community
If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
- African proverb
Walking Meditation
with Sandi Higgins and the YMCA of Southwest Florida as part of the Fall In Love with Fitness week!
9am - 10am EST
Sunday, October 27th
Inside Studio A at the Y of Sarasota City
1075 S. Euclid Ave. Sarasota, FL 34237
Join Sandi and the Sarasota City YMCA to take mindful steps towards greater well-being and make meditation a part of your mental and physical fitness regime!
Studies have found that mindfulness meditation increases feelings of well-being and satisfaction with life, and reduces symptoms of depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. In addition to its mental and emotional benefits, mindfulness meditation has also been linked to improvements in physical health, including lowered blood pressure, strengthened immune function, and decreased inflammation, contributing to overall longevity and vitality. It can also improve your fitness regime by increasing your capacity for concentration and holistic awareness.
In this workshop, Sandi leads two traditional approaches to mindfulness meditation: walking and sitting. Walking meditation makes mindfulness relevant to the whole body. It also deepens our sense of connection with the Earth and the support of the environment. We’ll follow our walk with a sitting meditation practice, giving you a chance to return to stillness, and we’ll end with a guided relaxation of yoga nidra. You’ll leave deeply rested and refreshed with experience and skills to continue practicing on your own.
We’ll be walking inside the large Studio A at the Y of Sarasota City. Please wear what you need to walk and sit comfortably (chairs will also be available).
Free for members! If you are not already a member of the YMCA of Southwest Florida, please contact the front desk for further information on membership and joining this meditation event: (941) 955-8194
About the YMCA of Southwest Florida:
“The Y is an all-inclusive organization dedicated to making an impact through life-changing services and programs that make our community stronger than yesterday by giving promise for a better future and providing a safe place where everyone belongs.
We envision our nonprofit organization – in partnership with others – as an intergenerational community hub with programs, services, and resources available to all persons, regardless of status or ability to pay, that will enable them to improve their quality of life.”
trauma informed Restorative Yoga and Journaling for Survivors
with Sandi Higgins and SPARCC Survivor Support Group
4pm-5pm EST
Thursday, October 17th in Sarasota
Join Aquamarine Yoga founder Sandi Higgins and the SPARCC Survivor Support Group for this trauma-informed restorative yoga and journaling session, reserved for survivors of sexual violence. In a safe and compassionate environment, experience gentle, restorative yoga poses that encourage relaxation and body awareness, helping to sense and release obstructing mind-body tension. Coupled with mindful and creative journaling, this practice offers a peaceful way to observe and process complex thoughts and feelings, supporting long-term healing and self-discovery. Join a supportive community that honors your journey, allowing you to cultivate resilience and reclaim your power. No prior yoga or journaling experience is necessary—just an openness to healing and connection.
Call SPARCC’s helpline at (941) 365-1976 for further information on joining the Support Group and for details on meeting for this trauma informed Restorative Yoga and Journaling session. Meeting location provided only to SPARCC Support Group.
About SPARCC:
“Founded in 1979, SPARCC, the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, is a beacon of hope, healing and empowerment. As a non-profit agency, we play a pivotal role in Sarasota and DeSoto counties as the exclusive state-certified center providing essential services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, all of which are offered free of charge and kept strictly confidential.
What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment not only to healing survivors but also to preventing future violence. Through robust community awareness and education initiatives, we strive to create a safer environment for all. With our downtown Sarasota outreach center and satellite offices in Venice, North Port and Arcadia, our year-round shelters offer sanctuary 365 days a year, and our 24-hour crisis helpline ensures immediate assistance.”
Restorative yoga for hurricane helene relief - ONLINE
with Sandi Higgins on Zoom
7pm - 8pm EST
Monday, October 7th
Join Aquamarine Yoga founder Sandi Higgins to calm your nervous system while supporting relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Helene. Practice conscious relaxation in a soothing Restorative Yoga class online!
Hurricane Helene has left a trail of destruction and heartache across multiple states, including Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. With the rising death toll and countless families still searching for loved ones, the need for assistance is urgent.
Gather in compassion and solidarity to channel money and energy into supporting those in need while also cultivating peace and self-care. Together, we can promote greater healing and resilience.
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Restorative Yoga is a gentle and restful yoga practice that gives the mind-body an opportunity to let go in supported postures that can help to release physical tension, emotional stress, and psychological weight-bearing.
As we really feel the Earth fully supporting us, we can surrender to our pristine elemental nature.
Restorative classes with Aquamarine Yoga can include optional self-acupressure (meridian yoga techniques), restorative breathing practices (pranayama), and relaxing meditations (yoga nidra).
