Focus Wrap Up: Back to Basics

Over the weekend I taught the final classes in our January Back to Basics focus. To complement our fine-tuning of alignment, review of three-part breathing and return to proper resting, these last sessions invited students to deepen their commitment to setting an intention. Personally, I can’t imagine getting on the mat without exploring some kind…

January Focus: Back to Basics

Luscious. That’s how I would describe, in one word, the yoga class I just took with veteran Asana teacher Sandy Kavalier up the street from my apartment at Yoga Chai (http://www.yogachai.com/).  Breathing emphasis and mechanical cues.  Nothing more, nothing less.   My hips feel heavenly, my arms stronger, my shoulders intact, my lungs larger.  My entire…

Focus: Why Yoga? – Healing Physical Injuries

One year ago, I couldn’t raise my right arm above my head. I’d started teaching at Past Tense Studio when it opened last July.  Just before that, I’d jammed my right shoulder and neck while bracing my fall, tripping up some stairs at my dad’s house.  As usual, I went straight to the chiropractor and…

Focus: The Eight Limbs, Pt. 2 – Asana & Pranayama

In our yoga classes, the May/June Focus is The Eight Limbs.  Each week, we practice a pretty pure Level 1 Integral Yoga (IY) Hatha set accompanied by background on the Limbs from The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. To review Weeks 3 & 4, Asana & Pranayama: Continuing our process of growth through the Eight Limbs,…

Why I Spend So Much Time on Alignment

…only true Silence is eternal speech, the one word om (inner sound), the Heart-to-Heart talk.  Silence is the true advice.  – Swami Satyeswarananda Giri As many of you know, I try to guide an internal and meditative practice when teaching yoga classes.  Paradoxically, I can talk your yogic ear off with detailed alignment instructions.  I…

Let Your Heart Bloom Open

Hunched and hidden hearts, don’t let the cold weather shut you down! Our Bi-Monthly Focus for January/February yoga classes is HEART.  For the 1st month, we’ll focus on the Anatomy & Physiology of opening the heart center despite our tendency to scrunch up during the winter.  For the 2nd month, we’ll explore and perhaps counteract…

Welcome to The Urban Yoga Den

Welcome to The Urban Yoga Den, where “it’s all yoga.”  Thanks to everyone who encouraged and informed this step along my yoga biz journey. Please see the “About” page for more about this blog and me. In this 1st post, I am compiling parts of my September and August e-newsletters, including: WORKSHOP: “Meditation Myth Busters”…