Many Rivers to Cross...

I recently came to an intersection in my learning. I'm sure there were many intersections like this in my past that went unnoticed. This one I noticed. Several different areas of movement and different discoverers of healing modalities came together in a meeting place that was quite profound for me. It reminded me of my first time visiting Esalen in Big Sur, and I heard the alternative name for the place: where the healing waters meet. This refers to the healing waters of the fresh water spring, hot springs and the ocean. From the Esalen Institute website:

Water flows at the heart of Esalen. Three water sources converge here to form a trinity of creation, renewal, and destruction, harkening back to our own ancient origins. According to Chinese medicine and other traditions, the human emotional body is held by the water element. Perhaps that is one reason why Esalen is a safe and powerfully healing place to look within.

Reflecting Pool

Looking within really began with my yoga practice. I recall learning about Thomas Hanna's work about somatic movements during my first yoga teacher training, and I can still recall the exact movements that I did and sensations they evoked. It was much different than the vinyasa yoga that I was intending to teach. It was also very challenging for me and at that time, I wasn't ready to dive that far into the deep end. So I waded in... I would use one or two of the movements in all of my classes, and I dabbled in leading classes that solely used this type of retraining of the brain-body connection. What really struck me is how fluid the movements were - even if I didn't feel very fluid at the start of the movements, I found that I did at the end of the practice.

Rivers of Prajna

Years later, I began working with Tias Little of Prajna Yoga in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Along with traditional static and dynamic yoga sequences, he introduced me to movements that were similar to the Hanna Somatics: on the floor, slow, fluid and repetitive. There is a very watery feel to the practice that he calls SATYA (Sensory Awareness Training for Yoga Attunement). Last fall, I completed a 5 day training in SATYA with Prajna Yoga. During that time, two channels were dug that helped the flow of information. The first was that I met a man named Don Smith, who I wrote about shortly after I returned; Don spoke at length about the fluidity of the body, and the message that I took away from meeting him was that it was my job / duty / privilege to encourage people to move this way. The second path appeared when Tias asked us to pay attention to our dreams...

Prenatal Aquatics

I have always had vivid dreams, but I can recall one dream that imprinted itself so deeply on my memory that I can still conjure up the sensations the dream evoked, even 20 years later. I was pregnant with my first child, and as my delivery due date drew near, I had a dream that I delivered a big silver fish, rather than a human baby! This was obviously a clear representation of the anxiety I had around giving birth and being a parent, and this image has burned itself into my mind.

Last month I took a workshop with Beth Pettengill Riley, who reminded me that we are all aquatic beings in vitro, and that we are 90% fluid at birth, as our bones haven't yet set. Perhaps this fish I had delivered in my dream was more of a representation of what I felt from the outside: a slippery, swimming, moving creature. (But most likely it was a sign of anxiety!)

She went on to share with us the fluid, nonlinear, aquatic movements that we are all capable of doing, a modality called Continuum Movement. I attempted to move my spine in a way that didn't have the context of yoga, qi gong, dance or exercise; the movements were also meant to be free from the conditions of wife, mother, sister, daughter, gender , culture and age. It felt odd, subtle, awkward and freeing all at the same time. I was really in the deep end of this work now!

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Mental Fluidity

Now here I stand, at the intersection of all these bodies of water, flowing with information that is accessible but dynamic. Again I look within as I contemplate where I will bring this knowledge to bear. The obvious answer is that moving this way will help me and others feel more comfortable in our own skin as it dims pain, stiffness and moves healthy fluids.

A subtler application is with my mental framework. I find myself asking the questions,
Am I able to think more fluidly? To find the path of least resistance? 
Can I move forward without regret, like a stream "remeandering" its course once its been disrupted?

As Bruce Lee said, "Be like water."
I don't know what that will look like in my day-to-day life, but it's worth exploring.

Note: for those of you interested, there are 3 spaces still available for the Breathe Costa Rica Yoga & Service Retreat this July, led by myself and Christina Enneking. See the Events page for more details. Registration is closing soon.

Acceptance

"Inhale... Exhale... Begin again."

These four simple words became a mantra during meditation this past week. They were spoken by yoga teacher Djuna Mascall during one of our first morning sits, and they continued to return to me throughout the week, reminding me how powerful the practice can be.

