Talk about feeling the effects of the spring equinox; I woke up Thursday morning and there was no choice but to clean my house. It was as if someone had set off an air raid siren and cleansing was the only action available to ease off the rush of energy flowing through me. I got a lot done that morning in a very short amount of time and it felt good to relinquish the rubbish that had accumulated in my space.

So what is an equinox? The word equinox actually means “equal night”; so the length of the day is equal to the length of the night, a unique event occurring only twice a year to mark the beginning of Spring and the end of Summer. For many ancient calendars it also marks the beginning of the New Year. (more…)

It has always been a dream of mine to settle into a life with elephants. Just to be able to walk amongst them and observe their innate greatness of spirit and dignity. In the past I had heard of the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee and the devoted work of the staff to provide a haven for previously captured elephants.

In this month’s Yoga Journal, it was to my delight to read a brief story about Carol Buckley, the co-founder and director of the sanctuary and an avid yoga student. She says.” If I didn’t do yoga, I would keep zooming toward tomorrow instead of living for today.” (more…)

“Who am I really, and how do I want to be today?”

How many times have you been asked the question “What do you do?” At parties, during first introductions, at a family gathering, people find it easy to define us by asking what we do and placing that answer in their frame of reference. But what happens when we choose to shift that question slightly and examine within ourselves the deeper question of “How am I a part of my life today?” This simple question has the ability to transform our sense of authenticity and inspire a renewed sense of honesty with others and ourselves. (more…)

In this month’s issue of Yoga Journal, there was a thoughtful article entitled “10 Tools for Creating Your Happiest Life.” In this article it covers areas such as “Plug in to your spiritual self, get energized about your future, let go of the old and honor your physical self.” This last one seems to parallel closely with our yoga practice. (more…)

Since 1999, Yoga Alliance has ignited the effort to bring yoga awareness across the U.S.  On January 26, 2008 yoga studios will offer classes for low or at no cost fees in order to share the benefits and gifts of yoga.

This annual celebration has provided the opportunity for new and returning students to renew their commitment or to experience how yoga can bring focus and inner strength into ones life. Many of the yoga studios are also using this day as a fundraiser and to bring additional awareness to well deserving charities. (more…)

It is not just about showing up on the mat; it is about how you work with your mind and the experience. – Cyndi Lee

So have you done it to yourself again, started the year with a lengthy list of “resolutions” for the New Year? Well you are not alone or uncommon. It is our human instinct to want to seek change and growth and to try to achieve them all in one year.

We desire success and fear failure, so often times we can be our own obstacles to achieving our goals. Even in our approach to an ongoing yoga practice, there can be nagging thoughts that hinder us from being fully present, fully open to the practice. (more…)

One of our favorite resources is the Shambala Sun magazine. As we continue to feel the promise and excitement of a new year it is vital that we gather as many nurturing and supportive tools as we can. And the January issue of Shambala Sun has a wealth of thoughtful resources.

An insightful piece entitled “More Than Just a Body” is an interview with Rodney Yee that offers us a brief yet intimate insight into his personal practice. In it he discusses meditation, the popularity of yoga, the perceived lack of men practicing yoga and some sage advise for beginners. (more…)

With the approaching last hours of 2007, we are anxiously and excitedly making our list of goals, intentions, and promises for the coming year. Amongst my community of friends and co-workers our goals are centered around health, career, finances, love, family, community and spirituality.  And of course we expect to achieve some level of greatness in each of these areas! (more…)

This is the literal Latin meaning of the word solstice (sol -sun, sistere – standing). Between December 20 and 23 the Winter Solstice is celebrated throughout the Northern Hemisphere (Southern Hemisphere celebrates June 20-23).  This time has commonly been known for  mid-winter celebrations such as Christmas, Hanukkah, and  Kwanzaa.

In ancient cultures the Winter Solstice was considered as a turning point in the year. Many communities centered their most holy and sacred buildings such as tombs and temples upon the direct alignment with the solstices.  Today, we simply define this day as “the shortest day, the longest night.” Or more scientifically “the earth leans slightly on its axis…it’s 23 degrees and 27 minutes off the perpendicular to the plane of orbit. ‘’ (more…)

Our oneness with our breath, our body and our environment plays an activating role in our yoga pratice. How we walk this earth, listen to our elders, or tend to our community can be a reflection of how we understand the teachings of yoga. (more…)