Reflections
51 entries in 2019 · oldest first
2019
I think this sounds excellent.
Fresh off the plane, I strapped in for a bit of yoga.
These days, the yoga industrial complex is ripe with controversy and scandal— ranging from inappropriate student teacher interactions, to prop usage, to glorified Ponzi schemes. Of course, there’s a great deal of “this is Yoga” and “that’s not yoga” running around, too.
None of this, i am reminded, is yoga.
Yoga doesn't fear controversy nor does it fear innovation, because yoga is a state of being, not a static commodity to be bought or sold.
The esoterica of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya’s learnedness is sexy— especially for the appropriative sort— after all, he learned yoga from his guru in a cave, purportedly mastering thousands of asana under his teachers watchful eye. The intensity of the idea of that experience sometimes takes away from the fact that he also held degrees in all six vedic darshans (think: Indian philosophies).
He wrote books and taught teachers— including the teachers of my teachers— BKS Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, and AG Mohan. I dare say he was an innovator. He also was firmly rooted in capital Y Yoga.
This is the lineage from which i come.
Not 5 hours into my stay in Goa, I made a point of finding my Iyengar teacher, Ian. Not unlike Rolf, he keeps no great internet presence— but I knew where to look.
Rolf and Ian shared a teaching space behind a cafe called Artjuna the first time I came to Goa. Ian still teaches here, but not today.
No, today one of his colleagues is holding a weekend workshop. The esteemed HS Arun, not unlike his teacher Iyengar, is an innovator in the use of props— particularly the chair.
I could not feel more lucky. It is not the journey to India that makes the yoga here so rich— it is the relationships. Ian and Rolf are dear friends, and Arun and Ian are too. I snuck into the back, grateful to be at the feet of my teachers- and glad to be inspired in the multitude of ways in which we can use this human experience to help people find the essence of Yoga.
These days, the yoga industrial complex is ripe with controversy and scandal— ranging from inappropriate student teacher interactions, to prop usage, to glorified Ponzi schemes. Of course, there’s a great deal of “this is Yoga” and “that’s not yoga” running around, too.
None of this, i am reminded, is yoga.
Yoga doesn't fear controversy nor does it fear innovation, because yoga is a state of being, not a static commodity to be bought or sold.
The esoterica of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya’s learnedness is sexy— especially for the appropriative sort— after all, he learned yoga from his guru in a cave, purportedly mastering thousands of asana under his teachers watchful eye. The intensity of the idea of that experience sometimes takes away from the fact that he also held degrees in all six vedic darshans (think: Indian philosophies).
He wrote books and taught teachers— including the teachers of my teachers— BKS Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, and AG Mohan. I dare say he was an innovator. He also was firmly rooted in capital Y Yoga.
This is the lineage from which i come.
Not 5 hours into my stay in Goa, I made a point of finding my Iyengar teacher, Ian. Not unlike Rolf, he keeps no great internet presence— but I knew where to look.
Rolf and Ian shared a teaching space behind a cafe called Artjuna the first time I came to Goa. Ian still teaches here, but not today.
No, today one of his colleagues is holding a weekend workshop. The esteemed HS Arun, not unlike his teacher Iyengar, is an innovator in the use of props— particularly the chair.
I could not feel more lucky. It is not the journey to India that makes the yoga here so rich— it is the relationships. Ian and Rolf are dear friends, and Arun and Ian are too. I snuck into the back, grateful to be at the feet of my teachers- and glad to be inspired in the multitude of ways in which we can use this human experience to help people find the essence of Yoga.
I took a backbending class in Arambol with a guy named Balu yesterday.
I kept the “Jungle Book” references to myself because 1) I don’t always have to go for low hanging fruit and 2) he didn’t seem like the kind of guy that would find my nonsense funny.
(I always go for low hanging fruit 🍌🍌🍌)
Some of the best stuff in my movement arsenal comes from folks not at all associated with yoga: the wrist stretches i learned from the pole dancing folk, all the handstand stuff from the circus folk, and all the squat and strength stuff from my Olympic weightlifters— it’s all gold. Balu's class certainly wasn't Ashtanga by the numbers, but gosh it had some good stuff.
I'm at the part of my trip where I can’t wait to share what I’ve gleaned.
ps: I loved this Gorilla smoking a fat joint because he reminded me of the Gorilla Namaskar I’ve been teaching — not ‘cause of Balu! 😉
I kept the “Jungle Book” references to myself because 1) I don’t always have to go for low hanging fruit and 2) he didn’t seem like the kind of guy that would find my nonsense funny.
(I always go for low hanging fruit 🍌🍌🍌)
Some of the best stuff in my movement arsenal comes from folks not at all associated with yoga: the wrist stretches i learned from the pole dancing folk, all the handstand stuff from the circus folk, and all the squat and strength stuff from my Olympic weightlifters— it’s all gold. Balu's class certainly wasn't Ashtanga by the numbers, but gosh it had some good stuff.
I'm at the part of my trip where I can’t wait to share what I’ve gleaned.
ps: I loved this Gorilla smoking a fat joint because he reminded me of the Gorilla Namaskar I’ve been teaching — not ‘cause of Balu! 😉
In some of the weirder corners of the yoga world, practice is said to create Amrita bindu— a sweet nectar that collects to bring about immortality.
According to tantric texts, it develops in the bindu chakra, found just under the cowlick. When awakened, this elixir of youth begins to drip down our throats.
As the great swedish chantuese @robynkonichiwa might say “come get your honey.” As we enter into 2019, I am filled with a great deal of excitement. It is time for growth— it is time for the Amrita to flow.
You know what they say... no mud, no lotus? Don’t you feel like 2018 has prepared us (well) to blossom?
@dcashtanga shifts to the @eatonworkshop this March.
High potency practice, individualized. Wanna know more? Comment below ⤵️
According to tantric texts, it develops in the bindu chakra, found just under the cowlick. When awakened, this elixir of youth begins to drip down our throats.
As the great swedish chantuese @robynkonichiwa might say “come get your honey.” As we enter into 2019, I am filled with a great deal of excitement. It is time for growth— it is time for the Amrita to flow.
You know what they say... no mud, no lotus? Don’t you feel like 2018 has prepared us (well) to blossom?
@dcashtanga shifts to the @eatonworkshop this March.
