Monthly Archives: April 2010

Featured Teacher – Michael Johnson

  By admin | April 28, 2010 - 9:21 pm | Michael Johnson, Teachers
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What inspires you to teach yoga? Virya.  The joy of knowing I can help people tap into their hidden potential to achieve their goals and achieve unbounded happiness in this life and beyond.  Having suffered quite a bit when I was younger, I can now deeply appreciate levels of happiness I have been able to achieve since I started to practice yoga.  Everyone deserves to be happy and and I just enjoy helping people implement the practices that cause happiness into their day to day lives.

What is your current favorite pose? Handstand, when I can hold it longer than expected.

What is your teaching history? I started teaching dream yoga in 1999, after discovering how to dream lucidly on a regular basis.  After taking a couple of Yoga teacher trainings in Arizona and Detroit, I realized that there was much more yoga than I thought.  In 2001, I quit my carpentry job and started to teach full yoga full time.  Although I never made a fortune, I have learned so much from just focusing on helping others, night and day.  In 2003, I taught my first 200-hour yoga teacher training and have taught one every year since.  Each year I continue to take more trainings from my Teachers, so that I can be of better service to others.

What is a favorite inspirational quote? “The universe does not revolve around you…it evolves within You.” ~ Kimberley Theresa

When do you teach at The Asheville Yoga Center? Mondays 7:15-8:45pm, Wednesdays 9:30-11am, Fridays 1:30-3pm

The quick list

Birthdate: December 13th

Residence: Currently Hendersonville, looking for a place in Asheville

Family: My beloved wife and Teacher, Stephanie and two cats: Lord Naropa and Lady Niguma.

How long have you been practicing Yoga: In this lifetime, since 1998.

Most Challenging Pose: Unsupported Headstand

Three words that best describe you: Compassionate, committed and curious

What’s in your cd player? Rodrigo Y Gabriella 11:11

What are you reading now? Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand by Pabongka Rinpoche

Favorite Scent: Lavendar and citrus

Toothpaste: Tom’s spearmint

Soap: Any kind that does not test on animals, or pay other companies to do it for them.

Favorite Meal: Rice noodles with toasted sesame oil and Braggs…accompanied by sauteed tempeh with agave and Braggs…plus avocado.

Last movie you watched: Capitalism: A Love Story.

What is your favorite word? Any word that is truthful, meaningful, kind and helps bring people together.

What is your least favorite word? Any word that is untruthful, unnecessary, unkind or splits people apart.

What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Mental afflictions.

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? The union of karma and emptiness.

Michael Johnson ERYT-500 is a certified Jivamukti instructor who has studied directly with Sharon and David in New York as well as with their Teacher Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India. He has been a full-time yoga teacher in the Detroit area since 2001. He continues to study Yoga and Buddhism with Geshe Michael Roach, Lama Christie McNally, Lama Sumati Marut, Kimberley Theresa and his Angelic wife, Stephanie Johnson.

For a complete list of teachers and classes at The Asheville Yoga Center click here.

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Making Your Practice an Every Day Practice

  By admin | April 27, 2010 - 6:34 pm | Wisdom
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One of the biggest challenges a modern yogi can face is practicing every day. The world is now built to be flashier, brighter and more exciting in every thing that we do. It’s very challenging not to get distracted by HBO’s newest coolest series or even just the every day world – such as laundry, dishes or errands – and not to mention kids! So, if you can’t get to the studio every day and you are curious about ways to fit in your practice, read on. We have 10 suggestions from yogis around the world to help you cultivate that daily time for Svadyaya – sanskrit for self-study.

1. Make your time consistent every day. Pick a time that you are going to dedicate to practice and plan you day around that.  Even if its just 10 minutes, the regular timing will get into your daily rhythms and it will become easier and easier to take that time.

2. Start with firm determination. Just like you can’t bake bread without flour, you can’t practice without a firm will to do so. It’s the most important ingredient for baking yourself in the fire of tapas, or discipline. Otherwise, any little thing is liable to go higher on your priority list.

