Greetings and a Happy Full Moonish to you,

First some inspiring news from Edible Gardens: Public Garden Feeds 200,000 People Each Month  This kind of news can open our minds to healthy and fun community expansions.

Perhaps you saw the article in the New York Times Magazine called How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body.  I’ve been sent the article by friends and family far and wide. The article is chocked full of scary stories of serious injuries attributed to yoga. I thought one salient point was this

‘Asana is not a panacea or a cure-all. In fact, if you do it with ego or obsession, you’ll end up causing problems.’

Anytime we move away from our true bodily sensations and breath and move toward performance or competitiveness, we are putting ourselves in a precarious position.

But even more unsettling to me was the article’s implicit definition of yoga as poses, as if that is all yoga is! Why that is like thinking…that a canned pea is the same as a freshly harvest pea from a pod. I mean, seriously, what would we be missing if our only experience of vegetables was from cans? This may seem a silly metaphor but I am always trying to shed light on the true bounty, the riches, the absolute sensuous delight of all of yoga. This emphasis on rigid rules for yoga poses with absolutes (in the article luminous yogis are quoted giving strict alignment rules) just seems to me to forget a rule taught me by my primary teacher, Betheyla,

No pose is more important than the person.

Finally what about the ulitmate purpose of yoga, happiness, peace of mind, equanimity. I’ll sign off with a sweet quote from Ramana Maharishi:

Thank you for bringing your hands to YogaNow. I’ll be subbing for Mike at 5:45 on Tuesday (that’s today!) and will be teaching every Wednesday at 5:45 pm. I hope you can join me and each other at YogaNow.

with love and affection,
namaste,
Meta.

PS The title of this blog, is from the yoga text, The Yoga Sutras, by Patanjali. Among other brilliance he lays out an eight path model for yoga, of which poses is one, that’s one of eight.

Big Sur, CA

Greetings and New Year Salutations!

I hope your holiday celebrations were joyous and you are invigorated for this moment, now. I spent the New Year at a most spectacular spot, Esalen in Big Sur, California. I attended a silent meditation retreat but honestly went AWOL at some point because I just couldn’t be in a room with my eyes closed when that was ocean calling. Nature is meditation and inspiring, at least for me.

One of the strong reminders I received at Esalen was my love of yoga & teaching. I took a yoga class every morning and it was great to be a student, for sure. And yet, I missed you all at YogaNow. Locations for the classes continuing in April are emerging and they will be announced soon. In the meantime, meet me on the mat, there’s yoga morning, noon and night at YogaNow.

What we focus on increases, we learn in yoga. So here is some good news from the Good News Network: The Surprisingly Upbeat State of the World.

Enjoy your choices.  Sending love and hoping to meet you very soon on the mat!

namaste,

Meta.

Greetings and Happy New Year,

First let me offer you a small gift of a visual delight: Underwater Astonishments

I hope this auspicious year, 2012, is the beginning, a new beginning, of a fabulous period of growth and fruition for you. To that end, you might consider what your intention or sankalpa might be for this beginning. Yoga teaches us to use discrimination, viveka, to understand and discern the root of past suffering and happiness and to look with a cool eye toward the truth of our lives. Then, based on this clarity, we begin to envision what our next direction, our aspiration might be. Next is the practice of doing the work, be it poses, breathing, meditation, job, family, whatever, and release attachment to outcome. That’s the yogic formula and you might just want to drink the champagne of intention, practice and detachment this year (or sankalpa, abhyasa, viagraghybham). 

I’ll be on a short silent retreat this year for the beginning of the new year, at a beautiful spot, Esalen. As you know, this is a year of change for YogaNow, and me, so I felt that a slight pause before jumping into the year would be correct. I’ll return on January 5th and happily, voluntarily, joyfully teach at YogaNow until March 31st, and then at various locations around town. I have already found some beautiful spots but if you have a spot let me know, too, please!

The schedule has ungone some necessary changes, please be sure to check it out. For example, I’ll be teaching Monday and Wednesday at 545 pm and there isn’t currently a Thursday night class (though a class may begin there shortly). We have two YogaNow teachers who are traveling in India in January, Aparna and Mike. Aren’t we lucky to have such committed and sincere teachers? So we have subs for Aparna’s morning classes, Cypresse and Lori. For Mike’s classes, Mikiala is teaching the noon ones and we, Meta and Mikiala, will share teaching the Tuesday 545 pm class. The Saturday Ashtanga class will be on a hiatus until Mike returns in February.  Okay, so that’s a lot of information, so you can definitely check the web: Class Schedule.

And now for some inspiration, check out this link of another Ted talk: Amy Purdy:Living Beyond Limits
with so much love and looking forward to meeting on the mat!

Happy New Year! Meta.

Greetings and Warm Salutations,

This time of year you may be beginning to feel the holiday stress of planning, giving, going, doing. The perfect antidote? YOGA of course – why not start the weekend with Joe’s fabulous Friday 6-7:30 pm class or the weekend classes of Saturday Flowing with Cypresse and Ashtanga-ing with Mike, and then Mixing it Up with Meta on Sunday. And no parking hassles – free parking thanks to the city of Albuquerque.

