Saturday, November 22, 2014

What's Your Yoga?

Recently, I had the amazing opportunity of guest instructing at a local yoga teacher training program. Twice in one week, I traveled to a beautiful little Alaskan college campus tucked away in the woods next to a small lake with the mountains of the Chugach range hovering in the distance.  Impressive!

My topic? Introducing Patanjali along with the Yamas and the Niyamas.  Quite an undertaking in a total of six class hours.As we all sat together and discussed Patanjali's ideas, a question began to emerge that continues to stay with me even after our session ended.

What is yoga?

Of course, I could answer from Patanjali himself or with one of the descriptive definitions provided by his numerous commentators.

But...

What is my yoga?  What does it mean to me?

I would ask any reader of this blog.  What is your yoga?  How do you define the path you walk upon. This is worthy topic of contemplation.  So, I ask you dear yogis...

What is your yoga?

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Add Gratitude to your Practice


Try writing a gratitude list before stepping onto the mat.  The simple act of listing the gifts of life with pen and paper can add so much to any yoga practice.  It's true! 

Long before any semblance of a consistent yoga practice, several people suggested starting my day with a gratitude list.  I sat at my desk the next morning halfheartedly attempted writing one, on one level hoping it worked and the other wanting to prove it a ridiculous suggestion.  It seemed simple but proved difficult while at the same time curiously engaging.   This process continued, and over time, the list grew from ten random listings to a whole page.  

Years later, an instructor in my teacher training program suggested that writing gratitude lists prepared the mind for yoga. This added a new awareness to the daily gratitude list. I soon found that it merged with my developing yoga practice and later with my path as an instructor.  The physical poses opened the body and brought along the mind.  The gratitude list opened the mind which then softened the body.  The combination of the two complimented one another.

Rather than take my word for it just try it.  See what happens.  If it doesn't work than put it aside.  If it does, then keep it.  Here are some simple suggestions how to start a gratitude list.

1. Start with you.  Begin by listing the obvious, you and the gift of being alive.  It could look like this-me, waking up, being alive, my body, being me, etc...

2. Recognize the obvious and simple things.  Hot showers, a bed, sleep, your home and its amenities, clothes, breakfast, a hot cup of coffee, electricity, the car out front.  The list will go on.  There are so many things to write down.

3. Nature provides us with so much.  Here is a great pool from which to acknowledge.  Light, sunshine, rain, snow, stars, trees, there are so many depending on one's preference.

4.  List family and friends. 
It is always helpful to remind ourselves about the people who support us.  No guilt trips just jot down the people that you love and mean something special, wives, husbands, parents, siblings, children, best friends, and those people who we positively interact with on a regular basis.

5. Acknowledge what brings joy.  What is it that brings a smile into a life?  Yoga, travel, hobbies and so forth, it is important to write these down because they give so much to life.  Putting them on paper reminds one of these pleasures.

6. How about your career? Yes, our work is a huge part of our life.  We spend a huge part of our lives working.  One can list a vocation, work place, colleagues, and clients.  Maybe, this is a tough spot? Then, this practice might open up the eyes to actual good things in the arena of life.  

7. Remember the lessons of life. Every day teaches us so much if we open our eyes to these lessons.  It can be through the guidance of a teacher or through a challenge in life.  Regardless, we learn fresh perspectives and new ways in which to engage the world and in our daily affairs.  Thanks for those lessons.  


Start your gratitude list.  See what happens as you discover all the wonderful benefits in your life.  Share what you discover and pass on the joy.  Namaste










Monday, August 25, 2014

Yoga Trade Article:Thirty Days of Sun

All of you probably remember my road trip from Anchorage AK to Long Beach NY and back again, more importantly the Thirty Days of Sun Challenge that many of you participated in during the time of the summer solstice.  I wrote an article about this and Yoga Trade just posted it.  Check it out by following this link and let me know what you think.  

