Welcome to my page! Here I will offer insights from my experience with yoga and yoga culture. I've been a practitioner for three years and I love the changes yoga has brought to my life. Yoga is not merely a form of exercise, but more of a lifestyle. I hope you enjoy what I have to say.

Namaste.

Today's Thought

Losing a Pose

For a time, I lost my Warrior I pose. I knew it would be there, waiting for me every time I had class. The problem was, I felt like I was reaching for the pose while I was in it. Eventually I got it back (mostly through focusing on my feet, interestingly enough), but I learned that poses come and go. Just because you are master of Tree pose one week, or even one time, does not mean that you will have it when you go back to your mat.

A pose that I have never found is Chataranga Dandasana. For the life of me I can't get my elbows to stay glued to my side! My best strategy is to keep at it. Chataranga Dandasana, the beautiful cousin of the push-up, will one day be mine!

Studio versus Home

Since I've moved to NYC, I haven't taken classes in a studio. This is partly due to scheduling, partly due to finances. I have been practicing at home with Gaiam DVDs, though, admittedly, less than I mean to. There are advantages and disadvantages to studio and home practice:

Studio Pros:

• Expertise of teacher
• Community of practitioners
• Committed schedule keeps you practicing
• Can be easier to focus

Studio Cons:

• Well, you do have to pay
• Can be crowded, depending on the studio
• You sometimes have to shop around to find the teacher and studio you like best
• Some days, just getting to class increased my stress level, i.e., traffic, tardiness, etc!

Home Pros:

• Privacy!
• You can practice any time
• You can designate a yoga area where you always practice, or roll out your mat any old place.

Home Cons:

• Can be harder to focus
• Other home activities can prevent practice
• No teacher to suggest adjustments and spot you

This is, bien sur, not an exhaustive list, but it's what comes to mind right now. I prefer the scheduled aspect to classes. When I was pregnant I tried a pay-per-class schedule for a few weeks and wasn't pleased. I'd rather set up a block and have a commitment to to. I feel I get value for my money and am kept on course. I'm determined to become a diligent home practitioner, however. Maybe this summer. And, I hope to get my son to eventually practice at home with me! Maybe in a few years . . .

 Alignment

When I am out and about I often find myself looking at the feet of fellow pedestrians.  I am often troubled to see the way people walk; most often I notice people walking with their toes pointed outward.  The correct positioning of your feet is vital in a yoga practice, but equally important off the mat.  Walking with your toes pointed straight out in front of you aligns your knees, hips, and spine.  This protects your joints and prevents discomfort.  If you have trouble with back or joint pain, it is especially important to be aware of how your body is aligned while walking, standing and sitting.  Sitting for long periods in front of a computer, for example, can be hard on your body.  Keeping your feet under your knees can circumvent some of the discomfort associated with long computer sessions.  Being mindful of your body's position is a gentle way to focus your attention inward.

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