July 31st, 2010
It’s a strange word to say. My sister, Marla, and I get stuck on it every time. We know it as a German word and are thus inclined to pronounce it as such. I think we’re the only ones. So in attempt to fit in but still stay true to our roots, we end up stumbling and stuttering. But here we are……
It’s lovely. It’s the desert. It’s warm and dry and sunny.
We spent our first few hours here in Squaw Valley with Rusty. He made sure we wouldn’t forget about him the rest of the weekend – his spirit taking up residence in our hamstrings. I mean really, Rusty, I love you always and don’t need to reminded of you every step I take and every forward bend I fold into. Wince….
The evening ended with red wine and Pretty Lights. If Rusty dwells in my hamstrings today, Pretty Lights dwells in my heart.
I’ve got 2 days left. I wonder who will possess me next….
Tags: Yoga
Posted in Music, Travels | No Comments »
March 18th, 2010
Some words I first heard from Rachael, friend and teacher -
I asked for strength, I was given challenges to make me strong.
I asked for wisdom, I was given problems to solve.
I asked for prosperity, I was given a brain to work.
I asked for courage, I was given danger to overcome.
I asked for love, I was given troubled people to help.
I asked for favors, I was given opportunities.
I recieved nothing I wanted, I recieved everything I needed.
-Unknown
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January 31st, 2010
A couple nights ago my friend, Najla, was sharing a story about a friend of hers who is living with a terminal illness and how that experience has allowed this friend to actually live for the first time instead of just go through the motions in this old habitual game we call life. I immediately thought of the 5th Klesha, abhinivesah – translated often as fear of death or clinging to bodily life. When I retired to my room I picked up my copy of the Sutras and settled on 2:9, which Satchidananda translates as:
Clinging to life, flowing by it’s own potency [due to past experience] exists even in the wise.
It is not my intent, here in this blog to rephrase Satchinanda’s comments, or anyone else’s commments. It is also not my intent to give profound insights as I don’t have many of those. I am forever a student of yoga and would simply like to start a conversation with you so that I may continue to learn. So, what surprised me most in this sutra is parenthetical phrase – due to past experience. What exactly does past experience have to do with fear of dying? What memories exist in our minds that we may not recognize or be present to that have us gripping to our lives? Is that related to our Western obsession with our bodies, the material, the Prakriti? If we create a clearing, move past that and can agree that death may be celebrated, from where does the clinging emerge?
Have a beautiful Sunday. I have some yoga to practice, a wonderful meal to enjoy that was prepared for me, luggage to pack, and an incredible man to embrace later this evening. I guess I can see why I would cling to this life.
Posted in Sutras | No Comments »
January 30th, 2010
Wow, I haven’t blogged in a while. It’s been on mind a lot lately and this morning, I find myself here. It’s interesting to me how much we plan and arrange our schedules and dutifully tackle our to-do lists, yet we really only do things that fall into two categories: 1) what we must urgently do and 2) what we really want to do. I don’t have to blog. Clearly, I haven’t wanted to blog until this moment. So why now?
I’m at a retreat center (yoga related, of course) and find myself up earlier than anyone else. I have a bit of a cold (which always makes me feel creative and affectionate…okay needy) and I had the desire to connect. As 2010 reveals itself to me, I find myself with an intense travel schedule, sometimes 8 weekends in a row without a break. It might be nice to start a blog highlighting the places I visit, the amazing people I encounter, and the conversations we share.
Now that is an idea that moves me……
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July 29th, 2009
new friends
I’m traveling with Yoga Fit this summer. This time in Hood River is incredible. I’m with 10 other women living in an Ashram. The sense of community we have created and the love and nuturing we offer is astounding. Our backgrounds are all wildly different and in our regular lives, we may have never had the opportunity to know each other.
Tags: Yoga Fit
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June 5th, 2009
Last night I had a request to post my playlists on my website. I’m going to ponder how I want to incorporate that request into my site. Until I decide, I will post some of the songs here.
Here is what seemed popular from last night’s class:
Inside by Wade Imre Morissette
Om Namo Naryana by Manish Vyas
Antare Mandire by Rasa
Om Namo Shivaya by Donna de Lory
Have a fab weekend.
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April 29th, 2009
A peasant once asked Ramakrishna, “I am a simple villager. In one sentence please tell how I can obtain happiness” Ramakrishna replied “Totally accept the fact that you are a machine operated upon by God.”
In the Gita Krishna says “All actions are done in all cases by the gunas (qualities) of prakriti (nature). He whose mind is deluded through egoism thinks I am the doer.”
The ego develops from the belief that we have free will.
The ego produces suffering.
The traditional Ashtanga sequence is the surrender of free will.
Posted in Ashtanga, Gita | No Comments »
April 23rd, 2009
I just have to say that I’m feeling overwhelmed with love that is directed at me by all of you. Your dedication to the practice inspires me. Your eagerness to learn makes me learn more quickly, so that I may stay one step ahead of you all. Your continued support of my classes and workshops gives me such a sense of appreciation. Yesterday, I felt as if I had nothing to give as I walked into the studio. Before class even started, your energy swirled around me and suddenly I had everything to give. Thank you all. I love you all.
Posted in Thoughts | No Comments »
April 13th, 2009
Bhagavad Gita VI:30,31
“And when he sees me in all and sees all in me, then I never leave him and he never leaves me. And he, who in this oneness of love, loves me in whatever he sees. Wherever this man may live, in truth he lives in me.”
Posted in Gita, Quotations | No Comments »
April 4th, 2009
All beings want to be loved and accepted. That is one thing we can give them.
Posted in Thoughts | No Comments »
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