Recently I had the privilege to attend the Igniting the Center workshops with John Friend, founder of Anusara Yoga.
Although I have been practicing Anusara yoga for a couple years and have taken the Anusara Immersions with Michael Fukumura, I had yet to study with John. I was stoked, excited and curious. There were no expectations as to what would unfold, I was grateful just being there.
I claimed my space in the second row and settled in and sparked up conversations with those on surrounding mats. Although strangers, many of us chatted as if we were life-long friends. There were beams of smiles on everyone’s faces as people sat in close circles sitting cross-legged laughing about sore hamstrings and tight muscles. The previous days of workshops left everyone’s bodies proudly sore from the intense asana practice. It’s the same kind of body fatigue you boast about after a long day surfing, running or after a hard day’s work doing what you love. You’re achy and tired but for all the right reasons.
As each person walked in, they had a friend to embrace. It was unknown whether these friendships were new and cultivated over the course of the workshops or whether these people practiced together for years. Yet I could see the theme of Igniting the Center had already begun. People were stoked, the center of their hearts open to each other. The center of the seed of their potential anticipated another time to shine on the yoga mat.
This workshop also held special meaning to me as a prAna employee. Not only is John Friend one of our Ambassadors, but I knew I would be practicing amongst many prAna customers. It was amazing to see prAna on bodies in action, what people like to style a prAna garment with and how they performed throughout the 4 hour workshop. Working in customer service and the prAna Influencer program, I support our customers all day long. So seeing our customers rocking out in prAna and supporting the brand they are also supporting my job. What a recognition of interdependency and a constant feeling of gratitude to prAna enthusiasts.
If you have a chance to practice with John Friend during the Igniting the Center world tour, definitely do so!
Diane Cruz, prAna Customer Service/Influencer
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It is a great honor for me to teach and live in the same area where Paramhansa Yogananda lived and wrote, Autobiography of a Yogi. Also, Encinitas is the home of my friend and Ashtanga Vinyasa teacher, Tim Miller. It is a very hip seaside town 20 miles north of San Diego, a home for some great surfers, tri-athletes, rock climbers, and many fantastic yoga studios. Since Patahbi Jois first came to the US there in 1975, Encinitas is regarded as the fountainhead of vinyasa style yoga in North America.
The Center is located on Hwy 101 just 2 blocks from the gardens of Yogananda’s Self Realization Fellowship and the beautiful bluffs overlooking the great surf at “Swami’s Beach.” With a large dome roof with skylights and large windows, the Southern California sunshine pours onto a huge hardwood floor designed to accommodate many students and friends from around the world.
Very soon I will be teaching from The Center along with many certified teachers, scholars, and master teachers in a variety of disciplines including anatomy and tantric philosophy. With a home base I will be practicing regularly at The Center, so I invite you all to come join me to co-create some positive energy during this incredible period of history on the planet. Enjoy a sunny refuge with a vibrant, mindful, and affirming local community while practicing some fantastic yoga.
