flexing the spine and dropping the ego

The above video features five minutes of spinal flexing, both seated and on the hands and knees. Spinal flexion is great for preventing and alleviating pain and tension from the lower, middle and upper back.

I must admit: up to now, I have neglected to post any videos that feature my midsection. No, I am not pregnant. Just overweight, and I carry it in my abdominal region. I have been "waiting" until I lost weight and was less self-conscious about my body. But, in meditating, practicing yoga (on and off the mat) and reading A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle, I have become more aware of the habits and patterns of my ego. My ego is saying, "You're too fat, you're supposed to be this healthy, yoga teacher person, do not put your big belly on the internet for all to see." So, although I am not thrilled about the way I look in the above video, I am posting it anyway, because spinal flexes are a powerful exercise and an integral movement in hatha yoga. Take that, ego!

odds + ends

"God is inscrutable, mysterious and unknowable. We do not understand what life is about, what it means, why were are here and what will happen to us after our brief sojourn on the planet ends. We are saved, in the end, by faith – faith that life is not meaningless and random. … Small acts of compassion … have a power that lives after us." -Chris Hedges, American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America

This is a great article on the state of our country and culture by Peggy Noonan. Although I personally disagree with her point about Barack Obama needing to prove his love for America, I can see how people of older generations might need to see more proof of his patriotism.

the energy of amala

Last night, I attended the Sivananda hatha yoga class led by my dear friend (and first yoga teacher!), Lila Lolling. She is about to embark on a yearlong journey to upstate New York, Val Morin, Canada, and finally India -- all in the name of deepening her practice as well as doing research on ancient yogic signs. Her calling, which I have seen so beautifully blossom over the past 7 years, is to offer yoga and meditation teachings to the deaf community. She does this through her non-profit, the Deaf Yoga Foundation. I am so thrilled for and inspired by her!

Her deaf yoga classes (which are signed and spoken) have been held at the Amala Foundation, which I visited for the first time last night. It's tucked away on South 8th Street, just across Lamar from the Alamo Drafthouse, yet you walk onto the grounds and feel worlds away. I instantly felt the peaceful, quiet energy of the place as I walked around. There is a huge oak tree right in the middle of the front yard which provides shade and beauty. It was 7 o'clock, cool and relaxing. Large wind chimes rang as the gentle breeze blew. I met a woman who works there and she told me I was welcome to come anytime, even if there's no class or event. The yoga room/sanctuary is always open and it's considered a community space. I plan to spend more time there. Check it out!

give your wrist a twist

backyard bliss

As with everything, it's a work in progress, but here is my beautiful backyard/Zen garden/happy place:



I acknowledge my truly amazing roommate, Leanne, for her vision and hard work in getting this reluctant gardener moving and spurring along the above project(s). In other news, I have booked my summer trips to Boston and India! I will be gone from mid-June through early August. I feel so thrilled and honored to have the means to travel to my heart's content. What a sweet reward for the challenges of teaching. Namaste, y'all.

a mental health day

I took the day off today. Slept in a little, had my car inspected, walked Lucy and had lunch with a dear old friend. Got a mani-pedi and am now parked at Progress doing some reading and writing. Today, it has been three years since I had a nervous breakdown and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It seems like that was three thousand years ago.

To me, today, enlightenment is knowing (remembering) that we are free. We are already whole and wonderful. We must keep in touch with this wholeness, this wonder, by being who we are -- doing things that feed our soul, owning things that have meaning, and letting go of all the rest (the fear, jealousy, bitterness, victimization, hatred, regret, et cetera).

The things that feed me are yoga, meditation, writing, reading, big gulps of fresh air, sailing with my dad, watching old movies with my mom, long conversations with close friends. What are they for you? What would you do if you were on vacation in your own town? Do that, then, every day, or as often as possible. You, after all, are the boss. The choices you make, the actions you take, they all pile up to form this blessed life. Just be you -- it's all that's expected!

a wise man once said...

"The great thing about love is that you always get a second chance."
- John Lennon, Rishikesh, India, 1968

full moon yoga

one of my favorite yoga teachers, charles macinerney, holds free classes on the evening of the full moon throughout the spring and summer. the classes are held outdoors in northwest austin on chappell hill, which is close to mopac and 45th street.

here are this year's dates:
-Saturday, April 19, 7 pm
-Monday, May 19, 7:30 pm
-Wednesday, June 18, 7:30 pm
-Friday, July 18, 7:30 pm
-Saturday, August 16, 7 pm

troublemakers

Since no one really knows anything about God,
those who think they do are just
troublemakers.
-Hafiz


humility is remembering i know nothing.
yes, i think
i feel and create
i love and hurt and teach.
but life is just complex beyond complex
concepts are just words pointing to the moon
and i know nothing.

i am no better and no worse
than a fern
or a calf
or a clerk
or a star.

i am nothing and everything.
simultaneously
the biggest loser and
the champion of the day.

the motherland

india. birthplace of yoga, world capital of spirituality. i have longed to visit india for many years, and this summer it finally seems to be materializing. i am planning a trip to north india, to stay at an ashram and study and practice yoga for 4-6 weeks. i am eyeing a city called rishikesh, which is near the foothills of the himalayas, on the banks of the ganges river. there are a number of yoga ashrams there which i am researching and contacting. in late june, i will be flying into new delhi and then traveling by train or taxi through the noisy confusion of a foreign land. i am considering flying out of boston instead of austin and spending a few days there before heading east. (tommy..?)

i could not be more excited. it will be a pilgrimage, for sure. the goal: to study authentic yoga. though i certainly entertain notions of romanticized spiritualism pervading the very air of the country, i know that 'the only zen one finds on a mountain is the zen one brings up there.' it's not where you are but who you aren't.

p.s. if you have been to northern india, or to india at all, and have tips for the weary traveler, please do share them!

more mantras

This 7 minute video blog covers two forms of mantra meditation from the Kundalini style of yoga: SAT NAM (which translates to "the truth is my identity") and SA TA NA MA. Mantra is a great way to focus the mind for beginning and intermediate meditators. Peace!

upward and downward dog

my parents got two new chihuahua puppies. they make lucy look like a giant. worst of all, they named them "tia" and "molly," short for (get this): tortilla and tamale.

coastal backbend