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?

I absolutely love David-- guys, if you're interested, get into it.

Unlike federal employees, this government contractor will not be paid for his furlough and doesn’t have a federal ID to take advantage of the different specials being offered around town. Bummer.

Teaching an Ashtanga Remix today at the Eaton Workshop-- 1:30! Who wants in?? HMU for free passes if it's your first time!!

It's been some time since this Christmas in Mysore. Hearts and minds connected through time and space.

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

92 y'all.

Omg babies.

Self Practice.

Kazi is killin it in “She The People”!

My yoga teacher, David, turned 57 this week. Literally: goals.

Cory is an amazing teacher and resource. Highly recommended.

Guys— this Friday at Mind the Mat in Del Rey! An incredibly good time is about to go down!

My health insurance went up $50.

This is the truth right here.

Join me at the Eaton.

Learn more at http://michaeljoelhall.com/schedule

oh my gosh I love these boys! see y'all there!!!

Erin is beyond hilarious. Ya gotta listen to her comedy album.

I love it when my best friends get married.

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.

Wanna work on leveling up your assisting game in the yoga room?

We'll spend three weeks (nov 13, 20, 27) putting together a usable schema for approaching practitioners-- and practical hands on experience.

I'm keeping the numbers tight so that everyone has an opportunity to interface a ton. You can expect lively discussion and small group hands-on work

https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/ws?studioid=3954&stype=-8&sView=day&sLoc=0&sTrn=100000156

Ya gotta go!

For multi discipline practitioners and seasoned Ashtanga yogis alike, this class breaks down the primary series in a manner that highlights its accessibility, adaptability, and brilliance.

This is one of my absolute all time favorite sequences to practice and to share. For those accustomed to vinyasa flow, you’ll get all the highlights. For those loving power yoga, you’ll get tons of floating opportunities. For those interested in a more gentle approach— the sequence is highly adaptable and approachable.

Come!

Going hiking.

The comments give me faith in god above.

creating false dichotomies and clinging to societal standards is further sealing the cracks in the proverbial box where the air can come in. the air the keeps you from pretending that the world isn’t burning and that any kind of exploration on unboxing won’t get you killed. At your church, your synagogue, your discotech, your yoga studio, running up 12th street, or coming home from a restaurant opening in eckington.

Don’t miss out!!!!

How amazing does this sound?

Tuesday, Nov 13, 20, & 27.

7:30-9:00.

Want to hone your skills?

Interested in developing a system for working with individuals one-on-one or in group settings?

Learn how to use voice, touch, compassion and intelligence in your classes to facilitate students.

Learn how to receive assists in the spirit they’re intended.

Learn how to navigate and discuss consent in a clear and enthusiastic manner.

Find ways to allow your personal physical practice to flourish through small group work.

Participate in lively discussion and get some questions answered.

$120.

Introspective Robyn is a very good Robyn

Yoga in your hood

Thinking of you!

These folks are amazing and the place is gorgeous!

Annette keeps it 10s across the board.

My friend Evan Faber is teaching yoga for beginners today at Kali Yoga Studio! Check it out!

So who wants in?

poolside casual w/ bae

So excited to have a great new resource!

My dear friend Jen is an exquisite and accessable teacher. Shes having a 20% off sale for her online ashtanga trainings to help pay her dog's mounting vet bills. You should buy the videos because they're ridiculously good, but you should do it now because every penny from the 20% off sale goes right to her vet.

I cannot express how much I've learned and continue to learn from David. He sees things practically-- encouraging longevity and excellence in practice-- something any long term practitioner requires.

Highly recommended-- and I'll see you there !!

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?

Guys! My friend has 3 Beyonce & Jayz tickets to get rid of! They're $470 each (no upcharge!)! After my crazy Janelle Monae drama last week, I thought I'd pay it forward with a recommendation! Respond here if you want 'em!

Tried to buy Janelle Monae tickets off of Craigslist today. Found some just above face value -- and the guy showed up with the tickets! They were printouts.

They say "purchased by Ryan Selbach (or something)" -- so I ask if that's him. He tells me no; that's his girlfriend. I was like-- no sweat, let me call the anthem and make sure they're legit. All the while, he's giving me a sob story about going to NYC to break up with his gf.

So, I get the Anthem on the line... And he takes off running.

His number is 202.902.9083 🙂

One of my absolute favorites. Good god.

So excited to see Kazi perform!

Necessary reading.

Two years later. Low key miss that hair.

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

How do we tether a soul to another? What twine or taffy makes them stay? Is it love or god or byproduct of inevitability?

