Landing at 11:30am in Bangalore after three flights, immigration and luggage, then getting into a taxi for 3 hours more. A bit tiring, but considering how crazy Bangalore traffic is during the day, we were happy to be in a cool night (freezing really for what we were wearing), and ride smoothly to Mysore. Elena, my sweet Italian friend, put us up for the night. We just changed shifts. She wakes up at 2:15am to warm up her spine, before she goes to the Shala to practice; we got there at 3:30am, and crashed like babies.
We woke up as she returned from practice, had a fantastic breakfast, got filled up on some of the happenings in Mysore, and borrowed her scooter to go search for a place to stay as well as practice.
It was a big step to move from my comfort zone and friend circle of Gukulam, and dive into Lakshmi Puram, the older part of town, or sometimes known as the real Indian as it is not as wealthy and set up for the westerners coming to practice with Sharat. There are a few of BNS Iyengar (not to be confused with BKS Iyengar) students teaching around here, and they all teach Ashtanga similar to Pattabhi Jois. Since our new pad is right near the Mandala house, we decided to give Cidanada a try. On my last visit here, I practiced with Sheshadri in the same place, now he has grown to having his own shala. I was pleasantly surprised with Cidanada. Nice calm beginning with chanting between every sun salute, a small class with lots of attention, strong adjustments yet with lots of care. BNS Iyengar still teaches pranayama, philosophy and mudra, at the Mandala house, so I was very happy for the opportunity to study with this 85-year-old man, a student of Krishnamacharya, and a character indeed. Mostly shaved head, though it has stubble as if it is shaved only once a month, with a large patch of salt and pepper hair left on the back, a red line climbing from his third eye up on his forehead for a good inch and a half, and a thick white heavy textured elongated half circle encasing it from the bottom like a deep cup holding a red stem. He wears glasses and looks at you from above the glasses as they rest low on his nose. He wears the traditional white longhi wrapped around his waist with a long Indian style cream or white shirt, with three buttons and a small Chinese like color, with one pocket on the left side, hanging over his medium sized belly. He enters the shala with his faded turquoise three quarter helmet, takes off his worn flip-flops and moves about barefoot, in slow motion. He has a similar accent to the one I remember of Pattabhi Jois; Yeit – meaning eight and a bit of singing to his sentences.
After so many pranayama coursed I have taken I am still enjoying this one, as the study is very gradual, similar to the Mysore style, one completes a pose and gets the next one, also here, when completed with a pranayama exercise, one receives the next. And do not think of this as breathing exercise, “That is respiration” Iyengar would say, Pranayama has a whole different purpose. I look forward to sharing this in my classes and workshops ahead.
Mysore changes some, but what really is new every time, is the experiences, no matter how much the same a place may look, it never is the same, as the Indians would say “same same, little different”. Experiences are of India but also of meeting other travelers, people from around the world, observing their perspective of a new place, sharing a discussion about Israel, conflicts and finding peace, learning about the yoga scene around the world, or about life as a South Korean Zen monk. Meeting an Israeli couple traveling with their three and five year olds, finding an American in his 60’s that left the US behind and now lives here. It is the little stories, the endless firecrackers on New Years Eve, the father on his scooter stopping by to wish Happy New Year as his son smiles staring at my Keen sandals, The rickshaw that would not start, and had to be rolled down the hill, kicked into second and jump started, so it can roll us through the bumpy roads to Gokulam, to have lunch at Elena’s and friends. A young women in jeans and a pretty tight T shirt showing her healthy appetite around the waist holding her tan Labrador cub, sits on the ledge of the temple square near the market hiding behind her fathers small SUV, waiting for him to return from the market. I smile and pet her shiny fur dog, an older Indian man comes to play with the dog, but obviously knows he is not allowed to touch it, so just plays from afar, casts and hierarchies are still very visible. We engage in conversation about the need to work in Bangalore and what it means, the great city and it being so over populated, she is the new middle class generation; the ones we see coming out of really nice villas planted amongst the older homes and buildings. A daughter of a doctor I project.
At the restaurant, enjoying the Indian food, Dosas and Idlis, the Thali meals, we sit in front of a man and woman, she is wearing a sari, black hair oiled and pulled back tightly, wearing a big nose ring. Him, wearing western like polyester pants and a light color dress shirt, having red color spread with a finger up his forehead tells me the importance of eating with the hands “Food tastes better you see, feeling the food, there is a connection”. They are lawyers and come the Mahesh Prasad a lot, “it is the best restaurant in the area,” she tells me. We speak of tradition, of the great necklace she wears to show the world she is married, the toe rings a married woman wears to stimulate her uterus, and that she needs not do yoga since she still squats to wash cloths in the bucket, washes dishes by hand, climbs the stairs, and in general uses very little machines. “The traditional life style takes care of me,” she says with a big smile and shiny black eyes.
Life in Mysore has its own pace, and I am greatly enjoying it. Even though much of life here has beautiful picture moments, I did not take out my camera yet. Maybe because I have been here many times before, it now feels like home, and thus I just smile at these moments, taking them in, but not recording them in pixels.
