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About the book:
Science writer Matt Ridley has found a way to tell someone else's story without being accused of plagiarism. Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters delves deep within your body (and, to be fair, Ridley's too) looking for dirt dug up by the Human Genome Project. Each chapter pries one gene out of its chromosome and focuses on its role in our development and adult life, but also goes further, exploring the implications of genetic research and our quickly changing social attitudes toward this information. Genome shies away from the "tedious biochemical middle managers" that only a nerd could love and instead goes for the A-material: genes associated with cancer, intelligence, sex (of course), and more.
Readers unfamiliar with the jargon of genetic research needn't fear; Ridley provides a quick, clear guide to the few words and concepts he must use to translate hard science into English. His writing is informal, relaxed, and playful, guiding the reader so effortlessly through our 23 chromosomes that by the end we wish we had more. He believes that the Human Genome Project will be as world-changing as the splitting of the atom; if so, he is helping us prepare for exciting times--the hope of a cure for cancer contrasts starkly with the horrors of newly empowered eugenicists. Anyone interested in the future of the body should get a head start with the clever, engrossing Genome.

Soon we'll know what's in our genes: next year, the Human Genome Project will have its first-draft map of our 23 chromosomes. Ridley (The Red Queen; The Origins of Virtue) anticipates the genomic news with an inventively constructed, riveting exposition of what we already know about the links between DNA and human life. His inviting prose proposes "to tell the story of the human genome... chromosome by chromosome, by picking a gene from each." That story begins with the basis of life on earth, the DNA-to-RNA-to-protein process (chapter one, "Life," and also chromosome one); the evolution of Homo sapiens (chromosome two, which emerged in early hominids when two ape chromosomes fused); and the discovery of genetic inheritance (which came about in part thanks to the odd ailment called alkaptonuria, carried on chromosome three). Some facts about your life depend entirely on a single gene--for example, whether you'll get the dreadful degenerative disease Huntington's chorea, and if so, at what age (chromosome four, hence chapter four: "Fate"). But most facts about you are products of pleiotropy, "multiple effects of multiple genes," plus the harder-to-study influences of culture and environment. (One asthma-related gene--but only one--hangs out on chromosome five.) The brilliant "whistle-stop tour of some... sites in the genome" passes through "Intelligence," language acquisition, embryology, aging, sex and memory before arriving at two among many bugbears surrounding human genetic mapping: the uses and abuses of genetic screening, and the ongoing debate on "genetic determinism" and free will. Ridley can explain with equal verve difficult moral issues, philosophical quandaries and technical biochemistry; he distinguishes facts from opinions well, and he's not shy about offering either. Among many recent books on genes, behavior and evolution, Ridley's is one of the most informative. It's also the most fun to read.

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Ashtanga Adjustments
Monday: 8/11, 8/25, 9/8, 9/22
6:30 - 7:30pm
$10/session
$35 all sessions

The power of words and talking with your hands.
The most powerful part of an Ashtanga practice is often the adjustments we receive from our teacher during any practice. Touch is one of the primary ways teachers pass information to students in Ashtanga yoga. Adjustments can be subtle, a light touch meant to inform length in the spine, or they can be powerful examples that help us move deeper or add support in a difficult posture. Intelligent adjustments are the children of being able to touch, breath and feel/see the students resistance. The breath is the guide, which allows us to line up our students or ourselves by using brief verbal and tactile clues to move in and out of an asana, without disrupting the breath. Working with partners, we will learn some of these subtle adjustments that are as important to understand while you are being adjusted, as they are when you are giving adjustments.

Each class will be equal parts observing, listening, doing and teaching.
Session 1 - Adjusting Sun Salutations and warrior postures
Session 2 - Adjusting Standing postures
Session 3 - Adjusting Key Primary Series Postures
Session 4 - Adjusting Closing Postures

Everyone is welcome!

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The Mala

A mala (Sanskrit for garland) is a meditation tool, used to count the number
of mantra repetitions completed per sitting. Mantra repetition using a mala
is an effective way of keeping your mind focused, and can make meditation
more relaxing and soothing by relieving physical tension.

