When I moved into the Hillsdale area of SW Portland I still wasn’t driving and I made a trek through the neighborhood to make an internal map of what was available. One thing I found was OmBase Yoga. To me this was a potential gold mine. I waited until I got settled into my new place and my obligations settled down to approach this resource, the beginning of the new year.
On the 3rd day of January I was standing at the bus stop ready to head downtown when I got a intuitive tingle. I looked down the hill and asked, “am I supposed to be doing something else?” I saw the egg-sign on top of the building where OmBase lived and noticed that I had started inching away from the stop, heading toward, to be overly dramatic, destiny. When I arrived, cold and self conscious, I met Vittoria, one of the owners. She spoke with me for a few moments about what I was looking for and when I wanted to start. Turns out there was a class with Louise L. starting in a few minutes and Vittoria, in a quite motherly way, could tell that I should just get right in there. And so I stopped hedging and did. Sublime. Kismet. Warm and wonderful. I have attended classes several times a week since.
While I have yoga in my background I’m not what I would have considered a yoga person. I’m not all that bendy, considerably over weight and pretty cranky about exercise in general. But I do know one thing about yoga that OmBase also knows – its not all about exercise, gear and yoga butts. It is about, but not limited to, body awareness. When I practice yoga at OmBase I consider what I can do in the moment. I have bursitis and rotator cuff issues in my shoulders as well as cranky wrists and stiff knees and stubbornly inflexible hips. Some days these issues are more active and I spend more time in savasana. And many days I start off with the class and move into my own process as described by my body and what it thinks and feels it can or needs to do that day. This flexibility to do what I need to is invaluable because many times I just can’t do what the class is doing. And I know I shouldn’t push it. But more than that sometimes my body wants to release in other areas than the class will be addressing that day.
And more than the day to day, I’ve been attending classes for nearly six months. My internal commitment has waxed and waned but I kept coming as often as I could, even through the harder bits where I just didn’t see the point. And I worked through those rough patches without having to restart my practice. Enormous. I know this is also due to the encouragement and support of the people at OmBase.
Another aspect of support that I found invaluable from OmBase that many people try to separate out of their practice, and is certainly possible even at OmBase, is the uplifting spiritual support. As I said, yoga isn’t strictly about form and firm, bendy bodies, but an internal practice of emotional and truthful internal self observance that can be considered spiritual in nature. At the beginning of each session the teacher includes a practice of yoga that I don’t know the terms for; affirming, uplifting and humble words to inspire your routine that day. Leading into the rest of your day. I find this practice as important as the rest of the yoga session. I find that the words from Todd or Louise are truthful and inspiring and set my objective for the day.
I have felt many times that OmBase was magically put right where I could walk to it on a daily basis. That the content of this yoga business has been directly informative of my needs at this time in my life. And I’m surely happy to share it with everyone else who can go there because, as has been mentioned, all of the other yogis in this practice feed and inform my or your practice.
I realize it was almost 3 months, not two since my last yoga lesson. I start things and quit things. Not really a “quitter” but I get diverted and attached to so many things that I just get tuckered out. I was so ready to dismiss yoga when my doctor advised me on it. I wasn’t thrilled about it. I figured I’d be the “fat lady”. But what I’ve learned in such a short time is that yoga is not really about my body but about my health and my mind. It’s about allowing myself a time to reflect and reach out. It’s not about what I look like but more about my need to heal, not just physically either. And I’m not about my body either. I’m overweight. For now. I’m not dieting, I’m healing. We’ve gone through so much these past few years. Death and illness and huge change. I stored my pain and stress. And now I’m taking care of my body, mind and spirit. I’m not the “fat lady”, I’m the “work in progress”.
I have never looked forward to anything or wanted anything that was related to exercise. I love rollerskating but it was always a bit of a chore.
But yoga… I miss it when I can’t attend. I looked at my mat and cried one night because I wanted to continue to feel good. Like all the strides I had made were just melting away.. I know they didn’t though. And now I’m more healthy and will get more benefit from it. I didn’t realize how sick I was.
I thought I had TFO Syndrome. Tired, Fat and Old. I tolerated pains that most wouldn’t. Maybe that’s a Mom affliction… But I needed to have my gallbladder removed and due to the arthritis medicines they had started me on just when I started yoga, it made me bleed horribly. Which put me in a weak state. Then stuff didn’t work otu well after surgery. Did the whole colonoscopy scare and tests, which last week came out find. I have a hernia from the surgery incision that is a bit of a bummer but I hope to have that taken care of.
It was a great return class to yoga. Bhakti was very giving and I like her. She says, “yummy spot” like you [Todd].
The first time I taught a Chakra workshop, was in Peru to a group of 15 men and women who were on a spiritual retreat. I was supposed to be assisting my friend and yoga teacher Chaitanya. Knowing that I was knowledgeable on the subject, he asked me to accompany him in place of his wife Saranagati. The workshop was held at some of the most famous Incan ruins in the Sacred Valley.
Above the terraced mountainside, about 15 of us gathered, looking down upon the valley below. It was just before sunset and we were all nestled alongside a small stream, amongst the crumbling remains of an Incan empire. The scenery was breathtaking.
Chaitanya took his time diligently setting up crystals, singing bowls, paulo santo and chimes. Finally, it was time to begin. Everyone was seated in a circle, eyes beaming with anticipation. Chaitanya turned to me, leaned over and whispered in my ear, “You teach it”. ”What!??”, I exclaimed. “You teach the workshop”, and he smiled. I grimaced back at him, and hesitantly nodded my head in acceptance. Shit, I thought, how did I get myself into this predicament? There was no time for hesitation, everyone was looking to me for an experience, one that I had not in any way prepared for. I prompted everyone to close their eyes and begin connecting with their breath and their reason for being there, at which time I did the same. I asked for guidance and to pretty please not be humiliated.
Have you seen our BIGegg??
We finally got some window treatment
done and LOVE the results.
Most of you that have seen it seem to as well.