The street, the flavors are all part of one big live canvas, the amazing papayas that don’t even need extra lime to make them taste good, the walk through the colorful market, the intense smell of incense and flowers threaded together as necklaces, sold on the street or worn as ornaments on the ladies’ hair, blended with intense sweat coming off a group of men in line to make photocopies, dust and rickshaw pollution, smiling faces nodding their head from side to side, greeting hello, the colorful saris wrapping full bodied women, the smell of spices riding up the steam of milk from the small tea cups, the fruit carts on the side of the streets, the back and yellow rickshaws waiting at every corner to take you to your desired destination, and the cows.
No wonder the cows are holy, they symbolize the patience and endurance of life here. They go about slowly, eating around all that they find, sometimes being touched for a blessing, sometimes hit to move out of the way, and they, in their very nonchalant way, just move about, never getting angry, not violent, just surrendering to what life has offered them, grazing on the fields in front of them with no aspiration to become a cow of the Alps.
Showing posts with label ashtanga yoga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ashtanga yoga. Show all posts
Monday, January 3, 2011
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Is yoga about the perfect pose?
Just in case you thought that you need to look like the Yoga Journal cover, watch this video of a behind the scenes Yoga Journal Photo shoot.
http://www.yogajournal.com/video/11
It is important to remember that yoga, as we know it today, with such emphasis on Asana, on poses, is relatively a new phenomenon.
Yoga Asana as it has been practiced for thousands of years is mostly about taking a seat in lotus position to meditate. In the early 1900s more elaborate poses have developed, and thanks to Krishnamacharya, many of these poses have started to become more popular, through him, and then some of his students like BKS Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois and his son Desikachar.
Even these poses from India have gone through further transformation, as teachers in the west brought in their skills, from dance, gymnastics, martial arts or other personal preferences.
All this is wonderful as nothing is static, surely not yoga. The teachings are alive and keep transforming. However, looking at the original goal of yoga, of union of mind body and soul, or finding freedom, developing ease in posture, and ceasing the fluctuations of the mind, it is important that we observe what and how we practice.
I love doing fancy poses, inversions are empowering and arm balances are just great fun. Asana, and creative poses are fun and healthy as long as we take them for what they are.
Yoga is not a fashion show. We do not need to look like a cover model of Yoga Journal, nor do the models themselves look like that in everyday life.
The beauty of yoga Journal and the way it presents poses and yoga is a great inspiration. A way to see how a “perfect” pose would look like. Then, it is important for us to take that and find how it can be perfect for OUR body. For our body in that specific time and place, as every day we might be different.
Practice with acceptance, with inspiration to keep learning and developing, and with gratitude to wherever you are right now. That is the only place you can truly be.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Guruji passed away, his tradition keeps living here in Palo Alto
Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois, known to his students as Guruji, passed away yesterday, May 18th at the age of 93. Guruji was a student of Krishnamacharya in Mysore India, where many students including myself went to study and experience life in a different culture. Guruji was a person of dedicated practice, of joy and love for sharing. He was still helping students in backbends at the age of 90! As Guruji would say: “Practice and all is coming".
I celebrate all that he has offered us, and I am grateful for all that he shares with us beyond his body. Guruji's teachings shall live on and keep inspiring more students on the path of yoga, of union, of teacher and student practicing. I am grateful for the tradition we inherited, and the seeds that have been planted. We can see the flowers booming in many new traditions of yoga from power to Jivamukti through most Vinyasa flow classes out there.
Since March I have had the privilege to teach in Guruji’s tradition here in Palo Alto. Early morning Ashtanga Mysore classes 6 days a week and even some afternoon classes. I am blessed with dedicated students and a body that allows me to be of service to others. The classes are filled with the sound of breathing, of bodies moving on the mat pose after pose, like waves, flowing one after the other in a calm rhythm finding the connection to the great ocean of life.
As I write I look over my screen to see a beautiful vegetable and flower garden. It was such a treat to see how hard earth can be tilled and worked, and how with the aid of water and sun small plants grow to become flowers and lettuce. It is a miracle to watch. Very much like the miracle of students practicing finding growth in their body, mind and spirit. It is a gift to have the time to garden and feel the earth cover my hands, a gift to be able to cook my own food and eat it in a clam and beautiful setting of this garden with a fig tree bearing signs of fruit over my head. As a city boy I find so much pleasure in this small-contained farm setting. I balance it by going to a superb 5 rhythms dance class on Monday nights, a class of mostly free form dance, of allowing the body to flow in its own rhythm, connecting with beat and other dancing souls on the wooden basketball floor. Dance is liberation for me, a compliment to my Yoga practice, from form to no form; breath is always present filling my lungs and heart with oxygen, fueling my energy.
Today I wish to thank all my teachers along the way, for my life as it is today, and my teachings are a long necklace containing their pearls of wisdom.
I celebrate all that he has offered us, and I am grateful for all that he shares with us beyond his body. Guruji's teachings shall live on and keep inspiring more students on the path of yoga, of union, of teacher and student practicing. I am grateful for the tradition we inherited, and the seeds that have been planted. We can see the flowers booming in many new traditions of yoga from power to Jivamukti through most Vinyasa flow classes out there.