I spent 5 days at Esalen in Big Sur, soaking up the hot springs, sitting in the meditation hut that is located at the juncture of the river and the ocean, practicing yoga with students and teachers who never fail to make me smile, and eating delicious food from the Esalen gardens. Throughout the 5 days, my mind echoed Djuna's statement:

Each time I sat for meditation, I noticed my tendency to wander and then I brought myself back with these words.

Each time I struggled through the more challenging poses - holding revolved triangle for 20 breaths! - I noticed my strain and came back to the mantra.

Each time I sat down to eat, whether in company or alone, I took a moment to remember her phrase.

Simple. Powerful.

What's implied in these four little words is that we have an infinite number of chances to renew our commitment to whatever it is we've set our minds to. With every breath, we release our previous success and failure and accept the opportunity to start anew, like the ocean waves that serenaded our week, or the sunrise that erased the previous day's stories.

Another quote that was shared repeatedly by all the teachers there - Tias Little, Brenda Proudfoot and Djuna - is the following from Anne Lamott, a lovely description of the allowing that occurs when we follow this practice of inhaling, exhaling and beginning again:

“We begin to find and become ourselves when we notice how we are already found, already truly, entirely, wildly, messily, marvelously who we were born to be.”

Namaste.

The Year of Living Consciously Part 4

Today is April 1 - Fool's Day, so I thought I'd address one of my own blocks to living consciously: the Ego.

There are a whole family of reactions that come with realizing I've been a fool: thoughts about self-worth, intelligence, importance; feelings of betrayal, hurt, defensiveness; physical reactions of protection, nausea and loss of air. All of these reactions stem from one thing: my Ego. My Ego tells me someone has betrayed me or that I've been made a fool and that my attachment to some identity is in jeopardy. My Ego tells me I must lash out or collapse in to defend this identity. My Ego is the court jester who tells me I'm the fool, when my Ego is, in fact, an illusion. When I stop listening to this Ego, who poisons my heart, I'm able to let go of any and all blocks to living consciously. I can laugh at myself, I can forgive and I can love.

Yoga practice teaches me to remove the veils, the illusions to reality. The illusion here is that the Ego is a rational, reasonable voice; once the veil has been lifted, the rational, reasonable 3-piece suit that the Ego wears begins to fall away and I see in its place the 3-horned hat and clown face. The Ego is the truest illusion. This year, I will not be fooled today by it.

Namaste

Schedule updates and special events; please see Special Events page for more details...

• April 8: Annual OM for Peace Chant 3:00-4:00pm at Breathe Los Gatos; come join our voices in this annual FREE event as we chant OM for 1 hour at our own rate and pitch. See Special Events for more info.
• April 27-29, 2012 Weekend Retreat with Lorien and Marti Foster at Mayacamas Ranch in Calistoga. Only a few spots left, so register now! See Special Events for more info.
• May 5, 2012 1:30-4:00pm Yoga for Cancer Survivorship workshop at Yoga of Los Altos. See Special Events for more info.
• NEW Class: Beginning May 23 11:00-noon Yoga for Cancer Survivorship 6-week series at Kaiser on Homestead at Tantau. Call Kaiser Health Education to register: (408) 851-3800.

The Year of Living Consciously Part 3

For the last two months, we've explored watching your thoughts and your breath. These are practices can be done with detachment and are usually not combustible.

This month, we'll study the emotions. Going back to the first installment, I mentioned that as we learn language, we learn to attach a condition to words and whole thoughts - "good" or "bad", "right" or "wrong", "pleasant" or "painful". With these conditional attachments come emotions. For example, I'm sitting in my morning meditation and my mind slithers off to some previous conversation and I begin to rehash the whole situation (this type of distraction is sticky and can really catch me in its web); as soon as I notice what I've done, my thoughts turn to judgment about my slithering away. My judgment turns to a shortening of my breath, a wince across my brow and a protective shrug in my shoulders. My entire being is now stuck in the reaction to my mental slip. If I am paying attention, I may notice these outward signs in my breath and body... but if I'm watching the emotions, I can nip all of this in the bud. Watch that your mind has patterns, and those patterns can be associated with emotions, and those feed the breath and body systems. Try using your sharpened mind and breath awareness to catch yourself at the beginning of these conditional responses and watch the emotions without being caught in them. If that isn't yet possible, try turning your focus on things that evoke positive and then neutral feelings. This will help to discharge the emotion and disconnect you from the pattern of judging your emotional response.

