Yoga has had a major impact on my life since I first started practicing seriously in 2000. I came to Yoga as a fitness instructor and personal trainer (after taking dance lessons as a child), so I had a real appreciation for the physical aspects of the practice. What was new to me, however, was the mental/emotional/spiritual parts of Yoga. I swear these aspects have literally saved my life. I used to suffer from severe depression (including suicidality) and eating disorders, so the major lesson for me was learning to watch my own mind – learning that I had a choice what sorts of thoughts I allowed to occupy my mind. This is a great gift I offer my clients/students whenever I see a need for it.
For me at this point, Yoga is a complete lifestyle. Everything I do has some connection to the teachings and practices of Yoga. I use all six of the branches of Integral Yoga (raja,hatha, karma, bhakti, jnana, japa) every day. My familiarity with all of this makes me feel easeful with clients because I know I have the tools and the experience to share relevant practices with each person.
Since every person is unique, I strive to meet clients where they are. Many people have some knowledge of asana (yoga poses) and pranayama (breath work), but they might not have experience with meditation, chanting, or yoga philosophy for daily life. All of this contributes to mental health. I aim to give people an experience of the blissful True Self so they can carry that experience with them (remember and access it) as they go about daily life. This, more than anything, supports mental health. Vitality is the birthright of everyone!
Independence implies a freedom from being controlled or unduly influenced by an outside source. Spiritual independence suggests the freedom to live in harmony with the spiritual truth at the heart of our being. It implies freedom from depending on any outside source for our happiness, which becomes more and more possible as we begin to experience the profound and unchanging peace within.
Most of us experience daily ups and downs as the situations and events in our lives unfold. When things go our way, we feel pleased and cheerful; when they don’t, we may be disappointed and frustrated. This tells us that we have unintentionally tied—and thus bound—our happiness to the changing world of thoughts, feelings, relationships, external objects, name and fame, and so on.
It’s not surprising that the predominant beliefs of our culture have influenced the way we understand ourselves and our relationship to the world around us. All our lives, we’ve been fed the message that happiness lies in pursuing and holding onto, as well as avoiding, certain things. The teachings of Yoga help us understand that the more we depend on our reputation, bank account, achievements, or the admiration of others as the source of our peace of mind, the more elusive it becomes.
When we find ourselves feeling anxious or angry, it can be an eye-opening exercise to question ourselves, “What is it that I am wanting but not getting that is preventing me from being at peace with this moment?” Or we could ask, “Who is upset and who is aware of it?” If I am aware that I am upset, I can center myself in that awareness or Beingness that is the real “I”, and is always peaceful, balanced, and lacking nothing.
Working with the breath can assist us in this type of inquiry. Pause and ask: “Do I have to be upset or can I take some deep breaths and reconnect to the center of balance even as I pursue my efforts?” In such moments, it can be beneficial to challenge ourselves to find at least a foothold of contentment and remember that is our birthright.
If we are in touch with who we truly are, with a felt inner sense of contentment, our relationship to anything that we might acquire or achieve is dramatically different. We can still enjoy things that we accomplish or experience, but our happiness is not contingent on those things. We can still enjoy eating something, winning a game, and pursuing a career or a relationship, but we can also enjoy the process since we are not relying on the outcome.
Yoga teaches us that we all experience this spiritual independence when we are able to quiet our minds and its movements: all the worrying, obsessing, and mindlessness that often occupies them. Beneath the surface waves of the mind lies an ocean of peace, a deep sense of contentment and connection with all of life. Imagine going about your day with that feeling in the forefront of your mind. Over time, that sense of peace will permeate all your experiences.
Stilling the mind this way is no easy task, but even a little success through some form of regular meditative practice will give us a taste of that natural joy that is ever-present at the heart of our being. Better still, a whole lifestyle based on the teachings of Integral Yoga creates a comprehensive approach that addresses all the levels of our being, and provides fertile ground for growth.
This means adopting sacred standards, such as the Yama and Niyama of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, as our guidelines for living. It means practicing asana, pranayama and meditation to calm and focus the mind. It means letting go of preferences that don’t really serve us and attuning to the inner wisdom that is always in service to the highest good of everyone, including ourselves. It includes an effort to disentangle our sense of self from the ways we have defined ourselves—witnessing the stories of the mind rather than being imprisoned by them. And, it embraces serving others with selfless love and care, without attachment to the result.
As our practice deepens, we experience moments free from past conditioning and begin to see ourselves and our relationship to the world in a fresh way. We begin to feel our connection to each other and all of nature. Over time, such a dedicated life will gradually restructure even the subconscious mind so that we are no longer compelled by old beliefs and fears, and are free to approach life with a sense of deep belonging, inner contentment, and wonder. This is true independence—the birthright that we are all meant to experience.
Namaste! I’m thrilled to announce I’ve completed the two-part (80 hours) training for Therapeutic Yoga, and now offer private sessions at my home or via Zoom. What is Therapeutic Yoga? Here’s an excerpt from the training site:
Therapeutic Yoga is a blend of restorative yoga, gentle yoga, breathwork, energy healing, and guided meditation techniques combined in such a way that makes it an excellent choice for those who need something gentle, yet effective, for bringing the body into balance. It is a particularly good practice for those recovering from, or living with, injury or illness. The Therapeutic Yoga Training program has taught thousands of graduates over the last twenty years.”
Please contact me for more information or to schedule sessions of Therapeutic Yoga.
I’ve had some inquiries lately about where to find my in-person classes locally. I’m still teaching at Onelife Fitness (Norfolk, VA) on Sunday mornings at 10:05. The 60-minute multi-level class is called Slow Flow Yoga and incorporates strength, flexibility, and balance work with attention to breath and body awareness. I focus on mindful attention to the body’s connection with the earth in each pose/exercise as well as proper form and alignment for safety. I give modifications and options to allow each student to work at their own pace. My goal is to leave you feeling refreshed and calm with balanced energy levels. All classes at Onelife Fitness are open to members and may be accessed by guests for a small fee. Come join my dedicated group of 18-25 practitioners!
Note: I’m almost always there on Sundays. Occasionally, the class is covered by a substitute. You can check ahead of time by visiting the website for Onelife Fitness HERE.
Receiving an award for Instructor of the Year at Onelife Fitness
Holistic Yoga & Spiritual Guidance 