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How to Participate:
Donate Directly: Donate any amount directly to a disaster relief organization of your choice. See below for some recommended organizations. *
Email Confirmation: Send an email to connect@aquamarine.yoga with the subject “Hurricane Helene Relief Yoga Class” and include a screenshot (not including any sensitive bank info) of your completed donation.
Register for the Zoom link: Receive a reply to your email with the Zoom registration for class or register directly here.
* If you have been directly affected by Hurricane Helene and need some guided relaxation and restorative mind-body connection at this difficult time, you are welcome to join without a donation.
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a few recommended relief organizations from USA Today:
American Red Cross
The Red Cross offers food, shelter, supplies, and emotional support to victims of crisis. It already has hundreds of workers and volunteers in Florida and has opened dozens of shelters for evacuees. You can contribute to the national group's Helene relief efforts.
GoFundMe
Hurricane Relief Fund "was created to provide direct relief to people in need after a hurricane," the fundraising platform said.
All Hands and Hearts
This volunteer-based organization works alongside local residents to help by rebuilding schools, homes and other community infrastructure. It has a Helene fund started.
Save the Children
This organization works to get child-focused supplies into the hands of families hardest-hit by the storm including hygiene kits, diapers and baby wipes as well as classroom cleaning kits to schools and assistance in restoring child care and early learning centers. Donate to the Children's Emergency Fund.
Source: USA Today How To Help Hurricane Helene
About Aquamarine Yoga:
“Rooted in the ancient Indian philosophy of Ashtanga Yoga and expanding through contemporary somatics, Aquamarine Yoga provides diverse, inclusive, and creative education for yoga, dharma, fitness, creative arts, and wellness on land and in the water.
Aquamarine Yoga recognizes our fellow animals and environments as integral to yoga practice and seeks to further eco-consciousness, sustainability, and environmental activism within the yoga community.
The Aquamarine Yoga logo in the shape of the starfish recalls Nature’s power of healing, regeneration, and renewal. Some starfish have the natural ability to regenerate lost limbs and regrow new limbs entirely. The human being is part of Nature too and we each have a natural power of resilience, adaptation, and the potential for spiritual regeneration.”
Intro to Indian Music - ONLINE
and kirtan chanting with the harmonium
with Kedar Naphade
of The Harmonium Institute
7:30pm - 8:30pm EST
Tuesday, September 17th
Online via Zoom. By Donation. Pre-registration required.
Register Here
Learn the basics of Indian Music and kirtan chanting with the harmonium!
In this fun and relaxed music workshop with harmonium maestro Kedar Naphade, founder and director of The Harmonium Institute, you’ll receive expert musical guidance to start or deepen your yoga practice of bhakti through kirtan chanting and harmonium, while becoming more familiar with traditional Indian melodies.
Discover the practice of Sargam, or singing the notes: Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni, Sa (like the Western scale of Do, Re, Me, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do) followed by accessible kirtan chants that are easy to repeat, remember, and enjoy!
Kirtan is a yoga practice of bhakti, devotion, by which singing the many names of the divine can open the heart to the direct experience of supreme love.
Your own harmonium is not required for this workshop. If you already have a harmonium, Kedar ji will also help you to strengthen and refine your playing!
Open to all levels of experience.
About Kedar Naphade and The Harmonium Institute:
Kedar Naphade received preliminary training in Hindustani Classical Music from his grandfather, Shri Dadasaheb Naphade and from Shri Arvind Gajendragadkar. Since the age of 9, he has been a disciple of Late Pt. Tulsidas Borkar, arguably the greatest harmonium player of our times. Kedar has also had the privilege of training from Late Smt. Padmavati Shaligram-Gokhale, a veteran singer of the Atrauli-Jaipur gharana. Learn more: https://harmoniuminstitute.org/about-founder-faculty/
Watch the discussion about this class with Kedar ji here!
Sarasota Meditation Summit by the Sea
with Cathy Grippi, Monk San, Sandi Higgins, Valerie DiLorenzo, Paul Shuler
9am-3pm
Sunday, August 11th in Nokomis
Inside the Nokomis Beach Pavilion 100 Casey Key Rd. Nokomis, Florida 34275
Join us for a day filled with laughter, meditation, yoga, sound, and local community!
This free and inclusive meditation summit by the sea invites you to connect with your inner peace, learn about dharma, experience relaxing mind-body-breathing practice, and resonate with community in a spirit of shared appreciation for the wellbeing of our beautiful coastal environment.