Namaste

Schedule updates and special events; please see Special Events page for more details...

• THIS SUNDAY! March 4 1:00-3:30pm: Serenity Yoga, a Gentle and Restorative Yoga Workshop at Willow Glen Yoga. Please join us for subtle movements, deep breathing and supportive restorative postures. Spaces still available, please register at www.willowglenyoga.com.
• Beginning March 6: FREE Yoga for Cancer Survivorship class Tuesdays noon-12:45pm at Breathe Los Gatos. Contact Lorien for more info.
• April 8: Annual OM for Peace Chant 3:00-4:00pm at Breathe Los Gatos; come join our voices in this annual FREE event as we chant OM for 1 hour at our own rate and pitch. See Special Events for more info.
• April 27-29, 2012 Weekend Retreat with Lorien and Marti Foster at Mayacamas Ranch in Calistoga. See Special Events for more info.

The Year of Living Consciously Part 2

Here we are in our second installment of this new way of being. How was it to watch your thoughts? Were you able to witness the ripples of conditionality of some thoughts? Keep observing them and notice how things change.

This month, we'll study the breath. In yoga we call this pranavidya. Each breath pattern sends those same ripples through your beings - nervous system, physical body and emotions, so notice when you are breathing shallow and we you are breathing deeply. What external circumstances bring about these conditions? Can you work backwards and create an external circumstance based on your breathing pattern? (The answer is yes, by the way, but test this out for yourself.) Make a study of your own breathing patterns and be like an investigator of your breath. Notice depth, length, texture, location (where in your body do you feel your breath) and connection to external things, like body posture, emotions, etc. Just by studying your breath, it will become more conscious, which is to say, more effective. When people tell me they can't do yoga, I counter with, "can you breathe?" If you are breathing consciously, you are doing yoga.

Namaste

Schedule updates and special events; please see Special Events age for more details...

• March 4 1:00-3:30pm: Serenity Yoga, a Gentle and Restorative Yoga Workshop at Willow Glen Yoga. Please join us for subtle movements, deep breathing and supportive restorative postures. Pre-registration is $40, add $10 week of the workshop. Register at www.willowglenyoga.com.
• Coming in March: FREE Yoga for Cancer Survivorship class Tuesdays noon-12:45pm at Breathe Los Gatos. Contact Lorien for more info.
• April 27-29, 2012 Weekend Retreat with Lorien and Marti Foster at Mayacamas Ranch in Calistoga. See Special Events for more info.

Maybe Yes, Maybe No

Change is often received poorly by us humans. I've recently stepped onto a path that has already begun to change me. Each time I notice a difference, I'm tempted to pass judgement on it, label it and distance myself from it. I've done a lot of work to stay present in my breath so that I can notice these things coming up, but I wasn't able to see my distancing habits until I re-discovered an old story. Now my mantra is "maybe yes, maybe no", which helps me to not attach a label to anything arising, and helps me accept the changes with more grace. Here is that story:

There was once a farmer whose only horse ran away. On that evening the neighbors gathered to sympathize with him, for surely this was such bad luck. Now your farm will suffer and you will not be able to plow, the neighbors warned the farmer. Such a terrible thing to have happened to you, they said.

The farmer said, “maybe yes, maybe no.”

The next day the horse returned and brought him six wild horses, and the neighbours came to congratulate him and celebrate his good fortune. Now you are richer than before, they said. Surely now this has turned out to be such a very good thing, for you, after all.

The farmer said, “maybe yes, maybe no.”

The following day, the son saddled and rode one of the wild horses. He was thrown off the horse and broke his leg. Now the son could not work on the farm. Again the neighbours came to offer their sympathy for such an inconvenient truth. They noted that there was more work than the farmer could handle and surely now he would become poor. Such bad luck, indeed.

The farmer said, “maybe yes, maybe no.”

The day after that, conscription officers came to the village to take all the young men for the army, but because of his broken leg, the farmer’s son was disallowed. When the neigbours arrived again, they said how very fortunate the farmer was, as things had worked out after all. Knowing well that most young men never return from the war alive, this was the best fortune yet.