Since March I have had the privilege to teach in Guruji’s tradition here in Palo Alto. Early morning Ashtanga Mysore classes 6 days a week and even some afternoon classes. I am blessed with dedicated students and a body that allows me to be of service to others. The classes are filled with the sound of breathing, of bodies moving on the mat pose after pose, like waves, flowing one after the other in a calm rhythm finding the connection to the great ocean of life.
As I write I look over my screen to see a beautiful vegetable and flower garden. It was such a treat to see how hard earth can be tilled and worked, and how with the aid of water and sun small plants grow to become flowers and lettuce. It is a miracle to watch. Very much like the miracle of students practicing finding growth in their body, mind and spirit. It is a gift to have the time to garden and feel the earth cover my hands, a gift to be able to cook my own food and eat it in a clam and beautiful setting of this garden with a fig tree bearing signs of fruit over my head. As a city boy I find so much pleasure in this small-contained farm setting. I balance it by going to a superb 5 rhythms dance class on Monday nights, a class of mostly free form dance, of allowing the body to flow in its own rhythm, connecting with beat and other dancing souls on the wooden basketball floor. Dance is liberation for me, a compliment to my Yoga practice, from form to no form; breath is always present filling my lungs and heart with oxygen, fueling my energy.
Today I wish to thank all my teachers along the way, for my life as it is today, and my teachings are a long necklace containing their pearls of wisdom.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Your Body as your Temple
The Yoga practice, being sore and Injuries
Seems like most people I know suffer from some sort of injury one time or another. Here are a few tips, from Yoga practice to supplements and food.
Before I begin my practice I bring my awareness to my body. Feeling where it is today, awake, stiff, sore or energetic. Then I take a moment to feel gratitude towards it. I am here, alive, breathing in this body. As I connect with my breath I add a smile, and feel softness. ahhhh :)
I am feeling sore, to practice or not to practice?
Yes, keep practicing, but: First lets distinguish between pain and discomfort or being sore. Pain is not good, and one should stop as soon as pain is there. Discomfort, however, is a sign to yield, to take notice, and to breathe into the place of discomfort. This allows the body to open. Soreness should be treated like discomfort. There is no need to stop practicing—just practice with extra awareness, take it slow and gentle, and modify where needed. When sore, practice to the place of discomfort and not beyond. Practicing 80% of my normal is where I usually like to go.
Remember: Practice is good, but know your edge – there is no benefit in pushing too hard. Treating your body with respect and honoring the signs it gives you is crucial. If we learn to listen to the body, and understand that every day, every moment is different, then we can practice in a sustainable manner. If yesterday, or 10 years ago, there were things that were very easy for me, it does not mean that they are easy today, and I do not expect to perform the same way everyday. Every moment is like a new beginning, and I trust what my body tells me at that particular moment.
Helpful foods for maintaining a healthy body
• Pineapple and garlic both have anti-inflammatory properties and help the body heal from inflammation internally.
• Fresh fruit helps the body absorb the helpful mineral MSM (see below).
• Dark Leafy greens, like kale, beet and mustard greens, arugula, baby salad mix, etc.
• Sprouts
• Raw vegetable juices or blends: I like to blend my veggies so I keep the fiber and have no waste. They become more like thick soups. I use whatever is around. You can play and use any of the ingredients below, no rule!
• Dark, leafy greens
• Celery (absolutely essential due to its high water content)
• A quarter beet (the juice becomes bright red)
• A small piece of daikon radish
• A small carrot (not always as it is very sweet)
• Herbs if around (parsley, cilantro) great for cleansing
• A cube of ginger (can get spicy!)
• Apple juice to get the blender going (100% raw, unfiltered juice)
• A pinch of salt
• A clove of garlic
Supplements:
3 grams MSM with 500 mg Vitamin C and lots of water
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
MSM originates in the ocean but is extracted from the lignin of pine trees. Good quality MSM is indistinguishable from the MSM found in broccoli, peppers, Brussels sprouts, onions, asparagus, cabbage, and mother's milk. MSM acts as a powerful antioxidant and healing source of natural sulfur.
Don’t I get enough from food? Yoga students tend to for put a great deal of stress on their muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments; and sulfur (MSM), is an essential mineral for promoting elasticity, strength, and the general health of our bodies' tissues. You can find MSM many times sold together in joint formulas, or as a therapy for hair, nails and skin. This is because MSM helps repair every cell of our body.
You can read more on this site http://www.all-natural.com/msm.html
To read the article on my blog page click here
Seems like most people I know suffer from some sort of injury one time or another. Here are a few tips, from Yoga practice to supplements and food.
Before I begin my practice I bring my awareness to my body. Feeling where it is today, awake, stiff, sore or energetic. Then I take a moment to feel gratitude towards it. I am here, alive, breathing in this body. As I connect with my breath I add a smile, and feel softness. ahhhh :)
I am feeling sore, to practice or not to practice?
