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About the author (yoga student of The Shala!)

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a marine biologist, policy expert, writer, and teacher working to help create the best possible climate future. She is co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank for the future of coastal cities, and is the Roux Distinguished Scholar at Bowdoin College. She authored The New York Times bestseller What If We Get it Right?: Visions of Climate Futures.

Previously, she co-edited the climate anthology All We Can Save, co-founded The All We Can Save Project, and co-created and co-hosted the Spotify/Gimlet climate solutions podcast How to Save a Planet. She also co-authored the Blue New Deal, a roadmap for including the ocean in climate policy. Previously, as executive director of the Waitt Institute, she co-founded the Blue Halo Initiative and led the Caribbean’s first successful island-wide ocean zoning effort. Early in her career, she developed U.S. federal ocean policy at the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

A budget friendly & inclusive recovery class for the NYC runner. Whether you are training for your first 5k, a marathon, or just hitting the road with no destination in mind.

This all levels vinyasa class will be evenly paced, dynamic sequencing while encouraging full range mobility. Focusing on slow breath + movement inviting whole body awareness for injury prevention. Building balance to strengthen concentration, grounding the mind to reset and repair the nervous system aiding in lowering stress levels from this high impact activity.

Curious about the joys of playing the guitar? This drop-in music class is open to adults and older teens who are brand new to guitar as well as those with more experience who might be looking to solidify their playing. Each session will begin with a group tuning session followed by a variety of slow and relaxing guitar and singing exercises. We will then explore and experiment with various elements of rhythm, harmony, and melody as we play and sing sweet songs together.

Students should bring their own guitars.

Kyle is a local folk musician and music teacher who has taught a vibrant mix of people of all ages and musical backgrounds. He taught full time at the New York City Guitar School from 2008 to 2023 and is currently a director at the Jalopy Theatre/School of Folk Music.
Questions: kyle@jalopytheatre.org

We will make it fun by putting an extra personal and creative touch on them. Art supplies and postcards will be provided, inspiration shared and also feel free to BYOB (bring your own beverage or snacks if you would like).

Postcards to Swing States

A three part series that combines meditation, Buddhist philosophy and action. Each session will explore how to remain steady, empowered and action-oriented throughout the upcoming election and beyond.

SIGN UP FOR EACH SESSION SEPARATELY
All classes are on zoom. Videos are available if you can not attend live.

August 25th: Grounding in Our Agency 

Meditation and reflections on staying connected to our own sense of agency and our collective agency to shape the future, how we can help turn the tide on the widespread feeling of powerlessness of this time.
sign up here for online

September 15th:  Holding Many Truths

Meditation and reflections on how we hold the complexity and the many truths of this time at once, moving from the usual binaries – good/bad, right/wrong – to what’s the next best step to have a positive impact in the world.
sign up here for online

October 6th:  Practicing Hope

Meditation and reflections on channeling (and spreading) hope in times of anxiety, chaos and despair, exploring where we find hope, how we stay hopeful, and how we inspire hope in others.
sign up here for online

Creative Flow Practice
with Annie Piper and Kerry Warren
Saturday, June 22, 2-4pm
$40
In Studio at The Shala Ft. Greene

Deep breath, warm body, open heart: this Qigong (energy work) and yin yoga hybrid will help you map the energetic body, unpack holding patterns and down regulate the nervous system so you are ready to engage fully and fearlessly in your work. Expect to shake, sweat and feel things. This class will be an introduction workshop to qigong and deep dive focus on several standing postures and partner work.

Ashley will lead a guided meditation, followed by an immersive creative experience to water seeds of peace in our hearts, communities, and the world. Materials will be provided, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Ft. Greene Park Conservancy’s stewardship of established trees in Ft. Greene Park.

All are welcome. No previous meditation or art making experience required.