SoCal Celebrations for Year of the Cat include Giant Jade Buddha Ventura Visit

On many Fridays from 8:15-930am, I attend Sally McNally’s Iyengar style yoga class at the Buddhist Temple in Ventura, the An Lac Mission located over on Saticoy Avenue at Darling Road across from Huntsinger Park.

For a $5 donation to the Temple, you’ll find a great teacher, a wonderful space, and some props available. Sally is so sweet and joyous and really knowledgeable about yoga and how the body works: her training is in nursing and her specialty is in childbirth.

Not only do I adore Sally and her classes, but I love doing yoga in the sanctuary of the church. I think it was formerly a Catholic church and as we do our yoga, we face the stained glass windows that glow with the morning eastern light. I love going just to hear the 3 oms that close class and how it reverberates deep within! I’ve also enjoyed many talks on Buddhism and life while getting to know Sutadara Tapovanaye, one of the main monks.

Last Friday in class, we enjoyed the flowers and altars set up to celebrate the Vietnamese New Year. The Mission is also getting ready for the arrival of the Jade Buddha. Learn more about both:

With the arrival of the new moon comes the celebration of the New Year for many Asians and Buddhists–and the arrival of the Jade Buddha in Ventura! This year is the “Year of the Cat” and the local Buddhist Temple, the An-Lac Mission, is commemorating the occasion with a series of events tonight and in the coming month with a visit by the very special Jade Buddha. Read more about the Jade Buddha here. Here’s the schedule: AN LAC BUDDHIST MISSION: … Read More

via art predator