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Shiva the Dissolver (and rare hybrid orchid)
The other day, it was announced that following a controlled forest fire, a rare hybrid orchid that hasn’t been seen in the wild in Maryland for the past 70 years has emerged. This, I think, is such a wonderful example of the privileging of the destructive energy of of Shiva in the context of the triad of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (sustainer), and Shiva (destroyer).
Shiva in this context does not so much destroy for the sake of destroying, but is part of the inevitable and necessary part of life that strips away, dissolves, razes, eliminates, so that new life can emerge and be sustained.
Web Version of Holiday E-Newsletter
Dear Friends,
May your inner light shine brightly for yourself and others through the holiday season. I wish you all much joy and safe travels. As I get ready to take some time off and celebrate with friends and family–with a little sojourn in New York as part of the plan–I wanted to let you know the schedule to make it easier to plan.
There are no Willow Street classes for the rest of the year–though a number of my friends and colleagues are offering what look like a fantastic array of workshops at Willow Street from 12/29 to 1/2. There is William Penn House this coming Tuesday, 12/21 and also 1/4, but not on 12/28. There will be two special house practices for regular students on Thursday 12/23 and Monday 12/27. Please email me if you wish to attend.
Free class week,, which runs from 1/3 to 1/9, starts the new Willow Street session. I will be offering two classes at Willow Street Takoma Park during free class week: restoratives on Monday, January 3rd, and gentle/therapeutic on Saturnday, January 9th.
In addition to continuing the gentle/therapeutics at noon on Saturdays in the Winter Session (registering is great, but drop-ins always welcome), I will be offering the last Saturday of the month from January to March “Relaxing into Optimal Alignment with Anusara Restoratives.” After a little gentle stretching and self-massage to bring awareness to the breath and body, we will enjoy the exquisite application of Anusara’s Universal Principles of Alignment to restful and supported restorative postures to release old patterns and invite in the new to find greater ease of body and mind. The workshop is designed to be a great practice for all levels; sign up for the full 3-class series and save $15! The workshop series–or even just one–makes a great holiday gift for yourself or a friend or loved one.
Also please mark your calendars in advance for “Yoga for Gardeners,” which is for all levels of yogis and gardeners alike. It will be on Saturday, March 18th. A portion of the profits, as is my tradition, will go to benefit the Youth Garden at the National Arboretum.
Peace and light,
Elizabeth
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Huffington Post Article on Anusara Grand Gathering
A nice story on the intention and practice of Anusara yoga.