Perhaps there is no real delineation-- all three the same, differently labeled, but effectively borderless. So then too, this is a reflection on both marriage and friendship, both of which can bind so equally and tightly. It seems to me there is no distinction -- both a pact with another to participate in the process of complete cooperation with the inevitable. Sounds an awful lot like enlightenment.

The great sages of the yogic path say that the surest way to the end states of yoga are through love and devotion. They call that path to enlightenment bhakti.

There is no surer way to know God and the self than love.

Till death do we part, indeed.

May all souls in all realms be at peace.

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.

I miss Toronto.

To my London friends! My teacher will be visiting!

Yogis just before sivasana
Yogis leaving/coming in/at whole foods.

Love you!!

One of the greatest joys ive had Is watching my dear friend Maggie grow from being my student, to my apprentice, to my friend, to my close council and cabal. Happy 30th-- Im so excited for 30 more.

In a society that profits from homogeny through anesthesia, being authentic is a rebellious act. Get Woke. Be Proud. 👊🏼

I love it when my friends make things.

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.

This was fun
https://yogiaaron.com/insane-high-intensity-total-hiit-trx-workout-the-whole-body-on-30-minutes/

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

What I teach in office yoga classes

Logan circle outdoor practice today. Any takers after 3?

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.

You must separate the artist from the art-- but also, be alert to media's narrative constructions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp45-dQvqPo

In the first 11 months of 2017, the Metropolitan Police Department reported 163 hate crimes in D.C. where individuals were targeted on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender expression or political affiliation. Of these, the greatest share ― 51 hate crimes in all, or about 31 percent ― involved someone being targeted for their sexual orientation.

So many conversations over the last week about yoga and trauma-- there's a lot to say. On April 29, join me and a panel of my colleagues from a variety of yoga disciplines as we discuss yoga in the #MeToo era.

https://m.facebook.com/events/370951106741172/

Pivotal song for me. Can’t wait to watch.

Join me for yoga and support urban agriculture!

Join me and an esteemed panel of seasoned local yoga teachers discussing yoga in the era of #metoo.

Pretty pleased with the work accomplished so far on http://dcashtanga.com

Still a bit to go but so far so good.

This is so good. Jen goes over boat.

https://vimeo.com/261717991

A combo of tutorial and art-play.

Me in India feels.

Looking for an online course to jumpstart your ashtanga practice??

For those looking for a retreat!!

For those askijg about retreats!!

Here's some fun from an art installation in DC-- I'm teaching a workshop on Saturday at Kali Yoga that'll include this posture! (tech lighting not included)

Bae. Barbie & Ken realness.

Are you following Yoga with MJH? That's where I'm sticking my yoga stuff these days. Check it out 😉

Want to keep up with my yoga offerings?

Guys... Go see this show.

DC to GOA fam sitch

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

I forgive you, Katy Perry.

My homies are the dopest.

Oh my gosh: so good. Up your alley!! https://open.spotify.com/album/0Ug1pPKsLMbdeBH3ij8SDl?si=O7YsfEkb

You must listen to this EP: https://open.spotify.com/album/0Ug1pPKsLMbdeBH3ij8SDl?si=O7YsfEkb

Joe & Angela are amongst the best!

If anyone has the Britney presale code for National Harbor, please send it my way!!

I have *always* hated dress codes at establishments, and almost always sought out places that let you come as you are. 🤷🏼‍♂️ I do love a theme party tho....

This is too legit.

Putting together my 2018 schedule! Oh boy! Guuuuuuuuys, what do you want from me????

“…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.

Missy Elliot's 2001 Album "Miss E... So addictive" is just wall-to-wall bops.

Listening to Chaka Kahn's album "I Feel For You" and getting my life.

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.

Holy cow-- my wig is snatched. This is a baseline that bumps and a voice that harkens to and awakens something primal 🔥🔥🔥

An out athlete at the Olympics? Shimmy that shoulder back into its socket, cash that check, and get that gold, Adam Rippon!! Also, at 28, he's the oldest rookie at the Olympics! 😍

Who is that I'm the corner sipping tea??

Go learn, yogis!!!!

It's 75° warmer here than at home and I’m still a little too cold. 🤔❄️😂

So bummed I can't go!!

Greg's class us accessible, fun, and distinctly chill.

Here we go. Thanks, Bruno!

https://youtu.be/LsoLEjrDogU

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.

Oh man. Relaxed and joyful.

I’m shocked, frankly, that one of my most returned-to albums of this decade is the Miley Cyrus & Flaming Lips collaboration “Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz”. It’s perfect for kayaking. Scooter rides. Hammock sessions. All kinds of sessions.

Yes. 2018, yes.

So far, I really like 2018.