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Setting the Foundations for a Home Practice

Before moving into something, it is helpful to investigate what creates a solid foundation for success.  Starting a home yoga practice is no different.   There is a lot out there about poses and sequence.  But, what about the preparation that leads to a consistent and sustainable practice?   Consider this the prologue or maybe even the prequel to the story that you want to see unfold.


#1 Set an intention and return to it everyday.  This helps manifest what we want in our lives.  Create a one line phrase, say to yourself, make it a mantra maybe write it down every day.  As you daily return to the desire for a home practice through your intention doors will start to open.  Soon enough, opportunities will present themselves to begin a sustainable practice. Try and see what happens.



#2 Find a studio that offers a regular wide range of classes and establish a regular routine of going to practice with others.  This introduces us to poses, practices and ideas as well as gives us ideas, community and a further resource.  Practicing alone needs inspiration from others and finding a yoga home will further the quest for a home practice.


#3 Start a gratitude list. Even though this doesn't seem to be part of  physical yoga practice think again.  Take a few moments in the morning or through out the day to list the things you are grateful for especially those connected to yoga.  The list will grow adding positive momentum to move forward.


#4 Create a space by finding a place in your home that will be the practice point.  This probably  involves cleaning up a bit and moving things around to have a place dedicated to your yoga.  Try purchasing some items to make  the space even more welcoming.  Treat yourself by getting a nice yoga mat and some props such as a block, strap and/or bolster then  create ambiance with some  tea candles an essential oils. Make it a special environment where you want to return to again and again.

Now, you are ready to begin. More questions on the how?  Don't worry more to come...




Monday, July 28, 2014

Salutation Lesson #3

Many lessons come from my experiment of doing thirty consistent days of sun salutations.  Previously, I listed two others and for this entree's purpose have one more to describe.  This last one is truly the most important because it continues to resonate far after the thirty days ended.   Here it is...

Anybody can have a home yoga practice.

The daily returning to the same routine over the course of a period of time creates a consistent personalized practice.  As with any action performed over a span of days, it starts to become an internalized habit that continues long after the initial need or mandate.  Once there, it becomes part of one's daily experience, and a home yoga practice has been established.  It may sound rather simplistic but after all as the maxim goes, "Life is complicated; yoga is simple."

Try it on your own.  Find a version of the sun salutations (the simpler the form the better), practice for thirty days and see what happens.

If you are curious about the practice of sun salutations and the larger question of a home practice you might like my upcoming workshop on 1pm this Sunday (8/3) at Anchorage Yoga.  I will go over how one might start to discover a personal yoga routine and move forward with it.  Follow this link to find out more about this opportunity.


Monday, July 7, 2014

Salutation Lesson #2

The second lesson from having a regular practice of sun salutations...

Yoga is more than calisthenics!

It is easy to approach sun salutations or any other yoga practice as a form of exercise.  For sure, there are physical benefits that come with doing yoga on a regular basis. I know many people who come to yoga with this in mind. 

But...as I continue the practice of sun  salutations something else emerges that is beyond the physical results. There is a change that comes over my being shifting the mindset from one of limitation to openness. This comes from the joining of movement with breath and combining this with the intentional sequencing of one pose to another.  This creates a flow of energy from the head to the toes through the practice which saturates the entire being (physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually). After the last sequence I stand on my mat in mountain pose completely grounded in the here an now. 

For me, this is a different experience than exercise ever gave me but after all that is just my perspective. Maybe try doing sun salutations regularily for thirty days and see what happens for you. I would love to hear about it. 

Namaste 





Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Salutations Lesson #1

It is well past the  mid point of the Thirty Days of Sun, the commitment to practice the ancient rite of sun salutations everyday. This has been very rewarding to say the least. I created this FB event to encourage others to join with me over the period surrounding the solstice in an attempt to further personal home practices. For me, it has been an on the road experience since the day I started also marked the embarkation day for a six week road trip from Anchorage AK to Long Beach NY and back. Needless to say, I have practiced in all sorts of places. Yoga studios, hotel rooms, garages, random slabs of concrete and before majestic views along side of the road have been just a few of the places where I have bowed to the sky discovering the ever rewarding lessons of sun salutations.

