wonders if he uses his big boy vocabulary more so when he's nervous, or whether he uses it all the time and only notices his word choices when he's nervous.

is being taught compassion and empathy today.

can see New Years on the horizon.

can hear the whispers of a decade past.

"resentment is allowing something to live rent-free in the mind"

... i may not be mainstream ... Is anyone IN the mainstream?

I have been told to stop thinking no fewer than 3 times this week.

I thought I lost a contact this morning, but I didn't. I just needed to view the world with a different lens.

Tenacity is huge.

Keep swingin' 'till you can't see, then swing some more. It'll be a TKO, one way or the other. Swing, swing.

I love that adult friends in India hold hands. It makes me want to be more touchy-feely. (it also makes me really miss holding hands with Roike).

I realize that art isn't always created by well adjusted, goodhearted individuals... but is it okay to purchase that art if you know the money goes to line the coffers of a bigot? A hate instilling advocate of injustice?

Detachment can be a bitch.

Well, here we are at the intersection of willpower and surrender. ha!

what you see here, what you do here, what you hear here, when you leave here, let it stay here

reframing: I still have 1/6 of my adventure left.

Sometimes I want to live in a cave and not have to be a member of society. #yoga #wouldmakeashittysadhu

I once saw the other side of the universe and it was all the same and made of love. God is love and in the details. Surrender, surrender, control, surrender. Love.

"Knowing the difference between powerful concision and powerless vapidity is a matter of discernment, and the same words could be either."

Like a straight line to heaven, neon prayer. Are you there?

Don't let the fear of what you can't do shame you into not trying what you can.

This body is a fleeting expression of the divine.

Slowly it deepens,
the hilt closer to my skin.
Change is a fierce blade.

I'm thankful for my teachers in all of their forms for awakening me to the insight of the happiness of pure Being. A place without the poison of conditioned existence, the poisons of prejudice and hate. I'm thankful for my teachers, who provided the antidote (like a jungle physician). That antidote: be yourself. No hate. No prejudice. Just joy. Just love. Vande Gurunam.

One Day I Woke Up Different

first: friendship across time & space. now: bt- "a song across wires". soon: nerve cleansing. -- call to god in whatever tounge you know -- xo

NFL Remonstration #5:

"The news that former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam is gay holds significant social and cultural ramifications. But from a purely football perspective, his decision to come out prior to May's NFL draft will make his path to the league daunting, eight NFL executives and coaches told SI.com.

In blunt terms, they project a significant drop in Sam's draft stock, a publicity circus and an NFL locker room culture not prepared to deal with an openly gay player. Sam, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, was projected as a mid- to late-round draft pick prior to his announcement.

While none of the executives overtly condemned Sam's decision, their opinions illuminated an NFL culture in which an openly gay player -- from the draft room to the locker room -- faces long odds and a lonely path."

A 6-month "cleanse" on all "yoga" internet trafficking? No blogs, no elephant journal, no message boards, no youtubes. Good mental hygiene or unrealistic?

Sunday observations: a) these churches need to pay taxes. B) driving in NE is not unlike India.

The manner of dress in these older ashtanga videos? So many feelings. I'm not even talking OLD-old. I can't look away.

Listening to Linkin Park's "Hybrid Theory" (2000) and remembering angsty lyric filled AIM away messages. #tbt

Watched my first episode of Jersey Shore (ever) while waiting at the barber. Hurts my heart.

Power Dynamics, Race, Gender and Ashtanga Yoga, RuPaul. Solange Knowles. Facebook feed, somedays you get me.

I took rest today for 5 full minutes & then read Facebook for another 10 from under my blankie. Maybe I should take rest more often.

Retweeted Wall Street Journal (@WSJ):

The story behind the "Tank Man" photo taken near #Tiananmen Square on June 5, 1989:

Retweeted The New York Times (@nytimes):

You can't understand sexual violence in India without understanding the caste system via @nytopinion

I want to talk about food, sex, power, and money.

For what it's worth, "Integrative Studies" is what GMU called the program I was in. Without a shadow of a doubt, that is the field in which I work, live, and by which I hope to die. xo. happy pride!

