SANDHYA SESSIONS

 “Our lives unfold moment by moment according to their own flow, yet some are highly potent moments known in yoga as sandhyahs- a sacred juncture of transition and transformation. In the body sandhyahs are found at it’s junctures… joints, chakras… Moving outward from the body, sandhyas are also found on the earth: at the sacred unions of river and valley and at other geographic junctures. On an even larger level, sandhyas are nexus points in the continuum of time and in the changing flow of sun, moon and cosmos. We have the opportunity to align ourselves with these heightened points of transition in time, where we can listen to the momentum of forces greater than our individual self- sunrises and sunsets, new and full moons - for a deeper attunement to the cosmic cycles themselves…. “ -Shiva Rea

At the heart of laurieG’s work is supporting individuals in returning home to body, to breath and to moment and into the remembrance of the connection that already and always exists with Source and Center. This remembrance is served when we come together in community to honor the rhythms and cycles of which we are a part- when we set aside the time and place to intentionally honor these sandhyahs in ceremony, practice and life.

"we are all intimately and inextricably interconnected with each other, the movement of the earth and all that is, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not… when we do, we tap into a profound gift… acknowledging our connectivity to all living beings and mama Gaia (earth, herself)  engenders deep compassion, opens doorways and fuels transformation. when we align ourselves  purposefully, consciously, intentionally with this infinite energy, we exponentially increase our capacity for co-creation. the more fully we come into presence in ourselves- in body, in breath, in moment the more fully we can participate in the ever evolving dance that is life itself. " - laurieG

Lunar Cocoons

the Sunday Nearest Each New & Full Moon ::: Via ZOOM ::: questions & rsvp ::: laurie@ittakesanopenheart.com

ON HOLD FOR NOW…

FIRST SATURDAY SUNRISE SESSIONS

There is something so heartening in honoring the sunrise... in the deep knowing that no matter what is happening in life or in this beautiful and broken world, somehow, the sun will rise. Each rise a miracle. Each rise an invitation to begin anew, to awaken to the blessings that reside here, to acknowledge and to honor the light within us and in all that surrounds us.  After years spent holding space for Full Moon Ceremonies acknowledging, honoring and tending to the healing, balancing and movement of the energies of the Divine Feminine, laurieG began to feel the tug and the urgency to acknowledge, honor and tend to the healing, balancing and movement of the energies of the Divine Masculine.  And as soon as she set foot in Urban Souls Yoga, she knew this Ceremony found it's home... this 4th floor sanctuary is full of plant babies and it’s walls of windows make for such a spectacular space to honor the rising of the sun. It is simply sublime. Enter in darkness and practice in the brightening sky- by the time you are midway through you will find yourself and the room suffused with golden light.  This Ceremony honoring beginnings birthed of endings, and the generosity of the sun illumining the world convenes the first Saturday of every month. We come together on the leading edge of daybreak to share in ceremony, mantra, gentle awakening movement, pranayama and a practice of yoga nidra to balance the flow of energy in the system and bring clarity to the way we wish to walk in this world. You'll be in such good company. Tea and treats follow & the day will be there waiting in all of it's unrepeatable glory as you emerge in the morning light.

Circle of Light ||| Flow & Glow Gatherings ;:: NEXT SESSION TBD

For years, the Friday nearest the Full Moon laurieG held space for  gatherings to nourish, honor and offer of the infinite incandescence of our hearts in an ever-widening circle of compassion and love. Each candle lit, intention drenched session was woven with ritual, breathwork, soothing movement, guided meditation and sweet deep relaxation in a hypnotic soundscape improvised live by Mario- laurieG's partner in life and co-creation.  Infused with the healing power of chandra namaskar (lunar salutations), mantra, poetry and the wisdom of sages from various traditions, these inspired and inspiring sessions rooted folks deeply and relaxed them completely. A tonic for the nervous system, balm for the heart, these Circles provided an opportunity for individuals to come together in community for the greater good. Many of these gatherings were infused by the healing light of Christy Whitney, Founder of pAra & an intuitively gifted Shamanic Reiki Healer. 50% of the proceeds from each Circle and 100% of the Flow & Glow gatherings were dedicated to supporting the efforts of selected non profit organizations serving the greater good- primarily with a local focus.

Previous beneficiaries of the Circle include: CWS Jersey City; Family Promise of Hudson County; Hudson County CASA; 4H of Hudson County; First Friends of NJ; Food Not Bombs of Jersey City; Friends of Liberty State Park; GoFundMe Campaigns for Individuals & Families; Liberation Prison Yoga; PERC Shelter; Riverview Community Garden; Veterans Yoga Project; Welcome Home Jersey Ctiy; omen Rising of Jersey City; York Street Project; Yoga Initiative at the Shani Baraka Womens Center in Newark. Earthquake & Wildfire Funds; Moms for GunSense; UNICEF and other inititiaves to support the wider world were also supported. These gatherings are currently on hiatus but laurieG hopes to relaunch soon. If you have a suggestion for a future beneficiary, please contact laurie ::: laurie@ittakesanopenheart.com

To receive invitations to these gatherings or inquire about a customized session for your own special occasion, 

contact laurie@ittakesanopenheart.com.