“I don’t have the spirit of Christmas,” was what she said, as if wondering what was wrong with her. The tree was up, gifts were wrapped, Christmas concerts were realized, and the letter to Santa was even sent. All the Christmas music and outer preparations abound us would not bring about the happy vibes of years gone by. I can imagine there is a lot to consider regarding holiday traditions, for a little one living in a multicultural city… Read More
A SUSTAINABLE SUMMER
Time is the most precious gift someone can give you. That is, when it is complete undivided attention with presence. Full body listening for the sake of understanding. A connection of pure awareness that I seek to find with you here. I liken it to the feeling of chanting OM at the end of a really good yoga class! A sensation we would love to sustain but understand “this too shall pass”. When we think of something as being sustainable, we are not usually thinking in terms of… Read More
ON THIS HARVEST MOON
Today I write for my own wellness, but with the hope that the timing of this message will resonate with even one person. Vocalizing these words feels futile, so let this be a journaling journey where perhaps some wisdom will come of the quiet moment. Wisdom that I trust is within, and ready to surface to the conscious mind telling me ‘what really aches’. With mild tooth… Read More
JUNE SOLSTICE
The June Solstice is fast approaching which means that depending on whether you are in the northern or southern hemisphere, either the longest or shortest day of the year is nearly upon you. It is interesting to think that you and I are here together on this planet experiencing varying climates and unique lives, and as different as those lives may be, we all essentially want the same things from a day; to be loved, to be happy and even if we are… Read More
SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAYS
Happy Holidays! My family salutes you from a warm climate, with this photo taken a few weeks ago near our home, after the first snowfall of the season. We enjoyed an amazing evening of snow shoeing, sledding, skating as well as visiting Santa, knowing that we would not see a white Christmas where we were headed. Whether the climate be warm or cold, Christmas for us is traditionally spent with family and close friends. As we carry on with this… Read More
YOGA MAYA
It is very interesting how there have been two recent releases of yoga documentaries, both of which share a common concern for yoga in the west. Their findings clearly show that for the majority of people, yoga has simply become a series of postures. There is evidently a lack of meditation, breath work, and also depth of morals and disciplines being incorporated into the practice. I very much connected with some of the discussions in the Yoga Maya Movie which… Read More
CHANTING TO REMOVE OBSTACLES
With the onset of shorter days and cooler nights, here on the West Coast we feel that hint of change. Energetically, it’s wise to prepare the body and its system for the fall and winter ahead. Practices such as cleansing the diet, moving the body through Hatha and Yin yoga, and partaking in regular chanting sessions are all stellar for optimizing our energetic flow. For some, it seems quite obvious that diet and exercise will move blockages from our… Read More
A GUIDE TO GURUS
If talk of a guru seems a little serious, I would say “It’s a matter of perception.” A guru may be simply defined as “someone who removes your goo” or “a person who guides you to the light.” The Sanskrit term itself literally means heavy (implying a heaviness of knowledge), but metaphorically speaking, a guru helps to “find the heart of the artichoke” and “polish the diamond in the rough.” These folks guide us to be more heart and soul… Read More
LIFE FORCE ENERGY
As I write this, the anticipation is building about the birthing process of my first child. Time and again I remind students about the power of our breath and all that it holds. What a great reminder for myself! Our hearts pump oxygen from the breath through the blood in our bodies, but along with this movement of oxygen to each and every cell, comes the flow of prana. Prana is a yogic vital source of energy that is life-sustaining,… Read More