High potency practice, individualized. Wanna know more? Comment below ⤵️
(how I felt
For years trying to be a ‘good yogi’)
For years trying to be a ‘good yogi’)
in imageWhen the weekend is over and you
have to say goodbye to your real self for
a few days
(how I felt
For years trying to be a
'good yogi')
have to say goodbye to your real self for
a few days
(how I felt
For years trying to be a
'good yogi')
in image4G
00
00
”You have to match their impedence,” @berylbenderbirch so elegantly mused. My ears perked up. As an athlete, I felt seen and heard when ms Birch spoke of facilitating a person like me’s practice of yoga—that being an active, sometimes social individual’s —on The Yoga Talks Podcast with @jbrownyoga . So often the physical aspect of practice gets derided as “low” or something— and in fact it’s through my bodily connection (or lack there of) that I’m able to access interior mind states. That my impedance.
She knows a little something about matching impendence— she’s helped thousands upon thousands of runners pick up a long lasting and sustainable yoga practice by offering yoga classes to the New York Road Runners.
For a lot of folks, this brings to mind helping overtaxed runners stretch out some achy calves— and it very much is. But, and this is where it gets so deliciously subversive — teaching a class called “Yoga for Runners” doesn’t mean simply teaching calf stretches to marathoners— it means helping them learn how to use a really enjoyable and therapeutic sequence of body positioning to develop deeper states of attention.
It’s from those deeper states of attention that the really juicey stuff starts to happen— like when meditation states start to spontaneously blossom out of those deep concentration states. And god, are runners able to concentrate on their poor aches legs.
I’m one of the ones that was reached by finding *that* yoga teacher and *that* yoga class at my gym.
Come see me at @balancegym on Friday’s at 12. I’m back March 1.
She knows a little something about matching impendence— she’s helped thousands upon thousands of runners pick up a long lasting and sustainable yoga practice by offering yoga classes to the New York Road Runners.
For a lot of folks, this brings to mind helping overtaxed runners stretch out some achy calves— and it very much is. But, and this is where it gets so deliciously subversive — teaching a class called “Yoga for Runners” doesn’t mean simply teaching calf stretches to marathoners— it means helping them learn how to use a really enjoyable and therapeutic sequence of body positioning to develop deeper states of attention.
It’s from those deeper states of attention that the really juicey stuff starts to happen— like when meditation states start to spontaneously blossom out of those deep concentration states. And god, are runners able to concentrate on their poor aches legs.
I’m one of the ones that was reached by finding *that* yoga teacher and *that* yoga class at my gym.
Come see me at @balancegym on Friday’s at 12. I’m back March 1.
Maha Shivaratri and Meaning Divination
Once a year, in late Winter, there is a Hindu celebration called Maha Shivaratri — which means "the Great Night of Shiva." For a number of years, I was fortunate enough to be in Mysore, India for this ostensibly solemn celebration. Shiva is a yogic icon, being considered “the Lord of Yoga.”
For secular practitioners of yoga like me, the celebration is one for reflecting upon the infinite yet narrow intersection between destruction and regeneration— to wit, overcoming darkness and ignorance. Siva personifies that here.
Unlike most Hindu festivals which occur during the day, this one is held at night. You spend the event remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, and meditating on ethics and virtues such as self-restraint, honesty, non-injury to others, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva.
Whilst the vigils went all night long, what i remember when going from temple to temple was the look of sugar-wired excitement in the children’s eyes, getting to run around all night long.
Yes, as a secular observant of a sacred celebration, my memory banks were hard-codes with the pure joy and trouble and fun and exhaustion.
—-
During the Vigil Night of Shiva, Mahashivaratri,
we are brought to the moment of interval
between destruction and regeneration;
it symbolizes the night
when we must contemplate on that which
watches the growth out of the decay.
During Mahashivaratri we have to be alone
with our sword, the Shiva in us.
We have to look behind and before,
to see what evil needs eradicating from our heart,
what growth of virtue we need to encourage.
Shiva is not only outside of us but within us.
To unite ourselves with the One Self
is to recognize the Shiva in us.
—The Theosophical Movement, Volume 72[
—-
On the dawn of Maha Shivaratri, @dcashtanga has our first day at the @eatonworkshop —
Mon-Fri: 7-10a
Mon-Thur: 5:30-7p.
Doors are 1/2 hour ahead.
Schedule:
Mon 12:45-1:30 Ashtanga Lite @balancegym
Tue 12:00-1:00 Flow/Vinyasa - Eaton
Wed 1:30-2:30. Flow/Vinyasa - Eaton
Thu 1:30-2:30 Flow/Vinyasa - Eaton
Fri 12-1 Atheltes Yoga - Balance
Once a year, in late Winter, there is a Hindu celebration called Maha Shivaratri — which means "the Great Night of Shiva." For a number of years, I was fortunate enough to be in Mysore, India for this ostensibly solemn celebration. Shiva is a yogic icon, being considered “the Lord of Yoga.”
For secular practitioners of yoga like me, the celebration is one for reflecting upon the infinite yet narrow intersection between destruction and regeneration— to wit, overcoming darkness and ignorance. Siva personifies that here.
Unlike most Hindu festivals which occur during the day, this one is held at night. You spend the event remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, and meditating on ethics and virtues such as self-restraint, honesty, non-injury to others, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva.
Whilst the vigils went all night long, what i remember when going from temple to temple was the look of sugar-wired excitement in the children’s eyes, getting to run around all night long.
Yes, as a secular observant of a sacred celebration, my memory banks were hard-codes with the pure joy and trouble and fun and exhaustion.
—-
During the Vigil Night of Shiva, Mahashivaratri,
we are brought to the moment of interval
between destruction and regeneration;
it symbolizes the night
when we must contemplate on that which
watches the growth out of the decay.
During Mahashivaratri we have to be alone
with our sword, the Shiva in us.
We have to look behind and before,
to see what evil needs eradicating from our heart,
what growth of virtue we need to encourage.
Shiva is not only outside of us but within us.
To unite ourselves with the One Self
is to recognize the Shiva in us.
—The Theosophical Movement, Volume 72[
—-
On the dawn of Maha Shivaratri, @dcashtanga has our first day at the @eatonworkshop —
Mon-Fri: 7-10a
Mon-Thur: 5:30-7p.
Doors are 1/2 hour ahead.
Schedule:
Mon 12:45-1:30 Ashtanga Lite @balancegym
Tue 12:00-1:00 Flow/Vinyasa - Eaton
Wed 1:30-2:30. Flow/Vinyasa - Eaton
Thu 1:30-2:30 Flow/Vinyasa - Eaton
Fri 12-1 Atheltes Yoga - Balance
in image.
с0.
с0.
The practice and philosophy of yoga has entered into fitness realms and mental health paradigms-- but truly, it is an ancient wisdom tradition for healing from the inside.
This posture is called Kasyapasana, so named for the sage Kashyapa.