And the old farmer said, “maybe yes, maybe no.”

I hope this story helps you with any of your changes. Because if there is one guarantee in life, it's that it will change. Happy holidays and Namaste.

Schedule updates and special events; please see Special Events page for more details...

• THIS WEEKEND: Saturday, December 4th 1:00-3:30om, Lorien will teach her Sweet Surrender Restorative Workshop at Willow Glen Yoga Studio. This is a perfect opportunity to gain tools to reduce stress effects and regain serenity during this hectic season!
• Special classes: For the month of December, Lorien will be teaching a Foundations of Flow class on Tuesdays at 10:30am at Breathe Los Gatos. This class explores the concepts of flow - breath, balance, energy, strength, ease - in an ongoing 75-minute class format. Join us!
• Beginning next Monday (Dec 5th), you can register for the Gentle Yoga Kaiser classes that begin in January. These classes are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday (register for each separately), 9:30am-10:30am at one of the Kaiser buildings off Homestead. Both Kaiser members and non-members can join these classes. Call (408) 851-3800 to register after Dec 5. Classes run 10 weeks and are $80 for members, $120 for non-members.
• SAVE THE DATE: April 27-29, 2012 Weekend Retreat with Lorien and Marti Foster at Mayacamas Ranch in Calistoga... more info coming soon!

Growing Past Being Wrong

My husband and I have a long-running joke about how neither one of us can be wrong. After 14 years of marriage, we've come to the understanding that just because one of us is right, it doesn't make the other wrong. But recently, I've become aware of some hard truths that led me to the realization that I was wrong. (There, Aaron, I said it.) I was wrong about some fundamental things that were really making my life unhappy. Even after I realized these truths, my ego stuffed them down to protect itself. I became defensive and angry as my ego reacted in fear. I was convinced that my life was a power struggle and to admit my mistakes would diminish my power. On this, I was truly and sadly wrong! Admitting my mistakes not only helped my situation, but also empowered me to move forward without the weight of these misconceptions. I am always advocating letting go of the ego in my yoga practice, but it's important to take that off the matt, too. During this process I asked the question "what does the ego do for us?" and the answer that came back was, "it gives us the opportunity to grow." The next time you are faced with a situation - on or off the matt - that makes you defensive, ask yourself if this is an opportunity to grow...

Schedule updates and special events; please see Special Events page for more details...

• Lorien will be on retreat Nov 6-11, but classes will continue with subs.
• Nov 11-12: Lorien's teacher, Tias Little, will be at Breathe Los Gatos for three weekend workshops, and Lorien will be assisting him! Check out his offerings here. You don't want to miss these!
• Special classes: Lorien will be subbing the following classes at Breathe Los Gatos: Tuesday, Nov 29 10:30am Foundations of Flow and Wednesday, Nov 30 noon Gentle Yoga.
• Saturday, December 4th 1:00-3:30om: Sweet Surrender Restorative Workshop at Willow Glen Yoga Studio
• SAVE THE DATE: April 27-29, 2012 Weekend Retreat with Lorien and Marti Foster at Mayacamas Ranch in Calistoga... more info coming soon!

Connect Inside to Connect Outside

It's a Friday yin class and my inspiration is low. I've taught a variation of this same class all week and said the same cues and encouragement over and over. It's still relevant, but by Friday it feels less sincere. And then, just as I've gotten out of my own way and stopped scripting it all, my mouth spouts out words that I didn't even know were in my head, and the theme of the class unfolds itself to me: "Reflect on what's happening inside so that you can connect deeper with those around you." But getting quiet and still and diving deep within is a tough sell in this culture of ultra-stimulation; some times just getting people to put down their phones before (or even during!) class is challenging. But we must slow down and be quiet to really understand what's going on inside us. When we are still, we hear what the body is telling us, what the mind is telling us, and what our emotions are saying. When we practice that stillness, we learn more about ourselves. We realize what our true motivations are, what our values are and what we are willing to surrender. Knowing these help us to know others better, and to connect with them on very honest, deeper levels. So don't take sitting quietly for granted; get in touch with what's happening inside to feel others around you. Namaste.

Schedule updates and special events; please see Special Events page for more details...

