Yoga, Meditation, Bliss....

This Sunday in class I finally spit out something that I have been wanting to say for years, but was worried about being misinterpreted.    So here goes:  Yoga is a sensual experience.  Now don't panic, I won't go all tantric on you (well maybe a little), but it is true.  The practice of yoga is a joyful experience, and when you practice with a sense of play, joy, and passion, it truly transports you to a place of heightened awareness and dare I say bliss!!  

Imagine your practice could be like eating your favorite food.  I my case that would be a tree ripened mango hand picked by me.  First I would carefully slice it so not a bit was left on the pit.  Three wedges for each plump side and one on the narrow sides.  Then I would lay them all out on a plate, and hope that no one asks for a slice (I don't really like to share when it comes to mangoes and popcorn).  I actually like to strategize a bit at this point so the most ostentatious and hopefully delicious slice is saved for last. This means starting with the small pieces from the edges of the pit, and slowly working my way through the sides.  Taste, smell, touch, sight, and sound are all extremely intrinsic to the process.  I won't go into much further detail because there is nothing ladylike or composed about how much I enjoy a mango, but know that I do not let a single fiber be consumed with out great enjoyment, and appreciation for such a beautiful gift.  

Now here is the fun part......I feel the same way about floating up into a handstand or curling up into child's pose after some delicious back bends.  Last night after teaching my class I stayed to take Susan's heart yoga.  She was also on a mission for practicing with passion, and hearing her encouragement made me feel even more present and alive in my practice.  There is so much possibility when the strength and energy in your body moves all the way through your toes, because your awareness follows.  Things become more lucid, open, and its easier to transcend the ordinary.  So give a gift to yourself in your next downward dog - explore the depths and flavor of your mango. 

Allegory of the cave

There have been a lot of questions about this photo, on the schedule so I thought I would share more about it.   It was taken at the entrance of a temple that according to our climbing guide dated back to 400 AD or so.  A lot was happening way earlier than that in Indian culture so in perspective, this was not the most sophisticated structure.  They already had advanced mathematics, and plumbing a couple thousand years earlier; however, the location of this temple  was in a ridiculously remote area where tribal (that is how they were described to us) people lived.  This was no center of civilization, and some people here still live in grass huts - seriously.  

I am a hugely interested in religious art and expression of all kinds, and I have been very lucky to have experienced temples, mosques, cathedrals and sacred sites on 4 continents.  This one is my favorite and this beautifully expressive sculpture sits by the entrance.  

 
Getting up to it is not exactly simple.  There are some, actually a lot of steps worn into large slippery rocks that wound up to the temple.  At a glance you have to really think about how badly you would like to see it considering the passage - especially for a Florida girl who prefers peaks at the tops of waves.  You can't see the entrance from the bottom, so with complete faith in our guide that it would be worth it, we decided to climb up. Of course the local kids made what was tricky for me seem like nothing.  They practically skipped, and buzzed around us like little bees while I contemplated every step.  I still think maybe they had little wings on their ankles. 

Architecturally speaking it had all of the elements of a spectacular cathedral.  A long procession up to the altar, a place for contemplation, story telling, a way of reminding you of your humbleness in the presence of god (in this case the height of the door forces even a 4' person to bow as they enter), and the sanctuary ceiling ascended up into the rocks all designed to remind us of where we stand in the big picture.  The walls on the inside of the temple were covered with prayers, and paintings.  Instead of candelabras,  wax stalagmites from decades of dripping candles marked the space for the alter.  It was simple, powerful, and the best part is that I will probably never find it again so it can retain its perfection in my memory.       

Spring Cleaning

First of all, Last weekend was spectacular, and I would like to give much love and thanks to Hudost, and Lisa Remey for their wonderful presence at the studio.  "We Are One of Us" is my new favorite song and you can get it on itunes!!!  

You may have noticed that instead of a giant waterbottle in the hall for drinking we now have a sleek & super chic sink!  This is why:

 

You can read more about this photo here.   If you are wondering where to get a great not plastic option I would love to shamelessly recomend Indigo.  They have Kleen Kanteens and plenty of other healthy for you and the planet things.  

Lisa presented some more health inducing goodness with her Ayurveda workshop on Saturday and I took a few notes for those of you who missed it.  First, go to the Ayurveda Health Retreat site and find out your "dosha" or constitution.  For more general information about Ayurveda check out this site: www.vedanet.com

- to balance Vata, eat sweet, sour, and salty food.

- to balance Pitta, eat sweet, bitter, and astringent food.

- to balance Khapa, eat pungent, bitter and astringent food.