Seeing a lot of stuff locally for "yoga teacher trainings." I can't make the hours add up to 200 for most. How ya gonna talk about truthfulness and then get grimey with the hours?

"Allow yourself the uncomfortable luxury of changing your mind" - Marina Popova

How long will it take me to shake my real accent? 10 years of speech therapy melted in the fire of family and fireworks. I ain't mad 'bout it.

Retweeted The Cowlicker (@TheCowlicker):

Good on 'em! 🙂

Boys Wear Skirts to Class in Protest After School Fines Trans Girl for Wearing Skirt

Retweeted Washington Post (@washingtonpost):

NFL penalizes Muslim player for praying on the field after a touchdown

Retweeted Vince Favilla (@vincefavilla):

The trouble with modern friendship:

The kinda day that leaves you inspires you to stand tall and meet the world with strength and a smile that says "I've got a lifetime."

I have to get on that smiling wagon.

this feels true

Feeling alive.

India to home. Japanese trees smile at me. Spring in the District.

I missed our home. 3 years later, we're back. #patiencepaysoff

Where do you draw your line?

My 20s were pretty rad.

From the mud comes beauty.

The story of my college roommate becoming a meme, then becoming a functional component of his favorite art through his own spectating fills me with joy.

Cut it all off or nah?

Taking it all in.

A wonderful weekend.

@[672459487:2048:Jeffrey Platts] keeps knocking it out of the park.

Emily helped me learn to love myself. She died 12 years ago today and I miss her very much. She remains one of the greatest friends I've ever had. I don't think she's "gone." Love you, Emily.

It's India hot.

Read the whole thing. Grace Jones teaches lessons and remains inimitable. But this wisdom is applicable everywhere, yes?

Pamela Anderson is an under appreciated icon.

How is it today already?!

Just had a cop threaten me with a $100 fine and tell me to drive "like a normal person" for having my foot on the dash. Park Police motorcycle m-12. Violation of power?

Have you been mocking this (and I don't think Kitty was)? I don't think the most interesting thing going on here is the pic-snapping, but the open-air market of derision they're receiving for doing... what, exactly? Enjoying each other's company, snapping pics and chowing on food? As opposed to enjoying the bullshit escapade of cultural hypnosis that is professional sports leagues?

Sometimes things get stuck in my head during silent times.

How is indentured servitude an appropriate way to keep costs low? Where is the labor union? The workers rights advocates? How are "bonuses" for numbers a way to encourage practice for underserved populations? Or to encourage advancement? Where are the professional standards? Shameful.

Do you believe in vibrations? Does the shaking of the very electrons that make up the star stuff inside of us have frequency? Can we tune in?

I didn't get in to Mysore for January, but when my teacher asks "who is your teacher" to one of those who have shared space in my Shala, I feel like I'm there, and niyamas take over. Is this "parampara"? Wow. I miss and love my teacher, but just wow. #dotherightthing

She told me to let go of my hope, and it was the hardest bit of yogic wisdom I had ever received. But the sky, it changed. Like being far from the city, I could see all the stars. No hope, no fear.

In DC, barbers are required to have 1500 hours of training to receive licensing. Tuition runs 9k-15k. We need to talk about "yoga teacher trainings."

Fuck Your Politics.

All these Christians in America acting like they don't have blood on their hands and also mocked fries a few years ago. gtfo. Native Americans say "hi!"

I apologize for my purposefully divisive comments on prayer, fundamentalism, and letter of the law religion. I recognize in them a lack of compassion.

As an individual who prays to a supreme (not Diana Ross) power, I see value in prayer. Due to the value I also see in the dissolution of labels and constructed beliefs, I let my interest in the dissonance that can bring destruction override equanimity in tone and presentation.

I cannot destroy your constructed beliefs nor force an experience of any kind-- I forgot that, as my passion got in the way.

Please understand: I am challenged in tonality by strong opinions on faiths that recommend slaughter or subjugation. Many do.

A better framing: does your faith pray to a God that would cast anyone to a hell for getting the name of God "wrong"? That would enslave a people? That kills? How does this make you feel in light of recent tragedies?

6 years ago.

Happiest!

Seeking to be a source of inspiration frequently fosters in others aspiration. The aspirant sound is a gasp-- not rich, not full-- dying. Be yourself and let others choose.

