Pencil or program it in, folks:

SATURDAY, MARCH 17^th, 2012

6-11pm
@Studio 34 (45^th St. & Baltimore, West Philly)
Cover by donation

I sure feel lucky to be gathering together some of the most amazing people in Philadelphia for an event like no other. In addition to celebrating the luck of the Irish, the blossoming of spring, and the anniversary of my birth, I will be launching an array of my creative projects and (ad)ventures.

Tentative unfolding of the evening...

[6-8pm] Delight your ear drums with Improv Jazz/Funk by local musicians as your taste buds savor Deep Breath Baking challah bread and Nourished Together spreads (gluten free and vegan options, too!)
[8-9pm] Michal's debut concert of songs from the forthcoming Crossing Imaginary Lines album including the WORLD premiere screening of the “We're Getting There” music video (shot on location)
[9-11pm] Dance Dance Party (like no other)

For a taste of my music, check out my You Tube channel here.

New songs and next DBB workshop posted!

I've filmed a few new songs and posted them up on my You Tube Channel. Take a look!
Oh, and my next Deep Breath Baking workshop is set for Thursday evening, February 2nd in Center City. Here's some info.
Happy new year!

Breathe into the New Year!
Join in community for a mindful and graceful transition into the New Year. These two specially themed yoga classes, followed by a potluck, will leave you feeling deeply nourished. Come for just the class, just the potluck, or both!

At Hawthorne Yoga, 1241 Carpenter St. Philadelphia

Class: Noon-1:15pm (regular drop-in price, $7-$17).
Potluck: 1:30-2:30pm (FREE, but bring food to share and your own plates/cutlery)

December 25th: "Letting in the Light" It's no coincidence that we yearn to fill our lives with light and community this time of year. This class converges three days after Winter Solstice, in the middle of Chanukkah, the day before Kwanzaa, and right on Christmas. We will celebrate the intersections of these festivals of light as inspiration for exploring our inner light.

January 1st: "Creating Space" In this special detoxification class, wring out the toxins as you ring in the new year. Whether it's a certain attitude, a relationship, or what you drank the night before. As you clear out what no longer serves you, you create space for that which does.

SHABBAS-ana

SHABBAS-ana:
Experience the essence of Shabbat in this embodied practice of rest and relaxation.

Sat. December 10th, 10-11:30am

Calvary Center, 48th St. and Baltimore Ave.

Cost: pay-it-forward

Kol Tzedek member and yoga teacher Michal Waldfogel has offered a gentle, restorative yoga practice these past three years on Yom Kippur. Her Deep Breath Baking [deepbreathbaking.com] workshop weaves together yoga with challah bread baking. She is delighted to open up a practice to the Kol Tzedek community and our friends of all backgrounds to explore the universal wisdom of Shabbat.

The title of the program, "Shabbas-ana," is inspired by the final resting pose in yoga, "savasana."

Bring a mat, towel or blanket, clothes you can move in, a vegetarian brunch dish to share, and your own plates/cutlery to reduce waste.

Michal's debut song, Crossing Imaginary Lines

Crossing Imaginary Lines
music and lyrics by Michal Waldfogel

Waiting at the border for my turn to share
The purpose of my visit and what I
Declare I'm a traveler, I'm duty free.
Citizen of the world, not one country.
But the lines we draw upon this earth
Manifest to values, beliefs and worth.

[chorus]
Borders on the map, on my heart, in my mind
I conjure up the courage to cross these lines.
When I close my eyes and truly see
All of these lines are imaginary.

Some people tell me to steer clear of bees,
To plan out each moment so they won't sting me.
But I miss out on the honey if I live my life this way
Lines form on my brow if I worry every day.
When I release fear and intend to do no harm
I watch as the bee walks a line across my arm.

I've wondered who I am and who I can be,
If what I wear, if what I do is what defines me.
Who can be my friend, who can be my love.
Lines etched from within, from outside and above.
"A kind of person" person just fails to describe
The beauty in us all and our joy to be alive.

autumn 2011

Dear deep breath buddies,

After a year exploring the farthest reaches of North America, I have chosen to set some roots in the city where all the brothers (and sisters!) love each other.

Autumn certainly feels like a season of harvest. As we welcome colder weather and shorter days, we slow down to collect the insights and lessons of the year. I have learned to celebrate life's abundance, but chose only a few pursuits at a time. Okay, I'm still learning.

With deep gratitude,

Michal

P.S. IMPORTANT! I am transitioning from a “think of everyone who might be interested or know someone who may be interested and add them to the BCC each time I send an e-mail” to Mail Chimp, where I streamline the process and can add snazzy pictures and such. This is an OPT-IN sort of situation. If you are indeed interested in monthly deep breath updates magically appearing in your inbox, you MUST subscribe.

P.P.S. I just published this article in PresenTense magazine...