I wish I could give out Ashtanga Yoga merit badges— today’s would be “I was kind to myself. ”
Practicing yoga with a contented mindset matters a great deal— really, what we’re doing on our mats is exploring our inside world to find a place where we can be self-satisfied. Cause you know, there isn’t any person out there that can satisfy you except you.
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In order to do that work, we’ve also gotta maintain enthusiasm and heat around practice. Balancing that with our own self-satisfaction is hard— how are we to want to improve while also feeling like we’re golden just as we are?
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By identifying the kind of satisfaction and the kind of work that makes us feel more and more free. The kind that doesn’t make us suffer more. The kind that helps feel satisfied and enthusiastic not just in practice but in our life.
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In DC, a lot of folks take a push-hard get-results mentality to their work and their personal lives. They’re so miserable and don’t know why. They don’t want to be. So they push harder in all the ways— including on their mat. Maybe it’s not just dc.
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What’s sort of funny/poignant/ironic to me is that the place in which folks could stand to push extra hard is that whole “being kind to yourself” angle. Laying off from pushing so damn hard is actually way harder than literally pushing hard— and it builds a ton more heat and breeds a ton more joy, contentment, and cleanliness of mindstates.
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But doing the less “hard” thing (even when it brings them all the deep goods folks want way down inside) is so impossible that people push-push-push until they break. And then they wear their wounds as though they were honorifics on a sash. What if we could bring that same intensity to our self-compassion?

It takes
a village. @holly.yogs.lightly

@eatonworkshop

more legs
than a bucket
of chicken #eatonworkshopdc

GO SIGN UP!! link in bio!

Why the shapes, and how does that lead to self realization?
We construct shapes and patterns with our bodies to hone in on the ever-shifting nature of the mind.
Because somewhere inside of each of us is something unmoving and infinite. And only by watching that which shifts can we begin to hone in on that which doesn’t.
It is with these bodies (and brave, tenacious wills) that we create a sacred space for internalization— for observing the profoundly wild inner landscape — and take a stab at making sense of it all, and finding stillness in it.
So how do we find that which doesn’t change? We use our resources: a body that feels, a mind that discerns, and a heart that senses the abode of that unmoving, unchanging thing— infinite and luminous.
Our true self.

The paradox of course, is that as brightly as our god-like infinite, unlimited self shines, we are incapable of looking directly at it... a reminder of the great sense of humor the universe possesses.
And so, we find mirrors. In our friends, our spouses, our teachers, and that very nice cashier lady at Whole Foods. And, of course, our Postural practice. ..
** Drop in classes at the Eaton Workshop, 1201 K St NW
Tues 12pm- Wed 1:30 -Thur 130
**
Workshops this weekend at @mindthemat **
Mysore daily with @dcashtanga at @yogadragons

Yo! I’m a cyber monday!!

55 minute
vinyasa class link coming soon filmed
@eatonworkshop

general fitness update.

sitting in
the eye of
the storm

night work.

back bending — safely.

another day at the office with @emerymargaret (listen to that breath! wow!)

ho ho ho ho ho

thanks for the fade @michaelgeovanni

coach is unimpressed coach is unimpressed.

Saturday recap Saturday recap.

Virañci — he who creates.
Kinda looks like rain cloud to me 🤷🏻‍♂️ This posture comes in the middle of the middle of the third series. After having completed some major arm balancing and deep twists, this guy has you work with this set-up three different ways— seated up right in prayer, in a bound arm position, and then in an arm balance.
This is the third aspect of the A part of the posture. The B part gets weirder.
Next week I start creating and holding space for creation at the @eatonworkshop. Classes are $11, and I’m beyond excited to show you guys the space.
Classes this week:
Tuesday
12-1
Wednesday
1:30-2:30

attitude matters

#friendshipfridays @livelyogini

#friendshipfridays @xing_xing_kai #fbf

New Classes!! 3 new days to catch me, at my first regular public drop-in classes in over a year.
Join me at the hippest new hotel in the city with the MOST fabulous and chill yoga room— the Eaton Workshop:

Tuesday:
12-1
Wednesday:
1:30-2:30
5:30-6:30p
Thursday:
1:30-2:30

Classes are $11!

another day at the office @madeline.miskie