Asheville Bliss

Asheville is not just ONE kind of bliss... it's layer upon layer of bliss... bliss which is often subtle, often hidden, with many aspects taking time and networking to discover.

The goal of AshevilleBliss.com is to reveal to visitor, newcomer, and long time resident alike, what makes Asheville so blissful, including aspects of Asheville's BLISS which aren't so readily apparent... to make these many wonderful islands and rivers of little-known bliss accessible ... in a way which has never before been done.

Whether you're into whitewater rafting or sitting sangha, Asheville Bliss will have the links for you. And plenty more.

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PRAMA INSTITUTE

Holistic Education for People and Place

The Prama Institute is a conference and retreat center located on forested hilltops and grasslands surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains. It sits in Marshall, NC, near the French Broad River, about 25 minutes outside Asheville, NC. Our scenic and peaceful surroundings create the perfect place for educational conferences, yoga retreats, workplace seminars, and other events.

Besides the high-quality conferences that the Prama Institute organizes all year round, the facility is also available for rent to all types of groups, organizations, and businesses. Our experienced staff is available to offer you assistance with event planning, marketing, and registration. Let us assist you in creating your own successful workshop or seminar.

JULY 23 - 25

Blissful Path to Bliss - Yoga and Meditation Retreat with Stephanie and Michael Johnson

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Good Vibrations

Richard Hite approaches the three large gongs, kneeling reverentially and nestles in among the bells, conch shells, Tibetan temple horns and goat horns on the floor. He reaches up with a mallet, and with a feathery touch begins priming one gong with an arcing motion across the textured brass. The result is a continuous low drone that resonates deep into the skin. With his other hand he gives a second gong a glancing blow, the direct tone weaving into the undulating tones of the first.

"Playing the instrument regularly is as much a practice of my own spiritual path as anything else I do," says the 57-year-old Hite. "For me, it's a meeting with God, it's an expression of gratitude. I had a God experience the first time I heard one."

Hite and his partner of 20 years, physical therapist Susan Thompson, are living at the Embracing Simplicity Hermitage in Hendersonville while preparing for a concert at the Light Center in Black Mountain on April 25. "We don't have a plan after that," he says with astounding faith.

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T'Ai Chi in Asheville

Is anyone around western North Carolina interested in T'Ai Chi? I'm told that groups are sprouting up all over the place and here are the ones that I'm aware of.



* Tai Chi - Saturday, January 3, 2009. 3-4:30 PM. Firestorm Cafe & Books, 48 Commerce St. 255-8115

* South Asheville T'Ai Chi

* T'Ai Chi Ch'uan of Asheville

* The Harvest House on Kennilworth Road is starting classes soon. Contact Lee at harvesth@ashevillenc.govor 828-350-2051.

* At Total Tai Chi, Paul Gallagher is taking on a very limited number of personal students-apprentices. If you are profoundly interested in learning the Taiji health arts, and Life Strategy, call 828/628-1629.

* ChiRunning combines modern physics with the ancient wisdom of T’ai Chi to create a running form that is easily learned and makes running more effortless and enjoyable.

Jerry Cain (828) 456-5164 - Asheville, NC
Harry Johnston (828) 298-6221- Asheville, NC
Matt Kabat (828) 778-7467 - Asheville, NC
Brent Neely (828) 253-2207 - Neely School of T'ai Chi - Asheville, NC
Cathy Easterbrook (828) 698-8290 - Therapeutic Touch - Asheville, NC
Martha Sachs (828) 891-4542 - Asheville, NC
Tao Mountain Sanctuary (828) 668-1198 - NC

Related:
DIRECTORIES

* Besides Tai Chi the Asheville Calendar lists a veritable cosmic buffet of groups and gatherings. There's an Eckhart Tolle group, a Sufi Healing Circle, the SECRET philosophy, and much more.

* Body Mind Spirit - Conscious Living in and around Asheville, NC.

Holy Ground

A Feminist Retreat Ministry

Sacred Circle Worship Each Wednesday of every month, women and men of all faith perspectives are invited to Holy Ground for a time of communal silence, meditative reading, group reflection and sharing and ritual. Sacred Circle meets from 9-10 am.

September 9 & 23, October 7 & 21, November 4 & 18, December 2& 16, every other Tuesday, 4:00 - 5:30

Drawing Deeply from our Own Wells: A Writing Experience for Women with Late Life Wisdom with Joyce Hollyday

Upon hearing that most people in the U.S. have water piped into their homes, an African woman responded, “But how do the women speak to each other? If we didn’t talk at the village well, we wouldn’t know about our lives.” If you are a woman in that third stage of life (what shall we call it -- the Crone era?), please consider being part of this 8-week series. You will be invited to dig deeply into your own personal well of experience and wisdom. And together, we will create a “village well” as we share our stories. No writing experience is necessary. No grades! Just a safe space for writing, sharing, and connection.

Joyce Hollyday is a co-pastor and co-founder of Circle of Mercy, an ecumenical congregation in Asheville. She is the author of several books, including Clothed with the Sun: Biblical Women, Social Justice, and Us.