3. Have an open mind. If you consider your practice done only when you have 2 hours and a hot sweaty room to practice in, you will for sure run into trouble! Consider your practice to encompass all different styles. Some days it can be hot and sweaty, but then some days it might be perfect to meditate and do some pranayama.

4. Make it easier on yourself. We all have flashes of creative brilliance, but everyone needs to have the spark of inspiration lit now and again. Order a couple of yoga DVDs for when that time comes, or go to the internet for support. YouTube has some great videos that are free, and there are lots of subscription services out there too. AYC has classes on YogaVibes.com, so you can take Stephanie with you wherever you go!

5. Find some friends. Just like the saying, “Two minds are better than one,” it really helps to have a friend or two to practice with once a week (or more often!). This creates a energy circle, a community – your sangha. This can lift you up when you are down, give you ideas when you feel dry and generally help your motivation when someone is relying on you to be there with them.

6. Be Patient. Some days it will feel AWESOME, and some days you will have rather stayed in bed. Don’t worry, most of the most profound effects of yoga take years to come to fruition. That is one of the cool things about yoga – it’s a cumulative effect, like peeling the layers off of an onion. Some day you might run out of layers, but in the meantime you will have liberating experiences as you gain understanding of your self.

7. Add music. One of the best ways to get you body on to your yoga mat is to put on music. It can be soft music if you are tired and need a gentle practice, or pumping up the volume with your favorite rock band if you have juice to spare that day. If you are part of the digital generation, make a playlist on your iPod and commit to staying on the mat until the last note dies into silence. That can be just the boundary you need to stay on your mat!

8. Get a hit of Shakti! If nothing is working and you are just stumped, find your favorite teacher and ask her for advice. They might have a personal experience they can relate to you that will help you move past the block in your body and mind and springboard you to the next level.

9. Learn something new. Go to a new teacher, pick up a book at the library about yoga or ask a friend to borrow something from his library. Even non-yoga books can be inspirational when it comes to your practice. Ask your friends what their favorite book has been of late and try it out. A fresh, new perspective can do wonders for your attitude towards the mat!

10. Make it personal. Identify what you love most about yoga and incorporate that into your daily practice. Is it the quiet five minutes of meditation? Is it linking the poses with breath? Is it mantra? Do some simple self-reflection to find our what floats your yoga boat!

One of the most inspirational ways to keep up with a daily practice is to remember your yoga mat is your personal surfboard for life. The lessons you learn on it will serve you in all aspects of your life – how you approach each exercise, each shape will help you approach similar types of problems off of the mat. The more you practice, the more grace and ease in the breath as you move from pose to pose, or ride the wave of the breath in meditation, those lessons will directly translate into your life. Your relationships will improve, along with your health and understanding of your self. All of these things will help you ease your journey and learn as much as you can in this life. And can’t we agree that is worth a few minutes on the mat every day?

The author, Anna Ferguson, is a yoga teacher, artist, photographer and writer. She teaches weekly classes at Asheville Yoga Center and other studios in Asheville, NC. Find out more about her at ushasyoga.com.
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Crow Pose

  By admin | April 27, 2010 - 6:08 pm | Arm Balances, Poses
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Bakasana

Before you begin, its great to do some abdominal warmups for this pose. For all arm balances, it’s good to be warmed up and have the prana flowing, so a few sun salutations and rounds of Uddiyana Bhanda will get you in touch with the muscle groups used for this asana.

Mentally, this pose is all about trust. You must trust that the balance point you will get to will allow you to stay up and not take a header into the floor. This can be intimidating, but never fear. If this is your first time trying the pose, a good trick to help you get past the fear is to place a bolster (folded up towels and pilows are nice too) right in front of you so that you have a “crash pad.” Once you feel prepared to try this balance, place your hands in front of you on the floor.

