July 2008 text version

Summer is in full swing and the Mexico Retreat is only one week away, so surf's up! While we're away, Shih Fu's sister Jaclyn has just returned from her journey to South Africa and will be covering the Kung Fu classes during the retreat, so we invite all of you to benefit from her years of practice.

Also, please be aware that our teachers are taking Saturday classes off during July and August to further their training and enjoy the summer weather, so with the exception of private lessons, Saturday classes will resume Sept. 1.

Meet Mantra
Mantra, born April 28, 2008

You may have noticed a new face around the studio. Mantra, our studio pup arrived on June 16 to Body Balance and is quite the cutie, so make sure you introduce yourself! Mantra enjoys long walks in the park, gentle petting, mid day naps, and some other, less flattering habits :)

Thursday, July 3rd is the biggest Farmer's Market yet, so please join us at 8PM for a brief Tai Chi and Kung Fu demonstration. This is a great opportunity to show Nevada County what you've achieved in your practice since starting classes.

As we said in our last email, Summer is the time of fire. Unfortunately the Element of Fire has dominated our outdoor plans. But alas, all is not lost! It's a great time to come in and give your lungs a break with Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Kung Fu, and some morning Yoga! Everyone who has been sweating it out in Kung Fu has been stoked to get a good work out with the air the way its been lately. Click here to review the Summer schedule of classes.

Also, the Body Balance Summer Concert Series has been awesome, with the lastest performance this last Saturday by Anya Devi, Fannah Fi Allah, and the Shakti Sacred Arts ensemble. They gave those of us in attendance an amazingcarol pic cultural gift for us to dance and listen to. We are trully blessed to live in a community where such a plethora of talented performers exist, and according to the newest studies of areas with the greatest "happiness", communities which have these types of entertainment available rank highest for quality of life (but we already know the "secret" these studies take years to find out, just like the health benefits of Tai Chi, Kung Fu, and Yoga). If you have yet to attend one of these amazing performaces, which so far this year have included a Grammy Award nominee, the Shaolin Monks of China, and music and dance from Spain, India, and Pakistan, check back for exciting new events to be held in our space and let us know of a performer YOU would like to see at Body Balance and let's keep the good vibes coming!

And last, but not least the WINNERS of the MAY WARRIOR Challenge:
Kids 1st Place, and winner of a stylish Body Balance Ringer Tee:
Nathaniel Welch with 13 classes

And, the winner of the overall challenge with an AMAZING 68 Classes:
We don't really know because there's a TIE! That's right, Todd Klundt and Andrea Tavernini will duel it out sometime in the near future, so stay tuned to see who is the champion! (It should be said that Andrea did attend 1 more Cardio class, but because Cardio started mid-month, it isn't included in the total!)

Other Noteworthy Performances:
Elijah Goode 9, Romain and Ishan 8 ea, Nicoya 7, Kaia and Emia 6, Marcelle 19, Moses 17, Art 16, Richard 12, and Brooksley with 10.

Congratulations to all of our practitioners and have a happy, healthy, and FIRE FREE FOURTH!

Very Truly Yours,
All of us at Body Balance

PS. Please put Marcelle in your meditations, prayers, and thoughts as we wish her a speedy recovery.