In general spring is a time when our bodies tend to drain (allergies anyone?).  To help that process it is good to eat plenty of bitter greens, raw fresh veggies, fennel, and basil.  If you have been to the farmer's market lately you probably noticed that this is what is there now!  So you can eat local, & support great health.  I feel like the soapbox has been beckoning this whole post.  

So incorporate some of these ideas, do yoga (4x a week for 4 weeks), write me an e-mail and get a free week of yoga!  May is going to zoom by and you will feel better by the end of it!

Good eggs come from happy chickens....

Tuesday evenings just before 7 pm at Sanctuary our esteemed yogini Jennifer will have some fresh eggs for sale.  $3 a dozen to be exact, in order to help her fund the organic feeding of some incredibly happy chickens.   Happy chickens?  Yes, profoundly, deeply, happy chickens who spend their days clucking around lake Tuscawilla.  Every chicken should be so lucky, and all eggs should taste this good!!!! 

Now on a more yogic note (although I have witnessed implicit mindfulness in Jennifer's chickens); Saturday starts our Spring Cleanse.  This will have nothing to do with fasting, dieting, or self flagellation, and you won't have to sell your first born to pay for supplements.  This is about health as a lifestyle, learning about our bodies needs, and of course doing plenty of yoga!  So join us at Sanctuary this Saturday from 3-4:30 pm to learn about an Ayurvedic approach to health with Lisa Remey.  It could make you happy as a chicken!

Another Summer of Love is on the way.....

....with some amazing beauty, 

and some other amazing things.

OK so technically this photo was taken by my cousin in Iraq (who is now home with his beautiful family and about to have his first Florida Summer),  but its not the heat its the humidity - right.   

Here is a preview of the summer schedule (beginning in May),  

and  I think it is pretty hot as well.   We have some exciting shifts, some new faces, and to cool off a little Yin Yoga as well!

Class Schedule                                                                        *series classes
monday                                                                                  Walk-in classes
5:30 to 6:45 pm / Hatha / Samantha / all levels
*7:00 to 8:00 pm / Beginning Yoga and Meditation / Please pre register
tuesday
9:00 to 10:15 am / Hatha / Anisa / all levels
10:30 to noon / Gentle Yoga / Ellie / all levels
*5:30 to 6:45 pm / Yin Yoga / Melissa / Please pre register
7:00 to 8:15 pm / Ashtanga / Melissa / level 1
wednesday
*3:00 - 4:00 pm / Yoga for Kids / Meaghan / Please pre register
5:30 to 6:45 pm / Heart Yoga / Susan / all levels
*7:00 to 8:30 pm / Sivananda / Samantha / Please pre register
thursday
9:00 to 10:15 am / Hatha / Anisa / all levels
10:30 to noon / Gentle Yoga / Ellie / all levels
5:30 to 6:45 pm / Hatha / Bruno / all levels
7:00 to 8:15 pm / Ashtanga / Nobel / all levels
friday
10:00 to 11:15 am / Hatha / Meaghan / all levels / community class $8
6:00 to 7:30 pm / Yin and Vinyasa Flow / Melissa / all levels
saturday
10:30 to noon / Hatha Flow / Andrea / all levels
sunday
4:00 to 5:45 pm / Ashtanga / Melissa / level 2
6:00 to 7:15 pm / Heart Yoga / Susan / all levels
7:30 to 8:45 pm / Chanting to the Open Heart: Sunday Sangha

Float on.

   This is my little bug, and she loves yoga!!!  Well, maybe it also has something to do with mommy cheering her on like a rock star.  Never the less, she is determined to float up into a handstand.  The possibility of falling has never occurred to her, and she is completely unencumbered by expectations.  She is just having a good time, and if her arms would grow a bit further past her head, I'd say her chances of balancing up on her hands is pretty good.   If this does not inspire you to try an arm balance I just don't know what else to do, but if it does, float on....... 

back bending on youtube....

So for the ashtanga classes it is drop back week, and I wanted to give you a little inspiration. Check out this video of Kino Macgregor doing a few amazing drop backs.  I love how slowly she descends enjoying the process!!!  Its so inspiring that...........

 I am working on a summer workshop to raise funds for Off the mat, into the world.  , which is an amazingly cool project created by Seane Corn, Hala Khouri, and Suzane Sterling to teach activism on both the local and global level.   They also seriously practice what they preach, by not only funding but participating in the success of many social, and environmental causes.  I know I sound vague, but I seriously do not type fast enough to list everything.   So I'm thinking about bending over backwards to help them out!  Now for good measure, here is a fabulously gratuitous photo of Christine in Ustrasana.  

Namaste guapas y guapos!!!!