Yes, keep practicing, but: First lets distinguish between pain and discomfort or being sore. Pain is not good, and one should stop as soon as pain is there. Discomfort, however, is a sign to yield, to take notice, and to breathe into the place of discomfort. This allows the body to open. Soreness should be treated like discomfort. There is no need to stop practicing—just practice with extra awareness, take it slow and gentle, and modify where needed. When sore, practice to the place of discomfort and not beyond. Practicing 80% of my normal is where I usually like to go.
Remember: Practice is good, but know your edge – there is no benefit in pushing too hard. Treating your body with respect and honoring the signs it gives you is crucial. If we learn to listen to the body, and understand that every day, every moment is different, then we can practice in a sustainable manner. If yesterday, or 10 years ago, there were things that were very easy for me, it does not mean that they are easy today, and I do not expect to perform the same way everyday. Every moment is like a new beginning, and I trust what my body tells me at that particular moment.
Helpful foods for maintaining a healthy body
• Pineapple and garlic both have anti-inflammatory properties and help the body heal from inflammation internally.
• Fresh fruit helps the body absorb the helpful mineral MSM (see below).
• Dark Leafy greens, like kale, beet and mustard greens, arugula, baby salad mix, etc.
• Sprouts
• Raw vegetable juices or blends: I like to blend my veggies so I keep the fiber and have no waste. They become more like thick soups. I use whatever is around. You can play and use any of the ingredients below, no rule!
• Dark, leafy greens
• Celery (absolutely essential due to its high water content)
• A quarter beet (the juice becomes bright red)
• A small piece of daikon radish
• A small carrot (not always as it is very sweet)
• Herbs if around (parsley, cilantro) great for cleansing
• A cube of ginger (can get spicy!)
• Apple juice to get the blender going (100% raw, unfiltered juice)
• A pinch of salt
• A clove of garlic
Supplements:
3 grams MSM with 500 mg Vitamin C and lots of water
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
MSM originates in the ocean but is extracted from the lignin of pine trees. Good quality MSM is indistinguishable from the MSM found in broccoli, peppers, Brussels sprouts, onions, asparagus, cabbage, and mother's milk. MSM acts as a powerful antioxidant and healing source of natural sulfur.
Don’t I get enough from food? Yoga students tend to for put a great deal of stress on their muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments; and sulfur (MSM), is an essential mineral for promoting elasticity, strength, and the general health of our bodies' tissues. You can find MSM many times sold together in joint formulas, or as a therapy for hair, nails and skin. This is because MSM helps repair every cell of our body.
You can read more on this site http://www.all-natural.com/msm.html
To read the article on my blog page click here
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Palo Alto Yoga and Life
Sunday was my first day of teaching Ashtanga Mysore style here in Palo Alto. I am enjoying my new life greatly. Early morning wake ups with a practice that leads to teaching a class. Some other classes through the day, like the class of the young mommy’s, lots of cooking, reading and studying further in the realm of yoga, nutrition and blissful living.
I just returned from a long walk around the neighborhood. Private homes with many different styles, some look more Mexican influenced, some Euro country, some modern and others the classic American. In common they have well maintained gardens. Whatever style, the clean front lawn or the more hidden garden with paths and trees, the slightly Asian with Japanese maples or a little fountain, I am blessed to enjoy all of these as I stroll in the mostly empty streets with only the occasional father jogging after his little daughter riding a pink bicycle.
My home is a back house of another old house, simple, with beautiful wooden floors, a large kitchen, my own bedroom and living room. I feel rich having all this for myself. No roommate, no neighbors bellow or above, what more could I ask for?
Sometimes I wonder how people end up anywhere but NY or SF, or maybe Paris…and I smile when I think of the sequence of events that led me here. A brother in a random place like Menlo Park helps, a yoga practice, some residency...
I am grateful for Heleen and Adarsh that allowed me this opportunity, for the Yoga students that allow me to teach, and for the sun that is one more cause for all this blossom around.
I just returned from a long walk around the neighborhood. Private homes with many different styles, some look more Mexican influenced, some Euro country, some modern and others the classic American. In common they have well maintained gardens. Whatever style, the clean front lawn or the more hidden garden with paths and trees, the slightly Asian with Japanese maples or a little fountain, I am blessed to enjoy all of these as I stroll in the mostly empty streets with only the occasional father jogging after his little daughter riding a pink bicycle.
My home is a back house of another old house, simple, with beautiful wooden floors, a large kitchen, my own bedroom and living room. I feel rich having all this for myself. No roommate, no neighbors bellow or above, what more could I ask for?
Sometimes I wonder how people end up anywhere but NY or SF, or maybe Paris…and I smile when I think of the sequence of events that led me here. A brother in a random place like Menlo Park helps, a yoga practice, some residency...
I am grateful for Heleen and Adarsh that allowed me this opportunity, for the Yoga students that allow me to teach, and for the sun that is one more cause for all this blossom around.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Blissful Living - Yoga and Nutrition - The workshop
How was it? I keep being asked?
It was one of the best weekends of my life! I had so much fun. I enjoyed the energy of the group, the practice, and was super surprised at the amount of info I carry with me. Good thing we do not need to buy more hard-drives for all that our mind holds. It would be nice to see my hard drives creating new cells within themselves when new info arrives.
