It's 3am...

After one of those fantastic Philadelphia days....class was awesome, juicy, and rocking, then coffee and laughs with friends, a long Reggae walk with the dogs, yoga movie with yoga friends, then Mexican food and a margarita, home by 10pm (practice tomorrow) but at 3am I am now wide awake.

Why am I leaving again? The parade of strangers roaming through the house started this week. Who will be in residence here? What about my yoga classes, my students? This years Teacher Trainee's will not benefit from my endless wit and wisdom, catch heat from the post India glow, they won't get the Guruji/Sharath/Lakshism/Jayashree-isms. Am I failing this community that I have been such a part of?

Is it really smart to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?

To be honest the airplane has been slowly breaking down for some time now, and jumping out it what I need to do to figure some things out and get the clarity that only space can bring. There is nothing comfortable about yoga (future TT's take note) and there is nothing comfortable about taking chances and that is what I am doing. Providence in August, India in January...it's 3am, I must be crazy.

Jai Ho!

10 weeks 'til Providence

This is why after much consideration I am not getting on a plane to Mysore next week. If Mike and I were staying in Philly, there would be no stopping me from celebrating Guruji's life in my beloved Mysore, India. There is just way too much to do, and maybe I am better serving the yoga community here in Philadelphia by continuing to teach, being present right up until I leave.

I relied heavily on practice this week, there is something so profound abut keeping a tradition alive. I could feel practice was bringing Guruji into my heart, and my breath. Taking another cue from Guruji's life, I emailed the Sanskrit Professor at Brown University about attending the Sanskrit class there. I think his response was one of the most intense emails I have ever received. I am in, but I have been warned...it is going to be no joke.

I am having a little gathering at my shala (house) tonight to celebrate the light and life of Guruji, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois if you are interested in coming just send my an email, and I give the details.

Jai Guruji

What more to say about him

Inspiration:

a : a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation

b : the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions

c : the act of influencing or suggesting opinions 2 : the act of drawing in; specifically : the drawing of air into the lungs 3 a : the quality or state of being inspired

Notes from Practice

Getting up for yourself is key. I subbed for Karen this morning at Yoga Squared. Practice does not begin until 9am on Sunday, so in order for me to practice I had to get there and get practicing by 7:15am. I got up got dressed and made it to the mat. Often on Sunday I design my practice to be very vigorous, a full 2nd series practice complete with dropbacks and advanced backbending. Since my new goal is to pick up more of a Mysore life style I decided to practice primary instead. While I was moving and breathing and gazing I could feel a connection between the cylinder of the rib cage and the sway of the pelvis. I also created (riffing on the vinyasa class I taught yesterday) how essential it is to arch the upper spine but keep some coiled in roundness in the pelvis when jumping or should I say floating forward.

Leading a Mysore practice is a really interesting skill, and it does take practice to manage the room. Over the past two years I think that I have found my intention and voice and sharpened my eyes, and direct each student with calmness and confidence. I really enjoy this style of teaching. I just feel clicked into the Shala, and in service to the great teachers who have guided me.

I am teaching for Vanessa tonight at Wake Up Yoga, Fairmount at 5:30pm...come and chant with me and my harmonium finishing the weekend strong!

Mysore Style

I have really been struggling lately with all this change, with all the answers being "you, know, I don't know." In this struggle I have kind of gotten down. I feel messy, practice is messy, and don't even get me started on the state of my car. I woke up this morning ready to be honest, and get back to business. All teacher training season I make the argument that I can't practice at 6:30 am if I am not getting home from TT until 10pm. Well TT has been over for one month and I have shifted in schedule I have not shifted my attitude. I remember that little sweet swami lady in Rishikesh saying that, "yoga is an attitude." I am ready to return to a Mysore style. I am ready to practice and be at peace with all that means. To put mySelf first and forget the rest of the drama.

In about 11 weeks I am leaving Philadelphia, for life unknown. So much change, so many familiar routines gone. I am excited and scared. I am teaching at 9 am at Yoga Squared, and I will be there early practicing raising my energy that I can teach form a place of energy, and love.

The goal this week is to practice 6 days, rest appropriately, and spend more time with people who invite Rama not the Drama.