Check your foundations – are your hands firmly pressing into the floor, especially at the fleshy part of the hand between the thumb and first finger? Inhale and pull your belly in strong, like you were going to do a sit-up. If you have awareness of the bhandas, Mula Bhanda and Uddiyana Bhanda are particularly helpful in this pose.

To get started in this pose, it’s easier to use bent arms, somewhere between Plank pose arms and Chaturunga Dandasana arms.  To attempt the pose, start in a squat (some people like to start with their feet together, but that can be challenging for some people’s anatomy. Try it and see if it works for you). Start practicing this pose with one knee on the back of your upper arm, and then working your way into two knees. You can leave one toe on the floor and have your crash pad ready! You can even put your head on your “crash pad” to help you get the feeling of having both knees up on your arms. It helps to take the chest forward (think about your heart extending ahead of you on the mat) and look in front of your hands. After that, it’s about practice and feeling yourself in the pose.

This is a great pose to facilitate confidence, both on and off the mat! It stimulates the first three chakras, allowing you to build heat, tapas, that internal fire that will help you cook out physical and mental toxins!

The author, Anna Ferguson, is a yoga teacher, artist, photographer and writer. She teaches weekly classes at Asheville Yoga Center and other studios in Asheville, NC. Find out more about her at ushasyoga.com.

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Chocolate Chip-A-Root Bites

  By admin | April 27, 2010 - 2:22 am | Recipes
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This recipe is the culmination of months worth of effort to create a high quality baked product that is friendly to food allergies and contains root vegetables. It’s a moist, dense, rich chocolate flavored, low calorie, low fat treat. In addition, this product is very low in sodium, low in saturated fat, and a great source of antioxidants! Don’t let all the health claims fool you – these are delicious!

Ingredients*

  • 1 c. sorghum flour
  • 3/4 tsp. guar gum
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. aluminum-free baking powder
  • 1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tbl. brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 3.8 oz dark berry applesauce
  • 1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 c. original flavored rice milk
  • 1-1/2 c. peeled butternut squash, grated
  • 1-1/2 c. unpeeled sweet potato, grated
  • 1/3 c. dairy-free, gluten-free semisweet chocolate chips


Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 176 degrees Celsius.
  2. Spray two mini-muffins pans with cooking spray.
  3. In a medium sized bowl, mix together: flour and all dry ingredients except sugar and chocolate chips. Whisk to combine and set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together: all wet ingredients except vegetables until light and fluffy. Stir in vegetables. Fold in chocolate chips.
  5. Spoon mixture evenly into 42 muffin cups (omit one column) approximately 1 to 1-1/2 tablespoons per bite.
  6. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until tooth pick inserted in center of muffin comes out dry. Enjoy!

Serving Size = 1 bite. At under40 calories per bite you can indulge guilt free on a few of these!

*Recipe Options Please note: any substitutions will alter the nutritional and allergen content

  • In place of sorghum flour: all purpose gluten-free flour, rice flour, whole wheat flour, etc.
  • You can purchase aluiminum-free baking powder at a health food store.
  • Dark berry apple sauce refers to pre-made applesauce in individual 3.8 oz containers, find this with your premade applesauces at your local grocery store. Avoid ones containing high fructose corn syrup as this promotes storage of extra fat in the body. Fat accumulation around the abdomen and lower torso is related to increased risk of diseases.
  • Rice milk may be substituted with cows, almond, or your favorite milk option. Soy has been widely researched for around 40 years now. Some research suggests that the consumption of Soy is beneficial due to it’s ability to mimic estrogen. This product is used to relieve symptoms of menopause which is indicative of a decrease in the hormone estrogen in the body and physicalsymptoms like the loss of menstruation. Other new research from a long-term study suggests that Soy can lead to premature aging, growth disorders, thyroid gland problems, infertility, and tumor growth. Consider the facts!