Here’s a story that moved me to tears of gratitude and connection, so I offer it to you:We Will Always Remember You

So many ways to say thank you. I couldn’t resist playing with Google Translate for a sampling of thanks from around the world at the bottom of this missive.

Have a splendoriferous Thursday, take a deep breath, smile, give yourself a hug and try some yoga now…no, now…today, classes at morning, noon and night,

with great love and affection,
Meta.

Gratitude, Arigato, Merci, Gracias, धन्यवाद, Danke, grazie, obrigado, спасибо,cảm ơn bạn, teşekkür ederim, ขอบคุณ, நன்றி, tak, köszönöm, di ou mèsi, 감사합니다, शुक्रिया, dankie

آپ کا شکریہ, شكرا תודה

YogaNow News

Dearest and Most Cherished Yogis of YogaNow,

After over ten successful and exuberant years of yoga and community, YogaNow will close its doors at 215 Gold on April 1, 2012. I am ever grateful to you all for supporting the studio, each other, the teachers and me. I have enjoyed and cherished our time in practice and outside of practice.

To quote His Holiness, The Dalai Lama, I happily, voluntarily, proudly end it. The studio that is, but not our relationship. Even though we won’t have the same beautiful ceiling and space, I look forward to expanding our connection. I want very much to continue to create community, and I am seeking ways to do that, other than having a full time rented studio. I am looking forward to serving you, the student, without the day-to-day responsibilities of running a studio business.

I plan to continue to teach locally at a minimum on Sundays at 10 am and Mondays at 5:45 pm and daytime Gentle class beginning immediately in April. I’m looking for a space to rent by the hour for a few weekly classes. There are lovely spaces to rent that I know of and if you are aware of any, please let me know.

Do you have ideas for how to continue to stay connected? Please be part of the transition to the next phase. I invite you to co-create our world together.

My dharma has shifted to other yogic adventures and teachings. I plan to spend more time promoting the new edition of Vital Yoga: A Sourcebook for Students and Teachers. And importantly, I believe I must work to help support those who suffer from asthma. When I developed asthma over 23 years ago I was stunned to find that the prognosis was for a changed life of endless medications and depleted vitality.  It was through yoga and an entire yogic approach to asthma that has nurtured me to robust health and happiness. I feel directed, even compelled, to help others who want to find another way to deal with asthma, a way that includes all aspects of life and healing. I know I didn’t just get better just for my own benefit; I healed so that I could help others as well. If you have any connections to reach out to those who work with asthma, please let me know.

Once again, I need to say, thank you, thank you, thank you. Please continue to take classes at the studio until the end of March, and please continue to take classes in our new spaces. The other teachers will be posting where they will be teaching in April so that you can follow your favorites.

Thank you to all the teachers of YogaNow, past and present, you have offered your heart and soul in the service of yoga and I know we are all grateful to you.

The details: No refunds on bundles, you have 4 months to use the bundles. Or at the end of March you may be able convert classes to purchase used yoga props.

So much gratitude to you, to all the teachers of YogaNow past and present, and most especially to yoga for all that it offers,

Deep bows and many blessings,
Meta.

Greetings,

I hope you are all enjoying the fall and anticipating with sweetness the approaching day of Gratitude.

Recently I was disturbed to read more about the Lululemon employee who was murdered by a coworker over a year ago in Bethesda, MD. I’d heard the news, of course, as Lululemon sells yoga clothes and is part of the extended yoga community. When the killer was convicted, though, I learned another detail which was heartwrenching to me: During the murder, after the Lululemon store hours, employees in the adjacent Apple store heard repeated cries for help but did not respond, even by calling 911.  I have no interest in condemning anyone here, or creating new laws.

To me the best respond is this:  A Compassion Action, each of us make a pledge to make one act of compassion each day.  This act can be  simple, like smiling sincerely at a stranger, or more involved as one student reported:

Georgia took the Compassion Action (CA) idea to heart and when she was driving in a residential area she passed a woman carrying two bags of groceries. When Georgia looked in her rear view mirror she saw that the woman had taken a seat on a bench looking tired. She decided to do something different. She turned around and offered the woman a ride. It was accepted and although they didn’t exchange names, the woman said, I sure hope you are thankful everyday that you have a car. And after that experience, Georgia is.

We can all make a difference, day by day, moment by moment. Be a super hero (I’m envisioning a super hero Compassion Action Tshirt) and take the challenge. Suggest CAs of your own in the comment section here or on the white board at the studio. One student wrote

When an act of kindness is performed the endorphins increase for the giver, the recipient and any witness.

In yoga we say, whatever we put our attention on, gets bigger. So it matters immensely what our visual, news, pop culture diet is as it can inspire growth and postiive energy or lethargy and depression. Here’s a video story that inspires me about food and hood:

At YogaNow we celebrate holidays with yoga, you are invited to the 10 am Thanksgiving Day class with Meta. The next day there is a yoga fundraiser for the Rape Crisis Center called “Extend Strength & Compassion” at 11 am at the Terrace at Hotel Parq Central on Central and I25 – on the roof if it’s warm enough. Come for 90 mins of yoga with three different teachers.

