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July 12th-16th @ The Expanding Light Retreat in Nevada City "Superconsciousness"

Well another great retreat at The Expanding Light!  Here I am with my retreat guide, Uma.  Thank you to Uma, Anandi, Mary, Leslie, Jyoti, Maitri, Pattie, Premdas, & the Karma Yogies for making my experience so wonderful!  Expanding Light is always filled with such positive energy and beautiful, joyous people.  And the food... what can I say about this gourmet, satisfying food made with love and blessed with the highest of spirits.  So good!  This time around I did a retreat with a theme "Superconsciousness: Practical Spiritual Living", which included insights on clarity, energy, awareness, and intuition which is what superconscious living is all about.  We learned how to be aware and centered, ways to uplift our consciousness, and how to draw on intuition and inspiration.  I learned A LOT about myself  at this retreat.  I know that my experience will be life changing and I am sooo looking forward to returning to my beautiful, spiritual getaway in Nevada City (Just an hour and a half from Sacramento!!).  View some of their upcoming retreat descriptions on the "Retreats" page.  Personal Renewal retreats are also available year round. If you are interested in spending time at the Expanding Light Meditation & Yoga Retreat, you can also check out their web site: www.expandinglight.org or call (800) 346-5350.  

March 19th @ The Sacramento Intuitive Healing Arts Festival

Usually this event is at the Radisson and this was the first year at it's new location, The Doubletree Hotel.  I had a booth there to promote the SacYoga.com website and the Healing Artists of Sacramento Directory (contact jill@sacyoga.com if you would like one for free).  It was a great time and had a lot of positive energy!  There were a lot of booths promoting holistic related services & products, as well as many visitors very interested in enhancing their lives and choosing another way.  People coming by my booth were really excited to check out the SacYoga website as well as thrilled to have a mini phone book for the holistic community... two very convenient resources.  There were also a lot of health, holistic, energy, and spiritual related seminars going on throughout the day which I wasn't able to attend since I was manning my booth, along with the publisher of the Healing Artists Directory, Susan Lawton.  We handed out over 300 directories & SacYoga.com promotional postcards.  I did hear wonderful things  about the mini seminars and will try to catch some of the seminars next time.  The next festival will be July 16th from 10am-5pm @ the same place with a $5 admission.  Definitely check it out!

Feb 12th @ The Miracle House ~ Grand Opening Celebration & Healing Artists of Sacramento Directory Release Party

This was a great event!  It tripled as a stop on the "Second Saturday Art Walk" featuring Hope Harris' photography work, a grand opening for a new holistic center called The Miracle House owned by John Ruiz  and Jane St. Croix as well as a grand release party for the 2006 Edition of the Healing Artists of the Sacramento Region. Many holistic practitioners and art lovers were there enjoying the great energy, artistic photography, and great food!  Ginger Bernard of Visions Photography was there capturing the event ~ pictures to be featured soon on the Healing Artists of Sacramento directory's website: www.healingartistsofsac.com   Printed directories are available for free at the Sacramento & Elk Grove Natural Foods Co-ops, Planet Earth Rising, East West Book Store, Whole Foods Market, Into the Light, as well as other related places.  For information on advertising in the 2007 Healing Artists of Sacramento Directory and/or on the accompanying website, call Jill @ (916) 410-2222. 

Dec 12th @ Health Habits PilatesFit ~ Introduction to Mat Pilates

Dec 10th @ It's All Yoga ~ "Holiday Party"

It's All Yoga is a beautiful studio... warm colors, calm lighting and positive vibes.  Tonight was their holiday party which featured a lot of great food, cool people and awesome live music!  She also had some really cute "It's All Yoga" t-shirts with a lady in cute little yoga poses and cool phrases on the back ~ I got two!  Michelle is the owner of the studio and many of her friends, family, and students were there to celebrate the studio and the upcoming holidays.  It's All Yoga is currently offering an $8 for 8 days special... make sure to check it out!  They are located near Sac City College.  Check out the web site: www.itsallyoga.com

Oct 8th @ Roots N Kulchah Cafe ~ "Vegetable Patty"