One of the seven ancient rishi's from the Rig Veda (many of whom have postures named for them in third series), his name also means " turtle." He is sometimes said to be the son of Marichi. Kashmir, a region in India, may be a translation from Kashya's Lake.
Looking at yogas historical texts helps illuminate it's most potent purpose— something that transcends both the mental and the physical, bringing in the spirit. This selection from Atharvaveda, Book XIX, Hymns L51-53 could be useful before heading into a challenging yoga asana series:
Undisturbed am I, undisturbed is my soul,
undisturbed mine eye, undisturbed mine ear,
undisturbed is mine in-breathing, undisturbed mine out-breathing,
undisturbed my diffusive breath, undisturbed the whole of me.
Thereafter rose Desire in the beginning, Desire the primal seed and germ of Spirit,
O Kama dwelling with the lofty Kama, give growth of riches to the sacrificer, (...)
Prolific, thousand eyed, and undecaying, a horse with seven reins Time bears us onward,
Sages inspired with holy knowledge mount him, his chariot wheels are all the worlds of creatures.
Kala [Time] created yonder heaven, and Kala made these realms of earth,
By Kala, stirred to motion, both what is and what shall be, expand,
Kala created living things and first of all Prajapati,
From Kala self-made Kasyapa, from Kala Holy Fire was born
This posture is called Kasyapasana, so named for the sage Kashyapa.
One of the seven ancient rishi's from the Rig Veda (many of whom have postures named for them in third series), his name also means " turtle." He is sometimes said to be the son of Marichi. Kashmir, a region in India, may be a translation from Kashya's Lake.
Looking at yogas historical texts helps illuminate it's most potent purpose— something that transcends both the mental and the physical, bringing in the spirit. This selection from Atharvaveda, Book XIX, Hymns L51-53 could be useful before heading into a challenging yoga asana series:
Undisturbed am I, undisturbed is my soul,
undisturbed mine eye, undisturbed mine ear,
undisturbed is mine in-breathing, undisturbed mine out-breathing,
undisturbed my diffusive breath, undisturbed the whole of me.
Thereafter rose Desire in the beginning, Desire the primal seed and germ of Spirit,
O Kama dwelling with the lofty Kama, give growth of riches to the sacrificer, (...)
Prolific, thousand eyed, and undecaying, a horse with seven reins Time bears us onward,
Sages inspired with holy knowledge mount him, his chariot wheels are all the worlds of creatures.
Kala [Time] created yonder heaven, and Kala made these realms of earth,
By Kala, stirred to motion, both what is and what shall be, expand,
Kala created living things and first of all Prajapati,
From Kala self-made Kasyapa, from Kala Holy Fire was born
It’s a helluva thing to lick your wounds and count your blessings at the same time.
Cuts sting worse for a moment when you clean them, after all— but thank whoever-you-fucking-thank that you have this chance to fucking clean them at all.
Ashtanga Yoga specifically asks you to table your “woe-is-me” narrative and sobermindedly go about the work of suffering less.
As @gratefulweirdo ‘s Bubbie told her, “if you push it down from the top, it’ll come out the sides”— and the practice of yoga asks you to put your sorryies in a sack and deal with your shit.
We don’t cut off whole parts of ourself in yoga— we don’t shy away. No, we hold space for pain so that we can heal ourselves from the inside.
The process starts with noticing and befriending the ignored and blocked— and one of the things i love most about Ashtanga Yoga is that it allows you to do so from so, so, so many starting points— which is great, cause folks are coming *from* so many different starting points. So many wounds.
But it all unfurls and unfolds from just right where you are.
For me, it has been a process of learning to love my body. My tummy. My voice.
Like Mama @rupaulofficial says, “if you can’t love yourself, how the hell ya gonna love somebody else?”
Listen, real talk: that process takes just as long as it takes. But, like I said, it starts right where you are.
#survivor
Cuts sting worse for a moment when you clean them, after all— but thank whoever-you-fucking-thank that you have this chance to fucking clean them at all.
Ashtanga Yoga specifically asks you to table your “woe-is-me” narrative and sobermindedly go about the work of suffering less.
As @gratefulweirdo ‘s Bubbie told her, “if you push it down from the top, it’ll come out the sides”— and the practice of yoga asks you to put your sorryies in a sack and deal with your shit.
We don’t cut off whole parts of ourself in yoga— we don’t shy away. No, we hold space for pain so that we can heal ourselves from the inside.
The process starts with noticing and befriending the ignored and blocked— and one of the things i love most about Ashtanga Yoga is that it allows you to do so from so, so, so many starting points— which is great, cause folks are coming *from* so many different starting points. So many wounds.
But it all unfurls and unfolds from just right where you are.
For me, it has been a process of learning to love my body. My tummy. My voice.
Like Mama @rupaulofficial says, “if you can’t love yourself, how the hell ya gonna love somebody else?”
Listen, real talk: that process takes just as long as it takes. But, like I said, it starts right where you are.
#survivor
in imageLet's Be Together Today
Let's go right away, go somewhere today
Let's be together and stay and stay.
Let's go together today, right away.
Let's be together today!
Together's the way I like the best.
I like to be with you.
I like the things you explain to me-
The things you show me to do.
Let's go right away, go somewhere today
Let's be together and stay and stay.
Let's go together today.
Right away, let's be together today.
Some days it's good to play alone
But sometimes I get bored.
There's just so much you can do yourself
With a ball or a doll or a sword.
But whenever I hear you've got some time
And want me to be with you,
I wonder how you knew
'Cause that's what I wanted, too!
3
Let's go right away, go somewhere today
Let's be together and stay and stay.
Let's go together today, right away.
Let's be together today!
Together's the way I like the best.
I like to be with you.
I like the things you explain to me-
The things you show me to do.
Let's go right away, go somewhere today
Let's be together and stay and stay.
Let's go together today.
Right away, let's be together today.
Some days it's good to play alone
But sometimes I get bored.
There's just so much you can do yourself
With a ball or a doll or a sword.
But whenever I hear you've got some time
And want me to be with you,
I wonder how you knew
'Cause that's what I wanted, too!
3
After seven years or so years of practice, I wondered to myself “where are the mystics? The wizened ones? The enlightened? Those that had reached the highest states of yoga?”
In the interest of believing by seeing, i set off on a journey to find the ones who knew the methods that would bring about samadhi— because it had been attained. I had a hard time understanding why I knew so many yogis with so little experience of yoga.
Along the way I learned that enlightenment is a wisdom - truth state that is available to absolutely anyone willing and able to put in the work that will lead to it.
I learned that our ability to stay in the state of samadhi, of deep intertwinement with all things, can come easily but to keep it requires both great discipline and great relinquishing.
