Yoga Nuggets

I often get asked what type of yoga do you teach? Initially, I would try to explain the various details; however, music gave me the best answer...whatever I feel the heart needs to "hear". Music is very personal and speaks beyond the ears of the listener. The same is for a yoga practice. Sometimes you need to restore your body and mind. Or, you've got to get some good energy flowing through you and an active, heat building practice makes it happen. Just like music, you feel drawn to listen to classical one day and reggae the next. The voice and words of a singer can make you move....just like your awareness of inhaling and exhaling in a yoga practice. Don't fight it...flow with it. I am not one to tie myself to a specific approach in just about anything. A yoga practice changes as your body gets stronger and more flexible. More significantly, the mind follows the body. To lock yourself into one mode limits your edges. In fact, as of now, I am not going to practice o...

As your practice of yoga integrates itself in your body and mind, a lot changes. It is a cool journey of metamorphis while in this body. You really start to understand how everything is truly connected from the inside out. You might notice how you can intentionally slow down your heart rate, feel the subtle lengthening of a muscle take place or even mentally release a cumbersome feeling. The skies the limit on this journey. Each practice is unique if you stay focused on what you need. Explore different ways to experience the same pose you have done a ton of times. Recently, I have really enjoyed the experience of staying in a pose for 30-60 seconds before going to the next. Try a Sun Salutation with this technique to experience strength in stillness. You will notice that as you reach up in the beginning, you really feel the rib cage lift, the foundation of the feet ground the Earth, the arms getting longer and more. When you surrender in the forward fold, you give the spin...

Going to a funeral is a pretty stark reminder of the brevity of life. It does not matter if you make it to 100 years; in the scheme of things, it's quick. Take the time you have been given to truly live. Yes, we have bills to pay and responsibilities to others, but if you're not careful, you might lose sight of what life is really about. Time is an illusion. Things or circumstances can change almost quicker than you take a deep breath. Hearing and truly feeling the love and happiness that this special person shared with countless people reinforced truths that we all know...but, forget sometimes. Here are 7 truths to practice. And, yes, just like yoga, consider life a practice. You came here without training and continue to learn along the journey. Just like a yogi hits the mat for the first time, so do all us in this practice of living. 1. Love is the Light that brightens another. Share it, receive it, and keep it going. You won't lose anything...it only gets brighter. ...

I feel compelled to share a beautiful speech made by our ancestors of Indian descent. They not only talked the talk, they walked the walk. May I, me and many others learn to understand and follow these simple directions of life. Chief Blackfoot is one of the "giants", in my mind, that has shoulders we should stand on to see further so we can be more, live more and love more.... "Believe   in the beauty and strength of your own being. Forget the foolish belief that you and your fellow human beings were born evil. Those who would control you all the days of your life on earth perpetuate the belief The Source of Life made things to have a bad spirit. Live a life of truth and honesty. This makes you a person of quality and dignity. Truth and honesty are the kind of leadership qualities that attracts others. Give honor and respect to others regardless of age and situation in life. This quality makes you and others worthy of honor and respect, which makes others, feel ...

All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree. Albert Einstein Some of us have actually met each other in person; however, the majority of us have simply shared our energies in the cyber space of the internet. My passion is yoga…not just the physical aspect of it, but the true purpose of it…to unite. We are aware of the negativity that is exacerbated by the media, governments and certain groups. We are aware of the conflicts between countries. We are aware of the endless adversities that so many people face, either as a group or as individuals. And, I believe we are collectively growing weary of the increased intensity of violence and quest for control. It is and has been time to collectively evolve to the next level. It is time to evolve our higher consciousness. Physically, we have evolved; mentally, we have evolved. Emotionally, we have evolved. Each trait has its benefits, but without the power of the fourth…they will remain imbalanced. ...

I just returned from a week long advanced yoga training course with Ganga White at the White Lotus Foundation. It was truly a powerful time of self-discovery, sharpening yoga skills and connections. This thought provocative poem was written by Ganga White. When I first read it, I immediately thought of one my favorite songs by John Lennon, Imagine. Take time to read and feel the words. Ponder the "what if"; imagine the "what ifs" being the world's reality. Nothing has ever changed until one started to question and imagine another way of doing things. "It is easy if you try." We simply have to slow down for a moment and understand that each of us makes an impact on the planet's energy. Imagine what would happen if even half of the world lived with the mindset this poem conveys. The ripple effect of the positive energy would ignite a change for all... What if our religion was each other If our practice was our life If prayer, our words What if the t...

Yoga has an endless list of poses to pursue and a new edge with each practice. It seems like since it has been truly noticed in the past few years, a new spin on how to do it is presented. There is no right on wrong; you simply practice what feels right for YOU. Personally, I do not connect to any particular "style" of yoga for it is a personal pursuit of discovery. To limit yourself to one way closes doors to different experiences. Simply speaking for myself, I find that the "hot" yoga is not for me. To practice in elevated temperatures and simultaneously raise the internal body heat is not wise. You do sweat out toxins and get the benefit of better flexibility in heat; however, sometimes you can take your muscles past their edge and increase the micro tears that manifest in the muscle fibers. Practicing yoga in a normal temperature with proper breathing and movement will build the internal heat of body. I am more of a "Buddhist" mindset: "Everything...

