Michelle's favorite affirmations from Living Your Yoga by Judith Hanson Lasater

*I commit to living my life fully in this moment.
*My yoga practice is discipline in action.
*This moment is the perfect moment to let go.
*I am perfect just as I am.
*I am choosing to let go of my self-judgement now.
*I have the courage to act from my heart and the compassion to stay open.
*Courage is the willingness to act in the face of the unknown.
*I have compassion for myself. I have compassion for others.

OM shanti! I spent last week at the Body Mind Spirit Conference in Santa Clara. It was an altogether inspiring week of excellent workshops led by renowned and amazing teachers. I took:
- a class with master and founder of Kripalu and Amrit yoga Yogi Amrit Desai on the heart and spirit of hatha yoga,
- a core-strengthening, bandha lifting vinyasa flow with my favorite flow teacher ever, David Moreno,
-two lessons on yoga for scoliosis with Palo Alto Iyengar teacher Elise Miller,
- a workshop on the sacro-iliac joint and so much more with the down-to-earth yoga genius Judith Lasater,
- learned the technique of 'maiyatri,' or loving kindness meditation with David Nictern of NYC's OM Yoga Center,
- participated in a revolutionary partner yoga workshop with Cain Carroll, and
- learned all about Mudras (sacred hand positions) with Kaliji of Kali Ray TriYoga

What I came away with from these experiences really cannot be put into words, but I do feel that my personal practice and teaching are stronger than ever.

Whether you are new to yoga or have practiced for years, these types of events, workshops, and retreats can open up a whole new level to your practice. Therefore, I am creating a new section on Yoga Freedom.com which will list my recommended Bay Area and beyond yoga-related events. Please check the site often, as the information is constantly evolving. Have a blessed weekend!