I learned that in fact, it is nothing special.
I learned most of all that I didn’t know how to look for what I was looking for. The folks I sought were hiding in plain sight.
Here’s something you must understand: these states of consciousness are available on day one, if only for a fleeting second.
In fact, it is in our efforts to track as many sensation patterns as we can in that fleeting second that we develop the concentration skills to enter these states.
If you want it, you can have it.
I do not guard the secrets, I do not gatekeep these altered states. These consciousness states are for everyone— after all, when the tide comes in, all boats are lifted.
Let’s be clear: I can not say that I am enlightened, but I can say for sure that I have tasted the nectar of these practices.
I now want nothing more than to share what i have learned and to continue learning.
Real yoga promises abiding peace and freedom and so much more to all devoted aspirants; and all that is required is to try. These are very good reasons to practice.
Best of all, you absolutely should not take my word for it. If it is true, all of this will become self evident. Pick your guide wisely, and give it a try— you will see the evidence of its brilliance. My journey continues.
In the interest of believing by seeing, i set off on a journey to find the ones who knew the methods that would bring about samadhi— because it had been attained. I had a hard time understanding why I knew so many yogis with so little experience of yoga.
Along the way I learned that enlightenment is a wisdom - truth state that is available to absolutely anyone willing and able to put in the work that will lead to it.
I learned that our ability to stay in the state of samadhi, of deep intertwinement with all things, can come easily but to keep it requires both great discipline and great relinquishing.
I learned that in fact, it is nothing special.
I learned most of all that I didn’t know how to look for what I was looking for. The folks I sought were hiding in plain sight.
Here’s something you must understand: these states of consciousness are available on day one, if only for a fleeting second.
In fact, it is in our efforts to track as many sensation patterns as we can in that fleeting second that we develop the concentration skills to enter these states.
If you want it, you can have it.
I do not guard the secrets, I do not gatekeep these altered states. These consciousness states are for everyone— after all, when the tide comes in, all boats are lifted.
Let’s be clear: I can not say that I am enlightened, but I can say for sure that I have tasted the nectar of these practices.
I now want nothing more than to share what i have learned and to continue learning.
Real yoga promises abiding peace and freedom and so much more to all devoted aspirants; and all that is required is to try. These are very good reasons to practice.
Best of all, you absolutely should not take my word for it. If it is true, all of this will become self evident. Pick your guide wisely, and give it a try— you will see the evidence of its brilliance. My journey continues.
What’s that sound in the distance? Chanting.
I searched in the birthplace of Ashtanga Yoga in order to discover its most potent form, and what I found made a mess of my sensibilities. I chanted with esteemed professors of the Sanskrit college whilst banana leaves were scanned into computers for posterity. I listened to casual talk about the infinite with men who devoted their lives to the study. And i practiced under the looming and smiling visage of a now disgraced Brahmin “master” who died before I came to the fertile soil of Mysore.
What for? For an understanding of yoga, and then later for an accreditation to teach just that. The laugh of it all is that my ranking inside of the authorizing organization has been based on physical accomplishment, not my pedagogical ones.
This makes some sense when you consider the selection process... how often you turn up for practice and how deep down the syllabus you are able to dive. Progression by attrition— can you outlast the impetus to turn away.
I could.
But now, on the other side of having received “the gurus” blessing to teach, i wonder about its value. The heirarchical nature of the guru-shishya model leads to some concerns on my end. I don’t have a problem with heirarchy... i have a problem with blind faith and abuse.
For example, was i too fat? The “guru” had certainly told me to stop eating so much if i wanted to make an asana happen. I had been eating my feelings more than the rice for months at that point. No. Thank you.
I don’t have a stomach for the “vande gurunam” any longer because it’s this kind of encouraged prostration to authority that leads to the police being quietly ushered away from world tours of retired Sanskrit scholars, young woman being taken out of shalas in stretchers, and gay boys having dormant eating disorders stoked.
As director of @dcashtanga i still encourage chanting— but the chants we chant are older than the dirt of mysore’s palace. I still encourage practice in its most raw form— contemplation, breath, movement, and stillness— and I trust that the practice will become self evident of its excellence.
I searched in the birthplace of Ashtanga Yoga in order to discover its most potent form, and what I found made a mess of my sensibilities. I chanted with esteemed professors of the Sanskrit college whilst banana leaves were scanned into computers for posterity. I listened to casual talk about the infinite with men who devoted their lives to the study. And i practiced under the looming and smiling visage of a now disgraced Brahmin “master” who died before I came to the fertile soil of Mysore.
What for? For an understanding of yoga, and then later for an accreditation to teach just that. The laugh of it all is that my ranking inside of the authorizing organization has been based on physical accomplishment, not my pedagogical ones.
This makes some sense when you consider the selection process... how often you turn up for practice and how deep down the syllabus you are able to dive. Progression by attrition— can you outlast the impetus to turn away.
I could.
But now, on the other side of having received “the gurus” blessing to teach, i wonder about its value. The heirarchical nature of the guru-shishya model leads to some concerns on my end. I don’t have a problem with heirarchy... i have a problem with blind faith and abuse.
For example, was i too fat? The “guru” had certainly told me to stop eating so much if i wanted to make an asana happen. I had been eating my feelings more than the rice for months at that point. No. Thank you.
I don’t have a stomach for the “vande gurunam” any longer because it’s this kind of encouraged prostration to authority that leads to the police being quietly ushered away from world tours of retired Sanskrit scholars, young woman being taken out of shalas in stretchers, and gay boys having dormant eating disorders stoked.
As director of @dcashtanga i still encourage chanting— but the chants we chant are older than the dirt of mysore’s palace. I still encourage practice in its most raw form— contemplation, breath, movement, and stillness— and I trust that the practice will become self evident of its excellence.
In order for contemplation practice to work, we must find a place to practice where the conditions are tolerable enough that we can sit long enough to concentrate. Our space at @eaton.dc is certainly that.
The physical location of practice can provide that, sure, but more importantly, the actual posture itself must provide that.
Ashtanga Yoga, taught in the Mysore style, functions very well at creating both an abode for attention and as a physically therapeutic modality for self healing. If we pick variants of foundational postures that target our specific limitations, then we have a chance to heal them.
In this way, more “advanced” postures function diagnostically— and then, later, also therapeutically. The practice of Ashtanga Yoga systematically addresses the body.
Here, #parsvakonasanab is being performed in a manner that develops internal shoulder rotation, extension, and retraction and also hip flexion in spinal rotation. This has been done to help create more mobility for postures like #pasasana and #marichyasanac
This process allows us to slowly adapt. The discomfort of growth must be manageable. It also very clearly highlights that the posture itself is a framework for development, not an end goal.
