Yoga Blog

Our Innate Desire To Expand

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:29:37 -0700

These past few weeks I have been contemplating the intrinsic intelligence of expansion. What I mean by that is that it seems like all things in the universe, including the universe itself, seek to move beyond their current state - they seek to evolve and expand.

There is an embedded current of knowledge in all things that guides us to expand towards our divine potential, towards the outer edges of what we are now... a boundary that is constantly expanding relative to our ability to approach it.

This very simple yet profound phenomena can be seen at work in something as basic as a tiny seed that is seeking to be a tree or even a baby crawling on the floor that seeks to find its feet so that it can walk.

In such everyday things, we can recognize that effort is often required to expand into our own divine potential and that like the grass that works to break the surface of the earth, we too will innately gravitate towards the light, we too will innately seek to be free, and we too will innately seek out our own divine potential!

What does this all mean? 1 minute chaturangas can be good for you, so ROCK’em out!!!

Wall to wall - 108 in 2009

Thu, 1 Jan 2009 23:31:54 -0800

It was an auspicious beginning to the new year!

Yoga rockers filtered in one by one for their first practice of the new year until the entire studio floor was covered with yoga mats... the word had gotten out that we “might be” doing 108 sun salutations... and who am I to let anyone down?!

I think there were a few people that were still secretly praying that I wouldn’t actually go through with it and that by just showing up, they had proved that they were willing to do it and would be happy with just a regular practice... this being based on the look of panic in several pairs of eyes as I confirmed the rumored intention for today’s practice...we would be doing 108 sun salutations!!!

Before doing a practice of 108, I like to spend time thinking about the meaning of such an undertaking. I don’t usually do 108 merely because it’s a cool thing to do... although it is a cool thing to do; instead, I look at “the 108” as an opportunity to re-connect to the highest level of intention in my practice as well as the opportunity to rejuvenate and re-stoke the fire that illuminates me.

Other thoughts came to mind as well. Over the past couple of weeks I have noticed that students in our community have been feeling the effects of winter. Even though our winters in Southern California are pretty mild, I think the evolutionary effects are undeniable. The mind and body seem to parallel exactly what is happening in nature, which is similar to a kind of inverse crescendo of light and energy... essentially, in winter, our thoughts become heavy and our bodies become sluggish. That is why many of us choose the new year to make resolutions, it is an innate desire to re-stoke the fire that lies within and an opportunity to bust from the womb of winter into the life and promise of spring and summer - a new year - a new beginning. I think we all crave that.

As I started out the class, I explained that each sun salutation is like an individual prayer bead on a string of beads; and that we have the opportunity to infuse each salutation with the essence of our highest intention forming a string of lights that will illuminate the entire year; and that the goal is not necessarily to do 108, but instead it is to take a journey that is fueled by the intention to light it up - and in that light, to go someplace new - and EVERYONE did!

It was a GREAT start to a new year!

Punta Mita Mexico - AWESOME!!!

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:12:17 -0700

Well, only one word can describe our experience in beautiful Punta Mita, and it’s not Don or Julio!!!... it’s AMAZING!!!!

we (I) took a thousand photos documenting our blast! I am sure if you scroll through Facebook, you will find some of the best!

I learned two things.... one, coffee is a powerful thing! Two, coffee and a camera (while teaching), is AWESOME!!!!!

Looking forward to the next one in the spring!!!!

Vancouver ROCKS!!!!

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 13:59:07 -0700

We had an AMAZING time in Vancouver... every time we go, it gets better and better!

This time around I was honored to lead six ROCKA’MA’TASTIC sessions!!!! Yes, rocka’ma’tastic is a new word that was created in one of the sweaty rooms at Yaletown Yoga... the word describes the experience!!!

I am looking forward to the NEXT ONE IN JANUARY!!!!!!

Advanced Yoga

Sun, 1 Jun 2008 23:07:50 -0700

I have been spending much time contemplating the following question, “what is advanced yoga?”

True, there was a time when I thought that doing handstands and crazy arm balances would make me an advanced yogi; and although you can still find me upside down in the park most of the time, I have come to realize that being an advanced yogi has less to do with crazy arm balances and more to do with how I use those crazy arm balances to expand my capacity to connect.

I believe that advanced yoga is about making deeper connections, not only within ourselves but with the people and the world around us. The challenges of the yoga practice, increase our stamina, strength, and flexibility; all of these are qualities that expand us in some way and increase our capacity to make connections.

It’s through these deeper connections that our life experiences become richer.

How will you know when you are an advanced yogi? You will not have to ask!