I love you!

I cried.

Anyone need a place to live? http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/apa/5340604651.html

Oh man. Friends....
xx

Went in to the new gay bar downstairs. Did a lap & walked out. No thanks.

I am officially inside some wormhole parallel universe of my life. I love Rolf, Marci, and Goa.

From Dattatteya's "Yoga Shastra" -- there will be success for the practitioner. [But] how can there be [success] for the nonpractitioner? (83)

Success is never gained through mere reading of books. (84)

Those who [merely] talk about Yoga and wear the apparel [of a yogin] but lack all application and live for their bellies and their dicks-- they cheat people. (92-93)

<3

Word. Ride or die. Road dog. Team Sketch.

I love my bionic eyes, but I do sorta miss my glasses. Also; there is no thali like three sisters thali.

Just had a tug on the heartstrings-- remembering getting snowed in with best friends. Enjoy for me, DC.

6 years ago??

I've spent the last month getting called Mike. Feels. <3

Baby, I'm so rising.

Live yo' life!

Remaining gracious. Counting papers.

Tim at 65-- #goals

By this time next week, it'll be business as usual (it's never business as usual).

It is almost 9 and I still haven't had coffee. This is the most freakish jetlag I've ever had.

Take a second just to breathe. Pick your heart up off your sleeve. You're perfect and awe inspiring.

Like Dolly says, "You can't make old friends."

When my Dad said that all he wants is for me to go farther than he did, it was seemingly my nose/ear hair that listened. #pluck

Friends: An old friend in VA is locked up and being denied cancer treatment. Can anyone recommend a prison advocacy group or offer support?

Yay!

I love DC.

These timeline truths #onefingerpointedthreeback

I have had my fortune told. I have revisited a past life. I have had seers tell me visions. The world is strange and beautiful and unceasingly surprising. Have a great day!

Wonderful archival footage regarding my teacher's teacher's teacher.

When I give all the right fucks, there are 0 fucks given.

Ancient yoga paradox, like a good Koan... the dopeness of realness.

doing scary stuff is good for the soul. feel the fear and do it anyway!

I'm really fiery today. Holy cow.

Appreciative of my mom, dad, and the episcopal church's youth group for teaching forgiveness from an early age <3

"A flower won't open if I yell at it and say “Bloom!" -- Marion Woodman

My parents were small business owners. My wonderfully successful brother, too. It would be a real shame if locally owned, independent, SMALL businesses went under because of unscrupulous opportunists.

1/2 of all federal inmates are there due to drugs. Something is wrong-- free them, not just from prison but also from stigma.

If you have power and don't use it, you are complicit in these horrors.

When will you do something? How many deaths inside black churches? How many rapes? How many of my brothers and sisters need to be slaughtered?

Get radical.

The radicalized American in Orlando was closeted? If you've ever bullied a queer individual for their sexuality, you have blood on your hands. You are responsible for this.

One of my first lovers, while we were in senior high, was assaulted outside a coffee shop in Aquia, VA. He also has a plate or two in his head.

I was "jumped" in my neighborhood when I was 11 or 12 for being gay. It was just one of many occasions. Before, and (of course) after.

Maybe you don't know what it's like. Someone you know does. What are you doing to stop it?

"The essence of divine experience is unending devastating bliss and an unshakable silent peace." - yogani

Listen: I like shooting guns. Don't come at me with that extra ya ya.

Read the numbers, and come to your own conclusion.

I trust your ability to parse data.

2007 #TBT

Prayers for literally everybody.

Things will escalate.

Expansion before contraction.

Prayers of peace for every living creature.

I fell asleep on my yoga mat today-- I didn't make it far, and it wasn't time for rest.

Last night, I couldn't sleep... I was wrestling with black lives mattering, brown lives mattering, pink lives mattering, white lives mattering...how to find parity between that and the fact that I believe that no one exists on purpose and life itself is a consequence of action (and so, it's only meaning is that it is an effect).

Everything comes down to charachter, and the world is full of valorless men and woman who wear all kinds of uniforms and masks.

It is also full of people who do the right thing, even though no one is keeping score.

We are people. Disarm the police. Disarm the populace. Disarm your angry, bigoted minds. I don't know how. I have no answers.

