New Focus of the Month
It must have been a Chinese holiday because I found this offering in front of my building earlier this week.
Happy September, beautiful holy beings. To practice yoga is such a gift! It has given my life direction and meaning and teaches me how to become my true Self each and every day (can you tell I’ve already taken class today?). Every new month, there is a new focus at Jivamukti and this month it’s “Daily Asana Practice.” What a perfect focus as we transition away from laxidasical Summer into steady Fall. Thinking of going to yoga as a practice helped me really accept it into my daily life. You don’t do yoga for anyone but yourself; as a means to vibrant health, clear thinking, and spiritual activation, and in this way, yoga is the ultimate you-time. It is the practice of working on yourself and creating who you want to be, every single day. At the end of this month’s focus, after explaining the myriad benefits of practicing, Sharon challenges us to try taking class 30 days in a row. Why not? You have nothing to gain but your Self.
Seek Safe Haven in Sharon Gannon’s New CD Sharanam
Beautiful Sharon in the forrest.
Sharon Gannon, the cofounder of Jivamukti Yoga and my beloved teacher, recently released a new cd that is like a breath of fresh air. If you have practiced at Jivamukti at all this month, you have probably heard her music. All of the teachers, her beloved students, dutifully play her songs throughout their incredible classes. Every time I hear one of her songs while in class, I feel relief. Sharanam means refuge in Sanskrit and she delivers. The music is peaceful and devotional. It feels good to hear her sing blessings while practicing yoga. This is definitely yoga music to elevate the mood, to lift you out of the mundane, and to remind you of the spirituality that is inherent to the practice. Check her out on iTunes, or come to class at Jivamukti and listen to her songs while you practice.
The back of her gorgeous cd.
Yoga Sutra of the Day
Teaching my friends in the Hampton's! Big thank you to Vanessa, Emmett, Tim, Danielle, and Bort!!!
“Vitrka badhane pratpaksa bhavanam. When disturbed by negative thinking, think the opposite.” -Yoga Sutra II:33
This sutra is a very basic, very practical way of dealing with negative thoughts. Those creeping feelings of jealousy, hatred, anger and pessimism that inevitably rise up within our minds can be dealt with through the age-old, ancient wisdom of this sutra. Think the opposite. If you are feeling sorry for yourself transform it into feelings of gratitude for everything you have. If you are feeling jealous of someone, transform it into delight at their situation. If you are being judgmental, see if you can temper it with compassion and sympathy.
In the everyday battle to control our minds and stay on the path of yoga, there are days when it is easy to feel the bliss that is our true nature and there are days when that sense of joy is completely buried and on the verge of suffocation. We have to deal with the darkness by focusing more intently on the light, in the most practical and effective ways. Change your thinking and you change everything.
Stretch your shoulders down, spread the collar bones, draw the navel deep into the spine...
Unbelievable Yoga Class Reccommendation
Dechen Rules!
I love taking Dechen’s class. It is always deep and spiritual and completely unexpected. I go to his class at Jivamukti on Sunday at 4pm, knowing that I will be taken on a journey and that anything can happen within the magical 95 minutes. If you want a break from your regular routine or if you never practice and want to take a chance, come to Dechen’s class on Sunday, and escape the ordinary. Last week he played whale sounds and he’s done entire Jimmy Hendrix classes, too. He is such an amazing teacher and has so much knowledge to pour over his students. I always leave his classes feeling transformed and light. A million thanks to this incredible teacher.
The Magical Power of Giving Blessings
Picture taken by Harper Dill and Maggie Mull at Storm King.
It’ a new month and that means a new focus at Jivamukti. This month it’s “The Magical Power of Giving Blessings.” The beautiful essay, written by our beloved co-founder and resident Fairy Goddess Sharon Gannon perfectly communicates the magical alchemy of harnessing positive thinking and sending blessings. When we think of someone, when we say their name in our minds, it is a powerful practice for us and them. The more we can try to uplift others and create positivity in the world, the closer we are to knocking down the walls of separation between ourselves and others and to experiencing yoga. Yoga is union; the union of our own mind, body and spirit, and then of our small, individual self with all of creation.
