Join me and a host of other teachers, holistic health experts, and vegetarian chefs--some of the world's leading authorities and experts in holistic living and natural health--for the ultimate gift for your mind, body and spirit.  We'll be cruising the Southeastern Caribbean on one of the world's premier Italian luxury liners, the new Costa Fortuna, which combines the style and sophistication of Europe with American comforts and convenience. Visit  San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Maarten, Leeward Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Grand Turk,  while you dine on specially prepared vegan organic natural foods prepared by master chefs.

Cruise Dates: March 30 - April 6, 2008

Learn more at http://atasteofhealth.org/homepage_load.htm?events/presenters.htm!

While the scores for visual discomfort of both groups were comparable at baseline, after 60 days there was a significantly decreased score in the YG group, whereas the WL group showed significantly increased scores.

Meditation Made Possible, Volume 1: Meditation on the Breath with Bhavani Lorraine Nelson, www.soulflightunlimited.com, 2007.

In this home practice meditation CD, Bhavani, a senior Kripalu faculty member and international teacher, directly addresses the common misunderstandings that beginning meditators have about what constitutes a "successful" practice.  "Meditation is a full package," she says in her introduction.  "It has a front and a back."  She acknowledges that both peace and restlessness may be experienced.  Prior to guiding the first meditation, she helps the listener prepare by leading gentle yoga stretches for a seated practice, and a slow and mindful movement that enhances moment by moment awareness.  In her guidance, she offers three options for breath awareness during meditation, and suggests that if these techniques don't suit the listener, there are a multitude of others.   "There's a technique for everybody," she says, and encourages listeners to explore until they find the one that's right for them.  The CD contains a twenty-minute led practice, as well as several tracks of timed silence.

If you think you can't meditate, or you find yourself struggling to sit, Bhavani Lorraine Nelson's Meditation Made Possible is for you. I've enjoyed practicing with it so much that I'm adding it to my resource list for future workshops and trainings.

Like many of us, Boccio found his way to yoga seeking to relax and unwind. After  only a few weeks of yoga he began to notice that he "left the yoga class feeling the divine bliss of heaven" but by the time he arrived home in Flushing he was back in his "own private hell."  Seeking to make that bliss last, Boccio began to study Buddhism, first through a book and then at a Japanese Soto Zendo. He noticed that often Buddhism and Yoga are held apart - you may often see classes called "Yoga & Meditation." Through his own practice in both traditions Boccio began to unite the practices.

Mindfulness Yoga is the product of the union between Yoga and Buddhism as seen through Boccio's eyes. The practice outlined in his book is a mindfulness meditation during yoga asana, rather than using yoga to prepare for meditation. He says that when we approach yoga-asana through mindfulness meditation, "we can achieve transformative and healing insight, and we can even free ourselves from much of our limiting and destructive patterns of thoughts and behavior."

Mindfulness Yoga begins with Boccio's story and moves fluidly into a history of Buddhism and it's precepts as well as background on Yoga and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. Boccio also includes instruction in mindfulness meditation. The bulk of the book is comprised of yoga sequences with pictures and modifications, which are interspersed with yogic and Buddhist teachings. He also includes appendices with Buddhist Sutras pertaining to this practice. Mindfulness Yoga is a wonderful addition to any library and everyone's yoga practice.

"LifeForce Yoga® to Beat the Blues is a blending of art, science, research and Amy's years of dedication to mastering the practice of Yoga. This is a DVD that I will enjoy, and continue to learn from, for years to come." - Richard Miller, PhD - President, The Center of Timeless Being; author, Yoga Nidra: The Meditative Heart of Yoga

· 75 minute video (DVD) practice, led by Amy Weintraub
· 12 Programmable Chapters shot in HD
· Original music by William Chapman + Music from Krishna Das, MJ Bindu Delekta
· Includes a Study Guide booklet
· Shot on-location in Tucson, AZ by Emmy- award winning Director of Photography, Dan Duncan.

Introduction
Joint Warm-ups
Centering Meditation
Breathing Exercises
Warm-up Poses
Cultivating Will: Standing Poses
Will and Willingness: Backbending Poses
Will and Surrender: Forward Bends and Twists
Surrender: Yoga Nidra

This unique DVD showcases the integrative practice of LifeForce Yoga® designed especially for mood management. Invite Amy into your home to lead you through comprehensive breathing techniques, toning, and postures to awaken your physical energy and calm your busy mind.

Shot on location in Tucson, Arizona, Amy invites practitioners into the loving embrace of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Kwan Yin, "she who hears the cries of the world." In the sacred space Amy creates, students begin to feel and safely experience their bodies and their emotions. The practice culminates with yoga nidra, or deep relaxation, in which participants integrate the experience and return to full wakefulness feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

For more information and to order, please visit Amy's web site: www.yogafordepression.com