Todd said you’re cracking the egg
every time you open the door….
Opening to The Flow of Change with Emily Trinkaus
TUE 6/1-6/22 – 7:30-9 pm $48
Emily Trinkaus
This class series starts Tuesday June 1st…there might still be a spot or two left!
This class series combines Yin Yoga, writing and astrology!
The change is happening, and we’re all immersed in it – you’re immersed in it - Spending just a bit of time with others who, like you, are curious about, and more consciously choosing for – uncovering and discovering – something new – a new way of being - will afford you an ease now, during these times which otherwise may seem daunting and fraught with overwhelming challenges. In allowing yourself to be supported, you invariably align with, and tune into your Self, and so find yourself supported by the very change you felt at odds with… Open to the magic…
Read this excerpt from what current immersion students received prior to the first class:
“If you were to go to a new town, and have someone drive you around from place to place for a few weeks or months.. or even years… then suddenly one day they were not (t)here to drive you… would you know how to get where you are going? And the salient thing that is important here, with respect to this practice, is not to memorize a particular route… but rather to learn to feel how you navigate… and then start to practice those skills – this new found awareness- more and more of the time…. it simply entails a willingness, a gentle persistence, some measure of curiosity, and some courage…. these things you have now, and we’ll be practicing using these over the course of the next three weeks…. in order to re-awaken them, stretch them, lean into them bit by bit, until they feel ready to be used ‘out there’ in life”.
Some of the last immersion’s participants kindly allowed us to post their blogs here. The Yoga of Getting Unstuck.
And hereYoga Immersion, A Journey to Myself.
Please note: no drop ins during this immersion – participants must register for the whole immersion, though your schedule may not allow you to attend each and every session. Space limited to 14 immersers (not including your guides…who take up no space)
JRo is coming back!
June 2-9
JRo
Good News! JRo has extended his stay till June 9th…there are some spots left still after June 5th.
JRo will be here in June, and he’ll have Clairvoyant reading and healing sessions available.
Ro came last year for a visit and before you know it he was all booked up. He’s getting booked this time too, so hurry up and call if you want a session w/him. He will be seeing clients at the studio (with the exception of one day possibly at our home).
From JRo:” Your body is energy and our lives reality based events. Learn how you occur right here right now as life. And learn how to change it, guide it and ultimately let go”.
Todd will be teaching this drop in class permanently.
You can arrive like to any other classes, and either use your class card or pay a donation.
Come explore what Yin Yoga is all about. Whether you are new to yoga in general, or a seasoned yogi, this is a class you’ll get a lot from.
One of the interesting things about the yin approach is that it benefits the more active person (runner, biker, etc) as well as the less active person (couch potato).
Satsang Sarong….. come and be embraced with Todd
SAT 6/19 – 6-8 pm
Cost: FREE
Satsang Sarong
Satsang sarong is simply a time to come together. This evening includes a meditation, talk, sharing, questions. We’ll spend some time sitting together, perhaps in a guided meditation, perhaps in silence.
Once we’ve sufficiently woven the fabric of connection together to feel it (tuning in), we’ll spend some time being immersed in that energetic field, and share. There may be discussion, perhaps some sharing, and there’s time for questions and answers… it’s a time for us to explore a bit more this thing we do when we come together for class, and not be so busy with the poses.
Come just before 6, as we’ll do a meditation and would prefer no late comers. Namasté
A gift taken and shared: four weeks, four classes for change
gift of yoga
Please give yourself this gift and by so doing give the gift of continued sustainability to OmBase.
There will be a sign up sheet at the front desk, where you can put your name down each week and receive a free gift at the end of the 4 weeks!
Just a little incentive for you to come and participate!
Coming in JULY . . .
Intro to Yoga
w/Todd, Adriana, Stasia and Vittoria
7/6-7/27 every TUE 7:30-8:45 pm
Cost: $48/ Pre-registration required
Alana - Upward Facing Dog
Our last intro was very successful, so we’re having another one in July! Please let your friends know…
This class series is an introduction to Yoga for all beginners out there!
Basics of yoga, breathing, introduction to props, as well as individualized attention to what each student needs.
Lunar Yin series
with Emily
M/W/F 7-8:15 am
Cost: 90-$108 sliding scale. Pre-registration required.Sorry, no drop-ins.
Lunar Yin
This is a 3-week series offered the first 3 weeks of the month and meets M-W-F from 7:00-8:15am.
We typically spend 3-5 minutes in each supported pose, gently melting into the tight places and inviting them to unwind.
The benefits of this practice include increasing the range of motion in the joints, and improving the flow of energy through the meridians, resulting in a feeling of more “space” in the body and more overall vitality.
While we hang out in the poses, Emily will share her astrological insights about the current phase and sign of the Moon. Knowing where the Moon is helps us “go with the flow” instead of “pushing the river,” which is what this practice is all about!
Please email/call OmBase if you want to sign up for either of these events, or others. |
You can mail a check, sign up at the studio or sign up online.
Thanks to Emily, Virgo organizer extraordinaire, she posted every book we have online, here.
You can check out books and videos the same way, by writing your name in the check-out binder at the studio, but now you also have the option of browsing our library online, read an excerpt of the book (via an Amazon link), post a comment, and more.
We’ll be adding reviews of the books in the next few weeks.
The other change is that we’ll be charging $1 x week for DVDs, as we need to replace them occasionally, and that will help.
Books will be due 3 weeks from check out date, DVDs only one week at a time.
You will get email reminders when your item is due.
Virtual shots of Om Base
We’ve posted some fabulous 360º shots of the studio on our website. You can scroll (slowly!) to see in every direction!
We’d like to ask you to post a review as reviews really help other students decide whether or not come to visit us!
You can go to our contact us page, and click on the pop-up window that comes up over the map (click OmBase or Reviews). It’ll take you to a Google page link where you can post a review!
You can also go to Insider Pageshere to post a review.
In addition, you can post on Yelp too here.