All I want for all beings is peace.

Oh hey, 6 years ago 🙂

A thoroughly enjoyable talk.

A collection of videos in which Dave Chapelle tells his story about walking away from 50 million in order to maintain contentment and clarity of self. Important stuff.

Thinking of 15 years of friendship with Puja, 15 years of adulting, 15 years of heartache, healing, turning up, and thriving. #NowPlaying Sweetness by Jimmy Eat World

Thinking of 15 years of friendship with Puja, 15 years of adulting, 15 years of heartache, healing, turning up, and thriving. #NowPlaying Sweetness by Jimmy Eat World

Thinking of 15 years of friendship with Puja, 15 years of adulting, 15 years of heartache, healing, turning up, and thriving. #NowPlaying Sweetness by Jimmy Eat World

It's okay to show, so long as you also go in. "Artist" -- "performer" -- yes, but also yogi.

A thousand times yes.

I don't do it. It's not highbrow elitism, it's because I actually 100% care about the majesty of experience-- and every experience is by definition unique.

Share with me.

Listen, I'm about to brag about one of my greatest accomplishments: I made a pumpkin soup that floods the memory with scenes from Sri Durga Stand Up.

It perfectly calls to mind their bisibelebath.

Perfect timing. Thinking of you, Mysore Family!

Cleaning out my closet was a long overdue chore. Needed a heavy lift afterwards-- clarity, constancy, peace.

These commentators
"Fiesty presidential debate" -- hm.
"Most contentious debate in american history" -- uh, are you out of your mind? People got shot.

So, an audience of undecided voters... and it was stocked with Bill Clinton's accusers? No way. Thats a lot.

I'll gladly vote for the one who can grow and learn and apologize.

Never forget: We are alive within mysteries.

Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts.

-- Wendell Berry

Why is every place built in the last 7 years on 14th Street (between U & P) a white person factory?

8 years ago, I could not sleep because the streets were packed with celebration. Today, the faces on the bus are as long as this horrific fever dream. Cold sweat, cold rain.

This is the Hour
We have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour.
Now you must go back and tell the people
this is the Hour.
And there are things to be considered:
Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Where is your garden?
It is time to speak your Truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader.
This could be the time!
There is a river flowing now very fast.
It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid.
They will try to hold on to the shore.
They will feel they are being torn apart and they will suffer greatly.
Know the river has its destination.
The elders say we must let go of the shore,
And push off and jump into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above water.
See who is there with you and celebrate.
At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally.
Least of all, ourselves.
For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.
The time for the lone wolf is over.
Gather yourselves.
Banish the word "struggle" from your attitude and your vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
"We are the ones we've been waiting for..."
- The Elders, Hopi Nation, Oraibi

Lots of folks don't know why they're being unfriended like they haven't had the n-bomb dropped in their house with aplomb. Stop. You know how your husbands feel. You know how you act with adults (if not children). And, do you know how that VP feels about folks like me? Stop. Just stop.

Not all Trump supporters self identify as racist or stupid.

So, my queer friends house in Philly has been egged & the church down the way has been vandalized with "white nation." Heard about these two older guys trying to decide whether or not to take off their "make America great again" hats before going into a Manhattan bar-- so easy for them, not so for the black church & the 'pink' house.

Headed to bed thinking about my students across the globe studying with my teachers. Thinking thoughts of thanks to all of my teachers who encouraged me to study with their's. This yogi's heart seams tug.

It strikes me that one of the great joys of my life is getting to see every sunrise & every sunset.

I tend to take pictures of people's license plates when I see them casually being dicks. Their reactions remind me so often that folks lack valor.

Over 1000 hate crimes *reported* since the middle of November. If you weren't aware of that, you're probably heterosexual and white.

My partner in crime at the ashram (oh, we were bad) just reminded me that our 10 year anniversary is this year. 10 years of teaching yoga. Oh my word.

Feeling some kinda way about being gay in India.

There has to be a word for feeling very young and very old at the same time.

I'm self employed and will likely lose my health insurance because of these plates in my face and that PTSD I had for a hot minute. I didn't love my premiums, but I was glad to have health care.

13 years ago-- the march for women's lives.