• Lorien will be subbing the following Yin classes at Breathe: Thursdays 6:00-7:30pm on August 4, 18, 25 and Saturday 11:45-1:00pm August 27.
• Saturday, August 13th 1:00-2:30pm: Yoga on the Beach at New Brighton Beach, Capitola
• Saturday, August 20th 1:00-3:00pm: Dynamic Hatha Yoga Fundraiser Class with Lorien and Cindy Campbell at Willow Glen Yoga
• Sunday, September 11th 1:30-4:00pm: Soothe Your Soul Workshop at Breathe Yoga Studio
• SAVE THE DATE: April 27-29, 2012 Weekend Retreat with Lorien and Marti Foster at Mayacamas Ranch in Calistoga

Foundational Questions for Spring

Welcome, Spring! I know it's rainy, cold and dark outside as I write this, but spring is officially here: time to surrender the past, rebirth, grow and change. It's always a busy time for me and this spring is no exception. Between teaching classes and planning future workshops, retreats, chanting sessions and other fun projects, my mind has been drawn to the foundational question of what is yoga? I've recently read several articles about what yoga is not; like shadows defining the form, we often use the negative to describe our subject. But it's important to remember that the shadow is not the form. So, what is yoga?

In promoting my work with cancer patients, I travelled to several doctor's offices to pass out flyers. When I let them know that I teach yoga to cancer patients, I often got a quizzical look. I then offered to give a demonstration to the staff to show that I would not be asking their patients to wrap their legs around their heads. Most people have one or two views of yoga: it's an excuse to take a nap, or it's a contortionist practice. After twelve years of practice, I can safely say it is both and neither of those.

To me, yoga is about relationship. It is a physical practice that helps us relate to our own bodies, an energetic practice that relates us to our own breath, a mental practice that relates us to our own mind and a spiritual practice that relates us to everything else. It can be as simple as a good stretch or as complex as a total quality of life overhaul. The magic ingredient is us; we plant the seed, we cultivate the practice and we reap the harvest. People need guidance to begin with and possibly along the way, but the guru is really inside. The articles that I've read all point to the subject leaving themselves out of the equation; often quite painfully, they learned that yoga is not that.

This spring, let go of what no longer serves you, stretch past your limits safely and watch yourself blossom, but always remember your inner guidance. Namaste.

Schedule updates and special events; please click description for more details...

• Lorien will be away for a training March 27-April 1. Classes will continue with subs.
• NEW! Starting Tuesday, April 5, Lorien will teach a Yin Yoga class noon-1:00pm at Breathe in Los Gatos.
• Class change: Tuesdays 1:00pm class at Breathe is now a Wellness Yoga class, which means that anyone dealing with chronic pain, compromised immune systems or chronic stress from illness or injury can find ways to improve their total quality of life through gentle yoga practices. Class is offered by donation ($12 suggested, but no one turned away). Please help spread the word!
• Saturday, April 23: Yoga as Cancer Support workshop 1:00-4:00pm at Breathe in Los Gatos; this workshop is donation-based and is for patients, caregivers and professionals working with cancer.
• Sunday, April 24 (Easter) OM for Peace Annual Chant: 3:00-4:00pm at Breathe in Los Gatos; this free hour of chanting OM is our annual Easter ritual to connect with others in an effort to send a vibration of peace out into the world. No need to register, no previous chanting experience needed, just come with an open heart.
• Friday, April 29 - Sunday, May 1: Yoga Retreat to the Beach Immerse yourself in this relaxing weekend retreat at the beach in Watsonville; only 2 beds lefts - register NOW!
• Coming soon: Wellness Yoga DVD... stay tuned for more details!

Shh... Listening

It is always good to get away and experience something new, even if only to gain a different perspective on what is already there. I just returned from a family vacation in Hawaii, and found myself reflecting over my morning tea how different the soundtracks of daily life are between Hawaii and my home in San Jose, California. I sat and really Listened to life around me this morning in an effort to catalog the sounds. How often do we do that? What about when we are in conversation with friends, are we really Listening? You know when you are with someone who is, because it is such a different feeling; no need to interrupt to be heard, no need to repeat yourself, they gift you with eye contact, and (if it is new to you) it could feel very uncomfortable to have all of that interest directed on you. I'm not sure which came first, but chronic talking definitely has a factor in how much we Listen. The more we ramble, the less we feel heard, so the more we try to verbalize... an endless loop. In recent years, I have been trying hard to learn the art of Listening and I found that the first step is closing the mouth to open the ears. Meditation has definitely helped, because I am now less afraid of silence and more accustomed to the direct attention that someone who does Listen gives me - it is similar to the attention I give myself during meditation. Just think what would change in the world if more people Listened.

