Shambhala Yoga & Dance's 8th Anniversary Benefit Party ~ October 2009

Hi folks,

What can I say?!  Sunday night was truly a magical evening - beyond my wildest fantasies of how I hoped it would go.  The whole place just oozed love and generosity and gratitude and wonder.  After all the work of putting together our first big anniversary/benefit party (eight years!), it was a real delight for me to just sit back and watch the beautiful beings celebrate!  What an outpouring of love from so, so many people!  It was an amazing thing to witness, and to realize what we have all done, just by being willing to show up day after day and share with others what has been a blessing in our own lives - these precious gifts of yoga, dance, music, and connection to Spirit.

Thanks to all of you who participated, either by performing, helping out with the door or clean-up, shaking a shekere during the ceremony, or by just bringing your beautiful energy onto the dance floor!  It was especially moving to see how all of the different little communities within our center finally came together in one joyous celebration - yogis dancing with drummers, African dance folks getting up and shaking it out to some scorching salsa, long-time salseros watching in awe the beautiful yoga demonstration by three of our teachers. 

So many cultures and spirit traditions were experienced and celebrated:  Tantra yoga, Orisha & ancestor reverence, African, Belly, Salsa & Rumba dancing, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban drumming, etc.   At one point during the performances - I think it was during the samba batucada - I turned to my husband Paul, and said "It's incredible to think that all of this is going on in that tiny little storefront studio!"

I'd like to pay special tribute to two men, without whom Shambhala would not be the special place that it is:  Haileejaa Euma and James Arboine.

Haileejaa, for those of you who don't know him by name, is the man who is always poking his head in the door, making sure that everyone is happy and well taken care of.  He is the building manager, and was the first person I met when I went to look at the space more than eight years ago.  He is a man of myriad talents: drummer, woodworker, hug collector, etc.  He built all of the furniture in the studio, helped me design and create a welcoming, nurturing space, and has been my guardian angel and right hand man for all of these years.  I could never have kept these doors open without his constant, vigilant support and encouragement (and occasional rants: "Why were the lights left on all night? What's going on here?!!")    Thank you, Hug Collector!!!

And James (aka Tico) is our official social director, master of ceremonies, spreader of love and community, and all-around solid rock of support.  He has a heart bigger than the ocean, never complains about all of the millions of requests that we make of him, and alwalys shows up with a welcoming smile and encouraging word for all of the shy newcomers in the dance classes.  He has been my partner for several years in the Sunday Salsa Socials, and has moved into his own right as a party organizer and builder of community.  Thank you, Tico!!!

Special thanks as well, to all of our wonderful teachers. They all give of themselves so generously and with such love and joy, we are truly blessed to have them in our community.  And thanks to all of you community members: dancers, yogis, chanters, drummers, musicians meditators, lovers of life and Spirit!

And of course the drumming was glorious!  What would one of our parties or gatherings be without the heartbeat of the drums?  Special, special thanks to Haileejaa, Ronnie and Justin, and all of the other drummers who showed up to share their passion.  And the dancing was outrageous!  What a party!  A lot of people said to me throughout the evening -- "This has to become an annual event!"  That sentiment was echoed many times throughout the night, so what can I say?  I guess it has to be!  Start spreading the word for next October...

After we finally shut off the music at 12:30 (we were supposed to end at 11:00!) and Paul and I hobbled home, I was greeted by a lovely message on my home phone from our landlady, full of gushing praise.  She said how honored and blessed she feels that we are tenants in her building.  That she is so happy that Shambhala is here, creating so much positive, loving, healing energy that is emanating out into the whole community.  And that she wishes us many more years of continued success and richness of experience   It was really very moving.  So here's to another eight years and more!  (And we brought in enough at the door to help cover next month's rent - Halleluiah!)

By the way, these photos were sent to me from Amy & Francisco (thanks!) -- I'd love to get more to circulate, so that we can continue to bask in the glow of that magical night.

Have a beautiful day...

One Love!

Peace & blessings,
Cathy