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Keeping Kula in Alabama

Have been lucky to study with two Certified Anusara teachers in Point Clear the last couple of weeks. Cheryl Catranbone and Scotta Brady visited. It is fascinating to watch the transformation of Self awareness by assimilating into my practice, the valuable information that they shared. I am experiencing core awareness and internal locks with  deeper knowledge than before. Jumpings and full arm balance are beginning to take flight.   My chest feels lighter, easier to lift up to the sky. Most profound is the awakened awareness of the psoas–seemingly the gateway to ananda. Many thanks to the Ladies for making the trip to Point Clear. I bow.

Teacher Training Graduation

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I Heart Everywhere

Coming down from a week in SoHo. New York has everything. One would think Point Clear might feel quiet and sleepy compared to the City.  The cacophony of birds chirping here is gloriously loud. Do you ever wonder sometimes that your life could have been completely different had you but made the ‘other’ choice that ‘one’ time? Do you ever wonder if you’re missing out by being where you are? Last night I recharged my nerves and senses with a restorative inversions practice. On the iPod… Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. Please listen to this beautiful music. I can’t remember a more ethereal yoga practice – a priceless experience. A floating sensation, high and light, bones settle into the support of the earth holding me. Stepping into the current of grace through a practice of yoga is deeply satisfying. Purna, or fullness is here and now and ordinary because everyday I take the journey to the inner landscape of my heart where Everything resides.

Below, you can sample and purchase the MP3’s of this music mentioned above.

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gurujipod

My iPod consistently and dependably serves me yoga teachings. Because Point Clear currently is lacking public yoga classes I do have a dedicated home practice. But sometimes it’s too much of a challenge to conjure up the inner guru for a full juicy home classs. On my iPod (affectionately named YogiPod) one of the genres is ‘Yoga Classes.’ I can always get my fix of star teachers and their live ‘unplugged’ classes. It’s pretty cool. Mind you, this is no substitue for the ‘real thing,’ but I am grateful for my ‘imaginary friends Kula.’ In the last year since focusing primarily on Anusara yoga, I benefit greatly from a yoga class pod cast produced by Hillary Rubin who ROCKS. It’s almost as good as being on North Fairfax in West Hollywood. BIG gratitude for the work she is doing.

Today I am on the road–New Orleans for a night of Jazz Festing. And tomorrow to my husband’s 20th high school reunion in New England.

The YogiPod will certainly provide a sanctuary in the present day total mayhem that airports have become. And I will continue my search for a guru in the not so obvious places.

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Yoga-ing The Situation

Melanie Buffett in New Orleans

Greetings from Point Clear, AL. I am talking about Lower Alabama (the other LA), on Mobile Bay way down in the Gulf Coast Deep South. This is home and it is beautiful. Breathtaking sunsets, chirping birdies, golf carts as transpo. It’s super nice and quiet. Yoga is nearly non-existent here. Not a single yoga studio for many many miles. But definitely the socio-economic market for it.

I have been practicing yoga for over 10 years. I cut my teeth on yoga in Los Angeles at Yoga Works and The Iyengar Institute in 1996 – 2000. For the past several years I have lived in New Orleans where I was an active yogi all over town. Last week I finished 2/3 Aunsara Immersions. It was 36 hours of intense asana, enlightening philosophy, and delightful kula. I am WAY into it. My experience of yoga here in the other LA has been different. Some people might call me a yoga snob. I just seriously value my time– especially the precious time I devote to asana, meditation, and pranayama practices. I practice alot solo in a home-studio space. I do miss the intimacy of kula. Its the good stuff of life man.

Tomorrow I head to Texas to graduate from a 9-month-long yoga teacher training program at Yoga Yoga in Austin. I have been commuting there from Point Clear. Finally after many years of teaching, I can put the little RYT after my name. Official Yoga Teacher Status. Sounds funny. But I am psyched about it.

I am on a mission to start a yoga community here. I envision a nice room with white walls and a wood floor. A group of good folks navigating their interior space. I know its gonna happen here. Its BOUND to. I’m gonna yoga a yoga community. ICCHA. JNANA. KRIYA. PeacePeacePeace