Seva at Two Dog
Recently I've heard the question..... "How do I cope with the crazy, violent, divisiveness that seems to be ever increasing these days? It effects my mood, my sleep and my hope for the future."
My best answer to this question is to turn toward what you CAN give back.
You do not have to look far to find those who could use your help, your kindness, your care. There are so many ways to give back. When we connect with others we remember that we belong, we are not alone on this journey, and that there are MANY amazing people who are kind, warm and wanting of connection, no matter our differences. Turning towards what is life giving can help mitigate the ache in our hearts that we have for those who are suffering.... and frustration we have towards those who seem to perpetuate hate.
“Seva” is a Sanskrit word meaning “selfless service” or work performed without any thought of reward or repayment. In ancient
Ram Dass explains this beautifully: “Helping out is not some special skill. It is not the domain of rare individuals. It is not confined to a single part of our lives. We simply heed the call of that natural impulse within and follow it where it leads us.”
The first time I heard the word Seva was when my husband, Ray and I attended a benefit concert hosted by Ram Das in
Seva has been part of my vision for Two Dog from the beginning. During the years in Little Dog, 1991-2001, the original home of Two Dog, we squeezed in as many as we could to the snug Little Dog 'yoga womb' for Thanksgiving Day Gratitude Yoga classes. We donated all the proceeds and a car load of healthy non-perishables to the local food bank.
This tradition continues 27 years later, BUT it is in Big Dog now... lots more room! Not so long ago we squeezed in 60 yogis on a Thanksgiving day class! Join us this Thanksgiving Day, 9-10:30am-Flow and/or 11am-12:15pm-Gentle/Restorative.
I took the "act local" and "follow where it leads" guidance seriously. For seven years now we have offered Free Chair Yoga classes in the Lake City neighborhood. From one small class in McDermott Place (studio apartments for formerly homeless and veteran neighbors) and then in Lake City House (LCH) low income senior housing, to now three classes taught by four yoga teachers and supported by five assistants, who are all yoga students at Two Dog! The classes are held at LCH and the LC Community Center senior program. Most of our students are non-English speakers and we have just begun receiving the support of Peggy Hernandez who interprets in our Monday class.
We are offering yoga to about forty people a week who would not otherwise have access to yoga classes. And we are looking forward to growing. If you have questions about opportunities to participate in this program, contact Annie.
I want to thank:
- Carol Sanders, Lydia Marshall and Frances Rice - our outstanding instructors
- Amy Brieger - Administrative lead and class assistant
- Oui, Suzanne Denby, Cathy Grytting, Linda Robinson, and Nancy Place for their fabulous and kind presence in assisting
You have ALL made this a success!
Last Saturday, 10/24, on the day of the tragedy in the Jewish community in
Ganeshas Guerrilla Garden (GGG) sits at the SW corner of 28th Ave NE and NE 127th, just north of Big Dog. Ten years ago, when the city put in a sidewalk on this corner near the studio, they left a weedy parking strip. At first my dear neighbor friend and stellar 'seva' practitioner Chuck Dickey, who recently passed at 85 years old, was tending it with the help of a work release team he guided each week in community service. Then I offered to take it on. For several years now I've cultivated Zinnias, Sunflowers, Cosmos, Irises, Tulips and the occasional Dahlia. I've met so many neighbors from all over the world, who stop by to tell me stories of their own gardens from childhood. Recently a homeless woman on a bike stopped by to share that she always slows down as she passes the GGG and takes a deep breath as it feels a little like the country to her. At our last two Stir It Up dances at Big Dog, we raised enough money to purchase a peace pole.
An 8-foot tall, 6-sided cedar pole is being carved with the twelve most spoken languages in Lake City in the words "May Peace Prevail on Earth". My hope is to navigate through the permit and insurance requirement needed by the city and plant the pole this winter with a ceremony, potluck and Stir It Up dance, date TBA. If you would like to help with gardening now, please contact Annie. I'm looking to reignite a team of earth tenders and would love some help preparing for the Peace Pole planting ceremony.
