Make shapes -- As a yoga teacher, it's really easy to get caught up in alignment cues. As you study what is healthy movement versus compromising or questionable movement it's easy to get swept up in the technicality of a posture. I compare it to being a doctor who is overworked, overextended and forgets to tend to the patient. They get caught up in the diagnosis. They treat the issue or disease and forget about the person. If you are in the role of a caretaker, when ...
Building Up the Ego, Just to Tear It Down
I was listening to a fascinating podcast the other day. It compared the use of psychedelic drugs to the practice of meditation. There were astonishing parallels between the effects of both mind altering options. They both operate by quieting the portion of the brain that defines self or ego. As a result, the brain ends up interpreting its connection to things other than self with greater intensity. Basically - both psychedelics and meditation help to dissolve the ego leading to a better feeling ...
Using Yoga To Challenge The Myth of Scarcity
I've always consider my yoga practice and my yoga teaching practice to be two separate entities that inform one another. What I practice for myself, I end up teaching to others. When I’m on the mat, I do my best to put myself in a mindset of generosity, meaning I try to be kind to myself and give myself the benefit of the doubt. I do this because my default setting, thanks to my upbringing and naturally melancholic disposition tends to be a wee bit cynical and judgy. *stares down ...
Calmness is Not Complacency
There are paths and habits that lead to a more frequent experience of calm moments. Yoga is one of those paths. Meditation, volunteering time, taking care of self and others are a few other ways. Paths that begin as solo ventures to find peace all have a similar evolution; once personal peace has been encountered, there is the chance to share it with others. Before consistent sharing commences, it is important to reach a place of sustained peace and personal acceptance. ...
When Sharing Is No Longer Caring
Not to brag, but also totally bragging, my trip to France was incredible! #sorrynotsorry Not only was the retreat a wonderful experience and the people on it exceptional human beings, the time before and after spent with friends in Paris, my favorite city, was fantastic! I was fully immersed in my time there, even with taking pictures and sharing it on Instagram. I found myself quite unexpectedly enjoying the act of posting my time away on “the gram” as the kids call ...
The Sensuality of Yoga
I have lived in and visited Paris several times, and my conclusion is this; Paris is a city for the senses. It is filled with seductive visual, auditory, textural, culinary experiences at every turn. You don't happen to Paris. Paris and all the sensory splendor it holds happens to you. The task each time I come here is not to conquer the city or feel obliged to see it all. The task is to revel in its spirit of sensual celebration. It is a place ...
Wherever You Go, There You Are: Words to live by
This past week in France has been incredible. Visiting with friends, the students on this retreat, the food, the countryside, the conversation -- it has all been so soulful and downright healing. Having the opportunity to guide such beautiful people through this amazing experience? I’ve been on cloud nine and rising. It’s funny though. I wake up and my mind will try to worry. It will attach itself to my everyday concerns back home. Uncertainties will creep into the corners of my ...