HEYAM DUHKHAM ANAGATAM (2.16)
Pain that has not yet come is avoidable.
The physical location of practice can provide that, sure, but more importantly, the actual posture itself must provide that.
Ashtanga Yoga, taught in the Mysore style, functions very well at creating both an abode for attention and as a physically therapeutic modality for self healing. If we pick variants of foundational postures that target our specific limitations, then we have a chance to heal them.
In this way, more “advanced” postures function diagnostically— and then, later, also therapeutically. The practice of Ashtanga Yoga systematically addresses the body.
Here, #parsvakonasanab is being performed in a manner that develops internal shoulder rotation, extension, and retraction and also hip flexion in spinal rotation. This has been done to help create more mobility for postures like #pasasana and #marichyasanac
This process allows us to slowly adapt. The discomfort of growth must be manageable. It also very clearly highlights that the posture itself is a framework for development, not an end goal.
HEYAM DUHKHAM ANAGATAM (2.16)
Pain that has not yet come is avoidable.
still an accurate reflection
of my priorities.
of my priorities.
in imageYour memories on Facebook
Michael, we care about you and the memories that
you share here. We thought that you'd like to look
back on this post from 5 years ago.
If
Michael Joel Hall
7 May 2014 at 09:56
I was going to make a post about a real #ashtangachallenge
being 4 full weeks of uninterrupted practice. Then I found
pics of hot dudes. The end.
still an accurate reflection
of my priorities.
Michael, we care about you and the memories that
you share here. We thought that you'd like to look
back on this post from 5 years ago.
If
Michael Joel Hall
7 May 2014 at 09:56
I was going to make a post about a real #ashtangachallenge
being 4 full weeks of uninterrupted practice. Then I found
pics of hot dudes. The end.
still an accurate reflection
of my priorities.
in imageomgbeckyp
SWEAT-DC
sweatdc
omgbeckyp
Thanks @sweatdc for
helpin me start my
Wednesdays RIGHT.
(02) 643 1870
SWEAT DC
Yasss yogis who lift
Ive probs neyer made
my teacher
@michaeljoelhall so
proud #yogiswholift
SWEAT-DC
sweatdc
omgbeckyp
Thanks @sweatdc for
helpin me start my
Wednesdays RIGHT.
(02) 643 1870
SWEAT DC
Yasss yogis who lift
Ive probs neyer made
my teacher
@michaeljoelhall so
proud #yogiswholift
SO PROUD!!
in imageSO PROUD!
Kazi Jones
So @shethepeoplesc won a #helenhayes award last night! I was there at the bar posing with a fake Helen Hayes award when it was announced which is the story of my life 💃💃🍾🍾🎉🎉
Outstanding Visiting Production
The Second City's She the People
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
HELEN HAYES AWARDS
Kazi Jones
So @shethepeoplesc won a #helenhayes award last night! I was there at the bar posing with a fake Helen Hayes award when it was announced which is the story of my life 💃💃🍾🍾🎉🎉
Outstanding Visiting Production
The Second City's She the People
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
HELEN HAYES AWARDS
Two years ago I had an inkling of Joisâs abuses of power. I also had plausibility in my internal denial. I think Nigel has so eloquently stated so much of how i feel. I was reminded this morning by my statement of gratitude for Joisâs work from those two years agoâ I am no less grateful for his vast accomplishment but also no longer interested in a purposeful naivety. Have nuance hereâ and leave space for others to do so also. And in the interim, please stop diefying, explicitly or implicitly, a flawed, complicated human. If you have real interest in helping others heal their traumas, take down your icons and your alters to an abuser.
This has been a year of growth. My work, my imagination, and my love.
I’m learning how...
... to be in relationship.
... to compromise — without feeling compromised.
... to share.
I’m learning how...
... to be more patient.
To be more trusting.
To be a better partner.
I’m learning.
I’m growing.
In love. In work. In life.
Together, with @yasmikey
I’m learning how...
... to be in relationship.
... to compromise — without feeling compromised.
... to share.
I’m learning how...
... to be more patient.
To be more trusting.
To be a better partner.
I’m learning.
I’m growing.
In love. In work. In life.
Together, with @yasmikey
Feeling super grateful to have someone I can ask for help when I need it— thanks, Paul. @flourishallways does traditional Chinese medicine a ton more. I’ve recommended him for years and still do.
in imageFeeling super grateful to
have someone I can ask for
help when I need it- thanks,
Paul .
@flourishallways does
traditional Chinese medicine
a ton more. I've recommended
him for years and still do.
have someone I can ask for
help when I need it- thanks,
Paul .
@flourishallways does
traditional Chinese medicine
a ton more. I've recommended
him for years and still do.
it’s shake and bake
and I helped.
and I helped.
in imageThank You guys for all of your help last night! It takes a village! 😂🙏🤗
Happy international yoga day.
The well of gratitude I have for organizations like @ashtanganation @ashtanganashville @ashtangaphiladelphia @hotspotdupont and folks like @davidgarriguesyoga @suenodevida_ecu and so many more run deep.
Blessed for the community at @dcashtanga at @eaton.dc —
The well of gratitude I have for organizations like @ashtanganation @ashtanganashville @ashtangaphiladelphia @hotspotdupont and folks like @davidgarriguesyoga @suenodevida_ecu and so many more run deep.
Blessed for the community at @dcashtanga at @eaton.dc —
Iâm so grateful for you.
https://www.advocate.com/youth/2019/6/27/report-just-one-accepting-adult-can-save-lgbtq-young-persons-life
https://www.advocate.com/youth/2019/6/27/report-just-one-accepting-adult-can-save-lgbtq-young-persons-life
in image1-
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TREO
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in imageTr
View all 7 comments
19 hours ago
afarawaygirl
...
flaming thot cheeto
@ariesjpeg
this is literally how discussing politics
today feels like
I Don't Know How To
Explain To You That You
Should Care About Other
People
8 likes
Add a comment...
3 hours ago
Simp|Boost
Sponsored
"
+
...
View all 7 comments
19 hours ago
afarawaygirl
...
flaming thot cheeto
@ariesjpeg
this is literally how discussing politics
today feels like
I Don't Know How To
Explain To You That You
Should Care About Other
People
8 likes
Add a comment...
3 hours ago
Simp|Boost
Sponsored
"
+
...
Working inside of different federal agencies, corporations, and NGOs for the last 10+ years as a yoga teacher has been illuminating in the ways mindfulness practice can be co-opted for both the forces of good and some far more nefarious.