Finally nature also inspires me, and then there are the crows. Talk about adaptability with smarts:

May your days be alive with compassion, heros and nature,
with great love and gratitude to you,
Meta.

Greetings and November Salutations!

I’m on my way to a book signing/ workshop in Indianapolis at the Ann Katz Book Festival where the second edition of Vital Yoga: A Sourcebook for Students and Teachers has just arrived from the printers. Thank you all for your support and for our work together which is the basis of Vital Yoga.

And now, a video that makes me so happy that I weep, for many reasons, just one is watching Bella and Tara:

Another is the clarity of mind and integrity of the workers of the Tennessee Elephant Sanctuary.

The holidays are here (I know because there is a radio station that now plays Christmas carols 24/7) and it is a terrific time to invite yoga into your life in a more consistent way, so that you stay connected to you True Self, even if the world whirls other ideas. So, please do consider our special Holiday Yoga Bundle, just $9/class, to be taken in November and December.

AND remember that you have another invitation: yoga on Thanksgiving, Christmas And New Year’s Day at 10 am. Yoga with yourself, yoga with community, yoga with love.

Signing off with words from Alice Walker:

“The animals of the world exist for their own reasons.

They were not made for humans any more than

black people were made for whites or women for men.”

From my heart to yours,
Namaste,

Meta.

Greetings and September Salutations,

Mythical adventures…lately I’ve been reading Carolyn Myss’ Defy Gravity (ironically it recently fell to the floor) and currently her chapter on Connecting with  Meaning and Purpose. Her description of how our struggles in life can be experienced as a mythical adventures or profound rituals with obstacles viewed as, say, trolls on a bridge, and complexities as navigating labrynths with vines and wild animals. I then thought of my current challenge as just such a mythical story and suddenly, the process was clear, the challenge interesting and my whole perspective shifted. I recommend it!

Class notes – beginning in October all morning classes will begin at 9:30 am, meaning the experimental time of 9 am on Tuesday is over and we’ll return to 9:30 am Gentle on Tuesdays (and Thursdays as always).  Happily we have a new Wednesday 9:30 class with Joe and Allegra Wolff. Here Joe addresses the question who can practice Ashtanga:

This Saturday, September 17, 1-2:30 pm
is the Asthma and Yoga class. Please spread the word to anyone you know who experiences shortness of breath or lung challenges. This is a regularly priced class designed to provide ongoing help.

On Saturday, October 1, 2011, 2- 4pm
we are hosting Elise Espat for a workshop introducing Mysore Ashtanga yoga. If you’ve never done heard of Mysore (or you have and think it sounds strangely painful), this workshop is for you. Here’s Elise on yoga:

Join her at the opening of her new shala (studio) in Nob Hill:

Barefoot Ball & Benefit Party / The Shala Open House & Reception
7-9pm Friday, September 23, 2011
Yes, classes started September 6th, but the eve of the Autumnal Equinox is a way better date for celebrating. Come see the space, enjoy some veggie nosh, meet some fab people, get some goodies — all for a good cause. We’ll be raising funds to help support Odanadi’s current project. Committed to rescuing and rehabilitating trafficked women and children in India, let’s help them build a new boys’ home!

Many blessings all around, May Mythical Adventures abound,
with love and gratitude,

Meta.

Greetings and End of August Salutations,

I hope you are all enjoying the weather and happily not hurricanes and tornadoes. I read this morning that this was the hottest August on record and I hope you have been staying cool and using yoga as a tool for calmness of mind and spirit. If not, it’s never too late to come to a yoga class, yoga is always there for you!

Chilling in the shade

We will have one 10 am class on Labor Day, all weekend classes happen. You might just want to begin the national holiday in community in yoga.

There is still time to join our next YogaNow Personal Enrichment and Teacher Training Apprentice Program which beings October 2.  This dive into yoga is a gift to yourself to uncover your own truth and beauty. You certainly don’t have to want to be a yoga teacher but you do have to be willing to learn and grow with yoga. We won’t be offering the training again in October 2012 so if you are considering, this may be your time now!

We are welcoming two new teachers, Joe and Allegra Wolf. They will be teaching classes already on the schedule and also adding a Wednesday morning Ashtanga Vinayasa for all levels – beginner and seasoned practitioner.

Our Friday evening class is changing times – will be a new time 6-7:30 pm beginning Sept 9. It is now called Happy Hour Vinyasana and here is the description:

Happy Hour Vinyasana

A great way to unwind from the week before starting your weekend. This class is designed to give you a strong foundation in fun, while being both safe and effective. This is a fluid vinyasana class, using elements of the Ashtanga approach, but resequenced to lend a sense of playfulness and accessibility for everyone. We explore the dynamic synergy between effort and letting go. You will leave feeling refreshed, energized, and relaxed, with the night still young. So come and join us in this breathing, moving, and feeling mediation.

May the new month be sweet and your moments be now,

with love,

Meta.