Category: Uncategorized

Feb 12
7am morning yoga up on this mountain starts out as a blustery practice. The theme: be instruments of the wind. This practice makes us more flexible and adaptable and more I’m harmony with nature even when its crazy windy. So instead of trying to always ‘fix’ external circumstances we have the opportunity to turn the challenges into beautiful harmonious music. The wind is wild, strong, cleansing and also can be fun! Just like todays asana sequence which leads to dropping back into backbends from standing and from headstand. Working with Michelle Baker in the partner work is an extra special treat. We can take all of this new asana information home to our communities!
Mid day appointments at the Ayurvedic Center entails a drive through the hills and valley which is totally rainforest. I am so grateful for the gift of balancing my energies that Ayurvedic work provides, which i need today. The clinic is founded And run by the local Catholic Archdiocese. How cool is that?!??! The Catholic church is very prevalent here. The taxi driver has named his car Mary Rosary. There is a Sacred Heart poster in the Ayurvedic pharmacy. I LOVE it!!
More asana late in the day working on shoulders and twists. Although no longer windy like this morning, the lesson continues to help me find harmony with some of the challenges of this big group travel scenario.
It’s an absolute blessing to be here but the heavily planned schedule and group dynamic can be intense. So now it is time to take the lesson off the mat… I must find harmony with the people who are most challenging to be around. I have to figure out how the challenging person can help me unveil my highest self and not the opposite which is the tendency for me and most of us. This is tricky sometimes but always comes back to the beautiful melody of compassion. It is the same compassion the Ayurvedic treatment woman showed to me as I entered her room, her 4th or 5th patient of the day. It’s not The challenges, but how we respond to them and work through them that are the mark of our innate wisdom. A couple of songs from different ‘churches’ come to mind… Make me an instrument of peace… Or even better…the answer my friend is blowing in the wind. Peace from India.

– YogiPod posting from India using iPhone

Location:Paradisa

Feb 11
Surya Namaskar (sun salutation) has taken on a whole new meaning. Watching and breathing with the orange glow of the sun breaking through the palm lined horizon from the bow of the Kettuvallum is the most sensory rich morning meditation of my life. Everything comes alive as if in celebration of another day to be a reflection of the divinity within. How did I get here? Is it a wonderful dream?
Apparently it gets even better. A four hour winding drive where we gain 2500 feet of elevation takes us to our next stop. A few folks are very motion sick. I too am feeling slightly off but not nauseous, thank goodness.
Our destination is Paradisa Plantation Retreat in the Cardamom Hills of Kerala. It is set on a working organic tea, spice, and COFFEE plantation. Did I mention there are fields of coffee surrounding us as we practice asana yoga? OOOOMMMMGGGG!!!!!!!
A deep hip opening and arm balance practice is just the right thing for the post long van ride. Since this is the ayurvedic treatment portion of the trip, Our theme today is to allow ourselves to receive inner body massage. So we find the alignment of the bones and hold that with the embrace of the muscles and wait for the organs to move into more optimal spaciousness for more efficient functioning. Its not a practice of grasping for poses, rather an opportunity for the bones, muscles, and organs to come back into the natural architecture of the body. This embodiment is brilliant, spacious, efficient, grounded, and a balanced pulsation of giving (doing) and receiving (being). Tonights practice is breakthrough upon breakthrough for me in asana (poses) I have never been able to ‘do’ . Desiree is an extraordinary teacher of the Anusara method which teaches the innate pulsation of everything in the universe: stability & freedom, effort & ease, rooting & rising, hard & soft etc.
I now turn in under a moon illuminating a fragrant landscape and know for certain the sun will rise again tomorrow on a dream that is for certain.

– YogiPod posting from India using iPhone

Location:Paradisa

Feb 10
Minor insomnia. Five hours of sleep isn’t terrible. Plus, I might as well stay awake for as much of the adventure as I can.
Coffee before asana class at 7:30–good idea! Desiree’s theme today is about expectation and disappointment. And backbends! It’s totally perfect as most of us are coming to this journey into India as first timers, we venture into the unknown With expectations– just like backbends. What’s cool is that flexibility in the upper back comes from exploring ways and means of really lifting your heart. We lift from the support of the shoulder blades hugging strongly in and literally offering the heart from the back to the front. This bursts the front body open with beautiful heartful posture. Oh yeah and of course we practice it upside down in peacock pose and handstand. Once again an exploration of the heart leads us confidently and skillfully into the unknown. Instead of moving in to this work with expectations of how we think it should be, which often is the set up for disappointment, we honor the alignment principles without pushing beyond or too hard and see where the body goes. When given the chance to take its natural course, the body is so brilliant! When properly aligned she comes into optimal balanced operation even in upsidedowm backbends! We let go of expectations, adhere to the structure of this trip which is to see The Many Faces of India–and like in asana, not try and force anything and the magic just bubbles up and all around us. The sights the smells the unknown it ALL works out and the beauty of India reveals itself. We don’t miss out on any of it because we aren’t limited by preconceived expectations. My heart is open to whatever happens here.
Tonight I am sleeping on a Kettuvallum house boat in the the back water canals of Kerala. The huge orange sun set over a rice paddy to the soundtrack of exotic birds, moos of Holy Cows, and the ethereal melody of men chanting and singing prayers in the distance. All this and we have a/c in our cabin–which of course was unexpected 🙂