This is not an entry about an event ~ it's about food!  I went to the Roots N Kulchah cafe which is located at the corner of 24th & K in midtown Sacramento.  I had their vegetable patty and it was SOOO Good!  It is vegan and DELICIOUS!  A must try!  They have a variety of freshly cooked Ital (Caribbean Vegan) food options along with reggae music playing & positive vibes flowing. They are open Tues-Thurs from 11am-2pm and Fri-Sat from 11am-8pm. Please check them out!  You can view their website: http://www.rootsnkulchah.com/

Oct 6th @ Healing Alternatives ~ "Guided Meditation" with Lisa Chapman-Sorci

Since my retreat at Expanding Light, I have been really interested in exploring meditation as a way of connecting more strongly with God and to enhance my life experience.  I have been meditating over the past month since the retreat, but haven't made it a regular, daily practice yet.  Last night, I went to a guided meditation led by Lisa of Healing Alternatives. When I first met her (see Lisa in the accompanying image), I noticed that she has a wonderfully positive spirit and energy.  Her space, in which she hosts guided meditation and practices reiki, was very comfortable and beautifully decorated.  We started the evening with some relaxation and light focus exercises along with "theta state" inducing music which made me completely forget about my day and any bodily tension I had coming in. Lisa then guided us in meditation and incorporated affirmations. Being guided in this way really helped me to stay in the present moment and receive the full benefits of the practice. At the end of the meditation, I  felt so open and positive. I had plans with friends later in the evening and really noticed a difference in the way I connected with others and was able to express on a new and different level.  I woke up early this morning and had a very productive day... I am on deadlines with some work related projects and although this is normally a really stressful time for me, it was instead fun and exciting, yet peaceful. I truly feel that meditation is making a difference for me and highly recommend trying it to see if it also makes a difference for you.  Lisa has guided meditations every Thursday from 6:45-8pm.   She can be reached at 916-606-7388 or check out her website at www.healing-alternatives.org. 

Sept 24th @ East West Book Store, White Rose Light Center ~ "Open House: A Celebration of New Beginnings"

I am a frequent shopper at East West Book Store ~ this is where I go for new and exciting books on yoga, spirituality, and inspiration. They also have beautiful gift products, artwork, journals, jewelry, yoga supplies, natural body care products (check out Magic Suds), clothing, CD's, and more. The store is now under new ownership (see the accompanying picture of the new owners) and they decided to have an open house celebration for the new beginning on this Saturday night   : )   I arrived a little early and Alex, an old friend and gracious volunteer at East West, let me know the festivities would be starting in a half hour.  As the minutes rolled by, the store started filling up with many visitors. There was live music, a healing far infrared mat to lay upon (very cool experience!), decadent deserts and beverages, and a very positive energy flowing throughout the store.  I ran into an old friend, Debbie Kemp, and we talked a while about each others exciting new life experiences.  She informed me that she will be teaching workshops on sacred sexuality in the beginning of 2006 at East West Book Store, Rose Light Center.  I will be sure to list Debbie's workshops on my "Special Events" page, so check back soon or Join Us for emailed updates! There are many other exciting events coming up at East West, check out www.eastwestbooks.com or stop by 2216 Fair Oaks Blvd. at Howe Avenue in Sacramento.

Sept 4th-9th @ Expanding Light Meditation & Yoga Retreat Center in Nevada City, CA ~ "Personal Retreat"  

I cannot say enough about this place!  It is my favorite getaway!  Each morning there is Ananda style Yoga and meditation (Sadhana) from 6:30-8:30am, as well as each afternoon from 4:45pm-6:30pm. They serve THE BEST vegetarian breakfast, lunch, and dinner ~ all cooked fresh and made with love!  The environment is so peaceful, beautiful, serene and filled with such positive energy! I love coming for the relaxation and long lasting sense of serenity I receive.  There is nearby hiking and natural swimming (see the pic of me). Personal Retreats as well as special workshops are offered throughout the year. I highly recommend the tour of "Crystal Hermatige".  When you go on the back porch of this hermitage, there is a mystical energy present and the most beautiful view of the Tahoe Forest.  Each time I've gone to this place, I have experienced a strong, almost overwhelming, positive emotional response that filled my entire being and beyond.  If at all possible, try spending a few moments alone on the back porch of this hermitage for the strongest affect.  If you are interested in spending time at the Expanding Light Meditation & Yoga Retreat, check out their web site: www.expandinglight.org or call (800) 346-5350.