Ambria live @ Cafe Vivaldi

While this world can offer many challenges, the gift and passion of music along with a Yoga practice can offer so much relief.  I have and always will consider myself a musician.  Till my last breath my pen will honor a page with poetry and lyrics, my voice will sing and echo the colors of love, and my fingers will tickle the ivories, strum my sorrows and elaborate on my emotional diary that I open up to every audience member with my music.  Music is the ultimate therapy, the heavenly expression, and universal language that connects us all.  Every song can inspire, delight, and relate to everyone around the world.  One of the venues I love to play at in NYC, is Cafe Vivaldi.  This venue has a gorgeous, buttery, grand piano, and an amazing crowd.  The club has an eclectic open mike every Monday night, bringing together a variety of talent from all over.  It was my pleasure to share some new songs at Vivaldi recently, and hear some of the local talent.  

For more information about myself (Ambria) and Cafe Vivaldi please visit:

http://www.ambriaonline.com/

http://www.caffevivaldi.com/

The Brilliant Paradox of Pole and Yoga Class @ Candela Dance Studio, NYC

I have been teaching evening Yoga classes in Washington Heights on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 8pm.  Prior to the class is an amazing Pole Dancing class, which is taught by the talented, Rachel.  While many people may judge the Pole Dance as a lead up to the world of stripping, I soon realized how much of an intense workout this class really is.  The Pole works your core, allows a woman to embrace her sensual side, improve upper body strength and instills a new respect for the athleticism of the woman who pursues this as a career path.  It is a natural progression of the evening to take this fun Pole class and conclude the night with my Yoga class.  The stretching, breathing and postures in the Yoga class allow all Pole Dance students the chance to restore their muscles and minds to harmony.  It is a brilliant paradox to find these two classes back to back especially when Yoga is associated with Mind Body Spirit connection and Pole Dancing is associated with the opposite.  Both classes offer an amazing workout and can be found back to back in the heart of Washington Heights, NYC.  After participating in two Pole classes myself, I can say that it is very much like doing Yoga on the Pole, the two classes are like cousins.  For more information about these classes and other classes offered at Candela visit:http://www.candelastudionyc.com/

Indian Classical Music @ Atmananda Yoga Studio

Since I have been dabbling in Indian Classical Flute Lessons otherwise known as Bansuri, I was invited by my instructor (Eric Fraser) to witness brilliance at its finest.  A lovely masterful concert with world renowned Pandit Krishna Bhatt (Sitar Legend) & Pandit Anindo Chatterjee (Tabla Maestro).  The setting for the event was the gorgeous Atmanada Yoga studio.  The evening began with an opening performance by the Neel Murgai Ensemble.  The group played wonderful hypnotic eastern sounds with ease and depth.  The ensemble quickly ushered in the main act of Pandit Krishna Bhatt & Pandit Anindo Chatterjee.  I was thrilled to witness them play the Raga Yaman, which happens to be what I am learning on the Bansuri.  This was an inspirational experience.  I saw how the sensation of music captured the hearts of each and every person sitting in the room.  These gentlemen played completely improvised, with the technical difficulty that would make most musicians feel awe and admiration on a spiritual level.  Pandit Krishna Bhatt played the Raga Yaman and left everyone including Pandit Anindo Chatterjee breathless, only to conclude by informing the audience that all of the performance was unrehearsed and played on a borrowed Sitar, since his broke during travel.  WOW!  Very soon the audience watched as the Tabla Maestro and Sitar Legend communicated with their instruments with emotion, fire and intrigue, very similar to how Jazz artists go about trading fours. This performance was worth the trip to the Atmanada Yoga Studio.  Regardless of people's personal taste in music, when you experience true talent and passion at a live show, there is no other experience that can elevate the soul.  For more information about these artists and the Atmananda Yoga Studio visit :

http://www.krishnabhatt.com

http://www.anindochatterjee.com

http://www.atmananda.com

Namaste Williamsburg - Come Find me!

Last year my dear friend and teacher Swami Shivam of the Siddhartha Center in India was invited to conduct a meditation workshop at Namaste Williamsburg.  The Energy of this lovely studio tucked away in Brooklyn captivated my heart.  The owner Debbie shared such a peaceful radiance with me and all who participated.  I am so happy to be part of the family at Namaste Williamsburg.  

While this studio offers a variety of Yoga classes, Reiki, Massage, Holistic Beauty and teacher training, the beauty of the studio is the spirit.  When you enter you feel as though you are entering a sanctuary where you can dive into a peaceful Yoga experience and restore your mind and body.  

Another highlight to Namaste Williamsburg is the donation based system.  While we are in a tough economic time, this studio maintains the "requested donation" system for class payment. This has been the way Debbie wanted this studio to maintain since it's beginning.  No membership, no set fees, only an amazing space to practice yoga, and experience the natural karma of a studio that has classes on requested donation base.

You & your friends can join a class that I teach at Namaste Williamsburg

Tuesday @ 12 noon (Beginner Level) Wednesday @ 12 noon (Open Level) and Sunday morning @ 9am (Pre Natal)

Please come join a class, bring your friends and deepen your yoga practice without having to deepen your wallet.  For more information visit: www.namastewilliamsburg.com

A TOUCH OF PEACE with Shiatsu @ Ohashi Institute

I really enjoy being a Yoga Instructor, Musician and also learning Shiatsu.  After juggling a busy schedule, I recently realized that I myself needed a touch of peace with my own Shiatsu Session. It was my pleasure to have Rosalie give me a Shiatsu Session at the Ohashi Institute.  It was the most relaxing tranquil experience.  The weather outside was cold and rainy.  The silent hum of the city and the rain added to the blissful setting as I was lying down while Rosalie restored my body to harmony with her magic touch.  The session left me in a deep luxurious sleep.

My favorite style of body work is Shiatsu.  The release from the gentle touch on the meridians is an incomparable experience.  For more information or to book a session with someone from the Ohashi Institute visit: http://www.ohashi.com/

Laughing Yoga - World Laughter Day-May 3rd

After giving a Shiatsu session to Kim, I soon came to find out that she is a Laughing Yogi.  The yoga that practices uplifting your spirits.  The Yoga that looks so hillarious and fun!!!  Well to my surprise Kim was at Earth Day and she informed me of the World Laughter Day which is May 3rd.  At 11 am the group gathers at Madison Square Park by the fountain near 23rd, and they proceed to march down broadway to Union Square laughing, smiling, and making music.  Finally they meet on the lawn and laugh for world peace.  The entire event looks like tons of fun.  For more information visit: http://yoga.meetup.com/502/calendar/

It looks like it should be a fun event to participate in.  So if you and your friends love to laugh...join in the fun this May 3rd!

Yogi Beans @ Earth Day 2009

On April 24th 2009, myself and Sam represented Yogi Beans at Earth Day.  The Earth Day festivities were held at Grand Central in NYC.  The Green Pavilion had Holistic Health, Yoga, Eco-Fashion, Organic Food, Live Music, and much more.  We had a great time introducing parents, kids and other participants to the Yogi Beans program.  The weather was a glorious sunny spring day and a few groups of kids participated in some Yogi Beans fun activities.  We had small and large groups of kids from various visiting schools participating in warm ups, tree pose/group Forest, sun salutations, feather breathing and many more fun activities.  It was so wonderful to see the positive energy in the smiles of all who participated.