We’re teaching the first Intro to Yoga we’ve had in months; Movie Night continues, a new bike rack has been installed, JRo‘s coming back in town, Emily‘s teaching with Todd, Yin Yoga moves to another night….plus lots more!
We are still interested in finding out how yoga
or OmBase has changed your life,
so please send in your comments!
Yin Yoga with Todd
Mon/Wed/Fri 5/3-5/21
7-8:15 am
Cost: $90-$108 sliding scale / pre-registration
Yin Yoga
Todd & Emily are co-teaching the Yin Yoga classes in the morning!
Join them for a fabulous time, and and a great stretch! More on Yin Yoga here. (scroll to end of page).
To register call/email us at OmBase, or stop by to make payment by check or credit card (you can also pay online, just be aware that it the most expensive option for us, as we get charged 3% w/any online transactions).
Intro to Yoga
with Todd, Adriana, Stasia and Vittoria
5/4-5/25 every TUE 7:30-8:45 pm
Cost: $48/ pre-registration
Alana - Upward Facing Dog
This class series is an introduction to Yoga for all beginners out there! 4 different teachers to give you the basics of yoga. Todd, Adriana, Stasia and Vittoria will alternate teaching on Tuesdays all month.
Basics of yoga, breathing, introduction to props, as well as individualized attention to what each student needs.
Pre-registration required. Min 5, max 10 students.
Please email/call Om Base if you want to sign up. You can mail a check, sign up at the studio or sign up online.
BodyTalk & Astrology
offered at OmBase!
Emily Trinkaus
Many of you already know Emily, as she’s been with us from the beginning (and before that!).
Emily is now at OmBase on Fridays, seeing clients. If you are interested or curious about what she offers, check out her site. virgomagic.com.
Her new blog is chock full, and you can read on making the most of Mercury retrograde!
JRo will be here in June, and he’ll have Clairvoyant reading and healing sessions available.
JRo came last year for a visit and before you know it he was all booked up. He’s getting booked this time too, so hurry up and call if you want a session with him. He will be seeing clients at the studio (with the exception of one day possibly at our home).
From JRo:” Your body is energy and our lives reality based events.
Learn how you occur right here right now as life. And learn how to
change it, guide it and ultimately let go“.
JRo, ( pronounced J-row) lives in Haiku, Maui, and has been doing Clairvoyant reading/healing and energy work for over 30 years. Currently JRo travels and brings what he does to different locations throughout the mainland U.S.
Readings are $100 for at about 1.5-2 hrs (please bring cash)
The evening yin yoga class moves to Wednesday night this month (and might remain that way) as we are introducing a new class for beginners on Tuesdays. Please look for the Yin Yoga by donation class on Wednesday night at 7:15-8:30 pm.
Sun 10 am class moves to 9 am starting in June!
We did this last year too, to give you more time to get on with the summer activities but still come to yoga!
See you at 9 am on June 6th!
If you want the Tuesday & Thursday 6:30 am classes to continue, please come and take them more often. There’s talk of discontinuing those classes by June if not enough students show up each week.
Bike rack is in!
Maria hugging the new bike rack
Yes, that’s Maria hugging the rack . . . Riding your bike to OmBase is a whole lot easier now!
The first time you ride your bike to class, and park your bike at the new corral, let us know when you sign in, and you can take that class for just $5, or use your class card and bring a friend for free.
Remember that if you have a class card and ride your bike to class (walk or take public transit) you can stamp your card.. and after collecting 10 stamps we’ll say thank-you to you with a free class on us!
One of our students, Maria, an avid biker, was the first to use the new racks (parking there about two hours after they had been installed!) and happened to be there when Dave Johnson (from the Hillsdale Biking Coalition) was taking a picture, and here’s what we learned about Maria,
“My name is Maria Cahill and I ride from my home (which is also my office for a sustainable land development consulting business) in Multnomah Village. Biking is one of my personal and professional commitments to a healthier environment and a healthier me. I rode over 1000 miles last year just for business related meetings and site visits in addition to my private errands and events. I’m excited to see the new bike racks!“.
Thank you for coming to class! Can you post a review?
Loiuse in headstand
Many of you were inspired by our call in the last newsletter to come back, and you did make it back to Om Base. Thank you! We are grateful for your support. We’d like to ask you to post a review as reviews really help other students decide whether or not come to visit us!
You can go to our contact us page, and click on the pop-up window that comes up over the map (click OmBase or Reviews). It’ll take you to a Google page link where you can post a review!
You can also go to Insider Pageshere to post a review.
In addition, you can post on Yelptoo here.
Thank you!
Our lending library is online!
Lending Library
Thanks to Emily, Virgo organizer extraordinaire, she posted every book we have online, here.
You can check out books and videos the same way, by writing your name in the check-out binder at the studio, but now you also have the option of browsing our library online, read an excerpt of the book (via an Amazon link), post a comment, and more.
We’ll be adding reviews of the books in the next few weeks.
The other change is that we’ll be charging $1 x week for DVDs, as we need to replace them occasionally, and that will help.
Books will be due 3 weeks from check out date, DVDs only one week at a time.
You will get email reminders when your item is due.
Movie Night!
Amma
The second Saturday of each month we’ll be having a movie night! A movie projected on the large wall of the yoga studio!
(Because of the warm weather and the need for air conditioning = noise, we’ll probably stop for the summer though)
When: Sat 5/8 @ 7pm
What: A movie about Ammachi
We aren’t sure which one yet, but considering she’s coming to Seattle at the end of May, it’s appropriate.
Read more about Amma and her incredible life and devotion.
We’ll accept a small donation to help defray heat/light costs, as well as the price of the DVDs.
Sorry, no kids and no snacks….
We love to hear from you!
Send us your stories & love letters (long and short) about how yoga & OmBase or a specific teacher has helped you improve your life, healed your body, quieted your mind, and whatever else!
We’ll post the long stories on our blog, to inspire others.