I will be sharing with you excerpts from my diaries that I have written in for the past thirty five years...started when I was 11. Perhaps something will resonate with you. Perhaps sharing personal thoughts, experiences and feelings will help someone. I hope to touch hearts in a positive manner and simply confirm what I believe in my heart: we have more in common than we have differences. Perhaps igniting awareness of that truth will help bring the "change" that so many seek. 11/11/2010 A lifetime of revelations has always led me to the same truth: always follow your heart. We all have experiences that we have never forgotten. Some painful, some wonderful. For me, I have found that the most profound experiences ultimately brought both feelings to the table. And, not necessarily in any particular order...the depth of the revelation seemed to determine that factor. So many components can determine how one chooses to face growing as a person. I do not think it matte...

Most of us have something that we have not released from our past. Call it the "ghost in the closet" that may have hidden itself so well that you forgot it was there. However, it will re-appear when provoked. One of the most powerful ways to grow spiritually and free yourself of negative thinking and energy is to truly forgive. It might have been in individual's action or a cataclysmic event, or it might even be something that you did. Whatever the event or whoever the source, it is truly freeing to surrender your heart to the power of forgiveness. The only person who can determine how to forgive and release something from the past is yourself . The true first step is to simply face it directly and acknowledge it only exists in the past. You keep it alive with your thoughts. There is much truth in the saying that the most challenging people in your life are your best teachers. Once you understand you are the one responsible for your mindset and truly forgive, your heart w...

We all have places or things that touch our heart like nothing else can. For me, it is the ocean. I was blessed to be by the waters of Siesta Key, Florida last month. I wrote from the heart what you're about to read as I simply gazed at the beautiful ocean... I sit at the edge of the ocean in awe of its gentle power. Layers of water emerge as a wave only to blend back into its Source. So many layers, waves upon waves, yet never separate. Just like the body...layer upon layer...a matrix that cannot function without each link...each wave of its physical being. When something 'malfunctions', the interconnected layers restructure themselves to accommodate the change. Just like the water can flow over rocks, cities...the planet without interference...only perseverance. The unseen winds blow and the birds ride that wave. To watch a seagull float effortlessly above the water while barely flapping its wings is another amazing sample of Nature's art. As a yogi on the beach, I fe...

Namaste'~The Divine Light in me honors the Divine Light in You. Share the positive energy of your spirit by honoring the other divine spirits you are connected to... brighten the flame . Set the intention to silently say namaste' to all you cross paths with for the next few days. No need to tell anyone what you're doing. Just send love and honor from your heart. It gives you more courage to be more...do more. Unlike the Olympic torch, this is a flame that is not extinguished. We never truly know what another is going through in their life. Appearances can be very deceiving. A smile can be a mask for a challenge one is facing. Sending them unconditional love, respect, and honor without expecting a mutually returned effort can make a difference. Ultimately, when you send love to another, you are sending yourself love. Never forget the truth..."what goes around, comes around." So why not set the intention for it to be good? Allow what appears to be a negative c...

Most of us have heard that saying of "move or lose it"; however, until you get a little older or in a situation that halts you, you do not truly understand it. The "move or lose it" philosophy applies not only to the body, but the mind and foundation of emotions as well. Even if you do not know the anatomical consequences of being physically sedentary, we all have experienced not being as flexible after being couch potatoes. The body was born to move. The muscles,organs, blood and cells are in constant motion just to keep us alive. The least we can do is make the most of the gift of mobility that our body provides. The mind is the same. Science has proven that regardless of age, the brain creates new connections as you exercise it. Repetition of old thoughts simply deepens old grooves. Feed it something new and refreshing to ponder and understand. It is kind of like trying something new to eat. At first, you may not be sure because it is so different; ...

If you are a baby boomer, then you have seen the best movie ever, It's a Wonderful Life. If you haven't, regardless of your age, watch it. Get nestled in the couch with some popcorn, a blanket and prepare to immerse yourself in a fabulous story. Already seen it? Watch it again. It premiered in 1946 and starred one of the greatest actors, Jimmy Stewart. Every time I watch it, and it has been at least 25 times, the positive energy and powerful message it conveys is reinforced. Ironically, it did not really get recognized as a great movie until forty years after it was made. Now, it is considered one of the best movies ever made. It is a simple message. YOU make a difference. YOUR life has a ripple effect on countless lives. Life always presents challenges to face; however, the true heart of your life is what you did to make a difference in other people's lives. The truth of being interconnected is beautifully conveyed in this movie. It is easy to forget what you have done li...

We all know the incredible influence that Albert Einstein had in the world of science. The ripple effect of his intense pursuit of knowledge will expand indefinitely. We all know he was brilliant intellectually. What some may not know is that his spirit shined as brightly within his heart as his mind...maybe even more. I came across a quote of his and it is one that you glean more each time you re-read it. No matter who you are, it is relative . Albert Einstein said: "Strange is our situation here upon Earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeing it to serve a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do not know: That we are here for the sake of others...for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in o...

With the busy schedule demands of work, family, friends, and whatever else you have going on, it is easy to say you don't have time to practice yoga. The truth is, when you make something a priority, the time becomes available. I totally agree with what Ganga White said in his book, Yoga Beyond Belief, "yoga does not take time, it gives time." As you become centered on your practice, you are taking care of yourself in many ways beyond the physical realm. You will quickly find that the class you attend or the practice you do at home is just what you needed. Always remember that if you don't take care of yourself, you will ultimately not be able to truly take care of anything else on your agenda. So, take off your watch, turn off the cell phone (you really can be without it), take a deep inhale and exhale and enjoy the dissipation of the concerns of the "to do list" as you simply enjoy your practice of yoga. When you're done, you'll realize that it did...