The first lesson is one of will. I realize I can do such a daily routine with my own inner drive.  There is nobody to keep me from just forgetting about it or deciding that I don't feel like it this or that day. Actually there is a side that always wants to be lazy and forget the practice. Maybe this is why my teachers say that making it to class is hardest step of a regular yoga practice. But through the act of agreeing with the commitment and then following it onto the mat ignites the yoga flame. My inner drive accepts this and rises up, taking over and leading me through one salutation after another. As I keep up with the practice, the drive becomes more powerful and takes me further each time. This drive becomes the teacher and makes me realize that I can follow something through to the end on the mat such as in salutations and in the world through other acts. 

May you too discover this wonderful inner drive and may it reward you off the mat. 

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Go Travel!


According to the Tao Te Ching, one may see the world without ever stepping from one's doorstep.

Beautiful sentiment!

I agree in principle but...(What would life be without the questioning afterthoughts?)

Travel has been an important aspect in my life!

I left the sleepy river valleys of upstate New York where I had spent my youth only to momentarily return there for brief intervals at a time.  Along the way, I sojourned over North America and beyond, lived in interesting places and became acquainted with the greater world. But, it was more than just a tourist appreciation I sought.

Travel transported me both literally and mentally out of habitual surroundings and placed life into new perspectives. Often familiar places I thought I knew were transformed upon returning and sites never imagined or sought after were discovered.  More often than not, the road and the destinations were secondary to the discoveries of my own internal landscapes.  Repeatedly, I came to realize that the personalized  identities clung to as life's definitions were often phantasmal and rarely as important as believed. I saw how others lived  and was challenged to look at my own lifestyles.  The physical perspectives from other longitudes and latitudes granted a better view of my own metaphorical location offering the chance for various views on my next planned steps in life.  Always, the travel vistas have altered my life's goals revealing far more interesting bends and curves than the straight line of thought.  My life has been so interesting on account of these voyages, and I can't really imagine a life without such movement.

I suppose everything has its trade off.  There are certain things that a life of travel might not offer.  But, regret is a silly thing. Who has time for that?

This summer step off your doorstep and see the world.  Let this transform how you see things.  Even if you can't go far go somewhere and see what happens.

Namaste


Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Thirty Days of Sun! The Challenge!

Suryar Namaskar!


Starting on the morning of the 7th, Darcy and I will depart Alaska for an epic cross country road trip. The destination is Long Beach, New York where on July 6th we will celebrate our marriage with family and friends. It will be a trip filled with adventure. The one constant will be the ancient practice of the sun salutation. For thirty days, we will practice at least twelve variations of this rite.



I would love for all of you to join me in this practice. Imagine people from all over the North America and beyond practicing sun salutations together. How cool is that? 

If you would like to participate join my Facebook Event Thirty Days of Sun and share your experiences, pics whatever as you discover your Sun Salutation practice.  


Friday, April 11, 2014

Water and Wood Yoga

Yoga classes...my life is full of yoga classes either taking or teaching them.  It is easy to start to believe that yoga is exactly this, classes.  Don't get me wrong, no complaints.  I am so grateful to be teaching and taking such a wide variety of classes.  It is a gift!

But, there is more.

Maybe, you expect me to now point to the realm beyond yoga, some mystical  parallel cosmos of bliss that attending classes and performing asanas will lead its practitioner in which to participate.  I don't know if that that place exists. Instead, I am referring to the mundane world of water and wood.

Water and wood?

Yes, I am discovering a whole other world of yoga, the everyday practice of life that supersedes and underlies all asana whether it be in a class setting or at home. I am referring to the work of life regarding house chores (dishes, laundry, groceries, etc.), bills, insurance, car maintenance and all that other non-categorical stuff one experiences throughout the day.  You know; the stuff that always continues without ending.  These tasks can be very exasperating and frustrating, always streaming and continuing to flow without an end in sight. The ancients referred to this as carrying water and chopping wood.

Maybe this sounds like a stretch. How can this be considered yoga?

