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...

The spine is an incredible piece of your anatomy. You may not even think about it until it starts "talking" to you as you age or if you have suffered an injury. It is composed of 33 vertebrae, 24 which are separate and 9 that are fused together. The 24 vertebrae that start at the base of skull are given space with discs. These discs act like cushions to keep the vertebrae from pressing on the nerves that extend from them. The nervous system flows within your spinal column so that your body can get the messages it needs to function. This backbone of yours not only enables you to stand up straight, walk, and practice yoga. It makes it possible for the messages necessary to be sent to the organs and glands to do their job to keep you in homeostasis. Gravity and aging can cause the precious space between each disc to become shorter and compress a nerve. As a result, back pain and a slew of medical problems can manifest depending on the disc and nerve that is affected. Preventio...

There is a magical energy in  music. I have my personal favorites; however, what "speaks" to me may not be what "speaks" to you. The key is to let what does resonate within you literally move you. Some yoga classes do not use music to assist in staying focused on the practice. Others play what is classified as "new age" music or songs without words...or, words in a language you do not understand. It's all good for those it "speaks" to  in their practice. Experience different sounds...you are destined to hear something you did not know about or knew would move you. Being one who craves variety, I play a blend of music depending on the energy felt or needed at the moment. Not being too concerned about precision of moves, I find it rather liberating to flow with the music. To get on the mat, turn on some music that sings to the soul and just move with it. I consider it a dance on the mat. Plus, I am my best partner in this dance. There's n...

Aging is a bittersweet journey. When you're young, you can't wait to get older; paradoxically, as you get older, you wish you were younger. One is either looking forward or back. The concept of simply enjoying the present has its fleeting moments; but easily fades in the background of the mind with distraction. If one does not make the conscious effort to make the most of their only moment...now, the see-saw of "should have, could have, would have" will always sway back and forth. Yoga helps you in the aging process. It certainly has helped me. I can only speak from my experiences; therefore, if I was to explain how yoga helps you before age 40, it would be an assumption. The anatomical benefits speak for themselves. You build strength, improve internal bodily functions, and enjoy more flexibility. From a mental standpoint, the gifts of yoga manifest when you're ready. Life has a way of throwing you a curve ball when least expected. Yoga has a way o...

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 ...

Gratitude is a magical energy that circulates through the body and mind when made a point of focus. Being a "baby boomer", I feel grateful for experiencing life before technology took off like it has in the past twenty years. For those of you in the same age bracket, you will appreciate what I am saying. For those who are younger, I hope that you truly understand the power of trust, time, and tenacity. Just to stroll down memory lane, I feel compelled to share some of the things I took for granted; however, but now truly appreciate the value. Some people may think it is better to get things done faster; however, the truth is, time seems to do what it needs to keep up with the new pace. Time is priceless and you cannot get it back. The same is for your life. Why rush it? When you take your time in whatever you are doing, you will glean more than you know. Here's some things I remember and understand the value of these standards. ~Cable television did not exist. All four ch...

"No one has the right to consume happiness without producing it." ~Helen Keller So much is said in so few words. If you are not familiar with the law of give and take, it is an important one to know and truly practice. The law of give and take is simple. In order to receive, you have to give. The mindset of expecting to always receive without giving back will backfire at some point. It really does not matter if it is physical or emotional aspects that are involved. You cannot take what you do not give...including happiness. At this time of turmoil in numerous aspects ranging from money, health of the human race and the planet, and fear of violence, there is something important for YOU to do. Take responsibility for keeping the law of give and take in balance in your life. If you are not happy, make the effort to show kindness to someone else...without expectations of a "payback" from them. What you give comes back around at the right time for you. Step outside ...

Yoga is whatever you need it to be each moment of your practice. If you need a boost in your energy, an active flow of moves and breathing can ignite that spark within you. If your body needs to let go of tension, a more passive practice of stillness in poses can guide the body and mind to release. Physically, yoga will help you learn the power of persistence and the strength of surrender. Awareness is the key that unlocks the body and mind. Once you are truly aware of where you are now, the yoga practice will link the parts together. This link of movement, breath and awareness will take you where you need to be. The magic of a yoga lifestyle is that it opens up so much space far beyond the physical realm. It opens cracks that allow your Light to become more visible to you and others. To better understand the concept of "cracks", listen to the words of Leonard Cohen's heartfelt song, Anthem. The initially unseen Light that becomes apparent will ignite revelations of chang...

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...

You have heard it before and maybe you have done it...write down your dreams or intentions. It is easy to think and wish for something to come true; however, a spark somewhere in the cosmos gets ignited when you write it down. The action of writing an intention on paper can awaken your subconscious and conscious mind to make it happen. I speak from experience for I have been keeping a diary/book of intentions for around six years now. I am grateful to say that the intentions have manifested over the years. Don't get me wrong, it is not instant. Instead, it planted the seed in my mind and synchronicity put the elements in order for the dreams to happen. As a yoga teacher, I have always set my intentions to learn and link with the best. When I read the book, Yoga Beyond Belief, by Ganga White, I instantly knew I HAD to get advanced training from him. I read it in July, 2009. I wrote in my book..."I will meet and get further training from Ganga White." Now, almost exactly tw...

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...

The practice of yoga benefits you physically, mentally, and spiritually. As you practice, the benefits emerge little by little. Just like the eating of an artichoke, you enjoy each leaf as you get the little morsel of food it provides; however, it is the heart of the vegetable that is the part you truly enjoy the most. Just as in yoga, your physical (or, exterior) part of Self enjoys the benefits of yoga practice; however, the more you practice, you eventually get to the heart of your inner Self. In an effort to increase the awareness of yoga's benefits from the outer level, I have started a new article series on Examiner.com. As people become more aware of the benefits from the physical standpoint, the deeper benefits will emerge as they practice. We all start at the beginning and the first way to begin is to eliminate fear or misconceptions. http://www.examiner.com/x-23147-Nashville-Health-and-Happiness-Examiner

If you are experiencing a challenging time in your life, always remind yourself..."this too shall pass". The journey in life can be compared to the ebb and flow of the ocean waters. The waters rise and fall without end. Sometimes it is flowing smoothly and sometimes the waters can get rough. The key thing to remember is that it always stays together as it flows through both the smooth and rough cycles. Just remember that when life's waters rise, use it as an opportunity to get the board and ride the wave. Before you know it, you will glide back to shore.