Kristen and Me, five years ago! Feels like a lifetime!

I've failed at adulting today. Trolling trolls is not activism.

Missing Charlie.

In fact, this is almost 16 years ago.

I'm having an incredible time, don't get me wrong... But I'm so ready to be home. I love and miss my friends and blood/yoga/work family. xxoo

This is from 2012... And it's accurate in 2017 😲

I think I have a book in me.

Goal setting.

Oh, just 16 years ago.

I'm excited to hold hands. To put on a sharp suit. To wear glitter. Probably not together, but I'm not here to set limits.

15000 contact hours.

Wanted to fly around on my mat today... wanted to do the biggest work.

Nope. "Not today," said this body of mine. So, a snuggly practice up to Janu A, and some extra purvotanasana. Fine by me.

Thoroughly enjoyed "Champion," an opera in Jazz based on the real life experiences of a 50's champion welterweight fighter who just so happened to be queer... And killed a man in the ring. http://m.kennedy-center.org/home/event/orosd

"The origin of truth is love."

7 years since my last marathon.

"Learn to mock convenience"

It's been 17 years since David Brooks' "Bobos in Paradise" was published.

"...the bourgeois bohemians--"Bobos"--an unlikely blend of mainstream culture and 1960s-era counterculture that, according to David Brooks, represents both America's present and future."

At least once a week I think of you as I ride my scooter up the hill. xx.

Lifted and got my heart rate up. Bye-bye bad mood. It's so simple, and yet...

On my scooter: I exited the city via the 9th street tunnel and returned on the 14th street bridge. Saw my favorite paddle board/canoe spot from a different vantage point. I love this city.

Had whiskey and a kiki -- came home and ordered snail mucus 🐌 -- this is 34 (almost!)

A gentle reminder for me, today.

This hits home.

I had turned 18 the month before. bb-mjh

Relavent from 2014

Being able to begin a sentence with "My teacher says..." is one of the greatest privledges I have in this life. So much of what follows is from Pattabhi Jois-- I'm so grateful for his lifelong dedication to teaching, teaching my teachers. 1915- May 18, 2009.

Maybe the cicada is my spirit animal? Some of y'all are monarchs, others painted ladies-- that's well and good.

"They have an exceptionally loud song. Most cicadas are cryptic, singing at night to avoid predators. The periodic cicadas spend most of their lives as underground nymphs, emerging only after 13 or 17 years, which may reduce losses by starving their predators and eventually emerging in huge numbers which overwhelm and satiate any remaining predators.

Cicadas have been featured in literature since the time of Homer's Iliad, and as motifs in art from the Chinese Shang dynasty. They have been used in myths and folklore to represent carefree living and immortality."

WE'RE HERE! WE'RE QUEER! GET USED TO IT!

I wish that the White House would have acknowledged the male spouse of Luxembourgs's male prime minister. I wish that 45 would have made a statement for June, which is Pride Month. I do not wish I hadn't been assaulted physically and verbally most days growing up-- told my voice, my body, my mind, and my capacity for love were wrong, ugly and loathesome-- because it has made me who I am today. However, I do not wish it on your children, my children, or anyone else.

As a child, that kind of violence almost killed my spirit. As an adult, it almost killed my human form.

The silence is deafening and the message is clear. Systematic erasure. You want to help? Know that it's pride. Know when black history month is. Talk frankly and openly about sexuality and race. If you can't, ask for help. Im talking frank conversation from your cohort. If you don't have anyone you can have this conversation with, I'm here. Get real. Get woke. GET LOUD.

I assure you, WE aren't going back in the closet-- we won't die to the pages of history. Tell your friends.

Remembering the dead.

Rent is still a treat to sing along to, 20 years later. Why no, I'm not crying and belting on south broad street -- keep. it. moving.

No more talking about hating the internet or the phone.

Jimmy Eat World's Album "Bleed American" stands up as excellent. Wow.

Overheard today: "Remember the spiritual principal of persistence."

In the last few months, two different gay friends were assaulted. Both are over 50. Both in Washington, DC. One had an assailant yelling about being "in trumps America now." Y'all, we've been in this America.