– YogiPod posting from India using iPhone

Location:Allepey Kerala India

Feb 9
Still in Fort Cochin.
A great full night’s sleep. I am refreshed and feeling like myself. Yoga with Desiree at 8am. Awesome to do a strong practice with 30 yogis in an Indian guest house. It’s tropical hot like I love it! What a blessing to study with Desiree on this trip. Today’s lesson for me is to take full power of my limbs, draw them strongly to the core of my body (i.e. legs bones and arm bones snug into their sockets) essentially connecting limbs to heart. And to practice doing it upside down in a handstand! This is STRONG action. Through the filter of my understanding, by choosing to move in this new and empowered way in asana, I take it off the mat to consciously work so that all of my actions are strony and clearly inspired by and reflect the infinite gifts that reside in the oceanic heart. Whoa! And YES!! And all before 9 am.
More sights, shopping, and a tuk tuk ride before lunch. Scents of pure sandalwood, jasmine, and Kerala flower oils are wafting through my bag. Yum!
The day ends with a traditional dance theatre performane called Kathakali at the local Cultural Arts Village. The scene performed was from the Mahabharata. The professional and highly practiced players skillfully move, and sing beat by beat (just like in yoga) straight from their hearts to and for us who are watching. It’s totally interactive. And the costumes (Holy Cow the costumes!) are the only ones I have ever seen that might give Mardi Gras Indians a run for their money. Sacrilege… But really 🙂 Stay tuned for photos and video.
Tomorrow we leave this coastal, spice infused town full of incredibly nice people. This has been the perfect port of entry on this journey to the heart and spirit of the Motherland. OM!

– YogiPod posting from India using iPhone

Arrive Cochin 7:20am. Totally easy peaceful ride especially after the events in Bombay.
On the descent into Cochin the palm trees are everywhere and look massive from the air which means they look even bigger on the ground. It is very jungle-y. The excitement of arrival and exploration pump more adrenaline into my system. I want to get ‘out there’! Airport greeters and waiting taxis make this arrival a much better experience.
Short drive to Fort Heritage, the group hotel and finally I meet up with my Sister Swan, Michelle Baker of Swan River Yoga. We are roomies on this trip! We hug and have a little food for energy and we embark on our long awaited tour of India. We stroll Beaches and watch ancient net fishing, and peruse the first of many market shopping opportunities. Next stop: prayers at the Saint Francis Catholic church. You must take your shoes off to go in. How cool is that??!!!
Back at Fort Heritage, Ayurveda massage and steam bath await. Ambelie, a tiny, super-strong wise woman has literally removed all of the past few days’ stress and travel out of me. Her name means ‘moon’ and right about now I think she hung it! India, you and me, we’re back on track. Namaste.

