Yoga As an Invitation

One thing that has shifted in my Yoga practice over the past couple of years is the feeling that Yoga is always an invitation, rather than an obligation. I have found that practicing with the idea that each practice, each breath is an invitation to experience fully, rather than an obligation to 'do the right amount, or to be correct' takes the pressure off, and makes the whole process more fun, more graceful. Also, it just makes stepping on the mat easier, and something to look forward to. I think the idea of my Yoga practice, my life, being an invitation is compelling. Inviting Yoga, is inviting connection to something amazing, to oneself, to profound grace. I love that I can be open to infinite variation, infinite possibility. I can invite in what is, and what will be... Step onto your mat and invite the breath in, invite the universe in, and enjoy!!!!!

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The Journey Home: Malaysia 2008 to Vancouver 2011

Sometimes the process of practicing Yoga is called ‘the journey home’. This practice of Yoga is a journey starting at the self we are now, and moving towards our Sahaja, the sweet essence of self, our natural, innate, pure, 'best self'.
I can definitely say through my practice I feel more connected to my Sahaja, to who I am, to the best part of myself. I also believe that anyone who practices, one time, or a thousand times, can feel that the practice will bring them towards their best self, they then have to choose if they want to do the hard work of continuing on that path. People recognize this value, even if it's not so grandly framed, even if it's just to lose some weight or relieve their back pain, or get a break from the pace of modern life, all of which are a movement towards one's 'best self'.
In fact, I started Yoga with modest ambitions of being able to carry a backpack, of living pain free, of being the self that I remembered, the one who could smile and move easily. Not necessarily to do the splits, like this Master, that I stumbled on one day wandering in the back alleys of Beijing. (He stood like this for over 10 minutes, and I moved on) However, once I took the first steps, the road opened so wide I couldn't see the horizon... My journey on the mat took me on a journey off the mat, one which I am still on. It's been an incredible journey through China, Tibet, Nepal, Malaysia, Brazil, Thailand, Europe. Monasteries and mountains, rivers and valleys, villages and Megacities, ghetto to penthouse, and all along the way, I was learning how to find Sahaja, the sweet essence, and at the same time learning how to share that path with others. The incredible thing is that, ultimately Yoga practice, the art of connection, brought me actually, physically, home to British Columbia, to Canada to re-discover my roots, and to be part of and community. This is the transformative Power of the practice, which I will describe in more details in coming posts...in the meantime....here are some of my favorite pictures of my multi-year journey home, on, and off the mat....

The Journey Home: Shanghai 2008 to Vancouver 2011

Sometimes the process of practicing Yoga is called ‘the journey home’. This practice of Yoga is a journey starting at the self we are now, and moving towards our Sahaja, the sweet essence of self, our natural, innate, pure, 'best self'.
I can definitely say through my practice I feel more connected to my Sahaja, to who I am, to the best part of myself. I also believe that anyone who practices, one time, or a thousand times, can feel that the practice will bring them towards their best self, they then have to choose if they want to do the hard work of continuing on that path. People recognize this value, even if it's not so grandly framed, even if it's just to lose some weight or relieve their back pain, or get a break from the pace of modern life, all of which are a movement towards one's 'best self'.
In fact, I started Yoga with modest ambitions of being able to carry a backpack, of living pain free, of being the self that I remembered, the one who could smile and move easily. Not necessarily to do the splits, like this Master, that I stumbled on one day wandering in the back alleys of Beijing. (He stood like this for over 10 minutes, and I moved on) However, once I took the first steps, the road opened so wide I couldn't see the horizon... My journey on the mat took me on a journey off the mat, one which I am still on. It's been an incredible journey through China, Tibet, Nepal, Malaysia, Brazil, Thailand, Europe. Monasteries and mountains, rivers and valleys, villages and Megacities, ghetto to penthouse, and all along the way, I was learning how to find Sahaja, the sweet essence, and at the same time learning how to share that path with others. The incredible thing is that, ultimately Yoga practice, the art of connection, brought me actually, physically, home to British Columbia, to Canada to re-discover my roots, and to be part of and community. This is the transformative Power of the practice, which I will describe in more details in coming posts...in the meantime....here are some of my favorite pictures of my multi-year journey home, on, and off the mat....

