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Legend tells us that the practice of Yoga was offered as a gift from Lord Shiva to alleviate suffering. It is from this place that I also humbly offer my experience to my students. On my own path I have known many teachers, and a few Masters, of Yoga:
Rusty Wells, one of my first teachers, is world renowned for the offering he calls, Bhakti Flow, emphasizing Bhakti and Hatha Vinyasa Yoga. My practical training with Rusty began in 1994 and his influence on my practice continues today. My collaboration with Rusty has included assisting his weekly classes and teaching a module on “Skillful Adjustments” during his second Teacher Training.
Shiva Rea has been instrumental in encouraging my inner teacher. Blending Ashtanga Yoga and the spiritual teachings of Kashmir Shaivism, Shiva Rea developed Prana Vinyasa Flow. This radiant practice resembles an enchanting dance and firmly places Yoga in the realm of Art. Deep connection to the flow of life is Shiva’s gift to her students. I completed 200 hours of training with Shiva in 2006 and continue my study with her as an assistant during classes and retreats.
In March, 2008, I met Maharshi Arvind, affectionately known as Babaji, in Maharastra, India. He is recognized throughout India as a fully realized (enlightened) Master of Yoga. The Siddham Param Para lineage to which he belongs emphasizes Bhakti, Kriya and Tantra Yoga. I have been initiated into the Siddham Yoga lineage, trained and authorized to teach intensive courses. This is a great honor as I am in the company of only two other American students to be certified to teach in this lineage.
Much gratitude to these modern masters for their influence on my practice: Dharma Mittra, B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Janet Stone, Ed Clark, and Angela Farmer.
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In Vinyasa classes, I aim to cultivate pranic awareness, attention to alignment within flow, a strong body and mind, and clarity of the divine light within.
I include Bhakti, the yoga of devotion, to open the voice and connect the heart of the kula (group).
My expression of Hatha Yoga that of a is a moving meditation, a connection to the flow of life, in alignment with a divine Source. Essential to asana practice is pranayama, the cultivation of breath. Yogi Bhajan, the great Kundalini master, has said, “The breath is the voice of the soul.” Kriya, the yoga of action, has a cleansing effect on the chakras and subtle energies of the body.
While most yoga taught in the West focuses on the physical practice of asana (aka Hatha yoga), asana, pranayama, and kriya are designed to still the body, calm the mind, and clear the energetic field as preparation for meditation. Meditation paves the way towards self-awareness, the fertile ground necessary for healthy mind, body and spirit.
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Click thumbnails to see full sized photos. |
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Living the practice of yoga means being present to each moment, maintaining awareness of our thoughts, and breathing into what is. From the place of clear thought, compassionate speech, and pure intention, we can truly know and share our highest selves with each other, thus existing in the fullest expression of yoga; everyday, with every breath, on and off the mat.
The divine light within me honors the divine light in you ~ Namo Narayan.
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