As a young teacher, i felt as though i was sharing something very useful with people who could affect change on a much larger scale than I ever couldâ i felt subversive to be doing it right in the heart of the corporate/capitalistic machine.
Practice worksâ and it works across a broad spectrum of therapeutic modalities each with individual metrics. Spiritual health, physical well being, interpersonal relational skills, emotional balanceâ each can be touched on. When instructed well, each can be elevated. So too, Iâm sad to say, can the shadow side: further anesthetization, good old spiritual bypassing, and duration of a culture that punches down and goes to sleep.
Having seen this in local yoga studios, international finance organizations, and local community sports non-profits, its very much on my radar. But, it doesnât mean to stop. It means to care more and share better.
Teachers have a responsibility: pick your platform, and to pick it well. Keep your ethics high, and they will trickle down.
https://www.thenation.com/article/ron-parser-mcmindfulness-mindfulness-meditation-book-interview/
As a young teacher, i felt as though i was sharing something very useful with people who could affect change on a much larger scale than I ever couldâ i felt subversive to be doing it right in the heart of the corporate/capitalistic machine.
Practice worksâ and it works across a broad spectrum of therapeutic modalities each with individual metrics. Spiritual health, physical well being, interpersonal relational skills, emotional balanceâ each can be touched on. When instructed well, each can be elevated. So too, Iâm sad to say, can the shadow side: further anesthetization, good old spiritual bypassing, and duration of a culture that punches down and goes to sleep.
Having seen this in local yoga studios, international finance organizations, and local community sports non-profits, its very much on my radar. But, it doesnât mean to stop. It means to care more and share better.
Teachers have a responsibility: pick your platform, and to pick it well. Keep your ethics high, and they will trickle down.
https://www.thenation.com/article/ron-parser-mcmindfulness-mindfulness-meditation-book-interview/
A member of the greater DC/NOVA yoga community, @andreharrisyoga came in to visit today at @dcashtanga . He lives in Washington (state, not DC) now, and only gets back to visit about once a year. I love seeing him!
Lately, he has been struggling with injury. Life is like that, ya know? @livelyogini And he went over a bunch of great tactics including #FRC over at @ashtanganation to help him get stronger.
I recognized the work they had done (Maggie and I have worked together a lot over the years), and was able to facilitate further. The truth is, André wanted to work on his tick-tok (and so did I!) but we had some more pressing issues to resolve.
Together, we explored upstream and downstream to find compensatory movement patterns that have perhaps been leading to some of the injury, and examined how to remove the pattern by introducing a new one.
If it came automatically, we’d all move perfectly. We don’t. Andre’s patience with the developmental drills and upstream/downstream modifications left him able to practice the ashtanga yoga syllabus — elegantly into the primary series.
Same-same, intermediate.
Pretty cool.
After all the slow and steady and elegant; and then transition-y, we finally got to work on the tik-tok!!
I wanted André to share with me some of his progress while he works on these things, and so i got the ball rolling with video.
Here’s one way we work to develop motor skills somewhat autonomously in the Mysore room. We went from being totally assisted, to using a chair, to using pads.
Teamwork, patience, and persistence. They go a long way.
Lately, he has been struggling with injury. Life is like that, ya know? @livelyogini And he went over a bunch of great tactics including #FRC over at @ashtanganation to help him get stronger.
I recognized the work they had done (Maggie and I have worked together a lot over the years), and was able to facilitate further. The truth is, André wanted to work on his tick-tok (and so did I!) but we had some more pressing issues to resolve.
Together, we explored upstream and downstream to find compensatory movement patterns that have perhaps been leading to some of the injury, and examined how to remove the pattern by introducing a new one.
If it came automatically, we’d all move perfectly. We don’t. Andre’s patience with the developmental drills and upstream/downstream modifications left him able to practice the ashtanga yoga syllabus — elegantly into the primary series.
Same-same, intermediate.
Pretty cool.
After all the slow and steady and elegant; and then transition-y, we finally got to work on the tik-tok!!
I wanted André to share with me some of his progress while he works on these things, and so i got the ball rolling with video.
Here’s one way we work to develop motor skills somewhat autonomously in the Mysore room. We went from being totally assisted, to using a chair, to using pads.
Teamwork, patience, and persistence. They go a long way.
in imageYour memories on Facebook
Michael, we care about you and the memories that
you share here. We thought that you'd like to look
back on this post from 7 years ago.
f
Michael Joel Hall
27 July 2012 at 12:21
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.
Michael, we care about you and the memories that
you share here. We thought that you'd like to look
back on this post from 7 years ago.
f
Michael Joel Hall
27 July 2012 at 12:21
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.
I feel pandered
to in a
low key offensive
way. but we are
mattress shopping
to in a
low key offensive
way. but we are
mattress shopping
@britneyspears Cc: @ryanpcathcart
in imagebritneyspears
22.5m followers
View Profile
Namaste
View More on Instagram Cc: @ryanpcathcart
V
-
L
116,083 likes
britneyspears
н
All I can say is thank you god for yoga ... l've
been doing hot yoga for four weeks now and I
absolutely love it ... it's like shopping I wanna
go back !!! Lol but seriously though I do I feel
cleansed and after the first week | felt stronger
.....So Namaste
view all 3,227 comments
22.5m followers
View Profile
Namaste
View More on Instagram Cc: @ryanpcathcart
V
-
L
116,083 likes
britneyspears
н
All I can say is thank you god for yoga ... l've
been doing hot yoga for four weeks now and I
absolutely love it ... it's like shopping I wanna
go back !!! Lol but seriously though I do I feel
cleansed and after the first week | felt stronger
.....So Namaste
view all 3,227 comments
in imageGOOD JUDGEMENT COMES
FROM EXPERIENCE.
AND EXPERIENCE? WELL THAT COMES
FROM POOR JUDGEMENT.
FROM EXPERIENCE.
AND EXPERIENCE? WELL THAT COMES
FROM POOR JUDGEMENT.
love you Claire.
in imageclairetart1
=à
dcashtanga
Q
love you Claire.
2 likes
clairetart1 | miss @michaeljoelhall so much. A Actually it's
a combination of nostalgia & missing him. Nostalgia
because it was so natural to climb on my mat and know he
was observing my practice adjusting as he watched.
Missing him because I haven't found a new teacher-
student connection yet as I found in him or my other past
teachers in my journey. @betsypoos first handstand,
@wkcharles & @lizarch (inversions/martial art goddesses),
@spirituallyfly for guiding me to find my teaching voice and
style. These are REAL teachers not gimmick or tad | love
you all and I'm grateful that my practice has been fortunate
enough to have each of you at one point or another.
