After the OM's and Namaste in my lunchtime office Vinyasa Yoga class yesterday, I reminded the group that Friday is our monthly Yin Yoga class. One of my students responded with an unpleasant facial expression stating "by that time I'll have already been up 9+ hours". I was like "WOW!". Though my simple one word response was filled with internal depth. I was not only hearing from her how much she was dreading Friday but sensing the anxiety/dread of how much that day is already setting the … [Read more...]
Blessed
The Washington, D.C. yoga scene is rocking! Within a 3 week time frame this Spring (end of March - early April) I had the privilege to be in the presence of many great yogis within minutes from my Arlington, VA home. I took classes with Jivamukti founders Sharon Gannon and David Life when they were here the end of March. I assisted Baron Baptiste, my primary teacher, during the MyMSYoga event hosted in Arlington, VA. I attended an awesome 3-day advanced teacher training with Puerto Rico's … [Read more...]
Namaste
"There is in each of us so much goodness that if we could see its glow, it would light the world." Sam Friend Namaste, often said in many yoga classes, is a gesture of respect. Yoga teachers bow and say it to the students. Students bow and say it to the teacher. In India, rather than being spoken, it's simply a physical gesture with the palms together at the heart (heart/anahata chakra) or forehead (3rd eye/ajna chakra). Here, at least in the United States, the physical gesture is combined … [Read more...]
Awake
For the fourth night in a row this week, I have woken up at 4am unable to fall back to sleep. This morning as I lie awake I continue to think about how I just under charged a new private yoga client based on his location & the possible number of attendees. I finally get out of bed to get a glass of juice. As I stand and drink my juice, I turn on my BlackBerry and see an email from one of my dear neighbors. She sent the email to all of my neighbors asking each of us to pray on behalf of a … [Read more...]
Gift of Calm
Holiday parties are in full swing. Year-end work projects must be completed in the next week. Gift buying and wrapping is a sport for many this time of year. And as if this wasn’t enough to do, life still needs to happen – grocery shopping, gym visits, bill paying, house cleaning, etc. The reality is this can be one of the most chaotic times of the year. How can you find calm in the midst of chaos? Give yourself the gift of calm. Simply stop and pause. In the middle of the holiday hustle … [Read more...]
Simple Meditation
I try my best to sit daily for meditation in my little Arlington, VA home. I aim for quiet time - free from dog & husband. I aim to keep it simple - no Zafu cushion, no fancy mantra or expensive meditation timer. It’s already challenging enough to simply carve out the time, even if it’s just 5-10 minutes. So I don’t beat myself up if I can’t gather the luxury meditation tools or sit for 20+ minutes without the dog licking my face. When I do sit in my quiet space, it’s just my breath … [Read more...]