July 2010 Intention

Many times, at the beginning of a practice, the teacher will say, “set an intention for today’s practice.” Setting an intention really means focusing on one thing, especially something important. It’s a way of harnessing energy and putting things in perspective. Many believe that yoga practice not only shifts an individual’s energy, but may shift […]

Life is Yoga: July 2010: Finding Center

I have just completed another teacher training program. It is truly a humbling and gratifying experience to watch people transform into teachers seemingly before my eyes. Participating in teacher training is like one long yoga practice. There is stumbling, loss of breath, then steadiness returns. There are moments of such intensity that the will is […]

June 2010 Breaking Out of Basics

Are you a student who always takes Basics classes? Are you curious about whether you are ready to try other classes? Do you have questions about foundation postures and concepts of the practice such as proper alignment of the up-dog and push-up, breathing, locks, anatomy, and more? Do you find O2 Yoga practice fun and […]

Life is Yoga: June 2010: Inspiration

When was the last time you were inspired? How many people do you know that inspire you on a regular basis? What is inspiration anyway? These are questions I ask myself regularly. Why? Because in my mind, inspiration is what makes us better. Here are some definitions of inspiration: The drawing of air into the […]

May 2010 Astanga Second Series—Nadi Shodhana

It seems appropriate to focus on Second Series as we near the longest day of the year. The Primary Series is in many ways the entryway into the asana practice of the astanga yoga system. The Primary Series builds strength and flexibility and better connection of breath and locks, foundations essential for the asanas of […]

Life is Yoga: May 2010: Language

I have been thinking a lot about language lately. During teacher training, we talk not just about cuing asana but about the way that we communicate with the world in general. In my mind, intention comes first and the words come second. The eight-limb path of Patanjali gives eight precepts or ethical guidelines for living […]

April 2010 Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana (One-legged King Pigeon Pose)

I love this pose! It is the antidote to the sitting, slouching, and driving we do all day long. It is also, in many ways, a counter pose for last month’s focus. Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana combines external rotation of one hip, hip extension of the other, full shoulder flexion, spinal extension, and knee and […]

Life is Yoga: April 2010

Spring is a good time to be thinking about clearing out old stuff. This can be literal like your closet, or more figurative like the baggage you carry around in your body and mind. In yogic philosophy, there is a concept called avidya. Avidya loosely translates as “incorrect perception” or “misunderstanding.” One result of avidya is samskara, […]

March 2010 Primary Series

Every year, I come back to the roots of O2 Yoga, back to the Astanga system. Every year, I teach O2 Yoga teacher training from February through June in sections of weeks and weekends. The first week is the primary series of Astanga Yoga. This to me is the foundation of what we do at […]

Life is Yoga: March 2010: Do More Good than Harm

I am reading a wonderful book by Zoe Weil called Most Good Least Harm. The premise is obvious but the content is not. What I have taken away from it so far is that there are so many ways to do good in this world. We all have a composite image of a “do gooder” in […]