#yoqa @dcashtanga
=à
dcashtanga
Q
love you Claire.
2 likes
clairetart1 | miss @michaeljoelhall so much. A Actually it's
a combination of nostalgia & missing him. Nostalgia
because it was so natural to climb on my mat and know he
was observing my practice adjusting as he watched.
Missing him because I haven't found a new teacher-
student connection yet as I found in him or my other past
teachers in my journey. @betsypoos first handstand,
@wkcharles & @lizarch (inversions/martial art goddesses),
@spirituallyfly for guiding me to find my teaching voice and
style. These are REAL teachers not gimmick or tad | love
you all and I'm grateful that my practice has been fortunate
enough to have each of you at one point or another.
#yoqa @dcashtanga
@breathetobe #fact I think this posture is one of the most stunning.
in imagebreathetobe
Cbreathetobe
J
-
#fact I think this posture
is one of the most stunning.
Cbreathetobe
J
-
#fact I think this posture
is one of the most stunning.
in imageCrazylnvertedPopehat @Pope... 28m v
In spirit of compromise regarding
conspiracy theories, I offer this:
Q. What do you get when you cross Bill
Clinton and Donald Trump?
A: Murdered in your prison cell.
Д 26
L] 127
O 790
I
Bojan Rajković
@bojanrajkovic
v
Replying to @Popehat
That joke is so dark, Trump just asked
for its long-form birth certificate.
19:54 • 8/16/19 • Tweetbot for iOS
In spirit of compromise regarding
conspiracy theories, I offer this:
Q. What do you get when you cross Bill
Clinton and Donald Trump?
A: Murdered in your prison cell.
Д 26
L] 127
O 790
I
Bojan Rajković
@bojanrajkovic
v
Replying to @Popehat
That joke is so dark, Trump just asked
for its long-form birth certificate.
19:54 • 8/16/19 • Tweetbot for iOS
The District had its highest number of reported hate crimes last year: 204. Thatâs a year of gay men being beaten, black girls being threatened, transgender women being hurt, synagogues being harassed, Muslims being taunted and a Trump supporter smacked in a restaurant.
Liu, speaking at a forum at the Justice Department last month on combating anti-Semitism, said that sometimes, the odds of conviction are better when they donât press a hate-crime charge.
But that ignores what hate crimes do to the people who experience them. And it doesnât make vulnerable people feel like anyoneâs got their backs.
Eleanor Holmes Norton: âAs you may know, the number of reported hate crimes in the District of Columbia almost doubled between 2016 and 2018. Many of these crimes were targeted at the LGBTQ community, especially transgender individuals. At a recent well-attended community forum, I learned that this community feels it is under siege. I agree,â she wrote. âAs you are well aware, it takes only a few prosecutions to create a deterrent effect.â
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/a-prosecutor-wont-do-her-job-so-bigots-are-getting-away-with-hate-crimes-in-dc/2019/08/22/9d6499c4-c508-11e9-9986-1fb3e4397be4_story.html
Liu, speaking at a forum at the Justice Department last month on combating anti-Semitism, said that sometimes, the odds of conviction are better when they donât press a hate-crime charge.
But that ignores what hate crimes do to the people who experience them. And it doesnât make vulnerable people feel like anyoneâs got their backs.
Eleanor Holmes Norton: âAs you may know, the number of reported hate crimes in the District of Columbia almost doubled between 2016 and 2018. Many of these crimes were targeted at the LGBTQ community, especially transgender individuals. At a recent well-attended community forum, I learned that this community feels it is under siege. I agree,â she wrote. âAs you are well aware, it takes only a few prosecutions to create a deterrent effect.â
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/a-prosecutor-wont-do-her-job-so-bigots-are-getting-away-with-hate-crimes-in-dc/2019/08/22/9d6499c4-c508-11e9-9986-1fb3e4397be4_story.html
@KARMAASTROLOGY
in imagekarmaastrology
Santa Fe, New Mexico
aKARMAASTROLOCY
Q
T Liked by gratefulweirdo and 3 others
karmaastrology The Moon is currently in the asterism
known Ashlesha, or "The Entwiner." It will be here until it
enters Leo around 10:45 am NY time. Ashlesha gives off a
serpentine energy which brings us closer to our deep
reptilian nature. Therefore, tonight is a time to act
methodically and be wary of the desire to inflict venom into
our adversaries. This is a great time to practice yoga or
other energy sciences.
-Love to all
#astrology #astrologer #vedicastrology
Santa Fe, New Mexico
aKARMAASTROLOCY
Q
T Liked by gratefulweirdo and 3 others
karmaastrology The Moon is currently in the asterism
known Ashlesha, or "The Entwiner." It will be here until it
enters Leo around 10:45 am NY time. Ashlesha gives off a
serpentine energy which brings us closer to our deep
reptilian nature. Therefore, tonight is a time to act
methodically and be wary of the desire to inflict venom into
our adversaries. This is a great time to practice yoga or
other energy sciences.
-Love to all
#astrology #astrologer #vedicastrology
Check out yoga teacher talks podcast for an interview with me!
The links in the bio!
The links in the bio!
guys. GUYS. go sign up
@balancegym
@balancegym
in imageHERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH
BAR & RESTAURANT EMPLOYEE MEMBERSHIP FOR ONLY $39/mo
Healthy + Happy Employees = Happy Customers
Introducing the Bar & Restaurant Employee (BARE) program at Balance Gym. You and your co-workers can enjoy Passport-level access during Matinee hours to any Balance Gym for just $39/mo. We created this program because of our friends and family in the bar industry that we know struggle to find time and funds to stay healthy, and we also know that Healthy + Happy Employees = Happy Customers. Register today: balancegym.com/bare
guys. GUYS.
go sign up @balancegym
BAR & RESTAURANT EMPLOYEE MEMBERSHIP FOR ONLY $39/mo
Healthy + Happy Employees = Happy Customers
Introducing the Bar & Restaurant Employee (BARE) program at Balance Gym. You and your co-workers can enjoy Passport-level access during Matinee hours to any Balance Gym for just $39/mo. We created this program because of our friends and family in the bar industry that we know struggle to find time and funds to stay healthy, and we also know that Healthy + Happy Employees = Happy Customers. Register today: balancegym.com/bare
guys. GUYS.
go sign up @balancegym
https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/a-sequence-for-political-resilience
About ten years ago, i set a goal for myself to be on the cover of yoga journal. Today, i made it to the homepage.
10 years in, I think that's about right. Time and dreams change. Markers of success evolve.
Back then, I imagined that my perfect form and smiling face would make a valuable representation -- and mark an internal validation.