Keri Rogers is a devoted student of Yoga and Registered Yoga teacher.  She attended the 230-hr teacher training last July at The Asheville Yoga Center.  Keri is devoted wholeheartedly to spreading the love and teachings of Yoga to everyone she can.  In addition to her Yoga studies, Keri is a Nutritionist and Wellness Coach creating original recipes, sharing health tips, Yoga philosophy and details about the practice, check it out: http://yogiwellnessjourney.blogspot.com/

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Spring Fever – A Top Ten List

  By admin | April 22, 2010 - 2:32 pm | In and Of The Moment
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It is finally here. The birds are singing, the Yoshino Cherry trees are blooming and the sun is warming my skin. After a long, hard winter we can finally breathe in a deep collective, “Ahhhhhhh……..”

With the warmer weather, people are spending more time outdoors and the day seems to fill up with numerous activities. Baseball has begun. Seedlings need planting. Yards need mowing and dogs need walking. You may begin to find it difficult to fit in time for your yoga practice. This seems to happen every year, but this year I encourage you to set aside YOU time for your practice. Because a practice is only a practice, if you PRACTICE it. Whether you do your yoga with Priscilla on eTV, hop out of bed and rip out a few sun salutations, please do not give up!

Here is my top ten list for why you should continue your yoga practice even when the warmer weather and longer days are here:

Number 10 – If you PRACTICE yoga regularly, you will experience improved health, better sleep, greater productivity, reduced levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), better circulation, injury prevention, better organ and glandular function, and overall better wellness.

Number 9 - What!? After all that, you are still reading? That wasn’t enough! Fine. You people are hard to please!  The # 9 reason to continue your practice is that yoga helps you to lose weight and to maintain a healthy weight. When your physical and emotional needs are being met, you are less likely to binge on doughnuts and more likely to eat healthy foods. A study shows that middle-aged people who practice yoga gain less weight over a 10-year period than those who did not. Certain yoga poses increase metabolism and suppress the appetite. Those of you who are reaching the big 4-0 mark soon (like me) or are already beyond that, know that WE NEED THIS EXTRA HELP! Yoga helps me to level the playing field. Two hours of Ashtanga = a few glasses of Pinot and an occasional extra cheese pizza!

Number 8 – Yoga helps to wring out the toxins in our body. What other form of exercise can claim that? Liver, kidneys and colon all function better with a regular yoga practice. Yoga ensures the optimum blood supply to various parts of the body, which flushes out toxins from every nook and cranny. Try Marichyasana 1 for a really good cleanse.

Number 7 – Yoga can turn your world upside down (in a good way!) Inversions not only benefit the brain, improve circulation, increase oxygenation of the blood, AND help you think more clearly, but they also help you to view your world in a different and amazing way. If you don’t believe me, go find a great, big, beautiful tree out in the middle of your yard or in a park and do a handstand up against it. WOW! What a rush!

Number 6 – Two words – Yoga Butt. Enough said.

Number 5 – Yoga tames the monkeys swinging from your cerebrum. Yoga can help you to still the mind for longer and longer moments to experience a sense of quiet and calm. You have to stop the chatter if you wish to hear the messages being sent! Greatness comes to a quiet mind free of swinging primates.

Number 4 - Be here now. Living in the present moment keeps us healthy and happy. Yoga helps us to get centered and to live with greater awareness of what is going on RIGHT NOW. Present living creates greater mind body health, which leads to improved concentration, coordination, reaction time and memory. It will also improve your tennis or golf game. Try it. You’ll see.

Number 3 - Yoga helps us to obtain moderation in our whole lives. In my humble opinion, moderation is the key to well-being, and yoga keeps my moderation in check. Don’t get me wrong…. There are even moments when we must practice moderation in moderation!


Number 2 – Your digestive system works a whole lot better when you practice yoga. (That’s why I saved this for number 2. Get it? Ha ha ha ha…….) Yes, digestive health and regularity sure are important. Just ask someone who doesn’t have it!

And the Number 1 reason you should continue your yoga practice is: BECAUSE IT MAKES YOU LOOK AND FEEL DAMN AMAZING! Why anyone would give up that feeling is beyond me?