Schedule updates and special events; please click description for more details...

• Lorien will be away for a training March 27-April 1. Classes will continue with subs.
• Special classes: Lorien will be subbing Foundations of Flow classes on Tuesdays, March 15 and 22 at 11:00am at Breathe in Los Gatos.
• Saturday, April 23: Yoga as Cancer Support workshop 1:00-4:00pm at Breathe in Los Gatos; this workshop is donation-based and is for patients, caregivers and professionals working with cancer.
• Sunday, April 24 (Easter) OM for Peace Annual Chant: 3:00-4:00pm at Breathe in Los Gatos; this free hour of chanting OM is our annual Easter ritual to connect with others in an effort to send a vibration of peace out into the world. No need to register, no previous chanting experience needed, just come with an open heart.
• Friday, April 29 - Sunday, May 1: Yoga Retreat to the Beach Immerse yourself in this relaxing weekend retreat at the beach in Watsonville; only 2 beds lefts - register NOW!
• Class change: Tuesdays 1:00pm class at Breathe is now a Wellness Yoga class, which means that anyone dealing with chronic pain, compromised immune systems or chronic stress from illness or injury can find ways to improve their total quality of life through gentle yoga practices. Class is offered by donation ($12 suggested, but no one turned away).

Stealthy Love

I mentioned in a yin yoga class a while back that students may not feel the many benefits of the yin practice right away, but that it sneaks up on you and you may notice a feeling of ease in the body and spirit without realizing its source. It got me to thinking about how some of the greatest gifts in my life were not necessarily love at first sight, but that they snuck into my heart and firmly lodged themselves there, much to my joy. Yoga itself is one of those. I was not sold on yoga from my first class. In fact, I left the class saying "I'll never do that again." Four years after that initial attempt, I enrolled in a class at the local YMCA and haven't stopped doing yoga since. I often reflect on that first class and wonder why it didn't hook me then and there; I know that you have to be in a specific place in your life to be interested in such an introspective, sometimes confrontational, practice. Not everyone is there the first time. I am known for my ability to work with people new to yoga, and I think that's because I never forget what it is like to be the new person in the room, to be so mystified by everyone's reaction and to be overwhelmed by my own. For some of us, the slow, stealthy approach is best; it gives us time to catch up to what our hearts already know.

Schedule updates and special events; please click description for more details...

• Lorien will be on vacation Feb 20-28. Classes will continue with subs.
• Saturday, Feb 5: Yoga as Cancer Support workshop 1:00-4:00pm at Breathe in Los Gatos; this workshop is donation-based and is for patients, caregivers and professionals working with cancer.
• Friday, April 29 - Sunday, May 1: Yoga Retreat to the Beach Immerse yourself in this relaxing weekend retreat at the beach in Watsonville; space is limited, so register now.
• Date TBD: Yoga for Cancer Support at Home workshop at Stanford hospital in Palo Alto; this workshop teaches patients and caregivers how to practice yoga at home, using household props and addressing common obstacles. This workshop is offered free of charge through the Stanford Cancer Support Program.

Stretch Goals for the New Year

Happy New Year, everyone! One of the things I remember about my corporate life is receiving annual reviews. I was always most interested in something called my stretch goals - things out of my comfort zone to reach for. This year, there are many things out of my comfort zone that I am reaching for. First, I am moving forward with working with cancer support by starting a weekly program at Breathe in Los Gatos. There is always an unknown element to this work because there really is no one approach that works for all; it's individual, just as the disease and the treatment side effects are individual. Each time I think I've got a formula, a new challenge presents itself. This is exciting and important to me, and will grow my skills tremendously. What is the real stretch goal in this program is to promote it. I need to speak with oncology staff, present the information in an intelligent, experiential way, so that they will recommend the work to their patients. I have so much respect for these people and I want to be sure to honor their work and explain how yoga can help them. That is definitely a challenge for me! Another stretch goal for me has to do with pricing my private sessions. If you go to the private yoga page, you'll notice a big range in pricing. The higher range has to do with overhead and paying the location. Since I have operated by donations or out of my house, this jump in cost is less comfortable for me, but better for my practice of valuing my own work. Those of you who have your own business know how this feels; it's a practice to strike that balance between asking for what you simply need to get by and asking for what your service is worth, especially in these tough economic times! I will trust, as I hope you do, that it will meet everyone's needs somehow. And that is what this coming year is all about. I wish for you to find your stretch goals as well, to do what is important but risky, and to learn the value of what you do.