Friday, October 24th, 12 participants and my self were sitting in a circle and meditating. Sitting tall sharing the same air, breathing in and out as the energies merge.
While creating the workshop, I tried to imagine the perfect workshop for me. What would I really want to see in a workshop? Weekend workshops always seem quick to me, and rarely do I feel we went deep enough.
So Friday night after a brief introduction of each other, and an intro to the weekend, we dived right in. Filling out an Ayurvedic body type questionnaire, and then a talk. I presented the Blissful Living approach I’ve been cultivating and working on for the past16 years. A lot of info was shared in a very relaxed way.
We finished class with half an hour of restorative Yoga, getting ready for a hot tub or sleep.
Since I wanted to give more “meat” to Friday, I offered an optional blissful Yoga class in the afternoon. And oh did we go deep!
Saturday we had two sessions during the day, 3 hours each. We practiced Pranayama, Asana (poses), and meditation and studied more about nutrition. It was a beautiful combination.
Saturday eve, as an optional gathering, we met for a free form dance session. ( I was the DJ….some 70’s, 80’s and electro music blend…)
An hour and a half of complete let go, just pure fun, completed with Savasana (the corpse pose).
Sunday was mostly Asana, and a closing circle.
We sat close, felt each other, just a weekend passed, but it felt very solid.
Words were thrown into the circle: “gratitude, calm, happy, dark leafy greens, courage, permission, love, MSM, balance…”
During the next day or two, I noticed how the participants were moving with awareness towards nutrition and a healthy life style; the food plates were colorful and had raw and greens, others went and bought some supplements, I saw herbal tea replacing coffee, sitting quietly outside and chewing food longer, drinking water with full attention, I see organic discussions happening in the lodge, talk about fermentation and raw dairy…
A feeling of joy, surrender and satisfaction comes over me. I have found my calling.
Teaching and sharing with others is the greatest gift I have received.
I now follow the footsteps of my parents, both educators. Both are people, who have had the idea of sharing, teaching and celebrating with others a mission.
Sing along at home with more people that can ever fit in (“if there is room in the heart there is room in the house”, they used to tell me), dancing down fifth Avenue in NY, my Mom led her folk dance group in the late 60’s, teaching in JCC’s and bringing tours to Israel, my Dad still has people who talk about him with great appreciation decades later.
It is the teaching with compassion, finding the middle way, and accepting change even within the teachings that is the light to my teachings.
Thank you all those that attended, those that shared their encouragement before the workshop, and those that inquired after.
Thank you all that made this possible, and those that help this carry on.
December 12 is my next weekend workshop.
May I always be of service to others.
It was one of the best weekends of my life! I had so much fun. I enjoyed the energy of the group, the practice, and was super surprised at the amount of info I carry with me. Good thing we do not need to buy more hard-drives for all that our mind holds. It would be nice to see my hard drives creating new cells within themselves when new info arrives.
Friday, October 24th, 12 participants and my self were sitting in a circle and meditating. Sitting tall sharing the same air, breathing in and out as the energies merge.
While creating the workshop, I tried to imagine the perfect workshop for me. What would I really want to see in a workshop? Weekend workshops always seem quick to me, and rarely do I feel we went deep enough.
So Friday night after a brief introduction of each other, and an intro to the weekend, we dived right in. Filling out an Ayurvedic body type questionnaire, and then a talk. I presented the Blissful Living approach I’ve been cultivating and working on for the past16 years. A lot of info was shared in a very relaxed way.
We finished class with half an hour of restorative Yoga, getting ready for a hot tub or sleep.
Since I wanted to give more “meat” to Friday, I offered an optional blissful Yoga class in the afternoon. And oh did we go deep!
Saturday we had two sessions during the day, 3 hours each. We practiced Pranayama, Asana (poses), and meditation and studied more about nutrition. It was a beautiful combination.
Saturday eve, as an optional gathering, we met for a free form dance session. ( I was the DJ….some 70’s, 80’s and electro music blend…)
An hour and a half of complete let go, just pure fun, completed with Savasana (the corpse pose).
Sunday was mostly Asana, and a closing circle.
We sat close, felt each other, just a weekend passed, but it felt very solid.
Words were thrown into the circle: “gratitude, calm, happy, dark leafy greens, courage, permission, love, MSM, balance…”
During the next day or two, I noticed how the participants were moving with awareness towards nutrition and a healthy life style; the food plates were colorful and had raw and greens, others went and bought some supplements, I saw herbal tea replacing coffee, sitting quietly outside and chewing food longer, drinking water with full attention, I see organic discussions happening in the lodge, talk about fermentation and raw dairy…
A feeling of joy, surrender and satisfaction comes over me. I have found my calling.
Teaching and sharing with others is the greatest gift I have received.
I now follow the footsteps of my parents, both educators. Both are people, who have had the idea of sharing, teaching and celebrating with others a mission.
Sing along at home with more people that can ever fit in (“if there is room in the heart there is room in the house”, they used to tell me), dancing down fifth Avenue in NY, my Mom led her folk dance group in the late 60’s, teaching in JCC’s and bringing tours to Israel, my Dad still has people who talk about him with great appreciation decades later.