Historically, malas have been used as a part of an integrated spiritual
practice that may also contain hatha yoga.

A mala contains 108 beads and a larger "meru" bead. The tassled "meru" bead
is symbolic of the transcended state, and indicates the beginning and end of
a cycle. The significance of "108" is because the Brahmand (universe) is
made up of 108 elements (and according to modern scientific chemistry, the
universe is made up of more than 108 elements). So 108 represents the
universe.

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onlYoga Annual Yoga Retreat
November 15 - 20th, 2008

The annual onlYoga retreat is an opportunity to pause, re-invigorate and transform your life over the course of one several amazing days. Each day opens with meditation and pranayama to loosen the barnacles of mental habit. In the evening enjoy breath taking sunsets as you experience a powerful Vinyasa Yoga practice designed to reshape your inner vision and strengthen your spiritual foundation. Take part in a week long adventure that will integrate your mind and body and fortify you on every level. We hope you join us in cultivating the solitude and companionship that this retreat offers. More information

Maya Tulum is a stunning retreat bathed by the magical warm waters of the Caribbean Sea on the Yucatan Peninsula. This is the land of the Maya, rich with physical beauty and infused with spiritual energy. Located 1.5 hours south of Cancun, Maya Tulum lies at the entrance of the Sian Ka'an National Park, an intact nature reserve. The resort is run by Mayan Indians. They are light-hearted, gentle people that delight in serving their guests. The facilities include cabanas for lodging, a large meditation/yoga hall and a large dining area, all beautifully constructed in the Mayan tradition. The cabanas are round, rustic and charming. They are surrounded by windows for striking views of the sea and jungle and are covered with high thatched roof ceilings that give a wonderful sense of openness. The peacefully rustic Maya Tulum is a magical place. We invite you to gather with us for a celebration of body, mind and spirit at this spectacular location.

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Traditional Ashtanga Yoga with Manju Jois
January 24th & 25th 2009
Saturday 2 Sessions Morning and Afternoon
Sunday 2 Sessions Morning and Afternoon
Cost $175 before 11/1/08
$200 after 11/1/08

Manju is dedicated to his mission of teaching the ancient tradition of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, for a total mind-body-spirit unification with Self and God. Manju and his father, Shri Pattabhi Jois, brought Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga to America in 1975 and Manju has traveled worldwide teaching this tradition as taught to Pattabhi Jois by his legendary teacher T Krishnamacharya.

Ashtanga Yoga: Ashtanga Yoga is a form of Hatha Yoga that uses a powerful sequence of postures combined with breath to create an internal heat that opens the muscles and purifies the body. Ashtanga Yoga is an ancient systematic practice of yoga that slowly builds in difficulty to allow students to safely access their full potential. Focus on breath, balance, and energy allows students to bring all their attention to the flow of postures in moving meditation. Ashtanga yoga is a rigorous, physically demanding practice in a heated room.

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Inversions and arm balances are an important element of ashtanga yoga. In this workshop we will spend some time reviewing the anatoical issues related to elegant inversions. We will spend the majority of our time practicing postures like handstands, headstands, forearm balance, etc. Please contact John Merideth for additional information.

The workshop is suitable for students with 4+ months of regular practice (3+ time/week). Min. 10 students / Max 25 students

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Session 1 The 8 Limbs and Sun Salutations
Session 2 The Standing Sequence
Session 3 The Seated Sequence
Session 4 Putting It All Together & Closing

Prepay for All 4 Sessions $60 • Drop-Ins Welcome ($17) - Pre-Register ONLINE

A systematic approach to learning and understanding the Ashtanga Primary Series. Suitable for all levels, the onlYoga Ashtanga Foundations series offers new students a thorough and safe introduction to learning the Ashtanga Vinyasa method while building the strength and confidence necessary to move into more advanced classes in the studio.  For more experienced practitioners, the course provides a tool for reviewing and strengthening the fundamental concepts that make the Ashtanga form so dynamic.  We recommend new students start at the beginning of the 4 week series, however, since this is an ongoing course students can drop in for any of the 4 classes.

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