Location:Mumbai

Arrive Mumbai Int’l Airport.
Go to Air India to get boarding pass for Cochin flight. The flight does not exist. The flight that is printed on two itineraries that I am holding (one from the internet reservation and one from a ticket agent at Newark) WTF???!!!??? Slightly in shock, feeling alone And farrr from home, I wander around the Ticketing/Departure area asking random people who appear to have some authority for help to get a flight to Cochin. My heart is beating so hard and loud that immediately my mantra emanates from there. Maranatha. Maranatha. Maranatha. Come to me Lord. Once again clarity replaces fear.
No help like helping yourself. Got online on laptop in a closet type wifi room. Google tells me I need to go to Bombay’s other airport to get a domestic flight to Cochin.
Through a myriad of asking soldiers (there are armed soldiers everywhere) and suits where and how to get a taxi, I prepay a taxi, a porter appears to carry the bags and escorts me to a small black car in a sea of tiny taxis. Backpack with me, I realize green rollie bag not in sight. Driver put it on the roof! Not attached to anything! I demand the bag be inside with me. He says it’s OK on top. Noooooo sir! I jump out and in a one handed swoop, hoist the bag down and put it in the car. The men and porters really don’t like for the women to haul and carry heavy stuff. I’m sure the gesture takes the driver by surprise. Mind you this is all happening in super fast speed mode amidst horns honking and people yelling and then ZOOM we’re off…
The drive to Santa Cruz airport appears to be through major construction or maybe just good old Indian chaos. At one point the driver stops, gets out of the car in the middle of what seems like serious hustle and bustle…what now??? apparently getting a receipt for me. In the meantime a couple of women come up to the car banging on the windows begging for money. I can only just look within and immediately my mantra comes to me and I am OK. Driver gets back in and we are off again. Um, BTW, My bag totally would have been toast had I left it on the roof.
Finally make it to the domestic airport. Seems not as chaotic but maybe bc it’s almost 11pm. I am pretty shaky none the less.
I wander around looking for the Air India counter being directed this way and that way and upstairs And downstairs until finally I am at a counter waiting in line to tell my sad weird story to yet another ticketing agent. In front of me are two Americans carrying yoga mats and backpacks. I spot a Redback Travels luggage tag on one of them. They’re on my trip! And they are having the SAME problem with the ‘non-existent’ Air India flight to Cochin. I’m with friends! So I buy a new plane ticket at the counter for 5558 rupees (about $165). I dont care that the airline company messed up. I dont care that the chaos has had me run in circles around both of Mumbai’s airports. I am just glad to have a ticket to ride. Now I’ve got a rock n roll mantra happening…
“She’s got a ticket to Riiiiide And she don’t care!”
Santa Cruz Domestic Airport. Mumbai India 2:30am 2/8/11

– YogiPod posting with iPhone

Location:Mumbai

It’s been a whirlwind weekend in Miami and Palm Beach visiting family. Hanging out with my gene pool totally enlightens and explains a lot about how ‘I am’. The South Florida clan is well. And like my Yoga Birds family, my husband and my blood kin couldn’t be more supportive and happy for me to trek across the planet and explore Yoga. The LOVE is just everywhere and so wonderful!
I have several more hours to hang out in the Newark airport. All the sitting and waiting and literally being herded are opportunities to deepen my practices of standing well in tadasana, chanting internal prayer mantra, patience, and compassion. It’s good prep for what’s to come in about 20 hours when I land in India. Actually good prep for it ‘all’. Ready to see the world, after the Superbowl of course. PEACE & FOOTBALL Y’ALL!
Feb 6 Newark NJ
– YogiPod posting with iPhone

Location:Newark NJ

Yesterday was apparently Epiphany Tuesday. Thunderous awakenings walking the dogs in The Fruit and Nut district of Fairhope! Cracks of light in the tunnel of “What is my dharma?”

After class yesterday Teddy asked me an alignment question about the placement of the feet in Tadasana. I teach hip-width apart, his other teacher teaches big toes touching. Which is correct? My first answer is this (culled from writings of other great yoga teachers)…there are many different paths to get us to the ‘connection’ (of body, mind, spirit, heart) that is the promise of yoga. Different asana systems teach different alignment principles. Different world-views and rituals carpet the world of Yoga, yet all lead us to the same union. I personally have found that Anusara Yoga is a wonderful system for me and I am passionate about teaching its method and specific alignment principles. I also absolutely honor all other teachers’ paths and methods of teaching. I admit, I have been that student/teacher in the past who has thought that my path was superior. But as my path bends and curves, and I continue to grow and mature I understand that all of our paths are fated by our uniquely personal moment-to-moment experiences and choices. There is no hierarchy in this process.

Judith Lasater has had profound influence on my journey as a yogi and teacher of asana. She states that as teachers we must have a clear understanding of our intentions of WHY we are teaching. So for a long time I have pondered, “What is my intention as a yoga teacher?” My intentions have always been good…to help people get healthier, to help people cultivate focus and concentration, to share the good news of yoga, to help people find their best self, to connect people to their breath, to remind everyone that our essence is absolute goodness, peace, joy, and love. Last weekend in Teacher Training we talked about “The Path of The Teacher” and how our teachings of yoga are an expression of our personal practices of yoga which are essentially an expression of the way we live. So maybe my intention has shifted over the years as my practice has evolved and I have grown older.

Cut-to applying yoga practice and teaching to: life, family, work, errands, finances, etc…These past few weeks I feel continually faced with situations that either ‘rub’ or have had the makings for a reaction. It is my tendency to react rather than to simply absorb the moment, process it with breath, and then respond compassionately. That tendency has, of late, been thankfully quiet. Maybe it is because fiery reactionariness (new word!) takes too much energy and I am running low, or maybe it IS all of the sitting meditation, or maybe it is simply Divinity. Whatever it is I am so thankful.