It is the teaching with compassion, finding the middle way, and accepting change even within the teachings that is the light to my teachings.
Thank you all those that attended, those that shared their encouragement before the workshop, and those that inquired after.
Thank you all that made this possible, and those that help this carry on.
December 12 is my next weekend workshop.
May I always be of service to others.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Wednesday, October 1st, Esalen life
4:45, I open my eyes to see sparkling stars within the darkness. The days are shorter, and the mornings are dark. The skylight reveals a clear sky, probably a sunny day ahead.
I prepare quietly as my roommate sleeps below, hop on my black Suzuki Katana (motorcycle), and head to the main property a mile down the road.
I peek into Huxley, the room where I’ll be teaching later to make sure it looks OK.
Down to the tubs, soaking in darkness with a vast dark sky above.
I take a quick cold shower and walk up to Huxley, the large room where my Yoga class is held.
I prepare the room, and then do my own practice till 7:15. Students arrive slowly and join me in meditation. By 7:30 the class begins. Blissful Yoga.
“Beautiful” I say as I see someone that cannot flex deeply but tries to go deeper with her breath. Breathing in, she lengthens and opens just a tiny bit more, but for her, the sky has opened.
After the silent and powerful Savasana (corpse pose where all are laying and resting), I put mats and props away, give hugs, exchange gratitude and get breakfast. It’s Wednesday and Sheila made her raw Muesli. Yum!
Before 10:00 I walk on the little bridge over the creek and head to the dance dome. Dancing with Vin Marti - Soul Motion, a seven-day dance workshop. What joy to move so freely, to connect so intimately with others, to be alive and grateful for this body.
“Feel your feet, where are you now. Feel your hands, your sky dancers. Your breath, how are you breathing now? See the space around you. Soft gaze.”
Vin has this remarkable way of connecting the dance with awareness, with being in the present “what is happening now? Right now?”
We are 45 dancers of all ages, moving flowing alone and with each other.
At times dancing with a guided instruction, maybe with someone else or a group, at times dancing, just moving, inside with an awareness of the space, of the canvas we dance in.
12:30 I head back, get a quick lunch and into the kitchen. It’s my Chef night at Esalen. I am still in training, but really, get to be the Chef.
Wednesdays are fish nights at Esalen, and as a fish lover, I feel fortunate to serve the community healthy delicious meals.
Local fresh sea bass brought over by the fisherman himself is served with a maple ginger tamari glaze, topped with fennel. A kabucha (Japanese squash) miso soup, greens wilted in a warm Dijon vinaigrette, and brown Basmati rice with scallions accompany the fish. Tofu with the same glaze topped with red bell pepper julienne and sunflower sprouts is the veggie option.
Running the kitchen while preparing the food fills m heart with a sense of service. As people are enjoying dinner I peak out to the lodge and smile. Gordon Wheeler the CEO and president of Esalen, comes in to the kitchen to thank and compliment me.
Wednesday October 1st, thank you for so much opportunity.
I prepare quietly as my roommate sleeps below, hop on my black Suzuki Katana (motorcycle), and head to the main property a mile down the road.
I peek into Huxley, the room where I’ll be teaching later to make sure it looks OK.
Down to the tubs, soaking in darkness with a vast dark sky above.
I take a quick cold shower and walk up to Huxley, the large room where my Yoga class is held.
I prepare the room, and then do my own practice till 7:15. Students arrive slowly and join me in meditation. By 7:30 the class begins. Blissful Yoga.
“Beautiful” I say as I see someone that cannot flex deeply but tries to go deeper with her breath. Breathing in, she lengthens and opens just a tiny bit more, but for her, the sky has opened.
After the silent and powerful Savasana (corpse pose where all are laying and resting), I put mats and props away, give hugs, exchange gratitude and get breakfast. It’s Wednesday and Sheila made her raw Muesli. Yum!
Before 10:00 I walk on the little bridge over the creek and head to the dance dome. Dancing with Vin Marti - Soul Motion, a seven-day dance workshop. What joy to move so freely, to connect so intimately with others, to be alive and grateful for this body.
“Feel your feet, where are you now. Feel your hands, your sky dancers. Your breath, how are you breathing now? See the space around you. Soft gaze.”
Vin has this remarkable way of connecting the dance with awareness, with being in the present “what is happening now? Right now?”
We are 45 dancers of all ages, moving flowing alone and with each other.
At times dancing with a guided instruction, maybe with someone else or a group, at times dancing, just moving, inside with an awareness of the space, of the canvas we dance in.
12:30 I head back, get a quick lunch and into the kitchen. It’s my Chef night at Esalen. I am still in training, but really, get to be the Chef.
Wednesdays are fish nights at Esalen, and as a fish lover, I feel fortunate to serve the community healthy delicious meals.
Local fresh sea bass brought over by the fisherman himself is served with a maple ginger tamari glaze, topped with fennel. A kabucha (Japanese squash) miso soup, greens wilted in a warm Dijon vinaigrette, and brown Basmati rice with scallions accompany the fish. Tofu with the same glaze topped with red bell pepper julienne and sunflower sprouts is the veggie option.
