This summer in my real-time/ in-person classes, we have been discussing the Eight Limbs of Yoga as described by the Yoga Sutras. If you are familiar with my classes, you may already know that we tend to focus on a philosophical theme for a period…
Continue reading The Yoga Sutras// An Introduction & Resource Hub
By cultivating attitudes of friendliness toward those who are happy, compassion to those who are suffering, delight toward the virtuous and equanimity toward detractors, one’s thoughts are purified and the obstacles to self-realization are lessened. {Yoga Sutra 1.33} We are still working through Yoga Sutra…
Continue reading Objectivity, Compassion and Equanimity as Acts of Self-love
When the student is ready, the teacher appears. The teacher rarely takes the form we imagine it will/should/does for everyone else. We must have alert senses to recognize the teacher when it arrives. The teacher for me right now is Yoga Sutra 1.33. We have…
Continue reading The Yoga of Relationship/ Seeing Yourself in Others
Stillness is the result of devoted practice and non-attachment. {YS 1.12} Practice is the effort of remaining present. {YS 1.13} With continuous, devoted practice for a long time, the practice becomes firmly rooted. {YS 1.14} Abhyasa/Practice. As a girl and young woman, the notion of…
Continue reading Practice Makes a Practice. My Abhyasa (r)evolution.
For the past few months, I have been exploring the Kleshas in my public yoga classes. The Kleshas, as described by the Yoga Sutras, are five modes of being that interfere with our ability to reside in our true nature… joy, love, peace, bliss. As…
Continue reading Sight. An exploration of the Kleshas.
Ever since that bombastically beautiful Harvest Moon a few weeks ago, I have been feeling the pull of the earth more profoundly. Fall has descended. My attention is turning inward, and this leaves me with a wonderful sense of relief. Pratyahara has become the queen…
Continue reading Turning Inward: Pratyahara
Blessings, dear friends. At last! A new episode! Since last we gathered here, I have moved, vacationed and taught lots and lots of fun (for me!) classes around Portland. I have missed you and am glad to be back. Today’s class is 90 minutes of…
Continue reading Episode 74– Tapas!
Today’s class is 90 minutes of all-levels hatha flow. We explore tapas, or self-discipline. Tapas is one of the foundations of practice, as described by Yoga Sutra 2.1 and one of the Niyamas, or personal observances. I hope you love it. I have been…
Continue reading Tapas! Heat! 90 MINUTE HATHA FLOW
I was re-reading a copy of last month’s Yoga Journal this weekend, and was truly struck by a column on using yoga to manage infertility placed above a commentary on Saucha. The more I mused on this positioning, the more I thought it fit completely…
Continue reading Saucha, Vairagya and Baby-talk
This class focuses on Vairagya, or Non-attachment (one of the key teachings on this yogic path). This is an all-levels class that lasts about 50-ish minutes. For yogis who are new to sirsasana (headstand), please exercise caution. I recommend learning headstand from an experienced teacher and…
Continue reading Practicing Vairagya (Non-attachment)