“Hello Todd,
I wanted to thank you for your generous support yesterday. I am always amazed by your incredibly giving spirit! Many times I arrive at your classes feeling bereft, hurting in some physical or emotional way and come away feeling light, supported and centered. You have a gift, my friend, and I feel blessed that I found you! Thank you.
Blessings”. ~ NB
NEWS SNIPPETS
MORE Teachers Interviews!
Emily was kind enough to devote a lot of time to interview the teachers at OmBase, and we have some of those interviews online now. Soon we’ll have to interview Emily, as she’s going to be teaching too!
You can go to Our Family and then click on “Teachers.”
It had been some time since the last immersion had been offered, and so I was surprised when a couple of students mentioned that they missed them, and would like to jump into another one. after having the previous two immersions canceled due to lack of interest, I wasn’t sure that offering another one would make sense, but my guidance assured me that yes, it would happen and that it was timely and would benefit those who chose to attend.
So, without being attached to the outcome, I “put it out there” that an immersion was imminent, and over the course of several weeks, people began to sign up… interestingly, most of the people who signed up for this immersion were new to this work; and though it was not apparent to me at the time, this proved to be important.
It proved to be important because the immersion itself was different. The fundamental focus remained the same, but the hiatus or pause since the previous immersions offered and provided enough space to allow for a re-framing of the way the immersion happens.
There was clear guidance on the day to day formatting and sequencing of the various meditations as well as the body of the practices. Watching all of this unfold helped me to see anew the power of practiceitself… and here’s what I really want to convey and to share with you.
more than once in a blue moon . . .
Although we’re all practicing all of the time, most of what we practice serves to simply perpetuate what is familiar to us (keeps us ensconced firmly in our box, and so committed to our perspective..)but when we dare to try something new on, and I mean literally to wear it, then our perception does indeed shift as a consequence, and so to our lives.
We’ve all helped to create this wonderful space and place we call OmBase - a place where we have the unbridled permission to step out of our costumes and our accustomed ways of being to uncover and so discover something new… but very few of us are really taking advantage of this gift and embracing what it has to offer us. Typically we drop into a practice here and there, with little commitment to really lean into- to wear and share- what we uncover and discover as a consequence of our practice. And instead of allowing it to really move us – even though we may be moved by the practice – we opt instead to revert back to our more familiar refrain of insisting on resisting.
What I witnessed again through this immersion was just how powerful it is when people simply commit to showing up, and then simply sink into the practice of being—it’s literally life changing and the really good news is that this is the most natural thing one can “do”…. so if you do show up, it happens.
four weeks, four classes in June
So I invite you to consider what keeps you from availing yourself of that which is supporting you?
Could you dare to give yourself the gift of even committing tojust one class a week for four weeksduring the month of June?
Why not ask one of your friends to join you in this commitment – it’s easier when you have someone to help you - “….and you’ll also be helping them… and as you show up to class, not only will you be benefiting, but by helping OmBase, your presence literally extends this gift to others.
So let’s give this a shot.. a little experiment.. Four weeks, Four classes, With a Friend… receive the gift and extend it to others… and be open for the types of shifts that these recent participants shared below:
“Hi Todd,
Thank you for holding such a great space for the Yoga Immersion class. It was my first entry into yoga other than a few classes here and there. It was the dropping habits focus that actually drew my attention more than the yoga. Although, I didn’t drop any habits per se, what I discovered was a different connection with myself. A way to tap into that inner knowing – to connect with what do I want. So much of what I do is impulsive or reactive so it was such a pleasure to have a space and time devoted to reconnecting with me that I could work with in my day-to-day life to minimize reactivity. I have been told twice this week that I have softness to my eyes and seem centered. WOW! That is huge as I always feel a bit spinney. My point is when someone on the outside notices a shift then a shift has taken place. I thank you and all in class who shared that space – a yoga sangha!” — D.D.
“…When I walked out of the studio into daylight, the air felt crisper, the colors brighter, and overall I felt more connection to the universe.What I discovered was a different connection to myself that I have not felt in my years of meditation practice. I connected with my body and moved closer to really feeling into what do I want. I finally understand what it means to get completely out of my head and drop into my feeling self. And, most importantly, I find myself stopping and asking more often what do I want. Taking that minute to ground myself before responding….”. — D.D. Read the whole blog post
“Hi Todd,
Just saying Thank you for your hard work and the enlightenment you have brought into my life. Thanks for your entire staff to promote Yoga and the great music you have introduced me to. My husband John thanks you too as we like the meditation music but didn’t know which ones to purchase.
The last 3 weeks have been an incredible journey discovering my energy, guides, and a renewed perspective of the river we all share. I believe people close to me are seeing my positive changes. They may not say it, maybe not even conscious of it, but their actions reflect what I feel. Less thinking, more feeling. I love your saying. — D.C.
To help support this, I’ll be offering the first Satsang Sarong – Come and Be Embraced about half way through this four weeks (Saturday, June 19th at 6 pm. It’sfree)…. I’d love it if you joined us… Come and steep in the energy… there’ll be time for questions too… it’ll be fun!
There are a lot of changes in the air
at OmBase scheduled for April!
Some teachers change days/times,
and we say goodbye to one of our long-standing teachers…..
Plus Toddhas his first Yoga Immersion in months,
as well as a new class on Tuesday night.
Yoga Immersion with Todd
4/5-4/23 every weekday 6:30-8 am
Cost: $150-180 sliding scale/pre-registration
Todd Williamson
This is a chance to gather and practice three-five sessions a week. These healing immersions focus on healing and balance through visualization, meditation and yoga asanas. It’s easier to do this “work” around others who are making the same choices… so take advantage of the others’ presence (presents) and join in.
This is the year for change. (the year of the Tiger). The change is happening, and we’re all immersed in it – you’re immersed in it - Spending just a bit of time with others who, like you, are curious about, and more consciously choosing for – uncovering and discovering – something new – a new way of being - will afford you an ease now, during these times which otherwise may seem daunting and fraught with overwhelming challenges.