Running the kitchen while preparing the food fills m heart with a sense of service. As people are enjoying dinner I peak out to the lodge and smile. Gordon Wheeler the CEO and president of Esalen, comes in to the kitchen to thank and compliment me.
Wednesday October 1st, thank you for so much opportunity.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Blessings to Boulder and Welcome to the Bay area
The Harmonium filled the air with tunes accompanying Richards beautiful chant in Sanskrit.
We were brought back to life with the sound s of a singing bowl, deep, smooth and vibrating. Slowly coming out Savasana (the corpse pose, or final relaxation) we sat up, and stayed still for a moment, then, bowing with gratitude, to the teacher, fellow practitioners, to us for showing up, and to all beings.
The class seems to float out of the room. I look into friend’s eyes and realize, this is one of those moments where the whole class experienced something beyond words. A glow, a softness, seems like everyone was on drugs, a kind of joy that makes one want to smile for no reason, to do nothing and just appreciate the moment.
The following day, we met in the park to celebrate the end of the teacher’s intensive.
40 beautiful people from around the world, a moment ago strangers, now feeling a sweet connection, a knowing, a shared experience. Richard and Mary, our teachers for the month are now standing together, with two sweet smiles they have set a beautiful example.
Richard Freeman is a long time student of Yoga, a long time teacher, a dedicated practitioner, an amazing chanter, a source of inspiration and beautiful example of a true teacher.
Mary the compassionate bodhisattva, the one that ran the show behind the scene, the mother of us all, the care taker and the teacher, humble and shining, was there as the complimentary piece to Richard.
Beyond them as teachers it is an inspiration to see them as a couple. Like Fi said (more or less) “makes me want to grow old with someone”.
Apart from the Yoga, meditation and philosophy this past month was more than anything a month of gratitude towards people. Sharing the house with Fiona, Tony, Ross, and Marcus, with whom I’ve shared the same room, was such a unique experience. Each person filled with an amazing life story, many in transition (lots of ex high tech in the air), generous beings that are truly open to see what else is out there.
The evening walks to get food, the endless exploration of a pose and its alignment, philosophical discussions, traditionalism, food, nutrition, music, Californication (the TV series) nights, Fi’s famous south walnut Banana bread…
Boulder itself, the beautiful town that shared with me it’s running waters everywhere, its green, the nice little homes and the quaint city center has become a real home for this time.
Instead of skyscrapers as a backdrop, the mountains surrounding it let huge rock formations reach up in a beautiful carving. The parks, the outdoorsy feel, the bronze sculptures around town, the small rock gardens for children to play, fountains and live music on the promenade, lively bars next door to family restaurant, healthy café’s next to the Prana shop or Billabong, make the unique setting for this pretty homogenous town.
A mostly white town surrounded by cowboy country out side.
Denise the performer, the contortionist, the heart Yoga teacher, a dear friend (which one are you Denise?) drove me to the nice Denver airport, where after a coffee (for nostalgic NY reasons), I departed on my return flight to San Jose where Kelly picked me up. There is nothing like a loving familiar face when coming out of the airport. We drove to downtown Palo Alto and entered the fabulous Stanford theatre (showing movies since 1925), watched The Animal Crackers with the Marx Brothers from 1930, ate old-fashioned popcorn, and laughed out loud.
I shall be staying at Gil and Debbie’s place for a few days till the calming news about the Big Sur fire arrives. Seems like it's getting closer to closure.
So sweet to have family around, makes all the difference in the world.
We were brought back to life with the sound s of a singing bowl, deep, smooth and vibrating. Slowly coming out Savasana (the corpse pose, or final relaxation) we sat up, and stayed still for a moment, then, bowing with gratitude, to the teacher, fellow practitioners, to us for showing up, and to all beings.
The class seems to float out of the room. I look into friend’s eyes and realize, this is one of those moments where the whole class experienced something beyond words. A glow, a softness, seems like everyone was on drugs, a kind of joy that makes one want to smile for no reason, to do nothing and just appreciate the moment.
The following day, we met in the park to celebrate the end of the teacher’s intensive.
40 beautiful people from around the world, a moment ago strangers, now feeling a sweet connection, a knowing, a shared experience. Richard and Mary, our teachers for the month are now standing together, with two sweet smiles they have set a beautiful example.
Richard Freeman is a long time student of Yoga, a long time teacher, a dedicated practitioner, an amazing chanter, a source of inspiration and beautiful example of a true teacher.
Mary the compassionate bodhisattva, the one that ran the show behind the scene, the mother of us all, the care taker and the teacher, humble and shining, was there as the complimentary piece to Richard.
Beyond them as teachers it is an inspiration to see them as a couple. Like Fi said (more or less) “makes me want to grow old with someone”.
Apart from the Yoga, meditation and philosophy this past month was more than anything a month of gratitude towards people. Sharing the house with Fiona, Tony, Ross, and Marcus, with whom I’ve shared the same room, was such a unique experience. Each person filled with an amazing life story, many in transition (lots of ex high tech in the air), generous beings that are truly open to see what else is out there.
