Upcoming Events Edward Clark creator of Tripsichore yoga visiting the shala for a workshop on November 28th - 30th. Edward Clark is a founding member of Tripsichore which began in 1979 as a company devoted to creating full length dance narratives. They explored a variety of stylistic forms including punk ballet, conventional modern dance and strict neo-classical technique. They used masks, performed with rock bands and did pop videos. While yoga was always a part of their training, it wasn't until 1992 that they realized the expressive potential and choreographic viability of yoga postures. They began to devise works using yoga asanas, the postures' extraordinary artistic logic became evident. Surprisingly, it would seem that there has been no orthodox tradition for using yoga technique to create dances in the 5000 year history of the discipline. The postures intrinsically possess a sumptuous beauty and fluidity. They are the ideal vehicle to express the themes of harmony, balance, spirituality, ecstasy, bliss and mysticism because they are exactly about these subjects in and of themselves. They are now many years into this experiment and each day brings new discoveries. Visit their website at: http://www.tripsichore.com/index.html Max Strom Visiting the shala in October 2009. Born a twelve-pound baby with clubfeet, Max Strom spent the first 3 years of his life with his legs confined in plaster casts and braces. After several painful corrective surgeries, he was able to walk fairly well but would always have abnormally shaped feet. This would create a physical and emotional challenge for him in many ways. Because he had to learn to endure partial confinement or nearly complete immobility at a very young age, he developed patience, determination and a high tolerance to pain in order to cope with his condition. This initial physical set back in his life however, did not prevent Max from developing into a healthy and strong young man. By high school, Max was 6 foot five and an impressive football player. Although he was an avid athlete, Max was also an inquisitive seeker, wanting to make sense of the world around him. Introspective and gentle by nature, he spent much time reading and hiking in the woods on the outskirts of Santa Cruz, California where he grew up. (It was this introspection that eventually caused him to quit football, due to the serious injuries he was causing to other players). Today, Max Strom is known for inspiring and impacting the lives of his students, teaching with the aim of personal transformation and has become one of the most revered and respected Yoga Teachers in the US. He built and directed Sacred Movement, Center for Yoga and Healing in Los Angeles, and now travels extensively teaching and lecturing on yoga, spirituality, and personal transformation. He is recognized by the Yoga Alliance at their Advanced Teacher Level (ERYT), and is renowned for his teacher trainings. You can see more of his work on his DVDs, Max Strom Yoga – Strength, Grace, and Healing, and Learn to Breathe, to heal yourself and your relationships. www.maxstrom.inticketing.com