I am you. You are me.
This is practical and tangible practice for making yourself feel better, like a soothing ointment for the mental ups and downs and the worry of life. And Sharon gives very practical instructions:
Here is how it works; I call it the “blessing meditation”: Sit comfortably, close your eyes and become aware of your breathing, feeling each time there is breathing in and breathing out. Start with the people you know and love, as it is easier to give blessings to them. Silently say the words, “Blessings to…” as you inhale, and as you exhale say the name of someone. Continue for several minutes, extending your blessings to include your family and friends; then move on to others, such as your past boy or girl friends, neighbors, bosses and co-workers. Make sure to include others with whom you have or in the past have had more difficult relationships.
If you can sit still for a few moments and go within, and make sincere offerings towards the people in your life you will feel the positive effects. I felt reenergized, grounded and happy after doing this for just a few minutes…
Teacher Spotlight: Zoe Silverman
Me, Zoe, and Jacob in the Hamptons.
I am so lucky to be traveling along this path of yoga with Zoe. She is an amazing yogi, teacher, singer and friend and the similar places we are in our lives, makes us well suited as partners in the yoga community. We are both teachers but even more so, together we are students, bowing down next to each other at the feet of our great teachers. Zoe teaches incredible sequencing (she in Narayani‘s student, so you can imagine) with deep spiritual teachings. If you are in the NYC you must take her class! She teaches at Yoga Vida Tuesday and Thursday evening at 7:30 and at the beginner vinyasa at Jivamukti, Tuesdays at 4:10. She you there! Love you, Zoe!
Setting an Intention
"Contortionist 1" by my dearest, beautiful and talented, Maggie Mull.
The way you approach coming to a yoga class definitely informs your experience in the class. When I am excited and energized by the prospect of taking class, I feel strong on the mat. When I am dreading class or my mind is whirling (chitta vritti), it is a struggle to practice. I love taking class at Jivamukti because the chanting and dharma talk at the beginning give me ample time to get my mind in the right place before starting the asana practice. Sharon and David always stress the importance of the intention behind every action. Asana practice is no different. You will get out of it what you want to get out of it, what you set your mind to getting out of it. And like that, practicing yoga has infinite possibilities.
Pictures From My Teacher
My beloved teacher Rima sent me pictures and precious words from India… so delightful and beautiful. I am so lucky she is my teacher! She took pictures at Sri K. Pattabhi Jois‘ old shala and Swami Nirmalananda‘s ashram. She is in India, studying, practicing, learning and being the most devoted yogini and I eagerly await her return. Love you, Rima.
The front of the Shala.
Best quote ever, at Swami Nirmalananda's ashram.
So cool!
Cooler Cleanse Conclusion
Looking at New Jersey from the West Side Highway... my favorite place in the city.
Doing the Cooler Cleanse was an amazing experience. It is such a functional, easy way to nourish your body. And that’s how I felt after day 5, not run down, starving or insane, but nourished and healthy. The juices are so packed with everything you need that you can thrive while on this cleanse.
The most important thing in preparing for a cleanse is just to think about it, to prepare yourself mentally for what might come up when your ultimate comfort, FOOD, is pulled out of the equation. The more time and energy you devote to preparing yourself, the easier it is to stay on track and stay positive during the cleanse. Setting an intention, or goal with the cleanse that is elevated (even just slightly) from the mundane and obvious “I want to drop lbs” can give the cleanse a greater meaning. Like setting an intention before an asana practice, you can infuse the cleanse with meaning and make it an even more cathartic experience.
Teaching in the Hamptons This Weekend!!
I am so excited to be teaching FREE classes this weekend at Prevention Magazine’s Yoga Studio!! To sign up call 212.808.1332 or click here. I hope to see you at the beach!