In allowing yourself to be supported, you invariably align with, and tune into your Self, and so find yourself supported by the very change you felt at odds with… Open to the magic…
Please call OmBase, or email Todd/OmBaseif you want to sign up.
Decision to hold immersion will be made several days prior to start date, so don’t wait till last moment to let us know!
Yin Yoga at night!
with Todd
TUE 7:30-9 pm, every Tue in April
Cost: drop in donation class
Yin Yoga
Todd will be teaching a yin yoga class every Tuesday in April. You can arrive like to any other classes, and either use your class card or pay a donation.
Come explore what Yin Yoga is all about. Whether you are new to yoga in general, or a seasoned yogi, this is a class you’ll get a lot from.
One of the interesting things about the yin approach is that it benefits the more active person (runner, biker, etc) as well as the less active person (couch potato).
Saying goodbye to Jay….
Jay Fields
Most of you know Jay. She’s been with us from the very beginning of the start of OmBase, and we have known her long before that. She has always been committed to being a part of our family.
Jay is moving on, and she will not be teaching classes at OmBase, but we know we will see her again…
Please join us in wishing Jay the very best in her new endeavors!
Jay has a beautiful new website, and a blog, always worth reading!
Thank you so very much for being a part of my journey of learning and teaching at OmBase. It’s hard to leave because I will miss the family I have at OmBase, but the “nest,” as it were, has served its purpose–I’m now ready to fly in to new ways of being that are most in alignment with who I am in my work and life now. I feel quite joyful to let go and let myself be taken by the flow of things, which right now means having more time for my private spiritual counseling practice, for workshops, and for writing. Feel free to visit my new website to see what I’m up to…
And I trust that part of the journey is to stay connected to Om as a student, friend, and collaborator. Until that mystery unveils itself…
Much love,
Jay
Same time, different teachers
Yoga Time!
We’ve rearranged the schedule a bit starting in April, and the permanent changes are as follows:
Todd will be co-teaching the Yin Yoga classes in the morning w/Emily, as Emily will be teaching Yin Yoga as well starting the following month. This is a series and pre-registration is required.
Look for more info & how to sign up on the website. More on Yin Yoga here.
Introduction to Yoga class series (4 classes)
Join 4 of our teachers
for 4 weeks and discover yoga!
4 weeks, 4 instructors
This series is for all the people that are uncertain about dropping in to one of our classes because they either have not done yoga, or haven’t been to a class in a long time….
Series will include the basics of:
• yoga poses
• breathing fundamentals
• how to use props
and getting to know four of our teachers here at OmBase.
Time To Be Announced, but most likely it will rotate month to month, sometimes in the evenings, sometimes during the day.
Stay tuned for more!
BodyTalk & Astrology offered
at OmBase….
Emily Trinkaus
Many of you know already Emily, as she’s been with us from the beginning (and before that!).
Emily is now at OmBaseon Fridays, seeing clients.
If you are interested or curious about what she offers, check out her site.
You can contact her directly for an appointment
Enlighten Up!
Movie Night!
Yes, we’ll be having a night every month set aside for a movie which we’ll be showing projected on the large wall of the yoga studio!
When: SAT 4/10 @ 7pm What: Enlighten Up!!
(very appropriate as it’s about yoga).
You can go here for a link to a trailer.
We’ll accept a small donation if you like, and will donate to a local cause…
Sorry, no kids and no snacks….
We love to hear from you!
Your Yoga Story
We want your feedback!
We want to hear what yoga
has done for you,
how it’s changed your life.
It’s a place for YOUR comments…
We want to hear what you have to say!
Send us your stories (long and short) about how yoga & OmBase or a specific teacher has helped you improve your life, healed your body, quieted your mind, and whatever else!
We’ll post the long stories on our blog, to inspire others.
“Your deep stretch class is helping me a lot. I definitely want to come the whole month of August. I’m not taking a vacation this summer. Taking your class is like a mini vacation for me every Monday evening! You and Todd have cultivated a very peaceful and positive environment at your studio“.~ Don
“We’ve both really been enjoying your class and the benefits are already apparent. R. saw his neurologist yesterday and he told us that he could see a noticeable difference in R.’s stance and balance since he saw him 6 months ago. Really good news! Thank you for helping that happen”. ~ B.
Come to class! & let us know what you’d like….
Spring Daisies
Finally, a note from all of us here at OmBase…we need your support now.
We know how much you love the studio, and if you haven’t come to class in a few weeks or more and you’re still reading this, obviously you want to be part of our community.
Please help us spread the word, come to class! We can’t be here without your assistance and participation.
Also, if there are times/classes that you would like, please let us know.
We’re extending our blessings to you for
a beautiful, warmand happy spring!
Once of the most beautiful things about Portland
are all the blooming trees at this time of year.
It’s the best announcement that Spring is here!
Please read on for some of the changes
coming up this month,
as well as special offerings.
See you in class!
Mom & Toddler OM Yoga Class!
with Rachel & Lauren
WED 3/10 – 11-11:45 am
Cost:$14 drop-in
Mom & Toddler OM Yoga
Rachel Plies and Lauren Clark will be teaching a special mom and toddler OM Yoga class on Wednesday, March 10th.
This class is already full but you can email or call us at 503.922.3100 to be put on the waiting list.
As we have more moms (or dads!) signing up we will create another day and time for this popular class!
Rachel Plies & Lauren Clark
Rachel and Lauren believe that yoga is available to everyone, even kids! They work with kids in all environments, from after school programs or classroom visits to family yoga workshops and hula hooping themed parties! They provide a safe and comfortable environment that is tailored to each age group to make sure the kids have a fun and nurturing experience.
· The TUE 7:30pm class has been canceled at this time. Stasia will be back next month with another time/day!
· Vittoria is now teaching the THU 6 pm class until the end of March, and maybe longer. It will be our $5 drop in this month, so come and check it out! It’s a Hatha Yoga Mix.
· The Yin Yoga in the mornings will be a SERIES again next quarter. You will be able to sign up for 3 weekly classes, for the first 3 weeks of each month.