Schedule updates and special events; please click description for more details...

• New class! Beginning Monday, Jan 3, Lorien will teach an ongoing 7:15-8:45pm restorative yoga class at Downtown Yoga Shala in San Jose.
• New class! Beginning Tuesday, Jan 4, Lorien will teach an ongoing yoga for cancer support class at Breathe in Los Gatos; this class is donation-based.
• New class! Beginning Sunday, Jan 9, Lorien will teach an ongoing gentle yoga class at Breathe in Los Gatos.
• Special class: Friday, Jan 14 9:00-10:30am Tapas Yoga at Breathe Los Gatos; a (mildly) heated class that includes breath-focused held postures to align and cleanse.
• Special class: Saturday, Jan 15 9:30-11:00am Yoga Basics at GGBC in Campbell; come take this donation-based class and dive into the foundations of yoga with breath, alignment and relaxation.
• Saturday, Feb 5: Yoga as Cancer Support workshop 1:00-4:00pm at Breathe in Los Gatos; this workshop is donation-based and is for patients, caregivers and professionals working with cancer.
• Date TBD: Yoga for Cancer Support at Home workshop at Stanford hospital in Palo Alto; this workshop teaches patients and caregivers how to practice yoga at home, using household props and addressing common obstacles. This workshop is offered free of charge through the Stanford Cancer Support Program.

Ticking Clocks and Other Blocks (to Meditation)

I once experienced a student walk out of a restorative class that I was teaching because the clock ticking in the room was irritating her and she couldn't relax through it. I felt empathy, since I am also easily distracted by repetitive sounds. I went to a meditation teacher, Sharon Allen (who I am so fortunate to share space with at GGBC), and asked her what she recommends for this type of distraction. She offered a practice that I have found priceless, once that I have expanded on and that often helps me during meditation. Here is what she shared with me, along with my development.

First, identify the sensation (in this case, it is the sound of a ticking clock). Really focus on it, as if you were going to describe it later on to someone. Be interested in its qualities. As you rest your awareness on the sensation, notice if there is any change in its qualities. Next, notice that while there is a space for this sensation, there is also a space where this sensation doesn't exist. In the case of the ticking clock, there is a space in the room where there is an absence of the sound. Allow your awareness to rest there fully. Notice any judgements or opinions about the sensation or non-sensation and let those pass. Rest in this awareness of sensation for as long as you are able to stay with it without attaching to the sensation. You may begin to notice other sensations, but do so with this balance in mind, taking in the sensation and non-sensation and meeting both with equanimity. I work this way with sound, bodily sensation (breath, physical discomfort), thought and emotion. Try it - even for just 5 minutes a day - and see how it makes you feel.

Schedule updates

• Please see Lorien's schedule page for ongoing classes appropriate for all levels of health and abilities.
• Coming soon: therapeutic and cancer support classes in Los Gatos beginning Jan, 2011.
• Retreat with Barbra Brady coming next spring in Sonoma; more details coming!

Graceful Living

I have been thinking about grace lately. It's always been my desire to move through life, taking changes and disappointments with a graceful ease, because that is almost the opposite of what I had been doing until recently. I made a decision to find ways to improve my grace, but it's not so easy. A few months ago, I began learning a Brazilian martial art form called Capoeira. It combines dance, music, acrobatics and combat into a beautiful flow that really speaks to my heart. As I watch the more experienced Capoeiristas, I notice that quality of grace in their movements: they respond to their partner with attention and an ease that my beginner's body doesn't yet posses. But that is the point: grace takes practice, and sometimes you don't get it quite right. Each time I fall, each time I lose my temper, each time I apologize, I am learning grace. Just like my Capoeira games. Just like my yoga practice. Living gracefully is a practice. As Fall approaches, there are many changes coming; some I will respond to better than others, but all are opportunities to practice graceful living.

