tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529644.post-46187928532471028212008-04-25T10:52:00.002-06:002008-04-25T11:04:09.701-06:00Last night, I attended the Sivananda hatha yoga class led by my dear friend (and first yoga teacher!), <a href="http://www.yogawithlila.com">Lila Lolling</a>. She is about to embark on a yearlong journey to upstate New York, Val Morin, Canada, and finally India -- all in the name of deepening her practice as well as doing research on ancient yogic signs. Her calling, which I have seen so beautifully blossom over the past 7 years, is to offer yoga and meditation teachings to the deaf community. She does this through her non-profit, the <a href="http://www.deafyoga.org">Deaf Yoga Foundation</a>. I am so thrilled for and inspired by her!<br /><br />Her deaf yoga classes (which are signed and spoken) have been held at the <a href="http://www.amalafoundation.org"> Amala Foundation</a>, which I visited for the first time last night. It's tucked away on South 8th Street, just across Lamar from the Alamo Drafthouse, yet you walk onto the grounds and feel worlds away. I instantly felt the peaceful, quiet energy of the place as I walked around. There is a huge oak tree right in the middle of the front yard which provides shade and beauty. It was 7 o'clock, cool and relaxing. Large wind chimes rang as the gentle breeze blew. I met a woman who works there and she told me I was welcome to come anytime, even if there's no class or event. The yoga room/sanctuary is always open and it's considered a community space. I plan to spend more time there. Check it out!Michellenoreply@blogger.com