· Keep your eyes out for Movie Night! Coming soon on a Saturday night!
· Louise Lorente is taking 6 weeks off and will be back April 13th. Todd and Cass are taking turns subbing her classes!
Egyptian Inspired Bellydance!
with Adriana
FRI 7:15-8:15 pm
Cost:$10-$5 sliding scale
Adriana
Discover the ancient art of bellydance with Adriana, a light-hearted & thoughtful dance artist and instructor with over 15 years experience. Adriana offers a holistic approach that gives freedom to express your own personal flow of creativity from within.
Bellydance is a great form of exercise for women of all ages, shapes & sizes! You can develop body awareness, grace, balance, strength, & fluidity and embrace your Divine Beauty. It’s a natural complement to a woman’s bone and muscle structure with movements coming mainly from the torso. You will learn how to isolate different parts of the body, moving them independently as well as layering movements in fluid patterns and in quick short accents, weaving together the entire feminine essence, and using the movements as a form of creative expression.
Adriana
This class will have a strong focus on proper technique and foundation movements, as well as learning choreography. This will eventually allow you the freedom to improvise, and we will explore this in class.
We will also delve into other bellydance styles, fusion and the use of props, such as veils & zylls.
Spring Equinox Shamanic Sound Healing
with Dagmar
SUN 3/21 – 6:30-8:30 pm
Cost:$25 by3/14, $30 after
Dagmar Luenser
In the way of the shamanic tradition, Dagmar will lead you through a sound journey to help release blocks and discordant energies, restore a sense of wholeness and well-being and connect you with your own inner guidance. Through the sound of her voice, shamanic tools and instruments such as drums, rattles and singing bowls, rituals unfold that awaken your heart’s intelligence and serve as a gateway to transformation and awareness.
Dagmar is a sound and energy healer with a private practice in SW Portland. Trained in shamanic work, sound healing, Spiritual Response Therapy and Reiki, she helps individuals come into balance and connect more deeply to their soul’s path.
Did you miss Todd’s meditation? You can hear it here!
Todd Williamson
New Show: Free Range Meditation
Weekdays at 8AM PDX.FM Channel Two
Hosted by Todd Williamson
You can now hear Todd’s meditations, recorded during class.
“When I close my eyes, I see my childhood in Africa; wild animals, blankets of stars, clear waters full of fish, and me, lying in the arms of a tree swaying gently in the breeze. Nature caught me in her grip early, and the feeling was unmistakable. In later years, when I found myself in more urban settings, I was always looking for ways to find that same feeling – the vastness, the embrace, the unmistakable feeling of being a part of it. It was yoga and meditation that took me there. With each 30 minute session that we share, I hope that I can help you find your own sanctuary amidst the rapid movement of life. There are stars, wild animals and tall trees in our own everyday world. It is my goal to help you sway in the breeze.” ~ Todd Williamson
Josh Seaman created our website as well as has taken most of the photos on it. He’s passionate about photography and people. If you are planning on an event, or a wedding, or want to capture any other meaningful time in your life, he’s the man you want to call!
Joshua Seaman photography is at your service for wedding photography, engagement session photos, bridal photos, artistic wedding photography for your Portland or destination wedding.
The photographic memories of your wedding day are eternal, so let Joshua’s eye for artistic wedding photography capture it all as your wedding photographer. Whether for local Portland wedding, rural Oregon wedding, Seattle wedding, or destination wedding photography, Joshua Seaman is always willing to travel to be there as a dependable wedding photographer. He enjoys everything from the grand wedding, to the intimate wedding ceremony, he is always happy to help you find a compatible wedding photography package to suit your needs.
Our new classes this past month did fabulously well, surely in part because of our $5 drop in offer. We know many of you will keep coming back to OmBase to continue taking those classes and others as well!
And because so many of you appreciate the lower price, we’ve decided for now to add one $5 drop inclass each month. Please read on for more about this, as well as other new offerings!
Sound Meditation & Toning Circle
with Dagmar
THU 7:30-9 pm
starts 2/4/10
Cost: by donation
Dagmar Luenser
During this weekly offering, we start with a sound meditation, where you simply sit or lie quietly and allow the gentle sounds of bells, crystal bowls, Tibetan bowls and chimes to soothe your body and mind. Then you are invited to tone together as a group, where you are encouraged to use your voice and let sounds come through you.
Toning is the elongation of a note or tone using breath and voice. It is an active vocal healing meditation that can help you re-discover your authentic voice, reduce stress, restore balance and connect you with the deeper rhythms and vibrations of your being. No singing experience is required.
Dagmar is a gifted sound and energy healer with a private practice in SW Portland. Trained in shamanic work, sound healing, Spiritual Response Therapy and Reiki, she helps individuals come into balance and connect more deeply to their soul’s path.
Guided From Within: Tools for Revelationary Living
with Jay Fields
SUN 2/7 – 7 pm
Cost:FREE!
Jay Fields
This event is a talk Jay will be giving. Please come early to get seated. Chairs and zafus available, or bring your own cushion.
From Jay:
“I will share with you the Revelationary Living Cycle, a model that I created that is based on Erich Schiffmann’s approach to yoga and on the theories of deep ecology and integral education. A mixture of personal stories from my life and my work with clients, current research, and simple experiential explorations, in this talk I will reveal how:
· The Revelationary Living Cycle is concerned with how to be more consistently in tune with your relationship with Spirit and offers simple tools for how that connection can inform your every day actions.”
February’s $5 class
Blisyoga
with Todd
WED 7:15 pm
We have decided to offer the $5 drop in class every month for a while!
Todd Williamson
Take advantage of this month’s class: Wednesday’s Blisyoga with Todd every Wed at 7:15 pm.
About Blisyoga:
Typically starts with a 20-30 minute guided meditation, breathing, and sounding followed by some gentle movements to warm up.
Often we’ll stay on the floor for most of the class, but each class is different and we may find ourselves on the bars. We use a lot of props, as they lend and offer support in a wider range of movement possibilities.