Had the good fortune to see him perform a few times. Came with humor and gravitas and somehow had a paradoxical attitude of no fucks given whilst also giving all the fucks.

My outfit from 2010, when I decided I wanted to go explore the teabagger events. Notes: 1) ive been wearing these cut up shirts for a long ass time. 2) how these politics have morphed!

My day, everyday (give or take), by the numbers:
3-3 1/2 hours in the Mysore room teaching
1-3 Hours Asana Focused Meditation & Pranayama
1-2 hours lifting, physical therapeutics, and internal research
2-3 paid corporate or group fitness classes 1/hr + commute & post class convo
1 Hour Mentoring
1 Hour Skill Development (singing, reading, business, personal development/self-help)
1 Hour bullshitting on the phone with a close friend (we'll call this my lunch break, and should count)

Vintage Selfie. 2009-ish?

TFW every cell in your body is humming the song of the universe AND YOU CAN FEEL IT.

I wish Roxanne Gay had spoken with me before including me in her book "Bad Feminist." Maybe sent me a copy. I dunno.

On this new moon, I cleaned out my inbox.

The overlap between being objectified by people of power and situations where assault of the sexual variety occurs runs the risk of allowing "me too" to be viewed from the cheap seats as a bit of a toothless tiger.

Sexual harassment occurs constantly. I have been sexualized and demeaned to some degree in every job I've had as an adult. I suspect almost every woman/gay men have, too. I know almost every gal in town has been catcalled, for sure.

On a hierarchical level we have given passes to strong men taking sex acts by force. The amount of people who voted for a man who literally propagated grabbing woman by their pussies and doing whatever he wants with them needs addressing. "They'll let me," he says.

At least 16 women have publicly accused Trump of forcibly attempting to kiss, grope and have sex with them. He is on the record saying he forcibly touches woman.

This is not sexual harassment-- this is sexual assault.

What kind of accountability do we reasonably expect men in power to have when we give them a "yes, but" along with a "me, too" So glad we're speaking up: remember this in 3 years, fam. The more voices we raise, the more potential we create.

Take that "Me, too" and talk to you husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, and kids.

Me, too.

Britney's Blackout is 10. I was 24! Rollerskates, short shorts, eyeliner, and friendship. PUJA

Y'all still supporting that no-tax-paying, bigot enriching, minority oppressing, opiating organization?

k.

FTR: Im talking about the one that charges $9 for a bud light, not the one that asks for 10% of your income.

I was born on my phone number and I will not work with you.

50% English and Irish... But there's enough Eastern European, French/German, Scandanavian, Ashkenazi Jewish, Balkan, and Iberian to be really interesting.

7 years. 7 lifetimes

The moon hangs sideways.

Santa likes rich kids more and must of known that Rudolph was being bullied.

https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14404-night-work/

‘Night Work’ is one of my favorite albums of all time by my favorite band of all time. This review is basically saying that music by gay people for gay people is not palatable to a straight audience and therefor not inclusive enough.

This is why I’ve been so fucking pissed for 2017 and will carry that fire into 2018. This is why Living Single isn’t on Hulu. Because I have participated in fucking straight people culture without complaint and have had to pull teeth to get straight people to even consider coming to a queer event (other than the pride parade-- but who doesn't love a parade? I digress ). This is to me self evident of the fact that straight folk (especially, but not limited to, white ones) think their activities are normal, and gay folks activities are not. No wonder gay folk dont want y'all in their safe spaces-- folks act like theyre on safari or doing something lurid. No gurl, it's a fucking Thursday and the drinks are cheap.

You know who does come to queer events when I ask? My non-white female friends. They also know how to treat the space (ie, putting away any urge to behave in an entitled manner). You know who came with me to see the Scissor Sisters tour Night Work? Wanna know who watches Living Single?

This article, and this situation, is garbage. If this made your asshole pucler, then maybe now you know why your gay friends low key think you’re the worst and if you’re white, your non-white friends low key think you’re even worse than that. But Facebook is an echo chamber, so if you made it this far, you’re probably not the problem.