Teaching Yoga in Shanghai, The Dragon's Head-push it forwardMonday, February 4, 2008

For the past 2 years I have been living in Shanghai, the dragon head of the Yangtze River Delta and the city producing the largest GDP in the country. It’s basically the New York of China, home to the stock exchange, and a very international business mindset. Fast paced, obsessed with money and status, and hurtling towards the future, Shanghai is one of the most interesting, magnetic, and frustrating cities on the planet.

Some might say this isn’t really a ‘yogic' environment, but from my perspective it is a great place for to teach. Of course it’s easy to find peace if you are on the beach, or at a mountain retreat...but Yoga should be a path to finding stillness, calm, and peace, in the face of Dukkha (suffering or unease) especially in times of stress or uncertainty.

The studios in Shanghai are small oases in the heart of a city with so many people, and so little space!

I have been blessed to grow as a teacher and yogi here...but this is my last day in Shanghai before beginning a journey through SE Asia, and beyond. I have so many mixed emotions and always feel that Shanghai will be a home for me....and I hope to return soon!!!

Teaching in Malaysia- at Sri Hartamas -Sunday, November 15, 2009

You can set your watch by it. Every morning is beautiful and sunny, every afternoon it drops buckets. That means the air is clean, the trees are green, and the jungle is flourishing. This city feels like it is growing out of the jungle, or rather is still part of the jungle.....they live in harmony, but if there were a struggle, the jungle would win ;-) There are monkeys in my apartment complex...lots of monkeys. I have spent 3 weeks guest teaching and enjoying the beauty of the city, the studios, and the people. A beautiful mix of Malay, Indian, and Chinese cultures make up this young country (formed in 1963) and the food is amazing....I already have a favorite Vietnamese, Thai, Malay, Indian, and Japanese restaurant...and they are all on the same block!

(Desa Sri Hartamas, feel free to drop by ;-) ) I have been practicing the Ashtanga Primary series, and some sequences of my own, mostly beside the swimming pool, and it has been fantastic....teaching has also been great, the students are enthusiastic and many speak Chinese, and seem to have appreciated my efforts to get them to sho jin fubu (tighten the stomach Uddiyana Bandha) which of course is so important in many postures...although maybe they are smiling/laughing because I am constantly motivating (harassing) them during class......wonder if it will rain tomorrow?!

Spiritual Swimming-Tuesday, March 11, 2008

It’s so blue and so clear, fish are swimming, eagles are flying overhead. For me, swimming in the Andaman ocean is definitely a religious experience. It is so warm, soft, inviting, and esthetic that it helps open one’s heart to the perfection of nature, and our connection to this world. If you don’t feel something special, you aren’t paying attention. When I take my final savasana I leave my eyes open but unfocussed, and just enjoy the endorphins that are released after a good sequence. I spread my awareness through the trees swaying in the breeze, to the eagles floating on the currents of warm air which rise endlessly towards the heavens. The sun is shinning, but a gentle rain starts anyways...perfect, sun and rain. The sound of raindrops on a tin roof is a basic, rhythmical sound, and reminds me of camping trips as a boy. When I practice Yoga I often have flashbacks, images, movies, blessings, moving across my mind’s eye...I suppose these are the glimpses of Samadhi that we get to enjoy through a beautiful practice........I think I will always be here.....

Tuesday, March 11, 2008-Teaching on Koh Samui, Thailand

I have been teaching at a small studio in Bohput Fishing village. This (formerly) sleep fishing village is now home to several trendy restaurants, beautiful art galleries, and of course thai massage parlors. It is so wonderful to finish class, drink a fresh coconut, go down the street and jump in the ocean!

Koh Samui, thanks to it’s new international airport is definitely going upscale. This is a mixed blessing. There are lots of new things to do on the island, but it’s losing some of the relaxed, slow pace that made it famous in the first place. On the main road, you might actually find yourself in traffic! Still, it is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and a great place to practice Yoga!!!