Many, if not most of the movements and poses may are different from what you may have learned in more classic hatha and vinyasa style classes.
You can see Annie Meyer’s art hanging at our studio now!
Annie is a local artist Todd and I found a few years back and we love her art!
From Annie:
“I consider myself a painter, but work in 3 different mediums: Painting (primarily oil and acrylic paintings), monotype prints, and ceramic tiles. Essentially my work is the same theme, but expressed differently due to the difference in mediums. My subject manner is the human figure, and abstract French Landscapes. I have been drawing the figure since high school, and I work directly from a live model.
All of my work is original. I have no reproductions.”
Everything that is hanging at OmBase is for sale, so ask the front desk for more info, or check out Annie’s website.
Calling all old calendars…
Megan Hooker
Have you seen Megan’s work at OmBase? She makes lovely recycled cards out of calendars!
What better way to recycle your calendar? Knowing that somebody, somewhere, is receiving the image you’ve looked at for months….
If you still have a 2009 calendar (or older!) that you have no use for, please bring it to OmBase and we’ll get it to Megan.
Favorites are nature, pets, scenery of any kind.
Namasté
Hawaii, here I come?
Kailua rental
You all know Joanne in a sense, as she’s the architect that designed OmBase.
You can see the beauty she has helped created every time you come to class.
Joanne has a sweet rental home in Hawaii she wants you to know about. You can go hereto find out more.
We’re excited to let you know of new classes and additions
to our schedule for this first month of the new decade.
Even if you are not planning to learn to levitate,
there will be plenty for you to choose from!
$5 drop in classes for the entire month!
These classes are offered at a drop in rate of $5for everybody, throughout the month. Try something new!
• Deep Clarity Yoga
TUE 7:30-9 pm
with Stasia
• Hatha Yoga Flow
FRI 5:45-7 pm
with Adriana
• Prenatal Belly Dance and Yoga
SUN 12-1:15 pm
with Adriana
Try something NEW!
Take 2 classes for the price of 1
(for current students with a class card)
2 for 1
You can take 2 new teachers (new to you) for the price of one class!
For example, let’s say you’ve been coming to Todd’s class, but have never tried another teacher. Well, this month you can take 2 new teachers (anyone you choose that you have never tried) and pay for just one class!
And then you can do it again for the next 2 new teachers! Go wild! Try everyone’s class!
We have more offerings so there’s more to choose from . . .
Yin Yoga — an ongoing class offering M/W/F 7-8:15 am
first 3 weeks of each month
Yin Yoga
Todd’s teaching the Yin Yoga series 3 days a week (Mon/Wed/Fri) for the first 3 weeks of each month.
This class is now open to drop-in, so you can pay with your class card or pay a $14 drop in rate.
If you want to take advantage of the discount ($81-$90 sliding scale) you’ll need to sign up for the entire 3 weeks.
Please see our class descriptions and scroll down to the end to read more about the great benefits of a yin practice and see our class schedule page.
BLIS Yoga at night!
WED 7:15-9 pm – ongoing
with Todd
BLIS Yoga—Todd Williamson
Todd will be teaching another Blisyoga class on Wednesday nights starting this week!
For all of you that can’t or won’t get up early enough to catch one of his classes, now you have no excuse!
This class was offered last Fall as a series and it’s now on our schedule as a drop in class (you can sign up as a 10 week series if you choose to).
There is no physical yoga in this class, and you’ll have a chance to relax, go inward, meditate and relax very deeply, either lying down or sitting as you choose.
Meditation, visualization, progressive relaxation combined with crystal bowls and other sounds, Yoga Nidra, and more. This class is taught by different teachers, so come and enjoy the different feel every week!
Please Note it runs for 10 weeks only.
Coming up next month! Sound Meditation and Toning Circle
THURSDAYS 7:30-8:30 pm
Starts on 2/4/10
Dagmar Luenser
Dagmar will be facilitating a Sound Meditation and Toning Circle every Thursday night, from 7:30-8:30 pm. Starts on 2/4/10.
All welcome. It is donation based, but for convenience you can use your class card as well.
Drop in OK, no registration required.
If you want more details please email Dagmar directly at:
Every once in a while we’d like to remind our students about not coming to class late.
Entering the yoga room at the beginning of a class when there is a meditation going on is disrupting for most of the students.
So if you are more than just 5 minutes late, and the meditation has started, please wait in the reception until the meditation portion is over, and then enter QUIETLY.
If the class has just started, you can enter quietly and sit or lie down close to the door – like on the little carpet by the fire, or just close to the door, so as to disturb as little as possible.
Please wait to set up your mat and get your props until after the meditation is over.
We appreciate your understanding ….. Namasté
Offers & Interests
Buy a 5 class card this month…..
OmBase totes
….and get a freeOmBase tote!
NEW STUDENT INTRO PACKAGE:
$20 - 1 week of unlimited yoga
$20 for a week of unlimited yoga!
FAMILY YOGA SURVEY!
If you are interested in Family Yoga, we’d love to hear from you!
Find Us on
News from OmBase – April 1st Edition
Thursday, April 1st, 2010rainbow's end
There are a lot of changes in the air
at OmBase scheduled for April!
Some teachers change days/times,
and we say goodbye to one of our long-standing teachers…..
Plus Todd has his first Yoga Immersion in months,
as well as a new class on Tuesday night.
Yoga Immersion
with Todd
4/5-4/23 every weekday 6:30-8 am
Cost: $150-180 sliding scale/pre-registration
Todd Williamson
This is a chance to gather and practice three-five sessions a week. These healing immersions focus on healing and balance through visualization, meditation and yoga asanas. It’s easier to do this “work” around others who are making the same choices… so take advantage of the others’ presence (presents) and join in.
This is the year for change. (the year of the Tiger). The change is happening, and we’re all immersed in it – you’re immersed in it - Spending just a bit of time with others who, like you, are curious about, and more consciously choosing for – uncovering and discovering – something new – a new way of being - will afford you an ease now, during these times which otherwise may seem daunting and fraught with overwhelming challenges.