Back to the pitchfork review:

“If the cover of Night Work did not clue you in, let's just state the obvious right now: This is a very, very gay album. Whereas the first two Scissor Sisters records found a way to translate specifically gay subject matter into big-tent camp that opened up their appeal to anyone with a taste for colorful dance music and 1970s radio pop, their third album isn't quite as inclusive. They are no less tuneful, but their aesthetic and lyrical themes are more firmly rooted in gay culture, to the point that many straight listeners may find themselves feeling like outsiders looking in. Instead of presenting a queer pop sensibility for the masses, they've gone deeper into their subcultural niche."

So far, I really like 2018.

Really, JT? A gropey robot? That's the best you've got for us in 2018? A cgi bot, basically a Wein-tron 4000, that gyrates at woman as a proxy for you, so as not to tarnish your "respectable image" ?🙅🏼‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️ Guuurrl, you threw Britney under a bus, did Janet hella dirty, and just worked with Woody Allen. At least come through with some art, jfc.

I've been abroad for the most recent conversations regarding the changing landscape of yoga in DC. We're seeing an unbelievable rise in yoga chains in DC-- Yoga District, Yoga Works, Down Dog, The Georgetown Yoga/Shaw/Dupont Conglomo, Yoga Heights, and Corepower. What does it mean for those who are highly trained and highly skilled to have chains expanding? What does it mean for those who want access to a contemplative practices and philosophy sets that goes back a few thousand years? What does it mean for those who don't know any of that and teach fitness with curated playlists under a homophone? Meg is interested in ensuring that modern postural yoga doesn't go the way of Lombrusco.

“…I must confess that I am not afraid of the word “tension.” …there is a type of constructive nonviolent tension that is necessary for growth. Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half-truths to the unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal, we must see the need of having nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men to rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood. So, the purpose of direct action is to create a situation so crisis-packed that it will inevitably open the door to negotiation"

AS MLK WROTE IN HIS Birmingham letters, Rattling the establishment is very useful. Its true, you might find yourself a pariah, but to an unrepresented community of people, you are representation, giving voice to those that have been largely voiceless. It requires valor and bravery, as MLK later came to discover, as standing your ground may in fact become the hill that you die upon.

Much like my affinity for drag, I recognize that yoga will never truly be mainstream because it "mocks ego," as RuPaul says. Yoga is very good for marginalized people. It's goodness for the voices unspoken is directly proportionate to its threat to the establishment.

The establishment, the Man, is invested in maintaining its power, and because that power comes from a deified ego, the establishment further marginalizes those that dare question ego.

Anything that mocks ego becomes an inherent threat.

Those vested in the power that comes from the establishment, and for this I say as clearly as I can: especially ONLY from the establishment-- those people will always attempt to (at best) diminish and (at worst) silence (by any means necessary) that which shows that the emporer has no clothes. They will do it with a clear conscience as only those who have made a god out of a toothless tiger can murder guiltlessly.

The very best way to rattle the ego starts by creating tension. Without discounting your inherent value, question your worth. You can't use your privileges for good if you don't admit you have them. We all have god given rights and innate gifts. What are your gifts? Where have you struggled? You can't recognize your growth potential without a sober assesment of where you are. This will help build empathy.

Then, go out and get loud.
Rattle the establishment.
Do yoga.
Fight AIDS.

Make MLK, RuPaul, and this little yogi proud and go out there and color with all the colors in the crayon box.

Living my best rave life at 18. 16 years later, here we are.

Me in India feels.

TMZ is predatory, enabling of the dominant paradigms in insidious ways. This does not forgive or absolve-- but it gives context.

Kanye's Yeezus is getting another listen: black skinhead in particular.

Why are people using single use plastic straws, knowing full well the consequences?

We can harness our power.

Don't you wonder how to find liberation?

It comes from inside ourselves. Wim Hoff teaches people go control their nervous system-- cold, oxygen deprivation, attitude-- all Interrelated.

I love it when my friends make things.

The Gods of Indic history are known by a variety of their names based on their cycles of rebirth - I can’t help but feel affinity- I'm Mike, Skippy, Mikey, and Michael here. I feel indescribably blessed to have an overlapping and overflowing community of friends who know *me* and call me by my name. Here we are, NYC.

My Fourth of July experience was so monumental, I didn’t even get a picture— wow.

com·plic·it
kəmˈplisit
adjective
involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing.

