Dear Graduates, Teachers and Friends,


It has been an exciting year here at 7 Centers Yoga Arts – from completing 5 yoga teacher trainings and numerous smaller intensives to initiating a local farmers’ market and a spring equinox planting festival. According to Lawrence (Graziose) and the Enneagram work, we have completed a major cycle that began when he started teaching the Enneagram in 2003…the coming year promises new beginnings for all of us.


This year we launched the 500 hour yoga teacher training program with the 30 day Kundalini training in February…a month of deep, internal and intense practices that brought the students into a greater wisdom and spiritual maturity that was impressive. Because of the fast pace and stimulus of a technology-driven culture, it is a challenge to get quiet enough to experience the deeper effects of a yogic practice. – however the ongoing dedication of the faculty and students and the love of yoga is maintains a kind of energy here at the center and in Sedona that allows for deeper work.


Love of nature and the land is perhaps the underlying reason that I have gotten involved in the community garden and local agriculture movement here in Sedona. It brings me into regular contact with farmers, plants, compost, botanical medicines, essential oils. It has been a year to integrate my passion for yoga, nature and community activism. Gardening at Crescent Moon Community garden has now become part of karma yoga in the trainings and I am continuing to find ways to integrate mantra, breathing and the practice of awareness and presence while working with the earth.


For a couple of years now, Rama (Jyoti Vernon) has suggested that I develop a yoga therapy program. Many of the leaders in the yoga community feel that yoga therapy is next on the horizon, as yoga becomes more recognized not only as a practice for releasing stress, but as a true healing modality in conjunction with nutrition and herbal medicine. It is a direction I am now strongly considering and am in deep visioning and exploration as to just what a yoga therapist is and does. If we do a yoga therapy program here I want it to be the best and most comprehensive one and so have invited master teachers, Rama, David Frawley,Shambhavi, David Crow and others to come to lay foundational training for yoga therapy. I am still confirming dates so stay tuned for more information if you are interested!


The conflict resolution work has been a great interest of mine since first meeting Rama at a Yoga for Peace conference in Jerusalem. Our first training went beyond my expectations in the examination of conflict within personal relationships; the arena where we are the most invested in creating harmony and balance. Next year we are offering this 4 day training following the June/July 200 hour training. This training provides an invaluable practical tool for negotiating all kinds of conflict, both external and internal.


Yoga and Camping Retreats! New for next year – “7 Centers Goes Camping“ led by Zac Occhiline! May 9-12th we will drive to Fossil Creek where we will set up base camp. Fossil Creek is known for its clear blue water and waterfalls. The Verde Valley Hot Springs are 20 minutes away. We will do sunrise yoga, learn how to make ayurvedic food on a campfire with Mira, take day hikes from the campsite, have evening fire pujas and visit the hot springs. Space is limited, so if you are at all interested, contact Sydney.


To see the 2010 Training and Intensives schedule for this coming year click here. We always welcome graduates coming back to apprentice with Mira in the kitchen. It can be an opportunity to reconnect with the yogic and ayurvedic lifestyle and if you choose, to participate in the afternoon and evening classes. There is also have an asana apprenticeship for the first two weeks for those who want to go to another level with their teaching. Call Sydney and talk to her if you are interested in either of these programs.


We are in the midst of a website makeover….grateful for what we have had and ready for a change thanks to Jeff Masters…the release will be after the new year and will include an online bazaar for all your reading and cleansing needs! If you have any comments or additions please feel free to reply…as we grow as an extended community connected through writing. We love to hear from you so keep in touch that we can post news of what you are up to in the newsletter.


May this year be a blessed one for you and your families,
Love, Sraddhasagar

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