The evening walks to get food, the endless exploration of a pose and its alignment, philosophical discussions, traditionalism, food, nutrition, music, Californication (the TV series) nights, Fi’s famous south walnut Banana bread…
Boulder itself, the beautiful town that shared with me it’s running waters everywhere, its green, the nice little homes and the quaint city center has become a real home for this time.
Instead of skyscrapers as a backdrop, the mountains surrounding it let huge rock formations reach up in a beautiful carving. The parks, the outdoorsy feel, the bronze sculptures around town, the small rock gardens for children to play, fountains and live music on the promenade, lively bars next door to family restaurant, healthy café’s next to the Prana shop or Billabong, make the unique setting for this pretty homogenous town.
A mostly white town surrounded by cowboy country out side.
Denise the performer, the contortionist, the heart Yoga teacher, a dear friend (which one are you Denise?) drove me to the nice Denver airport, where after a coffee (for nostalgic NY reasons), I departed on my return flight to San Jose where Kelly picked me up. There is nothing like a loving familiar face when coming out of the airport. We drove to downtown Palo Alto and entered the fabulous Stanford theatre (showing movies since 1925), watched The Animal Crackers with the Marx Brothers from 1930, ate old-fashioned popcorn, and laughed out loud.
I shall be staying at Gil and Debbie’s place for a few days till the calming news about the Big Sur fire arrives. Seems like it's getting closer to closure.
So sweet to have family around, makes all the difference in the world.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Yoga with Richard Freeman
June 8th, Sunday morning, my birthday, sitting at the Yoga Workshop, Richards’s shala (practice room). The simple room, one large space is full of new faces sitting on Yoga mats awaiting the beginning of this month long teacher intensive.
Mary, Richard’s wife, gives a briefing on this coming month and before we know it Richard walks in. The room fills with a feeling of something great that just happened. Richard enters, great and simple, starts without too much talking.
Our mornings, which consist of some Asana (poses) practice, learning about alignment, adjustments, breathe and gaze, are followed by chanting and philosophy.
In the afternoons I take a Mysore style class, optional to the program.
The group is very international. Students from Greater China, Japan, Europe, NY, CA, Mexico, Canada and locals from boulder all unified with a set sequence of poses practiced daily around the globe. (The Ashtanga sequence)
Richard, calmly sits on his cushion, with clear eyes, guides us through the
Sanskrit pronunciation. Richard seems to have child like qualities, of love and excitement toward the little details.
Yesterday afternoon we walked over to the Shamabhala center to practice meditation.
I manage to walk everywhere here, such a wonderful feeling. Just take Pearl Street down one direction, and you hit a beautiful promenade, of downtown Boulder. The other direction will take you to a big shopping area including Whole Foods and the Mac store.
Walking along perfect sidewalks with green patches, brooks follow aside or cross under, and the Flat Irons, the famous Boulder Mountains rise up with pride, and together with the dramatic sky, frame the small population of Boulder (100,000 or so). A population that seems healthy and active for the most part. A very outdoorsy feeling, a college town, a town of yoga, massage, Rolfing, meditation and centers and Universities of alternative lifestyles.
I continue my tradition of constant summer that has been flowing through my life for over a year now. Here, the sun shines most of the time. Occasional winds or some threat of rain appear, but in general, it’s dry and beautiful, and my tan is still chocolaty or olive skin (is it really olive? Where does that come from?).
Happy to be here, to keep on studying and living life to it’s fullest. New ideas for workshops arise, and I hope to present them soon.
Mary, Richard’s wife, gives a briefing on this coming month and before we know it Richard walks in. The room fills with a feeling of something great that just happened. Richard enters, great and simple, starts without too much talking.
Our mornings, which consist of some Asana (poses) practice, learning about alignment, adjustments, breathe and gaze, are followed by chanting and philosophy.
In the afternoons I take a Mysore style class, optional to the program.
The group is very international. Students from Greater China, Japan, Europe, NY, CA, Mexico, Canada and locals from boulder all unified with a set sequence of poses practiced daily around the globe. (The Ashtanga sequence)
Richard, calmly sits on his cushion, with clear eyes, guides us through the
Sanskrit pronunciation. Richard seems to have child like qualities, of love and excitement toward the little details.
Yesterday afternoon we walked over to the Shamabhala center to practice meditation.
I manage to walk everywhere here, such a wonderful feeling. Just take Pearl Street down one direction, and you hit a beautiful promenade, of downtown Boulder. The other direction will take you to a big shopping area including Whole Foods and the Mac store.
Walking along perfect sidewalks with green patches, brooks follow aside or cross under, and the Flat Irons, the famous Boulder Mountains rise up with pride, and together with the dramatic sky, frame the small population of Boulder (100,000 or so). A population that seems healthy and active for the most part. A very outdoorsy feeling, a college town, a town of yoga, massage, Rolfing, meditation and centers and Universities of alternative lifestyles.
I continue my tradition of constant summer that has been flowing through my life for over a year now. Here, the sun shines most of the time. Occasional winds or some threat of rain appear, but in general, it’s dry and beautiful, and my tan is still chocolaty or olive skin (is it really olive? Where does that come from?).
Happy to be here, to keep on studying and living life to it’s fullest. New ideas for workshops arise, and I hope to present them soon.
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