SO, if you were thinking of bagging your practice because you are soooo busy and it is sooooo pretty outside, think again! Remember the days are longer, so a little yoga should not be difficult for you to fit in each day!

Now that you know the top ten reasons to do yoga, check out the top 10 reasons NOT to do yoga here.  Sadie Nardini is one funny (and talented) yogini!!

Please share your reasons for maintaining your yoga practice in the comments below.

Keep practicing,
Lisa

Lisa Casey has been studying yoga since 1997 and teaching since 2004. Upon moving to Camden, SC, in 2005, she recognized her dream of bringing a yoga studio to this charming southern community known for its horses, history and hospitality.  She is currently working on her 500 RYT training with the Yoga Center of Asheville. When Lisa is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family on their mini-farm and orchard, with their dogs, cats, chickens and bees. She loves to play tennis and the piano, ride horses, write and blog, and travel the world searching for new adventure! Visit Lisa’s website Blue Dog Yoga and her Blog for more.

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Deepak Chopra Explains The System of Yoga

  By admin | April 15, 2010 - 4:06 am | Wisdom
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In this short and sweet video Deepak Chopra breaks it down for us Patanjali-Style. Here, he explains The 8-Limb path of yoga and the four fundamental branches of yoga.

Gotta love the plug for his new iPhone app.  Oh, what the heck, here is the link:  Authentic Yoga featuring Tara Stiles Actually, it looks pretty cool. Has anyone tried it? Feel free to comment below!

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Found this snippet via intent.com.

He tweets!  Follow Deepak on Twitter

We tweet! Follow Asheville Yoga Center on Twitter

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The Right Environment for Meditation

  By admin | April 12, 2010 - 11:38 pm | Meditation
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As meditators mature in their practice, superconsciousness becomes easier to facilitate.  This is the natural outcome of aligning all necessary factors to produce the desired effect, unification of a fragmented consciousness.  When worthwhile results, using time-tested meditation techniques, are not readily experienced, often this is due to failure to create the proper environment for success.  The meditation environment has both outer and inner attributes.  Physical location, time, mental attitude, and degree of interest need to be considered.

A suitable location for meditation is any pleasant, quiet place where the meditator will not be disturbed.  Early morning, before anyone else is awake, is an excellent time.  If they can remain alert and awake, some people find that meditating after everyone has gone to bed is ideal.  Dedicating a specific location in the home and a specific time every day, by force of habit, will help the meditator settle into practice more easily.

A good mental attitude to have during meditation is one of joyful expectancy, approaching meditation as one would approach a hot bath.  Meditators who happily come to the practice, ready to de-stress, leaving their worldly cares behind, meditate more deeply and effectively.  Meditation is not the time to focus on worries or concerns; it is a time to wholeheartedly absorb your attention in divine freedom.

Going through the practice mechanically without full attention to the process does not promote superconsciousness.  When practicing breath awareness, each breath is watched as alertly as a cat would watch a mouse hole.  When contemplating God, each moment is imbued with an alert, yet relaxed, openness to the flash of realization.

When these four factors are met, each new day will bring a deeper, and more rewarding experience in meditation.  In time, superconsciousness becomes the natural state, and not just an after effect or proper meditation.

Ryan Kurczak is a Vedic Astrologer and ordained teacher in the Kriya Yoga tradition of Mahavatar Babaji, Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswar, Paramahansa Yogananda, and Roy Eugene Davis.  He has a thriving astrological consultation and teaching practice, and is the director of Center for Spiritual Awareness in Asheville, NC.  CSA is a learning center for meditation, raja yoga philosophy and holistic living.  To learn more, please visit www.ashevillevedicastrology.com and www.csa-asheville.org.  Or contact Ryan directly at Ryan.kurczak@gmail.com.

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Spring cleaning time … yep, that means your yoga mat, too!

  By admin | April 8, 2010 - 6:23 pm | In and Of The Moment
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As spring settles in on our front steps it is hard not to admire the way the sunshine lights up your home and highlights those cobwebs in the corners of the room; you know the ones you keep saying you’ll get to!