"Support of Trump makes you complicit in the dehumanization of woman. "
"Deifying Jois on Guru Purnima makes you complicit in silencing victims of sexual abuse in spiritual communities"
"Eating at chick-fil-a makes you complicit in the oppression of the LGBT community"
"Supporting India with your tourism dollars makes you complicit in radical Hinduism."

How much complicity can you stomach?

I’ve met a lot of polite bigots in my 35 years. I’ve never asked their party affiliations. I do not believe for one second every republican is purposefully engaging in the propagation of bigotry, but in 2018, every vote for a republican is a vote co-signing the continuation of institutionalized white supremacy and the denigration of those near and dear to my heart across a broad stroke of categories.

Exquisitely simple. Immediately actionable. And yet, so neccesary to hear today.

I find intention setting to be incredibly valuable. Small attainable goal conquering sets you up for big hairy audacious goals. Why not line them up so you can knock it out?

Ten years the better.

Hey fellow authorized ashtanga yoga teachers! y’all gonna go to “Bill Cosby school of comedy” or “the R Kelly Institute for Balladry”? What if they gave you your degree with the guys face on it and made you hang it up in your class room? Are you going to do it? If you wouldn’t do it, why not? Could you support an organization that demanded you do?

A while back I was the victim of a hate crime — I was assaulted and hospitalized for being other.

They took nothing except my illusions. And I’m left asking what kind of other was it that made me a target:

White in a black neighborhood?
A perception of Gentry in a neighborhood undergoing gentrification?
Being queer?

I’m not sure what exactly cause it. “White faggot” isn’t quite enough to go on.

What the media does with marginalized communities and race relations is appalling. The questions it asks and posits are cheap (I’m looking at you, Roxanne Gay).

I implore everyone reading this to leave your gated communities and engage. Ask better questions. Thank you for checking up on me. And remember: I love you. I’m sorry you hurt.

Also: follow the patterns. The Smullet thing is too close to the Lincoln Memorial thing. Somethings fishy.

It’s hard to laugh at the Smullett memes.

Some of us have faces held together by laffy taffy and metal plates because we actually were brutally attacked on the street in a random act of violence for no reason other than pure hatred.

Please be aware that by making light of this situation, it becomes a way of diminishing the realities of hate crimes in America.

Funny that it’s my straight white cohort sharing them. Your lack of empathy is worth examining.

How was this four years ago?

A way forward.

9 years ago— my oh my, I’ve been doing this outdoor yoga thing for a loooooong time. I remember posting this.

Funny enough, after all these years, i couldn’t put a picture together that could share what Maggie has taught be in a “before-after.”

@[34207430:2048:Maggie Lively], you have always inspired in me the tenacity to be my best self, and to this day you continue to push me, counsel me, and love me.

It is an honor to be your friend.

7 years ago

4 years ago

The Yoga Club’s very first ad will be right here.

When I first started coming to DC, I would go to a little coffee house at 22nd and P (love to Soho!) to hang out, spending time reading all of my favorite (read: free + edgy) DC newspapers— The Blade, the City Paper... and Pathways.

Each of these publications has struggled to stay in print over the last 10 years. I likely don’t need to tell y’all about the rapidly changing face of media— and how it has adversely impacted queer journalism, alt-newspapers, and trade-zines.

For y’all that haven’t been here for 30 years, lemmie tell ya: Pathways is the OG DC natural living/holistic health trade publication. Last year, Pathways didn’t have a print publication (due largely to the pandemic... and the changing landscape of readership).

One of the reasons i love DC so much is precisely because i was able to find my tribe— and so much of that is due to publications like this. Who knew that the local publications i loved growing up I’d eventually get to work with?

We went with Pathways first because it’s owned by my bestie’s bestie— and you know I love family owned and friend-ran.

For 7 years, my yoga program, DC Ashtanga, was fiercely independent and grassroots — and while we remain firmly non-commercial, the Yoga Club (my new practice space) wants to help others find community while also supporting and elevating others in our community.

While DC ashtanga will remain a grassroots practice group (as it always has been), we’re now proudly in residence in our new home at theyoga.club, and it is a pro ledge to help Pathways relaunch in print, so that other little woo woo gays can find a copy... and a tribe.