I guess it all depends on perspective.  It isn't yoga in the strictest sense of looking at yoga as an asana practice.  That is true.  But if one looks at yoga as a means of interconnection and integration then these seemingly mundane tasks become a means to express one's yoga in daily affairs.  Setting an intention to address these tasks the same way one might before a class or home practice then undertaking them with the awareness and mindfulness can transform them into a practice of water and wood yoga.

Enjoy your practice!

Namaste










Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Join me at the Anchorage Lululemon

Namaste Everybody,

Join me this Saturday morning (March 15th)  9:00-9:45am for community yoga at the Anchorage Lululemon Showroom.  I am stepping in as the guest instructor this week.  It will be a chill yin inspired morning flow to awaken the body and the mind.  Click here for more information and to register.

See you on your mat!


Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Buying Buddha

This week I purchased my first Buddha statue, nothing to serious just a small one for my desk.  While out running some errands,  I came across just the right figure with a tea candle holder in his lap.    He now reposes in full lotus gently overseeing my work.  This  leads me to reflect on a yoga client's question from just other day.  Somewhere between standing tree and dancer poses, she looked at me and asked, "So...do you consider yourself a Buddhist?" I remained ambiguous when answering, never really saying yes or no.  I do that often when directly asked such things; better to be allusive rather than declare something untrue.

Interesting question!  Buddhist?  Me? I did just buy a Buddha.

Looking over to my book shelf just across from my desk I might be tempted to say yes.  Titles referencing Buddhism and Zen in their titles line the shelves.  I read them and consider many of them in my top ten favorite reads.

But...honestly...if being a Buddhist means acknowledging a formal religious path with memberships and masters then the answer would be a solid no.  Nevertheless, I recognize the middle way of Buddha as I understand it, that narrow razor's edge somewhere between answers and questions, the one that seeks to remain always here and now.  This path inspires me to stay clear from so called absolute answers that bind and constrain as well as from the utter despair of total meaningless.

So does this make me Buddhist? Probably not.  I am content to look at my bought Buddha on the corner of the desk. This little statue in all it's simplicity challenges me to wake up and remain in the present with soft eyes, flexibility and uprightness.

Namaste!

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Meditation

Meditation has interested me since my early twenties.  I went to all sorts of workshops, lectures and spent a small fortune buying books on the subject.  After all this, it still took years and years to finally develop something like a regular practice.  Along the way, I dabbled with many forms and philosophies of meditation.  But...there is one style that continuously draws me back, the simple form of sitting.   It is called many names in a variety of traditions, centering, contemplation, dhyana, theoria, the list goes on depending who refers to it.

I prefer calling it Ponding.

What is it exactly?  It is so simple in its form that it becomes complicated for many because of that very fact.  It is really the act of sitting and observing.  I sit with an upright back free of rigidity yet without something external supporting my spine.  Then, I just remain there for a set amount of time with eyes open and soft without any particular  focus or vision in my mind. The goal is to remain there without doing, observing what comes and goes without judgement or attachment.  Wild thoughts may come, things to do appear suddenly, disturbances in the mind's eye dance within the head, sweet thoughts of good things slip before me, still I just sit and see what happens allowing all these fancies to come and go.

Why is it called Ponding?

It is like watching a shallow clear pond like one might find in the mountains.  Ripples appear from the wind, occasional stirrings of some unseen creature disturb some pocket of dirt, reflections of sky and sun appear on its surface.  These are all interesting, can be annoying and/or beautiful, but there comes a moment when it all passes and one can see the whole clear body of water penetrating all the way to its bottom, for a moment seeing all its radiance in just being what it is. Then, winds arises, dust reappears and reflections dance again upon the surface.  One must sit again, waiting for another moment of clarity with each such experience being ever so different for no formula or expected outcome exists in this method.

For me, this is the way of meditation and of life.  Watching and waiting, seeing the moments of clarity and then losing sight only to have all this repeat itself.  But, this sitting like this gazing into the pond of one's own life  helps one to see things in their true form even if only for a moment.   These are the moments of absolute clarity and worth the wait.

