July 21-27

The completion of the July 23-28 Yoga Week marked the halfway point of the 2011 summer season at Indralaya. The Yoga retreat was lead for the 9th consecutive year by Melanie Whittaker. Melanie is from the Methow Valley, which is east of the North Cascade mountains. This year the teepee was filled with approximately 50 participants for the twice daily hatha yoga sessions that are grounded in the Iyengar and Ashtanga Vinyasa traditions. In the above photo, Melanie exhibits trikonasana or triangle pose.

Spencer sautés breakfast mushrooms

The fellowship and wwoofer staff continue to play an important role in helping programs and activities at Indralaya run smoothly. One of those on fellowship is Spencer Corley (pictured above). Spencer has been here since late June and has been helpful in many ways, including breakfast prep (which begins at 6:30 every morning), daily mopping of the kitchen floor and transportation of food waste to the worm bins for vermiculture composting. Thanks to Spencer and the rest of the long-term staff who are currently here: Alise Nielson, Eric and Jackie Green, Amy Stolov, Terrence Zander, Jake Doty and Petr Senkerik for all your good work.

Aaron Clemons & Peter Van Gelder

Leonie’s brother Peter Van Gelder stayed with us for several days this past week, on a visit from his home in the Netherlands, where he lives in Rotterdam with his wife Lis-Britt. Sitting with Peter in this photo is Aaron Clemons, son of Art Clemons and grandson of Margie Clemons (the sister of Phoebe Bee, Barbara Michelle Berry and Arthur Lehwalder). Aaron and his wife, Ellen Pillow, have been consistent participants in the summer Yoga week with Melanie since its beginnings in 2003.

Swallows leave the nest

This week saw the next stage of development in the nesting box that two swallows moved into back in May (see the entry for May 23-29). A few weeks ago, the chirps of the recently hatched nestlings could be heard and this week they took flight and left the nest!

Far East Beach Art