Each year Lake City churches provide a winter shelter for our homeless neighbors. They ask groups to provide a hot dinner and continental breakfast for the 30-40 residents of the LC winter shelter.
For the past five years, six Two Dog volunteers have gathered in one of our homes to make lasagna, beef stew or chili. This year we are gathering in the afternoon, Monday December 17th. We need 5 more volunteers to join us in the making and serving of the dinner. Contact Annie for more information..
And... we have FREE teen yoga, Tuesdays, 4:30-5:15pm with Patty Killian, yoga teacher at Nathan Hale High School.
I am so grateful for all of those who have helped and been part of the giving back that Two Dog has provided to our neighborhood over the last 27 years.
Peace --- Annie
Contact her for more info. annie@twodogyoga.com -or- 206-367-9608
Our Community
Donate to the Guerilla Garden fund
Contact Annie for larger donations.
Two Dog Tales
Enjoy these highlights from the Two Dog e-newsletter and other writings contributed by and about Two Doggers over the years. It's a story archive that tells the tale of the Two Dog community: its teachers, students, neighbors and friends.
Therapeutic Yoga: Annie's Journey |
Annie's journey to discover the benefits of yoga and the Therapeutic offerings at Two Dog |
Three villages: Beloved Communities by Annie Stocker |
Yelapa in Mexico, Vaidyagrama in India, and Lake City in Seattle |
Gratitude Flows Over at Two Dog |
Unexpected sources of Gratitude |
Generosity of Two Dog Community by Annie Stocker |
Two Dog Generous community |
Annie's Om From Home by Annie Stocker |
How Annie found her voice |
Mothers and Daughters at Two Dog by Valerie Sasson |
Sharing the experience of sore muscles on Sunday mornings |
A Dog A Day? by Roxi Smith |
A home-practice story shared by a long-time Two Dogger |
Turning the Kaleidoscope: Bringing Things to Light by Sarahjoy Marsh |
Bringing awareness to the ever-shifting materials of our inner kaleidoscope |
A Year's Journey by Shannon McCall |
The story of a milestone year in the life of one Two Dog teacher |
The Two Dogger Next Door by Jan Mikus |
Read about the life and healing experience of a studio regular |
To Plan or Not To Plan |
A reflection on how much our habits press on our thoughts, actions, reactions |
The Space in Between by Wendy Groesbeck |
What are we really asking for when we want more time in our lives? |
Why "Two Dog" by Annie Stocker |
Musing on the name of the studio |
Favorite Poses |
Wendy, Annie and Shannon reflect on their favorite poses |
Teen Kumbha |
A mother/son yoga experience |
About Gentle Yoga and Me |
Coming into yoga in the best possible way |
Yoga- Another Universe? |
How Yoga made me a better person |
Curve Balls and Fowl Balls |
Sometimes things happen |
Ayurveda |
Self-care |
What Yoga Means to Me |
Musings... |
Coming Home by Annie Stocker |
Returning from Sri Lanka |
Healing in Kerala by Annie Stocker |
A story of healing |
Loving Lake City by Annie Stocker |
Reflection of a spring evening in Lake City |
Lovin' Lake City
Annie Stocker, Two Dog studio owner, has lived in Lake City since 1986 and feels a warm kinship with the ever-emerging neighborhood. Two Dog students bump into each other at local restaurants, the Lake City Farmers Market, the local hardware store, post office, parks and restaurants. More and more people now make Lake City their permanent home in which to grow their families and friendships. Two Dog is proud to be a part of the growth of this healthy, thriving community. Come explore!
Two qualities of life that we sometimes give low priority to are surrounding ourselves with beauty and developing community. These are being practiced at Two Dog Yoga studio. The gorgeous unfolding lotus mural secures the room where yoga, singing, dancing, eating, talking and more are offered with open arms to the Lake City neighborhood.
— Cynthia Lair, author of Feeding the Whole Family