence of the brain in sensory perception.
• Muscles—Including common conditions, reflexes and postural patterning.
• Fascia—What is it really and how does it work?
• Joint Structures—General anatomy along with specific mechanism of injury at the most vulnerable joints.
• The Breath—How it fits in…

Along the way, we will discuss how this deeper knowledge can advance our teaching skills through more intelligent modifications, hands-on adjustments and sequencing.

Richelle Ricard is an educator, massage therapist and yoga instructor who has been studying the human body and its miracles since 1994.  She developed a yoga-specific anatomy curriculum in 2007 for yoga teacher-trainees and is eager to offer an advanced version to veteran instructors. More about Richelle here…

• Cost:  $100 (introductory fee—one time rate!)
• Dates:  Saturday, October 31-Sunday, November 1
• Times:  10 A.M. To 4 P.M. (12 hours CEU credits for Y.A. RYT)
• Location:  New Seattle Massage, 4519 ½  University Way NE, Seattle WA 98105
• Contact:   206-931-2949 or functional.anatomy@unitytherapeutic.com (this email is monitored for this workshop only and will be removed when the workshop is completed)