conscious breathing enhances her workouts. “The best thing I’ve taken away from the boot camp experience is that fitness does not have to be difficult— with hours spent on a treadmill or pumping iron—to be effective,” says Davis. “I no longer feel I have to pun- ish my body into fitness, but instead attain fitness through a loving rela- tionship with my body.” Davis, who went on to become a


yoga teacher, says that she and others in Bender’s workshop also experi- enced emotional and psychological breakthroughs through holding yoga postures and practicing breathing techniques. This led to emotional releases through tears and words, fol- lowed by more lightness in the body, Davis reports.


Holistic Empowerment When teaching yoga and fitness, Bender tells her students which organs, glands and body systems are being affected by each posture. The psychological and emotional rel- evance of poses like Cobra are also explained to students who may feel uncomfortable in such a heart-open- ing posture.


“Students start to understand that this posture is reflecting their weak- nesses and strengths, and they may realize, ‘Okay, I don’t want to open my heart that big; that’s too vulner- able,’” she observes.


Getting her goddesses to em- brace their vulnerability, strength, inner spirit and authentic power is at the heart of Bender’s work with wom- en and female teens. She advises: “A goddess warrior trusts her intuition and is brave enough to follow it.”


For more information about Sierra Bender, her recent book, Goddess to the Core: An Inspired Workout to Maximize Your Fitness, Beauty & Power, and upcoming workshops and events, visit SierraBender.com.


Kim Childs teaches Kripalu yoga in the Boston area. Connect at Kim Childs.com.


ongoingcalendar


All Calendar events for the March issue must be received by February 10th and adhere to our guidelines. Email Calendar@NAEastBay.com for guidelines and to submit entries.


utilize the Ironhorse Trail. Distances vary from a couple of miles to 8-10 miles with approximately 30-50 runners. Free. Forward Motion Sports, 432 Hartz Ave, Danville. 925-820-9966.


Domingo de Rumba – 3:30-6pm. Community jam session welcomes drummers, singers and dancers who perform rumba. Free. La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley. 510-849-2568.


Prescription Consultation – Mon-Fri. Partici- pants receive help sorting out their prescription medications with staff pharmacist. Free. Phar- maca Integrative Pharmacy, 1744 Solano Ave, Berkeley. Call for appt: 510-527-8929.


Lunch Hour Yoga – 12-12:50pm. Mon-Fri. Daily yoga for stress management and self-care. All levels welcome. The Niroga Center for Heal- ing, 1808 University Ave, Berkeley. NirogaCenter.org.


Breast Cancer Support Group for Spanish- Speaking Women – 4-6pm. First and third Mon each month. Free. Registration required. Mark- stein Cancer Education and Prevention Center, 450 30th St, Rm 2810, Oakland. 510-869-8213.


Monday Night Run Group – 6:30pm sharp. All levels welcome. Routes vary. Sports Basement, 1881 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Walnut Creek. 925-941-6100.


Guided Meditation – Thru Feb 24. 7-8pm. All levels welcome. Weekly guided meditation led by teaching staff at Intuitive Way, LLC. Themes include defining personal space, redirecting attention toward inner life, releasing resistance, reducing stress, and more. Donations welcome. Massage Cottage, 71 Lafayette Cir, Lafayette. For more info or to sign up, contact David: 925- 686-0543.


Ongoing Earth First! Radio Show – 8-10pm. Environmental, cultural and political awareness, mixed with music, news, information, interviews, and call-ins on Berkeley Liberation Radio. 104.1 FM. 510-496-6011.


One-On-One Computer Training – 10-11am. Adults. Computer-training session with one of Walnut Creek Library’s trained staff. New computer user assistance with the basics, as well as help setting up email accounts, printing, Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint programs and Internet searches. Walnut Creek Libraries. 925-977-3340. CCCLib.org.


ESL Conversion Class – 2:30-3:30pm. Practice and improve English language conversational skills in a small group, informal setting. Free. Drop-ins welcome. Hercules Library, 109 Civic Dr, Hercules. CCCLib.org.


Afternoon Tea – 3-5pm. Hot teas, cookies, cake and other snacks offered at the landmark 1924 clubhouse. Play Scrabble, cards, or other games, or enjoy a book by the historic stone fireplace. Donations requested. Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St, Berkeley. HillsideClub.org.


CPR Certification – Tues & Wed. 6-8:30pm. 12 yrs and older. Participants who complete class receive 2-yr certification. Sports Basement, 1881 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Walnut Creek. For more info: 925-941-6117.


Drop-In Volleyball – 7-10pm. Open to the first 45 participants. $5. Tice Valley Community Gymnasium, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek. WalnutCreekRec.org.


Basement Pilates – 9-10am. All levels welcome. Bring mat, towel and water for Pilates class by local instructor. Free. Sports Basement, 1881 Yg- nacio Valley Rd, Walnut Creek. 925-941-6100.


Beehive Market – 10am-12pm. Organic pro- duce, food court, sustainable products, local band performances. Free. Berkeley Adult School, 1702 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley.


Fleet Feet Saturday Runs – 8:45am. Walkers/ runners welcome. Short and long routes avail- able. Free. Fleet Feet, 45 B Crescent Drive, Pleasant Hill. 925-827-4772.


Forward Motion Group Run – 6:30pm. All levels. Fall/winter routes through Danville neigh- borhoods are available. Spring/summer routes


natural awakenings February 2011 27


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