What we are practicing now...

Ardha Sarvangasana (half shoulder stand pose) is a wonderful pose for the warmer weather and is an inversion that in most of us can access. To view a picture and instructions, please click here. If your wrists can manage it, try being in this pose for 2 minutes to fully receive its benefits.

Schedule Updates and Events...

• New Classes Thursdays! Beginning September 30, Lorien will be teaching 2 classes at The Yoga Studio in downtown Campbell. This studio is owned by a fellow graduate of my teacher training program and includes our trainer on its staff. It features Aerial yoga - a wonderfully therapeutic and fun way to practice yoga (see their website for pictures)! Lorien's classes on September 30 will be by donation, benefitting the public schools in Campbell. Please come by, help out the campbell community and see this beautiful space! Note new opening date.
• September 25, 1:00-4:00pm Yoga and the Cancer Journey Workshop with Lorien and Michelle Duguay; hosted by Soula Power Yoga studio in downtown San Jose. $35 pre-registered, $45 day of. For more information, see Special Events or contact Lorien. Please help spread the word about this workshop so that all who are affected by cancer can learn how yoga can support them.
• October 1-3 Yin and Yang Yoga Retreat with Lorien at Mount Madonna Retreat Center in Watsonville; there are only 2 spots left!!! Contact Lorien ASAP if you are interested in going. See Special Events for details.
• Coming soon! Lorien will be teaching at another new studio opening in Los Gatos... stay tuned for more details.

Mind Befriends Body

Have you ever had a friend who doesn't really listen to you? You try to explain something and this person talks right over you. It isn't much of a friendship, is it? Now think about your body and mind as two friends. Body continues to quietly speak to Mind, but Mind is oblivious and simply talks over Body. Not much of a relationship in that scenario. When we practice mindfulness through body scanning, we can think of the practice as strengthening this relationship by letting Mind (attention) be led by Body (sensation). This is a way for Mind to befriend Body, creating a deeper bond and better communication between the two - just like with friends. Practice body scanning in a seated or reclined position (see below for how to do a body scan). It is a wonderful skill and perfect for a more internal summertime practice.

What we are practicing now...

Body scanning is a kinesthetic mindfulness practice that brings your attention inward. Begin by finding a quiet, comfortable position, either seated or reclined. Try to place your body in such a way so that there is minimal sensation, using props if necessary.

Bring your awareness to the surface of your skin and notice your weight on the floor or chair. Let your breath be organic and notice how breathing in and out moves your clothing and skin. Release your weight a little more and notice the air all around you. Feel the whole back surface of your body and the whole front surface. Notice your left side and your right side.

Now bring your attention beneath the surface of your skin and turn your mind fully towards your body. Notice any part of your body that is calling for attention and rest your awareness fully there. As your breathe, be aware of how the sensation in this area changes. If you feel tension coming from this area, try exhaling through your mouth like you have just dropped a heavy load; repeat this as many times as you feel you need it. If another part of your body calls for attention, allow your mind to fully rest there. Continue to move your awareness through your body this way, letting your mind be led by sensation rather than thought. If thoughts arise, notice them but don't engage them and return to your practice, beginning at the surface of your skin, if necessary.

Practice this kinesthetic mindfulness for several minutes, then release it. Notice how you feel - mentally and physically. Return your attention slowly to the surface of your skin, clothing, floor/chair, air. Move into your next practice or simply come out.

Note: this practice is a combination of ingredients given to me by several teachers; my gratitude to Cheri Clampett, Arturo Peal, Kelly McGonigal and Sharon Allen. Namaste.

Schedule updates and events... see Schedule for complete class listing

• Saturday, July 10th: celebrate Lorien's 40th birthday with a free beach yoga class at Moran Lake Beach in Santa Cruz; class begins at 10:30am. Bring water, towel and sun protection; there is limited parking on site. Immediately following the class, there will be a drum circle at the beach house 2 blocks away. Please join us if you are interested - no experience needed, you cannot do this wrong!
• Yin & Yang Yoga Retreat Oct 1-3 in Sonoma, CA. See Special Events for more details.
• Cancer support lecture and workshop with Michelle Duguay is set for September 25 at Soula Power Yoga in downtown San Jose. Look for more information coming soon!

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.