Enjoy your pond today and just sit along its shore for a time.

Namaste!




Thursday, January 23, 2014

Discovering the Home Practice

When first starting my yoga practice, I would hear about the mysterious home practice from my teachers.  My mind would slip away to images of my instructors standing in some pristine bamboo room or poised on a sun rising bluff in a graceful expansive pose.  This went on for some time, actually for years while I came in and out of yoga; my imagination always running wild with the thought of a personal practice outside the classroom setting and what that might look like in context.
Then, after a time, I found a consistency in my yoga story and begin to approach the idea with a little more grounding.

Finally, I asked my patient teachers,  "Ok, so what's the deal with this home practice thing?"

The answers were legion and varied depending on who I asked.  The one consistent element was that they all had personal practice.  A few listened to pod casts, some watched videos, others has particular poses and sequences that they came to every day in an evolving pattern.  I was amazed!  For me, yoga was the classroom setting with the teacher leading me through the asanas.  This was challenging in itself, not only the actual class but making the commitment to attend on a regular basis.  How could one actually commit every day and do it on there own?  Awe!

All things in good time.

Shortly after this inquiry, I moved across the continent and landed in Alaska far away from my familiar studio.  Before my girlfriend came to join me in a couple of months, I would find a temporary place to  stay while getting us set up in Anchorage.  Alone in a unfurnished rented room with only a duffle bag, bedroll and my yoga mat, it seemed like the right time to start this home practice thing. This was further confirmed by the fact that almost one whole wall of the room was a closet with mirrored sliding doors.  It was like living in my own small yoga studio.

So it began, while looking for a permanent place to live as well as checking out the local studios, I would try to piece together  a home practice.  At first, I would poorly perform parts of my former teachers' flows in the morning or before bed.    This was furthered by the regular class attendance developing in Anchorage at a local studio.  It was still tricky and hardly satisfying even with the new class exposure.  Honestly, I just didn't know what I was doing, I stumbled forward without grace and probably without the best form.  But, the important thing is that I had started!

The more I reflect on this experience the more I am convinced that an earnest intent followed by action is the beginning of a home practice.  The initial confusion and lack of confidence is only what we think to be the limit of our abilities.  My teachers (past and present) continuously  declare that the edge of our practice is only an illusion that will extend out beyond us if we walk towards it.  Starting the home practice is the edge of our inner journey of yoga and when we make that decision to walk to its boundary a whole new personal universe opens up   Our poses don't need to be correct or beautiful as we move forward just that we keep breathing and keep practicing.

Maybe you are starting a home practice? Don't worry about whether its right or wrong just keep moving and it will come. If I can develop one, you can for sure.

Namaste!

Saturday, January 18, 2014

My Teachers: Credit Where Credit Is Due

Funny how the same subject comes up in a variety of ways when the right time arises!

Recently, students and other instructors have asked me who teaches and trains me or whose classes I visit when practicing.  It is time to give credit where credit is due.

I have had a lot of teachers over the years.  Honestly, I had a relatively random practice early in my yoga story visiting different classes with anything but consistency.  A serious teacher was far from my mind.  After repeatedly hurting my shoulder, I made the decision to go deeper into my limited yoga practice.

As the proverb declares, the teacher comes when the student is ready.

Teachers emerged, amazing yogis who welcomed me into their classes.  I am grateful to all of them, but there are certain ones whose classes and styles I connected to on a deep heart level.  Why we are drawn to whom we are drawn to as a teacher is one of those mysteries.  Among all these individuals I truly connected with the style.  I owe them a great debt and want to acknowledge them.

First, there is Heather Healey the owner of Mighty Yoga who accepted me as a work study. She gave me a glimpse into some of the practical ins and out of a studio and  helped me feel like I belonged in the greater yoga community.

Enter Jamie Silverstein! She taught several classes at Mighty Yoga  before going on to open her own Seattle studio, The Grinning Yogi.  Jamie's voice even now resonates in my mind during my own classes.  Her constant class advice to go beyond the edge and to spin the kaleidoscope of one's view of life helped me walk past my own limitations and dare to go further in my own journey.

