As I was preparing for my class this last Sunday, Mother’s Day here in the US, I did my usual meditation, and Durga, the Hindu deity, known as both the warrior goddess and universal mother, was drawn to my attention. I thought about the statue I have of her, and the objects she holds in her eight hands. At once
Have you ever wondered why its so hard to be still, to be quiet, to be really left alone with our thoughts? I know I sure have. How can this be so hard? I’ve been a go-go-go person for as long as I can remember, filling every day and every space with things to do and learn and people and
I have reconnected with our first major yoga teacher Sam Dworkis who had a studio in the warehouse district in South Miami on the second floor back in 1978. I still remember my husband Jack’s words as we climbed those steps: “I’m feeling this will change our lives.” And it did!! We studied with Sam at the then “Iyengar Institute
One of our daughter’s family members asked: Why do your parents go to so many yoga classes when they have had over 40 years of practice? They know it so well, why don’t they just do it at home? There are many reasons for class, its one of the best self-care avenues I know, as well as leads us into
Our three day weekend included a very WET and RAINY Labor Day. Our classes all met as usual and many of our intrepid students braved the weather to get on their mat. It started a conversation in one class about “showing up” and what that means. I think showing up means sticking to your practice on the rough (and wet)
Have you ever walked into the yoga studio ready for practice only to find that your favorite spot was already taken? Or to find your favorite teacher was sick and a sub was teaching that day? Your first response might have been just a sigh, or an internal “Ugh!” or perhaps even a quick glance at the door and a
“Civility does not…mean the mere outward gentleness of speech cultivated for the occasion, but an inborn gentleness and desire to do the opponent good”. ~Mahatma Gandhi We know that words can carry a powerful punch and whether we like it or not, we are often affected by the words of others and others are affected by our words. In essence,
As a yoga teacher, when I start to move into the space of teaching I always take a moment and honor the students for making time for their practice, either verbally or silently. I know it’s not always easy to get to class! Sometimes we allow our busy lives – with the commitments we make and the responsibilities we take
“Enlightenment is a destructive process. It has nothing to do with becoming better or being happier. Enlightenment is the crumbling away of untruth. It’s seeing through the facade of pretence. It’s the complete eradication of everything we imagined to be true.” – Adyashanti The path of Yoga is no different, it is believed to be a path by many that
The moment we become open, either in the mind or the heart, the world around us takes on a different form. As I chatted with one of my dear friends recently, we spoke of what it was that we received while being in each other’s presence. There was a force of an open mind meeting the force of an open