Pre-registration is not required. Seating is first come, first served.
RSVP HERE
The pavilion is air-conditioned and chairs are available or bring your own yoga mat or cushion. Seating is first come, first served. All sessions are led by experienced teachers and suitable for both beginners and seasoned practitioners alike. Come for any or all of the sessions.
Schedule
9am
Cathy Grippi, Laughter Yoga Venice
Join Cathy Gripp from Recipes of Resilience and Laughter Yoga Venice for a healing dose of laughter! Learn how laughter helps to relax your mind and body, reduce physical and mental discomfort, and fortify your immune system by accessing the body's natural pharmacy: dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins. Laughing with others is a joyful experience resulting in a clear mind, openness to learning, and experiencing the here and now. Laughter Yoga can help relieve physical discomfort too!
10am
Monk San, Blue Lotus Buddhist Meditation Center
Join Monk San from the Blue Lotus Buddhist Meditation Center to learn about mindfulness practice and experience a short guided loving-kindness meditation and talk on the positive power of meditation. Session ends with a loving-kindness chant in Pali, ancient language of Buddhism!
11am
Sandi Higgins, Aquamarine Yoga
Join Sandi Higgins from Aquamarine Yoga for a refreshing meditative movement yoga practice, accessible to all ages and abilities. Learn how yoga practice can benefit mind-body-spirit and awaken a profound sense of purpose. Session includes breathing exercise (pranayama), subtle energy visualization, and call and response peace chants in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Yoga!
12pm
Lunch Meditation (BYO Veg Lunch)
We'll break around noon for a quiet and meditative lunch together. The lunch meditation is a practice of quiet and mindful eating to emphasize being fully present and aware while consuming food, focusing on the sensory experience, gratitude for the nourishment received, and the interconnectedness of all beings involved. Please bring your own veg lunch and water bottle. Let’s keep the event as zero-waste as possible!
1pm
Valerie DiLorenzo, Vocal Breathing Immersion
Join Valerie DiLorenzo, singer, actress, and holistic vocal teacher, for a Vocal Breathing Immersion, where we’ll explore the profound connection between breath and voice. By observing the movement of breath, we honor Prana, the Sanskrit term for life force, and bridge the gap between consciousness and unconsciousness. This workshop emphasizes the importance of bringing the body's natural breathing process into awareness, creating a “body-palace” where we can nurture and deepen the relationship with breath and voice. Gain valuable tools and exercises designed for lifelong exploration, strengthening both breath and vocal abilities!
1:30pm
Paul Shuler, Chakra Sound Meditation
Join Paul Shuler for an original Chakra Sound Meditation and introduction to the Insight Timer meditation application. This carefully crafted audio experience guides participants through each energy center, promoting balance and harmony within. Featured on Insight Timer, this music offers an opportunity to deepen one's meditation practice and reconnect with the inner self. Join this session to explore the power of sound in aligning the chakras, fostering overall well-being and spiritual growth!
2:30pm
All Participants
Q&A, closing thoughts and prayers.
Bring your own veg lunch and refillable water bottle!
For any questions, please contact Sandi at: connect@aquamarine.yoga | (941) 310-0220
That Thou Art via Mandala Art - ONLINE
with Usha Jansari of The Manusha Foundation
Sunday, July 21st
10:30am EST | 8pm IST
Online via Zoom. By Donation. Pre-registration required.
Join us for meditative drawing of divine design!
Mandala Art is a peaceful and rejuvenating drawing practice that uses geometric patterns to connect with cosmic energy or deities. Focusing on the pattern’s symmetry fosters balance, peace, and inner-joy. In this session, we'll learn how to create the Saraswati Mandala (also known as a yantra), dedicated to the Goddess of Knowledge, Education, Arts, Music… Saraswati Devi.
Materials to bring with you to class: paper, pencil, eraser, ruler, compass, protractor, and your choice of colored pencils, pens, or markers
Online via Zoom. By Donation. Pre-registration required. Register Here
About Usha Jansari and the Manusha Foundation:
Usha Jansari nurtures individuals to evolve and find their true selves through purposeful living. A yoga counselor specializing in transcendence through creative practices such as Mandala Art and Rasa Leela Dance, as well as teachings from scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali Yoga Sutra, she offers guidance in 64 forms of meditation alongside diet, Nature, and discovering one's purpose.
Donations are welcome directly to Usha ji to support her Manusha Foundation in Bangalore, which she founded in 2020 with the mission to sponsor education for underprivileged children in South India. Further information provided in class.
Watch the interview about this class with Usha ji here!