FREE day of yoga

Labor Day is the free day of yoga. Try a new style, new studio, or new teacher. I can't wait to hear about your experiences!  I'll be teaching a beginner class at the BKS Iyengar Studio of Dallas from 9-10AM. Tell your friends!

Find a class at http://www.dfwfreedayofyoga.com/

40 days

Sometimes we all need a kick in the pants. For quite some time, months really, my asana practice has been less than stellar. I went from teaching 4 classes a week to teaching 8 and with three kids on different schedules there just was no time. After hearing a Kundalini Yoga teacher share her story of committing to 1000 days of a particular practice, I realized that was just what I needed - a commitment to myself shared with a few others close to me. According to Kundalini tradition it takes 40 days to change a habit so I decided to start with that (1000 days is almost 2 and 3/4 years!). But what would I commit to?

I'm keeping it simple: 40 days of Sirsasana (headstand), Sarvangasana (shoulder stand), and Setu Bhanda (bridge pose) increasing the time in head stand and shoulder stand by 3 seconds every day. Today was day 23 and I'm up to 7 minutes and 13 seconds- which, by the way, is brutal but 5 minutes sure is easy now!

A few days a week I'm getting up early and getting my commitment done while the rest of the house is still sleeping. Other days, I get it in before and/or after a class I'm teaching or just before lunch or dinner. Some days I look forward to it. Other days, I dread the dickens out of it. But as I sit here enjoying the effects of a headstand and shoulder stand that are 69 seconds longer than when I started and knowing I can drop over in to Setu Bhanda without breaking anything, I realize the beauty of a daily practice. Mine is not long. On good days I add in a few other poses but even if I just do these three I feel better for it. I intend to complete the 40 day commitment and will continue to focus on a small handful of poses in stretches of 21 days or so at a time. I'm not picking easy poses. I'm choosing poses that I either don't like or can't do well; no longer running from what scares me. Assessment is around the corner (October 5) so bring on Virabhadrasana III!

And not to worry, I will never commit to blogging every day for 40 days...

New Years in November

Why wait until January 1st to make a New Years resolution? Now is the time to start or get back to your yoga practice. This time between Thanksgiving and New Years Day can be stressful with end of year work deadlines, shopping, and holiday visitors. The shorter days can make us feel lazy, tired, and even a little (or a lot) depressed. The physical practice of yoga and the mental practice of meditation can help alleviate all of these symptoms. You also won't be home alone eating holiday treats and leftovers gaining those unwanted pounds that will require a New Years resolution of some sort. Get yourself back on the mat now and cruise blissfully into the New Year. Bring a friend and share the gift of yoga!