With spring we tend to shift towards cleaning out to make room for the new season. A great way to clean up your yoga practice is pamper your mat. It needs a good cleaning from time to time!

Cleaning your yoga mat can be so simple however it really depends on your mat. There are tons of products available from sprays to wipes. However, before you run out and purchase anything be sure to be familiar with what type of mat you have. The type of material your mat consists of will be a huge part of how you clean it. Everyone chooses their mat for different reasons; be it the beautiful bright pink mat you saw on the shelf or if you searched out the most eco friendly produced mat on the market.

So just to be safe here are some general tips that work with most types of yoga mats. For the times when your mat is in need of a good deep clean you can simply put your mat in the tub with a little tea tree oil and warm water. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and despite the name having “Oil” in it; it doesn’t make your mat slippery (at least in my experience) just be sure to dilute it with  a good bit with water and rub down your mat with a clean sponge or cloth.

Once you’ve cleaned both sides you can grab a beach towel (they work best) or two bath towels. Place them on the floor and then your mat on top of the towel(s). Then roll your mat and towel together. This will squeeze out the excess water. After you’ve done that a few times you can either hang it over your sturdy shower curtain rod or if it is a beautiful day place it in the sunlight to dry- just remember to flip it. For those of you with natural yoga mats that choose to put them in the sun to dry- be mindful to not leave it outside for too long; perhaps just enough to get the excess water removed and let it finish drying inside. Natural mats can break down a bit quicker- so be mindful.

Some other great ideas is to spot clean your mat between practices; use a damp cloth. This will keep the maintenance down a bit. I also like to keep a spray bottle of the tea tree oil and water mixture to lightly clean my mat between practices.

Also maybe invest in a Yogitoes Skidless. There are many great thing about this product; they last forever (I’ve had mine for 6 years) they extend the life of your mat, they are simple to clean- you literally throw it in the washer and then can let air dry. The Skidless is a great travel companion as well, light and easy to throw in your bag and great used over borrowed studio mats (much more hygienic as well)

Hopefully this will help you clean out those cobwebs and start spring with a fresh clean mat!

Please post your tips and tricks in the comments below and, of course, feel free to share or retweet this post!!

The author, Flo Sheffield, is a passionate yoga student and self-proclaimed Southern Yogini currently enrolled in The Asheville Yoga Center‘s nine month Teacher Training program. She found that AYC was her yoga home after completing the five day Vinyasa training in 2009. Flo resides in Newnan, Georgia with her husband, English bulldog named Chai and old lady cat named Maggie. Visit Flo’s blog at http://southernyoga.blogspot.com/

BLOGGY BONUS: See a SKIDLESS in action! Advanced asana demo by Krista Cahill:

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Satya in the Real World

  By admin | April 8, 2010 - 3:14 am | Wisdom
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“Truth is the beginning of every good thing, both in heaven and on earth; and he who would be blessed and happy should be from the first a partaker of truth, for then he can be trusted.”

- Plato

One of the yamas that I have been having a tough time really adhering to lately is Satya – Truth. Growing up I didn’t always say that something was bothering me with my friends or even my parents until I just blew up and it came out. Some of that I might have been able to blame on my redheaded hair and fiery temper. But, nonetheless, not all of it and not at my age now.

In our world today, to speak our truth as many state it, can be a very tricky matter. My determination recently is that when I do say or speak my real feelings about something, to the best of my ability, of course, without dressing it up in an exaggerating nature and putting a huge bow on it (as that isn’t something we should have to do in order to say what we really think )- the world isn’t ready for it. Or at least, a lot of the world isn’t.

Humm…..to say what you think, not dress it and up and make it something it’s not, be tactful, acting without malice or harm in mind, but truthful in nature – I’m thinking that sounds so easy, so truthful, so honest. So how it is that it can get turned into something else, something it’s not, something different?

