Jiva Retreat Combines Yoga and Concert

Jiva Yoga Studio in connection with music ensemble Acoustica and Temescal Canyon State Park will be hosting a celebration of the Palisades community on Sunday, June 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The half-day retreat, led by Jiva head yoga teacher William Asad, will include a morning yoga class geared to all levels, a scenic Temescal Canyon hike to the waterfall, a catered vegetarian lunch and an outdoor concert of classical and world music by local artists. ”A Palisades resident, Asad developed the idea for the retreat based on his belief that ‘you don’t always have to search for something, you can stay right where you are and realize what’s here for you’a yoga studio, music and nature.’ He approached his musician friends and yoga students Jahna and Michael Perricone, also Palisadians, who agreed to perform with their band, Acoustica, at the event. ”'[The retreat] is about creating a place of consciousness and bringing it to our community,’ says Jahna, a singer whose recently recorded album, ‘In The Balance,’ is a collection of classical melodies intertwined with world and urban rhythms. She is also the vocalist on her husband, Michael’s own CD, ‘Journey of Seven Bowls,’ (available at Jiva and Village Books) in which Perricone combines his affinity for yoga with his eclectic musical abilities, using Tibetan singing bowls to create a new, ‘yogi-crossover’ genre. ”The retreat will begin at 8:30 a.m., when participants will meet at Jiva (15327 Sunset) for a gentle, wake-up yoga class; Asad will teach the adult class and fellow yoga instructor Ben O’dell will teach the children’s class. (Participants should bring their own yoga mats if they have them.) Health bars and juice will be provided after the yoga class. ”The group will then walk over to Temescal for a 2-1/2- to 3-mile hike that will end in the canyon meadow (near the general store), where participants will enjoy a vegetarian lunch and Acoustica’s musical performance. ”Acoustica specializes in world music, blending classical melodies with global cultural influences, and the concert will also feature music from Sting, the Beatles and classical composers such as Orff, Pergolesi and Delibes. The band members performing include Perricone on acoustic guitar and Tibetan bowls, world-renowned Lebanese ethnic woodwind player A.J. Racy (performer with Sting), Southern India native Abhiman Kaushal on tabla, and Jahna on vocals, along with guest singer Christine Katzenmaier. ”While space is limited for the yoga class, everyone is welcome to the musical performance, which starts at 1 p.m. Parking is free in Temescal Canyon Gateway Park; follow the signs. Prices are $45 for the retreat, including lunch (half-price for kids), or $10 for the concert only. Contact: 454-7000 or go to www.jivayoga.com. For more information on local artists Jahna and Michael Perricone, visit www.airetight.com