The Forest When I was a kid my parents would occasionally take my sister and I camping or for hikes in the woods. I remember making up stories in my head about the various places we’d see; a clearing, many dead or dying trees, an overlook or valley. The stories would include fairies or elves or thieves. Creatures who made …
What is Yin Yoga: Part I
The first thing you should know about Yin is that it is a cool practice. Cool as in really happening but also cool as in temperature. In fact, much of the practice depends on the commitment the student has to not warming and lubricating the joints and tissues. When I first started practicing Yin I found this very frustrating. I …
New Grooves: Exploring Samskaras
Happy New Year Dear Yogis. This is such an exciting time of year for me. I love the symbolic renewal of a New Year, and all of the possibilities it suggests. I think others must feel this way too since so many resolve to do something big and grand and so closely held. A New Years resolution is like admitting …
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How to do Yoga with a fork in your hand
Some might call me crazy, but I think that the practice of yoga is essentially hedonistic. For years when I practiced yoga I did it for the pay off at the end. I suffered through the pain and mild boredom for the feeling of calm gratification I would achieve as I laid in savasana. Slowly though my attitude began to …
Practice Worth
My intention for this month is to own my experiences on the mat and in all parts of my life. This practice reminds you of your inherent worth. I love to take Bhumisparsha mudra when I’m feeling invincible, a fleeting thing for sure. It’s also nice when I am needing a little encouragement. Try it out, it takes less than a minute: …
What’s in a Craving?
Food. That giver of life and nourishment, object of desire, source of endless inspiration and cause of massive regret and agony. It seems so simple really. We eat to live. We humans need only a few things to survive; oxygen, water, food. And quite a few more to thrive including; companionship, love, a purpose. These things seem so separate don’t …
What is Vinyasa?
With so many styles of yoga emerging it can be difficult to keep them all straight. It doesn’t really help either that styles can vary drastically regionally, studio to studio and teacher to teacher. I practice and teach Vinyasa style yoga and one would be hard pressed to convince me to switch my allegiance. I can see the benefits of …