Writings
Practice in Rhythm
Growing up in Wisconsin, the seasons are more distinct and fierce than in the Pacific NW. The summers are hotter and much sticker, the crispness of autumn is sharper, the winter sting is deeper, and the cabin fever which accompanies spring lasts months longer.As a young child, the rhythms of the seasons guided the rhythm of my life. I would play all day outside in the summer, then the cool breeze of fall would bring me indoors as the sun set, and remind me of coloring books and board games.
Lessons from Mala
I walked into my dark, quiet studio ... the morning light had yet to creep through the windows. While my eyes were adjusting, I squatted-down to place my blanket and cushion in front of my altar. Then, I stood up and walked across the cool floor to retrieve my practice shawl, a lime green, airy shawl that Swamiji gave me four Christmases ago, when I was visiting India and studying at his ashram. I also grabbed my wooden mala.
The Body Dashboard
It’s summer! If you’re like me, sometimes “summering” eats-up most of your time and leaves less for your yoga practice.Yes, even I experience this (yoga teachers aren't superhuman). This is why, in my personal practice and public classes, I’ve been focusing on a kind of self-discipline, called tapas. To clarify, I'm speaking of the Sanskrit word for nurturing, mental and/or physical practice, and not the Spanish word for snacks/appetizers, though the latter form of tapas necessitates self-discipline too!
Ayurveda - Tools to Cool
In class, we’ve been exploring how the wisdom of Ayurveda can help us to tailor our yoga practice to suit the "energy" of the summer. Ayurveda, as the sister science of yoga, offers guidance to maintain physical and emotional health. It is based on three constitutions, or doshas, namely vata, pitta and kapha. Each of us has all three doshas, but usually one or two dominate.It’s thought that our dosha make up is determined at conception. However, many lifestyle-related factors influence our dosha balance, such as our diet, schedule, and our sleep and play habits. In addition, the time of day, the time of year, and the phase of life we are experiencing all alter our dosha cocktail.
The Five STATES of MIND
One daily activity for me, that's different each day, is my sitting practice. I sit in the same room ... in the same spot ... do the same things in a certain order ... sit for the same amount of time. Every sit is different. Sometimes, I experience a tremendous stillness and peace, and, others, I feel like Iʼm on a battle field. One might ask, how can such a routine elicit such different experiences? It all boils down to what's happening in the mind.Yoga philosophy says that there are five basic states of mind, and our minds constantly fluctuate between each of these states.
How To Rock a Handstand
Happy October! In all of my classes this month, I'll be teaching a series focused on strength and conditioning exercises to prepare for Handstand. Handstand! One of the most elusive and enticing postures I've come across. There's something so, so sweet about balancing on my hands, and feeling all my muscles in precise orchestration. Handstand requires strength, balance, mobility, theright breath, state of mind and gaze point.
The Zen of Oryoki
Oryoki is a formal style of serving and eating, that's typical in Zen temples. While I was on retreat over the New Year, we ate in Oryoki fashion. Each person has their own Oryoki kit, which is comprised of three bowls, two chopsticks, a wooden spoon, a wooden spatula, a lap napkin, a drying napkin, and a cloth case for the utensils. All of these items are stacked, bundled and tied up in the lap napkin.Just like in the Zen practice of meditation, Oryoki has a lot of rules.
Antar Mouna
Antar Mouna is a Tantric practice of training the mind in preparation for meditation. Before we dive into Antar Mouna, first let me define meditation or dhyana. David Frawley, a brilliant teacher of Yoga and Ayruveda defines meditation as “…our ability to contact our true Self and consciousness (Atman or Purusha) which is the source of life and intelligence.” Meditation isn’t a technique, it’s a state, and just as we must train our bodies to be strong and flexible, we must train our minds with the same level of focus and patience, and in my personal experience, structure!
Springtime Digestion and Detox Organ Support
Spring is in the air, whether it's a brief ray of sun carrying with it the promise of warmth, or a breeze with a lingering hope of a lazy afternoon picnic, the season is shifting, and the body is following suit.Springtime is optimal for supporting the body's detox organs and giving the digestive system a bit of a break. The colder months are fading away, as is our need to insulate and hibernate.