PHILOSOPHY
"Undoubtedly, the mind is restless and hard to control. But it can be trained by constant practice and by freedom from desire. A man who cannot control his mind will find it difficult to attain this divine communion; but the self-controlled man can attain it if he tries hard and directs his energy by the right means" – Sri Krishna from the Bhagavad Gita.

Yoga is meditation in motion. Practicing postures moves the mind into an even state and the body into health. By focusing on the rhythm of the breath and on alignment, we begin to cease the fluctuations of the mind. The poses, the breathing, the flow: all of these techniques are tools to calm the restless mind. A pose is never finished. We use the pose as a tool. The goal is not the pose, but how we practice the pose; the mindful attention, the witness mentality. We watch how we are attached to poses. We watch how we move through this world in our bodies and minds. A steady and pleasant posture produces mental equilibrium and prevents fickleness of mind. Stumbling blocks to the practice could be trying to attain a certain effect, attachment to a certain physical state, competitiveness, etc. These are manifestations of the ego. In yoga we simply observe our tendencies of attachment; to our bodies, to certain mindstates, to poses, to ways of being.

The physical benefits from the yoga include strength, flexibility, increased circulation and stress reduction. The practice exercises every muscle, nerve and gland in the body. Releasing stress through postures and breathing brings vitality and well-being. Coming into health makes the body a fit vehicle for the spirit. A soul without a body is like a bird deprived of the power to fly. Practicing yoga begins to feel intuitively right. When I practice yoga I am more effective in my life. I am less reactive. Everything flows more smoothly.

Part of my philosophy is that precise alignment in a pose is a form of meditation. To be consciously aware of exactly what is happening in the body keeps one present. On a physical level, the muscles and joints are kept safe. When a body is in the perfect alignment for that body, one can stay in and maintain the pose for a long enough period of time to obtain the benefits of the pose. Pushing and forcing are not part of an intelligent yoga practice. Even in the most vigorous of classes, straining should never be a part of the practice. We steadily relax into poses instead of squeezing into them. If it hurts, you are doing it wrong. One needs to work with the fine line in his or her own body each day. What works one day might not work the next. We come to the mat with a beginners mind. We practice with a lightness of being but also with persistence. We discipline the body and mind. A yoga practice that includes precise individual alignment, intelligent sequencing, self-awareness and if in a class, focused group energy, is bound to be successful. Incorporating a daily, seated meditation practice increases one’s ability to be with what is in the moment. I include some in my classes but encourage you to practice sitting outside the studio as well. These are tools to find peace and the more we use them, the more we see the benefits in everything we do.

From more than 10 years of observing thousands of people practicing yoga, I have realized that those who continue are the ones who develop a sweet and enjoyable practice. They look forward to their regular practice and have no problem making the time to do it. It becomes one of the most important and special parts of their day. The others, consciously, subconsciously, or unconsciously, quit practicing. It is my goal to do everything I can to inspire you to establish your yoga practice not just for the time we spend together, but for the rest of your life.