The answer is, it can! And very easily, here’s why:

We all have issues, some are listened to more by our inner egos than others. But they are there. When you tell someone something that you are thinking, feeling – your truth, even though it is not meant to hurt, belittle or demean them in anyway shape or form, they attach what you say to their own issues and then it gets hairy.

But, really satya is about living our truth. As is yoga, satya is a practice. Living your truth each and every day, not allowing the issues of the world around you take your truth away, not masking your truth until it isn’t a truth any longer. As Rolf Gates says, “We live in a world where truth is a rare commodity. Over time you will have the pleasure of watching this beautiful practice blossom in your life in a way that is honest and authentic. As you learn to speak the truth, you will learn to be true to yourself, to all that is best in you.”

So when you get an email at work that could be misread – don’t invest false energy into it.

When you hear what someone says, don’t judge them, really allow yourself to hear them and clarify what they mean by what they say.

Don’t involve yourself in idle gossip about others, do you know their real truth? Do they even know their own truth?

Then let it be. Commence yourself to the practice of satya and all that is and all that is says. Know that all is exactly as it should be as if you wear your truth on your sleeve.

How do you practice satya? What real world experiences do you have to share? Do you ever get overwhelmed after speaking your truth?

The author, Tiffany Cantrell, is a a computer teacher, yoga teacher and ambassador for Yoga Vibes. She is originally from Boone, NC and currently residing in Florida. Tiffany completed her yoga teacher training at The Asheville Yoga Center and is currently working on her 500 hour training (also at AYC). “It is my favorite place to go in the world!” she says. Visit Tiffany’s blog at http://tiffanytheyogini.com

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Making Time For Yoga and Rod Stryker

  By admin | April 5, 2010 - 2:04 am | In and Of The Moment
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My synchronistic moment.

As my personal life and business is (finally!) taking off, I find myself excited by the flurry of opportunities and amazing people I am connecting with on a regular basis. To sum it up:

I love my life. Wheeee!

With all of the commotion, however, there is one thing that has been tugging at my thoughts, something I’ve tucked behind all of the excitement and the whirlwind of activity.

My on-the-mat time is seriously lacking.

Yoga is important to me. Developing myself and my yoga-related business is of the utmost importance in my life. I have a lot of blood, sweat and tears invested in my commitment to living and sharing my passion: yoga. Still, I find myself making excuses for not practicing and saying to myself, “There is no way I am going to make it to yoga class this week. I am just too busy.” And, no surprise here, I am left with that nagging feeling that I have broken a promise. A promise I made to myself to GET ON THE MAT no matter what.

How perfect, then, that I should come across this video interview with Rod Stryker

“At its deepest level yoga is going to bring us to what is most important and really what life is about. In effect, one of the reasons that we struggle with time is that we often lose the deeper purpose, the meaning of our life.”

Exactly what I needed to hear. I am looking at my To-Do lists, my pressing responsibilities and commitments and indeed I have lost sight of the point of it all.

So, right now, in this moment, I am renewing my commitment to yoga. I will take time every day to practice and free myself of obligations. After all, busy is a nothing more than state of mind and what better way to slow it all down, than to sit quietly, breathe and notice how much more space and time exists when you allow it in. Amazing.

Yoga brings you back to what is important.

Yoga gives your obligations meaning.

So, how are you going to make time for yoga this week? Please share in the comments below and thanks for reading!

Rod Stryker is coming to Asheville, NC soon! Participate in his ParaYoga Teacher Training and/or Master Classes.

April 14-18, 2010 Para Yoga Teacher Training Certification
8:30 – 11:30AM Master Classes
1:30 – 5:30PM Teacher Training

Click to Learn More and Register Online

April 14-18, 2010 Para Yoga Master Classes
8:30 – 11:30AM Attend Individual Classes or All Five

Click to Learn More and Register Online


Author Lindsay Fields is a yoga teacher, blogger, and certified (or is it certifiable?) mother of two. Lindsay is currently teaching Hot Yoga in Asheville, NC. You can find out more about Lindsay and her exploits at LindsayFields.com.

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