The Calm Beneath the Surface

"Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind"

My thoughts and my emotions: powerful waves crashing.  I have spent so many years being pulled and tossed about in these waves.  Fighting to get to shore.  Unable even to figure out the direction of the shore, flailing madly in so many delusions.
I can feel these delusions, these samskaras, rise up on me still.  Like a storm brewing at sea. Suddenly I feel so down on myself, so alone and unsure.
But I am learning not to try to fight my way to shore.  Dive deeper, beneath the waves.  Search for the calm beneath the surface.  It's always there.
I'm always there. Deep inside.

Rumi-nating

The revolving spheres have lulled you into a deep sleep.

Beware of this floating life. 

Beware of this weighty slumber.

-Rumi

Yoga Secrets for Back Pain Relief

I am very excited to have the opportunity to teach a six week series on "Yoga Secrets for Back Pain Relief"  with the owner of Lighten Up Yoga and my cherished mentor, Lillah Schwartz.

The series starts Wednesday, Nov. 9 and ends Dec. 14th, and will be taught at Lighten Up Studios (60 Biltmore Ave).  The cost for the six weeks is only $75 dollars, which is an especially great price considering you get two teachers with the deal!  Drop-ins are welcome but will pay a regular drop in fee of $15/class, and of course you get the most benefit by committing to the entire six week series.

Come learn how to relieve your back pain, move better, and feel good!  Learn how and why certain poses work better than others.  Handouts and recommended home sequences will be included.

Call 828.254.7756 to register.

It Made the Most of Us

When I woke up on October 2, the morning of the fall "Yoga on the Mountain" hike, I was thissss close to cancelling the event. It was 40 degrees and looked like it was about to rain in Asheville. Most of the people I thought were coming backed out, and I was sure no one would show up. But my friend's Mackenzie and Kate held strong and met me at West End Bakery at ten a.m. to carpool there. It was on-- we were determined to make the most of it.  Even if we didn't end up practicing yoga, the hike would still be beautiful!

It was slightly warmer when we arrived in Maggie Valley at Cataloochee Ranch, but we still started off on the hike bundled up in hats, sweatshirts, and gloves.  By the time we made it to Hemphill Bald, however, we had stripped down to tank tops and I was anxious to get my boots off and wriggle my toes in the now gentle, warm sunlight.

Four more yogis found us at the top of the Bald.  Suddenly it was a truly beautiful and inspiring experience. 










As everyone pressed into downward dog, I encouraged them to compare their form to the shape of the mountains in the distance.  I encouraged them all to embrace the unevenness of the ground, to be aware of how it created unevenness in their mind.   This practice of steadying your body, of steadying your mind...this is yoga.

I hoped that they each felt that being outside took them outside, also, of their usual expectations of what their yoga practice should look and feel like.  Once you can get beyond what things "should" be like, it is then that you can begin to truly see what things "are".

And in this instance, atop Hemphill Bald--everything was grandeur and beauty.

We hiked down with calmer spirits and easier smiles.  We set out that morning hoping to make the most of the experience, but we left feeling that it had made the most of us.