18 Orange St., Asheville, NC

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Spiritual Didgeridoo Workshop: Discovering the Sacredness of Breath & Sound

828-891-8700 or 684-3798
Sunday September 7, 2008
Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Unity Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd
www.unitync.net

with Sound Therapist Phil Jones. During this interactive presentation, Australian sound therapist Phil Jones will teach you how to play the didgeridoo, an ancient and sacred wind instrument made from the eucalyptus tree, hollowed out by white ants, decorated with symbolic Dreamtime art, and traditionally played in ceremony and healing by the Aboriginal clans of Australia. Playing the didgeridoo is an entertaining way to explore the power of breath and sound and increase your lung capacity with healing and revitalizing oxygen…Shallow breathers, asthmatics, and smokers particularly benefit. You will discover how simple deep breathing exercises, when combined with the mesmerizing primordial sound of the didgeridoo, will effectively:

* Balance, Harmonize, and Recharge your Body, Mind, and Soul
* Erase ‘Thought Clutter’ and enhance Objectivity, Insight, and Clarity
* Enable you to authentically Express and Connect with your Creative and Intuitive Self

The primordial vibration of the didgeridoo and the simple breathing techniques help create a state of relaxation, lower blood pressure, relax the heart, improve digestion, and significantly reduce sleep apnea and snoring. Phil will also share the traditional Aboriginal techniques of “Circular/Continuous Breathing” and “Australian Bush” sound effects. Phil studied seven years with an enlightened Hindu teacher (1968-1975) and parallels the didgeridoo, a non-denominational meditation accelerator, with Eastern Philosophy, New Thought, and Aboriginal Traditions.

No musical experience is necessary. All participants will be provided an authentic Australian didgeridoo to play during the workshop. Didgeridoos and meditation CD’s will be available to purchase after the workshop. Love Offering.

Rites of Passage Council

An Evening with Malidoma Some': Drumming, Teachings and Discussion Saturday, June 21st at the Rites of Passage Council Medicine Lodge from 7pm-10pm.

Energy Exchange: $30.

Also, Private Divinations with Malidoma Some'will be available in 2008 on June 21st, 23rd and 24th. Private Divinations are $250.

To Register and Receive Details and Directions, contact Theresa at (828)777-1492 or Theresa@RitesofPassageCouncil.com

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Shimshai Live - One Night Only

Friday, May 30th

Shimshai is a Namaste family favorite. He will perform one night only outdoors at the Glen (a garden and natural ampitheatre) at Homewood in historic Montford neighborhood. Bring your blankets or lawn chairs for a unforgetable night in oneness. Teas and goodies will be for sale. This will be a rain or shine show (we have can move indoors if need be).

Whether singing the ancient Sanskrit mantras of India, the traditional folklore songs of South America, or performing his original works of divine inspiration, Shimshai’s music invokes a sentiment of ancestral devotion and a dedication to higher consciousness. A self-proclaimed seeker of truth, described by many as possessing the voice of an angel, Shimshai is gifted with the innate ability to deliver his message flawlessly in several languages; most profoundly the universal language of Love and Oneness.

$20 in advance $25 at the door. Gates open at 7pm

To reserve your ticket call Namaste Sacred Events 828.252.8149 or go to Namaste Yoga in downtown.

To learn more about Shimshai visit his website at www.shimshai.com

TIME FOR OUR POWER

Welcome to the inaugural Time for Our Power! "Women Bringing Change to the World" Conference, which will be held in Asheville, North Carolina.

JUNE 20 - 22, 2008

The purpose of this 3-day event is to provide a forum for women of all ages, and ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to gather, learn, grow and become inspired to personally and collectively bring powerful, positive and much needed change to their own lives and to the world.

Time for Our Power! will feature speakers, panelists and workshop leaders from a wide variety of fields: environmental, political, international affairs, business, medical, spiritual, personal growth and the arts.

So many amazing performers and speakers that will be at the event so let me leave you with a few names.

Jane Fonda , Keynote Speaker

Glenis Redmond

Julia Butterfly Hill

Starhawk

Grandmother Red Leaf will oversee the SUMMER SOLSTICE event.

Wisdomology

Reveal Your Inner Wisdom

Three Amigos With One Vision

Nowadays James, Bruce, and Lauren (whose diverse paths have led them out of the Ivy League, down the Appalachian Trail, and through the joys and challenges of stay-at-home-parenting) come together each day and try to imagine ways that Wisdomology can enlighten, inspire, inform, and connect people whose backgrounds are as diverse as their own.

There's a lot of beautiful spirits swirling around WISDOMOLOGY. Go see for yourself!

Blissful Rituals

about blissful rituals
In the early winter of 2004, Blissful Rituals was created as an offering to the Asheville community. The focus of Blissful Rituals is to offer healing massage and body treatments using the purest substances available. Organic oils and happily harvested herbs are the ingredients in all massage and body treatments. All products used are without any chemical solvents or preservatives whatsoever. Using only natural substances for cleansing and rejuvenation sends strong positive messages to the mind, body, and spirit that we are in harmony with nature. Thus, we are honoring ourselves, each other and The Earth at the same time.

about lara narayani
In 1992, Narayani began to spiritually awaken when she started practicing Yoga and meditation. Realizing there was a higher calling to be discovered, she embarked on a journey to find her true work in the world. In 1997, she moved to New York to focus her studies on massage at The Swedish Institute for Massage Therapy. Staying focused on spiritual studies, she recieved certification as a Yoga Instructor through the Integral Yoga Institute in 1999. Narayani also has studied a variety of ancient healing practices, including: Kabbalah, Native American Sweat Lodge and Medicine Wheel Teachings, West African Dance, Soul-Point, Qi-Gong for enlightenment, Ayurveda, Both DONA and Wholistic Doula training in Asheville. Through practicing healing arts from various cultures, we tune into the simple laws of nature and realize that all life is connected and thus sacred. Inspired by this truth, Blissful Rituals was created as an offering to the Asheville community in 2004. In 2006, Narayani completeed an intensive training in Ayurvedic Beauty Treatments and hands on techniques at the well respected Ayurvedic Institute. She continues to learn and teach around the US to share the simplicity of healing.

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