As a teacher I honor that yoga students will choose the asana path that resonates most with them. My feelings do not get hurt when a friend or student decides she likes another teacher’s style more than mine. Yoga teaching is an artistic expression of a distillation of all that we have sifted, studied, and practiced from the great ocean of yogic literature through the ages. Let us celebrate the many flavors of Hatha yoga!

The world isn’t all Yoga teachers and students either, right? But I do think everyone is on a Path that is determined by our unique experiences and choices. And I think that we simply must honor every person’s path, whether we agree with their actions, or not. We certainly should not and do not have to ‘go along’ with everything a person on a different path is doing, but we must honor the freedom of all beings and celebrate with gratitude and responsibility that freedom in ourselves. So my intention has simply become NAMASTE. I honor you. I may not agree with you, or accompany you, or promote your path, or practice your yoga, but I HONOR YOU—quietly, non-judgmentally, whole-heartedly. This is my intention. My teacher. My teaching. My practice. My path. Thank you Lord!

My second answer is stand well and with dignity. Whatever that means to you. Namaste!

Yesterday I was lucky to be able to attend Amanda’s Wednesday morning flow class at Yoga Birds. I practice at home alone quite a bit and always relish in the opportunity to practice with a group. And it was a ‘Full Circle Chakra’ class. The chakras are an energy system running along the central axis of the body laid out in Indian Tantric Philosophy. Essentially, practicing with the chakras as the forefront of class is inner-body energy work. And Amanda is FABULOUS at it. She has a great understanding of the chakras and the class systematically takes your awareness from the root chakra at the base of the tailbone to the crown chakra at the top of the head and then back down. She also organizes the room so that all of the mats are in a circle. Any of y’all who take my classes know that I am a stickler for straight lines and rows because it assists my observation of the classes’ alignment and foundation. And because I teach alignment based yoga asana, I have always understood the asana in straight lines. So, getting in a circle (which is out of my comfort zone) and going with the flow, trusting the Teacher, trusting my breath, and really going inside on a journey through the energy centers of my body…WHOA what an awesome experience!

Long before I opened Yoga Birds, I had the vision of what kind of yoga studio business I wanted to build in Fairhope. My first experiences of ‘yoga-studio’ yoga (and mind you there are lots of different ways and places to offer yoga to the community) were at Yoga Works in the late 90’s in Santa Monica, California. That is when and where the seeds of my vision for Yoga Birds were planted. Yoga Works is now a national yoga studio franchise and teacher training school. But back then, it was two studios–one on Santa Monica Blvd. and one on Montana Ave. Where at any time of day yogis had the choice of incredible classes in varied styles from highly trained teachers (Seane Corn, Maty Ezraty and Chuck Miller, Natasha Rizopolous, Erich Schiffman—just to name a few). The classes were always and without fail great learning and practicing opportunities and the studio setting was always of great comfort. Life in Los Angeles as a mid 20-something was hectic, and whirlwindy, and wonderful and challenging. Walking through the threshold of the clean, peaceful, nag-champa scented, sweet -people filled studio—which was dedicated solely for the purpose of yoga and community-was not just a comfort but an enormous help for maintaining sanity and peace of mind. The big empty space, the wood floor, the nice yoga props…it was all part of the experience. My 4 years spent in Los Angeles, I took as many yoga classes at as many different places as I could. I went to every studio in town, local school gyms, church basements, Tai Chi studios, fitness centers, outside at the beach, in people’s living rooms, and more. Some classes were free, some were donation based, but most were $10-$15 to compensate the teacher and pay the overhead for the space. My ‘home’ practice studios were Yoga Works and The Iyengar Institute. For me, the experiences in the studio settings were unparalleled to the others and I had choices. So, to be able to take classes I did work-study at the studios to ‘rack-up’ class hours, I swept floors, I cleaned houses, and worked hard at my day job to have the money to pay for the valuable experience of practicing at the studios.

My vision for Yoga Birds is to be a dedicated space in service to this community to gather for top quality experiences. I aim for the studio to offer classes by highly trained Registered Yoga Teachers (one of the reasons for the Yoga Alliance Teacher Trainings) so that students not only have a worthwhile learning and practice experience –to advance in their understanding and deepen their practices of yoga , but also to maintain the space as a sanctuary for meditation, asana practice, and keeping good company – always in service to the community.

I recognize that teaching and practicing yoga is a great privilege and I am beyond grateful to the teachers and students who sustain Yoga Birds as how I envisioned it 10 years ago. And, I am LOVING being a student in my home studio! Namaste friends!