If we just take the time to sit and relax our body and mind without any stimulus from the outside it becomes very clear as to why we have difficulty in our lives. Difficulty with life and the problems that we face seems to be inevitable. Yet how we react to these challenges seems to be what we do have the ability to control. It is not within the nature of the world to control. It is when I try to control my surroundings that I am led to disappointment. The process of listening and observing is so completely profound that I often wonder why was I not taught this from a young age as the fundamental skill for traversing life? Perhaps I was but I wasn’t paying close enough attention. Nevertheless, I can only encourage more than anything during this holiday to take some time for ourselves and appreciate the simple beauty of what is around.

Native Yoga Center
833 Donald Ross Rd
Juno Beach, FL 33408
www.nativeyogacenter.com
561-296-7996

I Love Ashtanga Yoga! I am awake early just thinking, “how can I explain how amazing this experience is?” How can I put into words something that is truly sublime? I remember the first time I went onto Sri K. Pattabhi Jois’ website(www.kpjayi.org). I was practicing Bikram Yoga and just beginning to realize that there were yoga “styles” or “traditions”. I recall being completely inspired at that time to try to learn how to practice the poses I was seeing Guruji and Sharath (Guruji’s grandson) pictured in. It seemed other worldly. Something that was far beyond what I could do or even comprehend. Yet going to India at that time almost seemed completely unfathomable. At that point I had begun to experience world travel….yet India also seemed like again a step further than I had yet been. The classic saying of a long journey begins with one step I feel really applies in the yoga practice. It is the seeds of initial longing that when tended really start to develop. After jumping a few hurdles(many steps later), Tam and I made it to India, and had the opportunity to meet Guruji and Sharath. To practice in their shala(yoga studio). Here is where I find it challenging to describe. What can I say? Yesterday, a good 5 years later, Tam and I had the chance to practice in Eddie Stern’s(a certified Ashtanga Instructor) Yoga Shala in New York City. I am completely blown away by the depth of this yoga practice. At the essence it comprises so much more than the glean I first was attracted to in seeing photographs of the physical form. Plus there is so much emotional and physical baggage that has to get refined I think start to actually enjoy this. I remember reading once at the onset that it takes about 8 years to actually start to enjoy this practice. I thought at the time that I was already enjoying it yet I am beginning to see what was meant by that. On one hand I can hardly imagine what is in store then for the future. I immediately think of our teacher Tim Miller. Tim’s shala is in Calsbad (Encinitas) and he has been at this for over 30 years. Tim is incredible!! I feel like it was at his shala that I truly got the feeling for what this was all about and his dedication inspired both of us to no end. He still does. I am feeling an incredible appreciation for the teachings of Guruji and to all of the people who keep his method alive. So without sounding to cliche…….what more can I say?

Peace

Native Yoga Center
833 Donald Ross Rd
Juno Beach, FL 33408
www.nativeyogacenter.com
561-296-7996