Connecting to the Source

We humans are interesting creatures. We want things labeled, and quickly, so we can put it on a shelf and move on to the next thing. I notice this when I tell people I teach yoga; they reply to me with terms like "stretching" or "relaxation". To me, yoga is more than this. When I align my body, breathe and focus my mind, I am connecting to something bigger, some Source. I've heard the same description from people creating art, music, playing sports, and other examples of getting out of the cognitive part of the brain and into the instinctive part. All of these are yoga to me, because they are all joining us to our Source. So what do I teach? I teach the process of getting quiet, aligning, focusing and breathing so that we can connect to our Source. It's not a perfectly-defined label, which is okay with this human.

What we are practicing now...

Utthita Hasta Padangustasana (extended hand-to-big-toe pose), at the wall. I love the variation with the extended foot on the wall, pressing against it to ignite moola bandha. It's very supportive and grounding! See Yoga Journal's beginner's tip for more details.

Schedule updates...

• New class for Adobe employees! Please help spread the word to your Adobe friends that we will begin a series on Sept 14, Mondays 5:30-6:30pm. Contact the Fitness Center for more details.
• Yoga Retreat September 25-27: one room left. Sign up now for the Perfect Blend Yoga and Wine Weekend in Amador County.
• Join us Wednesday morning for a 9:00-10:30 Hatha Flow class at Willow Glen Yoga; this intimate class covers the foundations of pranayama and bandha work that is not available in a fast moving flow class.

Coming up...

• Fundraiser yin, yang and meditation class with Debora Parente-Cohen on October 17. Please see the flyer for more information.