As practice is wont to, I eventually had a realization: I could do better. I wanted to share something more substantive than just form. The marker for validation had shifted dramticay.
I wanted to share some part of what practice had shared with me-- something that has helped me grow and thrive and that I have seen do the same for others time and time again.
Well, here we are. I talk about resilience. I share a modified primary series. I tried to use explicit language so as to maximize value and minimize confusion. .
I'm honored and thrilled. Simply in existing, it represents those who might feel marginalized.
I'm out, I'm queer, and I'm big. I'm a yoga practitioner who shares a powerful and potent practice steeped in tradition and that has a veracious efficacy.
I hope you find it useful, for yourself or for others
About ten years ago, i set a goal for myself to be on the cover of yoga journal. Today, i made it to the homepage.
10 years in, I think that's about right. Time and dreams change. Markers of success evolve.
Back then, I imagined that my perfect form and smiling face would make a valuable representation -- and mark an internal validation.
As practice is wont to, I eventually had a realization: I could do better. I wanted to share something more substantive than just form. The marker for validation had shifted dramticay.
I wanted to share some part of what practice had shared with me-- something that has helped me grow and thrive and that I have seen do the same for others time and time again.
Well, here we are. I talk about resilience. I share a modified primary series. I tried to use explicit language so as to maximize value and minimize confusion. .
I'm honored and thrilled. Simply in existing, it represents those who might feel marginalized.
I'm out, I'm queer, and I'm big. I'm a yoga practitioner who shares a powerful and potent practice steeped in tradition and that has a veracious efficacy.
I hope you find it useful, for yourself or for others
https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/a-sequence-for-political-resilience
About ten years ago, i set a goal for myself to be on the cover of yoga journal. Today, i made it to the homepage.
10 years in, I think that's about right. Time and dreams change. Markers of success evolve.
Back then, I imagined that my perfect form and smiling face would make a valuable representation -- and mark an internal validation.
As practice is wont to, I eventually had a realization: I could do better. I wanted to share something more substantive than just form. The marker for validation had shifted dramticay.
I wanted to share some part of what practice had shared with me-- something that has helped me grow and thrive and that I have seen do the same for others time and time again.
Well, here we are. I talk about resilience. I share a modified primary series. I tried to use explicit language so as to maximize value and minimize confusion. .
I'm honored and thrilled. Simply in existing, it represents those who might feel marginalized.
I'm out, I'm queer, and I'm big. I'm a yoga practitioner. What I've shared is what I know to be a powerful and potent practice steeped in tradition and that has a veracious efficacy.
I hope you find it useful, for yourself or for others
About ten years ago, i set a goal for myself to be on the cover of yoga journal. Today, i made it to the homepage.
10 years in, I think that's about right. Time and dreams change. Markers of success evolve.
Back then, I imagined that my perfect form and smiling face would make a valuable representation -- and mark an internal validation.
As practice is wont to, I eventually had a realization: I could do better. I wanted to share something more substantive than just form. The marker for validation had shifted dramticay.
I wanted to share some part of what practice had shared with me-- something that has helped me grow and thrive and that I have seen do the same for others time and time again.
Well, here we are. I talk about resilience. I share a modified primary series. I tried to use explicit language so as to maximize value and minimize confusion. .
I'm honored and thrilled. Simply in existing, it represents those who might feel marginalized.
I'm out, I'm queer, and I'm big. I'm a yoga practitioner. What I've shared is what I know to be a powerful and potent practice steeped in tradition and that has a veracious efficacy.
I hope you find it useful, for yourself or for others
About ten years ago, i set a goal for myself to be on the cover of yoga journal. Today, i made it to the homepage.
10 years in, I think that's about right. Time and dreams change. Markers of success evolve.
Back then, I imagined that my perfect form and smiling face would make a valuable representation -- and mark an internal validation.
As practice is wont to, I eventually had a realization: I could do better. I wanted to share something more substantive than just form. The marker for validation had shifted dramticay.
I wanted to share some part of what practice had shared with me-- something that has helped me grow and thrive and that I have seen do the same for others time and time again.
Well, here we are. I talk about resilience. I share a modified primary series. I tried to use explicit language so as to maximize value and minimize confusion. .
I'm honored and thrilled. Simply in existing, it represents those who might feel marginalized.
I'm out, I'm queer, and I'm big. I'm a yoga practitioner. What I've shared is what I know to be a powerful and potent practice steeped in tradition and that has a veracious efficacy.
I hope you find it useful, for yourself or for others.
Link in Bio.
10 years in, I think that's about right. Time and dreams change. Markers of success evolve.
Back then, I imagined that my perfect form and smiling face would make a valuable representation -- and mark an internal validation.
As practice is wont to, I eventually had a realization: I could do better. I wanted to share something more substantive than just form. The marker for validation had shifted dramticay.
I wanted to share some part of what practice had shared with me-- something that has helped me grow and thrive and that I have seen do the same for others time and time again.
Well, here we are. I talk about resilience. I share a modified primary series. I tried to use explicit language so as to maximize value and minimize confusion. .
I'm honored and thrilled. Simply in existing, it represents those who might feel marginalized.
I'm out, I'm queer, and I'm big. I'm a yoga practitioner. What I've shared is what I know to be a powerful and potent practice steeped in tradition and that has a veracious efficacy.
I hope you find it useful, for yourself or for others.
Link in Bio.
My childhood obesity went hand in hand with my depressed mind state. Efforts at participating in youth sports were met with âweigh insâ for game day. I regularly wasnât able to play, though I learned to love practice.
I also learned to be hyper critical of my size and to feel ashamed and to starve and binge and purge. When I finally got ahold of my mind stateâ coming out, changing schools, leaving school, nearly dying and learning to really want to liveâ the weight started coming off.. and staying off.
My blue print is not small. My healthy body and mind oâ your healthy body and mindâ are not numerical. I hope that this young ladyâs testimony â our testimonyâ helps folks look again at the source and the solution of our own mutated self image and efforts at aesthetic.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/07/opinion/nike-running-mary-cain.html
I also learned to be hyper critical of my size and to feel ashamed and to starve and binge and purge. When I finally got ahold of my mind stateâ coming out, changing schools, leaving school, nearly dying and learning to really want to liveâ the weight started coming off.. and staying off.
My blue print is not small. My healthy body and mind oâ your healthy body and mindâ are not numerical. I hope that this young ladyâs testimony â our testimonyâ helps folks look again at the source and the solution of our own mutated self image and efforts at aesthetic.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/07/opinion/nike-running-mary-cain.html
dreaming goa dreams
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