Summer Blessings from NYSY

On a hot July day I found myself in paradise, lying on a perfect beach in Elounda, Crete, gazing at the incredibly beautiful blue sea. I was in a state of sweet surrender after our intense yoga practice with Rusty. It was just hot enough, and in one perfect moment a cool breeze wafted from the sea and delivered me to heaven!

You know the moment, I am sure you experienced it too-an unexpected moment of bliss when time simply stands still; everything is perfect and there is not one thing in the world that you want or miss. I call it a moment of happiness...

Happiness hits us at unexpected times and most of us don't know what to do with it. Sadness and despair we are mostly familiar with, but contentment and joy can feel strange to our ordinary overloaded minds.

 And because I foresee great moments of happiness for all of you this summer, please, allow me, dear friends, to share some advice with you...

What to do when a moment of happiness unexpectedly hits you:

• Count your blessings...
• Consider the people, instances, and circumstances that have made it possible for you to be here. Remember them, recognize them, really, count them as your blessings...
• Be grateful... Express your gratitude to everyone you can think of as a teacher, friend, family member, who has ever helped you.
• Trace the path... Start connecting the dots... infinite points and moments of happenstance brought you here.
• Do you see the interconnectedness of everything? Do you see that there are no true coincidences, and that there is a divine order amidst life's infinite possibilities?
• Offer all this happiness to the welfare of others...
• And, finally, if you have a hard time deciding who those others may be, remember the sweet words of our friend and teacher, Rusty Wells...
• "Whom would you do it all for?" Dedicate your moment of happiness to that particular being and wish for their happiness and well-being.

 At NYSY Studios we had many difficulties with the demonstrations in Syntagma, the tear gas we breathed for days, and the economic crisis in Greece, but we also received equally huge blessings this summer. Allow us to share some of them with you...

June Zen Retreat with Reb Anderson

At Felsentor, Switzerland

In a place of fathomless beauty... in the deep quietude of Zen practice... Under the guidance of our compassionate teacher Reb Anderson I received the 16 Buddhist precepts ... for living a compassionate, ethical life! My dharma name is Ki Gyo Shin Sei meaning Joyful Practice -Deep Silence.

A big thanks to all of you and to my teacher for all your great support.

Rusty Wells in Greece

Once again, Rusty Wells, our beloved teacher and friend came to lead us through an indescribable journey of Bhakti Flow. Through his masterful choreography of asanas, chanting, uplifting music, and compassionate, empowering words he became the pipe-piper we followed to the outskirts of our anxious minds to a heavenly place of love, openness, friendliness, joy and sweet connection.

Rusty taught two great Bhakti Flow workshops in Athens! He completed our 200 Hour NYSY Teacher Training on the highest note! And offered us a most paradisiacal experience in his Porto Elounda retreat in Crete!

Thank you, Rusty, for guiding us to the most delightful journeys!

3rd Athens Pilates Symposium

It was June 29, 2011 and our Pilates guest teachers were calling from abroad to see if they could still land in Greece. We urged them to come. They showed up at Syntagma square and had to walk to their hotel amidst police, demonstrators, and tear gas. We were asked by many... "why did not cancel the Symposium?"

"The Symposium program was one of the most fantastic and complete Pilates educational experiences Greece has every seen" said one of the students who attended. "It gave us loads of positive energy in a time when we all needed it!" You see, this was good enough reason for not canceling it.

John Friend

Anusara workshop in Athens

In his first visit ever to Greece, John taught in a full auditorium, and urged Greek yoga practitioners to retrace the beauty and the brave spirit that once thrived in Athens, and still abides in the rocks of Acropolis. John felt the magic walking through Acropolis and he urged us to connect with this greatness in our practice. By opening to each other's beauty, and to the great spirit of goodness, we really open to our own magnificence and to the Universal spirit of life, he said. He infused us with enthusiasm and ignited a spark of transformation in our hearts. We all feel ready for sweeping positive changes after John's workshops.

Many blessings of love, peace, and joy to you!

Every class, every moment of meaningful contact with you has been a true blessing and a special joy. Thank you, dear students, and wonderful NYSY teachers and office team
---- Please don't forget: Pick up your mats before July 30 as we clean the Mat closet in August, and you may not find your mat if you leave it behind.

Thank you, may you be blessed and happy this summer!

Vivi and your NYSY team.