Next comes Anchorage.  Leaving Mighty Yoga was hard.  I loved that studio, but life brings change. This truth is inevitable.  I searched the web and settled on Anchorage Yoga as a studio that had the style closest to what my practice knew and needed.  Ultimately, I would even go on and complete its teacher training program.  Since coming here, this is where I take classes.  But...most of all, I go there because of the owner Katey Inman.   I attend her classes regularly, continue to learn from her and think of her as my primary teacher.  Actually, if wasn't for her training, I probably wouldn't be an instructor.

Thank you dear teachers, those mentioned and all the others!  My heart abounds with gratitude.

Who are your teachers?  Who has furthered your practice and helped you discover your yoga story. Maybe, its time to give the credit where the credit is due.

Namaste!






Friday, January 10, 2014

Private Yoga Lessons?

No hustle, no claim for any miracle in just days, none of that!

I never believe those kind of things.  Why should you?

Still having written that, I do offer private yoga lessons and would love to work together.  If you practice yoga or want to start on that path, private sessions are a great way to feel special and get the personalized attention you deserve. I will help and work with you to reach your yoga or general well being intentions.

Yes, it costs money but you are worth it.  Also, if I do say so myself, I am worth every dollar and will make sure you get the full benefit.  Remember the maxim, "You get what you pay for?"    I am not cheap but reasonable and in the end money well spent.

$75 one hour session

Or, maybe you would like to set a specific goal and works towards that.  In that case, I have a couple of packages.

$70 five one hour sessions
$65 ten one hour sessions

Interested in more?  I can set up all sorts of special packages to fit your needs.

Send me an email and let's start the conversation.


Favorite Yoga?

Recently, I made a reference to particular style of yoga while teaching a morning class in an attempt to offer a variation to a familiar pose.  After the class shifted from that pose into downward dog, one of the students remarked, "What kind of yoga is your favorite?" This question took me off guard.  Needless to say,I didn't really answer the question, instead gave some unsatisfying noncommittal answer then moved onward with the flow.

This was several days ago, and the question still lingers in my mind. It is always interesting how the  inquiries of my students move me deeper into my own practice.  I love this side of teaching.

So, what is the answer? My favorite yoga?  Why is that such a hard question to answer?

Although a registered yoga teacher, I am hardly an expert on all the different schools of asana and their different beliefs and nuances. I have visited all sorts of classes, Bikrim, Iyengar, Kundalini, Forrest and the list goes on.  All of these had something beautiful to offer, and I always walked away a richer person. Overall, I am glad to have had the exposure. But, one thing has come clear.  No school of yoga that maintains an exact method or formula fits my personal path.  Personally, I find that my favorite forms of yoga are those that incorporate and combine aspects of different schools into a wonderful kaleidoscope of practice.

That is probably part of the reason  for choosing Anchorage Yoga when deciding where and with whom to study for my teacher training.  It offered different types of yoga along with its own hybrid signature style and had a diverse group of teachers with a variety of backgrounds on staff. This granted me the framework and freedom to discover my own yoga.

All this aside, I still haven't answered the question.  What is my favorite kind of yoga?

If I am honest I must declare, "My own!"  Yes, my favorite is the one I discovered within that has been cultivated and nourished by so many wonderful teachers.

Namaste!

Friday, January 3, 2014

Interested in some fantasy?

It helps to be a person with many interests.  Yes, I teach yoga but also enjoy other things too.  For me, writing fantasy tales has always served as a nice release from the day to day affairs.  As you may or may not know last year I wrote a novella of sorts and created a FB page to host it.  The story continues and another short story has started from that same fantasy world.  I call this one Why We Fear Wolves. Maybe, you will like it. Click here to check it out and read the brief first part.

Traveling Within the Walls

Every Sunday morning, I travel, passing thru locked doors and gates into a world surrounded by concrete and barb wire.  Welcome to the A...