In allowing yourself to be supported, you invariably align with, and tune into your Self, and so find yourself supported by the very change you felt at odds with… Open to the magic…
You can find out more about Immersion here.
Please call OmBase, or email Todd/OmBase if you want to sign up.
Decision to hold immersion will be made several days prior to start date, so don’t wait till last moment to let us know!
Yin Yoga at night!
with Todd
TUE 7:30-9 pm, every Tue in April
Cost: drop in donation class
Yin Yoga
Todd will be teaching a yin yoga class every Tuesday in April. You can arrive like to any other classes, and either use your class card or pay a donation.
Come explore what Yin Yoga is all about. Whether you are new to yoga in general, or a seasoned yogi, this is a class you’ll get a lot from.
One of the interesting things about the yin approach is that it benefits the more active person (runner, biker, etc) as well as the less active person (couch potato).
Saying goodbye to Jay….
Jay Fields
Most of you know Jay. She’s been with us from the very beginning of the start of OmBase, and we have known her long before that. She has always been committed to being a part of our family.
Jay is moving on, and she will not be teaching classes at OmBase, but we know we will see her again…
Please join us in wishing Jay the very best in her new endeavors!
Jay has a beautiful new website, and a blog, always worth reading!
www.revelationaryliving.com
Same time, different teachers
Yoga Time!
We’ve rearranged the schedule a bit starting in April, and the permanent changes are as follows:
TUE 6-7:25 pm
The Alchemy of Yoga/Stasia
WED 5:30-7 pm
Hatha Yoga Flow/Adriana
THU 6-7:25 pm
Hatha Yoga Mix/Vittoria
Please see more on these classes on the class schedule page or on our class description page.
Family Yoga!
with Rachel & Lauren
SAT 4/24 at 2:30 pm
Cost: $10/adult, $5/kid
Please pre-register for this class!
Rachel Plies & Lauren Clark
So many of you have asked about this class, so here it is being offered as a one time event.
Rachel and Lauren have fun with kids and families, and this promises to be a great class for all ages.
Kids, parents and grandparents welcome!
Read more about Rachel and Lauren at BoundlessMotion.
May Preview!
Yin Yoga
MON/WED/FRI 7-8:15 am
Yin Yoga
Todd will be co-teaching the Yin Yoga classes in the morning w/Emily, as Emily will be teaching Yin Yoga as well starting the following month. This is a series and pre-registration is required.
Look for more info & how to sign up on the website. More on Yin Yoga here.
Introduction to Yoga class series (4 classes)
Join 4 of our teachers
for 4 weeks and discover yoga!
4 weeks, 4 instructors
This series is for all the people that are uncertain about dropping in to one of our classes because they either have not done yoga, or haven’t been to a class in a long time….
Series will include the basics of:
• yoga poses
• breathing fundamentals
• how to use props
and getting to know four of our teachers here at OmBase.
Time To Be Announced, but most likely it will rotate month to month, sometimes in the evenings, sometimes during the day.
Stay tuned for more!
BodyTalk & Astrology offered
at OmBase….
Emily Trinkaus
Many of you know already Emily, as she’s been with us from the beginning (and before that!).
Emily is now at OmBase on Fridays, seeing clients.
If you are interested or curious about what she offers, check out her site.
You can contact her directly for an appointment
Enlighten Up!
Movie Night!
Yes, we’ll be having a night every month set aside for a movie which we’ll be showing projected on the large wall of the yoga studio!
What: Enlighten Up!!
(very appropriate as it’s about yoga).
You can go here for a link to a trailer.
Sorry, no kids and no snacks….
We love to hear from you!
Your Yoga Story
We want your feedback!
We want to hear what yoga
has done for you,
how it’s changed your life.
It’s a place for YOUR comments…
We want to hear what you have to say!
Send us your stories (long and short) about how yoga & OmBase or a specific teacher has helped you improve your life, healed your body, quieted your mind, and whatever else!
We’ll post the long stories on our blog, to inspire others.
Come to class! & let us know what you’d like….
Spring Daisies
Finally, a note from all of us here at OmBase…we need your support now.
We know how much you love the studio, and if you haven’t come to class in a few weeks or more and you’re still reading this, obviously you want to be part of our community.
Please help us spread the word, come to class! We can’t be here without your assistance and participation.
Also, if there are times/classes that you would like, please let us know.
We’re extending our blessings to you for
a beautiful, warm and happy spring!
Tags: Adriana, align, and collaborator, astrology, balance, benefits, BLIS yoga, blog, BodyTalk, BoundlessMotion.com, breathing fundamentals, comments, community, couch potato, Craniosacral Therapy, daisies, deep stretch, Emily, Emily Trinkaus, Enlighten Up!, Family Yoga, focus, free style yoga, friend, Gemstone Therapy, goodbye, guided meditation, happy spring, Hatha Yoga, Hatha Yoga Flow, Hatha Yoga Mix, healed body, healing, healings, Hillsdale, how to use props, improve your life, Jay Fields, journey, joyful, Lauren, Lauren Clark, less active person, massage, Maya Massage, meditation, movie, Movie Night, muscle relaxation, mystery The Alchemy of Yoga, neurologist, OmBase, Oregon, peaceful, Portland, positive environment, post-partum, postnatal yoga, practice, Pregnancy, prenatal yoga, quiet mind, Rachel, Rachel Plies, readings, Reiki, relaxation, restorative yoga, sound healing, Southwest, Southwest Portland, spiritual counseling, Spring, Stasia Bliss, stress management, student, studio, supported, Swedish massage, Todd Williamson, Vinyasa, virgomagic.com, visualization, Vittoria Palazzi, website, workshop, workshops, writing, www.revelationaryliving.com, year of the Tiger, Yin Yoga, yoga, yoga basics, Yoga Immersion, yoga poses, yoga retreats, yoga studio, yogi
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