Sun Salutations on Bernal Hill

After working all morning and most of this afternoon at my computer, I stole away from my little garden yoga shala for a walk up Bernal Hill. I felt guilty leaving my desk, but it was sunny and warm and so unlike most afternoons in San Francisco, I couldn’t resist.

I’m glad I didn’t resist. I walked up to the highest crest and without having planned it, started a simple standing Sun Salutation to a westward sun. A little gopher or moll or some small furry adorable animal poked up through a hole and checked out what was going on, then chomped on some grass and left me to my impromptu practice.

I don’t know how I turned into that person who feels guilty for taking a walk in the sun. The truth is, sometimes I just find myself feeling hurried with a vague sense of displaced urgency, as if there were some task master standing over my shoulder taking account of what I have and have not accomplished. I’m embarrassed to admit it.

I do know that there are things I want to contribute to this world and I realize that my time here is limited. But I’m a much kinder and more generous person when I’m happy. I believe I’ll be happier with a little more time in the sun.

So I’m adding one more task to my To Do list and I’ll encourage my imaginary task master to take note . . . One daily Sun Salutation, not in a studio, not inside my little garden yoga shala, but outside and in the sun.

Posted November 3, 2009 at 6:36 pm       Leave a Comment

Yoga at Mission Pie

Eat More Pie! I’m happy to be always looking at the ways yoga is a part of everyday life. And yoga as union of the Self with the Divine is without a doubt practiced at Mission Pie every day. Using produce from local farms that practice organic and sustainable farming methods, this coffee, tea, and savory and sweet pie house has become a favorite hang out on my way home from teaching early morning private classes. I’m impressed by Mission Pie’s commitment to their workers and community, offering health insurance to full-time employees, which at this place is anyone who works over 26 hours! As one of many Americans living without health insurance, maybe I should consider signing up for counter hours. More than likely, you’ll probably find me just sitting at the large community table drinking a cup of fair trade organic tea or coffee and chatting it up with one of my many yogi friends who also love this place. With the integrated intention to honor health and happiness, I’m convinced everyone should eat more pie at Mission Pie!

Posted September 1, 2009 at 9:30 am       Leave a Comment

Tell All Tales

It’s taken me years to come to some sense of comfort with my life as a yoga teacher. Are you surprised? I mean, I’m just a white girl from New Hampshire, what am I doing teaching a practice rooted in a tradition that dates back thousands of years and born from a culture based halfway around the globe! But I’m getting used to it. And mostly my sense of ease comes from the joy I’ve felt watching all of you in my classes. No one could be happier than me when I watch as you challenge yourselves to learn and grow and find for yourselves that you can taste the sweetness of happiness in that process. So here it is—this is our blog! Tell me your tales of hardships and success and I’ll tell you mine. Over the years, I’ve learned the most about myself—on and off the mat—through the clarity brought about by steady and disciplined practice. And I’m far from perfect. Let’s use this space to encourage each other and despite our challenges we’ll tell our tales of beauty, humor, and love.

Posted August 30, 2009 at 5:30 pm       1 Comment